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Charles (Chuck) Wheeler Roberts Jan
7, 1936 - Feb 27, 2024 - It is with profound sadness the
family of Charles (Chuck) Wheeler Roberts, 88, announce
his peaceful passing in the LIfe Care Center,
Crossville. He was a loving, kind and thoughtful
husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was born in
Bledsoe County, TN, grew up in Mayland, TN and retired
with his family living in Crossville, TN.
Chuck had a long and interesting
career. After a stint in the Army, he worked for Pan Am
World Services at a testing facility in Fort Churchill,
Canada, where he met his future wife. From there it was
down to Patrick AFB, FL in the Aerospace Industry to
include the Apollo and Shuttle programs. Then it was on
to the Kwajalein Missile Range in the
Marshall Islands. From there he retired to Crossville.
Chuck was quite famous for his love of fishing, owning
boats, gardening and cooking. Everyone remembers his
shrimp boils, fish fries and hush puppies. Chef
extraordinaire. He and Marlene (nee Herneshuhta) married
in Florida, where they raised their family. Chuck is
survived by his wife of 56 years, Marlene; son, Daniel;
grandchildren, Tyler, Lindsey and Grant Roberts, and
Sarah (JJ) Spence; sisters, Jane Hennessee, Johnnie
Garrison, Sheila Rimmer (Donnie), Barbara Buckner (Don)
of Crossville; and brother, George of FL; also surviving
are numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by
his son, Charles Kevin; sister, Judy Webb; mother, Rosa;
and father, Zackery Roberts. The family wishes to thank
the staff at the Life Care Center who were so kind,
caring and compassionate. Cremation has taken place and
a private interment will take place in the family plot
at the Mayland, TN cemetery.
Chuck was
on Kwaj 1988-2002 continuous. Chuck,
Range Control Engineer, worked for the Range Control
office that managed technical support requirements for
range-wide instrumentation of Kwajalein
Missile Range. He was a friend, supported VFW
activities on Kwajalein, a fan of Shermie's music and
great person, RIP Chuck - Shermie.
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William (Bill) John Gianci
passed away peacefully, on September 29, 2023, at the
age of 89. Born on June 24, 1934 in Revere, MA, he was
the son of the late Anthony and Concetta Gianci
(DePalma).
William was a
cherished father to Dr. Sebastiana Jennifer Gianci (and
Paul James Lafornara) of Ellicott City, MD.; as well as
the devoted Nonno to Nikai and Gabriel Lafornara. He was
a beloved brother to Anthony Gianci, Jr., Robert Gianci
and Marie Gianci of Massachusetts; a former husband and
friend to Ann Lucia Gianci of blessed memory. He is also
survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Family and
friends may gather to Celebrate the Life of William John
Gianci at the Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick
Rd., CATONSVILLE, MD, on Monday, October 9, 2023, from
3pm to 5pm, with a Memorial Service taking place at 4pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations
be made in William’s memory to Catholic Relief Services.
For more information, please visit
www.candlelightfuneralhome.com,
online obituary. |
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Charles (Chuck) Goodrich Knapp from
Hackensack, New Jersey was born to Howard James and
Florence Green Goodrich Knapp on February 26, 1939, and
passed away May 24, 2023. Charles is preceded in death
by father, Howard Knapp, mother, Florence Knapp;
brothers, George Knapp, James Knapp; his wife, Evie Jo
Knapp; daughter, Crystal Page. Charles is survived by
brother, David Knapp; daughters, Terri Anakalea, Alison
(Allen) Knapp-Ward, Lani (Charles) Taylor;
grandchildren, Casey, Micah, Alisha, Melanie, Johnny,
Jenny, Tabitha, Cassidy, Alana, Marissa, Emily and many
great - grandchildren and great - great grandchildren,
and his beloved dog, Zorro.
online obituary
Chuck was operations manager of Kwajalein
Missile Range Data Center (ICC) on Kwajalein
for years, 1970s - 90s, played on Shermie's
softball team "The Entertainers" and was a terrific person -
RIP Chuck, Shermie |
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Jeffery
Warren Beckley, born October 11, 1953 in
Alamogordo, NM passed away on January 12, 2023 with his
beloved wife, Scarlett Scholte, at his side. He had an
accomplished career, in which he took great pride, in
missile defense. He spent many years working and playing
on the island of Kwajalein, located in
the Marshall Islands. Jeffery's sense of humor, kind
heart and brilliant mind will be missed on the golf
course and at the social gatherings he so enjoyed with
friends and family. Jeffery was preceded in death by his
parents Alden and Norma Beckley, and his sister Peggy
Beckley. He is survived by his wife of 43 years,
Scarlett Scholte; his brother, Mark Beckley and
sister-in-law Kathy Beckley; his niece Shannon
Hobbs-Beckley and her wife Shauna Hobbs-Beckley; his
niece Meredith Turner; his great-niece Kelsie Eagon; and
his great-nephews Colton Turner, Keenan "Flash" Turner,
and Jackson Hobbs-Beckley.
If you would
like to do something to honor Jeff’s memory, the family
requests that you send donations to The Boys and Girls
Club of North Alabama, notated in the memo line that the
donation is to the Hicklen Baseball Camp, at PO Box 73,
Huntsville, AL 35804. You can also donate online at
BGCNAL.com/donate, noting in the comments that the
donation is specifically for the Hicklen Baseball Camp. |
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Lem Davis
July 24, 1933 - December
21, 2022. Lemuel William. Davis was born in Anniston
Alabama on July 24th, 1933 to Mr. Philip W. Davis and
Ruby (Jackson) Davis. He passed away peacefully on
Wednesday, December 21st, 2022, while at home surrounded
by his loved ones. He is survived by his son, Lemuel
Jerry Davis; grandson, Joshua Michael Davis; brother,
Philip W. Davis; daughter-in-law, Susan K. Davis; and
closest friend and companion, Pat Cole. Prior to
retiring in Anniston, Mr. Davis was a longtime resident
of the Kwajalein Island in the Marshall
Islands where he worked as an engineering manager for
Lockheed Martin. He was particularly interested in
mentoring and assisting in the growth of those who he
was charged to lead. Among his greatest treasures are
the many friendships that he made while working, living,
and traveling abroad. Upon returning to Anniston, Mr.
Davis became active in his community and church. He was
deeply invested in helping the youth in Anniston to
achieve better educational and financial opportunities.
He was an active leader in Toastmasters where he greatly
enjoyed helping others excel in public speaking. He also
taught at Jacksonville State University. While there, he
was a significant contributor to several peer-reviewed
and published papers on investing and financial
planning. Mr. Davis’s devotion to his family, friends,
and compassion for all those who’s lives intersected his
life will continue to inspire us to be mindful of the
responsibility we have to love and care for each other.
When asked about the approaching end of his life, Mr.
Davis replied, “I’ve lived a good, long life. I don’t
have any regrets. Did I make mistakes? Yes, I did. But I
tried my hardest and did the best that I could to be a
good son, brother, husband, father, grandfather,
companion, and friend. Now I will rest.” |
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Mike Brogden
October 28, 1929 ~ January 6, 2023. Mitchell
Everett Brogden, 93, of Hendersonville, passed away
Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Charles George VA
Hospital. Born October 28, 1929 in Georgia, Mitchell was
a son of the late Lamar Mitchell Brogden and Thera Olive
Bass Brogden. Mr. Brogden was a veteran of the U.S. Air
Force.
Surviving is
his wife, Julia Brogden, brother, Roy Brogden; 8
children; 14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren, and
9 great great grandchildren.
Mike, Julia their kids lived
on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands
for many years, 70s-80s. Mike worked at the range photo
lab on Kwajalein in support of range
operations. Mike also started the hydroponic garden at
Kwajalein, a first and was successful at
providing home grown food for the island. Mike was a
true friend, a hard worker, neighbor and was like family on Kwaj - RIP Mike, your friend, Shermie
Memories of Mike: Hydroponics and
Honey Bees - "Secrets
to Successful Kwaj Gardening" - Pacific
Echo News - July 1981 - Page
1, Page
2 |
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Joe and Anne Koegler
Joe Koegler (1932-2011) / Anne Koegler
(1934-2022)
Joe and Anne Koegler moved
to Kwajalein from Rhode Island in 1978
with three of their five children. Joe worked on Roi for
MIT/Lincoln Laboratory and was a passionate soccer and
softball player. Anne was very active in the
Kwaj community where she taught French and
Chinese cooking classes and volunteered at the
Micronesian handicraft shop. Both Anne and Joe enjoyed
acting in the Kwaj
Community Theater productions. In 1981, they returned to
the states and settled in Westford, MA near the MIT/LL
office.
In 1984, with their kids grown, Joe and
Anne returned to Kwaj for a second tour
with MIT/LL. Joe spent his weekdays on Roi once again,
while Anne worked at Macy's in the music/stereo
department. During these years, they traveled widely
through Micronesia as well as Asia, Australia, New
Zealand, and Africa.
In 1989, they left
Kwaj for the last time and moved to Henderson,
NV. Joe continued his work for MIT/LL and in his spare
time hiked, camped and kayaked. Anne earned a design
degree and opened her own interior design business.
Together they turned their backyard into a karesansui
(Japanese rock garden) as a small haven from the heat
and glitz of nearby Las Vegas.
In 2004, after
both had retired, Joe and Anne moved to Manning, SC
where they lived in a quiet community on a lake. They
spent their summers in Nova Scotia. Joe passed of cancer
in 2011. Anne continued to divide her time between
Manning and Canada. She adopted a small Tibetan spaniel,
Mitchell, who she would bring into local classrooms to
read with children.
In 2022, Anne moved to
Woodinville, WA where she lived near family members. She
passed away of cancer on December 8, 2022 at the age of
88. She and Joe are both dearly missed by their friends
and family. |
Kwajalein ~1989 |
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Dr. Richard Thomas
Nicolls
Dr. Richard Thomas
Nicolls was born October 11, 1927 - September 1,2022 at
the age of 94 on Guemes Island, WA. The Nicolls family
lived on Kwaj from 1972-1977; Dr. Nicolls worked for
Global Associates at the Hospital as a General
Practitioner.
“Nick” or “Dad” as he was known to
his wife Gail and triplet daughters Allison, Michelle
and Kristen, became an avid jogger and scuba diver while
on Kwaj. Nick became the Medical Diving
Officer and joined the Kwaj Scuba Club.
Additionally he participated in Rocky Hart’s Running
Program and was regularly seen jogging around the island
with his entire family.
If there was an adventure to be
had, sign Dad up. Nick traveled with Reverend Elden Buck
and his church group to Phonpei Island each year and a
very special trip to Kosrae Island for celebrations in
1977 when it joined the Federated States of Micronesia.
After Kwaj, the Nicolls family
moved back to Saudi Arabia from 1977-1981, then to North
Sumatra, Indonesia from 1981-1985, to San Diego, CA from
1985-1986, then to Hanau, West Germany from 1986-1991,
and then in 1991 to Guemes Island, WA. There were many
epic and wonderful family trips around the world in
search of new experiences.
As a youth,
Dad joined the Merchant Marines and worked on Liberty
Ships. It was the end of World War II. He was 17. He
helped move displaced persons around the world. Then
came the Korean War. Dad served in the Air Force as a
B-36 tail gunner and in electronics, although he did not
see combat. Dad was proud of attaining the rank of Staff
Sergeant within 4 years of service in the Air Force and
then spot promoted to Technical Sergeant.
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Nick & Gail -
Marriage Photo |
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Dad left the Air Force as a sergeant and
met Mom at the University of California, Riverside. They shared
a comparative vertebrate anatomy class and teamed up to dissect
a shark. Mom said they sat together in the library “because they
couldn’t remove the smell from their hands and no one wanted to
sit next to them.” Dad said he married Mom because he carried
her books to class after she twisted her ankle and broke her
metatarsal while mailing his mother’s tax returns.
They married between
their junior and senior year and graduated from UC Riverside in
1957. Mom taught school and supported Dad the first ten years of
their marriage while Dad went to medical school and further
training and internship and 2 residencies.
While on Guemes, PBS's History Detectives interviewed Dad for a
show that centered on his dad, my grandfather, in Los Angeles in
the 1930s. He’s in the first segment. Dad loved being recognized
on the Guemes ferry because of this show.
I can’t think of much Dad hasn’t accomplished in his long life,
except Dad always wanted a sailboat. I expect he’s there now,
sailing and soaring and free of pain. His truly was an
interesting, well-lived life. Dad is survived by his wife, Gail
Moore Nicolls of Guemes Island, his daughter Kani Nicolls
(Ellenburg), triplet daughters Allison Nicolls (Chuck Travis),
Kristen Nicolls (Jim Jalbert), Michelle Drumheller (Mike). Dad
also has one grandson, Eric Drumheller. You can reach Gail at sawbigcat@gmail.com. |
Nick & his family running
on Kwaj |
Gail & Nick - Senior
Years of Life |
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John Anthony Watson
April 7,
1942 - July 30, 2022, John Anthony Watson (80) of
Annville, Pennsylvania passed on to his heavenly reward
on Saturday, July 30, 2022 after an extended illness. He
was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Patricia
May Watson (nee Kennedy). John was born in 1942 in
Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the US Air Force
as an air traffic controller after graduation from
Lebanon Catholic High School and served his country
proudly for 24 years including tours of duty in Spain,
Thailand, and Korea. His high school sweetheart,
Patricia, and their children traveled with him to
Amarillo AFB, Texas, Loring AFB, Maine, McGuire AFB, New
Jersey, Wiesbaden, Germany, and Patrick Air Force Base,
Florida where he retired from the USAF as a Chief Master
Sergeant. John then worked for Pan Am World Services in
Cape Canaveral, Florida providing launch support for the
Space Shuttle Program, and later, The Titan Rocket
Program in the Marshall Islands. John also worked as
Director of Quality Assurance for Johnson Controls and
Director of Development for Sodexo Healthcare Facility
Solutions for many years achieving ASQ certification as
a Six Sigma Black Belt for his expertise in Lean
processes. John was known and respected for his sharp
mind, strong work ethic, leadership, mentorship, and
integrity. In addition to John's service to his country,
clients, and coworkers, he will be remembered for his
love of his family, wise advice, selflessness, love of
history and gardening, sense of humor, patriotism,
faith, and respect for all human life, born and unborn.
After retiring, John dedicated himself to volunteering
at Morningstar Pregnancy Services in Harrisburg and
served on their board of directors until his death. His
passion for helping women, babies, fathers, teens and
children in crisis was known to all who loved John. In
his retirement, he also became a member of The Knights
of Columbus (Council #9875), attended mass as often as
possible, prayed the rosary daily, and set alarms on his
phone for almost every hour of the day to pray for the
specific needs of his children, grandchildren, and other
loved ones. In addition to his wife, Patricia, John was
preceded in death by his parents, Tellis Lewis and Mae
Lou Watson (nee Frantz), his brother, Theodore Watson
and sister in law, Louise Watson (nee Pesta) of Alabama,
sister in law, Kathryn Kennedy Weidner and her husband,
Marvin Weidner, Sister in law Suzanne Kennedy Heilman
and her husband Neil Heilman, brother in law, Robert S.
Kennedy, Jr., and son in law, Stephen Smith. He is
survived by his four children, Marjorie Reagan of Winter
Garden, Florida, Christine Watson Hagan (husband, James)
of Cleona, Pennsylvania, Mary Watson Smith of Sanford,
Florida, John James Watson (wife, Amanda) of Owego, New
York, beloved sister in law and adopted daughter,
Colleen Kennedy Vickers (husband, Dale) of Deltona,
Florida, sister in law, Gladys Riddle Watson of Auburn,
Alabama, grandchildren, Bridget Reagan, Maerissa Smith,
and Saxon Smith all of Sanford, Florida, Gwyneth Watson,
Matthew Watson, Cameron Bosell and John Patrick "Jack"
Watson all of Owego, New York, and Daniel Hagan of
Cleona, Pennsylvania, as well as, many dear nieces and
nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, cousins, and
friends.
John,
wife Patti, daughter Christine and son John lived on
Kwajalein for 3-4 years in the late 80s and
early 90s. John was the Meck island manager during the
Pan-Am / Johnson Control years. He had managed
approximately 50-60 personnel support staff that
provided support for Lockheed Corporation that was prime
contractor for the ERIS R&D project. |
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Patricia Kennedy Watson,
of Annville, PA, born May 6th, 1944 to Clara & Robert
Kennedy in Merchantville, NJ. She is survived by her
spouse John A Watson of Annville, PA ; four children,
Marjorie Reagan of Annville PA, Christine Hagan of
Annville, PA, Mary W Smith of Sanford FL, Senior chief
Petty Officer John J Watson of Owego, NY, and seven
grandchildren. She attended Lebanon High School,
Annville Cleona High School, Brevard Community college
in Merritt Island Florida, and the University of
Maryland. Patricia travelled extensively throughout the
United States and in Europe as a military spouse. Patti
later accompanied her husband and son John deployed to
Kwajalein RMI in serving as employees
of Pan American World Airways and Johnson Controls from
1988-1992. During her four years at Kwaj,
she worked at the Bank of Guam, the dental clinic, and
as the hospital referral secretary and air evacuation
specialist. Patti loved her family and served they and
her community in many ways, in Civil Air Patrol, as
little league manager, girl scout leader, foster parent
of her children's friends, youth group leader, and the
many church retreats. She led the first Rite of
Christian Initiation class in the catholic parish at
Kwaj. She loved the outings with
Marshallese friends to other nearby Islands and for the
World Day of Prayer services when they were held on
Ebeye. She also visited Roi-Namur, Majuro and especially
liked one family trip to Pohnpei. She was pleased to
learn Hawaiian hula from Rose Pang and along with the
other three "Haole Hula Girls" performed for friends and
parties. She spent more time at museums in Hawaii than
on the beach, always seeking to learn more about the
culture. She was a proud patriot, serving as an Air
Force wife and Navy Mom. In years when she was
associated in service to her husband's work in the Space
Shuttle Program, she was an ardent follower of all
things aerospace. Her childhood aspiration of travelling
to the moon was later satisfied through supporting her
husband's association with launching the Hubble Space
telescope and Cassini missions. These served to foster
her hobby in studying the discoveries of the universe as
the work of God's hands. Her friends and family remember
her consistent fervor for fun, worship and family. Aloha
nui loa, Patti. |
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Arman Farmanian
Feb. 4, 1930 - Nov. 7, 2021, age
91, passed away from congestive heart failure at
a skilled nursing facility. He lived a full life
and was still driving himself to the pub for a
beer 3 weeks before he passed. During his
retirement years, he was always proud and
grateful for having the opportunity to work on
Kwajalein, learning and loving the
different cultures he had the opportunity to
work with. He was predeceased by his wife Mary
Jane in 2017. They have a son Greg and homes in
Los Altos, CA. and Coeur D Alene, ID. where he
was a senior partner in a Realty Company. Arman
had 3 sons, Greg, Mike and Doug. Arman was a
long time employee of Lockheed Space Systems and
worked on Kwajalein atoll on
Meck island as an engineer for projects, the
Homing Overlay Experiment (H.O.E.) from 1982 -
84 and the Exoatmospheric Reentry-vehicle
Interceptor Subsystem (E.R.I.S.) from 1988 - 95.
Arman loved the fact that we were doing work
that would contribute to our nations defense,
"Star Wars" kind of stuff. Arman was born 1930
in New York of Armenian immigrants. Not so much
a fan of being called to escort VIP's, see
picture below, no one wore his hardhat better
than Arman. |
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From Roger Priest: In furthering his knowledge in the
History and Culture of the Marshallese islanders he invited a
friend, Roger Priest to join him on a trip to Likiep Atoll as
guests of the RMI / USAKA Lesion Mr. Sato Miae pictured at early
morning breakfast below. The two also made a second trip to Ujae
Atoll as guest of King/Senator Michael Kabua, where they were
honored with a private performance of The Marshallese Jebwa
dancers, see picture of Arman, Roger, and Michael dining on
Coconut Crabs. Another of Arman's friends, John Watson remembers
their long talks on history of the Farmenian clan, and
recounting stories from pre WW-1 and the Armenian Genocide by
the Turks. Also noted his love of the beach, the reef and the
waters around them. If Arman wasn't answering his phone at work
he was likely out walking the reef, see picture. He was very
proud of his son (The FBI Agent). An excellent engineer who
would always speak the truth and easy to work with. No job too
small, no job too big he would always jump on all of them. An
honorable man I was blessed our paths crossed on that little
island so far away. |
Arman at work - Blue Hat |
Breakfast at Likiep Atoll, Republic of the Marshall
Islands |
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Crab Feast -
Arman, Roger Priest & King/Senator Michael
Kabua, Ujae Atoll, Marshall Islands |
Good Times |
Arman |
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Arman on the
beach |
Flying back to
Kwajalein |
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Mike Francis Cale
(born March 9, 1945) passed away at about 8:13 the
morning of January 30th, 2017 of a mercifully short bout
of Lung Cancer in the Lexington, KY VA Campus. A
Louisville, KY native, he served in the Air Force during
the Vietnam War on Johnson Atoll, where he learned the
Telecomm skills that later became his career. He worked
in Kwajalein and Roi-Namur
in the mid-late 1970s, built numerous lifelong
friendships there, developed a deep love of fishing and
sailing, and to the day of his death still kept his
Roi-Namur Gun Club membership card!
Before and after his time in Kwajalein,
he spent a large part of his life in Central and
Northern California, particularly in the Sacramento and
Yuba River areas. He is survived by three daughters,
Heather (and her mother Mary Beardsworth), Rose and
Grace (and their mother Toni); and his younger sister,
Stephanie Powell. He is preceded in death by his mother
Esther Underwood, father Mike Cale Sr., and older sister
Patricia “Pat” Kaye. My “dear old grey-haired dad” as he
liked to say (long before his hair was grey), had a big
sense of humor (and laugh to go with it) and when on the
island probably enjoyed a good bit of drinking, smoking,
and storytelling! However, he was also a deep thinker,
and may have spent a good volume of time stretched out
somewhere comfortable with a book (he certainly did as
he got older!). He often waxed philosophical, and folks
who knew him almost universally recall a wide range of
humorous and deep conversations on topics of politics,
religion, spirituality, newspaper cartoons, and anything
else, a lover of both Bob Dylan and Beethoven. He was
known to be quite gregarious, excellent at making
positive connections with others, and depending on who
you asked was quite the charmer and salesman - I’ve
heard he could “sell someone the shirt off their own
back”! Despite this, he lived a simple, minimalist life
– often staying close to nature, he sometimes enjoyed
months-long camping trips with the company of cats, good
books, his thoughts, and friends who came and went. He
became known as a regular at some soccer clubs and bars
(especially the Club Raven) in the 1980s, and maintained
a circle of good-natured friends and storytellers.
“Encouraged” by the early-2000s collapse of the telecoms
industry, he eventually managed to accomplish his dream
of retiring to rural eastern KY, where he could enjoy
the passing of the seasons. Due to his positive
separation from his former spouse Toni, he was a
consistent, positive presence in the lives of his
daughters Rose and Grace (and we were lucky enough to
enjoy a close relationship our whole lives), frequently
enjoying Sunday football and Super Bowl gatherings with
the family. I (his youngest, Grace) am working on a bit
of genealogy and life history of Mike. Anyone who knew
him and is willing to share recollections (no matter how
large or small!) is enthusiastically (and almost
desperately? Lol) encouraged to reach out any time! I
can be contacted at cale.grace@outlook.com.
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Mark "Ed" Edward Schwarz
Jr., 86, of
Westford, MA died Thursday, August 5, 2021 at his home
on Vose Hill Road. He was married to Mary F. (Toomey)
Schwarz with whom he celebrated their 63rd wedding
anniversary this past June. Born in Paterson, NJ he was
the son of the late Mark E. and Mary Alice Schwarz Sr.
He graduated from Paterson High School with the class of
1953. He continued his education at Rutgers University
where he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and
then at Northeastern University where he earned a
master's degree in mathematics. Ed proudly served with
the U.S. Army during the Korean War era. He retired from
Lincoln Laboratory of Lexington, MA. He was a
communicant of St. Irene's Church of Carlisle, MA. Ed is
remembered by his family as a loving person who enjoyed
woodworking, playing tennis, traveling and dinner with
friends and family. Besides his wife, he is survived by
his son Guy and his wife Mary "Denise" Schwarz of
Boulder, CO, his daughters Ursula "Gayle" and her
husband Michael O'Riordan, Kristen Schwarz of Nashua,
NH, his four grandchildren, his five
great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was
the father of the late Mark Schwarz III of Hawaii who
died in January of 2020 and the brother of the late
Allene Schwarz.
From Shermie: I played piano for several Christmas
parties for Mimi at Kwajalein and at
their
home in Massachusetts -
nicest people you'll ever meet.
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Ed & Mimi - Dec.
2002 |
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Joseph Stepchew,
90, of Falmouth died at home on Sunday, August 29, 2021, after
battling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. He was the widower of
Frances Roxine (Pizzarelo) Stepchew. His wife of 67 years died
August 27. He met his wife while in high school in Stamford,
Connecticut. They both went on to attend the University of
Connecticut, and Mr. Stepchew graduated with an engineering
degree. After their marriage in Stamford in 1954, they moved to
Pocasset while Mr. Stepchew served at Otis Air Force Base. He
remained in the reserves until 1967 when he was discharged as a
captain. Mr. Stepchew went to work for RCA in Los Angeles in
1955, designing a regulated power supply for the Douglas Thor
missile flight control system. After further work for RCA in New
Jersey, he earned his master’s in electrical engineering from
Drexel Institute of Technology night school, using the GI Bill.
In 1964 Mr. Stepchew joined the system team testing and
evaluating the TRADEX radar installation at Kwajalein,
and he and his family moved to the Marshall Islands. He was
mission test director, responsible for integrating the operation
of three radars: TRADEX, ALCOR and ALTAIR. While living in
Micronesia the family traveled extensively. They moved back to
the United States in 1969 and settled in Bedford; Mr. Stepchew
became leader of the RCA systems and software engineers team at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory. He
also worked for Concord Research Corp. and GTE Government
Systems in Needham. Mr. Stepchew went back to Kwajalein
in 1982 as the ALTAIR site manager, returning to Bedford in
1987. He became executive program manager for Communications
System Segment Replacement, a $200 million program for the US
Air Force Cheyenne Mountain complex in Colorado Springs. The
Stepchews sold their home in Bedford in 1993 and retired to
Falmouth. They also spent winters at The Villages in Florida. A
golfer, Mr. Stepchew played in tournaments with the Falmouth
Newcomers as well as in Florida; with his wife, he enjoyed
square dancing. In Falmouth he joined his wife in volunteering
with Around the Table and took part in the team that planned,
cooked, and served the annual holiday dinner for Thanksgiving at
the parish house at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. He leaves
three children, Catherine Frances Cowern of Kauai, Hawaii,
William Joseph Stepchew of Biddeford, Maine, and James John
Stepchew of Kwajalein, and their spouses; six
grandchildren, Joseph and Daniel Stepchew, Alicia McGuirk and
Diana Cowern, and Rachael, Tyler and Claire Stepchew; three
great-grandchildren; and extended family.
Francis
Roxine Stepchew
of Falmouth died at home on August 27, 2021, following
complications from a broken hip. Ms. Stepchew, 89, was known by
her middle name. She was the wife of Joseph Stepchew, to whom
she was married for 67 years. The couple met while in high
school in Stamford, Connecticut. She attended the University of
Connecticut, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in
education. After being married in Stamford in 1954, they moved
to Pocasset, living there while her husband served at Otis Air
Force Base. In 1964 the family moved to Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands, for her husband’s work, and while living in
Micronesia they traveled extensively to explore that part of the
world. They moved back to the US in 1969 and settled in Bedford.
Ms. Stepchew spent most of her adult life as a homemaker with
part-time positions as a teacher and administrative assistant.
She and her husband sold their home in Bedford in 1993 to spend
the years of their retirement in Falmouth. They also spent
winters at The Villages in Florida. Once settled in her new home
in Falmouth, the Enterprise archives show that Ms. Stepchew
quickly became involved with Around the Table, helping to
prepare the free noon meal served three days a week to residents
in need at the St. Barnabas Church parish house. She also
volunteered during the free Thanksgiving dinners provided at St.
Barnabas, at times donating several homemade desserts. The
couple joined the Falmouth Newcomers and Ms. Stepchew became
co-chairwoman of the creative luncheons committee and
participated in many other activities with the group. She also
was an active volunteer at Falmouth Hospital and St. Patrick’s
Church in Falmouth. With her husband she enjoyed square dancing.
She leaves three children, Catherine Frances Cowern of Kauai,
Hawaii, William Joseph Stepchew of Biddeford, Maine, and James
John Stepchew of Kwajalein, and their spouses;
six grandchildren, Joseph and Daniel Stepchew, Alicia McGuirk
and Diana Cowern, and Rachael, Tyler and Claire Stepchew; three
great-grandchildren; and a sister, Trina Rissucci of New York. |
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David Joseph Frediani Jr.,
March 5,1940 December 21, 2020, of Colorado Springs, CO
passed away peacefully on December 21st, 2020 in the
comfort of his own home surrounded by family. He was 80.
David was born on March 5th, 1940 in Lowell,
Massachusetts to David Frediani and Ann (Kuciskis)
Frediani. His professional career spanned 48 years at
MIT Lincoln Laboratory working in satellite
communications. His contributions to national defense
and security live on today. His career offered the
opportunity for international living on the island of
Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall
Islands, and world-wide travel, which continued far into
retirement. He leaves many friends and professional
acquaintances that greatly enriched his life. David's
many achievements, humor, and love for science are
survived by his wife, Maureen; his sons, Gregory
Frediani and David Frediani; his daughters, Pamela
McCafferty and Laurel Rosenbaum; his grandchildren,
Zachary Frediani and Tyler Frediani; his brother John
Frediani of Corralitos CA; and his sister Judith
Frediani of Concord MA and several nieces and nephews. |
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Gary Allen Fleming
(July 7, 1951 – May 17,
2017), Gary Allen Fleming, born July 7, 1951, passed
away peacefully May 17, 2017, holding the hand of his
beloved wife of 46 years, Lee Fleming. He was a
courageous fighter for everything he loved: life,
family, God, and country.
Gary graduated with
honors with a Masters Degree from Pacific Lutheran
University. Joining the U.S. Army, his military career
spanned 22 years, rising from the rank of Private to
Lieutenant Colonel. He was an accomplished musician,
student, educator, and bishop in the LDS church. His
life will continue to inspire his wife, his surviving
siblings - Frank, Judy, Sam, Marilyn, Rick and Dotty;
his children - Heather, Gary, Krissy and Hilary; his
twelve grandchildren, and the countless other souls he
touched with his special spirit.
Major Fleming
worked on Kwajalein for USAKA (United
States Army Kwajalein Atoll) and served
with Col MacNeill from 1990 - 1993. |
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Isabelle Lorraine Nelson
age 94, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by
family on October 27, 2021 in St George, UT. Isabelle
was born September 2, 1927 in Chicago Heights, Illinois
to Catharine Pancrazio Martire and Frank Martire.
Isabelle lived in Chicago Heights, IL and graduated from
Bloom Township High School on June 14, 1946. During high
school she volunteer as a candy striper. On October 3,
1953, she married Lawrence Lowe Nelson in Chicago
Heights, Illinois. Together they raised five children.
Larry's career created the opportunities for the family
to reside in many different areas in the United States
and beyond, to include New York, Colorado, California,
Idaho, Minnesota and Kwajalein Marshall
Islands. After retirement Isabelle and Larry settled in
St George, UT. Isabelle trained to be a keypunch
operator and worked for Head Ski Company, Control Data
Corp and the City of Idaho Falls, ID. Isabelle was
active with many organizations. She was the President of
the Mothers of Twins Club; Boulder, Colorado Chapter,
volunteered at the St George Regional Hospital for 25
years and she was a greeter at the St George Catholic
Church for almost 20 years. Isabelle enjoyed sewing,
crocheting, hiking, cross country and downhill skiing,
traveling, golfing and most of all cooking. She enjoyed
feeding people whether in her home or making food for
others when they were ill. Isabelle is survived by her
children, Richard Allan Nelson (Eva), Denise Nelson
Brown (Kevin), Lisa Nelson Hendricks (Gordon), and Linda
Nelson Synoground (Todd). Sister Angeline Larsen (Bill
–Deceased), Brother-in-law Leslie Nelson, ten
grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren and her
lifelong friend since the age of three, Dorothy Kasper.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, grandparents,
and grand daughter Jennifer. Ma was a very kind person
but didn't take any nonsense from of anyone. She was a
gracious hostess to the very end – even when she was
weak and could barely talk she would offer refreshments
to her friends. Ma was always ready for an adventure,
she never said no when dad would come home from work
with a new job opportunity in a new location she'd say
"let's go!" Ma was tough on us kids, and introduced us
to the wooden spoon. We never questioned her
unconditional love for us. Ma was adored by her
children, daughter-in-law, son-in-laws, grandchildren,
and great grandchildren. She will be forever in our
hearts and missed dearly. |
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Mark A. Longley,
of Largo, FL, formerly of Concord, NH, died at his home
on August 14 after a period of failing health. He was
born in Concord on March 30, 1964, to the late Barbara
and Miner Longley of Pembroke, NH. Following graduation
from ConVal High School, he graduated from Blue Hills
Regional Technical School and was employed as a diesel
mechanic by Jordan-Milton Caterpillar. As a diesel
mechanic, he maintained power generators on
Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands for
seven years and in Turkey for an additional year. He
then became Microsoft certified and provided systems
support to private industry and city government before
managing networks as a systems administrator and
engineer for General Dynamics. Mark worked on various
military installations in Afghanistan (AFG) including
Kandahar, Kabul, and Helmand Province. He finished seven
years in AFG at Bagram Airfield as a systems engineer
for the NATO network and then transferred to the U.S.
Army Garrison Hohenfels in Germany in 2019. Sometimes
known as Mack Langley, he received numerous honorary
military awards for his civilian service and was in AFG
during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Resolute
Support. Family and
friends in the U.S. knew him as Scooby—someone who could
fix, modify, or invent anything and had interests in
travel and everything motorized. He renovated his homes
with unique and practical details, and he was a
consummate chef when it came to cooking turkeys and the
famous Longley mashed potatoes for family Thanksgivings.
