Departures
January 2006 - Present
 

Departures from December 2005 and earlier

Virginia I. Miller (Ginny), died on June 22, 2008.  Ginny was a beautiful and gracious lady in life. She dearly loved her three daughters Priscilla, Cheryl, and Joanne and  was a loving wife to her husband, Bob, for 55 years.  Ginny will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. 

Robert E. Miller CMSgt (Retired)
417 Erin Drive
Fairview Heights. IL  62208-3727

 
Ben Howard Houston, Lt Col (Ret.), 86, passed away May 18, 2008 at Pikes Peak Hospice, Colorado Springs, Colorado, after a long battle with cancer. He was born December 19, 1921 in Frankston, Texas to Mack and Allie Houston. Ben married our mother, Helen K. Miller in 1942, and they were together for more than 52 years. Dad enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941, advancing through all the ranks, until receiving his commission. He always joked that "he was the youngest Chief Warrant Officer in the Air Force and the oldest second Lieutenant." Dad completed his M.S. degree in Meteorology at Texas A&M University in 1962. Mom and Dad thrived on Air Force life, traveling the globe; our family life was always an adventure. They turned every tour of duty into a great time, acquiring along the way a multitude of life-long friendships. We have happy memories of Newfoundland, sledding through 20-foot snow drifts in the winter and picking berries on the hillside in summer; we won't forget the beautiful hydrangeas all over the Azores, Portugal, and the wonderful, extended "morale leave" trip to Europe. Most stateside assignments were in Dad's home state of Texas, but it was forever Mom and Dad's dream to be transferred and eventually retire in beautiful Colorado. Dad finally received orders for ENT Air Force Base in 1964. Eventually he worked at NORAD, helping to set up the weather station at that facility, and he later became a mathematics professor at the U.S.A.F. Academy before retiring in 1971, at which time he received the Meritorious Service Medal. Dad was a perfectionist throughout his life and always the excellent teacher. He was our counselor and confidant; even the neighborhood teens loved to drop in for a chat, especially if they needed advice. Dad could "spin a yarn a mile long" and never forgot any details about his life. He loved big family dinners at Sandy's and long conversations with Bruce that lasted until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. And, more recently, he loved the dreams of seeing Helen in a beautiful park, asking him what was taking so long. Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents, Mack and Allie; his brother, Guy; his brother, Dan; his sister, Agnes; his sister, Ethel; and most recently his baby sister, Dottie. Dad is survived by his children, Bruce James Houston of Fairfax, California and his daughter, Sandra Kay Brightwell of Colorado Springs; his daughter-in-law, Mary; and Bruce and Mary's two children, Jenna and Tanner; his son-in-law, Dr. Nathan L. Brightwell; and Nate and Sandy's three children, Todd, Jason, and Angela. A memorial service was held at Swan Law Chapel on Sunday, May 25, 2008 and burial with full military honors took place at Evergreen Cemetery on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. Contributions may be made in Ben's name to Pikes Peak Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
 

Billy D. (Rich) Richardson SMSGT USAF(Ret.), passed away on April 3, 2008 in Omaha, NE at the age of 70. Rich had lived in Bellevue, NE for the past 30 years or so. He had been assigned to AFGWC and then spent a year in Korea with me in 1982-1983 as my Station Chief. Rich retired as a SMSgt in Oct, 1986 after 28 years service and he and his wife, Janet, continued to reside in Bellevue. Rich worked as an Observer at Eppley Airport in Omaha for a short time and then worked as a manager for RBG Corporation until his retirement in 2002. Rich and I were stationed together at Clark AB, Philippines(1963-1964) and at Kunsan AB, ROK (1982-1983). Rich was my good friend and one hell of an NCO. Submitted by Bob Borchers. Rich is survived by his wife, Janet; daughters, Jill and husband Ron Albers, Bellevue, Emma Kolvek, Bellevue, son-in-law, John Kolvek, Lawrence, KS; 5 grandchildren, Nicholas, Jack, Gabriel, Lillie and Drew. Funeral service was at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bellevue. Interment Bellevue Cemetery.

Anthony Aiken "Tony" Pearson MSgt USAF (Ret.), 51, husband of Deborah Stout Pearson, died Sunday, March 30, 2008, at Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia SC. Born in Douglas, Ga., he was a son of the late Benajah Pearson and the late Leona Carver Pearson. Mr. Pearson was a member of Springbank Baptist Church and the Goldwing Road Riders Association. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years, was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, and was employed by the 28th Operational Weather Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base as a civilian trainer. Survivors include his wife of Dalzell; three children, Shea Hardy of Opelika, Ala.; David Pearson of Mobile, Ala.; and Heather Spears of Port Barre, La.; five grandchildren; three brothers, Jim Pearson and Joseph Pearson, both of Goose Creek, and Stan Pearson of Merritt, R.I.; and two sisters, Mary Clara Shultz of Winter Park, Fla., and Ruth Sapp of Denton, Ga. Memorial services with full military honors were held at Springbank Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Miller officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.

A Special request from Mrs Dee Pearson  Very good information for everyone!

 

Ron Godbey, Col USAF(Ret.) of San Angelo passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2008, in a local hospital. Military graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211, with Chaplain Art Ingalls officiating. Ron was born on July 11, 1934, in Milford, Texas to Pascal Lee and Katherine Williams Godbey. He married Martha Worsham on May 14, 1954 in Fort Worth, Texas.  Ron was a man of many professions.  The Honorable Ron Godbey, a former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, holds a Bachelors Degree from North Texas State University, did graduate work in meteorology at Texas A&M University while serving in the USAF, and later earned a Juris Doctors Degree from Southern Methodist University (1971). He specialized in tort and business law, real estate law, and also served as a municipal court judge.  He also served as a part-time TV Meteorologist in the Dallas - Fort Worth market. In 1975, he co-authored the book "Texas Weather" with fellow KXAS (NBC 5 in Dallas) meteorologist Harold Taft (deceased in 1991).   During that timeframe, Ron also earned the AMS TV Seal of Approval.  Ron was also a Certified Consulting Meteorologist as well as an attorney. In 1980, Ron gave up his active law practice to return to active military service. He served in the Air Weather Service and attended the Air War College. Upon retirement in March 1991, having risen from private to Colonel, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.  He then returned to his law practice and became active in local government, serving as Chief Deputy Treasurer and as Director of the County Bureau of Elections in Bernalillo, New Mexico. He was elected and served in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1999 to 2004.  He also holds a private pilots license, and is a member of various veterans' organizations and civic and professional groups.  In 2006, he was the President of Drug Watch International.  Ron is survived by his wife Martha Godbey of San Angelo, Texas; son Gary Godbey of Haltom City, Texas; daughter Julie Thompson of La Porte, Texas; grandson Wesley Thompson; granddaughter Leah Godbey; grandson Christopher Godbey; brother Robert Godbey, sister Glenda Godbey and a sister Kay Godbey.

