The Memorial Wall

Jack Reich, age 90, a Holocaust survivor, beloved husband of Lydia, nee Rychner for 67 wonderful years; loving father of Jeanie (Don) Blum, Joe (Kim) Reich, Belle (Ron) Kolman, and Cindy (the late Lee) Masover; proud and loving "Poppy" of Adam, Ben, Nicole (Jeff), Carly, Zach, Samantha, and Alex; dearest brother of Lucy (the late Henry) Orbach, Mark (Sally) Reich and the late Esther Schlachcic, Robert (Sonia) Reich, Miriam Reich and Freidl Reich; special cousin of the late Jack (Lilly) Reich. Adored by countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jack was a man who brought laughter and a dry wit to all of our lives.

The twinkle in his eyes was loved by all who knew him. 

There were no more miracles left. Ronald Solon Johnson, born on March 3, 1934 in Roanoke, VA, died on March 12, 2016 at home in Indian Wells, CA. He was predeceased by his parents William Otis and Hylda Maude (Sink) Johnson and his older brother, Walter Clifford Johnson. While attending Andrew Lewis High School, he was on the football and track teams and won the state championship as discus thrower.

Ron went on to graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now known as Virginia Tech) in 1958 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. In 1959, after completing Naval Officer Training School in Newport, RI, he was assigned to the USS Cassin Young DD-793 and rose to the rank of LTJG. After his ship was decommissioned in April 1960, Ron transferred to the Naval Base in Key West, FL as an instructor in Anti-Submarine Warfare. Ron was honorably discharged in 1962 and moved to Los Angeles with his wife, Valerie (Cavanagh) and their first-born child. From 1962 to 1973, he worked in sales for Shell Oil Co., Singer Co. and Computer Design Corp. In 1970, he earned his M.B.A. from University of Southern California.

He spent three years as a partner with Korn/Ferry, an international executive search firm. In 1976, he opened his own senior level recruiting firm in Brentwood, CA. He was well respected in his field and had a real talent for identifying and placing people. He was always athletic; enjoying marathon running, tennis, skiing and golf. Ron was a member of numerous clubs and also managed to get invited to every new restaurant opening on the Westside.

The only thing Ron loved more than working was travelling with his wife, Lynn Elizabeth Van Buskirk. Ron and Lynn met on a blind date and were married Valentine's Day 1994 on the Big Island, HI. They lived in Santa Monica until 2003 when they moved to Indian Wells. In their blessed 22 years of marriage, they travelled all over the world and in 2014 were acknowledged by the NPTC for visiting all 401 National Parks.

Ron is survived by his adoring and heartbroken wife, Lynn, and his three children of whom he was very proud: Ronald Solon Johnson II of Tucson, AZ; Lisa Curran Koenig (Derek) of Bethesda, MD and Thomas Cavanagh Johnson of Phoenix, AZ plus two wonderful grandchildren: William and Laine. In addition, he enjoyed his very large extended family, all of whom he loved very much.

Ron never let his health issues stop him from enjoying life. We wish to thank our team from Family Hospice Palm Springs for their amazing help in his final months. Donations to Parkinson's Resource Organization (a 501-c-3), 74-090 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260 in Ron's memory would be greatly appreciated.

The Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery, VA will be his final resting place with a Celebration of Life to follow back East but it will be many months before a specific date is set.

Harry Wayne Williams 8/22/1930 - 3/2/2016

Wayne was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of the late David and Clarice (Stevens) Williams. He was raised in the Brownlee Woods area and attended Youngstown City Schools graduating from Woodrow Wilson H.S. in 1948. He majored in Engineering and graduated from Ohio University in 1958.

He worked in the Atomic Energy Facility in Waverly, OH and then for Bendix Aviation in Cleveland. Wayne owned, and operated Air Accessories Co. until his death. He moved to the Santa Ana/Tustin area of CA in the 70's and to La Quinta and Palm Desert in the 2000's. Wayne leaves his wife, Merry, and his four children, David, Mark, Dan and Rebecca. He also leaves 3 stepdaughters, Kristin, Margit and Megan.

He was a proud Grandfather of fifteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is survived by his brother, Alan (Llwanda) and his sister, Jeannette. And, of course, his faithful dog "BG".

The family wishes to thank Wayne's primary care physician, Dr. Gloria Engel for her great care and heartfelt support during this difficult time.

Maurice White, the founder and leader of the legendary R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at the age of 74. Maurice was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1992 but his condition deteriorated in recent months, reports TMZ.

