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GONE TOO SOON
A page honoring the memory of those staff members that have passed away, and also those that were so important to staff members in their support of scouting (upon your request). Click on the name to see any available tributes.
Retha Banks (1930 - 2003)
Matt Barrios (1941 - 2003)
Carroll Beeler (1943 - 2003)
Jason Belcher (1975 - 1995)
Les Bickel (1921 - 2007)
Charles "Chas" Bilbrey, Father of Mike Bilbrey (1929 - 2003)
Clay Breihan (1924 - 1995)
Joyce Breihan, Wife of Clay Breihan (1927-1992)
Don Bright (dates unknown)
Don Brown (dates unknown)
Mark Campbell (1961 - 1996)
Lloyd Chism (dates unknown)
Keith Chrisman (1931 - 1989)
Margaret Coe (1919 - 2001)
Rich Coleman (dates unknown)
George Crum (1946 - 1998)
Don Davidson (1940 - 2005)
Don Dickerson (1933 - 2002)
Ray Edwards (1963 - 1981)
Ned Freeman (1942-2004)
Rick Gaudette (1956 - 1991)
Ray Gaudette Sr., Father of Mike Guadette (1917 - 1987)
Vincent Gnaedinger (1939 - 2001)
W. Jean Grimaud, Father of Gregg Grimaud (1929 - 2002)
Genevieve Hellrich (1921 - 2005)
Bob Holder (1956-1997 unconfirmed)
Tommy Hooks (1953 - 1988)
Bob Johnson (1919 - 2002)
Kevin Kearns (1957 - 1992)
John Koelker (1943 - 1998)
Gene McCoskey (dates unknown)
Edwin Menke (1926 - 2007)
James Merry (1923 - 2003)
Rich Momphard (1936 - 1971)
Bill Monical (1926 - 2001)
Roland "Cotton" Neathery (dates unknown)
Bill Ohlendorf (1939 - 2001)
Steve Parton (1958 - 1988)
Gary Ruebhausen (1948 - 1972)
Al Sanders (1921 - 2000)
Jack Small (1955 - 1992)
LeRoy Stark (1926 - 2005)
Walter F 'Mick' Strange (1932 - 1985)
Bob Thomas (1954 - 2007)
Greg Tripp (1969-2003)
Everett Turnbeaugh (1920 -1997)
Jim Vierling (dates unknown)
Virgil Vollmar (1935 - 1995)
Retha Banks (1930 - 2003)
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Post By: John Busch
Retha Banks (1930 - 2003)
Retha's obituary:
Retha Banks, age 73, of Edwardsville, IL, died September 16, 2003, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL. There was no visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Retha was a retired Captain in the U.S. Army Nurses Corps where she served in the Korean Conflict. She was a member of the American Legion Post 199 & VFW Post 1299. She is surivived by her husband Charles E. Banks. One son Randy E. Banks of Edwardsville. Two grandchildren Brenden R. Demjanec of New York and Ryan Hausfield of California. One brother Eugen Henschen of Up River, Fl. She was preceded by 1 sister.
Carroll Beeler (1943 - 2003)
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Post By: John Busch
Carroll Beeler (1943 - 2003)
From: Scottie Beeler (Carroll's wife) Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 9:46 PM
To: John Busch
Subject: Camp Sunnen Staff Reunion
Dear Mr Busch,
I deeply regret to inform you that Carroll will not be able to attend! We lost Carroll this past Saturday in a Test accident in the company's business Jet. If you would please pass this info on to the others.
Thanks and God Bless!
Scottie Beeler
To: 1961 Staff Members Jay Boulanger, Jim Fayollat, Paul Fayollat, John Haack, Rich Small. 62-63 Staff Members Larry Todoroff, Don Rivenburg, Mick Brown, John Cunningham, Bob Eckert, Dale Farrington, Charlie Hacke, Paul Hellrich, Peter Maer, Bill Ricker, Mike Sizemore, Ken West
Some very sad news on the eve of our Reunion from Carroll Beeler's wife. Her note is below, and I thought you all would appreciate knowing.
I'm glad to have had the opportunity to have talked with Carroll by phone recently. I remember that he was amazed to have gotten my call and was animated and fun to talk to. He had lots of great memories of Camp Sunnen, and we talked a long time. I was surprised to find that he lived only a few hours south from Austin and I considered driving down to see him sometime after the Reunion, especially to talk with him about his cars (we share that interest). Carroll left me with the strong impression that he was very happy and engaged in his work - which he viewed as challenging and important. He obviously loved his life, esp through his family and also his hobbies. I could tell he was really looking forward to attending the Reunion, too. I told his wife Scottie that he would be there in another way - in our hearts. Hope some of you got the chance to connect with him and others since the Staff Directory has been available - that's what it's all about. Please forward this to anyone I've left out.