Ron's obituary and memorial book may be viewed online at RobertMassie.com.

RODNEY, Ronald Lee 64, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away February 4, 2008. Ron was a retired Lt. Col. in the Air National Guard. His last assignment was commander of the 207th Weather Flight based in Indianapolis. He also had 38 years combined active duty and civil service as a Staff Meteorologist in the Air Force. Ron worked for Detachment 3 Air Force Weather Agency at Wright Patterson Air Force Base at the Air Force Research Lab Sensors Directorate. Ron was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend, Co-worker, Teammate, Teacher, Mentor, and Man. He loved everything life had to offer: God, Family, Friends, Nature, Weather, Sports, Church, and especially his wife of 38 years. He was a true family man that had it all. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and his children, Lisa, Chris, and Jeff. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions, in the form of donations, be made in memory of Ron to the Clifton Gorge Division of Natural Preserves, 2045 Morse Rd. Building F-1, Columbus, OH 43229 or the Beavercreek Wetlands, admin@beavercreekwetlands.org.

 

James A. "Al" Polston, SMSgt USAF (Ret.), 78, died Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, at the Chambersburg PA Hospital. Born Nov. 30, 1929, in Lumberton, N.C., he was the son of the late Charles and Nettie Hughes Polston. He worked for Unisys Corp. in Blue Bell, Pa., for more than 20 years before retiring as a manager.

He was also a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Air Force for over 20-years in Air Weather Service as Observer, Forecaster and Meteorological Programmer and Systems Analyst. He also served at Ernest Harmon AB Newfoundland.  He was the lead Systems Analyst for development of the Automated Weather Network ('65-'66). He came to Tinker AFB (and AWN) from ETAC.  He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg.  He is survived by his wife, Margaret Gale Polston, whom he married May 27,1950; three sisters, Verna Sneed and Ruby Polston, both of Lumberton, and Margaret Wiley of Charlotte, N.C.; and one brother, Norman Polston of Lumberton.  A memorial service was held at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg. Inurnment followed in Parklawns Memorial Gardens, Chambersburg.

 

Roger H. Olson, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.), a longtime scientist and activist and former Boulder City Councilman, died in Boulder City,Colorado, January 3, 2008, following a long illness. He was 88.  
 

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 3^rd 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.

Col. Wayne C. Bogard USAF(Ret.), died Friday morning, January 4, 2008 at his home in Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield CA.  He was born in 1920.  He is survived by a sister.  His wife of many years, Claire, died 3 years earlier and he will be buried on January 11th along her side in Sacramento CA.  He was a B-17 pilot in WW II, shot down in 1943, evaded capture for awhile with the aid of the French underground, but ultimately captured by the Gestapo.  He remained on active duty in MATS and Air Weather Service as an aviator and Materiel officer until retirement from AWS as the DCS Logistics from November 1967 to January 1970.  He was a member of the Air Weather Association and attended every one of its reunions. 

Wilma “Gladys” Spaugy, 81, longtime Anchorage Alaska resident, died Dec. 29, 2007 at Providence Hospital. Gladys was born April 20, 1926 in Bolivar, PA to George & Nora Flickinger. She married Robert Earl Spaugy on June 18, 1949 and began an interesting life as an Air Force wife.  Their many assignments throughout his career brought them to Alaska twice. The first time was to Fairbanks from 1960 to 1964, and then again, to Anchorage,  for their terminal duty station in 1969. This allowed them to indulge in their love of camping, fishing and enjoying the beauty of The Great North State. Gladys was a retired beautician, housewife and avid stamp collector. One of her greatest passions was the Junior Stamp Club of the Anchorage Philatelic Society. She and her husband, Bob, devoted many Saturday afternoons over 25 years  to spreading their knowledge and interest in stamps to the many children and young adults of the Anchorage area.  She is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, CMSgt (Ret) Bob Spaugy; daughter and son-in-law, Genevieve and Bill Poteat of Morganton, NC ; son, John D. Spaugy of California, MD; brother and sister-in-law, Merle and Carol  Flickinger, of St. Louis, MO; many nieces and nephews ; close family friends, Ronnie Short and the family of  Dwayne and “Liz” Daniel, of Anchorage. She was preceded in death by five of her six siblings.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to Providence Hospital Cancer Care, Cardiac Rehabilitation programs  or the charity of your choice, especially those involving children, as Gladys always loved the little ones.

James R. Vance, age 69, of Dardanelle, died Monday, December 3, 2007 at the River Valley Medical Center. A son of the late Ross Jennings and Audrey Sarah Pierce Vance, he was born May 22, 1938 in Webster City, Iowa. He attended Dardanelle High School before joining the United States Air Force. He received his accounting degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha following his time in the Air Force, became a certified public accountant and entered the field of banking. Before returning to Dardanelle he had worked at several banks in the United States, and had worked following his retirement at the Bank of Dardanelle (now the Rivertown Bank). He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Russellville, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Steven Vance. Survivors include his wife, Dale Vance; a son and daughter-in-law, Edward James and Pamela Vance of Benton; a daughter and son-in-law, Terri Lynn and Thomas Walter Vogel of Normal, Illinois; a brother, David Frank Vance of Russellville; a sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Don Rainey of Maumelle; three grandchildren: Jacob Vogel and Brooke Vogel, both of Normal; and Zachary Vance of Benton; and two nephews and two nieces: David F. Vance Jr., Michael Vance, Debbie Knight and Stephanie Pritt.

