The Memorial Wall

Rancho Mirage - Whitehouse, Harry Kenneth April 25, 1948 - May 10, 2020 Ken Whitehouse of Rancho Mirage, CA passed away after 72 years of love and laughter. Ken is lovingly remembered by Candy (Christina and Sunshine) and his brother Paul (johnny) of Vancouver BC. He is predeceased by his parents Stuart and Mary Whitehouse and will be interred at the family plot at Mountain View cemetery. Ken was born in Vancouver and moved to the Coachella Valley in 1979 to operate Canyon Furniture and later Custom Renovations. He was a hardworking and a funny guy. He chose to keep in touch with family and friends with his regular phone calls. Ken was also generous and kind. He kept moving, laughing and making us happy despite his failing health. Ken passed away at home peacefully after a stubborn fight with Parkinson's disease.

Our beautiful Stephanie "Stevi" Goetz passed away at home just the way she wanted – comfortably and with loved ones, she was 83 years old. Beloved Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Aunt, Glam-mama and Friend. Our Mighty Mouse, you were a brave soldier! We will miss your big heart, smile, laughter, gentle touch, grace, friendship and unconditional love! Mom you were a life force that filled the room with light and love! Like you always said; if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans! And, it's all about the dash'! You lived your life fully and touched so many lives! You're a class act kid! Make sure you've got your eye lashes and high heels on as you go party at the Studio '54 in the sky! 

Palm Springs - On Saturday, April 25, 2020, Martin Louis Kaucher, devoted loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 88 in Palm Springs, California after a valiant 12-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Martin, or "Marty" as he was most known, was born on December 26, 1931 in Rossmoyne, Ohio to Elmer and Dolores Kaucher. After graduating from Bell High School in California in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four years and was discharged as an Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd class. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal as well as a service ribbon for National Defense for his service during the Korean War.

On December 19, 1959, he married Elizabeth "Liz" Hurtado in Kingsburg, California. They settled in Santa Monica, California and raised two sons, Keith and Mitchell. Marty attended Santa Monica College at night while working a full-time job and started a career as an aircraft engineer in 1962. He was hired by Northrop Corporation in 1966 where his talents set him on a path to work on such well-known aircraft as the Boeing 747, the Northrop Tiger Shark, F18 Hornet, B2 Bomber and the YF-23. He retired from Northrop after 27 years of service.

After 33 years in Santa Monica, he and Liz moved to a beautiful home in Palm Desert, California that he and Liz helped to design. After losing his beloved Liz to cancer in 1996, he married Marlene Miller in 1999. They were married for 16 years. Marty had a passion for airplanes that he shared with his older brother, Bill, since they were kids. Marty was also an accomplished athlete who played as a pitcher for Bell High School's baseball team. His love of baseball continued after high school, as he played in company softball leagues, and he was a true-blue Dodger fan to the end. He took up tennis in the sixties along with his wife Liz, which became a shared lifelong passion. He played tennis and golf into his seventies. He was also an avid water skier, something that his entire extended family on both sides enjoyed. Family houseboat trips were some of Marty's happiest times in life. He was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. If Marty was your friend, you had a brother.

Marty was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Dolores, his two sisters, Nena and Susan, and his wife of 37 years, Liz. He is survived by his two children, Keith and Mitchell, his daughter-in-law Lisa, his siblings William, Jeanne, Alberta, Robert, and Thomas, his grandchildren Lauren, Miles and Kristen and many cousins, nieces, nephews and more friends than would be able to be listed.

Joel Havemann, who served more than 20 years in the Los Angeles Times’ Washington bureau as an economics reporter and a senior editor, has died after a 30-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Havemann, who died April 25, was 76.

In addition to his work in the Washington bureau, Havemann served a tour as Brussels bureau chief. His appointment came a year after his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Despite his advancing illness and the need for extensive travel in the overseas assignment, he provided comprehensive coverage of the economic collapse of the Soviet Union and the development of the Common Market.

