Departures - 2006
We publish departures based on the year listed in the obituary. If no year is listed then we publish them when they are received.
John Landis Conley, LtCol USAF (Ret.), 65, of Trenton, IL, died Sunday, December 24, 2006 at his home. He was born March 4, 1941 in DeRidder, LA, son of Mancel and Carrie Conley, and they both preceded him in death. He married Margaret Ann Cooley March 26, 1959 in Bon Weir, TX, and she survives in Trenton, IL. Other survivors include a daughter, Kaylynn (Don) Strieker of Monroe, OH a son, Michael (Sybil) Conley of Trenton; three grandchildren, Chase Strieker of Monroe, OH, and Miranda and Zoë Conley of Trenton; a sister, Mary Lynn Wiley of Sulphur, LA; nieces, nephews, and friends. Mr. Conley was retired from the United States Air Force, where he earned the rank of Colonel (declined) and from Koch Candy Company in Trenton, where he was the general manager. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1963 with a degree in mathematics education, and earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Meteorology from Texas A & M University in 1971. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, and was awarded the bronze star for valor above and beyond the call of duty, along with numerous other wartime medals and commendations. He was a member of Trenton American Legion Post 778 and Trenton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7983. He was past president of the board of directors at First United Methodist Church, Trenton, and former lay leader. He was a past president of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Trenton Library Board, charter president of the Trenton Industrial Commission, and a member and past president of the South Central Transit District in Centralia. He was a charter member of the AWA.
Major (Ret.) James E. Warnke passed away on December 10, 2006. Jim had been in poor health the last few years. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1968, and took his basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. He went to Weather Observer School at Chanute, and his first assignment was to Scott AFB as a Weather Observer from 1968 to 1971. He was assigned to Hickam AFB as an Observer from 1971 to 1974. From Hickam, he went back to Chanute to Weather Forecasters School during 1975. He went back to Scott AFB in 1976 to ETAC, as a forecaster. While at ETAC, Jim applied for and was accepted into Officers Training School in 1978. From 1978 until 1981, Jim was assigned to The 3rd Weather Squadron at MacDill AFB, serving as the DETCO at the base weather station at least part of that time. From 1981 to 1982, he was assigned to the Readiness Command at MacDill. In 1982 Jim became a Unit Commander at the Selfridge Michigan Air National Guard Base. In 1984 he went to Chanute AFB, Ill as a Technical Instructor teaching the supplemental course through 1987. In 1988 he became the Commanders Executive Support Officer at Chanute until he retired from the Air Force in 1990. He earned the following Awards and Medals: Meritorious Service Medal with Device, Joint Service Commendation Medal with 2 Devices, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 4 Devices, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 2 Devices, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 4 Devices, NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon, and Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon with 1 Device. Jim and Barb Greiner met while he was attending the U of Iowa. They were married August 31, 1968 after Jim completed Basic Training. They had 2 children, Deanna and Mike. Deanna and her husband Terry have 1 child. Mike and his wife Bonita have 4 children. After his retirement from the USAF, Jim went to work for Chase Manhattan Mortgage in Tampa , Fl as the Serving Training Manager. That unit was moved to West Monroe,LA where Jim worked for a couple more years. In about 2000, he went to work for Standard Mortgage in Lawrenceville , Ga. In 2002, Jim retired the second time. He and Barb moved to Navarre , Florida to be close to their children and grandchildren. Barb is blessed to be near her children and grandchildren. She says Jim was a great husband, father, and grandfather, and they had 38 wonderful years together.
Morgan, Randolph, A., Sr. (Randy) MSGT. (RET.) USAF, Our Father, our Mentor, our Friend, Randolph joining his parents, Arthur and Stacia; his brothers, Lance, Geronimo, and Don in heaven on November 5, 2006. Loved and missed by his brother, Bruce; three children, Randolph, Jr., Denise, and Maya, the mother of his children, Hannah; he will also be missed by his friends and family. He is also survived by his girlfriend, Ema. A native of Brooklyn, NY age 56 years. He made an impression on so many people throughout the years. He was always there to share his wisdom and advice to anyone that asked. He offered his support to many of his family, friends and the friends of his children. He was always the "go to guy." Words cannot describe the loss we feel now that he is gone. Knowing that his suffering has ended is a blessing. He was always the life of the party, and made all that graced his door welcome. Those who knew him loved him and will miss him dearly. Visitation was held November 14, at George L. Klumpp Chapel of Flowers and the Funeral Service was at 11:00 a.m., November 15th at Klumpp's Chapel. Graveside Service was at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd., Dixon, CA.
William J. Landsperger, Lt Col USAF (Ret.) died October 12, 2006 in Shreveport, LA following a lengthy illness. He was born in Cowansburg, PA, was a former resident of Palestine, TX, and as a resident of Shreveport for 34 years. During his military career, he was stationed in Okinawa, North Africa, Newfoundland and many other places. Following his USAF retirement from Barksdale AFB, he worked for eight years as Chief Meteorologist at the NCAR, National High Altitude Balloon Research Station in Palestine, TX. After returning to Shreveport, he taught math at LSUS and was a math teacher at a magnet high school. Survivors are his wife, Lillian; his two sons and daughter-in-law, Dr. William Landsperger and Barbara of Orange, CA, and Bruce E. Landsperger of Tioga, LA; two sisters Eleanor Pletcher and Marion Landsperger of Huntington, PA; granddaughter, Sharon; and great grandsons, Shane and Blake, Orange, CA. He is also survived by his wife's two children, Clifford Rutledge, Santa Rosa Beach, FL and Connie Ewing, Peachtree City, GA. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Shreveport or the American Heart Association.