The funeral mass will be at 10 A.M. on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at St. John’s Catholic Church by Father William F. Thomas. Burial in Rest Haven Memorial Park will be by Shinn Funeral Service.

Active pallbearers will be Gerald Marklein, Larry Cheffer, Damian Durbin, David Vance, Don Rainey and Jim Powers.

The Rosary will be at 6:00 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Shinn Chapel with a time of visitation to follow.

Memorials may be made to the Altar Society of St. John’s Catholic Church, 1900 West Main Street, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.

Jack W. Reed, 84, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2007, after a brief but feisty bout with lung cancer. He spent his last days at the Care Center of Manzano del Sol Good Samaritan Village, which he helped to found. Jack was a brilliant mathematician and meteorologist, who went on from an early love of flight to become an invaluable part of the team that conducted the U.S.'s historic nuclear tests in the 1950s and early '60s. He enjoyed a long, productive scientific career at Sandia National Labs and at Kirtland Air Force Base, where he served as a Reserve Officer in the New Mexico Air National Guard. In his later years, Jack was one of the much-loved "Weather Wizards," for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, while he maintained an active research life until his death. Jack was born in Corning, IA on September 24, 1923. At the age of nine, he moved with his mother, Vera Gibson and his step-father, Charles Reed to Santa Fe, where his step-father was the State Highway Engineer. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1940. Jack was drafted into the US Army at the onset of World War II. He was an early weather specialist in the Air Corps, serving in the Philippines. In September 1944, Jack married Lois Linville of Chicago, IL. When he was discharged from the Army in 1947, they settled in Albuquerque, where he finished his schooling at the University of New Mexico, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics. They had two children, Roger and Margaret. Jack became a meteorologist at Sandia National Labs, with the important task of predicting the fallout and shock patterns of numerous atmospheric nuclear tests, both in Nevada and in the South Pacific. Jack worked in various capacities at Sandia National Labs for 46 years. After his retirement from Sandia, he founded a consulting firm, JWR, Inc., where he continued to offer his expertise to clients worldwide. Jack published countless papers on atmospheric studies, wind energy, and nuclear matters and tests. He was active for years in the Democratic Party, the Boy Scouts, the New Mexico NAACP, and fought tirelessly for civil rights in New Mexico. Jack was a longtime member of First Congregational Church. Jack loved to travel around the globe and across the nation. He was a wine connoisseur and made numerous trips to California wine country and the various wine regions of France. Proceeded in death by his mother, step-father, and son, Roger. He is survived by his wife, Lois Reed; daughter, Margaret "Marti" Reed, both residents of Albuquerque; and granddaughter, Terra Lillie Reed, a student at the University of Oregon currently attending the University of Lyon in France. "And reed that boweth to every blast." - Chaucer, 1385. Memorial Services will be announced at a later date. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com

Walter F. Pitts passed away peacefully on October 22, 2007. He was born on April 2, 1924, in Waterville, Washington, to T.I. Pitts and Inez McLean Pitts. He moved to Olympia, in 1927, and spent his life between there and his second home in Seattle. Walt graduated from William Winlock Miller High School in 1942. He served in the Army Air Corps Weather Service during World War II and upon his discharge attended college. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and furthered his education at the University of Washington, School of Law. Walt was in private practice in Olympia for eight years and then began a career with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Seattle. He held that position for 34 years until his retirement in 1994. Walt was an active member of the First Christian Church of Olympia, a member of the Washington State Bar Association for 54 years, the American Bar Association, and a staunch supporter of the University of Washington. He leaves behind his sister, Margaret Hanson; his niece, Joan White (Ron); niece-in-law, Patti Hanson; aunt, Margaret Hansen; three great nieces; one great nephew; one great-great niece; and two great-great nephews; and many cousins. Because Walt never married, his extended family was very important to him. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joan Catherine; his brother-in-law, Robert Hanson; and his nephew, John Hanson. The family requests donations to be made to a favorite charity.

George A. Castle, Lt Col USAF (Ret.) passed away at the age of 89 on October 29, 2007 in Shalimar, Florida.  Fran Flesch states that -- In the mid part of 2007, I located one of my previous commanders from Det 25, 10^th Weather Sq, Nakhon Phanom RTAVB,Thailand and did in fact talk to him by phone.  He remembered me after all the years that passed (June 67) and got enjoyment from me sending him an APR that was written on me by him.  A couple weeks ago, I got word that he passed on.  He was one of the forecasters back then that did not need a degree to become a Commander, an event which I was not aware of. 

Milo Radulovich, who became a searing symbol of the excesses of anti-Communism in the 1950s when Edward R. Murrow broadcast an account of his firing as an Air Force reserve officer because of his relatives’ associations, died Monday in Vallejo, Calif. He was 81. 
The cause was complications of a stroke, his son-in-law Richard Ostrander said.

Mr. Radulovich’s tribulations began in August 1953, when he was a student at the University of Michigan, as he baby-sat and studied a physics book in his home in Dexter, Mich. Two Air Force officers came to his door and handed him an envelope. He opened it to read that he had been removed as an officer in the Air Force Reserve because he was a security risk.
His own loyalty was not questioned. His father and sister were accused of being Communist sympathizers, and he was summarily judged to be risky by association.
The case raised questions about balancing national security concerns and citizens’ rights after Mr. Murrow broadcast a report on Oct. 20, 1953. It appeared on the television newsmagazine program “See It Now.”

Viewers responded by sending 8,000 letters and telegrams to CBS and Alcoa, the program’s sponsor; the letters were 100 to 1 in support of Mr. Radulovich. Newspaper editorials rallied to his cause.
Fred W. Friendly, producer of the program, called it “the first time any of us appreciated the power of television.”

In 2005, the episode became a big part of a hit movie about Mr. Murrow and his CBS colleagues, “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Mr. Radulovich was a consultant for the film and appeared in original clips from the program.

The Radulovich broadcast was the first salvo that “See It Now” fired against Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, Republican of Wisconsin, and his anti-Communist tactics. Although the case of Mr. Radulovich did not involve McCarthy, and the senator was not mentioned in relation to him, two later “See It Now” programs dealt directly with McCarthy.

