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ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED CONSERVATION SERVICE EMPLOYEES FRIENDS REMEMBERED We sadly miss the following members of the SCS family that have passed away. Our sympathy and prayers are with their families and friends. |
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Turn your audio on and listen to
"How Great Thou Art" by the Hand Bell Choir of Bethel United Methodist Churchfrom Woodbridge, VA as recorded on 3/28/07.
This page contains ONLY RECENT notices.
To see ALL remembrances collected to date:
in chronological order click here! in alphabetical order by last name click here!
Earl Allen Skiles (82) of Franklin, West Virginia passed away April 14, 2012. Earl was a 1949 graduate of Franklin High School. He was a lifelong farmer and worked for 30 years as a Construction Technician for SCS. He is survived by a brother, Leroy (Carol) Skiles of Dorcas, WV. Memorials may be made to Pendleton County Volunteer Rescue Squad or Fire Companies. Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.
Danny D. Lemaster (61) of Chillicothe, Ohio passed away April 8, 2012 following an extended illness. Dan graduated from the Ohio State University in 1972 with a degree in Agronomy. He was employed as a soil scientist with NRCS. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, the former Brenda K. Ferguson. Also surviving are his son Kristopher (Martha) Lemaster, Circleville; 2 grandsons and 4 granddaughters. He loved his blue grass music and playing his banjo and was a member of the former band the Dry Run Boys. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Andersonville UMC c/o Karen Rickey, 565 Andersonville Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601; or the Adena Foundation, 272 Hospital Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601.
Billie L. Wilhite-Smith (81) of Temple passed away April 8, 2012. She is preceded in death by Alton (Al) Wilhite, her first husband of 38 years, who was the state resource conservationist with SCS in Temple in the seventies. She is survived by her husband, Billy G. Smith; a daughter, a son, and two grandchildren.
Senior Conservationist Joseph P. Murray (90) passed away April 8, 2012. Phillip spent his entire life in the Spring Hope community of Nash County except for the time he served his country during World War II. He served as Soil Conservation Technician in Nash County, NC for over 30 years. He was also an active farmer. His farming enterprises included tobacco, wheat, soybeans, chickens and swine. He was a very active member of Ephesus Baptist Church in Spring Hope. During WWII, Phillip served as B-24 co-pilot in the South Pacific. He flew two combat missions out of Guadalcanal. From there he was stationed on Morotai, a small island off the coast of New Guinea where allied bombers could make the flight to hit Japanese targets in the Philippines. From Morotai, he flew 40 bombing missions as a B-24 co-pilot. Maybe the most memorable flight for 1st Lt. Murray was the first mission to bomb a Japanese fuel depot in Balikpapan, Borneo (now part of Indonesia) where the Japanese were reported to get 90% of their gasoline. In this mission there were 24 bombers. This flight required 16 hours from their base to the target. On this day, he was the second plane in the formation when they saw the lead plane shot down and its crew bail out. His plane moved up to the lead position in the formation, and the photographer on their aircraft recorded the raid. One of the most viewed photographs of WWII was taken out of his plane on this mission. If you have the opportunity to visit the Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio you will see the photo. A copy of the same photograph is also on display in the Smithsonian Institute. Phillip was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Phillip was preceded in death by his first wife Louise Leonard Murray. He is survived by his wife, Anne Hicks Murray; three sons, John Kenny (Sherry) Murray; Phillip Leonard (Charlette) Murray; Brian Keith (Terrie) Murray ; two daughters, Ann (Carl) Banks; Martha Lynn Murray, eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Dwight “Quig” Kelley (82) of Des Moines, Iowa passed away April 8, 2012. “Quig” was a state office employee for SCS. He is survived by his wife, Shirley and a son, QueDaBre'jzh (Shavon) Kelley of Houston, TX; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Online condolences may be left at caldwellraddatz.com
Earl L. Gray (84) passed away April 6, 2012, in Chapman, Kansas. He graduated from Sedan High School. Earl was a Navy and Air Force veteran, and was employed by SCS. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Shirley A. Gray of Abilene; two daughters; three sons; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions in his name may be given to the Hospice of Dickinson County. They may be left at or sent in care of the Danner Funeral Home, P.O. Box 758, Abilene, Kan., 67410.
Robert H. Drees (65) of Salina, Kansas passed away March 29, 2012. He was born August 17, 1946. Robert worked as a geologist on the Watershed Planning Staff for NRCS in Kansas. He retired on the engineering staff on 2004. He graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy and received a master's degree in geology from Fort Hays State University. Robert is survived by his wife, Jean; one son, Jeff Drees, of Salina; one daughter, Bethany Drees, of Salina. Memorial contributions may be given to Sunrise Presbyterian Church or Tammy Walker Cancer Center, and left in care of the mortuary. For more information or to leave condolences for the family, please visit www.ryanmortuary.com.
Christine J. Houghton (103) of Fort Worth, Texas passed away March 28, 2012. Christine was a charter member of the Texas SCS-NRCS Alumni Club and remained a member until her passing. She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon Houghton.
Patricia Tyrrell (64) of Urbana, Virginia passed away March 26, 2012, at her home after a long battle with mesothelioma (cancer). She worked first as a soil conservationist and then as a Rural Conservation and Development (RC&D) coordinator. Pat served the Tidewater area for over 19 years working with 10 counties. She is survived by her husband, Donald Tyrrell, P.O. Box 956, Urbana, VA 23175. There will be no viewing or funeral because she has chosen to donate her body to medical science through MedCure. If you wish to donate, their wish is that contributions be toward services to aide cancer patients or to continue mesothelioma cancer research.
