My dad passed away last week - Ret. M/Sgt. Peter Smiljanich. He was just a few days shy of his 90th birthday and was fairly healthy until the very end - stubborn as a mule but willing to do anything for you. He died peacefully in his apartment in Cedar Park, TX, with his wife, three adopted children, four grandkids, and a brand new great-granddaughter (one week old) at his side. He was buried this week at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery just south of Killeen, with full military honors by an Air Force color guard from Randolph. It was the saddest "Taps" I ever heard played. Dad was part of the "Greatest Generation." A life time of service in the military, six bronze stars, a purple heart, two air medals and a Presidential Unit Citation for his actions as a B-26 tail gunner over German and occupied France, service in Japan during the Korean War, and stationed just outside the Soviet Union at a Turkish air base during the Cold War. The man in charge of the veteran's cemetery told me that the WWII generation is dying at the rate of 1800 per day. In my dad's old bomber squadron, he was only one of three still alive.Not a bad life for a guy who dropped out of high school and rode the rails during the Depression before joining the Army Air Corps in January, 1941 (11 months before Pearl Harbor).
Let's never forget the sacrifices of our parent's generation.
Love,
Terry Smiljanich '65
tsmiljan@aol.com
tsmiljanich@jameshoyer.com
Friday, March 16, 2007
Mary Ellen Thomas Moorhead 2/1/2007
Dear Gloria,
It is with sadness that I write to tell you that our mother, Mary Ellen Thomas "Tommie" Moorhead passed away on February 1, 2007 at the age of 88. We will miss her very much. Her husband and our father, Lt Col. Jesse J. Moorhead Sr. passed away almost seven years ago on October 18, 2000. Please let the other Ro-Hawks know of our mother's passing away in the Ro-Hawk Alumni news. Thank you so much for you time and help in keeping the alumni together. Best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
J. David Moorhead ' 68 jmoorh2850@aol.com
Sharon Moorhead Woods ' 65
Sharon Moorhead Woods
3413 Sky View Place
Lynchburg, VA 24503
(434) 384-6307
It is with sadness that I write to tell you that our mother, Mary Ellen Thomas "Tommie" Moorhead passed away on February 1, 2007 at the age of 88. We will miss her very much. Her husband and our father, Lt Col. Jesse J. Moorhead Sr. passed away almost seven years ago on October 18, 2000. Please let the other Ro-Hawks know of our mother's passing away in the Ro-Hawk Alumni news. Thank you so much for you time and help in keeping the alumni together. Best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
J. David Moorhead ' 68 jmoorh2850@aol.com
Sharon Moorhead Woods ' 65
Sharon Moorhead Woods
3413 Sky View Place
Lynchburg, VA 24503
(434) 384-6307
Sunday, February 04, 2007
COACH ROBERT MICKLER'S MOM DIES AT 107
Thought you might be interested in this obituary for the mother of former RHS football coach Robert Mickler.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/obituaries/stories/MYSA020307.06B.Obit_Mickler.192f52f.html
Obituary: Mickler, 107, was a descendant of Wurzbach family
Web Posted: 02/02/2007 10:22 PM CST
Carmina DaniniExpress-News
The daughter and granddaughter of Bexar County judges, niece of a U.S. congressman and granddaughter of a wholesale grocer who once owned the Alamo convent property, Emily Wurzbach Mickler's life could have filled a history book.
Until her death Wednesday at age 107, Mickler was a link to San Antonio's past.
One of the first women in San Antonio to drive a car — something she did until she was 90 — she recalled when Fredericksburg Road was a two-lane country road that could be traversed on a horse and buggy.
Her father, William Augustus Wurzbach, usually made the trip via Fredericksburg Road from the family home to his office downtown.
"I remember we had a beautiful, very fast little trotter that flew like the wind," she said in a 1987 interview. "She could make it from the pasture gate to papa's office in the Alamo National Bank in 45 minutes."
