This memorial tribute is a small remembrance of many years of caring friendship and professional ties with those who have gone before us. We are grateful for having known these friends, we appreciate their accomplishments in their communities, and we know that the memories of their lives will be inspirational to us as we continue our journey.

"No man is an island, entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent...
Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind."
— John Donne (1572-1631)

Let us all remember those who have been a part of our emergency management family in the past, especially those who have died in recent years.

2023

• IAEM Student Member Amanda Robinson passed away on April 19
  We are saddened to learn the news that IAEM Student Member Amanda Robinson passed away on April 19 while at school at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA). She was a senior majoring in emergency management. IAEM expresses condolences to Amanda’s family, MMA faculty and staff, and friends.
  
  Amanda, 22, joined the Civil Air Patrol in 10th Grade and was determined to serve her country. While at MMA, she completed internships at Canaveral Port Authority and the Church World Service (a resettlement organization assisting refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers seeking safety and the opportunity to rebuild their lives in the United States), and UG2. She excelled and exceeded all expectations in the EM Program through her hard work and dedication and became a part of the EMS Corps. In addition to her studies, she was a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands.
  
  More information and a link to a GoFundMe in her name is available at https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/nassau/beautiful-legacy-left-behind-by-bellmore-woman-found-dead-on-college-campus/. View her obituary.

2022

Deceased Members Recognized at IAEM Annual Memorial Service, IAEM-USA Business Meeting and Global Report, Nov. 9, 2022:

• Certification Chair James “Jim” Howson passed away on Nov. 27 (08 Dec. 2022)

  It is with extreme sadness that IAEM announces the passing of IAEM Certification Commission Chair James (Jim) Howson. Jim had been an active member of IAEM since 2007 and Certification Commission Chair since 2021. He passed away on November 27th.
  Jim Howson joined the IAEM Certification Commission in 2017, served as Vice Chair from 2020-21, and became Certification Commission Chair in 2021.
  “Jim devoted an extraordinary amount of time and effort to the support and advancement of the International Association of Emergency Managers Certification program,” said IAEM CEO Elizabeth Armstrong, MAM, CAE.
  His leadership assisted in keeping the Certification program on course during a time of great change. As Chair, he oversaw the validation and modernization of the certification requirements, improvements to instructions in the AEM/CEM application, the rollout of a new AEM/CEM exam, and the creation of uniformed services guidebooks to provide guidance to military candidates. He was always an active participant, protective of the certification program, its commissioners, and its staff.
  At his death, Jim was an emergency manager for the U.S. Department of State and a Nationally Registered Paramedic. Jim has been involved in emergency services and healthcare since 1978. Prior positions include emergency manager for the National Institutes of Health, Unit Chief for the Operational Medicine Unit at the U.S. Department of State, a Booz Allen Hamilton Associate, and Corporate Director of Emergency Management at Barnabas Health.
  Jim will be greatly missed by his IAEM colleagues and family. A celebration of his life will be announced early next year

• Peter M. Apatow, Milford, Connecticut, Board of Directors, Humanitarian Resource Institute.

• Michael Augustyniak, retired member of the NJ Office of Emergency Management. 

• H.M. Bottom, Russell Springs, KY, Emergency Management Coordinator for Russell County, Kentucky.

• Gary Luce, Lebanon, Kentucky, Assistant Emergency Management Director with Marion County.

• William “Mike” Wilder, Perryville, KY, Director of Boyle County Emergency Management.

• Jerry. Quinn, Folsom, CA, Long-time IAEM-USA member and CESA Government Affairs rep. Jerry dedicated over 30 years to the emergency management field 

2021

This listing will include those who passed away since the IAEM 2020 Annual Conference, Nov. 16-18, 2020, and who will be recognized at the IAEM 2021 Annual Conference.

• Former IAEM-Canada President John Saunders passed away on Nov. 20 (1 Dec 2021) Former IAEM-Canada President John Saunders passed away on Nov. 20, 2021, at the age of 57. He had been an active member of IAEM since 2003.
  
  “John made significant contributions to the International Association of Emergency Managers especially during a period when we were forming and strengthening our organization on a global basis,” said IAEM CEO Elizabeth Armstrong, MAM, CAE. “His quiet leadership was calming during conversations that could be energetic; his presence was reassuring. John led many initiatives, including hosting a Global Board Meeting in Toronto, Canada; initiating a benefits program for IAEM members to provide reliable and inexpensive legal services to emergency managers around the world (LegalShield); and helping with organizational business matters on a global scale. John was an active participant, protective of the association, its members and staff.”
  
