The Memorial Wall

Sheldon Pinchuk, a partner in the Finnegan-Pinchuk Company, which produced more than 40 TV movies during the genre’s 1980s-90s heyday as well as TV series Any Day Now and Northern Exposure and features Reality Bites and The Fabulous Baker Boys, died August 28 of Parkinson’s disease at his home in Calabasas, CA. He was 84.

After getting a Bachelor’s and law degrees from UCLA, Pinchuk began his career as a business affairs executive at NBC. While working there, he earned an additional degree from UCLA’s film school and segued into a programming role. Stints at David Dortort’s company and as Head of Development at Warner Bros followed before Pinchuk made another Hollywood career shift, becoming an agent at CAA. There, he represented the husband-and-wife producing team of William and Patricia Finnegan. Based on his lifelong love of aviation, Pinchuk pitched them an idea that became his first TV movie, 1984’s Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac, and the trio launched a producing partnership that flourished for more than two decades.

Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, the Finnegan-Pinchuk Company, housed in the iconic building at the corner of Coldwater Canyon and Ventura Boulevard, produced 50-some MOWs, features and TV series. Five of them were nominated for Emmys, and 12 have been accepted into the Library of Congress as works of cultural or historical significance. These include 1985 TV movie Amos, starring Kirk Douglas; 1985 miniseries The Atlanta Child Murders, featuring Morgan Freeman in his first leading role; and 1988’s Lincoln, starring Sam Waterston and Mary Tyler Moore, which won an Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries.

William Finnegan died in 2008, also of Parkinson’s.

Pinchuk is survived by Barbara, his wife of 57 years; his three children, including TV executive Julie McNamara; four grandchildren; and a slew of friends and former colleagues who remember him as a kind and graceful man known for his great wit, intelligence and integrity.

Herman Allan Heuss, 93, of Indianapolis, died on September 3, 2024 from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Allan was born January 4, 1931, to Herman and Lucille (Jenkins) Heuss in Darke County, Ohio, the second of four children. He graduated from Jackson Township High School in Randolph County, Indiana in 1948. He went on to study physical education and history at Ball State Teachers College and worked several jobs to earn his tuition and living expenses. He was a pitcher for the Ball State and industrial sponsored baseball teams. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1952.

He earned his Air Force commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. On the suggestion of a professor there, he applied for flight training even though he had never flown before as a passenger or otherwise.

Allan proposed to Helen Montano, a fellow student from Union City, Indiana in their senior year at Ball State. They were married in August of 1952, shortly before he was to report for pilot training in Texas where he discovered a lifelong love of flying. During their first four years of marriage, they were stationed on air bases in Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. They began their family during that time, eventually adding two daughters and two sons to their home.

After leaving active duty, Allan worked as a curricular advisor at Ball State and earned a master's degree in counseling there in 1965. He worked as a counselor and an area supervisor for the Vocational Rehabilitation Division of the Indiana Rehabilitation Services from 1960 to 1977. He went on to own and operate the John Montano Lumber Company with his wife Helen and son Tim in Union City.

From 1958 until 1982 Allan served in the Air Force Reserve. In that time, he was called to active duty for the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and the Vietnam Conflict in 1968-69. Allan retired as Vice Wing Commander of the 434th Tactical Fighter Wing with the rank of Colonel in 1982.

Born to tenant farmers, Allan grew up with plenty of manual labor to be done, problems to be solved, and decisions to be made. Throughout his life he built on this experience, enjoying physical activity in both work and leisure (particularly baseball as a young man), problem solving, and finding joy in flying and learning other new skills. He enjoyed the variety in his pursuits: one day working his regular job with clients in vocational rehabilitation or selling lumber, and the next day flying an Air Force fighter aircraft. He also put energy into serving in community groups and at his church with leadership and faithfulness.

Allan and Helen enjoyed traveling to Germany and France to visit distant but cherished relatives and friends. They also enjoyed travel adventures attending reunions of Allan's pilot training and Viet Nam squadrons.

Allan's diagnosis with Parkinson's disease and its increasing affect on his physical abilities was another challenge for his physical stamina and problem-solving skills. He enjoyed Rock Steady Boxing and, when he and Helen moved to an assisted living facility, he encouraged the establishment of a boxing class there. Allan impressed his children and health care workers alike with his inventive workarounds and determination.

