heardfrom2004

Sadly the first news is the death of Vince Prantl at the age of 65. Vince had been living at Gulf Breeze (outside Pensacola) FL for the past ten years since his retirement from his duties in the Secretariat. When he worked for Joe Cardillo back when Joe "managed" the ten independent CCPOs we had some great times at the quarterly meetings. Vince continued to be a friend and when you needed help at that level you could bet he would do his best to take care of you. Vince died of cancer of 15 December 2003. Dotty M first reported this sad news followed by Dave Neerman when he read it in the Post. Herb Dauber hired Vince during his tenure in Yokosuka.

I'm happy to report that Fritz Gasper is still alive and kicking in Hawaii. Another of the Hawaii Mafia now residing in the DC area, Bob Best says 2003 was better than preceeding years and he bought a condo in Bangkok where they hope to spend the worst part of the winters. He did not invite us to visit.

Frank Knowles and Penny sent a nice card. Frank is in temporaty quarters in Texas while they decide "ranch or coastal" for their next home. Currently they are renting a "30 acre ranchette" (only in Texas!) that is 12 miles from Medina, which is 11 miles from Bandera, at the end of a two and a half mile dirt road. If you visit Frank watch where you step! Lots of cows!

The news I emailed about Vince got replies for several alumni including Marge Wage, Earl Payne, Dave Gibbons and Maureen Kleintop (still working as PacFlt's SES personelist). Earl notified Tom Garnett, Navy Alumni and more recently DOD Principal Director for Civilian Personnel Policy until his retirement in 2000. Tom still maintains contact with many of his old Navy LMR friends-Dave Green, Allan Myers, Bill Godwin, Terry Haycock, Conrad Pearson, and Jim Woodside. 24 Dec 2003

Gerry Segal sent a couple pictures that have been posted on the new pix of old people page. These were taken a couple of years ago while visiting the Bay Area. Carter Miller looks the same but older-still smiling. Donna Kelly was still working as a personnel officer and running to keep up with the kids at the time. Gerry has also heard from Don West. Don is living in Mill Valley and currently pursuing a career in archery-the kind Robin Hood did using the yew-wood long bows. Isn't there a story about the origin of a well known phrase concerning "yew wood"?

Thanks for the great response to Mahala McMillan's request for the forwarding of humerous emails. In case you missed it, Mahala, a former member of the CCPO Pensacola staff has terminal brain cancer. She has requested the humerous emails to help her through the journey. Her address is halo1342@cox.net. A picture is on the newpixofoldfolks page.

Cindy Glenn is settling into retirement. This normally means the lump sum leave payment is gone and the reality of living on the monthly check has set in. She spent the summer in Iowa but is now back in the Fernandina Beach home. The Atlanta Braves let us down when they exited the playoffs to soon. We were looking forward to Chuck Denzin getting World Series tickets.

Today I am missing "wings and things" at Hooter's in Jacksonville. Kay Marti, Wayne Lauten, Al Newton, Bill Medlin, and Bob Funderburk are carrying on the tradition. Have some for me guys! I will eventually make it but Betty's health won't let me right now. 14 Jan 04

Allen and Stella Johnson (Stella is the former Stella Hutchins) are temporarily in Norfolk while wating for a new house to be built in 'Wilmington, NC. They will be moving in June when Stella, Jr. is out of school. Allen recently had lunch there with Walt Bagby and Don Mucacchio. Walt lives in Portsmouth and Don is back in the Norfolk area after retiring from FDA. Bet you needed your boots for that get-together! Hope Roy brought the towels. 24Jan04

Richard Nutwell checked in to let us know he is still the chief cook, driver, and social director for two active kids. A picture has been added to the newpixofoldfolks page. If you are in the Ashburn, VA area stop by. 2Feb04

Herb Dauber must be the "King of Koincidences". Mike Duggins worked in the fheadquarters office for a number of years with Vince Prantl, Tony DiTrapani, and Dotty Meletzke. He retired in '97 and moved to Hawaii when his wife got a job with the Air Force. She retired in 2000 but they have been there since. Recently his sister-in-law gave him tickets for the opera in Honolulu. When he got there, he was seated next to Herb. Mike had worked for Herb for a short time in '84 and '85. Neither had seen the other since Mike moved there in '97. Who says it's a small island. 15Feb04

