The Memorial Wall

Dean Esslinger, a Towson University history professor who started an international faculty exchange program, died September 5th, 2023 at a Towson assisted living community of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 81.

“He was really easygoing and had a very quick, dry wit but was quiet,” said his daughter, Regina Esslinger Hall of Baltimore. “He was very capable and calm. He was a happy man. He was always a happy man.”

Born in Clifton, Kansas, he was the son of Lucy Esslinger, a homemaker, and Firmin Esslinger, a businessperson. Mr. Esslinger met his wife of 59 years, Sandra, at what was then Clifton High School and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1964. He earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in U.S. history from the University of Notre Dame.

After graduate school, Mr. Esslinger moved to Towson in 1968 to teach U.S. history at what was then Towson State College, where he worked for 38 years until retirement. He acted as the director of faculty development and later created the university’s international faculty exchange program, becoming an associate vice president for International Programs. It started when Mr. Esslinger took a trip to China in 1985.

He “made some connections with universities there and brought some Chinese faculty to Towson to teach,” Ms. Hall said. “And then [Towson] sent some of their faculty to China and then that opened up to other countries as well. So there were exchange programs in Germany and Poland and Korea and Japan.”

“Then some of the other Maryland state universities used that as a model to do the same thing,” Ms. Hall said. “So it became a program throughout several local state universities.”

Mr. Esslinger wrote five books about Maryland, including a high school textbook, a history of Friends School for the Baltimore Quaker school’s 200th anniversary, and a history of Towson University. He contributed to other books.

“His Ph.D. and his field of study was on immigration. And Baltimore was one of the biggest ports of entry on the East Coast for immigrants, second to New York City,” Ms. Hall said. “When he started working at Towson he really dug into learning more about Maryland history.”

Dean Esslinger, Towson history professor who spearheaded the university’s international exchange program, dies.

Dean Esslinger, a Towson University history professor who started an international faculty exchange program, died September 5th, 2023 at a Towson assisted living community of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 81.

“He was really easygoing and had a very quick, dry wit but was quiet,” said his daughter, Regina Esslinger Hall of Baltimore. “He was very capable and calm. He was a happy man. He was always a happy man.”

Born in Clifton, Kansas, he was the son of Lucy Esslinger, a homemaker, and Firmin Esslinger, a businessperson. Mr. Esslinger met his wife of 59 years, Sandra, at what was then Clifton High School and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1964. He earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in U.S. history from the University of Notre Dame.

After graduate school, Mr. Esslinger moved to Towson in 1968 to teach U.S. history at what was then Towson State College, where he worked for 38 years until retirement. He acted as the director of faculty development and later created the university’s international faculty exchange program, becoming an associate vice president for International Programs. It started when Mr. Esslinger took a trip to China in 1985.

He “made some connections with universities there and brought some Chinese faculty to Towson to teach,” Ms. Hall said. “And then [Towson] sent some of their faculty to China and then that opened up to other countries as well. So there were exchange programs in Germany and Poland and Korea and Japan.”

“Then some of the other Maryland state universities used that as a model to do the same thing,” Ms. Hall said. “So it became a program throughout several local state universities.”

Mr. Esslinger wrote five books about Maryland, including a high school textbook, a history of Friends School for the Baltimore Quaker school’s 200th anniversary, and a history of Towson University. He contributed to other books.

“His Ph.D. and his field of study was on immigration. And Baltimore was one of the biggest ports of entry on the East Coast for immigrants, second to New York City,” Ms. Hall said. “When he started working at Towson he really dug into learning more about Maryland history.”

As a professor, Mr. Esslinger taught that history is about people’s individual stories, not just dates and names. “There’s always something interesting to learn by listening to people’s stories,” Ms. Hall said.

Gary was an American musician and composer best known for his 1976 hit songs "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive". Wright's breakthrough album, The Dream Weaver (1975), came after he had spent seven years in London as, alternately, a member of the British blues rock band Spooky Tooth and a solo artist on A&M Records. While in England, he played keyboards on former Beatle George Harrison's triple album All Things Must Pass (1970), so beginning a friendship that inspired the Indian religious themes and spirituality inherent in Wright's subsequent songwriting. His work from the late 1980s onwards embraced world music and the new age genre, although none of his post-1976 releases matched the same level of popularity as The Dream Weaver.