Virgil Edwards (81) of Temple, Texas passed away March 20, 2012 at his home.
Honorary member and Senior Conservationist Hugh T. Magers (Majors) (98) of Mineral Wells, Texas passed away March 20, 2012. He was employed by SCS as a conservationist from 1937 to 1964. Hugh was stationed in Jacksonville, TX from 1937 to 1939 and in Abilene, TX from 1939 to his retirement in 1964. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1937. He resided at his farm near Mineral Wells, TX from 1967 until his death. Survivors are a son, James Hugh (Joan) Magers and a daughter, Sarah (Larry) Brown; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Hazel Magers, in 2007. In lieu of flowers the families ask donations be made to Palo Pinto Challenge Inc., P.O. Box 115, Strawn, TX 76475 or Meals on Wheels of Palo Pinto County, 1410 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. St., Mineral Wells, TX 76067. Condolences may be left at www.bcbfuneralhome.com.
Jerome Reece (70) of Mississippi passed away March 20, 2012. He was an SCS economist, having served at the Northeast National Technical Center and in Washington, D.C.
Member ARTHUR KAY FLICKINGER (80) of Fairfax Station, Virginia passed away March 18, 2012, at home after being diagnosed with acute Leukemia in December. He was born in Batavia, Ohio and graduated from Purdue University in 1953, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture—Dairy Production minoring in Agriculture Economics. Arthur started work for SCS in 1951 as a student trainee. After serving as Work Unit conservationist for Whitley Co, IN, he served as Agricultural Economist on the Watershed Planning Party in Indianapolis. From 1966-1971 he represented USDA on the North Atlantic Regional Water Comprehensive Study and from 1971-1975 in Littleton, Colorado he worked on the USDA Western US Water Plan. Arthur managed the River Basin Program from 1978-1981 in Washington D.C. and retired as a Special Coordinator on the River Basin staff in 1987. He then obtained his real estate license and practiced for 22 years. Art served in numerous positions at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a daughter, Kay (John) Kern of Hilton Head Island, SC; sons Stephen (Linda) Flickinger of Littleton, CO, Stanley (Cathy) Flickinger of Morrison, CO, Scott (Cindy) Flickinger, of Montross, VA, Seth (Darla) Flickinger of Stephens City, VA, son-in-law Rory Seal of Portland, MI; 12 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Patricia who passed away on November 19, 2011; and their daughter Kathy Flickinger Seal, who passed away on May 3, 2006. Memorial donations may be made to Kathy Seal Memorial Fund, Portland Ministerial Association for Mental Health, 8867 Kent Street, Portland, Michigan 48875 or to Capital Caring Hospice, 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. To send condolences to the family or view a video tribute, go to www.hitefuneralhome.com.
Warren Clark Lynn (76) of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away March 18, 2012. He graduated with honors in Technical Agronomy from Kansas State University in 1957 and received his MS degree from there in 1958. Warren served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960. He received his PhD in Soil Science from the University of California at Davis in 1964. He worked as a soil scientist in the Soil Survey Laboratory of NRCS in Lincoln from 1963 until his retirement in 2004 and volunteered there after his retirement. Warren married Arlene Richardson on September 4, 1960. They have three children and 10 grandchildren. Memorial gifts are suggested to the church or to the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be left at www.bmlfh.com.
Gary Thomas Grogan (73) of San Angelo, Texas passed away March 16, 2012, in Lihue, Hawaii. He received a B.S. in agriculture from Texas Tech University. He worked in Stephenville, Eden, Rising Star, Spur, Carrizo Springs and San Angelo in a career of over 40 years with the NRCS. Gary served in the Army Reserve for 28 years as the agricultural officer for the 321st Civil Affairs Unit at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Frances Grogan of San Angelo, and two daughters and four grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Gary's family asks that donations be made to the Gary Grogan Agriculture Scholarship via the Angelo State University Foundation, ASU Station 11023, San Angelo, Texas 76909.
Senior Conservationist Linwood Storm Holmquist (87) of Caribou, Maine passed quietly in his sleep March 11, 2012. He retired from SCS in 1985. Linwood was an engineering technician and construction inspector in the Presque Isle, Maine field office. After his retirement, he worked as a bus driver for New Sweden School Department. Linwood was a veteran and spent time in the Philippines and Korea. He was married for 58 years to the late Geneva (Rackliffe) Holmquist, who predeceased him in 2006. He is survived by his four children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial gifts can be given in Linwood's memory to the memorial fund of Evangelical Covenant Church, West Road, New Sweden, MN. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lancastermorgan.com.
Alvin Leiting (85) West Des Moines, Iowa passed away March 9, 2012. He was a civil engineer and served as Head of the Engineering Design Unit for SCS at time of retirement in 1988. Alvin served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 and graduated from Iowa State University in 1957. He is survived by his son, Christopher of West Des Moines; two grandsons and two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara and four siblings.
Donald Quinten Cox (61) of Canyon, Texas passed away March 8, 2012. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in range management. After several years working with SCS and University of Texas Lands, he retired in Canyon. Survivors include his wife, Dee of 40 years; two daughters; six grandchildren, and his mother, Leona Terry of Matador.
Byron E. Koepke (68) of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away March 5, 2012. Survivors of the immediate family include a son, Brent (Lindsey) of Lincoln and grandson, Bode. He served his country from March 19, 1968 to Oct. 23, 1969, in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star. When he returned, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and obtained his degree in Agronomy and Soil Science in 1971. He lived in Montana, southern Colorado and Alaska. During the time he was in Alaska, he and a co-worker were often dropped from a helicopter to map the tundra and spent weeks camping in remote areas. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, A.L. Shirley Post 176 or the donor's choice.
