~ On by ~ A tribute to mushers & mushing enthusiast that have
passed
Jerry Austin
St. Michael resident Mr. Jerry R. Austin, 62, died peacefully at the Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage on June 2, 2010, with his family and friends by his side. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the school gymnasium in St. Michael. Jerry will be laid to rest near his home at the west cemetery in St. Michael. Jerry was born on June 10, 1947, in Seattle, where he lived before coming to Alaska in 1969. Jerry was an Iditarod Hall of Fame musher, a 41-year Alaska Bush entrepreneur and a big-game hunting and fishing guide. Jerry met and married Clara Lockwood in St. Michael, where they resided and raised their four children and seven grandchildren. The entire family spent their summers and winters at their Golsovia River Lodge, 40 miles up the coast from St. Michael. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Jerrine May, who died in 1985, and his father-in-law, Lawrence G. Lockwood Sr., who died in 1999. Jerry is survived by his father; Walter Austin of Seattle; brother, Jim Austin of Seattle; wife, Clara Austin of St. Michael; mother-in-law, Irene Lockwood of St. Michael; daughter, Dena Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Jerrine and Louie Ambrose; daughter, Charlene Austin; son, Anthony Austin; grandchildren, Skye Shears, Autumn Austin, Hailey, Mathias and Kaleb Ambrose, Zachariah Austin, Jacelyn Austin, and a granddaughter on the way, all of whom reside in St. Michael.Clara and her family can be reached in St. Michael at 907-923-3281 and 923-2419. Arrangements were made by Anchorage Funeral Home & Crematory.
Roger "Rodeo" Vincent
Posted November 2009 - In tribute to our favorite musher Sled dog races planned for next weekend By CAROL HOFFMANN - News Editor - Yellowstone News
On Tuesday, West Yellowstone awoke to the sad news that Rodeo, our favorite musher, had passed away. Roger "Rodeo" Vincent died while outside with his sled dogs on Monday afternoon, Nov. 30, apparently from a heart attack. He was just 52. Sled dogs were Rodeo's passion and bringing sled dog races to town his dream. With his partner, Charlotte Mooney, Rodeo organized and ran the first such races last December, the likes of which haven't been seen in the area for many, many years. Even in a raging blizzard with limited visibility, the mushers had a great time, they loved the trails and how beautiful it is here and said they would be back. And they're on their way now. The second annual dog sled race, named the December Classic, which Rodeo and Charlotte have been planning for months, will be held in West Yellowstone next Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12. Charlotte is very determined to keep it going. It's the first race of the season in the western region, and mushers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Montana will participate. As many as 40 teams are expected. The December Classic consists of a 12-dog class running 32 miles per day, an 8-dog class running 22 miles per day and a 6-dog class running 12 miles per day. There is also a junior race for younger participants with 4-dog teams running 5 miles per day. Mushers will join in at the Christmas Stroll next Thursday before the races, riding the Parade of Lights in their trucks and then setting up near Wild West Pizzeria with their canine athletes for a "meet & greet" from 6:30 to 7:30. Races begin Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Old Airport on Hwy. 20 and Iris Street. Teams will leave the starting line about every 2 minutes. The big 12-dog teams will leave first since they go the farthest. The junior races will start about 1 p.m. There is an urgent need for checkpoint volunteers, especially those with snowmobiles who know the trails. Starting point and clean-up volunteers are needed as well. If you can help in any way or for any length of time, please call Juliann at 208-558-0198 or email Charlotte at HYPERLINK "mailto:rodeosconcrete@msn.com" rodeosconcrete@msn.com for details. People who want to volunteer can also show up between 7 and 8:30 a.m. both days. Volunteers are also needed for the pre-race set-up on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 8 a.m. at the Old Airport. The West Yellowstone School's International Club will be there selling hot drinks and goodies to help fund their 2011 trip to Germany. Rodeo hoped to see dog sledding become an integral part of West Yellowstone winters for years to come and, with the community's support next weekend and at future races, it just might happen, bringing a healthy diversity to the season. In memory and tribute to Rodeo, bring your family and friends and join in the fun and noisy excitement at the first dog sled races of the winter.
Ollie Walker - Chugiak
Pioneer Passes Away
Ollie Walker, 86, died March 23, 2007 (of
Alzheimer's complications) in Long Beach, California. He
was born on April 28, 1920 in Eureka, South Dakota. He was
drafted into the Army in 1942 and stationed at Bassingbourn,
England as a telephone operator for the Mighty Eighth Air
Force during WWII. While in England, he met and married
a Cambridge girl named Kathleen Furness. Ollie and Kathy
came to Alaska in 1950, homesteading near Fire Lake. They
were founding members of the Chugiak Dog Mushers Club, the
Chugiak Benefit Association and the Birchwood Baptist Church.
Ollie worked as an auto-body repairman on Fort Richardson
from 1950 until 1975. After retirement, he worked on the
North Slope as a welder for 10 years. Ollie competed in
dog races at the Tozier Track, in Fairbanks, at the Anchorage
Fur Rendezvous and at Pipple's Field. He made all of his
own dog sleds and harnesses and kept a dog lot of about
40 dogs. He also experimented with breeding a greyhound
line for a number of years. His dogs won several first place
trophies in Fur Rendezvous weight-pull contests in the late
1950's. In 1968, the Walker's became "snowbirds"
and lived in Texas in the winter and Alaska during the summers.
Preceding him in death is his wife Kathy, of 45 years (1992),
a son David Oliver (1947), and 10 siblings. Surviving him
is his second wife Julie and his children, Coleen Mielke
of Wasilla, Debbie Childress of Ohio, Terry Walker of Peters
Creek, Sherrie Walker of Chugiak, nine grandchildren and
nine great grandchildren.
Bill Sullivan Passes
Bill Sullivan, of Big Lake, died October 31 at age 69. Bill
was one of Alaska's all-time great sprint mushers and ran
the Rondy and North American many times. He was a retired
Anchorage Police officer and ran Sully's Sourdough Inn on
the Parks Highway at the Big Lake cutoff. The wake was held
Saturday, November 10, at Sully's Sourdough Inn, Mile 51.5
Parks Highway, Big Lake, Alaska. Farewell Sully.
