In Fond Remembrance of Dale Stanton, India 26

Dale Stanton, 66, died March 3, 2010, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Dale was born March 14, 1943, in Omaha, Nebraska to Donald and Olga Stanton. He moved to Austin, MN when he was 2 years old and remained there until he graduated from high school in 1961 in Lyle, MN where he was an avid high school basketball player.  He went on to graduate from Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN with a degree in Sociology. Upon graduation from Macalester College, he served in the Peace Corps.  He did his service in Mysore State (now Karnataka State), India from 1966 to 1968. While there, he met and married his loving wife, Celine D’Souza. Upon exiting the Peace Corps, Dale worked as a treatment leader at the State Hospital in Moose Lake, MN for 3 year.  Following that, he was fortunate to get into the Goodwill Industries Executive training program in Milwaukee, WI. He would then follow a rewarding career path with Goodwill Industries, where he was able to give back to communities and improve the lives of others. He served as president and CEO at various Goodwill Industries, leading him to Racine, WI; Stockton, CA.; Detroit, MI & Albuquerque, NM.

His joys included traveling, following Minnesota sports teams, talking politics, empowering and motivating those around him, playing golf, almost any game and fishing on Lake Vermillion. However, his greatest joy was his family, especially his grandkids. He lived a life full of dignity and grace, despite years of a debilitating disease. He had an overwhelming love for God, his family and his friends and his time in India as a Peace Corp Volunteer and his years working for Goodwill Industries.

Dale was preceded in death by his mother, Olga K. Stanton. He is survived by his father, Donald Stanton, Austin, MN; wife, Celine Stanton, Roseville, MN; daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and David Riechel, Johns Creek, GA.; son and daughter-in-law, Heath and Stephanie Stanton, St. Paul, MN.; grandchildren, Stephen, Caroline and Ely; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Ron Phillips, Yakima, WA.; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws in Mysore, Mercara and Bangalore, India; nephews and nieces in the U.S. and India and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In Fond Remembrance of Evangeline Van Wallace Shuler (India 1967-69)

Van was the oldest living Peace Corps Volunteer.  She passed away August 14, 2014. She will be missed by us all. This photo of Van was taken after the Peace Corps 50th anniversary March of Flags in Washington, DC (she wouldn't have missed the opportunity to meet up with her Friends of India friends). Pinned to her chair is a photo of herself as a Volunteer, as well as a photo of her husband, Henry Shuler, who died during their Peace Corps service in India.

Following is her obituary from the Florida Times Union.

Evangeline Van Wallace Shuler, 108: Our sweet Van passed away as gently as she had lived, on August 17, 2014 in her Avondale home in Jacksonville FL. Van was an enigma, a one-of-a-kind, an inspiration. She had a natural humanitarian and pioneer spirit; was inclusive, with a willing heart for community service. Van lived simply, remained humble and gracious, embracing life as she experienced places, cultures and friends throughout all 7 continents. Born June 4, 1906 in Dallas Center, Iowa to parents Mary and Leon Wallace, Evangeline, her brothers (George and Paul) moved to Seattle in 1915, and lived on a house boat. She was athletic, a leader and highly ethical. After graduating from Roosevelt High, she moved to Chicago and worked 3 years at Hull House with founder Jane Addams. In 1929, she married her high school sweetheart (Gard Shuler, a band/orchestra director), moved to Detroit, Michigan, had two children (Terry Lee and Mary Lynn). During WW II, she was executive secretary of Ferndale Community Center, led scouting and served 3 years as PTA president. In 1945 the family moved to Titusville Fl. where Van enthusiastically involved herself with her children, community activities, helped Gard plant an orange grove, and served as Postmistress for 14 years. Vacations to Seattle involved an old car, camping, hiking, picnicking, exploring. Music, education, sailing and swimming were important in their family's life. At age 60, Van and Gard joined the Peace Corps. They had served in India for 1 year when Gard suddenly died from meningitis. Van completed the 27 month commitment in India, then independently explored the South Pacific for 2 months. She returned to Florida, sold her home, and moved to Seattle to join her widowed mother. There Van thrived in the ballroom dancing world of enthusiastic, interesting, adventurous, fun seniors. Dancing became her passion. She discovered Elderhostel, enjoying 114 stimulating, week-long programs throughout U.S. and world. She especially enjoyed U.S. river cruise tours. She loved meeting people and hearing their stories. Take life by the hand and dance. Van is survived by her daughter, Lynn Chalmers; grandchildren: Ty (Marguerite) Chalmers, Robyn Chalmers Hoopes, Gardner (Angie) Chalmers, Vanessa (Drew) Chalmers Brosnan, Kevin (Kathy) Shuler, and Klaus (Pauline) Shuler; nine great grandchildren; and three nephews. Per Van's request no service will be held; a private family celebration of her life to be held later. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Avondale United Methodist Church or Community Hospice.

