In Memoriam - passed Framily members

[Tom]

This thread will be our memorial to passed forum members, replacing the custom page we had in the old forum software. Apologies for the poor quality of the images; I'll see if I can find higher resolution pics.

Paul Hansen passed away in 1998.

Ed Juge founder of the original RV Forum, passed away on March 31, 2003. The term Gentle Giant was coined during a Virtual Wake held shortly after his death. It's about the best description I could come up with for this wonderful person. Anyone who met him knew instantly that this was someone special. Ed used to say that he always wanted to be an RVer and, when he left corporate America in 1993, one of his first actions was to buy an RV. One day he realized there was no online place for RVers to share ideas and ask for help, and he created the original RV Forum. Ed used to describe himself as a semi-retired wanabee retiree.

Don Jordan was active in the RV Forum from its early days, both as a forum member and as a staffer. He was described by all who new him, both online and in person, as a gentleman. It was with deep sadness that we learned of Don's passing on February 11, 2006.

Harlan Smith was one of the early RV Forum members. I met him at the RV Forum rally in Plymouth, CA. He was an athlete who liked to run every morning.

Jean Hart and his wife Jan were early RV Forum members who I met at the RV Forum rally in Plymouth, CA.

Barbara Barbera held a special place in the hearts of many long time forum members. Barb passed away on 25 November 2004.

Shayne Berta was known on the RV Forum for his tag line "Old, Stubborn, Opinionated, Set in my Ways, and Independent", and was easily recognized in a crowd by his signature orange cap. Shayne passed away on 14 January, 2008.

Jim Scoggins had been a forum member since October, 2007. He suffered an unfortunate accident while working under his coach and the air system collapsed, crushing him. Jim passed away on 7 June, 2008.

Karl Kolbus an active RVer for only 6 years, did what he always did, he learned everything he could about his new adventure, and was always willing to lend that knowledge and his many talents to anyone needing his help. His signature in the forum summed up his life quite well: "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy cow ...what a ride!" Karl passed away on 29 March, 2009.

 

[Tom]

Shirley Mckeen known to Framily members as The Campground Manager at Sam's Camp, then home of Ron and Donna (Sam) Ruward. Shirley lived in a mobile home on the property, keeping an eye on things when the Ruwards were on the road. She also welcomed forum members who arrived to stay on one of the Ruwards' RV lots. Shirley passed away on 8 April, 2009.

Bev Maxwell. Many on the forum spent time with the Maxwells, either at a rally or at their home. Bev was a wonderful lady, fun loving, a good friend to many, and always true to her faith. Bob was on his way home, after picking up Bishop Bill who had flown in from South Africa to be with them when he heard the sad news. Bev passed away on 21 September, 2009.

Gary Lee 'The Gray Ghost', was quite a man. He had the quiet faith of his missionary parents, their multi cultural skills and their commitment to service. He didn't realize that until one night over drinks while he was staying in the Maxwell's yard, Bob pointed out that they served in organized religion an he served as a Foreign Service Officer, both ways of serving others that required loyalty and commitment. Gary passed away on October 12, 2010.

Pete Harpin was remembered by Jim Johnson. He passed away on June 13, 2011.

Joe Akins and his wife Kathy, from Artesia, NM, were newbies to the Wildflower Scramble in 2011. Everyone oohed and aahed over their new Super B Freightliner. He had a few months to retire from an oil production company and they hoped to enjoy the road and explore caves and wear out their cameras. Joe was especially fond of catching little critters on film and they were really taking some amazing pictures. Tremendous spirits and good cooks, to boot! Joe was killed in a motorcycle accident early in 2012.

Ann Lacey affectionately known by husband Joe and friends as Cricket, was well known by long-time forum members. Joe was one of the first RV Forum staff members, and Cricket would accompany him to forum rallies when she wasn't overseas nursing our troops. Ann passed away on July 25, 2012 after a long battle with liver cancer.

Marty Elrich always wore cowboy hats. He and his wife Gladyce were active in The RV Forum the early days. During the winter of 2011/2012 Marty contracted multiple myeloma and had chemotherapy. While his immune system was still depressed he got a "bug" that resulted in pneumonia and he passed away on April 1, 2012. Marty introduced himself as "front slash, back slash, front slash, back slash". That was Marty's signature on the forum (/\/\arty), and is the image displayed in lieu of a photo of Marty.

Jean Mullen wife of long-time forum member George Mullen, passed away in 2012 after a long period of illness.

Judy Davis wife of long-time forum member John Davis (aka John From Detroit) died on April 1, 2013 in a tragic car accident. Judy and John had realized their dream of selling their home, and living full time and traveling in their RV.

Jerry Ray put up a brave and long fight with cancer. His friend Joe Annuzzio said that the chemo was working, as Jerry's voice kept getting better and better toward the end. But not enough; He passed away Friday, April 12, 2013 at his home in Palmdale, California.