Jerry Purser
Written by Theresa Daily
Sunday, 01 April 2007
In 1975, Jerry accepted an extension agent position with the
University of Alaska Fairbanks. At this time, he also married
Carolyn, his "partner and friend" for life. They
moved to Palmer in 1979, and Jerry became the agricultural
resource agent with the University of Alaska, a position he
held until his retirement in 1996. The university awarded
him the prestigious professor emeritus title in 1997.
Jerry's lifelong dream of
mushing dogs became a reality in 1982 and remained a significant
part of his life for the next 24 years, until he was diagnosed
with cancer. He treated his sled dogs as "family."
The highlight of his mushing career came in 2000, when he
and Carolyn ran their dogs with Norman Vaughan in the Serum
Run from Nenana to Nome.
His family wrote: "Leisure
activities always included other people. Jerry was a gregarious
individual with a magnetic personality. A short conversation
with Jerry and he was your friend for life. He and Carolyn
carved a remote cabin complex out of the wilderness along
the Yentna River, which he enjoyed so much. Over the years,
he entertained countless friends and relatives there. In
addition, Jerry had a strong curiosity to see other parts
of Alaska. To that extent, he, along with family and friends,
pursued numerous hunting, fishing and floating adventures
into the backcountry of Alaska. He also was an avid reader
with a voracious appetite for Alaska history, as evident
in his collection of books.
"Jerry had a kindness
and generosity that was an inspiration to all that knew
him. His ever-present humor was infectious and warmed the
hearts of all. He lived his life to the fullest, with honesty,
compassion and integrity. His absence leaves a large void
in the lives of many."
Jerry is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sister and brother-in-law,
Joyce and Bob Barton of Marble, N.C.; brother and sister-in-law,
Floyd and Nancy Purser of Andrews, N.C.; sons, Frank Purser
of Dana, N.C., and Charlie Purser of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter,
Tonya Purser-Bruechet of Spokane, Wash.; stepson, Mark Knighton
of Kingman, Ariz.; four granddaughters; and one grandson.
As per Jerry's request, he
will be cremated and his ashes scattered along the Iditarod
Trail in front of his cabin on the Yentna River.
The family requests that in lieu of memorials, donations
in honor of Jerry Purser be made to the Willow Dog Mushers
Association., attention Erin McLarnon, P.O. Box 858, Willow
99688
Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory
in Wasilla.
Dave Berg Looses Battle
David William Berg, 55, died peacefully at home Oct. 26, 2007,
surrounded by his family. He had pancreatic cancer and had
battled multiple cancers in recent years.
A celebration of life will
be held at Beach Lake Chalet at 3 p.m. Friday to be followed
by a reception at the home. Dave's wish is that everyone
dress in casual attire, as there will no doubt be a tour
of the garage.
Dave was born July 11, 1952,
in St. Paul, Minn., to Robert and Florence Berg. He attended
Wheaton Central High School in Wheaton, Ill., and began
his career as a fireman driving diesels for the Burlington
Northern Railroad. He later graduated from the University
of Illinois in 1979 with a degree in engineering. He worked
for the Illinois DOT on design and construction projects
in the Peoria area, including the Pekin Bridge, a major
structure over the Illinois River.
During this time, Dave met
the love of his life and soulmate, Linda, while on a motorcycle
trip in Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park, Texas,
in March 1983. In the summer of 1984, they moved out West,
a dream come true for both of them. They were married that
December on the solstice and settled first in Casper and
then Evanston, Wyo., where Dave worked for CEI, a private
consulting firm. Dave opened a CEI office in Evanston, later
transferring the office to Salt Lake City in 1988. The office
grew to a 22-person staff before Dave took the opportunity
to work for the Utah DOT, first as statewide environmental
engineer, and than as regional director for the Salt Lake
region.
During these years, he became
a proud father to three beautiful daughters - Kelly, Kairi
and KayeTori. Initially reluctant about parenthood, Dave
quickly found his children a source of pleasure and joy.
He recently stated that his feelings of love and pride for
his children had only grown through the years.
In 1995, Dave and his gang
of women followed their hearts once more and moved to Alaska,
where he worked for a number of private consultants developing
transportation projects for the public sector. He was especially
proud of the work he did at the Anchorage International
Airport, providing a beautiful arrival and departure point
for visitors to the state. His last job was with Mactec
Inc., working with people he both admired and enjoyed.
Meanwhile, his home and family
life went to the dogs - literally. The family fell in love
with mushing and became very involved with the junior mushing
clubs in the area. He came up with the name "5 Mushers"
as the Berg's kennel name, after the family enjoyed a glorious
day mushing together. He loved being out on the trail, enjoying
the quiet beauty around him and the camaraderie of his four-legged
companions. He equally enjoyed the people he met within
the mushing community.
Shortly after Dave was diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer in March, he began a major remodel
and addition to their home, not what most might choose to
do in their final months. He was able to see his designs
come to completion through the amazing support of family
and friends and even strangers who worked on the "garage
raising" and donated many hours of labor.
His family stated: "Dave's
most special gift to us was to refuse to give in to despair,
to remind us to the very end that he was a happy man, surrounded
by a family he loved, in a home he loved, and that he had
lived a great life full of challenges and opportunities,
with lots of friends and adventures along the way. We will
cherish that gift, and the memories we have of him."
Dave is survived by his wife,
Lyn; daughters, Kelly, Kairi and KayeTori, mother, Florence
Berg; sisters, Barbara Wasmund, Betty Kreuger and Donna
Symonds; sister-in-law, Cathy Berg; and many nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert F. Berg;
and his brother, Robert G. Berg.
Memorial donations may be
made to a fund for his daughters' education at Alaska USA
Federal Credit Union, or to the Chugiak Junior Dog Mushers
Association.
