Obituaries

Sayonara

BARBARA RYNERSON (FF ’05–15, AP ’05–12), who is warmly remembered in the ASIJ community for her role as associate principal in the Elementary School, passed away on May 18, 2022. Looking back on Barbara’s career, her husband David Rynerson (FF ’05–15, AP ’05–12) remembers her as a true educational leader, dedicated to “uniting, enlightening and inspiring a sense of school community, all the while maintaining genuine warmth and love for people.”

Barbara’s colleagues at ASIJ agree—Aileen Kanoh, administrative associate in the Elementary School, shared, “Barbara was always about supporting and helping others. She was selfless, and humble, and made everyone around her feel valued. I really admired her for those traits.” Cathy Berghahn (FF ’11–19), who both worked with Barbara at ASIJ and then went on to work with her again at the American International School of Johannesburg (AIJS), described Barbara as an administrator and leader who left a positive impact in good times and through challenges. “She held tight to her values and fought to protect the needs of her students and team,” she shared. “She was also playful and enjoyed engaging in student activities and fun. It was precious to watch those interactions.” “It was one of life’s great gifts to work with Barbara for a decade at ASIJ,” Dan Bender (FF ’88–15, AP ’91–09), who also worked closely with Barbara as the principal of Elementary School, commented. “I learned from her, marveled at her brilliance, and found an exceptional partner in a wonderful school in a beautiful land.”

Barbara with Dan Bender at ASIJ Barbara and Dave Rynerson

Born in Peekskill, NY, Barbara met David in New York when she was 18. The couple spent some time in Phoenix, AZ, and New York before ending up in western Massachusetts, where Barbara waitressed and attended University of Massachusetts Amherst. After earning her teaching degree, she began working at Crocker Farm School in South Amherst while David finished school. Once David completed his teaching certification, the couple decided that if they didn’t move then, that they would spend their entire careers in Western Massachusetts. With salt water in their blood, they moved to Kittery Point, ME, and Barbara ended up working in Durham, NH, where she regularly rubbed shoulders with the luminaries from the New Hampshire Writing Project. Their son, Deane Antonio Rynerson ’12 was born in 1993.

In 1998, Barbara and David decided to take the plunge into international teaching. They ended up at the International School of Beijing, where Barbara began her rise to educational leadership. In 2005, Barbara came to ASIJ to serve as ES associate principal, where the family spent ten happy years. “One of my fondest memories of her was seeing her standing outside of the cafeteria each morning and greeting the kids by name as they arrived at school. She knew all their names by heart and made it a point to get to know each child in the ES,” Aileen remarked. Barabara and David were involved, active members of the ASIJ community during their time in Tokyo, and Deane graduated from ASIJ in 2012, matriculating to Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR.

In 2015, Barbara and David left Tokyo, and Barbara moved on to be the principal of Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt, The American School of Lima, Peru. Then, in 2019, Barbara became the ES principal at AIJS in South Africa. Barbara and David thoroughly enjoyed their time there, from safaris to wine tours near Capetown. David retired in 2020, to be with Deane in the midst of the pandemic. Barbara spent summers at their home in Belfast, ME, and was looking forward to another summer of sunshine and saltwater when she fell ill.

“Having taught on four continents, Barbara has left a lasting impression in and out of the classroom. As a teacher, a reading specialist, a literacy consultant, a collaborative associate elementary principal, an incomparable elementary principal, a supportive colleague, a true mentor, college instructor, and exemplary educational leader, she was appreciated, loved, and respected by colleagues, students, and parents alike,” David shared. And indeed, many who worked with her agree that Barbara’s clearly articulated and inspired approach to educational progress positively impacted the lives of all those in her school communities. “She practiced the art of active listening as she absorbed new ideas like a sponge, with a clear vision of where she wanted to take her schools academically and emotionally,” David recollects. Aileen agrees, remembering, “She was a very good listener. While many people are good advisers and talkers, not many could listen the way Barbara did.”

As an educator, Barbara was always working her hardest to improve student outcomes. “Barbara’s focus was always on the students and the learning. Her grasp of best practices was encyclopedic and her passion ran deep,” commented Dan. “Barbara was about tight connections to students, knowing each child not only by name but knowing them deeper,” Cathy said. “She would listen to their stories, celebrate their triumphs, share a kind word, and help them with their struggles.”