Col Guy N. Gosewisch, USAF (Ret), age 88 of San Antonio Tx died Sep 30, 2006. He was a 29 year veteran of the USAF. He was born in St. Paul, MN on May 8, 1918 to Emil Gosewisch and Nellie Schaumburg Gosewisch. Guy was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1941. His career included assignments to Marrakech AB, French Morocco; Hqts AWS, Andrews AFB; Offutt AFB Weather Central; Bushy Park, England Sq Commander; Westover AFB 5th Weather Group Commander; Osan, Korea; Scott AFB at AWS Hqts. Upon his retirement, he and his wife owned and operated a KOA compground in Grand Junction, CO. He and his wife moved to San Antonio and have lived there since 1978. His wife, Allene proceded him in death five years ago. His daughters, Angela Seley of Schertz TX and Dore Howell (and husband Chuck) of Memphis TN, grandchildren, Jonathan Seley, John Schildknecht and Kari Wanzer and four great grandchildren survive him. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. October 4 at King of Kings Lutheran Church and interment at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to King of Kings Lutheran Church, 13888 Dreamwood DR, San Antonio, TX 78233 or Hospice of South Texas, 8721 Botts St, San Antonio TX 78217.
Clayton DeWitte Forbes, 87, of Midland, Texas, passed away on September 30, 2006. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 4, 1919 to Francis Henry Forbes and Florence Louella Wisher Forbes. Clayton married Jeraldine Schwander on May 21, 1943 in Ft. Worth, Texas. During WWII he served in the European theater and participated in the Normandy invasion. As a career Air Force officer, Clayton and his family were stationed in various parts of the U.S., Bermuda and France. In Bermuda, he was a "Hurricane Hunter." After his military career, he worked as an Earth Scientist at the Johnson Space Center in Houston during the Apollo flights. Clayton was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, a constant seeker of adventure and knowledge. He was admired and respected by all who knew him. His family will miss his considerable influence. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Jeraldine (Jerry); two daughters, Sandra Desmond and husband, Jim, of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Michele Yost, of Midland, Texas; one son, Douglas Clayton Forbes, of Santa Monica, California; three grandchildren, Marla Yost, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Paul Yost, of Houston, Texas and Katie Eberts, of Midland, Texas; and one great-grandchild, Clayton Brodie Eberts, of Midland, Texas. Clayton was a member of the Church of Christ for 60 years and served as a deacon.
Lt. Col. Ron Tudor, 73, of Monument, passed away on September 29th in Colorado Springs. He is survived by his wife, Clara (Dickmann), five children (Rick Tudor of Monument, CO, Susan Dallas of Goodyear, AZ; Elizabeth (Baby) Wilson of Frisco, TX; Kenneth Tudor of Avondale, AZ; and Douglas Tudor of Houston, TX), and three grand-children. Ron was born July 20, 1933 in Greenfield, Ohio, to Harold and Alice (Dixon) Tudor. After graduating from the Universty of Cincinnati with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he married Clara on November 20, 1954. Ron joined the Air Force in 1956, which sent him back to school. He received a degree in Basic Meteorology from the University of Chicago and a Masters in Meteorology from the University of Michigan. In all, he served in the Air Force for a total of 23 years. After retiring in 1980, Ron was very active in the golf group at Woodmoor Country Club. He ran the Senior Inter-club for many years. One of his most exciting days was when he shot his age, actually under his age! Ron will be surely missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to: Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724-5013. (800)327-2873.
William W. Upchurch, Lt Col USAF (Ret) 85, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at the Wadley Care Center in Purcell, OK. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, September 16, 2006, at Havenbrook Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the Blackburn Cemetery in Norman, Oklahoma. Bill was born southeast of Lexington, OK on March 24, 1921 to John and Theo Upchurch. He and his family eked out a living on the family farm and survived the Oklahoma dust bowl. He received his secondary education at Buckhead School and later graduated from Norman High School. His college plans were interrupted when World War II broke out and he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Bill graduated from navigator school and was sent to England to fly B-17 Flying Fortress bombers with the Mighty 8th Air Force. From his base in Snetteron Heath in East Anglia he flew many missions against enemy targets in Germany, France, and other axis strongholds in Europe. After the war he returned home to fall in love with and marry Martha Orene Dodd. Their Air Force assignments took Bill and Orene to Japan, Germany and various places in the USA, but they always provided a loving home for their three children (Wesley, Phillip and Barbara). Bill obtained a M.S. in Meteorology from Florida State University in 1958. He finished his Air Force career as a Lieutenant Colonel working as a meteorologist at Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt AFB, NE. Later he established a second career with the Civil Service in the Central Intelligence Agency. His expertise in meteorology was highly sought after in many covert operations protecting US national interest. Lieutenant Colonel Bill (Uppie) Upchurch was one of the World War II heroes who have come to be known as The Greatest Generation of Americans. He and his comrades represent the very finest we as a nation offered in a time of grave national crises during World War II and its uncertain aftermath. His military decorations include several awards of the Air Medal, for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial combat in Europe and Korea. In his retirement years Bill pursued his passion for family history and was actively with the Cleveland County Genealogical Society. Bill Upchurch was a loving husband, father, and a patriot. He will be missed by family and friends who loved him so dearly. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John Upchurch and Theo (Vanwinkle) Upchurch, his wife Martha Orene (Dodd) Upchurch and his first son, Wesley Wayne Upchurch. He is survived by his sister, Edna Burks; his son, Phillip Upchurch; his daughter, Barbara Antozzi; five grandchildren, Mistie Murphy, Christin Blue, James Upchurch, Brittney Antozzi and Logan Antozzi; and two great grandchildren, Madison Blue and TJ Murphey. Donations may be made in his memory to the Cleveland County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 6176, Norman, OK 73070. Send condolences online at http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/Obituaries.html
Lt. Col. Daniel Joseph Cotter (Ret.), who was born and raised in Revere, Mass., passed away August 26, 2006, at his home in Annapolis, Maryland; he was 76 years old. Col. Cotter went to Immaculate Conception elementary and high schools; he was a member of the Class of 1947. He had suffered with spindle cell sarcoma of the mediastinum since April 2005. He attended St. Anselms College before entering the military service. He was a fighter pilot and later a meteorologist. Colonel Cotter served during both the Korean and VietNam wars, flying 68 combat missions. During that time, he earned numerous medals and citations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal for service in Vietnam, an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster while in Korea. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Florida State University. He retired from the Air Force in July 1973 and entered the civil service. He was the Chief Policy Advisor to the Administrator of the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service. He retired from Government service in December 1991. He is survived by his wife Sheila (nee Collins) Cotter, whom he married in April 1999, daughters Gladys Cotter of Herndon, Virginia and Jean Cotter of Waldorf, Maryland; son Daniel Cotter of Fredrick, Maryland; stepdaughter Mary Brigid Frye of Annapolis, Maryland; stepson Timothy Frye of Bel Air, Maryland; one sister Sister Jean Marie Cotter of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Watervliet, New York, brother Michael Cotter of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania; and five grandchildren.
