Remembering Leaders

  • Warren D. Figueiredo - (January 25, 1952 - May 19, 2010) - He spent his life in service to the blind community as an educator and a braille producer.
  • Samuel A. Kirk, 92, Pioneer Of Special Education Field
  • Patricia Beattie, 73, who retired in 2006 as director of public policy and consumer relations with the National Industries for the Blind, which works to create jobs for the blind, died Feb. 2 at Inova Alexandria Hospital. She had cancer.
  • Stephen Barrett, who started visionary programs to help those who had lost their sight and hearing to live self-reliant, rewarding lives, died Saturday of esophageal cancer. The recently retired president and CEO of Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh was 60.
  • JoLeta M. Reynolds, age 67, was born October 17, 1942 and died April 16, 2010 at her residence following a seven-year illness. 
  • Leland C. Sanborn, 98, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2009
  • Dr. Evelyn J. Rex  1923-2009 - Dr. Evelyn J. Rex, 86, Normal, passed away at 5:48 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 15, 2009) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.
  • Dr. Susan Ponchillia, a noted professor and researcher in the field of blind rehabilitation, died Oct. 12 in Kalamazoo.
  • Harry K. Lasky, 76, of Sun City Center , FL formerly of Fleetwood , PA , passed away Christmas Eve 2008.
  • Michael T. Collins, who devoted his life to helping deafblind and disabled children around the world as director of international programs at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, died May 16, 2008 from lung cancer.
  • Stanley Suterko
    Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 30, 1920 Departed on April 9, 2008 and resided in Portage, MI.
  • Sherry Raynor
    Born 8-18-1930 - Died 12-10-2007
  • Betsy A. Zaborowski
    [ Age 58 ] The former executive director of an innovative institute helped blind people pursue independent lives.
  • Vicki Ware Mims
    Vicki was a Project Officer for the U. S. Department of Education,  Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).  She began her career working with Josephine L. Taylor who served as a mentor for Vicki and encouraged her to get her College Education.  Vicki worked hard and diligently while raising a family and served as a Project Officerfor OSEP.  During the last several years, Vicki was very involved with the Minority Competitions.  She was always supportive of the Low Incidence competitions and was generous with her advice.  She will be greatly missed, especially her always present smile. 
  •  Judy Cernkovich
    Born: July,1947 - Died: March, 2007
  •  Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita
    Born: 4/4/1934 - Died: 11/20/2006
  •  Dr. Jose Rafael Santana, University of Puerto Rico
    Passed Away August, 2006
  • George A. Conn, former RSA Commissioner from 1981-1987,
    passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2006.
  • Dr. Mary Moore, Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh
    passed away Sunday March 26, 2006 at the age of 88.
  • Purvis E. Ponder, Florida State University,
     passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005.
  • C. Warren Bledsoe
    1912 - February 27, 2005
  • Alan J. Koenig, Texas Tech University
    1954 - February 6, 2005
  • Sally Mangold 
    1926 - January 29, 2005

Photo: Herbert MillerHerbert Miller
October 16, 2004

Photo: Dr. Norma Claire DeMarioNorma DeMario
1949 - July 31, 2004