Barbara was not only an impactful educator, but an excellent colleague and administrator for the faculty and staff. Described by Dan as “a gifted administrator with the credentials and skills to move a school forward,” Barbara was known as a supportive supervisor and teammate. “I remember her turning on her motherly instincts whenever we had new teachers arrive,” Aileen recalled of her time working with Barbara. “At its root, teaching is an extension of love, of care for another,” Dan commented. “In schools and communities around the world many have felt with gratitude such love from Barbara.”

TAREK AL-GHOUSSEIN ’80, well known for his photographic documentation of landscapes and buildings in Kuwait and the UAE, passed away on June 11, 2022 at the age of 60 years old. A child of Palestinian exiles in Kuwait, Tarek spent grades 3 through 9 at ASIJ and was well known for his athleticism on the JV football, basketball, and baseball teams. He also spent some of his youth in Morocco, before going on to receive a BFA in photography from New York University in 1985, and an MA in photography from the University of New Mexico in 1989. Later, Tarek served as a professor of photography and media at the American University in Sharjah, then was the director of the MFA in Art and Media programme and Professor of Visual Arts at New York University, Abu Dhabi. He was one of the first artists to join the Third Line Gallery, a Dubai-based space that works with pioneering Emirati and Middle Eastern artists. Tarek represented Kuwait at the 55th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennial, and his works have been acquired by many institutions and museums around the world, including but not limited to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York and the Smithsonian, Washington, DC.

KEN CHIANCONE ’75 of Hot Springs, SD, passed away on July 6, 2022. Ken attended ASIJ for grades 7 through 9, and played on the JV football team during his freshman year of high school. He went on to attain his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota and his master’s degree in clinical psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. Ken is survived by his children and his sister Cyndy Chiancone ’77.

VERONICA MILLER DICKES

’67, age 73, of Athens, Georgia passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022. Known during her time at ASIJ as “Ronnie,” she attended ASIJ from kindergarten to Grade 3, and then again for junior and senior years. Veronica is remembered in the 1967 Chochin as being “pretty to walk with, and witty to talk with,” as in the John Suckling quote. KARL-HERMAN GISTREN (AP ’68–70, ’79–87) passed away at the age of 86 in Sweden. The father of three alumni, Marin Gistren ’82, Henrik Gistren ’83, and Tomas Gistren ’87, he was a large part of the community during his time in Tokyo, and served as a trustee from 1983 to 1989.

LEWIS HAM ’48 passed away in Santa Barbara, CA on May 4, 2022. Born at Schoefield Barracks, in Honolulu, HI, Lewis was the oldest of three “Army brats,”—Judith Thornton ’53 and David Ham—who grew up in Vermont, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Michigan, and finally Tokyo. Lewis attended four high schools before arriving at ASIJ, spending his junior and senior years of high school here before graduating with the Class of ’48. In 1950, Lewis followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, becoming the third generation to receive a commission to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1954. In 1955, he married the fellow child of a West Pointer, Anne Maureen Candler. They welcomed four children and spent the next 20 years as a military family before Lewis retired from the Army in 1975. After leaving the military, Lewis forged a second career in higher education, serving as the registrar at several colleges in California. Lewis was passionate about his work in education for almost two decades before he retired for good in 1994. Lewis and Anne spent their retirement in Paso Robles, CA, and enjoyed traveling the world. Lewis is survived by his sister and brother, his four children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

MARILYNN HAYS (AP ’76–84), passed away on June 26th, 2022, in Sun City West, Arizona. She was 85 years old. Marilynn was born in Des Moines, IA, and attended Grimes Independent School where she met her future husband, Ronald Hays (AP ’76–84). She graduated from Grimes High School in 1954 as Valedictorian of her class before working at Brenton State Bank in Dallas Center for two years. In 1965, Marilynn and Ronald were called to serve as ALC missionaries to Japan. The family lived for many years in Yugawara on the Izu Peninsula while the children, Janelle ’78, Jeffrey ’79, and Jonathan ’84, commuted to an international school in Yokohama by train, but moved to Tokyo in 1976 so that the children could attend ASIJ. They eventually returned to the United States

after Jonathan’s high school graduation from ASIJ, after which Marilynn earned first a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree in English as a Second Language from Columbia University in New York, graduating in 1989. She then began her second career, serving in teaching positions at several universities before retiring to Sun City West, AZ. Marilynn is survived by her children and five grandchildren.

