HHS Teachers


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  Ramon Huerta   -  1924-2013

Ramon Huerta, a longtime Albuquerque educator and a former member of the state House of Representatives, died October 28, 2013 at age 89. 

Mr. Huerta taught Spanish at Highland High School for 30 years, until 1985. He also taught Spanish on television for Albuquerque Public Schools for a couple of years and at the Peace Corps Training Center at the University of New Mexico. Following his retirement, he served as a translator for “El Hispano” newspaper.

During his lifetime Mr. Huerta took pride in serving the public and promoting education. He was also active with the Lions Club and Toastmasters. He served as president of the ACTA of New Mexico Classroom Teachers Association. Later he was on the Executive Committee of the National Education Association in Washington, DC.  He was also a delegate to the World Conference of Teachers in Nairobi, Kenya in 1973.

Mr. Huerta was active in the Democratic Party as a Precinct Chairman and a Ward Chairman.  He represented an Albuquerque district in the Legislature from 1989 through 1994.  He was Democratic caucus chairman for four years.  He was a member of the House Education Committee and the Legislative Education Study Committee, and he sponsored a range of school-related measures.  He also was a member of the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, serving as its vice chairman for two years.  The Healthy Learner's Bill, which gave all children equal access to a school nurses, was one of his gratifying accomplishments.

Mr. Huerta was born in Kansas City, and grew up in Albuquerque.  He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNM. In 2002, the university gave him its Zia Award, which goes to distinguished alumni. 

Mr. Huerta was a veteran of World War II, where he served in Burma, China and India.

Mr. Huerta is survived by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn; two daughters; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  A private ceremony will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in the spring.

 


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     Marshall Floyd


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 Dorothy Lipp "Dottie" Hiller                            

Dorothy Lipp "Dottie" Hiller, 92, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2008. She was a native New Mexican, born on January 18, 1916, in Roswell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russel D. Hiller, Jr. Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Russel, III and wife, Ann, of Albuquerque and George and wife, Laura, of Richmond, VA; four grandchildren, Shelby Moody of Nashville, TN, Russel, IV of Albuquerque, Katie Renie of Cincinnati, OH and Allison Hiller of Richmond; and seven great-grandchildren. After graduating from Roswell High School, Dorothy moved to Albuquerque to attend the University of New Mexico from which she received her BA in 1936. She joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at UNM and was a member for 75 years. Dorothy joined the then new Immanuel Presbyterian Church in 1950 and served as a deaconess for many years. She taught biology at Highland High School for 23 years before retiring in 1978. Dorothy was a devoted fan of the UNM football and basketball teams and held season tickets for many years. In later years she was a world traveler and an active watercolor artist. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to generations of people in Albuquerque. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 3, 2008, 11:00 a.m., at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle SE. Private interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests scholarship donations to the UNM Foundation, 700 Lomas NE Suite 108, 87102, or the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, P.O. Box 38, Columbus, OH 43216.
 

 


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  Allen D. Krumm  

Allen D. Krumm, former City Councilor and retired Principal, 83, a resident of Albuquerque since 1949, passed away June 2, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Juyn C. Krumm; his daughter Kris Clark and husband Jean; son, Allen E. Krumm; step-sons, Robert H. Orr and wife Mary, Ross D. Orr, Randal M. Orr and fiancee Joyce; ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter, Judy Krumm. Allen was a WWII Veteran. He graduated with a Masters Degree from UNM.
He was Principal of Highland High School and Del Norte High Schools and was on the planning committee of La Cueva High School and was selected as their first principal.
He was elected to the first Albuquerque City Council in 1974, and served as Vice President from 1974 - 1977. Allen served as a board member and officer on many National and local educational and youth committees. Services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 10,000 Spain NE, Albuquerque, at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 6th. Interment will be held Monday, June 9th at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Friends may visit French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, on Thursday, June 5th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers those who wish may contribute to Faith Lutheran Church.

