The Memorial Wall

Dave Verdery's Service Details

David (Dave) Verdery, beloved husband, father, father-in-law, son-in-law, g-dad, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, and dear friend, passed from this life on the evening of September 15, 2021. Dave was born in Waco, Texas. He was the first of three children born to David Paul and Ruthe McCawley Verdery.

     Dave attended Waco public schools and graduated from Waco High School in 1961. Following graduation, he attended Baylor University, first focusing on becoming a minister. While at college he had the opportunity to sit in for a friend as an announcer for local radio station KEFC in Waco. This marked the beginning of an incredible 35-year career in radio that took him to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He was honored by The Gavin Report as Adult Contemporary Music Director of the Year for 1992 and 1993 for his work at KBIG in Los Angeles. One of his proudest achievements was the creation of Disco Saturday Night. This weekly program of classic disco hits that he mixed together himself, helped KBIG reach #1 in that time slot. Disco Saturday Night is still running in syndication on other radio stations today.

      Dave was married to Randy Lee Mahan from 1968 to 1970 and they had a son, David Roderick (Rod) Verdery Tomlinson. Rod, and his wife, Karen, have four children, Lucas, Alexis, Elijah, and Hanna, lovingly known as the g-kids. Dave was known to them affectionately as g-dad

Upon retirement in 1997, Dave returned to Waco to help care for his mother and to discover what life’s next chapter would hold. In those next few years, he became involved with the local PBS station, KWBU, as an announcer and host for their televised fundraisers, he sat in periodically as a guest deejay for a local radio station, The Spot, and began performing in Waco and Temple Civic Theatre productions. Dave was a wonderfully gifted actor who had the opportunity to take part in numerous musicals and plays. He also went on to try his hand at directing, finding it incredibly fulfilling. Perhaps his most treasured role was that of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.

      In 2000 Dave met Curtis Cannon. They publicly affirmed their love and commitment for each other with a blessing in 2000, a holy union service in 2001, and, at long last, a legal marriage when that right was finally afforded to them in California in 2008. The couple reaffirmed their marriage vows in 2015 in Waco, Texas in celebration of the passage of national marriage equality.

     Dave was formally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January of 2007. Although this was a huge shock, he focused on learning all he could about Parkinson’s. He joined a local Parkinson’s support group in Waco (HOT PACs) and focused his time, energy, and passion on conducting weekly exercise classes (for which he mixed special thematic music), served on their board, and helped to plan informative programs and Parkinson’s symposiums.

      In 2016 Dave and Curtis decided to relocate to Southern California where they would be closer to family. Curtis left work so that he could be available as Dave’s full-time caregiver. Upon arriving in the Coachella Valley, Dave and Curtis became acquainted with Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) and its many support groups, services, and programs. Dave enjoyed sharing in Round Table meetings about products that he had discovered that were helpful to him in his day-to-day living with Parkinson’s. He also enjoyed writing poems for the PRO monthly newsletter that were a window into his experience with Parkinson’s.

      Dave is survived by his son David “Rod” Verdery Tomlinson (wife Karen) and their daughters Alexis and Hanna and sons Lucas and Elijah; sister Gini Verdery Bortz (husband Garry); brother Richard Verdery (wife Beverly); nephew Ryan Bortz; nephew Brennon Bortz (wife Whitney) and their daughters Aisling and Kella and son Cavan; nephew Scott Verdery (wife Traci) and their daughters Ella and Emerson; niece Suzanne Dell (husband Nick) and their sons Jacob and Jonathan; niece Laura Edmonds (husband James) and their son Harlan and daughter Samantha Ruthe; mother-in-law Joyce Montgomery Cannon; brother and sister-in-law Chris and Laura Cannon; niece Kari Stickney (partner Brian) and Kari’s son Jason; nephew Jason Stickney (wife Brit) and their son Bennett and daughter Linden; Aunt Ruth Cannon; former wife Randy Tomlinson (husband Richard); his husband Curtis Cannon, and so, so many dear friends

      It's hard to conceive that this bright wonderful light is no longer with us. May his many loving contributions, and all the sweet, treasured memories console the many of us who grieve his passing.

      In lieu of flowers, donations to Parkinsonsresource.org/Verdery would be a wonderful honoring David’s memory

      *please consider leaving a sentiment or memory

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Robert George Grossman. As the most loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather in the universe, he was our North Star, our compass forward. We are grieving deeply as a family. We are also filled with gratitude for the life he led and the legacy he leaves.