Gary Wright died after a long health battle. He was 80.

His son, Justin, said his father had been suffering with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia for the past six years.

The singer-songwriter died at his home in Palos Verdes Estates surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Word of his death spread on social media with many fans and fellow musicians sharing their memories of Wright, including singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop.

"The attached photos hold precious memories from the very first and last time we shared the stage together, alongside our mutual musical pal John Ford Coley," wrote Bishop on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Gary's vibrant personality and exceptional talent made every moment together truly enjoyable. His legacy will live on for many years to come ..."

Ronnie Gene Morton died just three days shy of his 77th birthday. Inside his Bible is the handwritten thought: “The Lord may not come when you expect him to, but He’s always on time.” Ronnie died September 2nd 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and a stay in the nursing home. Yet, he achieved much in those almost 77 years. 

A United States Air Force veteran, Ronnie served during the Vietnam War era. After his military career, he moved his family to Richmond, Va., where Ronnie worked for a time with Clinchfield Railroad. However, the family eventually moved back to Elizabethton and he went back to school at East Tennessee State University, earning a degree in education. 

Ronnie’s first teaching job was at T.A. Dugger Junior High School, however, he eventually became the technology coordinator for the Elizabethton City Schools. “He enjoyed working with all students, but especially junior high students. He took them to state competitions and did a lot of photography with them, teaching them how to develop film. He was a very smart and innovative person,” said his wife, Lucelia. Even after he retired from teaching Ronnie worked with the state curriculum group in technology in Knoxville. He worked for five years with them and according to Lucelia, loved it. 

Ronnie and his wife were the parents of two daughters, Kristie, who has four sons, and Teresa Jeanine, who had cerebral palsy and preceded her father in death. “He loved his daughters, his grandsons, and four great-grandchildren. They were a big part of his life,” said Lucelia. In addition to teaching, Ronnie enjoyed singing, and was part of a quartet for a long time. “He enjoyed Southern Gospel, and among his favorite songs were ‘In the Garden’ and ‘Beulah Land,’ both of which were sung at his funeral. The quartet was a fun-loving group, who loved the Lord and loved to sing about him,” shared Lucelia. She also noted that Ronnie loved his church and constantly read and studied the Scriptures. He also enjoyed genealogy. However, his love for the scriptures and learning new things in the Bible was number one with him, his wife said. Ronnie was a member of Hampton Christian Church but attended Roan Mountain United Methodist Church. “He was a person that loved all Christians regardless of the church they attended and wasn’t much for denominations. He had Christian friends in all churches,” Lucelia said. He continued to sing even after he went to the nursing home. “His cousin ended up in the room with him and just a couple of weeks before he died, they were in the room singing ‘Proud Mary’ and the staff was singing with them. He was a hoot at times,” his wife noted. “Ronnie loved his family, loved the Lord, his church. He really loved life in general. He was a lifelong student,” Lucelia added. 

Ronnie grew up in the Gap Creek community, the son of the late William Henry and Ruth Morton. In addition to his wife and daughter and her family, he leaves behind two sisters, Brenda Hart and Debbie Miller. Ronnie Gene Morton achieved much in his lifetime and touched many lives, even when he was in the nursing home.

 “Parkinson’s is a cruel disease and Ronnie struggled with it for 20 years. But, he made the most of it. He was an upbeat person most of the time and lived as if it was his last day,” Lucelia shared. No doubt, Ronnie Morton would tell you he was a blessed person despite his struggles with Parkinson’s disease and the loss of a young daughter to cerebral palsy. He gave to life all that he had and made the days count.

Jane was an artist. She graduated from Art College in 1968 and was awarded a travel scholarship to study temple art in India. We met as students and were married in 1969 after her return from her travels. She originally taught in special education schools before moving to teach Art, but after 10 years she gave up teaching altogether and became a freelance artist, craft maker, machine knitter and silk painter. We moved into in our current home in 1975 as it provided her with the studio space she needed after she went freelance. She was known to her many friends as Flossie.