YAKO HIRAI ’78 (AP ’05–17)

passed away on September 27, 2022. Remembered by family, friends and classmates as strong-willed, direct, and honest, Yako came from a family of strong characters. Yako’s grandfather, Koh Hirai, was a poet who published his first collection before the age of 20, in the 1920s, and faced jail time due to his liberal political views, while his son, her father, Isaku Hirai, worked for over five decades translating novels from English to Japanese. Yako grew up in Tokyo and attended Nishimachi International School before enrolling at ASIJ from Grade 10. She made friends with many of her classmates, and stayed in close contact with them throughout her life. After graduating from ASIJ, she enrolled at Tufts University in Boston, MA, and graduated in 1982. She became close with the family of her college boyfriend, and returned to visit them in Boston many times throughout her life, long after the romance ended. “I marvel at Yako’s ability to maintain long-term relationships, even with the parents of her college boyfriend 44 years after breaking up. It’s amazing,” her husband George (AP ’05–17) shared.

After graduating from college, Yako began a job with First Boston, an investment firm, in Tokyo. The fast-paced environment suited Yako’s personality, and she used the large bonuses she earned to buy land in Karuizawa and eventually built a house for her parents there where they lived for 30 years. In the late 80s, Yako fell in love with Syndney on a business trip to the First Boston offices there, and asked for a transfer. She lived in Australia until 1993, when she moved back to Tokyo. In 1994, she first met her husband George Antonides at a business meeting, in which he remembers she told him, “Your product will not sell.” Her explanation of what her clients were looking for afterwards left George amazed with her skills, and they were met with business success together. To celebrate, they went on a trip to Lake Yamanaka, where their romance began. The couple traveled extensively together and, in 1997, were married during their lunch break and returned to work afterwards, celebrating with a nice dinner out that evening. In 1997, the couple relocated to New York City, and their son Sei Antonides ’17 was born in 1998. However, Yako was also diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma when she was seven months pregnant, and underwent surgery just two weeks after giving birth. Despite Yako’s health troubles, the family enjoyed traveling extensively together, often with or to the homes of the friends Yako had made throughout her life. Even as her condition worsened, she and George enjoyed traveling together until the very end. “She did not retreat or allow her health troubles to limit her,” George remembers of her proudly. “She was indomitable.”

ELEANOR HONAMAN (AP

’60–78), passed away on August 5, 2022 in Lititz, PA. She was 91 years old. Born in Carlisle, PA, Eleanor graduated from Carlisle High School in 1948 and went on to study at the Fokine School of Ballet, NYC, before teaching for the Hopper School of Dance in Harrisburg, PA. She was married and had her first son, Stephen ’73, in 1958, she and her husband William (AP ’60–78) were assigned to work as missionaries in Japan. Once in Tokyo, her second and third sons, Andrew ’77 and Walter ’78 were born, and Stephen began first grade at ASIJ in 1960. Andrew and Walter followed in 1966, while William served as a trustee from 1965 to 2000. Eleanor taught English conversation at Koran School for Girls and Rikkyo Primary School for Boys, both in Tokyo, and served in a variety of volunteer roles with organizations such as St. Luke’s International Medical Center in Tokyo and the Tokyo Community Counseling Service. After retiring in 2000 at age 70, she moved to Landis Homes Retirement Community and continued as a volunteer visitor in its Health Care Center. Eleanor was preceded in death by her son Stephen ’73, and is survived by her husband William, her two sons Andrew ’77 and Walter ’78.