Havemann was also the author of two books. The first, in 1978, provided a detailed analysis of the new federal budget process instituted as a reform after the Watergate scandal that ended Richard M. Nixon’s presidency.

The second, a more personal book, was published in 2002 after he returned to Washington from Europe. It was a candid account of his painful struggle against the ravages of Parkinson’s, as well as a detailed description of the disease and its causes.

At the time, many experts believed the disease, which today afflicts an estimated 1 million Americans, would be cured within five years, a goal that remains elusive.

As an editor, he was remembered by colleagues as having a rare ability to strengthen their stories while retaining their own voices and their confidence in their own abilities.

Doyle McManus, a former Times Washington bureau chief and now a columnist for the paper, said, “Joel was not only an accomplished reporter and editor; he was universally loved and admired by his colleagues — loved for his kindness and wry humor, and admired for his refusal to let Parkinson’s disease get in his way.”

It was that determination to live his life as fully as possible despite increasing physical impairment that struck many of his colleagues.

Janet Hook, who worked closely with Havemann as the bureau’s longtime chief congressional correspondent, said, “What a life well-lived. Joel was such an inspiration, as a thinker and journalist, as man with a big brain and even bigger heart.”

Click here to read the full post on the Los Angeles Times website

Bob was born on March 14, 1940 in Louisville, KY to Ernest and Cornelia Gibson. He was one of four brothers growing up and was proud of his Kentucky roots. After graduating from Southern High School in 1958, Bob joined the US Army as an infantryman. He was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany where he met and married Anneliese, his wife of over 40 years and mother to his four children. Bob was part of a team that opened the first McDonalds store in Germany in the 1960's. The family moved to Washington State in 1973, and Bob went on to practice real estate in Snohomish County for many years, making lots of lifelong friends along the way. In 1993 Bob became an owner and operator of Travel Designers in Lake Stevens, WA, leading to many world travels and adventures. Bob was extremely active in the alcoholism recovery community and had a passion for helping people to get and stay sober. He founded the Union Club in Snohomish, WA, sat on boards for several treatment centers, and was a frequent speaker on the topic of recovery. He was instrumental in the path to sobriety for many, and wouldn't hesitate to be there at any hour for a friend or stranger. For the last 15 years, Bob escaped the rain of the Pacific Northwest and lived in the desert in Indio, CA with his companion, Lily. He was known for his resonating laugh, positive and caring attitude, and infectious smile. He had a zest for life and cherished time spent with family and friends. He had a lifetime passion for golf, with a hole-in-one to his credit. He loved traveling the world, music, sports, and was a crossword puzzle master. Bob played a mean ragtime-style piano, and despite his modesty on the topic, was a true entertainer. He loved being a father and was active in his children's lives, coaching sports teams and always there with solid advice and words of encouragement. He embraced any reason to celebrate, was the loudest voice in any rendition of "Happy Birthday" and the first to pull out the Christmas decorations each year. Bob is survived by his longtime companion, Lily Garvic; his four children, Carmen (Dale), Eric, Desiree, and Fabienne; his brother, Richard (Trudy); and six grandchildren.

WHITINSVILLE - Richard H. Vander Brug, 88, of Whitinsville passed away on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 at the Beaumont Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center, Northbridge. He was the husband of Gertrude G. (De Jong) Vander Brug.

Mr. Vander Brug had been a mechanic for Anchor Motor Freight for 23 years before retiring in 1998. He also worked at Casey Equipment in Mendon and Koopman Tractor for 18 years.

He was born November 12, 1931 in Whitinsville, the son of the late Henry and Edith (Harkma) Vander Brug and was a graduate of Northbridge High School, class of 1950. Richard was a U.S. Navy veteran serving during the Korea conflict.

Richard was a former deacon and church elder at the Fairlawn Christian Reformed Church and was a board member for the Whitinsville Christian School. He also enjoyed his bowling league, gardening and family gatherings.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, Gertrude, he is survived by two sons, Wayne R. and his wife Pat Vander Brug of Whitinsville and Henry R. and his wife Cynthia Vander Brug of Uxbridge; two daughters, Debra L. and her husband David Hartman of Thornton, CO and Melissa F. and her husband John Hinken of Hudsonville, MI; a sister, Katheryn and her husband Bob Vander Baan of Whitinsville; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law, William and his wife Janet Vander Brug.

