Departures - 2012
We publish departures based on the year listed in the obituary. If no year is listed then we publish them when they are received.
Marie-Françoise Pineau (neé Duval), 74, of 2974 Scenic Ridge Loop, Las Cruces, N.M., died at 8:35 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 in Tallahassee, Fla. after a tough battle with cancer. She was born in Eu, Seine-Maritime (Normandy) France, on Jan. 9, 1936, the firstborn of Pierre Duval and Antoinette Duval Farinole. Her early childhood was in Nazi-Occupied France. Her mother and father had her brother Philippe once Pierre returned from a POW camp in 1945. Marie-Françoise attended administrative college in Paris in 1961 prior to being courted by Kenneth Francis Pineau while he was with the USAF stationed outside of Paris, France in the early 1960s. Marie-Françoise moved to Manhattan, N.Y. where she lived for a year before they married on Aug. 29, 1964 in Boston, Mass. On Oct. 15, 1965, Marie-Françoise and Kenneth had their only child, Daniel F. Pineau. As a career (30-year) USAF meteorologist, the family of three lived abroad from 1969 - 1982 (Spain, Germany) when they returned to the U.S., finally to claim Naples Fla. as their home. Marie-Françoise and Kenneth subsequently moved to Las Cruces in 2002. Marie-Françoise was always a devoted Catholic and is today survived by her husband (Kenneth), her son (Daniel) her daughter-in-law (Meredith), her mother (Antoinette Duval Farinole (99)) and her five grandchildren (David (13), Sophie (11), Mirabella (10), Ava-Kay (8), and Jack-Douglas (5). Marie-Françoise cherished her many friendships in Las Cruces and those she left behind are grateful and humbled by those who cared for her – as she cared for them.
Lt Col (retired) Frank Joseph Schmidt, Jr. Of Fredericksburg, Texas passed away in the Hill Country Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg on Monday, October 15th, 2012 at the age of 78 years. Franks is survived by his wife, Frances Loth Schmidt of Fredericksburg. Two daughters, two sons and spouses, Jodi and Michael Langert of Bridger, Montana Frank (Joe) and Diane Schmidt of San Antonio Jennifer and Curtis Buckles of Springfield, Virginia Jeff and Jennifer Schmidt of Round Rock, Texas. Nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His mother, Marie Moritz Schmidt of Fredericksburg. Brother in law and spouse, A.J. and Irene Loth of Fredericksburg Sisters in law, Pat, Mrs. Franklin Loth and Shirley, Mrs. Robert A. Loth, Jr. both of Fredericksburg. Vigil services will be held on Wednesday evening at 6:00 P. M. in the Schaetter Funeral Home in Fredericksburg, with Deacon Pat Klein officiating. Mass of resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 11:00 A. M. in the St. Marys Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, with Monsignor Enda McKenna officiating. Graveside services and interment with full military honors will be held on Friday, October 19th, at 9:45 A. M. in the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Those who so desire may make memorial contributions in his memory St. Marys Capital Campaign Fund, Wounded Warriors Fund or to the charity of their choice. Visitation for Frank Schmidt, Jr. will be Wednesday evening from 4 to 7:30 P. M. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com.