Peggy Hanlon passed away March 1, 2012. Peggy retired in 2004 as a Computer Specialist with NRCS. She is survived by her husband Jim and one son Ed.
Lloyd A. Wakeman (91) of Columbia, Missouri passed away February 29, 2012. After graduating from Union Mills High School in Indiana, Lloyd served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater as a C-47 aircraft pilot. After the war, he enrolled in Purdue University, graduating in 1949 with a degree in agricultural engineering. Starting in 1949, Lloyd worked for 31 years for SCS. His work took him to locations in Ohio, Puerto Rico and Missouri. In October 2010, Lloyd joined a group of veterans on a Central Missouri Honor Flight to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Marjorie Wakeman of Columbia; two sons and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Fellowship School.
Member Tommie J. Holder (79) of New Carrollton, Maryland passed away February 29, 2012 of congestive heart failure. With 39 years of service, he retired from NRCS in July 1998 as a soil scientist in Washington, D.C., having worked previously in Montana and Colorado. Tommie served in the Air Force before graduating in 1959 from Texas A&M University. He received a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Business School in 1977. Survivors include his wife, the former Betty Ann Price Hazlett of New Carrollton; seven children: Bruce L. Holder of Boulder, CO, Michael D. Holder of Jamesport, MO, Marta M. Silver of College Park, MD, Jess I. Holder of Beltsville, MD, Laura F. Adolph of Westfield, NY, and Kevin L. Holder and Kerstin L. Mills, both of Greenbelt, MD; two stepchildren, Kelley Hazlett of Germantown, MD and Melanie Hazlett of Bowie, MD; 29 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Member Al Gustafson (63) passed away February 25, 2012, at his home in Thief River Falls, MN. He graduated from North Dakota State University Fargo in 1970 with a degree in Agriculture (soils). Al was Area Resource Conservationist in Thief River Falls when he retired in 2011. His employment history included Soil Scientist in Marshall, St. Peter, and Crookston, MN and District Conservationist in Thief River Falls and Red Lake Falls, MN. Al loved hockey, hunting, flying, but most of all family and friends. Al is survived by his wife, Polly; son, Derek; and parents, Allan and Sylvia Gustafson. Al loved flying…he took his first solo flight in December 15, 1973. He bought his prize possession 1947 Cessna 140 Taildragger in 1976; and has logged many hours through the years. His last flight was just this winter.
James Bicknell Petty (71) of Rio Vista, Texas passed away Feburary 25, 2012. He was preceded in death by two sons and a daughter. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Petty who worked for NRCS; a son, a daughter, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. James would be honored with your donation to the First Baptist Church of Rio Vista or a charity of your choice.
Senior Conservationist Everett Cecil Flesher, Jr. (85) of Bryan, Ohio, passed away February 24, 2012. Cecil served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Upon returning home, he graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Vocational Agriculture Education and then entered the U.S. Army, serving as a clerk/typist assigned to an artillery headquarters during the Korean Conflict. While continuing his studies toward a Master's Degree in Agronomy, he taught Vo-Ag for two years before going to work as a soil scientist with SCS from 1956 until his retirement with over thirty years of service. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia Sue Darby. Also surviving are four children, Rita Sue (James C. Pfleger) Bunting, of West Unity, Ohio, Allen C. (Linda) Flesher, of Bryan, Lora J. F. (Larry Lemis) Cochran, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and Nora L. (Scott) Herceg, of North Royalton, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorials are requested to Wesley United Methodist Church - Next Chapter.
Member Charles F. Lemon (85) of Portland, OR passed away February 24, 2012. He was born and raised in Parker, Kansas. He went to school at Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kansas and earned a Master’s Degree from Harvard. He retired with 33 years of service from the Soil Conservation Service in 1984 as Director of the West National Technical Center. Survivors include his wife, Wilma of 66 years, daughter, Sherry of Portland, OR, son, Dexter Lemon of Union, OR, two grandsons, and two great grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 4380 SW Macadam Ave, #210, Portland, OR 97239 or Parkinson's Resources of Oregon, 3975 Mercantile Drive, Suite 154, Lake Oswego, OR 97035.
Lee Roy "Pete" Wright (78) passed away peacefully February 23, 2012 after suffering a heart attack the preceding week. Pete graduated from Texas A & M University in 1954 and was a loyal Fighting Aggie. After a brief service in the Army, he worked for SCS for 40 years. He was an accomplished team roper in the United States Team Roping Championship (USTRC) and held an annual team roping at his ranch in Banquete for 25 years. He was also a rodeo announcer and owned Voice of Radio Productions. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Bluntzer Volunteer Fire Department, 6271 F.M. 666. Robstown, Texas 78380.
Jack Paul Clayton (80) of Chickasha, Oklahoma passed away February 20, 2012. He served in the United States Air Force where he was an aircraft mechanic in the Korean War. Jack attended the University of Oklahoma on the G.I. Bill earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. He retired from the Soil Conservation Service as a geologist at the Chickasha Watershed Office. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Vicki Clayton, in 2002. Survivors include: Daughter: Lisa Clayton and husband Jeff Kemp; daughter: Celia Clayton Lowry and husband Greg Lowry; and four grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Heart Association, or the Epworth United Methodist Church.
Ray Smith of Fort Worth, Texas passed away February 17, 2012. He was a retired biologist with SCS at the South National Technical Center. The family had a private service for Ray.