Emily Wurzbach Mickler
Born: Jan. 1, 1900, in San Antonio
Died: Jan. 31, 2007, in San Antonio
Survived by: A son, W. Calvin Mickler of San Antonio; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren; she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Wellington Mickler Sr., a son, Robert W. Mickler Jr., and daughter, Margaret 'Bebe' Kinder.
Services: Graveside service today at 2 p.m. at Mission Burial Park South at 1700 S.E. Military Drive.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Boysville Inc., P.O. Box 369, Converse, 78109, or to Samaritan Care Hospice, 4204 Gardendale, Ste. 210, San Antonio, 78229, or to a favorite charity.
William Wurzbach was Bexar County judge from 1931 to 1932. His father, Charles Louis Wurzbach, served three terms as county judge in the late 1800s and also was elected to the state Legislature.
Uncle Harry Wurzbach was the first Republican from Texas to be elected to more than two terms in the U.S. House.
Maternal grandfather Gustav Schmeltzer — one of the partners in Hugo, Schmeltzer and Heuermann, a wholesale grocer — had his business in the Alamo long barracks.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Mickler made her debut as an Order of the Alamo duchess in 1921.
Seven years earlier, she and her family made a frantic rush from Austria to England to board a ship for America as World War I convulsed Europe.
Married to Robert Mickler in 1925, they had three children.
Only one son, Calvin, survives.
Another son, Robert W. "Bob" Mickler Jr., who compiled an enviable record as a high school football coach, was killed along with his wife in a car accident near Saltillo, Mexico, in May 1992.
Her only daughter, Margaret "Bebe" Kinder, died a week later.
"All I ever wanted out of life was children," Emily Mickler said.
Calvin Mickler said his mother was blessed with a great sense of humor and the belief that it's better to give than to receive.
"She was a strong woman who never drank except for a beer with Mexican food every once in a while, exercised and for years went swimming at the San Antonio Country Club at 5:30 in the morning," he said.
"She drove herself from her childhood home to the country club until she was 90. She quit (driving) on her own," Calvin Mickler said. "It was the hardest thing she ever did because she hated losing her independence."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/obituaries/stories/MYSA020307.06B.Obit_Mickler.192f52f.html
Obituary: Mickler, 107, was a descendant of Wurzbach family
Web Posted: 02/02/2007 10:22 PM CST
Carmina DaniniExpress-News
The daughter and granddaughter of Bexar County judges, niece of a U.S. congressman and granddaughter of a wholesale grocer who once owned the Alamo convent property, Emily Wurzbach Mickler's life could have filled a history book.
Until her death Wednesday at age 107, Mickler was a link to San Antonio's past.
One of the first women in San Antonio to drive a car — something she did until she was 90 — she recalled when Fredericksburg Road was a two-lane country road that could be traversed on a horse and buggy.
Her father, William Augustus Wurzbach, usually made the trip via Fredericksburg Road from the family home to his office downtown.
"I remember we had a beautiful, very fast little trotter that flew like the wind," she said in a 1987 interview. "She could make it from the pasture gate to papa's office in the Alamo National Bank in 45 minutes."
Emily Wurzbach Mickler
Born: Jan. 1, 1900, in San Antonio
Died: Jan. 31, 2007, in San Antonio
Survived by: A son, W. Calvin Mickler of San Antonio; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren; she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Wellington Mickler Sr., a son, Robert W. Mickler Jr., and daughter, Margaret 'Bebe' Kinder.
Services: Graveside service today at 2 p.m. at Mission Burial Park South at 1700 S.E. Military Drive.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Boysville Inc., P.O. Box 369, Converse, 78109, or to Samaritan Care Hospice, 4204 Gardendale, Ste. 210, San Antonio, 78229, or to a favorite charity.
William Wurzbach was Bexar County judge from 1931 to 1932. His father, Charles Louis Wurzbach, served three terms as county judge in the late 1800s and also was elected to the state Legislature.
Uncle Harry Wurzbach was the first Republican from Texas to be elected to more than two terms in the U.S. House.