Thomas Joseph Draus Sr., 79 Hazel Green, WIS. - Thomas Joseph Draus Sr., 79, of rural Hazel Green, Wis., for 19 years, previously in Davis Junction, Ill., for 25 years, died at home Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, of pancreatic cancer. Tom was born Aug. 26, 1933, in Chicago, son of Andrew and Anna (Opyt) Draus. He attended St. Salomea Polish grammar school and graduated from Chicago's St. Rita High School in 1951. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in September, 1951. After basic training at Sampson AFB, New York, Tom completed basic weather school at Chanute AFB, Illinois. After completion, he served two years at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska and 18 months at Offutt AFB, Omaha. Upon honorable discharge, Tom returned to Chicago and met the love of his life, Jeanette A. "Chick" Elliott. They married May 4, 1957, at Annunciata Catholic Church on Chicago's south side. Jeanette and Tom lived for a brief time in Lowell, Ind., where he worked as a carpenter. Then, he gained employment with the U.S. Weather Bureau, assigned to Alaska. Later assignments were at U.S. Weather Stations in Spokane, Wash., St. Cloud, Minn., Flint, Mich., and 21 years in Rockford, Ill., retiring in 1988. Tom's passions in life were his family, faith and opportunity to make new friends. He was a master "family historian," compiling extensive genealogies of his own family and doing research for other family and friends. In retirement, he worked as a researcher for the Dubuque Historical Society Archives. He loved traveling with the family, camping and visiting historical or cultural sites. Tom was an avid reader with a tremendous memory. He was an enthusiastic member of the Platteville Library book club and frequent patron of many area libraries. Tom was never afraid to take a calculated risk. Tom and Chick left Chicago to build their own home in Indiana, sold it soon after to move to rural Alaska, and later bought a farm in Minnesota. Survivors include wife, Jeanette; children, John (Sandy) of Cottage Grove, Wis., Tom (Pat) of St. Donatus, Iowa, Anna Kennay of Rockford, Andy (Carolyn) of Bellevue, Iowa, Frank (Rebecca) of Evanston, Wyo., Kathryn (Larry) Ruppert of Machesney Park, Ill., Alice (Duane) Sprank of Springbrook, Iowa, and Mary (Erik) Gulbrantson of Rockford; 21 grandchildren, Jessie and Rosie Draus, Katy, Andy, Rebecca, Tommy and Tricia Draus, Jason Kennay, Elizabeth, Peter and William Draus, Matthew, Jacob and Jonathan Draus, Susanna and Mark Ruppert, Erin, Tony, Luke and Brooke Sprank, and Jeannette Hoch; one great-grandson, Leo Hoch; two brothers, Richard of South Holland, Ill., and Bernard "Pete" (Diana) of Matteson, Ill.; and sister, Virginia "Betty" Schassburger of Lansing, Ill. He was predeceased by parents; granddaughter, Lisa Kennay; brother-in-law, Mike Schassburger; and sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Draus and Jewell Draus. Thank you to Mercy Hospital, nurses, doctors, housekeepers and dietary, who Tom found so caring, and to Dubuque Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Marquette Catholic Schools in Bellevue, Iowa. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Galena, Ill., with Fr. Max Lasrado officiating. Friends may call after 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. There will be no public visitation. Burial will be at a later date. Military honors will be accorded at the church by the Galena Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Club. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family. Condolences may be submitted by visiting furlongfuneralchapel.com. Published in Rockford Register Star from Sept. 11 to Sept. 12, 2012. See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?pid=159823841#sthash.eWRHExRd.dpuf
Richard "Dick" Howard Stanley, Major USAF (Ret.), 89, of Englewood, FL, died on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at Mount Carmel East Hospital. Born September 26, 1922 in Marietta, Ohio to the late Howard and Elizabeth (Wilking) Stanley, Richard was a former meteorologist with the U.S. Air Force and was a Hurricane Hunter and member of the Air Weather Association. He was a longtime member of Groveport United Methodist Church and was a past president of Groveport Lion's Club. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Annie (Lillie) Stanley. Dick is survived by his son, Bob (Olivia) Stanley; and daughter, Barbara (Jerry) Sommer; grandchildren, Krysta Sharpe (James Martin), Rob (Sarah) Stanley, Kylene Stanley, Kalynn Ferrell, Bill (Rebecca) Sommer, Dan (Samantha) Sommer; and great-grandchildren, Trey, Tarynn, Bailey, Bryce, Brynna, Jake, Ben, Brady, Mara, Claire, Addyson, Jack, and Isla. Friends who wish may contribute to Groveport United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 512 Main Street, Groveport, OH 43125. Online condolences www.spencefuneralhome.com. Yesterday, I received a call from a daughter of Richard Stanley, also a Hurricane Hunter. She had been left a note from her father stating call AWA with my obit.