Maurice White was the band's main songwriter and record producer and was co-lead singer along with Philip Bailey. White won a total of seven Grammys and was nominated for 21 Grammys in total. He is also a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger and bandleader. He was the founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. He was also the older brother of current Earth, Wind & Fire member Verdine White, and former member Fred White. He served as the band's main songwriter and record producer and was co-lead singer along with Philip Bailey. He won seven Grammys and was nominated for a total of twenty Grammys. White was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire, and was also inducted individually into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also known by his nickname "Reese", he worked with several famous recording artists, including Deniece Williams, the Emotions, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond. White was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the late 1980s, which led him eventually to stop touring with Earth, Wind & Fire in 1994. He retained executive control of the band and remained active in the music business.

He was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1941. He moved to Chicago when he was a teenager and did session work as a drummer for Chess Records. He played on records by notable artists including Etta James and Buddy Guy. He eventually joined the Ramsey Lewis Trio as their drummer. He then moved to Los Angeles where he formed the band Earth, Wind & Fire.

Earth, Wind & Fire has sold over 100 million records. The many hit songs by the band include "September", "Shining Star", and "That's the Way of the World."

Earth, Wind & Fire tweeted this tribute: Our brother Maurice White passed peacefully in his sleep this morning. The light is he, shining on you and me.

Carl Henry Macklin II, 78, died peacefully in his sleep in Geneva, IL from complications related to Parkinson's Disease on February 4, 2016.

Carl, C.H. to friends and family, is survived by Patricia, his loving wife of 56 years, with whom he resided in Geneva, Illinois and "the Lakes" in Palm Desert, CA; his son Robert Lawrence, daughter-in-law Heather (Green) and grandchildren Dax (9) and Kate (8) of Batavia, Illinois; his sisters and their families: Birdie (Manny) Mendoza of Sacramento, California, Barbara (Bob) Ramsey of Coto de Caza, California, and Christine (Richard) Caldwell of Salt Lake City, UT; and many nieces and nephews who live across the globe. He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Pearl (Reyburn) Macklin.

C.H. was born on July 19,1937 in Salt Lake City, UT. His family moved to Southern California during WWII. He grew up eagerly joining his father on fishing trawlers at the early age of 10 years, and later playing football, as co-captain, for Jordan High School and Long Beach City College. He graduated from Cal State University, Long Beach, in 1965 with a degree in Marine Biology. He worked for five years as a sales representative and later as Los Angeles District Sales Manager with Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, where he led his district to number one in the nation for two consecutive years. After earning his MBA from Pepperdine University, in 1983, he joined Syncor, a world-wide radioactive pharmaceuticals company, as Vice President of Marketing and Sales. After retirement, he and Pat lived in several places, including West Yellowstone, MT, Palm Desert, CA, Galena, IL and Geneva, IL, as they followed, alternately, the warm weather and the grandkids. He was a social, active man who loved the outdoors, especially sailing, fishing and golf. He also maintained a love of reading, especially science and history, throughout his life, as well as teaching and playing chess with his grandson, Dax and watching his granddaughter Kate play basketball, softball and soccer.

He will truly be missed and remain in our hearts forever.

Quentin Edgar Vivian Rance  March 22, 1935 - January 14, 2016

Quentin passed away at the age of 80 on January 14th, 2016, in Encino, California, after a courageous 23-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

He was born in St. Albans, England to Herbert Leonard and Irene Ann (née Haynes) Rance. A multi-award winning competitive cyclist in his youth, he served in the Royal Air Force between 1953-1955. After art school, he began his career in interior design at Dickeson & French, Ltd of Eastbourne. Named design director for famed Austro-Hungarian architect & interior designer Laszlo Hoenig, Quentin oversaw multiple high-profile assignments including the Canadian Embassy in London, and a 147-foot yacht owned by President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines. In 1973, he launched Quentin Rance Interiors, Ltd, designing and executing the remodeling of the Ugandan High Commission in London, serving corporate clients and overseeing numerous high-end residential projects around the world. Relocating to Los Angeles in 1981 with his wife, the singer India Adams, he continued his successful interior design practice throughout Southern California. Quentin appeared several times on HGTV's "Designers' Challenge", and had work featured in many books and magazines.

Affiliations included: Fellow Chartered Society of Designers (England); ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) where he became one of the first designers to be certified by the State of California; and the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine, an international wine society.

