Islander Jim Peterka loses battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease

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Originally published — 2:30 p.m., February 6, 2007
Updated — 4:34 p.m., February 6, 2007

Friends will remember him as an amiable, soft-spoken man who dedicated the latter part of his life to an island community he came to love and serve.


Submitted photo

Jim Peterka as he will be remembered by friends and family. The prolific Marco Island volunteer, ex Air Force man and husband of Monica Peterka died Sunday after a three-year battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Colleagues will remember him as an Air Force Colonel and combat pilot who switched to the operational side of commercial aviation to hold more than half a dozen senior positions countrywide in a career that spanned more than 40 years.

And, his wife will remember him as a loving spouse who remained cheerful and upbeat right up until this past Sunday when he finally succumbed to a three-year battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

It had been a special weekend for Jim Peterka, said his wife Monica. Under hospice care at home for the previous two weeks, the twosome decided to enjoy a “snow” day together on Saturday evening because of the cold snap that had hit Marco Island.

“He suggested the snow day,” Monica Peterka said. “It’s what they do up north when it gets really cold. So, we watched movies, and had some wine and pizza. We watched Little Miss Sunshine, and The Devil Wears Prada.”

The next morning, she said, her husband lost the fight.

That fight, said Sandi Riedemann-Lazarus represented the ultimate in stoicism and bravery.

Riedemann-Lazarus, who is Executive Director of the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, said Peterka had been a member of the inaugural Leadership Marco program in 2002.

“He was a great supporter of the Chamber, and all of our events,” Riedemann-Lazarus said. “Everybody knew about his illness, and that he always had a smile throughout.”

Former Chamber President Pat Neale agreed.

“He was always his old self, amazingly so,” Neale said. “He was at a Chamber After 5 gathering as recently as this January.”

Monica Peterka said she and Jim had been lifelong friends in Maryland, but had both raised their own families.

“I didn’t realize for all that time that I was in love with the guy,” she said.

Redemption came in 1997 when their paths crossed again, and they married in 1997, a year before moving to Marco Island.

In his final career move, Jim Peterka served as Senior Facilities Manager at Southwest Florida International Airport, and was directly responsible for all planning, programming, budgeting and management of the airport facilities program.

He retired in June, 2003, and was diagnosed with ALS four months later.

Monica Peterka said it was typical of her husband that before his death he stipulated samples of his DNA should be used for researching the dreaded disease.

“He said he just hoped it might help somebody else,” she said.

Jim Peterka, who is eligible for a burial with full military honors, was 66. A memorial service is planned for this Friday on Marco Island, with details to follow.

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Cosovich, Hoover Institution adviser, dies


Jon C. Cosovich, who worked as a development officer at the university and later as a senior adviser to the director of the Hoover Institution, died Jan. 24 at his home in San Francisco. He was 71.


Cosovich had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2003.


Born June 19, 1935, in Astoria, Ore., Cosovich attended Stanford, graduating in 1957 with a degree in political science. He also met his classmate and future wife, Katharine "Timmie" Getchell, at the university. The couple married in 1960.


Cosovich began working at Stanford as a development officer in 1961. He left in 1983 to become vice president for development at the University of Michigan. From 1996 until recently, he served as senior adviser on development matters to the director of the Hoover Institution.


In addition to his wife, he is survived by brothers Peter Cosovich of San Francisco and Alan Cosovich of Seaside, Ore.; sons Charles Cosovich of Burlingame and Peter Cosovich of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter Sarah Cosovich of San Francisco; and four grandchildren.


In lieu of flowers, donations in Cosovich's memory may be made to Stanford University Memorial Gift-Jon Cosovich, 326 Galvez St., Stanford, CA 94305-6105, and to Forbes Norris ALS Research Center, 2324 Sacramento St., Suite 150, San Francisco, CA 94115.

Pack Hall of Famer loses battle with ALS
DAN HINXMAN
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

Friends and family remembered John Ramatici for his strength, courage and unwavering spirit during his 16-month battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

"I probably have to say the most remarkable part of the whole process was, here's a guy who was given a death sentence, and to the very, very end he was still able to smile," his brother, Paul, said Tuesday. "He was just happy. He never pitied himself, never once said, 'Why me?' He was truly amazing."

Ramatici, a former Kodak All-American linebacker at Nevada (1980-81), died Sunday at his home in Petaluma, Calif. He was 46.

"I think John was probably in a lot more pain than people thought," said longtime friend and Reno resident Bubba Melcher, who was a teammate and graduate assistant coach with Ramatici while at Nevada. "It's one of those things, you're so thankful it's over. On the other hand you're going to miss the guy for the rest of your life.

"If there is such a thing as making this process easy, John was able to do that."

Chris Ault was in his fifth year as head coach of the Pack when Ramatici joined the team.

Ramatici is the second former Pack player in recent months to die at a young age. Former lineman Deron Thorp died of a heart attack on Nov. 4. He was 34.

"My memories of John Ramatici are crystal clear of a wonderful person who was a great Wolf Pack football player and a tremendous human being," Ault said. "It's really tough. Last fall, Deron Thorp passed away. It certainly sparks vivid memories of the times when they were with you.

"All of our love and prayers go to John and his family. He'll be dearly missed and fondly remembered by the Wolf Pack."

Melcher, whose friendship with Ramatici was rekindled in recent years as both got into competitive cycling, said he made frequent trips to Petaluma in recent months to see Ramatici, and he always left in awe. The visits were inspiring, Melcher said. Having to leave was difficult.

"When he cries he has trouble breathing," Melcher said. "So you tell yourself, 'Don't cry.' Yeah, right."

Melcher said he asked a friend, John Bedell, to help him build a wheelchair ramp for Ramatici a couple weeks ago. Bedell is a contractor who lives in the Bay Area.

"We're building the ramp and John comes out with this big smile on his face," Melcher said. "He was just so appreciative."

Melcher said he called Bedell on Sunday to tell him of Ramatici's death, and Bedell told Melcher how Ramatici had changed his life.

"Here's this guy in a wheelchair. (Bedell) looks up and there's a smile on his face," Melcher said. "John (Bedell) said, 'I just don't know if I could smile. It just really changed my life.'

"That's the message that John Ramatici sent."

Ramatici, who is the Wolf Pack career leader in tackles over a two-year period (279), was in Reno in October for the hall of fame ceremonies. He was inducted on Oct. 21. A few weeks prior to that he went to a Michigan State football game in Lansing, Mich., as a guest of Spartan coach John L. Smith.

Smith, who was fired after the season, was Ramatici's position coach at Nevada, and the two remained close friends. Melcher said Ramatici's condition worsened soon after his induction.

"(The trip to) Michigan State and the Hall of Fame weekend, that was pretty much his last hurrah, if you will," Melcher said. "He spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family in Petaluma."

Paul Ramatici said John awoke Sunday in pain, and hospice nurses wanted to give him morphine.

"He said no," Paul said. "He wanted to watch the Super Bowl. So he watched the Super Bowl, and then about an hour later he passed."

John Ramatici and his wife, Michelle, started a Web site (jandmramatici.com) soon after he was diagnosed.

"For over a year, that's how he kept people abreast," Paul said. "It was straight up and from the heart. He didn't candy-coat it."

Ramatici, who was vice president and co-owner of Don Ramatici Insurance, is survived by his wife and their son, Natale, 10. Ramatici had three children from a previous marriage, Kylie Ramatici, Jake Ramatici and Brittany Freitas, all of Reno. He is also survived by his parents, Don and Jan Ramatici; sisters Donna Ramatici, Susan Powers and Joan Johnson; brother, Paul Ramatici; and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory in Petaluma. A vigil service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Petaluma. A funeral mass is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Friday at St. Vincent de Paul.

The family has asked that memorials be made to the Hospice of Petaluma or the ALS Association, Greater Bay Area Chapter.
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'Wobble Club' man loses illness battle
08 February 2007
EDITORIAL - herts.advertiser@archant.co.uk


Harmen pictured in March 2005
BRAVE Motor Neurone Disease sufferer Harmen van Rijs, whose illness resulted in thousands of pounds being raised for research into the neurological disease, died on Sunday.

Harmen, aged 43, who had moved from Sandridge to a specially -adapted bungalow in Kimpton prior to his death in the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted, was the inspiration behind The Wobbly Club.

It was set up with his wife Helen to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and events such as a quiz night, a horse show, a picnic-in-the-paddock and a sponsored walk by Helen's brother helped raise a total of £13,360.

The Wobbly Club got its name because Helen told friends that even before Harmen had been diagnosed with the illness, he had wobbly legs. The couple had married in 2001 and ever since Helen knew him, he had suffered from a bad knee.

Blue

But it took a local physiotherapist to recognise that the problem lay with his central nervous system and he was finally diagnosed with MND.

For some time after his diagnosis, Dutch-born Harmen continued to work as a global risk accountant in London, driving himself into the capital in a hand-controlled car.

The couple eventually moved to Kimpton where Helen gave up work to care for her husband. When his care became too much to cope with at home, he went into the hospice where he died on Sunday with Helen at his bedside.

Helen said this week: "The people there were truly amazing and allowed me just to be his wife rather than his carer. He died as I stroked his face and once at rest became the beautiful man I married."

Harmen's funeral is being held at Garson Crematorium at 1.20pm on Saturday and the family has asked mourners to wear blue and be dressed in something comfortable and casual. Donations in his memory can be made to the Hospice of St Francis via www.justgiving.com/harmen

Christopher Blaker, prominent New York layperson, dies of pneumonia

Friday, February 09, 2007

[Episcopal News Service] Christopher Den Blaker, an ardent layperson in the Episcopal Church, died February 3 at his residence in New York City, of complications due to pneumonia. He was 57.

His remains were cremated on February 6. A service of celebration and thanksgiving for his life will be held April 15, Blaker's birth date, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 240 E. 31st Street, New York City.

Blaker, who had battled Lou Gehrig's disease for more than 10 years, was an accomplished and multi-talented craftsman, sculptor, silversmith, painter and photographer. Two of his finest artistic pieces are a moving processional cross commissioned by historic All Hallows–By-The-Tower, in London, and a chalice presented by the delegation from the National Council of Churches of the United States to the China Christian Council in Shanghai, on their first visit to China in 1982.

In the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry (EAM) community, he is remembered as the designer and crafter of the EAM Cross, which features a distinctive lotus flower in the center of the cross, an adaptation of the symbol of the historic Nestorian Christianity in China, one of the earliest contextualizations of Christianity in Asia.

Blaker had a deep interest in helping and advancing the works of the EAM, especially the scholarship for seminarians, youth and young adult ministries.

"Chris saw his life as an instrument used by God in expressing and illuminating spiritual truths in the patterns and rhythms of life through his art," said the Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara, director of Ethnic Congregational Development and missioner of Asian American Ministries for the Episcopal Church. "When asked of his life, talent or artistry he would refer to himself as a 'glove on the hand of God.'"

Blaker is survived by his sister, Dr. Laura Den Blaker, his brother, Peter Den Blaker, and companion the Rev. Dr. Winston Ching.

Attorney Duncan remembered for being trustworthy, respected
SEAN P. FLYNN, Staff Writer
Published February 10, 2007

Attorney Mike Duncan died Thursday as a result of Lou Gerhig's Disease.
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Michael N. Duncan was always one of the most trustworthy and respected people that Charlie Jones ever knew.

"If Mike told you something, you didn't have to worry about it," Jones said. "It's like they say, 'his word is his bond,' and it was for Mike."

Duncan, a prominent Spartanburg lawyer, died Thursday night of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was 55.

Duncan graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1969, and attended The Citadel before transferring to Wofford College, where he graduated in 1973. He graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1976 and practiced law in Spartanburg for 29 years, most recently at the firm Duncan & Phillips.

Duncan also served as a deacon at First Baptist Church, a municipal judge in Chesnee and the city attorney for Wellford.

He is survived by his mother, Alliene Layton Duncan, his wife Helen Maria "Rie" Boniface Duncan, his brother Bill and four children --Virginia, Elizabeth, Mary and David.

The family will receive friends at his residence on Arbor Road on Sunday afternoon, and a funeral service will be held Monday at First Baptist.

At Spartanburg High, he was a football player and active in student government.

"He always kept such good care of himself, even into his diagnosis," said Terrell Ball, the associate director of admissions at Wofford, who graduated with Duncan from Spartanburg High and Wofford. In high school, "he was a top athlete, and he was very well known in school, very popular."

Duncan's great-great-grandfather came to Spartanburg when he was hired as the first professor at Wofford College. His grandfather donated the land that became Duncan Park.

Jones met Duncan in the 10th grade, and the two graduated from high school, college and law school together. They eventually practiced law together for many years.

Duncan was an accomplished athlete at Spartanburg High and remained active throughout his life. He was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative neurological disease, in June of 2005.

"You know somebody that long, see him almost every day, five or six days a week, it's hard to imagine that anything will happen to him," Jones said. "You're not going to imagine he won't be around."

Sean P. Flynn can be reached at 562-7426 or sean.flynn@shj.com.

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John Bell sadly passed away today - 10 February 2007 - at his home near Sheffield, at the age of 32. He had lived with Motor Neurone Disease for almost six years.

By sharing his journey with others, John did so much to raise awareness of MND and support for the MND Association. He was also a loving husband to Charlotte, and a devoted father of two wonderful young boys - Samuel and Gabriel. Our thoughts are with them now.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject: Johns Journey

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hi all,

It is with great sadness that I tell you that Johns journey sadly ended at 0130 this morning, He died at home surrounded by his family just as he wanted.

I cannot say how proud I am or was of John and his courageous fight against this dreadful illness and thankyou all for your support as we have battled our way through this nightmare.