Vera Shepard Pearson Bishop, 83, passed away August 20, 2012 at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Vera was born in Melrose, NC. She was the youngest child of the late John and Margaret Pearson. Vera graduated from Brevard College in 1948. She was a member of the Mayflower Society, DAR, a lifelong member of the Church of the Transfiguration, Saluda, NC and a loving wife, mother and grandmother. On November 4, 1951, Vera married the love of her life, Tedd Lee Bishop. They embarked on a lifelong service to our country. As the wife of a career Senior USAF Officer and through her strength of character and loving nature, she touched lives across our country and the world. She was recognized for her selfless care of wounded Vietnam soldiers and their families through her volunteer work at the AirVac Hospital in Japan. She provided counseling and friendship to all she met throughout the 33 years of dedicated military service and beyond into their retirement. Vera is survived by her husband, Tedd and their four daughters, Lynn, Leigh, Allyn and Erin. Vera was blessed with seven grandchildren, Sara, Pearson, Robby, Lara, Ellis, Franklin and Richmond, who were the light of her life. A celebration of her life was held at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Church of the Transfiguration, Saluda, NC. Her final resting place will be held in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC.
Richard G. Peer, 62 of Honesdale, died Tuesday, June 26, 2012 in the Wayne Memorial Hospital. Born on February 26, 1950 in Passaic, NJ, he was the son of the late John Richard Peer and Bernice Marie (Holewinski) Peer. After graduating from Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale NJ, Richard graduated from Stephens Technical Institute in Hoboken, NJ. While studying for a bachelor's degree at Stephens Technical Institute Richard joined the ROTC and upon graduation he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. His military career in the Air Force spanned from 1970-1990 when he retired. Immediately after earning his bachelor's degree, he then attended Texas A&M where he studied meteorology. He received a masters degree in meteorology from UCLA. While serving in the military, Richard worked as a hurricane hunter in Mississippi, was involved with a solar observation in Australia, and worked with the Radar of the Horizon in Bangor, Maine. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons in Maine, the VFW, and the American Legion. After retirement from the military, Richard went to Husson University in Maine where he earned an additional masters degree in business. Richard worked for the IRS in Bangor Maine until his final retirement. Richard is survived by a brother, Robert Peer of Honesdale; a niece, Jordan; two nephews, Kyle and Jared. He was preceded in death by a sister, Susan Lillian Peer. A memorial service will be held in the Grace Episcopal Church, Honesdale on July 7 at 1 p.m. with Father Edward K. Erb officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 827 Church Street, Honesdale, Pa 18431. Arrangements are attended by the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 Main Street, Honesdale, Pa 18431.
Norman Johnson Clark, Col USAF (Ret.), 84, of Tulsa, passed away Friday, June 15, 2012. He was born February 7, 1928 in Midland, MD, son of the late James Kirkwood and Mary Etta (Johnson) Clark. He attended Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, PA where he studied Aeronautical Engineering withdrawing in 1946 to enlist in the Army Air Force serving as a weather technician in a B-29 Weather Reconnaissance Squadron based in Guam. He was called to service again in 1952 during the Korean War. The same year he married his beloved wife of 55 years, Madeline Feucht Clark. She passed away in 2008. Norman was assigned by the Air Force to Texas A&M University for graduate training in Meteorology and was awarded a Master of Science degree. His final assignment was as Commander of the 6th Weather Squadron located at Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City. Norman retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel on June 1, 1978 with 30 years of service. He volunteered with the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. In Oct of 2009 he married Wilma Brakey, she preceded him in death a few months later. He is survived by his son, Doug Clark of Euless, TX and daughter, Debbie Milberger and husband, Mark of Tulsa; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two sisters, Helen LaPrade and Evelyn Burdette.
