Northwest Chapter
Puget Sound, WA

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CDR Jack Frank Bullington, Sr., USN (Ret)

December 12, 1924 - January 21, 2010

Jack Frank Bullington, Sr. was born December 12, 1924 in Atlanta to Samuel and Myrtle Argo Bullington. His naval career and his family were central to his life. After Pearl Harbor, his parents signed a waiver to allow him to enlist at 17 years of age in the U.S. Navy on December 15, 1941 beginning a 30 year career. 

He served aboard the USS Portland and witnessed the surrender of Japanese commanders of the central and southern Pacific on September 2, 1945. His naval career spanned thirty years and more than a dozen duty stations in the Naval Weather Service, until he retired as a Commander from Cecil Field in 1972. Afterward, he kept in touch with friends from the Navy through USS Portland and Naval Weather Service reunions. 

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LCDR Durward “Deacon” Holden USN (Ret)
November 20, 2009
Click Here

Passing of Deacon Holden

On 20 November LCDR Durward “Deacon” Holden USN(Ret) died in San Diego after an extended illness.  
We have lost one of our staunchest NWSA supporters.

 Having spoken to Deacon’s sister today, I can relay this information:

 --Deacon was cremated and there are plans to scatter his ashes at sea some time in January 2010.

 --Since he was one of ten children in his Mississippi family and seven of them are still alive, those survivors are putting together a memorial service.  This is tentatively planned for January in Mississippi near the family home.  The Veterans Administration is being asked for a headstone which can be placed in local cemetery where other family members are interred.  It will be appropriate for NWSA to plan for participation in that memorial service.

Don Cruse, Potomac Chapter
11/30/09

LCDR JIM BELL USN RET
October 17, 2009 - Declared "lost at sea".

It is my sad duty to report the loss at sea of my good friend, LCDR (ret) Jim Bell.  One of the most unique individuals ever to serve as an officer in the Naval Weather Service.  Jim was apparently lost at sea while on a swim off the island of Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands this past October.  An experienced weather guesser and professional meteorologist, Jim was best known for his love affair with the air-ocean environment in which he lived and worked.

In 1981 at age 42, Jim Bell swam the channel between Saipan and Tinian to celebrate his retirement from the Navy.  Jim moved back to the mainland after retiring and lived in UT, CO and NV for many years before returning to Saipan/Tinian a few years ago.

To celebrate his 70th birthday in 2008, he repeated the feat in the opposite direction, both times without escort of any kind.  On October 17, 2009 , Jim embarked on a routine three-mile swim around the south point of Tinian but never reappeared as scheduled.  An extensive Coast Guard search was finally called off a week later, and he was declared "lost at sea".  There have apparently been no further developments since that time.  More details from various media can be found by googling "Jim Bell - Tinian " on the Internet.

LCDR Jim Bell served three tours on Guam , and actually had the watch during Typhoon Karen in 1962 that devastated much of the island, and as the old FWC (Fleet Weather Central) quonset hut came tumbling down around him.  Jim also served as the Met Services Officer at FWC Pearl Harbor in the mid-1970s, and later as the OIC of the (then) Naval Weather Service Environmental Detachment in Adak , AK .  While in Hawaii , he was a member of Toastmasters, where he won a number of humorous speech contests. 

Jim was my good friend. We understood each other's idiosyncracies.  I last saw him in 1989 as he was driving his 1963 Chevy across the country.  We continued to correspond annually at Christmas up to the very end.

Over the last couple of years, he published numerous emails about his adventures while swimming piecemeal around the island of Saipan in preparation for his successful channel swim in 2008.  By comparison, the swimming episode that ultimately did him in was quite routine; it was familiar water in familiar territory.  He will be sorely missed.

Jim's ex-wife Donna relayed the following to me: "Jim bell was lost at sea. You can find part of the legacy left for him by going to:

http://www.facebook.com/l/df650;oldmaninthesea.net. He achieved swimming the entire Tinian (Channel) by himself."  Jim accomplished these seemingly impossible feats to demonstrate to the rest of us that we can achieve our goals and our dreams despite our age or what others may say if only we believe!

JIM BELL

DISAPPEARS

By Ferdie de la Torre, Reporter

Saipan Times

The year witnessed the disappearance of the amazing James Bell, a 71-year-old resident who hugged local news headlines several times by swimming or attempting to swim the dangerous channels between the Marianas Islands .

On Oct. 17, Bell jumped off near Suicide Cliff on Tinian between 11am and 12 noon as part of his goal to swim the entire Tinian coastline in several stages. On that day, he had intended to swim around the corner of the island and surface at Kammer Beach .

When Bell failed to show up at Kammer Beach later that afternoon, Tinian Department of Public Safety began search and rescue operations.

It was Tinian lawyer Janet King who had accompanied Bell to his jump off point because she offered long ago to take pictures of him in the water.

King recalled that Bell stood staring at the water calmly for a good five minutes, then he jumped. When he hit the water, he swam away from the cliffs and never looked back.

On Oct. 21, the federal and local enforcement agencies' search, rescue, and recovery operations ended. The swimmer was never found.

Donna Bell, Jim's former wife, said that Jim was always being followed by magnificent sea turtles in his adventures in the ocean.

The stories of his encounters with sea turtles were among the most amazing sea stories that Bell would tell of all of his outrageous adventures when swimming in the ocean, according to Donna.

Terri Clawson, a friend of Bell , said that he had stated on several occasions that he had no other wish than to be buried at sea.

“Jim Bell loved to swim. He was happy when he was swimming. He knew that he might lose his life swimming and he was okay with that,” Clawson said.

In July 1981, Bell marked his retirement from the U.S. Navy by swimming alone from Saipan to Tinian . The effort took him 12 hours.

LCDR WILLIAM H. MYERS USN(Ret)
Nov. 6, 2009

Bill Myers passed over the bar at a nursing home in Annapolis .

William Harry Myers

William Harry Myers, 87, of Severn , died Nov. 6, 2009 .  He is survived by his wife, Juanita E. Myers; son, Chris Myers and wife Maggie; daughter, Janice Shannon and husband Pete; and two grandchildren, Alex and Micaela Shannon.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9 at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A. 1411 Annapolis Rd., Odenton. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 2815 Jessup Road , Jessup. Interment in Meadowridge Memorial Park .

POTOMAC CHAPTER
Source: Aerograph, November 2009

DECEASED MEMBERS

Will add a few remarks about members whom we have lost this quarter.  