Caz ForbusCaz
Forbus looses his battle with cancer
Cazzie Wayne Forbus, 18, died of colon cancer Aug. 27, 2007,
at his home in Eagle River.
His cremated remains will
be scattered in Hawaii.
Cazzie was born May 3, 1989, in Tallahassee, Fla., and moved
to Alaska in 1995. He had attended Chugiak High School,
where he played on the football team.
He enjoyed weightlifting,
and in 2006 he took second place in the Mr. Chugiak competition.
His parents said, "Our
son was a true 'fighter.' " Survivors include his mom,
Candy Mulholland; Candy's husband and Cazzie's "father-in-love,"
Ray Mulholland; "brother-in-love," Travis Mulholland,
both of Eagle River; brother, Micah Forbus of California;
dad and stepmother, Tim and Diana Forbus of Eagle River;
grandparents, Sid and Neely Durant, Cazzie Hubert and Sue
Pitts, all of Florida, Wayne and Janice Forbus of Alabama,
Alice Mulholland of Alaska; aunts, Shelia Forbus of Georgia,
Connie Keathly and Cammie Bowlin of Florida; uncles, Kenny
Forbus and Dwight Forbus of Alabama. He was preceded in
death by his great-grandparents, Evie Granger, Mary and
Cazzie Luvie Pitts, and Mr. and Mrs. Berry.
NORMAN VAUGHAN
24-Dec-05 11:22 AM Norman passed away very peacefully Friday
surrounded by family and friends. He lived a wonderful life
and always dreamed big and dared to fail. We thank you for
your continued prayers, thoughts and support. We along with
you deeply miss Norman. He has had such a big impact in many
of our lives. This is a difficult time for all of us.
At this time there will not
be a memorial service, but instead deferred until prior
to the start of the Iditarod. In lieu of flowers, we are
asking that you donate to a fund that will be used to help
teach about nutrition to those with heart disease. The address
is below. Please designate it in memory of Colonel Vaughan.
Again, thank you for your support and prayers.
Message from Norman's wife Carolyn... This is of course
a very sad time not only for me but for everyone who has
been touched by Norman. Right now it is difficult for me
to describe my feelings and stream of thoughts, but I do
want you all to know that I feel the love and compassion.
I am currently with my son and family in Texas and will
go from here to a memorial for Norman in Hamilton, MA, this
week. I’ll be returning on Saturday, our 18th wedding
anniversary. What a life we had together over those 18 years.
Who would have ever thought…. Norman was such a precious
and extraordinary person in our lives. I will miss him desperately
even though he will be in my every thought and action. Hopefully
his motto will inspire us all to dream the big dreams and
dare to achieve them. My other favorite motto of his was
“You haven’t failed until you quit.” He
never quit and neither should we.
A Passing of a Friend
We are saddened by the passing of Linda Rose Swanke. Linda
was the mainstay of dog painting at all the important sleddog
races in the Anchorage area for years – many of the
Rondy drivers asked after her this year. She always had a
great attitude and good humor – invaluable when the
inevitable glitches of race days hit. She will be sorely missed,
not just for what she did but for who she was.
Linda worked for the FAA since
1991 as the Occupational Health Nurse and was with the FAA’s
Industry Drug and Alcohol Program for the past several years.
Linda, a long-term breast cancer survivor, succumbed to
complications arising from lung cancer on Sunday afternoon,
August 19.
A memorial service will be
held in the near future; however, a date has not yet been
set. Notification of time and date will be sent out in a
separate message.
Cards and condolences can
be sent to her sister, Mary Ann Earles, 708 Kennyhill Ave.,
Anchorage, AK 99521
In lieu of flowers,
please send donations to your favorite animal rescue organization.
Linda was a strong supporter of the two rescue organizations
here in Anchorage and it was her wish that support be continued.
Barry Alan MacAlpine
Barry Alan MacAlpine was born in Springfield, Mass. on September
17, 1936, the first son of Victoria Joseph MacAlpine and
Arthur Winslow MacAlpine. He attended public schools in
Springfield and graduated from Classical High School where
he was an exceptional athlete, posting several Massachusetts
State track and field records. He briefly attended Howard
University before joining the Air Force, eventually stationed
at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1956. Barry made
his home in Alaska, primarily in the Chugiak area. During
his early years in the state, Barry worked as a jazz musician
playing at clubs around Anchorage. He also worked as a draftsman
at District Engineers, and a surveyor for BLM at many sites
around Alaska including Amchitka and the Snettisham Dam.
In 1963 he attended UAF for training as an electronic technician.
At the time of his death he was employed at Anchorage Printing
where he had worked for approximately 20 years. In his later
years he lived alone in Birchwood, working in Anchorage
and devoting himself to the care and training of his sled
dogs, many of which he adopted from around the area. His
chief interests, in addition to his dogs were his music,
playing chess, reading and all things mathematical. Barry
is survived by his former wife, Donna Miller MacAlpine,
of McGrath, whom he married in Anchorage in 1961, and by
their four children Robin of Hyattsville, MD, Kenneth of
Pittsfield, MA, Norman of McGrath and Heather of Anchorage,
and by 13 grandchildren. Four brothers, two sisters, and
numerous cousins, nieces and nephews on the East coast also
survive him. His mother, Victoria (MacAlpine) Miller, who
made many visits to Alaska, passed away last year in Springfield.
Martina Delp
Musher Martina Delp died suddenly (electrocuted) at her
home in Salcha. She operated Long Haul Kennels and had more
than 30 dogs.
A memorial will be June 9th
at 11:00 AM St. Nicholas Catholic Church 707 Saint Nicholas
Drive North Pole, AK. Immediately following these services,
there will be a graveside service at the Salcha Community
Cemetery off Balch Way. South on Richardson Hwy, Left on
Balch Way (Just before the Salcha Store). Once on Balch
follow road until you see the sign for the Salcha Cemetery,
turn left and follow signs. After the graveside services
there will be a Potluck reception back at St. Nicholas Church.