In 1998, the State Bar of Michigan honored the program about Mr. Radulovich with a plaque that reads, “It is generally believed that the program was the beginning of the end for the McCarthy era.”
Milo John Radulovich was born in Detroit on Oct. 28, 1926. His father, John, a Serbian immigrant, was an autoworker.

Milo was an aviation cadet at what was then Michigan State College before joining the Army Air Forces in 1944 and becoming a meteorologist. He did top-secret work in Greenland and was discharged as a first lieutenant in 1952. He then attended the University of Michigan on the G.I. Bill and was a lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve.

He learned that his father was suspect because he read a Slavic newspaper seen as pro-Communist. His sister was suspect because she had picketed a Detroit hotel that refused to lodge Paul Robeson, the renowned singer, who publicly admired Stalin.

“No way I would repudiate my family,” Milo Radulovich told The Detroit News in 2005. “I knew if my case went unresolved, the government could do this to anyone, anywhere.”
With the help of lawyers working free, Mr. Radulovich fought back. The Detroit News ran two articles about his case, the second of which Mr. Murrow read. He sent a crew to Michigan.
When Mr. Friendly saw the film, he recognized it as both moving and volatile, according to a 2004 article in Quill magazine by Joseph Wershba, the reporter who went to Michigan. “You’re fired,” Mr. Friendly told the cameraman in a phone call. “I’m fired. Ed’s fired, but we’re going to turn out the greatest broadcast ever done on television.”

In the days before the broadcast, CBS executives grew skittish because of the dependence of Alcoa, the sponsor, on military contracts. The network refused to promote the program, so Mr. Murrow and Mr. Friendly put up $1,500 of their own money for an ad in The New York Times.
“The case against Lt. Milo Radulovich A0589839” it said. (The number was his serial number.) Mr. Radulovich was soon reinstated in the Reserve. He moved to California, and, after difficulty finding work, became a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

Mr. Radulovich, who lived in Lodi, Calif., was divorced from his first wife, the former Nancy Tuttle; his second wife, the former Sheila Day, died about five years ago. He is survived by his daughters Katherine Radulovich of Sacramento, Janet Sweeney of Elk Grove, Calif., and Danica Berner of Bishop, Calif.; his brothers Sam and Walter, both of Detroit; and a grandson.

Mr. Radulovich never doubted the value of his fight. In speeches he cited parallels to what he saw as similar infringements on liberties in the war on terrorism, saying, “I feel I represent lots and lots of Americans who would have done the same thing.”

Col. Howard L. Rust,USAF (Ret.), died October 22, 2007, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital.  Howard was born in Grove City Pennsylvania on July 25, 1922. He was the son of Walter J. Rust and Sara Uber Rust. He was the brother of Lucille Rust Brittain of Knoxville, Tenn., Walter J. Rust of Hollywood, FL and Wm. J. Rust of Platte City, MO. He also had a sister Geraldine and a brother Robert who are deceased.  He married Erma Ralston in Greenville, Texas, July 24, 1943. The Rusts were blessed with three daughters, Dian Kress,Mayetta, Kansas, Suzan Hanamann, Mission, TX and Bonnie Sartain, Palm Desert, CA. and doubly blessed with 12 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.  Howard joined the Army Air Force on July 7, 1942 and served in the Air Force twenty eight years. He was a veteran of WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Cuban Crisis, and the Vietnam War.  His service decorations include The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Air Medal, The Air Force Commendation Medal plus ten other Theater and Country Service Medals. He retired with the rank of Colonel on July 1, 1970.  Howard loved and trusted his God, whether it was a mission for the Air Force or a mission of life. He leaned heavily on this trust. "Rusty" did not fear death, he said, "That is the last great adventure God gives mankind; when man discovers everything is so simple. All you have to do is trust in him."  He was a member of AWA, The First United Methodist Church, the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association, Retired officers Assoc., The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
 
Lt Col Billie E. Grubbs,USAF (Ret.), died October 16, 2007 in Madison, Alabama. He was 75. 

Major Alma Gene McKemie,USAF (Ret.), 83, died October 15, 2007 in Goldsboro, North Carolina.   Gene was born in Christopher, Ill., to the late Thomas Merrill McKemie and Ava Akin McKemie.  He served as a pilot and later as a meteorologist for the U.S. Air Force. Gene retired with 24 years of service in the Air Force on Oct. 31, 1966.  He was a member of the Order of Daedalians and the Goldsboro Rotary Club. Gene is survived by his wife, Dorothy Lassiter McKemie; his daughter and son-in-law, Tami and David West of Goldsboro; his sons and daughter-in-law, James Patrick McKemie of Raleigh and Thomas E. and Babette McKemie of Raleigh; and his grandchildren, Ryan Miller, Kayla West, Corbin McKemie, Christian McKemie, Jason West and Eric West and wife, Amber.

Col. (Ret) Thomas D. Potter, Ph.D., a research professor emeritus with the U of U Department of Meteorology, died Oct. 16 from pancreatic cancer. He was 78.

Born on Feb. 3, 1929, in Jamestown, N.D., Potter went on to a distinguished career in meteorology spanning more than 50 years. After receiving a BA. in math (1951), B.S. in meteorology (’54), and an M.S. in atmospheric sciences (’56) from the University of Washington (’56), he pursued a doctorate in atmospheric sciences at Penn State University (’62). His 1961 doctoral dissertation established that ground-based radar could measure atmospheric conditions, an advance that led to the development of the Doppler radar now widely in use in weather forecasting. After college, he became a vice commander in the U.S. Air Force Air Weather Service, and during his 24 years of service became a key figure in revolutionizing forecasting by equipping satellites to monitor the Earth’s weather from space. He was awarded the Legion of Merit upon retirement. He also spent seven years with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, seven with the United Nations, and 10 as the western regional director of the National Weather Service, and also served as an associate professor at St. Louis University.

Potter joined the University of Utah faculty in 1998 as a research professor. During his tenure, he led the weather support project for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. His planning helped deal with transportation issues, snow removal problems, opening and closing ceremonies, and volunteer coordination

Tom Potter is survived by his wife, Billie; six children, Mike, Ann, Tom Jr., Mark (Gwen), Andy (Robyn), and Matt; 12 grandchildren; and siblings Jack, Jeff, Pat Styer, and Nancy Cramer. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Nature Conservancy (nature.org) or the Special Op Warrior Foundation, specialops.org.
 