Born on January 24, 1933, in The Bronx, New York, Dr. Grossman is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Ferenc Grossman and Vivian Eisenberg Grossman. Dr. Grossman was an only child and was adored by his parents who were both immigrants to the United States. Ferenc, who was born in Hungary, was a family practice doctor, and Vivian, who was born in Lithuania, was a grade schoolteacher. Together, they believed that hard work and caring for others were traits to live by and they were successful in their new country. Ferenc and Vivian's greatest love was for their son, and they nurtured Dr. Grossman's interests in science, math, poetry, literature, philosophy and classical music. Ferenc never refused a patient and would treat patients even if they could not afford to pay. In return, grateful families would leave baskets of eggs or bottles of milk on their doorstep. That legacy of caring for others made an indelible mark on Dr. Grossman, who made that a cornerstone of his life's work. Dr. Grossman would treat his patients with compassion and dignity, no matter who they were. He would also make house calls, taking his old school black doctor's bag to the homes of patients who needed help. He was a listener and had a calm and kind manner and would take the time to really hear what his patients were saying and then proceed to help them.

Dr. Grossman honored both his mother and father by becoming a practicing neurosurgeon and a professor. Dr. Grossman had a memorable and loving childhood in New York City and graduated from the Horace Mann School in 1949. He would recall many happy times growing up -- from once getting locked in the Bronx Zoo with a group of friends after dark to his Bar Mitzvah at age 13 and meeting his future wife, Ellin, when he was 16 years old, and she was just 15. It was absolute love at first sight and they were together from that moment on. They were married in 1955 at Ellin's parent's apartment on the Upper East Side and celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this past June.

Dr. Grossman attended Swarthmore College and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Always intellectually curious, Dr. Grossman was just 16 years old when he started Swarthmore. Swarthmore held some of Dr. Grossman's fondest memories and he spent the rest of his life remarking on the positive impact the college had on him from best friends to a top-notch education.

Upon graduation, Dr. Grossman attended medical school in New York City and received his M.D., College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, in 1957. Next, Dr. Grossman completed his postgraduate training as an Intern in the surgical service at The University of Rochester, Strong Memorial in 1958.

Dr. Grossman then proudly served the United States of America as a Captain, Medical Corps, U.S.A.R., Department of Neurophysiology. For two years, from 1958 to 1960 Dr. Grossman worked at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, D.C. in the Laboratory of Robert Galambos, M.D.

From 1960 to 1962, Dr. Grossman was a Resident and in 1963, he was Chief Resident, Department of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Institute of New York, at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

Upon finishing his residency in 1963, Dr. Grossman moved to Texas and accepted his first neurosurgical position as Associate Professor, Division of Neurological Surgery, at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Dr. Grossman stayed there until 1968, becoming an instructor and then Assistant Professor. It was while he was at work at Parkland Hospital on November 22, 1963 that Dr. Grossman received a phone call to rush to Trauma Room One. President John F. Kennedy had been shot and Dr. Grossman, as one of the two neurosurgeons on staff, was summoned to attend the president.

In 1969, Dr. Grossman and his family moved back to New York where he was appointed Associate Professor and then Professor of Neurological Surgery, Department of Neurological Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York. And, in 1973, Dr. Grossman returned to Texas -- this time to Galveston -- to be the Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Neurological Surgery. It was his first Chairmanship and Dr. Grossman was proud of the work accomplished in Galveston.

In 1980, Dr. Grossman was appointed Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery, The Methodist Hospital, in Houston, Texas. Additionally, Dr. Grossman was appointed the Chairman of Neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine from 1980 to 2005. Dr. Grossman remained the Chairman of Neurosurgery at The Methodist Hospital from 1980 to 2013 and has continued to be a Professor of Neurosurgery since 2013. Dr. Grossman was also the Founder and First Director, Neurological Institute, The Methodist Hospital in 2005.

In 2004, Dr. Grossman founded North American Clinical Trials Network (NACTN) for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). NACTN's mission is to continually advance the quality of care and the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury through clinical trials of new therapy that provide strong evidence of safety and effectiveness.

Not many people make it to age 88 and still work, but Dr. Grossman's passion for advancing medicine never stopped. He was very proud that he was able to work his entire life and never retired. He believed with 24 hours in a day, much could be accomplished. And so he did.

Dr. Grossman had a keen interest in helping patients with epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's Disease, spinal cord injury and brain tumors. He made an impact in both helping patients as well as making scientific contributions in all of those neurological areas. From 1960 until 2012, Dr. Grossman performed more than 8,000 major neurosurgical operations.