John like many of you was one of lifes most admirable people and fought this illness to the bitter end with sheer detirmination and spirit and I am proud to have been a major part of his life, JOhn was one of lifes unspoken heros.

I wish all of you good luck in your own journeys and will assist wherever possible to strive and help us find a cure for this evil illness.

Charlotte x

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'John's journey' at an end for brave battler

John Bell


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View GalleryBy Kate LahiveHealth Reporter
A YOUNG dad who battled for almost six years against Motor Neurone Disease has lost his brave fight for life.

John Bell, aged 32, from Killamarsh, near Sheffield, was diagnosed with the degenerative disease - which also affects Professor Stephen Hawking - at the unusually young age of just 27.
Although the news was devastating, he was determined to use his experiences to help others.
Motor Neurone Disease usually affects people over 40, causes progressive paralysis as the muscles stop working, and the average life expectancy is only between 18 months to five years from diagnosis.
But John - who had been signed to Sheffield Hallam FC as a semi-professional and had ambitions to play for Manchester United - agreed to talk publicly with his wife Charlotte about the disease which had turned their lives upside down.
Star readers took the couple to their hearts and raised thousands of pounds to enable John to fly to China for experimental stem cell treatment. It was hoped the treatment would slow or even reverse the condition. Sadly there was no dramatic improvement for the father-of-two.
The couple then decided to speak out to a wider audience by taking part in a national campaign to raise awareness of the disease that robs sufferers of their ability to move, speak or swallow - even though their intellect remains intact.
Posters showing John as a healthy young man and keen footballer, and then in a wheelchair as a result of his condition, featured in the Motor Neurone Disease Association's 'John's Journey' campaign.
John wrote movingly about his experiences on the internet, using specialised computer equipment when he could no longer speak.
The campaign helped double public awareness and resulted in £100,000 of additional donations for the charity.
Charlotte, 32, today paid tribute to her husband's courage and said: "John was one of life's most admirable people and fought his illness to the bitter end with sheer determination and spirit.
"He battled so bravely for six years, and found ways of carrying on without each thing that Motor Neurone Disease took from him. Above all, he turned the darkest moments into light ones with his constant humour, without which I doubt either of us could have carried on."
She added: "John was the most handsome man I ever met, he was brave and kind, and most of all he was my silent, unspoken hero. I am proud to have been a major part of his life."
The couple have two sons Samuel, aged five, and Gabriel, two.
Dr Kirstine Knox, chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, praised the couple's courage and said: "John's contribution to raising awareness, and of the need to cure this cruel disease, cannot be overstated."
Hundreds of people sent messages of support to the website including Prime Minister Tony Blair, Tory leader David Cameron MP, actor Jude Law, Lord Archer, Christine Hamilton and MND Association President Lembit Öpik MP.
His last online entry was on December 7 last year, when he was no longer well enough to be photographed for the website and told his readers: "I have been having a difficult few weeks."
But he added: "Aside from all this we cannot wait till Christmas. The kids are beside themselves with excitement. I cannot wait to see their faces on Christmas morning."
Log on to www.johnsjourney.org for more information.
Last Updated: 14 February 2007

An economics instructor who might have taught more students than any other teacher at K-State has died.
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Roger Trenary, instructor of economics and director of undergraduate studies, died at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in his home at the age of 60 after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was diagnosed with the degenerative nerve disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in 2003.

A memorial will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at All Faiths Chapel.

During his 29-year career at K-State, Trenary taught an estimated 24,000 students in an introductory economics course and many other classes. He won a number of teaching awards, including the Commerce Bank Teaching Award and the university-wide Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence in 1998. He also won the Stamey Award for outstanding teaching in the College of Arts and Sciences four times.

"It's a huge loss to the university," said Bob Shoop, professor of educational leadership and a close friend of Trenary's. "As a professor I believe there has never been an instructor who was more dedicated to the education of every student in his class."

Trenary leaves behind an endowment of more than $600,000, initiated and funded largely by former students for the Trenary Chair in Economics in his memory. Friends, family and colleagues, including President Jon Wefald, also gave to the fund.

Shoop said Trenary continued to teach for as long as he was physically able, until the end of last school year.

"He decided he wasn't going to have any heroic methods used," Shoop said. "He knew it was terminal. When it started getting bad, he refused any intravenous feeding or anything like that."

Trenary was born on Feb. 27, 1946 in Detroit, Mich., to Mary Lee Trenary and the late Glenn Trenary. He was preceded in death by his father, and sister, Carol Trenary. He is survived by his wife, Kate Philp; son, Ben, senior in pre-professional secondary education, and his fiancée, Trish Gott, senior in modern languages; brother, Robert Trenary of Farmington, Mich.; and his mother of Michigan.

Trenary came to K-State in 1977 after earning bachelor's and master's degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the KSU Foundation Trenary Chair in Economics, the ALS Society, or the Roger Trenary Tennis and Education Fund, Manhattan Community Foundation.

Eugene E. Ziolkowski


Eugene E. "Gene" Ziolkowski, 63, of 3205 N. 28th Street, died Wednesday afternoon, February 14, 2007 of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) at St. Nicholas Hospital surrounded by his loving family.


Gene was born May 30, 1943 in Green Bay, WI. His family lived in Armstrong Creek where he attended local schools. He was a graduate of Goodman High School, Class of 1961.


On October 14, 1961 Gene and Rita Hupf were united in marriage.


Gene attended technical school in Chicago, IL where he worked at Standard Oil Co as an IBM processor for a few years. He relocated to Sheboygan where he was employed at Kohler Co. as an engine technician for thirty-nine years, retiring in December, 2005.


He was a faithful member of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Parish. He was a member of the Kohler Quarter Century Club.


Gene was an avid outdoorsman whose passion was Musky fishing with his family. He participated in many fishing tournaments and loved his trailer on Pelican Lake. He also enjoyed hunting and reloading ammunition for his family and friends. Gene took pride in gardening and also liked leathercrafting.


In addition to his loving wife of forty-five years, Rita, Gene is survived by his son, Robert (Theresa) Ziolkowski of Menomonee Falls, WI; two daughters, Tina (David) Castellan and Gina (Haris) Mackic, both of Sheboygan; seven grandchildren, David and Robert Ziolkowski, David and Aaron Castellan, Brittani and Austin Garcia, and Emin Mackic; one great-grandddaughter, Analicia Cilia; one sister, Patricia (Dave) Rhode of Arkansas; other relatives and friends; and his dog, Scruffy.


He was preceded in death by his mother, Adeline Kleszewski.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 17, 2007 at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic by Rev. Glenn Powers, Pastor. A time of visitation and support will be held Friday evening at Ballhorn Chapels from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and at the church Saturday morning from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service.


In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name for ALS Research and Make-A-Wish Foundation.


Gene's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Detrana, the nursing staff at St. Nicholas Hospital, the St. Nicholas Hospital Home Health & Hospice, and VNA for the wonderful care and support they gave to Gene and his entire family.


Gene will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His legacy of love will live on in his family and friends.


Email condolences to support@ballhornchapels.com


The Sheboygan Press


February 15, 2007

La. 'lost a giant in the field of public education'
February 15, 2007
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Picard SERVICES
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Maurice. Entombment will be in the church mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, Picard's family has asked that memorial contributions be made in his name to The Cecil Picard Endowment Fund, benefiting the Early Childhood Development Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.


LAFAYETTE - Louisiana Education Superintedent Cecil J. Picard died this afternoon “after a mighty fight against a heartbreaking disease," says a statement from his family. He was 69.

Picard, superintendent since April 1996, had planned to resign May 1 because of amytrophic lateral sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He was diagnosed in May 2005.

"Today Louisiana lost a giant in the field of public education," Gov. Kathleen Blanco said. "Cecil Picard was passionate about and dedicated to Louisiana's children. He leaves behind a rich legacy of service that includes expanding quality education to all Louisianans, from pre-K through high school."

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted earlier this week to name an interim superintendent next month.

The state Education Department released the statement from Picard's son Tyron Picard.

"In his final days he was surrounded by our family and his closest friends who all knew of his love for the state of Louisiana and especially its children," he wrote. "As a family, we ask that the public respect our privacy as we mourn his loss. We ... hope that all who loved him will join us in remembering this great educator and statesman.”

Cecil Picard, from French Settlement, had been a state senator for 18 1/2 years when BESE chose him unanimously over two other finalists to replace Ray Arveson, who was retiring. Picard applied after losing a race for state Senate president.

"Cecil helped guide this state through some tremendous education reform that positions Louisiana as one of the national leaders," BESE member Leslie Jacobs said.

She said some of her favorite memories of Picard are of their joint press conferences. "I guess the analogy would be that I was the play-by-play commentary and Cecil was the color commentary. I would be pretty factual and dry, and Cecil would add color to the presentation."

Once, she said, he brought a prescription bottle and said they had the cure for problems in education.

"Cecil was an elected official for a very long time, and he was a Cajun. And he brought that skill set to the job," Jacobs said.

He also had been a teacher, coach, principal and a legislative floor leader on education issues for several governors.

Jacobs said Picard changed the state Education Department from one of the nation's worst to one of the nation's best. Its response after hurricanes Katrina and Rita shows its quality, she said.

"We had to get transcripts for all 50 states. We had to help displaced teachers. We had to get help to the districts. And there was very little complaining that the department wasn't responsive."

Jacobs said the department's testing, school accountability and its work to improve teacher quality all have been praised. "The state board of education may pass policy. But what makes quality is how it's implemented."

Picard was not a "detail person" but was extremely good at choosing staffers, Jacobs said. "These reforms don't happen unless you have a lot of good people in key positions."

In addition to his son, Picard's survivors include his wife, Gaylen David Picard, another son, Mark Picard, and four grandchildren.

Eugene E. "Gene" Ziolkowski


Eugene E. "Gene" Ziolkowski, 63, of 3205 N. 28th Street, died Wednesday afternoon, February 14, 2007 of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) at St. Nicholas Hospital surrounded by his loving family.


Gene was born May 30, 1943 in Green Bay, WI. His family lived in Armstrong Creek where he attended local schools. He was a graduate of Goodman High School, Class of 1961. On October 14, 1961 Gene and Rita Hupf were united in marriage.


Gene attended technical school in Chicago, IL where he worked at Standard Oil Co as an IBM processor for a few years. He relocat-ed to Sheboygan where he was employed at Kohler Co. as an engine technician for thirty-nine years, retiring in December, 2005.


He was a faithful member of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Parish. He was a member of the Kohler Quarter Century Club.


Gene was an avid outdoorsman whose passion was Musky fishing with his family. He participated in many fishing tournaments and loved his trailer on Pelican Lake. He also enjoyed hunting and reloading ammunition for his family and friends. Gene took pride in gardening and also liked leathercrafting.


In addition to his loving wife of forty-five years, Rita, Gene is sur-vived by his son, Robert (Theresa) Ziolkowski of Menomonee Falls, WI; two daughters, Tina (David) Castellan and Gina (Haris) Mackic, both of Sheboygan; seven grandchildren, David and Robert Ziolkowski, David and Aaron Castellan, Brittani and Austin Gar-cia, and Emin Mackic; one great-grandddaughter, Analicia Cilia; one sister, Patricia (Dave) Rhode of Arkansas; other relatives and friends; and his dog, Scruffy.


He was preceded in death by his mother, Adeline Kleszewski.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 17, 2007 at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic by Rev. Glenn Powers, Pastor. A time of visitation and support will be held today at Ballhorn Chapels from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and at the church Saturday morning from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service.


In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name for ALS Research and Make-A-Wish Foundation.


Gene's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Detrana, the nursing staff at St. Nicholas Hospital, the St. Nicholas Hospital Home Health & Hospice, and VNA for the wonderful care and support they gave to Gene and his entire family.


Gene will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, fa-ther, grandfather, and great-grand-father. His legacy of love will live on in his family and friends.


Email condolences to support@ballhornchapels.com.

Jennifer Vattuone (30) passed away after a brave fight with Lou Gehrig's Disease
Published: Feb 15, 2007
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Jennifer Vattuone (30)

Date: Jan 18, 2007
Cause of Death: ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
Location: San Diego, CA
URL: go to their myspace


"As most of you already know, I've been going through some serious health issues since my car accident last year and was recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease."

Jennifer G. Vattuone, 30, of San Diego died Jan. 18. She was born in San Diego and was a child-care resource consultant for the YMCA.

Jenison, Tri-unity mourn loss of Visser
Saturday, February 17, 2007
By Steve Ungrey
The Grand Rapids Press


WALKER -- Adam Visser's presence at last year's Class D state championship game energized Tri-unity Christian as it won the school's third boys basketball title.

The Defenders fans chanted "It's for Adam" as the final buzzer sounded and the players gathered around Visser, an assistant coach who graduated from Tri-unity in 1989 and served as a coach at Jenison Junior High for 10 years.

Visser's presence has been missed in recent months as his health took a turn for the worse. Thursday night Visser lost his three-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease) at age 35.


"It's been an emotional time for us," said Tri-unity Christian coach Mark Keeler, who was at school when Visser's death was announced to staff and students Friday morning. "Some of the kids were crying this morning. He's made an impact here."

Since Visser was diagnosed with ALS, he touched the lives of students at Tri-unity Christian and Jenison.

"It was a little tougher day around the school today," said Jenison junior high athletic director Kevin Van Duyn. "A lot of kids went over to say their goodbyes over the weekend. Our kids have learned a lot about life's struggles and how to overcome them. He was helping us a lot, and the community came together."

Family together to say goodbye

Visser was in a brief coma before emerging from it last week. He wanted the family together one last time and said his goodbyes shortly after midnight Thursday, and then slipped back into a coma.

He will not be forgotten.

A 3-on-3 roundball classic has been held the past few years to raise money for ALS research, and Van Duyn said that tournament would continue.

