Departures - 2011
We publish departures based on the year listed in the obituary. If no year is listed then we publish them when they are received.
Whitmal Warren Hill, Jr. April 3, 1920 - December 21, 2011 Following a break of one year from the service, Warren reenlisted in August 1946, trained and graduated from Air Force Weather Schools as a Meteorologist and Climatologist and was stationed in Germany for the Berlin Airlift, London, and Tokyo. While serving in Japan, he was awarded the first Air Weather Service Zimmerman Award for Outstanding Application of Climatology information developed by Warren which resulted in the U.S. Army Med. Corps Unit’s (Camp Zama, Japan) ability to be the first in medical history to establish proper laboratory conditions which resulted in the successful controlled breeding of the specific culex (mosquito) responsible for transmitting the Japanese encephalitis disease - a vital step necessary to develop the means for eliminating that specific mosquito. Having served in all grades from Buck Private to Chief Warrant Officer, Warren retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1965 with 23 years of service. Shortly thereafter he began his second career with the Central Intelligence Agency as an Operations Officer in the Pentagon and serving his country another 23 years before retiring in 1984.
Donald F. Bridenstine, 90, died peacefully on December 20, 2011 at Laurels of Greentree. He was born in Wooster, Ohio and has been an Asheville, NC resident since 1965. Don was a meteorologist; served the Navy and Coast Guard for 20 years; and as a civilian, served the Air Force at USAF/ETAC for 20 years. After retiring, he was active in the community, serving as an Elder and Deacon at Grace Covenant Church, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and the ABCCM shelter. He was preceded in death by his wife Sally S. Bridenstine. Survivors include a son, Donald F Bridenstine Jr.; a daughter, Mason B Nichols and husband Sidney; a son, Carl William Bridenstine III and wife, Cynthia, three grandchildren, William and wife Janette, Eric, and Elizabeth and two great grandchildren, Aiden and Claire. Also surviving are many friends, including Doug Michaels, Janet Bondurant, Cathy Zautner, members of Grace Covenant Church, and the Creekside Community. Don and his family give special thanks to these individuals for their continued support and kindness.
Dean William Terlinden died October 31, 2011 from pneumonia. He was born February 20, 1921 in Pewaukee Wisconsin. He grew up on a farm there with parents Charles and Emma and older brother Carl, older sister Fern, younger sister Olive and younger brother Glenn. (A younger sister Ruth died in infancy.) There he began his lifetime habit of going to bed and rising early. He got a bachelor's degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, helping pay his way by working as a janitor. In 1943 he joined the United States Army Air Corps which would later become the United States Air Force and served in World War II. Denied his wish to become a pilot because of his color- blindness, he completed a special course of study at UCLA and became a weather forecaster. While he was at UCLA, good friend and classmate Ned Boyer invited him home for a Christmas meal at his Beverly Hills home. There he met Ned's sister Jane, destined to be his wife. He traveled to England where he helped forecast the weather for the D-Day invasion of Normandy and landed in Normandy the day after, when enemy artillery fire was still heavy. Later he served in France after its liberation, at the Potsdam conference in Germany, in Japan, and back in Germany as part of the Berlin airlift. In 1950, he married Jane Frances Boyer. He and Jane moved around the country following various military assignments. While stationed near Boston, he took classes at M.I.T. They settled in Long Beach, California, where they had their first son David in 1952. In 1959, they had their second son Don. Their sons grew up in a household that valued learning and reading. Every Saturday morning, Dean and Jane took their sons to Ruth Bach branch library to load up on books. In 1960, Dean bicycled across the United States from east coast to west. After his ride, he consulted current record books and determined that he unofficially had the third fastest time. After retiring from the Air Force Reserves as a lieutenant colonel, he received a master's degree and teaching credential at California State University Long Beach. He then became a substitute teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District and routinely bicycled to his assignments in San Pedro and South Los Angeles. Dean used his long teacher's summer vacations to treat his family to car trips that covered over 35 states, including Alaska and all the provinces of Canada. They spent lots of time in his home state of Wisconsin, sometimes living on the farm where he was raised. In 1980, he retired from teaching and enjoyed traveling with his wife Jane around California, staying at various military bases. He was an avid gardener and grew his own vegetables, fruits and flowers for many years. He enjoyed playing solitaire, solving crossword and cryptogram puzzles, and reading. He liked history books most of all, especially histories of World War II. Until the middle of this year he was able to live at home with his wife thanks to the dedication of caregivers Janet Terrenal, Paul Masiclac and others. He is survived by sons, David and Don; daughter-in-law, Katy; and grandchildren, Elizabeth and William; who was named after Dean's middle name. He took great pride in the achievements of his children and grandchildren.