Polley Carlstead passed away peacefully 9/14 but her last two years were tough.  Living in a wheelchair is no fun.  

We learned that Clyde Tucker passed over the bar last July at a nursing facility in Hagerstown MD.   He had undergone dialysis treatments for many years.  A graduate of Class 25, Primary Aerog School , he served in garden spots like Noumea , New Caledonia .  

CDR J.O.F. Dorsett formed FWC Noumea in 1942 with a contingent of Aerographers he collected from commands in Hawaii .  Except for the outlying islands the duty was good on Ile Nou located in the harbor.  Clyde was my neighbor in Arlington for many years and we swapped sea stories regularly.  He has been interred in Vermont Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery , joining his wife there.  

Fred Berg retired many years ago from FWF Suitland, migrated with his Chief of Staff to Norwich VT , a beautiful university city .  Ginnie died several years ago.  He never forfeited his PotChap membership and routinely contributed cash to our social functions that he was unable to attend.   His daughter, Jini, notified us of Fred’s death.

HAMPTON ROADS CHAPTER
Source: Aerograph, November 2009
In Memory Of

BERTHA L. HUBBARD

Open the gate wide, Saint Peter. Another of your favorite women, Bertha Hubbard, is coming home. She is a Navy wife so you know she is great.  Bertha was a friend to all she met and shared so many things she made us feel like family. The roll call here will be silent as our names are called to order, but Saint Peter, you and God will be able to announce to all of heaven that Bertha Hubbard, excellent Navy wife and friend to all has joined the heavenly ranks. Our loss is your gain but it will not be too long and the rest of us will answer the call up yonder.  Keep the light on and the gate open, and remember we send our love.  The Navy Weather Service Association, all of us.  “Pen by the Weather Mouse” 

Source: Aerograph, November 2009

AG1 JOHN G. FLEMING

Submitted by AGCM Marty Bonk USN RET

AGCM LEO L. DOUGLAS

The answer to our puzzlement over AGCM Leo Douglas, who is listed in TAPS Section of FRA TODAY magazine, is that he was USCG.  I finally heard from a real, live person at FRA Branch 18 in Seattle who has access to branch files.                   CDR Don Cruse USN RET

LCDR FREDERICK E. BERG USN RET

POLLEY CARSTEAD

xAGC CLYDE TUCKER USN REL

passed over the bar last July at a nursing facility in Hagerstown MD.   He had undergone dialysis treatments for many years.  A graduate of Class 25, Primary Aerog School , he served in garden spots like Noumea , New Caledonia . 

CDR J.O.F. DORSETT

…formed FWC Noumea in 1942 with a contingent of Aerographers he collected from commands in Hawaii . 

Except for the outlying islands the duty was good on Ile Nou located in the harbor.  (Not in Bellinger List…ed.)

FRED BERG

retired many years ago from FWF Suitland, migrated with his Chief of Staff to Norwich VT , a beautiful university city .  Ginnie died several years ago.  He never forfeited his PotChap membership and routinely contributed cash to our social functions that he was unable to attend.   His daughter, Jini, notified us of Fred’s death.  (Not in Bellinger List

AGC JOHN GIBSON USN RET

Earlier this evening AGC Charles ( CAP ) Casperson, USN RET and I were talking and he mentioned that AGC John Gibson USN RET crossed over the bar during 2008.  There was no announcement made public or printed in the local newspaper.  His wife "Tosh" did not wish to release the information.  John retired from the Navy and worked as a civilian at the Weather Detachment, NAF China Lake for 20 years.  He retired in the mid 90's and continued to reside in Ridgecrest ,  CAP told me that he would attempt to find out a little more for our Two - Bell Ceremony at NWSA #35.

Submitted by AGCS LLOYD CORBETT USN RET

CDR RAYMOND PERRY USN RET

We came in the Navy together in March ’41 – he from West Virginia and I from Texas .  We attended A, B and C schools together and had a couple of tours together. We were both promoted up through Commander at the same times. He was from a family of about 12 mostly boys.          Submitted by CDR Ray Tennison USN RET

BERTHA L. HUBBARD

Bertha L. Hubbard, 75, passed away Sept. 26, 2009 in Norfolk . She was born in Dublin , Va. and was a member of Azalea Baptist Church .

She preceded in death by her husband, Orrin Hubbard; son, Robert Kent Hubbard; two sisters, Lulu Golden and Catherine Mabry; brother, Calvin Mabry; and is survived by her son, Richard Hubbard of Norfolk; sister, Dot Messer; and two brothers, James Mabry Jr. and Sammy Winston Simmons.

  A graveside service was held Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in Forest Lawn Cemetery .  Condolences may be made to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Submitted by AGCS Bob Daigle USN RET

AGC DICK BONILLA USN RET

My father Richard Gus Bonilla died on 7 October 2009 and thankfully is now at peace at the age of 87.  He lived a long, happy life. He served on the USS San Diego during WWII and retired as a Chief ( AGC ) in 1960.  We will have a memorial for him in San Diego on October 17th near the USS San Diego monument.  He would have hated the formality, so we will also throw a party for him afterwards.  If you are in San Diego that weekend, join us! He would have wanted it that way.

Submitted by Major Mark Meaders USAF RET

JEAN L. HOUSTON

October 6, 1924 ~ July 26, 2009

Jean L. Houston, 84, passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday morning, July 26, 2009 .

She was born Jean LeZotte in Santa Ana , California on October 6, 1924 , and grew up in Southern California .  She attended U.C. Berkeley, earning her Associate of Arts degree in 1944.

She married the love of her life, Willard Samuel Houston, Jr. on February 11, 1944 .  When asked how long she and Sam had been married, Jean would always answer, "Not long enough!"

She spent the first 32 years of her married life as a Navy wife.  She always maintained that she and Sam were both in the Navy, and that when he was promoted the Navy was promoting both of them.  Sam and Jean were stationed together in Agana , Guam; in Norfolk , Virginia ; Monterey , California ; Washington , DC ; Stockholm , Sweden ; Rota , Spain ; and Honolulu , Hawaii .  They retired from the Navy in 1976, and have lived in Monterey for the last 30 years.

Jean can only be described as a true lady, always showing kindness and graciousness toward others.  She was involved in charity and church work everywhere she lived.

She was active in the Navy League, Navy Relief, the Navy Weather Wives, and the Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services.  She also drove for Meals on Wheels, and for Hospice of the Central Coast .