  While IAEM-Canada president (2011- 2013), he also served as on the IAEM-Global Board of Directors. At that time, John served a term as the IAEM-Global finance director. Prior to being IAEM-Canada president, he held the position of vice president (2009-2011).
  
  At his death, John was the owner and president of his consulting firm, Saunders Enterprises & Emergency Management Services, and he also served as an elected advisory committee member for Canada’s Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. Prior positions include emergency preparedness officer, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; chair and president, CanOps; member of the Board of Trustees, ProBono EM; incident management specialist, Get Ready Online, Inc.; and provincial director, disaster management, Canadian Red Cross.
  
  His jovial spirit was a fixture at IAEM Annual Conferences and events in Canada. John will be missed by his IAEM colleagues and family. Memories of his life may be posted on the Memory Wall. A celebration of life will be announced later per his obituary.

• IAEM Member, Lynn Marshall, passed away, Nov. 15 (19 Nov 2021) IAEM member, Stuart “Lynn” Marshall, passed away on Nov. 4 at the age of 64. Marshall had been the Sarpy County (Nebraska) emergency management director since 2008. During that time, he was an integral part of the county’s response to emergencies, including the historic flooding in 2019. Prior to his work in Sarpy County, Marshall was a planning specialist with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. He was active in the Nebraska Association of Emergency Management, serving as president in 2013. Marshall was instrumental in reestablishing the Tri-County Citizen Corps and served as president and chaired the council. He is survived by his wife, Margie, and children, Shane and Erika, and seven grandchildren. The family requests that memorial donations be made in his name to the Tri-County Citizen Corp Council.

• IAEM Member, Dean Larson, passed away, Oct. 15 (28 Oct, 2021)  It is with sadness that IAEM announces the passing of long-time member Dean R. Larson. A member since 1997, Dean will be remembered for his many IAEM contributions. He served on the Certification Commission, including as its chair (2012), and helped create the Certification Bravo Zulu Service Award. Dean established the vetting and selection process for IAEM’s Certification and Scholarship Commissioners and chaired the selection subcommittees for several years. He was a mentor to many and share his knowledge freely with members and through participation on many committees, including the Editorial Committee.
  
  Dean, 77, died on Oct. 15, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Gail, his children, Holly Nagy and Todd Larson, and many special grandchildren. A service was held on Oct. 24, in Indiana.
  
  Dean received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees from Purdue University and a Master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He enlisted in the Navy and retired as a Captain in Special Operations and later retired from United States Steel Corporation. Captain Larson represented the U.S. Naval Academy as a Blue and Gold Officer for 42 years, including service as the Indiana Coordinator.
  
  Dean taught for Purdue University Calumet, Purdue, Saint Xavier, Oklahoma State, and Capella Universities. He was the environmental safety and health training manager for Argonne National Laboratory from 1989 to 1995, and the safety and industrial hygiene manager for United States Steel Gary Works from 1995 to 2003.
  
  Services were held in Indiana on Oct. 24. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Chicago. View the obituary for more information or to leave a message to the family.
  
  
• Joseph R. Sastre, passed away on Feb. 15, 2021 (02 Mar 2021) Long-time IAEM member, Joseph R. “Joe” Sastre, 64, passed away on Feb. 15, 2021, at home with his family in New Britain, Connecticut, after a long battle dwith cancer. His life was one of public service. He worked for 25 years in the Milford Police Department, retiring as a lieutenant. He served as the director of Milford Police Department’s Training Academy, and was involved in several statewide educational programs. When he retired, he began a new career as manager of emergency communications and emergency management in Groton, Connecticut, becoming involved with statewide and national emergency management as well as national homeland security. After his second retirement, he began teaching emergency management as an adjunct professor at the University of New Haven. IAEM members will remember him for his work as IAEM’s representative on the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC). In her last email communication with Joe, IAEM CEO Beth Armstrong wrote to him: “You have served your profession, your fellow citizens, and this association with honor. Your work is deeply appreciated, and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers with esteem and affection.” IAEM members offer their deepest condolences to Joe’s wife Vicki, their three children, and their nine grandchildren, as well as his two surviving siblings and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held privately by his family, when they are all able to be together post-COVID. View details about Joe’s family and life here, and take the opportunity to post a tribute. 
    