Richard "Dick" Mizgorski July 14, 1941 - October 17, 2011, Resident of San Jose,CA. Played his last game of racquetball on Monday, October 17, 2011. He leaves behind his beautiful wife Carol of 49 years, 3 children: Richard (Rick) Mizgorski III (Lila), Marc Mizgorski (Brenda) and Robyn Klitgaard (Mark), 3 grandchildren: Connor Sven, Sophie Elizabeth, and Madeline Claire, 2 sisters: Rita Jean Mizgorski Renee Jeanette Gentile, and his nephew and niece: Ernie and Jeana Gentile. Richard John Mizgorski was born in Pittsburgh, PA, July 14, 1941. He was the devoted son of Richard John Mizgorski Sr. and Mary Rita Werries Mizgorski. He was raised in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Central Catholic High School and upon graduation enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was a true patriot with an undying love for his country. In 1962 he married Carol Adelaide Rakow who lived on the next block in Lawrenceville. He was stationed in Washington DC, Rantoul IL, Verona Italy, Gwinn MI, and State College PA. During those early years and with 3 young children he also managed to attend the University of Maryland and Northern Michigan University and obtained a BS in Mathematics in 1971 from Pennsylvania State University. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to the Satellite Test Center in Sunnyvale, CA where he worked on classified special projects for the Secretary of the Air Force. Although he expected his assignment in Sunnyvale to be longer than the others, he and Carol grew to love the area and decided to put down permanent roots in San Jose. In 1981 Rich retired from the Air Force, but continued his work in aerospace, ultimately retiring from Lockheed on August 31st of this year. Rich sang with his wife in the Mission Santa Clara Choir for the past 15 years, was an avid Sharks fan with season tickets dating back to the Cow Palace days, a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, a model rail roader enthusiast, loved traveling and being Pap-Pap to his 3 adoring grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. He was a gentleman, amazing father/father-in-law, outstanding grandfather, loving husband, supportive brother and friend to many. Visitation will be October 23rd 4:00-6:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m., with a 7:15 p.m. Prayer Vigil at Darling Fischer Mortuaries, 231 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008. A funeral mass will be held on October 24th at 10:00 a.m., St. Joseph's Cathedral, 80 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113. Richard will be laid to his final rest at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either USO at San Jose Airport 1701 Airport Blvd. #B1240 San Jose, CA 95110 408-288-7603 Or Defenders Lodge Palo Alto VA Hospital c/o Pen Fed Foundation 2930 Eisenhower Av., 6th floor
CMSgt Bobby W. Luker, 82, Schreveport , Louisiana , died from a series of health issues on 29 Aug 2011. I first met Bobby at Beale AFB back in 1964 and did not get a chance to visit with him until Jul 02 when I stopped in to visit him on my way back from Texas . He was a weather observer and a Chief Observer when that position still existed. I do not believe he was a member of the AWA, but I know there are people out there who knew Bobby. Submitted by Francis Flesch.