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Sam Houston, Capt. USN Ret.; her three daughters, Carol Houston Mack of Newbury Park, California, Marylee Bytheriver of Eureka, California, and Wilma Houston White of Park Ridge, New Jersey; and by eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

A service honoring the life of Jean Houston was held on July 29, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. , at the Classic Residence by Hyatt (the Park Lane ), 200 Glenwood Circle, Monterey .

Submitted by AGC Zane Jacobs USN RET

LCDR FRANCIS MERLE IVIE 
USN RET

LCDR Francis M. Ivie a retired naval officer died Wednesday the 29th of July 2009 at the age of 92, in San Diego , California .  He was born May 28th 1917 in Stahl MO and lived in Monterey CA for 42 years.  He enlisted in the Navy on 19 Dec. 1940 as a seaman recruit and advanced up the ranks to Chief Aerographer’s mate; he was commissioned a Lieutenant junior grade on 3 May 1961 and retired from the Navy on 1 Mar. 1971 as officer in charge of the Naval Weather Service Environmental Detachment at the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Monterey after 30 years service.  Shipmate Ivie served in VP-13 COMAIRSCOFOR North Island, San Diego CA and flew VW-1 typhoon reconnaissance flights out of Guam;  served on the ships: USS BALLARD (DD-10).,

COAST GUARD CUTTER AKLAK, USS FLOYDS BAY ( AVP -40), USS NORTON SOUND ( AVM -1), USS VALLEY FORGE (LPH-8) and commissioned the JEEP CARRIERS USS BOUGAINVILLE (CVE-100) and USS POINT CRUZ (CVE-119). His other duty stations were state side and overseas bases. He participated in WWII , KOREA and VIETNAM wars; his record depicts the usual campaign ribbons, medals, commendations and citations for this duty.

Frank was a life member of the Naval Weather Services Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Military Officers Association of America, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Francis (Frank) Ivie was a multi-sport athlete who competed or coached sports during most of his Naval Career. He fully enjoyed Navy life, his hobbies being sports, dancing, cards (an avid bridge player) and actively taking part in military organizations. He was fully engaged in his neighborhood and served on the Monterey Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three veteran brothers, his former wife Francesca, his son Michael his daughter Sharon and sister Elaine Capps. He is survived by his three sons Patrick, Charles and Robert, two grandchildren, Danielle and Gabrielle and his sister Catherine Eaton.

 Following up on information passed on during our Summer Picnic last June and being notified by Don Cruse the address for Frank Ivie in the Aug. Aerograph was non responsive a call to the Sunrise Bonita home in Chula Vista revealed Frank had crossed the bar 29 July 2009 in Chula Vista .  His body was sent to Caldwell Idaho where the Flahiff Funeral Chapel had a brief synopsis of Franks life with a picture of Frank that appears to have been made when Frank was a one hash mark Chief.  Fred Stewart forwarded Franks obituary composed by his son Robert which I am copying here as it is fairly comprehensive about his fathers life. There was no picture of Frank on this bio but the Idaho Press Tribune shown below ran a short article with Franks frontal picture which I have copied.

Submitted by AGC Zane Jacobs USN RET

  LCDR EDWIN TREFRY 
USN RET

I was able to contact LCDR Edwin Trefry, USN Retired, sister Florence Trefry and she provided me additional information that can be used in the Aerograph.

After completion of recruit training at NTC he was assigned to NATTU Lakehurst, NJ for AG A School.  His class 49-111 completed training May 1949.  His next duty station was Naval Air Station Miami May 1949 - Feb 1951.

He was assigned briefly to Fleet Weather Central Norfolk, Feb 1951 to March 1951, where he was transferred to the USS Monterey, Mar 1951 to April 1952.  He was then assigned to the Canal Zone in Nov 1952 to May 1953.

He then was assigned to NATTU for AG B School Class 53-33, graduating in Jan 1954.  He was assigned to NAS Lakehurst for duty from Feb 1954 to Jan 1956.  He

departed for his one for his longest tours of duty to FWC Kodak AK from Mar 1956 to Feb 1959.

On his next tour it was to the warmth of NAS Glenco GA from Mar 1059 to Aug 1960.  He then transferred to NAS Pensacola FL from Aug 1960 to Feb 1961.  Feb 1961 to Dec 1962, he was assigned to AEWRON.  He was transferred to NAS Meridian MS for another long tour of duty from Feb 1961 to Jan 1966.

It was time for transfer and this time it was to Guam for AEWRON ONE from Feb 1966 to Jul 1968.  Then it was back to the east coast with Jacksonville on the list. He was assigned to WEARECON FOUR from Jul 1968 to Oct 1971.

Staying local for his next tour of duty, he was assigned to NWSED Cecil Field in Jacksonville FL from Jan 1972 to July 1974.  He once again assigned to the sea going Navy when he got orders to the USS FDR (CVA 42) located in Mayport from Aug 1974 to Sep 1976. He then transferred to Naval Weather Facility Jacksonville FL from Sep 1976 to retirement July 1978.  He had lived in the Orange Park FL area since.

Submitted by AGC Bobby Johnson USN RET

Ed Trefry was commissioned Ensign (LDO) in June 1960.  We went through the same classes while going through Pre-Flight and Naval Aviation Officer's School at Pensacola .  I left AEWRON ONE late January, 1966.  I believe he was my replacement.  I was at VW-4 when he arrived in 1968 and served with him until I left in 1969.

Submitted by LCDR Bud Horn USN RET

AGC JOHN STEPHENS THORN Jr 
USN RET

John Stephens Thorn, Jr., 54, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2009 .  He was born on December 10, 1954 in Big Springs , Texas to John and Jewell Thorn, Sr.

John honorably served his country during the Vietnam era in the United States Navy from 1973 until 1989.  After being honorably discharged he went to work for Universal Weather and Aviation in Houston for 20 years.  John had been a resident of Pearland for the past 16 years.

John is survived by his daughter; Mackensie JeNell Thorn of Pearland, sons; Jason James Thorn and wife Catherine of Kittery, Maine, John Stephens Thorn, III of Katy, Texas, sisters; Veronica Lea Webb and husband Sylvester of Hardin, Texas, Lydia Gayleen Casey and husband Dudley of Buffalo, Texas, Kimberly K. Marlow of Humble, Texas, brother; Sidney Leo Thorn and wife Pamela of Humble, Texas.  Also surviving John are his eight grandchildren; Jacob, Christopher, Jonathan, Clara, William, John IV, Mikela and Shaw. He was preceded in death by his brother Claude Stephens Thorn.