ANTONIO INOKI (AP ’86–88)

passed away on October 1, 2022 at the age of 79. A professional wrestler, martial artist, politician, and promoter of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts, he was a well known figure to the Japanese public. Born in Yokohama, he was the second-youngest of 11 siblings. Already a sportsman in school, Antonio competed in shot put in junior high school, and won the championship at the Yokohama Junior High School track and field competition. After moving

to Brazil in 1957, Antonio went on to win the All Brazilian championships in shot put and discus. When he was 17, Antonio met famed Korean-Japanese wrestler Rikidozan in Brazil and returned to Japan to train with him. He went on to have a prolific career with the Japanese Wrestling Alliance and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. In 1971, he married actor Mitsuko Baisho (AP ’86–88) and their daughter Hiroko ’92 attended ASIJ for grades 6 and 7. In 2010, Antonio was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame. He also served on the Japanese House of Councilors from 1989 to 1995 and again from 2013 to 2019.

TAKASHI ITO (FF ’08–17)

passed away on June 11, 2022 in Yamanashi prefecture. Ito-san first joined ASIJ as a bus driver, but later made the switch to gardener to follow his passion for horticulture and agriculture. He grew a variety of vegetables on campus and shared both his crops and his knowledge of gardening with students, faculty, staff, and parents alike. “He was a very well-loved gardener,” remembers ES Administrative Associate Aileen Kanoh, commenting that Ito-san was “the nicest man you could ever know.” At the news of his passing the alumni community was moved as well, with Leann Maggart (FF ’02–15, AP ’00–12) sharing her memories of Ito-san during her time at ASIJ and commenting, “I am saddened by his passing.”

KEN LAMMERS ’74 passed away peacefully at home in Yokohama on October 18, 2022 at age 67 after nine years of quietly holding a stage-4 cancer diagnosis at bay with his determination that life should go on as normal. Born in Kyoto, Japan, he was the third son of missionaries in language training who were soon assigned to northeastern Hokkaido.

After five years of Japanese grade school in Kitami, Ken moved to Hokkaido International School in Sapporo, and then to ASIJ for grades 8 through 12. Growing up fluent in Japanese and completely in his element in Japanese culture, he had already decided he wanted to spend his life in Japan by the time he arrived at ASIJ. While at ASIJ, he sang in the Singers, ran lighting for the theater, and pursued interests in pottery, sewing, and numerous other creative hobbies. He won the Home Ec awards in an era when boys taking Home Ec was unheard of. Friends and classmates also remember what Lisa De Young Jastram ’74 described in a recent tribute as the “wild, carefree flight about the room that was his style of dance.”

While still attending ASIJ, Ken began helping out with lighting for Kappa-za, a touring children’s theater company based in the Osaka area, and upon graduation signed on as the troupe’s lighting director for two years. He then returned to Tokyo to work for Kyoritz as a bilingual coordinator and lighting operator for major foreign music and stage acts visiting Japan. It was during this period that he met and married his wife Shukuko Nikaido.

In 1985 he struck out on his own to found Ken Production Services, initially continuing mainly as a bilingual coordinator, but then later moving into the business of importing lighting equipment to Japan. By 1995 he was working closely with Madison, WI-based lighting company ETC and ultimately became their main dealer for Japan as he built the company into a thriving operation with over 20 employees. For over two-and-a-half decades, KPS has designed and installed lighting systems for major theme parks, national theaters, TV studios, night clubs, hotel ballrooms, and retail stores throughout Japan. The current theatrical lighting systems at ASIJ are also their handiwork—Ken was highly involved in the design of the lights in the ASIJ Theater when it was rebuilt in 2005, providing guidance in the configuration of the lights and handling the entire installation process. He also set up the lights in the Black Box Theater, complete with a catwalk designed with the highest level of attention to safety so that students could be involved in the handson process of setting and adjusting the lights. He stayed involved through the years, and was always quick to respond whenever ASIJ experienced technical difficulties with the lighting. He never stopped loving the work, and although he handed daily operations over to others several months before his passing, he continued to take phone calls and visitors at home until the very end. He is survived by his wife Shukuko; daughters Kei and Yui and their families; siblings Don Lammers ’68, Wayne Lammers ’70 and June Lymburner ’75; and his mother Martha Lammers (AP ’65–75).

DONNA LEHRER ’68 passed away on July 10, 2022. Enrolled from 1962 to 1968 for grades 7 through 12, Donna truly loved being part of the ASIJ community and treasured her time with her classmates. Her brother Scott Lehrer ’70 fondly remembers how she was like a big sister to the kids that took the bus ride from Tokyo to ASIJ every day. Her one vice was cutting classes

with Mary Bush ’68 and hanging out in the Ginza, but she graduated on time and went on to be successful in banking and real estate.