Published in the Florida Times-Union on Aug. 20, 201 at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion/obituary.aspx?n=evangeline-van-wallace-shuler&pid=172179228#sthash.R5NqYxrH.dpuf

National Peace Corps Association profile of Van: http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/2010/06/rpcv-and-dance-enthusiast-van-shuler-celebrates-104th-birthday/

In Fond Remembrance of Foster Namauu Thompson (9/13/1946 - 11/3/2013)

Resident of Mountain View, CA, Foster was a wonderful person, very kind, intelligent, generous and athletic. He was raised on the Monterey Peninsula. He was proud of his role in helping develop the White Stag program for BSA. He tutored Algebra at DeAnza College, and worked for the Monterey County Planning Commission and Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. He loved gardening, hiking, playing games and was a lifelong SF Giants fan. He enjoyed his time with his family and friends. Foster served in the Peace Corps in India and was most proud of his trek to the basecamp of Mt. Everest. He is survived by his partner, Bonnie Harvey, his sister Cheryl, brother Charles, lifelong friend Frank, and a large extended family. We will all miss him. A Celebration of His Life was held on Dec. 14th at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 505 E. Charleston Rd., Palo Alto, CA. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity. Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Dec. 1, 2013 

In Fond Remembrance of John Briscoe, India 3 (1963-1965)

John Briscoe and Kate Williams, India 3 Reunion in Puerto Rico, January 2013

LAKEVILLE- John A. Briscoe of Lakeville, Ct. died Sunday at his home in Lakeville, Ct. of complications due to a recent stroke and congestive heart failure. John moved with his parents Martha and John Briscoe from Cambridge, Massachusetts and Harvard University to Silent Meadow Farm in Lakeville in 1939, where John learned about dairy farming and a love for the outdoors.

Throughout his life, whether as an undergraduate at Wesleyan, graduate student at Harvard or PhD student at MIT, John was as comfortable splitting wood as reading professional journals. In fact, when John joined the Peace Corps in the early sixties, he taught chicken farming techniques in Bangalore, India only to return several years later as a PhD candidate researching governmental development. During the sixties John also taught in Kenya and was in Kenyatta's home when he was released from prison.

When John returned to the United States and eventually settled in Pennsylvania with his wife Virginia and young sons Mark and Alexander, he became assistant to the president of Bryn Mawr College. But John became very interested in politics and twice ran unsuccessfully for the Pennsylvania State legislature. During this period John became the chief of staff for newly elected Congressman Bob Edgar, and a lifelong collaboration began. Whether in Congress, or head of the National Council of Churches and Common Cause, Bob tapped his friend to be director of development for both organizations.

John was also very proud of his launching of PennServe, Governor Casey's public service initiative in Pennsylvania under Secretary of Labor, Harris Wofford, another lifelong friend.

Until his recent stroke, John's passion was demonstrating a plastics to fuel machine because of his concern over the environment, as well as raising funds for Common Cause. Whew!!!

Most people in the Northwest Corner, however, are used to seeing John in his Carharts, pick-up truck covered in dried manure, charming his way through the streets of Salisbury and Lakeville or digging a garden or ditch on the farm, which he loved.

In the end, John was most proud of his children: Mark, of Santa Cruz, California, Alexander and M.E. of San Francisco and Christian Strine of Lakeville, wonderful daughters-in-law; Jillian and Heather, future son-in-law, Matt and fabulous grandchildren: Asha, Maddie, Ellie and Zev.

John is survived also by his devoted wife, Kate Williams and brother Alden in San Mateo, California. In lieu of flowers, please donate to mediavoicesforchildren.org., where funds will go to the Kenyan Education Fund. Burial will be private, with a celebration of life service to be held after the New Year. Friends of India will post details of the celebration when they become available.

Soem additional photos from last year's 50th reunion trip:

Honoring Service to Our Country

With Veteran's Day coming up, a moment to pause and honor our veterans' service from Bob Fields, India 38 Volunteer, Raichur District, Karnataka State, India from 1966-68.   Bob forwarded this short video. A stark reminder of the continued dedication and sacrifices that so many men and women have made and continue to make for our country. While reference is made to Delta Airlines, other airlines may also do the same.