• Dennis Mileti, luminary in the field of hazards and disaster research, passed away on Jan. 30, 2021 (03 Feb 2021) IAEM is saddened to share the news that a frequent conference speaker and friend, Dennis Mileti, Ph.D., has died of complications from COVID-19. He was the former director of the Natural Hazards Center and the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Mileti is recognized as one of the world’s leading risk communication scholars, while he authored more than 100 publications on the societal aspects of hazards and disasters. The Natural Hazards Center has created a tribute page. Visit it to read a full bio, and leave your comments about and photos of Dr. Mileti. IAEM sends condolences to Dr. Mileti’s family and friends. His contributions to the field of emergency management will live on through those who learned from his teachings.

• IAEM Past President Avagene Moore, CEM, passed away on Dec. 24, 2020 (29 Dec 2020) It is with great sadness that IAEM passes along the news that 1987-88 IAEM President Avagene Moore, CEM, passed away on Dec. 24. She was well-known throughout the EM community and has been mentioned by numerous as their inspiration and mentor.
  Avagene’s emergency management career spanned more than 35 years, beginning in local emergency management in Lawrence County, Tennessee. She worked to advance emergency management at the state and national level, as well as to foster global collaboration for all emergency managers, and for more than 17 years she was the sole proprietor, manager, and president of the Emergency Information Infrastructure Project (EIIP).
  “Thanks to Avagene, IAEM is the name brand for EM associations today,” stated IAEM CEO Elizabeth (Beth) Armstrong, CAE. “She hired the professional staff and established the organization’s headquarters; launched development of the certification program; pioneered online communities for the profession; and so much more. She will always be in our hearts and memories.”
  Beth’s comments have been echoed by many on social media since hearing of Avagene’s death.

• “Avagene was a gift to the field of emergency management.” – Louise K. Comfort
• “We’ve lost an amazing friend, soul, and inspiration.” – Suzanne Frew
• “She was truly a blessing to all of us in the EM world.” – Laurie Wood
• “She was a pioneer in many ways. It seemed that she took all of us under her wing, mentored us, and celebrated us when we fledged to our own flights.” – Rocky Lopes
• “Avagene was one of the kindest and most inspiration women I’ve ever known. She will be greatly missed.” – Lyn Roesen Rosgaard
• “She was a pioneer in the profession, and a guiding light!” – Kay Goss, CEM
• “She was and early inspiration and mentor to me. Avagene gave so much to all of us.” – Janet Dilling
• “I want to thank her for her contributions to emergency management in our nation, and for making sure we talked about difficult topics and defined solutions.” – Patrick C. Sheehan, CEM

     In 2011, Avagene was inducted into the International Women in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Hall of Fame. She also was in IAEM’s first class of Certified Emergency Managers, earning the designation in 1993.
Avagene is survived by her husband, James T. “Jimmy” Moore, one brother and her three children. Arrangements are being handled by the Neal Funeral Home in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee and a private “celebration of life” will be held at a later date. Her obituary, including a tribute page, is available online. 
The family requests that memorial donations be made in Avagene’s memory to the charity of your choice. For convenience, the link to IAEM’s Scholarship Fund is provided; Avagene was a faithful donor to this program, which was established during her membership tenure.
Avagene was a major force in the development of emergency management as we know it today. Because of this loss, our world is a little dimmer today. Condolences to the family and friends of Avagene.

• Frank Bengochea, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Pasadena, Texas, and an IAEM member, passed away on Nov. 30, 2020 (03 Dec 2020) A notice from the Office of Emergency Management in Pasadena said: "Frank epitomized what a first responder should be. He served the City of Pasadena for 35 years, as a volunteer firefighter, police dispatcher, fire marshal, and emergency management coordinator. Under his leadership, our Office of Emergency Management has become an example of excellence across the country. Because of his hard work and dedication, our emergency command team successfully navigated through multiple trials, including hurricanes and industrial accidents, and continues to be a premier Office of Emergency Management in Harris County. Frank's impact on our community will always be remembered, and we will miss him greatly." Due to safety precautions during the pandemic, the memorial service will be private. IAEM mourns the loss of Frank Bengochea, and expresses its deepest condolences to his family and friends.

