Death of a Classmate - Lt. General Aloysius G. Casey (Ret.) - 16th Co.

Lt. General Aloysius G. Casey (Ret.) passed away at home on June 10, 2020 from heart complications. He was comforted by his son Matt, and daughter-in-law Nancy. He was born at home in Childs, PA on March 1, 1932 to Mary Margaret (Malia) Casey, and Joseph John Casey. He had seven brothers and sisters, and is survived by three of his sisters, Julie McGuinness, Jean Smith, and Anne Roe. He was predeceased by brothers Paul R. Casey, M.D., Lt. Joseph J. Casey, U.S.A., and sisters Sr. Rosemary T. Casey, IHM, and Catherine E. Price, R.N. He was also predeceased in 2012 by his beloved wife of 57 years Mary Patricia (Casey) Casey of Washington D.C.

Having grown up in a large Irish-American family, he learned the benefits of a strong work ethic and deep family values early in life. He graduated from Saint Rose High School (in Carbondale, PA) in 1949 with an aptitude for quantitative analysis. After completing a year at the University of Scranton, he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. He was commissioned in 1954 as a second lieutenant. After a few years of active duty working on various engineering assignments, he was assigned to navigation training and active flight duty in a nuclear armed B-47 bomber. He flew on alert status as a part of the U.S. nuclear arsenal during the cold war.  Subsequently, he received an appointment to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology, completing a Masters of Science degree in astronautics. He was a professional engineer (P.E.), licensed in aeronautics. With this technical training he began a 34-year career alternating between assignments in space and missile development, and active flight duty. He completed a tour of combat-duty in Vietnam as a member of the flight crew of the AC-119K night-flying gunship. In all he flew 130 "blacked out" combat missions conducting road interdiction as the navigator in this side-firing gunship. 

In missile development, he worked on various rocket-development programs for the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and led the full-scale development of the Peacekeeper missile as the MX program manager. As commander of the Air Force Space Division in Los Angeles, he was responsible for research, design, development, acquisition of space launch's, command and control, and satellite systems. He was called upon by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) accident review board, to provide testimony relative to the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. He was involved in several airplane developments including the B-1 bomber, and the A-10 "Warthog."

General Casey was a master navigator with more than 3,000 flying hours, and wore the Master Missile Badge. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He was awarded the 1984 Dr. Theodore Von Karman Award for his contributions to science and engineering, and he received the Air Force Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award for his outstanding management of key Air Force missile programs. Upon retirement from the Air Force (1988), he continued working by accepting a position as chairman of National Technical System (NTS) an aerospace testing company and as a member of the Slay Group which provided technical services to the aerospace industry. 

Having left the rigors of the military life behind, he and Patricia spent summers at their cabin in Northeast Pennsylvania. They spent these latter years participating in the lives of their grandchildren on both coasts.

General Casey is survived by three sons: Matthew P. Casey (Yucaipa, CA), Joseph G. and Donna L. Casey (Chester Springs, PA), and Patrick A. and Nancy R. Casey (Archbald, PA), 9 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren,  4 step-great-grandchildren.

General Casey was an active cyclist and runner. He maintained a membership in the local bicycle club, the Redlands Water Bottle Transit Co. When in California, he frequently ran with the Loma Linda Lopers, and over his lifetime he logged thousands of miles on his bicycle, and completed 113 marathons.

General Casey devoted his life to his wife, his family and his country.  Among his personal papers was a quote from Goodbye, Mr. Chips: "In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset; at the moment in my life when the night is due.  And the question I shall ask only I can answer.  Was I brave and strong and true?  And did I fill the world with love my whole life through?"

General Casey will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on a date not yet scheduled, and a memorial Mass will be held at St. Rose of Lima, Carbondale, PA on Saturday October 3, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Further arrangements for a celebration of life in Redlands, CA are forthcoming from Emmerson-Bartlett, 703 Brookside Avenue Redlands, CA 92373. 

Death of a Classmate - Aloysius Casey - 16th Co.

I received word from Don Walsh that Al Casey passed away last week. Obituary will be posted when it is received. 

Death of a Classmate -Eugene Leo Geronime - 7th co.

On Monday, June 8th, 2020, Eugene Geronime, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age of 90.