Any questions you may contact Ann at St. Nicholas Church
at 488-2595 or Terry & Cynthia Julien at 488-5035
Herbie Nayokpuk Written by Theresa Daily
Sunday, 03 December 2006
It is with a heavy heart that the Family of Herbie Nayokpuk
would like to let you know that Herbert passed away Saturday
afternoon December 2nd, at 2:35 pm surrounded by family at
the Alaska Native Medical Center.
A Memorial Service is planned to be held in Anchorage, the
start of the Iditarod trail, Wednesday, December 6th, at the
Anchorage Baptist Temple at 1 pm and Thursday evening, December
7th, in Nome, at the end of the Iditarod, as Herbie completes
his final race down the trail, with the funeral service to
held in Shishmaref, Friday, December 8th (weather permitting).
Elizabeth and the family thanks everyone for the outpouring
of support you have given to us by email and phone calls.
And to all who have donated to the Herbert Nayokpuk Donation
Account at Wells Fargo. A special thank you to NANA, BSNC,
and Joan and Corey Hjalseth and family, Asta Keller and Cindy
Allred.
Cards can be sent to:
Elizabeth Nayokpuk and family
PO Box 30
Shishmaref, AK 99772
Thank you for your prayers and support from the Family of
Herbert Nayokpuk.
Chuck and Shirley Newberg
All
of us at gomush.com had a tremendous respect for Herbie.
His pride in Alaska, his family strength, and his sharing
of his traditional ways touched so many lives. His gentle
smile will be greatly missed. "On by" .....
Curtis Allen Charlie
Written by gomush.com
Tuesday, 07 November 2006
Published November 8, 2006 Posted in Local,
Fairbanks News
Curtis Allen Charlie, 44, passed away in
his sleep Nov. 4, 2006.Curtis was born March 31, 1962, to
Chris and Martha Charlie in Minto.He attended high school
in Nulato and Tanana. His favorite sports were basketball
and dog mushing; he won many junior dog mushing races as
a young man. Curtis was a seasonal firefighter and avid
subsistence hunter, he loved being out on the Minto Flats
with friends and family. Friends were always welcome at
his home in Minto.
Curtis will be greatly missed
by numerous friends and relatives. He was preceded in death
by his parents Chris and Martha Charlie; and nieces Dana
Charlie and Annette Roberts.He is survived by his daughters,
Minnena, Georgjean, Shaunda, Shelissa and Keely Shay; son,
Hunter Allen; brothers, Lloyd, Ollie and Roy Charlie of
Minto: sisters, Esther Hayward, Verconia, Frances and Christine
Charlie of Fairbanks and Pricilla Johnson of Minto; his
favorite uncle, Alfred Frank of Minto; and his companion,
Jessica Silas. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. today, Nov.
8, in Minto. The service will be officiated by the Rev.
Anna Frank. He will be laid to rest in the village cemetery.A
traditional potlatch will follow at the Minto Community
Hall. Arrangements were by Fairbanks Funeral Home and Crematory.
Four-time Iditarod
champ Susan Butcher dies
AP News : August 5, 2006 ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Four-time Iditarod
champion Susan Butcher died Saturday in a Seattle hospital
of complications from a recent bone marrow transplant. She
was 51 years old and leaves behind a husband and 2 daughters.
Butcher dominated the 1,100-mile sled dog race in the late
1980s. In 1986, she became the second woman to win the grueling
race from Anchorage to Nome. She added victories in 1987,
1988 and 1990 and finished in the top four through 1993.
Susan will be greatly missed by all of us - she was truly
an amazing person and a great ambassador for the sport of
mushing. (TD)
Legendary Iditarod Photographer
Passes
The Iditarod Sled Dog Race has lost a very
talented and dedicated friend. On August 3rd, photographer
Jim Brown passed away in Palmer, Alaska at the age of 91.
Jim was described as a consummate photographer who shared
his love for the “Last Great Race on Earth”
and shear beauty of the Iditarod
Trail with millions of race fans from around the world.
Today, we mourn the loss of one of Alaska’s legendary
photographers.
Mellen Shea
Longtime Alaskan educator and outdoor adventurer Mary Ellen
"Mellen" Shea, 55, died March 6, 2006, after a 14-month
fight with inflammatory breast cancer.
A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday
at St. Joseph's Church in Shelburne Falls, Mass. Burial
will be afterward at Arm's Cemetery. A reception will be
at 1 p.m. at the Charlemont Inn. A memorial service in Anchorage
will be announced later.
She was born Nov. 29, 1950, in Franklin
County, Mass.
Her family wrote: "Mellen lived for
the past 30 years in Anchorage. She was lured to Alaska
by her love of outdoor adventure. She climbed Denali and
other major peaks and took many wilderness adventures. But
her greatest recreational passion became skijoring and dog
mushing. She finished the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and
made six other trips to Nome as part of the Serum Run with
famed explorer Norman Vaughan. She taught skijoring and
helped popularize the activity in Anchorage.
"Mellen was an educator -- a teacher
by birth and a teacher by heart. She taught and was a guidance
counselor at Anchorage High School for nearly 20 years,
after which she was a guidance counselor for Native Americans,
employed by Cook Inlet Tribal Council. Additionally, she
coached several sports. She also introduced numerous students
to the outdoors through many nontraditional courses, including
Outward Bound in Minnesota and Wilderness Recreational Skills
programs in Anchorage.
"Mellen was known for her bright smile,
cheerful disposition and irrepressible spirit. Mellen inspired
many students and friends with her teaching and recreational
pursuits and she continued to inspire with the courage and
grace with which she fought cancer. Mellen faced cancer
the way she lived life, often comforting and inspiring other
cancer patients even as she was losing her battle."
She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Jackson;
parents, Jack and Marilyn Shea; siblings and their spouses,
Jack and Christie, Patrick and Susan, Mark, and Suzanne
and Richard Taylor; nieces, Kate (Shea) Kellogg, Heather
(Shea) Kochin, Emily Shea and Molly Taylor; nephews, Greg
Shea, Simon Taylor and Clayton Shea; and in-laws, Betty
and Rhett Jackson and Kay and Jack Lawrence of Columbia,
S.C.