This year's event is scheduled for April.

Keeler said black wristbands will be worn for the remainder of the season to remember all that Visser meant to the Tri-unity athletic community.

Jared Mysliwiec and Matt Boersen, two returning players from last year, said it was tough to be at school Friday. They hoped to win their game that night in his memory. They did, beating Covenant Christian 58-41.

"It was nice to win one for him," Boersen said. "Here was someone who was going through a very hard time yet still maintained a strong faith, and he made our problems look trivial."

Added Mysliwiec: "Coming out of the locker room tonight, we dedicated this game to him. He was a big inspiration to us. He made us thank God that we were able to play still. He always put his two cents in on the basketball court when he coached us."

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'Smiling Sandy' expressed enthusiasm, love for life

Sunday, February 18, 2007


By CHRISTINA MITCHELL
Courier-Post Staff

Everyone called Sandy DeSantis-Comito "Smiling Sandy."

She signed her name with a happy face. She was as open as a field of fresh snow and just as pure in her enthusiasm for life.

She was a hugger, says her husband of eight years, Tony. And she was a listener, someone who would ask a question of another person and wait earnestly for an answer. Sandy finessed that skill as a longtime addictions counselor with the Step-Up program in Camden County, where she saw possibilities in people who had long given up on themselves.

"With Sandy, it was all about meeting you," says Tony, of Laurel Springs. "It was about learning about you as a person. About asking the simple everyday things . . . . She was very genuine that way."

Joe O'Neill, a senior counselor with Step-Up, saw a dedication in Sandy that sometimes went beyond the call of duty.

"She was very dedicated," he says. "Very compassionate. . . . And she was very patient in counseling alcohol and drug addicts. She was a giver."

"Sandy was all about her family and her clients," adds Kathleen Dobbs, also a Step-Up colleague. That office still has a message from Sandy that says, "I will be on medical leave until further notice."

That leave was for ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, which struck her randomly and suddenly last June and took her life Dec. 30. She was 58.

But Tony likes to emphasize that while his wife had the disease, it did not have her. Last September, the couple shocked their five children by taking a three-week, cross-country train trip. By the time they returned, Sandy had progressed from a walker to wheelchair. Still, she insisted on joining the conga line at her Camden High School reunion in November.

"She was not to be denied," says Tony, who had known Sandy for years before they married, each for the second time.

"She was living with ALS more than she was dying from it."

A fervent belief in God and personal experience with addiction were the major forces in Sandy's life. Combined, they altered lives. At her viewing, says Tony, mourners waited two-and-a-half hours in the rain to tell him Sandy stories.

"Everyone needed to tell me something about meeting her," he recalls. "There were many clients who had 20-year-old stories. . . . One man introduced himself as someone she had "lifted out of the gutter.' And his wife thanked me."

Among the wisdom Sandy imparted to the hopeless and Tony referenced in his eulogy: The good you do truly lives on. Keep believing in what you can't see. Laugh a laugh that's loud and unique and contagious. Use what you've got; it's more than you think.

And smile.

Contact Christina Mitchell at (856) 317-7905 or cmitchell@courierpostonline.com.


send a letter to the editor.

Jan E. Burns, pushed leeward development

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Jan E. Burns




Jan E. Burns, a former Campbell Estate executive, died Feb. 3 of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in St. Louis. She was 57.

Burns worked for the estate for 20 years, moving up the ranks to become manager of special projects. She handled the land transactions that resulted in much of the development of 'Ewa, Makakilo and East Kapolei.

She helped found the 'Ewa Villages Non-Profit Development Corporation, formed to manage money designated for the historic preservation of plantation homes in 'Ewa Villages.

"She had Hawai'i at heart," said Emogene Martin, who worked with Burns on the preservation project as president of the Friends for 'Ewa. "In her own quiet way, she helped preserve 'Ewa's history as well as ensure 'Ewa's future."

"Her early work in 'Ewa and Makakilo helped make fee-simple homeownership a reality for thousands of people," said Steve MacMillan, the chairman and CEO of the James Campbell Co.

Burns ended her career at Campbell Estate when she became ill in 2002. Prior to her Campbell Estate work, Burns worked as a real estate appraiser with her father-in-law, Edward J. Burns. Jan Burns was a 1967 graduate of Kalani High School.

"She was an extraordinary woman who never stopped giving," said her daughter, Juliet Burns. "She is truly loved and deeply missed."

She is survived by her mother, Stella Natale; her daughter, Juliet; five stepchildren and six stepgrandchildren.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu. Flowers or donations to the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute are welcome.

Ingrid Magnus Shomo

HARRISONBURG — Mrs. Ingrid Magnus Shomo, 62, passed away following a two-year battle with ALS on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Ingrid was born May 22, 1944 in Dover, Delaware She was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg.


On Dec. 16, 1967 she married William P. Shomo of Harrisonburg.

She was a licensed clinical social worker and worked for Augusta Medical Center. She spent her life helping people.

Ingrid is survived by a sister, Sonja Exley of Newark, Del.; a brother, Eric Magnus of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; her husband of 39 years, Bill Shomo; three sons, Porter Shomo of Ashburn; Daniel Shomo of Falls Church and Hunter Shomo of Richmond; and a host of other loving relatives.

A Memorial Service will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007 at 11 a.m. There will be a reception at the church following the service. Private burial will be in Woodbine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Ingrid's memory to either ALS Association of DC/MD/VA Chapter, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855 or Rockingham Memorial Hospice, 235 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

The Lindsey Harrisonburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. E-mail condolences may be sent to lindseyfh@alderwoods.com.

Friends, family remember former economics instructor as teacher, role model

Katie Philp, wife of the late Roger Trenary, looks back at family members during Trenary's memorial service Saturday. Speakers at the memorial reflected on Trenary's life and the influence he had on many students and faculty members.


K-State president Jon Wefald fights back tears while talking about Roger Trenary. Wefald and Trenary were tennis partners and Wefald said Trenary would be remembered as one of the best instructors in K-State history.


Roger Trenary's wife, Katie Philp, and son, Ben, right, greet guests at Trenary's memorial Saturday afternoon in All Faiths Chapel. Trenary died Tuesday after a 3 1/2-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.


Mike Butler, Manhattan resident, remembered his close friend Trenary with humor in a memorial Saturday afternoon at All Faiths Chapel. Trenary, former economics instructor, died early Tuesday morning at age 60 after a 3 1/2-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Butler recalled a plane ride returning from a European vacation during which Trenary ate all of his purchased chocolates out of fear customs officials would make him discard them.

"This man truly loved chocolate," Butler said. "His idea of a nightcap was a cup of coffee and chocolate."

Five close friends and family members presented statements in Trenary's honor during the memorial. President Jon Wefald said he met Trenary during his first year at K-State in 1986. The two soon became close friends and frequently played tennis together. After Trenary's diagnosis, Wefald said Trenary never complained about his illness.

"How many people do you know who'd find out they had a serious affliction like Lou Gehrig's disease and not whine and complain?" Wefald said. "I know I speak for everyone here that we all love Roger, and we're all going to miss him."

During his 29-year teaching career, Trenary taught about 24,000 students in beginning and intermediate-level economics courses. Though such records are not kept, Wefald said Trenary might have taught the most students ever by an instructor at K-State. He continued teaching until fall 2005.

"When Roger retired from economics, he continued to teach all of us about life, strength and dignity," said Nancy Philp, Trenary's sister-in-law.

Trenary also taught his students how to think critically, a skill they will remember beyond economics, said Robert Shoop, professor of educational leadership and Trenary's close friend.

"I think our real challenge is to meet up to Roger's standards of what it means to be a great partner, parent and friend," Shoop said.

Trenary is survived by his wife, Katie Philp; son, Ben, senior in secondary education and his fiancée, Trisha Gott; twin brother, Robert; and his mother.

Upon hearing of Trenary's illness, former students helped raise a portion of the $600,000 endowment for the Trenary Chair in Economics. Lloyd Thomas, head of the Department of Economics, said the chair will be filled in fall 2008 with an instructor whose emphasis is on teaching and students.

"We will never find another Roger Trenary, but we will do our best," Thomas said. "Farewell, Roger, and congratulations on a life well-lived. We will never forget you and the contributions you made to the lives of students."

February 20. 2007 12:00AM


Barbara F. Michael, 65





Barbara Frances Hayes Michael, 65, of Hendersonville, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2007, at Four Seasons Hospice after a long courageous fight with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).

She was born on July 18, 1941, in Middlesboro, Ky., into a family of a loving mother and father and seven siblings. She had lived in Hendersonville since 2002.

She lived her life to its fullest as a devoted Christian, friend, encourager and wife. She was never a stranger to anyone and all who received her love and true friendship will miss her dearly.

She moved to Washington, D.C., in 1960 to obtain a degree in political science from George Washington University and enjoyed a career culminating as an executive assistant on Capitol Hill.

She is survived by her husband, Ron; sisters Vickie and Edith; brother Tommy; and many loving relatives.

A "Celebration of Life" service will be held 2 p.m. Friday at Jackson Funeral Service, 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, N.C. 28793. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made in Barbara's name to Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, N.C. 28731.

Obituary North: Dr. Richard W. King / Dentist could identify some patients by only an X-ray
Thursday, February 22, 2007

By Alisha Hipwell

After more than three decades as a dentist, Dr. Richard W. King didn't need a name or a face to identify his longtime patients.

"He could look at an X-ray without a name and say, 'Oh, that's so and so,' " said his wife, Gwendolyn F. King.

Dr. King, of Hampton, practiced dentistry on Mount Royal Boulevard in the township for 34 years. He died Saturday of pneumonia, a complication of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 63.

Diagnosed with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in January 2006, Dr. King initially experienced difficulty speaking. By March of that year, his hands were weakening and he was forced to close his practice.

Dr. King knew early that he wanted to be a dentist.

"He started being interested in dentistry when he had braces on his own teeth," his wife said.

He was raised in Shaler, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry and enlisted in the Army Dental Corps. He served three years, including a year in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. In addition to treating soldiers, he gave dental hygiene instruction at local orphanages.

After his discharge, he opened his own practice here.

"He loved his work. ... He really liked the people," said Mrs. King, who described her husband as outgoing and friendly.

When he wasn't in his office, he loved to be outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, camping, running, biking and just about anything that kept him active.

In addition to his wife, Dr. King is survived by his parents, Joseph J. and Mary L. King, of Shaler; a son, Brian A. King, of Laurel, Md.; a daughter, Laura A. King, of Pittsburgh; and a brother, Joseph B. King, of Cleveland, Ohio.

A Mass was celebrated yesterday in St. Ursula Church in Hampton. Burial was in Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery in Ross.


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Pollen scientist was one of a kind
By Ned Rozell




February 23, 2007
Friday AM


Jim Anderson has died, and the world is a more boring place.

Anderson was 66. He suffered from ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, for several years before his death. A few weeks ago, the disease killed him. I felt a pang of loss even though I spoke only a few times with the former librarian of the Biosciences Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

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Jim Anderson holds the leash of one of his Samoyed dogs at a Fairbanks dog show in 1993.
Photo courtesy Carol Haas.

I remember a man who dressed in colorful plaid jackets with wide lapels, someone who was a good interview because he knew his stuff so thoroughly. Until his death, I didn't know he lived alone in a cabin with two Samoyed dogs, 25 typewriters, hundreds of teddy bears, 700 sport coats, and that he had a collection of 12,000 books on his property.

"Sometimes I think people noticed only the eccentricities and the compulsions Jim had (such as collecting 7,000 neckties), and miss the value of that very compulsiveness," Karen Jensen wrote in an email. Jensen was Anderson's co-worker for a few years at the Biosciences Library.

One of those compulsions for Anderson was the study of a small airborne irritant that each spring makes life miserable for one in five northern people: pollen. For years, he sampled pollen with a mechanized air-sniffer on the roof of the Arctic Health building on the UAF campus. By being meticulous in counting the pollen grains trapped on the clear film of his samplers, Anderson came up with a pollen calendar for Fairbanks, and later Anchorage. His calendar shows that birch trees in both cities release the most pollen-up to 4,500 grains per square meter of air-from May 10 through the 20th.

Birch pollen grains are so small that eight of them could fit on a period. People's immune systems react to the protein coating, called exine. "EXINE" was also the word on the license plate of Anderson's van.

He climbed to the roof for his pollen counts every day in spring, and spent many hours looking through a microscope to see what species of pollen were stuck to his slides. He found that the concentration of pollen in the air was highest three days after birch leaves popped from buds.
"He loved that phenomenon, how predictable it was," said Dr. Tim Foote, a pediatrician and allergist at the Tanana Valley Clinic in Fairbanks. "Before Jim, nobody even had a name for what the pollen was (that irritated them). Everybody thought it was spruce pollen that was bugging them."

Anderson helped Foote, and his colleague Susan Harry, set up pollen counters at the clinic. Now, thanks to Anderson, they can alert patients to the worst pollen days.

"He championed a cause that very few clinicians or patients knew anything about," Foote said. "I loved him-he was the epitome of a scientific mind."

Beginning in 1974, Anderson also kept a 30-year record of the date of "greenup" in Fairbanks, when leaves emerged on a hill visible from the university.

"He was looking at the idea of whether he could look at global warming with the greenup data," said Carol Haas, who worked with him at the Biosciences Library.

Anderson grew up in Kennewick, Washington, and went to college at the University of Washington, Michigan State, and Brigham Young University before settling in Alaska in 1970. He found himself attracted to the solitude of the Goldstream Valley north of Fairbanks in 1974. He lived there most of his adult life.

"It's heaven out there," he once told journalist Tom Delaune.

Anderson, who left his books, typewriters, and other possessions to UAF, was different, Karen Jensen said, but that was his gift.