H. Stuart Muench, 81, died May 26 at the Mereoint Nursing Center for Brunswick. He was born in Stamford, Conn., on Sept. 23, 1930, the son of Harry Edward Muench and Elsie Locke Muench. He attended Hinckley Elementary School and graduated from Darien High School in 1948. Inspired by his seventh-grade earth sciences class, he majored in meteorology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his bachelor's degree in 1952. After graduation he spent two years in the U.S. Air Force as a weather observer and forecaster, returning to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for graduate work in 1954 and received his master's degree in 1956. Before he graduated, he began working as a civilian employee for the U.S. Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory. On Jan. 3, 1959, he married Elizabeth Gilmore Holt in Davos, Switzerland. They met through their inter-collegiate outing club activities including camping, hiking and skiing. They continued these activities throughout the rest of their lives. In 1961 they bought a house in Lexington, Mass., and lived there until moving to Maine in 2006. Muench was offered an opportunity to complete a doctoral degree in meteorology while serving as an instructor at the University of Washington in Seattle, and took a leave of absence from his work with the U.S. Air Force to do so. He completed his thesis on heat transfer processes in the stratosphere and he spent a summer on the coast of Maine working on airport visibility instrumentation, laying the foundation for later civilian development of highway ground fog warning systems. His work developing computer programs that could recognize the radar signatures of developing thunderstorms and tornadoes is among the ancestors of today's graphics on the Weather Channel. After his children were grown, Muench and his wife went further afield for their camping, hiking and climbing adventures in places like the Canadian Rockies, Denali National Park, New Zealand, the Khumbu region of Nepal, China, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Cape Horn, Patagonia and Scotland. He was a member of the American Meteorological Society, the Appalachian Mountain Club and Sigma Xi. He was predeceased by his brother, John. Muench is survived by his wife, Betsy; daughters, Susan, Cynthia and Joanna and her husband, Craig Lee; foster daughter, Renae Owens; one granddaughter; and one foster granddaughter. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. June 24 at the Durham Quaker Meeting House. A committal service for his ashes in a family plot will be held at 2 p.m. July 28 in Georgetown.
Major Paul Dean Halloran, USAF (retired), age 73, of O'Fallon, born June 16, 1938 in Hastings, Neb., passed away June 6, 2012. Paul served in the US Air Force for 21 years, retiring in 1983. He was a meteorologist, serving as commander of the weather unit at Scott AFB from 1969 to 1973, and retiring as Commander of Air Weather Service, Army Garrison Ansbach, Germany. His awards and decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Force Commendation Medals, and the Army Commendation Medal. After his military retirement, he worked in various local management positions. His recent years were shaped by the lives and activities of his three grandsons, to whom he was very devoted with his time and energy, particularly Boy Scouts Troop 13. He enjoyed his mornings at the O�Fallon YMCA, with a quick work out, followed by social time with several cups of coffee. Mr. Halloran was preceded in death by his wife, Dianne, nee Hankenson, Halloran; and his parents, John Leon Halloran and Christine, nee Helzer, Halloran. Surviving are his children Michael Halloran of O�Fallon and Tammy (Gregory) Murphy of Belleville; his three grandsons Kevin, Kyle, and Kurtis Murphy; brother Richard (Connie) Halloran of Hastings, Neb., and sister Carolyn Rants of Sioux City, Iowa. Memorial donations are suggested to American Heart Association. Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 8, 2012 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home. Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 9, 2012 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at O�Fallon City Cemetery, Ill., with military honors.
Kathleen Crosby St. Clair (widow of Col Eugene St. Clair who died in 1981) Eldorado, TX - Long time area rancher, Kathleen Crosby "Kat" St. Clair died Tuesday, June 5, 2012. She was born October 12, 1923 to John Christie and Lillian Hannie Crosby. Kathleen was raised in Eldorado and on her grandparent's Middle Valley ranch in Schleicher County, Texas. She was a 1945 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a lifelong Longhorn fan. She met and married Eugene Christian "Gene" St. Clair in 1948 and they had one child, a daughter, Christie St. Clair. Kathleen and Gene, a career USAF officer, traveled the world for thirty years until his retirement in 1977 when they returned to Schleicher County to live on the ranch that her grandparents, Gratten Christie and Cordelia Crosby, had homesteaded in 1901. Kathleen's proudest accomplishment was that she was able to keep the ranch intact and to improve the land. In 2002, the G.C. Crosby Ranch was designated in the Texas Department of Agriculture's Texas Family Land Heritage Program as a registered Texas Century Ranch, having been a continuous working ranch operated through the same family for at least one hundred years. Additionally, Kathleen continued to run livestock on University of Texas land that her family has leased since the mid-1930s. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her daughter, Christie, and numerous cousins on both sides of the border, including Eduardo Garza Crosby, Roberto Garza Crosby and Patricio Garza Crosby. Additionally, she is survived by each of her long time ranch managers and trusted friends, Juan Mu�oz, of Middle Valley and John Nanny, of Barnhart and their respective extended families. Kathleen loved her family, loved her friends, loved her land, loved her livestock, loved her life and loved a good laugh. She will be greatly missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known her. Her funeral service will be held Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM at St. James Episcopal Church in Fort McKavett . In lieu of flowers her family requests that donations be made to the Volunteer Fire Departments of Fort McKavett, Eldorado, Sonora and/or Barnhart.
