August 30, 2007

OBITUARIES

Roger A. Beatty

Roger A. Beatty, age 57, died from cancer on Monday, June 4, at his home in Truro, Mass.

Roger came to Yellow Springs in 1979 as an intern at the Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center. Between 1982 and 1985, he was supervisor of the Raptor Center and the coordinator of EcoCamps. He provided expert care for the injured avian residents of the center and inspired school children and adult visitors alike with his encyclopedic knowledge of and appreciation for the birds, wildflowers and other denizens of the Glen. He entertained the resident naturalists at the Outdoor Education Center and his fellow workers at the Winds Café with his hilarious stories, and maintained close friendships with many of them until the end of his life.

Roger left Glen Helen to pursue a masters degree in environmental education at Antioch New England before moving on to Cape Cod and serving as the director of the National Environmental Education Development (NEED) collaborative in Truro, an experiential, cooperative program in environmental studies. He spent summers working as a ranger-naturalist at Cape Cod National Seashore.

As the director of the NEED collaborative, he devoted the last 19 years of his life to fostering in children a love for the beauty and natural history of the Outer Cape. Under Roger’s stewardship, literally thousands of fortunate children and a few privileged adults experienced an unforgettable week exploring the natural landscape, no matter the weather. This life-altering week spent with Roger and his staff was inspirational, and as testament to his mentoring wisdom, some of those children returned as staff members to teach with him in later years.

Roger loved bird watching, had an enormous repertoire of birdcalls at his command, and was particularly adept at calling out various species of owl during late night walks. Roger enjoyed winter vacations dog-sledding in Quebec City and he summered in Alaska twice, having found Alaska’s remote and pristine environment profoundly restorative. Other summers, he visited with family and friends from Ohio, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington.

Roger had a deep appreciation for the written word and poetry in particular. He always managed to create a quiet moment to pen a hand-written letter to his many correspondents. When not tending his gardens, he could be found rambling about Truro exploring the marsh, river, bay and ocean, often with his dog, Sadie, at his side.

Roger had a special place reserved in his heart for Yellow Springs and Glen Helen, and returned many times over the years to visit with friends and renew his spirit in the Glen. It was his fervent wish to see Glen Helen one more time, but when that proved impossible because of his rapidly declining health, a delegation of his friends traveled to Truro to bring him some photographs and special mementos to help see him through his final journey.

Roger is survived by his husband, John Magin; and his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Robert McCool and their three children, Jared, Danielle, and Jamie, of Greenville, Ohio. He leaves many dear, close friends and colleagues scattered around the country, as well as his beloved dog, Sadie Pamet Beatty and Fred, his cat.

Gifts may be made in Roger’s memory to either of the following environmental organizations: Glen Helen Raptor Center, c/o Betty Ross, director, 1075 St. Rte. 343, Yellow Springs; or the NEED Collaborative, c/o Eleanor Moody, director, P.O. Box 895, Truro, Mass. 02666.

A memorial service is planned for the weekend of Sept. 22–23 in Truro. For details, please contact Moira Laughlin or Jerry Papania at 767-9397.

William Hattle

William Leonard Hattle died Monday, Aug. 20, at Friends Care Community in Yellow Springs. He was 83.

Bill was born July 13, 1924, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to the late William Henry Hattle and Myrtle Sheets Hattle. He was married to Mary Anne Ferguson Hattle on Sept. 4, 1949. Mary and Bill celebrated 57 years of marriage.

Bill’s long life enriched the lives of countless friends, professional associates and fellow Marines.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, who died last October; and by his sister, Esther P. Miller.

Bill is survived by his children, Linda and George Patterson of Simpsonville, S.C., Lee and David Ferguson of Yellow Springs, William “Rick” and Sandra Hattle of Gahanna, Ohio, Robert Hattle of Arcata, Calif., and John and Sally Hattle of Western Springs, Ill.; 11 grandchildren, Courtney and Trey Heyward, Kristen and Chris Smith, Ian, Ellen, and Andrew Ferguson, Meredith and Gerrit Kitts, Zachary and Nicole Hattle, Erin and Callie Smock-Hattle, Elizabeth and Emily Hattle; two Nigerian sons, Dr. Benjamin and Connie Okwumabua and their three children, and Dr. Benedict “Ngozi” and Joyce Okwumabua and their four children. Bill was also anticipating his first great grandchild, Julia Hattle, in December.

A private military family service will be held in November for Bill. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe. Per Bill’s wishes, financial support may be offered to Friends Care Community in lieu of flowers, 150 East Herman Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387.

Patricia Ann Fritz

Patricia Ann Fritz of Springfield, formerly of Yellow Springs, died Tuesday, Aug. 21. She was 79. She was born April 26, 1928, a daughter of Howard and Viola (Insley) Shook of Yellow Springs.

Patty was a member of the Rebecca Lodge in Yellow Springs, supported the Danny Thomas Cancer Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., the Shriners Hospital and the Salvation Army. She enjoyed traveling and was very family oriented.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her children, Eric and Erin Fritz; and her siblings.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Bruce Fritz. Graveside service were held on Thursday, Aug. 23, in the Glen Forest Cemetery, Yellow Springs. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Danny Thomas St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research Hospital, 332 North Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Children’s Hospital, 12502 North Pine Drive, Tampa, Fla., 33612.