Visiting hours and graveside funeral services will be private.

Irwin Gershow, beloved father, grandfather, community member, and friend, died peacefully on Monday, April 6 at 9:54pm in Eugene, Oregon. He was 83-years-old.

Irwin was born in Brooklyn in 1936, an only child to Frieda Gershow (nee Rutstein) and Moshe (Morris) Gershow. He spent his childhood and early adulthood helping in his parents' grocery store and soaking up New York's culture, including subway rides to live theater and the Philharmonic. His early love for the arts continued through his life. He was an avid reader, classical music lover, and especially, art collector, filling his homes with modern art and later, photography.

He moved to Ann Arbor, MI to attend the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan, and ended up spending most of the next forty years in Michigan, first in Detroit and then Huntington Woods, with his wife, Eeta, and two daughters, Rebecca and Miriam. He had particular love for Detroit, which he called, "a big city with a small town feel," as only someone from New York City could. He spent most of his career as a marriage and family therapist with the Henry Ford Hospital systems, before retiring and opening the Third Eye photography dealership from his home, specializing in black and white photography from around the globe. Even in his final days, as other parts of his memory failed, he could look at a piece of art and immediately name the artist. Though he left New York in his late 20s, he was always a New Yorker at heart; a bathroom in his Huntington Woods home was wallpapered in collected New Yorker magazine covers, its centerpiece a framed letter to him from then-editor Tina Brown.

Irwin spent much of his life grappling with his identity. At age 65, he came out to his family and friends as gay. This process was not without pain, though it opened a new and necessary chapter in Irwin's life. He moved to Palm Springs CA, where he found a close community of friends, including many other older gay men, who became a dear, late-in-life family for him. He met his partner, Joe Pon, who he spent three years with before Joe's death in 2017. He saw and celebrated a remarkable shift in cultural attitudes during his lifetime. As a boy in Brooklyn, he had not even known of the existence of the word "gay;" by the end of his life, he was attending Pride celebrations and witnessing marriage equality.

Irwin's final move was to Eugene OR to be with his children and grandchildren for the last three years of his life. Irwin was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in his late 60s, and he faced the disease with stubbornness, determination, and a fair bit of his characteristic kvetching. He was proud to announce he was in the "top 9%" of Parkinson's patient longevity. He tried nearly every Parkinson's disease drug and treatment modality, and remained at least semi-ambulatory until the last weeks of his life.

Photographs from Irwin's personal collection have been donated to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Eugene, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. After a childhood being dragged along to art museums across the country, Irwin's children look forward to future generations of children being dragged along to see the work that brought Irwin such joy.

Irwin is survived by his ex-wife Eeta Gershow (Freeman), his two daughters, Rebecca and Miriam, his sons-in-law, Tim Black and Jordan Bishko, his three beloved grandchildren, Eliza, Nora and Eli, and many friends across the country. "I have lived many lives," Irwin often said. These lives were rich in people he loved and who loved him dearly.

Frank was born February 15, 1934 in Waterbury, Connecticut and passed away March 15, 2020 in Redondo Beach, CA.

Frank served 4 years in the United States Air Force. He married his wife, Mary, in October 1954 and they had two children, a son, Vic Buytkus and a daughter, Beverly Campbell, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Frank worked at National Crash Register (NCR) for several years in the Quality Assurance Department. After leaving NCR, he decided to try his hand at becoming a Real Estate Agent, serving the Torrance, CA area.

Frank was a member of the Forties Limited Club in Orange County and his prize possession was his 40 Ford Pickup.

Frank was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003. At that time, we were told it was slow progressing, but over the years it began to pick up speed and eventually took over his body. He is now at peace and in very good hands.