Contributions in her memory
may be made to The Caring House, 2625 Pickett Road, Durham,
NC 27705.
Iditarod
matriarch a little Pennsylvania girl who came North VI REDINGTON:
Wife of race founder helped to keep it going.
Published ADN: March 7, 2006
An instrumental player in the creation of the now famous
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Violet Elizabeth Redington
-- "Vi" to her many friends all across the state
-- died of cancer March 4, 2006, at her home in Knik. She
was 81, and she hung on just long enough to witness the
televised start of one more Iditarod leaving downtown Anchorage.
A memorial service will be conducted after the finish of
the 2006 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Details will be announced
later. A private interment will be in the Wasilla Aurora
Cemetery next to her husband.If it is true that behind every
great man stands an even greater woman, Violet Elizabeth
Redington was living proof. From her birth on July 17, 1924,
in Kintnersville, Pa., to Milton and Cora Hoffman, Vi led
a life of which most others could only dream.In 1948, with
her husband, Ray Redington, brother-in-law, Joe and family,
and father-in-law, James Redington, this self-described
"little Pennsylvania girl" hit the road to Alaska
with no other goal than to have a life of adventure.On the
way to Alaska, they picked up their very first sled dog
and hauled him all the way to "sunny Knik," where
they settled. But the marriage of Vi and Ray wasn't to last.
She and Joe decided on Feb. 18, 1953, in the Wasilla Post
Office with Postmistress and Magistrate Mae Carter officiating,
to see if they could make a go of marriage.Not only did
they make a go of it, but together they single-handedly
put the sport of dog mushing on the map.Many stories have
been told of Joe Redington Sr.'s exploits and through it
all, Vi Redington was his strong right arm.After one of
several plane crashes, when Joe was missing for a few days,
Vi was asked if she was worried. Her reply both typified
her confidence in her husband and her unflappable nature:
"Oh, I'm not worried. If the crash didn't kill him,
he'll be all right."Vi followed Joe as dog musher,
homesteader at Flat Horn Lake, traveler (to support Joe's
mushing habit) to the Alpirod in Europe, to Great Britain,
and most notably, to Nome.Through all of Joe's seemingly
harebrained schemes, Vi kept her mouth shut and just nodded,
smiling the smile that lit up everyone who came within range.
In even the worst moments, her most aggressive comment was
"Good grief!" But her biggest test was yet to
come."A dog race to Nome is impossible" seemed
to be the general consensus of everyone around. But a few
hardy (many would say foolhardy) souls, led and inspired
by Joe Redington, Sr. and supported all the way by Vi, made
it happen.Though not officially known as the "mother"
of the Iditarod, few would argue that Vi was the matriarch
of the event, hosting, sometimes tolerating musher after
musher in her never-locked home in Knik, and in various
cabins including a much-loved place in the Peters Hills.Vi's
activities outside the mushing realm included her employment
as Registrar at Mat-Su Community College until computers
came on the scene. Vi always hated computers. She was active
in the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society, serving as its secretary
for many years. Along with Joe, she formed the Iditarod
Trail Blazers, the group largely responsible for the designation
of the Iditarod as a National Historical Trail.One of Vi's
most memorable experiences came in 1981, when she and Joe,
in their first formal attire, attended President Ronald
Reagan's inaugural ball, after Joe proudly mushed a dog
team in the inaugural parade.Vi was preceded in death by
her beloved husband of 46 years, Joe Redington, Sr., and
their son, Keith.She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law,
Tim and Lorayne, Tom, Raymie and Barbara, Joee and Pam;
daughter, Sheila; sister, Myrle Ott; grandchildren, Laurie,
Lisa, Joee Ray, Heather, Ray Jr., Vernon, Ryan, Robert,
Kerrina and Tommy Ray, Jerry and James; and great-grandchildren
Justin, Wyatt, Robert and Raynee; and many friends around
the world, especially in the mushing community.Arrangements
are with Kehl's Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Information
was provided by the Redington family.
A Great Man Passes We
are saddened by the passing of a great man today, on the 23rd
December 2005 , Norman Vaughan passed away peacefully in Anchorage,
Alaska, he was 100 years old.
Born in 1905, when Teddy Roosevelt
was president and polar exploration was in its heyday, Norman
was weaned on tales of Robert Peary, Roald Amundsen, and
Sir Robert Falcon Scott. In 1925 he left Harvard to join
one of his heroes, Sir Wilfred Grenfell in Newfoundland,
bringing medical supplies by dog sled to isolated villages.
He left school again three years later to go to Antarctica
with Admiral Byrd - a bold move that changed his life.
Norman was part of history
as the chief dog driver on the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition
in 1928-30. He raced with the best in sprint mushing demonstration
races in the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games. In 1967,
drove a snowmobile 5000 miles from Alaska to Boston. Brazenly
declared himself dog driving champion of the Pentagon to
compete as the first non-Alaskan dog driver in the North
American Sled Dog Championships in Alaska. At age 68, moved
to Alaska for dogs and adventure with empty pockets after
a business collapse and a shattered marriage. Shoveled sidewalks
for food, found a job as a janitor, and built a dog team.
Participated in 13 Iditarods, running his first one at age
72. Norman completed 6 with his last finish being in 1990
at the age of 84. Crashed President Carter's inaugural parade
and was in the next two. Taught John Paul II how to mush.
In 1997 organized the annual 868-mile Serum Run from Nenana
to Nome, Alaska. This commemorates the 1925 dash to Nome
by the fastest village dog teams to deliver diphtheria serum
to save Nome. Norman "Dreamed big & dared to fail".
Safe trails Norman.
Gifts in memory of Colonel Vaughan
Providence Alaska Foundation
3200 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Dr. Charles Belford...one
of the world's foremost "sled dog racing veterinarians"...has
passed away in his hometown of Laconia, NH, at age 85.