He had a powerful laugh, was quick with a helping hand,
and was immensely proud of his daughter. Mark was
predeceased by his parents, his brother-in-law, Steve
Lombard, Jr., and his mother-in-law, Janta Panthong. He
leaves his wife, Saengjan Longley, of Largo; his
daughter and son-in-law, Marciana and Eben Lamson of New
London, NH and four grandchildren; sisters Debra Longley
of Peterborough, NH, and Susan Lombard of Epsom, NH;
nieces Jennifer (Glen) Chislett of Concord, NH, and
Marcy (Jason) LeBlanc, of Douglas, MA; nephew Joe
Lombard of Epsom; two grandnieces; father-in-law Mon
Panthong and family in Thailand; and many friends and
extended family members. |
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Robert (Bob) Archie
Bailey,
98, of Weatherford Texas passed away peacefully with
family and friends on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Bob was
born in Astoria, Oregon on November 5, 1922 to Leah and
Claude Bailey. He grew up in Brooks, Oregon, graduated
from North Salem High School, and proudly joined the
United States Marines in 1942. After returning from the
Pacific Theater, Bob attended Willamette University
where he ran track, was senior class president and a
member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated
in 1949. While at Willamette he met and married Lorraine
M. Murdock and they had three sons, Bruce, Roger and
Allen. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife,
Lorraine Bailey in 1991. He is survived by their
children and their spouses Bruce (Keiko), Roger
(Sheree), and Allen (Marie); and their grandchildren
Kyle (Danielle), and Dr. Kristin Bailey. Bob had a very
successful career as a manager in professional
recruiting. His outgoing personality was a key asset in
this profession. He held several positions at the Crown
Zellerbach company in the Portland area in the 50's.
Then in 1961 he started his own recruiting service in
Portland. In 1966 he was offered a position with Global
Associates and the family moved to Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands. The Bailey family enjoyed many years
living on this beautiful island golfing, boating,
fishing and enjoying being a part of many diverse
cultures. Bob made many close friends from around the
world while overseas. After 20 years in the South
Pacific, Bob & Lorraine returned to the States and
settled in Austin. He and the family had always been
avid golfers and was a member of the Great Hills Country
Club where he made many lasting friendships. He was
especially fond of his participation on the Red team in
the Daniel Cup matches. Bob played golf well into his
90's! In 1996, Bob met Jean Green, and they were married
in 2002. They enjoyed spending time with the extended
family, traveling to Sedona and cruising in the
Caribbean. Bob is survived by four step-children and
their spouses Ivan (Judy) Green, Phil (Sandy) Green,
David (Denise) Green and Sarah (Phil) Trew, and numerous
grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bob was a very
special husband, father and grandfather. He cared deeply
about family and family gathering time. His personality
elevated the room, every person was greeted and made to
feel welcome. His kindness and very calm demeanor is a
life lesson for all who met him, he will be greatly
missed. |
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Janet Gallaher
Kwajalein 1972-1974, Born 12/27/1932 -
Died 5/4/2021. Janet resided on
Kwaj with her husband John Gallaher (WECO) and
their children Kathleen (Bailey) Bermes and Keith
Bailey, their older son Mark spent a summer on
Kwaj. Janet enjoyed sailing and found her love
of ceramics that continued to grow after she was back in
Illinois. She also enjoyed golfing and cooking. She is
survived by her children Kathleen (Terry) Bermes of
Illinois and Keith Bailey of Florida, 3 grandchildren
Meaghan (Garry) Martin, Brendan Bermes and Colin Bermes
(Melissa), 7 great-grandchildren Desiree, Madeilyn,
Ashley, Fiona and Kellie Martin and Michael (Bermes)
Dean. She was preceded in death by her husband John in
2005 and her son Mark in 2019. She spent the last 25
years in Florida in the home she and John built. |
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James Barry Caskey
September 29, 1930 - May 17, 2024, age 93, passed away
after a lengthy illness. James was born in Wasco,
California to Malcolm and Janie Caskey on September 29,
1930. Shortly after his birth they returned to Briggs,
Texas, a community James would speak of frequently and
support throughout his life. After graduating from
Briggs High School in 1948, James attended the
University of Texas at Austin majoring in physical
education. In the fall of 1952, James reported for
active duty in the Army, a life-changing event. While
stationed at Fort Bliss, he would complete a course in
Radar Fire Control Maintenance. Honorably discharged
with the rank of corporal in 1954, James returned to the
University of Texas to complete his degree in Physical
Education, and meet his future wife, Jo. In 1956, James
and his new bride would move to El Paso, Texas, where he
would start a 37-year career as a defense contractor
with RCA, and a life of world travel with numerous moves
across the United States. In May of 1968, James and Jo
with their two children, Jayne and Patrick, arrived on
the island of Kwajalein in the Republic
of the Marshall Islands. During his 25-year residency on
Kwajalein, he would participate in the
wide variety of outdoor activities the community
offered, including but not limited to: softball,
mountain ball, golf and deep-sea fishing. By being a
coach of a women’s softball team for several years,
James fulfilled his earlier ambition. Retiring in 1993,
James and Jo returned to Austin, Texas. As always avid
Texas Longhorns fans, they would attend basketball,
baseball and football games. Instead of continuing to
play softball and golf, James began hunting with the
male family members. James and Jo continued to travel
with different family members to Alaska, Germany,
Austria, and Australia. He cherished the numerous family
reunions where they reminisced about their childhood in
Briggs and marveled at their present lives; how all six
children received degrees and attended the University of
Texas. James kept in contact with his “Kwaj”
family through Facebook. |
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As with his children, James advocated,
encouraged and supported his four grandchildren in their
education and extracurricular activities, and was proud of their
many accomplishments. Each grandchild looked forward to spending
time with Granddad. James was preceded in death by his wife of
64 years, Jo; his parents Malcolm and Janie Caskey; and his
brother Dr. Charles Caskey. He is survived by daughter Jayne
Mack (Brian) of Amarillo; son Patrick Caskey (Janice) of
Driftwood; grandchildren Austin Mack, Brian Mack, Brooke
Fernandez, and Hannah Fernandez; sister Joyce Ledger of Conroe;
brother Kenneth Caskey (Verna) of Buchanan Dam; sister Glenda
Orr (James) of South Carolina; brother Davis Caskey (Bana) of
Richmond, Virginia; and numerous adoring nieces and nephews. May
we all find comfort in memories of James' generosity, kindness,
wit and sense of humor.
Online Obituary |
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Jo Caskey
(Kwajalein, May 1968 - October 1993)
Ruby Jo Caskey passed away peacefully in the morning of
May 25, 2021 in her home in Austin Texas with husband
and daughter by her bedside. Jo was born June 23 1935 in
Temple, Texas to Melvin and Myrtle Cooksey. Her early
years were somewhat nomadic as her father was in
construction. While attending the University of Texas
she met her husband Jim Caskey. They were wed in August
1956 and began a marriage that would take them to
numerous locations in the the US and eventually 25
wonderful years on Kwajalein. Jo was
active in numerous activities on Island athletics,
ceramics and Hawaiian quilting. She was active with the
Protestant church especially Sunday School. Foremost was
support to her children in their school and recreation
activities.
Jo is
survived by her husband Jim (64 years of marriage) in
Austin, Texas, sister Jenny(Jodie) Fluedinger of Cedar
Park, TX, Daughter Jayne (Brian) Mack Amarillo, TX, Son
Patrick(Janice) Driftwood, TX, Grandsons Austin and
Brian, Granddaughters Brooke and Hannah and many nephews
and nieces. |
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Patricia Cataldo
(1927-2021) 93, passed away in Honolulu, Hawai‘i on
February 3, 2021 after a long illness. She was
surrounded by her daughters and lots of love. Her
beloved husband of 36 years, Frank, died in 1992. Pat is
survived by her sister Linda Stanley, daughters Susan
Adolf and Lisa Cataldo, grandsons Garrick Adolf and
Kellen Cataldo, and nieces and nephews. Born Patricia
Ediin in Wyoming, Pat was raised in Denver. She obtained
her associate degree from Colorado Women’s College
where, in 1946, she served as the editor of the
nationally recognized student paper, The Western
Graphic. Two years later she graduated from the
University of Colorado with a journalism degree. After
graduation, Pat’s work for various publications took her
to San Francisco and then New York City. Setting her
sights still further, she sailed for Europe to work for
the Department of the Army, Special Services. Pat
returned to the United States two years later with Adam,
her beloved German boxer dog, a Volkswagen Beetle, her
fiancé, Frank, who had been stationed in Europe as part
of the post-war occupation forces, and a trove of
stories that entertained her friends and family for
years. In the mid-60s, Frank and Pat moved with their
two young daughters to Kwajalein, which
at the time was part of the Trust Territory of the
Pacific. Pat began working at the
Kwajalein Hourglass, the local
newspaper, writing a weekly column and feature stories.
Ultimately, she worked at the paper for parts of four
decades, writing numerous articles about the Marshall
Islands and Marshallese, including stories about the
history and legends of the hereditary kings of the
Marshall Islands, the Iroij, the invasion of
Kwajalein
and Roi-Namur by American forces in 1944 to reclaim the
islands from the Japanese, and the atomic testing at
Bikini Atoll and the resulting decades-long impact on
the residents. Frank and Pat made a lifetime of memories
and friends on Kwaj.
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During their
second tour on island, Pat resumed writing for the
Kwajalein Hourglass and eventually
became its editor. In 1978, she was part of the world press
corps who
gathered to witness the relocation of the
Bikini people when the island was deemed unsafe. Pat was
an enthusiastic and long-time member of the Yokwe Yuk Women’s
Club, spent countless hours cheering her family on at swim
meets, ball games, and runs sponsored by the Kwajalein
Running Club, and browsed
the gold counter at Macy’s every Saturday morning before meeting
friends for coffee at the Snack Bar.
After she was aboard the barge in
Kwajalein lagoon when the fireworks exploded in
July 1977, Pat learned to swim. Once she started, she couldn’t
stop - eventually participating in
Kwajalein’s then-annual marathon
swimming event, SuperSwimmers, and obtaining her 50-mile swim
badge. Always thinking outside the box, Pat arranged for Ronald
McDonald to visit Kwajalein as part of a
fundraiser that was wildly successful with 3,000 burgers sold in
three days; and her family credits her with being the first
person to cater a Thanksgiving dinner on Kwajalein
(the PDR, the bakery and the Yuk Club), and in doing so,
inspired her friends (and at least one daughter) with
party-planning ideas for years to come. After Frank passed, Pat
returned again to Kwajalein. She resumed
writing for and editing The Hourglass, and always cut a stylish
figure with her collection of straw hats. She thoroughly enjoyed
her old Kwaj friends and made countless new
ones who kept her laughing, learning and happy. She took golf
lessons, picked up trash every Sunday morning at her secret
beach, never turned down a Kwaj burger and
glass of chardonnay at sunset at Emon Beach, watched the meteor
showers at North Point and enjoyed all the other activities and
opportunities unique to Kwaj life. When not on Kwajalein,
Pat and Frank lived in New Mexico, Colorado and Alabama. Having
met half a world away, they enjoyed traveling throughout their
lives. When Continental Air Micronesia initiated service in
1969, they immediately booked tickets and traveled with their
daughters everywhere the plane flew. Eventually their travels
included Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, New Guinea,
the Solomon Islands, and many European countries. Pat continued
to travel after Frank passed, visiting Russia, Alaska,
Indonesia, Costa Rica, Sicily and Scandinavia. Pat was whip
smart, curious, opinionated, witty, quick to laugh, thoughtful
and loving. She had a gift for making people feel seen and
heard. She was a voracious reader (including the dictionary -
for fun, she told her kids) and a life-long learner. She would
tap dance a portion of “On the Good Ship Lollipop” ala Shirley
Temple when the mood struck, and regularly bet her kids’ friends
(always a 50-cent limit) that she could somersault into a chair
(she could). She took belly and ballroom dancing classes. She
was a proud member of the Bat Girls, who adventured on the
weekends to see caves and fainting goats and everything in
between around northern Alabama, as well as the Flying Wedge, a
group of friends who set out on their bicycles every Sunday
morning in that formation for the best that Kwaj
patio sales had to offer. Pat leaves her family and friends with
hearts full of loving, funny memories and life lessons. She was
an extraordinary human who showed those lucky enough to know her
how to make the most of each moment, to give the best to each
other, and to persevere in the toughest of moments. She was one
of a kind, and her family is so thankful for their time
together.
Frank & Pat were the
best. I worked with Frank for several years and Pat wrote the
"Shermie Departs Kwajalein" article in the
Hourglass, Friday, June 20, 1997 - forever memories - Shermie |
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Nancy S Morton Ross
passed away on January 19, 2021. Nancy lived on
Kwajalein from 1964-1971. She worked during the
Christmas holiday for Macy’s at the toy land. She then worked
for Macy’s warehouse. She was involved with many activities
while on Kwaj; Square dancing, bridge, bowling,
softball and sport fishing. She was married to Wallace Ross who
worked for RCA. He passed away in February 1997.
She has two sons; Douglas
Ross and Dwight Ross (class of 1966) and two daughters; Marybeth
Ross Melrose class of 1971, she passed away in November 1996 and
Lydia Ross Menzies. She has 6 grandkids and 10 great
grandchildren. Our Mother was 96 years old. She had a beautiful
soul and she loved life. There was nothing she would not do to
help someone. Her home was always open as was her heart to all.
We will miss her... Lydia
Menzies >
menzieslydia@icloud.com |
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Charles Berndtson
(Kwajalein 1967-68,1976-78) Charles
Robert Berndtson passed away peacefully in his sleep on
the morning of February 22, 2021 at the Saint Francis
Hospice in Nuuanu, HI. He lived an amazing life of 92
years, and spent his final days with friends and his
family by his side. He was born December 11, 1928 in the
industrial city of Bridgeport CT to Roy and Gladys
Berndtson. He is predeceased by his only sibling Linda
Blanchard. Known by friends and family as "Bob" in his
childhood, and Charlie after his marriage to Marie
D'Andrea in 1951, he was raised in Bridgeport, and
attended college there. He was a mathematician, and
worked his way through various teaching and technical
positions, retiring in 1989 from MIT Lincoln
Laboratories, where he spent the final 25 years of his
career. It was during one of his many tours at
Kwajalein
that he knew he had found paradise: Hawaii, and
specifically for him, Waikiki Beach. His children,
grandchildren and even a great grandchild spent many
holidays in his adopted land and met many of his friends
along the way. He lived for 32 years in Hawaii. He was a
truly selfless soul, and a friend to all and never shy
about speaking his mind about all subjects in life. He
was most at home at the tennis courts at Kapiolani Park
and in his final years riding his scooter all over
Honolulu. -
Obituary provided by Carl
Berndtson - berndtson@aol.com |
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Marie Annette D’Andrea
Berndtson passed
away peacefully on March 5, 2021 in Reading, MA. She
lived an amazing life of 90 years and spent her final
days with family by her side. She was born May 19, 1930
in Bridgeport, CT to Anthony “Andy” and Gayle D’Andrea.
She is predeceased by her siblings Joetta Fredericks
(husband David) and Dolores Quinn (husband Jack). Marie
was raised in Bridgeport and grew up with her large
extended Italian family and spent summers visiting her
mother’s relatives in Eustis, Maine. Marie was formerly
married to Charles Berndtson (who predeceased her by 11
days). Together they had 3 tours on Kwaj
beginning in 1967. Married life also took her on many
adventures to new locations in ME, MA, NY, ME and CA.
She had many interests: bridge, tennis (which she
mastered while on Kwaj), and volunteer
work. She traveled extensively and enjoyed many winter
trips to Florida. She supported many charities and was a
member of Mass. Audubon since 1975. She worked as a real
estate agent and property manager for many years. She
was very proud of her 7 grandchildren and attended many
of their sporting events, graduations and activities
over the years. Father of Carl and his wife Anne of
Kennebunkport, Maine, David and his wife Deborah of
Vienna, Virginia, Karen of Watertown, MA and Marcia
Edson and her husband Jim of Reading, MA. Grandmother of
Chad, Aaron, Ellen, Rachel, Jimmy, Nick and Andrew.
Great Grandmother of Emma, Clive, Maeve, Leo and
Samantha. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
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Norma
Beckley
My Mom, Norma Beckley died of COVID in 4 Feb, 2021 at
a nursing home in Atlanta, GA. She was 94 years old. She
didn't suffer and Hospice was there with her and kept
her comfortable. No plans for a funeral, but a virtual
Celebration of Life is in work.
Jeff Beckley -
beckleyj@hotmail.com.
Norma and Al Beckley
lived on
Kwaj from 1969-1971 and 1973-1985. Al worked
for Kentron and was the Site Manager 1983-1985. Norma
worked at the KMR Legal Office and was an active golfer
and bridge player. She also worked for Bell Labs '69-'71
when Meck Island was just being built up. She was a
classy lady and well-known in the
Kwaj community. She's at peace now and so are
we.
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Eric Stevens
February 14, 1945 - October 11,
2020 - of Northwood, New Hampshire, who passed away at
the age of 75, leaving to mourn family and friends. You
can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and
share it with the family. You may also light a candle in
honor of Eric Stevens.
From Shermie: Picture at right was cropped from a
group picture which Eric was standing near me at my
going away party giving by the ALTAIR Radar team,
Roi-Namur,
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. Eric, an
engineer with MIT Lincoln Labs, was a friend and a fan
of my music days on Kwaj. RIP Eric |
Roi-Namur
July 1997 |
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Robert (Bob) Lee Harris
December 08, 1938 -
August 23, 2020: Robert Harris was born to Mr. Eddie
and Martha Harris on December 8, 1938 in Pocahontas,
Mississippi. Robert accepted Christ at an early age and
was baptized at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He
was educated in the Hinds County School System. As a
young adult, Robert became a member of the United States
Army, and remained with the military for twenty-six
years. During his Army career, he met and married Dorean
Harper and was blessed with three wonderful children:
Frederick, Robin Dwayne, and LuChelle. After retiring
from the Army in 1981, he became a Civil Service worker
and worked for the Army for an additional eighteen
years. After retiring from Civil Service, Robert worked
for the V.A. Nursing Home, and delivered Meals on Wheels
for the Senior Center. He was very proud of his years
with the military and was rewarded with the Bronze Star
for his Vietnam Service, along with many other
appreciations. After many years of moving and traveling
around the world, Robert never forgot how he was raised
and became a member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist
Church in 1982. His favorite bible verse was Exodus
20:12. “His favorite song was “In the Midst of It All”
by Yolanda Adams. Robert was the eighth child of ten
children. Eight siblings and his parents preceded him in
death; two sisters: Jessie George and Lula Sanders; six
brothers: Arvesta Kelly, William, Eddie Lee, Jr.,
Johnnie L., Spencer N., and Frank Harris. He leaves to
cherish his memories, his loving wife of 62 years,
Dorean H. Harris of Huntsville, AL; a loving sister,
Dorothy (Leroy) Cage; two sons: Frederick (Wanda) Harris
and Robin Dwayne (Marilyn) Harris; one daughter,
LuChelle D. Vazquez; a host of loving grandchildren and
great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and
friends.
Bob worked for USAKA
at Kwajalein from approximately 1997 to
2002. Bob and wife Doreen lived in Huntsville, AL. |
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Elspeth “Eppie” Rae
(Ellsworth) Hoover
was born on March 21st, 1938 in Junction City, Oregon,
to the late Veda and Herschel Ellsworth. Eppie passed
away at age 80 on August 16th, 2018 in Monterey,
California. She attended the Oregon College of Education
to become a teacher, starting in the Corvallis (OR)
School District. There she taught until 1969 when a
newspaper ad inspired her to accept a position as a
Reading Specialist on the island of Kwajalein,
in the Marshall Islands. It was there that she met her
husband, Ronald Hoover, and stayed until 1985 when she
and Ron moved to Prunedale, CA. She then joined
Natividad Elementary School in Salinas, CA to work as a
Resource Aide until retiring in 2000.
Eppie was preceded in death by
her husband, Ronald Hoover, her son Dennis Gill, and her
sister Wynona Mickel. Eppie is survived by her sister
Vivian Ellsworth; daughter Christina Hoover Moorehead;
son-in-law Robert Moorehead, daughter-in-law Charlcie
Fowler; grandchildren Chris Maher, Maureen Stoddard,
Devan Gill, Patrick Moorehead, and Aya Moorehead;
great-grandchildren Brooklyn Stoddard, Bresia Stoddard,
and Jason Maher; and nephews Jim Mickel, Steve Mickel,
Sam Mickel, Jeff Mickel, and Scott Mickel.
Eppie enjoyed sewing and crafts, reading,
cooking, travel, meeting friends and family for lunch,
all things Christmas, and was an active member of the
Christian Church of Pacific Grove. For those wishing to
share remembrances of Eppie, please contact Christina
Hoover Moorehead at
christinamoorehead66@gmail.com
- Kwaj Kid
1979-1985. |
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Loretta Phillips
of Roanoke, Virginia, who passed away on
July 14, 2020. Loretta worked for U.S. Army
Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the 1990s.
twp tours and one being the secretary for the USAKA
Commander.
Echovita’s sincere condolences:
With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Loretta
Phillips of Roanoke, Virginia. Loretta loved listening
to Shermie's music and was a good friend to everyone she
knew on Kwajalein. |
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Dorothy Ann “DOT” Koller
6/29/1942 – 4/24/2020
Dorothy Ann
‘Dot’ Koller passed away at 06:22 on the morning of
4/24/2020.
She had been in declining
health due to a stroke she suffered on September 5,
2017.
She is survived by her
husband, Clark E. ‘Jake’ Koller, now residing in Tucson
AZ.
She is also survived by 3
Sons, Scott W. Koller (Kwaj Class
1981), Wife Susan and daughters Claire Koller and
Bridget Koller, out of Minneapolis MN.
Craig
E. Koller (Kwaj Class 1982) Wife
Cheryl, daughters, Tess Koller, Gracie, Kolbie and Jadie
Chastain, out of San Antonio, TX.
Derek
D. Koller, Wife Tanya, Daughters Alex and Jesse Wold and
Isabella Rae Koller, out of Tucson, AZ. She also
survived by her sisters, Loyce Lanier and Eleanor
Linehan, both of Tallahassee Fl.
Several nephews and nieces
will miss their AUNT Dot.
Dot
completed 2 tours on Kwajalein with her
family.
Jake was with Control Data
Corporation and Dot held several different jobs during
their tours, Sept 1973 thru December 1977 and again
March 1980 thru July 1986.
Dot worked for Global with
Trouble Desk, worked for Kentron in the Travel
Department and her last job was Secretary for the Marine
Department Manager. The Marine Department crew even got
a Hard Hat for her to wear with ‘Straw
Boss” written on it when
the Tug would bring in the Sea Train to unload.
She was very
active in community activities, keeping up with all the
sports that her family were involved with.
With the softball, soccer
and swimming clubs going for husband and sons she kept
busy just keeping the oranges and drinks supplied for
the sidelines.
When the softball team
‘YOU’ took the field, it was her responsibility to
supply the ‘Sweet Home
Alabama’ music during the
game.
During the
1976 200th-Centennial, Dot was involved in most of the
Island activities that took place during the week long
celebration.
Her and her girlfriends
were the ‘Cigarette Girls’ at the Yuk Club during the
Las Vegas night celebration.
She also acted in the
"Guys and Dolls" production that was performed at the
Richardson and also on Roi-Namur.
She loved
having her friends over to her patio and home to enjoy
listening to the music they provided by playing her
favorite Hawaiian and Country songs.
She very much enjoyed
listening to Shermie and Friends, at the Yuk club and on
the Tarlang cruises. Favorite song being “Honolulu City
Lights”.
She will be
missed by her family and friends, but we realized that
she is no longer suffering as she has for the past 2
plus years. Jake and family will be taking her ashes
back to Port St Joe Florida when all the travel
restrictions are lifted.
She will be placed with
her Parents.
Note from Shermie: Of all my years performing on
Kwaj, I had two great fans that loved
my music and express it at each performance. They
were Dottie Koller and Yvonne Jackson. Dottie
would always keep me up-to-date on the new country tunes
too. She loved her music. It's sad to know
that Dot is not with us, but she'll always be one of my
greatest fans - lots of good memories forever. I
still perform Honolulu Lights, great tune, and when I
perform it in the future, I will be sending it to her in
my thoughts. RIP Dot
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James Keith Vencill
of Stillwater, OK passed away
Memorial Day May 25, 2020. Services will be held
Saturday, May 30th at 1:30PM at the First Christian
Church, followed by internment in Morrison, Oklahoma
Cemetery. James was born on March 9th, 1938 in
Harlingen, TX, and he spent much of his youth in
Waleetka, OK. He served for twenty-one years in the
military, with both the Navy and Army, on submarines and
vessels in the Army surface fleet. He was a decorated
Vietnam Veteran and retired from the Army as a Chief
Warrant Officer (CW4). His life and career took him and
his family to many places around the world including
Busan, South Korea, Fort Eustis, Virginia, and
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. His work took him
to Australia, the Philippines, Panama, Guam, Singapore,
and many more places in United States. He was an avid
fan of OSU sports including football and men’s and
women’s basketball and attended as many events as he
could. He enjoyed bowling, western films, cooking,
travel, and Gaither gospel music. He was intensely
interested in current affairs. Daily he called friends
and family to check on them and was exceptional with how
connected he was to people. He was a devout Christian
and exemplified his religion’s teachings of kindness and
service. He loved serving Stillwater through his church
and many civic organizations including the Lion’s Club,
the VFW, and the American Legion. Some of his favorite
service activities included helping with pancake
breakfasts, providing free vision screening for school
children, and helping run the pumpkin patch fundraiser.
He was a good neighbor and great friend. He loved people
and animals and exuded goodwill and strength.
James was the Kwajalein Marine
Department Port Engineer, 1982-90 and 1995-2008. |
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David Richard Roderick
Aug. 24,1951 - Dec. 24, 2018.
Gone but not forgotten. David was a devoted husband,
brother, cousin, and friend. He was loyal and loving to
all who knew him. He is dearly loved, and deeply
missed.
From Shermie: I worked with Dave Roderick in the mid
1970s on Kwajalein in the Computer
Maintenance Department. Dave was a wonderful person,
great personality, loyal to his friends and people he
worked with and enjoy life each day. I loved being
around Dave and enjoyed the many days and hours we had
together as friends and at work. I was sad to hear that
he is no longer with us. He will always be remembered
and missed. RIP Dave |
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Herschell Atkinson
of Salado, TX, passed peacefully from this world on
February 9, 2020, after a long battle with cancer, and
suffering a stroke in December. He was surrounded by his
loving family.
He was born Herschell Lee
Atkinson, on July 24, 1939, in Graham, TX, to Homer and
Jewel McDonald Atkinson. Herschell grew up in the West
Texas town of Goldsmith, near Odessa. He graduated from
Odessa High School. While attending OHS, he was a member
and captain of the swim team. Upon his graduation in
1957, he entered The University of Texas at Austin on a
swimming scholarship, remaining on the swim team
throughout his 4-year eligibility. Herschell received
his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
in 1962. While attending UT, he met his future wife,
Sandra Lung, and they married in 1963. Upon graduation
from UT, he went to work for Chance-Vought Aeronautics
in Grand Prairie, TX. Chance-Vought soon became
Ling-Tempco-Vought (LTV). In May 1965, Herschell
transferred to LTV's wholly owned subsidiary, Kentron
Hawaii Ltd. as a program engineer at Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands. He spent the remainder of his
professional career with Kentron and its associated
companies, the last being Northrop Grumman Co.,
providing technical services for military contracts in
the national defense industry. Herschell's 35-year
career took him and his family to many job locations
including Kwajalein, Marshall Islands,
Huntsville, AL, Camarillo, CA, Pueblo, CO, Ridgecrest,
CA, San Ramon, CA, Ft Hood, TX, and Colorado Springs,
CO. Most of his career was in a managerial roll where he
so enjoyed getting to know his employees. Motivating and
mentoring his employees was his gift. After retiring in
2002, Herschell went on to work for several more years
for ASI, also in the arena of national defense.
A 23-year resident of Colorado
Springs, CO, 1994-2017, Herschell was an avid runner.
Some of his running accomplishments were the annual
Triple Crown of Running, the annual Pike's Peak Ascent,
and the annual Pike's Peak Marathon. He was also a
health and fitness advocate, working out regularly at a
studio near his home. He also enjoyed his "retirement
job" as a starter/marshal at the Broadmoor Golf Club in
Colorado Springs. He was very accomplished in
woodworking and artistic concrete projects.
Being native Texans, Herschell
and Sandi, his wife of 56 years, moved back to their
Texas roots in July 2017, making their home in Salado.
Herschell was preceded in death
by his parents, Homer and Jewel McDonald Atkinson of
Goldsmith, TX, and parents-in-law Sam and Lorene Lung of
Austin, TX. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Lung
Atkinson of Salado, son, Erin Lee Atkinson (and wife
Gail), grandchildren, Lauren Brice Atkinson and Jack Lee
Atkinson, all of Haslet, TX, sister, Mary Blanche Jared
of Hutchinson, KS, niece, Lynn Jared Mowder (and husband
Pat), of Hutchinson, KS, nephew, Blake Jared (and wife
Mary Jo), of Tulsa, OK, and many cousins and great
nieces and nephews. |
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Samuel A. Gorham,
73, of Lusk Run Road, Mill Hall, passed away Saturday,
May 6, 2017 at Haven Skilled Rehabilitation and Nursing,
Lock Haven. Born on April 2, 1944 in Lock Haven, he was
a son of the late Raymond and Naomi Messner Gorham.
Sam was a 1963 graduate of Lock Haven High School. He
was a Vietnam veteran, having served in the United
States Air Force from 1965 until 1969. Sam then was
employed by NASA in Hawaii from 1969 until 1971. In 1971
he moved to Kwajalein, Marshall Islands
where he worked in communications for 39 years. During
his 39 years in
Kwajalein, Sam became a master scuba
diver. Sam earned his Brown Belt in Taekwondo. He
enjoyed skydiving in Florida, and was a talented ham
radio operator and an avid golfer. Sam also was a
private pilot. Surviving are two daughters, Kelli and
Kristina Gorham, both of Washington; three brothers:
Raymond, Paul, and Jacob Gorham; five sisters: Lula
“Chip” Moore, Dorothy Hummer, Rosie Dotterer, Virginia
Charette, and Martha Fisher; and many nieces and nephews
who loved their Uncle Sam. In addition to his parents,
he was preceded in death by a brother, David Gorham, and
two sisters, Naomi Stoner and Bertha Hackenburg. |
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James “Jim” Waitman Watt,
78, of Topeka, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
He was born February 13, 1941 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the
son of Barney and Florence (Haynes) Watt. Jim graduated
from Glenwood Arkansas High School and attended
Henderson State University. He was a decorated Marine
Corps Veteran during the Vietnam War. Jim owned and
published the Glenwood Arkansas Herald weekly newspaper,
field editor for the Regional Construction News
Magazine, the editor of the Pacific Island newspapers on
Canton in the Phoenix Islands, now the Nation of
Kiribati, and on Kwajalein in the
Marshall Islands at the now Reagan Missile Test Site. He
came from a family owned newspaper background, along
with his father, uncle and cousins in Arkansas and
Oklahoma. He also worked as a civilian contract employee
with the Defense Nuclear Agency and the Department of
Energy as a logistic support coordinator for the long
term studies of effects of nuclear fallout and the
lingering effects of radiation from the nuclear and
thermal nuclear above ground testing in Northern
Marshall Islands where he lived for several years. Upon
moving from the islands to Kansas City to be married, he
became a long-term custodial and maintenance supervisor
the Center School District 58 and retired from there in
2003. Jim was an ordained elder of the Presbyterian
Church USA, was active in the workings of Ruskin Heights
Presbyterian Church in South Kansas City for many years
and was a member of Topeka Trinity Presbyterian Church
at the time of his death. He was a life member Mason for
57 years. He was a member of Friends of Missouri Town
1855, a pre-Civil War reenactment group in Lee’s Summit,
Missouri, which is part of the Jackson County Historical
Heritage program. He was a self-taught student of the
mountain dulcimer and performed with the Summit Cove
Gathering of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and was one of the
group’s founding members. After his retirement from
Center School District, he was elected a board member of
South Kansas City’s Community Assistance Council for a
number of years and additionally was a driver for the
Meals on Wheels Program. He was a Kansas City, Missouri,
Republican Election Judge until health issues forced him
to retire. Jim married Marilyn Kay Granger on December
31, 1983 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jim retired at
Thornton Place Senior Living in Topeka, KS, where I
performed for the last three New Year's Eve celebrations
and their New Year's Day Brunch. During one of my
performances before I started playing the New Year's
events, Jim made me aware of his presence and what a
surprise - a Kwaj friend and we meet
once again, only being closer while in Kansas - Dorothy
land. We knew each other better after departing
Kwaj but Jim always kept in touch and we shared
the Kwaj bond through emails and via
the internet - great feeling, and Jim certainly was a
great guy. I believe he told me he work at Launch
Ordinance on Kwajalein
Missile Range (KMR), I believe he was the supervisor.
RIP in peace Jim - We'll miss you buddy. |
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Norman Gilbert
9/25/41 - 5/18/19 Norman Delos Gilbert was born on
September 25th, 1941 in the home of his parents; Forest
Kenneth Gilbert and Martha Park Gilbert. He was the
youngest of 4 children: (Robert (Louis), Betty, Arvo
(Bruce) and Norman). He was raised in Michigan and
graduated from Edmore High School in 1959. He met and
married Rebecca Rodgers in 1959 and had 3 children
(Mark, David and Norma). In his younger years he
realized his talent for dancing, a passion he continued
to enjoy his entire life. He was known for how well he
could ‘shake a rug’ all the way back to his high school
days! He also found a love for horses which he raised,
broke and rode from the time he was a young boy. After
high school he joined the US Navy where he served as a
surface ship sonar technician on numerous ships
including the USS Exultant, USS Dash, USS Hummingbird
and the USS Long Beach. In 1967, after a friend died in
the war, he volunteered and left to serve his country in
Vietnam. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he
continued his education to earn his Associates Degree in
Industrial Engineering at El Camino College in Torrance,
CA. He went on to work for Raytheon as an electronic
technician working on radar systems for Naval ships, and
later worked for Hughes Aircraft and TRW. He was a
master of many trades and was always reinventing
himself. At one time he owned a TV/Electronic repair
company, a salvage company, and a trucking company. Even
after retirement, he had to keep moving and became an
UBER driver - a job he thoroughly enjoyed until just a
few weeks before he moved to heaven because it allowed
him to continue to keep driving professionally, but more
importantly, it gave him the opportunity to talk to so
many different people; usually about politics! In 1995
he took up another battle, this time with cancer. God
used this tragedy to reconnect him with his family in
ways no one could expect. Over the next 25 years he beat
that cancer and battled 2 more. However, his proudest
accomplishments were his children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren. He dedicated so much of the last
30 years to spending time loving, teaching, and molding
them. In turn, they all adored him. It is said that
what you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone
monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
This fits him so well, as his success is not measured in
the worldly possessions he left behind, but in
everything he wove into our beings. We are grateful for
his belief in Jesus and that he is resting in Heaven
with all who have gone before him.
