The Memorial Wall

One of the most instrumental movers and shakers from the Warm Water Therapy Pool Society, Pat Graham, has died. The 88-year-old was credited as being the backbone of the push for the addition to the Jayman BUILT Aquatic Centre located at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. A caretaker to her husband, Gord, who had Parkinson’s and died earlier this year, Pat was on a mission to gain support for the town to include a warm water therapy pool in their concept for the new pool facility. Opened in July 2017, the pool is widely used by people of all ages, stages and ranges of mobility – as warm water has been credited as having positive and even transformative effects for those with a spectrum of physical and mental impairments ranging from Parkinson’s and MS to athletic injuries and even autism. The society raised more than $100,000 to help build the pool and has worked tirelessly to educate the public on the benefits of warm water therapy. “She was determined, tenacious and bright,” said Bob Head, who was contacted by Pat in the early advocacy years nearly a decade ago, to help form the society and push for the therapy pool. “She had a vision – a long-term vision of what could and should be here,” said Head, who was friends with Pat as both had spouses with Parkinson’s at the Bethany Care Centre at that time; his wife, Beverly, died in 2017. Board member Mary Lou Nicolson said that it was without question that Cochrane has the therapy pool to enjoy today because of Pat’s determination then – and at the end. “Just before she died she looked at me and said, ‘You keep that pool going the way we wanted it to go’,” said Nicolson. While the town took a while to warm to the idea of the pool, fellow board members credit Pat as the founder. “We’re going to put a plaque up with a picture of her acknowledging her contributions to the warm water therapy pool,” said society board member Lydia Graham – a former mayor who continues to be an active volunteer in the community. “She certainly steered the ship ... she was very committed and determined.” The society also lost another dedicated volunteer, Richard Foy, to cancer in the fall of 2017. Carolyn Simle, a current user of the therapy pool, said the use of the pool has transformed her life and that she is grateful to volunteers like Pat who are the reason behind it. Simle began experiencing lower back pain two years ago following an accident with a gate falling on her. A range of traditional doctor and medical therapies failed to help her and her pain became debilitating. She soon learned that she was to become wheelchair bound and would be rendered unable to work. Eventually, her research led her to ask her doctor if swimming might be a therapy solution. She began utilizing the warm water pool and said that in a period of weeks she has regained muscle, lost weight and is now walking limp-free. “The therapy pool gave me what every other treatment available had failed to do. After two years of suffering in pain every day, I am just one who is so very grateful to all of the people who fought to have this therapy pool at the (SLSFSC),” wrote Simle in a letter. “Who knew my answered prayer would be found in a pool.” Pat, who spent most of her life in agriculture with her husband, has been an active volunteer for many years since moving to Cochrane to retire. She was also very active with the Bethany Family Council – the family group that fundraises and volunteers to beautify the Bethany and make the environment a better place. “Pat was instrumental in advocating for the partnership between Bethany Cochrane and the warm water therapy pool,” said Jennifer Vance, administrator for Bethany Cochrane. “She liaised our two organizations together and now our residents enjoy weekly bus outings to the pool.” Vance said in Pat’s four years as council co-chair, she helped raise more than $125,000 to go toward residents at the senior care facility , as well as Pat’s white baby grand piano that now calls the senior centre home. A memorial service will be held for Pat and Gord on Dec. 2 at 2:30 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church.

Her husband, Gordon Graham died after battling Parkinson's. Read his story on the Memorial Wall.

Robert Noonan, one of the College of William and Mary's computer science department founders, died at 74. 

Robert “Bob” Noonan, an Emeritus computer science professor at the College of William and Mary who is credited with founding the department, died Thursday, Nov. 1, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 74 years old. College Provost Michael Halleran confirmed his death with a message to faculty Nov. 6.

Noonan had worked at the College since 1976 as a faculty member in the mathematics department. Soon after, he and two other colleagues persuaded the College administration to establish a stand-alone computer science department. In July 1984, such a department was founded, offering both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Furthermore, in 1986, the computer science department became the third at the College to offer doctoral degrees.