John Busch
P.S. The Staff Bio Update is included below. His obituary notice follows that.
[Reference]Staff Member Bio Update (dated 3/21/03):
When I left camp Sunnen after the '61 summer, I went to college (Parks Air College) for two years. Worked at Mc Donnell Aircraft. Then entered the USN in 64 and have been back to Granite City for only 2-3 visits since. Flew a bunch of Attack and Fighter aircraft off carriers over the next 14 years. 3 tours in VN including 10 months as a guest in NVN. Mostly west coast and Pacific area's. Flew with over 20 squadrons during that time. Flew as a Crop Duster Pilot in California for a number of years. Stayed in the Naval Reserve for 30 years and retired in 94. Returned to school in the 70's while a flight instructor in the Navy and got a masters degree at USC. (Univ. of Spoiled Children as they call it in Southern Calif.) Went to work as a test pilot at General Electric is 89. Flew the Boeing 707 & 747 plus the AirBus A300 conducting engine certification tests for various GE engines. Lived all over Calif. from about 1965 - 1997. Worked at Mcdonnel Douglas in Long Beach Calif. as an Engineer. A number of years there on various programs as a Flight Test Engineer. Currently Chief Test Pilot on the SJ30, a business jet we are involved in the certification testing for. Moved to San Antonio, Tx. 6 years ago for this job. Married 27 years to Scottie, Daughter Lee is 21 years old and a student at Univ. Texas, San Antonio. Hobbies are still Hot Rods and mechanical stuff. 77 Datsun 280Z with a Chevy is my latest project. I have the 55 Cameo pickup that came from Tom Bryarly in Granite City (Bought at Hundley Pontiac in the 50's.) The truck has had various engines through the years (An Olds, Caddy, a couple of Chevy's and is currently undergoing a makeover with a 500 Cu.in. Cadillac engine.
Obituary Notice: (Carroll died just weeks before the '03 Staff Reunion)
Beeler died pushing new jet to the limit
By Christopher Anderson
Web Posted : 04/28/2003
A former Vietnam War POW was killed Saturday while pushing a groundbreaking new corporate jet to its limits, according to a friend and co-worker.
Carroll Beeler, 59, a Boerne resident and the chief test pilot for San Antonio-based Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corp., died Saturday after an experimental company plane he was flying alone crashed in a rugged area about 50 miles north of Del Rio in Val Verde County.
"They were doing what's called a 'flutter test,'" said Ed Budy, a senior engineer at Swearingen and a friend of Beeler's. "They were pushing it to the envelope and pushing it further to try and find its capabilities."
Jim Campbell, editor of Aero-News Network, a popular daily aircraft industry publication, said the accident occurred as Beeler flew Swearingen's innovative SJ30-2 prototype to "its very highest speed ﾗ probably the most critical part of the test."
A Department of Public Safety spokesman said Beeler was flying the aircraft at Mach 0.9, nearly the speed of sound, when it crashed. The flight originated from San Antonio International Airport.
"That's one of the reasons why they were in such a remote area," Campbell said. "Test flights are done in isolated areas, where if something is going to happen it wouldn't harm anyone."
According to Swearingen's Web site, the SJ30-2 is a seven-seat business aircraft ﾗ six passengers, one pilot ﾗ destined to become the fastest light jet in production once the Federal Aviation Administration certifies it.
"It's a brand new start-up ﾗ the first time since Cessna did it back in the 1960s ﾗ to produce a seven-passenger business jet for single-pilot operation," Budy said. "They claim the fastest, highest and furthest for less (money)."
In a news release on the SJ30-2's maiden flight Nov. 30, Beeler, who was flying the plane, said the aircraft "performed beautifully, and met or exceeded every parameter we had established for first flight."
Beeler, a former Navy pilot shot down on May 24, 1972, spent 10 months in North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camps including the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" complex, according to the P.O.W. Network. He retired as a captain.
The P.O.W. Network is based in Skidmore, Mo., and since 1989 has maintained biographies and other information on American servicemen and women who were listed as prisoners of war or missing in action.