Karl Reidar (Jo) Johannessen, 90, who served for over two decades in the Air Weather Service, died on October 18 at Island Elder Care in Vashon, WA. His wife, Phoebe wrote, “If you are in touch with any of the old cew perhaps you would let them know.” 
 
Jo was surrounded in his death by Phoebe Johannessen and his children, Lisbeth (Johannessen) Brown, Erik Frith Johannessen, Sissel Johannessen and Jan Nils Johannessen. He is also survived by a sister, Agnes Astrup, twelve grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. His family wishes to thank Theresa, Praxy (Praxedes) and Johnny (Juanito) of Island Elder Care for their loving attendance and care, and the Hospice team for their kindness and assistance during Jo's last hours of Life. 
 
Karl was born in the town of Aalesund, Norway, matriculated from thegymnasium there, and earned his degree in Atmospheric Science and Meteorology from University of Oslo. Shortly thereafter WWII was declared and when Germany invaded Norway, Karl escaped on skis over the mountains to Sweden, where he taught mathematics in a school for Norwegian evacuees until he could make his way to England. There he joined the Royal Norwegian Air Force and became part of the British Met (Meteorological) Office. For the duration of the war, Norwegian Meteorologists successfully contributed to Upper Air Unit analyses important to the success of the Allied victory in Europe; Karl was a part of the team that developed the forecast crucial to the D-Day victory. In England, Jo met Phoebe Frith, also assigned to the Met Office, and they were married on May 9, `945. 
 
Karl and Phoebe and their infant daughter returned to Norway in 1946, and Jo served in the Royal Norwegian Air Force as a meteorologist until 1951, when they and, now, three children, immigrated to the United States at the invitation of the American government. There he worked as a civilian meteorological consultant for/to the US Air Force at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, and his fourth child was born. In 1959 he received a Rockefeller Award for advanced study at the University of Chicago. He was subsequently employed by the United States Weather Bureau (later the National Weather Service of NOAA) as director of the North East Region, located in New York. He later became the Deputy Director for Operations at the National Weather Service headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland, where he served until his retirement in 1981. Karl and Phoebe made their home in Vashon in 1992. 
 
Phoebe and her family will be at home to friends who wish to join them in a celebration of Jo's life, on Saturday, November 3, 2-5 PM.

Major General Harold H. Bassett was born April 1, 1907 in Albion, Illinois and died in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, October 4th at age 100. He is survived by his grandsons Michael Hill of Weston, TX and Russell Hill of Sherman, TX; granddaughter Heidi Hill of San Francisco, CA and nephew John Bassett of Geneva, Illinois. He was predeceased by his wife Anita Bassett and daughter Frances Hill. He was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and his military service was in the Army Air Corps and USAF where his assignments included command of the Air Weather Services and the USAF Security Service. Burial will be at the family plot in Albion, Illinois. You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary.
 

 

It appears that there will be a private ceremony with internment at the family plot in Albion, Illinois. His official bio from af.mil is at:  http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=4623

 

From AWS Heritage 1937-1987

Harold Huntley Bassett

Major General, United States Air Force

Fourth and Ninth Commander of Air Weather Service

9 March 1943 - 9 January 1945

13 November 1958 - 31 October 1959

Retired from active duty in October 1959

 

Significant events during General Bassett's tenure as AWS Commander include establishment of a short-range forecast verification program (24-, 36-, and 48-hour), April 1943;   inauguration of the USAF Strategic Facsimile Network which connected Global Weather Central, Offutt AFB NE with five other US weather centers on 15 February 1959;  initiation of the operational numerical (computer) flight plan system on 15 may 1959;  and activation of the first two weather squadrons (7th at Heidelberg, Germany, and the 16th at Fort Monroe, Virginia) for exclusive support of the U.S. Army on 8 July 1959.

Larry Carmack, 68, of New Athens, Ill., formerly of Belleville, Ill., born October 13, 1938 in Cardwell, MO., died Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville, Ill. Larry “Chief” Carmack retired from the United States Air Force, after nearly 30 years of devoted service. He was a true believer of the military system of honor and respect. His love for family and country was above reproach. He will be missed by all that knew him. He was also a member of the 20 GWB’s and the VFW Post 4183.
He was preceded in death by his parents Clay & Lona, nee Marshall, Carmack, wife Jacqueline “Jackie”, nee Nevard, Carmack, who died October 23, 2001, a brother Wendell Carmack and a sister Barbara Nashif.

Larry is survived by 4 children; Gary Carmack of Orlando, FL., Michael (Elizabeth) Carmack of Panama City, FL., Leslie (Edward) Dellamano of Belleville, Ill., Susan George of Belleville, Ill., 3 grandchildren; Rachel Carmack, Clifford Dellamano, Isabell Dellamano and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ALS. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.schildknechtfh.com
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 4, 2007 from 6-8 pm at Schildknecht Funeral Home, 301 S. Lincoln Avenue, O’Fallon, Ill. There will be a VFW service held at 7:00 pm.
Funeral procession will leave Friday, October 5, 2007 at 8:45 am from Schildknecht Funeral Home for a 10:00 am graveside service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.  

McAnally, Paul, Col USAF (Ret.) died of natural causes on September 30, 2007 in Winchester, VA. He was  88. Paul was born in Danville, IL, on September 8, 1919, to Gerald and May (Skadden) McAnally. He grew up in Canton, SD. At the age of two he won the blue ribbon for finest baby at the county fair. He went on to be the finest man any of us ever knew. Paul attended Morningside College in Sioux City, and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1941. He served as a navigator in WWII, including the North African theater, and remained in the USAF for a career after the war, finally retiring as a colonel and commander of the 4th Weather Wing at Ent AFB in Colorado Springs in 1971. He was held in highest regard by the 4000 men under his command and countless others with whom he served. He married Ann Marie Knudsen of Bronson, Iowa, in July 1942. Together they raised three children at Air Force assignments around the country as well as overseas. Paul held masters degrees in meteorology from the University of Chicago and in counseling from the University of Arizona in Tucson. After his retirement from the Air Force, he taught junior high school in Tucson, AZ. He was a fabulous cornet player and a natural athlete. Ice hockey was his sport of choice in South Dakota in his youth, and later golf and especially tennis after he moved to warmer climates. He was always quick to lend a helping hand, served up with a dry wit that brought a smile to those around him. "Grand" didn't know how to turn down a charity. He will be missed by many. He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen of Winchester, VA; his son Tom in Seattle; his son, Gary of Sacramento, eight grandchildren and his sister, Helen in Denver.
 