 

[Tom]

Norm Lankford was a member of the RV Forum since the days when we were hosted on Compuserve. In those days, he was known as KingNorm. He and his wife, Connie, were winter residents of Country Roads in Yuma and spent the summers in Oregon, most recently on their lot at the Escapee park in Sutherlin. They recently gave up the full timing life when they bought a park model in Country Roads, but still used the motorhome as their summer residence. Norm passed away on the morning of May 7, 2013 having recently suffered massive heart failure.

Jeanette Reavis passed away on October 19,2013 after losing her bout with cancer. She was with Dave and her sons in a North Carolina hospital near their Yadkinville home.

Russ Mahoney was a long-time RV Forum member. Following retirement, he sold his home in Iowa, purchased an RV, and hit the road. At some point, he purchased a lot in an RV community in Arizona, where he spent the winters, then traveled during the summer months. He was highly respected and loved by his numerous RVing friends. Russ passed away on April 17, 2014.

Betty Jordan passed away at age 84 on June 11, 2014 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Betty was the widow of Don Jordan, a long-time RV Forum Staff member. Betty met the love of her life, Donald Jordan, whom she married in 1973. When she retired after 42 years of nursing, she and Don sold their house and bought a motorhome in which they lived and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada. They eventually bought a home in Yuma, AZ in which to spend the winter months.

Wally Hepworth passed away on August 11, 2014.

Ned Reiter had been in the computer industry since 1961 and was a self employed programmer from 1974. He and his wife Lorna were RVers from 1990. Ned was a long-time forum staffer and a technical support to many, both on and off the forum. He would often make "house calls" at forum rallies, helping folks with computer, networking, and other technical issues. Ned lost his battle with cancer and passed away on June 27, 2016.

Jayne Murray joined the Forum in 1998 when she started thinking about quitting her job, selling her house and using part of the proceeds to buy an RV. She was an Army veteran and had worked several years for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry in Olympia. Jayne was found at home deceased on February 24, 2017.

Arlyne Ray, wife of long time forum member Jerry Ray, passed away on April 12, 2017. This was four years to the day after Jerry passed. Arlyne was a resident of Oklahoma at the time of passing.

Raymonda Dane, wife of long time forum member Bill Dane, passed away on May 24, 2017 having lost her battle after 4 years of declining health. She had recently celebrated her 80th birthday. Bill and Raymonda had been married 57 years, and full-timed in their RV for the last 18 years. Forum Staffer Betty Brewer recalled Raymonda this way: "She had so many talents, interests and a love of life. Never heard her complain ever, even with thousands of bee stings and falling backwards out of motorhome on her head! She tackled adversities with a grace and strength that is a role model for all."

 

[Tom]

George Mullen passed on or around October 15, 2017. His home town was Lewiston, Maine. George graduated from National University, San Diego, class of 1981. He and his wife of 51 years, Jean, lived in Chula Vista, CA. He retired from the US Navy. In Jan 2014, George reported: "I'm doing OK except that my lung issues (COPD) have worsened to the point where I am now on medical oxygen 24/7". George was an early participant in The RV Forum, and made numerous contributions to our knowledgebase, both in forum messages and in library files.

George Akers passed in February, 2018. George's wife Lucy posted this: "George passed away in his sleep this morning. It was very unexpected but God saw fit to take him now and I know he is in a happy place where he can ride and rope again. His friends will be putting on a memorial roping here in a couple of weeks and his son and daughter will handle the service in Wyoming."
Long-time forum member Margi Binninger remembered George with this:
"He was such a caring, loving, man. I always saw him as the personification of the Western cowboy. He took the cowboy integrity seriously and lived it. I will never forget his truly infectious smile. It was hard not to be "up" when George was around."

Richard Sharp was a retired chemist, having worked for Eastman Kodak for many years. He passed away in hospital on April 21, 2018 having been diagnosed with pneumonia. Richard and his wife Linda were visiting family in Illinois, while returning to their home base in New York.

Linda Sharp passed away in hospital on May 1, 2018. Linda and her husband Richard were visiting family in Illinois, while returning to their home base in New York.

Ladonna Baginski, 74, of Crossville, TN, entered into rest on May 3, 2018 at her home in Edinburg, TX. She was the wife of Raymond J. Baginski. She earned a Bachelor's degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a Master's degree from Loyola University of Maryland. Ladonna taught English at Archbishop Keough High School in Baltimore before retiring due to complications associated with Lupus. Ladonna was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for many years and attained the rank of Flotilla Commander. As part of a pet therapy program she regularly visited a nursing facility with her dog Ruffie. She enjoyed travel especially by motor home and with her husband of 50 years, visiting all of the states and many Canadian Provinces.