It was common for Dr. Grossman to be at dinner or a grandchild's school event and have people walk over to say how much they appreciated his care for them or a family member. Those comments always brought him joy that he was able to help make a difference.

Dr. Grossman created his own filing system that became his signature: a stack of white index cards, wrapped in a green rubber band that he kept in the pocket of his white doctor's coat or the front of his button-down shirt. Dr. Grossman would keep detailed notes about his patients and would constantly add to the notes to ensure their care. And he also would keep notes on books he wanted to read, PBS shows to watch and notes about which friend was having a birthday, an anniversary, or a baby.

His dedication for training other doctors to become neurosurgeons was his calling. He was extremely proud of the fact that the neurosurgeons he trained and worked with are now among the leaders in the field in Houston and around the country. Dr. Grossman trained two percent of the neurosurgeons in the United States.

Additionally, Dr. Grossman had a keen interest in scientific research. He was a prolific writer, and wrote eight medical books, including Medical Neurobiology: Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiological Principles Basic to Clinical Neuroscience. Dr. Grossman also wrote 216 articles for scientific journals and chapters in 52 different medical textbooks.

Dr. Grossman served on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery and World Neurosurgery. Additionally, he served as Chair, American Board of Neurological Surgeons and President of the Society of Neurological Surgeons. He was a member of the Christopher Reeve Foundation International Research Consortium Advisory Panel and helped guide their research program. In Houston, Dr. Grossman helped found the Houston chapter of the Epilepsy Association Texas and was involved with TIRR and the Houston Area Parkinson's Society.

Dr. Grossman was awarded many honors and some of his most cherished were accepting the Cushing Medal from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2007, for service to Neurosurgery; and the Albert and Ellen Grass Foundation Prize and Medal from the Society of Neurological Surgeons, 1988, for continuous commitment to research in the neurosciences.

Outside of work, Dr. Grossman had numerous interests: photography, sundials, astronomy, sailing and fly fishing. He was a prolific reader and read everything from Greek and Roman classics to English poetry and mystery novels. Dr. Grossman was perennially cheerful, upbeat and a joy to be around. People would always remark that Dr. Grossman was a true gentleman -- and his calm, reassuring demeanor are going to be missed.

And even though he was so proud of his professional accomplishments, Dr. Grossman was even more proud of his family. And it all started with Ellin. Theirs was a love story that knew no bounds. They were inseparable and devoted to one another.

Together, they traveled the world from France to Israel, Japan to Scotland, Egypt to Italy and beyond. They built a vacation home in Santa Fe, New Mexico that became their happy place, their true sanctuary. In Santa Fe, they would hike, birdwatch, eat, look at the stars, visit the library and the museums and enjoy friendships and camaraderie. At home in Houston, they and would attend productions of the Gilbert and Sullivan society, Alley Theater and the Houston Grand Opera among others. They would read books, exercise, and spend time with dear friends and family. They also had two wonderful Westie dogs that they loved and they also treasured their involvement with the West Highland White Terrier Club of Southeast Texas.

Dr. Grossman was always so proud of his family, who will forever love him. He is survived by the love of his life, Ellin and their children and grandchildren: Dr. Amy Coburn and husband Dr. Michael Coburn, along with their son Jeff Coburn and daughter Laura Coburn; daughter Kate Rose along with her son Joel Gottsegen and her daughter Claire Gottsegen; and daughter Jennifer Oakley and husband Bruce Oakley along with their children Jessica Sosa and her husband Jonathan Sosa, Sarah Oakley, Connor Albert, Paige Albert and William Robert Oakley, who was named after Dr. Grossman.

His nine grandchildren named him "Grumpy" -- which they all thought was funny because it was the furthest thing from the truth. He loved his grandchildren with all his heart and was always a source of information, someone to talk to and learn from and the creator of memorable times. The annual Grandchildren's New Year's Eve sleepovers are cherished memories. If a grandchild said they were interested in geology, a geode would be given to them. If they said they liked music, he would give them CDs of Mozart; if they were interested in geography, he would give them a globe. If they were interested in animals, he took them to the Galapagos Island. In truth, he was giving them the world. And they all knew it.

Dr. Grossman cared about people. He had the ability to make everyone feel special -- but that is because he really did think they were. For his family, he wasn't just working at his job, he was demonstrating how waking up early and going strong all day long allows you to get more out of each day; when he was given an award from TIRR just a few years ago, he accepted it with gratitude and then said "I still have much work to do." In his medical research, he was not just working to help try and find a cure for spinal cord paralysis but he was teaching his grandkids to think about others, to help those in need, to try and go further and search for solutions where none yet exist. When he used to go the grandchildren's schools to give a lecture about how the brain works, he was not talking about himself and his accomplishments, he was demonstrating how to be curious and to give back to others through selfless service. He believed helping and teaching others is a key to life. And, when he woke up every morning singing and telling Ellin that he loved her, he was teaching our family how to find joy and care for a spouse.