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Shermie Wiehe provided the following text to Norm's 75th
Family Birthday Celebration : I'll forever treasure
Norman's friendship and ,memories - RIP Norman! I'll
meet up with you someday.
Shermie |
To my old friend Norman Gilbert where
we met and work together on
Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall
Islands working at the island's Computer Maintenance Shop. There
we maintain and repaired hundreds of computers. I believe I
could of been the lead person at the time but Norman was
definitely one that didn't mind to get his hands dirty with any
task. Even in the past few years he would stop by with his big
18-wheeler to meet for a day in North Platte, NE where I worked
for the Union Pacific Railroad and we got together to eat and
visit for a few hours. One day he came through and I went over
to see him at the truck stop and that guy was under the truck or
in the engine area fixing something on his stop. He's much like
me, we seem to figure out and fix about anything from all the
years of experience we have. That's why we both click, both have
similar achievements - "Fix the dam thing." Since I play music
professionally and sang, I entertained a lot on the island of
Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands"
Ronald Regan Ballistic Missile Defense
Test Site" and one day Norman took to the the dance
floor and that's where I saw him cut-the-rug there with those
fast feet, another Michael Jackson - with jitterbug and more.
My, wife at the time, great dancer, would dance with Norm and he
would make good moves with his steps and the officer's club
members would all watch them dance. I still remember him dancing
to this day and haven't really seen anyone in my life since that
could dance like him. We had lots of good times and Norman
shared lots of friends on Kwaj, some at the
Veterans Hall and others from work. We all liked Norm - very
respectful, courteous and just a down-home type of guy. I never
saw one person that didn't like Norman. Hey Norman, Happy 75th
buddy. In all this said, "I'm glad we met and spent some good
times together." I look forward to seeing you again in the
future. Take care and I'm happy to know your family is with you
on this great day. Your friend, Shermie Wiehe |
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Bernice George
It is with heavy hearts that the family of
Bernice Irene George announces her passing after
a brief illness, on February 4th, 2019 at the
age of 87 years. Bea will be lovingly
remembered by her friends & family; her brother
Bob, and her children David, Eric, daughter
Karen, Warren & Collette. Bea will also be
fondly remembered by her six grandchildren,
David Jr., Candice, Kelsey, Emma, Taylor and
Steven. Bernice was predeceased by her sisters,
Dorene, Lorene, brother Alan and parents,
Clarence and Madge. Mom loved spending time
with family and friends. She was the Portland
Trailblazers biggest fan! She often reminisced
about her time on Kwaj and the
wonderful friends she met there.
We know that mom would want us to let you know
that her work here is done. That she received a
call, a sort of an "offer-you-can't-refuse," for
an appointment from which she will not be
returning. This assignment comes with a huge
sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends
she has not seen in a long time. Her new work
takes her to a wonderful place where she will be
socializing, dancing, cooking, & reading to her
heart's content. Music, laughter and love are
guaranteed. Food is delicious and you never
gain an ounce! Though mom knows how much she is
loved & missed, she left detailed instructions
for her children, grandchildren, family and
friends to celebrate her mission here, which has
now been completed. We miss your smile and
ever-encouraging words, Mom! We love you very
much & will see you again when the trumpets
sound. |
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Bernice George
Kwajalein -1970s |
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John Wallace
born March 10, 1943, Newark, NJ; died February 26, 2019,
Melbourne, FL. Kwaj 1974-1976;
1976-1982; 1990-1997; 1999-2003. Message from his wife
Barbara: Tell everyone the best work he ever had was on
Kwajalein and he never forgot old
friends.
Barbara Wallace -
barbarawallace@hotmail.com
Note from Shermie: I will never
forget my friend John, he use to come to the TV shop on
Kwaj when I was working there part-time and we loved to
chat. He always told me how he admired my skills and
talents - what a great guy he was. He and his wife were
planning to stop by in Kansas City this year to visit
me. RIP John - you'll always be in my memories. |
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James Lawrence (Larry) McCarthy
passed away February 5, 2019 at the age
of 84. He was born November 23, 1934 in Middleton, Ohio
to the late Arthur William McCarthy and Margaret E Boyle
McCarthy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean
Carnahan; granddaughter, Heather Marie McCarthy and
brothers, Michael McCarthy and Patrick McCarthy. He was
reared in Detroit, Michigan and attended St. Catherine
High School, where he played football, basketball and
ran track. He graduated class of 1953. He was voted All
City Honorable and All State in football. He served in
the U.S. Navy from 1953-1957 as Petty Officer 3rd
Class. Later, he went to college on a G.I. Bill and
earned his M.B.A. at Brenau University in Atlanta,
Georgia. He was the Field Service Manager for
Intergraph Corporation in Atlanta. He moved to Selma in
2009. He is survived by his sons, David, Danny,
Jeffrey, Kevin (Cheryl) and Timothy and his faithful
friend, Shannon Linden. Larry worked for the Computer
Maintenance Department in 1970s at
Kwajalein Missile Range. |
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Michael J. Dolan
of Kearny, N.J., passed away on
Sept. 7, 2017, at home. He was 76. The Funeral Mass
was celebrated at St. Cecilia's Church, Kearny and
interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Michael was a
computer tech for Lockheed Martin in the Marshall
Islands for over 30 years until retiring in 2011. He
served in the U.S. Army during peacetime. He is
survived by his sister, Kathleen McElroy, and numerous
nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was
predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Anne Dolan (nee
O'Brien) and his siblings, Bernard Dolan, Patricia
McIntyre and Sheila Carr. Photo at right of Michael was
taken on Roi-Namur in the mid 1970s. |
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Carrol M. Kapahu, Sr. "Bear"
78, of Waianae, died in Ewa Beach. Bear managed the
Heavy Equipment Operation on Kwajalein
Atoll for many years. He was born in Kauai. Uncle Bear
had been hospitalized since May 23rd for pneumonia and
complications with his diabetes. He was in ICU for
several weeks and then improved enough to go to a
regular floor. About 3 weeks ago he was moved to private
hospice home care in Ewa Beach. He passed away
peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Thursday, July
20, 2017. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Thank
you so much,
Charmaine Oyamot Rodrigues -
barefootkeiki@gmail.com |
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Bina Livai Priest
Bina peacefully passed on to Jesus May 4, 2017, while
in a local hospital. Her new life began after a valiant
5-month battle with multiple infections. Bina was born
Sept. 22, 1957 on the island of Ebeye in the Marshall
Islands. She was predeceased by her parents Otiba Jibbwa
and Edison Livai, and several sisters and brothers. She
leaves behind her husband Roger (married in 1995) and
son Joey Aiseia (Jacqueline), and grandkids Robi D. L.
Aiseia & Pierra Actelline (Aki) Aiseia, and a large
extended family. Bina was proud and much admired by
friends and family when she became an American citizen
on Nov. 5, 2013. As much as her health and time would
permit she was a very active member of the Marshallese
branch of the Assemblies of God (River of Life) Church.
Bina will be remembered as a loving grandmother to the
kids who called her Bubu. She enjoyed cooking, fishing,
travel, Bingo, and the Slots, but mostly she was a very
dedicated wife.
Roger
Priest -
kwkwjroger@aol.com |
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William F. Weber
Daytona,
Beach, 10/03/1932 - 02/25/2017. Son of Albert Weber and
Marion (Tippie) Weber, pass away on Saturday after a
short battle with cancer. Bill was born in Providence,
RI and moved to Daytona Beach in the 50's after a short
stint in the US Navy. He proudly worked as an
electronics engineer for Lockheed for over 30 years at
many locations, including Cape Canaveral for the Polaris
program and
Kwajalein Atoll on Strategic Defense
initiatives. He is survived by his wife of nearly 48
years, Patricia Smith
Weber, his brothers Mickey and Warren and sister Jane,
his seven children Sharon (Chuck), John (Anne), Beth
(Greg), Judi, Billy (Patty), Kathy (Buck), Mike (Becky),
12 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many
nieces, nephews and friends. He loved family
get-togethers and was an avid golfer. Pat and Bill also
loved square dancing and traveling to exotic
destinations like Thailand, Bali and throughout
Micronesia.
Bill loved to play golf and didn't mind getting up
at the crack of dawn to head to the links. One time we
decided to try bicycling all the way to the tip of the
island, but only made it halfway back. We were so happy
when we saw a telephone to call a cab! He worked on
Meck Island for Lockheed and flew to work around 5:30
every morning. They were working on President Reagan's
Strategic Defense Initiative, or Homing Overlay
Experiment (HOE). This was fine until all the wives
decided to start their own club which ended up being the
Lockheed HOERS. We decided to bow out! For me, I
couldn't wait to stand in line at Macy's Saturday
morning to grab all the bargains! And then go to
breakfast at the Kwaj cafe. Then go
check the mail. Wonderful routine. We did two tours on
Kwaj 1981-84 and 1987-89. I did a story about
Kwajalein a couple of years ago. I was
so happy for the opportunity to live in a place a lot of
people never heard of! I forgot to mention the sign on
Bill's door on Meck. It read "Czar of QA". This left no
doubt as to who had the upper hand! - Pat / The
Lockheed group during the HOE days was the best -
Shermie |
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| Guy
Tarnstrom Dear
Friends - It is with a heavy heart that I inform you
that Guy Tarnstrom passed away early morning on February
28th, 2107. He was 74 years of age. It goes without
saying how much he will be missed by his family and
friends. As many of you know, Guy had many and varied
interests. He loved classical music, climbed Mt.
McKinley (now Denali), carved Celtic crosses, was an
avid folk dancer, sang in any group he could find, and
played trombone with gusto. He loved and performed in
Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, loved reading bedtime
stories to his kids, made good beer and bad wine, and
always had season tickets to the Boston Symphony. Guy
received his Ph.D. in Radio Astronomy from the
Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska. Before
joining the staff at MIT/Lincoln Laboratory in 1978, Guy
was a research academic. He did post doc work at the
Sterrenwacht Observatory in Utrecht Netherlands, he was
a Fulbright lecturer at the University of Oulu in
Finland, he then was a research astronomer at the Swiss
Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. He worked on
Kwajalein for three tours (1980-1984,
1989-1994, and 1999-2004). Upon his return from
Kwajalein he joined Group 34 until he
retired in 2008. Guy continued to support Group 34 on a
flexible part-time basis until his full retirement in
March 2012 and after 33.5 years of MIT LL service. He
treasured his friends, his family, and took much pride
in his work. |
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Louis Petersen, 80, died March 3, 2016
in Orlando, FL. Born in Broken Bow, NE, he grew up in
Cheyenne, WY and joined the United States Coast Guard
upon completion of high school. He graduated from the
University of Wyoming, Laramie with a degree in
Electrical Engineering and was an aeronautical engineer
at Lockheed Martin (Manager, Systems Test Department)
and Coleman Aerospace Corporation (Vice President,
Launch Systems Group, Theatre Missile Defense Target
Program). During his career, he participated in the
Sprint, Patriot, Pershing II, SLAT, MLRS-TGW and Hera
missile programs. He was also Systems Test Director of
the Sprint missile program for two years at
Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall
Islands. He was a longtime member of The Cathedral
Church of St. Luke, Orlando, FL where he faithfully
served as Junior Warden and Senior Warden of the
Cathedral Chapter, and was a member of the Endowment
Fund. He is survived by his wife, the Reverend Carolyn
Petersen, brother Phil Petersen of Evanston, WY, and
children Catherine Dillard, Michael Petersen and Karen
Petersen, and grandchildren, Ben Petersen and Danielle
and Sarah Dillard.
We were on Kwaj from 1970-1972. If
anyone would like to reach me, my email is
kpetersen88@yahoo.com - Karen
Petersen |
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Russell E. Kees,
88, died March 16, 2016 in Phoenix. AZ. Russ was a was a
member of the Kwajalein Community
Theater, known as "Mr. KCT". Russ played Henry in Wizard
of Oz. Russ was also a member of the
Bridge Club for many years on
Kwajalein. He
worked in Optics Section for
many years as an Optics Tech for
the Kwajalein Missile Range
Instrumentation group. -
Russell will always be
remembered as a great community person on
Kwajalein - Shermie
Kwajalein
1967-79, 1982-86, 1991-00
Servend
Site Manager - Island Vending Services, Kentron /
DynCorp / PRC / Raytheon - Senior Optics Tech at Omelek,
Gagan and Wake Island. TDY�s trips to Jedda and Al
Jubail in Saudi Arabia and Sr. Recruiter for
Kwaj, Kentron Personnel.
Memory:
Having the honor of being chosen to give the American
Legion Memorial Speeches at the flag pole.
Enjoyment: Participating in theater, bridge, golf and
softball.
Presently: Retired in Phoenix, AZ, golfing, darts,
bowling, collecting old coins and sheet music, steamboat
and ocean cruises, traveling the state in my motor home
prospecting remote areas for artifacts and nuggets,
doing genealogy research and keeping in e-mail contact
with Kwaj friends.
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Jim Friel
Jim was born February 6, 1934 and passed at 82 years of age on
April 4, 2016 in Texas. Jim grew up on Molokai and after high
school he joined U.S. Marines Corps. He is survived by his wife
Nora and his 6 children, Dora, Noreen, Puanani, James, Stanley
and Ernest and 3 grandchildren, Nikki, Kamehalani and Aaron. He
was a loving father, grandfather, husband and son. After
retiring from the Marines, his last employment, where he worked
many years, was at Kwajalein Missile Range
(KMR), where he met his wife Nora, married and later retired in
Texas where he lived out his life working on ranches and
spending tranquil Sundays with his family. He is survived by his
wife Nora and their 5 kids; Noreen, Victoria, James, Stanley,
and Ernest. At a date to be determined, his ashes will be placed
in the Friel family plot on Molokai.
RIP Jimmy was a technician for many years at the
Kwajalein Communications Center.
Obituary provided by Victoria Puanani
Friel and family, email is vfriel92@yahoo.com. |
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Stephenia Cousins
passed away March 29, 2016 in San Antonio, TX. Stephenia worked
as a copier technician with the Kwajalein
Instrumentation Computer Maintenance group in the late 1980s. |
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Thomas Dale Hill, born December 05,
1944, age 71 of Aurora, MO, passed away surrounded by
his family March 28, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in
Springfield. He was born the son of Ralph and Ruth Hill
on December 5, 1944 in Mansfield, OH. Tom graduated from
Coronado High School in Scottsdale, AZ class of
1963. Following high school he joined the United States
Army where he served as a drill sergeant. After his
service, he moved to the beautiful island,
Kwajalein, part of the Marshall Islands. There
he made many life-long friends and was active in the
softball team "The Entertainers". He also earned his
32nd degree Scottish Rite as a Mason on the island. On
April 26, 1986 he was united in marriage to Kathy
Lorraine Griffin. A few months later they adopted their
daughter from the Marshall Islands. He also gained two
sons. Tom will be missed by many. He loved to do magic
tricks, tell jokes, fishing and loved to play and watch
sports. He was a happy go lucky man and would give you
the shirt off his back. Even during his recent illness
he would make a point to tell the hospital staff
jokes. He is preceded in death by his father Ralph Gene
Hill; grandparents, George and Kate Thomas, Walter and
Emma Marie Hill. Tom is survived by his love, Kathy, of
Aurora, MO; daughter, Shawnee and husband Matt Glenn of
Springfield, MO; mother, Ruth Hill of Lebanon, MO;
sister, Kathy Ring of Lebanon, MO; son Shannon Tipton of
Springfield, MO; son Brian Tipton of Springfield, MO;
nephew Brent Wilsford and wife Angie of Lebanon, MO;
grandchildren, Asher, Ariya, Shelby and Dakota; a host
of cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends. |
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Tusi Siose
December 3, 1947 - February 15,
2016. Tusi Siose (68) passed away 15 February, 2016 in
Tacoma, WA. Tusi was a Mechanical Tech (RCA) assigned to
the TRADEX, Roi-Namur, RMI in late
1970's and early 1980's. Outside of work he was very
active in sports softball, golf, body building and
martial arts. A respected member of the community
highlighted by cheerful attitude and smile. After his
Kwajalein
assignment Tusi relocated to the Pacific Northwest,
Tacoma Washington area and retired as Maintenance
Supervisor of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. Tusi Siose
was born in American Samoa to Manaia and Faalai Taito on
December 3, 1947. He was preceded in death by his
parents, brothers Tavita Pedro, Tagiilima Pedro, Josefa
Pedro and sister Silafaga Peko. Tusi's legacy lives on
with his wife of 38 years Ferila; children Sapati Siose,
Elston Siose, Christina Ikeda; grandchildren Elston
Manaia Siose, Alexis Siose, Tony Lomiga and Lovelee
Chance; brothers Levi Taito, Tupe Siose and Tusi Pedro;
sisters Falelua Edwards, Sapati Toilolo, Luisa Pedro and
a host of nieces nephews and close friends. |
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Rudolf Hergenrother died
July 4, 2015. Rudy was born 3/17/1931 in Pasadena, CA,
to Rudolf C. and S. Katherine. He lived most of his
youth in New York City and later in Newton, MA. He
graduated from University of Massachusetts with a degree
in Engineering, after which he was inducted into the
Army, serving during the Korean War. In 1957, Rudy
married Deborah Higgins and they had 4 children, Julie,
Christina, Craig and Candace. In 1970, they moved their
family to Kwajalein, Marshall Islands,
where, when he was not working, Rudy enjoyed spending
time sailing, S.C.U.B.A. diving and underwater
photography with his family and friends. In 1978 he
returned to Acton, MA, and in 1982 retired from
GTE. They soon moved to Santa Barbara, CA where Rudy
worked for Raytheon for several years. During this time
Rudy spent time volunteering as a docent at the S.B.
Natural History Museum, the Sea Center, National Park
Service, therapy dogs and gave sailing lessons at S.B.
Sailing Center. Rudy was a gifted artist, from a very
young age, including caricatures, batik, pottery, but
most especially watercolors. His pieces grace the homes
and businesses of friends and family. Rudy also had a
passion for building and flying model airplanes and won
awards for design, which were featured in articles in
hobby magazines. Rudolf is survived by his wife,
children and 5 grandchildren, who he loved dearly. Rudy
worked for GTE in Needham and Kwajalein
and was GTE ALTAIR site manager in 1975. He became a GTE
Quarter Century Club member (25 years of service) in
1980. |
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Ralph Edward
Scheidegger,
81, passed away September 28, 2016. Ralph was born
December 16, 1934, in Monroe, WA. He was preceded in
death by his wife Grace. He is survived by a brother
Jack Scheidegger of North Bend, WA, and numerous nieces
and nephews. Ralph was born was born in Monroe, WA on
December 16, 1934, into a proud Swiss family. His
mother, Lena Dolder Scheidegger, had arrived on Ellis
Island in 1913, when she was 16 years old. She had
traveled with her parents and three sisters from
Zollikofen, Switzerland, to Bremen, Germany, and then
crossed the Atlantic on the steamship Main to New York.
They continued across the United States by train,
arriving in Monroe, WA three weeks after leaving
Switzerland. There they joined Lena's brother, who was
already living in the United States. Ralph's father,
Rudolf Scheidegger, also arrived in the United States in
1913 from Oberburg, Switzerland. When Ralph was born, he
joined three older siblings, as Lena had been married to
Peter Siegenthaler, who died at age 38 in 1925. Ralph's
older siblings were Hilda, age 18, Helen, age 16, and
Fred, age 13. Ralph's younger brother, Jack, joined the
family two years later. Quite a group! Ralph grew up
near Carnation and attended Tolt High School, where he
played football and was active in the Future Farmers of
America. He was becoming quite accomplished on the
piano, until teasing cured him of that. He was also an
active model airplane builder and operator, an activity
which he continued to enjoy even as an adult. Keeping
his landing fields level resulted in his becoming a
master mole catcher. His interest in airplanes continued
with service in the U. S. Air Force from 1957 to 1961 as
an electronics technician. He maintained B-47 bombing
and navigation systems, requiring him to have high level
security clearances. Following his Air Force service, he
joined Boeing, where, as an electronics technician, he
installed and checked out ground support equipment for
the Minuteman Missile Program at remote sites. Beginning
in 1963, at Control Data Corporation, after training on
CDC 3000 series equipment, he worked at the Lawrence
Livermore Radiation Laboratory, east of San Francisco,
where he helped maintain CDC3600 computer systems.
Following training on CDC 6000 series computer
equipment, he became Engineer-in-Charge of both CDC6000
series and CDC 3000 series equipment at Martin-Marietta
in Denver, CO, where he was responsible for the work of
eight field engineers. 1968 was a big year he married
Grace Guttridge, an employee of IBM, in Boulder, CO and
his adventures began in earnest.
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They enjoyed skiing,
hiking, and entertaining, and began establishing life-long
friendships. One of their biggest adventures was Ralph's
acceptance of a new CDC assignment on Kwajalein
atoll in the Marshall Islands, where he again maintained CDC
computing equipment. Friendships established on Kwaj
have lasted throughout Ralph and Grace's lifetimes. (They have a
great shell collection, too!) Following their return to the
mainland in 1977, Ralph and Grace settled in Bellevue, allowing
more contact with Ralphs family. That's nice-speak for bugging
his nieces and nephews. All who knew Ralph will remember how
much he loved to give his relatives a hard time, but in a
humorous way. Occasionally when we got the best of him, he
didn't like it and would plot his next move. After Ralph retired
in 1980, they enjoyed traveling, including trips to Australia
and Europe. He especially enjoyed Switzerland, where he took
great pleasure in contacting long lost relatives. He remained in
close touch with his Swiss cousin, Carmen. He continued to enjoy
the game of tennis and the comradely that came with it. Both
Ralph and Grace enjoyed gardening and especially raising a
prized crop of dahlia's every year. They loved sharing the
flowers with neighbors and family. Ralph was a long-time
supporter of the Boeing Museum of Flight and attended many of
their functions at Boeing Field. He was very knowledgeable about
various commercial and military aircraft and took a keen
interest in watching the Blue Angels perform in Seattle. He
would venture down to Boeing Field just to watch them take off
and land. He admitted doing that one day per year, but we think
he went down there every day that they were in town. In his
later years, Ralph dealt with Grace's declining health. She
passed away from complications of a neurological disease in
2015. Ralph seemed to be moving forward with his life, and his
passing, even though he was 81 years old, was a surprise and
shock to us all. We are grateful that he had a full and
enjoyable life, a life that enriched many people.
Grace Scheidegger
Bellevue, Washington, Kwaj
resident (1974-77), passed away peacefully Monday morning
November 9, 2015, after spending over three years in a hospice
care facility in Washington state. Ralph Scheidegger, her
husband, worked for Control Data Corporation on
Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Island,
Kwajalein
Missile Range (KMR). Ralph and Grace moved to Bellevue,
WA after they left Kwajalein in 1978.
Ralph and Grace, along with the CDC team
were a great group and I remember all the good times we all had
together both at work and at gatherings and parties. Ralph and
Grace were certainly the neighbors and friends anyone would
want. Thanks for the good times and friendship Ralph and Grace.
RIP - Shermie |
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Win Hahn (Winfield Scott Hahn),
88, of Holden Beach NC, died Friday Sept. 11, 2015, at his home
after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. On
Kwajalein from the late 1960's into 1971, Win served as
RCA's Administration Manager on Roi-Namur. During much of the
1970's he was RCA's liaison manager with Lincoln Laboratory in
Lexington, Massachusetts. He is survived by his wife, Marlene;
son, Jeff Hahn and wife, Meredith; and their children, Caitlin
(Kyle) Johnson, Jeffrey and Harrison Hahn; daughter, Wendy Roof
and her children, Christopher, Chelsea and Justin Roof; and
stepson, Mike Loyer and wife, Becky, and their children,
Michael, Ryan and Shannon Loyer. He also had two
great-grandchildren, Hudson Winfield and Savannah Gray Johnson.
Jeff and Wendy were students in the Kwajalein
school system. Win was born in Camden, N.J., and lived most of
his life in Medford Lakes, N.J. He is a graduate of Temple
University and for most of his career a program manager for RCA
in Moorestown, N.J. He retired at 55 and he and Marlene began a
10-year cruise of most of the Caribbean islands on his beloved
sailboat, Paoti Vahine. He was a gifted mechanic and builder of
all things including much of the work on two homes. He loved
music, especially the concerts under the bridge on Holden Beach,
and could play on a guitar or harmonica any melody he had ever
heard. |
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| Allan Arthur
Blackwell
84, of Wareham and N. Palm
Beach, FL, formerly of Millis, died Oct. 26,
2015. He was the husband of the late Annette T.
(Kearney) Blackwell and the son of the late
Arthur R. and Gladys (Creech) Blackwell. He was
a longtime employee of GTE Sylvania. He served
in the
U.S. Navy aboard the USS Johnny Hutchins. A
graduate of Wentworth College, he saw extensive
world travel in his capacity as an Electronics
Engineer. He spent many years serving as Human
Resources Director for GTE on Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands. An avid fisherman, sportsman
and hunter, he was involved in the Explorer
Scouts in Millis where he was also a
firefighter. He wore the first pair of Herman
Survivors in Alaska as a test. He was a member
of the American Legion Post in Jupiter, FL.
Survivors include 2 sons, Allan E. Blackwell of
Hingham and David Blackwell and his wife Ruth of
Wareham; 2 daughters, Sandra Staines and her
husband Garry of Stagecoach, TX and Paula
Blackwell of Wareham; a sister-in-law, Helen
Blackwell of N. Palm Beach, FL; 6 grandchildren;
3 great grandchildren; 2 nephews and a niece. He
was the brother of the late Edward Dean
Blackwell. |
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Francis Herman Serafini
(Roi-Namur,
Kwajalein Atoll
1963 - 1979) December 8, 1915 - September 11, 2015. May
God have mercy on him and make him enter His vastest
paradise. Every soul shall have a taste of death and
only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full
recompense. Only those who are saved far from the fire
and admitted to the [Garden] will have attained the
object [of life], for the life of this world is but
goods and chattels of deception. And such are God's
words: All that is on earth will perish. But God will
abide [forever], the face of your Lord, most gracious,
and most generous. It is God that takes and it is He
that gives, and He prescribes a certain destiny for
every matter. Indeed! Whatever God gives or takes
belongs to him and everything is predestined by Him. May
God in his mercy grant him rest, may his grave be an
abode of light and not darkness. May God make him pass
successfully in all the stages of the life after death.
Be sure, we shall test you through fear and hunger,
some loss in goods or lives or the fruits [of your
toil], but glad tidings [are] to those who patiently
persevere, who say when afflicted with a calamity: To
God we belong and to Him we return. They are those on
whom [descend] blessings and mercy from their Lord, and
they are the ones who receive guidance." (Surah Baqarah;
2:155-157)
In your life flashes in front of
your eyes in that perceived final moment of peril, then
do the last moments of another person's life similarly
flash For Dad, the end was no flash. In fact, it was a
steady continuation of an unwavering style. Inherent
traits are just that. They do not change. Not from the
beginning and not at the end. I was not there, but from
all accounts, Dad's last evidence of mental and muscular
will was just another exhibit of every moment of his
life. After weeks of tearing away tubes, attachments,
insertions, and all other attempted applications to his
body (including clothes and bedding), and after
continuous and repetitive efforts to get out of bed and
escape. The staff acquiesced (as everyone else
ultimately did when confronting him thorough his life),
and they just let him have his way. Way to go, Dad!
Never once in your life did you ever give up, give in,
or even compromise in any situation. Congratulations for
maintaining the perfect record. Frank B. Serafini
Francis Herman Serafini - worked at Roi-Namur from 1963
to 1979. Frank was the Roi-Namur
Assistant Island Manager. He will always be known for
beautifying the island of Roi-Namur by
having hundreds of coconut trees planted throughout the
island. He was a highly respected by all the island
residents, the Marshallese people and by
Kwajalein
Missile Range (KMR) Command. My band, Shermie & Friends,
performed for the Roi-Rats on three different occasions
with the help and approval of Frank and his staff. They
were some of the best yearly parties that Shermie had
ever experience at the
Kwajalein atoll. Thanks to Frank and staff
and to the Roi-Rats - Good times were had by
all. Frank's dedication to his improving island life at
Roi-Namur will always be remembered. Yokwe
Yuk Frank - your contributions to those that knew you
live on forever. - Shermie Wiehe
I met Mr.
Serafini in March of 1970 when I first arrived on Island
at
Roi-Namur. To me, Frank Serafini was an awesome
person. Totally up-front and honest is what I admired
most about him. I had been and stayed in telephone
contact with Mr. Serafini up to about 4 - 5 months ago
when the last time I called, he didn't recognize and/or
remember who I was. He is now with his wife and partner,
Mabel and I'm sure they have a lot to talk about - Rest
in peace, Mr. Serafini. Joe Huard |
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John Dancy Maines
October 17, 1926 -
February 22, 2015.
Mr.
John D. Maines, 88, of Falls Church, VA,
passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at
the Arlington Hospital Center in Arlington,
VA. Mr. Maines was born in Statesville, NC
on October 17, 1926 to the late John C.
Maines and Carrie Dancy Maines. He grew up
in the Scottville, NC community. He was a
WWII Veteran inducted into the U.S. Navy on
January 17, 1945 and served aboard the USS
Washington (BB56) and the USS Massachusetts
(BB59). He was trained to be a radio/radar
technician. After leaving the service, he
graduated from the Coyne Electrical and
Radio School and the National Institute of
Television in Chicago, IL. After serving in
the military and completing his education,
he was employed by WIFM in Elkin, NC, PHILCO
in Philadelphia, PA & South Korea, BENDIX in
Canton, IL and Thule, Greenland, Western
Electric in Winston-Salem, NC and eventually
RCA where he retired as a radar engineer
after 25+ years of service. After
retirement, he lived in Southern MD and
later northern Virginia where he enjoyed his
family, square dancing, and his beloved
Washington Redskins. He is survived by his
son, Michael Keith Maines and his
daughter-in-law, Jamie Carter-Maines of
Boonville, NC; his daughter, Lynn A. Maines-Jenkins
and his son-in-law, John G. Jenkins and his
grandson, William W. Jenkins of Falls
Church, VA; his brother, James Frank Maines
and his sister-in-law, Kay of Scottville,
NC; his nephews, Brad Maines of Lynchburg,
VA and Barry Maines of Scottville, NC.
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"A dedicated and loyal employee - Big Foot "
- J. Caskey |
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Leroy D. Sawyer,
83, of Meridianville, AL passed away Dec. 25, 2014.
He was born in Birmingham, AL on October 24,1931 and
is survived by his wife, Betty J Sawyer, and his two
sons, David and Michael. Serving honorably in the
U.S Army from 1951 to 1972, Mr. Sawyer retired as a
CWO4. He was a long time resident on
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. He worked with
Western Electric, RCA, Raytheon, General Electric
and Lockheed Martin.
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Kathleen Kay Campbell
68, June 10, 1946 - Feb. 07, 2015. Monday, June 10,
1946, was a beautiful day in Ames, Iowa. The sun was
out, the birds were singing and Kathleen Kay Campbell
was born to Ethel and Richard B. Campbell. She grew up
doing what she most liked to do, teasing her older twin
brothers, Bob and Dick. In 1957, Kathy and her parents
moved to Milwaukie. She graduated from Milwaukie High
School, Class of 1964. She graduated from Brigham Young
University in 1968 and became a registered nurse working
at Kaiser Permanente Hospital. That was the beginning of
a wonderful career and life. Kathy joined the U.S. Air
Force Reserves. One of her flights took her to the atoll
of Kwajalein in the Marshall
Islands. She fell in love with the area and Kwaj
became her home for the next 35 years and was a loved
and respected hospital nurse, then took an occupational
health position. She was an avid scuba diver and made
many dives exploring the WWII sunken Japanese ships. She
collected colorful fish for her aquarium and loved
beachcombing for shells and beach glass to make shell
mirrors. Her nieces and nephews looked forward to the
surprise packages they received from Auntie Kathy. Some
contained trinkets from foreign places and one contained
live hermit crabs, great show-and-tells at school. Kathy
traveled extensively and gathered friends wherever she
went. On a trip to a small island, she and two other
nurses were stranded when the return plane failed to
arrive. They were taken in by a group of nuns
maintaining and teaching at a school for the island
children. This school became a recipient of her
caring. Over the years, she donated school supplies,
sports equipment and she organized a group of her
girlfriends to sew and fill a Christmas stocking for
each child. Kathy returned to Milwaukie in 2008. Her
caring was felt here also. She volunteered at the Feral
Cat Society and delivered cat and dog food with a
program similar to Meals On Wheels. She used her sewing
talents to create quilts for children through the local
Linus Project. When news of her pancreatic cancer
diagnosis became known to her Kwaj
friends, a deluge of cards, emails and prayers
began. Mary Coughlin, a retired nurse from Florida and
Jim Doll, a retired pharmacist from Puyallup, WA, and
his wife, Nancy came to monitor Kathy around the
clock. Bess Buchanan, a surgical nurse from Kwaj,
flew in to take over from the Dolls. When Bess had to
leave, Marian Naretto, a retired anesthesiologist from
Santa Barbara, Calif., took over. Mary kept all Kathy's
friends notified of Kathy's conditions by daily
emails. Throughout Kathy's illness, her caregivers'
efforts were generously supported by the Legacy Hospice
organization. Kathy left us still expressing her
gratitude for her life and friends. She was comfortable,
pain free, surrounded by love and the sun was shining. |
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Patty R. Arnold
November 27, 1951 - January 6, 2015, of Clarion, Iowa, passed
away Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at her home. The following text
was provided by Patty:
I
worked as an RN at the Kwaj hospital from
1979-1987 and again from 1989-1994. I moved back to my hometown
of Clarion, Iowa in 1994 and have been here ever since. My
thoughts of Kwaj are of many SCUBA dives I'd
made and of shelling. Kathy Campbell showed me how to make shell
candles. I also got into Hawaiian quilting and was taught by
Gail Chamberlain. I still have vivid dreams of my years there! I
am looking to reconnect with Kathy Campbell, Ray Wolff, Kris
Buettner Brown, and Bess Buchanan. |
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| John
Nathaniel Harris, age 95, of Maitland,
FL, formerly of Winchester, MA, on Thursday, November
20, 20l4. Beloved husband of Dr. Carole Ruth
Harris. Loving father of Charles R. Harris, Gary W.
