July - September 2021
As Compiled by JT Smith
Greg Boyington sends this:
This has not been a good month for USAFA '60'
The AOG provided the following:
"Lt Col (Ret) Ronald Sandholzer - Class of 1960, CS-04 Deceased date unknown - Informed on August 30, 2021"
I have subsequently heard from Ron's son Daniel who told me that Ron left us on 15 August. No other information was provided. Further updates will be provided when available.
Speaking of updates, Tom Burke sends the following regarding services for Tony Burshnick:
"Tony will be laid to rest in a two-step process consisting of a Funeral Mass and memorial reception in the local VA area on 25 Sept and at a later date burial at the Air Force Academy.
- 25 September 2021, 12:00 PM [EDT],
Funeral Mass at St. Bernadette Church, Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA. - Immediately following the Mass, Memorial Reception at Springfield Golf & Country Club, 8301 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152."
[Thanks, Tom]
I regret to pass along two unwelcome notifications:
The AOG provided the following:
"Lt Col (Ret) John Peebles - Class of 1960, CS-14 ... Deceased on August 13, 2021 - Informed on August 17, 2021
"Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A visitation will be held on 28 Aug 2021 from 9:00 to 10:00 am, with a memorial service starting at 10:00 am at the Mueller Funeral Home; 6791 Tylersville Road; Mason, OH 45040. Burial service will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery; 171 Mason Montgomery Road; Mason, OH 45040. A lunch reception will follow between 11:30 to 2:30 pm at the Manor House; 7440 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in John's name to the Alzheimer's Association; www.alz.org."
[Those wishing to leave a message for Barbara and the family may do so at https://www.muellerfunerals.com/obituary/john-peebles. Those wishing to view a live stream of John's funeral service, may do so at the following link beginning at 0945 EDT on 28 August: https://vimeo.com/event/1212155.]
And this from Tom Burke:
"With heavy heart I report that Tony Burshnick passed away last evening, 17 Aug. I have no details of the arrangements but will pass them along as they become available.
"May he rest in peace.
"Nulli Secundus
"Tom"
Andi Biancur's memorial service took place as scheduled on 27 July at 10:00 mdt. It was streamed live, but some had problems accessing it. For those who want to see the service, it is presented here in its entirety (53 minutes). Note: The video does not start automatically. Click/Tap in the Play icon to start it. Full-screen viewing is available.
Following the Memorial Service and the Interment ceremony with full honors at the Academy Cemetery, a reception was hosted by the family at the Falcon Club. It included a delicious buffet meal and an ample supply of beverages.
After the meal, Carole and several family members spoke about Andi, and--at their invitation--several guests also expressed their thoughts and/or provided anecdotes about Andi. Also several presentations honoring and remembering Andi were made to the family. Among them were Dennis Cripps of Quiet Birdmen and Col (Ret) Gaillard R. Peck Jr.
Carole Biancur
Dennis Cripps and Carole
Col Peck and Beverly Biancur
To augment the comments made at the reception, Andi's son Christian has created an audio archive on the LifeOnRecord service. It allows anyone who so wishes to add their thoughts, stories, or anecdotes about Andi. Christian encourages everyone to participate as follows: "Hi, this is Christian Biancur. We’re putting together an audio keepsake for Andrew Biancur’s family that contains stories and messages from family, friends and classmates to celebrate Andi's Life. Please share a quality, trait, or talent of Andi that you admire, a favorite story or memory about Andi. If you'd like some inspiration you can go to LifeOnRecord.com and click on the "Callers Tips" link in the top right of the page. You will have up to 30 minutes to leave your recording and you can call as often as you want. Thanks in advance, and don't forget to say who you are at the beginning of the recording!
1) Dial 1-800-437-3009
2) When prompted, enter the Invitation Number: 82508."
You may read the text of Beverly's eulogy for her Dad as given at the memorial service HERE.
Classmates Attending the Reception
Sitting: Elsea, Alnwick, J. Smith, Lalime, Glaza, Savage, Mosier
Floor: Caspar, Bronson, Sweigart, Roe [Yes, they all got back up on their own]
Andi Biancur's memorial service on 27 July at 10:00 will be streamed live for those who can't attend in person.
Instuctions for viewing:
URL: www.firstprescos.org
- Click on magnifying glass symbol near upper right in grey band—white search box will pop up.
- Click in box, then type in “memorial services”
- Click “Enter”
- Scroll down to “Upcoming Memorials at First Pres”
- Click on “Click Here for Memorials”
- Scroll down to Andi’s photo
- Under his photo Click on “More information…”
- You will see the time and date along with a “click here” to begin streaming
The recorded streaming will remain available for 30 days.
To download a copy of these instructions, click HERE.
Brian Kaley sends this:
"I attended the church service and burial service for Don Stevens in Bangor, ME on Tuesday 07/06/21. It was a very fitting remembrance of a true, decorated hero, with all military honors at the burial site. His wonderful family was all present along with a sizable gathering of mourning friends. We lost a great class member in Don, a career officer, a wonderful family man, and a man of significant personal achievement. Don was considerate to all and always willing to help anyone with their difficulties. We can all have fond recollections of him as an outstanding classmate. May God bless him. "
[Thanks, Brian, for representing us at these events and for your apt words about Don.--J.T.]
Jim Glaza sends still more bad news:
"J.T., Just got a call from Mark Stevens. His Dad, Don, passed away last Tuesday from prostate cancer. There will be a Memorial Service at the Lady of the Lake church in [Green Lake], ME on Tuesday, 6 July at 1100 with interment at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Bangor at approximately 1230. I am making a (perhaps futile) attempt to secure military honors for our Air Force Cross recipient, but have few resources to enlist in the effort. ... When you notify the class will you please ask that anyone planning to attend the ceremony please call me ASAP, as I am considering flying out there if no one else is available. I think class representation is most desirable."
Those wishing to read Don's obituary or leave a message for the family may do so HERE.
Update regarding Jim Clark's funeral:
Jim's funeral service will be on 8 July at 1100 mdt at the USAFA Cemetery. If inclement weather, the service will be in the Memorial Pavilion.