"Gene" was born in Saint Paul, MN and subsequently raised in Rosemont MN. Before attending the United States Naval Academy (class of '54). He married Jane, his bride of 60 years in May of 1960.

Gene's Navy career spanned 30 years of honorable service, first as a fighter pilot in carrier aviation and then in program management with advanced degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from The U.S. Naval Post Graduate School and Stanford University.

After retirement from the Navy, he worked fifteen more distinguished years for McDonnell Douglas in St Louis, MO before retiring in Punta Gorda, FL where he enjoyed sailing and traveling throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. Additionally, Gene continued to be active in various organizations including: the Florida International Air Show, the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation and the Military Heritage and Aviation Museum (where he was inducted into the Museum Wall of Warriors for service to country and community in 2010).

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Mary Geronime and is survived by: his wife, Jane, sister, Mary Lou Bauer (Bernard), children: Cynthia Amundson (Eric), Brian Geronime (Jill) and Pamela Roberts as well as eight grandchildren two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews across the U.S. and abroad.

A memorial service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Punta Gorda, FL on Tuesday, June 23rd at 11:00 AM and Gene will be interred into Arlington National Cemetery in the spring. The family asks that instead of flowers please send an online donation in Gene's honor to the Military Heritage Museum of Punta Gorda.

Death of a Classmate - Eugene Geronime - 7 th Co.

I  received word that Gene Geronime passed away on 8 June 2020 .  Additional information will be posted on the web site when available.

Death of a Classmate - Gaylord "Gayle" Bernard Ballard - 11th Co.

Gaylord "Gayle" Bernard Ballard  (MARCH 31, 1931 – MAY 17, 2020)

Louisville - Born March 31, 1931 he played football and graduated valedictorian for his class from Flaget.

He attended Annapolis and graduated with honors and devoted 20+ years.

Later in life he graduated from Harvard Business School then U of L Law School in which he pursued another 20+ career with the Louisville Air Pollution Control Board.

He is survived by his wife Nancy (Tuck) and his 2 sons Bernie (Carol) and Bill (Supita) and his 2 grandsons.

There will be no public service and if you wish to honor him please send a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Published in Courier-Journal from May 28 to May 31, 2020.

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Death of a Class Widow - Susan Nancy Schuck Lynne - 18th Co.

Susan Nancy Schuck Lynne died of congestive heart failure after a long illness on June 6, 2020 at Gilchrist Hospice in Towson. The former Lutherville resident was 85. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Susan Lynne was part of the first graduating class from Towson

Senior High and attended Dickinson College for two years, completing her education at Johns Hopkins, majoring in English and Current Events. In 1956, she married Donald Mark Lynne whom she met at the Naval Academy; together they celebrated 60 years of marriage. She worked as a bookkeeper in several Baltimore businesses, including twenty years at the Alcazar Hotel (now the Baltimore School for the Arts) and ten years at Morton's Food and Wine Shop. Mrs. Lynne gave back to her community. She and her husband ran an eight-man homeless shelter at Old St. Paul's Church for six years in downtown Baltimore. She made all their dinners, especially at Christmas.

As an active PTA member, Mrs. Lynne chaired money-raising events for her children's schools. Her favorite was the Towsontown Junior High's International Fair, featuring over twenty different countries with accompanying foods, plus school clubs.

Through St. James Episcopal in Monkton, Mrs. Lynne provided hundreds of toys and stuffed animals for underprivileged Ecuadorian children, sent by a mission through non-profit Equadent. In a household with four generations of cooks, Mrs. Lynne and her mother, Marjorie Louise Johnson Schuck, expressed love through food; every holiday feast included family friends and neighborhood children often received a needed breakfast at the Lynne home. For years, Mrs. Lynne swam one and a half miles daily and for eighteen years spent vacations on Marco Island boating and collecting fifty-five types of beach shells that she used to create over one hundred shell lamps as gifts. The Lynnes traveled internationally and visited nearly every state in the country.

Mrs. Lynne was fortunate to become close friends with Paulo Szot, winner of Best Baritone in U.S. in 2016 and the Tony award for the revival of South Pacific, and with Dorothy Gilman, author of Mrs. Pollifax books.

Survivors include three children: Mark, Kimberley, and Jeffrey; a daughter-in-law, Kari-Ann; and two grandchildren, Daniel and Bridget. Her husband, Captain Donald Mark Lynne, died in August 2017.