Richard Luke Masterson, 83, was born August 20, 1928 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the second of five children, to Luke and Helen (Kilfoyle) Masterson. There he was raised and educated until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in January 1948. Richard served in the USMC proudly until a chance encounter with some airmen, and heard of opportunity to travel. After completing his second enlistment with the USMC he re-enlisted into the Air Force in 1956. That sent him to Kansas where he would meet the love of his life and mother of his four children, Oneta. Together they raised their family moving from base to base, he traveling alone to stops in Japan, England and Alaska until arriving at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1966, where he would retire in 1969. Richard moved his family to Kansas upon retirement only to return to California a year later to be near family. He then began his second career at the United States Post Office in Lompoc as a mail clerk in 1971, until his retirement in 1992. It was during this time that he was given the joy of becoming a grandparent, a duty he truly cherished and enjoyed, giving each of them all the love a grandpa could. Soon after retiring in 1992 Oneta became ill and Richard became the best nurse, caretaker and true soul mate anyone could ever want. After her passing in 1994 he truly focused on grandkids. He would babysit, drop off, pick up, attend ball games, watch movies, sing with them, pretty much whatever he could do to spend time with them and help out. They were very lucky kids; he was a one of a kind grandpa. In 2002 Richard would meet the second love of his life Nancy. They would soon fall in love and marry in 2003. They spent the next nine years like kids joking, laughing, movies, vacations truly enjoying each other’s company along with their dog Bambi. Nancy became ill in October 2011, and Richard early this year. Nancy passed April 5, 2012. Suffering from respiratory issues and a broken heart Richard followed on April 28, 2012. His lifetime of love and faith in the Catholic religion has surely put him in the company of the Lord in heaven and all of his loved ones that passed before him. Richard is survived by his children, daughters Billye (Brady) Bonsworth of Ojai, California, Sandi (Steve) Conklin of Lompoc, sons Marty (Carolyn) Masterson and Steven “Sam” (Teresa) Masterson both of Lompoc, ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, sisters Helen (Mike) O’Regan of Belmont, Massachussets and Elenor (and the late James) Ferguson of Buffalo, New York, many nieces and nephews and his dog Bambi. Richard was preceded in death by his first wife Oneta, second wife Nancy, his parents, brother Robert Masterson and baby sister Eileen Masterson and grandson John Cantrell, III. Richard had an undying love for his family, from his parents to his great grandchildren. He was truly a saint and will be dearly missed by everyone he ever crossed paths with.
Barbara Collens, wife of John W. Collens III, MGen USAF (Ret.), died on April 27, 2012. Funeral services are pending. John and Barbara Collens formally co-founded the Air Weather Association in 1987 with camaraderie amongst all who identify with Air Force Weather as a goal. Their untiring and unselfish work resulted in a large membership, biennial reunions and outreach "to care for our own." The AWA John and Barbara Collens awards are presented each year to the outstanding individual Air Force Weather personnel chosen by the USAF Director of Weather.
Dr. Clifford Dalton Kern, PhD Resident of Aromas, CA My dad, Dr. Clifford D. Kern, 84, died on April 26, 2012. He was born on January 28, 1928 in Alameda, CA. to the late Arthur and Blanche Kern. He married the late Constance Joyce Kern on February 21, 1951 and had three children, Michael, Janice and Michelle. They were married for 50 years until her death on July 18, 2001. Cliff had two PhD's one in Physics from UCLA and one in Meteorology from the University of Washington. He served 27 years in the United States Air Force and retired in 1973 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was employed by SRS (Dupont) from 1973-1978 and Lockheed from 1978 until his retirement. Survivors are his three children, three grandchildren Holly, Alex and Mikey and two grandsons John and Lyric. A Military memorial was held on April 28, 2012 with full honors and he was laid to rest in Colma on May 11, 2012 next to his wife Joyce. He was a charter member of the Air Weather Association and a member of its board of directors and treasurer from 94-04.