2020

Deceased Members Recognized at IAEM Annual Memorial Service, IAEM-USA Business Meeting and Global Report, Nov. 10, 2020

• Glenn Cannon, Former Director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Jan. 20, 2020
• Johnny Cantrell, Director, Lawrence County (Alabama) Emergency Management Agency, May 1, 2020
• Manuel Carbajal, Jr., Safety & Emergency Management Coordinator, Town of Marana, Arizona, June 17, 2020
• Carine Chalfoun, Chief, Caldwell County Texas) Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Feb. 18, 2020
• Kyle Coleman, Director, Bexar County (Texas) Emergency Management Agency, July 14, 2020
• John Fleming, Director, Iredell County (North Carolina) Emergency Management Agency; Staff, North Carolina Department of Emergency Management; Staff, Florida Department of Emergency Management      
• Robert Full, Chief, Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Emergency Services, July 17, 2020
• Ed Gabriel, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; New York Fire Department EMS, Jan. 6, 2020
• Dave Jackson, CEM, Mitigation Unit Chief, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Aug. 15, 2020
• Col. David McIntyre, U.S. Army Retired, Professor and Instructo, Texas A&M’s Integrative Center for Homeland Security, June 8, 2020
• Johnny McKay, Retired, Superintendent, Emergency Management Institute, May 18, 2020
• Phil Politano, Public Information Academy Course Manager, Emergency Management Institute, Jan. 9, 2020
• David Prasifka, Emergency Management Coordinator, Atascosa County, Texas, July 4, 2020
• Patrick Repman, CEM, Chief, Board Member, Emergency Management Association of Texas, Nov. 20, 2019
• Barry Valentine, Retired Director, McHenry County (Illinois) Emergency Management Agency, Feb. 18, 2020

• IAEM Member David (Dave) P. Jackson, 45, mitigation unit chief, Texas Division of Emergency Management, passed away on Aug. 15, 2000 (18 Aug 2020) An Idaho native, Dave graduated from University of North Texas with a bachelor’s in emergency administration and disaster planning. He received a master’s in homeland security and defense at the Naval Post Graduate School. He started his emergency management career as training and exercise coordinator for the Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services, working with county coordinators to develop critical response plans and training material. He became the Idaho state hazard mitigation officer, receiving a distinguished award from the governor in 2013. His career continued with the Texas Department of Public Safety in the Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Division, later moving to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, where he conducted training statewide on hazard mitigation. For the past seven years, Dave also taught emergency management classes at Idaho State University. Davie is survived by his wife, Cathy Dupree Jackson, his parents, and a close extended family. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to Boise Fire Burn Out Fund and Texas Firewalkers. More details about Dave’s life can be found online, as well as a guest book to send messages of sympathy. IAEM expresses condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dave Jackson.
• IAEM Member Kyle Coleman, 69 passed away on July 14, 2020 (05 Aug 2020) Kyle Coleman, emergency manager, Bexar County (Texas) and a member of IAEM, died on July 14, 2020, due to COVID-19. "He had over 30 years experience in emergency management and he built the county’s emergency management department starting in 2005,” Judge Nelson Wolff said. Coleman was in charge of developing, implementing and managing the county’s response to local disasters including COVID-19. Coleman was also a founding member of the Alamo Area All-Hazards Incident Management Team, the first all-hazards incident team in Texas. Condolences may be posted on his Legacy page. IAEM mourns the loss of Kyle Coleman, and expresses its deepest condolences to his family and friends.
• IAEM Member, Manuel Carbajal, Jr., 53, passed away on June 17, 2020 (24 Aug 2020) Manuel Carbajal, Jr., the Safety & Emergency Management Coordinator for the Town of Marana, Arizona, and an IAEM member, died on June 17, 2020. A service was held on June 26 at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Marana, and Manuel was laid to rest at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Prior to his employment in Marana, he was a lead analyst and safety environmental coordinator for the City of Tucson. He held an MBA from Grand Canyon University. Manuel was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps who served six years, and was a Gulf War veteran deployed in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, August 1990-April 1991). After active service, he served in the Arizona Air National Guard for 17 years. IAEM mourns the loss of Manuel Carbajal, Jr., and offers its deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues.