Memorial service was held on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at Crowder Funeral Home in Pearland with Pastor Mike Landry officiating.  Per his request, he will be buried at sea with honors by the United States Coast Guard which his son, Jason is a member.        Submitted by xAG1 Jim Reed USN REL

 CWO HARRISON A. SOLIBAKKE
USN RET

When I was stationed in England in the Fifties, he was an Airman in the squadron and wanted to become an AG.  After I left to go to "B" School I lost track of him, and I wondered if he stayed an AG or went to some other rating.  His name appeared in Taps of the Sept. issue of FRA Today.  I can't find him in the NWSA membership list or the Bellinger List.  He passed away last Sept.  He lived in Imperial Beach , CA .

Submitted by AGC Bob Mackie USN RET

During 1971 and 1972, while stationed at NWSED Cubi Point, RP, I met a CWO2 Solibakke.  At that time, he was stationed with the Weather Squadron (VW1) at NAS Agana, Guam .  Flights would stop over in the RP and the weather crew came to a get-together at LT Ray Martinson’s (NWSED OIC) house.  Ray was hosting one of his weather office functions.

After that, I talked with him and he was an AGCS serving as the CPOIC at NWSED China Lake .  Understand that he retired after that billet and was living on his boat sailing about in either 1973 or 1974.

Submitted by AGCS Lloyd Corbett USN RET

 LCDR FREDERICK BERG

USN RET

Frederick Eugene Berg, 88, died August 20th at his home in Norwich VT. He was born August 28th, 1920 in Cambridge , Mass. , the son of Swedish immigrants  Frederick Emanuel and Anna Teresa (Hoijmann) Berg. He grew up in Burlington , Mass. and graduated from Lexington High School .  In 1942, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy, and after extensive training served in the Pacific on the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for defending his carrier during a night attack, shooting down a Japanese bomber by radar.  He remained in the Navy after the war, serving as a test pilot, flight instructor, pilot and meteorologist.  He continued to work in meteorology after his retirement from the military as a Lt. Commander in 1972.  He moved to Norwich , Vt. in 1980, where he served on the library board for many years. A friend to all, he will be sorely missed.  He is survived by his daughter Virginia, his son Rick (Frederick Jr.), and his sister Bunky (Ruth) of Massachusetts .  He was preceded in death by his daughter Gretchen and his beloved wife of 58 years, Virginia (Mallard).

AGC Gus Bonilla, USN (Ret)
October 7, 2009

My father Richard Gus Bonilla died on Oct 7th and thankfully is now at peace at the age of 87. He lived a long, happy life. He served on the USS San Diego during WWII and retired as a Chief (AGC) in 1960. We will have a memorial for him in San Diego on October 17th near the USS San Diego monument. He would have hated the formality, so we will also throw a party for him afterwards. If you are in San Diego that weekend, join us! He would have wanted it that way.

Mark Meaders
Major, USAF (Ret)

Source:  Aerograph, August 2009

AG1 JAMES A. KOONTZ

AG3 RAY SHEPARDSON

AGC GLENDORA "DODIE" M. SCOTT, "SCOTTIE" USN RET 
1927-2009

AGC WILEY STIRLING STRATFORD , USN RET
July 19 1929 – February 9 2009

MARION BODEN (Wife of Ken Boden)
Ken Boden called me just a few minutes ago – distraught – Marion his wife (as he said) “of 60 years, 8 months, and 3 days” passed away last night (April 17th 2009)
++ See Aerograph, August 2009 for details ++

AGC HENRY ARISTIDE “RED” BOUCHER USN RET
January 27, 1921 - June 19, 2009

The following obituary is in the 29 May 2009 Pensacola News Journal:

AGC GLENDORA "DODIE" M. SCOTT, "SCOTTIE" USN RET
1927-2009 

AGC Glendora "Dodie" M. Scott, "Scottie", USN Ret, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at the age of 81, in Pensacola, FL. Scottie was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, and moved to Pensacola in 1973 upon retirement. Scottie served in the United States Navy for 20 years, and retired as Chief Aerographer's Mate. She was a Life Member of WAVES National, the Naval Weather Service Association, WAVES Unit 52, American Legion, Earl Helds All Girls Band, Disabled American Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association, and past member of the Phillipsburg, NJ Elks Lodge #395.

Visitation will be Friday, May 29, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral service beings at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Covenant Hospice, 5041 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL, 32504, or to WAVES Unit 52.

Arrangements made by Oak Lawn Funeral Home.

http://www.legacy.com/pensacolanewsjournal/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=127785771

Source Aerograph MAY 2009

AGC GEORGE RUSSOY USN RET

NINETTE TENNISON

With his dues, Ray Tennison passed a note telling me that his wife, Ninette, passed away in July of 07 and he has since remarried and his new wife’s name is Jean.  They had been married 65 years.

LCDR Joe McKinzie USN RET

 MARGUERITE BERNSTEIN

Marguerite Bernstein, wife of LT George Bernstein USN RET, passed away on 14 January 2009.  They had been married for 64 years.  Mrs. Bernstein was interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery .

 GENE HATHAWAY

It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of NWSA Lone Star member, Gene Hathaway.  Diane called me today and informed me that Gene passed away yesterday from a massive coronary.  He will be moved to his home state in New York for interment.  I have no further information at this time but Diane promised to forward an obit when things settle down.

Gene and I attended B School together and I will miss him.              Submitted by LCDR Joe McKinzie USN RET

I understand Gene Hathaway passed away in "The Woodlands", Texas Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.  He was a member of NWSA and served 10 years as an AG but got out.       AGCM Marty Bonk USN RET

AG1 TYRONE D. RICE USN RET

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS WV — Tyrone D. “Buddy” Rice, 71, of White Sulphur Springs, passed away at his home.

Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Shanklin Funeral Home.  Services and burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery , Arlington , VA

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the West Virginia Veterans Home, 512 Water St. , Barboursville , WV 25504

Submitted by AGCS John Shay, USN RET

LT GLEN NELSON DRUMMOND, JR., USN RET

LT Glen Drummond USN RET passed away January 15th, 2009 of Complications of Pneumonia at age 87.  He was a long time resident of Fairfax City , having moved there in 1955.