Clifford Adams "Bud" Spohn, Col USAF, (Ret.) 96 of Solomons, MD died on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Asbury Solomons Retirement Community in Solomons, MD. Born on December 21, 1915, in Reading, PA, he was the son of the late Clifford Spohn and Margaret Rankin. On May 23, 1942, Bud married his beloved wife of 69 years, Laura Ella Hoeltzel. He earned his doctorate degree in Meteorology from MIT. He was a career Officer in the United States Air Force. During his decorated career he was the Commander of the 6th Weather Wing at Andrews Air Force Base. In 1966, he retired from the Air Force as a Colonel. After retiring he went to work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Deputy Director of the National Environmental Satellite Service. Bud was a member of many clubs and organizations, which included the Military Officers Association of America, Retired Officers Association, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, American Meteorology Association, World Meteorology Association, and many international meteorological committees. He was a long time active member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church. He was also a long time active resident of Asbury Solomons Retirement Community. His hobbies included volunteering with the many organizations he belonged to, reading, singing and playing bridge. In addition to his wife, Bud is survived by his children, Clifford Spohn II (Sandra) of Albuquerque, NM, Katharine Kettler (Ronald) of Columbia, MO, Barbara Spohn of Bowie, MD, Sally Lowe (Fran Welsh) of Arnold, MD and Michael Spohn (Jill) of Reston VA; 12 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his grandsons, Clifford Spohn III who died tragically while serving his country in Iraq and Brian Spohn; and his siblings, Katharine Miller and John Spohn. Memorial contributions may be made to Asbury Solomons Benevolent Fund, 1110 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD 20688 or Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 27108 Mount Zion Church Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Cemetery Services: Arlington National Cemetery, Wednesday August 8th, 2012 at 1 PM with full military honors.
Robert L. Kane, Col. USAF (Ret.), age 89, of Carsonville MI, died Thursday, April 5, 2012 in California. He was born January 2, 1923 in Carleton, Michigan son of the late Edward T. and Nellie (Corcoran) Kane. He and Mary V. Watson were married June 12, 1944 in Marine City. Bob attended the Hall of the Divine Child in Monroe, MI and was a graduate of Carleton High School. He was attending the University of Michigan when Uncle Sam called and he immediately entered the Meteorological Program at UofM and then the University of Maryland. Robert served in the U.S. Air Force from 1942 - 1973 where he attained the rank of Colonel. He was a Military Officer, Pilot, and Meteorologist. During the Vietnam War he was commander of the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (66-67) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He also later commanded the 7th Weather Wing (70-73), Scott AFB, IL. After retiring, he taught AF JR ROTC at Anaheim High School in Anaheim, CA. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Port Sanilac MI, V.F.W. Post 8872, Port Sanilac, the Air Force Association, The Retired Officers Association (MOAA), Air Weather Association and American Meteorological Society. He attended Eastern Michigan State College, University of Michigan, and earned his Bachelor Degree at University of Maryland. Bob was an inspiration to all of his family including his many nieces, nephews and friends for his compassionate kindness, help in difficult situations, and scrupulous integrity. One of his occupations in his retirement was driving senior citizens in the county to doctor and hospital appointments which was a source of deep satisfaction to him. Survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Anne, Julia, and Mari; son, John; 9 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Cynthia in 1999. Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Mary Catholic Church, Port Sanilac, MI. Burial was in the Old St. Mary Cemetery.