 


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   (Elvira M.)  "Tiny" Vidano  

Tiny (Elvira M.) Vidano, died peacefully on March 20, 2008, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, her home for 60 years. She was born July 28, 1920, the only child of Bernard Vidano of Joliet, Illinois and Erminia Ballotti of Sestola, Italy who predeceased her. Tiny, as she was known, obtained an undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and a Masters from the University of Michigan. She began her teaching career in 1942 teaching math and boys/girls physical education to 6th through 8th grades while obtaining her Masters Degree. She was the only woman coach out of 19 teams for the County tournaments! One of her most enjoyable years was teaching Phys. Ed. at the Illinois Soldier's & Sailor's Children's School in Normal, IL, Grades 1-8 where she also served as the critic teach for Illinois State University. It was 1948 when she came to New Mexico to serve as the Albuquerque Girl Scout Camp Director at the Jemez Mountain campgrounds and began teaching at Highland High School. She taught there until her retirement in 1980. She was instrumental in promoting and forming women's athletic organizations and tournaments in New Mexico such as the Girl's Athletic Association. Not accepting the theory of girl's athletics as secondary to boy's athletics or the lack of funding for them, she conducted a big City service project each year which earned all the money spent for travel and hosting Sports Days and events for women's athletics! She traveled all over the State to participate in these events in Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Speed-A-Way. She also instituted Field Hockey competition in the City and State (Only Roswell and Santa Fe outside of Albuquerque). From 1955-57 her female students never lost a game in ANY SPORT ALL THREE YEARS! From 1961-67 her softball team never finished lower than 3rd in the State Meets and they won every year they participated retiring with a 1st place trophy and four consecutive titles. Her teams were undefeated in Hockey (from 1973-1978), Field Hockey (from 1974-75), and the Basketball team only lost one game (1974-75)! In 1960-61 she was awarded the Order of the Torch from the Highland High School Student Council for Leadership in Guidance & Scholarship. In 1967, The New Mexico Association for Health, Physical Education & Recreation awarded her the Honor Award in recognition of the meritorious Service of Professor. She received the New Mexico International Women's Year Award in 1977 for outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in Athletics in the State of New Mexico. In 1979, she was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Illinois State University. She was an outstanding member of the Albuquerque Public School Physical Education Committee (1988) as well as the Albuquerque Association of Educational Retirees (1991) and was saluted as the Outstanding Retiree of the Albuquerque Public School system (1992). Until recently, she was a volunteer docent for school tours and home scholar tours at the Telephone Museum of New Mexico. Over one million-plus students and many dear friends revisit her from time to time and correspond regularly which stands as a testament to her caring and sharing attitude always bringing out the best in all who met her or who were taught by her. She will be missed by many friends, students, and colleagues. Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5311 Phoenix NE. Friends may visit on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel from 4 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Internment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Telephone Museum of New Mexico, PO Box 1892, Albuquerque, 87103, or a charity of your choice in her name.

 

 Roberta Brown Redding  English Teacher

Roberta Brown Redding passed away December 13, 2004 at her home in Stillwater, OK. She was born June 29, 1910 in McAlester, OK. She graduated from McAlester High School, received her Bachelors Degree from Oklahoma Women's College and a Masters Degree from the University of Oklahoma. She taught English in Calvin, Lawton, McAlester, and Norman, Oklahoma. In 1944 she married Haddon C. Redding. They moved to Albuquerque in 1952 where she taught English at Highland High School until her retirement in 1975. He worked at Sandia National Laboratories. They moved to Stillwater, OK in 1996. She was predeceased by her parents, Judge and Mrs. Samuel Brown; brothers, Charles and Clyde Brown; and sister, Mina Brown Martin. She is survived by her husband, Haddon C. Redding; nieces, Betty Murrah, Ardmore, OK; Berta White, Wichita, KS; Patsy Spratt, Anchorage, AK; Mina Foster, San Diego, CA; Roberta Armstrong, Stillwater, OK; Pat DeLarios, Dallas, TX; nephews, Ron Brown, Stockton, CA; Michael Brown, Raleigh, NC; and sister-in-law, Juanita Brown, Lawton, OK. Memorials may be made to Judith Karman Hospice, Box 818, Stillwater, OK 74076

 

 


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  Patsy Irene Bennett   (School Nurse 1957-1960)

Patsy Irene Bennett, age 75, passed away in Albuquerque on September 16, 2004 after a long and hard battle of MS. She was born 1929 to Irving and Josephine (Beehler) Bennett in New York. Patsy was a member of the Hillside Community Church in Albuquerque and served many years as a nurse for the public schools; including Highland High School from 1957-1960. She was a special loving and caring friend and nurse to all the students that knew her.  She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Irving Bennett Jr. Survivors include one brother, John Bennett and wife, Virginia of Pasadena, MD; one cousin, N. Thomas Williams of Milford, CT; two nieces; two nephews; three great-nieces and one great-nephew. A memorial service was held Wednesday, August 22, 2004 at Hillside Community Church, 435 Jefferson SE, with Dr. Larry Morris officiating, followed by cremation.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution can be made to Lovelace Medical Center, 5400 Gibson Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.