Harris & his wife Janet, and step-father of Heidi E.
Hass & her husband Edward and Laura M. Schulkind. Cherished
grandfather of Matthew Hass, Rachelle Smythe & her
husband Zachary, and Katie Bowen and great grandfather
of Isabel and Micah. John joined Lincoln Laboratory in
1952 and made significant technical contributions during
his working career. He spent many years working on
radars at the Kwajalein site in the
Marshall Islands and started a square dancing club while
he was there. |
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Joe Taylor
Joe's last residence Armed Forces Retirement
Home in Washington, DC, retired Air Force. He worked at the
Kwaj
hospital and Aviation Supply. Joe worked on Kwaj
about 3-4 years.
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Richard Lee (Rick)
Suggs,
69, a resident of Dothan, passed Friday night,
November 7, 2014 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center
following a brief illness. Rick was born April 23,
1945 in Santa Barbara, CA and grew up in the Dothan
area. He served in the U. S. Marines from 1964-1967
after completing high school. Rick was employed as
an installer for several communications companies
for over 35 years. He enjoyed working with leather,
knives and firearms. He will be dearly missed by
his family and friends. Rick is predeceased by his
parents, Hubert and Elain Suggs. Rick is survived by
his wife, Barbara J. Suggs of Dothan; a brother, Doc
A. Suggs (Marilyn June) of Thonotosassa, Florida;
three children, Mandy Suggs Hampton (Robert) of
Basehor, Kansas, Henry Perry and Jason Goss, both of
Dothan; grandchildren, Bennett Hampton, Ian Tipton,
Madison Perry, Morgan Perry, Brittany Goss, Zack
Goss, Joshua Goss, Carmen Goss, Lucas Goss, Isaac
Goss and Isabella Goss.
From
Shermie: Rich worked at
Kwajalein
Missile Range (KMR), Kwajalein,
Republic of the Marshall Islands for contractor
Kentron Hawaii, LTD (1972-74) and a 2nd tour in the
1980s, both for Range Communications
Department. Richard and I both flew out to
Kwaj August of 1972. |
Kwajalein - 1973 |
June 22, 2002 |
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| TC Frank Dunagan Sr.
US Army (Ret.), of
Cocoa Beach, FL died June 14, 2014, surrounded by his
loving family. Colonel Dunagan was born Feb. 9, 1930 in
Rutherfordton, NC. At the age of 15 Frank became an
Eagle Scout. He attended the Oak Ridge Military
Institute then entered the Reserve Officer Training
Corps at the University of North Carolina and North
Carolina State where he was the sports editor and social
director of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He was drafted
into the service with the US Army Ordnance Corps,
Special Weapons Group in 1952. He was sent to serve in
Korea as a 1st Lieutenant. After Korea, Frank served at
Sandia Base in Albuquerque, NM where he caught the eye
of a Colonel's Daughter in 1956 and married Mary
Elizabeth Lockridge who was swept off her feet, in love
with the young Army officer in uniform. The young couple
were transferred a year later to Seneca Ordnance Depot
in upstate New York. There they were blessed with their
1st son. One year later they were off to Germany where
the stork blessed them with a daughter and 2nd son. They
served a tour of duty at Aberdeen, MD and Fort Sam
Houston, TX. In 1962, at age 32 Frank attended Airborne
Training at Fort Benning, GA. He was the oldest person
in his class of 600 (average age was 19.5 years). After
earning his Jump Wings, he was sent back to Germany
where he served with the German Army and a short tour
with a British Army unit. Frank was then sent to Vietnam
in 1967, he was attached to 4th Transportation Command
in Saigon, where he was responsible for all supplies
delivered by ships into the 3rd and 4th corps. Frank was
responsible for munitions ships with ammo distribution
for Army, Air Force and Naval forces in the operating
area. After surviving in Vietnam he was transferred to
Picatinny Arsenal, NJ where his 4th child was born and
he served as Inspector General. His last tour of duty
overseas was at the
Kwajalein
Missile Test Range in the South Pacific
for 2.5 years working on the Sprint Anti-Ballistic
Missile Defense Systems. Frank's military decorations
include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious
Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, United Nations
Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service
Medal and National Defense Medal. Frank retired from the
Army after 20 years of service and settled in Orlando,
FL, where Frank took a job with Martin Marietta
Aerospace as subcontractor manager on the Patriot
Missile Systems. Frank worked for Martin Marietta for 20
years, after which he and his bride Mary retired in
beautiful Cocoa Beach, FL. They remained active
throughout their retirement years. Frank was an avid
tennis player. He served as leader of the Cape Canaveral
Tennis Club, and Treasurer of his condo for 15 years. He
was 2nd Vice President for the Brevard County Chapter of
the Son's of the American Revolution. He was an active
member of the Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Military
Officer's Association of America, serving as Secretary,
Entertainment Chairman, and Publicity. He was an Editor
of the monthly newsletter the "Intercom". Frank was also
a member of the Riverside Presbyterian Church. Many
people know what the words Loyalty, Duty, Respect,
Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage
mean. Frank's life is a testimony to living up to them.
He is a true American Treasure. During his life Frank
was blessed to have 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 6
great grandchildren. Frank was a calm soul; he always
saw the good in people and taught his children to remain
positive despite the adversity this life throws you.
Frank is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Mary
Dunagan and children Frank Jr., Phoenix, AZ, Debra
Underwood, Jacksonville FL, Timothy, Orlando FL, and
Daniel, of Cocoa Beach FL. Frank is preceded in death by
his Father Stover Poe Dunagan, Mother Ruby Dunagan, and
Brother Stover P. Dunagan Jr.
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Ray Wolff
died peacefully in his home in
Portland, OR October 21, 2013 surrounded by friends and
family. Ray first arrived on
Kwajalein in 1960 after having traveled
extensively throughout the world. He had worked and
lived in Spain, Morocco, Iran, and Korea and had visited
many countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and South
America. Ray was an enigmatic and eclectic man with
interest in the arts, music, the humanities and
politics. Those of us who knew him well felt fortunate
that he shared his knowledge and opinions with us. Ray
retired in 2008 and moved to the NW where he bravely
weathered the rain and long winters. But his heart
always remained in the warmth of the tropics and he
dreamed of the warm, sandy beaches and the clear, aqua
water. The hospital staff will remember him scolding new
employees if the surgical linen was not folded a certain
way or supplies not kept tidy, however his standards
were high and he was well respected. (Who of us who
worked with him can forget counting and inventorying
instruments weekly !) He could be intimidating at times
but never asked more from others than he was willing to
give of himself. However Ray did more than work at the
hospital - he was well known by several generations of
children for his "girlfriend" the skeleton, and the
pickled stone fish and sea snake which he kept in his
office. Mothers would roll their eyes when he asked
their kids waiting in the hospital lobby if their moms
were going to take them to the snack bar for an ice
cream or make gecko soup for them for dinner. We
remember him riding his rusty bike to the PDR, picking
up treasures at the Dempsey Dumpster and his unique and
charming personality. Rest in peace, Ray |
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Wally Wah Gee Hoo
passed away peacefully in his sleep April 12, 2014 in
Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Hoo first moved to Kwajalein
in 1972 and worked at the Yokwe Yuk Club as waiter. Hoo
briefly left Kwajalein to live in
Hawaii, but returned in 1981. He continued to work at
the Yuk Club until it closed. Then, he moved to Roi,
where he became the head bartender at the outrigger Bar
and Grill. Wally was known as a favorite waiter and
bartender for the three decades he worked at the
Kwajalein
Atoll. Hoo is survived by his three sons Randy, Russell
and Rick, daughter Laura and granddaughter Mira.
It's with heavy heart that I
remember Wally Hoo, everyone's favorite waiter. I first
met Wally at the old Oceanview Club lat in '74. In fact,
the club was about to close as maintenance was
impossible because of the age. Everything moved to the
Yokwe Yuk. My favorite story with Wally is I liked
French wine and use to purchase some at the Liberty
House in Honolulu. I would then bring a bottle to Wally
to Serve at the a dinner. He would put the French wine
in the planter and when he served the wine he flourished
a bottle of Cold Duck like as was normal. Memories of
Wally are abundant. I recall a quote from Mark Train,
"We go to heaven for the company to hell for the
climate". See you Wally, Yokwe Yuk, Jim Oakley |
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| Thomas
(Tom) Chun
born on 2/22/31, in Hilo, HI and raised in Honolulu went
home to the Lord on 11/10/13, at his home in Anaheim,
CA. He was preceded in death by daughter, LISA CHUN (KHS
'82) in 1983. He is survived by his wife, TERRI CHUN.
Terri worked for Western Electric Co. (WECO) in
1972-1974 and Kwajalein Hospital in
1974-1989, son AARON (Donna) CHUN (KHS '84) and
granddaughters Abby and Caroline in Charlotte, NC. Tom
was an Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) at Bucholz Tower from 1967 -
1989. He was a member of the Kwajalein
Golf Association, Nike Flying Club and participated in
the KCT production "Anything Goes" in 1974. After
retiring from the FAA in 1989, Tom and Terri lived in
Los Angeles and Orange County, CA. For a while he
participated in approximately 100 movies/commercials as
a "background artist" (movie extra). Tom was a devoted
and loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed
life and usually had a joke or two to share. But most of
all, no matter what situation he was faced with he
always had a positive attitude. He is truly missed. |
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Reginald Farris Simmons,
79, of Huntsville, passed away Wednesday. Mr. Simmons
was an Eagle Scout in high school then he went on to
graduate from Mississippi State with a Master's in
electrical engineering. He had a short career in the
Army and was discharged in 1964 with a rank of
Lieutenant. He spent his civilian career as a civil
defense engineer which included a three year tour, with
his family, on Kwajalein
Island in the Pacific Marshall Islands. After retiring
in 1993, he kept busy volunteering for Friends of the
Library and pursuing his passion for photography. He was
a Deacon, ran the sound board for Sunday services and
other special occasions, and was very active in other
aspects at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church. He also
served as the Inspector for Voting Precinct 19 for many
years. Survivors include wife, Ruth B. Simmons;
daughter, Felicia Baker (Chuck); son, Rex (Elizabeth);
brother, Stacy; grandson, Sidney; granddaughter,
Catherine; brother-in-law, Larry Blackstock; and several
nieces, nephews and cousins. |
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| Lolita
Silva Allas
Feb. 3, 2014, Lolita Silva "Lee" Allas, 71, of Honolulu,
a retired Department of Defense secretary, died in the
Queen's Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu. She is
survived by husband Paul; sons Paul Jr., Kevin and
Keith; brothers Romeo, Dennis, Leslie, Alvin, Clark and
Barry Silva; sisters Miriam Maio, Yolanda Dunn, and
Natalie and Edwina Silva; and four grandchildren. |
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| Chester Homer
Shamblin
July 1, 1928 - February 1, 2014 Biography - Chester "Homer"
Shamblin of Antioch, TN and Dothan, AL passed away Saturday
February 1, 2014 in Dothan. He was born July 1, 1928 in
Riceville, TN to the late Earl Shambin and Tennie Benson
Shamblin, also preceded in death by daughter, Frances Seal and
son Jimmy Dale Shamblin. Mr. Shamblin had worked as Director of
Maintenance at Fort Rucker Alabama, then began a career with
United States Department of Defense traveling the world to over
20 countries including, Germany, Ethiopia, Marshall Islands and
three tours of Vietnam. Mr. Shamblin believed in the Baptist
plan of salvation by baptism. His hobby after retirement was by
buying equipment for the handicap and needy from yard sales. He
was also a Mason and Shriner. Mr. Shamblin is survived by his
wife, Ellen Juanita Shamblin of Antioch; brothers, Ed Shamblin
and wife Carolyn of California, Ronnie Shamblin and wife Evelyn
of Jasper, TN; sister, Betty Brewster of Georgia, Gladys Oliver
and husband Windle of Chattanooga, TN; granddaughters, Theresa
Morton of Philadelphia, TN, Dana Goodman and husband, Denny of
Dothan, Tammy Price and husband Lee of Lenoir City, TN 13
great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren. He used to
worked in the USAKA Logistics Office on Kwajalein. |
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| Mamoru
Oka,
81, of Keaau, HI, formerly of Maui, passed away on
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at his residence. He was born
in Puunene, Maui on January 5, 1933. He was a
Recreational Director and a Veteran of the U.S. Army. A
memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 23,
2014 at 11 am at the Wailuku Hongwanji. The urn burial
will follow at 2 pm at Maui Memorial Park. He is
survived by a son, Kevin Oka of Honolulu, HI; brother,
Patrick Oka of Honolulu, HI; sister, Ellen Sasayo
Okazaki of San Mateo, CA; nieces and nephews. |
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John F. "Jack"
Hawkins
was born December 4, 1931, in Hamlin, Texas to Mary
Mabel (Proctor) and John T. Hawkins. He died January 4,
2014, in a local facility. He was preceded in death by
his parents and his brother Robert Hawkins. He is
survived by his wife Deanna Hawkins, daughter and
son-in-law Rosemary and Keith Kaholokula, granddaughters
Kaimi Kaholokula and Mahina Kaholokula, sister-in-law
Carol Hawkins, and nieces Alisha Conkling and Laura
Hawkins. The family wishes to acknowledge the loving
care he received from Silverado Memory Care and Whatcom
Hospice. John was a Korean War vet who held a B.A. in
physics from the University of Texas and did
post-graduate work in math. He was a special man with
special gifts. His acute intelligence and ability to
focus were a marvel. John was very creative, finding new
ways to solve problems in scientific programming; he
could make a computer sing and dance. He worked abstruse
math problems for fun and solved the world's thorniest
crossword puzzles. He lived most fully in his mind which
reveled in complex challenges. But he loved poetry too.
What woman could resist a man who quoted W.H. Auden:
"The years shall run like rabbits while in my arms I
hold the flower of the ages and the first love of the
world." With poetry and a yen for adventure he wooed and
won his wife. Together they traveled and worked in the
USA, Bermuda and at the Kwajalein
Missile Range and raised a wonderful daughter, who with
her husband, is passing on the love of adventure to
their daughters. John, who worked for RCA and then GE,
took his family to "Kwaj" three times
for a total of 12 years from 1973 to 1993. Each weekday
he flew a 100-mile round trip from Kwaj
to
Roi-Namur to work at TRADEX, a
sophisticated instrumentation and tracking radar. He
made many friends at TRADEX , friends he continued to
treasure all his life. These friends knew him as "Jack."
He loved his family and we delighted in his company.
With humor and patience, he helped his granddaughters
Kaimi and Mahina with their math homework, helping them
to simplify thorny problems. He was the funniest man we
ever knew, with a uniquely oblique view which gave rise
to dry observations of human nature that were as
striking as they were hilarious. His deadpan delivery
fooled many people but his straight face did not deceive
his family and friends, who treasured his dry wit. He
was a quiet man who loved a dark beer and a good smoke.
But most of all he was a gentle man, in every sense of
the word. He was a wonderful friend, husband, father and
grandfather. We shall not see his like again. But as
long as we live we shall treasure the many precious
memories of his presence in our lives. From one of
John's favorite poems comes these lines: "We thank with
brief thanksgiving Whatever gods may be that no life
lives forever; That dead men rise up never; That even
the weariest river winds somewhere safe to sea." Rest in
Peace, beloved man. |
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Edward Wharton
Jr.
(8/30/1928 to 5/1/2013)
originally from Waialua, Oahu, died of
cancer at his home in Ewa Beach, Oahu.
He is survived by his wife, Erika
Wharton. She worked at Macys on
Kwajalein in the Jewelry
Dept. Also survived by his oldest son,
Eddie Wharton (aka Spotsie) and his
younger son, Eric Norris Wharton. He
also had a daughter, Cindi Wharton
(11/29/1957 to 9/26/1996). Edward
Wharton Jr. was a Heavy Equipment
Foreman for Global Associates on
Kwajalein from 1962 to 1988. He
also worked for Pan Am for several
months. He passed away while living in
Ewa Beach, Oahu. He enjoyed many years
while on Kwaj with his
family and friends. We would love to
hear from any of our friends to share
memories of all our good times together.
If you would like to communicate with
Erika, Eddie or Eric, please send an
email to:
debbie_willingham2003@yahoo.com
- Deborah
Jean Willingham, Meme's Little Angel
Boutique |
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Doreen
Matsunaga
It
is with great sadness we say
Aloha 'Oe to Doreen Matsunaga
who left us at 4:00 AM for her
next journey after a brave
battle with recently diagnosed
ovarian cancer. Doreen was at
home with Jimmy, Serena and 'Ohana
at the end surrounded with love,
much aloha. Again, we say Aloha
'Oe (Goodbye) Doreen. A hui hou
(Till we meet again). You
may reach Jimmy at home 5666
Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu. HI,
96821 or home phone at (808)
888-0172 or cell phone at (312)
953-1258, or email:
James.Matsunaga@gmail.com
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Rev. Alexander Harold
McNally
was born in Hamilton, Ontario on Jan. 11, 1930
and died Sept. 12, 2013. He was the first child
of Thomas & Anne McNally. In 1951, after
graduating from high school and working for a
time, Al attended Toronto Bible College. While
attending Toronto Bible College he worked as a
youth pastor for the Avenue Road Church, now
known as Bayview Glen Church, of the Christian
and Missionary Alliance. While he was at TBC he
met Ruth Wild, from Toronto and they were
married on April 30, 1955. Al earned a BS from
Nyack College in 1959 and a M. Div. from Gordon
Conwell Seminary in 1961, while he also pastored
the Congregational Church in York Beach, Maine,
where the couple's first two children were born.
Al returned to the Avenue Road Church to work as
an Associate pastor with A. W. Tozer from
1962-64. At Park Street Alliance Church in
Peterborough, Ontario he was Sr. Pastor from
1964-1966. He and Ruth then planted the Fairview
Alliance church in Montreal, Quebec in 1966 and
pastor there until 1968. From 1969-70 he earned
a Master's degree in Church history from
Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia. He then
the pastor of the Alliance Church of Union, New
Jersey from 1970-71. Al became Professor of
Homiletics at Nyack College in Nyack, New York
from 1971 to 1972, while also pursuing doctoral
studies at NYU in Church History. He then took
the position of Senior Pastor at Central
Alliance Church, in Ottawa, Ontario, now renamed
and relocated as Cedar View Alliance Church in
Nepean, Ontario, from 1973-80. He was the Senior
Pastor of the Windsor Alliance Church, relocated
and renamed Heritage Park Alliance, from
1980-85. From 1985-87 he took a well-earned
sabbatical and the family moved to Michigan. In
1987 until 1994 he was the Sr. Pastor of the Ft.
Wayne Gospel Tabernacle, which he helped
relocate by merging with the Westview Alliance
Church. Following this, Al and Ruth assumed a
new role when they moved to the
Kwajalein Atoll in the Central Pacific
nation of the Marshall Islands where Al was
Chaplain of the Island Memorial Chapel from 1994
to 1999. Upon their return to the mainland, Al
began his ministry at the Monmouth Chinese
Christian Church in Middletown, New Jersey, as
Pastor to the English Congregation. Al just
completed his service there as Pastor Emeritus
earlier in 2013. Al also served the Chinese
Christian Gospel Church in Naples FL up to the
time of his death. As opportunities arose he
also enjoyed ministry at their home church, the
Village Church of Shell Point; his newest role
as an elder began in 2013. Al is survived by his
loving wife of 58 years, Ruth Wild McNally,
sister May Connelly and brother Tom McNally,
daughters, Shelley Bartels, Darlene Miller, and
son Thomas McNally and his five beloved
grandchildren, Jordan, Colin and Trevor Bartels
and Julia and Emily Miller. |
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Harry A. &
Diana M. Pool,
Peyton, CO. Harry Pool - Kwajalein:
Univac on Safeguard 1969-73 (Meck), Raytheon on
Safeguard 1976 (Meck), GTE - ALTAIR (Roi-Namur)
1977-78, 1983-85, 1989-92
DEL NORTE, CO - On
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, at 12:00 p.m., the
Colorado State Patrol (CSP) was notified of a
head-on collision on Colorado Highway 160 about
three miles west of Del Norte in Rio Grande
County. The crash left three people dead and one
in critical condition, according to CSP reports.
Diane Pool, 63, the driver of the Porsche and
her husband, Harry Pool, 68, both of Peyton,
were killed in the crash. Claire Real, 54, Round
Rock, TX, the driver of the Nissan was killed in
the crash. Her husband, Charles Real, 64, also
of Round Rock, TX, a passenger in the Nissan,
remains in a Denver-area hospital in critical
condition. |
Diana & Harry -
August 2008
Kwaj Reunion -
Colorado Springs, CO |
Kwajalein Photo
Harry, Tarnya,
Diana, Toni |
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Col. John
Willis Banks, Jr. Ret.,
July 11, 1936 - September 10, 2013. On Tuesday
September 10, 2013 in His infinite wisdom and
mercy, God took unto Himself his servant, John
Banks, who died suddenly from a heart attack.
The eldest son of John Banks, Sr. and Laura Sorg
Banks, John was born in Greenwich, CT, but was
raised in New York. He was a graduate of both
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Babson
College. A career Army officer and Vietnam
Veteran, John was stationed in Germany as a
young man, then later Korea where he met his
wife, Konny DuVal Kyhn of Richmond, Virginia,
who was the base librarian. Huntsville, Alabama,
became John's home in the mid 70's and remained
his home until his death, except for his time as
Commander of the Kwajalein
Missile Range in the Marshall Islands
(1982-1984). He achieved the rank of Colonel
before retiring from the Army. Following his
Army retirement, he worked for Nichols Research
for many years. One of his greatest joys was his
family. John was a devoted husband, father,
grandfather, and friend. John was active in
numerous civic groups and charities, foremost
among them the National Defense Industrial
Association (NDIA), Huntsville Symphony
Orchestra, and Rotary International. He held
positions of leadership including president and
treasurer for both the Symphony Board and the
Tennessee Valley Chapter of the NDIA. John was a
charter member of and major donor to the Rotary
Club of Greater Huntsville. As a part of his
generous spirit, he also served on the Board of
Directors which planned and brought to reality
the retirement community in South Huntsville
known as Redstone Village. He and his wife
became residents of Redstone Village in 2008
where they shared happy days with old friends
and made many new ones. Following the death of
his wife he became active in the Grief Share
Program and deepened his relationships with
lifelong friends who attended the program with
him. John was a member of Central Presbyterian
Church. Few things gave John more pleasure than
to share the things he loved with the people he
loved; his family and dear friends. His sense of
fun, compassion, leadership, and guidance will
be greatly missed by all who knew him. John is
survived by his daughter, Caroline Banks of
Houston, Texas, and his daughter, Ashley
Parsons, son-in-law Robert, and grandsons, John
and Michael, all of Opelika, AL. |
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Gregory Chai
Hong Kim,
85 of Warsaw, Missouri passed away April 17,
2013 at Bothwell Regional Health Center. Born
August 5th 1927 in Kapaa Kauai, Hawaii the son
of Ping Koo Chun Kim and Pyung Lark Kim.
Survived by his
family Vicki and Oni Gracia, Kathy Simpson and
Celeste Kim all of Warsaw. Sister-in-law Susie
Barnes. 8 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren,
and 4 great great grandchildren, and many many
cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. Married
to Delores Jean Treese on January 26th 1952 in
Chicago, IL. A graduate of Kappa High
School, and
Springfield Technical School. He worked as an
office machine engineer in Hawaii and
Kwajalein Marshall Islands until the
age of 72 when he retired to Warsaw,
Missouri. He enjoyed
woodworking, gardening, and weight
lifting. Proceeded in death by his wife Delores
Jean Kim, son Chai Kim, Great grandson Anthony,
and siblings Charlie, Floyd, Mabel, Alice, and
Annie. A devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather,
and Friend who enjoyed life and shared the joy
with others. A special thank you to Dr. Kenneth
Azan and the staff at Bothwell Regional Health
Center.
Note from Shermie: I worked with Greg on
Kwaj for many years, eventually
becoming his supervisor. Greg, a wonderful and
respectful person, known by all and was the best
of workers and doing quality work. He
maintained typewriters, small business machine
and worked for Special Services as a part time
assistant, later working at the Ivey Gym. I use
to stop and visit the Kim family in Warsaw, MO
at their home when going to visit Branson, MO.
We were always treated like family during our
visits - the finest people around. Greg, RIP my
friend - you had a wonderful life and great
friends - a Kwaj icon. |
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Delores Jean Kim,
January 28, 1930 - July
16, 2011, age 81, passed away at her home in
Warsaw, Missouri on Saturday, July 16, 2011. She
was born in Warrensburg, Missouri on January 28,
1930, the daughter of Cecil and Ollie Treese. A
1947 graduate of Warsaw High School, she married
Gregory Kim on January 26, 1952 and lived a
large portion of her life in Hawaii where they
raised their family. Jean was a talented artist
and enjoyed scrapbooking and card making in her
later years. She is preceded in death by her
son, Chai Kim on November 8, 2004. Jean is
survived by her husband Gregory, and three
daughters, Vicki Gracia and her husband Onesimo,
Kathy Simpson, and Celeste Kim all of Warsaw,
Missouri. She also leaves behind eight
grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and
two great-great grandchildren; two sisters,
Cecile Mae Wheeldon of Lincoln, Missouri, Sue
Barnes of Warsaw, Missouri; many nieces and
nephews and other relatives and friends.
Note from Shermie: Jean ran the operation of the
Kwajalein Hobby Shop for many
years, she was very talented and always
helpful. Her husband Greg and her were
two-of-kind - miss them both. |
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Celeste Haunani Lynn Kim,
55, of Warsaw passed away December 3, 2019 at
Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, MO.
She was born on November 10, 1964 in Honolulu,
Hawaii the daughter of Gregory Chai Hong Kim and
Delores Jean (Treese) Kim, who preceded her in
death. Celeste was a gifted and dedicated nurse
for over 25 years beloved and appreciated by
those she cared for and worked with. She was a
Registered Nurse in the CCU at Bothwell Regional
Health Center for 22 years. Celeste enjoyed
traveling to the
Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands in South Pacific where she
worked for 5 years as a nurse. Survivors include
her fiancée, Michael Grant of Warsaw; two
sisters, Kathy Simpson and Vicki Gracia and her
husband Oni Gracia; many nieces, nephews,
cousins and friends. |
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Mary Lynn Schindele "Air-Mic-Mary",
60, of Dubuque, IA, formerly of Tolna, ND,
passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at her
home in Dubuque, IA. Mary was born August 25,
1952 to Duane Schindele and Ruth (Eisner)
Bechard. She was raised on the family farm NE of
Tolna, and graduated from Tolna High School. She
attended Aaker's Business College in Grand
Forks, ND. After graduating from Business
College she worked for Data Control in
Minneapolis, MN. Mary always had a dream of
becoming an Airline Flight Attendant. She took
a position working with the Stanley Mickelson
Missile Complex of Nekoma, ND stationed at
Langdon, ND for 11 years. This led to another
position with Pan Am and Continental Airlines as
well as working on NASA projects and testing
engines for missiles while living in Picayune,
MS. She was station manager of 3 airlines in the
U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll
located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
She was often referred to as "Air-Mic-Mary" by
friends and colleagues as well. Mary loved the
islands, sailing, boating, and sitting on the
beach, doing barbecues and watching the sunsets
when airlines weren't coming in. Mary was a very
happy, fun loving person, giving "little happys"
to all of her family and friends. She was
thought of as having a heart as big as Texas.
Mary was sponsoring 2 children from Uganda whom
she dearly loved. They were her children.
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Jack Bruce Galpin,Sr.,
Cocoa Beach, FL, 86, born on October 13, 1926,
passed away on August 18, 2013. Husband of Pearl
Galpin of Cocoa Beach, FL. Jack was born in
Kansas City, Missouri to Cleo and Ruth Gapin. He
was the father of Bruce Galpin, Dawn Siefker and
Stephen Galpin, as well as Grandfather to Aidan
and Julian Galpin. Jack was the stepfather of
Helen Dolph, Skip Burns, Hind Dalrymple, Merwan
Moge and Manale Jackson. He has 4
step-grandchildren and 8 step-great
grandchildren. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1944
where he served two years active duty during
World War II as a Radioman Second Class before
being honorably discharged. He graduated from
the University of Missouri, where he also was a
member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, with a
Bachelor's degree and from Florida Institute of
Technology with a Master's degree in Electrical
Engineering. Through the years he worked for
several companies, including Great Lakes
Pipeline Co., Goodyear, Convair Astronautics, as
well as for RCA for over 27 years with
assignments that included him living in Thule,
Greenland; Yorkshire, England and
Kwajalein
Atoll, Marshall Islands. He retired from GE in
1988 and spent several years after consulting at
Kennedy Space Center. After retiring, his
passion was missions which took him and his wife
around the world with Campus Crusade for Christ,
International School Project, Jesus Film Project
and Worldwide Evangelical Gospel Outreach (WEGO)
Ministries. He served as Sunday School Director
and Chapel Missions Advisory Board Member on
Kwajalein, was an Ordained
Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and sang in the
choir at First Baptist Church of Satellite
Beach. His home church was First Baptist Church
of Merritt Island, FL. Jack leaves behind his
wife, children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren, as well as sisters Betty Jo Kent
of Blue Springs, MO, Virginia Stephens of
Aurora, IL, Shirley Wilson of Phoenix, AZ and
many more extended family and friends. |
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Marian C. Knight,
of Framingham, MA died Saturday July 27, he was
86, the devoted husband of Helen (Stokowski),
the beloved father of Stephen W. Knight of
Marlborough, Joanne Helen Knight and her husband
Richard Charles Hills of South Africa. He was
the grandfather of Matthew Charles Hills and
Rebecca Helen Hills. Marian worked for GTE on
Kwaj. |
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James Lee Denny,
72, of Hurricane, passed away at St. Mary's
Hospital on Friday, April 12, 2013. He was
retired from AFRTS Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands. He was a graduate of
Hurricane High School, class of 1958, and was a
U.S. Army veteran. James is survived by his
wife, Elizabeth; sons, James Lee Denny Jr. of
Hurricane, Fred Denny of Barboursville and Mark
Denny of Lexington, KY.; daughter, Rose Zetta
Denny of Hurricane; seven grandchildren;
brother, H.P. "Billy" Nunn of Texas; and sister,
Jackie Nunn Light of Pennsylvania. |
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Mignon Donnellon
Mignon passed away to her paradise on
Wednesday, 19 June 2013. Migon was very
much a part of the Kwaj
scene. I, John Donnellon, arrived on
Kwaj in November of 1988, and
Mignon arrived in the spring of 1989,
(when I was promoted to Kwaj
Housing Manager), and we left in June of
1990. To keep herself busy along with
her community activities, she worked on
Roi
with the MIT/Lincoln Lab group. She also
helped out at the Kwaj
Housing office whenever flights to Roe
were grounded due to either bad weather
or aircraft equipment problems, (which
as you know, happened quite often) Her
people to people positive attitude
helped greatly when she lead the housing
indoctrinations classes for the newly
arrived families. She was a friend to
all on
Kwaj and will be deeply missed
especially by me, her family and
friends. In Mignon's memory, I have been
informed by Momi Phillips, that a lei
will be sent to sea at the 2013
Kwaj reunion. Aloha, John. |
Kwajalein
- 1989 |
Kwaj
Reunion |
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| U.S.
Army Ranger 1st Lt. Paul M. DeMeo,
23, of Derry died unexpectedly May 14 while stationed at
Fort Bragg, N.C. A cause of death has not been
determined, according to a press release issued Tuesday
by LTC Greg Heilshorn of the N.H. National Guard Public
Affairs unit. 1st Lt. DeMeo was serving as a rifle
platoon leader for Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th
Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He was born at U.S.
Army Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall
Islands on Oct. 1, 1989. He was a 2011 graduate of the
U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he received a
bachelor of science degree in engineering management. He
was a 2007 graduate of Pinkerton High School. He joined
the 2nd/505th in August 2012. 1st Lt. DeMeo played flute
and piano. He joined the Kwajalein swim
team at age 4 and held pool records at Kwajalein.
While in high school, he participated in several
national young leaders conferences. He was an active
member of the Kwajalein Tennis Club and
by the age of 8 was playing in tournaments including
being on the youth team that played the Micronesian Cup
at the U.S. Embassy Tennis Courts in Majuro, the capital
of the RMI. His performance was good enough that
representatives of the RMI government asked him to play
for the RMI in the Olympics. |
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Joseph Nicholas
Castelli,
86, of Kailua-Kona died May 17, 2013, at his residence. Born
March 24, 1927, in Boston, he was a retired Advanced Engineering
Specialist for GTE Sylvania, both in Needham, MA and at the GTE
Sylvania ALTAIR Radar Site at the Kwajalein
Missile Range for over 20 years. He served on the board of
directors at the Keauhou Surf and Racquet Club, was a Kona town
historian active in preserving the Hawaiian culture, World War
II and Korean War veteran and member of the Kona Historical
Society, Kona Hiking Club, St. Michael�s Catholic Church and
past director of Pulama Ia Kona. He is survived by wife, Dawn
Castelli of Kailua-Kona; sons, Michael (Julie) Castelli of
Honolulu, Paul (Donna) Castelli of Medford, NJ; daughters,
Claire Castelli of Kailua-Kona, Catherine (Frank) Persello of
Egg Harbor Township, NJ; hanai daughter, Mela (Larry Lindsey)
Kealoha-Lindsey of Honolulu; sister, Gloria (Tom) Muscenti of
Leonardo, NJ; four grandsons; one great-grandson; numerous
nieces, nephews and cousins.
