From Joe Gleason re Dick Guter -
Good Morning All,
Since I have been unable to reach Barbara Guter to find out the status of Dick's surgery, which occurred last Thursday, I called the hospital in Charleston this morning and talked with her. She relayed the following:
He passed the surgery with flying colors and is recovering nicely and moved from the ICU this morning.
He performed the 'swallowing' test this morning which I figure is more a test for the doctor to see whether or not he reattached all the parts correctly than to see if Dick is OK.
She expects the hospital to release him sometime next Monday at which time they will commence the 2 hour journey back to Bluffington.
She wanted me to relay to all her gratitude and appreciation for all the prayers rendered in Dick's behalf. Apparently her laptop doesn't work in the Charleston area so she won't be able to inform everyone of the situation until they arrive back home.
I, for one, feel much more at ease with this info and wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
See you guys at the Reunion! [nvsoar___23Jul02008]
| Peggy Steigel advises that George Clapper passed away in Alamogordo on 12Jun2008 at the age of 78. Joining the Navy in 1946, George served as a 2M in VP2 from 1950-1953. [nvsoar__21Jun2008] |
| Cherie Schweitzer, spouse of William E. Schweitzer (VP-2; 64-65), advises that her husband unexpectedly passed away on 03Apr2008 in Fernley NV. [nvsoar__07May2008] |
[nvsoar__09Apr2008]
| Via voice message to Bob Champoux in Jan 2008 - Both Anita and Benjamin Ginn have passed away. nvsoar adds - The Ginns were with VP-2 from 1949 to 1952 with Ben ("Frank") serving as a Ltjg. [nvsoar__05Apr2008] |
| Late
entry from Jan2008 message - Jack Bowden advises that both Elena Smith,
wife of Capt James L Smith, and Capt Henry Shaver have passed away in
early 2007. nvsoar adds - James Smith served in VP-2 in 1953-54, in the Navy from 1941 to 1975. Henry Shaver was not an association member - no info in the data base regarding service dates. [nvsoar__05apr2008] |
| Late entry from Dec2007 message - Margaret Simon advised that her husband, John Joseph
Simon passed away on 09Dec2006. She reports that he was proud to have served in VP-2. nvsoar adds - John served in VP-2 in the 1950-1953 period as an ET3. [nvsoar__05Apr2008] |
| Late entry from a Jan2008 message - Jeff Lampe advised that his father, Rodney E Lampe passed away in July 2007. nvsoar adds - Rod served in VP-2 from Aug1957 to Feb1959 as an AT2. [nvsoar__05Apr2008] |
| Re Joe Gordon via Vic Gulliver - Joe Gordon, husband of Meryl (Dando) Gordon passed away 20March2008. [nvsoar__05Apr2008] |
| Re Ken Renner, indirectly from David Brougham
- Ken Renner died yesterday (02Mar2008) in Portland.
Apparently his heart simply stopped. It wasn't a heart
attack. He fainted at work last Friday and was taken to a
hospital where he passed away. A memorial service will be
held this Saturday (08Mar2008) at 11:00 am at Waverly Country Club on
the banks of the Willamette River, 1100 SE Waverly Drive, Portland
97222. Ken was one of Oregon's most well known lawyers and a
select member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. As some of you know, Ken's brother was also a Navy pilot. nvsoar adds - No info here on when Ken served in VP2 since he is not an association member. I would guess that he arrived after 1963. [nvsoar__04Mar2004] |
| From Bruce Walker re Russ Stasel -
Hello VP-2 shipmates.....
After
Russ retired from the Navy he lived in Aloha, Oregon and worked several
years as technical manual writer for Tectronix in Beaverton, OR.
[nvsoar__23Feb2008]
|
I'm
sorry to tell you that on 02/19/08 we lost one of our best.