Marvin J. Schroeder, 92, of Raymond, IL passed away Friday, August 19, 2011 at Hillsboro Rehab and Health Care Center. He was born in rural Bluffs, Illinois on February 6, 1919. He spent his early years in Bluffs and graduated from Bluffs High School. He was a graduate of Western Illinois University. In July, 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force, serving the 17th Weather Squadron, S.W. Pacific. He was discharged with the rank of Master Sgt. in October 1945. Marvin was a high school mathematics teacher at Raymond for 36 ½ years. Surviving are his wife, Wanda (died 2014); one son, Michael, wife Jan, Schroeder of Wichita, KS; 2 grandchildren, Martin and Kaylynn Schroeder, both of Wichita; and 3 nieces. Funeral services were at Hough Funeral Home in Raymond with Rev. Jim Wagahoff officiating. Burial was in Asbury Cemetery in Raymond, IL
Patricia Downing Bilyeu, 86, Pocatello, passed away on Monday, August 1, 2011, surrounded by a loving family. She was born May 15, 1925, in Pocatello, Idaho to Judge Jay Linoel Downing and his wife Marie Pettygrove Downing. She graduated from Pocatello High School in 1942 and earned a Bachelor's Degree in History in 1951 from Idaho State College. She married H. Pierce (Bill) Bilyeu on May 10, 1952 in Pocatello, Idaho. As an Air Force wife, she spent the next twenty-three years living in various locations throughout the United States and Bermuda. During this time her two youngest children were born in the Territory of Alaska. Patricia enjoyed singing in various choirs, serving as the president of the Air Force Officer's Wife's Club in Savannah, Georgia, working on family genealogy, and making life-long friends. Patricia continued to pursue her love of traveling by taking numerous vacations with friends and family throughout the world. Patricia also enjoyed serving as a Governor of Idaho for the Mayflower Society, being active in the Daughters of the Nile, Daughters of American Revolution, American Legion Auxiliary, National Society Colonial Dames, and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Pocatello. She is survived by her husband, Pierce: two sons, Jay Downing Bilyeu (Judy), Aiken, South Carolina and Chip Bilyeu (Pam), Pocatello; one daughter, Anne Marie Bilyeu Dirks, San Diego, California: eleven grandchildren, Jason Bilyeu, Jeff Bilyeu, Sean "Sarah" Bilyeu, Robby Bilyeu, Nic Marshall (Jenn), Neil Marshall (Karen), Natalie Vaden, J. Pierce Bilyeu, Tahnee Dirks, Keegan Dirks, Shannen Razumovsky (Aleks) and four great-grandchildren. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters. No public services will be held as per Patricia"s request. In lieu of Flowers Patricia would request a donation to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the staff at Ridge Wind Assisted Living for the kind, loving, and quality care provided for our loved one.
Shawn T. Sankey, 55, of Commerce City, passed away July 16, 2011. He is survived by wife, Kristen; daughter, Carra and brother, Bruce Sankey of Colorado Springs. Preceded in death by his parents, James & Carra Sankey. Shawn was a veteran of the Air Force where he received a medal of commendation. His greatest passions in life were meteorology, car tuning and athletics. He was an adoring father and was very discerning with his friendships. He cherished those he kept close and treated all with respect & dignity. Funeral Service, Tues., 10:30 AM, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., (at Parker Rd), Aurora with burial following at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Donations for the education of Shawn's daughter may be made by following this link: http://www.tunefiledepot.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7. Share condolences at HoranCares.com.
Dr. Duane S. Cooley (Age 88) On Monday, July 11, 2011 in Fairfax, VA. Beloved husband of Lillian Feneley Cooley of 62 years; devoted father of Diane L. Sharpe and Joanne E. Richards; loving grandfather to Daniel P. Veltri, Andrew L. Richards and Madelynn J. Richards. Also survived by his brother LaVerne C. Cooley, Jr. of Batavia, NY. Dr. Cooley received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He devoted his 40 year career as a Meteorologist to atmospheric research with an emphasis in improved warning and forecasting systems. He was a Fellow of the American Meteorology Society. Funeral Services will be held at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032 on Saturday, July 23, 2011. Visitation begins at noon, memorial service at 1p.m., followed by burial. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to MIT for the Duane Cooley (1948) Memorial Fund. Checks should be payable to MIT and mailed to Bonny Kellermann, Director of Memorial Gifts, 600 Memorial Drive, W98-500; Cambridge, MA 02139. Please include a note stating that your gift is in memory ofDuane Cooley '48. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=152562498#sthash.q5D9vE6U.dpuf