Val Herman is off to Tel Avev for three weeks then later to Cario for 3-4. Why aren't all the variations of jobs under the sun classified by now! 16 Feb 04

I had a nice phone call from Bill Bond today. He was calling in response to the message regarding Mahala McMillan's death. She worked for Bill when he was Director CCPO Pensacola. Bill will be 81 soon and is in good health, as is Mary who still plays tennis 3 days a week. Nobody could put on a conference like Bill (unless he got Lauten to help him-then it was really something). I tried playing tennis once but the guy wouldn't hit the ball to me. 2/18/04

Helene Markoff sent a note in response to Mahala's passing stating that she had shared a few emails with Mahala recently and though they had not known each other before had come to know each other. I think it was a good thing we did by simply sharing the emails. 2/18/04

The hurricanes have played havoc in Florida and I'm not talking about the Miami ones that kicked my Seminoles of FSU again. Haven't heard from everyone there but do know that Joe Haydt came through OK. Joe says it really makes one appreciate the electric light bulb.

Ken Bumpus is quite a bowler. He recently won a senior event in Carson City, NV where he bowled a series that included games of 276, 278, 259, 279, and 224. This is quite a feat, believe me. Ken wasn't blowing his own horn about this. It was reported by Jerry Stewart. Ken's picture has been added to the photo page. Jerry by the way must be thrilled with his decision to move from FL to NV.

A voice from the past came forth recently in Bill Meaut. Bill is living in FL and SC and traveling in a motor home. Even Bill doesn't know the whereabouts of Bill Paz.

Recently my high school class had a reunion. I made the mistake of chosing the NCPA group rather than the UCHS group to send an email about adding pictures. I regret the confusion i caused but I did hear from several people so I know you are still out there. Among those were Herb Dauber, Steve Collins, Wayne Lauten, Myrna Adams, Bob Henderson, Carol Martinez, Hal Boyles, and a few others tho had snide remarks about the old people on the site.

Dotty and Jerry are camping temporarily in Westerly, RI while searching for someone to renovate a house they recently purchased. For people who spent so much time in DC they sure have moved around since retirement. On the other hand I moved 13 times while working and only one since retiring...but I'm thinking about it. Dotty and Jerry's cell number is 301-452-3258.

Bert and Claydene Lederer are the newest members of the fulltime RV family. They passed through Memphis recently and gave me a call. I traveled the 100 miles to Memphis and we had a great time over lunch reliving our exploits when we were all in Hawaii in the 1970's. They currently live in the Seattle area so were quite surprised at the humidity we still had in late October. Bert and Clay will be in the touring south until spring. 30 Oct 04

Well it's hard to believe but December is here and another year has just about passed us by. Maybe it's because it's this time of year that I have started to hear form a few more of the old folks. Margie Worsham is still working but counting down to under four years. Don't wish it away to soon Margie, cause it really starts to fly by once you retire. If I had know the past 12 years was going to pass this fast I would have kept working! Margfie recently had lunch with the old OCPM Norfolk labor relations crew including Walt "Roy" Bagby (retired), Don Musacchio (retired), Marilyn Mattingly (formerly Teplitz; Spense before that, also retired, but working her tail off as a contractor), Rich Giacolone (now at FMCS), and Barbara Haga (now at NASA. Don regaled them with his humor about his times in USDA (where fodder is abundant). Boy I wish we could all do another week in Daytona Beach for Negotiations Training. I know Dick Farley is ready too.

Farley by the way-who was at least an honorary personnelist is working for some contractor at the old Naval Shipyard Charleston. He says he works alone, doesn't report to anyone local, isn't to hard and they pay regularily-it's almost like being back with the government.

Sadly I have heard of the death of Amy Catenaccio daughter of Frank and Trudy Catenaccio. The funeral was December 9, 2004. Frank's address is 936 S. Harborview, Corolla, NC 27927