After graduating ASIJ in 1968 she returned to Southern California and attended Pepperdine University. She subsequently worked at Security Pacific as an Operations Manager. After leaving banking she became the Director of Operations at ANR Industries for over ten years followed by a position as Head of Human Resources at Allen Corporation Supply. After taking retirement, Donna enjoyed going to concerts and was passionate about reading. She is survived by her brother, Scott ’70, and younger sister, Wendy Lehrer ’77.

LARRY MORI ’66 passed away on April 27, 2022 in Clearwater, FL at age 73. Larry was born in New Haven, CT, but moved to Tokyo with his parents shortly after birth. Larry attended ASIJ from 1956 to his high school graduation in 1966, and stayed in close contact with his friends and classmates from ASIJ for the rest of his life. “The Mori family lived a few meters down the road from us. And we literally grew up together,” shared Manzo Nitta ’67, “We played baseball, chess, and mahjong and traded stamps and baseball cards. We spent summers together at their Chiba beach house and our Nagano mountain cabin, so we shared tons of memories.” Michael Braun ’66 remembers, “we used to collect and trade postage stamps—I left ASIJ after my 9th grade year, but I still remember trading stamps in the stands by the athletic field.” Daniel Marsh ’66 and George Yen ’66, who were in the bridge club together with Larry, remember fond times playing cards in high school together. “Little did I imagine that Larry would go on to become a professional bridge player!” George shared.

And indeed, Larry went on to have an impressive career in bridge. After high school, Larry lived in Michigan, New York and Florida where he finally settled. He had an undergraduate degree in clinical psychology and an MSW, but was perhaps best known for his professional bridge career. A Grand Life Master, Larry had many bridge successes including five NABC+ wins and two second place prizes, as well as hundreds of regional wins. In fact, Larry had bridge clients in Japan, where he flew for work every year, as he was bilingual. Larry was loved for his gregarious nature and thoughtful analysis and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. He is survived by his sisters Betty Mori ’68 and Catherine Mori ’73.

MURIEL NEVE (AP ’61–66,

’67–76) passed away September 6, 2022 at 98 years old. Born in San Jose, CA and raised in Oakland, Muriel graduated from Oakland High School and attended the College of the Pacific and University of California Berkeley before matriculating at Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ. After two years at Seminary, Muriel traveled to Japan as a missionary, landing in Yokohama in November of 1948. After teaching at a school in Kyushu for a year, she was married to fellow missionary Llyod Neve (AP ’61–66, ’67–76) in 1949. The two had six children together before moving to Tokyo in 1959 where Lloyd took a position at the Tokyo Lutheran Theological Seminary and Muriel taught English part time at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University, and worked on improving her Japanese language skills. Once her children were enrolled at ASIJ, Muriel was also very involved in the school community as a member of the PTA, and Lloyd served as a Trustee from 1969 to 1976. After all six of Muriel’s children graduated from ASIJ in 1976, Muriel and Lloyd moved to northern Japan, where Muriel put her language skills to use teaching Sunday school in Japanese. After leaving Japan, Muriel and Lloyd carried out a year of service in Papua New Guinea, and another year in South Africa before retiring in 1988 to Blair, NE. They traveled extensively, including two trips around the world through Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe, a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, trips to Bulgaria, Spain, and Mongolia, and a 6-month service stay in Brazil. Muriel is survived by her children Kaj Neve ’69, Rachael Neve ’71, Leif Neve ’73, Kim Neve ’75, and Peter Neve ’76. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, and daughter, Nina Jean Neve ’71.