Maternal grandfather Gustav Schmeltzer — one of the partners in Hugo, Schmeltzer and Heuermann, a wholesale grocer — had his business in the Alamo long barracks.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Mickler made her debut as an Order of the Alamo duchess in 1921.
Seven years earlier, she and her family made a frantic rush from Austria to England to board a ship for America as World War I convulsed Europe.
Married to Robert Mickler in 1925, they had three children.
Only one son, Calvin, survives.
Another son, Robert W. "Bob" Mickler Jr., who compiled an enviable record as a high school football coach, was killed along with his wife in a car accident near Saltillo, Mexico, in May 1992.
Her only daughter, Margaret "Bebe" Kinder, died a week later.
"All I ever wanted out of life was children," Emily Mickler said.
Calvin Mickler said his mother was blessed with a great sense of humor and the belief that it's better to give than to receive.
"She was a strong woman who never drank except for a beer with Mexican food every once in a while, exercised and for years went swimming at the San Antonio Country Club at 5:30 in the morning," he said.
"She drove herself from her childhood home to the country club until she was 90. She quit (driving) on her own," Calvin Mickler said. "It was the hardest thing she ever did because she hated losing her independence."
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
PAT HOLLIDAY, '66In my e-mails with Tom this morning it became apparent not all of you have heard the news of Pat’s death. She lost her 10+ year fight with ovarian cancer on Dec. 27th. Even near the end, she was as courageous and upbeat as she always was. While her fight was a long one, she had many good days to enjoy life with family and friends and especially on the golf course.
Once we were reconnected after almost 40 years, we had many long phone chats about anything and everything. I can honestly pass on to you all that she had a wonderfully happy life and would have changed very little of it if she had the whole thing to do over again. She was a wonderful woman and a dear friend.
Nancy Head '66
nancyh@polmood.com
Thursday, October 26, 2006
10/15/2006
Claude A. Hearn, Jr., longtime Superintendent of Randolph Field ISD, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 12, 2006. He was born on Hearn Street in Austin, TX, February 16, 1922 to Claude Adam and Alice Johnson Hearn. He attended public schools there, graduating from Austin High School in 1939. After graduation, Claude worked for the Texas Employment Commission in Austin until his enlistment in the US Army Air Corps in October 1942, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant in just 19 months and later served as the First Sergeant of three squadrons. Upon being honorably discharged, he enrolled at Southwest Texas State College graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, as well as a Master of Arts in Administrative Education. While completing his studies, he served as the Director of the men's dormitory on campus. At age 28, and just out of college, he was chosen as Superintendent of Randolph Field ISD, and continued to serve in that capacity for the next 38 years. His professional life was one of service. He held many offices within the TSTA Alamo District, including the presidency. Mr. Hearn later served as President of the Texas State Teacher's Association. He was named to the first Professional Practices Commission by Texas Governor Preston Smith and was named to Who's Who in the South and Southwest United States. He will always be remembered as a man of honesty and integrity who was fiercely devoted to his family. He was deeply patriotic and had a profound respect for the military and their service. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mildred Damron Hearn and children: Brian Lamar Hearn (Beverly), Fort Worth, TX; Heather Hearn Rathnau (Ron), Missouri City, TX; Scott Farrell Hearn (Kathy), Mableton, GA, and Maria Hearn Tews (Vince). He is survived by eight grandchildren: Jonathan, Kathleen and Elisabeth Hearn; Alison and Mallory Rathnau; Amanda and April Hearn, and Carolyn Tews. He is also survived by two brothers, Calvin E. Hearn (June) and Leslie G. Hearn (Jean) of Austin; brother-in-law Archie Y. Damron and sister-in-law Esther Damron, San Marcos, TX and nine nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; two brothers and a sister in early childhood: Nolan, Charles Henry and Thelma Hearn; brothers-in-law Jack Damron, Oslin Damron and George W. Burt, III; sisters-in-law: Shirley Hearn and Lois Damron Burt and nephew Allen Wayne Damron. MEMORIAL SERVICE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK, 1701 AUSTIN HWY. Rev. Malcolm Grainger officiating. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to the Village Parkway Baptist Church Building Fund, 3002 Village Pkwy., San Antonio, TX 78251 or a charity of their choice. A private burial will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff and loving caretakers at Regent Care-Oakwell Farms as well as Vitas Hospice. Sunset Funeral Home.