Master Chief (AT) Russel Stasel died from complications of cancer and
pneumonia. He is survived by his wife Joyce and three sons and a
daughter. Russ served twenty three years in the navy. He
was Chief in charge of the VP-2 electronics shop from 1954 to
1956. Those who were lucky enough to serve under him will
remember him as a teacher, mentor and a fair man. (God knows
where some of us wouldbe today if he had not shown us the way.) | Re Barbara Hinman via Vic Gulliver -
Hi Vic: Hope this finds you well. I just wanted to
report to you that Barbara Hinman passed away this past Friday morning, February
1st. She had been having some health problems over the past few
weeks besides her bone cancer. She will be really missed. |
| George Porter reports that his wife, Diane, passed away in Jan 2006. nvsoar adds - George served in VP2 1952-1955. [nvsoar__14Jan2008] |
| Re Jerry Davis from April Crump - I am writing on
behalf of my mother, Dianne Y. Davis. For the past five years,
she has been married to Jerry Don Davis. He has received and read
your newsletters in earnest for years. I am sad to report that
early this morning (07Dec2007), Jerry passed away. nvsoar adds - Jerry served as a Aviation Electronics Technician specializing in navigation equipment during his 1961-62 service in Patrol Squadron Two. [nvsoar__29Dec2007] |
| Re Cdr Donald Patrick Lanaghan - from his nephew Patrick - Dear Mr. Donohue, nvsoar adds - Cdr Lanaghan served as XO and then CO of Patrol Squadron Two (CO tour from 26Jan1962 to 01Feb1963). My recollection is that he was competent, cool headed, low keyed and a universally admired Skipper. [nvsoar__27Dec2007] |
| Re Leslie Leon Nason, from Luther Massey via Skip Forseth - Hello Guys. Well I hate to tell y'all again, but another shipmate has passed. Leslie Leon Nason passed Dec. 19,2007, he had cancer. Some of you knew him as " Steve". He would have been 59 yr. old on Dec. 21, 2007. He worked in airframes and was on crew 11 on the 69 westpac cruise. He lived in Meridian, Ms. [nvsoar_23Dec2007] |
These are A.G. Alex) Alexander, Al Allen*, Chester Coons**, Doug Donohue, John Driver, Earl Erickson, John Exley, Larry Gire*, Robert Hadley, Jake Jacobs, Rodney Jackson, R.R. King, Jim Kravitz**, Don Lantz, Richard Mancini**, Brian Millette, William Mclay*, Richard Ober, Del Olson**, Ronald Rigby*, Mike Roberts**, Wally Sharp*, Joseph F Teodorczyk, Robert Tobias*, Frank Townsend, William Young, Jerry Welker, [* Deceased; **KIA].
This citation is awarded in the name of the President to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The unit must have accomplished its mission under such extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would be required for award of a Navy Cross to an individual.
[nvsoar___22Dec2007]
From nvsoar - for those who knew Ray Eckert, with whom I served in VO67. Ray
passed away on November 26, 2007 at the age of 86. He was raised in
Bristol, Pennsylvania during the Great Depression in a large family at a
time and place where families had each other and little else. Shortly
after the attack on Pearl Harbor Ray joined the Navy. Ray served
faithfully in the Navy for over 30 years, rising through all enlisted
ranks until he was commissioned as an Officer. Ray served throughout the
island campaigns of the Pacific during World War II, the Korean Conflict
and the Vietnam War where he was a member of VO-67. Ray was the recipient
of numerous awards including the Naval Commendation
medal.Ray is survived by his six children; Bud, Bob, Steve, Rosemary, Kay and Paul, 18 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Additionally, Ray is survived by his one remaining sibling, Mary Wooley. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial services for Ray Eckert will take place in the Bay Area on Sunday, December 9th. Details on request. [nvsoar___29Nov2007] |
| Re Cleveland Dykes, from Luther Massey via Skip Forseth - Just got a message on my phone while at church, from Dykes wife. She said that Dykes passed away on Friday 16 Nov 2007. He had both lungs transplanted about eight months ago, and he just never got over it. He had pneumonia when he passed away. We lost a good friend. Luther [nvsoar adds - Cleveland Dykes served as an AMS in VP2 in the 1967-69 period. Last known address is Lynden, WA Posted_19Nov2007] Update from Luther Massey - 05Dec07 Mr. Cleveland D. Dykes passed on Nov. 16 2007.
Dykes worked in airframes shop. He was
in VP-2 from 1967 - 1969. He had problems with
his lungs for years. He was liked by all his shipmates and all
that knew him.
|
| Re Warren Farwell - Pat Farwell sends - Warren lost his valiant fight against cancer 1
November, 2007. Thank you so much for your encouraging and
reminiscing e-mails. Warren read them many times and they led to many
recalled "war" stories that his two sons and grandson enjoyed. It pleased
him very much that you thought of him, even though he was unable to
respond. Navy life was always a large part of his life even in
retirement. He had walked the halls of the National Museum of Naval
Aviation as a Tour Guide for over ten years and he eagerly followed his son
John's Navy career. His grandson Alex is a budding Blue Angel.
