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Rory Neil Vose | Carmela Perez Lopez | Carolyn Ann Prestby | Wayne K. Forbes
Rory Neil Vose
Jan. 6, 1941-May 10, 2008
Rory Neil Vose, 67, died May 10, 2008, at his home in Winona after bravely battling kidney cancer for more than a year.
Rory was born Jan. 6, 1941, in Culver City, Calif., to Roy and Norma (Schumacher) Vose. He graduated from Winona Senior High in 1959 and received his bachelor of science degree in biology from Winona State University. He obtained his master’s degree from University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D., where he also did his Ph.Dd studies. On Aug. 31, 1963, he married Janis Datta in Winona.
Rory was an environmental biology professor at Saint Mary’s University, Winona, for 31 years, where he influenced the lives of thousands of students. He was a founder of the Resource Studies Center (now GeoSpacial Services) at SMU, helped develop the GIS Masters program at SMU, served on the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Geographic Information, and received SMU’s first paid sabbatical and first honorarium in recognition of exceptional work. Rory was named Outdoorsman of the Year in 1972, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an avid photographer, with several photos published in National Geographic magazine.
Believing in protecting our world, Rory wrote the original language for a stewardship bill that is now being considered by the U.S. Congress, served as President of the Will Dilg Chapter of the Isaac Walton League, chaired the Winona Citizens’ Environmental Quality Committee, was listed in “Who’s Who in Ecology,” and did groundbreaking studies radio-tracking tundra swans, Canada geese, turkeys, and deer.
Showing his love of the river, Rory was a key researcher and received awards and commendations from the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and a U.S. Presidential Design Achievement Award for various Mississippi River projects. He served as president of the Mississippi River Research Consortium, served as a consultant to the National Geographic Society’s Great Rivers of the World program, wrote for American Rivers newsletter, and was a “Mississippi Mud Puppy.“
Seeing the world, Rory enjoyed traveling, including a trip to Nepal and Tibet, visiting Everest Base Camp; South Korea; Venezuela; Puerto Rico; Australia; and several trips to Canada, Alaska, Florida, Colorado, and around the U.S. He especially loved his numerous canoe trips to the BWCA and Quetico to enjoy the beauty of the north country, watch the campfire and listen to loons.
Believing in giving back to the world, Rory quietly donated generously to various charities every year.
Rory is survived by his wife Janis of Winona; three daughters, Dr. Laura Vose of St. Cloud, Minn., Heather (Marshall) Ulrich of Idaho Springs, Colo., and Tahra Vose (Paul Stringer) of Alexandria, Va.; brothers-in-law, Robert (Elaine) Datta and Harold (Betty) Datta; and sister-in-law, Maxine (Jack) Speltz, all of Winona, and their families; as well as members of deceased sister-in-law, Vi (Lyle) Turner’s family. He was proceeded in death by his parents.
Services to remember Rory will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at First Congregational Church, Winona, with Pastor Tom Schoen officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Barry Drazkowski, Ray Faber, Cal Fremling, Dick Kowels, Dave McConnville, John Nosek, Orest Ochrymowycz, and Wayne Purtzer.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home, Winona.
Services entrusted to Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Winona. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, Rory requested that donations be made to the Religious Teachers Filippini/Mission Fund, 455 Western Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960. These Sisters work to promote the dignity of women and children in some of the poorest countries in the world by providing an education to those who previously had limited opportunities in their lives. Donations may also be made to Winona Area Hospice, 175 E. Wabasha St., Winona, MN 55987.
Carmela Perez Lopez
ARCADIA, Wis. — Carmela Perez Lopez was stillborn at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Medical Center in Arcadia.
Wozney-Killian Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Carmela Perez Lopez nacio sin vida en Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Medical Center.
La funcraria de Wozney-Killian estara ayudando la familia con los arreglos.
Carolyn Ann Prestby
CANTON, Minn. — Carolyn Ann Prestby, 75, of Canton died Sunday, May 11, 2008, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa.
Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Assumption Catholic Church in Canton. Visitation will be at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the rosary at 7:30 p.m. Visitation one hour prior to services. Mengis Funeral Home, Mabel, Minn., in charge of arrangements.
Wayne K. Forbes
HARMONY, Minn. — Wayne K. Forbes, 82, of Harmony died Sunday, May 11, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wis.
Friends may call from 1 until the 2 p.m. funeral service Thursday at Harmony Health Care Center. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth, Minn., at a later date. Riley Funeral Home, Chatfield, Minn.