We don't know who revolves around whom in our family but we tend to think we all revolved around Dr. Grossman. It's no wonder that Dr. Grossman was fascinated by the cosmos, because in our family, simply put, he hung the moon.

As a family, we would like to thank Dr. Grossman's close friends and colleagues who helped care for him. It is a sad irony that a man whose life was devoted to the study of neurological diseases was confronted with Parkinson's Disease. Like everything else in his life, Dr. Grossman faced it bravely, squarely and gracefully. Dr. Grossman's medical team of Dr. Robert Jackson, Dr. Al Raizner and Dr. Eugene Lai were unparalleled in their expert care.

If life were simply the sum of career titles and industry awards, Gordon Hunt, who left us this past Saturday, December 17th, would have already won the game. From New York to Hollywood, he directed for stage, film, and television, winning a Director's Guild of America Award for his work on the hit comedy, Mad About You.

For over a decade, he was casting director for LA's Mark Taper Forum. He taught a master acting class that produced such talents as his Academy Award-winning daughter Helen Hunt and Emmy Award winner Jonathan Banks. He was a pioneer of voiceover recording at the legendary Hanna-Barbera Studios. His summer musicals at the Hollywood Bowl always drew full houses and rave reviews.

A master of reinvention, when television work slowed, he turned to video games and became a pioneer in the field of motion capture technology, which included the "Uncharted" series, one of the best-selling video games of all time. And as a voice actor, he was Wally in the animated adaptation of the comic strip "Dilbert." But, as anyone who ever knew him will attest, Gordon was so much more than his work and his awards. Born on April 26, 1929, in Pasadena, California, he was the third of four children. His father George was a successful furniture designer.

His mother Helen died when the boy was only four, the victim of a drunk driver. At age five, the self-described "shy kid" discovered Rachmaninoff, listening incessantly with his best friend, art historian, Helen Kellogg. He grew up fascinated by music and the theatre, leading to a Liberal Arts degree from UCLA. From 1947 to 1949, he stage-managed a small theatre in Pasadena, developing an interest in directing which paid off in surprising ways.

When he entered the U.S. Army in 1954, he got out of a good amount of basic training by telling his commanding officer that he wanted to make a documentary about him. Going on to helm a series of talent showcases with some of his Army buddies, he took the show on the road, which brought him to Hollywood in 1956 as an associate producer on the Oscar Levant Show. And a career was born. From his early days sipping Remy Martin in piano bars and cruising the streets of Los Angeles in a Corvette, to his later years of meditation, Pilates, and reading Ram Dass, everything he did, he did full-out -- because he was passionate about life. About art. About people.

Before he became a casting director for The Taper, actors needed an agent to audition and a specific role to read for. So Gordon initiated a policy of regular, open auditions for both equity and non-equity actors who merely wanted to be seen. That love of the acting profession and his support and encouragement for those who do it was evident in his approach. He advised every actor to plan something fun for right after their audition. And if a nervous actor said, "I hope they like me", he suggested they say "I hope I like them" instead. He later compiled those lessons into How To Audition, the definitive how-to manual in the field, being re-issued this week as an e-book with a foreword by his daughter Helen.

Beyond his work, Gordon was an avid body surfer, a regular visitor to Santa Monica Bay from the age of six and on into his 80's. He worshipped Bruce Springsteen and was a brilliant wordsmith himself, writing songs including the beautiful "Errol Flynn" about his childhood hero, with music by Grammy-winner Amanda McBroom. He was the consummate host and chef, friends counting themselves extremely lucky to be invited to the house for an evening concert-with-tacos or a brunch of "Opera and Omelets", the eggs from Gordon and the opera from his loving wife, BJ Ward. As he left us this past weekend, BJ asked what his final wish might be. What could she do for him? "Laugh," he said. For all who knew and loved him, that is so Gordon.

He is survived by wife BJ Ward; devoted daughter Helen Hunt; step-daughter Colleen Morrison Hunt; brother George Hunt III; brother Peter Hunt and Peter's children Max, Daisy, and Amy; grandchildren Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan, Emmett Carnahan, and god-daughter Lizzie Gordon. A documentary film, Pebbles, Ripples, and Waves, which chronicles Gordon Hunt's life is set to be released in 2017.