On Friday, February 28, 2020, Alexander "Alex" Rados, loving husband and father of two children, construction industry visionary, church and community leader, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 surrounded by his family. Alex was born on June 7, 1928, in Los Angeles, California, eldest child of Steve P. and Angie Rados. After graduating from Eagle Rock High School, Alex was accepted at Stanford University in 1945, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1949 and his MBA in 1951. Six months after graduating from Stanford, Alex was drafted into the U.S. Army at the onset of the Korean War and assigned within the United States. After completing his two years of service in the U.S. Military, Alex planned to work in New York. However, due to his father Steve P.'s declining health, and at the request of his mother Angie, he returned to Southern California to work with his father in the family construction business. Alex's father died in 1957, and at the age of 29, Alex became President of Steve P. Rados, Inc. until his retirement in 2000. During his tenure as President, Alex's example of hard work and his moral and ethical leadership were an inspiration to all of its employees. As President of Steve P. Rados, Inc., Alex led the company in its growth, laying the foundation for the company's future success. At the death of his father, he became the Patriarch of the family, especially for his younger brothers, Wally who was 17 years old at the time, and Steve S. who was only 11. In 1956 Alex married Sandra, who was his loving and devoted companion throughout the 63 years of their marriage. She was his steadfast partner throughout his battle with Parkinson's Disease. During his many years as President of the company, Alex participated on numerous boards and was the recipient of various awards.

He was a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Economic Development; a Director of the Orange County Boy Scouts of America; a Director of the Lon V. Smith Foundation; and a member of the Stanford Athletic Board. Alex was named President of The Beavers in the year 2000, which is a national heavy engineering construction association. He served on the board of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California and the California Contractors State License Board. Alex was Chairman of the Los Angeles District of AGC of California, and Chairman of the Heavy and Underground Division of AGC of California. He was also named "Construction Executive of the Year" in 1992 by the Construction Financial Management Association of Southern California. Alex was recipient of the prestigious "DIG" Award in 1999, presented by the Engineering Contractors' Association. Alex was very active in his church, Saint Steven's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, where he became a member as a young man in 1956. He actively served on Cathedral boards and committees, including as President of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Board of Control. In 1996 he was presented with one of the highest distinctions of the Serbian Orthodox Church The Order of Saint Sava. Alex was preceded in death by his parents, Steve P. and Angie Rados.

He is survived by his beloved wife Sandra, his son Steve A., his daughter Sheryl, and his siblings Ollie Lynn, Sonja (Bob) Doder, Wally (Renate), and Steve S. (Stephanie), along with nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held at Saint Steven's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral on March 7, 2020.

Capt. Stephen Hectus, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Palm Desert - Capt. Stephen Hectus, U.S. Navy (Retired), 73, passed away on February 4, 2020 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.

Stephen was born on March 21,1946 in Newburgh, NY. After graduating from Niagara University in 1967, he entered the Navy where he served as a Bombardier/Navigator aboard A-6 Intruder attack jets. After leaving active duty, he spent another 20 years serving in the Naval Reserves.

In civilian life, Stephen was a Vice-President of Sales in the packaging industry, working for such companies as International Paper, Westvaco, and other companies in the New York/New Jersey marketplace.

Stephen was a kind man who loved the good things in life: fishing, lazy days at the beach, playing billiards, good food and wine, and especially taking naps. He fiercely loved his children, Ashley and Justin, being proud of them and worried about them equally as they navigated through their lives. He adored his three granddaughters and was known as their beloved "Papa Steve".

He leaves behind his wife and constant companion of 34 years, Peg Bascom; daughter Ashley Hectus; son Justin Hectus and wife Katie; granddaughters, Jordan, Madi, and Grace; brother Joseph (Michael) Hectus; brother John (Bonnie) Hectus; brother Tom (Cheryl) Hectus: and sister, Mary (John) Brennen; and his dog Alex. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Catherine Hectus, and his dogs Emily, Benjamin, and Nikki.

Stephen will be buried at sea with full military honors. A Celebration of Life will be held at his Palm Desert home on March 8, 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Parkinson's Resource Organization (www.parkinsonsresource.org) would be greatly appreciated.