In Memory Of

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As you may recall from past Celebration of Life ceremonies at our District Conferences, the inspirational poem "The Dash" can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.thedashpoemmovie.com/

To view the We Remember - Celebration of Life show from the District Conference, click here.

Please send any information or pictures on Rotarians who have passed on to BubbaG@SilverblattLaw.com.

Fellow Rotarians:

It is with sadness that I share the news of the death of the daughter of DGN Suresh and Brigitte Pahwa.

Suresh writes, "We will have a memorial service to celebrate Camile's life on Saturday the 24th of April from 10:00 AM to Noon at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden (605 Robert E. Lee Road, Austin).

BARBARA JOAN “BJ” MURPHY

JUNE 22, 1944 - FEBRUARY 15, 2010

Barbara Joan Murphy, known to everyone as “BJ”, was an English Rose, born on June 22, 1944,  to Bertha and John Green, in Oldham, Lancashire, England.

Her life was filled with a career and accomplishments that took her far outside her native England. After graduating from Everett Street School, BJ later attended two years of law school at Stokes University.   At the Gibraltar Company, she worked in Company Administration, and authored a “Gibraltar Company Handbook” that was recognized by M.A. Feetham, Minister for Trade and Industry, in 1991.

 BJ later became a law partner at Hassan and Partners, in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, working in offshore banking.  While there she established an office in China and returned to Tortola to complete other administrative duties. 

Eventually, BJ moved to the United States, and Texas, to be closer to her son, Robert.  She found employment with All County Surveying, Inc., in Temple, Texas, working as a Project Administrator and Manager of Accounting/Bookkeeping.

BJ became ill with breast cancer in 2002, and vowed to fight the disease.   The cancer returned, and BJ continued to fight it -- all the while working and continuing as an active member of Rotary.

BJ was true Rotarian.  She joined the Rotary Club of Temple South in 2001, and was the club’s secretary from 2002-03 and 2003-04.   BJ was recognized for Outstanding Service as the Chapter’s Secretary.   And, BJ was a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW.  She believed in making a difference in the world through Rotary.   She lived the Rotarian motto and served whenever she could. 

BJ had a beautiful British accent.  Many times clients would call All County Surveying just to hear her speak.  She was loved in so many different ways, yet, she could be direct and to the point, and did not mind speaking her mind. 

BJ was committed to supporting the Central Texas cancer research support organization, LOVE CURES. She had worked with the late Robert Love for a couple of years before he was taken by cancer.  She enjoyed the opportunity to do her part to make the Robert S. Love Foundation successful.

 Arthur H. Trujillo

Retired Lt. Col. Arthur H. Trujillo,, 70, of Killeen passed away on Feb. 5, 2010, surrounded by his family. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Killeen Heights since March 2002 and just received his second Paul Harris. Art was an adjunct faculty member at Central Texas College, where he taught government and business courses. He was also an independent business/financial consultant. He was also the Killeen Independent School District board vice president.

The Killeen resident and U.S. Army veteran held an associate's degree, bachelor's degree and two master's degrees and was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, in residence, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Auburn University, the University of Central Texas, New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State University. Art worked in farming, ranching, real estate and other business fields.

Art was also a member of the American Legion and the Association of the U.S. Army. He served as chairman of the boards of the Killeen Housing Authority and Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union and as vice president for finance of Communities in Schools. He was a former member of the boards of the Mid-Tex Chapter of the American Red Cross, the KISD Education Foundation, League of United Latin-American Citizens Scholarship Foundation and the Monty LeBay Scholarship Fund. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. 

 

Sam Kanouse

The Rotary Club of Killeen Heights is mourning the loss of Rotarian Sam Kanouse, who lost his battle with leukemia. Sam passed away, Tuesday, October 6th at his home in Salado after fighting cancer for more than a year. The district extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife, Dalena, also a Killeen Heights Rotarian, and the Kanouse family. Sam joined Rotary in January 2006 and was a Paul Harris fellow.