Beeler was widely considered a first-rate aviator and flew everything from crop-dusters to Mach 2 jet fighters, Campbell said.
"He was very highly respected ﾗ a very cool customer."
Budy said Beeler was an "engineer at heart."
"He was very mechanically inclined and gifted," Budy said. "He worked with old cars and trucks."
Budy also said Beeler was devoted to his family and loved his country.
"I think he was loved by everyone he touched. He was a fantastic individual. He gave much more back than he received in a lot of cases," Budy said.
Beeler is survived by his wife, Judith "Scottie" Shirline Beeler; daughter Lee Elizabeth Beeler; and mother Pauline Beeler. All live in Boerne.
A funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday for friends and family members at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Chapel, 7815 Orland Park St. A memorial service will follow.
FROM THE SINO SWEARINGEN WEBSITE (company he worked for) at http://www.sj30jet.com:
IN TRIBUTE TO CARROLL BEELER
Carroll Beeler, 59, of Boerne, Texas, loving husband of Scottie and father of Lee, was welcomed into the arms of our Lord on Saturday, April 26, 2003.
Born on July 24, 1943, in St. Louis, Carroll grew up in the Granite City, Illinois area. As a teenager, he was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and attained the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.
Carroll died as he had lived, at the controls of an airplane. During Carrollﾒs aviation career that spanned over 40 years, he flew some of the worldﾒs most legendary
airplanes to include the Boeing 747 airliner, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, the North American B-25 Mitchell bomber, the North American P51 Mustang fighter, and the Chance Vought F-8 Crusader Navy attack aircraft. Carroll accumulated more than 11,000 flight hours and was an experimental test pilot, production test pilot, instructor pilot, U.S. Navy carrier-based fighter pilot, airline pilot, corporate pilot and agricultural applications pilot.
In early 1964, Carroll elected to leave Parks College in St. Louis, where he studied aviation maintenance engineering, to join the United States Navy in its Naval Aviation Cadet Program where he earned the wings of a Naval Aviator. Carroll Beeler had found both his passion and his lifeﾒs work.
On May 24, 1972, as Carroll was approaching the end of his second combat tour in Vietnam, the F-4 Phantom fighter he was flying was struck by a surface to air missile. Carroll, though wounded, ejected successfully but was captured by hostile forces shortly after his parachute settled into a rice paddy. For the next 10 months, he was shuttled among various North Vietnamese prison camps, including the notorious Hanoi Hilton, until he was repatriated at the close of the war.
Upon his release, Carroll returned to Navy life where he served in various capacities associated with naval aviation. Soon after being stationed in California, he met Judith ﾓScottieﾔ Shirline, who was also serving in the Navy. They were married on November 15, 1975.
Carroll Beeler retired from active duty in 1978 to pursue a career in civilian aviation. He remained in the Navy as a reservist until 1993, primarily in the Alameda and San Diego area, before retiring with the rank of Captain.
In 1983, Carroll joined McDonnell Douglas in the companyﾒs flight test program, where he advanced steadily through assignments as a senior engineer, lead system safety engineer, flight test engineer and lead production test pilot.
An opportunity to join General Electric Aircraft Engines came along in 1989, taking Carroll and his family to Mojave, California, where he served as an engineering test pilot. While with GE, Carroll played a critical role in programs to develop engines for the Boeing 747, Boeing 707 and the Airbus A300.
In 1997, Carroll came to San Antonio to join Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corp. as a test pilot on its SJ30-2 business jet program. Over the next six years Carroll advanced to be the companyﾒs chief test pilot flying the SJ30-2 in flight test.
Carroll Beeler held a Bachelors Degree from Chapman College and a Masters Degree from the University of Southern California with a double major in Research and Development and System Safety Engineering. He was a graduate of Continental Airlineﾒs Flight Engineer training program on the Boeing 707/720, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight Engineer training program on the Boeing 727 and the American Airlines Flight Academy pilot training course on the Boeing 707/720. Carroll graduated from numerous U.S. Navy training schools, including its Top Gun program. He was a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
He is survived by his wife, his daughter, Lee Elizabeth Beeler, and his mother, Pauline Beeler, all of Boerne, TX.
The requiem Mass was held at 9:00am 30th April 2003 for friends and family at St. Josephﾒs Roman Catholic Chapel, San Antonio, Texas. Reception for Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corp. employees and family was held at Los Patios.