"The fact that he was a rather odd man is to me proof positive that this world really does need all kinds of people, and that while most of us fall comfortably into conformity, those who don't - like Jim - might have something really terrific to contribute."

John E. Heyning's research grew out of a passion for sea
The Hermosa Beach biologist and graduate of North High gained renown for his work with marine mammals. He died at the age of 50.
By Lee Peterson
Staff Writer

Whale and dolphin expert John E. Heyning, the noted marine mammal curator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County known as much for his enthusiasm and wit as his scientific accomplishments, has died.

The South Bay resident was 50 years old, and had battled amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, for the past 3½ years.



Despite his early demise, Heyning has long been an internationally recognized marine biologist. He spent his entire professional career at the museum, working tirelessly to expand the institution's research and outreach on cetaceans.

As leader of a stranded marine mammal scientific response team, he performed numerous necropsies to investigate the animals' deaths and built the second-largest collection of marine mammal specimens in the world.

He traveled the globe to lead expeditions for the museum and to conduct research. Along the way, he made many important findings, especially on beaked whales. He also teamed up with another scientist to discover that there are actually two species of common dolphin, the short-beaked and the long-beaked.

Born in San Jose on Jan. 6, 1957, he died Saturday at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance.

A 1975 graduate of Torrance's North High School, Heyning was an avid surfer and scuba diver, drawn to the study of marine mammals because of his love of the ocean.

He started at the museum as a volunteer, becoming a collection manager, then curator, then in 1999 deputy director of research and collections.

In addition to his scientific research and publications, Heyning had a knack for explaining whales and dolphins to nonscientists. He actively reached out to the community, sharing his knowledge of and passion for cetaceans on whale watch trips, to scuba clubs, schools and elsewhere.

"He talked to kindergartners as well as he could talk to crusty old Ph.D.s. He could get down on his hands and knees and make a kindergartner understand thermal regulation," said his wife, Corinne Heyning.

Heyning, his wife and two children made their home in Hermosa Beach.

Alisa Schulman-Janiger, who first met Heyning in a marine biology class 28 years ago, said Heyning was a rising star of science by age 24, and his inspirational enthusiasm changed her life, making whales the focus of her own career.

Schulman-Janiger, a killer whale expert who teaches marine biology at San Pedro High School's marine science magnet and is director of the Gray Whale Census for the American Cetacean Society's Los Angeles chapter, said it wasn't just Heyning's scientific mind that served him so well.

He was an accomplished lecturer because of his infectious enthusiasm, lighting the passion for whales in many others, she said. It was also his sense of humor: "The first time I sat down and had a meal with him, I don't think I laughed so much, ever," she said.



At the museum he was known for his affable personality, exotic plants and Hawaiian shirts. After his promotion to deputy director in 1999, Fridays became "Hawaiian shirt day" at the museum.

Schulman-Janiger noted that Heyning was also a fine artist, working in sketches with charcoal and pencil, as well as sculpture. He also wrote poetry.

He was one of the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific's "trustees of the Pacific," and helped with the aquarium's recent "Whales: A Journey with Giants" presentation. He has consulted on exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and has had a long association with the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro.

"He will be missed as a scientist, both as an extraordinary scientist who was using his knowledge to help conserve whales and he'll be missed because he was a great colleague who was very willing to share his knowledge," said Jerry Schubel, president and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific.

After his ALS diagnosis in October 2003, Heyning started researching the disease, and following up on his own ideas about its cause. Mrs. Heyning said that her husband, thinking that there was an infectious component to the malady, put himself on AIDS antiviral drugs, a move that preceded a noted ALS researcher's clinical trial on antiviral medications.

For all his personal and professional achievements, Heyning felt his most important role was as a father, which is why he fought the disease so hard.

"His family was the light of his life," Schulman-Janiger said.

In addition to his wife, Corinne, Heyning is survived by a daughter, Marlene; a son, Nico; his mother, Johanna Alving of Torrance; his father, John M. Heyning of Texas; a sister, Yvonne Gregory of South Carolina; a brother, Eric of Torrance; and a brother and sister in Australia, Laura and Marc Heyning.

A celebration of Heyning's life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in the North American Mammals Hall on the second floor of the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles.

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Thomas Cook, 87, of Caledonia died Saturday, February 17th, 2007. Memorials may be made to ALS - Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS Association, PO Box 127, Elbridge, NY 13060.

History professor, Las Vegas expert Hal Rothman dies

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Hal Rothman, a writer, professor and expert on all things Las Vegas, has died after a yearlong battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 48.

Rothman hosted a radio show, wrote a column in the Las Vegas Sun and wrote several books. He died Sunday night of complications related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, his wife, Lauralee Rothman, said.

Rothman began teaching history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1992, when the Las Vegas Strip was leading southern Nevada into a decade-long economic boom. He focused on the city's reinvention and growth in his 2002 book, "Neon Metropolis: How Las Vegas Started the Twenty-first Century."

His analysis made him the media's choice for thoughtful perspective on the city. He was quoted in or appeared on almost every national news outlets, including The New York Times, Newsweek magazine, ABC World News Tonight, The Wall Street Journal, the CBS Evening News, CNN and National Public Radio.

"I'm on television more than anybody who isn't a member of the Screen Actors Guild," Rothman joked in the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2003.

Though he became known as a historian of modern Las Vegas, Rothman's areas of expertise also included environmental history and the history of the American West. He was the chairman of UNLV history department from 2002 to 2005.

"In Las Vegas, you can pick your fantasy," Rothman wrote in an Oct. 29 op-ed piece in the Los Angeles Times. "In the rest of America, you don't always get to pick."

Rothman is survived by his wife and their two children, Talia and Brent. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas.

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Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com

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Farmer, friend to many dies of ALS


David Pendray, whose family has been a mainstay of the local farming community since the early 1900s, has died at 57 from the effects of ALS.

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Clyde Bland was active in politics and the arts during his more than 40 years in Tracy. Press staff report

Former Tracy Mayor Clyde L. Bland, 81, died Thursday afternoon at a hospice medical facility in Hughson, Stanislaus County, ending a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Services are pending at Fry Memorial Chapel in Tracy.

A native of Rogers, Ark., Bland had been a Tracy resident since 1963 and was Tracy’s mayor from 1990 to 1994. Before serving as mayor, he was a member of the Tracy City Council for five years.

While a member of the council and as mayor, Bland helped create planning and financing for Tracy’s growth through the development of Residential and Industrial Specific Plans and the city’s Growth Management Ordinance.

As the city’s representative on the San Joaquin Rail Commission, he was involved in the original planning for the Altamont Commuter Express passenger rail service.

Bland, a State Farm Insurance Agent for 27 years in Tracy, did not seek re-election as mayor in 1994, but he continued to be active in the community.

As a member of the West Side Pioneer Association, he worked to save and restore the old one-room Lammersville School, which was eventually moved to Clyde Bland Park.

Mr. Bland was co-chairman of the Arts Leadership Alliance campaign to raise private funds for the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts project and served as ALA liaison with the city of Tracy.

Several years ago, Mr. Bland encountered problems with muscle control and last year was diagnosed with ALS, a motor-neutron disorder for which there is no cure.

He remained in his Tracy home under care of his wife, Ina, until Feb. 20, when he was taken to the Alexander Cohen Hospice in Hughson.

Over 300 pay homage to former mayor
It’s the small dash between the birth date and date of passing on memorial cards that piques Rev. Les Halliwell’s interest the most.

Ed Moore
Leader Staff
Monday March 05, 2007

“It’s that dash in the middle that’s always fascinated me. That symbol represents an entire life. For all of us who knew Ron (Linford) he was much more than that,” Halliwell said.
He made his remarks during the memorial service last Thursday for former Edson Mayor and IGA owner Ron Linford. The 77-year-old long-time resident died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease on Feb. 25.
Over 300 people attended the afternoon service. In the crowd were Mayor Greg
Pasychny, West Yellowhead MLA Ivan Strang, a good friend of Linford’s, IGA employees, members of Edson town council, along with a good cross-section of prominent businesspeople, family members, friends and acquaintances of Linford’s.
Halliwell said conducting the service was one of the toughest things he’s ever had to do.
“Sometimes I feel like Mark Messier did the other night.”
He said Linford was a man who knew when to be quiet and when to tell a joke.
“He told me one time the best thing to do sometimes is just shut up,” Halliwell said.
Strang said many people might have got the wrong impression and misunderstood Linford.
“He was a very shy man but a very giving man.”
Strang added that Linford was a very generous man who helped a lot of people and did a lot of things behind the scenes.
“He never really wanted any praise -- it was something he wanted to do. He did a lot of things that people never knew he did.”
Strang said one of Linford’s greatest legacies was working with young people. During the memorial service he told those gathered that Linford bought modular classrooms for Parkland Composite High School because he recognized the need.
He also donated day old baked goods on a regular basis to an Edson elementary school because he realized that some youngsters were going hungry.
Hwy 16 twinning booster
Linford was also instrumental in lobbying for the eventual twinning of Hwy. 16 during the early-1990s and pushed for continued safety measures on the road.
“He was very proud of that,” Strang said.
Ann Marie Francis, Linford’s sister-in-law, gave the eulogy. She provided some personal insights about him that many may not have been aware of.

She said Linford loved to drive but he wanted to get to his destination as soon as possible with no distractions.
“He was a point A to point B kind of guy -- with no diddling along the way.”
Francis said Linford also liked his gadgets and sometimes went to extremes to test their workability.
She said on one trip he suddenly veered the vehicle sharply to the left. This was totally out of character for Linford as he usually
adhered to the tried and true when it came to motoring. Suddenly everyone heard an electronic voice.
“This was his way of demonstrating his GPS.”
It turned out the GPS informed him he was going the wrong direction, which told Linford the device had lived up to its advanced billing, she said.
Avid sports fan
Francis said Linford was an avid sports fan who faithfully purchased Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Eskimos season tickets. She added he was also a generous supporter of Edson sports organizations.
She told of his many visits to her home in Saskatchewan where she said she must have accompanied Linford to many of the province’s IGA stores.
“He was attracted to that sign like a bear was attracted to honey.”
The former Edson IGA owner was also an avid train buff, Francis said. He used to unveil his train set every year for all to see and had a tape of train whistles he used to play often, she added.
Francis said Linford had a great sense of humour and had a stable of one-liners.
But despite his success he still had simple tastes, especially when it came to food, Francis said.
“One of his favourite meals was macaroni and cheese done in the oven -- how simple is that?”
Halliwell said he had many fond memories of Linford when they both served on the St. John’s Hospital Board, later to become the Edson and District Healthcare Centre. At the time Halliwell was the hospital’s chief administrative officer and Linford was the board chairperson.
“He was a very, very excellent guy -- I deeply admired him.”
Halliwell also admired his friend’s honesty and forthrightness -- traits he appreciated.
“He wouldn’t beat around the bush. If he didn’t like it he told you so and if he liked it he’d tell you that too.”
Halliwell said Linford was a quiet man and kept to himself a lot of the time but he
also projected strength.
Carried a big stick
“He stayed in his own space -- he carried a big stick and certainly he was a powerhouse in his own right.”
Both Halliwell and Strang agreed that one of Linford’s joys was spending time with his family.
“He was a family man -- he enjoyed his family,” Halliwell said.
Another love of Linford’s was his work, he added.
“He liked his business -- he enjoyed business life. Certainly he was good at what he did. He was a fellow who liked to work, enjoyed his occupation and was well respected by his peers.”
It was a common occurrence to see Linford at work in the store stocking shelves. In other words he wasn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty, Halliwell said.
“He’d be right in the middle of it all even if it meant that he would have to go home and change his clothes afterward.”
One of his greatest legacies was his community spirit, Halliwell said. That and his generosity.
“I don’t think the people of Edson will ever fully know what he gave in the community both to organizations and to individuals -- it would be thousands and thousands of dollars.”
Linford served on Edson town council from 1980 to 1983 and was the town’s mayor from 1983 to 1986.
He is survived by wife Evelyn, three sons, Ken, Keith and Brian, grandson Jordan, mother Henrietta, brothers Alan, and Bob, sister Pat, Francis family in-laws and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Linford was predeceased by father Frank and brother Lorne.

Harpswell mourns Irving Chipman, who died Friday at home
Beth_Brogan@TimesRecord.Com
03/06/2007
HARPSWELL — Irving F. Chipman, a beloved longtime resident of Harpswell who "lit up everyone's life," died Friday at his home on Allen Point Road, one day after his 85th birthday.

Many Harpswellians knew Chipman through his 60 years of service in the Harpswell Neck Fire Department — 32 of those years as chief. On Monday, Chipman's son, Ron, remembered growing up watching his dad head out on fire calls.

"Of course, every boy wants to be a fireman at some point in their life," Ron Chipman said. "As soon as we were old enough, we would say, 'Hey Dad, can I go?' He wouldn't want us to get in harm's way, but he'd say, 'Sure, jump in.' We grew up seeing him in that role."

Ron is now a captain in the Harpswell Neck Fire Department, and his brother, David, is also a member.

In fact, the Irving F. Chipman Station, which houses the Harpswell Neck Fire Department, was so named because, "There wasn't too much that happened that didn't start with him," longtime fire chief Nelson Barter said Monday.

"Irving was a first-class gentleman, and that isn't said about many men," said Shirley Thompson, who worked with Chipman on the first ambulance squad that started in 1957, using a retired hearse as an ambulance. "He always treated you with respect."

"Anyone who ever met him loved him," his son, David, said today. "He was just so disarming, charming, and soft-spoken. This community was central to his life. He lit up everyone's life. You could see the sunshine in him."

Born in Harpswell, Chipman lived in Poland until the age of 12, attending Poland Elementary School and Harpswell Center School. He graduated from Brunswick High School, then served in the U.S. Army. Following the end of World War II, he served in the military police in Germany.