Norman "Buck" Wesley McCullough (92) of Granbury, Texas passed away February 10, 2012. Survivors: Wife, Lu Logan McCullough who worked for SCS; a daughter, a son, nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Baptist Church of Thorp Springs or a charity of choice.
Keith Kline Young (82) Of Annandale, Virginia, loving husband, father, grandfather, musician, luthier, teacher and friend died suddenly on February 9, 2012. Keith suffered a head injury from a fall in his workshop on February 8. He was born July 8, 1929 in Lafayette Indiana. Keith graduated from University of Nebraska with a BS degree in '51 and a MSA in Agriculture Economics in '58.
He transfered to the Nat'l Headquarters in Washington, DC as Assistant Director, Soil Survey Interpretations division in '71 where he played a major role in achieving effective use of very large soil databases. He received a special achievement award in 1985 for excellent leadership in developing the definition and classification of wetland soils. He retired from SCS in '86 after 34 years of federal service. After retirement Keith became a well known local musician and builder of Appalachian musical instruments (dulcimers, autoharps, fretless banjos). He founded the Mill Run Dulcimer band, the Greater Washington Dulcimer Disorganization and taught hundreds of students to play the Dulcimer. He taught dulcimer building at Elkins College Augusta Days for many years.
Keith is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary M Young as well as six children, Duane, David (Katie), Scott, Phillip, Barbara (John) Risucci, Elizabeth (Dixon) Appel, 14 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, brothers Roger (Janet) Young, Lynn (Shawn) Young, nieces and nephews. Memorial service to be held February 18 at 2 p.m. at Friendship United Methodist Church, 3527 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Regional Transplant Community or the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department.
Sonoya Jean Toya (90) of Boring, OR passed away February 9, 2012. Sonoya attended Gonzaga University and married George Toya in 1945 in Fort Snelling, MN. They had two daughters, Georgene "Gigi" and Evelyn, and lived in Gresham for over 60 years. Sonoya was devoted to her family and an active church member. Sonoya retired from SCS as a secretary to the engineering staff at the WNTC.
William “Bill" J. Richmond (86) of Milwaukie, OR passed away February 3, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marcine who retired from SCS; his children, Dick Richmond, Joe Richmond, Terry Sion, and Renee Peck; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his former wife, Kay; and grandson Christopher Richmond. Memorial donations may be made to Milwaukie Covenant Church.
James Melvin Williams (94) of Portland, OR passed away February 2, 2012. He was born in Idaho and raised on a farm in Milton-Freewater. He graduated from Oregon State and retired as a soil scientist with SCS at the WNTC. Mel was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Gen, and his son, James Williams. He is survived by son, Michael Williams of Portland.
Clayton TenHulzen (80) of Scottsbluff, Nebraska passed away January 28, 2012 after a courageous nine year battle, with biliary cancer and its subsequent treatment. He graduated from the University of Nebraska Ag College with a Bachelor of Science degree. Clayton married Doris Davis. He worked for Soil Conservation for his early married years. He became a prison guard, and worked for over 30 years in the State Penitentiary and Reformatory. Clayton is survived by a daughter, a son, two grandsons, and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be addressed to the family in Scottsbluff. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com.
Norma Irene Droge (82) of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away January 28, 2012. Norma is survived by her husband of 61 years, Harry Droge, who retired in 1988 as a Construction Inspector for SCS at Strong City Project Office. Other survivors include sons, James (Diane) Droge of Broken Arrow, OK, David (Joyce) Droge of Lawrence, KS and Daniel (Kim) Droge of Manhattan, KS; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Ridge Christian Church, C/0 Penwell-Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.
Janice Surae Friesen Eshelman (66) of Harper, KS passed away January 23, 2012 at her home in Harper, Kansas after a fierce battle with cancer over the past three years. She attended Tonkawa College from 1963 to 1964. Jan retired from the SCS Sunflower RC&D office where she was a secretary and office automation assistant, a job she held for 31 years. Jan loved horses and became active with anything pertaining to them for many years—riding, clubs, shows, fair, and the Kansas Western Horseman's Association. Jan will be deeply missed by her husband, David Eshelman; her son Marty (Lori) Eshelman, all of Harper; her mother, Viola Friesen of Medford, OK; and three grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Harper Kiddie Barn, KWHA Scholarship, or the Cancer Center of Kansas in Kingman.
Clifford D. Kepler (82) of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away January 17, 2012. He attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (1947-1956) graduating with a B.S. in Agronomy/Soils. He served four years in the Navy (1950-1954). He began his career in North Platte with SCS in July 1956 through January 1966. In January 1966 He became employed by Farmland Industries and retired in 1986. He then worked for Pathology Medical Services for 17 years. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Phyllis and daughter, Kay (Nelson) Stephens. Memorials are suggested to the Sesostris Shrine Transportation Fund or First Plymouth Congregational Church Foundation.
Mary Irene Hope Sorensen (84) of Ness City, KS passed away January 16, 2012. After graduating from Hutchinson Junior College, she received a degree in home economics from Kansas State College (now University) in 1948. She was an elementary teacher at the Ness City Grade School for seventeen years. She loved music, was an accomplished violin player and taught violin lessons. She was active in numerous community activities. Mary was preceded in death by her first child, a boy, who was stillborn. She is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, Bill (who retired in 1984 as a district conservationist with SCS) and her children, William Sorensen, Jr. (Lou Anne), Susan Mallon (Mike), Diane Worth (Paul), four granddaughters and one grandson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ness City United Methodist Church, the Ness City Library or Hospice of the Prairie.