Flossie continued to paint, draw and make collages for the next 40 years, but as well as this she learnt machine knitting and produced a huge variety of knitted pieces bearing the label ‘Designed and Made by Flossie’. She loved sourcing good wool - hand dyed, hand spun, as well as different specialist wools. She sold her work at the Country Market and at a variety of craft events and craft shops in the area. No two pieces were the same except that is for the soft, fine lambswool lace shawls, which always sold well. She also learnt the skills of silk painting and produced for sale many hand painted scarves and other items. She really enjoyed singing in a local choir and was also a member of an art class for many years.

Flossie was a remarkable and fiercely independent woman and thinker. She would never follow convention for the sake of it and always determined her own course. In her art and in her life, she was independently minded. She was strong and adventurous. Her paintings and collages were drawn almost entirely from her imagination and were made to meet her own creative needs. They were a most important part of who she was and how she saw the world. She never exhibited them.

The diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease came about ten years ago. We were both helped enormously not only by Parkinson’s UK but also by the specialist PD nurses, whom we saw regularly. We were also members of a great local PD support group. Eventually the disease, and the associated dementia robbed her of her motivation, her enthusiasm, her energy and her courage. She lost her ability to write, and most importantly lost her drawing and painting skills. She also lost her love of reading, even her beloved Jane Austen. 

It was a huge privilege to have been married to Flossie for over 50 years. She was kind, caring and very loving. We had lots of laughs and lots of fun. Don

Eleanor Weinstock, a former Palm Beach resident who served 14 years as a representative and then a senator in the Florida legislature, died Saturday, August 19, 2023, from Parkinson's disease.

She was 94 years old.

Born January 25, 1929, in New York, Eleanor Frank would go on on to graduate from Skidmore College with a bachelor's degree in art.

She was in Hollywood, Florida, on a short vacation from her New York job as a textile designer when she met Sander "Sandy" Weinstock. The couple married and, after a honeymoon in Africa, settled in New Rochelle, New York.

But not for long. Just a year later, Sandy bought what was then the Ambassador Hotel and moved his family to Palm Beach's north end.

While her husband was busy developing condominiums in the south end ― including Sloan's Curve ― Mrs. Weinstock continued her art while raising three children and becoming more active in civic issues, eventually serving as president of Florida's League of Women Voters.

In her early years in Palm Beach, Florida was still strictly segregated, with public water fountains labeled "Black" and "White."

"I remember taking my daughter to the water fountain in Winn-Dixie," she said in an interview with the Palm Beach Post "and, of course, I took her to the black one."

It was the defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment that propelled her into politics when, incensed by the bill's resounding defeat in the Florida legislature, she vowed to unseat her district's anti-ERA representative.

She did exactly that and went on to serve 14 years as a representative and then a senator, championing education and social justice initiatives.

She and her husband were avid bridge players, both eventually attaining Life Master ranking. At the time of his death in 2008, they had been married for 56 years.

Mrs. Weinstock continued to paint until shortly before her death.

She is survived by her children Jane, Charles ("Chuck") and Ann; and her grandchildren Alexander and Caroline.

The Location, Location, Location star’s father Richard, known to friends and family as David, 89, and mother Anne, 82, who were both farmers, died in Lower Garrington Farm in Littlebourne near Canterbury, Kent, in August.

Spencer, 53, paid tribute to his “amazing parents” in a post on Instagram on August 20th , where he revealed the couple had been going out for lunch at the time of their death.

He also said that his mother had Parkinson’s and his father had been diagnosed with dementia. 

The star went on to say that “[a]lthough desperately sad and shocked beyond all belief – all families are clear that if there can ever be such a thing as having a “good end” – this was it.”

Ken Orchard, an influential figure in radio, has died at 85 due to heart disease and Parkinson's. 

The 85-year-old Ken Orchard, a radio giant in California's Victor Valley, died on August 17 2023 in Hemet, CA, after battling heart disease and Parkinson’s in his later years.

Orchard enjoyed a long life with many successes, twists and turns, and a broadcast career that spanned six decades. He never worked a day in his life because he loved radio as much as he loved his family, his daughter said. 

The Daily Press reports KVVQ took the High Desert by storm as the Victorville-based station flooded nearly every home, office, school bus, and car with waves of popular music by singers such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Prince and Billy Joel.

Born in Blunt, South Dakota, Orchard married his high school sweetheart, Millie, at age 19 in 1957 in Van Nuys. They spent their honeymoon traveling to Crescent City for his first job in radio.