It is with a heavy heart that I am
writing to let you know that Joe passed away this morning (May
17, 2013) around 3:30. It was a difficult night but we are
thankful he is now at peace. We thank everyone for their
kindness and prayers during the past few years. It is most
appreciated. the Castelli's -
jcastelli1@hawaii.rr.com
- Joseph N. Castelli |
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Phillip Edward
Havens,
September 8, 1933 - May 1, 2013.
Brigitte (Havens) Ragan -
babsragan@gmail.com
In memory of my father >
PDF |
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Daniel John
"Danny / Donato" Scioletti,
March 5, 1962 - April 23, 2013. Daniel John "Danny /
Donato" Scioletti, 51, died April 23, 2013 after a
7-year long courageous battle of cancer. He was employed
by Professional Builders Supply, Inc. Daniel was born in
Lynn, MA to the late Mario J. and Ann M. (Frary)
Scioletti. Daniel was a loving father and husband. His
family was his life. He met his wife Debra on
Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. Dan was a
Master Scuba Diver and an avid bass fisherman. He also
enjoyed woodworking. He is survived by his best friend
and wife of 17 years, Debra (Keiling); son Cameron (13);
daughter Devin (11); Brother Thomas (Raila) Scioletti of
Marblehead, MA, Sisters Jody (Kevin) Palmerino of Lynn,
MA; Nancy (Ralph) Cammett of Marblehead, MA; Niece Piia
and Nephews Christian, Dylan, Ian, Jordan and Nicholas;
Cousins Michael, Donna, David, Sharon, Linda, Paul and
Daniel all of MA; In-laws Charles Keiling (Danielle) of
Kailua, HI; Scott (Laurie) Keiling of Lighthouse Pt,
FL.
Danny
was hired by Johnson Controls as a Surge Electrician,
which was temporary, then he moved over to Pacific
International, Inc. The employees lived by Harbert near
the Comm Center. Debbie Keiling Scioletti met Dan on
Kwaj in 1994 and married shortly there
after. Debbie was on Kwaj from 1986 to
1995.
Debbie Scioletti -
drkeiling@aol.com |
Dan, PBQ,
Kwajalein |
Dan
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| Gerald D.
Calvert,
77, of The Villages, FL, died on April 26, 2013. Gerald was born
in Holland, KY. He graduated from Allen County High School and
received a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Kentucky
where he was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Honor Society. He
received his Masters in Systems Engineering from New Mexico
State and was a member of Alpha Pi Mu Honor Society. He is
survived by his wife, Judy Calvert and children, Mark Calvert of
Tampa, Shelby Calvert Morss of Boston, and Stanley Calvert of
Arlington, VA. Gerald is also survived by his seven
grandchildren; brother, Wayne Calvert; and sisters, Margaret
Rather and Lynn Bailey. Gerald spent his career as a radar
engineer. He finished his career working in Huntsville, where he
lived for over 35 years. He enjoyed golfing and gardening, and
was a lifelong Kentucky Wildcat fan. Gerald was also a Kentucky
Colonel. A remembrance will be held in Kentucky over Memorial
Day. Gerald spent most of his career as a radar engineer. He
finished his career working in Huntsville, where he lived for
over 35 years. He enjoyed golfing and gardening and was a
lifelong Kentucky Wildcat fan. Gerald was also a Kentucky
Colonel. |
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Phillip E. Havens, Jr.
Memorial service will be held at The Summit, 2975
Esplanade, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052 (972)
237-4141, on May 17, 2013 from 1:30 to 2:45 PM.
Burial Service with Military Honors to be held at
Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain
Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211 on May 17, 2013
from 3:15 to 3:45 PM. Phil was the Calibrations Lab
Supervisor during his tour on
Kwaj in the early 1970's. |
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Lawrence Duckett
 |
Passed away May 2, 2013 in Qualicum
Beach on Vancouver Island, Canada.
He died from pancreatic cancer & didn't
even knew he had it. He owned the
restaurant "Final Approach" at the local
airport & was very popular with locals |
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C.J. (Mac)
McKim,
79 passed away February 13, 2013. Mac was born in
Newport, WA. in July of 1933. He has gone on first to be
with his Savior. Mac was a man of many talents. He
learned to fix anything on the farm near Delkena, WA.
Then he worked at a saw mill near Usk. Over the years he
has been a lawn mower repairman, he worked for
Robinson-Thomas here in Ephrata as a mechanic and then
he worked for the Ephrata Fire Dept with his friend Bob
Ragan, then Bob and several people including Mac went to
Clear, Alaska with the Bemus Project, then out on the
Marshall Islands for the Kwajalein fire
dept, then finally back to Ephrata to work for Jack
Smith doing transmissions, then he worked for his
brother-in-law Don Luddington and for Raymond and Bill
Sieverkropp until for health reasons he had to retire.
Somewhere in between all of these jobs he worked at the
bean warehouse out at the Ephrata Airport, and also for
the cement plant on the hill above Ephrata. He also
worked for Boeing over at Larsen Air Base taking care of
B-52's. Mac is survived by his wife Donna. He was
preceded in death by his parents and his sister Merry
Luddington. Mac never had children. He loved life and
had many friends in many places. He actually was a world
traveler and had been to Saudi Arabia and Australia and
other places. Mac loved growing up near Newport,
Washington. He and his wife Donna had 28 wonderful years
together and he will be sorely missed. I want to thank
our church friends at Community Evan. Free of Soap Lake,
our Pastor Gordon Whipps and his precious wife Nancy for
all everyone did for Mac and me in our time of
need. Also a thank you to many of the churches here in
this area and all over the United States that prayed for
us too, all were felt and appreciated. A special thank
you to our Wal-Mart friends who had shared our walks
there and then prayed for us when Mac could no longer go
walking. A very special thank you to each and every
Assured Hospice person that took such good care of Mac
and also me. We Thank God too, for not letting Mac
suffer. What a blessing that was to me.
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Elizabeth V. Dalton
Sept 14, 1935 - May 29, 2012
Bill worked
at the
Kwaj
Hospital. Wife: Betty. Children: Mark, Yvonne, Dorothy, William.
In memory of Betty: Dear Family & Friends
Letter / Life Sketch >
PDF |
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Dorothy "Jodie" Halligan,
72, of Arab, AL, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011,
at her residence after a long illness with
cancer. Mrs. Halligan was born July 31, 1939, in
Saint Paul, Minnesota to Patrick and Margaret
Gagliarde. She was married to Richard A.
Halligan 37 years, who was the ALTAIR Radar
Mechanical Engineer, Roi-Namur,
during their residence at Kwajalein.. She
has lived in the New Harmony Community for the
past 21 years and was a homemaker. She is
survived by her husband: Richard Halligan of
Arab; nine children; several grandchildren; and
a sister.
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Alvaro J. Amador
Aug. 23, 1933 - Nov. 30, 2012. Alvaro J.
Amador, 79, passed away on Friday, Nov. 30 in Guntersville. He
was born in Barranquilla, Columbia and was a graduate of the
University of Florida. He retired in 1989 after a 35 year career
with the Space and Missile Defense Command. He enjoys life
after retirement filling his spare time as a master gardener and
as a volunteer with the Retired Volunteers Program, where he
assisted the Hispanic community in filing taxes and helped with
the Water Watch Program. He is survived by his wife, Nellie
Amador of Guntersville; three sons, Jamie Amador and wife Debbie
of Waynesboro, VA., Robbie Amador and wife Linday of
Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands, Chris Amador
Pensacola, Fla.; daughter, Debbie Kirby and husband Charles
Kirby of Trinity; five grandchildren, Shay Mansell, Sean Kirby,
Alan Amador, Allison Amador and Lauren Amador; and two
great-grandchildren, Lilly and
Layla. |
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Elaine Helen Spin Jun. 9, 1937 -
Nov. 23, 2012, Elaine Helen Spin of Gurley, AL
passed away on November 23, 2012. She is
survived by her husband, William Spin Col., U.S.
Army (Ret.); three daughters, Lorie Ottinger and
husband Col. Maurice, Beth Spin, and Becky
Arnold and husband David; and two grandchildren,
Emily and Allan Ottinger. She is also survived
by her brothers Will Schmoutz and wife Joanne
and Walt Schmoutz and wife Joan; sister-in-law
Grace Schmoutz, and numerous nieces and nephews.
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Bernard Paul Burnett
(1924 - 2012) Bernard Paul Burnett, 88,
passed away March 2, 2012, in Rockledge, FL.
Bernard was born in La Grande, Oregon on
February 5, 1924, to Obediah and Laura
Burnett. He moved to Brevard County from
Huntsville, Alabama in 1960. Bernard was the
Treasury Secretary of Indian River Isles, a
member of ROMEOS and the Power Squadron. He
is survived by his loving wife of 38 years,
Linda; daughter, Cheryl (Roland) Burnett;
son, Doug (Jean) Burnett; daughter, Patty
Baccus; son, Terrell (Chris) Huggins; son,
Michael (Althea) Huggins; daughter, Lori
(Brian) Moser; seven grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren. Bernie was a software
programmer on Kwaj in the
mid 70s. |
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| Roger G. Hine
Jr.
1932
- 2013, age 80, passed away on April 3, 2013. He was born in
Channing, Texas on Sept. 15, 1932, to Grady & Nannie Bell Hine.
Roger Joined the Navy and met his wife, Elaine, while stationed
in Hawaii. They were married on August 24, 1954. After the Navy,
he worked for the FAA as an air traffic controller in Honolulu,
HI and Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. He moved to
Eugene and worked at the Eugene Airport. After his retirement in
1977, he worked for Oregon Dome and then Rexius Forest
By-Products. He loved the outdoors; some of his many interests
included: rodeo, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, skiing,
scuba diving, sailing, camping and hiking. He also had his
private pilot's license. Family was his top priority; he was an
amazing father and loyal friend. Always a cowboy at heart. To
Roger, life was an adventure and he took us along for the ride.
Roger was predeceased by his wife, Elaine, and sisters, Ocie
Hood and Betty Newton. He is survived by two brothers: Jerrel
and Bob Hine of New Mexico; 2 daughters and their spouses:
Cheryl and Rick Barber of Salem; and Kelly and Jack Hoeck of
Eugene; 6 grandchildren: Lindsey Foltz and her husband Casey;
Kacey Hijmans and her husband Scott; John Hoeck; Becca; Alex and
Tori Barber; and 3 great-grandchildren.
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Roger and his wife Elaine
Kwajalein - Early
70s |
Kwajalein - FAA
Air Traffic Control |
Roger G Hine Jr. |
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A message from Shermie - On a
personal note in remembrance of Roger - I met Roger Hine and his
family in August of 1972 in Honolulu, HI while awaiting a flight
to
Kwajalein at Hickam, AFB. The flight was delayed
due to a hurricane in the Pacific area. Roger noticed I was
apparently new and asked me if I'd like to join him and his
family for a tour around Oahu. Not having seen
Kwaj, Roger was the first blessing of knowing
how people were from Kwaj. I got to know Roger and his family,
which soon became family to me during their stay on
Kwaj. They even had a piano that I
played when I would make my visits to Kwaj from Carlos island.
During our 3-day delay in Honolulu, I remember playing the piano
at Shakey's Pizza in Pearl City for Roger and his family. The
owner gave the whole family free pizza for my entertainment and
offered me to play there. We also met a Full-Bird Colonel from
the Hickam, AFB that offer their place to stay while there. From
all that excitement, our new friendship formed. Roger and I
would go to the trap gun range on
Kwaj, snorkeling & skiing with the family, square
dancing, boat trips, family card games and outings. Roger will
always be remembered and missed. Roger's family came first and
anyone that knew Roger, he gave his all to his daughters and
wife. He was a the best roll-model father. I learned a lot from
Roger. He will forever be remembered and missed. - Shermie |
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C.J. (Mac) McKim,
79 passed away February 13, 2013. Mac
was born in Newport, WA. in July of 1933. He has gone on
first to be with his Savior. Mac was a man of many talents.
He learned to fix anything on the farm near Delkena, WA.
Then he worked at a saw mill near Usk. Over the years he has
been a lawn mower repairman, he worked for Robinson-Thomas
here in Ephrata as a mechanic and then he worked for the
Ephrata Fire Dept with his friend Bob Ragan, then Bob and
several people including Mac went to Clear, Alaska with the
Bemus Project, then out on the Marshall Islands for the fire
dept., then finally back to Ephrata to work for Jack Smith
doing transmissions, then he worked for his brother-in-law
Don Luddington and for Raymond and Bill Sieverkropp until
for health reasons he had to retire. Somewhere in between
all of these jobs he worked at the bean warehouse out at the
Ephrata Airport, and also for the cement plant on the hill
above Ephrata. He also worked for Boeing over at Larsen Air
Base taking care of B-52's. Mac is survived by his wife
Donna. He was preceded in death by his parents and his
sister Merry Luddington. Mac never had children. He loved
life and had many friends in many places. He actually was a
world traveler and had been to Saudia Arabia and Australia
and other places. Mac loved growing up near Newport,
Washington. He and his wife Donna had 28 wonderful years
together and he will be sorely missed. I want to thank our
church friends at Community Evan. Free of Soap Lake, our
Pastor Gordon Whipps and his precious wife Nancy for all
everyone did for Mac and me in our time of need. Also a
thank you to many of the churches here in this area and all
over the United States that prayed for us too, all were felt
and appreciated. A special thank you to our Walmart friends
who had shared our walks there and then prayed for us when
Mac could no longer go walking. A very special thank you to
each and every Assured Hospice person that took such good
care of Mac and also me. We Thank God too, for not letting
Mac suffer. What a blessing that was to me. |
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| Louis
W. Garman
Passed away peacefully on March 6, 2013 at the age of
73. He was 73. Lou grew up in Woodlynne, NJ. Lou was a
resident of Delran for the last 12 years. Lou is
survived by his sister and his children. On Kwaj,
Lou worked for RCA on
Roi-Namur, where he made travel
arrangements for his co-workers and became known as
'Honolulu Lou'. He enjoyed golf, jogging and swimming.
He was always ready for fun and adventure, and he was
well known for sharing funny stories. Lou smiled and
laughed a lot and was well liked by all who knew him.
After Lou's return from Roi-Namur in
the 1970s, he became a business owner. For almost 40
years he was the loving companion of the late Theresa
Maderich, and more recently of Emma Verbit, with whom he
attended high school. Lou is survived by his children,
many grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is
missed very much. |
Kwajalein |
Delran, NJ |
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| Frank
T. Kay (Ksiazek),
88, of Marlton, New Jersey passed away March 21, 2013
after an extended illness from pneumonia. Frank and
family arrived on
Kwajalein in May 1968 as a member of the RCA
engineering team for installation, checkout and
operation of the ALCOR Instrumentation Radar at KREMS,
Roi-Namur. Frank was a member of the design
engineering team assigned to MIT/Lincoln Laboratory,
Lexington, MA prior to site arrival working with MIT/LL
for development of the system. He returned to MSRD,
Moorestown, New Jersey in 1972. Frank and wife Gloria
return to KREMS for a second "tour" from 1981 - 1988.
During the second tour Frank was appointed RCA/GE KREMS
Site Manager. Frank returned to MSRD in New Jersey
retiring in 1988. During their tours Frank and Gloria
were active in Kwajalein Golf
Association, Frank an avid "sailor", and active in the
community service organizations. Frank is survived wife
Gloria, children Beverly, Thomas, James and their
families. He will be missed by his many friends in South
Jersey. |
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Josephine "Jo" Carnes,
67, peacefully left this earth March 25, 2013, after a
year-long battle with cancer. Jo was born Jan. 12, 1946,
in Suva, Fiji, to John and Lilian Skeels Suckling. She
spent her childhood in the Solomon Islands and later in
West Australia, where she met her first husband, an
American, Jim Nelson. They wed in Perth, West Australia,
in 1964 and had their first child, Joseph, then
relocated to the United States and resided in El Paso
where their son Robert was born. They later moved to
Melbourne, FL, where their daughter, Theresa, was born.
Jo proudly became a United States citizen in 1973. The
family moved to Kwajalein, Marshall
Islands, in 1981, where she was active with the Special
Olympics and received her private pilot's license. She
enjoyed flying family and friends around the islands.
After moving back to the United States, she became
involved in real estate in Florida and volunteered with
the Red Cross. In 1987, she married Robert "Bob" Carnes
and made her home in Alamogordo. She continued her
involvement in real estate and eventually opened her own
office, Total Solutions Realty. She was Realtor of the
Year in 1996. Jo was active in the community including
volunteer work with Big Brothers and Sisters, CHINS,
Pink Ladies Auxiliary with the hospital, PEO, American
Cancer Society and the Republican party. She was an
artistic lady and enjoyed sewing, painting and poetry.
She and Bob enjoyed spending time in the mountains
entertaining friends and family at their cabin
getaway. Her French Bulldog "children" were never far
from her side. She will be greatly missed by her many
friends and family. |
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Survivors include her husband,
Bob Carnes, of the family home; sons Joe Nelson and wife,
Rhonda, of Palm Bay, FL, and Rob Nelson and wife, Jerry, of
Alamogordo; daughter Theresa Clements and husband, Jesse, of
Blackshear, GA.; grandchildren James Nelson and wife, Christin;
Nicole Nelson, Cassandra Nelson, Kodi Clements and Tyler
Clements; one great-granddaughter, Kyla Nelson and three
brothers John Suckling and wife, Renata; Peter Suckling and
Colleen and Tony Burns and wife, Jenny, all of Australia; and
her first husband, Jim Nelson, and wife, Sandy, of Crestview,
FL. She was preceded in death by her parents John Joseph "Jack"
Suckling and Lilian Mary (Myna) Suckling.
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Bruce Forbes
(Dec 12,1953 - 28 Sept 2012) of Deland, FL passed away
on 28 Sept. 2012 of throat cancer after a 13-month
battle. He was a multiple member of the
Kwaj community and lived there throughout
the 60's and 70's. He was on the soccer team (soccer
champ), surfer and was the youngest DJ on Kwaj.
He told me of numerous "fun" things he used to do
including having a pet shark. He lived on
Kwaj with his parents, Mr & Mrs Charles and
Mari Forbes, both of which have passed on before their
son. I would appreciate any communications from anyone
who might remember Bruce as I was with him for the past
20 years and have heard numerous great stories of the
things that went on. He lived on Kwaj
numerous times throughout the late 60's and early
70's. He was on the 69 soccer team, a DJ and surfed,
scuba and any water sport. I would love to hear from
anyone who remembers Bruce or I would love to reunite
with his old friends. Thank you, email me, I loved to
hear from his friends from Kwaj,
Carol Forbes > boac12318@gmail.com |
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Kwaj 1969 |
Bruce
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Al Mitchell Kertel
Al Kertel passed away suddenly on
December 3rd in Belmont, CA. Born in Carrolton, OH on
November 27th, 1947. The Kertel Family moved to the
"New" San Mateo Village in 1957 where Al attended George
Hall and Abbott Middle School before graduating from
Hillsdale High in 1965. He had many jobs and incredible
life experiences, including becoming the Fire Marshall
on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands,
where he lived and worked for over 10 years. Al always
celebrated the diversity in everyone and made friends
everywhere he went. Big Al was a tough guy with a huge
heart and he loved his family and friends, his Harley,
Bay Meadows Racetrack and all sports. He will be fondly
remembered and sadly missed by all of his extended
family and friends around the world. Al is survived by
his mother Rose and sister Diana Gerig of Napa, his
brother Eddie of Novato, his sons, Jason of Elk Grove,
and Eddie of San Mateo, his grandkids Nick and Eli, and
a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. |
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Major Lewis I.
Zeigler, Ret: USMC
April 7, 1930 to October 15, 2012 Lewis I. Zeigler,
loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed
away on Monday October 15, 2012 at his home in Half Moon
Bay, California at the age of 82. Lewis grew up in
Virginia and was a graduate of Washington & Lee
University. After college he joined the Marine Corp and
became a pilot. He was also a Vietnam veteran. After
serving his country for 23 years, Lewis retired and
worked as an inspector for the Federal Aviation
Administration. That position took him to Frankfort,
Germany and then the San Francisco area. He retired in
2005 after 19 years with the FAA. He has been a resident
of Half Moon Bay, California for the past 17
years. Lew's first wife of 12 years, Anne Smiley
Zeigler, passed away in 1995 and his second wife of 35
years, Norma Anne Zeigler, passed away in 2003. He is
survived by his two daughters, Betsy Nuckols and Kristy
Rudisell; four grandchildren: Jamie Nuckols, Diana
Gaylord, Matthew Lahners and Jeffrey DeWitt and 6
great-grandchildren: Caitlin, Christopher, Scott, Alex,
Kali and Blaine. Military burial at Quantico National
Cemetery in Triangle, VA , |
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From Lew, Moon Bay, CA - I was a former
Kwaj Capt. (pilot) of the DC-4's Caribou's and
Electra's. In addition to the flying I was a member of KCT and
appeared in a few productions as well as being the emcee for
many of them. After we left Kwaj. we moved to
KY for 4 years before the FAA called and wanted to know if I
wanted to go back to work. I joined them in Jan 1986 as an Air
Carrier Operations Inspector and worked for the FAA for over 19
years until I was forced to retire due to losing my voice box
due to cancer. During that time I spent 7 years based in
Frankfurt, Germany where we got to see almost all of Europe,
North Africa and the middle east. The maximum allowed time
overseas was 7 years so after that we returned to San Francisco
where I worked in the FAA San Francisco International Field
Office until I retired in 2005. My wife, Anne passed away after
a fall in 2003. I still live in Half Moon Bay, CA. I turned 82
years old in April and have an assortment of medical issues but
I am surviving, as they say. |
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Jewell Ann "Jan" Knickerbocker,
81, died peacefully Oct. 21, 2012, at her home in
Portage, Wisconsin after a short but courageous battle
with cancer. Her husband, William Nick Knickerbocker,
passed away several years earlier on March 20,
2003. Devoted mother, grandmother and friend, she was
born Sept. 17, 1931, in Mason City, Iowa, to the Rev.
Jewel and Clara Pickett. After high school, the Rev.
Pickett relocated his family to Stevens Point to pastor
a church. Jan had just begun her college education when
she met, in her words, her real love, William Nick
Knickerbocker. The couple later married and when Nick
graduated, they moved to Portage and began to raise
their family. They relocated several times as Nick's
career in education grew, and in 1967 the family moved
to Bida, Nigeria for two years. Upon returning to the
U.S., they made their home in Minnesota, then headed
overseas again, this time to Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands in the South Pacific. While there, Jan
worked at the Trouble Desk and was also an office
manager. She was a member of the Kwajalein
Island Women's Club and enjoyed all of the close
friendships that were made on the island. Nick was the
principal of George Seitz Elementary School from 1975
-1985 and was honored as a "Manager of the Year". Both
Jan and Nick were avid golfers on the island and enjoyed
gardening, deep sea fishing, and island life. In 1985,
Jan and Nick's final move together was back to
Wisconsin, where they settled in Montello. Jan spent a
number of years as the office manager and licensed real
estate agent for Saddle Ridge Realty while Nick took the
role of the Montello Elementary School principal. After
Nick passed away, Jan remained in Montello until 2010,
when she moved back to Portage. Jan and Nick are
survived by their children: Bill (Judy) Knickerbocker of
Chetek, Wisconsin, John (Deb) Knickerbocker of Shawano,
Wisconsin, Jim (Kwaj 80-85) (Debra)
Knickerbocker of Montello, Wisconsin and daughter, Jane
(Kwaj Grad 1982) (Rob) Burnette of
Lakeland, Florida, 11 grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren. |
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Jan loved to garden and this was part of her
memorial service -
God has a garden and He calls it praise, and
He bids us to enter, to walk through the maze. It's like an
ocean so vast and so free, and God said He made it for you and
for me. And in that garden there's freedom from sin; there's no
condemnation to those who walk in. Because of the keeper there's
love all around, there's healing and blessing on His glory
ground. |
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Clarose Ellamar
known as (GABBY) the age of 72 from Lihue Kauai Island,
passed away on 10/18/12 memorial serviced was held in
Huntsville, AL. Mr Ellamar is survived by his daughter
Moana Ellamar and 2 step-daughters Cathy Furgeson of
Kwajalein Atoll and Lisa Barnes in Huntsville
Alabama and 15 grand-kids and 3 great grand-kids and few
of the Ellamar's Ohana from Hawaii. Gabby was a hard
working man according to his friends he's a Roi-Rat
legend. He love to go out for fishing and spend time at
the Shack with friends. You will always be in our heart
and we love you papa now. I will stay strong and be glad
that you are in heaven with GOD. |
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Tom
Overman
(Kwajalein 1967-68, 1976-15, 1998,
2000) -
Garland
Thomas Overman was called home by the Lord on August 28,
2012. Tom served with the US Air Force in Korea. He
completed a BS in physics at the University of South
Florida and an MS in Mathematics at California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He was a
member of Sigma Pi Sigma, National Physics Honor
Society. Most of his professional career was spent in
the aerospace business on the Eastern and Western Test
Range. In 1967, Tom arrived on
Kwaj as the project physicist for GE
Project Glow. Marie arrived a few months later as one of
the single teachers. It was love at first sight and
remained that way for 43 years. They were best friends,
square dance partners, dive buddies, and hiking
pals. While working as a mission test director at
Kwajalein Missile Test Range he was awarded the
Army Contractor Test Director of the Year Award in 1994.
Tom also spent a few years teaching high school and
college mathematics in Naples, Florida and on
Kwajalein. Many of his students have fond
memories of him. They have sent letters and notes
telling what an impact he made on their lives. Tom was
buried in Naples with military honors performed by the
Honor Guard Members of MacDill Air Force Base in
Tampa. This was most fitting since MacDill was Tom's
last duty station when he returned from Korea. You can
contact Marie at
tomoverman@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 2154,
Naples, FL 34106 |
Tom, Kwajalein, 1994 |
Marie & Tom, Kwaj Reunion 2008
Colorado Springs |
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Janice Lundin
Bunker,
71, went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, in
Alamogordo. She was born Sept. 29, 1940, in Worcester,
MA., to Vincent and Edith (Steele) Lundin. She was
preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Edith
Lundin. Janice is survived by her loving husband of 50
years, Warren, of Alamogordo; her sister Kay and
husband, Lou Escolas, of Mountainair; her 49-year-old
daughter Laura Blackburn and her husband, Sammy, of
Fairfax, VA.; her 48-year-old son Warren Bunker and his
wife, Whitey, and Tammie Bunker, of Alamogordo; five
grandchildren, Warren (Rusty) Bunker, Devin Bunker,
Courtney Bunker, David Blackburn and Audrey Blackburn;
two great-grandchildren, Alysa Sanchez and Caleb Bunker;
and Warren's brothers and sisters Dorothy Everett, of
Castle Rock, CO., Dick and Nancy Bunker, of Alamogordo,
Marvin and Joyce Bunker, of High Rolls, and Darlene and
Tom Gilmore, of High Rolls. Janice grew up in Worcester.
As a young girl, she loved ice skating and basketball.
She met the love of her life, Warren, while he was
stationed at Fort Devons as a weapons specialist in the
Army. They were married Feb. 17, 1962, and soon moved to
Warren's family area in Alamogordo. Soon after they were
married, Jan gave birth to her daughter in 1963 and son
in 1964. Shortly after that, Janice and her family began
traveling with Warren's job across the country and
world. Their tours included six years on
Kwajalein in the Marshall Atoll in the Pacific
Ocean; Huntsville, AL.; southern California; Dallas;
Great Falls, VA; Albuquerque and finally
Alamogordo. Janice started her career training as a
legal aid in Worcester and took her first job in 1962
working for a local Alamogordo lawyer as a legal
assistant. She continued as a legal assistant in
Huntsville, Great Falls and Albuquerque. While on
Kwajalein, she was the administrative director
for the Kwajalein school system. Janice was a highly
admired senior administrative assistant in Dallas and
Great Falls. Janice was also on the church council at
Our Savior Lutheran Church for three years. While her
children were young, the family enjoyed traveling around
the country. Favorite trips included Hawaii, Boston and
Alamogordo. Once the children left the home, Janice and
Warren continued to enjoy trips across the country in
their RV. They visited almost all the RV campsites
throughout the country. Janice loved spending time with
her grandchildren. For her other hobbies, she was an
avid reader of novel books and spent hours on crossword
puzzles.
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Jim Schilling
Jim passed away 7/15/12 from
cancer. He died peacefully. He will entombed
at the new Miramar Military Cemetery, San Diego,
CA. Jim's funeral is Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 11:30
a.m.
Jim was my first Kwaj
friend when I went to work at Carlos Telemetry Site,
Kwajalein Atoll, August 1972. He treated me
like family. Jim worked at the Communication's
Receiver site on Carlos island for many years then
moved to
Kwaj
where he work at the Communication's Center. We
enjoyed many hours of friendship through the years.
-
Shermie Wiehe |
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Jeffery, Leon, Kadien (Mom), Cindy, Melisa, Kimberly, Lester |
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Jim Ellis Bodmer Jr.
- Roi
resident.
Jim passed
away
3/31/12. He
was riding
his bike
from Cafe
Roi to work
when he fell
off his bike
and
collapsed
near the end
of the
runway.
November 23,
1961 - March
31, 2012,
age 50, son
of James E.
Bodmer, Sr.
and Janice
Easley
Bodmer, died
Saturday,
March 31,
2012 on
Roi-Namur,
Kwajalein
Atoll in the
South
Pacific. He
was born on
November 23,
1961 in
Abington, PA
and baptized
in League
City, TX
United
Methodist
Church. He
went to
James H.
Ross
Elementary
School,
Webster
Intermediate
School and
graduated
from Clear
Creek High
School where
he played
the tuba in
the marching
band.
James joined
the US
Marine Corp
soon after
and he
graduated
with top
honors in
his class
from the
USMC Radar
Technician
School in
Memphis,
TN. After
James was
honorably
discharged,
he attended
the
University
of Arizona.
James Ellis
Bodmer, Jr.,
age 50, son
of James E.
Bodmer, Sr.
and Janice
Easley
Bodmer, died
Saturday,
March 31,
2012 on
Roi-Namur
Atoll in the
South
Pacific. |
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He was born on November
23, 1961 in Abington, PA and baptized in League
City, TX United Methodist Church. He went to
James H. Ross Elementary School, Webster
Intermediate School and graduated from Clear
Creek High School where he played the tuba in
the marching band. James joined the US Marine
Corp soon after and he graduated with top honors
in his class from the USMC Radar Technician
School in Memphis, TN. After James was honorably
discharged, he attended the University of
Arizona while working as a telemetry technician
for the US Army. He earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Biomedical Engineering with Honors and
his Masters of Science Degree in Electrical and
Computer Engineering from the University of
Iowa. He returned to working for the US Army as
a Radar Hardware Engineer with Kwajalein
Range Service at Kwajalein
Atoll in the South Pacific. James was the KRS
Lead Engineer on the software development
efforts for the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile
Defense Test Site Distributed Operation (RDO)
Sensors Project (RSP) and also for the
Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) for the
Ronald Reagan Test Site (RTS) Optics
Modernization Program. These projects enabled
remote monitoring and control of the radar and
optics sensors and provided local and remote
operators and maintainers with enhanced
situational awareness of the sensor
equipment. He worked closely with MIT Lincoln
Laboratories to coordinate and implement this
project to give all RTS radars improved
reliability and enhanced troubleshooting
capabilities. He was very much into computer
technology and was interested in the development
of Rich Internet Applications, Server Side Web
applications and relational databases. On a
personal note, James participated in the Rustman
Triathlon in 1989 and 1990. He was an avid
SCUBA diver and photographer and was a past
president of the Roi-Namur
Dolphin's Club. James also hiked the Appalachian
Trail with his father every year. He was a
loving son and brother, a hard working engineer,
a good friend, a sincerely good person and will
be missed by family, friends and all who knew
and worked with him. James is preceded in death
by his mother, Janice Easley Bodmer. He is
survived by his father, James Sr. and step
mother, Anne Mathieson of Amherst, MA; brother,
Anthony Bodmer of League City, TX; aunts, Helen
Bean of Cibolo, TX and Fern McCoin of Houston,
TX; uncles, Jerry Bodmer of Huntington Beach, CA
and Joe Bodmer of New Caney, TX as well as many
cousins. |
1988-92
Completing a DEC
Vendor Training
Class
Kwajalein,
MI |
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1988-92
Vacationing
with friends
in Pohnpei,
Federated
States of
Micronesia |
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Eating Mangrove Grab at
the Village, Pohnpei,
FSM |
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Irene Marie Pippin
nee Sangiolo, died in Boston,
MA on March 25, 2012 after a long illness. She
was born on July 7, 1964 in Framingham, MA
Irene is formerly of Carlisle, Mass. and also
lived for 10 years in Alexandria. She most
recently resided in Groton, MA. Irene spent 8
years living in
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands from 1968
-1973 and 1981-1984, where she entered high
school as a senior and graduated in 1982. While
working on Kwajalein she met
her future husband David who was working for GTE
at that time. Irene obtained a bachelor of
science degree from University of Massachusetts
and worked for M.I.T Lincoln laboratory in
Lexington, MA for several years. From 1998 to
2008 Irene lived in Alexandria with her family
and contributed greatly to the community. She
enriched the science learning of students at St.
Mary's School by founding the Hands-On-Science
program there. She was a Girl Scout leader and
developed several science programs at the
Presbyterian Pre-School in Alexandria. During
the summer Irene ran the Summer Arts-In-The-Park
program and started a basketball camp at the
Waynewood Recreational Center. Irene also
catered and hosted the Mass of Remembrance at
Good Shepherd's Catholic Church for six
years. She is survived by her husband of 25
years, David Pippin, and their children, son
David L. Pippin and daughter, Victoria E.
Pippin. She was the loving daughter of Thomas L.
Sangiolo and the late Sylvia Sangiolo, of
Groton, Mass. and sister of Valerie C. Noey of
Barrington, R.I. She was preceded in death by
her brother, Thomas M. Sangiolo. Irene was the
beloved daughter-in-law of David and Judy Pippin
of Lexington, Mass. and sister-in-law to Matthew
and Stephanie Pippin and Karen and Todd Kadis,
Eric Pippin and Robert Noey. Irene is also
survived by her nieces and nephews, Clark and
Ethan Kadis and Grace Noey. |
Kwajalein,
Marshall Is.