Lt. Col. Norman C. Cox, USAF (Ret.) was born August 19, 1921 at Shady Ranger Station, near Mena, Arkansas - third son of a Forest Ranger. He died on July 8, 2011. The family moved to Louisiana in 1937 and Norman graduated high school in Leesville, LA. He attended Northwestern State College until 1942, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps at Barksdale AFB. He was commissioned in 1944 at Selman Field and was assigned to the 91st Bomb GP as a Navigator on a B-17 crew in England. After WWII, he was assigned to Chanute Field, IL to Weather Officer School. While at Chanute he was married to Jacqueline Nell Myers, of Shreveport, LA on August 4, 1946. Upon graduation from Weather Officer School he was assigned to Air Weather Service, where he served until retirement in 1964. These assignments included duty as Weather Instructor at AOB School at Mather AFB, Weather Reconnaissance Representative on the Pacific Typhoon Board, Aerial Weather Recon Officer with 54th WRS on Guam, 57th WRS at Hickam AFB, Squadron Weather Officer and Exec 53rd WRS in Bermuda, and finally Recon Liaison Officer to TAC HQ until retirement in August 1964. Stateside assignments included Weather Station duty at Barksdale, Randolph, and Palm Beach AF Bases. While at West Palm Beach he completed requirements for a B.S. Degree at Florida Southern under Operation Bootstrap. After retirement, Col. Cox enrolled in graduate school at Louisiana Tech University and was employed to establish and serve as Resident Coordinator of a program of education at Barksdale AFB. In this capacity he completed the requirements for his MBA and the coursework for the DBA degrees. After five years at Barksdale, he was employed as Assistant Professor of Marketing at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas where he remained for 14 years until his retirement again in 1985. The Coxes moved to Air Force Village I in December 1990 and to Village II in July 1991. Col. Cox was preceded in death by his parents, Guy Cox and Fannie Head Cox; daughter, Catherine Thompson, sister, Irene Cox Martin and two brothers, Edwin Austin Cox and Reuben Dean Cox. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jackie Cox; son, Norman G. Cox and wife, Diane: daughter, Connie Cox; son-in-law, Charles Thompson; grandchildren, Casey Thompson and Debbie Thompson and great-grandchildren, Sebastian Thompson and Tori Thompson.
Mary (Ginger) O'Neil, author, piano teacher and life-long community activist passed away quietly on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Regent Care Center of League City, TX at the age of 80. Ginger's beloved Aunt Kathryn once told her that to make the most out of life, one must "show a little enthusiasm." These words would resonate throughout her life. Ginger remained a dynamic and creative person, quick to put ideas into action, ever curious about the world around her and indeed, a woman with unbounded enthusiasm. Ginger fell in love with the written word at a young age and continued to write for the rest of her life. Her poems, short stories and articles appeared in various publications. Among her later works are the novels, A Touching Performance (2001) and Forever Granada (2011) and the non-fiction, Merging With Martha in a Microchip Age (1990). One of Ginger's greatest joys was sharing her passions for learning, music and art with young people. An accomplished musician, Ginger dedicated 18 years of weekday afternoons teaching piano to scores of young people from her basement music room. Many of those piano students came to appreciate Ginger as not only a valued mentor, but also a champion and friend. In addition, she and her husband, Hugh spent several years hosting and leading monthly church youth group activities. Ginger always believed in the value of remaining an active member of her community and was a tireless volunteer. Among the numerous organizations for which she gave countless hours were Strategies to Elevate People (STEP) and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. She was an active member of Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax, VA, participating and often spearheading church activities. In recent years, she was a member of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in League City. Born Mary Margaret Garvin on October 16, 1930 in Milwaukee, WI, Ginger was the first child of James T. and Anne Garvin. Shortly thereafter, they moved to the family home in Schenectady, NY, where she and her younger sister, Gail grew up. Ginger attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, where she met, Hugh M. O'Neil of Watertown, NY. She graduated from St. Lawrence in 1952 receiving a Bachelor of Arts with honors in English. Ginger would remain a lifelong student, completing a Masters Degree program at State University of New York in Albany in 1956. Ginger and Hugh were married in Schenectady on June 6, 1953, soon after his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force. Over the next few decades, they had six children and lived in Texas, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Following Hugh's retirement from the Air Force, the family moved to 5003 Fleming Drive, Annandale, VA, where they would remain for nearly 25 years. Ginger suffered a major stroke in 2004 and her health continued to decline throughout the following years. She and her family were blessed to have received such loving care and support from the staff at Regent Nursing Care in League City during her final months of life. Ginger's survivors include her husband, Hugh M. O'Neil; her sister, Gail D'Angelo (Brookline, MA); 6 children and their spouses, Elizabeth (Betsy) and Paul Thomas (Lubbock, TX), Garvin and Janet O'Neil (League City, TX), Hal and Cynthia O'Neil (Ft. Worth, TX), Phyllis and Tony Syme (Chantilly, VA), Shirley and Paul Owen (League City, TX), and Dan O'Neil (Washington, DC); 13 grandchildren; Alexander, Cassandra and Andrea Thomas, Jessica and Shannon O'Neil, Jaclyn and Jeremy O'Neil, Matt, Kate and Molly Syme, Erin, Rachel and Dan Owen and 1 great granddaughter, Natalie Thomas. On Sunday, June 26 at 3:30 p.m., the family will hold a memorial service at the Crowder Funeral Home Chapel, 111 East Medical Center Boulevard in Webster, TX. On Thursday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m., the family will receive friends and hold a memorial service at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road in Fairfax, VA. If you are inclined to make a memorial donation, please choose from among those charitable organizations you feel would be suitable.