Doc Belford was one of the
most influential of Siberian breeders and racers. He was
a close friend of that OTHER racing vet, Doc Lombard. With
Dick Moulton making a threesome, these men undertook to
found SEPP-- a move within the ranks of SHCA to retain the
racing qualities of the Siberian Husky. Doc Belford lived
much of the important racing history that we read about
in books. He was a World Champion and raced Alaska shortly
after Lombard initially went there from New England and
came back with many tales of the tough trails, tough drivers,
and tougher dogs. He started in Siberians when his father
bought dogs from Seppala. He was a member of the newly formed
NESDC Juniors. And he loved the sport. Dr. Belford was recognized
for his authoritative knowledge of the racing Siberian and
was asked abroad to speak and lecture in the Scandinavian
countries.
Harold Capps
Harold Capps, from Chugiak, Alaska. A memorial service was
held Wednesday May 18th, at Anchorage Funeral Home and Crematory.
He was born Jan. 4, 1961, in Denver.Mr. Capps retired from
the Wheat Ridge, Colo., Fire Department as a lieutenant. He
received the Fireman of the Year Award from the Wheat Ridge
Department.Mr. Capps moved to Alaska in 1999. He worked for
Grinnell Fire Protection, where he used computers to design
fire sprinkler systems.He enjoyed firefighting, dog mushing,
fishing, hunting, skiing, beer making, welding/building, fly
tying and rod wrapping. He received the Inspirational Musher
Award from the Chugiak Dog Mushers,Julie, his wife, wrote:
"Harold is my best friend and the love of my life. Harold
is my hero."Forrest Capps wrote: "Harold is my friend
and mentor. He is also a wonderful uncle and brother-in-law.
He is one of the smartest people I know."Mr. Capps is
survived by his wife, Julie of Chugiak; brother and sister-in-law,
Forrest and Cindy Capps; niece, Meagan Capps; nephew, Nick
Capps; mother, Marilyn Capps; and sister, Heather Katt, all
of Denver.Memorial donations may be given to Chugiak Dog Mushers,
P.O. Box 671523, Chugiak 99567, or the American Cancer Society.
If anyone would like to send condolences to Julie Capps, her
address is: Julie Capps, P.O. Box 671692, Chugiak, AK 99567
Fairbanks Musher - Bob Stroecker
of Salcha, Alaska died June 12 th 2004 from complications
stemming from a mushing accident. Stroecker, of Salcha Alaska,
hit his head on a low-hanging tree, frsctured his skull
and was paralyzed from the shoulders down. He stayed at
the Seattle Veterans Hospital for 2 years before returning
to Alaska. He was living at the Denali Center in Fairbanks
when he died. A memorial service was held in Fairbanks in
June.
The 'Flying Frenchman' - John
Paul Trotier of Essex Junction, Vermont died July, 19th
2004 at the age of 81. Trotier was a musher who trained
dogs year around and attended winter sled races. He received
an honoraray Olympic Gold medal for his fund raising efforts
in 1972, making him the only musher to hold an Olympic medal.
He participated in parades with his sled dogs, often playing
Santa to deliver presents to children and nursing home residents.
A memorial service was held in Essex Junction in July.
Yukon Quest Musher Dies
Charlie David Armstrong, 51 Wasilla resident Charlie David
Armstrong, 51, died June 17, 2004, at Providence Alaska Medical
Center as a result of an accident. A memorial service was
June 22, 2004, with military honors. Spiritual Leader Dean
Babco officiated. Burial was at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.
Mr. Armstrong was born Sept. 7, 1952, in Coos Bay, Ore., to
Charles and Phyllis Armstrong-Branson. He considered his hometown
Branson, Mo., before moving in 1991 to Alaska, where he had
been self-employed as a musher. He was a member of McKinley
Mountain Men, Wasilla Veteran Centers and Aurora Dog Mushing
Association. Mr. Armstrong served two tours of duty in Vietnam
and received awards. He was also the recipient of the Award
of Appreciation of Standdown for five years of service at
Fort Richardson. Mr. Armstrong's special interests included
black powder marksmanship and archery. His family wrote, "He
had a good sense of humor, always smiled, and was a dedicated
and generous volunteer." He was preceded in death by
a daughter, who died at birth, and his parents. He is survived
by his wife, Judy, of Wasilla; brothers, Larry Armstrong of
Columbia, Mo. and Randy Armstrong of Mountain Grove, Mo.;
sister, Yvonne Blair of Potosi, Mo.; sons, Billy Armstrong,
serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq, and DeWayne Armstrong,
serving in the U.S. Navy in Michigan; stepson, Neil Lippincott
of Anchorage; numerous nieces and nephews; and four grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations
be made to the Wasilla Vet Center, Wasilla, Alaska 99654.
Arrangements were made with Evergreen Memorial Chapel.
Mary Carey
LONGTIME RESIDENT , 91 Alaska
pioneer and historian Mary E. Carey, 91, died suddenly June
18, 2004, at her lodge, Mary's McKinley View Lodge, at Mile
134 Parks Highway. Visitation and viewing will be from 2 to
4 p.m. Monday at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla. A funeral
will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Montana Creek Baptist Church,
Mile 98 on the Parks Highway, near Talkeetna. Mrs. Carey was
born April 1, 1913, in Chatsworth, Ga. She came to Alaska
in 1962 and quickly fell in love with the state and its people.
Mary Carey
She had been scheduled to be the grand marshal of the Talkeetna
Moose Dropping Festival this July, an honor her family said
pleased her very much. "Mary was most famous for her
books, having written 16 books about her adventures,"
her family said. "She homesteaded in what is now Denali
State Park when it was 100 miles to the nearest road. She
lived in a tent while petitioning then-Gov. Egan to put
a highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks which would pass through
the area she thought had the prettiest view of Mount McKinley.