1968
-1973 & 1981-1984, Irene entered high
school
as a senior & graduated in 1982. |
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Roderick Dhu
Vincent,
Jr. May 13, 1938, February 7, 2012 Roderick
"Rod" Vincent, age 73, passed away Tuesday, February 7,
2012. Rod was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on May 13,
1938, to Elma and Roderick Vincent. After graduating
from Princess Anne High School in 1956, he enlisted in
the United States Air Force and served a four year
commitment. Following his time in the service he
attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA,
graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Physics. With the help of scholarships he
continued his studies at the University of Virginia. Rod
began his career in computer programming and soon met
and married the love of his life, Jeanne Marie
Bell. They celebrated 42 years of marriage. Opportunity
took them to the Central Pacific where he worked, with
RCA, at the Kwajalein Missile Test
Range as a computer engineer for five years. After a
four year period of working in Florida, he returned to
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands to live for eight
more years, working for GTE Corporation. These were the
golden years of his life, as he raised his children on
this beautiful island. He was an avid athlete playing
both soccer and softball. He also enjoyed scuba diving,
reading (Lonesome Dove was his favorite), poetry
(Wordsworth, Byron, Yeats), and he had a passion for
playing the classical guitar, with a special love for
J.S. Bach. In 1987 he relocated to Mountain View, CA,
working for GTE. In his retirement he lived in Utah,
Virginia, and settled in Grand Junction, CO. He and
Jeanne enjoyed hiking and traveling. His favorite
pastime was golf. Rod was a kind, loving father and a
devoted husband. He will be missed and loved by those
who knew him. Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Vincent
of Grand Junction; son, Roderick Vincent III of Geneva,
Switzerland, and a daughter, Valerie Vincent Gallivan of
Fort Irwin, CA; his grandchildren, Rachel and James
Gallivan, both of Fort Irwin, CA, and a sister, Patricia
Trotter of Carmel, CA.
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Jim Morris
who ran the data center on Kwaj for
Kentron Hawaii from 1970-1975 passed away on February
22, 2002 after suffering with a brain tumor. Jim had
gone to work in Huntington Beach California for
McDonald/Boeing. His children are Lori Ann Morris who
was at George Seitz for 2nd through 6th grade, and now
lives in Irvine, CA. Christian Kaleolani Morris who now
lives in Honolulu, Hawaii. Christian was 1yr through 5
yrs old on Kwaj and Jacqueline
Lillioukalani who was 3 months to 5 years old on
Kwaj.
Toni Morris
married to Jim for 21 years now resides in Irvine Ca.
We, his family, miss Jim every day! |
Christian, Toni, Jim,
Jacqueline
Kwajalein |
Jim Morris - 2001 |
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Michael Sykos III
SALISBURY -
Michael Sykos, III, 60, of Salisbury, passed away Sunday, Jan.
15, 2012, at his residence. Born Dec. 8, 1951, in Stillwater,
Okla., he was the son of Michael Sykos of Texas and Nada Poole
Sykos Wilson of Salisbury and stepson of Eldreld Wilson of
Salisbury. He was a graduate of Texas Christian University and
Wake Forest University, where he received a Juris Doctor
degree. Mr. Sykos was employed by Best Western in Kannapolis. In
addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Lonnie
Sykos of Hawaii.
Kwajalein, 1968-77 - Sons of
Mike Sykos, Lonnie and Michael III, graduated from
Kwajalein
H.S. Mike worked for Global as Safety Director, taught first
aid and glass ball net tying (macrame). |
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Jerry Glenn Hayes
(1940 - 2012) of Mary Esther, FL, joined his Heavenly family on
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Mary Esther, FL. Born in 1940, Mr.
Hayes was raised in Enterprise, AL, where he graduated from high
school in 1958. He was enlisted in the Alabama Air National
Guard until 1968. He worked as a civilian contractor with
various Department of Defense contractors over his
lifetime. With his positions he traveled quite a bit, living in
Egypt, the Kwajalein Islands, and various
places in the United States. In 2008 he retired from a position
with L-3 Communications doing Quality Assurance for the 6th
Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field. He enjoyed
antiquing and spending time with his family and friends. He was
predeceased by his wife, Iona Georgeadis Hayes; his father,
Holligan Funston Hayes; his mother, Ruth Parker Hayes; and his
brother, James Hayes. He is survived by his son, Jerry Bartley
Hayes; and daughter-in-law, Deborah Kelton Hayes. He is also
survived by his son, Marc Glenn Hayes; and daughter-in-law,
Julie Edwards Hayes. He is survived by his granddaughter, Erin
Hayes.
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William Julius Radisch, Jr..,
84, died Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at Rex Hospital in
Raleigh, from complications of pneumonia. Born on Flag
Day, June 14, 1927, in Chicago, IL, to William Julius
Radisch, Sr. and Dorothy Rosie Leipart Radisch. Although
his mother died when he was 14, stepmother Lyda Kendig
Radisch loved Bill and his sisters as her own. Bill was
born in the family's Southside Chicago home. Despite
telling his children that he walked 10 miles to school
in the snow, it turned out he lived across from his
primary school, Altgeld. Upon his 1945 graduation from
Harper High, he entered the US Army and was honorably
discharged in 1947. He attended Baker University in
Baldwin City, KS, where he excelled in math and science
and graduated in 1951. Bill then embarked on graduate
studies in Physics at Southern Methodist University in
Dallas, TX, but was recruited by a well-established
corporation and a fledgling start up. Texas Instruments'
loss was the Western Electric Company's gain. Over the
course of his 35-year career with Western Electric and
AT&T, Bill developed guidance systems for anti-ballistic
missiles as part of the United States' and later NATO's
missile defense systems. His work took him across the
country and around the world, with moves to El Paso, TX;
White Meadow Lake, NJ; Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands; Winston-Salem and Kernersville, NC;
and Lessenich, Germany. In addition, Bill's expertise
also required extended trips to Saudi Arabia, and
Sardinia, Italy. During his six months in Sardinia, Bill
grew to appreciate the Italian isle's embrace of
life. The experience, coupled with his 1988 retirement
and the arrival of his first grandchild the following
year, revealed a more relaxed side of him. Coworkers,
friends and family valued Bill's intelligence, passion
for politics, and quick wit. He was a problem-solver and
knew how to do things right. Not given to wastefulness,
Bill provided for his family and was an unparalleled
in-home reference for all things. Bill was a founding
and active member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church,
where he served on the vestry, was a lay reader and
treasurer. He also served on the Korner's Folly Board of
Directors, volunteered with the Kernersville Little
Theatre and with the Shepherd's Center of Kernersville,
helping launch SeniorNet, and where he was a Board
Member Emeritus, and was humbled to be a recipient of
the Sonny Simpson Memorial. He was a proud member of the
Telephone Pioneers of America. He held a lifelong
passion for photography and also enjoyed computers,
genealogy, Laurel & Hardy comedies, and dry gin
martinis. In addition to his parents he was preceded in
death by sisters Louise Ender Lange, Shirley Radisch
Lexow, and Jacqueline Radisch Riley. Bill is survived by
his wife of 58 years, Patricia S. Radisch, of the home;
children Deborah Radisch and husband Andy Standen of
Apex; William H. Radisch; and Rebekah Radisch and
partner Gail Albergo of Durham; grandchildren Carolyn
Penry of Columbia, SC, Kathryn Penry of Raleigh, and
Malcolm Albergo-Radisch of Durham. Bill also leaves his
godson, Glenn Weeks of Cary, along with many extended
family members and friends. |
1978-79
Western Electric as
Battery Control Bldg. (BCB) Supervisor - Nike
Zeus, 1967-69 Supervisor of computer area at
Meck Island, Safeguard. |
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Patricia Stonham Radisch
January 14, 1932 - March 30, 2014. Patricia Ruth Stonham
Radisch was born January 14, 1932, in Montclair, NJ, to
Malcolm Hugh Stonham and Winifred Hewitt Truex Stonham.
She died on Sunday March 30, 2014 in her Raleigh
home. Pat was a graduate of Hendersonville High School
and St. Mary's Junior College in Raleigh, and attended
Women's College in Greensboro (now UNC-G). While at WC,
she asked a young man in the dormitory lounge for a
light for her cigarette. Back in her room, a friend
about to embark on a double date needed a substitute for
her beau's friend's blind date. It wasn't rocket science
for Pat to realize that the fellow was the handsome
young man in the lounge, who happened to be a rocket
scientist. The date was a success and the two married
July 11, 1953 (and both quit smoking in 2000!). Pat
decided to forgo her final year of college to devote her
energies to full-time homemaking and volunteering. She
always regretted not receiving her degree, but was a
devoted wife, mother, and engaged member of her many
communities. During her 58 years with Willie, the family
moved frequently to accommodate his work as a missile
systems engineer. Far flung homes included El Paso, TX,
Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands,
White Meadow Lake, NJ, Winston-Salem, NC, and
Kernersville, NC. After their children were grown, Bill
and Pat moved once more, to Lessenich, West Germany, for
two years while Bill worked with NATO. Not appreciated
by her children until their adulthood was her full-time
job of coordinating these long distance moves every two
years. Her outstanding organizational skills ensured
that wherever the family landed, it was home. Pat was a
creative soul who expressed herself through several
artistic pursuits, including jewelry making, oil
painting, photography, poetry, and crafts. She loved
traveling, gardening, warm weather and the ocean, and
enjoyed the company of many good friends throughout the
world. Pat volunteered with the Micronesian Handicrafts
Shop on Kwajalein, the Shepherd's
Center of Kernersville, Korner's Folly, and Kernersville
Little Theatre, where she excelled as a set designer and
props master. With Bill, Pat was also a founding member
of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Kernersville. She
enjoyed the daily paper's crossword and Jumble, as well
as an evening cocktail of bourbon and Seven-Up. Pat
enjoyed being a lifelong learner and avidly kept up with
news, current events, and political issues. Friends old
and new appreciated Pat's quick wit and her desire to
make things better. When Pat's older daughter was
studying botany at UNC-Chapel Hill, Pat learned about
the ginkgo tree and realized there was one in the heart
of Kernersville, next to the Pinnix building. When it
appeared the ginkgo might be a victim to the parking lot
going in, she appealed to the town's powers and shared
the importance of the tree which still stands today, a
legacy to her, at least to her children. Pat was
preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her
brother, Malcolm Hugh Stonham, Jr. of Sacramento, CA.
She is survived by children Deborah L. Radisch and
husband Andy Standen of Raleigh, William H. Radisch of
Guilford County, and Rebekah C. Radisch and partner Gail
A. Albergo of Durham. She was a loving and proud Oma to
Carolyn P. Fisher (husband Sam Fisher) of Columbia, SC,
granddaughter Kathryn F. Penry of Washington, DC, and
grandson Malcolm A. Albergo-Radisch of Durham. She also
leaves nieces and nephews in California, Illinois, and
North Carolina, and several cousins. Yokwe Yuk. |
1961-63
1967-69 |
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Helen Elizabeth
(Magdziak) Thomas
December 31, 2011 Helen Elizabeth (Magdziak) Thomas, 86,
passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. Born in
Syracuse September 1, 1925 to Pawel Magdziak and Barbara
Wojdak, both pre-deceased. She is also pre-deceased by
her siblings John, Joseph, Peter, Lottie and
Josephine. Surviving are her beloved husband, Willard W.
Thomas; daughters, Leslie C. Taylor of Hastings, NY,
Sheila S. Thomas of Fort Mill, SC; sons, Leon J. Thomas
of Albuquerque, NM, Willard S. Thomas of Sand Springs,
OK and Lee J. Thomas of North Syracuse. She is also
survived by eleven grandchildren, two
great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. |
Helen & Bill -
Sept 1980 - Kwaj |
Helen & Bill -
Aug 2008 Kwaj Reunion, Colorado Springs,
CO |
Helen 2011 |
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Donald V. O'Brien, S.J.
Peter Schineller, S.J. - Father Donald
V. O'Brien S.J. died on June 14th at Murray-Weigel Hall,
Bronx, New York. He was 88 years old, a Jesuit for 69
years, and a priest for 56 years. Born of Patrick and
Cecillia (Martin) O'Brien in NY City, on 25 January,
1923, he attended Regis High School and then entered the
Society of Jesus at Poughkeepsie, NY on 30 July
1942. After his first vows on 31 July, 1944, he
continued his college studies at St.
Andrew-on-Hudson. For the study of philosophy he
traveled west to West Baden College in West Baden,
Indiana (1946-49). This was followed by teaching English
as a seminarian at the Loyola School, NY (1949-54), and
was ordained in the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises
at the Jesuit retreat House at Monroe, NY (1958-59) and
then for several years served as chaplain at
Metropolitan Hospital, NYC (1959-62). He returned to
teach at the Loyola School (1962-64). After offering
retreats at Mt. Manresa, Staten Island (1964-66), he
assisted in the Jesuit community at Brooklyn Prep
(1966-70) and then was appointed to assist in the
development office at Loyola School from 1970-73. In
1973, he served in a parish in Southampton, NY and in
1976 he began a long term commitment to St. John the
Evangelist Church in White Plains, NY, assisting there
from 1976-82. He interrupted this from 1982-90 when he
served as Army Chaplain at the USA Test Site,
Kwajalein, in the Marshall Islands in the
Pacific. Returning to the US mainland, he again assisted
at St. John the Evangelist Church, White Plains, from
1990 to 2009. In 2009 due to failing health, he took up
residence on the Fordham University campus at the Jesuit
Community of Loyola Hall. Both in NY and in the Pacific,
Fr. O'Brien was know for his prowess on the golf course
where he made many friends especially at the Westchester
Hills Golf Club. Always kind and generous, he traveled
by bicycle around the island of Kwajalein
and then back in the states covered many miles in his
old Plymouth with over 100,000 miles on it. |
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Norman E. "Ed" Trentham
Feb. 19,
1940 - Aug. 8, 2011, 71, of Huntsville, passed away at
home Monday after a long battle with heart and lung
disease. He was born in Evensville, TN., to Edabee and
Mildred Burdett Trentham. The family moved to
Chattanooga when he was 13. He graduated from Red Bank
High School in 1958. He was recently elected to their
Alumni Hall of Fame. After graduation, he enrolled at
Auburn University as a co-operative student with TVA and
received a B.S. degree in industrial engineering in
1966. He was employed by the U.S. Army Missile Command
in Huntsville, where he played a major role in
developing reliability analyses and preparing test
requirements for the Stinger, Patriot and TOW
missiles. From 1982 to 1985, he worked for the Strategic
Missile Defense Command at the
Kwajalein Missile Range, Marshall Islands. Upon
return to Huntsville, he transferred to NASA, where he
served as mission assurance manager for the Hubble Space
Telescope and also provided mission assurance for the
AXAF telescope and the Chandra X-ray telescope. In 1991,
Ed was awarded the "Silver Snoopy" award for his efforts
on the Hubble Space Telescope and was a Manned Space
Flight Awareness honoree for his work on the Chandra
X-ray payload. After retiring in 2001, Ed enjoyed
sports, Southern gospel music, his granddaughter and
family. He played baseball, softball and golf. He was a
passionate Auburn football fan and enjoyed Braves
baseball. He was a regular visitor to the Jones Valley
Wellness Center and enjoyed visiting with everyone and
never met a stranger. Ed was a member of Weatherly
Heights Baptist Church since 1975 and was a great help
during garage sales for the Alabama Children's Home in
Decatur. Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years,
Ann Trentham; daughter, Susan Trentham-Owens and husband
Brandon of Tucson, Ariz.; son, Steve Trentham and wife
Michelle and granddaughter Andrea Trentham of
Huntsville; sister, Avanell Best and husband Harold of
Pace, FL.; brothers, Troy Trentham of Atlanta and Gerald
Trentham and wife Donna of Pell City; as well as several
nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents;
brother, Larry Trentham; and sister, Glenna Sue Trentham.
We shared Qtrs. 469 at Kwaj
and played ball together on several teams (KMR and
Medicare), great guy and good ball player. Fred & Linda
Thomason |
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| Edward Joseph
(Ed) Kronick, October 3,
1925 - July 18, 2011, 85 of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away in
hospice care in Las Vegas after a short battle with cancer. Ed
was born October 2, 1925 in Soudan, Minnesota. Ed served his
country in World War II in the U. S. Navy. He was employed by
RCA/GE as a Senior Draftsman/Illustrator at numerous locations
on USAF Eastern Test Range and most recently at
Kwajalein Missile Range, retiring to Las Vegas,
Nevada. Ed is survived by wife Mercedes of Las Vegas and brother
in California. |
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Kevin Lynn
Schorzman 2/6/60
- 5/14/11. Loving Son, Brother, Uncle and Nephew passed
away on May 14, 2011 at his brother's home in Minnville,
OR. Kevin was born on February 6, 1960 in Pocatello, ID.
He was the second born son to Donald Dwayne and
Charlotte Faye Schorzman. Kevin attended Idaho Falls
High School and Idaho State University for two years,
where he got his associates in Electronic
Technology. His love for electronics landed him a job
with Pan Am on the Island of
Kwajalein for about 6 years. He then moved
to Tri Cities, WA and worked for different contractors
at the Hanford Reservation and other various commercial
nuclear power plants. He provided computer\and control
systems expertise, including a business partnership
selling, servicing and installing home PC's. In 1997 he
married Christine and they divorced in 2010. In 1998 he
got a job in Albany, OR with a computer software and
control systems company. His work took him all over the
nation and abroad. In 2011 Kevin moved in with his
brother Jeff in an attempt to get his feet back on the
ground. Kevin passed away suddenly and unexpectantly of
unknown causes. He had a passion for anything
electronic, high tech, or anything dealing with Star
Trek. Kevin had a huge generous heart and loved helping
other people. He will be severely missed. Although Kevin
never had children, he loved his cats like they were his
children.
Note from
Shermie: Kevin worked for the Computer Maintenance Team
on Kwaj. He was my good friend & good
worker. You're the best Kev! RIP Brother |
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Ann Lucia
Gianci (Sabbio)
July 13,
1941 - May 05, 2011, Place of Birth: Boston, MA.
Biography: Ann Lucia Gianci, of Woodstock, NH formerly
of Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, and
Burlington, MA, passed away May 5th, at the Brigham and
Women's Hospital in Boston, following a short illness.
She was 69 years of age. Born and raised in Boston's
North End she was the daughter of the late Angelo and
Concetta (Infantino) Sabbio of Medford. Ann was an
active parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Lincoln, NH
where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was also
a Marian Helper of the Immaculate Conception. For many
years Ann enjoyed doing international service work for
the Catholic Church in both the Marshall Islands and
Israel. She also worked as a travel writer and as a
stationary designer and publisher for several years. In
addition to her late parents, Ann is preceded in death
by her brother, the late Frank Sabbio. She is lovingly
survived by her cherished daughter,
Sebastiana Jennifer Gianci and her husband Paul
James Lafornara of Baltimore, MD. She was the devoted
Nana of Nikai Lafornara and the former wife and friend
of William Gianci. She is also survived by her sisters,
Camille Piazza and Marie Chagnon, brothers, Salvatore,
Eugene and Francis Sabbio. She is further survived by
many loving nieces and nephews. |
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Rick Dargie
and family came to Kwajalein October 1976. Family
included mother Marie, sisters Debbie and Lynn Dargie and father George
who also has passed. George was the manager of the Yuk Club. Rick loved
Kwaj as we all did. He just loved to fish the beautiful
waters of
Kwaj. It was not uncommon to come home to see a shark on the
entry way of the home. He was only 47 when he passed, I miss him so
much. He was a graduate of 1982. I hope that some of the people who read
this will remember him. May he always be catching the big ones. Rest in
peace Rick. I love you. Your sister Lynn, graduate of 1977.
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| Michele
Celeste Lanier
died
Jan. 2 with loving family by her side in Portland, OR,
after a long and valiant fight against cancer. Private
services will be held. A longtime California resident,
her adult life took her to Oregon, Massachusetts,
Florida and the Kwajalein, Marshall
Islands, where she became an avid scuba diver. She
enjoyed traveling to the Far East, Central America and
Hawaii. She was known for her love of plants and
animals, as well as her generosity and compassion toward
the less fortunate. Her charitable nature led her to
volunteer at the local thrift shops where she lived. She
is survived by her two sons, James and John and their
spouses; grandson, Jared; granddaughter, Jessica; and
great-granddaughter Vanessa. |
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Dr. Michael
Edward Austin Sc.D. of
Concord, passed unexpectedly, on February 7, 2011, at
Emerson Hospital in Concord, age 70. Beloved husband of
50 years to Patricia Biebuyck Austin. Father of Glenn
Austin and his wife Donna, Cheryl Riordan and her
husband Tim, Melissa Austin and her fianc� Matthew
Tennyson, and the late Mark Austin (survived by his
loving wife, Janice Kelliher Austin), the late Diane
Austin and the late Charles Austin. Grandfather of
Christopher, Anika, Timothy, and Rebekah Austin; Alicia
and Michael Akusis; and Samantha Simpson.
Obituary -
Birth date: February 13, 1940, Death date: February 07,
2011
Dr. Michael Edward Austin
was born 13 February 1940 in Brockton, MA. He died
unexpectedly on 7 February 2011 just shy of his 71st
birthday. He was the son of the late Raymond Francis
Austin and the late Madeline Catherine Fitzgerald. As a
youngster Michael enjoyed writing and publishing, and he
started a weekly newspaper at Weymouth High
called The Reflector. He and his friends also produced
the only Junior Class yearbook published at Weymouth
High. |
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He was Camera Club President, Key Club
Treasurer, and Math Club President. Harvard University awarded
him the Harvard Book Award, and he was class
Valedictorian. After several offers, he decided to attend Notre
Dame since they offered him a full tuition four-year
scholarship.
There in South Bend, he met his future
wife of fifty years, Patricia Ann Biebuyck. They became engaged
after three weeks and married in the Log Chapel at the Notre
Dame campus. It was at Notre Dame he became devout in his love
of the Catholic Church and discovered a faith that would last a
lifetime. He was ranked first among 308 engineering students and
he ranked 2nd in the Class of 1961 behind an English major. He
earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering graduating Maxima Cum
Laude. While working his way through Graduate school, Michael
and his wife Pat had their first three children. After earning
his Masters, he graduated in 1967 from M.I.T. with a Sc.D. in
Electrical Engineering. After graduation, he took an overseas
assignment to
Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. There he made radar
measurements of reentry physics of Ballistic Missiles launched
from California. Michael enjoyed Kwajalein very
much, taking up snorkeling and scuba diving, among many other
activities. After a four-year tour and two more children, the
family relocated to Concord, Massachusetts and Michael continued
to work for M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory. In 1974, when his eldest
son asked for help to create a family tree, Michael's interest
in genealogy was sparked. Since then, he and his wife published
newsletters, books, and created the organization Austin Families
Genealogical Society complete with a website. He also held
conventions with other members to further Austin-Austen research
in and out of the United States. Michael also took his family
back to Kwajalein for two more tours (1975-1977) where his built
his first home computer, took up tennis, built an eighty-gallon
octagonal fish tank and caught an octopus for a pet. The next
tour was 1983-1990, where he enjoyed more of the laid back
Kwajalein lifestyle. When back in the states,
Michael and his family enjoyed camping in their Airstream, and
having many amazing vacations. His last one was taken this past
summer with all his children and their spouses to Italy to
celebrate his fiftieth anniversary. Michael was known for being
extremely generous and would often on a whim invite people out
to do something fun and exciting. He loved creating family
traditions, completing complicated projects and keeping his mind
and body active. Over the years he has built many items
woodworking, learned how to square dance, made a darkroom for
photography, participated in sports and enjoyed watching them as
well (especially Notre Dame football). He has seen countless
plays, musicals, museums, and historical monuments. He enjoyed
board games, books, crosswords, ski trips, movies, road trips,
and amusements. He had a passion to learn all he could about the
Roman Empire and in general had a love of lifelong learning. He
always kept up with the latest technology and news. Even after
losing three of his six children tragically, he was upbeat and
had quirky side. He enjoying doing silly things such as buying a
life size cheetah in New York and moving it around in the park
to see people's reactions, or getting a mannequin to don his
newly acquired Centurion outfit. He loved friends and family and
spending time with them was the most important thing to him. He
was active in Holy Family Church in Concord, loved to throw
parties, go out to eat, and otherwise be active. He wanted
everyone to live to their fullest potential and had high
expectations. He was such an organized person that he could tell
you via flow chart what was spent on Christmas twenty years ago
and what items were purchased. He had so much left on his
"to-do-list" and on his "bucket list". We hope that over the
years we can help cross some of them off that list. Michael was
truly one of a kind and will be terribly missed. He was the soul
mate, love and home of his wife Patricia Ann Biebuyck. He was
the beloved father of Janice Austin (wife of Mark) of Rockland,
MA, Glenn Austin and his wife Donna of Mountain Home, Idaho,
Cheryl Riordan and her husband Tim of Concord, MA, Melissa
Austin and her fiancé Matthew Tennyson, of San Diego, CA. He was
also the father of the late Mark Edward Austin, Dianne Elizabeth
Austin and Charles Raymond Austin. He leaves behind eight
grandchildren. Christopher, Anika, Timothy, and Rebekah Austin
of Mountain Home Idaho, Alicia and Michael Akusis of Concord, MA
and Samantha Simpson of Concord, MA. He will be missed by many
good neighbors, friends, and family. |
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Betty
Harvey
died on Tuesday Feb 2, 2011 at the age of 88. She
had Parkinson's Disease for over 16 years which had
progressed to Dementia. We were on Kwaj
for 12 years from 1967 - 1979. She worked
Kwajalein
at the Tradewinds Snack Bar for a few years, then
the Ten-Ten & Yokwe Yuk Club as a cocktail
waitress. She was married to Bob Harvey who worked
for Global as the Manager of the Automotive Dept at
Kwajalein
(he had passed away in 1988). This
info and photographs were provided by daughter,
Lynde Harvey |
Betty & her bike,
Kwajalein |
Bob & Betty
Harvey, 1970s, Kwajalein |
Betty. age 88 |
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Tom Riley
Troutman
65, of Glenville, Kentucky died Sunday, January 30, 2011
at his home in Glenville. Tom Riley Troutman was born
November 26, 1945 in Monroe, Michigan to the late Joe W.
and Sara Jane Riley Troutman. Tom was a 1964 graduate of
Valley High School in Valley Station, Kentucky, where he
also served as a board member of the Alumni
Association. He retired as a lineman from South Central
Bell in 1989 prior to working for the Kwajalein
Range Services in the U.S. Marshall Islands. Tom
attended Glenville Baptist Church, was a U.S. Army
Veteran of the Vietnam War, and a recipient of three
bronze stars. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, the American Legion, and the Moose Lodge. Tom also
enjoyed fishing, watching University of Kentucky
Basketball, and spending time with both his family and
friends. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded
in death by a brother, Joe W. Troutman, IV. Survivors
include two sons, Mike Troutman and his wife, Erica of
Beech Grove, Indiana and Leon Troutman and his
companion, Julie Tilden of Wasilla, Alaska; a daughter,
Sara Winger and her husband, Jim of Ferndale,
Washington; a granddaughter, Michaela Troutman of Beech
Grove; three brothers, Dan Troutman of Augusta, Georgia,
Max Troutman of North Augusta, South Carolina, and Tim
Troutman of Augusta; and a special aunt, Mary "Bopey"
Lee of Owensboro. |
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Thompson Hanerg
who worked at the Kwaj Hospital for
many, many years. Sad Blessings, Thompson passed away
this afternoon, Sunday, October 17, at 2:38 PM
Kwaj time. He seemed very comfortable and was
surrounded by family, friends and pastor Rick
Funk. Pastor Rick was called at 2:30 to come pray with
the family. He arrived at 2:33. Almost immediately upon
completion of the prayer, Thompson gently stopped
breathing and slipped away. It was spiritually poetic
and very peaceful. The Marshallese ladies are gathering
now to wash the body and anoint it with coconut oil and
Kirin leaves; they tell me to preserve it. They will
gather at our morgue, talk story of Thompson - laugh,
cry, eat and keep vigil until the outer island family
members have opportunity to arrive. They will then
transport the body to Ebeye, Kwajalein
Atoll for the funeral. I told the family, I am so glad
he did not go to Hawaii. He could have been in some ER
or hospital where he knew few people or in a hotel room
or staying with distant friends and family, far away
from those he was closest to. We have felt so privileged
to be allowed to care for him these last few days. A
very special thank you to the wonderful nursing
staff. It is difficult to take care of a terminal
patient - it is far MORE difficult to take care of a
family member whom most have worked side by side with
from the first day they stepped into the
Kwajalein Hospital. One that talked story to
them, patiently explained the Marshallese traditions,
culture, politics and helped most of us to learn bits
and pieces of the language. It was a joy to see the love
with which each one of you cared for our dear friend and
coworker. A BIG KOMMOL TATA to each one of you - as
Thompson would say! Please feel to pass on the above to
all the friends of Thompson. With much love, Bess |
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| Ceriaco
"Jerry" Ramos,
born 3/14/1938 in Honolulu, passed away on Thursday,
January 14, 2011 from complications of leukemia. He was
a Kwaj resident in the 1970's and
worked for Global Associates as a Locksmith. He enjoyed
the sports on Kwaj especially softball and
racquetball. He leaves to cherish his memory two sons,
Joshua Dwayne of Wilson, NC and Jesse Darrell and wife
Kristin of Rocky Mount, NC. He was "Tutu" to three
grandchildren - Hailey, Brittain and Olivia. He also
leaves behind four sisters, two brothers and many nieces
and nephews. |
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Muriel K.
Newman
"I was reading my December National Bridge Bulletin and
saw Muriel K. Newman of Springfield, Mo. had passed
away." Russ Kees.
Posted by Shermie, Dec. 25, 2010 - Muriel was
a beloved grade school teacher and a great dancer at the
Yokwe Yuk Club at Kwajalein
for many years. - We all will miss her.
The August 2008 picture was taken at the 2008
Kwaj Reunion in Colorado Springs, CO, August
1-4, the following was her entry into the Kwaj
Reunion Memory Book:
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Kwajalein:
1961, 1963-86. Hired in 1961 with T & T teaching Kindergarten,
then left, taught in Denver, CO one year, and the returned with
Global, started as Librarian, office worker then taught
Kindergarten at Kwajalein until retirement
1986.
Memories: Love to ride the bike around the island on the
weekends and picked up shells.
Enjoyment: Love to
teach, enjoyed Bridge playing, dancing and square dancing.
Enjoyed square dance with Max and Joan Sahl. I also like square
dancing with Terry Newman.
Presently - August 2008:
Retired. I'm still line dancing with a group of 12 women that
visit nursing homes and fairs. We love put on a show for the
folks in the area. I still play bridge and work outside in my
garden. I really do miss the children I taught at Kwaj. I loved
to hear from them. Drop me a letter and let me know how you are
doing, maybe a picture too.
Contributing to the honor of
Muriel Newman:
In the 25 years I knew her, I'd have to say
she was the most soft-spoken, immaculately dressed, charming
personality lady I have ever known, and a pleasure to watch her
dance and perform in her beautiful square dance costumes. A skilled
bridge player, she attained the rank of Life Mastership after
retiring to her Missouri home. I often wondered how she maintained
her calm demeanor after the seemingly monumental task of starting
thousands of five year olds on their educational journey. A truly
remarkable woman!! - Russ Kees |
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Theodore Edward
"Ted" George, Jr.,
age 79, of Three Rivers, California, passed away on
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010. Ted was active in the
Lion's Club, enjoyed hunting and fishing, listening to
jazz, and spending time with family and friends. Ted was
born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He served in the
USAF during the Korean War, and after that served in the
OR Air National Guard. An engineer by trade, Ted worked
at Vandenberg AFB, CA. In the early 1970's he spent time
on range radar/tracking ships which brought him to
Kwajalein, in the Marshall Islands. In 1973,
Ted and his family relocated to Kwajalein
where they lived until 1981. While living on
Kwajalein, Ted enjoyed softball, scuba diving,
and fishing. After leaving
Kwajalein, Ted spent time working in
Ogden, Utah and then returned to California where he
worked at Edwards AFB. Ted and his wife, Joanne, retired
to Three Rivers where Ted was able to enjoy his two
passions, jazz music and his love of the outdoors
(hunting and fishing). Ted is survived by his wife,
Joanne; his children, David, Karen, Eric and Warren; his
grandchildren Candice, David Jr., Kelsey, Taylor,
Steven, Emma, and his great grandson, Gaden. We love
you and miss you, Dad, you will always be with us in our
hearts! |
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Frank Darby "Chopper"
Hampton,
80, of Huntsville passed away Wednesday. Frank was a
Korean War veteran, a retired mechanical engineer, a
1954 alumni of University of Alabama and a strong "ROLL
TIDE" fan. Frank was a 54-year member of the American
Legion Post 237, VFW Post 2702, and Voiture 1012 of the
40&8. Survivors include his wife, Joyce LeDuc-Hampton;
daughter, Sharmon Vickers; son, Franklin Hampton II;
brother, J.W. Hampton; granddaughters, Darbi Lynskey and
Brooke Vickers; and great-granddaughter, Ashley
Benefield.
From Shermie Wiehe:
I spent many evenings in the mid 1990s entertaining
Chopper at the piano at the VFW Hall on Kwaj,
great fan and good friend. He and his wonderful
wife Joyce treated me like family throughout the years.