Betty Zapinski Age 80 died peacefully Aug. 23, 2006, at her home in Dupont, of cancer. Born in 1925 in Chicago, Betty majored in chemistry at U/Chicago. In WW2, as a chemist on the Manhattan Project, she worked at the site of the world's first nuclear reactor, conducting research into the new element plutonium. Betty met her husband, former B-17 pilot Leonard "Zip" Zapinski, in 1946 on a blind date & married him less than a year later in 1947. They shared a mutual interest in musical theater & appeared together in community productions. When Zip joined the new Air Force, Betty embarked upon a nearly 30-yr career as an officer's wife, joining him at duty stations across the USA, in Spain & Japan. Betty was a dedicated, active member in the Officers' Wives Club at each station, & participated in numerous other volunteer activities benefiting local military & civilian communities, such as staffing the Contact Peninsula crisis help line in Hampton, VA. In 1977 Betty retired w/Zip to Tacoma, where she began a career as a successful Realtor & founded her own property-management firm, Double Z, Inc. Betty was preceded in death by sons Paul & John, & her husband of 48 years, Leonard. She is survived by children David, Steven & Mary, grandson Jackson, & sisters Lourene & Millicent. Memorial service: 2:30 pm, Aug. 27, Patriots Landing, 1600 Marshall Circle, Dupont. In lieu of flowers, donations to: Franciscan Hospice program, c/o The Franciscan Foundation, PO Box 1502, Tacoma, WA, 98401; and Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Kanab, UT 84741.
James William Zoller, 89, of Logan, UT died Sunday, July 30, 2006 due to complications from a fall. He was Meteorologist in Charge of the Omaha National Weather Service Office from 1973 to 1987. Jim was born Oct. 18, 1916 at Manhattan, KS to Harper (a chemist) and Lavenia Zoller. He grew up in Detroit and graduated from Cooley H.S. in 1936. He attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA, where he met Kathryn Joan Owen. On May 9, 1942 they were married in Fort Smith, AR while Jim was in Army training. Jim began his military service in the Army in the Quartermaster's Corps as a 2d Lieutenant, but was soon selected to attend Calif. Institute of Technology, where he received a degree in the pioneering field of weather forecasting. Jim then served with the Weather Service of the Army Air Corps. His service took him to England and France for 19 months. He traveled throughout France setting up weather stations that helped the Air Corps forecast mainland weather. Jim went into the Reserves on 1946, but was recalled to active duty with the Air Force on 1951 during the Korean War. He spent almost 11 months in southern Korea forecasting weather for the Marine Corps. In 1955 Jim returned to the National Weather Service where he had a successful 42-year career. In 1956 he moved his family to what was then called the Territory of Alaska. Here he raised his family and enjoyed moose and caribou hunting along with salmon fishing. He was also stationed in Grand Rapids and Detroit, MI, before becoming the Meteorologist in Charge for the State of Nebraska. He retired at 70 years of age in Omaha. At his retirement party, all the Weather Service personnel present were called into the basement twice for tornado warnings - which was even reported on Paul Harvey News! His wife, Kathryn, died from cancer in 1975. In 1977 he married Marge Frost, who also died of cancer in 1990. He then married Virginia Grace Oates in 1991, and they continued to reside in Omaha until 2004. One of his most unforgettable memories was surviving the Alaska Earthquake of 1964 as he watched the air tower come down at the Anchorage International Airport and helped in the rescue of many people. Another unforgettable experience was being the head Meteorologist during the Omaha Tornado of May 15, 1975. His friends remember Jim's retirement party...and the tornado warnings that drove all to the hotel basement during the party. That had to be a 'first' for any retiring WSFO MIC. He enjoyed traveling and enjoyed the many friends he had from Japan. He was always known for his kindness, caring and love for others. He is now resting in peace with our Lord and Savior. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lavenia Richardson; father, Harper F. Zoller; brother, Harper Filer Zoller, Jr. who was killed in action in 1943 in the Army Air Corps and his sister, Barbara Brockman who died in 2002. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Grace Zoller suffering from Alzheimer's; son, William Zoller of Woodinville, WA; daughter, Barbara Price of Logan, UT; son, Robert Zoller of Longmont, CO; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A small service was held in Logan, UT at Pioneer Valley Lodge. He loved his friends at Pioneer Valley Lodge, especially Richard and his little dog, Sugar. When he fell, he was doing what he liked to do best, and that was taking Sugar for a walk.