On Oct. 1, 1949, he married Carolyn M. Allen.

Chipman was a member of the John Leo Murray Jr. American Legion Post 171, and fellow Legionnaire Dan Boland remembers him as a relentless recruiter to the post.

"The guy was a dynamo," Boland said. "I loved the guy. He was a very talented tradesman, friend, neighbor … he was a God-fearing, loving patriot. He was a contributor." Boland said Chipman visited bedridden veterans at Togus veterans hospital just last year. "He was a very sensitive, caring person. ... You could see in the patient's eyes the recognition, the acceptance, and that he cared enough to hold their hand. He was just a decent human being."

Ron Chipman said his father was greatly influenced by growing up in Depression-era rural Maine without many resources, and held on to those values throughout his life.

"He was resourceful, and with the very minute budget we had back then, we couldn't afford anything," Barter said of working for Chipman when he started at the fire department almost 28 years ago. "But he would find ways to make things happen."

Chipman worked for Glen Rollins Construction and later for Bowdoin College. His son, Michael, remembered that after his father retired as locksmith and head of carpentry at Bowdoin College, he and a friend who was an electrician took on "side jobs," and soon had more work than they could handle.

"He'd help out neighbors, anyone that needed anything," Michael Chipman said. "He'd tune up people's furnaces, run wiring for them, fix broken windows … right up until this winter, really, when he started getting sick, he was busy all the time."

As recently as last month, Chipman was helping people out. During the Valentine's Day snowstorm, Chipman saw a light on in the home of a neighbor who was living in an assisted living facility. Despite using an oxygen tank, he headed to the home to see what was wrong. Discovering the house was low on oil, he called the oil company to arrange for delivery, and then arranged for the neighbor's driveway to be sanded.

First and foremost, however, Irving Chipman was "a good family man," Ron Chipman said, and remained involved with his three sons, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. "We're all going to miss him."

Chipman's health began deteriorating this winter, and last week he went to Boston to see a neurologist, who confirmed a diagnosis of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease. On Thursday, Ron Chipman said, the family received a call that he wasn't going to live through the day, and they rushed to his father's bedside. They found him sitting up in bed, talking, Ron said, but the rally was only temporary.

"He was brilliant, charming and gentle, and he enhanced the lives of everyone who will ever live in Harpswell, in ways that most may not even be aware," granddaughter Nicole Chipman said Monday. "Harpswell has lost a pillar, a friend, a savior ... a truly great man."

'A gift from God'
Jeff Dent found good in disabling illness
By Damian Gessel
The Daily Item
March 08, 2007

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Editor's note: Danville native Jeff Dent lived with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. While he was no longer able to speak leading up to his death, Mr. Dent communicated through e-mail. This is the final story in a three-part series.


DANVILLE — A light snow fell Wednesday afternoon as Jeff Dent's body was lowered into the ground.

The Rev. Brian E. Cope spoke the "Our Father" and nearly 100 people, surrounding Mr. Dent's flower-adorned casket in all directions and clad in heavy coats and gloves against the frigid air, bowed their heads on a high hill at St. Joseph Cemetery.

On March 4, at 39, Mr. Dent finally succumbed to ALS, the disease that years before had taken his ability to move, to speak and to live independently.

But it had never taken his spirit. That was evident, as dozens of people packed into the Roat-Kriner Funeral Home on Bloom Street for his funeral.

Every space in the parking lot was taken. Many people were double-parked.



They had all come to see off a man that, even without the use of his arms or legs, was able to touch so many.

"Jeff didn't let ALS define him," said the Rev. Cope during the service. "His life and love continued to go on. I'm not saying he didn't have places he stumbled over. I'm not saying he didn't have pain. But he had love. There's no reason to feel sorry for him."

Mr. Cope asked those in attendance not to be sad, instead urging them to celebrate Mr. Dent's life. But as Mr. Dent's own words were read out loud, written months in advance of his death, people began to weep openly.

In a letter, Mr. Dent addressed each of the mourners directly, as if he were alive and in the room.

"I've thought of ALS as a gift from God. It taught me to live every day to the fullest," he wrote. "I would not change a thing about my life, even though it was cut short. I want each and every one of you to know that I love you."

In the funeral home's front room, tacked to cork board, hung Mr. Dent's life: at least those moments of it captured by the flash of a camera.



In one photo he held his infant son against his bare chest. In another, he fished along the banks of a river. In a third he was in his 20s — a long-haired young man standing in front of an AC/DC poster. In still another, he grinned mischievously with both hands at the top of his head.

The images at once cut through the palpable sadness and elevated it; here was a life fully lived; a man fully loved; a father, son, brother and friend taken too soon.

For Mr. Dent, ALS was a double-edged sword. It confined him to a wheelchair and eventually cost him his life, but it gifted him with the deep knowledge of what was most important.

"I am honored that He chose me," he wrote. "I am looking forward to meeting all who went before me, and meeting up with you one day again.

"I will be watching. I will never forget any of you."

At one point during the service, the Rev. Cope asked those in attendance to close their eyes and picture Mr. Dent's smiling face.

And for a few seconds of unbroken silence, they did.



E-mail comments to dgessel@thedanvillenews.com.

Winthrop D. Jordan, Expert in the History of Race Relations in America, Is Dead at 75
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By MARGALIT FOX
Published: March 8, 2007
Winthrop D. Jordan, a National Book Award-winning historian who wrote several influential works on American slavery and race relations, died on Feb. 23 at his home in Oxford, Miss. He was 75.



University of Mississippi, 2000
Winthrop D. Jordan
The cause was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, said his wife, Cora.

At his death, Dr. Jordan was emeritus professor of history and African-American studies at the University of Mississippi, where he taught from 1982 until his retirement in 2004.

Dr. Jordan’s most famous book was “White Over Black: American Attitudes Toward the Negro, 1550-1812” (University of North Carolina, 1968). “White Over Black” was considered one of the first significant works of scholarship to trace the deep roots of 20th-century racial inequality, devoting particular attention to its basis in the collective psyche of the early European settlers of North America.

Reviewing the book in The New York Times Book Review, the historian C. Vann Woodward wrote, “In seeking out the origins, meaning and explanation of Negro debasement in America, Mr. Jordan has tackled one of the most abstruse, subtle, tangled, controversial and certainly one of the most important problems of American history.”

“The result,” he added, “is a massive and learned work that stands as the most informed and impressive pronouncement on the subject yet made.”

“White Over Black” received a National Book Award for history and biography. It also won a Bancroft Prize, awarded by Columbia University for the best books of the year in American history and international relations.

Dr. Jordan won a second Bancroft Prize for “Tumult and Silence at Second Creek: An Inquiry Into a Civil War Slave Conspiracy.” The book chronicled a planned slave rebellion in Mississippi in 1861 and its aftermath, in which the revolt was thwarted and more than two dozen slaves were hanged.

Winthrop Donaldson Jordan was born on Nov. 11, 1931, in Worcester, Mass., the son of Henry Donaldson Jordan, a professor of history at Clark University, and Lucretia Mott Churchill, a great-great-granddaughter of the abolitionists James and Lucretia Mott. Disinclined at first to follow in his father’s field, Winthrop Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard in 1953; his major — a gentle act of rebellion — was not history but social relations.

“My undergraduate background meant that my approach to history was strongly influenced by the social sciences of the early 1950s,” Dr. Jordan wrote in a recent autobiographical essay posted on the Web site History News Network (www.hnn.us). “More particularly, I aimed to understand the large component of emotion and indeed irrationality that characterized the attitudes of the white majority toward ‘Negroes’ in this country.”

His career as an academic was briefly delayed, however, when, after graduating from Harvard, he went to work as a management trainee at the Prudential Life Insurance Company. Having quickly realized that gray flannel suits were not for him, he then took a job teaching history at Phillips Exeter Academy. The lack of a degree in the field was no impediment: he had soaked up more than enough history at the dinner table.

He earned a master’s degree in Colonial American history from Clark in 1957 and a Ph.D. in the field from Brown University in 1960. In 1963, Dr. Jordan joined the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught until 1982.

Dr. Jordan’s first marriage, to Phyllis Henry, ended in divorce. He is survived by his wife, the former Cora Miner Reilly, whom he married in 1982; a brother, Edwin C., of Kennett Square, Pa.; three sons from his first marriage, Joshua, of Davis, Calif.; Mott, of Santa Cruz, Calif.; and Eliot, of Berkeley; three stepchildren, Michael Reilly of New York; Steven Reilly of Greeneville, Tenn.; and Mary Beth Conklin of Atlanta; five grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren.

His other books include “The White Man’s Burden: Historical Origins of Racism in the United States” and, with the historian Leon F. Litwack, “The United States,” a college textbook.

In a telephone interview, Ira Berlin, a historian at the University of Maryland who is the author of many books about slavery and race, discussed the enduring significance of Dr. Jordan’s work, in particular “White Over Black.”

“It’s directed toward a question of signal importance, that remains of signal importance: What is the nature of race?” Dr. Berlin said. “And his book in some ways is kind of ground zero for understanding that.”

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Archambault, Leonard Wilfred

LENOX -- Leonard Wilfred Archambault, 82, of Devonshire Estates, formerly of Oxford Street, Pittsfield, died Wednesday at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. He had resided at Devonshire for 14 months.

Born in Pittsfield on March 7, 1925, son of Roland P. and Marie Paulhus Archambault, he graduated from Dalton High School in 1943.

A World War II veteran of the Marine Corps, he served from March 5, 1943, to June 4, 1946, and was discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.

An insurance agent, Mr. Archambault worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. from 1955 to 1980. After his retirement, he worked part time at the former City Savings Bank in the life insurance department from 1986 to 1989. Following his military duty, he worked at the former Brookshire Ford car dealership.

He was a member of Charles A. Persip American Legion Post 68, where he served as post commander from 1985 to 1986 and as adjutant and finance officer at various times. A supporter of the legion's Boys State Program, he was chairman of both the Post 68 and District 1 Boys State committees and vice chairman and chairman of the Department of Massachusetts Boys State Committee. In 2006, he was recognized for 60 years of continuous legion membership.

He also was a longtime member and former president of Berkshire Coin Club. He was active with the Pittsfield Squares and Berkshire Archaeological Group. He photographed the progress of urban development in Pittsfield over the past two decades and presented a public slide program. He also enjoyed playing golf, woodworking, gardening and camping.

He and his wife, the former Clara C. Masino, were married May 6, 1950, at All Souls' Church.

Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Marc L. Archambault of Claremont, Calif.; a daughter, Donna M. Drew of Great Barrington; a brother, Paul E. Archambault of Dalton; a sister, Elaine Boyd of North Eastham; and two granddaughters.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Leonard Wilfred Archambault, who died Wednesday, March 7, 2007, will be conducted Monday, March 12, at 11 a.m. at DERY FUNERAL HOME by the Rev. Geoffrey J. Deeker, CCS, pastor of All Souls' Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Post 68's Boys State Fund, in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201, or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, 369 South St., Pittsfield. Mr. Archambault also leaves his son-in-law, Bernard A. Drew; his daughter-in-law, Amy McGough; two granddaughters, Jessie and Darcie Drew; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert Archambault, in 1991. Mr. Archambault took great interest in a family link with the early history of Montreal, Quebec, where Jacques Archambault's 1658 well in d'Youville is a historical site. Mr. Archambault and his family especially appreciated the care and support of the HospiceCare staff and volunteers.

William Herbert Beasley

1943-2006

Former Gardnerville resident, William (Bill) Herbert Beasley, 63, died in Alamo, Texas, on Dec. 13, 2006, from Lou Gehrig's disease, which was diagnosed in August 2006.

Mr. Beasley was born Oct. 30, 1943, to W. Herbert and Ioma Estelle Fitch Beasley in Wilder, Idaho. He graduated from Wilder High School in 1961. In his early years he worked in a casino in Elko. He then moved to Lake Tahoe and worked for Harveys Casino as a games supervisor where he met and married Joni Purvis Erwin in 1975. The liked to travel, as well as loving the outdoors. He loved fishing, hunting and his favorite past time was listening to talk radio 24 hours a day.

In 1994 Joni was incapacitated by an illness, which left her dependent on Bill who lovingly took care of her until his death.

Mr. Beasley was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and an uncle. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joni Beasley; his two daughters Carrie Beasley and Wendy Hill, both of Elko; two stepchildren, Becky Erwin Taggart of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Joe Erwin of Orlando, Fla., as well as grandchildren Trevor, Roxanne, Dillion; his sister Marilyn Beasley of Boise, Idaho; other relatives; a host of friends but especially Steve Orlob of Las Vegas with whom he worked for 18 years at Harveys Casino.

Memorial services took place Jan. 24, 2007, in Alamo, Texas. Memorial donations may be made to help support ALS research: ALS Association-South Texas Chapter, 6800 Park Ten Blvd. Suite 220N, San Antonio, Texas 78213.