He was a good person, maybe to good, he was a fun person, maybe to fun, but he was a fair and good Navy officer. What poker parties we had at his house. http://somd.com/announcements/obits/report.php?rec=2219 Dick Carrigan died on March 20. Love Dad/Fay/Me/VR....FAY AGC retired........ CWO4 HERB KEEL USN RET Just received the appended letter advising me of the passing of Herb Keel.  If anyone is in touch with Bob Titus, he might have more info on the when of it.  I was with Herb on Adak in 1954, until he went out to Attu - he had a previous tour out there, but I know only that it was during or shortly after WWII.  We served together more recently at PacMisRange Point Mugu, CA. I last spoke with him by phone about a year ago and he was living in Las Vegas then, dependent on nursing care, but in his own apartment or condo. Frenchy sends with Warm Regards CDR RAYMOND PERRY USN RET Commander Raymond Perry, USN (retired), 88, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2009 in Titusville , Florida . LCDR HOWARD LEWITT USN RET LCDR Howard Lewitt, age 80, passed away on March 15, 2009 at Carmel Hills Care Center in Monterey   CDR RICHARD CONRAD CARRINGTON USN RET March 20, 2009 Birth: 1934-03-09 in Washington, DC Residence: Solomons, Maryland Death: Friday, March 20, 2009

Richard Conrad Carrigan, 75, of Solomons, MD passed on March 20, 2009 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. He was born on March 9, 1934 in Washington, DC to the late Jane and Leonard Carrigan. He was the beloved husband of Judith Carrigan whom he married on June 2, 1956 in Takoma Park, MD. Richard graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1956 and went on to make his career in the Navy. He retired from the Navy in 1982 as a Commander and Meteorologist. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Carrigan. Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judith Carrigan of Solomons, MD; four children, Linda Siquig and her husband Lawrence of San Jose, Ca, Cheryl White and her husband Dennis of Huntingtown, MD, Kathryn Miller and her husband Robert of Ohiopyle, PA, and Kenneth Carrigan of California, MD; sister in-law, Jeannette Carrigan of Savannah, GA; and eight grandchildren, Alex Siquig, Kristin Sloan, Matthew White, Lindsey Sloan, Luke Siquig, Cara Sloan, Lauren White, and Brady Carrigan. Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.

 

Commander Raymond Perry, USN (RET)
February 25, 2009

Raymond Perry - Titusville - Commander Raymond Perry, USN (retired), 88, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2009 in Titusville , Florida . Raymond was the son of James A. and Jannievee Perry and was born in Wilsondale , WV . 

He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to entering service in the US Navy during World War II. During his 30 year career in the Navy, Ray had many challenging and colorful assignments, at shore stations and aboard ships at home and overseas. He completed active duty service to his Country as Commanding Officer of Fleet Weather Center, Pensacola , FL and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. Ray and June, his wife of 65 years, moved to Titusville in 1990. 

Raymond is survived by his wife, the former Rebecca "June" Preston; siblings, Woodrow Perry of Ft. Gay, WV, James Perry of Ft. Gay, WV, Hazel Vincent of Dover Plains, NY, and Verland Perry of Kenova, WV; son, Gordon Curtis Perry of Titusville; daughter, Suzanne Perry Spann of Smithfield, VA; grandchildren, Kurt Alexander Spann of Smithfield, VA, Kristopher Ahren Spann of Virginia Beach, VA, Derek Preston Perry of Titusville and Larkin Sandra Reyes of Titusville; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel Ahren Spann of Virginia Beach, VA and Savannah Kaitlin Reyes of Titusville. Raymond represented all the extraordinary qualities of "The Greatest Generation". He was highly respected and loved by family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

A viewing will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 1st, at the North Brevard Funeral Home, Titusville . A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 2nd, at 1:00 p.m., at the North Brevard Funeral Home, Titusville . Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Prime Timers, Temple Baptist Church , Titusville . FL. Please sign Raymond's guestbook at: www.northbrevardfuneralhome.com 

View/Sign Guest Book

AG1 RAYMOND H. ISLAND

JAMES LITTLE
November 19, 2001

James Richard Little, 79, a part-time resident of Indio, Died November 19, 2001. He was born July 7, 1922, to George Robert and Lizzie Pauline Anderson Little in Gibbon, Neb.

He was a meteorologist for 33 years and served aboard the USS Suwannee (CVE-27).
He is survived by three sons, Larry, Tom, and Bill, all of Alaska; his daughter, Judy Hudson of Alaska; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and two sisters.
Interment was in Tacoma WA, under the direction of Fitz Henry Funeral Home Indio.
(LCDR Bruce DeWald USN RET)

KATHLEEN ALFORD
July 27, 2008

Kathleen Alford, 58, of Hardwick Circle, passed away July 27, 2008, in Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.
A native of Jersey City, N.J., she was a lifetime member and past president of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority Laureate, Beta Nu chapter.
She is survived by her husband, AGC Ronald A. Alford USN RET; her mother, Charlotte Abrahamsen of Toms River, N.J.; her two sons, Adam Alford of Virginia Beach and Allen Alford of Martinsburg, W.Va.; three brothers, Harold Abrahamsen Jr. of Toms River, James Abrahamsen of Lakehurst, N.J. and Thomas Abrahamsen of Wichita, Kan.; and three grandchildren, Amanda, Amber and Autumn Alford.
A funeral was conducted Friday at 11 a.m. in Holloman-Brown Funeral Home, Great Bridge Chapel. The burial followed in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens.
(CDR Marty Nemcosky USN RET)

NANCY W. LEDEW
February 20, 2007

Nancy LeDew, 77 of Live Oak, Florida passed away Tuesday February 20, 2007 at Alachua General Hospital, Gainesville, Florida, after a short illness.

She was born April 9 1929 in Pensacola to the late John Charles Waldron and Mary Adelaide Wentworth Waldron (Lt. Cmdr. John Charles Waldron was the Skipper of Torpedo Eight who first contacted the Japanese Fleet at the Battle of Midway) and moved to Live Oak in 1972 when her husband Captain Thomas A. LeDew retired from their last duty station in Washington DC. Nancy was a nurse, high school teacher, a Florida State University alumnus, a humanitarian and a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Live Oak. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years Retired Captain Thomas A. LeDew, USNA 1951. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Ann Forrest and three sons, Thomas LeDew II of Pace Florida, John C. Waldron of Live Oak, Florida and Christopher W. LeDew of Jacksonville Florida. A graveside service was held February 26, 2007 at the Barrancus National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola when she lay at rest with her husband.
Tom and Nancy enjoyed a rich naval career having served in Pensacola, Quonset, Corpus, Monterrey, Kodiak, Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Washington DC. 