Gustav H. "Chip" Wendt., Jr., Lt Col (Ret.), passed away July 15, 2006, after a long illness at the Health Care Center of the Air Force Village II in San Antonio. Col. Wendt was born on March 15, 1921, in Sacramento, California to Gustav H. and Alice E. Wendt (Rooney). He was a Naval ROTC midshipman at the University of California, but enlisted as an Army Aviation Cadet on May 17, 1942, having already earned his private pilots license. After graduating from preflight training and ground school he attended primary flying school in Oklahoma. He was a B-24 pilot in the 741st Bomb Squadron (H), 455^th Bomb Group (H) in North Africa and Italy, Chip was a major supplier of source material, for Stephen Ambroses book, "The Wild Blue". He was separated in 1945 after receiving training as a communications officer. Shortly after marrying Marie, he returned to active duty, in the Air Force, in March 1949 and attended the Air Force Meteorology School at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois. He remained active as an instructor pilot at a local airport and later at various Air Force Aero Clubs. With his communications training and engineering education he helped develop the first weather satellites while assigned to the 4th Weather Wing, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado. After retiring from active duty he became the operations officer of the 4th Weather Wing as a civilian, and then worked for Army Communications Command at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He retired from Civil Service, and worked for Western Union at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and later at Fort Huachuca. He had become active in Amateur (Ham) Radio while earning his Eagle Scout Badge and continued with that hobby wherever he lived. He was one of the last members of the Air Force Village 2 amateur radio club. He remained a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity which he joined at the University of California. Gus was preceded in death by his son Kenneth, his brother Philip, and son-in-law Paul Bown. He is survived by his wife, Marie; son, Dana, and his wife, Dee; daughter, Pamela Kellogg, and her husband, Danny; grandchildren, Daniel and Tiffani Brown, Ryan, Matthew, and Jordan Wendt, and Zach Kellogg. Interment will be at Fort Huachuca, Arizona Cemetery in the near future. MGen (Ret.) John Collens stated that, "Chip and I attended weather school at Chanute together in 1949-50 and later served together in the 31st WxSq at Ramstein in 1957-58."
Richard ‘Dick’ Royal Hoopes, (MSgt/GM14) 76, passed away early on June 18th, 2006 Father’s Day morning in his sleep at home by his wife’s side. He succumbed to esophageal cancer. He was born June 11th, 1930 to Eldridge and Mary Hoopes in Ventnor City, near Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was the youngest of three boys: eldest Harry and middle brother Tom. He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1948, and joined the US Air Force. In the service, in part inspired by his brother Tom’s work as a meteorologist, he studied meteorology at The University of Oklahoma. He was then stationed in Greenland and in London, UK, as a weather observer. While in London, he met his Finnish bride Talvikki ‘Taija' Lindell and married her there in 1952. He left the Air Force and completed his degree in meteorology at Florida State University in Tallahassee, in 1960. Richard then took his young family to Shannon, Ireland for three years, where he was a meteorologist for the Irish Meteorological Service, on loan from the US National Weather Service. The family had a wonderful time there enjoying the friendly Irish and their beautiful green country. His career included assignments with National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, twice in Alaska, for a total of twenty six years. We lived in Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage. Alaska was a great adventure for him. Dick flew his Cessna for pleasure and work all over the state. He was a founding member and President of the Interior and Arctic Alaska Aeronautical Foundation, which built the Alaskaland Pioneer Air Museum in Fairbanks. In 1992 he was instrumental in organizing and coordinating the historic first ever visit to the United States (to Fairbanks, Alaska) of the Russian Knights, a Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet demonstration team. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol performing many search missions looking for lost aircraft. Richard was an active member of the Fairbanks Rotary Club and a lifelong member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He work also took our family back to Europe, to Frankfurt, Germany, for a seven year extended assignment for the Air Force. From there the family enjoyed many summer vacations in Mom’s homeland of Finland. Richard retired as the Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge of the National Weather Service, Alaska Northern Region, in 1995. Richard and Taija then moved to Salinas, California were they lived, since 1997. He enjoyed boating, fishing and leadership in the local Air Force Association chapter, as well as active participation with the Quiet Birdmen club. Dick was president of the Bay Area Mercedes Club. He was a very patriotic American and instilled in his sons a respect and love for Finland as well. He taught us how to drive, sail and fly, and took us camping and on wonderful travels across Alaska, Canada, the US and Europe. Richard loved classical music, had a great voice of his own, was an avid photographer, and was a racing and rallying enthusiast. He inspired son Erik to achieve numerous motocross and car racing championships. He was a wonderful Dad and devoted husband for over fifty one years. Richard leaves a legacy of great integrity, honesty, and a love of adventure. He never shied away from taking the road less traveled. He leaves behind his wife Taija; sons Kaarl, Rick, Erik and Mark, brothers Harry and Tom, daughters-in-law Karen, Barbara, Scherri and Karen, grandchildren Kris, Carl, Rick, Talvi, Ryan, Erik, Shannon and Erika; and two great-grandsons Elijah and Daniel, as well as extended family in Finland and friends all over the world. We miss you, our beloved Dad and Husband! A celebration of his life was held at Cypress Community Church, Salinas on Saturday June 24th, 2006.
