Rudolph R. 'Rudy' Quackenbush -- Rochester
5/5/2008 9:40:02 AM

ROCHESTER -- A memorial service for Rudolph R. "Rudy" Quackenbush will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester.

Mr. Quackenbush, of Rochester, died Saturday (May 3, 2008) at his residence, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

He was born in Red Bank, N.J. On Jan. 14, 1985, he married Alisa Krizan in Zanesville, Ohio. The couple resided in Asheville, N.C., and moved to Rochester on September 1, 1998. He worked as a food service director; his wife is a registered dietitian and patient food service manager with Mayo Clinic. Mr. Quackenbush was also active in Mayo Clinic Volunteer Services and was president from 2006 to 2007. He was also a culinary chief and loved cooking and spending time at his cabin in Hayward, Wis.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Rudolph C. of Hagerstown, Md.; and two brothers, Al of Calabash, N.C., and Jack of Houston, Texas. Other survivors include a granddaughter, Julie Quackenbush of Hagerstown; and a daughter-in-law, Anita Whitesides of Hagerstown. He was preceded in death by two brothers, a daughter and a son.

Friends may call an hour before the service at Macken Funeral Home.

The family prefers memorials to the ALS Chapter of Minnesota or Mayo Hospice.

As a child -- which was not very long ago -- Sarah Beth ran around our Highlands neighborhood in a dress, the prettier and the frillier the better.

A family friend remembers her on an early camping trip at Red River Gorge, her father lugging the backpack up the trail as Sarah Beth, 4, scampered along in a pink dress.
"She always was a girlie girl," one friend recalled to laughter among those assembled April 13 for her funeral.

At age 22, Sarah Beth Adkins died on April 10, less than a year after she had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- which is better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the New York Yankees' first baseman who died in 1941 from the neurodegenerative illness. There is no known cause and no cure.

There was a little laughter, but far more tears, among the relatives, friends and neighbors who attended the service at Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church.

Sarah Beth's parents, both medical professionals, were forced to watch helplessly as the disease that had stricken their daughter last summer robbed her of strength, speech and, finally, her ability to breathe. Her mother, Sheila Ward, is a nurse midwife and teacher at the University of Louisville, who specializes in helping women deliver healthy babies. Her father, Phil Adkins, a physical therapist, helps people recover strength and skills lost to injury or illness.

At the funeral, the Rev. Elwood Sturtevant described ALS as a very "cruel disease," and none in the overflow crowd that had gathered for the service on a chilly, dreary Sunday afternoon would disagree. Friends and relatives who spoke described a bright, sweet and compassionate child who, as she grew up, possessed an innate ability to inspire and delight.

Her friends recalled these events:

• Sneaking out of Sarah Beth's bedroom window onto the roof on sleepovers to watch the stars (a revelation that left her father shaking his head in disbelief).

• Becoming best friends for life in grade school after an initial battle over crayons.

• Aggravating her older brother, Stanley, whom Sarah Beth and friends could always count on to entertain and make them laugh.

• And, upon earning her driver's license at age 16, bumping the family van into a post with no discernible damage -- and Sarah Beth ordering her girlfriend never to tell her parents because they will never let me drive again!

The friend obeyed until the funeral, when she revealed the story to everyone present, including Sarah Beth's parents, who laughed while they cried.

I don't think anyone missed the point that Sarah Beth won't be driving again. But here is what she is doing. Sarah Beth Adkins is the inspiration for many friends, family and neighbors to join in the annual Louisville ALS walk Saturday.

Reporter Deborah Yetter can be reached at (502) 582-4228.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/.../1010/FEATURES

Irish sport mourns loss of Paul Magee
The Irish sports community will be saddened by the untimely death on Saturday of Paul Magee (51) -- son of broadcaster Jimmy -- who had been struggling with Motor Neurone disease.