 


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    COACH JACK RUSHING

Jack Rushing passed away on November 26, 2003, following a long illness. Born on April 14, 1915, in Hanna, Oklahoma to B. Frank Rushing, M.D. and Leda Huls Rushing, his parents, two sisters and three brothers preceded him in death. Jack is survived by his wife of 64 years, Theda Douglas; daughter, Bettie Rushing of Albuquerque; son, Jack Douglas Rushing and his wife, Barbara of Audubon, Pennsylvania; grandson, Jack Douglas Rushing, Jr. and his wife, Carol of Rockville, Maryland; grandson, Woodrow Robert Rushing of Albuquerque; great-grandson, Jack Grenville Rushing of Rockville, Maryland; and four nephews, Mac Harris of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Mark Rushing of Dallas, Texas; Robert Rushing of Mesa, Arizona; and, Dr. Joe K. Thomas of Poteau, Oklahoma. His mother died when he was six years old and his father died when he had just reached his 14th birthday. Upon the death of Dr. Rushing, Jack and his two younger brothers were taken to the Masonic Orphanage in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The two younger boys were accepted, but Jack was ineligible due to his age. Determined to obtain an education, he stayed with various family members and friends, always working for his room and board. He played football his senior year in high school and received a football scholarship to attend Bacone Indian Junior College in Muskogee, Oklahoma. In 1938, he received a football scholarship to attend the University of New Mexico where he and Steve Reynolds were co-captains of the UNM football team that played in the 1939 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. Following his graduation in 1941 from UNM, Jack began his coaching and teaching career in Santa Fe. Shortly thereafter he volunteered for active duty and was inducted as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He was proud to have served in the South Pacific and the Atlantic. At the close of World War II, he returned to his position with the Santa Fe Public Schools. In 1946, Jack joined the coaching staff at Albuquerque High School, and in 1957, he became the Athletic Director at Highland High School. He wanted all young men, no matter their height or weight, to have the opportunity to participate and excel in sports. With the assistance of the New Mexico Educational Activities Association, he introduced the sport of wrestling at Albuquerque High School, the first public school in New Mexico to participate in the sport. Jack retired from the Albuquerque Public Schools in 1975, after 32 years as a teacher and coach, and from the Naval Reserve as a Lt. Commander. Although he received numerous awards and tributes for his coaching of baseball, football, and wrestling, he believed the credit belonged to the hundreds of fine athletes with whom he was honored to work. Jack referred to his years of coaching as his "Golden Years" and his memory never wavered when he recalled players and recounted games. He enjoyed the friendship of students and colleagues and found great happiness in the accomplishments of his many students. He contributed his time and experience to the New Mexico Boxing and Wrestling Commission, the UNM Lettermen's Association, the New Mexico High School Coaches Association, and many civic and youth organizations. Jack was inducted into the Albuquerque High School Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame, University of New Mexico Hall of Honor, Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame, New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor, and New Mexico Activities Association Hall of Fame. He was a Master Mason and member of the Ballut Abyad Shrine, Hiram Lodge #13, and York Rite. George Friberg will give the eulogy and Ron Hoskie will perform original compositions. Kenneth Carson, Herbert Hughes, Robert Lalicker, Jack Douglas Rushing, Jack Douglas Rushing, Jr., and Woodrow Robert Rushing will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Coach Rushing's athletes and fellow coaches. Interment at Fairview Memorial Park.