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BEAL-ALLEN, Mrs. Jacqueline A. age 61, of Dayton, departed this life at home with her daughters in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, March 3, 2007 from ALS aka Lou Gehrig's Disease. She was a native Daytonian and a graduate of Roosevelt High School, Class of 1963; a graduate of Central State University where she earned a B.A. degree in Education. She obtained her Master's degree in Elementary Education and an Ed.S in Educational Leadership from Wright State University. She was adjunct faculty in the Department of Mathematics at Sinclair Community College for 10 years. She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and a former educator advocate and representative for the Dayton Education Association. She was active in the community and the National Priority Board. She retired from the Dayton Public School System in June 2005 with 33 years of classroom service. She is preceded in death by her father, Augustus J. Beal, Sr. and her brother, Augustus J. Beal, Jr. "Butchie". She leaves to celebrate her homegoing, her beloved mother, Mable Beal; her beloved and dedicated children, Kimberly Renee Allen and Andrea Nichole Allen "Nikki", of Atlanta, GA; her sister, Constance Y. Beal; her brother, William H. Beal and other cherished relatives and friends. Funeral service will be held 1 pm Monday, March 12, 2007 at St. Paul Global Outreach Ministries, 2050 Germantown Street. Bishop Mark C. McGuire, Sr. and Elder John Allen officiating. Interment West Memory Gardens. Visitation 9 am Monday at the church until the time of service. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Arrangements entrusted to the HOUSE OF WHEAT Funeral Home, Inc., 2107 North Gettysburg Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Jacqueline A. Allen to the DREAM Foundation, 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 304, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 www.dreamfoundation.org (310) 385-7973. Online condolences may be expressed at houseofwheat@woh.rr.com
Published in the Dayton Daily News from 3/9/2007 - 3/11/2007.

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Polk Co. man convicted of patricide dies in prison
REGISTER STAFF REPORTS



March 12, 2007
Add comment



Richard Wheeler, 52, who had been in prison the past 22 years for the December 1984 slaying of his father in Polk County, died today at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.

Wheeler succumbed to Lou Gehrig's Disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, said Fred Scaletta, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Corrections. He had been a patient in the penitentiary's hospice care unit.

Wheeler entered prison in 1985 for the shooting and bludgeoning death of his father, Dale Wheeler, 59, at the family's home in northeast Polk County. He was convicted and given a life sentence after a judge ruled he was not legally insane at the time of the killing.

A psychologist and a psychiatrist disagreed during Wheeler's trial about his mental status when the slaying occurred. But both agreed he was mentally ill and probably had been for at least a year before his father was killed.

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William Joseph Waters

Date: March 8, 2007
Publication: Standard-Examiner (Ogden, UT)

1948 -2007 "Faith and Courage"


MIDVALE -Our Loving Friend, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, and Uncle passed from this life to his eternal home to be with his daughter Anna. On Monday, March 5, 2007, under the watchful care of Vista Care, Bill passed away from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

Bill was born on April 24, 1948 in Brigham City, Utah to Joseph William Waters and Donna Mae Chlarson. He attended Bonneville High .
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A great sport, reporter calm through a storm

Thu, March 15, 2007

Longtime Free Press staff member Doug Langford was best known for his coverage of golf and car racing.

By JOE MATYAS, SUN MEDIA



Doug Langford wrote stories, edited copy and on more than one occasion gave an antsy reporter on deadline an impromptu shoulder massage to calm him down.

Barry Langford loved that story when a Free Press sportswriter recounted it to him at a funeral home visitation for his father on Tuesday.

"It said so much about dad," he said after a funeral service at St. Stephen's Memorial Anglican Church in London yesterday. "He was such a calming influence."

Doug, best known as a former Free Press golf and auto racing writer, died at the age of 70 at University Hospital on March 9, six months after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Fortunately, said Barry, he was given "an early entry into heaven" and didn't have to suffer the most devastating effects of the fatal motor neuron condition also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Dad was never one to look for sympathy," said Barry. "I was amazed and awed by the courage he showed after the diagnosis."

Langford was remembered yesterday as a humble, friendly man of generous spirit, who didn't let the disease dampen his good nature.

Free Press records show that Langford came to the paper as a linotype operator from the Simcoe Reformer in 1965.

"He was probably the fastest hot metal typesetter we had in the composing room," said Dale Stolk, a veteran copy editor and page designer in the editorial department.

When metal type was replaced with paper pasteup in the mid-1970s, Langford was given a chance to retrain in the sports department.

"Dad appreciated the break he got and made it work for him and the paper," said Barry. "He was the kind of guy who would repay you ten-fold for what you did for him."

Langford became a mainstay of sports as a writer and editor for about 20 years until his retirement in 1995.

His career highlights included covering George Knudson and Moe Norman in golf tournaments and Mike Weir at the beginning of his career. His coverage of CASCAR and NASCAR racing was widely read for more than a decade.

He was a good golfer and a "huge gear head," said his son.

"He was always fixing and restoring cars like Corvettes and Malibus. I've seen aluminum heads on his kitchen table."

It was Doug Langford's nature to give his all to his passions, said Barry.

"He went to drag racing school to learn more about racing. And he made and repaired golf clubs."

Stolk, co-owner of a software training company called Q Integrators for about a decade, employed Langford after his retirement.

"He was unflappable, nothing phased him. He made learning easier for people."

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Hartselle High band director Dexter Greenhaw.

Longtime Hartselle High band director dies


By Deangelo McDaniel
and Holly Hollman
dmcdaniel@decaturdaily.com
hhollman@decaturdaily.com


HARTSELLE — No matter what was going on in his personal life or how his health was, Dexter Greenhaw always put his students first.

Just shortly after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2004, for example, Greenhaw sat in his vehicle and watched the Hartselle High soccer team defeat Athens.

"It was a special moment and spoke volumes about Mr. Greenhaw," said Lisa Galloway, whose son, Nick, played for Hartselle.

Greenhaw, who served 10 years as director of Hartselle High's award-winning band, died at his Athens home Wednesday morning. He was 52.

His funeral will be Friday at 3 p.m. at Friendship United Meth-odist Church Multipurpose Building in Athens. The family will receive friends Friday from noon to 2:45 p.m. at the church.

McConnell Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

When doctors diagnosed Greenhaw with Lou Gehrig's disease, he said it was tough, but he accepted it and kept living.

"I've always said, we're all born terminal, it's just how we leave this world," Greenhaw said in a 2006 interview.

"He never lost his humor," said Greenhaw's minister, Cal-vin Havens of Friendship United Methodist Church in Athens. "He was diagnosed two years ago, and he contributed at the church until he could no longer go out a few months ago."

His church family watched as Greenhaw went from being able to play trumpet, guitar and piano to being unable to speak. He served as the church's music director for 17 years.

In October, Dexter, confined to a wheelchair, agreed to let Havens interview him for a video for the church's Web site. Havens said the video has had 90,000-plus hits and the church has received comments from those ranging from band directors to soldiers in Baghdad.

"He knew he was dying," Havens said. "He always kept the faith. He never lost the belief he was going to a better place."

Hartselle High Principal Jerry Reeves called Greenhaw a "dear friend" who was an "outstanding band director." Greenhaw was at Hartselle from 1994 to 2004. He also served as band director at Clements High in Limestone County from 1978 to 1986.

"He was the kind of teacher you wanted the kids around," Reeves said.

He credited Greenhaw with starting Hartselle's annual band competition fundraiser, which draws marching bands from across the state and Southeast.

"Dexter had an amazing ability to relate with people of all ages," Havens said.

Greenhaw also served as assistant coach of Hartselle High's soccer team when his son was a player.

Even though he could no longer stand on the sideline after doctor's diagnosed him with Lou Gehrig's disease, he continued to come to the games.

After the win over Athens, the team rushed to his car to show their appreciation.

"No matter what happened that day, the boys were going to win that game for Mr. Greenhaw," Galloway said.

To pay tribute to him, the players wore patches on their uniforms that said "Mr. G."

"He was so special and those kids loved him," Galloway said.

Greenhaw, an Athens High and University of North Alabama graduate, is survived by his wife, Cindy Greenhaw of Ath-ens; two sons, Zach Greenhaw of Atlanta, and Ian Greenhaw of Athens; his mother, Edna Greenhaw of Athens; and one brother, John Greenhaw of Athens.

In addition to teaching, he was music director at Friendship United Methodist Church for 17 years and played with the group, Denim, for 25 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hospice of Limestone County or the Friendship United Meth-odist Church Building Fund.

In the online interview, Greenhaw said the disease made him feel like a prisoner in his own body. His mind was active, but his body unwilling to move. Still, Greenhaw said that when he thought about how Jesus had suffered for mankind, he couldn't be hopeless.

"I don't want my funeral to be depressing," Greenhaw said. "I want it to be a celebration."

He said he wanted "To God Be The Glory" and "The Potter's Hand" played, as well as something band-oriented.

"I want everyone to know what it is like to live through the music," Greenhaw said.

Havens said Greenhaw will be cremated and his ashes spread around an oak tree at the church. Members of one of Limestone County's high school bands may perform at his memorial.

Those who want to view Greenhaw's interview, called "Discovering Hope," can do so online at http://www.friendshipumc.org/.

Nobody stood taller
Friday, March 16, 2007

By MATT DUNN
Staff Writer

BRIDGETON -- The word "Benderized" cannot be found in Webster's Dictionary.

In fact, it probably doesn't mean anything to most people outside of Cumberland County.


But to the many people touched by the benevolent spirit of Lt. Leslie Bender, who died Monday, the word holds a very special meaning.

It's the feeling a person got after spending even just a little bit of time with the 26-year Bridgeton Police Department veteran, according to Det. Lt. Michael Gaimari.

"Anybody that met (Bender) walked away with a little part of him inside of them," he said Thursday, at a funeral service for the beloved former police officer. "Three-quarters of the current department never worked with him, but through their superiors, everyone has a little bit of him in them."

Bender died Monday at the age of 72 after a lengthy battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, a neurodegenerative disease which confined the lifelong county resident to a wheelchair for the later part of his life.

But somewhere out there, the Upper Deerfield resident is back on his feet, believed those who mourned the passing of the city police officer Thursday morning at Freitag Funeral Home.

"He's one person who probably didn't deserve this," Bridgeton Police Chief John Wentz said at Thursday's funeral service. "But he's probably in a much better place right now."

Wentz said he knew Bender his entire life, and told the crowd of friends and family gathered Thursday the former officer was "a very good man (who) never held a harsh feeling toward anyone."

That character trait was infectious, Wentz said.


Which made it just so much more tragic when, only days after retiring from the Bridgeton Police Department in January 1996, Bender was diagnosed with the deadly disease.
"He was looking forward to spending time with his family. There were things he wanted to do," said Rev. David L. Strope of the West Park United Methodist Church, comparing Bender to the character of George Bailey in the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life."

Strope officiated Thursday's service, which included a military-style multigun salute.

Strope said, like the character actor Jimmy Stewart made famous, Bender overcame his sudden disabilities and appreciated life to its fullest.

Like Bailey, Bender didn't let life's setbacks control him.

"In the last few days, (Bender) laughed," Strope said. "He was happy. He knew that he was going to be going to heaven."

Bender certainly had a full life to look back on in his final days.

Born in Bridgeton, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as an underwater demolition diver.

After leaving the military, he worked for a few years at Ed's Body Shop.

But Bender was destined to do so much more than just help people by changing their oil and rotating their tires.



"He had a passion to help people," Strope said. "And he thought this could best be done by being a police officer."

Bender was the first person to obtain an associate's degree in criminal justice from Cumberland County College, after which he served as a Bridgeton Police officer for 26 years, rising to the level of sergeant.

At the time of his retirement, he was the highest-ranking city police sergeant, only one step removed from becoming lieutenant.

He took that last step in 2005, when city council bestowed the title of "lieutenant emeritus" upon Bender.

It was a proud moment that doctors told Bender he probably wouldn't live to see.

"(Bender) was proud that he exceeded (doctor) expectations for his life expectancy. But (this week), his fight against the disease had come to its conclusion. In his last few days, he laughed, happy that he would soon be with his wife, his son and his parents," Strope said.

Bender was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, JoAnna Hanshaw Bender, who died in 2006, and a son, Robert, who died at 22 months.

His surviving family members include a son, a daughter, four grandchildren, and one great-grandson, most of whom were at Thursday's service, along with his two caretakers, Loretta Soto and Margaret Miller.

Soto and Miller were like family to Bender.

Soto sang and read a poem at the funeral, her voice shaking with emotion.

"Now I know I can live in peace because I know you live in peace with angel wings," she recited.

Later, Bender's American flag-draped casket was carried from Freitag Funeral Home between two lines of saluting uniformed Bridgeton Police officers.

A lone bagpipe player played "The Rowan Tree," a traditional Scottish tune commonly heard at military-style funerals.

In that moment, after reflecting on the life of the celebrated Bridgeton Police officer, it was hard not to feel Benderized.

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The Rev. Herman G. Stuempfle Jr., a former Lutheran minister in Baltimore who became a national church leader and president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, died Tuesday at the Lutheran Home in the Pennsylvania town from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Lou Gehrig's disease.
Born in Clarion, Pa., he attended public schools in Hughesville, Pa., and was a graduate of Susquehanna University and the Lutheran seminary. He held advanced degrees from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a doctorate from the Claremont School of Theology.

Before coming to the seminary in 1962 as professor of preaching, Dr. Stuempfle had ministries at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Baltimore from 1950 to 1953, and also in York, Pa., and Gettysburg. He had a 27-year career at the seminary, including 13 as president, and retired in 1989.

An author and poet, Dr. Stuempfle's most widely read theology text, Preaching Law and Gospel, was published by Fortress Press in 1978. He was a prolific writer of hymns, and produced four volumes of them.

Wilma Quay (Peggy) Vines




Wilma Quay (Peggy) Vines, 75, of Fernandina Beach, passed away at her home on March 12, 2007, after an extended battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease."

Born on Jan. 6, 1932, in Oxford, Miss., the former Peggy Walker graduated from University High School and attended the University of Mississippi, where she studied Psychology and Business. Her marriage to a career military officer led to moves across the country, including Ft. Bragg, N.C.; Ft. Rucker, Ala; Anchorage, Alaska; Memphis, Tenn.; Ft. Monroe, Va.; Ft. Jackson, S.C.; Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.; Newport, R.I.; and Washington, D.C. After settling in the Washington, D.C., area, she worked as a Personnel Management Specialist for the Department of the Army and retired as a GS-12.