Paul played for Shamrock Rovers, Finn Harps and St Pat's and was involved in cross-country running and Gaelic football before his tenpin bowling days, when Paul regularly captained the Irish bowling team, invariably as the top scorer.

In his professional life, he was an integral part of the RTE Radio broadcasting team for 20 years, reporting from racetracks at home and abroad.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his devoted family and a large circle of friends.

Luis Enrique Cebrian

Luis Enrique Cebrian Died on Monday March 3, 2008, after a lengthy and heroic 14 year battle with ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. Luis Enrique Cebrian was born in Madrid on May 4, 1933 to Louis de Laveaga Cebrian and Katharine Crofton Cebrian, Americans residing in Spain at the time. Because they were known royalists, during the unrest leading up to the Spanish Civil War, they were targeted by the Communist Republicans who controlled Madrid. At one time while staying in a hotel they were occasionally machine-gunned; Luis and his brother were placed in a bathtub with a mattress over them. They were rescued by the German Embassy and sent to San Francisco. His parents joined them later in the USA. He grew up in Napa and San Francisco where they had homes. He attended school in St. Helena and boarding schools in Peru, Portland and Canada. He served two years in the army and then returned to Spain where he completed his medical studies using the GI Bill of Rights. He graduated with honors in 1962 and worked for three years in the Madrid University hospital where he instituted a peritoneal dialysis unit. During this time, he also worked on a cruise ship for several months of the year cruising between England and the Caribbean. His philosophy was always that he would enjoy life while his body was still young, instead of waiting until he retired old and decrepit. So he moved to London (which was at that time swinging London). He improved his medical knowledge by taking training jobs in London teaching hospitals for 7-8 months of the year. He studied geriatrics where geriatrics really started at the West London Hospital, long before it became fashionable. The rest of the year he traveled. He said that he had swum in all seven oceans and seen at least some of each of the five continents. During this time, he met his wife, Valerie, in 1971 on Mykonos, a Greek island where he had a disastrous investment in a nightclub, which ended in a Greek lawsuit. He always said it was a great investment, as he learned about unscrupulous partners and met his wife. He returned to the United States in 1981 to practice family medicine and geriatrics in Chico until forced to retire by Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in 1998. During this time, never one to complain about the way ALS ravaged his body, he sought to counsel others suffering the same fate. He was most generous of heart and mind and though in a wheelchair for the last eight years he never let that deter him from traveling several times to Europe. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Valerie; brother-in-law, Ian Hamer and his wife Judy; nephew, Christian Cebrian and his wife Amy; nieces, Cairo Gregor and her husband Michael, and Morgan Grossman and family; a nephew in Germany, Jose Cebrian and his wife Brigitte; and two nephews in England, Carl and his wife Kate, and Ross Homer. Also survived by many loyal friends who have helped him in various ways, with their love, laughter and support. A Visitation will be held Thursday, March 6th, 5-8PM at Bidwell Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian burial on Friday, March 7th, 10:30AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Chico.

Jennifer A. "Jenny" (Pucci) Fischer, 37, of Rochester, died Tuesday at her residence of A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's disease). Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes, Rochester.


http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmana...p?z=5&a=341576

Samuel P. Buonavolonta
Friday, May 9, 2008

Star Beacon


CONNEAUT — Samuel P. Buonavolonta, age 67, of Conneaut, Ohio, died at his home, Tuesday morning, May 6, 2008, from complications of A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Born Jan. 13, 1941, in Ashtabula, Ohio, he was an adopted son of Vito and Stella (Nappi) Buonavolonta.

Samuel was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, and was employed for 43 years, at Ashtabula Rubber Company.

He enjoyed golfing, swimming, doing lawn work, and being with his grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Tammie (David) Hatfield of Conneaut, and Traci (Arthur) Bearce of Monroe Twp.; five grandchildren, Ashley Million, Anthony and Andrew Hatfield, and Samantha and Brian Bearce; and a brother, James (Mary) Buona of Chandler, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his mother Carmel; his adopted parents, Vito and Stella; brother, Jack Mecci; and sister, Judy (Buonavolonta) Jones.