Rushing Was Outstanding Coach

By Paul Logan
Albuquerque Journal Staff Writer
    Jack Rushing was from the old school era of the do-it-all, no-nonsense kind of coach.  Rushing coached baseball, football, wrestling, tennis and track at Albuquerque High School in the 1940s and then coached and was athletic director at Highland High School.  In all, his teams won eight state titles. For all his sports contributions, Rushing was inducted into five halls of fame.  Rushing, an Albuquerque resident since 1946, died Wednesday of complications from cancer. Rushing was a strong, forceful man at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. He was known for his booming voice and for being a strict disciplinarian, said Jim Hulsman, who played football under Rushing and later was a colleague. "If he told you to do it, you did it with the best of your ability and no alibis," Hulsman said. "He was a good teacher. I realized later when I became a coach that to be a good coach you have to be a good teacher first. He could teach anything."    Despite his tough-love approach, Rushing also had a soft side, Hulsman said. "He could be a very good, strong, personal friend of the athletes," he said. "That (tough) barrier could break down when you were with him on a one-on-one situation."
    Born in Hanna, Okla., Jack Rushing was of the Creek Nation. His mother died when he was 6, and his father died soon after Rushing turned 14. Rushing's two younger brothers went into an orphanage, while Rushing stayed with relatives and friends, said his wife of 64 years, Theda Douglas Rushing.
    Rushing went to four high schools before he graduated. He earned scholarships to play football for Bacone Indian Junior College and then for the University of New Mexico. He was co-captain of the Lobos' Sun Bowl team in 1939.  Along the way, Rushing also was Oklahoma's amateur heavyweight boxing champion.
    After serving in the Navy during World War II, he came to Albuquerque High. Rushing's baseball teams won state titles in 1947, '48 and '50. His Highland baseball teams won in 1968 and '69.
    Rushing was inducted into the New Mexico Activities Association Hall of Fame and New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in the 1980s. In 1992, he went into the UNM Hall of Honor and the Albuquerque Sports and Albuquerque High School Athletic halls of fame.
    Other survivors include a daughter, Bettie Rushing of Albuquerque and a son, Jack Rushing and his wife, Barbara, of Audubon, PA.

 


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 Coach Mickey L. Miller

Mickey L. Miller, 82, died Sunday, April 27, 2003 in Albuquerque. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Louise Dean Miller; three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Sid Kelly of Corrales, Lee and Randy Parks of Pasadena, CA and Lynne and Rich Carson of Albuquerque; and one grandson, Daniel Miller Parks of Pasadena, CA. Mr. Miller was born July 26, 1920, at Women's & Children's Hospital in Albuquerque, retired in 1990 after teaching, coaching and serving as athletic and activities director for Albuquerque Public Schools for 44 years. He was the first teacher-coach hired for Highland High School, three years before the school opened in 1949. He taught mathematics and history while coaching football, basketball and baseball at the then-Jefferson Junior High School. He became assistant principal at Highland in 1963 and transferred to Albuquerque Public School's central office in 1970. Miller graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1939, starring in football, basketball, and baseball, and from UNM in 1943, earning nine UNM varsity letters in the same three sports. He is one of two Lobo athletes to earn these honors. He received a master's degree in administration of secondary athletics from Columbia University, New York City, in 1949. He wrote a handbook in this field after retiring. He had written a number of handbooks on elementary physical education, high school athletics, high school activities, and student responsibilities and rights before his retirement. For several years Mr. Miller scouted for several major league baseball teams, with particular service for the Pittsburg Pirates. Former NM Governor, Bruce King appointed him in 1992 as a public member of the NM Dentistry Board, on which he served six years. His awards include citations from Highland High School, Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico Coaches Association, New Mexico Officials Association, New Mexico Association for Health, Physical Education and Dance, and the six-state Southwest District AAHPERD, having served as president of each of the organizations. In 1999, Miller was presented an honor award by the National AAHPERD at its convention in Boston, the only New Mexico and Southwest District member ever to receive this honor. The UNM Alumni Lettermen's Association, of which he was the founding secretary-treasurer, elected him to its Hall of Honor in 1994, and he was inducted into the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. Miller was one of the UNM players honored at the Legends of Lobo 100 Years of Basketball dinner earlier this year. Miller served as an usher at the First United Methodist Church, of which he was a lifelong member. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at UNM. Services will be held Thursday, 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, Fourth and Lead SW. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Pallbearers will be his three sons-in-law, Dr. Randy Parks, Dr. Rich Carson and Sid Kelly and Jack Easley, Jim Hulsman and Buddy Robertson. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Rushing, Hugh Hackett, Clem Charlton, Bud Adams, James Paulantis, William Thompson and former Governor Bruce King. All Highland High School athletes who played for Coach Miller and his UNM Lobo teammates will be considered honorary pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 11038, 87103; to the Mickey and Louise Miller UNM Sports Medicine Endowment Fund; or to the American Cancer Society.