2019

These members who passed away since the 2018 IAEM Annual Conference were remembered at the 2019 IAEM Annual Conference by IAEM Chaplain Bob Goldhammer, CEM:

• Bob Plath, Retired Director, Polk County (Iowa) Emergency Management Agency
• Donald “Doc” Lumpkins, CFO and deputy director of mission support, Maryland Emergency Management Agency; former director of FEMA’s National Integration Center
• Mitchell “Mitch” Nordmeyer, Emergency Management Director, Iowa HLS Training Officer, Butler County (Iowa)
• Jamye Wisecup, Emergency Management Planner, Clallam County (Washington)
• Carl Carlos, Retired Director, Jones County (Mississippi)

• IAEM Member Lieutenant Colonel Richard D. Ross, USMC Retired, 85, passed away on Apr. 26, 2019 (10 Nov 2019) Services were held to celebrate the life of IAEM member Richard “RD” Ross on Oct. 26, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, Missouri. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1955, RD’s 23-year military career took him to numerous countries including three tours of Vietnam, Japan, and Panama. Highlights include a tour as an Infantry Company Commander in Southeast Asia; Commanding Officer Marine Corps Embassy Security Group Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean; Associate Professor of Naval Science and Executive Officer with the University of Missouri NROTC and a final assignment to Headquarters Marine Corps. His numerous commendations include a Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V for Valor, and the RVN Armed Forces Medal. Upon retirement from military service in 1978, RD and his family settled in Columbia, Missouri. After a quick stop in real estate and banking, the call of public service came again. Governor Ashcroft appointed him to serve as Director of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). During his tenure, he also served as President of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) and was one of the founding directors and former board chairman of CUSEC, Central United States Earthquake Consortium. IAEM mourns the loss of RD Ross, and expresses its deepest condolences to his family and friends. Condolences may be posted online for the family.
  
  
• IAEM Member Jamye Wisecup, Passed Away on Sept. 12, 2019 (Sept. 26, 2019)  Jamye Wisecup, longtime emergency management planner for Clallam County, Washington, died unexpectedly on Sept. 12, 2019. Undersheriff Ron Cameron stated, "Jamye was a bright anywhere she went and so important to our department. But, while time and experience can replace the void created by this loss in Clallam County Emergency Management, nothing will make up for the personality and happiness she shared with us and communities across the country." In to her work with emergency management, Jamye served on numerous nonprofit boards and was known as very active in many community activities. She was a member of IAEM, and IAEM expresses its deepest condolences to Jayme's family and friends.

• IAEM Mourns the Passing of Donald “Doc” Lumpkins (27 Jan 2019) It is with profound sadness that IAEM announces the passing on Jan. 26, 2019, of IAEM member Doc Lumpkins, CFO and deputy director of mission support, Maryland Emergency Management Agency. IAEM sends condolences to his wife Pamela, family, friends, and emergency management colleagues.
  
  The funeral service will take place on Jan. 31, 2019, 10:00 a.m. EST, at Levinson Chapel, Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc., 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, Maryland 21208. See details online. The family has requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to charities of your choice. If your chosen charity is the IAEM Scholarship Program, donations may be made at www.iaem.com/donate.
  
  Doc was the former director of FEMA’s National Integration Center. He was a member of IAEM’s Emerging Technologies Caucus and recently presented an EMVision Talk at the 2018 Annual Conference in Michigan in October 2018. During his time in emergency management Doc influenced many and left a hole that will be hard to replace. During the past few days, many tributes have posted on social media and the words from two of those posts describe him best. 

"He inspired me to do great, big, things. To think differently and be bold. And most importantly, not give a damn about the opposition. He is a game changer. He single-handedly changed our profession on a national scale.”

"Professionally he was the steady hand that guided our nation towards collaborative EM. His pen saved lives. His heart was his magic. He was an exceptional human.”