“Bob will be remembered as a kind friend and a passionate teacher who always put the interest of William & Mary’s students first,” Halleran said in a written statement. “Despite his long battle with Parkinson’s and lymphoma, he did not hesitate to teach in overland so that our B.S. students had enough classes to take and would be able to graduate. His students have fond memories of his mentorship as well as the annual graduation parties at his home. His support for his department and his colleagues was also unwavering. He did not hesitate to sit in every single lecture of junior colleagues for an entire semester to provide constructive advice as how to improve their teaching.”

Noonan was born June 4, 1944, in Rahway, New Jersey. He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Providence College in 1966 and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Purdue University in 1968 and 1971, respectively. Noonan was the 22nd student to receive a Ph.D. in computer science from Purdue. Soon after graduating, he joined the faculty of the University of Maryland at College Park as an assistant professor.

During his time at the College, Noonan took a lead in several academic and administrative positions. He chaired the Information Technology Advisory Committee, a position in which he convinced the administration to wire campus for internet access. Then, he served as the acting associate provost for information technology. He also served as the computer science department’s longest-standing undergraduate director.

Noonan later joined the Liberal Arts Computer Science Consortium representing the College and was a long-standing member of the Association for Computing Machinery and the Special Interest Group for Computer Science Education. He also co-authored a textbook, “Programming Languages: Principles and Paradigms” that has been used to teach programming languages across the country.

“Despite his many accomplishments, Bob was humble and dedicated to others,” Halleran said in a written statement. “He would always speak his mind but extremely thoughtfully and considerately. As a leading figure in our Department for decades, he has nurtured an egalitarian, good stewardship climate which we identify as one of the biggest strengths in our department and try to maintain to this day.”

When both he and his wife, who was also a computer science professor at the College, retired, the computer science department established the Bob and Debbie Noonan Award that is now given to an undergraduate student with a high GPA and active participation in computer science-related extracurriculars. Noonan is survived by his wife, son, three brothers, numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and his in-laws. Halleran said Noonan will be greatly missed by his students, friends and colleagues. Visitation hours were held Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the Nelsen Funeral Home in Williamsburg.

A celebration of life service was held Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Wellspring United Methodist Church. 

George Madsen(1934 - 2018) Madsen, George George E. Madsen, 84, born March 15, 1934, in Fresno, CA, died October 21, 2018, at home. He leaves behind his wife Sandy, daughter, Vivian Ryan (Don); granddaughter Laura, USAF (Chase Mattingly, USAF) and new great-granddaughter Harper Elizabeth Mattingly; granddaughters Amber, Kendra, and Eileen; daughter Cheryl Knobbe (John) and granddaughters Olivia and Estella; and extra daughter Gini Chubbuck Kenwisher (Gary) and her son Cameron.

George Madsen received a BS and an MS from Cal Tech in Civil Engineering. He was a very dedicated Civil Engineer, Public Health Service, Flood Estimator, Hydrologist for Arctic Health Research in Alaska and designed and built experimental housing; did Sewerage Survey for Northern San Diego County; he was City Engineer and Public Works Director for the City of Costa Mesa; introduced double left-turn pockets in the City of Costa Mesa; worked on street development projects around South Coast Plaza via Segerstrom family; created mound/mountain at TeWinkle Park; was in charge of the engineering research and restoration of the Adobe at Estancia Park.

George was active in engineering societies and very devoted to and active in the Presbyterian Church of The Covenant, especially doing engineering in the building of the church buildings, parking lots, walls, furniture. George was a strong family man, teaching, working with the girls; camping, fishing, canoeing, skiing; their sports, colleges, and especially loved his granddaughters, their schooling and sports, always there for us and others.

After taking some time to grieve, Olivia took to Instagram on Tuesday night (Nov. 6) to share the heartbreaking news of her mother’s passing.

“How do you heal from a broken heart,” she asked her IG followers under a slideshow of family photos. “I’m literally crying as I write this to you guys but I pray this will help me to get it out. I have been completely distraught & broken these past few weeks.”

Olivia went on to reveal that her mother, June Cleaver, lost her life to Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 74 on Oct. 9. Diagnosed with the early stages of the disease in 2014, Cleaver spent the following years fighting an upward battle. “By 2016 my mom was drastically losing weight and could hardly do regular things on her own,” Olivia said. “My dad is the epitome of true love and humbleness. He took such great care of her in sickness and in health.”