Warren will be laid to rest at Ft Barrancas
National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, Friday, December 28. There will be a
Celebration of Life at NMNA Cubi Bar following.
I am attaching a copy of his obit. Any VP2
er coming to Florida during the winter or Minnesota during the summer will
always be welcome at my door.
|
| Jim Welch reports that Lloyd Stine passed away a couple of years ago. [nvsoar____03Nov2007] |
| From nvsoar - Re: Larry Gire; served as pilot in VP-2 in the early '50s. Larry passed away on 31Aug2007 from cancer. I had the privilege of serving with Larry in VO-67 where he was Operations Officer. A memorial service was held in Ridgecrest CA on 08Sep2007 which was very well attended by his China Lake shipmates, many from his family and church, and eight who served with him in VO-67. [nvsoar__09Sep2007] |
I recently had the chance to fly with Brett Hunter, an aerobatics pilot
who flies a modified Pitts S-2C. It was an incredible experience,
as we performed maneuvers like rolls, loops, hammerhead turn-arounds,
tail slides and more. We occasionally pulled three or four g's.I also attended the "Thunder over Michigan" airshow July 8th at Willow Run Airport here in the Detroit area. Among the acts featured were the Blue Angels. My dad loved to watch the Blue Angels perform. Some day I'd love to get a flight with the Blue Angels. It doesn't do any good to request a flight, though. You have to be invited. And it's usually TV people they take up with them, not radio folks like me. Oh well, I can dream! Bob Eccles
[nvsoar___24Jul2007]
A 2007 study by Clemson University found that the average American walks about 900 miles per year.
Another study by the American Beer Institute found that Americans drink an average of 22 gallons of beer a year.
That means, on average, Americans get approximately 41 miles per gallon - not bad, not bad at all!
[nvsoar___24Jul2007]
“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
--John Stewart Mill—
| Late Entry - Marie Hart and Russ Stasel have advised
that Corliss "Red" Preston passed away on 22Jun2007. Red served
in VP-2 from 1955-1958 as a Chief Petty Officer. Note from Tom Moran - Shipmates, I have the sad duty
to report the passing of Corlis E. Preston, better know to us all as
Red! Red was the finest CPO I ever knew and a great friend as
well!
Viv called this evening to report he died at the VA Hospital Palo Alto last
Friday. He apparently died after three weeks in the hospital and the
hospice. Viv said it was the finest care he has had.
Per his request there will be no services. The
Neptune Society handled the arrangements and he is to be buried at sea.
With regrets, Tom Moran
[nvsoar___24Jul2007] |
| From John Seebald - I have been pursuing one member of Crew 3 (1957-1959) for some time and finally think I have found him, but, unfortunately, he is deceased now. The search to find him was a bit of a struggle with the first obstacle being that we all knew him as "Bob" McKay when in reality his name, as it turned out, was Richard. How that little discrepency came about I don't know. At any rate using his name of record, I found him in Virginia, as follows: Richard W. McKay, Ser. # 323 56 43 ADR1 US NAVY KOREA, VIETNAM Born: 8 Oct. 1928 Died: 28 Nov. 1996 Interred in Colonial Grove Memorial Park, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 I was able to verify his given name and service number from one of the roster lists that I had given to you last Sept. Best regards, John Seebald [nvsoar___24Jul2007] |
Warren served in VP-2 from Dec1957 to Oct1960; was PPC of Crew 5 flying BuNo 135555.
Below is an image of Max Branscomb and Warren Farwell by YC5, followed by a portion of Max's note.
CarolAnyway, I’ve been thinking of writing because I came
across a photo of you and me that I believe was taken in 1958. I had been
in Crew 5 since joining the squadron flying with Bob White who was the
PPC. As I recall, you were flying with either the CO or the XO as PPC and
took Crew 5 when Bob left the squadron. It was a key time in my P2V
career because you were instrumental in me getting a chance to get an early PPC
check. I was definitely in your crew and I may have even been assigned as
co-pilot. In those days, I used a 35mm slide camera for all my
photos. Slides are a pain to deal with ever at the best of times so they
gravitated to a big box in a loft over our garage. As computers moved
along, I eventually got a scanner that had a slide scanning function so I set
about scanning hundreds of slides. Of all the pictures taken back then,
this one is one of my favorites. I want to send it on to you because there
is a pretty good chance that you don’t have one like it.