William R. "Bob" Thompson, Jr. (70) of Auburn, Alabama passed away January 11, 2012 at East Alabama Medical Center. After graduating from Auburn University and serving four years in the U.S. Army, Bob started his career with SCS. He retired as Assistant State Conservationist for Water Resources in 1994 and started Crossroads Furniture Refinishing. Bob was a member of Auburn United Methodist Church, a volunteer at EAMC Cancer Center and a board member of Mercy Medical. He is survived by his wife, Judy Thompson of Auburn; son, Robert (Susan) Thompson of Montgomery; three daughters, Amy Elizabeth (Dean) Kaye of Warrenton, VA, Beth (Bob) Palmer of Marietta, GA, and Shannon (Mike) Buice of Duluth, GA; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Mercy Medical, Catherine Court, Auburn, AL, or East Alabama Medical Center Cancer Center.
Honorary Member and Senior Conservationist Pershing Vance (93) of Bozeman, MT passed away January 10, 2012. He was a range conservationist with SCS and served as Assistant State Conservationist in Montana and Nebraska, retiring in 1973. Persh received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Range Management in 1941 from the University of Idaho at Moscow. On July 20, 1941, Persh married Barbara Eloise Kenagy "Barb" and they honeymooned in a lookout tower in the Payette National Forest while he was working for the U.S. Forest Service. During World War II, Persh joined the U.S. Army Air Corps for the duration of the war, was commissioned a lieutenant, and was trained as a bombardier until the end of the war. Persh worked on the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project which opened the fertile basin to irrigated farming. He accepted an overseas assignment to India from 1968 to 1972. He also spent several years working for the Near East Foundation, acting as a temporary Secretary of Agriculture in Lesotho, Africa, helping the Basotho people learn to conserve their rapidly eroding top-soil. From 1977 to 1979, he and Barbara lived in Arusha, Tanzania, where he helped the semi-nomadic Masai Tribe improve their grazing land and livestock quality. Persh is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara Vance of Bozeman; three sons, Captain Michael (Kanako) Vance, USN Ret. of Bozeman; Dr. Corwin (Karen) Vance of Shorewood, Minn.; and Richard (Shirley) Vance of Richland, Wash.; six grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Lois Schermerhorn (83) of Vinton, Iowa passed away January 9, 2012. Her husband, Edward, was a soil scientist and party leader for soil surveys in Johnson, Cedar and Washington Counties, Iowa. Ed passed away in 1989. Lois graduated from the Dover High School and received a Bachelor's Degree from New Jersey College for Women in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She is survived by her daughter, Beth.
Evelyn "Christine" Linville (80) of Pleasanton, Kansas, passed away January 8, 2012. Evelyn was the wife of Richard E. Linville who retired as a soil conservation technician in the Colby Field Office in June 1978. He preceded Evelyn in death. She is survived by four sons and two daughters from an earlier marriage, several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.coffelschneider.com
Dixie Lee Howell (70) of Lansing, MI passed away January 7, 2012 as the result of an auto accident. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Roger Howell, retired public information officer for the SCS in Michigan and the current state ARCSE Representative. Dixie grew up on a farm near Stitzer, WI. In 1963 she received her bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin- Platteville. Dixie taught elementary school for 3 years, and then stayed at home to start her family. She returned to work in 1985 with the Lansing Schools, working at various schools, and retired in 2006. Dixie was a very active in her church and many civic organizations. In addition to her husband, she is survived by children, Leslie (Ernest) Delemeester, Scot Howell, Kimberly (Joel) Murray, and Christopher Howell; and eight grandchildren. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association, PO Box 673, Ludington MI 49431 or Tourette Syndrome Association, 42-40 Bell Blvd, Bayside NY 11361, or First United Methodist Church, 3827 Delta River Drive, Lansing, 48906. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.palmerbush.com.
Senior Conservationist R. Clyde Pleasants (102) of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away January 6, 2012. In 1933, he was one of three students to graduate from North Carolina State College with a degree in soils. Clyde began his conservation career with the Soil Erosion Service (SES) soon after graduation. His first assignment was in Newland, North Carolina, as a Soil Surveyor making a general soil survey of Avery County. In 1934 he transferred to the Deep River Soil Erosion Demonstration Project located in High Point. Deep River was used as a training site for all of the new SES employees. During his early career he was assigned to several demonstration projects, and his job was to provide a soil survey for the farms being planned. Usually two – three Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camps were assigned to assist with the work in the demonstration projects. When he was assigned to the Brown Creek Demonstration Project, he passed the home place of Hugh Hammond Bennett almost every day on his way to map soils. In 1945 he transferred to the Raleigh Area Office as the Area Soil Scientist where he worked until his retirement in 1969 after 36 years of service. Clyde was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Ruby Lee Pleasants. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara P. (Frank) Pollock of Roxboro, NC; two sons, Dr. Riley C. (Mickey) Pleasants, Jr. of Raleigh, and Robert W. (Peggy) Pleasants of Raleigh. He is also survived by six granddaughters and thirteen great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hayes Barton Baptist Church Building Fund, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608.
Marie Bryan (89) of Fort Worth, Texas passed away January 5, 2012. She married Victor Hugo Bryan, Jr. on January 17, 1941 and they spent 69 wonderful years together before his passing at age 88 on January 26, 2010. Hugo retired from SCS in Fort Worth. Survivors include three children, nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Memorials: Any Alzheimer's Foundation or a charity of choice.
Emagene Haenisch, (88) of Floydada, Texas passed away January 3, 2012. Her husband of 65 years, Senior Conservationist Charles Haenisch, worked with SCS in many locations throughout Texas, retiring in 1983 as an area conservationist. She graduated from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. Emagene’s first love was her family. Second to that was her love for teaching. Emagene is survived by her husband Charles of the home, two children, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Hospice Hands of West Texas in Lockney.