TIMOTHY RAY MATTHYS

Timothy Ray Matthys, 56, of Copperas Cove, died suddenly on Thursday, June 4, 2009.He set up a general dentistry practice in Copperas Cove in the summer of 1978 where he worked until current day.

Dr. Matthys served as Assistant Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 287 in Killeen, had served as troop chaplain, was privileged to help lead three treks to Philmont (a GREAT joy for him) and helped with numerous scouting trips and events. He was past president of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce (1984), served on the high school Site-based Committee for CCISD, and was a member of the Copperas Cove Rotary (holding positions as past president, committee member at many levels and publishing a weekly news bulletin for 20 years.) Tim recently was awarded the Clifford Dochterman Award by the Rotary for "Service Above Self" in his continued work with the boy scouts.

In addition to his civic involvement, Tim was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Killeen where he sang in the choir, served as secretary of the Men's Club, was past president of the Board of Lay Ministry, served faithfully on the Board of Trustees and was the "right hand" of his wife (School Administrator), fixing many broken items, keeping up with the playgrounds and classrooms as needed. For a number of years (in the '80s and '90s) he directed several handbell choirs at Trinity Lutheran Church in Copperas Cove.

DOROTHY PORTER

It is with great sadness that I report that Dorothy Porter, passed away after a brief illness.  Dorothy was a Member of the Rotary Club of Mexia for many years serving in most leadership positions including Club President. She also served as Assistant Governor and served on various District Committees.  Dorothy and husband Jimmy are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundations and have always been staunch supporters of all Texas law enforcement agencies.   

PDG Dick Merril

PDG Richard (Dick) Merril left this world on February 17, 2009 at the age of 89. Although so many new him, they may not have known that he was the first Eagle Scout in San Marcos, and was the first to own at Harley Davidson in that city as well. Most know that he was a charter member of the Rotary Club of South Austin and was later its president before eventually becoming District Governor and serving on many committees for the district and for Rotary International.

P.R.I.V.P. Dave Smith and his wife Judy

A long time friend and leader in District 5870 and Rotary International passed away on 29 September 2008. Dave was 84 years young. He joined the Rotary Club of Austin in 1961 and served as District Governor in 1969 - 1970, then R.I. director for 1975 - 1976 and as vice president of Rotary International for 1976 - 1977. During his 60 years in Austin, Dave was active in civic and political life. He was a member and vice president of the Austin School Board in 1964 - 1970 and was appointed by two Texas governors as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

I am sure we all have many personal memories of this larger then life person. Most telling to me was his love for his wife Judy. He could not be away from her for long, and when she passed away less than 1 week earlier, he was quick to join her! God's blessings are surely on  both of them.

Rotarians who have passed on since the 2009 District Convention:

Please notify Bubba Gene Silverblatt for any additions or corrections: BubbaG@SilverblattLaw.com

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Austin NW               Reed Stone

Burnet                      Firman Haynie            02/20/2010

Copperas Cove        Tim Matthys                 6/4/2009

Fairfield                    Charlie Jones

Georgetown              Terri Gooch

Killeen Heights         Sam Kanouse             10/6/2009

Killeen Heights         Arthur H. Trujillo          02/5/2010

Itasca                      James Sumner

La Grange                Peggy Varner             02/7/2010        

Mexia                      Dorothy Porter             5/2/2009

Oak Hills                 Terry King

Oak Hills                 Ed Ladendorf

South Austin            Earl Curry                   10/2009    

Sun City                  E. Graham Holloway    10/4/2009

Sun City                  Lillian Hutchinson        1/28/2010

Sun City                  Mel Owen                   12/23/2009

Temple                    Jamie Clements

Temple                    Woodrow Allen

Temple South          B.J. Murphy                 02/15/2010

Waco                      Douglas Brown            9/11/2009

Waco                      Lee Dunham

Waco                      Champe Fitzhugh

Waco                      Charles Kendrick         5/31/2009

Waco                      Nick Klaras                10/04/2009

Waco                      Carl McIntosh

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