[nvsoar___23Jul2007]
[nvsoar___23Jul2007]
| In a note thrown in over the transom I have been advised that Sharon Kraper, spouse of Bill Kraper (VP2 61-62) passed away in June of 2007. [nvsoar___09Jul2007] |
| Re Frank Ginn - Jack Cockrell reports that Capt Frank Ginn, USN (Ret'd) passed away 21Feb2007. Frank served in VP2 1949-52 as a LTJG. Military service extended from 1943-1975. [nvsoar__22May2007] |
|
Re Henry Barber - Daughter Gail Shealy sends - "Hi, I received the VP-2 newsletter after it was sent to my dad, Henry
Barber, and forwarded to me. My dad died 1-2-07 at the age of 87
years. His health had been failing the last 2 years. I know from his
stories that he enjoyed his time at Whidbey Island in the VP-2 squadron.
He was in the Navy for 26 years and then worked for Civil Service 14
years. Thank you, Gail Shealy, daughter"
Henry served in VP-2 1954-55. [nvsoar__21May2007] |
| Charles "Chad" Herbert Anderson III reports that his father, Charles Anderson Jr passed away in Nov 2006. Mom is doing fine - staying very busy with the grandkids. The family will scatter his ashes during a visit to Orcas Island next month. Charles Anderson served with VP2 as a flight surgeon in the 1962-1964 period. [nvsoar__14May2007] |
| Jim Summitt advises: Robert L. Smith, AT2, VP-2 1955-59 Crew Three; Died August 3, 2006 in Valparaiso, FL. [nvsoar__08May2007] |
{Perhaps a picture or two as well; more info on the notices page - nvsoar}
Dear Vic, Just a short note to say that Harlan has had dementia for the past three years but could function fine. On Oct. 19th after doing our daily swim at the aquatic pool in town, we stopped and got our flu shots. The next day he could not walk and really hit 'rock bottom'. After a week in the hospital here, they did a spinal tap and determined it was encephalitis. We took him to Manassas, VA where our daughter-in-law works at the hospital, for more specialized observation and after 9 days there, he was put in a rehab center for 5 weeks. We now are staying in Manassas where our son and daughter-in-law can help with his care early in the a.m. and putting him to bed at night. Vet.Admin. sends a girl to help me for 4 hours M-F which is a big help. If I can get that help here in NC, we will try to come home to live. Harlan needs almost 2 people to help him get up from bed and/or chair and to walk, even with a walker. He also has lost his hearing even tho 4 years ago he did have a cochlear implant. Hope everyone else is fine. Looking forward to your newsletter. Thanks, Mary
For info - Harlan served in VP2 from 1963 to 1965 (Alaska earthquake) where he served as Operations Officer, and as XO for a short time. Later he was the skipper of VP50. [nvsoar__21Apr2007]
I represent an aircraft museum here in St. Louis that has acquired an inventory of parts from the now closed Emerson Electric Turret Division here in town. We are in the process of sorting over 200+ 55 gallon drums of small and mid sized turret parts that date from 1942 to about 1960. Many of the parts are WWII era but some appear to be from the Aero 9 and Aero 11 turrets that were installed on the Neptune. Our museum is interested in restoring an Aero 9 and Aero 11 that we have located in California but we are having trouble finding any manuals. Do you know of anyone who has a manual that we could copy? I have heard that somebody is restoring a neptune complete with the Martin upper deck, Aero 9 nose, and Aero 11 tail turret. Do you have any information on this project?
The link below will take you to some photos of the giant jigsaw puzzle that we are working on. Any help you could provide regarding turret information for the Neptune would be much appreciated.
http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c21/astixjr/Aircraft%20Turret%20Parts/
Thanks,
Albert Stix Jr.
Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
Creve Coeur Airport
Maryland Heights, MO
314-324-1066
Home email: astixjr@earthlink.net
Work email: astixjr@checkerbag.com
nvsoar__[20Feb2007]
| A telephone call today from Marilyn Fuller advised that her husband Bruce passed away on 11Mar2006. Bruce served in VP2 during 1954-1958 as a LTJG. [nvsoar__04Jan2007] |