Claude A. Hearn, Jr., longtime Superintendent of Randolph Field ISD, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 12, 2006. He was born on Hearn Street in Austin, TX, February 16, 1922 to Claude Adam and Alice Johnson Hearn. He attended public schools there, graduating from Austin High School in 1939. After graduation, Claude worked for the Texas Employment Commission in Austin until his enlistment in the US Army Air Corps in October 1942, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant in just 19 months and later served as the First Sergeant of three squadrons. Upon being honorably discharged, he enrolled at Southwest Texas State College graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, as well as a Master of Arts in Administrative Education. While completing his studies, he served as the Director of the men's dormitory on campus. At age 28, and just out of college, he was chosen as Superintendent of Randolph Field ISD, and continued to serve in that capacity for the next 38 years. His professional life was one of service. He held many offices within the TSTA Alamo District, including the presidency. Mr. Hearn later served as President of the Texas State Teacher's Association. He was named to the first Professional Practices Commission by Texas Governor Preston Smith and was named to Who's Who in the South and Southwest United States. He will always be remembered as a man of honesty and integrity who was fiercely devoted to his family. He was deeply patriotic and had a profound respect for the military and their service. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mildred Damron Hearn and children: Brian Lamar Hearn (Beverly), Fort Worth, TX; Heather Hearn Rathnau (Ron), Missouri City, TX; Scott Farrell Hearn (Kathy), Mableton, GA, and Maria Hearn Tews (Vince). He is survived by eight grandchildren: Jonathan, Kathleen and Elisabeth Hearn; Alison and Mallory Rathnau; Amanda and April Hearn, and Carolyn Tews. He is also survived by two brothers, Calvin E. Hearn (June) and Leslie G. Hearn (Jean) of Austin; brother-in-law Archie Y. Damron and sister-in-law Esther Damron, San Marcos, TX and nine nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; two brothers and a sister in early childhood: Nolan, Charles Henry and Thelma Hearn; brothers-in-law Jack Damron, Oslin Damron and George W. Burt, III; sisters-in-law: Shirley Hearn and Lois Damron Burt and nephew Allen Wayne Damron. MEMORIAL SERVICE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK, 1701 AUSTIN HWY. Rev. Malcolm Grainger officiating. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to the Village Parkway Baptist Church Building Fund, 3002 Village Pkwy., San Antonio, TX 78251 or a charity of their choice. A private burial will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff and loving caretakers at Regent Care-Oakwell Farms as well as Vitas Hospice. Sunset Funeral Home.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Jesse D. Bergquist, 1919-2003
Jesse D. Bergquist 1919-2003
One of the Air Force's first Chief Master Sergeants and a long-time fixture in the San Antonio square dance scene, Jesse Dewey Bergquist of Universal City died at his home Wednesday, the 10th of December after a long period of declining health. He was 84 years old.
Born in 1919 the eldest son of an Idaho farming couple, Mr. Bergquist worked as a farm hand, cowboy, and mechanic between high school graduation in 1936 and when he was drafted into the Army 1941. During the Second World War, Mr. Bergquist’s leadership skills were recognized and he was promoted from a draftee private to the top non-commissioned rank of Master Sergeant in just over two years. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses for valor during aerial combat operations with the 5th Air Force in New Guinea. Discharged at the end of the war, he returned to Idaho with his Australian war bride and worked as an auto mechanic. The first photograph to the right was taken in 1945.
When the Korean War broke out, he volunteered for active duty and was recalled into the U.S. Air Force. This time, he made the Air Force a career and fought for his country in yet another war. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service at Danang Air Base, Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968. During his long tenure as head of base operations at Randolph Air Force Base in the 1960s, he oversaw the introduction of the T-38/Talon into the local area in 1962.