David W. Saxton, Col USAF (Ret.) died of natural causes on March 30, 2012 in Charlotte Hall, MD. Born in Holton, Michigan, David attended a one-room schoolhouse. After graduating as class valedictorian, he received a scholarship to Hope College in Holland Michigan. In his junior year, he joined the army and finished his degree in New York University as a cadet, graduating in 1944 with a degree in meteorology. During the Second World War, Colonel Saxton was stationed in England in 1944, where he met Patricia Margaret Brown and married in June 1945. He received a BS in Mathematics in 1947 from the University of Michigan and an MS in Meteorology in 1956 from the University of Chicago. As an Air Force officer, the Saxtons traveled around the world from Washington, DC, Japan, Nebraska, Illinois, Alabama, England, and Hawaii. Colonel Saxton retired as Chief, Operations Division, HQ 1st Weather Wing, Hickam AFB, Hawaii in 1974. He joined NOAA that same year and retired as Chief, Basic Weather Branch, National Meteorological Center, National Weather Service, in 1984. Col. Saxton celebrated his 90th birthday with his family on March 17th. He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia Margaret Brown, and his seven children, Anne Bristow and Amanda Saxton of Anchorage, AK; Louise Thelen of Hilo, HI; Barbara Saxton of Arlington, VA; Michael Saxton of McLean, VA; Ronald Saxton of Leesburg, VA; and Charles Saxton of La Plata, MD; thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A life celebration gathering will take place on Friday, April 6, 2012 from 10 am until time of Memorial Service at 11 am at the Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, P.A. Pastor Dave Huffman will officiate. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home 29449 Charlotte Hall Road Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
Grisinger, Donald G. "GRIZ" 80, passed away in Asheville, NC, on March 7,2012. Loving husband of the late Edwina "Edie" Grisinger. Survived by his devoted son Sean, grandfather of beautiful Avalyn Grisinger, loving sister Judie Sweet, niece Beth (Earl) Liban, nephews Greg and Douglas, great-nieces Amanda, Savannah Sweet, and cousin Barbara Jean Horn. Don spent many years seeing the world with the U.S. Air Force Air Weather Service, his final tour was Vietnam. After that he was a meteorologist with the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, NC. During the past few years all he wanted was to come home to see all the familiar faces and places. Hopefully now he will. Memorial services and burial were private.
Boudreau, Robert D. (1931 - 2012). Robert was born on March 9, 1931 in North Adams, MA and died on March 2, 2012 in Wheat Ridge, CO. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran meteorologist, Metropolitan State College-Denver Emeritus Professor, devotee of música de romance, avid golfer and held multiple FAA ratings including ATP and was fluent in Spanish. Teaching, even in death, Robert has donated his body to The Anatomical Board of the State of Colorado. He is survived by his wife Sharon Shin of Denver; daughters Spring Propst of Harrisburg, VA; Dawn (Robert) Thresher of Aberdeen, MD; son Aaron Boudreau of Westminster, CO; sister Annette Boschetti of Fort Lauderdale, FL; aunt Lola Madsen of Wichita Falls, TX; and nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends everywhere. Donations in Robert's name may be made to the Disabled American Veterans at http://www.dav.org/ or First Tee, a youth golf organization, at http://www.thefirstteeofdenver.com/.
Amnie Louise Vance, 81, of Robinson, Texas passed away January 22, 2012 at her residence surrounded by her family. Mrs. Vance was born January 26, 1930 in Aquilla, Texas to Samuel Archie Parks and Sallie (Scott) Parks. She married Bobby J. Vance December 23, 1950 in Waco, Texas. Together, they celebrated 61 years of marriage. She was a homemaker her whole life. Mrs. Vance was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and five sisters. She is survived by her husband, Bobby J. Vance; three sons, James and wife Martha, Douglas and wife Barbara, Alan and wife Miriam; one daughter, Carol Palmer and husband Mike; six grandsons, Clint and wife Mandy, Shane and wife Crystal, Sean and wife Kristi, Andrew and wife Monica, Joshua Palmer and Seth A. Vance. Also surviving Mrs. Vance are her three great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters; as well as her two sisters, Hazel Dunn and her husband Dink and Ethel Chandler. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Methodist Childrens Home 1111 Herring Avenue Waco, Texas 76708
Hiram Pierce "Bill" Bilyeu, Col USAF (Ret.) 86, Pocatello ID, passed away Thursday afternoon, Jan. 5, 2012, at a local medical center. A complete obituary will be in a future edition of the Idaho State Journal. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello, 232-0542. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com. Published in Idaho State Journal on January 7, 2012 Lt Col Bilyeu was the Commander of the 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron 15 Jul 67 - 20 Nov 69. Col Bilyeu was the last Air Weather Service Deputy Chief of Staff Directorate of Air Operations Reconnaissance Division from 20 Nov 72 until that function was abolished on 1 September 1975 when weather reconnaissance and air sampling resources/missions were transferred to ARRS ending over 33 years of continuous organized aerial weather reconnaissance in AWS. His wife died in August 2011.