A private Memorial Service, for the immediate family, will be held at the MARCY FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION CENTER, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, Ohio.

Contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes are available at the Funeral Home.

Condolences at www.marcyfuneralservices.com

Ted championed his cause to the very end
BY SANDRA BATES
9/05/2008 8:32:00 PM

JUST days after penning an impassioned plea to New South Wales Health Minister Reba Meagher to improve support for research into motor neurone disease and make organ donation an easier process, Blayney Mayor Ted Wilson has succumbed to MND.
Cr Wilson passed away in his sleep at his home in Neville late Thursday night. He was 72.

Cr Wilson was diagnosed with MND late last year, just weeks after being re-elected mayor.

Blayney Shire Council general manager Andrew Roach said Cr Wilson was elected to Blayney Shire Council at a by-election in 1993 and held the position of deputy mayor on several occasions until becoming mayor in September 2005.

Cr Wilson wrote to Health Minister Meagher on April 29. In what was to prove a tragically accurate premonition, the opening paragraph said: "My health has deteriorated quickly, and I fear that by the time you respond to my letter, I may have passed."

He went on to explain to Ms Meagher that he was writing to request "long overdue and very necessary support to Associate Professor Matthew Kiernan and his team of researchers from the Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia".

"Associate Professor Kiernan has the leading program for MND sufferers in Australia, based at the Prince of Wales Hospital, yet he continues to struggle with the bureaucracy within the hospital system you and your government continue to support, as an impediment to patients in great distress," he wrote.

"I call upon you, as minister for health, to review the services required by Associate Professor Kiernan to provide patients of MND a much better service in the immediate future, and access to resources which will make their treatment more accessible and easier."

Cr Wilson also addressed the issue of organ donation.

"I have been a life long advocate of organ donation and have found it very difficult to arrange," he said.

"At great personal difficulty I have arranged the organ donation through my specialists and have donated my brain and spine to further the research of MND, with little to no help for this service in the Central West.

“As a state, we have made this community service very difficult for many to participate [in], and improve the end goal, of saving more lives.

"I have made the personal commitment to bettering someone else's life.

"I beg you to convince your government to finally right this wrong and provide organ donation services to residents in NSW, in accordance with a national standard. NSW currently has the lowest rate of organ donation in Australia."

Cr Wilson is survived by his wife Betty, sons Rex and Mark and their wives, Lucy and Dorraine and his four grand children.

In his final days, Cr Wilson created a trust fund to raise much-needed funds for MND research.

His funeral will be held on Thursday at The Goods Shed, Neville Siding, 15 Crouch Street Neville from a11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations for Cr Wilson's trust fund be forwarded by Blayney Shire Council.

John David Swan

Published on Monday, May 12, 2008

John David Swan, 56, died in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Saturday, April 19, 2008, of Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

He was the son of Walter James (deceased) and Deloris Cavell Swan of Bisbee, Ariz. John attended high school in Bisbee until he volunteered for the Marine Corps Air Wing to serve in Vietnam.
John is survived by his wife, Natalia Swan of Santa Rosa; his three children from a previous marriage, Israel and Matt of Marquette, Mich., and Megan Gilles of Milford, N.H.; seven siblings, Jim, Jerry, Charlotte Taylor, Carol Ann Price, Alan, Linda Olsen and Merri Lou Martin; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 1 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 611 Melody Lane, in Bisbee.

Kathy Krabbenschmidt: Designed golf course in Grand Prairie

12:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News
jsimnacher@dallasnews.com

Kathy Krabbenschmidt had been a Hollywood magician, a champion pool player and a hand model before she designed and built her 17-hole, par-3 golf course in Grand Prairie.

Although she had made a living at a variety of jobs, Ms. Krabbenschmidt had a passion for architecture and art, which she was able to express in her golf course design.

