Taps
Delbert J. Stumpff, 86, D/394 staff sergeant, of Overland Park KS, died Feb. 16, 2006. He was past-president of the 99th Infantry Division Association and served as sergeant-at-arms, proudly carrying Old Glory at conventions. He and his wife, Millie, attended all conventions and many 99th tours to Europe. He joined the 99th at Camp Van Dorn and during the Battle of the Bulge, exhibited valor by ordering his 81mm mortar section to raise the angle of fire to 89 degrees, wiping out waves of advancing Germans. After the war he was a developer and residential homebuilder in Johnson County KS. Survivors include his wife, Millie; daughter, Karen Rodrock; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
Robert P. Gabriel, 81, A/394, of Vero Beach FL, died Jan. 7, 2006. During the Battle of the Bulge he was captured and held prisoner in Germany for five months until he was liberated by U.S. troops at the end of the war. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. In 1948, he joined his father-in-law in James Huggins and Son Inc., and served as president from 1982 to his retirement in 1988. He also owned Huggins Export Company, Diamond H Products, and Seacoast PR Associates. In 1989, he retired to Vero Beach FL, and worked as a state park volunteer at McLarty Treasure Museum in Sebastian FL. He and his wife, Melody, attended many 99th conventions. Survivors include his wife, Melody; three children; two stepdaughters; two stepsons; and 12 grandchildren.
Robert J. Klug, 81, E/395, of Tucson AZ, died Jan. 6, 2006. He joined E/395 at Camp Maxey in March 1944, along with the ASTP group from Baylor University. He served as a BAR man throughout the Bulge until evacuated in the last days of January 1945, to a hospital in the UK. He later was assigned to an ordnance unit near Paris and was discharged as a first sergeant in March 1945. He worked in the American Embassy, liquidating military surplus. Later He returned to the States and the University of Minnesota, receiving a Ph.D. in physiology. He later joined the staff of 3M and Dow Chemical, working mostly in Europe and living in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and France. In 1981, he returned to the States and with his son, Robert, started Sierra Laboratories Inc., in Tucson AZ.
Keith D. Berry, G/393, of Huntington Beach CA, died Dec. 18, 2005. He was a squad leader and sergeant in the 99th Infantry Division. He fought in the Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns and was twice wounded in Belgium, first on Nov. 28, 1944, then on Jan. 30, 1945. He received the Purple Heart, and two Bronze Stars. After the war he was employed by Chevron Corporation as a micropaleontologist in petroleum exploration. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; one son; two daughters; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Marvin Godfrey, 371st FA Bn., of Crystal River FL, died Jan. 16, 2006.
Richard L. Culbert, G/395, of Sioux Falls SD, died Jan. 5, 2006. He was a foxhole buddy of Ken Kirkpatrick. They and their wives were on the 99th battlefield tour for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded March 2, 1945, in the attack toward the Rhine River. After the war, Richard and a friend formed the Culbert Davis Company in Sioux Falls. Survivors include two sons; a daughter-in-law; and two granddaughters.
Joseph McGlinn, 80, B/394, of Danville PA, died Dec. 28, 2005. He always looked forward to receiving the Checkerboard. He is survived by his wife, Betty.
Tom Doyle, 80, G/395, of San Bernardino CA, died June 30, 2005. He and Earl Dudman were roommates at Tarleton College in the ASTP before going to the 99th at Camp Maxey TX. He was injured during World War II and received a Purple Heart. He earned a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and a doctorate in education. He was a teacher and principal at a number of schools in the San Bernardino CA area for more than 50 years. Survivors include his wife, Helen; five sons; and five grandchildren.
Lewis W. Shedron, 83, C/370, of Millersburg OH, died Oct. 27, 2005. He enjoyed the Checkerboard. He is survived by his wife, Helen.
Floyd J. Lupton Sr., Q/370, of Belhaven NC, died May 10, 2005. He worked for the railroad, North Carolina Board of Parole, and Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. He also was an administrative assistant to the late Congressman Walter B. Jones Sr., for 26 years. He is survived by three children; three grandsons; and two great-grandchildren.
Rickmer A. Riewerts, 90, 324th Medical Bn., of Redding CA, died Dec. 20, 2005. He was a member of the cadre from the 7th Division who went to Camp Van Dorn in 1942, to train the 99th Division troops. He lived in Redding CA, his entire life and is survived by his wife and daughter.
Joseph Thomas Waskiewicz, 84, A/393, of Mount Vernon MO, died Dec. 9, 2005. He was a past president of the association, serving in 1966 as chairman of the New York convention.
Joseph Edward Salvo, 90, of Lithia Springs GA, died Dec. 24, 2005. In 1953, he founded Seminole Foundry in Atlanta GA, then expanded the business and moved to Lithia Springs in 1957. He sold the company in 1968. He was on the Board of Tax Assessors for Douglas County GA, for 14 years, the last nine of which he served as chairman of the board. Survivors include his wife, Roberta; and a stepson.
Earl B. Smart, 84, Q/394, of Scottsdale AZ, died Dec. 5, 2005. He was a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves. In 1965, he moved to Scottsdale and served as treasurer of Cudahy Foods and later General Host. Survivors include his wife, Winifred; one daughter; three stepsons; two grandchildren; and eight step-grandchildren.