I love them both. "I'll miss you the rest of my
days Chopper." |
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Haile "Jake" Jaekel,
a Pearl Harbor survivor and rocket engineer, died Sept 14, 2010
of cancer. He was 86. Mr Jaekel was a 17 yr old seaman on the
coal dock at Pearl Harbor when Japanese planes began attacking
Dec 7, 1941. Marine handed him a Browning rifle which he used to
fire at everything that went by. He took a 35 foot boat to
rescue men from sinking battle ships and suffered a leg injury
from enemy strafing. He returned the next day to his post aboard
the USS Salt Lake City and fought in major WWII campaigns,
including battles at Marshall, Wake and Marcus Islands. Jake
devoted his life to serving his country, recalled to active duty
in the Air Force in 1953, he served in the 497th Fighter
Squadron, 503rd Air Material Group and taught at Chanute Air
Force Reserve in Illinois. He later served in the Air Force
reserve and retired as a California National Guard captain in
1980. After the Soviet Union sent a Sputnik satellite into
orbit Jake joined the team at McDonnell Douglas and worked on
the Thor missile project. With his family he moved to
Kwajalein from 1970-1972 and helped conduct missile
launches. He also served on Apollo launch crews at Kennedy Space
Center. He retired from AeroJet in 1986. He was a licensed
aircraft mechanic and seasoned airplane pilot. Jake is survived
by his wife of 64 years Merle and daughters Pam and Kristine. |
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Robert Edison "Bob" Ray
August 15, 1931 - October 16, 2010. Robert
Edison "Bob" Ray, 79, of Tehuacana passed away
October 16, 2010 in Waco. Bob was born August
15, 1931 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Robert
Edison and Amy (Moore) Ray. He married Emilie
Trantham on August 25, 1962 in Matagorda,
Texas. Bob graduated from Texas University with
a degree in Electrical Engineering. After
serving in the Air Force during the Korean War,
he worked a short time for the Corp of Engineer.
Later, Bob joined RCA and worked in Tulie,
Greenland and then worked in England on a
tracking mission. He also, spent time in
Kwajalein Atoll. Marshall Islands for RCA. He worked
in California for a few years. His last working
days were in New Jersey where he was Site
Manager for G. E. Operations. Bob retired from
G.E. after 30 years. He, then, worked for 18
years in Mexia as Veteran Service Officer. Bob
was a member of the First United Methodist
Church in Mexia, Amateur (Ham) Radio Operator,
Elfund Society, V.F.W., American Legion, Am Vets
and attended Peacock Military Academy, where he
served on the board Alumni Association, Inc. He
was preceded in death by his parents; and
daughter, Jo Beth Lowry. Bob is survived by his
wife, Emilie of Tehuacana; daughters, Mary Dyer
of Ft. Worth and Joan Williams of Weatherford;
grandchildren, Randi Williams, John Williams,
III, David Williams, Nolan Lowry, Ana Lowry and
Heather Dyer: and five great-grandchildren. |
Bob worked for
RCA-TRADEX from early 1960's to 1970's |
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Richard Allen
Byrd, Sr.,
71, passed away October 21, 2010 at his home in Suffolk
surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his beloved
wife, Yong Byrd. Born in West Virginia, Richard was the son
of the late Lucille and James Byrd. Richard retired from
the United States Air Force and most recently was working
security for 3D Research. Besides his loving wife, Richard
leaves behind his sons, Richard Allen Byrd, Jr. and his wife
Angela from New Mexico, James Byrd and wife Sherry of
Harpers Ferry, WV; daughter, Aleshya Poon and husband Willie
of Suffolk; grandchildren, Richard A. Byrd, III, Melissa
Byrd, Jessica Bowman, Alexis Byrd, Austin Byrd, Mekelle Poon,
Craig Poon, Jasmine Poon, Noah Poon; sister, Gloria J. Hall;
brothers, Thomas F. Byrd, Robert E. Byrd |
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Samuel
Dean Redford
1935 - 2010 Sam Redford, 75, passed
away from a heart attack at his ranch near Hamilton,
Texas, Friday, October 15, 2010. Sam was born to the
late Tom and Elta Redford in Fort Davis, Texas October
5, 1935. Mr. Redford grew up in Fort Davis, where he
loved ranching and being outdoors. An electrical
engineer and graduate of Texas A&M University, Mr.
Redford was a defense contractor overseas for many years
where he was an avid scuba diver and explorer. Mr.
Redford has been a rancher in Hamilton County, Texas
since the 1970s. Sam was a devoted husband and beloved
father, and is survived by his wife, Sandy; one son,
Clay; four daughters, Kathy, Suzanne, Sandy and Debbi;
nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is
preceded in death by his parents and his brother,
Tommy. Funeral services were held Thursday, October 21st
at the Fort Davis, Texas Presbyterian Church. In lieu of
flowers, the family has selected the Fort Davis
Presbyterian Church if anyone desires to send a
gift. Sam worked for RCA Service Company at Kiernan
Re-Entry Measurements Site, Roi-Namur,
Kwajalein
Atoll, Marshall Island 1971-77 in KREMS Control
Center. He was active in the SCUBA club and research of
the historical wrecks in the lagoon.
"Sam was a respected
and dedicated worker "leading by example rather than
edict at KREMS and previous assignment to ARIS ships" -
Jim Caskey |
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Helen K Fangmann
Wakefield, RI - Helen K Fangmann, 82, of Wakefield, RI,
and formerly of Framingham, MA.; Meredith, NH; and
Highlands Ridge in Avon Park, FL, died Thursday, Sept.
23, 2010. She was the wife of George Fangmann for 62
years. Born in New York; NY, she was a daughter of the
late Victor, Sr. and Dorothy (Koeper) Huggard. Mrs.
Fangmann was a volunteer for the Lakes Region
Conservation Trust in Meredith, NH and was the church
secretary for the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
in Laconia as well as serving on numerous
committees. Besides her husband, she leaves two
daughters and their spouses, Jane and Randall White of
North Kingstown, RI and Anne Marie and Mitchell Freitas
of Framingham, MA; a grandson Jonathan R. White of North
Kingstown, RI; and a brother Victor Huggard Jr. of
Saratoga Springs, NY. She was the mother of the late
Robert G. Fangmann. |
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| George
Fangmann
of Wakefield, RI, formerly of Framingham, MA, Meredith,
NH and Highlands Ridge in Avon Park, FL, died Sunday,
February 24, 2013. He was the beloved husband of the
late Helen K. (Huggard) Fangmann. Born in New York, NY,
he was a son of the late Dietrich and Beta (Behjre)
Fangmann. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School and
received a degree in electrical engineering from the
Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He also received his
Masters degree in 1977. During his career he worked at
the physics lab at Columbia University on the Manhattan
project involving the atom bomb. Mr. Fangmann was
employed for the GTE Sylvania Company based in Needham,
MA for over forty years, retiring in 1986. While he was
department manager for GTE he spent five years at the
Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall
Islands testing intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
(ICBMs) and working on Star Wars. He served honorably
with the US Naval Reserve during World War II and the
Korean Conflict. In his spare time he enjoyed golf
tennis, bowling sailing, scuba diving and spending time
at his homes in Florida and on Lake Winnipesaukee in New
Hampshire. He is survived by two daughters and their
spouses, Jane and Randall White of North Kingstown, RI
and Anne and Mitchell Freitas of Framingham, MA; a
grandson, Jonathan R. White of North Kingstown, RI; and
a brother Charles Fangmann of Hendersonville, NC. He was
the father of the late Robert Fangmann. |
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Stephanie Africano
Stephanie Anne Africano, a
35-year resident of the South Bay, passed away
unexpectedly on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at Long Beach
Memorial Hospital where she was born 38 years
ago. Stephanie was a member of St. Francis Episcopal
Church in Palos Verdes Estates from Childhood baptism
through life, recently teaching young
children. Stephanie attended schools in Rancho Palos
Verdes, graduating from Rolling Hills High School,
California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor
of Arts in Comparative Literature (Cum Laude), a Masters
of Arts Education in Educational Technology also Phi
Lambda Theta and Phi Kappa Phi honorary societies, and a
diploma in teaching English as a foreign language
(TEFL). She was enrolling at CSU Domignuez Hills for a
Master of Arts in Teaching, as she realized teaching
young people was her life's call. As an undergraduate,
she lived in the International House at CSULB, becoming
the resident and making lifelong friendships with many
Asian and European students. This lead to her extensive
travel to Japan, South Korea, England, Scotland, Ireland
and other European countries to visit friends. Steph
worked at Mendoza Dillon, an Orange County ad agency,
CSU Long Beach in the education school in teacher
placement at El Camino College, Torrance Memorial
Hospital in hospice and taught TEFL briefly in South
Korea with her fiancé Mitch Fader. Mitch at 38 died
suddenly in February this year of cancer. A graduate of
the L.A. Jr. Lifeguard program. Steph played the violin,
mostly classical pieces until she encountered the
Scottish Fiddlers during her adult career and became
passionate about that style of music. Every
few years she traveled to music camps in San Diego,
North Carolina and Scotland for a week of instruction |
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and fiddling. She
was a member of the Los Angele Scottish Fiddlers
organization. Her master's thesis involved mechanizing a website
including an example on teaching Scottish Fiddling. Steph often
performed musical gigs at coffee houses in L.A. and Orange
counties, the Orange County Fair, weddings and other occasions
as a fiddler and singer. She loved pastry baking and Korean
foods. Steph lived in the Marshall Islands on the island of
Kwajalein for 2 1/2 years as a young child with her
family while her father worked on a U.S. Army defense contract. She
attended a government school with the son of another engineer;
this young friend (Mitch) located Steph via the Internet 30
years later in Southern California and they were engaged. Steph
had a knack of maintaining school chum friendships for a long,
long time. Stephanie is survived by her parents, Jane and Robert
Africano of Palos Verdes, CA; sister, Jenna Africano of Redondo
Beach; brother, Teim Africano, wife Leslie; and nephews, Austin
and Ethan of Anaheim Hills. |
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Donald Charles Elliott,
63, passed away in his Mount Vernon, WA, home on July 29,
2010. He was diagnosed with cancer in the spring and lived out
his last days grateful for life and embraced by his family. Don
was born in Seattle on Aug. 22, 1946, to Robert Lewis and
Elizabeth Enid (Watson) Elliott. He was preceded in death by his
parents and his sister, Judy (Elliott) Sawyer. He is survived by
the love of his life, Henni (Slickers) Elliott of Mount Vernon;
and his three children, Rob Elliott of Lake Stevens, WA, Dina
Elizabeth Hovde of Vancouver, WA, and Katie Hawkins of Mount
Vernon. He also leaves behind daughter-in-law Liza Elliott;
sons-in-law Ryan Hovde and Wayne Hawkins; grandchildren Peyton
and Bailey Elliott and Luke and Jonah Hovde; as well as beloved
brother-in-law Tom Sawyer and several other family members and
friends. Don attended Seattle schools and owned a family
dry-cleaning business on Seattle's Greenwood Avenue for many
years. As a young father, Don was very involved in his north
Seattle church, helping lead the children's ministry. His own
children delighted in his accordion playing, his Donald Duck
impersonation and his chocolate chip cookies. He moved his
family to the Marshall Islands in 1987, where Don continued to
dry-clean in paradise (Kwajalein) and enjoyed
deep-water fishing, island life and his boat, the Sea Witch. In
1998, Don moved back to Washington. He worked as a mechanic for
several years and lived in Mount Vernon until the time of his
death. Don took great joy in his family, looking forward to
every barbecue, the family's annual summer vacation and the
Elliotts' Thanksgiving festivities. Don was greatly loved and is
dearly missed. His family celebrated his life on Earth and his
entry into the heavens at a private remembrance on the Tye
River. |
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Clark B. Gathercole,
82, of Ojai, died Monday, Jan. 7, 2002, after a brief illness.
He was born Aug. 5, 1919, in Vermont. Mr. Gathercole was a
commercial pilot, continuing his flying career after serving in
the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. He piloted a B-17
Flying Fortress with the 2nd Bombardment Group, 96th Squadron,
Tunisia, and completed 50 missions over Sicily and Italy. After
returning home, he flew for several airlines and was Ventura
County's director of airports in 1961. He finished his flying
career in 1980 as senior captain for Global Associates at
Kwajalein
Atoll, Marshall Islands. His interests included reading,
political discussions, storytelling and NFL football. He is
survived by his wife of 59 years, Grace Harris Gathercole;
daughters and sons-in-law Judith and Preston Plumb of Steamboat
Springs, CO, and Carol and Alan Olson of Ojai; four grandsons;
one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter. Mr. Gathercole
was preceded in death by his son, Gary.
FYI - Captain Gathercole was one of the
pilots aboard the ill-fated DC-54 crash on Roi in 1977. |
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| Jacquelynn L.
Tinsley,
Titusville, FL - Jacquelynn L. Tinsley passed away at home the
late evening of June 29, 2010, after a long illness. Known to
her many friends as Jackie, she was much beloved by her husband,
Robert S. Tinsley, and her children. She was born in Oakland, CA
on July 23, 1929 to Edmund C. Garbis and the former Ethel E.
Harrington. Jackie attended Holy Names High School, though not a
Catholic, and studied fine arts at Mills College. At age 18 she
married Benjamin A. Wilson, a U.S. Army sergeant, who was killed
in an accident not long afterwards. She was pregnant at the time
with her son, John Douglas Wilson. For some time she lived in
Arkansas with her parents-in-law, before returning to
California. She was living and working in San Francisco when she
met Robert, a naval aviator, who became her husband for the rest
of her life. She lived over many areas of the country, as well
as nineteen months in Kwajalein, in the
Marshall Islands. She had also worked as a draftsman, and other
jobs in defense-related companies. Her husband became an airline
pilot, resulting in residences in Colorado, Illinois, Virginia,
California, and Florida. Traveling with her husband also gave
her access to France, Hawaii, and the British Isles. She was a
main-stay with the Titusville Garden Club, and was well-known as
a gourmet cook. She is survived by her husband, and 3 children,
Lee Ann Schouten of Titusville, Robert Tinsley, Jr., of Ozark,
AR., Virginia Hoppe, of Kings Mountain, NC, and a brother,
William Garbis of Jacksonville. Her eldest son, John D. Wilson
Tinsley, who served 2 tours with the Army in Vietnam, died of a
heart attack four years ago. |
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Anthony J.
Serrano,
61, of Kansas City, Kansas., passed away Monday, January
25, 2010, at his home. The Mass of Christian burial will
be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 30, 2010, at The Cathedral
of Saint Peter, 409 N 14th, KC, Kan. In lieu of flowers,
the family suggests memorials to the Bishop Ward High
School. Anthony was born in Milliken, CO, to Paul and
Josephine Serrano. Mr. Serrano was a lifelong member of
The Cathedral of Saint Peter. He graduated from St.
Peters Grade School and Bishop Ward High School. Anthony
was a Vietnam Army veteran and had recently retired from
Kansas City Kansas Community College, Engineering and
Technology Department, after many years of dedicated
service. He was preceded in death by his parents and one
sister, Ramona Lou Serrano. He is survived by brothers
Paul E. Serrano (Lynne), Thomas M. Serrano, Sr. (Kathy),
James W. Serrano, Raymond Serrano (Becky) and sisters
Joella Young (Jim), Pauline Carpio (Ken), Mary Serrano,
along with 15 nieces and nephews and 14 great nieces and
nephews.
Perhaps you remember Tony Serrano who worked in the
Communications building on Kwaj. He worked on the
inter-island L6 and L600 carrier systems. Like you
Shermie, he was also from the KC area. I know he spent
time at the Yuk listening to your music and traveling to
all of the outer islands to maintain and align the old
carrier systems. It is good to see that you are doing
well. I lived in the Reef BQ across from you for a long
time. I wish I still had the Arp synthesizer I had
there. Like Tony, I was on Kwaj from 73-78. After
living in the Overland Park area for more than 20 years,
I now live in Webster, TX. Thank you. Dennis DeSloover,
Engineering & Installation Standards,
Dennis.Desloover@sprint.com |
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Lewis
H. (Brad) Bradley
1924-2010, passed away February 28, 2010
in McAllen, Texas after a two month hospital stay. He will
be placed at the Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas. He
worked for Kentron Inc. - Kwajalein
Atoll and was active with the Aloha Shrine Temple on
Kwajalein and later in Honolulu. He used an artificial
larynx so many people would remember him but him using one.
McAllen, Texas - Lewis 'Brad' H. Bradley, 85, died
Sunday, February 28, 2010, at Comfort House. He was
born in La Feria, TX, May 6, 1924. He survived by his wife,
Violet Bradley; daughters, Linda Bradley and Denise
Armstrong; son, Larry Bradley; and step children, Kristie
Kanowitz and Michael Trutwin. |
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Skip & Kay Gallant
(Kwaj
1980-89) -
Kay
passed Nov 25th, 2008 and Skip passed Oct 7th, 2009. Skip worked
for Kentron International at Kwajalein as a
Senior Programmer / Analyst. Skip and Kay returned stateside to
retire in a very small town, Palmer, in mid-state Nebraska.
Herman C. (Skip) Gallant
passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at the
age of 82/ at Mesa, AZ. Skip was born on June 30/ 1927/ in
Yakima, WA, to the parents of Walt and Minnie (Seat) Gallant. He
graduated from high school in Mukilteo, WA. After serving a tour
of duty in the Navy, he met and married Irene (Lori) Bingaman,
and they separated after about 20 years. To this union were born
three children, Mark, Holly, and Marcy. On October 14, 1974,
Skip married Beulah '''Kay'' Clark in California. They spent
eight years
overseas
in the Kwajalein
Islands
and moved to Palmer, Nebraska, in 1988. His careers spanned
being a police officer in Silver City, New Mexico, while he was
in college; to teaching, which he loved to do; to the aerospace
industry, including Boeing. Skip had the privilege to work with
Dr. Van Bruan
at Rocketdyne,
and the latter was part of
the space efforts at Vandenberg
Air
Base. Yes, he was a rocket scientist! He retired from
Kwajalein
where his job was to develop programs to assist in reentry
vehicle tracking systems, a forerunner to the "Star Wars"
defense systems. Skip
worked on Kwajalein at the ICC in the
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Kentron
days. He could always be found with a cup of coffee, a
cigarette, a big smile, and a great sense of humor.
His experience and demeanor made the ICC a very good place to
work. Always willing to help out, solve problems, and teaching
those lucky enough to work with him. After hours, he could be
found playing Pinochle, playing on his Commodore Pet or walking
his cat Tiger. He was a great friend and we'll miss him. In
Palmer, he returned to teaching as a substitute. Skip and Kay
were voted to receive the "Good Neighbor" award at the Palmer
Fall Festival in 1991. They both had a love for children and
would often do special things for them. Skip's wife, Kay, passed
away November 25, 2008. Skip became a Catholic when he married
Lori. He was active in the church as a teacher, reader, and
parish member. When he and Kay settled in Palmer, he found his
faith with the Wesleyan Church. He believed in being part of the
community and giving back and so was a Sunday School teacher and
was active in his church in Palmer. According to son, Mark:
''Dad' is a verb. He did it well. His support, lessons, help,
and examples of and about life helped to mold us to be good
Christians, good spouses, good parents, and good neighbors. Dad
did a lot of things with and for the girls, but being the boy, I
got to share his love of scouting, camping, some hunting, and
cave exploring in addition to the just 'guy to guy' stuff as I
matured. He was a good dad, husband, and servant of our Lord. He
will be greatly missed. May he and all the souls of the faithful
departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Survivors
include Mark (Margie) Gallant, of Beaverton, OR; Holly (Bryan)
Huschka of Everett, WA, and Marcy (Kent) Slater of Mesa, AZ; a
step-daughter-in-law, Mary Jo (Jody) Rasey of Yuma, AZ; eight
grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and three
step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren; and a
sister, Lottie Elke, of Edmonds, WA. He was preceded in death by
his parents; brothers: Howard, Homer, Harry, and Harvey; and a
step-son, Dan Rasey.
Beulah
"Kay" (Clark) Gallant,
84, of Palmer, Nebraska, died Tuesday, November 25, 2008. at her
home. Kay was in Rose HiIl Cemetery, Palmer, NE. She was born
October 10, 1924 in Merrick County to Clarence and Mina
(Edwards) Clark. She grew up and was educated in Palmer and
graduated from Palmer High School. She attended the University
of Nebraska at Omaha and later worked for the Civil Service in
Omaha for three years. She moved to California and lived there
for 15 years. On October 14, 1974, she married Herman (Skip)
Gallant In California. They spent eight years overseas in the
Kwajalein Islands and moved back to Palmer in
1988. She was busy befriending the kids in the neighborhood. She
always made Peanut Butter Balls at Christmas which the kids were
more than glad to help her get rid of. She and Skip often walked
Tiger in the evening. Probably the only cat on island that
walked on a leash. They were voted to receive the "Good
Neighbor" award at the Fall Festival in 1991. Kay faithfully
attended the Palmer Wesleyan Church. Her hobby was searching for
shells on the beach; and she loved children. Survivors include
her husband, Skip, a step-daughter-In-Iaw, Mary' Jo (Jody) Rasey
of Yuma, AZ; one step-son, Mark (Marjorie) Gallant, of Aloha,
OR; two step-daughters. Holly (Bryan) Huschka of Everett. WA,
and Marcy (Kent) Slater of Queen Creek, AZ, 11
step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren. She was
preceded in death by a. step-son, Dan Rasey; one brother, Ralph;
and three sisters: Leota, Florence and Emma. |
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| Walter Benjamin
Fiske II,
Dec. 12, 1941 - Jan. 8, 2010: "Benny" of Huntsville, passed away
Friday. Mr. Fiske was a Huntsville native. He attended Rison
Elementary School and graduated in 1960 from Huntsville High
School. He worked for 30 years for Control Data Corp.,
spending seven and one half of those years in Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands. Survivors include his wife, Judy Hyer Fiske;
children, John Walter Fiske and life partner Eric Templeton,
Lisa Fiske Schrimsher and husband Jerry, and Kelli Fiske Wright
and husband Alan; one sister, Mary Ann Kirkland and husband
James; and one brother, Tom Fisk and wife Maria. He is also
survived by seven grandchildren, Katie, Ben, Jack, Taylor, Darci,
Hunter and Wyatt; and several nieces and nephews. |
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| John
Naughton
Melbourne, FL, John J. Naughton passed away peacefully
on Monday, December 28, 2009. He was born in Morris
town, NJ on October 3, 1917, and was preceded in death
by his beloved wife of 65 years, Vene. He is survived by
his three daughters, Nancy (Bill Fletcher) of Melbourne,
Bonnie (Loren Vaughn) of Scottsdale, AZ and Peggy (Doug
Broyles) of Longmont, CO, as well as nine grandchildren
and fourteen great-grandchildren. John was a graduate of
Rutgers University and was employed by Bell
Laboratories, Inc. for 45 years prior to his retirement
in 1981.After retirement he re turned to Melbourne where
his family had lived while he was assigned to Cape
Canaveral. At Bell Labs, he began as a mailroom employee
and completed his career as Plant Operations Manager. He
held various positions in Bell Labs facilities in New
York, New Jersey, Cape Canaveral, FL, Kwajalein,
Marshall Is lands, and Wales, UK all involving his
exceptional skills in organization, management and staff
relations. He also served briefly in the United States
Army. During their assignments, John and Vene made many
lifelong friends with whom they kept in touch over the
years. While assigned to Wales, they had the opportunity
to travel extensively in Europe with friends. They also
took time to see much of Asia during their stay at
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. While assigned to Cape
Canaveral, John participated in the early years of the
space program and watched as Alan Sheppard made the
first sub-orbital flight and continued through the first
orbital flight by John Glenn. He was then transferred to
Kwajalein Island where he worked with the Nike X
project. His family, however, was always his first
priority. He was a loving, devoted husband to Vene and a
very special Dad to his daughters. He was always active
in their school lives, and encouraged his girls to be
active, independent, open to new people, ideas and
adventures and to take ad vantage of opportunities
presented to them. All though his family was spread over
the country, John and Vene traveled often to be with
children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren making
sure all knew they were loved and treasured by them. In
addition, they made sure their home was always a place
where all family members were welcomed, and were
encouraged to return often. He touched our lives in many
ways leaving all of us with wonderful memories that will
remain forever and love for him that will never go away. |
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Konny Banks
Dec. 17, 1936 - Jan. 4, 2010. On Jan. 4 in
His infinite wisdom and mercy, God took unto Himself His servant,
Konny Banks, who died in Huntsville Hospital after a long fight
against cancer. The only child of Everett Kyhn and Courtney Garland
Kyhn, Konny was born in Richmond, Va. She was a graduate of the
College of William and Mary and obtained a master's degree in
library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill. She worked in libraries at all educational levels and retired
as a Huntsville City Schools librarian from Westlawn Middle
School. She was a devoted wife and mother, and a career Army wife. Konny
was a member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild for 30 years
and a longtime supporter of the Huntsville Symphony. She was a
member of the Du Midi service club, as well as several other civic
and church groups. She greatly enjoyed English history and travel,
but especially loved time spent with family and friends. She never
met a stranger and treasured her friends. Her winning smile and
gracious manner will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Konny is
survived by her husband of 44 years, Col. John W. Banks Jr.; her
daughter, Caroline Banks of Houston; her daughter, Ashley Parsons
and son-in-law Robert; and grandsons, John and Michael, all of
Opelika. |
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Robert &
Dorothy Olds
I am a Kwaj Kid 1966 - 1972, daughter Joy to
Robert & Dorothy Olds. My Dad ran the Yokwe Yuk Club
for about 15 years. My Mom Dorothy worked at the Power
Plant with the late Billy Daniels & Ed Borgess. While
they were in Kwaj, they both loved living there
and in fact, we all loved it. After Kwaj duty,
they worked with ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia for about 5
years and they retired in Hawaii and eventually moved to
Las Vegas where my husband George and I now live.
My mother Dorothy passed away in
2000 at the age of 80 & Dad Bob passed away June 2009 at
the age of 92.
Joy Olds-Jones |
Robert Olds
Yokwe Yuk Club
Manager, 66-72 |
Daughter, Joy, 17 yrs. with mother
Dorothy, July 1, 1971 |
Dorothy 79 &
Bob 85, year 2000 |
Mediterranean
Cruise-83 |
George & Joy
2008 |
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Earl Coon
Titusville, FL, Earl Everett Coon, age 87, passed away
on Monday, October 26, 2009 at home. He was born on
April 19, 1922 in Cushing, OK. Earl was raised in
western New York state in Medina. He was a Staff
Sergeant in the New York State National Guard prior to
World War II and served as a Navy Seal during the war.
Earl spent several years in rocket engineering with Bell
Aircraft and General Dynamics Corp. in various missile
programs. The last 15 years prior to retirement were
spent in the Marshall Islands of the Pacific,
Kwajalein atoll, with the Vinnell Corp. on
the island of Kwajalein (eight
years). The last seven years were as a self-con tractor
with the Hospital Corporation of Great Britain and the
Saudi Arabian government. Earl was predeceased by Janet
Coon, his wife of 47 years; son, Scott Coon, and sister,
Sally Johnson. Earl is survived by many loving family
members including his wife, Norma Blunk Coon; his son,
Terry Lee (Kathie) Coon of Titus ville; his daughters,
Nicki Lynn (Jack) Piedmont of Hilton, NY, and Patricia
Jan (Jay) Parrish of Titusville; his stepchildren,
Joseph (Marsha) Blunk of Melbourne, FL, Becky (Bill)
Senecal of North Groves, Nordale, CT, and Vicki Hammond
of Columbus, OH; 15 grandchildren, 19
great-grandchildren and the church family of First
Presbyterian Church of Titusville.
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Meck Operations Manager
for Global 1970s |
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Charles
H. Felton Jr. "Charlie Tuna,"
71, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. Charles spent his
life traveling. He worked in Washington, DC, for Western
Electric, then in Cherry Hill, N.J., for RCA, where he
got to travel the world. Then he took a job overseas in
Kwajalein to work in communications. While there, he
had the chance to visit the many islands and that's
where he fell in love, and then retired. He passed away
in his sleep in Kolonia, Pohnpei, where he had lived out
the rest of his life. As he had wished, it will be there
that he will be laid to rest. Charles leaves many family
members behind: a stepmother, Helen Felton; a brother,
Edward Felton; a sister, Debbie Talley; his children,
Yvonne Sudduth, Charles Felton III, Christy Jones and
Lauri Bruton; and their mother, Joyce Muterspaw. He also
leaves behind 11 grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren. In Pohnpei, he leaves a wife, five
children and six grandchildren. He will be missed by all
who knew him.
In Memory of Charlie Tuna:
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"I worked with Tuna on Roi for many
years. He will be missed. He actually started Channel 4 TV
on Roi. Hooked a VCR to a small amp, out the window of Ajax
BQ. RIP my old friend." Bill Williamson
"Roi
revolved around Charlie - to me he made Roi what it was. I
can honestly say he was the most pleasant guy to be around
and one of the people I missed the most when I PCSed. He was
the Mayor. God bless you Charlie." Dan Turney
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JoAnn Helstrom
born JoAnn Pennington 9-23-1935 San Antonio,
TX. Employed at the local Air Force facility in
the late 1950s. Married and moved to Athens,
Alabama; raised 3 children. Re-entered
government employment at Redstone Arsenal,
Huntsville, AL ap. late 1970s. Assigned to
Kwajalein Missile Range
1981-1993. Served as Secretary to Deputy
Commanders and Range Commander. Returned to
Huntsville to live and work; retired from
Redstone in 1996. Joann had been divorced and
had remarried Ray Helstrom in 1989. JoAnn passed
away 9-1-2009 after a 3 year bout of ovarian
cancer. JoAnn was extremely well liked and
deeply loved by her family and remarkable
gathering of loyal friends over her lifetime. As
for virtually all alumni who ever lived and
served on Kwajalein, she too was deeply
steeped in its lifestyle lore and richly
rewarded with treasured memories. Among the
many, "happily-ever-after" stories written on
Kwajalein, JoAnn and her husband Ray
Helstrom lived one of the closest and fullest.
they met on Kwajalein in 1983 and filled
their life with family happenings and world
adventures for 26 years. Ray testifies that he
and JoAnn were truly blessed and states that
there is no doubt that their good fortune
greatly benefited from the opportunity to pursue
a life on Kwajalein
that cultivated the lasting friendships that are
serving as support to this very day. She leaves
her children Donna, Gregory and Douglas, and
grandchildren Amanda and Elizabeth in Alabama;
her brother Eugene and extensive family in
Texas; and step son Marek and step grandchildren
Britt and Garrett, and Carolyn and Bruce, Ray's
sister and brother and extensive family in
California. Her loyal shih tsu, Spritzer,
remains with Ray in Huntsville, AL.
rayhelstrom@hotmail.com. |
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Lawrence Lowe
Nelson
St. George, Utah - Lawrence Lowe Nelson, 78, passed away
at home with home with his family on September 5,
2009. Larry was born March 31, 1931 in Oskaloosa, Iowa
to Clela Lowe and Leslie Raymond Nelson. Larry lived in
What Cheer, Iowa and graduated from What Cheer High
School on May 14, 1948. He was the lead in his high
school play, "Good, Gracious, Grandma "his junior year
of high school. He was the Junior Class President and
Senior Class Vice President. He played football and
baseball in high school and loved to fish. After high
school, Larry enlisted in the Navy in 1948 and received
an Honorable Discharge on June 13, 1952. He was a
Submariner on the USS Grampus 523 submarine. He was a
Helmsman. On October 3, 1953 he married Isabelle Martire
in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Larry went to school to
become a computer engineer and worked for IBM and
Control Data Corp. Larry loved to scuba dive and was a
volunteer for the Cook County Rescue Squad. He was a
scuba diving and water safety instructor and lifeguard
at the YMCA. He was a member and held the office of
President of the Harvey Orca's Scuba Club. Larry spent
three years in the Marshall Islands on the Kwajalein
Atoll where he learned to fly planes and enjoyed
boating, deep sea fishing, snorkeling and sailing. Larry
was an avid hiker. He backpacked in the Grand Canyon
twice a year for more than 20 years. He would hike from
rim to rim of the Grand Canyon in one day. Larry was a
member of the Rocky Mountain Hiking Club in Colorado and
was one of the original members of the Outback Hiking
Club in St. George. He served as leader for 110 club
hikes and held every office. He was one of only 11
achieving the level of "10-Star Hiker." His outstanding
hiking record and extraordinary abilities as a hike
leader merited him the title of "Honorary Lifetime
Member." Larry climbed approximately 306 mountain peaks
in his lifetime. Larry always had his family with him
whenever possible on his hikes. One thing his children
will always remember is what their Dad said every time
they were tired of hiking and wanted to go home. The end
is "just around the bend." The "bend" would usually be
an hour or two away! |
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James "Jim"
M. Sumter
Jim
, 67, of Keaau died August
11, 2009 at Kaiser Foundation
Hospital. Born in Lompoc, CA, he was
a retired high-speed photographer
for Lockheed Martin. Survived by
wife, Judy Sumter; son, Trevor
Sumter; daughters, Danell (Hector)
Hurtado, Laurie Galbrath and
Meredith (Joseph) Florita; sister,
Georgia Hart; six grandchildren |
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Domingo Gomez
May 4, 1931 -
May 9, 2009. Domingo Gomez, Kaneohe, Hawaii passed away May 9,
2009 in Kaneohe of cardiac arrest. Domingo was the head
custodian for the KREMS Facility, Roi-Namur,
Kwajalein
Atoll, Marshall Islands for 30 consecutive years from 1972 until
retirement in 2002. Domingo was born May 4, 1931 in the North
Kohala district of the Big Island of Hawaii. He passed away May
9, 2009 in Kaneohe, Hawaii five days after celebrating his 78th
birthday. He will be remembered by his friends and co-workers
for his cheerful and helpful attitude. He was a friend of all
and greatly respected for his dedication and work ethics. He
loved the ocean and built a little beach park behind the ALCOR
Facility {Domingo Beach Park'} where many of his co-workers
enjoyed their lunch hours. Prior to work on Roi-Namur
he served 8 years in the US Army before being honorably
discharged. He touched many people while on Roi-Namur
and will be missed by his many friends. |
September 2008 |
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Timothy Persons
March 7,
1956 - March 19, 2009 Timothy Parker Persons, 53, of Huntsville
died Thursday. Born on March 7, 1956, in Birmingham, he was a
member of the Alabama National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. He
resided in the
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands for 10 years and in
Huntsville for the past 10 years. Mr. Persons was preceded in
death by his father, Albert Persons; and sisters, Virginia
Persons and Evelyn Persons. He is survived by his mother, Mrs.