Member Charles E. Stearns (80) of Redman, Oregon passed away December 31, 2011, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. His father, Lyle, died when Ed was about 18 months old and his mother, Alice, raised Ed by herself. She died in 1994. Ed served in the U.S. Army from 1953 until 1955 and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1961. He went on to become the first member of his family to attend college. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington State University in 1959 and Master of Science degree in geology from the University of Oregon in 1962. After starting with SCS in 1962 in Portland, he later worked for the agency in Berkeley, CA, then Davis, CA, where he eventually became the agency's state geologist for California. He relocated to Portland in 1978, becoming engineering geologist for the 13 western states, Samoa and Guam. His geology work also took him to Saipan and Chile and to the flanks of Mount St. Helens in April 1980, just five weeks before it erupted. He retired in 1994. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty; his son, John; his grandson, Jack; and his daughter-in-law, Susan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Partners In Care Hospice, 2075 NE Wyatt Ct, Bend, OR 97701.
Forrest E. McClung (89) of Pryor, OK passed away December 30, 2011. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was injured in a flying accident. After the war he attended Oklahoma State University graduating with a degree in Agriculture Engineering. Forrest worked for SCS designing and building water detention structures and flood control projects up and down the eastern side of Oklahoma, retiring in 1982. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Louise and three children; Dana Lee (Jim) DeBoard, Diana Sue (Hugh) Coats and Del Wayne (Paula) McClung; five grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Goodland Presbyterian Children’s Home, Box 1056, Hugo, OK 74743.
Elmer Ray McNair (65) of Fort Worth, Texas passed away December 29, 2011. He worked as a mail clerk for NRCS for 35 years. Elmer Ray was a Baptist and a very caring person. Survivors: Wife of 27 years, Mary Massey McNair, stepdaughter, Janie (Mike) Davis, two grandsons and their wives; four great-grandsons; and one great-granddaughter.
Hanson J. “Duke” Kennedy (62) of Philippi, WV passed away unexpectedly December 12, 2011. He is survived by his mother Beulah Mae (Croston) Kennedy Adams and his wife of 41 years, the former Alma Lee (Amanda) Kennedy, Slovan, PA; and four grandchildren. Duke was a 1967 graduate of Philip Barbour High School and had attended Fairmont State College. He retired as a civil engineering technician from SCS.
Gilbert J. Bindel (76) of Gainesville, Texas passed away December 11, 2011. After serving in the United States Army, he attended Cooke County Junior College and North Texas College. He retired from SCS in 1984 as the Area Clerk at the Gainesville Area Office. Survivors include his wife Joyce of Gainesville; a daughter, a stepdaughter, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Zelma Marie Dodge (94) of Manhattan, KS passed away December 9, 2011. Zelma was the wife of Darold A. Dodge who passed away on December 17, 2008. He retired in April 1983 as a soil scientist at Great Bend, Kansas. Zelma received a bachelor’s degree in Micro-Biology from Kansas State University and a teaching certificate from Emporia State University. Zelma is survived by six daughters, ten grandsons, five granddaughters, and four great grandchildren. The family requests donations to Good Samaritan Fund at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, 2121 Meadowlark Rd. Manhattan, KS 66502.
Member and Senior Conservationist Walter L. Butler (87) of Shoals, Indiana passed away November 21, 2011 at his residence in West Shoals. Walter retired in 1991 as an engineering technician from SCS with the Paoli and Jasper Offices. He served his country during World War II in the United States Navy. He was a member of the Shoals American Legion Post #61 and attended the Shoals United Methodist Church. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 61 years, Betty of Shoals and numerous nieces and nephews and near friends.
Member Marion C. Barnes (75) of Mountain Home, Arkansas passed away October 11, 2011 in Mountain Home. He worked for SCS. Marion is survived by two sons: Raymond Barnes of Mountain Home, Arkansas and David (Cheryl) Barnes of Rydal, Georgia, a daughter: Gay (Eric) Bett of Mountain Home, Arkansas and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Elizabeth Weaver Barnes. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mountain Home Christian Clinic.
John Ward Ownbey (86) of Gladstone, Missouri, passed away September 14, 2011. He served in the US Army from 1955-1958. He retired from SCS after 30 years of service as a soil conservation technician. John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn and daughters, Sonjya Ownbey and Arletta Ownbey, both of Gladstone.
Lester A. (Les) McKenzie (84) of Elko, Nevada passed away August 31, 2011. Except for service with the US Army Air Corps just after World War II his whole life was involved with rangelands, conservation, land use and production agriculture. It began July 23, 1927, at the Mahoney Ranger Station in Jarbidge, NV where his parents Lewis (Ed) and Esther (Womack) McKenzie lived while Ed worked for the US Forest Service. After his studies at Utah State in Logan were interrupted by the military, Les returned to studies at the University of Nevada and graduated in 1950. He worked for SCS in NV at Mountain City, Elko, Ely, and in Cedarville, CA until 1973 when he retired and became the Modoc County planner in Alturas, CA. In 1979 he and his wife Marian moved back to Elko, County and formed HTT Enterprises. They bred and raised quality horses. Lester was a pioneer in developing computer assisted methods for rangeland evaluation and monitoring and co-authored the first NV Rangeland Monitoring Handbook. Les was active in the American Society of Range Management (now SRM) for 61 years and received numerous awards from the NV Section including Rangeman of the Year. Les will be greatly missed by Marian, his bride of 56 years; daughters Wynarda, Bonnie, Wanda, and Pat; sons Edward and Paul; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Memorial contributions are suggested for the NV Section SRM Endowment Fund c/o Erica Freese, 8905 Little Creek Road, Reno, NV 89508.