Allan was predeceased by his parents, his siblings Malcolm Heuss, Judith (Heuss) Harper, and Merrill Heuss, and by a great-grandson, Josiah Gray.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Helen; daughters Kathleen Heuss of Lincoln, Nebraska and Cynthia Strietelmeier (Mark) of Indianapolis, and sons Matthew Heuss (Judy) of Indianapolis and Timothy Heuss (Jill) of Union City, Indiana; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Jerry Clyde Hatch died in the early hours of Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in Great Falls, Montana. He was 84 years old. He died from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. The first of three surviving children of Clyde Francis Hatch and Ruth Eileen Christiansen, Jerry was born on June 3, 1940, in Humboldt, Iowa, and spent his early life in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Grandson of Floyd Francis Hatch and Rebecca Marion Stratton, and Nels Christiansen and Caroline Hansen, he traced his paternal ancestors to 16th-century County Kent (and Cambridge), and his maternal line to early 18th-century Denmark.

Capable and confident, Jerry was a sturdy and assertive soul and a distinguished educator. Known to friends as strong and independent, he was at heart a small town midwestern boy who fell in love with the Wild West. During his earliest years on Ulstad Avenue in Albert Lea, Jerry enjoyed riding bikes and ice skating but soon became passionate about hunting and fishing. Following WWII, Ulstad was created by veteran families building new homes and new lives. Baby Boomers ran the place. When not shooting buckets or giving pink bellies, they walked the train tracks out to Skunk Hill to build forts, play army, and pick wild asparagus. In later years an adult asked Jerry “Why does wild asparagus grow in straight rows?” Smiling, he pointed to the telephone lines that ran along the tracks: “Birds perch then they poop.” Earthy but true.

Jerry’s early years prepared him for a full life. As an elder Boomer, Jerry was the “Bull” to his friends—Woodside, Greene, Porter, Tasker—all skilled at hunting and trapping. While outdoor activities defined the day, kids saluted the flag at midnight when the TV signed-off. Saturday mornings meant cartoons, Sky King, and Jerry’s signature “Blue Bowl” with bananas and cream. Homemade eggnogs were an occasional treat. A quick learner, he was good at playing chess and cards, skilled with his jigsaw and crystal set, and as time unfolded, he became an Eagle Scout, B-squad wrestler, and leader of the debate team. Here his interest shaped his friendships with Mike Prosser, Tony Gudvangen, and Paul Ell.  High school also meant hot rods, dragging Broadway, and painting names on a growing number of cars—the Blue Goose, Gray Ghost, Gutless Ghost, and Frisky (two blown motors).  

Academic ability and hard work opened doors for an aspiring educator. After graduating from Albert Lea Central High School (1958), he entered Mankato State College (1958-1962) with a BS and MS in Education. Taking additional night classes, his family continued to grow with two sons, Mark Daniel Hatch (1963), and David Matthew Hatch (1965). During this time, he taught 4 years at St. Clair, Minnesota (1961-1966), English and drama, directing a memorable student production of “Our Town.” In 1966 he packed the family in his Chevy wagon and moved to Great Falls, Montana.  One year later, he was appointed Dean of Boys by Montana School District 1, C.M. Russell High School, teaching Speech, Debate, and Drivers Education. Continuing his academic course work, he was promoted to Administrative Assistant (1978-1985) and Assistant Superintendent (1985-1999). He re-married in Spring 1983, Linda Quinn Folsom, teacher, Mental Health Center Administrator, and devoted life partner. Over the decades, Jerry’s administrative duties were interwoven with consulting projects and workshops that took him all over the West Coast. As age made mountains more formidable, his key hobby became financial investments.  Always a good listener, Jerry was never happier than sharing conversations and a cigarette. His best friend was Rory Fagenstrom.  When blizzards hit Montana Jerry would call him and say “Wanna go outside and play?” Hard to imagine two boys and two chained 4X4s.

Jerry seldom showed self-doubt. As the oldest son and father of two boys, as Eagle Scout and star of college debate, his life-long obsession was the out of doors. No one planned better expeditions; no one was a better shot with a rifle. An active family man, few fathers have spent more time with their sons, talking and teaching, hunting and fishing, dirt-biking and snowmobiling. No one is entitled. But he made a good life for his family; he had a full life; he lived in a trailer; he worked hard and was frugal; he parachuted out of airplanes; he had advanced degrees; he was a life-long Mason; he twice visited Europe with family and siblings; he made good investments; he always loved Maid-Rites and Buffalo Pie. And yes, an alpha male; but untouched by bourgeois delusions of a perfect chocolate cookie or unlimited Disney Channels. His humor is memorable. Working at a car wash in college, a customer accidentally closed the trunk on his head. When the customer tried to offer him fifty cents, Jerry held out a fiver and said: “No thanks. Now it’s your turn.”  