In remembering her final birthday celebration on Aug. 23, Olivia commemorated the beauty of her mother’s life and asked the Lord for his guidance in navigating this difficult time.

“I know she is in a better place, with her Lord & Savior and no more suffering,” Olivia said. “But I do not know what to do without her. Please pray for me and my family. Lord help us through.”

Prior to the Instagram announcement, Olivia turned to Twitter to share her loss with fans on Oct. 28. “Please keep me & my family in your prayers” she wrote on the social media platform. “[My dad] misses his wife & I miss my mom. Lord help us through.”

Judith Mae Gundersen, of Neosho, MO, died Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at her home in Glendora, CA. She was 76.

Judith was born on January 16, 1942 in Neosho, MO. She metriculated at Biola University, and attained her Masters from Cal Poly Pamona. She worked as an elementary school teacher, was a mother of two, Carol & Kenneth, and grandmother to four. She enjoyed traveling which took her around the world.

G. Louis Fletcher passed away on Monday evening, 8/20/2018, from complications associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Louis died in his Redlands, CA, home peacefully and surrounded by family.

Lifelong Redlands resident, G. Louis Fletcher was born October 18, 1934, in Redlands Burke Sanitarium in Redlands, California, to Edward T. and Vada J. Fletcher. Louis grew up working in his family-owned Fletcher Planing Mill and Cabinet Shop and helped manage the family-owned orange groves. He attended Kingsbury Elementary School, Redlands Junior High School, and graduated from Redlands High School in 1952 where he played trumpet, was a member of the business staff of the Makio yearbook, and sports editor for the Hobachi student newspaper. As a high school senior, he received the Stanford University Dofflemyer Eagle Scout Scholarship. He surprised everyone by turning down this four-year, full-ride scholarship to Stanford to attend the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, the university he was introduced to by a seventh-grade math teacher who was impressed by Louis' extraordinary math and science aptitude.

Louis graduated from Caltech with a BS in engineering (’56) and an MS in Mechanical engineering (’57). He received the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship in Industry while in graduate school. While in college and after graduation he worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, the Grand Central Rocket Company in Mentone, and for the Hydro Conduit Company in Colton. He also earned a real estate broker license and taught thermodynamics and engineering at the University of Redlands from 1957-58. It was during this time teaching at the University of Redlands that he met his wife, Janet.

In 1966 Louis was hired by the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (MUNI) as their first in-house civil engineer. MUNI had just secured a contract to oversee the design and construction of the East Branch of the California State Water Project (SWP). SWP would become the largest man-made water conveyance system in the USA, now including numerous storage facilities, reservoirs and lakes, miles of canals and pipelines, and five hydroelectric plants. Jeff Crider, a MUNI historian, wrote, “. . . the district hired Louis Fletcher as its chief engineer. [He was] widely described as a brilliant thinker… Fletcher took a strategic approach and set about the task of designing a highly effective water system that would serve the entire San Bernardino Valley.” Louis said that he took the job because “…it just fit what I liked doing. It was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a young engineer.”