Louis A. Westphal, Lt Col (Ret.), 85, of Candler, North Carolina, died Monday, June 12, 2006, at the John F. Keever Solace Center of Mountain Area Hospice. Mr. Westphal was born April 30, 1921, in Kendall, Wis., to the late Otto and Susie Westphal. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville and his master's degree from New York University. He served in the Army Air Corps as a bombardier during World War II and flew 35 combat missions over Germany. Following the war, he flew three years of hurricane reconnaissance and followed that with many years of productive service before retiring from the United States Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. He was preceded in death by his son, Bruce Westphal, daughter-in-law, Donna Westphal, sister, Gertrude Westphal, and brothers, Henry and Lloyd Westphal. He is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 62 years, Florence Flo Westphal; sons, Roger, Mark, Jim (Joyce), and Jay (Lydia) Westphal; daughters, Betty (Greg) Neal and Ellie (Doug) McCormac; grandchildren, Stephen and Leslie Westphal, Aaron, Nathan and Danny Westphal, Matt (Kristin) Westphal, Jenny (Chris) Bassler, Carrie Westphal, Harrison and Jay Neal, and Rob and Claire McCormac; two great-granddaughters, Olivia and Elyse Bassler; sisters and brothers, Ruth (Alvin) Cook, Edward Westphal, Alvera Eckelberg, Doris Matias, and Carl (Carol) Westphal; and many nieces and nephews and their families. A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Friday, August 25th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Nieting officiating. Interment was in the church memorial garden with military honors provided by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund, 51 Wilburn Place, Asheville, NC 28806 or the Asheville Branch of the American Red Cross Blood Bank, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC 28804. The online register is available by going to Obituaries at w.grocefuneralhome.com.
Robert C. Sibert, Lt Col USAF (Ret.) (1930-2006) of Yorktown, Virginia passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 20, 2006, at Riverside Regional Medical Center. Robert was a Texas A&M graduate and retired as a meteorologist after 27 years of service in the USAF, including tours in Germany and Vietnam. He also worked directly in support of Air Force One for several years. He then taught for 14 years with both James City and York County Virginia School Systems. Robert was born Sept. 7, 1930, in Hamilton, Ohio, and was the fourth child of Charles and Ethel Sibert. He was a loving husband to his wife of 52 years, Jytte B. Sibert, whom he met and married in Copenhagen, Denmark; and proud father of Denise Youngblood, Scott Sibert, Stacey Freitas and husband Tony, and Kristy McGhee and husband Brian. He was also the proud grandfather of Mandy, Erika, Garrett, Elizabeth, Anna-lise, Danielle, Rachelle, Ryan, Nicole and Cory. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 24, 2006 in Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the York County Fire & Rescue/Life & Safety, P.O. Box 532, Yorktown, VA 23692, or the American Heart Association, 500 Plume Street East, Suite 110, Norfolk, VA 23510.
Charles H. Tracy, Colonel USAF, (Ret.) (1941-2006), passed away April 4, 2006, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. On July 13, 2005, he underwent a needle biopsy of the brain. The biopsy revealed that Charles had a Gioblastoma Multiforme Level IV Brain Tumor, located in the thalamus in the center of his brain. It is one of the most malignant and difficult brain tumors to treat. Charles was born on November 10, 1941 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma the son of Charles Claude (deceased) and Marjorie (Robison) Tracy. Charles received his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma and his MBA from Southern Illinois University. He served his country for 32 years as a member of the US Air Force. His assignments included being Commander of the 2nd Weather Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD and Commander of the 4th Weather Wing, Peterson AFB, CO. He retired as a Colonel in 1991 after serving as the AF Deputy Director of Weather at the Pentagon. In retirement he moved to Phoenix, AZ where he worked at Orbital Sciences Corporation and most recently served as Vice President of Operations for Space Data Corporation. A devout Catholic, Charles served as usher, lector, Eucharistic minister and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a devoted, loving husband and friend to Susan for 41 years and a amazing and affectionate father, grandfather, son and brother. Charles was a man of great integrity and compassion, a loyal friend and dedicated professional and always the life of the party. He enjoyed traveling, golfing, hiking, fishing and loved spending time with family and friends. In addition to his mother Marjorie, Charles is survived by his loving wife Susan (Veit) of Phoenix; one son Charles (Karen) Tracy of Tulsa, OK; 2 daughters Dee (Rich) Butler of Las Vegas and Debbie (Kit) Lambert of Phoenix; one sister Karen (Lance) Kelly of Tecumseh, OK; and a brother Rusty of Corpus Christi, TX and 10 grandchildren. Visitation for friends and family will be Tuesday, April 11 from 5:00-8:00pm with a 7:00pm Rosary Service at Carr Tenney Mortuary, 2621 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ. A Resurrection Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 9:30am at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 3550 E. Knox Rd; Phoenix, AZ. Burial will be in the National Memorial Cemetery, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association at: http://www.abta.org/aboutus.htm