Bob McBride was an active RV Forum participant through his wife Caryl. They both attended forum rallies. Bob passed away on July 26, 2018. Bob's daughter in law remembered that he used to joke about dying like Elvis.

Marvin GA_Boy joined The RV Forum in August, 2016. He passed away 12/03/18 due to heart failure. He was 79 years old. Marvin had typed his 'last message' for this daughter to post after his passing.

Chris Pennings, a long-time RV Forum member, was truly one of a kind, and of the nicest folks you could meet. His tales of past experiences were both enlightening and humorous. Many forum members have fond memories of RVing with Chris and his wife Mimi. Chris dealt with some medical/health issues for several years. Mimi has dealt with her own challenges, but they continued to support each other.

Jim Dick, a long-time RV Forum member and forum staffer, was a good friend to everyone he came in contact with. He passed on August 25, 2020 in Titusville FL. Jim met his future wife Pat at Rockville High. Following high school Jim joined the Navy in 1960 and served for four years in destroyers on the West Coast. Returning to Rockville in 1964, he and Pat were married, celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary this past June. Jim worked for Southern New England Telephone for 32 years, retiring as a supervisor in 1996.

Following his retirement, he and Pat undertook a new adventure, selling their house in Vernon and moving full-time into an RV. They spent more than 20 years alternating between their “driveway” at The Great Outdoors (TGO) in Titusville FL and various adventures around the country. After retirement, Jim also became more serious about his lifelong interest: photography. He had a wonderful eye and became well-known for his nature photography.

Bob Maxwell, an RVer and an RV industry veteran, was a founder member of The RV Forum and served as our Forum Chaplain for 26 years. Bob also initiated and moderated our Virtual Campfire, the first RV-related online chat. He passed on Sunday, September 20, 2020, in Holbrook, Arizona at the age of 78.

 

[Tom]

Marlene Dobrin and husband Bernie were active members of The RV Forum beginning in 1998, and attended many RV Forum rallies. They made many friends on the forum, both online and in person. Bernie continues to be an active forum member. Surrounded by her husband and children, Marlene passed at home on Sunday November 22, after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer.

Carl Lundquist was a long-time RV Forum staffer, and a friend to many of us here. Cindy, Carl's widow shared the following: "At age 85, Carl passed away on Friday evening, February 5, 2021, after a remarkable and happy life. Carl's age, recent cancer surgery and Parkinson's caught up with him but he was grateful for his family, many friends and many blessings. Carl and Cindy enjoyed trips, conversation and advice from many RV Forum members."

Fred Thomas, a long time forum staffer, passed after a long period of illness, on June 2, 2021. Fred and his wife Daisy were both instrumental in much of the early online RV knowledge-sharing here. They also attended numerous RV Forum rallies, and the first time I met them they had traveled from their home in Maine to be at the 1995 rally in Plymouth, CA. In a 2014 message, Daisy announced they were hanging up their RV keys.

Nancy Brinck, long time forum member and wife of forum staffer Gary, passed away on August 2, 2021 after a 13-year battle with cancer. As Gary explained, it was the chemotherapy regimen that overwhelmed her, rather than the cancer itself. Nancy was a good friend to many and, together with Gary, attended numerous forum rallies.

Linda Ellis was a keen environmentalist and had a BA in Zoology & Chemistry and an MS in Environmental Science both from the Indiana University Bloomington.
She passed away on September 18th 2021 in Utah from natural causes. She knew her health was declining and decided to spend her last years travelling with her cat Sara who was taken to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as per Linda's wishes. She was a lively lady and liked by all who met and spent time with her.

Jeff Cousins, a long-time forum staffer, passed after an extended illness on September 19, 2021. Jeff and wife Sue were active RVers and had many forum friends. Jeff was also a well known contributor to our RVing knowledgebase, and helped coordinate a number of forum rallies. The Cousins enjoyed regular breaks in their RVing lifestyle to spend quality time with their wonderful family.

Tom Binninger, a long-time forum member, passed on June 2, 2023 after a long illness that kept him bedridden for 5 years. Tom and wife Margi were members of The RV Forum from our very early days.

 

[Tom]

Marjorie (Marge) West age 79 passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on January 2, 2024 in Cedar City, Utah.

Marge was born in Carrington, N.D. to Charles and Lillian (Edinger) Fuhrman. She graduated from Grand Forks High School in 1962 and married Danny West in December 1962. They moved to California to start their life together. In 1991 they relocated to St George, Utah where she worked at a CPA firm for 9 years until a final move brought them to Cedar City. She enjoyed her work at Leavitt Group for over 20 years. She also was an active member of Red Hills Southern Baptist Church.

Marge loved traveling with Dan, her husband of over 60 years. She enjoyed reading, playing games and meeting new people. They were long-time RV Forum members.

The above from Marge's published obituary.

Dan continues in our membership.