After radio jobs in Georgia and Tennessee, the Orchards headed back to Los Angeles, where Orchard took an engineering job with RKO General-owned KHJ radio and television in 1959. He spent 21 years at KHJ while also becoming a real estate broker. His dream was to build, own and operate a radio station through money made in real estate investments.

Orchard applied for a construction permit to build his first FM station in Victorville. Once approved by the FCC, he left his KHJ job and sold his rental properties to fund construction and equipment. KVVQ 103.1 FM went on the air in August 1980. The call letters stood for Victor Valley Q-munities. 

The radio station dominated the airways.  KVVQ, “will play hit after hit,” said Ken, who explained that his family’s faith in God would prevent the station from playing songs with “double entendres” or “innuendoes.”

Ken’s second station, KLLY 95.3 FM, was built in Bakersfield. It went on the air in January 1985. He called it “Kelly 95” after his daughter. He sold the Bakersfield station in the late 80s to build KVVQ AM 910. 

Orchard used the radio station’s platform to help the campaign for Hesperia's cityhood. After several years of hearings and testimony, environmental impact reports and fees, KVVQ-AM went on the air on Feburary 1, 1990.  Ken later acquired KIQQ AM 1310 in Barstow. Two more translators were built to boost the AM and FM signals up Interstate 15 and north of Barstow.

In 1991, local radio stations began experiencing financial difficulties when George Air Force Base was shuttered. By 1997, most of the advertising dollars had vanished and stations began closing.  Financial issues eventually forced the closure of KVVQ in 1997.

In 1999, Ken began a consulting firm, Orchard Media Services, with his daughter.  The company provided radio and TV stations with much-needed assistance with FCC compliance. Ken visited thousands of broadcast stations all over the country, conducting “mock" FCC inspections and offering services to help them maintain their license to broadcast, Kelly said.

He created KLLY in Bakersfield and later founded Victor Valley, CA's first 24/7 FM station, KVVQ, airing a CHR format in 1980 after leaving an engineering role at KHJ in Los Angeles. His dedication to faith prevented the station from playing questionable content. Orchard's legacy, which spanned six decades, includes aiding stations through Orchard Media Services and being an unwavering family man.

Survived by wife Millie, his four children, 11 grandchildren, and over 14 great-grandchildren, Orchard's impact extended beyond his empire in the High Desert.

Veteran singer, Prince Bola Agbana, also known as Prince B, died at the aged of 77.

The singer died on Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 at his residence in Ijanikin, Lagos State, after a protracted illness.

The singer’s first son, Sunmisola Agbana, confirmed his death. According to his son, the singer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, he battled with the illness for four years and became bedridden in 2019.

Sunmisola revealed that after being diagnosed, he had a series of treatments but his condition continued to deteriorate, which led to his eventual death on Wednesday.

“It is with profound gratitude to the will of God that we announce the passing of the legendary musician, Prince Bolarinwa Agbana, aka Prince B, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.

“Prince B, as he was fondly called, was a beloved figure in the music industry, whose timeless melodies touched the hearts of millions around the world.

“He succumbed to complications related to Parkinson’s disease, an ailment he had valiantly battled for several years. He approached this challenging journey with the same grace, resilience, and unwavering spirit that characterized his music. His courage in the face of adversity served as an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, caregivers, family members and well-wishers, who supported Prince Bolarinwa during his battle with ill health.

“We request privacy during this difficult time as we grieve the loss of our beloved father, husband, and friend.

“As we mourn his loss, we celebrate the enduring impact of his music and the indelible mark he has left on our hearts.

“Details regarding burial arrangements will be announced in due course,” he stated.

Born on September 23, 1946, Prince B embarked on his musical journey at a young age with the Moon Rakers Band in the early 70s.

He is an early and respected exponent of funk, a catalyst in the retrofit of drums into juju as a modern genre. He is recognised as the founder, leader, drummer and principal vocalist of the SJOB Movement.

Prince B eventually achieved international acclaim for his popular hit song, “Mother Africa” with his Jambos Express Band. His soulful compositions will forever be etched in the annals of Nigerian music history.

Prince B used his music artistry to entertain and also to advocate causes close to his heart. He was an ardent advocate of peace, love & prosperity for the African continent.