Archie Cantelou LeBron, Col USAFR (Ret.) (1943-2006), died at his home on Hatchet Creek, Rockford, Alabama on 29 March 2006. He had pancreatic cancer. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama on November 13, 1943 to the late Adolphe and Warree Carmichael LeBron. He was raised in Montezuma, Georgia and the woods of Coosa County, Alabama where he returned to build his retirement home in 2002. He was a graduate of Auburn University, as well as Oklahoma University and the University of Nebraska. He retired as a Colonel from the US Air Force Reserves after serving around the world as a meteorologist. He also retired from Texas Instruments in Dallas, where he lived with his wife and children for 26 years. He was married to Linda for over 35 years. His son, Graham, is a musician based in Oakland, California. His daughter, Camille, is a pastor in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she lives with her husband, Jonathan Powell. Archie was very proud that his children chose to use their creative gifts to bring joy to others. He is also survived by his sister, Sally Holland, and brother, Malcom LeBron, and countless faithful friends and family. Archies call in life was simply to be helpful to others. He lived a dedicated and active life of faithful service to his church and community, and to friends and strangers. He was a proud Presbyterian Elder and his favorite hour of the week was teaching his Sunday School class at First Presbyterian Church of Sylacauga. His last months were filled with messages of love from all over the country, reminding him of how important he had been in so many lives in so many quiet ways. Following a private burial in the family cemetery on April 2nd, a Service of Witness to the Resurrection was held at First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Pete McElrath and other pastor friends presiding. Friends and family gathered at his home the evening before for storytelling and joyful remembering. In honor of his life, and his love for the Alabama outdoors and the Presbyterian Church, the Canoe Launch at the new Living River Presbyterian Camp & Conference Center will be built in Archies name. Donations may be sent to: First Presbyterian Church, 100 South Norton, Sylacauga, AL 35150
James R. Miller, Capt USAF (Ret), age 85, passed away on March 1, 2006 in San Diego. He was born June 21, 1920 in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised on a farm near Valley City, North Dakota. He graduated from Valley City Teachers College. He served in the AAF as a meteorologist in WWII and saw duty in Tokyo, Japan. After the war, Jim worked as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in San Francisco and in the Fire Weather Forecast office in Boise, Idaho where he met his wife Grace Lee and married in 1952. They soon moved to Fairfax, Virginia when Jim worked at NWS headquarters. Jim later accepted a two year assignment in Phoenix followed by a 5 year overseas assignment in Saigon, Vietnam from1959-1964. Upon his return to the US, he moved to Sacramento and headed that NWS office until he retired in 1976. He moved to San Diego in 2002 to live with his son. He was preceded in death by his wife Grace and a daughter Janet Smith. He is survived by his son, Kenneth Miller of San Diego.
Capt. Luna B. Leopold, a WWII AAF weather officer, died on Feb. 23, 2006 in Berkeley, Calif.; he was 90. Still around, some of Lunas wartime colleagues are Capt. Bruce Curtis of Boulder, CO; Lt. Col. Don Cooke of Ithica, NY; Bob Allan of Palm Springs, CA; and myself, Bob Bundgaard of Colorado Springs, CO. We remember and profoundly admire Luna. We remember him, well indeed; as did so many others of that era. Sadly many are no longer around. Some deceased friends of Luna became nationally renowned. So, they probably became also well known by many of you reading this AWA obit file. One such friend was George Forsythe. George is but one among others (whose names, unfortunately, dont presently come to my mind). And, among all of them, and their behalf, Bruce Curtis and I feel it befitting that this little write-up, here in the Air Weather Association, acknowledges this weatherman, a friend and a truly Great American. A detailed obituary of Luna appears in todays (March 20, 2006) New York Times, on page A20. Luna bsp; Luna Bergere Leopold was born in Albuquerque. He was a Weather Aviation Cadet in Class 4 at UCLA. He served in England and ETO. After WWII, he degreed in geology at Harvard. Dr. Leopold melded these two disciplines of meteorology and geology into his becoming a world famous ecologist. He hung up his environmental hat at Pinedale, Wyoming, but died on February 23rd out at Berkeley, California. Capt. Leopold, well, he was much more than just a guy who once drew isobars with a pencil. He was more than just an aviation forecaster. He was everything. A keen observer; he was absolutely fascinated with cloud formations and cloudscapes. And also with landscapes, too; in part he was also a self-made hydrologist, also a would-be geologist and also a botanist. And he was not only just delving into these natural interests, but also he prodded them with his concern for their social values, too. He was a Nature-humanist, but with a profound spiritual slant. I guess that you could really call Luna Leopold a Renaissance Man. And, he had a great, super family. For many years Lunas sister Estelle came each summer out here to Floressant, Colorado, to teach here at the National Monument and also to work in its fantastic fossil beds. As a docent there I got to know Estelle, too; shes a renowned paleobotanist, who lives in Seattle. And Lunas brother Carl, also a former weatherman, is a botanist at Cornell, where AWA member Don Cooke, mentioned above, is Dean of Research and Chemistry Dept. Head. And, Lunas dad Aldo was the author of the great, classic Nature book, "A Sand County Almanac," about caring back in the thirties for life and nature in a discredited Chicago suburb. -- As so many of you, Id been brought up on the Sand Count Almanac, along with the Keith County Journal. Tuck Forsythe, who is the son of Sandra and George Forsythe, mentioned also above, founded the Desert Research Institute (DRI), which is out in Moab Utah. As you may remember, over the years DRI has been a very important Meteorological Research Center. And, Luna once worked there along with Tuck and George, and along with Estelle and Carl. Another of Lunas friend is Bruce Curtis. (Bruce and I have been buddies ever since we were together in the 4th grade at Steele Public School in South Denver.) Bruce, mentioned above, is now a retired head of the Geology Department at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He has also been Lunas close friend and colleague, from their AAF weather service years during WWII. Another is Bob Allan, an AWA member and onetime head of the USN PostGraduate School in Monterrey, California. Were all so grateful to have been just a part of a great experience, which included Luna Leopold, a most remarkable person indeed. indeed. indeed. Bob Bundgaard, Colorado, March 20, 2006.
John T. Cherry, CMSgt (Ret), died on February 20, 2006 in Belleville, Illinois. He was diagnosed as having a brain tumor a few months earlier. John was in weather equipment maintenance and retired from 7th Weather Wing at Scott. He had been stationed at 7WS in Heidelberg back in the early 60s.