William Bruce Gubser (80) of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away August 17, 2011. He attended Doane College and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in technical science. He worked for SCS for 31 years, retiring in 1986. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1952-54 and served as a regional councilman from 1972-76 for Soil Conservation Society of America. Survivors include life companion Darleen Hitz; two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the family for distribution to a soil conservation/UNL scholarship fund.
Charles L. Hammond (86) of Norfolk, Nebraska passed away July 11, 2011. Charles served in the Army from 1944 to 1946. In 1952, he graduated from University of Nebraska of Lincoln. In 1955, he started working for the Soil Conversation Service in Nebraska as a soil scientist, retiring in 1986. Charles is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathryn; two daughters, five grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Robert Lowe (77) of O’Neill, Nebraska passed away July 7, 2011. He graduated from South Dakota State University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Range Management. He was a range conservationist with SCS. Bob served his country in the United States Army Artillery Division during the Korean War from September 1954 to September 1956. He is survived by his wife Joanne.
Senior Conservationist Arthur Herman Holste (90) of Redding, California passed away March 25, 2011. Arthur was born on a farm in Ludell, Kansas and served as a civil engineer in SCS Hays Area Office, retiring in 1982. He was a man of strong faith, gentle heart, quiet guidance and a wonderful dad. Arthur and his wife, Doris, were married in 1947 when he returned from serving in the US Army in the Philippines where he was awarded a Purple Heart.
Honorary Member and Senior Conservationist Rudolph W. Mayko (92) of Coupeville, Washington passed away February 16, 2011. He was the assistant state soil scientist with SCS when he retired in 1979.
Honorary Member and Senior Conservationist Eugene (Gene) C. Youngman (91) of Vancouver, Washington passed away August 3, 2010. He was born in Valley, NE, served in the Navy during WW II, and worked was a soil conservation technician with SCS, retiring in 1977 as a district conservationist. His wife of 57 years, Miriam, died in 2002. He is survived sons Dwight and Curt of NE, Steve of NM and daughter Amy Rich of Vancouver; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Senior Conservationist Robert L. Shields (85) of Carolina Shore, NC passed away July 26, 2010. Robert was a native of Ohio and worked for SCS as a soil scientist in Ohio, Illinois and Maryland. His last position was State Soil Scientist for Maryland. After retirement in 1980, he moved to Carolina Shores where he made his home until his death.
Senior Conservationist George M. Danielson (90) of Lander, Wyoming passed away July 3, 2009. He was an area conservationist with SCS, retiring in 1974 as the Assistant State Conservationist.
Senior Conservationist Frank Pennebaker (91) of Eureka, Kansas passed away June 13, 2009. He was a soil conservation technician with SCS, retiring in 1980. Survivors include a son, Keith Wayne Pennebaker; daughters, Karen Wiley and Myrna Chambers; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Senior Conservationist Charles V. Wright (94) of Van Horn, Texas passed away December 7, 2008. Charles retired in 1974 as a soil conservation technician with SCS.
Senior Conservationist Travis R. Taylor (92) of Tupelo, Mississippi passed away October 3, 2008. He was a conservationist and an agronomist with SCS, retiring as an area conservationist in 1979.
Senior Conservationist Howard Blake Johnston (91) of Kissimmee, Florida passed away February 18, 2008. He was a soil conservation technician with SCS, retiring in 1978. Blake was born near Brandon, Manitoba, Canada and his family moved to Kissimmee in 1920. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1938 with a degree in vocational agriculture and in 1946 with a Master of Science degree in soil science. He taught vo-ag, science, and math at different times from 1938 to 1948. Blake served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Blake was stationed out of Allied Force Headquarters for the Mediterranean theater in Algiers, North Africa, and later out of Naples, Italy. Among his duties, he served as a courier between Algiers and Italy with trips to Greece and France as well. In 1948 he went to work with the Soil Conservation Service. In 1956 he purchased a citrus grove from his grandfather. Blake was preceded in death by his wife Mildred. He is survived by two daughters and a son.
Senior Conservationist Vernon C. Berry (85) of Lebanon, Tennessee passed away October 30, 2006. He was a district conservationist with SCS, retiring in 1984.
Senior Conservationist Frederic Earl Collison (85) of Carmel, California passed away October 27, 2006. He was an area conservationist with SCS, retiring in 1976.
Senior Conservationist Harlan S. Steffan (86) of Midland, Michigan passed away May 24, 2006. He was an engineering technician with SCS, retiring in 1976. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, receiving the Navy Cross.
Senior Conservationist Charles F. Wharton (89) of Moore, South Carolina passed away March 4, 2006. He was a soil scientist with SCS.
Senior Conservationist Jacob A. Stasek (89) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin passed away November 28, 2005. Jacob graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in engineering from Marquette University. He was the state design engineer with SCS when he retired in 1972.
Senior Conservationist Russell J. Sykes (86) of Bend, Oregon passed away November 4, 2005. He was a district conservationist with SCS, retiring in 1980.