Ron Krebs, Hq., 1st Bn., 393rd, of Mollala OR, died Dec. 8, 2005. Survivors include his wife, Florence.
Harry Riddle, 84, I/395, died July 9, 2005.
James I. Hare Sr., 89, weapons platoon leader and later executive officer of I/395, died Dec. 3, 2005. He was the founder of the Bank of Santa Maria CA, and CEO until his retirement.
Patrick W. Fordney Jr., 81, of Green Valley AZ, died Dec. 1, 2005. He spent most of his working career in the insurance business and retired in 1987 from North Pacific Insurance Company as vice president. Survivors include his wife, Patsy; three sons; one daughter; and several grandchildren.
James W. Clarke, Hq. Co., 3rd Bn., 394th Inf., of Great Falls VA, died Oct. 24, 2005. He was a United States Geological Survey emeritus scientist, with petroleum geology in the former Soviet Union, as his specialty. He earned a Ph.D. from Yale University in 1950, and was the author of more than 60 professional publications and continued publishing a journal, issued to a worldwide range of subscribers, right up until his death. He is survived by his wife, Lori.
Bill Logue, 81, C/394, of Waco TX, died Oct. 12, 2005. He was a graduate of Baylor University, and held BBA and LLB degrees. He first was elected to public office in 1951 as a justice of the peace and was McLennan County judge from 1955-60. In 1960, he was elected judge of the 19th Texas District Court and Juvenile Court. He served in that position until 1994, when he retired. During his professional career, he received numerous awards, including a Citizenship Award from the VFW. Survivors include his wife, Gloria; four daughters; and seven grandchildren.
Ralph E. Erdman, 85, of Wausau IL, died Nov. 22, 2005. He served in the 395th Regiment. He was manager of Palace Clothiers prior to his retirement; and a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, serving on the church council. Survivors include his wife, Christine of Wausau IL; one son; one daughter; and four grandchildren.
Eugene Paul Frame, 81, S/372, of Elizabeth WV, died Oct. 11, 2005. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; four children; four stepchildren; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Harold F. Wall, 82, A/395, of Blacksburg VA, died May 2, 2005. He was stationed at Camp Van Dorn MS, and went overseas with the 99th. He worked 36 years for the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of Gateway Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Norma; two daughters; two grandsons; and one great-granddaughter.
Billy E. Scheidler, A/372, of Ligonier IN, died June 2, 2005. He enjoyed the Checkerboard and looked forward to its arrival. He is survived by his wife, Marlene.
Dominic DePalma, 82, K/393, of Wickliffe OH, died Feb. 17, 2005.
Gene W. Shope, 82, Harrisburg PA, died June 23, 2005. He was a sergeant with C/395, receiving three Bronze Stars. He retired as vice president of Deitzel Brothers, a roofing contractor. Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline; one daughter; and one granddaughter.
William Norman Smith, 84, B/371, of Downingtown PA, died June 29, 2005. He was wounded Dec. 17, 1944, at Krinkelt, and received a Purple Heart. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Alice; two sons; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
William Dougher, 83, N/395, of Dallas TX, died Aug. 20, 2005. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and helped build the presidential retreat, Camp David. He retired from Central Freight Lines after 37 years of service. Survivors include two sons; two daughters; and five grandchildren.
George Talley, 81, N/394, of San Jose CA, died May 26, 2005. He was a skilled draftsman with the consulting engineering firm of Ruth and Going for more than 35 years. He served on the Campbell United Methodist Church board and many years as commissioner in the Boy Scouts where he received the Silver Beaver Award and the Award of Distinction. Survivors include his wife, Frances; six daughters; one son; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Phillip DeBerry Sr., 83, of Charlotte NC, died Sept. 19, 2005. He served with the 99th, receiving multiple Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He was a boxer during high school and continued his boxing career while in the army, winning a Golden Gloves Championship. He was a land surveyor and volunteer fireman. Survivors include his wife, Sara; two sons; one daughter; and several grandchildren.
Warren H. Stewart, 83, 1/395, of Bergholz OH, died June 27, 2005. He retired after 20 years with Good Roads and 12 years at Morgan Eng. He also was a substitute rural mail carrier for the Bergholz Post Office. Survivors include his wife, Betty; and three children.
Ed Wilkes, 90, S/099, of Pittsburgh PA, died Sept. 10, 2005. Survivors include his wife, Rose Marie; four children; and three grandchildren.
William G. Yaegle, B/324 Medical Battalion, of Warren PA, died Nov. 1, 2005. Survivors include two daughters.
Roy Weldon McCorkle, 80, B/395, of Surfside Beach NC, died Nov. 23, 2005. He was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and the Distinguished Unit Badge. He was a sales representative with Trethewey & Associates for more than 25 years. Survivors include his wife, Betty; three children; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Other deaths
Dorothy Ritter, wife of Raymond Ritter of Westlake OH, died Sept. 27, 2005.
Laura C. Johnson, wife of Jim Johnson E/395 of St. Louis MO, died Dec. 2, 2005.