2018

• IAEM Member Carl C. Carlos, 79, Passed Away on Dec. 22, 2018. Carlos was a native and lifelong resident of Laurel, Mississippi and served as a key leader in the advancement of emergency preparedness across the state. A graduate of Laurel High School, who also attended Jones County Junior College, Mississippi State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi following his service in the United States Navy as one of the Navy's first "frogmen" of the Underwater Demolition Teams, he was one of Mississippi's pioneers of civil defense. In 1970, he was named the first Civil Defense director of Jones County, MS and served in that role for more than 30 years. His leadership in Jones County served as a model for the entire state of Mississippi, as well as being recognized across the nation for strategic innovations that were forerunners to the Emergency Operating Centers (EOC) currently in place in every county in the United States. "As I began my career with the National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management (now IAEM) many years ago, Carl was well-known in the profession," stated IAEM CEO Beth Armstrong. "I learned a lot from him, and admired his leadership. The contributions he made to our nonprofit organization have helped generations of colleagues improve their performance in protecting lives and property from disaster." IAEM expresses heartfelt sympathy to his family, friends, and colleagues. Learn more.
• In Memoriam: President George H.W. Bush (1924-2018)
  In 1993, IAEM recognized President George H. W. Bush with the IAEM-USA National Security Award, for his dedication to national security by resolutely sustaining policies leading to the end of the Cold War era. He served the United States as its 41st President from 1989 to 1993. In the photo, IAEM President John K. Schroeder (left) presented the award to President Bush at his home in Kennebunkport, Maine. We join others who are extending condolences to the entire Bush family. President Bush’s life of service is an example to us all.
• Robert “Bob” R. Plath, 84, Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Dec. 19, 2018. Bob was a volunteer firefighter for many years. He worked for North Western Bell (AT&T) and set up 911 for the State of Iowa. Upon his retirement, Bob served as the Emergency Management Agency Director for Polk County, Iowa. He also volunteered for many years at Lutheran Hospital as a patient escort. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Beverly Plath, his brother, Tom Plath, and his parents. Bob is survived by his children Brian Plath of West Des Moines and Tawni Plath Rubin of Dexter, Iowa; four grandchildren, and one great-grandson. See complete obituary. IAEM expresses sympathy to Bob's family, friends, and colleagues.
• John M. Marmon, 63, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Aug. 21, 2018. He was emergency manager for the University of Kansas and worked in public safety his entire career. The Kansas Emergency Management Association (KEMA) 2018 Conference was dedicated to John. He was a past member of IAEM. Prior to joining University of Kansas as emergency manager, he was a city police officer in Garnett until 1980, when he joined the Kansas Highway Patrol and was stationed in Emporia. In 2001, John was promoted and moved to Topeka. He remained on the Highway Patrol and began the first narcotics dog program in the state of Kansas. He retired as a lieutenant in 2007 after 27 years of service. John was hired as the emergency manager for the KU campuses and worked there until health issues forced him to retire. He participated in numerous Parkinson's related studies for KUMC.
  
  John was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and three children, Ben Marmom, Lindsay Marmon McCullah, and Gabrielle Marmom. His daughter, Erin Elizabeth, preceded him in death in 2012. John was grandfather to eight grandchildren. For details, please refer to the online obituary, which discusses John's active involvement in his church and in his community. IAEM expresses sympathy to John's family, friends, and colleagues.
• John E. "Rusty" Russell, 63, an IAEM Lifetime member, passed away on Aug. 26, 2018, at his home in Taft, Tennessee, after a sudden illness. Rusty retired in 2016 from his position as director, Madison County (Alabama) Emergency Management Agency. He was a recipient of the IAEM-USA Clayton R. Christopher Memorial Award, recognizing his unselfish devotion and outstanding contributions to the overall emergency management profession. He served multiple terms as IAEM-USA Regioni 4 president; and he was a past president of IAEM-USA (2014-2015). He also served as president of the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers and the North Alabama Mutual Aid Association.
  
  Rusty was a career U.S. Army veteran, who served most of his 21 years of duty in Germany. He retired honorably in 1996 as a Senior NCO for the Army Material Command’s Logistic Support for the Pershing Missile System at Redstone Arsenal. Rusty was hired in 1996 by the Huntsville-Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) as the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Specialist. In 2001, he was appointed Director of the Huntsville-Madison County EMA.
  
  Apart from his professional career, he was the owner of Russell Blueberry Farms in Taft, Tennessee. Rusty was well known for his remarkable talent as a square dance caller in both Germany and the United States, and his friends and family enjoyed countless karaoke evenings with him. He is survived by his children Katrin Russell (Dennis), John Russell (Sandra), Amber Gilmore (Roy) and Crystal Burdette (James), sisters Tracy Russell (Lisa) of Fayetteville, Tennessee, Windee Creekmore of Hazel Green, Alabama, Sherry Hubbard (Gene) of Brevard, North Carolina and brother Brent Russell (Lee Ann) of Asheville, North Carolina and a host of nieces and nephews.
  