In 1980, Louis was appointed General Manager where he remained until his retirement in 2001, compiling 35 years of service with MUNI. He devoted himself to the formulation, design, and administration of a water system that served the valley he loved. Throughout his career he was renowned for creatively simplifying complex ideas, often employing hand-drawn cartoons featuring his own creation, the “Groundwater Fish”. The actions he took in opposing the U.S. Army Corp of Engineer’s (USACE) Mentone Dam location and design are now the stuff of legend. He kicked off the opposition with an organized protest, inviting newspaper and TV news reporters, politicians, and a large Corp of Engineer contingent to an outdoor news conference at the site of the proposed dam. Large weather balloons were raised 250 feet high across 3.5 miles distance (the proposed height and length of the dam, respectively). Years later a USACE engineer recalled, “Louis fought us and fought us but when I saw all those balloons sticking up there I knew I was done.” In addition to several controversial risks, including standing atop California’s San Andreas Fault, the Corp’s design involved a single massive dry dam and provided only flood control. The key element of Louis’ opposition strategy was presenting a new location and a design incorporating a series of levees, water storage, and trails based on a 1928 State of California engineering report. Louis said, “The state had come up with a better plan long before the Corp even got involved.” The battle would end four years later with the scrapping of the Mentone Dam plan and approval to construct the Seven Oaks Dam. Louis was an active member of a variety of organizations including the Tau Beta Pi Association, Caltech Gnomes Honorary Alumni Society, Caltech Alumni Board, the National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers (Pipeline Division), the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Redlands Highlands Farm Labor Association, and Trinity Church in Redlands. Louis received many awards and recognition including the 1981 J. James R. Croes Medal by the American Society of Civil Engineers for the report titled: Observations of Mortar Lining of Steel Pipelines, which he co-authored with Samual Aroni. He also received the Cal State, San Bernardino Water Resources Institute 2007 Life Time Achievement in Water Resources Award. He is featured in the Cal State, San Bernardino Water Resources Dept. Oral History program archives, as well as in the MUNI 2014 publication, Delivering The Future: 60 years of Vision and Innovation 1954-2014.

Outside of water management, Louis grew oranges in the Redlands area, enjoyed Real Estate investing and development, and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Vada Fletcher, his infant sister, Jeanne Fletcher, and his brother Edward Fletcher, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janet Fletcher, his children Laurie (Brian) Schow of Monument, CO, Cheryl Fletcher of Pasadena, CA, Don Fletcher of San Diego, CA, and his grandchildren Melanie (Kyle) Carter, MD, Brandon Schow, and Nicole Schow. He is also survived by nephew Ed Fletcher III and niece Elizabeth Freel. The surviving family would like to extend a special thanks to the Above & Beyond Homecare Service as well as to Redlands Community Hospital Hospice.

Julian Samuel Harold Weiner ("Julian"), of Los Angeles, California, passed away at home peacefully on July 14, 2018, less than one month short of his 95th birthday. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., at Eden Memorial Park, 11500 Sepulveda Boulevard, Mission Hills, California, Rabbi Haim Beliak officiating. Julian was born in Brooklyn, New York to Jennie and Isidore Weiner on August 12, 1923. He married the love of his live, Irene Portnoy, on August 28, 1949 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Julian and Irene were married by Irene's beloved brother, Rabbi/Dr. Maurice Portnoy. Julian graduated from CCNY where he obtained an accounting degree. He attended St. John's University School of Law at night, from which he graduated with his law degree, though he never practiced law., He moved to Los Angeles in 1957 with his wife and 2 children, had his third child, and proceeded to build an unusually successful accounting and business management firm. He was a member of "The Greatest Generation", a combat veteran of the U.S. Army, serving through the end of WWII. He was devoted to his community, contributing both time and funds to many non-profit institutions and worthwhile causes. Julian was preceded in death by his loving and beloved wife, Irene, his loving and beloved brother, Marvin, and two sisters. He is survived by his sister-in-law Diana Weiner of Brooklyn, NY, and many nieces and nephews. He cherished and is survived by his three children and their spouses: Jeff (Cathy), Madeline (Eric) and Perrie (Candice) Weiner. Julian was blessed with four grandchildren: Melanie, Lana, Jennifer and Matthew. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Marilou Frost and her husband Randy, and to their fabulous and dedicated team of caregivers Amy, Lucy and Dang In lieu of flowers or food, donations in Julian's honor may be sent to www.JewishRenewalinPoland.org , www.woundedwarriors.org , or www.parkinsonsresource.org.

