Memorium - Tom Monchak

Hello again, Central friends,
This morning I received an e-mail message from fellow classmate David Fitterman who wrote to bring news of the passing of yet another of our classmates, Tom Monchak. David provided a copy of the wonderful tribute written about Tom from a Phoenix area publication where Tom had been living. I will provide that link below. Tom had quite a distinguished career as described in his obit; also, the picture - much more recent than the photo from our Central annual! - shows Tom still had the same great smile.


On a happier note, David writes he is still living in New York City doing some consulting work and enjoyed a six-week skiing trip to Breckenridge this winter.

Here is the link to Tom's obituary. Take care, everyone.


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/obituary.aspx?n=tom-monchak&pid=152198147

Maryellen Koller Mencimer - automobile accident

Hello, Central Friends,
This morning I received an e-mail from Maryellen Koller Mencimer's husband, Gary. I wanted to post this update for you here - as well letting you know that if you would like to send Maryellen a card or an e-mail message, please contact me at galehooverhammond@yahoo.com, and I will be happy to send her address to you. (I am reluctant to post personal data here on the Internet.) I'm sure she would love hearing from you.


I know it goes without saying that we are all wishing Maryellen and Gary the best in her recovery process, and that we are SO grateful that she lived through this accident.


Below is Gary's message containing the details of the accident as well as some photos he sent.


Take good care, everyone!
 ********************************
Gale,

Maryellen was involved in a nasty automobile accident yesterday, Thursday, April 5.  She was driving her beloved "Sunshine" VW New Beetle - a six year old bug without one blemish and only 27,000 miles. She was making a left hand turn with a green arrow off of Washington just south of HWY 111 when a gentlemen in a rather large SUV hit her almost head on at about 40 mph.

Maryellen's "Sunshine" now has some severe blemishes - as in totaled.  And while not totaled, Maryellen is feeling like she is.  She has a broken left wrist, four broken ribs, a deep gash on her lower left leg, a severally sprained ankle and bruises on nearly all of her body.  The left wrist will require surgery in a few days.

She is resting with the help of some pretty serious narcotics and says that everything including her hair hurts.

After viewing the images of Sunshine and her badly broken body we are just happy that seat belts were in use, the airbag deployed, and that VW builds a pretty tough car.  By the way the guy who hit her walked away without a scratch.