Upon retirement, Mrs. Vines and her husband relocated to Amelia Island 18 years ago, where she enjoyed her leisure time gardening, traveling, reading, golf outings and visiting with family and friends.

Peggy is survived by her husband of 52 years, Col. (Ret.) Ronald C. "Pete" Vines; three children and their spouses, Rebecca (Charles) Jenkins of Greer, S.C., Ronald C. (Jacklyn) Vines Jr. of Corona del Mar, Calif., and Jeffrey A. (Theresa) Vines of Woodbridge, Va.; five granddaughters, Dawn Jenkins, Lauren Jenkins, Charlotte Jenkins, Morgan Vines and Jessica Vines; siblings Dean Walker, Ken Walker and Genendle Parker, all of Oxford, Miss., and Jimmy Walker of Montgomery, Texas; a niece, Pamela Malone of Richardson, Texas, and two step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren of Newport Beach, Calif.

Mrs. Vines was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend who touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was a truly wonderful lady of the oldest traditions and about whom an unkind word was never spoken. May she now rest in peace.

The family will receive friends between 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the ALS Association, 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619-0907.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
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Decter, Andrew Scott

DECTER Andrew Scott Decter Owned insurance group and brokerage company, 47 Active in fund-raising and research to fight ALS Andrew Scott Decter, 47, died March 7, 2007, after a 5- year battle with ALS, Lou Gehrigs Disease. Arrangements were by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston. A longtime resident of West Orange and Livingston, Andrew was a 1980 graduate of Livingston High School and George Washington University in 1984. Andrew and his late father, Philip, owned the Decter Insurance Group and Private Brokerage of Livingston. After being diagnosed in 2001, Andy became a tireless searcher for the latest, cutting edge treatments for this disease, taking him to doctors from Harvard, the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and Beijing, China, where he received stem cell treatment. His involvement with the ALS Association of Greater N.Y. enabled him to turn a fatal diagnosis into an activist role. Andy and his parents created a fundraising golf tournament at the Green Brook Country Club to raise money for the ALS Association of Greater N.Y. From there, they, along with family friends, helped to establish the South Florida Research Foundation, which has as of March 5, 2007, held their fifth golf tournament fundraiser, raising in excess of $600,000 for Project ALS, whose sole purpose involves funding research for a cure for this disease. Andys credo was always to take lifes challenges, whatever they may be and meet them head on with courage and conviction. He was a wonderful and loving father, son, brother and friend. Andy is survived by his children, Jessica, Alex and Amanda; his mother, Alice Decter; his sister, Lori Yaspan; his uncle, Stephen Decter; his nephew, Corey Yaspan, and his brother-in-law, Richard Yaspan. He was the son of the late Philip Decter. Contributions may be made in Andys memory to the ALS Association, 116 John St., Suite 1304, New York, N.Y. 10038.
Published in the Star-Ledger on 3/11/2007.

To a fine lady, a small town and a big legacy

By Ron Rozelle
Correspondent

Published March 18, 2007

Here goes a totally inadequate attempt to say goodbye to my friend Janice Eubank, who was a textbook example of a master teacher, a constant lover of life and a courageous fighter.

She was a proud daughter of Tulia, who left that tiny burg a long time ago and went home for good last week.

I never heard her say “I’m from a little town near Amarillo,” or “I’m from the Panhandle.” It was always “I’m from Tulia,” boomed out in a confident, determined voice.

One summer, I tagged along on one of the many trips on which she took her students to Washington, D.C. Janice believed that every American should visit our capital city and, since I hadn’t, she shamed me into going. One hot day, our tour bus broke down in a seedy neighborhood. While we waited beside the street for another bus to come and collect us, one of the kids took a look around and said she sure wouldn’t want to live there. Another student said it wasn’t any worse than where he was from.

Whereupon Janice, her nose already in the city map and planning our next stop, cast one of her pearls. “Don’t ever be ashamed of where you came from,” she said, “just don’t let it keep you from where you’re going.” Then she slapped the map shut — everything she did was so full of energy that I sometimes got exhausted just watching her — and looked up the street for that new bus.

She was always looking for something. A new way to teach a lesson, a new place to eat, a new cake recipe that she could whip up and bring to the teacher’s workroom, a new town in the Hill Country to explore.

This was a lady who truly made an effort to get the most out of each and every day. And there’s just not a lot of folks that I can say that about. She could thoroughly enjoy an Italian opera in Houston and, later that night, have a great time two-stepping to country music.

She decided she wanted to be a teacher when she was still a little girl, out there in Tulia. And she never wavered from the plan. She started teaching in the early 1960s and she kept at it well past when she could retire with full benefits. In fact, when she had stayed longer than her health had, we thought we’d have to change the lock on her classroom door to make her stay home and rest.

Because she didn’t want to rest. She wanted to teach. She was my colleague for more than 20 years, and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone who honestly loved the profession as much as she did. She was almost always the first teacher to arrive in the morning, and often the last to leave in the afternoon. She served on countless committees, was the chair of the social studies department and was elected the district’s Teacher of the Year. But honors and committees weren’t nearly as important to her as when she stood up in front of her class and did what she knew that she had been built to do.

Her students were fortunate to have crossed her path. And so were her friends. I counted myself one of those, and I’ll always be grateful for it.

In all the years I knew her, the only thing close to a disagreement that we ever had was over homemade chili. I put beans in mine, and Janice maintained that real Texans just don’t do that. So she was quick to tell me, and quick, literally, as she told me. Sometimes she’d get to talking so fast that her listeners would lean forward, as if being pulled along in her wake.

She talked like she lived, at full throttle.

In fact, I never saw anything slow her down until she got Lou Gehrig’s disease. When she had to start using a wheelchair, we knew that it was bad. Then, when that fine, quick mind started going, we knew that it was only a matter of time.

The time finally came last week.

She was a proud daughter of Tulia. And Tulia, where she was buried, can be mighty proud of her.

© 2007 Ron Rozelle

Award-winning author Ron Rozelle has written six books. He teaches creative writing at Brazoswood High School. He can be reached at ronrozelle(at)sbcglobal.net.

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Ronald Robert Trump 1945 ~ 2007 CENTERVILLE - Ronald Robert Trump passed away in his home on March 13, 2007 of causes related to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was born June 28, 1945 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Robert Austin and Estella Ford Trump. Ronald married Nancy Louise Price in the Salt Lake Temple on June 5, 1967. Their family has been their most prized possessions, having eight children all who have been sealed to eternal companions. Kim (David) Thompson, Kerri (Jon) Erickson, Kristin (Michael) Childs, Stephen (Janice) Trump, Scott (Susan) Trump, Shane (Elizabeth) Trump, Bradley (Lacey) Trump, Bryan (Erin) Trump. His 26 grandchildren, all of whom he adored, loved, cherished, and played with constantly will remember: holiday excitement, 4-wheelers, camping, sleepovers, D.Q. runs, late nights with friends, barbeques, swimming pool, and wild rides. The times he treasured most were going places with his wife, spending time with his children, and sharing happy times with grandkids, neighbor kids, and friends in his backyard. He taught his children to work hard, be responsible, to love each other, to be respectful of others, and to go beyond themselves with helpful hands and hearts to those in need. He served an LDS mission to Northern England. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he served faithfully wherever called. He particularly enjoyed the youth and the many boating and camping trips with the young men and young women. For 15 years he coached baseball in the Centerville Baseball Leagues. His association with his sons and other young boys in those years brought joy and satisfaction to many families. He served two terms on the Centerville Planning Commission and served for over 18 years on the Centerville Irrigation Company Board of Directors. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah. He owned his own small development and residential construction business in Centerville, where he enjoyed his associations with many people. Funeral services will be held in the Centerville Utah South Stake Center at 270 North and 300 East on Monday, March 19 at 12 noon. Viewing held 10-11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Viewing in the Centerville Third LDS Ward meeting house at 900 South and 400 East will be from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, 2007. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by four brothers and one sister (and spouses); Roland (Susan), Douglas (Grace), Roger (Nan), and Bryce (Kelley), and Phyllis (Darol Wintle), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Robert A. Trump on June 19, 1978 and his mother Estella Ford Trump on December 25, 2006. Contributions may be made to any Wells Fargo branch in Ron's name for ALS Research. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from 3/15/2007 - 3/18/2007.
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Joseph A. Miller

Joseph A. Miller, 57, of Kenna passed away March 13, 2007. Long and Fisher Funeral Home, Sissonville is in charge of arrangements.

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Joseph A. Miller

Joseph A. Miller, 57, of Kenna went home to be with the Lord March 13, 2007, at the Huntington VA Hospital after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Joe was a truck driver, an avid hunter, fisherman, and was a Marine, having served in the Vietnam War. Joe received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with a Good Conduct Medal, and the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

Joe was preceded in death by his uncle, Billy K.

He is survived by: his wife, Carol Jividen Miller at home; stepchildren, Angie Noble of Kenton, Ohio, Kelly Spurgeon and her husband, Duane, of Roanoke, Va., and Derrick Mowery and his wife, Alicia, of Alexandria, Va.; parents, Harold and Gloria Miller of Kenna; sister, Linda Lion of Charleston; grandchildren, Sara and Tyler Noble of Kenton, Ohio, Michael, Kayla, Hannah, Tiffany, Jacob and Brandi Spurgeon of Roanoke, Va., and Brandon and Taylor Mowery of Alexandria, Va.; loving canine companion, Fats; and a host of friends.

The funeral service will be 6 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Long & Fisher Funeral Home, Sissonville, with Aaron Jones officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the West Virginia National Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 3 p.m. Saturday until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the ALS Association, Development Department, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 150, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301.

Condolences can be made by visiting longfisherfuneralhome.com.

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John R. Rand
Mining and Engineering Geologist, 82, Of Elmwood Road, Pownal, MEdied of Lou Gehrig's Disease on March 15, 2007 at the Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of William Baker McNear Rand and Lucy Kimball Robbins Rand. Upon graduation from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as radio operator gunner in the First Photo Reconnaisance Squadron in North Africa and Okinawa, reaching the grade of S/Sgt. After the war, he earned a degree in Geological Sciences at Harvard in 1949 and followed with a year at graduate courses in mining geology. His work in geology spanned more than 57 years, including early positions as Chief Geologist for a copper mining company in northern Michigan, and as the State Geologist of Maine. Going into consulting in 1959, as a sole proprietor, his practice dealt with many varied engineering geology and mining projects. He was Principal Geologist for five pump-storage hydroelectric projects and more than a dozen nuclear power projects including Maine Yankee, the Seabrook Station and Central Maine Power's project at Sears Island in Penobscot Bay. With geologist Carol A. White of Chebeague Island, he performed numerous groundwater studies for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, both for remediation of contaminated groundwater and in searches for new water supplies. In mining, he did coal lands management in Kentucy, and exploration for metals and industrial minerals throughout the United States. In 1960, Ed Lowe, the inventor of Kitty Litter and founder of the cat litter industry, retained him to find absorbent clay deposits for his new company (now part of the Nestle Company), and to plan and design all of its mine developments, and he continued in that position for more than 4 decades. He married Sally Ann Wallace of Lunenburg, Massachusetts on June 23, 1951, and they moved immediately to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where their two sons were born, Robert Wallace Rand of Freeport, Maine and William Baker Rand of Pownal, Maine and Torre Vieja, Spain, all of whom survive him. Also surviving are his granddaughter Katherine Alden Rand and his sisters Emily Rand Herman of Georgetown, Maine and Lucy Everts of Wayland, Massachusetts and his brother Dr. Peter W. Rand of Cape Elizabeth, Maine and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother William M. Rand, Jr. of Raymond, Maine. The family is most grateful for the many kindnesses and love given by the staffs at Togues and Midcoast Hospitals and the Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough. There will be only a Private Service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the puppy dogs at Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Road, Brunswick, Maine 04011. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care of Maine LLC, 471 Deering Avenue, PORTLAND, ME.
Published in the Boston Globe on 3/18/2007.

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Phyllis McCombs
MCCOMBS, PHYLLIS, age 59, of Hueytown, AL, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2007. She was a member of River Road Baptist Church and was a part time employee of Peoples Chapel Funeral Home. She passed away after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Mac" McCombs. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Veasey (Mark) of Hueytown; two sisters, Janet Bates (Larry) of Gardendale and Jo Wood of Columbiana; one brother, Gary Pickett (Alberta) of Hueytown; two grandsons, Ryan and David Veasey of Hueytown; and a host of other family and friends. The family would like to thank New Beacon Hospice and their staff, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the ALS Ironhorse Foundation. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at People Chapel Funeral Home with burial in Forest Grove Cemetery. Steve Garland and Fred Raymond officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. at Peoples Chapel. The family requests that memorials be made to the ALS Ironhorse Foundation, P.O. Box 59794, Birmingham, AL 35259-9794.

Michael Mario Xuereb: Made his mark in food and real estate

07:05 AM CDT on Thursday, March 22, 2007
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News
jsimnacher@dallasnews.com

Michael Mario Xuereb, a native of Malta, became a successful Dallas real estate entrepreneur and restaurateur.

The businesses complemented each other, and for several years, beginning in the late 1980s, Mr. Xuereb operated both in northeast Dallas.

"He always used to brag to everybody that he took care of the two basic needs: food and shelter," said his son Michael J. Xuereb of Dallas.

"You could come on in to him and, in an evening, walk out with a full belly and a house, if you wanted one."

Mr. Xuereb, 67, died Sunday of complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

A funeral Mass for Mr. Xuereb will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

He will be entombed in Calvary Hill Mausoleum.

"He just loved people, obviously," his son said.

Born in Tarxien, Malta, Mr. Xuereb grew up in a family of 11 children.

He majored in theology and philosophy at the University of Rome before he immigrated to Detroit in 1963 to be near an uncle who lived there.