"She loved architecture and art in general," said her daughter, Angel Adamson of Grand Prairie.

Ms. Krabbenschmidt, 56, died April 27 at her Grand Prairie home of complications of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often called Lou Gehrig's disease.

A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Fun City Golf Center, her Grand Prairie golf course.

Ms. Krabbenschmidt was earning a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington when she became ill about five years ago.

In August 2005, she was diagnosed with ALS.

"She had been sick for a year and a half before that, but she didn't know what she had," Ms. Adamson said.

Ms. Krabbenschmidt used a walker to attend her last year of classes and graduate, her daughter said.

She was born in Orange County, Calif., but grew up in Japan and San Francisco, traveling with her father's transfers as a Navy engineer.

She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from San Francisco State University.

She married Howard Adamson and became a blackjack dealer in Lake Tahoe for four years.

Ms. Krabbenschmidt then moved to Los Angeles, where she became a magician.

She performed at the Magic Castle, a magicians' gathering place, and private parties, her daughter said.

"She was a hand-and-card specialist, what's called sleight of hand," her daughter said. "Within five years, she was actually one of the top magicians in Hollywood.

"She performed at Oscar parties and many other Hollywood events," her daughter said.

Ms. Krabbenschmidt had also worked as a hand model and did hand shots that included the television series Dallas.

Ms. Krabbenschmidt's hands were also used in commercials, including the "Incredible Edible Egg" promotion.

"It's back out," Ms. Adamson said of the commercial. "There are the two hands holding the egg; that's her hands."

Ms. Krabbenschmidt divorced in 1975.

She became a touring pool player before moving to Grand Prairie in 1988 to take over her brother's video store, Rent-A-Movie, in Town Square on Pioneer Parkway, a retail development her father had built.

While she was running the video store, Ms. Krabbenschmidt began designing and building the golf course on her father's property on Interstate 20.

"She designed and built it herself," her daughter said. "She was hands-on in building that golf course."

Ms. Krabbenschmidt served on the Grand Prairie Planning and Zoning Commission for several years.

In addition to her daughter, Ms. Krabbenschmidt is survived by two sisters, Lisa Evik of Burbank, Calif., and Janeen Jensen of Del Mar, Calif.; two brothers, Jon Krabbenschmidt of San Mateo, Calif., and Dale Krabbenschmidt of San Diego; her parents Henry and Pegeen Krabbenschmidt of Hillsboro, Calif., and one grandchild.

Memorials may be made to a college-expense trust for her grandson, Henry Jacob Adamson at Wells Fargo Bank.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...1.462b0c2.html
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BRAVE FIGHT: Lee Smart who died this week, pictured with his family of wife Jenny and children Liam, three, Luke, two-and-a-half, Casey Louise, four, Brandon, seven.

Brave Lee loses fight for life

Published Date: 15 May 2008
By Staff Copy

A BRAVE father-of-four who suffered from a muscle-wasting disease has died just two weeks after renewing his wedding vows.
The Express featured the inspirational story of Lee Smart in last week’s issue, after he organised the special ceremony for his wife Jenny at the Pontefract Prince of Wales Hospice, where he was receiving respite care for motor-neurone disease.

Sadly the 28-year-old died the day the paper came out, from pneumonia.

His doting wife Jenny, 29, this week paid tribute to his bravery in dealing with the debilitating disease as well as her shock at his sudden death.

She said: “It was a really big shock because he had been all right on Wednesday. He just went downhill on the evening and died at Barnsley Hospital at 5am on Thursday.

“But he isn’t in any pain any more and I think he’s in a better place now.

“Lee showed bravery from when he was first diagnosed.

“Even when he was in pain, he didn’t want to tell anyone. When the children saw him in pain he tried not to be bothered about it.

“He was as tough as bricks and always smiling.

“He just tried to get on with his life. I was very proud of him.

“It was very important that we managed to renew our vows. I’m pleased that we did it – that we had that together.”