After his retirement from the Air Force in 1970, he and his family returned to San Antonio to live and work. He worked for USAA for a number of years before retiring a second time in 1981. A square and round dancer since the early 1960s, Mr. Bergquist was president of the San Antonio Square Dance Association from 1964 to 1965 and, with his wife, Shirley, helped organize the National Square Dance Festival in the Alamo City in 1974. In his retirement, Mr. Bergquist kept busy with his life-long hobby of carpentry, building furniture for his family and friends. The second photo to the right was taken about 1995.
Mr. Bergquist was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Shirley Powell Rawson Bergquist, who died in 1991 at the age of 68.
He is survived by two daughters, Catherine Bergquist of San Antonio and Kristine Svaglic (and husband, Dale) of Kansas City, Missouri; two sons, David Bergquist (and wife, Jackie) of Houston and Ronald Bergquist (and wife, Drucilla) of Pinebluff, North Carolina; four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter; a sister, June Gailey of Idaho, five brothers, Leon Bergquist of Idaho, Keith Bergquist and Ralph Bergquist of Utah, Gordon Bergquist of Nevada, and Max Bergquist of California.
Born
30 May 1919 in Glendale (Franklin County), Idaho
Died
10 December 2003 in Universal City, Texas
buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas
Tuesday, January 22, 1991
Shirley Powell Rawson Bergquist, 1922-1991
Shirley P. Bergquist 1922-1991
Obituary in The SUNDAY EXPRESS-NEWS, San Antonio (TX), January 27, 1991
UNIVERSAL CITY - Shirley (Powell Rawson) Bergquist helped with the Allied effort during World War II by working at an Army Air Force depot at her home town of Essedon, Australia.
She also enjoyed flying with the test pilots in prototype planes whenever there was a seat available. She took her own parachute.
She died Tuesday of natural causes in her home. She was 68.
She met her husband, Chief Master Sgt. Jesse Bergquist, an aircraft mechanic for the Army Air Force at the time, at the air depot in Essendon. They moved to the United States at the end of the war in 1945.
Born in 1922, Bergquist received her basic education in Essendon. She and her husband married there in 1943.
When the depot moved north, Bergquist did not go with her husband and instead went to work as a court reporter and secretary. She maintained her relationship with her husband through letters.
In 1945, Bergquist moved to the United States and reunited with her husband in San Antonio. The couple then moved to Preston, Idaho where they lived until the outbreak of the Korean War. When the war broke out, they moved to Honolulu (HI), staying there three years.
She then moved to Dover, Delaware, with her husband until 1959 (actually, 1960), when he was transferred to Randolph AFB.
Bergquist and her husband were active in several square dance organizations, including the Square and Round Dance Association, Tuesday Twirlers and the Flying Square Dance Club. She was also a member of the San Antonio Area Square Dance Association.
She was also an avid reader, music listener and art collector.
"She was on a par with everyone I know because of her inquiring mind," her husband said. "She was very strong-willed and compassionate."
"She wanted things done right," he added. "If she ever felt like she shunned someone, it just broke her heart."
Other survivors include two daughters, Kristine Svaglic of Kansas City, Mo., and Catherine Bergquist of San Antonio; two sons, USAF Col. Ronald Bergquist, who is stationed in Turkey, and David Bergquist of Houston; a brother, Ronald Rawson, and a sister, Adele Kempster, both of Melbourne, Australia; and four grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Sunset Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Born
17 December 1922 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia
Died
22 January 1991 in Universal City, Texas of pancreatic cancer
Buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas
Monday, December 25, 1989
Dennis R. Ruefer
Dennis R. Ruefer
BIRTH 4 Jan 1946DEATH 25 Dec 1989 (aged 43)
BURIAL
Sunset Memorial Park
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA
PLOT Section 1 (Masonic Garden)
MEMORIAL ID 157285027
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