Quentin is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years India, and his loving family: his son Steve (and wife Cindy), stepsons Brian (and wife Lizza), and Zane, grandchildren Dean, Jasmin and Hugo, and his brother Raymond (and wife Cynthia). Loved by many, respected by all. In lieu of flowers, please contribute in his name to www.ParkinsonsResource.org.

February 3, 1936-January 1, 2016  Ray Diller, 79, passed away peacefully on New Year's Day after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Ray was a graduate of Los Angeles High and received his B.A. from Cal. State at Los Angeles. His stock brokerage career spanned over 50 years with several major investment banking firms where he was a "super star". His clients literally numbered in the hundreds, both institutional and personal; and regardless of their worth or size, each received the same incisive advice with the utmost professionalism. He loved the market, and it was not only his work, it was his overriding passion.

Ray was most of all, a family man. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mimi, who he adored. Their lifetime love affair was a wonderful role model for their 2 children, Joey (Sarena), Shelby (Kevin) and grandchildren Gabrielle, Lindsay, Toby and Naomi. He is also survived by his brother Erwin, many wonderful nieces and nephews and was preceded in death by his sister Shirley.

Ray was a "good guy", a Mensch in the true meaning of that word, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Funeral services will be private. There will be a memorial in the near future and family and friends will be advised of time and place. The family requests that for those who want to make a tribute in Ray's honor that they do so to:

The Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging
7150 Tampa Ave. Reseda, CA 91335

OR

Parkinson's Resource Organization
74090 El Paseo #104 Palm Desert, CA 92260

Harry Benjamin Parkhurst (1937 - 2015)

Long time desert resident and retired local business owner passed away peacefully at his home on December 8, 2015 at the age of 78 after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease.

Harry was born in Schenectady, New York on May 24, 1937 to Raymond Parkhurst and Anna Cooke. He spent most of his life in Southern California where he graduated from Redondo Beach High School, Claremont McKenna College and the American Institute of Foreign Trade.

He served as a LTJG in the U.S. Navy. He married Ann Pasmann on July 16, 1966 in Indiana.

Harry had a passion for art, photography and cooking. He will be remembered for his unusual collections of brass doorknobs and hose nozzles.

He was a man of many occupations, from representative of NIBCO in Belgium to winemaker merchant in Indiana to later finalizing his career in the printing industry as owner of Printing Solutions in Palm Desert.

He is survived by his wife Ann of Palm Desert and daughter Maura Parkhurst of Seattle, Washington. He was proceeded in death by his parents, daughter Laura and brother James.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Parkinson's Resource Organization, 74-478 Hwy 111, #102, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

Richard N. Tuchscherer, 85, of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., died peacefully on Oct. 27, 2015, at Kenosha Memorial Hospital.

He was born on May 5, 1930, in Chicago, Ill., son of the late Pauline and Ralph Tuchscherer.

He married Rosemary (Whitson) Tuchscherer on May 7, 1960.

He was drafted into the United States Army in 1951, and served as a Corporal in an artillery unit in Korea from 1952-1953.

After the war, Dick studied journalism at University of Chicago – Navy Pier and University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He had a long and distinguished career in his field at WKRS Radio in Waukegan, Ill., (24 years) and The News-Sun in Waukegan, Ill., (14 years). In the years preceding his retirement in 1997, Dick mentored students from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Dick was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kenosha, Wis. During his life he enjoyed reading, jogging and travelled all over the world.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; his two daughters, Ann (Ron) Rude of Peoria, Ill., and Paula (Todd) Tuchscherer-Jones of Milwaukee, Wis.; and one grandchild, William Richard Rude of Peoria, Ill. Further survived by one brother, Donald (Irene) Tuchscherer of Chicago, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Ralph and Thomas Tuchscherer, and his sister, Margaret Tuchscherer.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Hospice Advantage as well as the doctors and staff of the Kenosha Veterans Administration.

Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 7307 40th Ave, Kenosha, Wis., on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Internment at All Saints Mausoleum at a later date.

Timothy Paul Easterly formerly of the Coachella Valley, 66, died at his home in Oceanside, CA. on October 3rd surrounded by his wife and children after a 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

He was born December 19, 1948, to Gwin and Hazel Easterly Birthplace: Lake Stevens, WA.

He Married Rebecca McClain on July 5th, 1983 in Wenatchee WA.

He is survived by his wife Rebecca and children; Ian, Thaddeus, Rachel, and Sarah; also his brother David Easterly.