Major William Donald Cooke, Army Air Corps, a World War II forecaster and climatologist, died Sept. 20, 2007 at his home in Ithaca, New York. He was in charge of America's Wide Wing's research and historical studies at SHAPE, Gen.Dwight Eisenhower's headquarters, first at Bushy Park in England and then at St. Germaine-en-Laye, France. He was 89. Born in Philadelphia in1918, Maj. Cooke graduated from S. Joseph's College in 1940. After Pearl Harbor, he joined the U. S. Army Air Corps, and he arrived in Keesler Field, in September 1943 as a newly-minted second lieutenant from the meteorology course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Class four.  He was assigned the midnight shift, because the Weather Detachment Commander there had decided to minimize the amount of damage an untried forecaster could bring about. For Don Cooke's first night, there was no air traffic at all. But at 4:00 AM the phone rang. It was the Officer of the Day, who wanted to known what the uniform of the day should be. Don told him that it looked like it was going to be a nice day and that khakis should be fine. There was a long pause followed by “Lieutenant, do you know it's raining now?”
     That was one of the few forecasts he was ever destined to make.  A couple of weeks later he was off to the European Theater of Operations, ETO, where he was assigned work in climatology at Col. Donald N. Yate's Wide Wing, the forecast center for all of the United States Strategic Air Forces through out ETO. His associates already there were Capt. Ed Fickensher and the renown Dr. Helmut Landsberg, a German-American from Prof. Carl Rossby's Meteorology Department at the University of Chicago. Also an English civilian, Miss Grace Constance Groon. And, significantly, Sgt. Lillian Finkelstein, a professional artist. As circumstances would thus dictate, Lt. Cooke also took over the Wide Wing responsibilities for Visual Presentations, for him a side medium in which, later, he delved into, with a life-long pursuit in
creating layouts and draftings and briefing aids, and a hobby that earmarked him as an upbeat communicator who was much appreciated for his clever graphics.
     Capt. Cooke was also a skilled poker player. And, following D-day, cards at night melded out the long, cold European winter of '44 for a worn-out group of Wide-Wingers, at its headquarters, there in St.Germain-en-Laye: The adjoining portrait of W. Donald Cooke was taken there, later in 1994, at the gates to the Ecole Normale, the girls school, that had been appropriated first by the Germans and then by us,
to headquarter the conduct of the Great War in Europe. One of his poker buddies there was a, Lt. Col. John R. Parsons, Jr.  John, a nationally well-known sage in the Nation's Capitol, also died recently and was
buried November 2007, with full military plus national honors at Arlington, Washington, D.C. (John, although not an AWA member, is known to many of its members.)
     Sometime in the Spring of '45, Gen. Eisenhower and a select staff, which included Capt. Cooke as its Staff Weather Officer, withdrew to a remote villa in the French countryside. And, it was to this secluded location that in April a caravan of several vehicles sneaked out of Berlin, through Allied battle zones, to Ike's French recluse, there to negotiate quietly on possible surrender terms. Maj. Cooke was instrumental in
laying out the groundwork for this secret get together and for assisting in carrying it out; and he has since written an interesting account about this little known event.
     He was discharged with the rank of major in late 1945. On his troop-ship voyage Stateside he made enough money in playing poker to buy a diamond ring and marry his childhood sweetheart, June Marie Orr. June passed away in October 2006, shortly after the couple's 60th wedding anniversary. He continued to play poker several times a month throughout the rest of his life, and he founded the Cayuga Poker Society, for which he published a monthly newsletter with unusual stories about history, sports, politics and weather.
     He earned his M.S. Degree in 1948 and his Ph.D. In 1949 at the University of Pennsylvania. For two years thereafter, he studied as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Princeton University.  Cooke went to Cornell in 1951 as an assistant professor and led the effort to modernize analytical chemistry, introducing instrumental
analysis, including electro-chemistry, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance. He became a full professor in 1959 and later became associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1962-64); dean of the Graduate School (1964-73); and vice president for research and advanced studies (1969-83).  Among many other contributions, he wrote the University Appointment Manual, now known as "the Cooke Book." He also served as acting provost, acting chemistry department chair, occupational health and safety programs director and an active member of the Cornell University Senate.  During the student unrest of the 1960s and '70s, he negotiated successfully with student leaders and even remained in contact with several of them in later years.  At Cornell, Cooke was known for the broad scope of his career and for his generosity, sincerity and passion for justice. He continued an active teaching role throughout his administration postings, and even past his retirement in 1987.

     He has been a member of the Air Weather Association from its beginning and attended many of its Reunions.  He has been an active contributor to Art Gulliver's 18th Weather Squadron Newsletter.  Don had a special gift with people. He had a positive outlook and led a life of modesty and dignity with respect for people from all walks of life. All who knew Don will miss him greatly.  Submitted by Bob Bundgaard,10 Jan 08. N. B.

A Celebration of Life Service was held on 9/24/07 for CMSGT (Ret) Bertram R. Grigsby at the New Life Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Nebraska.  Bertram Rhodes Grigsby died on September 17, 2007.  He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 4, 1931 to William Rhodes and Eloise Massey Grigsby.  He was educated in Pittsburgh, Penn. public schools.  On September 8, 1949, Bert enlisted in the newly formed United States Air Force.  He served his country for 32 years, rising to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. His awards and decorations were many, from the Meritorius Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters to the AF Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters and a mixture of Air Force, Army and National Defense medals in between.  After retiring from the Air Force, he attended Bellevue University graduating with a BA degree in 1984.  He was employed at First Data Resources as a Trainer for 10 years.  Bert taught Sunday School at Air Force chapels at many of the bases he was assigned.  He joined Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1981 where he served as a Trustee.  He later joined New Life Presbyterian Church, was ordained an Elder and served on the Session for six years.  He was the Clerk of the Session for 5 years.  He also chaired or served on numerous committees at the Church, the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley, and the Synod of Lake and Prairies. 
 