Jerry Hatch was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ruth Hatch (Lakeville, MN); his infant older brother, Larry Lee Hatch (Curlew, IA); and Kenneth Hatch, Lakeville, MN.  Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda Quinn Folsom Hatch, Great Falls, MT; 2 sons, Mark Daniel Hatch, Billings, MT; David Matthew Hatch, Billings, MT; former wife, Evelyn Jo Woods Hatch, Billings; 1 brother, Robert Alan Hatch & Sue Heflin Woolsey, Dunedin, FL, 2 grandchildren, Jessica Nicole Hatch Crevier (Tanner S. Crevier), Billings, MT; and Anthony (Tony) Michael Hatch (Kyah Demaree), Billings. There are 4 great-grandchildren.

Marek Breiger was born in Urbana, Illinois on July 12, 1951 and died in Seattle, Washington on September 10, 2024. He grew up in Stockton, California where his parents moved in 1956 from Chicago.

He was devoted to his family and proud of his Jewish heritage. He had a love of literature, great sense of humor and a keen appreciation of life.

He was accepted into the prestigious writing program at San Francisco State University where he earned a Master's degree in creative writing. He went on to write for a number of publications, including, Jewish Currents, California English and he published a book about California writers entitled, “The City and the Fields”. His work was included in a number of anthologies including, “Updating the Literary West”.

He was an inspiring teacher and he taught for over 20 years AP English at Irvington High School in Fremont, California.

He fought a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. His last 2 years were spent in Seattle where his brother David was his tireless advocate overseeing his care.

He is preceded in death by his beloved father, Boris and sister, Mimi. He is survived by his mother, Florence, brother David, sister-in-law Amy and nephews Josh and Micah.

Our world burns less bright and is less kind today. Leonard Packel, 89, of Philadelphia and Wynnewood, died peacefully on September 9, 2024.

Born in Philadelphia on April 7, 1935, to Benjamin and Frances Packel, Len graduated from West Philadelphia High School where he won a medal for best student-athlete of his class of 1953. He earned the Philadelphia Board of Education scholarship and attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. While there, he was in the fraternity Tau Epsilon Phi and forged friendships that lasted his entire life, graduating in 1957. Next, Len earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Harvard Law School in 1960.

In his third year of law school, on December 4, 1959, he went on his first date with Susan Finesilver from the Bronx who was a junior studying at nearby Brandeis University. In May of 1960, after finishing all his law school exams, he took Sue to the Massachusetts seaside town of Rockport. While having lunch overlooking the ocean, a ringless Len surprised Sue by asking, “Will you spend the rest of your life with me?” Sue asked back, “But do you love me?” Len wisely retorted, “Of course I do!” After serving six months of mandatory service in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Fort Eustis, Virginia, Len and Sue married on July 27, 1961, at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City and were married for 61 years until Sue’s tragic death in November 2022. 

Len had several legal jobs in Philadelphia and Harrisburg for the next decade, including serving as Chief of the Trial Division of the Philadelphia Public Defender and Chief of the Office of Criminal Law in the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. It was not until 1973 that he found his dream job of teaching at Villanova Law School. Len truly loved teaching. He was beloved by both students and colleagues. Professor Packel was highly appreciated for his patience, kindness, sense of humor, and generosity of time. He had an open-door office policy and reveled at the many moments when students would pop in for help and advice. Sue and Len were avid travelers to Europe and there was rarely a city when a former student wouldn’t call out, “Professor Packel!” He loved those impromptu meetups and so did Sue, who glowed with pride for her beloved “Lennie”. Even though he officially retired in 2006 after 33 years of serving on the faculty, he continued to teach one class, Trial Practice, for another 6 years. One of his greatest professional achievements is the book, Pennsylvania Evidence, which he co-wrote with his colleague, Professor Anne Poulin. This tome became the gold standard resource for all evidentiary topics across the Commonwealth. 

Len had a rich social life, which started with frequent dates with Sue, who he adored for her intelligence, sense of humor, and spunk. They had many friends from various parts of their lives, often getting together for book club, movie club, and dinners out at various restaurants on the Main Line and in Philadelphia. As a father, we deeply appreciate how he coached many of our teams in the Penn Valley Little League. We appreciate the wonderful summers at Pinemere Camp and Long Beach Island. But most importantly, we appreciate his kindness, patience, his singing silly limericks, his wonderful story-telling, and his love for us, and for our mom. 

Leonard was a devoted and generous husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He is survived by his sons David and Daniel, his daughter-in-law Eve, grandchildren Maya Policare and Nathaniel Packel, sister Sally Levin, and nephews Richard Levin, Steven Packel, and Stanford Packel.