  A veteran's memorial service will be conducted later, when additional family members arrive from Germany. A notice will be posted about the date/locaion of the service, as soon as that is shared with IAEM (more details). IAEM expresses its deepest condolences to Rusty's family and friends.
• John Howell Pickett Jr, CEM, 83, passed away on Aug. 11, 2018, in Fort Worth, Texas. Visitation and memorial service will be on Aug. 16, 2018. See obituary for details. In 1958, John was commissioned as U.S. Army officer. During that time, he and his family lived in Virginia, Washington State, Germany, and Texas, and John served his country for a year in Vietnam. He left active duty in 1969, but continued to serve for many years in the U.S. Army Reserve. John found a job with the City of Dallas, where his talent and work ethic eventually made him director of the city’s Office of Emergency Preparedness. He received a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and a MLA from Southern Methodist University. John retired from the City in 1990, but remained active in the emergency management community, becoming 1988-1989 president of the National Coordinating Council for Emergency Management (now IAEM). John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dana Rhea Welborne Pickett; children Tina Gay Pickett Holmes, Bonny Kay Pickett Green, and David Alan Pickett; five grandchildren; two great-grandsons; two brothers, three nieces; two nephews; and numerous cousins. The benefits of John’s kind and generous spirit, innate leadership qualities, and engaging intellect spread well beyond his family. IAEM expresses its sympathy to John’s wife Dana, his family, friends, and former colleagues. Learn more about John online.
• Roman John Reichensperger, Jr., CEM, 82, passed away on June 30, 2018, at his lake home in northern Minnesota, following 20 years of remissions and recurrences of leukemia/lymphoma. John became active in emergency management in 1972, when he was named civil defense director for the City of Ely, Minnesota. During this time, he was instrumental in northern Minnesota in implementing mutual aid agreements and all-hazard warning systems. He was the City of Superior and County of Douglas (Wisconsin) emergency management director until he retired in 1998. During this time, John became the first emergency management director in Wisconsin to become nationally certified. His goal upon retirement and the star in his career was working as a FEMA reservist the FEMA Planning Cadre 2001-2015, until he retired due to his health. He was a Rotarian, a Lifetime Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) of the International Association of Emergency Managers, and an active member of Knights of Columbus. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. Besides intensely loving his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, John loved motorcycling, fishing, and woodworking. IAEM expresses heartfelt condolences to John’s wife Karen and his family and friends. Learn more.
• William L. Walker, 68, retired Erie County EMA director, passed away on Apr. 15, 2018, at his home in Orange Park, Florida. Bill joined the United States Air Force after graduation and made the military his career. While active duty, he was involved in the Vietnam War and he and his family were stationed all over the world – Thailand, Oklahoma, Turkey, New Jersey, England, and Arizona. After retiring from the Air Force, Bill took the position of director of the Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security in Sandusky, Ohio. He established Erie County's first countywide 9-1-1 system, and Erie County's first hazardous materials team. Bill was a member of many organizations, including IAEM, and served as president and board member of the Emergency Management Association of Ohio and past president of North Central Emergency Management Association of Ohio. Bill was proceeded in death by his wife of 46 years, Jerilyn Walker, and his father, William J. Walker. He is survived by his sons, Bill (Maravic) Walker and Brian Walker; daughter, Shelly Walker; mother, Olive Walker; sisters, Barb (Craig) McPherson, Mary Eckert, Sue (Dave) Ebersole; numerous grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. See additional information. IAEM expresses sympathy to Bill’s family and friends.
• Michael P. “Mike” McCaffree, 62, passed away on Apr. 2, 2018, in Lakewood, Washington. He was operations manager at the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, Tacoma, Washington. He served a total of 34 years in the U.S. Army Infantry as an officer in service to the nation. He was a mature leader and broadly experienced at the local, state, and federal levels. He retired from the Army in 2008 as a colonel. Over his lifetime Mike worked and volunteered in many fields, including county emergency management, search and rescue, HAZMAT and weapons of mass destruction response, communications and electronics, anti-terrorism and law enforcement, and safety and health. He was a member of IAEM. Mike graduated from Eastern Washington University with a BA in radio and television management. He received an MS in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and an MA in theological studies from Faith Evangelical College. Mike’s family meant the world to him, and after retiring from the military, he enjoyed traveling with them. He also enjoyed serving the community by teaching a weekly Bible study and serving free meals to the homeless. Mike’s dream was to have a mobile breakfast ministry and to travel and minister to others. He loved meeting people and wanted to help them wherever he went. IAEM expresses heartfelt condolences to Mike’s wife Nan, his daughter Katherine, and his mother Joan. Learn more.
• Terry L. Reekers, 64, Emmet County (Iowa) emergency management coordinator, passed away on Mar. 23, 2018. He was a former member of IAEM. After obtaining a degree in police science at Western Iowa Tech, Terry served his community as a Kingsley police officer, later becoming the Hull County Police Department’s chief of police. Terry became an EMT in Hull and was active in prehospital care. In 1977, he joined the Estherville Police Department and continued to provide EMS to those in need. In 1980, he joined the Emmet County Sheriff's Office as chief deputy, and in 1987 took over as director of ambulance service. In the late 1980s, Terry began working for Emmet County Emergency Management, where he developed the office into a full-time position. He was a past president of the Iowa Emergency Management Association. He served his community through leadership roles at Grandview Baptist Church, and he was the current president of the Spirit Riders Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. As an EMT for more than 30 years and a Certified Firearms Instructor, Terry taught classes in first aid, CPR, firearms, and hunter safety. At the time of his death, he was working on the Gold Star Family Memorial and Veteran’s Park, to be built in Estherville. Terry was survived by his wife Connie, three children, five grandchildren, and his mother Mary Ann Reekers, as well as five siblings and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. IAEM expresses sympathy to Terry’s family, friends, and colleagues. To learn more about Terry and share your condolences with his family, visit the online memorial web page.
• James E. "Jamie" Turner III, 66, past director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and a member of IAEM until his retirement in 2015, passed away at home on Dec. 28, 2017. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, 11:0 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Clayton Fire Hall, located at 300 East Street in Clayton, Delaware. Masonic services will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the celebration of life services. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clayton Fire Company, c/o Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1050, Clayton, DE 19938. IAEM expresses sympathy to Jamie's family, friends, and colleagues.
  