Henry (Hank) W. Brandli, Satellite Meteorologist, died Wednesday 9/26/07 (5:04PM) at Wuestoff Hospital due to a long time battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He retired from the USAF as a LT Colonel in 1976 (due to Multiple Sclerosis). Since his retirement he had been a consultant, instructor, and writer for a number of organizations including Harris Corporation, ERT, Swedish Air Force, TAS Lockheed and has written over 400 technical and free lance articles (too many to mention), including USAF's first book on "Satellite Meteorology". Hank had a Bachelor's degree cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and two Master's degrees from MIT in Meteorology and Aeronautics/Astronautics. He was chairman of the Satellite Meteorology Committee of the National Weather Association. Hank was the "Weatherman", during Hurricane season the phone would ring off the hook, even surfers knew to "Ask Hank". He had a great sense of humor and was always the life of the party. He educated everyone through satellite images. Hank loved golf and all sports and was an accomplished basketball player. He was captain of the team at Boston Latin High School. He will be sorely missed! Hank is survived by wife Eleanor, and previous wife Bernadette, brother Paul and sister Donna. Children include: Elizabeth, Matthew and Pamela, Brian and Catherine and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by oldest son Mark. Calling hours: Sunday 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home 1010 E. Palmetto Ave, Melbourne. In lieu of flowers please donate to local MS Society. Funeral Services are private for family only.

Lt Col (ret) Gene Frey passed away at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs on Sunday, August 26. On Friday morning, August 24, he fell and hit his head at his home in Albuquerque while he and his wife, Jan, prepared to drive to the Springs for the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of Col (ret) George and Roxanne Hammond. Gene seemed ok but complications developed during the trip due to internal bleeding and he required hospitalization by the time they arrived in the Springs.
Gene was assigned to the University Of Chicago for undergraduate meteorology; Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio; Sidi Slimane, Morocco;  Severe Storms Center at Kansas City; University of Michigan (graduate school); Qui Nhon, Viet Nam;  Stuttgart, Germany (EUCOM),  RAF Croughton, England, Hq AWS at Scott AFB; and Kirtland AFB NM.  He retired from the Air Force in 1978; and worked with an engineering firm in Albuquerque; and worked 7 years for the University of New Mexico Engineering Research Institute (NUMERI), and seven years for the City of Albuquerque in Public Works.  He completely retired  about 1992.
On September 7, a memorial service will be held in Albuquerque and a military honors ceremony will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Jan can be reached at ewjifrey@comcast.net.

Joseph M. Dougherty, 88, of Glendale, Arizona passed away peacefully on July 15, 2007. Joe was born in Du Bois, Pennsylvania on June 15, 1919, the eldest son of Edward and Lillian Dougherty. Raised in Du Bois, he graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1939 and attended the University of Detroit. In 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army-Air Force, starting a long career in weather forecasting. In 1943, Joe married Marcella R. O'Leary of Punxsutawney, PA, his life-long wife of 64 years. Together, they had five sons: Patrick, Michael (Gilda), Timothy (Suka), Shawn, and Daniel. Joe served his country for thirty years as a meteorologist and hurricane hunter and attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-4). Joe retired from the Air Force in 1971 at Luke Air Force Base and settled in Glendale. He worked as a meteorologist at KOOL Television (Channel 10) from 1972 until his retirement in 1984.Joe's family wishes to thank the many people who cared for Joe during his illness, especially the wonderful staff, nurses, and doctors at the Arizona State Veteran's Home. Joseph is survived by his wife, Marcella; brother, Edward Dougherty of Silver Springs, Maryland; four sons, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Visitation was Thursday, July 19, 2007 from 5 until 8 PM at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, with Rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass was at 10:30 AM, Friday, July 20 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 5614 W. Orangewood Ave., Glendale, Arizona. Private interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Avondale.

James F. Mattingly Jr., 87,devoted husband, father and grandpa, was mercifully released from the grip of Alzheimer's disease on June 20, 2007. Jim was born in Louisville, Ky on May 19, 1920 to Lissetta (Nicholas) and James F. Mattingly Sr. He graduated from Jefferson County High School in Louisville and worked in several jobs before joining the Army Air Corps in July 1943 and earned his pilot wings and pinned on 2nd Lt in Apr 1945. His first duty station was Truax Field, Wisconsin, near Stoughton, where he met the farmer's daughter, Harriet Berkins and married her after a whirlwind 3-month courtship in Aug 1945. They began a 31-year journey in the Air Force that took them to Germany twice, the Far East and many stateside assignments. Due to a RIF after WWII, he became a Master Sergeant and entered the meteorology career field. During the Korean War, he was re-commissioned as a Capt in the weather field. Although he remained in the Air Weather Service most of his career, he did have one tour of duty flying WB-50s out of Yokota AB,Japan which he dearly loved. He also managed to fly base flight aircraft during every assignment. His final assignment was as Director of Operations, 4th Weather Wing at Peterson AFB. Flying was Jim's greatest love, besides Harriet and Chris. Later in life, he enjoyed golf, but he always enjoyed giving others a helping hand. He is predeceased by his parents; daughter, Mary; and brother, Don Mattingly of Louisville, KY. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Harriet, and son, Chris (Lori), and four grandsons, Ian, Christopher, Peter and Brian. A memorial service will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance "America the Beautiful" Chapel of Roses,1730 East Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, on June 30, 2007 at 2:00pm A tribute to Jim's life will be held at the USAFA Officer's Club at 3:30pm. Family members extend their deepest gratitude to Pikes Peak Hospice for their tremendous support, dedication and compassionate care. God bless you all.  

