Wolter Stansfield Duykers

Wolter Stansfield Duykers, D.V.M., J.D., B.A., died in an automobile accident at 10:05 PM on December 24, 1998, while traveling to Spokane to visit his aunt for Christmas. The fatality occurred forty miles from Spokane during a heavy snow storm, when his car rolled a number of times. He was ejected and subsequently run over by a hit and run driver. His friend and former wife, Sylvia Helen Duykers, had accompanied him and was also killed.

Dr. Duykers was born on February 21, 1949, in Santiago de Chile, South America, where his father tested mining parts in the nearby desert through Ingersoll Rand Company. The company later transferred Wolt and his family to Butte, Montana; El Paso, Texas; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. An exceptional student, he graduated in the top two per cent of his high school class, then attended the University of Texas in El Paso for pre-med studies. Enrolling in veterinary school at Texas A and M, he completed his degree at the University of Minnesota.

After his internship in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Wolt opened his first veterinary practice in Louisiana. He took on the challenge of a new practice, opening the Spanaway Veterinary Clinic, and later the Canyon Road Veterinary Clinic, in Pierce County, Washington, where he remained until his death.

Wolt Duykers was considered by many to be "the saint of Canyon Road". Clients with limited income found their only hope for caring for their animals was through this understanding, compassionate veterinarian, who gave medical attention to numerous needy animals, often with no request for payment. His untiring contribution of his time and professional services to the support of the Pierce County Animal Welfare Society and the Humane Society of Tacoma-Pierce County was renowned and greatly appreciated.

A passionate intellectual, Dr. Duykers continued his post-graduate education by earning a law degree from the University of Puget Sound (now Seattle University) School of Law and a degree in philosophy and theology from Pacific Lutheran University. He had recently been accepted at Gonzaga University in Spokane, to pursue his master's degree.

An avid reader, Wold loved his books and his library consisting of more than five thousand books. He tirelessly strove to improve himself and his community and simply demanded people should take moral insights seriously and consistently act ethically and responsibly. Always a teacher at heart, Wolt's main objective in life was to make people think, feel, and believe in something greater than themselves.

Dr. Duykers is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Denise, of New Brighton, Minnesota; his devoted mother and father, June and Wolter Duykers, of Burnsville, Minnesota; a loving twin sister, Sophie Maxwell, of Tucson, Arizona; three possums (one pictured) and multiple cats, leaving a legacy of love and compassion for both humans and animals.

Source: TheNewsTribune.com

Robert (Bobby) Booth

Robert Henry Ward (Bobby) Booth passed away peaceably, July 23, 2007, to a beautiful place befitting his life. Born September 18, 1926, he lived a full life marked by caring, compassion for his fellow man, and a relentless desire to teach, coach and mentor others to improve there own.

As a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and teacher, his presence will be forever missed. Robert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sammie Nell Grissom Booth, sons James Robert, Joe Rodney, Jerome Roy, grandchildren Jessica Brie Lindsay, Jerod Robert Booth, Michal Joanne Booth, Madison Jennifer Booth, and great-grandchildren Zoe and Zach Lindsay, brother Bernard Joseph Booth, many in-laws, nieces and nephews. Robert will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his students, his fellow musicians, his friends, and those who enjoyed his music, wit, intellect, and most importantly his sense of decency.

He was born in San Antonio, Texas and moved to El Paso as an infant. He graduated from Austin High School, received his Bachelors Degree from the Texas College of Mines and his Masters Degree from Texas Western College. He later completed post-graduate work at Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, the Aspen School of Music and Florida State University. At the Texas College of Mines he was instrumental in the formation of the Varsitonians, an on-campus big band that played at campus parties and functions. He was a veteran, Honorably Discharged from the Army Air Force in 1948 and the Air Force in 1952.

In 1951 he began a teaching career with the El Paso Independent School District where he taught music, band and orchestra at El Paso High, and later at Austin High School. His bands and orchestras consistently performed at a superior level leading to accolades at the Texas state level. Robert taught in music education as an assistant band director and orchestra director at Coronado High School until May of this year.

At the age of 80, he was motivated to pass his knowledge onto students over 60 years his junior. He was a member of the El Paso Symphony and played trumpet and violin with the symphony for 38 years. Throughout his musical career Robert performed with touring stage shows, rodeo and circus groups and the Ice Capades as a fill-in during their El Paso performances.

He also led a number of music ensembles that played throughout the southwest, including the Bobby Booth Orchestra, the Sunland Dixieland Band, the Windy City Jazz Ensemble, and various quartets, quintets, and jazz ensembles. He enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow musicians in the Music Unlimited Rehearsal Band.

His list of accomplished private students that progressed into positions of acclaim and positions of life long careers in the music education field and musical accomplishment is noteworthy. He served as Secretary/Treasurer for the El Paso Federation of Musicians. He helped initiate one of the most successful cultural programs in the history of El Paso, the Music Under the Stars program that now entertains thousands of music lovers at the Chamizal National Park.Many are not aware that the early years of this free concert series were held at R.E McKee Stadium at Austin High School and R.R Jones Stadium at El Paso High School before they moved to Memorial Park in the early 1960's.

He was a member of the City's first Arts Resources Department Board of Directors that supported the expansion of the program to the Chamizal National Park. However, he was not simply a musician, music educator, and supporter of the Arts. He was a youth coach. His skill on the baseball diamond and his understanding of the great American game made him a superb coach whose teams routinely were league champions and vied repeatedly for City of El Paso championship honors.

As a member of the Eastwood Optimist Club, he coached baseball, football and basketball. His basketball teams excelled with one team winning the City Championship. But his greatest attribute was the way he dealt with the people he encountered. He enjoyed attending and serving as usher at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He routinely extended his time and energy to help those with whom he came in contact.Robert (Bobby) Booth was a family's patriarch, a musician's musician, a player's coach, a friend's friend and a gentleman's gentleman.

Source: El Paso Times

Francis Xavier Gallant

Mr. Gallant passed away on April 6, 2007 at the age of 91. He proudly served his country as a Lieutenant Colonel for the United States Army, serving in WWII and the Korean War. After he retired from the military, Mr. Gallant taught American history and was a counselor at Austin High School until 1972.

Source: El Paso Times