I'm the eldest son of Captain Tom LeDew and Nancy LeDew and have been receiving The Aerograph since my mother passing. My father passed in 1990 and mother in 2007. Although it is most interesting reading and I do recognize a name from my childhood every once in awhile, I feel you no longer are obligated to sent it. However, if you do publish mother's obituary I would appreciate a copy of that issue.
Many Thanks and Best Regards, Thomas LeDew 

CWO2 SPIRO “SPIKE” PREDARIS USMC RET
September 15, 2008

Spiro Predaris Spiro "Spike" Predaris, 84, retired CWO2 of the United States Marine Corps, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2008.
Spike spent 26 years in the Marines. He served during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. 
He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Mary Poole Predaris; two sons, Jerry Predaris of Los Angeles, Calif., Steve Predaris and wife, Ann; one daughter, Katherine Daniels and husband, Tommy; and one grandson, Chris Daniels, all of New Bern. He is also survived by one sister, Anastasia Predaris of Sebastian, Fla. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, George and Mary Predaris; his brother, Angelo Predaris; and his sisters, Edith Preston, Rae Tolman and Katherine Christakos.
Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, Spike worked for Hatteras Yachts as an industrial engineer for over 10 years and retired from there in 1982. Spike spent the first 18 years of his life in Bangor, Maine, before joining the Marine Corps. He spent all of his overseas tours in the Pacific, on Saipan, Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Formosa, Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam. He spent his tour in Vietnam on the general's staff with the 1st Marine Air Wing.
Spike was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in New Bern for 40 years, during which time he served as a deacon.
Friends and family will be received at 2126 Neuse Cliffs Drive, New Bern. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church of New Bern.

We attended Spike's funeral service today and his viewing last evening from 6:30-7:00 PM. As far as I can ascertain, I was the only Tenki-yoho (means Japan Weather Forecast) to attend. Mrs. Predaris and sons and daughter made Junko and me very welcome and thanked me for all my Email service to their Dad ~ they said he always looked forward to hearing from me; and it truly was my pleasure to write back and forth with him. 

After the service at the funeral home, a long procession proceeded to the cemetery where we were met by a dozen Marines in Dress Blues lead by a CWO (also in Blues). After a rendition of Taps, 7 Marines fired three rounds each; the flag was folded and handed off to the WO who in turn presented it to Mary Predaris. Thus the ceremony ended and Junko and I came home (about 4 1/2 hours) with most of the first 50 miles on two lane highway and some construction. We were invited back to the Predaris home for a snack and talk afterwards but opted to return to Suffolk where my daughter was attending to our dog. 
(Submitted by GYSGT BILL ABBOTT USMC RET)

AG1 PEGGY ANN (SHASKE) ALANDER USN RET
September 12, 2008

Peggy Ann Alander, Port Meteorological Officer for South Florida based at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) passed away Friday, September 12, 2008 at home in Lake Worth FL after several years in battle with cancer. Peggy was born August, 1958 in Sheboygan WI, but the family moved to Lakeland FL where Peggy graduated from Lakeland Kathleen High School in 1976. She went into the U.S. Navy immediately after high school and served with distinction for 20 years. One of her duty stations in the Navy was NAS Keflavik where she met her husband Steve Alander. They married in 1979 and had two children, Amanda Jean Alander Neth of Ketchikan AK, who is expecting her first child and Peggy and Steve’s first grandchild in just a few days, and Jacob Alander, who is in the U.S. Navy.
Peggy was a graduate of Florida Keys Community College (AA 1992) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (BS 1996, MAS 2004). Peggy worked with contract upper air observations at Key West in the 1990s before accepting a permanent appointment as a GS-10 Met Tech with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Goodland KS in December 2002. In August 2003, Peggy was selected for the Post Meteorological Officer position at Port Everglades FL, and did excellent work in that position until her health began to give out in late summer 2008.
Peggy received numerous awards, including two Special Act Awards in 2003, three Special Act Awards in 2004, two Cash-in-your Account (CIYA) awards in 2005, two CIYA awards in 2006 and CIYA in each of 2007 and 2008. Peggy received a Southern Region Director’s award for Teamwork in 2008. In the last two years, Peggy had been working on her certification for meteorological positions with the NWS. Peggy enjoyed her work, and was especially pleased when meteorologists from the Weather Forecast Offices and the National Hurricane Center would come to her office to see how weather observations are taken on ships at sea. In the words of a 2005 letter from Derrick Snowden of NOAA’s Global Ocean Observing System Center, “Peggy’s personable nature and team first attitude were very refreshing and without her help, our job would not have been completed in the time allowed.” Peggy was always ready to go the extra mile to lend a hand and do whatever she could to help, and we will sorely miss her cheerful personality and smile and her wonderful voice in the days ahead.
(Submitted by AGC Tim Kenefick USN RET)

CWO4 DAVID HANON USN RET
July 5, 2008

David Hanon was born 15 March 1940 in Reno Nevada. He joined the Navy on 18 January 1957 and first went through Boot Camp in San Diego. David’s Navy Career was one of the most active and diverse for anyone who served within the Naval Weather Service. He went through AN (P) school in Norman Oklahoma and then on to AG (A) school in Lakehurst, NJ. His first assignment was onboard the USS Wilhoite, a small Destroyer Escort ship out of Seattle. This was to be his first of two small balloon launching ships both of which spent much of their time in the often stormy waters of the North Pacific. David then boarded the USS Lowe, DER which deployed from Treasure Island located in San Francisco Bay. He met his wife to be, Mary Jo while giving ships tours during SEAFAIR in Seattle and they were married on 4 Oct. 1958. Dave was assigned to Naval Air Station Agana Guam from 1959 through Feb. 1962. He attended AG (B) school at Lakehurst during the period April-September 1962. From “B” school he was assigned to Fleet Weather Facility Alameda from 1962 to 1965. David spent two years on board the USS Ranger from 1965 to 1967. At that time the Ranger was home ported in Alameda. He then went to Africa, serving at USNTC Kenitra, Morocco from 1967 to 1968. David was promoted to Warrant Officer while stationed at Kenitra. The picture shows Mary Jo pinning on David’s WO1 collar devices. David then flew with VW-4, the Navy’s Hurricane Hunter squadron out of Jacksonville, Florida for two years – from 1968 to the end of 1970. In December 1970 David and his family moved to London where he was assigned to Fleet Weather Facility London until June 1974. David then returned back to VW-4 in Jacksonville where he served until September 1975. His next assignment was at Guantanamo Bay Cuba, until June 1977. David spent his twilight tour as the Officer in Charge of Naval Weather Service Environmental Detachment Alameda where he retired on 1 Nov. 1981.
After retirement, David and his wife moved to Orlando, Florida. David went to College and obtained a degree in Limnology (the Scientific Study of fresh water). He used his degree both as an Environment Engineer and to teach in the local Community College. One of his most rewarding employment efforts was to design wet land projects around Orlando. David Hanon died on 5 July of 2008 due to complications after having a swallowed a recording camera designed to look at ones digestive tracts. 
David and Mary Jo had three children, Natalie – now teaching acting in Hollywood, Ann who is married with two children and is teaching kindergarten, and son David. Son David is a retired police officer and is now on active duty as an Intelligence Specialist Senior Chief, ISCS. This Hanon spends a lot of time in the desert and may equal his father’s adventure while serving in the US Navy. 
(Submitted by Mrs. Mary Jo Hanon and LCDR Earl Kerr USN RET)