Mr. Xuereb didn't like Detroit and moved to the Dallas area, where his brother, the Rev. Publius Xuereb, had been assigned after being ordained. Father Xuereb is pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in The Colony.

Mr. Xuereb attended what is now the University of Texas at Arlington and received his master's degree in English from the University of Dallas, while teaching Italian one day a week at Richland College.

He attended law school at Southern Methodist University but changed his career plans after his mother died in Malta.

In 1972, he and two brothers opened an Italian restaurant, Mike's Spaghetti Inn, on East Mockingbird Lane at Skillman Street. His brothers later returned to Malta, but Mr. Xuereb stayed with the business, where he met many real estate professionals.

By the early 1980s, Mr. Xuereb, who had dabbled in real estate since his law school days, decided to focus on the profession, his son said.

"That's when he started working for Merrill Lynch; he got his real estate license and went to work for Merrill Lynch and did very well," his son said.

Mr. Xuereb then started Michael's Realty Inc., which specialized in property in East Dallas and Lakewood. In addition to helping people buy and sell homes, he invested in properties and became a landlord.

By the late 1980s, he decided to re-enter the restaurant business: He opened the Spaghetti Inn, this time in Hillside Village at Mockingbird Lane and Hillside Drive. His real estate office was right next door.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Xuereb gave up his second restaurant to attend all his son's football games at Bishop Lynch High School in the early 1990s.

In addition to his brother and son, Mr. Xuereb is survived by his wife, Mary Carmel Xuereb of Dallas; another son, Colin Xuereb of Dallas; and several other brothers and five sisters, who are scattered around the world.

Memorials may be made to the North Texas ALS Association, 1231 Greenway Drive, Suite 270, Irving, Texas 75038.
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C. George Brower
PLEASANT VALLEY - C. George Brower, "Popcorn Man", 66, a lifelong resident of Pleasant Valley died Monday, March 19, 2007 at his home after a brave and courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was lovingly cared for at home by his family and friends. Mr. Brower was employed by Norki Energy Systems in Poughkeepsie prior to his illness. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Valley. Born in Sharon, CT on June 9, 1940, he was the son of the late Clayton Edward Brower and Dorcas Honour Brower who resides in Hyde Park. After graduating from Arlington High School he joined the Air Force and served 4 years. He then signed on with the US Navy Sea Bee Reserves, retiring after 28 years of service. On May 28, 1965 at Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, George married Joyce Purdy. Mrs Brower survives at home. George had a great love for people and spent many years with his antique popcorn wagons at fairs, flea markets and car shows. He was one of the original members of the Century Museum Village demonstrating with his collection of old time antique engines and other collectibles. He also loved collecting music boxes and carousel items, traveling around the country to many meets. Wheels were his passion and he loved restoring old cars. We would like to thank his many friends from the car community who have supported us during George's illness. In addition to his wife Joyce and mother Dorcas, George is survived by his son Jeff, daughter in law Aimee and the light of his life, granddaughter Isabella all of San Francisco,CA; sisters, Kathy Blackwell and husband Rory of Hyde Park and Nancy Heriegel and husband Mert of Florida; brothers, David Brower of AZ., and Peter and his wife Gayle of Pleasant Valley; mother in law, Anne Purdy of Pleasant Valley; sister in law, Ida Mikula and husband Mike of Pleasant Valley; and brother in law, Edward Purdy and wife Carole of OK. George was able to experience some wonderful adventures/interests with his many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday 4-8 pm at Allen Funeral Home, 1605 Main St., Pleasant Valley. Funeral services will be held Friday 11 am from Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, Main St., Pleasant Valley. Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in George's memory to Pleasant Valley Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 417, Pleasant Valley,NY 12569 or Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 664, Pleasant Valley,NY 12569. If you would like to send the family a condolence and for directions, please visit www.HudsonValleyFuneralHomes.com

George Bainbridge


George Bainbridge, age 46, of Manhattan, IL, born Oct. 2, 1960, passed away March 20, 2007, at Joliet Community Hospice Home. George suffered from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) since July of 2004. George was a 20 year member of the Chicago Local #52 Tuck Pointer Union. George is survived by his wife of 12 years, Amy; and their three young boys, Ryan, nine; Carson, three; and Grant, nine months old. A benefit fund has been established for the Bainbridge Family at any Harris Bank location.

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Gary "The Grrr" Loritz
Gary "The Grrr" Loritz 1949 ~ 2007 Gary "The Grrr" Loritz died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, March 12, from ALS at the age of 57. Gary was attended by his loving wife Kristie. Gary was born in Biloxi, Miss., on Nov. 11, 1949, while his father was in the Air Force. He was raised in Southern California until 1963, when his mother, sister and brother David moved to Park City. Gary attended Park City High School and graduated from Skyline High in 1967. Gary attended the University of Utah where he was on the ski team. Gary's passion for skiing started in 1963 at Treasure Mountain Resort, now Park City Mountain Resort, where he was on the first ski racing team and was coached by Gordy West and Jim McConkey. His passion for skiing continued throughout his life. He was a world-class ski racer and well known by USA Ski Team members and the racing community. He and Claudio Vianello founded the USSA Alpine Master's Ski Racing Program. Gary was known for his love for speed, his impatience with tight courses and his quick wit. His lifelong contribution to ski racing is celebrated with the USSA Alpine Master's Loritz Cup held in January. Gary built his ranch, "Racers Roost," in 1995, where he raised his horses and ran his business, Spa Tenders, started in 1984 and now run by his son Gordy. He had a strong spiritual connection to the Escalante River on Lake Powell, where he loved to take family and friends. Gary is survived by his loving "Angel" wife Kristie; his beloved son Gordy; father Edmund Loritz; sister Kathy Loritz-Mechling; and brother Danny Loritz. Other family members include Sally Lundstrom Loritz Sunberg; Sheila Loritz; Brook Haven and Janzen Gower; Patricia, Tracie and Stephie Fails. He is preceded in death by his mother Lianne K. Parks and brother David Loritz. His beloved and faithful dog, Sierra, died shortly after his death. There will be a celebration of Gary's life on March 31, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Butcher's Restaurant on Park Avenue in Park City. All friends and family are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to your favorite charity.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 3/18/2007.
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Mauldin, community leader and volunteer, died Saturday



Lanny Mauldin, a community leader and long-time member of the Rhea Medical Center Board of Directors, died Saturday at RMC of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 66.

A retired professional photographer who owned successful businesses in Florida, Chattanooga and Dayton, Mauldin was a strong supporter of the Dayton community since moving from Florida in 1979.

He served as president of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce in 1984-85 and was a member of the Rhea County Commission from 1990 to 1998. He was also a member of the Rhea County Homeland Security Team. Mauldin was a long-time member of the Rhea County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and served as squadron commander for several years.

Bryan College President Dr. Stephen Livesay gave an informal eulogy for Mauldin Monday evening during the Dayton Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

“Lanny helped virtually every institution in this community in some way,” Livesay said. “He was a man of diverse interests. The last trip we took together up to Muddy Pond to get some fresh sorghum molasses—something we both loved—he told me about how he used to work with the Civil Air Patrol and volunteer his time for search and rescue missions.

“Lanny was a friend to all,” Livesay continued. “It didn’t matter to him if you were a king on a hill or a peasant in the valley; he would treat you with the same respect.”

Mauldin was born in Mansfield, La., on Dec. 26, 1940. He served with the U.S. Army and was an award-winning professional photographer who was contracted to photograph NASA space shots and several presidents.

He and his wife, Barbara, former principal of Graysville Elementary School, moved to Dayton in 1979. A member of Dayton First United Methodist Church, he was well known for his fish fries and chili suppers, which he regularly prepared as fundraisers for local church and civic groups.

The owner and operator of Mauldin Photography in Dayton and then Quality Photo Services in Chattanooga, he also served on the President’s Conference on Small Business. Recently the Dayton Rotary Club named him an honorary member and a Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions to the club, although he had never been a member. Wal-Mart also recognized Mauldin as a Wal-Mart Hometown Hero.

Respected judge dies after house fire
San Grewal, The Toronto Star Staff Reporter
TORONTO -- When Canadian legal icon Sam Filer reached the height of his career, he refused to let a debilitating condition slow him down. The man who had earlier helped persecuted Jewish citizens of the former Soviet Union continued his dogged fight for human rights.


Shortly after he was appointed an Ontario District Judge (now referred to as Ontario Superior Court Judge) in 1984, Filer was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which eventually paralyzed him from the neck down.


On Wednesday, after a fire at his home, he died at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre of complications related to his condition.


During a memorial service yesterday, Filer's wife Toni Silberman asked those in attendance to remember her husband as both a courageous champion of human rights and a beloved family man and friend to all those he loved.


She singled out her husband's close relationship with her mother -- whom Filer invited on their honeymoon -- and her sister, Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella.


His legacy, she said, will live on in the memories of all those he touched.


"He had a fundamental interest in people and their concerns," said Patrick LeSage, former Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court. "I was there when he was appointed in 1984 and we became not only colleagues, but close friends."


LeSage spoke at yesterday's service at Benjamin's Park Memorial on Steeles Ave. W., detailing Filer's illustrious career as a corporate lawyer with a personal interest in human rights and then his remarkable career as a judge.


He told the Star about the work that set Filer apart.


"There was a group in Canada started around the late '70s, early '80s, called the Canadian Committee of Lawyers and Jurists for Soviet Jewry, to promote the cause of Jews in the (former) Soviet Union. Sam was one of the co-founders."


The group was instrumental in putting pressure on the Russian government to allow often-persecuted Jewish citizens to emigrate. Filer made regular trips overseas and the movement eventually helped thousands of Jewish Russians come to Canada and other western countries, long before the cold war ended.


"When he was diagnosed with ALS, it was obviously tremendously traumatic and upsetting to he and Toni," LeSage said.


"As it progressed, though, what you saw was this tremendous strength of character and sheer courage you might not have seen before. It began to shine."


In 1999 Filer was honoured with a special award by B'nai Brith's League for Human Rights.


"He had an absolutely stellar reputation, not just with one organization, but with an entire range of Jewish organizations," said Frank Dimant, vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada, said in a phone interview from Florida. "He was a natural leader."


Filer chaired the national Civil Liberties Section of the Canadian Bar Association and its Ontario branch, and was also on the national executive of the Canadian Jewish Congress, which honours other distinguished members with an award in Filer's name.


Eventually, however, the ALS -- a progressive fatal neurological disease -- began to take its toll. Although he continued working as a judge with the help of a speaking device, the rigors of the job finally caught up with him. He retired from the bench in 2004. Sam Filer is survived by his wife, their four children, and eight grandchildren.

Tom Jay showed strength on and off the field


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Jay
Tom Jay was a gifted athlete.

He grew up in Massillon, Ohio, a town rich in high school football tradition, and was an All-Ohio right end during Paul Brown’s tenure as coach.

Brown, for whom the National Football League Cleveland Browns are named, went on to become a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

Mr. Jay was an athlete at the universities of Oregon and Wisconsin and played semi-pro football in Cleveland.

He was a sports fan throughout his life and was an avid tennis player, a good swimmer and an outdoorsman.

Thomas Cashmere Jay died in his sleep March 19 of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 82.

The disease attacks the nervous system and Mr. Jay was paralyzed from the neck down his last three years.

The deterioration of such an active man was difficult for his family to watch.

“But in spite of that, he maintained his strength of character and his dignity through the whole thing,” his son, Thomas Dale Jay of Fayetteville, said. “ALS can strike anyone at any time during their life, but luckily it struck Dad in his late 70's, so he was able to live most of his life actively without the disease.”

In addition to his son, Mr. Jay is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; daughters, Linda Marie Bischoff of South Hold, N.Y., and June Renee Eck of Fayetteville; and three grandchildren.

Mr. Jay served in the Army in World War II and was awarded three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He was among American troops who marched into Nagasaki shortly after an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city.

In civilian life, he worked for Whitney Trading Co. for 20 years and was also affiliated with J.C. Penney, Treasure City and Wal-Mart as a manager and director of stores.

He loved his work and was good at it, spending his last 20 years in Fayetteville.

“He kept retiring,” his wife said, “but he couldn’t stay retired. He was restless and if someone asked him to do something, he was there.”

Mrs. Jay met her future husband in high school.

“He was tall (6-3), handsome, and a nice, wonderful person from the very beginning,” she recalled. “He was very out-going and a sincere person. He loved people and always wanted to help those who needed help. He was just a lovable guy.”

Mr. Jay enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved laughter and often whistled when he was relaxed or busy doing yard work.

“He was an eater,” Mrs. Jay said. “Everything was his favorite, but he loved to make his own spaghetti.”

Mr. Jay was a music lover and owned a large selection of compact discs. He loved the Big Band sounds such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

“We’ve seen all the Big Band guys in person,” Mrs. Jay said. “We would go and dance. I guess you could say dancing was our other sport.”

Mr. Jay had the knack of making people feel special. He was a dedicated family man and made friends easily, mustering smiles for home health caregivers and the nursing staffs on the eighth floor at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and the third floor at Highsmith-Rainey.

Looking after his ailing father’s needs also influenced his son.

“It gave purpose to my life,” Thomas Dale Jay said. “The lesson that comes out of that is the strength that you find in your families and friends.”

Mr. Jay’s daughter, Linda, remembers her father’s coolness under pressure, even as his health failed.

“I can’t say enough for what my father’s life represents,” she said, “but I remember that, when things got tough, he would always say ‘At least I’m not in a foxhole and no one is shooting at me.’”

Mr. Jay often closed conversations with a simple request: “Do good things.”

“That’s what I’m going to do with the rest of my life,” Linda said. “I want to do good things.”

Jim Pettit can be reached at pettitj@fayobserver.com or 486-3583.