Mohammed Habib, the football maestro of the 1970s, who left an indelible mark by scoring against Pele's New York Cosmos while donning the Mohun Bagan jersey, passed away on August 15, 2023, at the age of 74. A notable figure in Indian football history, Habib's brilliance caught the attention of Pele himself, elevating his game to legendary heights.

Habib battled dementia and Parkinson's syndrome for the past few years and breathed his last in his hometown of Hyderabad, leaving behind his wife and three daughters.

A bronze medalist in the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok under the captaincy of fellow Hyderabadi Syed Nayeemuddin and manager PK Banerjee, Habib has represented the big three of Kolkata Maidan — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting in his heydays, dominating the Mecca of Indian

Following a successful career that saw him gain legendary status and earn the tag of the country’s first "true professional" footballer for his refusal to accept numerous job offers that came his way owing to his on-field heroics, Habib took to coaching at the Tata Football Academy (TFA). Later, he also acted as chief coach of the Indian Football Association academy in Haldia.

At a time when the clubs would pay meager sums to their best players, he was unruffled and remained a professional in true sense throughout his career, for he considered playing football as his real and only profession. 

One of the highlights of Habib’s career was when he played for Mohun Bagan against the visiting Cosmos Club, which also featured the legendary Pele in 1977 in a friendly on a rain-soaked Eden Gardens.

Up against a visiting team that had a star-studded lineup with big names like Pele, Carlos Alberto, Georgio Chinaglia, and others in its ranks, Mohun Bagan held their own in a creditable 2-2 draw with midfield mainstay Habib being one of the scorers. In one of his biggest acknowledgments, Habib was singled out by Pele after the match with one of the world’s greatest players praising his game.

Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame football player Gary Barnes passed away at his home at the Clemson Downs neighborhood in Clemson, S.C. on August 15th 2023, after a long battle against Parkinson’s disease. He was 83.

Born on Sept. 13, 1939, in Fairfax, Ala., Barnes played high school football and basketball at Valley High School and then spent a year at Gordon Military Academy in Georgia before matriculating to Clemson in 1958.

Barnes was a starting receiver and running back for Frank Howard’s Clemson Tigers between 1959-61, as freshmen were not eligible during his era. In 1959, he started all 11 games and had nine receptions for 214 yards and three scores as a sophomore.

Clemson won the ACC Championship in 1959 and finished the season ranked 11th in the AP Poll. The Tigers finished the season with a 23-7 victory over seventh-ranked TCU in the Bluebonnet Bowl, the highest-ranked team Frank Howard defeated in his 30 years at Clemson. Barnes had a key play in that victory, a 68-yard scoring pass from Harvey White, the longest touchdown reception by a Clemson player in a bowl game until 2018.

Barnes finished his Clemson career with 39 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns. His 18.4 yards per reception ranks fourth best in Clemson history. He ranked in the top 10 in the ACC in total receiving yards all three years he played for the Tigers.

After his senior season, Barnes was a third-round draft choice, the 41st pick of the 1962 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He spent his rookie season with Vince Lombardi’s Packers as a reserve wide receiver and earned an NFL World Championship ring when the Packers beat the New York Giants in the NFL Championship Game.

Barnes was traded to the Tom Landry’s Dallas Cowboys for the 1963 season and he played in 12 games with three starts. He played 13 games of the 1964 campaign with the Chicago Bears and head coach George Halas, marking the third legendary NFL coach for whom he played in his first three years in the league.

Barnes was the first player signed by the expansion Atlanta Falcons in 1965, the year before the franchise began playing games. Fittingly, Barnes then scored the first touchdown in Falcons history in their first game against the Los Angeles Rams. The score came on a 53-yard pass from Falcons quarterback Randy Johnson, the longest reception of Barnes’ professional career.

Barnes played the 1966 and 1967 seasons with the Falcons. His best game as a pro came on Nov. 17, 1963, when he had six catches for 97 yards in a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished his professional career with 41 receptions for 583 yards and two touchdowns.

Following his playing career, Barnes worked for Chevron then in the textile industry. In 1986, he became a municipal judge in Clemson, a position he held for 30 years.

Barnes was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 2002 and into the state of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.