Clay Breihan (1924 - 1995)
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Post By: Bill Breihan
Clay Breihan was a dynamo. Actually, he was boisterous and opinionated but, at the same time, knowledgeable and engaging. A talented craftsman, a musicman (played accordion, ukelele, banjo, etc. at camp), a tree hugger (botany was his love)...but also gruff guy. They called him "Bear". One lasting memory: the admiration bordering on reverence that so many scout leaders had for him. I can still hear the praise.: "Your dad is such a great guy." "We are so fortunate to have someone like him." "He's done so much for the boys." He really did love his job and young people. Clay flew a torpedo bomber in the Navy Airforce during WWII. It was the result of a crash which left him burned (but not badly), unconscious and hospitalized for a month or so. After WWII he finished college on the GI bill, then taught school in a rural community in the north woods of WI (mainly off-reservation Indians), then 13 years of scouting, then after a few years in industry back to teaching (biology..his love) until retirement at age 65. His whole life was kids and education.
Post By: Peter Maer
Clayton "Clay" Bryant was a colorful and dedicated fellow who ran the camp during my years. He was a great Camp Director--repair guy, song leader, Scouter, you name it.
Post By: Charlie Hacke
The one story that stands out for me is when my father brought the troop to camp and, for some reason, all his help called in sick, so to speak. He was there alone with 52 boys at the Lewis campsite. Of course, being alone with the boys is now unheard of, but back in 1965, not the case. Anyway, Clay, the director, found this out and called me in to the office. I thought, what did I do now? He told me that my duties were put on hold and I was to report to Dad to be an asst. for the week. Clay and I had a working relationship, but when I saw the concern he had for Dad, things seemed to change. From that time forward, camp life and work went smoother. I never forgot what he did and was sorry to hear of his death. I never said thanks to him.
Post By: Jeff Pauk
I wanted to let you know that Clay Breihan died about 4 years ago. He was a member of our church and was on my in-laws bowling team, but no mention was ever made about him being a former professional scouter and Camp Director of Camp Sunnen. I wish I had known all this when I knew him because we could have shared such stories!
George Crum (1946 - 1998)
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Post By: Jake Crum
George passed away in 1998 and was born in 1946. While at Camp Sunnen, Geroge was an instructor on the "waterfront". George was an Eagle Scout and served in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1968. He was also a Viet Nam Veteran.
Ray Gaudette Sr., Father of Mike Guadette (1917 - 1987)
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Post By: Mike Gaudette
Anyone in the "Cahokia Mound Council from 1953 through 1985 would know my dad. He passed away in 1987 at the age of 70. He always had fond memories of his days at Camp Sunnen. There was a bridge dedicated to him a few years after his death.
W. Jean Grimaud, Father of Gregg Grimaud (1929 - 2002)
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Post By: Gregg Grimaud
On April 12, 2002 I lost my father, W. Jean Grimaud. He was a Camp Sunnen Commissioner for numerous years, as well as a scoutmaster, Vigil Honor Member, B.S.A. Executive Committee Member, Cahokia Mound Council President, recipient of the Silver Beaver Award as well as numerous other awards. He had founded the "Moccasins" (a service organization for the scout camp) around 1978. The group was later renamed the "Redskins". He was a designer/builder/organizer of building numerous dwellings throughout Camp Sunnen. These dwellings including Camp Staff dwellings, latrines & washstands. He upgraded facilities to to meet ADA regulations which aided handicap individuals in their stay at Camp Sunnen. My dad lived from 1929 to 2002 and died at the age of 72. I know my dad is truly missed by many.
Genevieve Hellrich (1921 - 2005)
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Post By: Rick Hooks
Genevieve Hellrich Obituary
Genevieve "Gen" Virginia Hellrich, nee Ceschia, 83, of
Granite City, Ill., born Aug. 26, 1921, in Council
Bluffs, Iowa, died Friday, March 11, 2005, in Granite
City, Ill.
Mrs. Hellrich grew up in Omaha, Neb., her R.N. degree
from Craighton University and B.S. N.E. at St. Louis University. She lived in Rolla, Mo., from 1946 to 1949, while Henry attended University of Missouri in Rolla, Ill. She moved to Granite City in 1949. She was a camp nurse at Boys Scouts of America Camp Sunnen in Potosi, Mo., during the summers of 1966 to 1996. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Granite City, Ill., the Boy Scouts of America, Tricity Association for Handicap and New Opportunities Inc. (Handicapped Workshop).