  Jamie served Delaware as a dispatcher with the Delaware State Police, a senior instructor with the Delaware State Fire School, executive secretary of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association, and served as the director of DEMA for 13 years, under Governors Minner and Markell. Upon his retirement in 2015, a training room – fittingly – at DEMA was dedicated in his honor. At that ceremony, Governor Markell said, “The citizens of our great state are forever grateful for Jamie’s commitment to public safety.” In addition to his career, Jamie was always working to make the community a better place through his volunteer work. He joined Clayton Fire Company in 1966 and was a proud 50-year member. He served as deputy chief, lieutenant, vice president, secretary and director and was named Fireman of the Year in 1975. He was also a life member of Holloway Terrace, Minquas, Delaware City and Smyrna Fire Companies. He was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of St. Peters Episcopal Church of Smyrna. Jamie is survived by his wife Debbie, with whom he shared 37 years of marriage and happiness; his daughters Kim Willson (Mike), Katelyn Olson (Sean) and the loves of his life – his grandchildren Keegan and Kolton Olson and Madelyn and Harper Willson. He is also survived by his sister, Melanie Meyers, his “bonus” daughter Laura Wisler, and his lap dog, Holly. Condolence letters may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com, where you can read his obituary here.
• Jeffrey M. McClaran, 49, of Waukee, Iowa, died unexpectedly on Dec. 2, 2017, during an annual outing with close friends. Jeff is survived by his wife, Celina, children Krista and Todd, step-daughter Amber, mother Sandy, sisters Jolene (Tony) Kendall and Janae (Aaron) Boyer, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Services were held on Dec. 8, 2017, at Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines. Jeff worked extensively in emergency response and served his community. He was a fire medic first in Perry and later in Waukee. He was also an EMT with Dallas County EMS. Jeff began work at Wells Fargo in August of 1994 and worked his way through the ranks. Since 2002, Jeff has been part of the company's Enterprise Incident Management group where he was a vice president and led the company's emergency response and training activities. Jeff was committed to serving his community and served on several boards and commissions in leadership roles. He touched many lives as a responder and a protector. He was a graduate of Central College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business management with a minor in psychology. A former member of IAEM, Jeff was a long-time friend of emergency management in his work with Wells Fargo, which received the IAEM-USA Partners in Preparedness Award some 15 years ago. IAEM expresses sympathy to Jeff's family, friends, and colleagues.