Her son, Jeffrey Lynne, stated, "Our mother was always a giver. Even to the end, she was writing notes of hope, encouragement, and unconditional love; the best gift she gave us all."

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. James Episcopal Church, 3100 Monkton Road, Monkton, MD, 21111 or Gilchrist Hospice Care at www.gilchristcares.org. A memorial service and life celebration is planned for a later date.

Published in Baltimore Sun on Jun. 8, 2020.

A Day for Flags - Dick Raymond's June Poem

         

                   

A DAY FOR FLAGS

14 June, the Flag's and Army's Birthday

In seventeen hundred seventy-five,

George Washington took command

Of a ragtag, bobtail gaggle of troops,

A rowdy and raucous band.

On Dorchester Heights he raised a flag,

"Grand Union" they called it then,

With a Union Jack in the place of stars,

Uninspiring to Minute Men.

So a proper new flag was voted upon,

Thirteen stripes of red and white,

With a crown of stars in a field of blue,

For a cheering and rousing sight.

Some claim Betsy Ross made our first brave flag,

'Twas but legend, the skeptics say—

Yet millions of patriots beam with pride

To salute it, upon this day!

5-4-20

Death of a Classmate - Robert James Akens - 16th Co.

Robert James Akens  (February 6, 1932- May 11, 2020) Born in Portis, Kansas, "Bob" grew up on the family farm near Downs, Kansas (pop < 400). His first eight school years were at a small country schoolhouse. He graduated from Downs High School in 1949 as president of his senior class.
Selected to attend the Naval Academy, graduating in 1954, he continued into the Pilot training program. He was always extremely proud of his years flying fighter jets off aircraft carriers.
While at the Naval Academy, Bob met his future wife Oremalee (Lee). Married in June 1954, they have shared nearly 66 years together.
In 1960, he left the Navy and began a career in the securities industry. Earning an MBA from the University of Delaware he progressed to a buy-side stock analyst at Gulf and Western and ultimately a portfolio manager with Olayan America on Park Avenue in New York, retiring in 1997.
Bob loved travelling and together with Lee visited a majority of the United States, Cuba, as well as much of Europe. He particularly enjoyed visiting his daughter Trish in Switzerland and daughter Sue and granddaughter Katie in California. He had a strong belief in education and served on his daughters' school board and supported both to earn graduate degrees.
Always retaining his midwestern friendliness, Bob was inquisitive and quick to start up a conversation. He enjoyed so much sharing discussions about what professionally and academically young people were doing. His engaging smile will be missed!
Bob is survived by his wife, Lee; daughters Trish (Anders) and Susan; granddaughter Katie; and brother Jerry (Donna Kay).
Funeral services and interment are private.
Lassahn Funeral Home, Inc
7401 Belair Road
Nottingham, MD 21236
410-665-2000
https://www.lassahnfuneralhomes.com/memorials/Akens-Robert/4210926/

Death of a Classmate - LCDR Alan J. Dworsky, USN (Ret.) - 5th Co.

LCDR Alan J. Dworsky, USN (Ret.), passed away suddenly but peacefully on February 22, 2020 in a Charlotte, NC hospital. His 20-year career was primarily connected with diesel submarines. After retiring in 1974, he moved to South Windsor, CT and worked as an office manager for a wholesale building supply company. In 2016, he moved to Fort Mill, SC with his wife, Barbara, of nearly 60 years. He is survived by his children, Jill LeClair and Larry Dworsky, and two grandchildren, Dylan and Josh LeClair. Inurnment and a memorial service will be held at the Naval Academy Columbarium at a future date.

CHORDS OF MEMORY - Dick Raymond's May Poem

       

CHORDS OF MEMORY

Now May has tiptoed in once more,

She brings bright buds and flowers,

Soft echoes of the days of yore,

Sweet songs of happy hours.

Along the Severn, trees abloom,

Fair skies and gentle breezes,

Forgotten is the winter's gloom,

No more of sniffs and wheezes.

At end of May, our final day,

Our last to stand together,

To fates unknown we went our way,

To rough and stormy weather.

Now, elders all, may we look back

Upon the written pages,

To think, we left a golden track,

Bright-shining down the ages,

We made our mark, our record stands,

Undaunted and indited-- 

A BRAVO ZULU to all hands,

Till we're again united. 

5-2-20