Clarke, Mary Carol Louise Lechner, MD age 69, of Fargo, ND passed peacefully in her sleep next to her husband David Clarke at their home in Northfield, MN after struggling with Parkinson's Disease and Parkinson's Dementia. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, colleague, and friend, she is preceded in death by her parents William and Geraldine Lechner, and grandson Benjamin Lukaska. She is survived by her husband David Clarke, children Jennifer (David) Lukaska, Adam (Stephanie) Clarke, Claire (Andrew Lewis) Presthus, Helen (Eric Ebert) Clarke, and Anna Presthus; grandchildren Cameron and Evie Clarke, August and Holden Ebert, Hendrik Presthus, Nathan and Matthew Lukaska; and brothers John (Larry Drumm) Lechner, Thomas (Chala) Lechner, MD, and Susan (Tom) Gray. Mary Carol was born and raised in Fargo, ND where she fostered her nurturing nature as the eldest of four siblings. After graduating from Fargo South High School, she went on to attain her undergrad degree and medical degree at the University of North Dakota Grand Forks. After completing her medical residency in radiology at the University of Minnesota, she went on to specialize in diagnostic radiology. She later co-founded the Jane Brattain Breast Center in St. Louis Park, MN where she served as the medical director. Along with her many achievements in woman's health, she was most recognized for her commitment and compassion to patients and colleagues alike. Her many passions included singing and traveling with the Normandale Choir, hosting and entertaining loved ones, and traveling the globe with family and friends. Her love and warmth were inspiring to many and will continue to blossom through family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina, MN on Saturday, November 20th at 11:00 am (Livestream available at normluth.org). Visitation one hour prior to service with lunch following the service at the church. Masks required.

Joel Dwight Janzen passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, October 7 with his wife Lucille by his side. Joel was born to Frank and Marian (Regier) Janzen in Hillsboro, Kansas on April 22, 1938. He lived in Hillsboro until he went to college. He received his degree in Mathematics at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. He received his Masters degree in Guidance Counseling at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

On August 25, 1959, he married Lucille Klaassen, also of Hillsboro, Kansas. They were married for 62 happy and adventurous years. In 1961, Joel and Lucille moved to Lawrence Kansas, where he taught math at West Junior High.

In 1966, Joel answered the call to teach in Africa. Joel, Luci and children Julie and Greg left Lawrence and Joel spent the next 4 years teaching and counseling in the Congo at The American School of Kinshasa. Daughter Jane was born in Kinshasa before they returned to the United States, this time to settle in Tacoma, Washington. Their fourth child, Emily, was born in Tacoma.

Joel was hired as a counselor at Hunt Junior High in Tacoma in 1970. Joel had caught the Travel Bug, for which there was no vaccine. In 1974, the family headed to Lagos, Nigeria with the opportunity to teach at the American International School in Lagos. After three years, Joel was hired as guidance counselor at the International School of Kenya. The family lived in Nairobi for four years.

Joel took his family back to Tacoma in 1981, where he continued as a school counselor. Still afflicted with the Travel Bug, Joel and Luci went back to the international school in Lagos in 1993, where Joel was counselor and Luci taught 2nd grade until 1997. He retired in 2002 after serving as a high school counselor in Tacoma Public Schools. Joel and Luci have been living on Anderson Island since 2013.

Joel enjoyed a variety of hobbies. We remember him most for his love of singing and listening to music. He was known for his beautiful tenor voice. He loved Africa and took his family on many safaris. He especially enjoyed bird watching. The Travel Bug was still very active after retirement, so Joel and Luci traveled to Europe, Asia, and South America.

He is survived by the love of his life Lucille and four children: Julie Janzen Shires (Paul Shires) of Arroyo Grande CA; Greg Janzen (Doris Acosta) Fox Island, WA; Jane Ellen Kramer (David Kramer) Grass Valley, CA; Emily Janzen Reimer (Troy Reimer) Lawrence Kansas. He is also survived by his brother Don Janzen (Irene) of Newton, Kansas, and Ruby Derksen (Carl) of La Canada, CA. His brother John Janzen (Shirley) preceded him in death. He took great joy in his 10 grandchildren: William Shirefley (Tess Shirefley), Addison Kramer, Adam Shires, Benjamin Reimer, Elliott Kramer (Sam Kramer), Jonathan Reimer, Greta Kramer, Griffin Janzen, Lucy Reimer, and Matthew Reimer.

Joel's last words were, "I have a song in my heart." A memorial service will be held on July 16, 2022.