William R. Martinez of Woodbourne NY passed away on June 21, 2011
Sally and Don Hyde of Colorado Springs CO have passed away. Their daughter Martha Bundrick sent me a note about it. Her mom passed away June 15th; and her dad, April 23rd. Sally and Don were regulars at AWA reunions. Don was a retired SMSgt with wartime service in the 21WS.
James Martin Priest, Col. USAF (Ret.), 84, passed away at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center of pneumonia on June 9, 2011. He was born February 19, 1927 in El Paso, Texas to Gilbert C and Anna Mae McMillan Priest. They moved to Searchlight, Nevada in 1930. He graduated from Las Vegas High School at age 16 and entered the US Army Air Force in 1944. After a brief stay at the Army Camp in Kearns, Utah he was sent to Alaska for duty. He remained in Alaska a short time and was chosen to go to Officers Candidate School. He completed his training in San Antonio, Texas as a 2nd Lieutenant and returned to Salt Lake where he met Pauline Bonham. They were married May 3, 1947. This marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from the University of Utah. His 30 years of military service required him to spend many years overseas and he served two tours of duty in Japan. He was the navigator for special envoy fights servicing embassies in the Far East and Middle East. His whole Squadron in Japan was transferred from Japan to Germany for the Berlin Airlift in 1949. He considered the Berlin Air Lift one of the most important humanitarian services of the United States. In addition to his overseas assignments in the 1950s, he was also stationed at March AFB, California, McGuire AFB, New Jersey. In the 1960s and 70s he was stationed with his family in England, Offutt AFB, Castle AFB, Frankfurt, Germany (where he was promoted to full Colonel), and Heidelberg, Germany, at that time he also received his MBA from Boston University. His last assignment was at the Air Force Accounting Center in Denver, Colorado where he retired from the Unites States Air Force in 1974 after surviving a heart attack. He was advised to move to a lower altitude so the family moved to Modesto, California where he continued to recover from a heart attack. After his recovery he worked as the Business Manager for the elementary schools and high school in Turlock, California. After 10 years he retired again and served a mission for the Church at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City for 18 months. He found this very rewarding and later continued his service at the BYU Family History Library for 10 years. He and Pauline moved to Springville, Utah in 2001 and have since enjoyed traveling and have visited many exotic places including the Antarctic, Swalberg, and the Amazon. He is survived by his wife, Pauline, and three sons, James Jr. (Gail) Jeffrey (Linda) and Andrew (Carol), 15 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery where a military service was given by the Springville American Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.
Crispin D. Nissen died of natural causes June 5, 2011 at 97 years old. A celebration of life honoring him was observed Thursday, June 16, at 6 p.m. at Morning Pointe Assisted Living in Greeneville, Tennessee. Friends of Mr. Nissen attended and took part in this time of remembrance. Mr. Nissen was a longtime resident of Lakeland, FL before he moved to Tennessee to be with relatives. He was a World War II veteran and of the Baptist tradition of faith.