Col. Dan King Waylett, 70, passed away suddenly at his residence on Tuesday, April 17, 2007. Born Feb. 1, 1937, in Butte, Mont., he was the son of the late Harry King Waylett and Nell Correia Waylett. He served with honor in the U.S. Air Force for over 26 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel on Oct. 1, 1986. Col. Waylett earned many honors during his distinguished career, including the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze stars. His most personally treasured honor came in the form of being named an Honorary Chief Master Sergeant, a rarely earned title. Dan was a graduate of Montana State, Class of 1960, and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. More recently he was a Real Estate Broker with Abbitt Realty Co. Dan is survived by his loving family, including his wife of over 48 years, Maryann McGinnis Waylett; two daughters, Denise K. May and husband, Lenny, of Bellevue, Neb., and Michele W. Burgess and husband, Bob, of Hampton; son, Darin K. Waylett and wife, Christine, of Richmond; two sisters-in-law, Donna Waylett of Dillon, Mont., and Cathy Waylett of Paso Robles, Calif.; five grandchildren, Daniel and Jamie Burgess, Smith Waylett, Quinnton and Rheece May; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Don and Pete Waylett, and his granddaughter, Challon May. A memorial service with full military honors will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, by the Rev. Bob Yevak. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Friends are encouraged to visit www.mem.comm to share special remembrances and words of comfort with Dan's family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, 6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk, VA 23518, or to the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311.
Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton.
 

Lt. Col. Scott L Williams (USAF Ret), 89, of Chestertown, died March 2, 2007, at Heron Point, Chestertown, Md.

Born in Marlow, OK, he was the son of J. Don and Elendor Williams. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ellen Williams, of Chestertown, a son Lansing and his wife Susan of Chestertown and Donnell and his wife Wanthana of Herndon, VA, his grandchildren Eva, Galadreal, Lorien, Robert and two brothers. His parents, a brother and three sisters preceded him in death.

Lt. Col. Williams graduated from Oklahoma State University with a BS in Electrical Engineering, and received his MS in Meteorology from New York University, with further studies at Stockholm Sweden's International Institute of Meteorology..

He entered the Army Air Corp in World War II, enlisting as a cadet, receiving training in Grand Rapids, MI, where he met his wife, whom he married on June 12, 1945. After the war, he worked for Westinghouse Electric before returning to the Air Force. At the time of his retirement, he was with the Directorate of Scientific Services, Headquarters, Air Weather Service. He was stationed in Bermuda, Morocco, and Sweden, where he attended school and several US posts. After his Air Force career, he joined the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration where he worked on the BOMEX project, and in Iran where he was setting up a national Iranian
weather service until the Shaw of Iran was deposed..

After retirement the Williams made their home in Annapolis for 13 years, before coming to Heron Point.

In his early years he enjoyed hunting and fishing, before cultivating a love for sailing. He logged over 10,000 miles cruising on his three boats, from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas, and, of course, on his beloved Chesapeake Bay. He was a volunteer for the Chester River Keeper, and was the first president of the Heron Point Internet Users Group.

Over the course of his lifetime, Mr. Williams was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations for his professional and avocational achievements.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Heron Point's Wesley Hall on March 24, 2007 at 3:00 PM, with internment at Arlington National Cemetery on April 26, 2007..

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to a charity of choice in his memory.

Karen Ann Friday passed away peacefully from this world into the waiting arms of our Savior Jesus Christ at Fairfax Hospital on March 21, 2007, after a long bout with cancer.  She was 66 at the time of her death. Born on December 3, 1940, she was the second child of Thomas W Hauschild and Gladys Rusch Hauschild.  In November, 1959, she married Elbert W. (Joe) Friday.  Joe credits her with unfailing love and support during his 20-year Air Force career and his 17 years as Deputy Director and Director of the National Weather Service, and throughout the rest of their 47 and a half year marriage.  Karen was an able head of the household as Joe served in Vietnam and as other duties took him away for weeks at a time.
Karen was a devout member of Calvary Christian Church in Burke, Virginia.  Her hobbies included working in stained glass, sewing, gardening and, most importantly, loving her grandchildren.  She is survived by her husband, Dr. E. W. (Joe) Friday of Lorton, VA; her brother, Tom Hauschild of Moore, Oklahoma; two daughters, Kristine Ahlskog of Springfield, VA, and Kelly Crow of Herndon, VA; and five grandchildren.
The family will be able to greet friends on Tuesday, March 27 from 6PM to 8PM at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA.  A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, March 28 at Calvary Christian Church, 9800 Old Keene Mill Rd, Burke, VA.  Interment will be held later at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Calvary Christian Church or to the charity of your choice are encouraged.
Thanks for all your support..
E W (Joe) Friday

Donald Sakanich passed away Tuesday, March 20th, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Don was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 1928, to John and Mary Sakanich. Don lost his mother when he was a young child. His dad remarried and his father and stepmother, Mary, lovingly raised Don. In 1947, Don graduated from high school and joined the Air Force. During his term in the military, Don also attended Texas A & M, where he graduated in 1957. Don served his country for 32 years, flying missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and as a member of the Hurricane Hunters. He retired from the military in 1979 after achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Don returned to school, where he obtained his teaching certificate. He went on to teach math at Millard South High School where he remained for 14 years. Don remained very active after his retirement, traveling frequently with Dottie to visit family members throughout the country. Don was a devoted husband, loving father and loyal friend and will be truly missed by many. Don is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Sakanich and stepmother Mary. He is survived by wife, Dorothy "Dottie" and daughters and sons-in law, Donna and Richard Benham, Decatur, TX; Linda and Jimmy Chandler, Clinton, AR; Barbara Baker and special friend, Steve Svoboda, Omaha, NE; Cindy and Mark Smith, Chandler, AZ; and son and daughter-in-law Keith and Karen Dunlap, Scottsdale, AZ. Don was a wonderful grandfather to 12 and great-grandfather to six.
Visitation will be held at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary, Papillion, NE on Thursday, March 22, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 2:00 - 4:00. Funeral services will be held at Capehart Chapel, 25th and Capehart Road, Bellevue, NE on Friday, March 23, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Internment to follow at Cedardale Cemetery, Papillion, NE. Memorials to the American Cancer Society.

Col. George Anderson Guy, Sr., 92, died 23 February 2007 in Solona Beach, Calif.

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
 
 

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.

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.