 


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    Barbara Jean (Anthes) Figge

Barbara Jean (Anthes) Figge, 70, a resident of Albuquerque for over 50 years, passed away on March 3, 2002 after a brief illness. Barbara was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1931 and moved to New Mexico in 1947. She graduated from Roswell High School and received her BA and MA degrees in History from the University of New Mexico. She taught U.S. History at Highland High School from 1956 to 1963 and worked for the past 12 years for Real Estate Market, Inc. She was an avid iris gardener and was a long-time member of both the New Mexico Iris Society and the American Iris Society, serving most recently in the national offices of Director and RVP for Region 23 of the AIS. She was also an active Master Judge for AIS, the Past President of NMIS, Former Director of Aril Society International, and Historian. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Roger; daughter, Debra Owen, her husband, Todd and granddaughter Rebecca, of Sandia Park, NM; son, Steven Figge, his wife, Deborrah, and grandchildren Marlena, Jacob and Dylan of Tijeras, NM; and brother- and sister-in-law Robert and AliceBlue Figge of Albuquerque. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Viola Anthes. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 5TH from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE. Funeral services held on March 6, 2002  also at French Mortuary, with Rev. Jim Hawk presiding. Family requests contributions be sent in her memory to the American Cancer Society or to the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, 615 Virginia SE, 87108. French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE.

 


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Arthur Edson Loy

Arthur Edson Loy, 87, a resident of Albuquerque, died Friday, June 22, 2001. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Henrietta Loy of the family home; children, Laura Loy Dennison of Centennial, CO and David Edson Loy of Fremont, CA and 3 grandchildren. Henrietta, his wife said: "They had had a visitor and gone to Jemez the day before.  They got up and had breakfast and planned to go to the Arts and Crafts Exhibit.  Arthur said he needed to water some plants before they went.  When he didn't come back, Henrietta went to see why and found him dead on the lawn with a smile on his face, she said."
 Arthur came to Albuquerque in 1930. He graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1932, received his B. Ed. at the University of New Mexico in 1938, and his Masters in musicology at Berkeley in 1949. Arthur served in the Army during World War II. He taught for 39 years in the Albuquerque Public Schools at Washington and Jefferson Junior High Schools, and at Highland High School, where he was chairman of the fine arts department and taught humanities, choral music and music theory. He retired in 1977. Very active in Albuquerque music circles, he had been a member of the boards of the June Music Festival, Albuquerque Symphony, and KHFM. He was a founding member and original program director of this classical music radio station in 1953. He had a deep appreciation for nature and the environment, taking many photographs to support the establishment of wilderness areas in New Mexico. In addition, he used his skills as a photographer to create a complete, statewide pictorial archive of historic and contemporary churches. He also delighted in writing poetry and satirical articles. Arthur enjoyed camping, picnicking and hiking. With a good friend and hiking companion, he discovered in 1979 the fossilized remains of a new species of dinosaur, seismosaurus (the longest dinosaur ever discovered) that is on display at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History. Memorial services were held on Thursday, June 28, 2001, at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Photo Archives at the Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Attn: Mo Palmer.

 


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     Richard Henry Ness

Richard Henry Ness, 80, passed away May 3, 2001, in Boise, ID. A Private Funeral Service was held on May 4, 2001 by his surviving children, Kevin Ness of Boise, ID, Laura Ness of Boise, ID, and Carla Ness Ranum of Bermunda. Richard (Dick) was born December 9, 1920 in Detroit, MI to Henry and Mildred Ness. He grew up in Chicago, with his beloved sister, Bonnie Mae, until he joined the Navy during WWII. As a Captain, Richard was stationed in both England and Scotland. Later he served in the Reserves. Richard received a BA in English Literature from the University of New Mexico and an MA in Literature from the University of Wisconsin. He married Mildred Dorothy Morrow of Albuquerque and fathered a son and two daughters. He was employed by APS for 30+ years, teaching English Literature, Composition, and History at Highland High School. Richard was genuinely an inspired teacher and earned the respect and adoration of both students and colleagues alike, many former students became lifetime friends. Most of all, he was a Renaissance man, placing his faith in human reason and art, Aristotle and Shakespeare. He lived a life balanced between thinking and action and he is deeply missed by his children, grandchildren, and friends. The following is an excerpt from Wallace Stevens' Sunday Morning, one of my father's favorite poems, "We live in an old chaos of the sun/ Or old dependency of day and night/ Or island solitude, unsponsored free/ Of that wide water, inescapable/ Deer walk upon our mountains, and the quail/ Whistle about us their spontaneous cries/ Sweet berries ripen in the wilderness/ and in the isolation of the sky/ At evening, casual flocks of pigeons make/ Ambiguous undulations as they sink/ Downward to darkness, on extended wings." Please send condolences to the Ness Family at 6587 W. Limelight, Boise, ID. 83703