Seven years later, the Parks Highway was finally completed,
and she opened a business on the side of the road which
her family still operates today. In her later years, Mary
wrote a book, 'My Three Lives in Headlines,' which has been
sold for a movie. "Mary loved greeting customers and
sharing 'her mountain' with everyone. She will be greatly
missed by her family and many friends." Mrs. Carey
is survived by her daughter, Jean Carey Richardson of Denali
Park; three grandchildren and their spouses, Linda and Martin
Williams of Titusville, Fla., Carol and Karl Knudson of
Cypress, Texas, and Joe and Melissa Richardson of Denali
Park; two great-grandsons, Shawn Williams of Denali Park
and Taylor Knudson of Cypress; three great-great-grandchildren,
Austin, Hailey and Trey Williams of Bay City, Texas; and
extended family and friends. Arrangements are with Valley
Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla.
Marjorie Page,
79
Oct 30, 2003
Longtime Anchorage resident Marjorie M. Page died Oct. 21,
2003, at Alaska Regional Hospital, surrounded by family.Her
family wrote: "Margie was born June 28, 1924, in Kansas.
She was Elmer and Blanche Berrie's only child and grew up
in a house filled with love. "In 1946 Margie was a
factory worker by day and a roller skating queen by night.
That is where she met her husband Bob, when she fell right
into his arms. Three months later they were married. They
started their new life together seeking adventure and never
stopped. "They ran a radio repair shop for five years
in Kansas. They joined a carnival, spent five years traveling,
and had their daughter Vickie. For the next eight years,
they lived in Texas. Margie worked as a secretary until
1962 when she and Vickie moved to Anchorage where Bob had
been transferred the year before. "In 1964 Margie was
in a grocery store when the quake hit. She huddled near
the register with others to ride it out. Margie and Bob
spent the next month at The Salvation Army office downtown
sending and receiving HAM radio messages to the Lower 48
since there were no phone lines working in Alaska. For many
families, HAMs were their link to the outside. Margie's
and Bob's call signs were 'GLU' and 'HIU.'"Over the
years Margie was a member of the Toastmistresses of Alaska,
serving as club president for 1965-1966. She was also a
member of PARKA the Polar Amateur Radio Klub of Alaska,
serving as president for 1971-1972. She and her husband
also ran radio communication check points for the Iditarod
and Fur Rendezvous dog sled races."She is loved."Mrs.
Page was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Bob.She
is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Vickie and Kerry
Hawkins; granddaughter and husband, Jostina and Kevin Jones,
and their children, Justin, Caitlyn and Dalton; grandson,
William; grandson and wife, Edward and Jennifer Page; and
granddaughter, Lennett Idleman, and her son, Sheridan.
Myron Gavin,
74
July 7, 2003
Myron Dominic Gavin, 74, died July 7, 2003, at Providence
Alaska Medical Center of complications from congestive heart
failure and subsequent pneumonia.A memorial service will
be at 9 a.m. Monday at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Eagle
River. Mr. Gavin was born Dec. 15, 1928, in New Hope, Wis.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950 and was stationed at
Fort Richardson. He and his family settled here in 1951.
He and his wife homesteaded on the banks of Eagle River.
After being flooded out a few times, they bought property
elsewhere in Eagle River and later moved to Peters Creek.His
passion was sprint sled dog breeding and racing; his dog
breeding and training programs of 10 to 20 dogs would eclipse
other dog lots with hundreds of dogs and generations of
experienced dog people. Tuffluk Kennels set many track records
at Tozier Track and statewide. Mr. Gavin served as race
marshal for the 1978 Iditarod in the only photo finish the
race ever had. His stock previously won races in Alaska,
the Lower 48 and Europe. He also enjoyed painting, drawing
and ivory carving.Mr. Gavin was a 23-year welder for civil
service before retiring and made artful pieces in metal
for family members. He received numerous commendations for
equipment improvements and had also worked as a carpenter
and millwright. His family wrote: "He always told it
like it was and didn't care whether you agreed with him
or not. He was always opinionated, and you always knew where
he stood on the important issues. He told great jokes, and
when he was younger, could tell them one right after the
other. He was always there to lend a hand with the tough
decisions with wit and a sense for reality and what was
right and wrong."Mr. Gavin was a member of St. Andrew's
Parish, Alaska Sled Dog Racing Association, and founding
member of Chugiak Dog Musher Club.Survivors are his wife
of 53 years, Shirley; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and
Linda Gavin of Fairbanks; daughters and son-in-law, Gale
Franks of Chugiak and Michele and Michael Walsh of Birchwood;
five grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Dombrowski; brothers
and sisters-in-law, Bob and Bonnie Gavin and Alfred and
Dorothy Gavin; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded
in death by his parents, Martha and Barney; and brother,
Rudy Gavin.Memorial donations may be made to the charity
of choice.Arrangements were with Alaska Cremation Center.
Bob Ernise
Passes from Cancer 29 June 2003 "Our good friend, father,
grandfather, son, brother and loving husband departed this
realm today at approximately 3:30 p.m. Alaska time. He went
in peace with the permission and embrace of his family and
friends. He is without a doubt currently entertaining and
winning the hearts and souls of those with which he is currently
in residence. God Speed, Bob Ernisse, the likes of you shall
not pass this way again, any time soon." The family request
if you want to do something to
honor his life, give blood. Safe journey Bob.
Keli Mahoney
June 6, 2003 -ADN
Talkeetna resident Keli Mahoney, 35, died May 28, 2003, as
a result of an aviation accident on South Hunter Pass in Denali
National Park. The rosary was said June 1, and a Mass was
held June 2 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Talkeetna with
The Rev. Leo Walsh as celebrant. A celebration of her life
was held June 2 at the Talkeetna Elementary School gym. Ms.
Mahoney was born Feb. 20, 1968, in Quincy, Mass., to Roy and
Francis Mahoney, the youngest of six children. At age 16,
she became the first female member of the Seven Hill Yacht
Club in Boston. A private pilot at age 16, she was a certified
flight instructor at 18. After completing a bachelor's degree
at Bridgewater State College, she began flying the east coast
corridor for the TWA regional commuter shuttle in 1989, at
age 21.In 1991, Ms.