Henry Howard Klier (1929-2006) and Ardis Shirley Klier (1924-2006). One day, nine years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a letter in which the writer wanted to know if I had been stationed at Westover Field, Massachusetts, in 1947. The writer was Henry Klier. He had found my address in the Air Weather Association roster. Back at Westover in 1947 we were both working in Base Weather. In that same year of 1947, Henry was transferred from Westover to Wold-Chamberlin Field near Minneapolis. Not long after his transfer I received a teletyped message from him. His note was the last communication wed have until that letter arrived 50 years later. Upon completing his Army Air Force hitch as a sergeant, Henry left the service to help in the familys garden nursery business; and he married his beloved Ardis who became an accomplished artist. Though no longer in it, Henrys love for meteorology continued as great as ever. Of his many ventures, the one that he always seemed the proudest of was that hitch in the Air Weather Service of the Army Air Force. Henry and Ardis would attend AWA reunions at St. Louis 98, Las Vegas 00, and Dayton 02. I immediately responded to Henry, and every spring when it was still cold in Minnesota he and Ardis would visit with us here in warm Arizona. I would learn that he was now called Howard, but out of that long ago habit I still called him Henry. Marie and I would have wonderful times reconnecting with that friendship that began with two 19-year-olds in khaki, and greatly enjoyed our developing friendship with Ardis. Howard had become a pilot. His early stint as a weatherman was deeply ingrained, making him the kind of pilot who was acutely aware of the hazards weather could present to the unwary. At their first visit, Howard and Ardis arrived in their Piper Cherokee for a planned two-days stay. As they prepared to depart, he had me download the surface and 500-millibar weather charts. The charts were foretelling the kind of weather that a good pilot would not fly into. So Marie and I then had the pleasure of their company for several more days. We recalled times in the past when two of us had similarly sweated out flights as practicing weathermen. One of the things that warmed our friendship was Howards great sense of humor. One day he asked if I remembered the day in 1947 when we both were off duty and hiked out to the far reaches of Westover Field, following a trout stream. I had absolutely no recollection of it and implied that Howard was just making it up. But he insisted it had happened and even went so far as to claim he probably had taken a photo of me along the trout stream, although it would be hard to find, being packed away somewhere. I challenged him to produce it, being quite sure he was just imagining it. But several months later, our incoming mail included a large envelope out of which came a photo of 19-year-old me, standing in trees obviously beside the trout stream. Howard had found it, had enlarged it, and made it into a wanted poster! During the past couple of years, Howards health started taking a bad turn, caused by a lung condition that greatly worsened in the last few months. They would have to miss the Cocoa Beach 04 AWA reunion. On February 13, 2006, with no previous indication of it, our beloved Ardis suddenly passed away of a major heart attack. Only three days later, on February 16, 2006, Howard also passed away. They are survived by their son Howard (Howie) and his wife Deb. Beyond measure, all of us who knew them will miss Howard and Ardis Klier. Eulogy by Theodore L.Ted Cogut CWO (Ret.)
Col. William Edward Smurro, U.S.A.F. Ret. Bill was born April 15, 1927 in Helena, MT to Nicholas & Catherine Smurro and left this earth to be with his Lord on January 27, 2006. After moving to Los Angeles, CA, he met and married Patricia Ruth Memory on August 12,1950. Bill served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. After the war, he returned to finish his degree at Loyola University L.A. in Civil Engineering. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for 27 years with the Air Weather Service. Bill attended the University of Washington in Seattle, WA in meteorological science and received his masters in Research Meteorology from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO. During his 32 years of service to his country, he served in various assignments that took him to Alaska, Puerto Rico, Japan and Hawaii. He retired as a full Colonel and settled in Steilacoom, WA where he designed and built his dream home with his three sons. He and his Patricia have resided there for 28 years. Bill is survived by his beloved wife Patricia and seven children: Colleen; Lori (husband Scott Adams); Gina (husband Ken); Nicholas (wife Rebecca); Jan; Stephen; and Mark (wife Dana). He dearly loved and prized his eight grandchildren: Aaron, Avery, Christopher, Allisha, Joshua, Nathan, Nichole, and Nolan. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E., P.O. Box 19023, Seattle, WA, 98109 or to the Caring Bridge (www.caringbridge.org under Bill Smurro) or to the National Diabetes Research Foundation.
Col (Ret) Robert Bosner Hughes USAF, age 91, died January 21, 2006at The Hospice Care Center at Wuesthoff Medical Center in Rockledge, FL. His wife, Jean; his daughter, Kim; son, Christopher; and their families, survive him. Col Hughes attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD and The Pennsylvania State University. He joined AWS when WWII broke out and served in many high level positions during the war. In Vietnam, Bob was the Commander of the Weather Group and when he returned to the US he served at AWS as Plans Officer as well as Comptroller and many other key positions. He and Jean moved to Cocoa Beach, FL after he retired in 1969. He was an active member of the Space Coast Retired AWS Group. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service to be held Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 2 pm in the afternoon at the Cocoa Beach Community Church on A1A in Cocoa Beach, FL. His remains will later be committed in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Cas Mendez-Vigo adds: "I first met Robert when he came to Florida State University accompanied by General Moorman, AWS/CC. They were visiting the AWS meteorology class of 1952. Bob will be very much missed. He was a kind, gentle, friendly man who tried to give a helping hand to all who needed one."