Tunis D. Morrow, Lt Col USAF, (Ret.), 87, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, May 7, 2011. He was born on Oct. 6, 1923, in Hammon, Okla. He leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Hazel Rose Morrow; two sons, Blair Morrow and wife, Brenda, and Brad Morrow and wife, Catherine; granddaughters, Lauren and Morgan Morrow; and grandsons, Ryan and Nathaniel Morrow. He is also survived by his sister, Sue Finley. Tunis proudly served his country for 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, and was a member of the Order of Daedalians, Seagull Flight No. 161. He was laid to rest with military honors at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fla., at 1:15 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2011.
Troy Johnson joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in June 2005, following a 22-year career in the United States Air Force. There, he served as a communications technician and meteorologist, attaining the rank of major. A graduate of Texas A&M University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Engineering and Meteorology, and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) with a Master of Science degree in Meteorology, Troy held Series 6, 63, and 65 securities licenses plus state life, health and property-and-casualty insurance licenses. He was a Certified Financial Planner� certificant, and a member of the Financial Planning Association and the Omaha, Bellevue and Sarpy County chambers of commerce. Troy passed away on Friday, 29 April 2011. His memorial service will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, 3 May, at 2 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Family Life Center, 520 W. Lincoln St., in Papillion. There will be an opportunity to share your memories of Troy at the service. A member of the Heartland Harmonizers barbershop chorus, Troy enjoyed singing, reading, and traveling with his family. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
Frederick C. Thompson, 90, of Dunkirk, N.Y., passed away at Erie County Medical Center on March 5, 2011, after a short illness. He was born on September 3, 1920 to Gordon W. and Anna B. Thompson. He was a life long resident of the Dunkirk/ Fredonia area and graduated from Dunkirk High School, class of '37. He received a master's degree in metallurgical engineering from Case University (Case Western Reserve) and a degree from New York University in Meteorology. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corp. as a meteorologist technician and observer in the Pacific Theater, he attained the rank of Captain. Following World War II, he was a metallurgical engineer traveling throughout the United States for Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation until 1972. Mr. Thompson was a member of the Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce, Dunkirk Rotary Club, Masons, Shorewood Country Club, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church and supported the North Chautauqua County Development Corporation. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jessie Murray Thompson, daughter Barbara "Bobbie" and son-in-law Kenneth Tonis, of West Palm Beach, FL, son Frederick C. "Rick" Jr. and daughter-in-law Ellee of Cockeysville, MD, grandson, Frederick C. III, granddaughter-in-law, Leona and great-grandson Frederick C. IV, of Pittsburg, PA and granddaughter, Merryman Lee Thompson of Baltimore, MD. A celebration of his life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Gow School, 2491 Emery Road, PO Box 85, South Wales, N.Y. 14139.
Lt Col (Ret.) Gordon Roy Hammond, 64, a resident of Guilford, VT, died on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, following a long illness. He was born June 3, 1946, in Wayne, Michigan, son of the late Crispen and Eleanor (Wood) Hammond. Gordon graduated from Northville High in 1964. He received a BS in Meteorology from the University of Utah and a MS in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. After 20 years of honorable service, Gordon retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Senior Scientist at Hanscom AFB, MA in the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was awarded four Meritorious Service Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He also graduated from Air Command & Staff College and the coveted Industrial College of Armed Forces. Gordon continued working for the Department of the Air Force as a civilian contractor. He supported the Air Force as a Program Manager overseeing the acquisition and installation of weather systems worldwide. Gordon enjoyed his retirement farm in Guilford cutting and splitting firewood; building stone walls; brush-hogging; caring for his three pet sheep, Patience, Peppermint and Patti; and watching his neighbor Farmer Norm work the hay fields. He designed and built a 2-story garage with the help of a friend. He loved to watch the wildlife on the hillsides and around his newly dug pond. Gordon was happiest when he was predicting weather for friends and family. Gordon is survived by his wife and best friend, Nancy; his eight children Tamara West and Crystal Akagi in UT, Tonya Towler in NC, Megan Hammond and Jen Sanborn in CA, Alaina Hammond and Tim Sanborn in Vermont, Kendra Hall in NH; his sister Peggy Meyer in NC; his brothers, James in WI, Edgar in MI; 14 grandchildren, and his mother-in-law, Mary Ostrowski. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Julia and his brother, Crispen. Memorial services will be held at Hanscom AF Base in MA in March and in Guilford in late spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Grace Cottage Foundation, PO Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353 or to the Gordon R. Hammond Memorial Scholarship at Brattleboro Union High School, c/o Kathy Rouleau 131 Fairground Rd. Brattleboro, VT 05301. Gordon s family would like to thank the many caregivers for their help and support Dr. Robert Tortolani, Guilford Cares, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital staff, Grace Cottage Rehab and Hospice staff, and so many dear friends.