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Mary Ellen
Barger and Mary Angela Hellrich; and her parents,
Guido and Maria, nee Calligaro, Ceschia.
Surviving are her husband, Henry J. Hellrich of
Granite City, Ill., whom she married Feb. 9, 1946, in
Omaha, Neb.; four sons, Paul Henry Hellrich of Granite
City, Ill., Mark Henry (Heidi) Hellrich of Lafayette,
La., Lenny Henry (Dianne) Hellrich of Cape Girardeau,
Mo., and James Henry (Joyce) Hellrich of Glen Carbon,
Ill.; three daughters, Jeannie (Glenn) Simcock of
Manjimup, Australia, Edna Ann (Jeff) Watkins of
Edmond, Okla., and Margaret Mary Hellrich of Granite
City, Ill.; 13 grandchildren, Haley Hellrich,
Christine Seeck, Rebecea Hellrich, Matthew Hellrich,
Andy Hellrich, Michael Hellrich, Julie Yurko, Jill
Sitton, Katie Simcock, Clayton Simcock, Cory Watkins,
Megan Watkins and Eric Barger; four
great-grandchildren, Rylee Sitton, Ethan Seeck, Nikki
Seeck and Zack Seeck; and a brother, Primo (Nathalie)
Ceschia of Omaha, Neb.
Memorials may be made to New Opportunities Inc., 612
State Street, Madison, Ill. 62060, for the workshop
building.
Visitation: Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at Irwin Maryville Road
Chapel, Granite City, Ill.
Funeral: Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m.
Thursday, March 17, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Catholic
Church, Granite City, Ill., with the Rev. Pat G. Jakel
and the Rev. Larry Brunette officiating. A graveside
service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 18,
2005, at St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery, St. Charles,
Mo.
IRWIN MARYVILLE ROAD CHAPEL, Granite City, Ill.
Post By: Kenny Altenberger
A message from Kenny Altenberger
I would like to add my best friend's Jason "Catfish" Belcher birth and death dates. Jason was born in December 1975 and left us in May 1995. We miss him very much!!!!!!!
Rich Momphard (1936 - 1971)
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Post By: Larry Todoroff
Rich was a great Scouter who is missed by many. His passion was Indian Lore and Indian dancing. He was one of the best dancers I ever had the pleasure to work with. He was an advisor to Explorer Post 6 for several years.
Rich was a charter camp staff member in 1953. Aquatics was his specialty. He also was Lodge Chief in 1952 and 1953. He was awarded the Vigil Honor in 1955 and served as the vigil honor ceremony chief for many years.
Rich was a good husband, a good father, and good person. I feel that most people who knew Rich would say he was a genuine person. I was proud to call Rich my friend.
Post By: Larry Todoroff
Rich was a charter member of the camp staff in 1953 where he was an aquatic specialist. A great scout and scouter who was lodge chief for two years, Vigil Honor ceremony chief for several years, and Explorer Post 6 advisor for many years. He was a great Indian dancer and dance instructor for Post 6.
Rich was an exceptional teacher of young men as his Vigil Honor name " One who Teaches " is a testament to his service to youth.
Rich is greatly missed by his many friends and scouting lost a wonderful person way too early.
Al Sanders (1921 - 2000)
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Post By: Donna (Sanders) Pendergast, Al's daughter, sister of Keith Sanders
Al Sanders was born in 1921 and passed away in 2000. Keith and I took care of him at his home the last month of his life, there were many visits from his friends from Camp Sunnen. I don't honestly know how to describe how I felt seeing all the scouts at Dad's funeral, my husband told me it appeared my dad had touched a lot of lives. I wish I could thank each one of them for the joy they brought to Dad, he really loved going to camp each summer, looked forward to every trip. I could hear it in his voice when he would call to tell me he was headed for camp that weekend. I would call him there every summer on Father's Day. My brother Keith was also on staff. During my Dad's years at camp, he must have cooked enough food to feed a small country. My two sons spent a week at camp with the troop from St. Elizabeth's in Granite City. They were so excited and still talk about that week, and expressed amazement that everyone knew who they were because everyone at camp knew their Grandpa.
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This is not an official BSA website. It is not affiliated with and/or sponsored by the BSA in any way.
Site maintained by John Busch (Staff 74-75).
Site written by Rob Hoffmann (Staff 97-00).
Site support by Ryan Frueh (Staff 93-96).
Infrastructure, design, and hosting by triCREATIVE.
To report errors or submit comments, please e-mail sunnen@robhoffmann.com
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