TOMOKO WATABE TAKAFUJI

’62 passed away on March 22, 2022. Attending ASIJ just for her senior year, Tomoko was known for her sense of humor, her charming laughter, and her thick New York accent. She met her lifelong friend, Yurika Pringsheim ’62, during her time at ASIJ and stayed in touch with many of classmates. Tom Hargreaves ’62 remembers, “Tomoko was a spark that we first knew during the last year of our schooling, a spark that floated about the Nakameguro campus as a bubble of brighter light. She spoke with a New York City accent, had a New York City brashness, was filled with humor—and

needed a translator to shop in Tokyo. That was Tomoko.” After graduating from ASIJ, Tomoko studied English literature at Waseda university and married Kunio Takafuji. The couple lived in Fukuoka Prefecture in southern Japan and welcomed three children. Tomoko was highly involved with Rotary International and worked with international exchange students coming to Japan. She was still highly connected to her ASIJ classmates, and visited Yurika in Germany as recently as 2018.

GRACE TANAKA ’84 passed away on June 25, 2022 at her home in Tokyo. Born in New York City, NY, Grace’s father worked for Kanematsu Corporation and was posted around the world, including tenures in Brazil, New York and Tokyo where Grace attended Nishimachi International School and then ASIJ from 1982–84. During her time at ASIJ, she was known for her theatrical and musical talents, performing in the high school play Up the Down Staircase and in the high school musical Once Upon a Mattress as a member of the chorus. She served as the clerk for the ASIJ Thespian Society and was highly involved in both the production and staging of the One Act Plays in 1986. She was also a member of the high school Vocal Ensemble, performing at a number of ASIJ events and international school festivals, as well as on NHK educational television.

After graduating from ASIJ, Grace went on to earn her BA in 1988 from Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in Government and Asian Studies and highly involved in a variety of student organizations, including serving as a musical director for the a capella group, The Touchtones. Upon graduating, Grace joined Mitsui Bank in New York and two years later returned to Ithaca to earn her MBA from Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management in 1993. Grace’s MBA class elected her VP of Fundraising and her class has consistently set new benchmarks for reunion fundraising in each of its past five reunion years. Grace then went on to work for Morgan Stanley in international equity sales following graduation. Grace was a born traveler, fashion icon, and gifted singer who had belonged to the Oratorio Society of New York where she performed at Carnegie Hall several times. She was a passionate fan of the opera and also an avid follower of the news and global affairs.

SUE LONG ZIMMERMAN ’59

passed away on August 6, 2022. Born Suzanne Long in Sewickley, PA, she was little sister to Bob Long ’55 and big sister to Winthrop “Buzz” Long ’62. At the age of 11, she and her family moved to Tokyo, Japan where her father had accepted an assignment with the YMCA to create outdoor education and camping programs for Japanese youth. Sue attended ASIJ from 6th grade until her graduation in 1959, mastering what she referred to as “fluent soba shop and taxi cab Japanese” and captaining the cheerleading squad. She spent summers at Lake Nojiri and fondly recalled watching lines of campers carrying lanterns and singing as they hiked back across the side of the mountain to their cabins after the evening circle. Sue crossed paths with her future husband, Don Zimmerman ’55, while at ASIJ, but they would not begin dating until back in the United States while she was studying nursing at Northwestern and he was completing his MBA at The University of Chicago. They ultimately headed west to San Francisco where she completed her nursing degree at French Hospital. They were married in 1962 and honeymooned at Lake Tahoe.

Soon after came her first son Steven, second son Michael and, after a move from the city to Marin county, a third son David. Between planning elaborate birthday parties and sewing handmade Halloween costumes, she found the time to put her nursing training to use to develop the Puppet Therapy program at Marin General Hospital where kids learned what to expect during their hospital visit from puppet doctors and nurses working on a tiny custom-built operating table. Sue also volunteered with countless community organizations she held dear to her heart, working as a hospice nurse, a docent at Audubon Canyon Ranch, a court appointed special advocate for CASA, and, as her boys were not quickly allowed to forget, a “sex ed” teacher at their elementary school.

Family, friends, holidays and adventure were constants. Winter and summer family trips to Lake Tahoe, Hawaii or destinations like the Galapagos, Bhutan, India, New Zealand and Europe were regular occurrences as was a yearly hiking trip with her “Ladies of the Trail.” At the age of 60, she even undertook a backpacking trip on a long section of the John Muir Trail with a close friend. When Don passed in 2004 after 42 years of marriage, Sue continued to travel, volunteer, enjoy her family and even found a new guy, Charley, a 12 pound snaggle-toothed chihuahua mix who rarely left her side for the next decade.