Senior Conservationist Charles (Chuck) Matthew Schumacher (91) of Huron, South Dakota passed away October 25, 2005. When his mother died shortly after his birth and his father went to war, Charles was raised by 3 maiden aunts until he graduated from Orleans High School in 1932. Inspired and perplexed by the prairie dust storms of his Depression-Era childhood, he chose to study forestry and, upon graduation from Iowa State University in 1939, he joined the USDA Soil Conservation Service. In 1942, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where he honorably served during World War II in the South Pacific Theater, surviving Okinawa and returning home in 1945, later retiring with the rank of Major. In 1964, he settled in Huron where Charles retired in 1979 as the State Range Conservationist, leaving SCS after 40 years of service and having worked in OK, TX, and NE. Chuck (as his colleagues knew him) helped hundreds of ranchers throughout the Great Plains to improve their rangeland resources. He created original range site descriptions which are still in use today by government agencies, universities, and ranchers. And as an advocate of all things indigenous, he was an expert in native grasses, writing many range publications, technical guides, and training materials. In 1991, the Society of Range Management presented him with their national Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award. He also was an avid reader and a Cornhusker fan. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosemary of Huron; and one son, Frank Schumacher of Huron. He was preceded by one infant son, Charles James Schumacher in 1941.
Senior Conservationist Addison C. Moore (89) of Chatham, Virginia passed away October 9, 2005. Addison was a soil conservation technician with SCS, retiring in 1983.
Senior Conservationist Richard G. Dillon (91) of Jensen Beach, Florida passed away July 5, 2005. He retired in 1963 as a district conservationist with SCS.
Senior Conservationist Wayne M. Hypes (86) of Staunton, Virginia passed away June 9, 2005. He was a district conservationist with SCS, retiring (or otherwise left the agency) in 1960.
Senior Conservationist Rudolph Ulrich (88) of Pleasant Hill, California passed away December 28, 2004. He was a soil scientist with SCS, retiring in 1971.
Senior Conservationist Robert W. Thompson (89) of Albion, Michigan passed away October 5, 2004. He was a work unit conservationist with SCS, retiring in 1975.
Senior Conservationist Jerome F. Fritz (87) of Lake Havasu City, Arizona passed away August 20, 2004. He was a soil conservation technician with SCS, retiring in 1979.
Senior Conservationist Richard Cline Kinzie (90) of Marion, Virginia passed away June 27, 2004. He retired in 1977 from SCS as an area conservationist. Survivors include his wife, Rosa Wagoner Kinzie; son, Richard C. Kinzie Jr.; daughter, Barbara Susan Kinzie; and six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Senior Conservationist John W. Millar (88) of Athens, Ohio passed away January 12, 2004. John was a district conservationist with SCS.
Senior Conservationist Allan S. Payne (89) of Lakeport, California passed away August 6, 2003. Allan was an engineer with SCS and retired in 1977 as Chief of the Design Branch.
Senior Conservationist Dan Isgrig (83) of Fredericksburg, Virginia passed away July 16, 2003. He was a soil scientist with SCS in KY, CA, and VA, retiring in 1980 with more than 30 years of service. Dan and his wife donated a significant collection of arrowheads, grindstones, and spear points (over 1500 relics that he had collected) to the Virginia Museum of Natural History. He served his country as a World War II B-26 bomber pilot with the Army Air Corps base in England. On Jan. 14, 1944 his plane was shot down over Germany where he spent the remainder of the war as a POW. After his release, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired from the Air Force Reserves as a major. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Elizabeth, and two sons. He was preceded in death by a son and a daughter.
Senior Conservationist Orville L. Beachler (85) of Hillsdale, Michigan passed away July 24, 2002. He was a soil conservation technician with SCS, retiring in 1979.
Senior Conservationist Harvey V. Strelow (86) of Wausau, Wisconsin passed away June 1, 2002. His wife of 54 years, Doris, preceded him in death in 1998. He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps in order to go to college, graduating from the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he studied with Aldo Leopold. During World War II he was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps working as a navigation instructor in Texas. He worked as a soil scientist for the Soil Conservation Service throughout Wisconsin for 30 years, retiring in 1972. He is survived by a son, two daughters, six grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
Senior Conservationist Rev. Richard Jennings Wriston (87) of Scarbo, West Virginia passed away March 5, 2002. He studied forestry at the University of Idaho. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1942 to 1945 building roads, docks, bridges, hospital units and fuel storage sites in New Guinea, Dutch New Guinea and the Philippines. He worked for the Fayette County office of SCS from 1948 to 1974. After retirement, he became an honorary minister with the United Methodist Church and pastored at several churches and charges. He also worked as a water plant operator for the Mossy Public Service District for 11 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ashtoreth Stevens Wriston, and two grandchildren. Survivors include two daughters, two sons, and five grandchildren.
Senior Conservationist Raymond W. Heinen (83) of Silver Spring, Maryland passed away January 18, 2002. He was an information specialist with SCS and became Assistant to the Administrator in 1951. He retired in 1973. He was preceded in death by his wife, June E. Heinen. Surviving are sons Ken and Jim Heinen; and five grandchildren.
Senior Conservationist Elizabeth D. Tinley (87) of Milledgeville, Georgia passed away January 12, 2002. She was an area clerk with SCS, retiring in 1973.
Senior Conservationist Edwin J. Bender (92) of Chaska, Minnesota passed away November 6, 1999. He was a soil conservation technician with SCS, retiring in 1966. He served in the United States Army Sixth Infantry Division during World War II.
Senior Conservationist Cyril M. Jacot (84) of Caro, Michigan passed away February 13, 1999. He retired in 1975 as a district conservationist with SCS. Cyril served as a Sargent in the United States Army during World War II.
Senior Conservationist Donald McEathron (84) of Bruce, Wisconsin passed away February 10, 1999. Donald was a soil conservation technician with SCS, retiring in 1979. He had five children.
Last updated Mar 10, 2012 by Owen P. Lee