Lloyd L. Behrendt, Lt. Col. , USAF (Ret) passed away on February 2, 2011. Born in 1920 in Milwaukee, Lloyd served his country by joining the Army Air Corps in 1942. After training as a meteorologist and a brief stint at the Pentagon, where he briefed General Hap Arnold, 2nd Lt. Behrendt set off for Elmendorf, Alaska in May 1943. He was a Weather Officer, 11th Weather Region, for key weather stations in the Aleutians, invaded in 1942 by the Japanese. After the successful Aleutian Campaign, Lloyd transferred to Kodiak, Alaska, where he fell in love with a beautiful wartime telephone operator, Mary Vester. Lloyd and Mary left the Alaska wilderness behind in 1946, marrying in Orlando, Florida. They enjoyed their U.S. Air Force tours in Jamaica (where their son, Lloyd, was born at Guantanamo Bay), and at Patrick AFB. At Patrick AFB in the early 50's, Lloyd served with the 30th Weather Detachment, 6th Weather Squadron, forecasting the first launch of the space age for America with the V-2/WAC Corporal at Cape Canaveral and later the first H-bomb test in the Pacific. Assignments that followed included Clark AFB, Philippines, and Ramstein AFB, Germany. At Ramstein in 1954, Lloyd worked as Weather Officer in the "Kindsbach Cave", the bunkered Air Defense Operations Center for the European theater. Lloyd, Mary and family set out to see all of Europe, particularly enjoying summers in Spain along the Costa Brava. After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1960, Lloyd joined the Aerospace Corporation as a tech writer. He soon returned to his beloved Patrick AFB, serving as the Base Real Property Officer with his dear colleagues and friends in Base Civil Engineering until his retirement in 1997. After the passing of his wife, Mary, he moved to California in 2004. Lloyd loved and was loved by his family, especially his three grandchildren. Lloyd was a man of humility, generosity, integrity, practical wisdom, and, especially, gentle humor. While he will be dearly missed, we know he is already sharing his one-liners and quips in Heaven, with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The family would like to thank Lloyd's friends for celebrating Lloyd's life with us. Those wishing to make donations are asked to consider Great Commission Ministries, P.O. Box 7101, Winter Park, FL 32793-7101, with reference: Memorial Gift for Lloyd Behrendt.
Chief Master Sergeant Harold Calvin "Sonny" Hoffman, Jr., U.S. Air Force (Retired), passed away January 13, 2011, in Seattle, WA. He was 79. Chief Hoffman was born September 1, 1931 in Tiffin, OH to Genevieve Hoffman and Harold Calvin Hoffman Sr. Raised in Ohio, he was a 1949 graduate of Central Catholic High School, Toledo, OH. After his graduation from high school he began his military career which spanned 28 years, first in the U.S. Navy but transferred into the U.S. Air Force serving as a meteorologist. He served one tour of duty in Vietnam. His military awards included an Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, and other decorations. Upon retiring from the USAF he worked for 10 years as a civilian weather forecaster at Gray Army Airfield, Fort Lewis, WA. His interests were varied but he received the most delight from his woodworking hobby, becoming an accomplished furniture maker and skilled wooden boat builder. Harold is survived by his wife Hildegard Hoffman, his three sons, Charles Hoffman of Tacoma, WA, Michael Hoffman of Renton, WA and Peter Hoffman of Tacoma, WA, and six grandchildren. Services are at 2:15 PM on January 19, 2011 in Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA. Fir Lane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Marion "Skip" Waldorf, 89,CWO4(Ret) of Prescott, Ariz., born April 12, 1921, passed away Jan. 8, 2011. A private cremation will be at Bradshaw Crematory in Prescott Valley. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with final arrangements.