CWO4 GEORGE WALKER USMC RET
July 4, 2008

George Walker, CWO-4 Ret., 80, of Havelock died Friday, July 4, 2008, at Britthaven of Havelock. Mr. Walker was a veteran and served 34 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served during three wars and was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he served as past chief of staff. 
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Crystal Coast Worship Center in Salter Path, with the Rev. Bobby Howard officiating. 
He is survived by daughters, Nancy Walker Riegelsperger and husband, Herbert Charles Riegelsperger Jr., of New Bern, LCDR (Sel) (U.S. Coast Guard) Cheryl Walker Honeycutt and husband, Milton N. Honeycutt Jr., of Ladysmith, Va.; sons, Mark R. Walker of Holly Ridge, William W. Walker and wife, Susan W. Walker; and grandchildren, Alana Michelle Honeycutt of Bealeton, Va., Herbert C. Riegelsperger III of New Bern, Kristina Marie Honeycutt of Ladysmith, Va. and Christopher Wayne Lewis of Salter Path. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel Walker. 

MURIEL WALKER
June 13, 2008

Muriel Walker, 86, of Havelock died Friday, June 13, 2008, at Britthaven of Havelock. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Crystal Coast Worship Center in Saltar Path with the Rev. Bobby Howard officiating. 
She is survived by her husband, CWO4 George E. Walker, Retired USMC; two daughters, Nancy Walker Riegelsperger and husband, Herbert C. Riegelsperger Jr., of New Bern and Cheryl Walker Honeycutt, LCDR, USCG, and husband, Milton Honeycutt, of Ruther Glen, Va.; two sons, Mark Richard Walker of Holly Ridge and William W. Walker and wife, Susan Willis Walker, of Salter Path; and four grandchildren, Alana M. Honeycutt of Bealeton, Va., Herbert C. Riegelsperger III of New Bern, Kristina M. Honeycutt of Glen Allen, Va., and Christopher Wayne Lewis of Salter Path. 
(Submitted by Don Innis USMC)

MRS. DEE HAYES
Sept. 28, 2008

Dolores Diane (Dee) Hayes passed away at home on Sept. 28, 2008. She was born to Genevieve and Leonard Ladeaux in Spokane on April 7, 1929. The family set up residence in Kellogg, Idaho, but soon divorced. Five years later, Genevieve married Louis Batinik. Dee adored her new father, who provided a nice home. A brother was soon born and the family flourished with Louis’ job at the Bunker Hill mine. When Dee was eleven, tragedy struck. Louis was killed in a mine accident. This was a shock she never overcame. Her mom remarried and had a daughter. Dee was left to care for her young siblings. At age 14, Dee struck out on her own, moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she took a job in a café as a cook and waitress. This was during World War II. She lived in an unheated room with no running water. Dee eventually left for a job in Moses Lake as a cook at the bus depot. Dee then moved to Seattle, where a social worker helped her and her mom get a job and get her siblings back. 
Dee met Warren Lee Hayes in 1950 and they were married on Aug. 23, 1951. This was the beginning of her dream to be a mother and homemaker. She exceeded at both, bearing three daughters and two sons. After many moves with the Navy, Dee and Lee settled in Oak Harbor. Lee retired in 1968 as an AGC. Dee loved to dance, especially square dancing, which Lee and Dee did for 30 years.
Dee is survived by her husband of 57 years, Lee; by her daughters, Judy Pritchett and husband Larry, Linda Quistorf, and Le-Anne Henry and husband Dan; sons Warren Lee Hayes II and wife Shelley and Michael Hayes and wife Annie; and one sister, Marcia Stafford. Dee is also survived by grandchildren: Todd Pritchett and wife Gena; Kimberley Whitehead and husband Ted; Warren Lee Hayes III and wife Melissa; Kim Quistorf and husband Justin; Elizabeth Crawford and husband Tom; Michelle Quistorf; Allyson, Julia, Amanda, Cody and Danielle Henry; Ben Chavez; Maison Sanchez and husband Aaron, and great grandchildren: Bennen Chavez, Allysen and Breanna Alverez, Travis and Brittany Pritchett and by Thomas Crawford V and by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dee was preceded in death by her dad, Louis Batinik, mother Genevieve Batinik, brother Louis Batinik, Jr. and (son-in-law, Michael Quistorf.)