Col. (Ret. USAF) John Abbott (1923-2006) passed away on Jan. 19, 2006, in Lakewood, WA at St. Clare Hospital after battling lymphoma and pneumonia. John was born Nov. 17, 1923, in Huron, S.D. He attended Iowa State University in Ames for two years before enlisting in the USAF. John studied meteorology at Cal Tech and then proceeded to Germany in WWII. After the war he returned to college and finished his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering at ISU. While working at Westinghouse in Chicago he was called up for the Korean war. John served his country for 32 years, being stationed in Paris, Wiesbaden, the State Dept. and the Pentagon. He retired in 1973 and relocated to Oakbrook where he and Georgeanna enjoyed their passions, golf, skiing, bridge, gardening, and fellowship in their church, LCOP. John was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the Masonic Lodge and the Afifi Shrine. He is survived by his wife Georgeanna and sons Bruce and Hans (wife Kristeen). A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., January 24, 2006 at the Little Church on the Prairie, Lakewood, with full military honors. Contributions may be made to Little Church on the Prairie.
Bidner-Arthur, Col. USAF (Ret.), age 73, died on January 16, 2006 in Bellevue, Nebraska. He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Susan and her husband Jim Burns, Mansfield, MA; grandson, Benjamin; sister, Fran Taub, Queens, NY; many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials to American Heart Association. FUNERAL SERVICE will be 18 January, Wed 1pm, Capehart Chapel, 25th & Capehart Rd. Bellevue, Nebraska Interment Temple Israel Cemetery. Col Bidner was DCS/Systems at HQ AWS 1975-1977 and the Commander of the AF Global Weather Central at Offutt AFB from 1978 -1981. Cas Mendez-Vigo wrote "Art was a special friend of mine. He worked with me at several jobs and took over AWS/SY when I left AWS to go to MAC/AD. Art was smart, honest and a hard working individual whom you could trust to do his best with any job. Art came to work at Harris Corp. after I had been there a few years. He did very well and was a highly valued employee. I personally will miss him and wish to honor his memory for his dedication and loyalty." cas
Richard H. Langill, CMSgt (Ret) died suddenly on January 15, 2006 in Plainfield, New Hampshire. Dick told his wife that he was not feeling well. Ginny called EMS but it was apparently too late to revive Dick.
Lt. Col. (Ret. USAF) Benton Ray Venable (1918-2006), passed away peacefully Jan. 11, 2006. Ben was the first of three children born to Thomas and Retta Venable Sept. 1, 1918, in Livingston, Montana. Ben grew up on a ranch a few miles from Livingston with his brothers Roscoe (Bud) and Sam until joining the Air Force in 1940. During World War II, in the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group, Ben flew C-46 aircraft over the China-Burma Hump. While maintaining his pilot status, Ben expanded his military career by becoming an Air Force meteorologist. He served in the Korean War as the Air Weather Services weather forecaster, when stationed in Tokyo, Japan, he was in the Inspector Generals Office, when stationed in Washington, DC, he was the Detachment Commander for Air Weather Service at the Pentagon, when stationed with the 7th Army in Stuttgart, Germany, in the G2 group, he received special recognition from the base commander for his service as a meteorologist, and upon retirement from the Air Force, after his last tour of duty at Ft. Lewis, Washington, he received a number of letters of recognition from commanding officers. During Bens military career, he was awarded numerous commendations including: the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Commendation Ribbon in recognition of Meritorious United States Air Force Service, the US Armys Commendation Medal for Support of the US Army, and most notably, the Distinguished Flying Cross with an Oak Leaf Cluster. Many of the commendations were earned flying over the China-Burma Hump as a Hump Pilot, a service which is highly regarded by China to this day. Ben married Virginia (Ginny) Dozier in Houston, Texas, in 1946, and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May. They had two children, Linda and Brian. Linda married Dr. Richard Spivey and they had two sons, Matthew and Benjamin. Following Bens retirement in 1964, while living in Lakewood, Washington, Ben enjoyed his favorite sports of golf (at which he became an exceptional golfer with a single digit handicap and 3 holes in one), fishing, and bowling, and enjoyed his time as a volunteer at the VA Hospital. From Bens love of fishing, the family always had a full supply of steelhead and smoked salmon in the fridge. He enjoyed teaching his grandsons to fish and play chess and poker. Ben was also an avid walker -- he enjoyed greeting neighbors while on his daily walks in Lakewood. Ben is survived by his wife Ginny, his brother Sam, his son, Brian, his daughter Linda and her husband Rich, their sons Matthew and Benjamin, and Benjamins wife, Theresa. Bens family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the staff and volunteers at the Pioneer Place Alzheimer Residence for making Bens final time as joyful and comfortable as possible. In honoring Bens wishes, no public service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Bens name may be made to The Madigan Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 98215, Lakewood, WA 98497.
Joe S. Restivo, age 79, a resident of Colorado Springs since 1956 and previously of Herrin, Illinois, passed away on Friday January 6, 2006 at his home. He was a Naval Officer, retired from Ford Aerospace and was a Meteorologist with the US Civil Service at the Fourth Weather Wing at ENT. Joe Sam Restivo was born on March 11, 1926 in Herrin to Sam and Johanna (Guarnair) Restivo. He was a 1943 graduate of Herrin High School and received both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from M.I.T. He married Dolores A. Chandler on June 4, 1949 in Herrin. Dolores survives and lives in Coloado Springs. He is also survived by son: Dave Restivo and two daughters Debi (husband Bill) Becker and Cindy Ashton, all of Colorado Springs. He also has two sisters: Annie Riggio of Du Quoin, Illinois and Marie Fister of St. Louis, Missouri and a grandson Jason Becker. Private family services will be held on Wednesday, January 11,2006. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery. Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.