Elizabeth Sue Marchand age 73 of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Thursday evening July 5, 2018 at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan following a long hard fought battle with Parkinson’s disease.
She was born July 6, 1944 in Greensboro, North Carolina daughter of the late Joseph W. and Lucille E. (Bullyboy) Smith.
Sue resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1962. 
On January 19, 1963 she married the love of her life, Charles Marchand at the First Baptist Church in Sturgis.
Sue retired from the Kirsch Company in Sturgis following 29 years of dedicated employment. Prior to joining the Kirsch Company she worked at the Sturgis Hospital, Freeman Manufacturing and Keister Walgreens all in Sturgis.
She enjoyed crocheting, playing Bingo, coloring books, canvas art work, fishing, working in her yard and watching the Bold and Beautiful. She loved traveling to casinos, riding in the golf cart with her husband and time spent with family.
Sue is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 55 years: Charles; one daughter: Tammy S. (Larry) Martin of LaQuinta, California; three sons: Scott A. (Sharon) Marchand, James W. (Dawn) Marchand and Joseph C. Marchand all of Sturgis; three granddaughters: Kristy (Joe) Manley of Ohio, Hannah Marchand a student at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida and Breanna Kessler of Sturgis; two great grandchildren: Izen and Bella; two sisters: JoAnn Darby and Louise Pippenger both of Sturgis; sister-in-law: Carol Smith of Sturgis; best friend: Lyla and Art Fox of Sturgis and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother: George Smith and brothers-in-law: Maurice Pippenger and Jerry Darby.

Edward Dean Cox, 70, of Chanute, KS, passed away due to complications from Parkinson’s disease on July 5, 2018 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. He was born to George and Ramona (Cutler) Cox in Chanute on April 15, 1948. He graduated from Midway High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University. Ed married the love of his life, Deborah Wells, on May 23, 1971 at Chanute First Christian Church. She survives at their home.

Ed was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa. His greatest joy was time spent with his family. He worked as a salesman for NuWa/Kansas RV in Chanute for nearly 24 years before his retirement last year. In his spare time, Ed enjoyed playing softball and played competitively for 12 years, even being inducted into the Kansas Softball Hall of Fame, before discovering his love of golf, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

As an active member of the Chanute community, Ed served on many committees, often as a leader. He served as mayor of Chanute, and as president of the Chanute Recreation Commission, USD 413 School Board, and Chanute Country Club. He was a member of Chanute City Commission, Economic Development Commission, Sons of the American Legion, and Director of Chanute Chamber of Commerce. Ed also played an instrumental role in the development of the ball diamond complex at Santa Fe Park. He was a member of Chanute First Christian Church where he served as an elder. His dedication to his family, friends, community, and church will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.

Ed is survived by His Wife, Deborah Cox; Children, Mandy Keenan and husband, John, of Chanute, KS, Matt Cox and wife, Joetta, of Tulsa, OK; Siblings, Randy Cox and wife, Karen, of Chanute, KS
Susan Beck and husband, Larry, of Chanute, KS; Aunt, Jackie Orrick of Buffalo, KS; Grandchildren,
Bailey Brecheisen, Hunter Cox, Karsen Cox, Kalla Keenan, Numerous Cousins, Nieces, and Nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lonnie Cox and Doyle Cox; and sister, Jane Cox.

In loving memory of my husband, best friend, partner in adventure, and capturer of my heart, passed away at home. He was welcomed by angels and our heavenly father with open arms. His pain was released and he was whole again in Jesus' precious name. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

William W. Gray passed away on July 2nd, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. He had lived with Parkinson's Disease for five years.

He was born on September 26, 1932 in Brookville Ohio, to Sylvan and Mary Gray. He graduated from University of Cincinnati with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After the ROTC, he was commissioned in the Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base as 1st Lieutenant. He married Kathryn Harold in 1956 (d.1981) and they moved to Los Angeles where they had three children, Kathryn Elizabeth (Leonard) Kinzel, William Douglas (Lynne) Gray and Anne Louise (Jeffrey) Trankle. He worked as Chief Scientist at Hughes Aircraft, leading a group of engineers and scientists developing radar systems, where his major contribution was introducing microwave integrated circuits into hybrid systems. He retired in 1992.

In July 1983, he married Kay Lishon who had two children, Lynda (Rodney) Scheneman and David (Judy) Lishon. Bill enjoyed family lake vacations, bicycling and motorcycling with his friends, woodworking, skiing, and working on home projects. He was an avid reader and he loved jazz and classical music. He and Kay loved playing golf, dancing and traveling extensively.

He is survived by Kay, five children, seven grandchildren and his older sister, Madge Gotschall.