Keli Mahoney (left) and LeeAnn Wetzel
Mahoney moved to Bethel, where she flew for Hageland Aviation.
In 1993, she relocated to Talkeetna. She was chief pilot for
Doug Geeting Aviation for the 1993 and 1994 seasons. In 1995,
she and business partner LeeAnn Wetzel began McKinley Air
Service, one of only four companies in the United States owned
and operated by women. Specializing in ferrying climbers to
base camp on Mount McKinley and flightseeing tours of Denali
National Park, Ms. Mahoney acted in the capacity of co-owner
and chief pilot for McKinley Air from 1995 until the time
of her death.She was an avid dog musher. Owner of McKinley
Kennels, she raced in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from
Anchorage to Nome in 1997 and 1998, placing as high as 30th.
She also ran in the Yukon Quest race between Whitehorse, Yukon,
and Fairbanks in 2001 and 2002.An active member of the Talkeetna
community, Ms. Mahoney was a member of the volunteer ambulance
service and was a volunteer firefighter.Family and friends
said: "Keli lived her life to its fullest capacity. There
was no boundary she felt she couldn't cross nor was there
a challenge too great for her to tackle."
Joe redington Sr
Joe Redington, Senior (February 1, 1917 – June 12,
1999) was an American dog musher and kennel owner, who is
best known as the "Father of the Iditarod Trail Sled
Dog Race", which runs 1,049 miles¹ across the
U.S. state of Alaska.
Redington was born in Kingfisher,
Oklahoma on February 1, 1917 and lived there until he was
six years old. His mother left him shortly after his birth,
and he grew up with his father and his brothers James and
Ray. Joe Redington's father was a laborer who worked was
a rancher, on the oil fields, and even traveled with Irish
Gypsies for two years. Because of this, Joe went to school
in many different places. He attended school in Spearman,
Texas, Fairberry, Nebraska, Aurora, South Dakota, and Geary,
Oklahoma. After living in Jersey City, New Jersey for one
year, they settled on a farm in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania
in 1930.
Joe
Redington
In 1940, Redington enlisted
in the United States Army, and joined the 6th Field Artillery
at Fort Hoyle, Maryland. He was later transferred to Fort
Sill, Oklahoma, where he became part of the infantry, and
was trained in the Field Artillery Jump School. He was assigned
to the Pacific Theatre during World War II, and was part
of the Special Assault Troops. He was discharged from Fort
Dix, New Jersey after the war and returned to Pennsylvania.
In 1948, Redington moved to
Knik River, Alaska, where he filed a Homestead Act claim
along the Iditarod Trail in Knik, and started the Knik Kennels.
The trail was overgrown, and he learned of Alaska's history
of dog mushing from local "sourdoughs".
His military experience helped
him get a contract with the United States Air Force's 5039th
Maintenance and Supply Group, or "Rescue and Reclaimation".
From 1949 to 1957 with teams of large huskies, he helped
recover aircraft and personnel from crash sites, until they
were replaced by helicopters.
On February 18, 1953 he married
Violet Redington, and they moved to a new homestead on Flat
Horn Lake, Alaska and worked from 1954 to 1958 as hunting
guides along the Iditarod trail. He and his wife also helped
clear the overgrown trail, and lobbied to make it a National
Historic Trail.
Redington met Dorothy Page,
the future "Mother of the Iditarod", at the Willow
Winter Carnival in 1966. She wanted to sponsor a dog sled
race to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the purchase
of Alaska from Russia, but had been unable to get the support
of an experienced musher. Redington in revitalizing dog
sledding, which was on the verge of vanishing. In his own
words, "When I visited Interior villages in the fifties,
every household had five or six dogs. They were the only
transportation. But by the late 1960s, village dogs were
almost gone."²
Redington agreed to help if
a purse of USD $25,000 would be split among the winners.
According to Redington, "I wanted the biggest dog race
in Alaska... and the best way to do that was to offer the
biggest purse".³
The Redingtons returned to
Knik in, and the money was raised. In February 1967, 58
dog mushers competed in two heats along a 25-mile (40 km)
stretch of the old Iditarod Trail between Wasilla and Knik.
The race was modeled after the 1908 to 1918 All-Alaska Sweepstakes
(AAS) of Nome, and was named the Iditarod Trail Seppala
Memorial Race, after the three-time champion Leonhard Seppala.
The 1968 race was canceled due to lack of snow, and with
a purse of just $1,000, only 12 mushers participated in
the second event in 1969.
While initially a success,
enthusiasm had waned. Redington wanted to expand the race,
from Knik to the historic gold rush town of Iditarod, but
changed it to the more-recognizable Nome, more than 1,000
miles (1,600 km) away. In 1969 he promised there would be
a purse of $50,000.
Despite widespread skepticism,
the trail was cleared and a total of $51,325 was raised.
In 1973, Dick Wilmarth and his lead sled dog Red Devil beat
a pack of 34 mushers who competed in the race to Nome. Negative
publicity caused by the death of several dogs during the
race reduced the purse to only $34,000 in 1974, but the
event still attracted a field of 44 mushers. In 1975, the
race instituted stronger dog care requirements, and a corporate
sponsor raised the purse back to $50,000. Despite more negative
publicity and funding problems in 1976, the Iditarod Trail
Sled Dog Race has since grown into the premiere sporting
event in the state, and the largest dog sled race in the
world.
This popularity also caused
dog mushing to revive in the 1970s as a recreational sport.
Partly due to Redington's efforts, the Iditarod was designated
one of the first four National Historic Trails in 1978,
and the first official trail marker was put up outside his
home in 1980.
Redington became known as
the "Father of the Iditarod" for his work promoting
the race, and personally competed in seventeen Iditarods
from 1974 to 1997, but never placed higher than fifth. He
was the honorary musher in the 1997 race, as he was 80 years
old when he completed the race.
Redington died in June 24,
1999 from cancer, and was buried in his favorite dog sled
in Wasilla, Alaska. A memorial with a life-size bronze statue
was unveiled nearby at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters,
on February 1, 2003.