CDR NORM STEVENSON USN RET

(CDR Stevenson recently passed away with no obituary notice. The following is a compilation of remembrances from fellow shipmates…ed…)
Capt Jack Pingel _ “I met Norm in late summer of 1960 at FWC Pearl. He had just finished at the PG School; I came from FWC Port Lyautey. We worked together on the watch bill for 6-8 months; he was a super guy to work with. I often went flying with him in a SNB from Barber's Pt as he did his monthly four hours. …. I don't recall Norm's operational flying but I think that he flew A-1's from carriers. In the summer of 1961, Norm became Ops Officer at Pearl; he brought some much needed organization and quality control to what had been a poorly run department. I next saw him in the summer of 1966. I was on Enterprise and attended a two-week FNWC product course in Monterey; as I remembered, Norm assembled and administrated (and taught part of) the course.”
Capt Ken Ruggles - Norm Stevenson, Bud Selfridge, and I paired up as study partners in 1958 at the Naval Postgraduate school. In 1960 Norm went to FWC Pearl where he became ops officer, Bud went to JTWC Guam where he became ops officer, and I went to FWF Sangley Point where I became ops officer. The three of us worked together to optimize coordination between the Pacific weather centrals, particularly on data matters. ….. In the ‘70s he and Bud Selfridge were up to their ears in developing the first computer-based OTSR system. The need for spectral wave inputs to OTSR drove Norm into developing the first SOWM for FNWC. The model was based on the pioneering work done in NYU. …. The FNWC SOWM, which Norm developed, was the first operational SOWM which featured substantially improved spectral and directional resolution over early research models. Norm’s continuing study of ocean waves resulted in a model that was extraordinarily accurate for the day.”
Capt Dick Ward – “I can add a side bar to the story of Norm's involvement in the spectral wave model development. The public, unclassified story given for the model development was for OTSR and that was a good enough reason in itself, but the deadline and the funding was by the CIA in support of the recovery of the Russian submarine in the Pacific. You can imagine the importance of forecasting the very long period waves (swell) emanating from the southern hemisphere in order to give the operators a window of opportunity to lower and recover the pipe string. Norm and Bill Hubert were working under extreme pressure to meet the operational schedule. They made a major contribution to the success of the mission.
Capt Jack Pingel – “He was a dedicated Navy Officer, a gentleman and most of all "one hellofa nice guy!"

Obituary  
William L. Heagley, 84, passed away on May 7, 2008. He was born February 4, 1924 in St. Paul Minnesota, and raised in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the eldest child of William and Bernice Heagley. Survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Dal (Carol) Heagley, Shawn Heagley, Mary (George) Boyajian, and Richard Heagley; four grandchildren; one sister, Donna (Cliff) Huyck; and five nephews. 

During a distinguished 31-year Naval career, including serving during Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, "Bill" achieved the rank of Master Chief. Following his retirement, Bill worked for the U.S. Civil Service as a meteorologist. As a 38-year resident of Jacksonville, Bill was an active member of his community, including volunteering for Sacred Heart parish in the St. Paul Vincent DePaul Society; Meals on Wheels; J'ville Wheels wheelchair basketball association; and served as a tireless volunteer for the Long- Term Care Ombudsman Program Department of Elder Affairs.

Bill enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad, fine dining, and spending time with his family. A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Blanding Blvd., followed by a U.S. Naval burial at sea. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, S. D. 57326. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Blanding Funeral Home (5753 Blanding Blvd.) Jacksonville, FL 32210. 

The above received from the following:

From: Bob Johnson, President, NWSA SE
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 7:55 AM 
Subject: Fwd: Bill Heagley

 I am passing this along as an interest item.  It is regarding the passing of Bill Heagley.  Thanks to Frank Andrews for keep us posted.

Bob Johnson, President, NWSA SE    

From: Frank Andrews
To: Bob Johnson
Sent: 5/22/2008 5:53:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Bill Heagley

Bobby,
Do not know if you knew him or not but Bill Heagley was an old friend.  Bill was the first Command Master Chief of the AG rate...or so I am told.  He was a very colorful person who lived a very clean life.  One of the sea stories that he told me was lying about his age, joining the Navy and being sent to Battleship duty at Pearl Harbor.  When the attack came, Bill was on the mess deck serving as a mescook and had to abandon the ship either during or after the attack was over.  His Obituary from the Florida Times Union is below.  Please pass to all that may be interested.
Frank

From: Donald A. Cruse
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 12:44 PM
Subject: Death of Jim Bowlin

Greetings, PotChap people. We have been notified by the Bowlin family that LCDR James F. Bowlin USN(Ret) passed over the bar yesterday. Jim was 84 in Feb and died at home in Jessup MD. Not sure exactly when Jim was selected for LDO, but do remember him trying to teach me how to make a RAOB sounding while he was doing instructor duty at Lakehurst. Most of us will remember him from his many years assigned to NavSecGru, NSA, and similar duties. Information will become available later on funeral and burial arrangements.
Don Cruse Corresp Sec'y

From: Bob Johnson
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 5:18 PM

I received a telephone call today from Mrs. Bertha Taylor. She advised me of the passing of LT PETER G TAYLOR, USN RET on the 3rd of April 2008.
He was a life member of NWSA.
She did not give me any details of his passing.

Bob Johnson
President 
NWSA SE

AGCS Kenneth G. Richards, USN Ret
Nov. 27, 2007

Kenneth Glenn Richards, 81, formerly of the Monterey Peninsula , died in his sleep the morning of Nov. 27, 2007 in Coupeville , Washington on Whidbey Island .

Born in Orange , Massachusetts on Nov. 18, 1926, he spent his youth growing up in small New England towns and considered Petersham , MA his childhood home.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific from 1944 to 1946.  After rejoining the Navy in 1948 he had a career of 21 years as a meteorologist serving in Monterey ; Kodiak , AK ; Washington D.C. ; San Diego ; Morocco and England . 

After his retirement from the Navy, he was employed as an editor with McGraw Hill and Litton Industries in Monterey , the Naval Air Station in Monterey , and as Chief of Reports for the Army Combat Developments Center at Fort Ord.

He was the author of 15 books for young readers and wrote dozens of magazine articles, mostly on military and history subjects.  He was awarded the George Washington Medal by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge for his articles on The Gettysburg Address and the Statue of Liberty

His autobiographical book, "Memories of a Small-Town Yankee," published in 1985, was a nostalgic and humorous collection of stories about growing up in Petersham , MA in the 1930s and 1940s. 

Ken was a friendly, fun-loving man known to his friends and relatives for his humor. Ken met his wife, Joy ( Melrose ) of Carmel , at the USO in Monterey in 1951 and were married in Carmel the same year. After moving around the world with the Navy, they settled in the Monterey Peninsula in 1965.  They lived in Pacific Grove , Pebble Beach and Castroville before moving to the Pacific Northwest in 1997. 

Ken lived the last 3 years in the waterfront town of Coupeville on Whidbey Island in Washington .  He frequented the local shops he could walk to and kept a constant eye on the weather.

Ken leaves his wife of 56 years, Joy ( Melrose ) of Coupeville , Wash. He also leaves two sons, Stacy, of Monterey , Calif. , Mitchell (and his wife Lynda) of Coupeville , Wash. , and one daughter, Elizabeth (and her husband George) Papadopoulos, of Athens , Greece . In addition, he leaves nine grandchildren.

His oldest son, Glenn, of Rifle, Colo. died one week after Ken following a short battle with cancer

A private burial service will take place at a later date at El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove .