Peter Gissel ~ Class of 1982

Peter Gissel ~ Class of 1982

Departed ~ 5/25/21

 

His daughter Olivia wrote:

The world has lost truly one of a kind. My Dad was a shining light and a guiding force for our family. There was no one with greater vitality for life, no one more caring, no one who could make me laugh harder, no one more passionate, driven and hard working. There is not a single thing this man wouldn’t have done for those he loved and cared for and for those he barely knew at all. He has taught me so much and shaped me in so many ways but given no greater lesson than the one in how to face adversity with the fight he has given the last few years. His mindset, bravery and sheer determination throughout it all was nothing short of amazing. I feel so lost and am so devastated to think of all the things in life he will not be there to experience with us but I am so grateful to have had 25 amazing years with this man being my father. Although his life was cut way too short, he lived a life of many lifetimes and I feel blessed to have been along for part of the ride. May he rest peacefully my hero, my role model, my partner in crime, my best friend.

To the Last Viking, jeg elsker dig for evigt ❤️

 

 

 

 

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

William Wayne Bill “Billy” Ferguson Jr.~ Class of 1970

Bill Ferguson ~ Class of 1970

Departed ~ 2/20/21

2/25/21

Bill’s sister Linda D. Ferguson –  Morgan ’71 wrote:

There will be no service for William, so this is what I would have read.

My Tribute to my brother Billy. He was my Irish Twin, meaning we were not a year apart in age.

He was not my rock…he was my BOULDER!

He taught me how to make a snowman, he taught me to ride a bike, he walked with me to school.

He ate tons of ice cream with me when I had my tonsils removed.

He taught me how to climb trees which I never stopped doing until I no longer could.

He protected me as much as he could from childhood abuse, he broke up many fights I had with girls and guys as a kid.

He literally rescued me many times…once when I was 13 and left by the side of a country road far from home…once in Pattya when I had run away and took me back to Bangkok.

He took over my babysitting job when I had to be rushed to the hospital for appendix removal.

When he went into the Army and told me he was getting ready to leave for Korea, I drove from VA. to New Jersey late at night to say good-bye. Not knowing a thing about the New Jersey turnpike and ran the toll booth cause I didn’t have any tokens with bells and alarms going off! He laughed! I sent him underground comic books and home made cookies and bagels. He said the bagels made excellent door stops! I didn’t know it took months to get there.

Although we lived a lot of our adult lives in different states, we were always in touch.

When I broke my back he flew across the states from AZ. to VA. to the hospital. He got all kinds of paperwork filed for me concerning future Rehabs and Social Security. I was in a bed that had to be rotated every two hours from my back to my stomach. He laid down on the floor and crawled under to look up to me…I burst out laughing then crying hysterically with nose dripping and tears falling like rain…he never moved.

Many years later, I moved to Tucson, where he had lived for decades. This was the first time we lived in the same place. We went to dinners, dollar movies, spent hours at museums, long drives in the desert…and always went out together for our birthday dinner and always while we were both the same age for five days. I volunteered in his elementary classes as an aid quite a few times..I always got the grunt work, cutting things up. I got to see his daughter and son grow up until I moved to Belize. He thought I was nuts to move by myself and gave some good arguments, but hugged me after our last dinner and I remember his son asking him why we were crying. I have lived in Belize for 21 years now. I spent twelve years in Tucson with him.

He flew down to Belize for my wedding to walk me down the aisle, even though he almost had heat stroke and endured an anxiety attack while snorkeling! Said he wouldn’t come back…haha!

He never judged me or my bad decisions..even though he was frustrated many times.

He always let my independent spirit soar.

He wasn’t really social, yet friendly, introverted. Worked hard, went down some rough roads, fought some demons which I could never rescue him from, no matter how hard I tried.

He fought hard after being shot and stayed positive.

He was kind, compassionate, caring and quite sensitive.

I will always love you and miss you Billy…until we meet again for a long awaited hug.

2/20/21

Bill’s sister Linda Ferguson ’71 wrote:

For those that knew my brother William Ferguson ’70… he suddenly passed today…not quite sure of details yet, heart attack or stroke. This is 8 years after he was shot in the head and was doing great…just talked to him 2 weeks ago……

 

 

 

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Marvin L. Kennaugh ~ Class of 1968

Marvin L. Kennaugh ~ Class of 1968

Departed ~ 1/15/2021

Two Sorely Forgotten. Jon Cole and Marvin Kennaugh 1968 Erawan.

Dennis Lloyd Kennaugh wrote:

Marvin passed away at 1pm 01/15/21. He was tested twice at the hospital for Covid, and 2nd one was positive. He went to hospital to find out he had a minor stroke, but no bleeding in brain, also was type 2 diabetes, HBP, complete blockage of one aorta, partial blockage in another aorta, had trouble walking long distances which is why he still was working at Dulles Airport USPS Distribution Center 2 wks  before going to hospital why he never retired, he loved the work, and co-workers he worked with, only exercise he got.

Our family appreciates all the prayers, and blessings given.
He appreciated, and loved all his families/relatives, FB friends , and of course all his ISB’er friends, especially 67, 68, 69 & 70.

He went peacefully in his sleep with wife Shin, his son Jonathan, and daughter Stephanie(they all came to the 1990 San Antonio reunion, only one he ever attended) at his side.

God bless, and is resting in peace.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com