Albert Persons of Ashville; sisters, Penelope Persons of
Vancouver, Canada, Patricia Persons, and Heather Persons, both
of Toronto, Canada, Melanie Persons and husband Mike Sands of
Ashville; and brothers, Albert Persons Jr. of Atlanta, Mike
Persons of Ashville, and John "Jack" Persons of Birmingham. |
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| Herb Lambert
Herb and his
lovely wife, Lla, were on Kwajalein from 1976 to the
early 80's. Herb was with McDonald Douglas. He passed away on
December 1, 2008 in Mesa, AZ. He is survived by at least one
son, Steve. Ila will be remembered by those of us who loved and
admired her as a fantastic golfer. She gave lessons while on
Kwaj. She was also a Master Bridge player and gave duplicate
bridge lessons. She was just a really wonderful woman who
succumbed to Alziemer's in the late 90'or early 2000. Steve's
address is 2596 NE Linden Ave. Gresham, OR. 97030. |
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Steve Moore
April 4,
1958 - March 1, 2009, Steven D. Moore, 50, of
Huntsville, a loving and dedicated husband, father, son
and friend, was called home to be with our Lord on
Sunday. Steve was born in Coventry, R.I., to Clarence
and Barbara Moore. He attended Florida Institute of
Technology on an ROTC Scholarship, where he met and
married his lifelong love, Maryjon Large. The young
couple traveled with the Army across the globe including
a tour of Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, which
produced their first son, Marshall. They soon had two
more boys, Cody, born in Texas, and Scott, born in
Virginia. After retiring from the Army as a lieutenant
colonel with 20 years of service, he worked for Boeing
at Kwajalein and then Miltec and Venturi in
Huntsville. Steve also was a Scout leader, avid
fisherman, scuba diver, underwater photographer,
airplane and helicopter pilot, and enjoyed Pop Warner
football. Survivors include his wife, Maryjon Large
Moore of Huntsville; sons, Marshall John Moore, Cody
Michael Moore and Scott Cornell Moore; and
mother-in-law, Trudy Benson of Huntsville; parents,
Clarence and Barbara Moore of Coventry, R.I.; brother,
Michael Arthur Moore and his children, Torri, Jason and
Sean, all of Rhode Island; and brothers-in-law, Budd
Large and wife Kelly and their children, Daniel, Raynor,
Caroline and Janey, all of Maine, and Andy Large and
wife Belinda and their daughter Emily, all of Arizona. |
2003 |
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Judy Kessler
was full of life and you could usually hear her giggling
at something someone just said. She was on Kwaj
with her family for two tours, 2/69 to 6/73 and 6/75 to
7/77. Her husband, Alan, worked for MIT/LL on Roi
Namur. When they arrived on island, their son
Jonathan was almost three years old, Steven was four and
Debbie was eight. Judy took to life on Kwajalein
with a passion right away. She loved tennis and played
every chance she could. You could usually see the whole
family jogging around island. Judy was very active in
the
Kwajalein Community Theater (KCT). She
and Alan were involved in many plays, including, Fiddler
On The Roof, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The
Forum, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Fantastics,
Man Of La Mancha, and No, No, Nanette. During her second
tour, Judy was one of the founding members that helped
set up and create the Kwajalein Swim Team. She
found time to take Toshi Tanigawa's classes on tissue
paper collage, and clay. On her first tour she became
involved with Brownies as a Den Mother, Webelos, and Cub
Scouts. She tried sailing with Alan and quickly decided
that she would rather travel by plane. And travel she
did, to Pohnpei, Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong. She
helped plan a trip to Majuro; combining a tennis club
match with a KCT production of The Fantastics for the
children of Majuro. If she wasn't on the tennis court
you could find her at Emon Beach smoozing with her
friends and watching the kids. After leaving Kwaj,
Judy and family moved to Fountain Valley, Ca., where she
quickly helped to establish a local synagogue. She later
become a VP responsible for the temple youth group.
Judy's full-of-life personality enabled her to make many
friends in California. Son Steven's wedding was held in
the family back yard. She saw her daughter Debbie
married on Kauai. The memories of Kwajalein were
deeply ingrained in the whole family and all but Steven
moved to Kauai in 2004. Judy, Alan, son Jonathan,
partner David, and grandkids, Sophie and Eli all lived
together in the same house in Omao. Judy quickly joined
the local tennis and yoga clubs, activities she dearly
loved. Judy died unexpectedly while on a family reunion
in Palm Springs, Dec.2, 2005. We all miss her, her
laugh, her warmth, her friendship and her love. |
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Sophie & Eli with Grandma
2005 |
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Alisa
Sawyer Edmunds
passed away February 14, 2009 about 8 p.m.,
funeral arrangements and details: Tuesday, Feb.
17th at Hazel Green Funeral Home, 13921 Hwy
231/431 North, Hazel Green, AL, viewing: noon -
2 p.m., services at funeral home: 2 p.m;, burial
following in Meridianville (the little white
church on Hwy 231/431). Some Local Flower Shops
you can use: Peggy's Log Cabin: (256) 533-7575
or Hazel Green Florist: (256) 695-4696,
charities: any Cancer Charity. Children's
names: Amber & Dillon Edmunds. Parents: Lee and
Betty Sawyer, Brothers: Michael and David
Sawyer.
The following message
was emailed to Alisa's
classmates and
Kwaj Kid friends by
Wanda Smith Mannahan:
I'm Free - Don't grieve me, for I'm free. I'm
following the path God laid for me. I took His
hand when I heard Him call. I turned my back and
left it all. I could not stay another day. To
laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left
undone must stay that way. I found that peace at
the close of day. If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship
shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes, these things, I
too will miss. Be not burdened with times of
sorrow. I wish you sunshine for tomorrow. My
life's been full, I savored much Good friends,
good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time
seemed all to brief, don't lengthen it now with
undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with
me. God wanted me now; He set me free - by Horan
& McConary |
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| Jacob E. Starr
of Peoria, AZ left us for paradise February 10 in his home by
the water. He was the youngest of four born to Jessie and Ethel
Starr in Conroe, TX, 6/16/1944. The Starr's moved to the Buckeye
area when he was an infant. Times were tough and from a young
age he worked alongside his migrant working family traveling
from Texas west and north to Washington State as crops were ripe
and work could be had. His dad passed away when he was 8 years
old. His courage, generosity, and rare determination took root
and grew in the cotton fields, classrooms, and football fields
of the West Valley. He married Marilyn Ann Webb of Buckeye, July
24, 1964 and together they brought up three daughters who gave
them 7 grandchildren. He entered the US Army as a private and
courageously served two tours in Vietnam, first as an
infantryman, then as a helicopter pilot. After 25 years of
distinguished service, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. With
relentless determination and not enough capital, he and Marilyn
built Glendale Aviation into a successful business. He was a
talented man who lived an adventurous life of: fighting wars,
flying the skies, sailing by the stars, raising girls,
surprising entrepreneurship, scuba diving and loving others with
courage, unflinching determination, and generosity known not
only in the valley but the world even unto total strangers and
testy pound dogs. |
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William Richard
(Bill) North, III
of Holliston formerly of Natick died on
January 8, 2009. Beloved husband of Patricia Everett
North. Devoted father of William Everett North and his wife Anne
Elizabeth North of Holliston. Born October 19th 1930 in
Plattsburgh, NY, spent his early years in Northern Vermont where
his mother was born before moving to Takoma Park, MD where his
father worked for the FDA Headquarters in Washington,
DC. Growing up Bill loved building elaborate wood airplanes,
playing trumpet in the Lowes Theatres Cadet Marching Band and
playing baseball in the Washington DC Departmental League where
Harry Truman would occasionally come to catch a game. Graduated
University of Maryland, College Park, MD in 1952 at the top of
the Electrical Engineering Class, BSEE Honors: Tau Beta Pi, Phi
Kappa Phi. Worked at the Naval Research Lab (NRL) on High
Resolution Radar from 1952-1955 before serving in the US Army
Chemical Corps at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah till 1957. Moved
east to Waltham, MA and worked from 1957 to 1993 as a Senior
Member of the Technical Staff at GTE Government Systems Corp in
Needham. During which time worked on such projects as the
Neutral Particle Beam Accelerator at the Los Alamos National
Laboratory, NM, the ALTAIR Radar System at the Kwajalein
Missile Range in the Marshall Islands, the Haystack
Hill LRI Radar for MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the Ballistic
Missile Early Warning System at Clear, Alaska. Bill authored
several symposiums and books including "High Powered Microwave
Tube Transmitters", and "Haystack Hill Long Range Imaging Radar
Transmitter". After GTE Sylvania, Bill continued his career
consulting for many companies including Northrop Grumman,
Diversified Technologies, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Bill was
highly regarded in the field of high-powered microwave
transmitters. He was a mentor, a real friend, and will be missed
by all in the industry. In addition to his technical
achievements, Bill enjoyed traveling, was an avid tennis player
and cyclist and often combined the two, riding several miles to
get in a set of tennis. A model railroader, Bill created
landscapes and layouts that overtook the basement. Bill enjoyed
building a hot fire with the wood he had hand cut, reading the
New Yorker magazine and debating politics with anyone who would
listen. He loved, educated, and supported us all. He was
forgiving, generous and selfless. He was the glue that kept all
of us together. He leaves a brother Gordon North of Rockville,
MD a niece and nephew Lisa and Gary North and two grandchildren
Katie & Will North. We will miss Grampy so. |
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Larry D. Hazelbaker
Rifle Resident, age 73. Larry
Hazelbaker died December 24, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand
Junction, CO after suffering a stroke and related medical
complications. He was 73 years old. Larry was born April 26, 1935 near
Meeker, CO to Joe Paul Hazelbaker and Dorothy Elisabeth Warren. Larry
attended school in Meeker and graduated from Rio Blanco High School in
1953. He attended Mesa Junior College and later joined the U.S. Marine
Corps where he became a sergeant and trained as a electronics
technician. He was later employed by the RCA, General Electric Aerospace
and Martin Marietta companies. During his employment with these
companies, he worked on and supervised satellite tracking system
projects including being involved with NASA's Mercury and Gemini
Projects. He traveled extensively but spent much of his working time on
the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands in the Pacific
Ocean. He retired from Martin Marietta in 1993 and then moved to the
Rifle/New Castle area. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and
his sister, Peggy Ivie. He is survived by his aunt - Florence Barnard
Hazelbaker, cousins - Conrad Hazelbaker, Beverly Prosence and Barbara
Greeley. On his sister's side, Larry is survived by nephew Mark Ivie,
brother-in-law Lenard Ivie, grand nephews Chad Ivie, Bobbie Albretson,
Jared Ivie and Joshua Ivie.
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Harry L. Raymond
May 31, 1945 - December 31,
2008. Harry L. Raymond is survived by his wife,
Anita, and his three children, Steven, Gerald, and
Melanie. Harry lived a great life as a devoted
husband and loving father. He spent a great part of
it in Socorro. You may remember him walking the
sidelines, coaching from the bench, or standing in a
dugout. He coached his sons in every sport beginning
with Pinon League. When the boys were too old to
coach, he became the referee and officiated their
games in high school. He is remembered as "Mr.
Raymond" to countless players and students from
throughout the years. He came to New Mexico early on
when the military called him to service as an MP in
the Army and assigned him to Stallion Site on White
Sands Missile Range. This is where he first met his
soul mate, and son-to-be wife, Anita
Gallegos. Throughout the years they have moved from
time-to-time, until most recently, when he felt a
second, inner-call to service. Harry served for the
last 27 months with his eldest son, Steven,
alongside Soldiers and Marines in the Al Anbar
Province. He executed numerous combat missions as a
part of a classified project dedicated towards
saving countless lives of military members. His
conduct and actions were part of a historical effort
that will become a footnote in history in the
decades to come. He was a very quiet, soft spoken,
determined man. He was at his happiest moments in
the final months serving his country and planning
his retirement and ultimate reunion with
Anita. Though we lost him way too early, he will
never be forgotten. He was more than a husband and a
father, he was our friend. We will miss you Pops,
Dad, Daddy. Harry worked for the Photo Optics
Section at
Kwajalein Missile Range. |
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Capt.
Keith Coberly
It is my sad duty to report
the October death of my late friend and co-worker Capt. Keith Coberly,
skipper of the US Department of Energy's Research Vessel Liktanur 2. I
received an E-Mail from his daughter December 10 stating that he died in
October in San Diego. He was home ported at Kwajalein during the
late 70's to the mid 80s. Capt Coberly was a well known employee of US
Oceanography, the owner of the RV Liktanur 2. I worked as the
Kwajalein coordinator of US DOE research teams that checked for
radiation related problems due to the `1950s A-Bomb and H-Bomb
above-ground tests at Enewetak and Bikini as well as the radiation
cleanup program in the 80s at Eniwetok Atoll. Keith and his crewmates
were essential to the success of those missions. Regards, Jim Watt,
Kwajalein from '75 to '83.
Lowe H. Bibby
Captain Lowe
Haydn Bibby III USN (Ret.) died 5 November, 2008 at his home in
Kailua, HI. He had been in declining health for the past several
years. "Buzz" was born in San Diego, CA on 16 July, 1928 into a
Navy family. His father graduated from the Naval Academy with
the Class of 1922, Buzz with the Class of 1951. Both were
submariners. At the Academy, Buzz played Battalion football and
was All Brigade end his Plebe year. His First Class year he was
the Brigade middle weight boxing champion.
After
graduation, Buzz reported aboard the battleship WISCONSIN
(BB-64) serving with the SEVENTH FLEET and saw action in Korea
providing close fire support for United Nations troops engaged
in action against North Korean and Chinese troops ashore. He
later served aboard the aircraft carrier LAKE CHAMPLAIN, and
destroyer GATLING before receiving orders to Submarine School in
June 1955. After Sub School, Buzz served aboard BURRFISH
(SSR-312), TORSK (SS-423), and ENTEMEDOR (SS-340) before
commanding BLENNY (SS-324). He attended the Naval Post Graduate
School from July 1959 to June 1961 where he earned a BSEE, and
then served on COMSUBPAC Staff and CNO Staff (OP 31) before
being appointed to command Submarine Division 73 in July
1970. He next went to the COMSUBLANT Staff as Operations Officer
where he served until taking command of MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC-20),
his last sea duty. He served as Commanding Officer of the HUMAN
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CENTER, Pearl Harbor, HI, until his
retirement in July 1981. His service awards: Distinguished
Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Achievement
Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Buzz had an active
life after retirement. He and Mary crewed on several sailboats,
which gave them the opportunity to sail over 30,000 miles of
Pacific Ocean visiting remote islands far off the normal tourist
routes. In 1988 he took a position with Johnson Control World
Services on
Kwajalein Island for six years. After "Kwaj"
Buzz settled in Kailua, HI where he lived until his death,
enjoying life and playing countless rounds of golf, following
the athletic teams of the University of Hawaii, and of course,
the fortunes of Navy football.
He is survived by his wife
of 55 years, the former Mary Faris, a daughter, Kris, a son,
Lowe IV, and 2 grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by another
daughter, Patricia. Buzz was a remarkably likeable person. To
know him was to love him. Buzz was not a man impressed with the
acquisition of wealth, expensive possessions, or exalted
position; he measured his treasure in terms of his many friends
and the love of family. Rest easy Old Friend, Classmate,
Shipmate and Messmate. We have been graced by your friendship
and warm presence. We will sorely miss you.
LOWE "BUZZ" BIBBY III
Longtime Kailua resident Capt. Lowe H. Bibby III (Ret.), whose
35-year career in the U.S. Navy included sea duty as a submarine
commander and land duty as the Commanding Officer of the Navy's
Human Resources Management Center (HRMC) in Pearl Harbor, died
at the age of 80 on November 5, 2008, at his home in Kailua,
Hawaii after several years of declining health. Affectionately
known as "Buzz," he was a 1951 graduate of the U.S. Naval
Academy. Buzz served as Commanding Officer of the USS Blenny
from 1964 to 1966. His other Navy assignments included a tour as
Commanding Officer of the USS Mount Whitney, the flagship of the
Second Fleet, from 1974 to 1976. Buzz was born into a Navy
family in San Diego, California, on July 16, 1928, the son of
Jeanette King Bibby and Lowe H. Bibby, Jr. His father, a 1922
graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was also a submarine
captain. He is survived by a beloved family, including his wife,
Mary, of 55 years; a daughter, Kristen; a son, Lowe IV; two
grandchildren; and his brother Charles. His youngest daughter,
Patricia, died in 2004. His warmth and outgoing spirit also
inspired the love of many friends over the years, both in and
outside the Navy.
To Shermie
- My condolences to all of the family. I too, have very fond
memories of Buzz. He was always the word of reason, and his
stature and stance, gave creditability to what he was attempting
to put across. I've been studying history about the Bikini test,
and learned that Buzz was in charge of placing the vessels at
anchored in the Bikini lagoon, and setting up the test articles
and studies on them. Little known, over 95% of the camera film
available in the entire world at the time, was procured, shipped
to, and used in the Bravo test. His passing is truly a point in
history. In Memory of Jim Schillings
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Buzz &
Bob Dunn, when Buzz relieved
Bob. the
CO of MOUNT WHITNEY. Bob
was running
the ship through GQ so
Buzz could see
the combat readiness
of his new
command . Buzz was graced
with many
friends who will miss him. |
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USAKA Commander 1990-92
COL John "Jack" MacNeill |
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COL John "Jack" MacNeill
Following a 5 year battle with Alzheimer's disease former USAKA
Commander COL John "Jack" MacNeill passed away on November 7,
2008 at his home near Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. MacNeill served as
USAKA Commander from 1990-92,
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. As Commander, MacNeill
oversaw the extensive rebuilding efforts on
Kwajalein following damage caused by Tropical Storm Zelda as well
as Operation Provide Refuge which involved rescuing and
providing safe haven to several hundred Chinese migrants
diverted to USAKA. COL MacNeill served as a Company Commander in
Vietnam with a land clearing unit and there received a Bronze
Star with "V" device. He was awarded many other decorations in
his long and distinguished military career. COL MacNeill also
served two tours each in Germany and at the Pentagon. While
Kwajalein was MacNeill's favorite assignment he also enjoyed
serving on the faculty at Notre Dame University in the Military
Science Department. COL MacNeill was an accomplished sailor and
ice hockey player having played the sport in his youth growing
up in Rhode Island.
Judy
MacNeill Sadly,
just two months prior to his death, COL MacNeill's wife Judy
passed away on Sept. 8, 2008 following a courageous 10-year
battle with cancer. While at Kwajalein she enjoyed SCUBA
diving, collecting shells and spending time with her numerous
friends. Judy taught elementary education with DODS [Department
of Defense Schools] in Germany and later special education in
Virginia. She was born near Sanford, FL and remained a lifelong
Gator football fan. She loved listening to classical music and
attending plays as well as skiing and travel. Her good nature,
kindness and generosity are remembered by all who knew her. The
MacNeill's will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. |
Judy MacNeill |
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Ronald Van
Barnett
Nov.
5, 1939 - Oct. 31, 2008, 68, of Union Grove passed away
Friday. Mr. Barnett received his bachelor's degree from the
University of California and his master's degree from the
University of California. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962
to 1978. He received a Bronze Star for Vietnam War service. He
served many years as a missile man on Kwajalein and at
Vandenberg Air Force Base. He worked for 10 years at Science
Applications International Corp. in logistics and systems
analysis. Mr. Barnett was an avid collector of vintage vehicles,
both two wheeled and four wheeled. He especially loved driving
the bride and groom for weddings and driving in parades. He was
active in the North Alabama region, Antique Automobile Club of
America, serving as president and national meet chairman. He was
a member of the AACA board of directors for 15 years and served
as president in 1991. He was also the recipient of five national
awards for service and achievement. Survivors include his wife,
Sally Dupree Barnett; sons, Kevin Van Barnett of Tacoma, Wash.,
Sam Dupree Barnett and wife Angela of Columbiana, and Edward
"Ted" Allen Barnett of Montevallo; and grandsons, Charles Van
Barnett, Austin Dupree Barnett and Carl Alexander Barnett.
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"In Memory of Mel
Carr" Shermie,
Thank you for your kind words and I would be happy to have you post
something for Mel on the website. We will be having a celebration of his
life this evening with our family. I will have Iwalani help me write
something for you with a photo. Through your website, I have received so
many condolences from friends that we had lost contact with. It's truly
heartwarming to hear from folks who have passed through our lives and
have remained in our memories. Aloha Nui Loa, Ruth Carr, Sept. 4, 2008.
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Dr. Clifford C. Roosa
was born at Ideal, South Dakota on Sept. 10, 1923. He was the
son of J.H. and Rena Roosa and grandson of J.E. and Ella Roosa
and S.F and Sarah Powell Schwitters, homesteaders from Indiana
and Weston, IA , respectively. He graduated as valedictorian at
Ideal High School. He attended South Dakota State College; the
University of New Hampshire; Hamilton College in New York; and
received his M.D. degree from The University of Rochester
Medical School, New York. He served active duty US Army during
World War II and in the US Navy during the Korean War. He was
awarded the Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device
for his service on the USS ST PAUL during the Korean War. Dr.
Roosa was Chief Resident at St. Joseph Hospital Denver and
practiced many years in Denver, Colorado. He was elected
President of the Medical Staff at Porter Hospital in Denver in
1965 and served as President of the County Medical Society from
1966 to 1967. In 1977 he and his wife, Anne, went to
Kwajalein atoll in the Pacific where he became Chief Medical
Officer of an Army hospital. Upon his return he practiced as
locum tenens and was licensed in 15 states. He retired in 1999
and he and Anne took up full time residence in the Ozark
Mountains of Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his first
wife Audrey, his second wife Kay, his parents, and his brother
Don W. He is survived by his wife Anne, children Karen (Dean)
Coffman of Arkansas, Don Paul Roosa of New Mexico; step-children
Dan (Terry) Morand, Mick Morand, Marcy Smoke and Lisa Sedgwick,
all of Colorado; 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Shermie - Thank you for your inquiries about my
sweetheart. I will miss him terribly. We had 32 absolutely wonderful,
fun-filled, adventurous, exciting years together. We had only been
married a year when we first went to
Kwaj in
1977. I am attaching his obit and a photo. We wanted to much to make the
reunion but his health just would not permit it. I am anxious to hear
all about it. Kwaj
provided so many varied and wonderful memories for us and many life-long
friends as a result. We did our first tour from 10/77 to 1/80 and back
for a TDY in Nov. of 1980, and another tour for all of 1983. Can it
really be that long ago? Feel free to use my e-mail
address roosa@southshore.com or
feel free to call me as well at
870-405-3966. Thank you again. Annie Roosa |
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Mr. Davis M.
VanNortwick
USA RET, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2008 of lung cancer. He
was on Kwaj with the Army from 1961-62 and
1968-69 then returned with GTE/Sylvania from 1973-79 and
1984-88. Born on June 9, 1925 in Robersonville, N.C., he joined
the Army Air Corps during World War II and proudly served his
country for 27 years as a pilot, artillery officer, then systems
engineer. After departing the Army he worked as a computer
engineer for GTE before finally retiring to Arizona. During his
careers in the Army and GTE, he lived and worked in North
Carolina, Alaska, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Kwajalein
Marshall Islands, and Arizona. Mr. VanNortwick enjoyed golf,
brain teasers, photography, astronomy, dancing with his
sweetheart, Harriett, and he could often be found tinkering with
his computer. He will always be remembered for his big smile,
his sarcastic wit, and his undying dedication to his family and
friends. His legacy to them is his passionate love for this
country and the never-ending pursuit of education. He will be
deeply missed by his bride of 60 years, Harriett (Coburn)
VanNortwick of Sun City West, Arizona, his three children and
their families: Eric (Debbie) VanNortwick of Dale City,
Virginia, Elaine (Karl) Snyder of Jupiter, Florida, and Lt Col
Amy (Sam) Arwood of Tampa, FL; his grandchildren: Clay and Chad
VanNortwick, Karyn and Kasey Snyder, and Samuel and Christopher
Arwood. He will also be fondly remembered by his brother,
Stewart VanNortwick and his wife, Georgia, of Williamston, NC. |
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Mr. Ronald J. Pelletier
September 17, 1937 - July 05, 2008. Ronald J. Pelletier, age 70,
died of respiratory failure at St. Lucie Medical Center on July
5, 2008. He was born in Lawrence, MA, son of the late Yvonne
and Andrew Pelletier. He worked as a Systems Engineer for
MIT/Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA and sites in Westford,
MA,
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, and Washington, DC for 28 years
before his retirement in 1996. He has lived in Port St. Lucie,
FL for 10 years, coming from Nashua, NH. He served in the US Air
Force for four years and was in the general contracting business
with his family for many years. He attended Northeastern
University in Boston and in retirement he worked part time for
PGA Country Club in St. Lucie West. He was an avid golfer and
tennis player. He was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic
Church. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lucie of Port
St. Lucie, FL; sons, Gary Pelletier and his wife Laurie of
Hudson, MA; Carl Pelletier and his wife Maria of Chico, CA; four
grandchildren, Christina, Conner, Brooke Pelletier and Caroline
Robinson. He also leaves a brother, Richard Pelletier of
Andover, MA, and a sister Yvette Vermette of Hampton, NH. He
was preceded in death by two sisters, Anita Fluet and Jacqueline
Martineau. |
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Jones E.
Kaohelaulii June 28,
2008, Jones E. Kaohelaulii, 64, of Waimanalo, a Boeing Co.
heavy equipment operator on Kwajalein, Marshall
Islands, died in Kailua. He was born in Hawaii. He is
survived by wife Brenda U.; son Jonathan; daughter Melissa
Johnson; brothers Frank, Gileada, Herman, Dana, Paul and
Lyman; and two grandchildren.
More Photos of Jonsey
>
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John C.
Szczepanski
Email
message: Subject: Another Sad News Item, Mon, received: 18 Feb
2008 10:28:13 -0500 from Randy Razook, MIT Lincoln Laboratory,
Huntsville, AL 35806. - Hi Shermie, Sad to say that Dr. John
Szczepanski (Dr. Z) passed away last week here in Huntsville. He
was a superb keyboard player with The Zooks and MIT Site Manager
from 2004-2005. A great person as well as a great leader. He
will be missed very much. Here is his bio:
John C. Szczepanski, Lincoln Laboratory Senior Staff Member,
U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), 58. Physicist John C.
Szczepanski, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, former
Assistant Professor of Physics at the U.S. Military Academy at
West Point, and Technical Staff member at MIT Lincoln Laboratory
for the past 15 years, died on February 11 in Huntsville,
Alabama, after a brief illness. He was 58. John was born on May
19, 1949, and grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He received
his BS in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West
Point, his MS in computer science from New York Polytechnic
Institute, and his SM and PhD in physics from MIT. Dr.
Szczepanski retired from active duty in the Army in May of 1993,
having served for 22 years. He retired at the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. During his Army career, Dr. Szczepanski served as a
research staff officer for the U.S. Army Strategic Defense
Command, as an Assistant Professor of Physics at the U.S.
Military Academy at West Point, and in many assignments in the
Air Defense Artillery. He joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory in June
of 1993 as a staff member in the Ballistic Missile Defense
Systems Engineering and Analysis Group. He worked in the early
risk-reduction phase of the THAAD and Ground-Based Radar
programs until his assignment to the Reagan Test Site
(RTS) at U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll in 1999. He served in
several capacities at RTS, including Site Manager, before
returning to Lincoln Laboratory’s main facility in Lexington,
MA, in Sept. 2004. Upon his return, he served as Group Leader of
the Missile Defense Elements Group. The Missile Defense Elements
Group supports the analysis, system development, and technology
transfer needs of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) elements. Dr.
Szczepanski recently served as the Technical Director for the
MDA Office of Testing, Fielding and Integration. In an address
during an MDA meeting, Major General Chris T. Anzalone, deputy
for Test, Integration and Fielding, MDA, said, “With saddened
heart it is my duty to inform you that a great man, brilliant
engineer, and devoted husband and father has passed. He was
instrumental in forming the technical solutions needed to ready
the missile defenses that defend our great nation. He had the
uncanny ability to bridge the very complex technical issues with
the needs of the war fighters in a manner few could succeed in.
John will be dearly missed by the men and women of the Missile
Defense Agency and deserves the admiration of a grateful
nation.” |
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Dr. Bing Potts,
61, son of the late Ralph and Esta Potts of New
Martinsville, WV passed away on November 4, 2007 at the
Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Kalispell, MT after a
long illness. He was preceded in death by his sister,
Eleanor Witschey, of New Martinsville, WV. Survivors
include his wife Patty, son Michael of Milford, NH,
daughter Jennifer of Lexington, KY, sisters Vern Hunt of
New Martinsville, June Mortimer of Salyersville, KY,
Nancy Goetz of Lexington, KY, JoAnn Kay of New
Martinsville, sister-in-law Tammy Mallamo of Dover, DE
and several nieces and nephews. Bing was a 1964 graduate
of Magnolia High School in New Martinsville, received
his BS from
the
University of Kentucky in 1968, his Masters Degree from
the University of Kentucky in 1970, and his PhD in
Electrical
Engineering
from the New Mexico State University in 1973. Bing was
an employee of The Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Lincoln Laboratory for his entire career of
33 years during which he was a resident of Acton,
MA. His profession took him and his family on three
tours totaling 13 years to Kwajalein in
the Marshall Islands. He served in the United States Air
Force and the United States Air Force Reserves. Bing was
an avid fly fisherman, outdoorsman, and woodworker. Bing
was a world traveler in the pursuit of the largest fish
and the most beautiful places where fish live. |
Bing & family completed 3 tours
at Kwajalein
totaling 13 years |
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Patrick Anthony
Chalmers
December 05, 1974 – November 13,
2007
Kwajalein 1989-1997 |
October 2007 |
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Patrick was taken
from us too soon. He lived, loved and
laughed everyday to the fullest. Patrick
touched many lives, and we thank the
Lord for providing us with such a
blessing. Patrick was the son and best
friend of George and Ok Chalmers, big
brother and best friend to Shelley
Chalmers-Ranney. Today our hearts grieve
for Patrick, but we remember that he
would want us to celebrate his life as
he did everyday. We are all blessed to
have such a beautiful angel watching
over us until one day we meet again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <Choky3420@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Obit Notice - Patrick
Chalmers
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:39:12 EST
To: <shermiewiehe@gmail.com>
Shermie:
We are still awaiting the final report on the
investigation - still waiting on the truck inspector to finish his
investigation. From what we saw when we visited the site, it looks
like Pat used up his air breaks avoiding a car with a blown out
tire. Pat controlled the truck through all the S-curves and was
heading down a straight-away and then all of a sudden the tire
tracks veer off to across the road. What was crazy is that even when
he went off the road, there was a flat clearing where if he had
breaks he would have been able to stop the truck. Unfortunately
right now we can only speculate... and really we may never know.
Please do pass on obit and any other information to everyone. Pat
was on
Kwaj
1989-1997 when the family PCS'd. If anyone would like to send
condolences, they can call 719-579-6970 (Mom & Dad's home),
602-402-1426 (me) or mail to 645 Concerto Drive, Colorado Springs,
CO 80906.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We should all be so
thankful that we had Pat in our lives... he always made sure we all
had a great time and we all were smiling. There's only one Pat...
and I have huge shoes to try and fill as best I can.
Thanks and God Bless, Shelley Chalmers-Ranney |
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Bob & Jayne Gray
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On June 22, 2007,
Jayne Lillian Gray, 85 years old, died at Life Care Center
of Reno. Six days later, 2 months before their 64th wedding
anniversary, and just like the night they first met at the
USO, 86 year old Robert Lawrence Gray Jr., escorted her home
to ask for another dance. While she played hard to get and
said “No” the first time, this time we think she will say
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Happily Married
Robert
Lawrence Gray Jr., born Mar 10, 1921 in New Boston, OH was the
youngest son of a steelworker that turned girl’s heads as he walked
the school halls, a pack of cigarettes in the sleeve of his
t-shirt. Jayne Lillian Gray was born in Woodbury, NJ, Feb 20,
1923. She had star like beauty, a quick laugh and an impenetrable
desire to enjoy life. At a USO function during WWII, Jayne-a “Rosie
the Riveter” met Robert-a handsome young submariner serving in the
Pacific. They married shortly thereafter and began a life together
filled with fun, love and adventure. |
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Departing Kwaj
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Toasting the many happy years |
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After the war, Robert transferred to the Air Force where they
explored the world together, living in places such as Libya,
Germany, Hawaii and
Kwajalein, each place chosen with an emphasis on where their
children could learn the most about the world around them. Bob
and his family lived on Kwajalein from
1965-1972 where Bob was the Kwajalein Missile
Range Communication Manager for Kentron and Jayne was an
administrative assistant with Global. Wherever they were, and
whatever they were doing it was “the best place they had ever
been”. Robert and Jayne finally settled in Hawaii where they
developed American Overseas Employees Association, a firm that
provided resources to people who wanted to relocate and gain
employment overseas. All along the way they shared their lives
with hundreds of people who remember them to this day with love
and admiration. Jayne was fond of reading, and enjoyed her
favorite soap opera: As the World Turns. Robert’s passions were
fishing, gardening and could always be counted on to bring a
beautiful flower or two to the ladies in the office. Dancing was
their greatest pleasure together, often not letting a week pass
without putting their dance shoes on. But most of all they loved
each other. Seven years ago, they both became ill with
progressive dementia. Fortunately, they were able to continue to
live together and dance whenever the music moved them. They are
survived by their children, Barbie J. Jarman, Dr. John F. Gray
(Wife-Shelly), Robert Lawrence Gray III (Wife-Wendi), their six
grandchildren Jimmy and Jeramy Jarman, Leah Gray (Now Guichu),
Lindsey Gray, Keegan and Noah Gray, and their three
great-grandchildren Zachary, Jacob, and Cole Jarman. They were
wonderful parents and grandparents and will always be loved and
deeply missed. A private Memorial Service was held at the
residence of Dr. John F. Gray on July 1. Later in the company of
their family, they were surrendered to the Pacific Ocean where
their life together began off the coast of their beloved Hawaii.
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^ Bachelor Beach & fishing trips in the J-boats > |
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Local girls of the Marshall Islands |
Bob Gray enjoying the fishing trip |
Kwaj Carnival - Dunk'um |
The Richardson |
Pictures and Obituary provided by Robert L. Gray
III
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Richard F. Gibbons,
71, of South Carolina, formerly of East Boston died Feb. 9, 2007. He was
the beloved husband of Dorothy of South Carolina; father of Joan and her
husband Eli Stillwell of Holliston; Chuck and his wife Sue of
Framingham; Jim and his wife Carol of Derry, NH; grandfather of Tricia
and Nicky, Michelle and Alex; and three huskies. Also survived by a
brother Bill of Arlington and many nieces and nephews.
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-Harris.jpg)
