The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday December 11, 2018. The meeting commenced at 1230 hours at 850 Bryant Street, room #150, in San Francisco, California.
Roll Call: Secretary and Past President Mark McDonough was present and assumed the chair of President for this meeting only. Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Al Luenow, Lou Barberini, and Ryan Walsh, and Bookkeeper Sally Foster were present. President Leroy Lindo, Vice President Ray Kane, and Trustees Jim O’Meara and Rob Forneris were excused. President Lindo called in per conference call and was available.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to accept the minutes from our November 2018 meeting. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions, and Reinstatements: There were no new applications or suspensions this month. Treasurer Dean Taylor reported that suspended member Alec Cardenas paid his dues and late fees. Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to reinstate Alec Cardenas. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed and Alec Cardenas was reinstated as a member in good standing. Interim President/Secretary Mark McDonough read aloud the following names of suspended members who have only 20 days remaining in 2018 to pay their dues and late fees. On January 1, 2019, the named members who have not paid their dues and fees will be, per Article III, Section 4 of our Constitution, automatically dropped from our roll by order of the President per the WOAA Constitution and By-Laws:
(Active members) Saqib Aslam, Antonio Austin, Mohammed Azam, Riley Bandy III, Nicholas Billings, Timothy Brophy Jr., Danny Camacho, Justin Clayton, Lary Cortes, Jassen Dongon, Joshua Enea, Matthew Eng, Robert Glenn, Danny Guo, Richard Heppenstall, Shane Herbert, Renae Hofmann, Kostyantyn Ivanov, Ryan Jensen, Matthew Kabanuck, Chris Kohrs, Yuka Nagamine, Brandon Newman, Michael Nguyen, Phong Nguyen, Jessica (Nantroup) O’Connor, Bianca Padilla, Edgar Parker III, Michael Phillips, James Sayasane, David Serrano, Kristopher Stoffel, Anthony Tallerico, Carlton Tiamson, and Justin Webster. (Retired members) Thomas Abrahamsen, Guillermo Amigo, Julia Angalet, William Arrieta, Regina Berrigan, Omar Bueno, Jonathan Catlett, Anton Collins, Mario Delgadillo, Lori Dutra, Joseph Filamor, Lisa Garcia, Gregory Hicks, Ronald Kall, John Kowal, Kenneth Lui, Molly O’Leary Klier, Roger Peters, Richard Randall, Darryl Rodgers, Richard Ruiz, Melissa Tierrafria, Allen Vugrincic. Dropped members may apply for reinstatement by submitting the application in writing, and must also pay their outstanding dues and fines. A dropped member who applies for reinstatement must, in addition to the application and payments, per Article III, Section 6, shall submit a document of “sound health” from a physician.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the monthly bills, and the beneficiary payments to the designated beneficiaries of passed members John Bagot and Robert Quigley. Trustee Ryan Walsh made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary payments. Trustee Al Luenow seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA received the sad news of the passing of two WOAA members:
Lawrence Lawson, age 90: Lawrence R. Lawson was born in San Francisco, California on June 8, 1928. Larry was raised in the Polk Gulch and North Beach areas of San Francisco. Larry attended St. Brigid’s Grammar School, St. Ignatius High School, and the University of San Francisco. Larry cherished education, maintained lifelong relationships with fellow track and football athletes, and never went a day without appreciating God. His accomplishments were many, but the wealth he accrued during his lifetime was measured in the love of his family and friends, and the many wonderful people he encountered. Whether it was on the asphalt court with childhood friends at Helen Wills Playground, the meadows and beaches of Marin with his Portuguese relatives, walking a Beat as an S.F.P.D. Officer (11 years), teaching and coaching at City College of San Francisco to appreciative students (32 years), working security at the Hyatt Embarcadero (26 years) or slipping $5 to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his joy always centered around the interactions and relationships he had with people. There were thousands of stories; running track against Ollie Matson; playing with teammates of the legendary 1951 Dons Football team; arresting the infamous “Cockeyed Bandit”; card gaming and barbeques at Rio Nido; getting fed like a King at the Hyatt Embarcadero; playing Bocce Ball at the Elks Club in San Mateo. There was always a similar theme; whether one was a Mayor or a housekeeper, Larry treated all with respect, and honored and valued who they were as individuals. Because of this he is remembered by many and forgotten by few. Larry is survived by his wife Partricia (Burke) of 67 years, five children Dan (retired S.F.P.D. Captain) (Laurie), Mike (retired S.F.P.D. Sergeant), Lori Frischerz (Greg), and Lawrence “Buzz” (Anne), 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Larry was preceded in death by his daughter Nancy Washmera (Ray). Lawrence “Larry” Lawson entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 5, 1950 and was assigned to star #538. Larry graduated from the Police Academy on June 17, 1950 and worked the following assignments during his 12-year career: Richmond Police Station (July 17, 1950), Co. K APB (September 17, 1951), HDQ Juvenile Bureau (January 25, 1954), Larry was promoted to the rank of Assistant Police Inspector on March 16, 1959 while assigned to the Juvenile Bureau and was later granted a leave of absence to the San Francisco Board of Education on September 5, 1961. Larry submitted his resignation to pursue a life as an Educator and exited the San Francisco Police Department on March 5, 1962. Larry was awarded a 2nd Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on December 16, 1956. Larry and his partner Edmund Sarraille arrested an armed suspect after he had committed of a robbery of a liquor store. The Officers, while on patrol in civilian dress, recognized the suspect from the description broadcast over the Police radio, and had to disarm him by force to effect the arrest.
Walter Van Dehey, age 91: Walter Archibald Van Dehey was born in San Francisco, California on August 7, 1927. Walt entered the San Francisco Police Department on April 16, 1952. Walt was assigned to star #1686. Walter Van Dehey graduated from the Police Academy on May 26, 1952 and worked the following assignments during his 30 year career: Taraval Police Station (May 26, 1952), Park Police Station (November 25, 1957), City Prison (promoted to the rank of Q-50 Police Sergeant and transferred on March 1, 1968), Potrero Police Station (March 18, 1968), Ingleside Police Station (March 4, 1972), Southern Police Station (February 7, 1973), Potrero Police Station (June 17, 1973), Support Services Bureau/Records (promoted to the rank of Q-60 Lieutenant of Police on February 8, 1979). Van Dehey retired at the rank of Lieutenant with a service pension on February 16, 1982. Walter passed away in Waterford, Maine on August 7, 2018 at the age of 91. Walter was raised in San Francisco, California and attended Lowell High School. Walter enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon his discharge, Walter went to College and graduated with an AB in Police Science. Walter not only served in the S.F.P.D. for 30 years, but also served over 20 years in the Air Force Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as being an outstanding pistol shot, a master marksman holding several championships. He was a Mason in Crocker Lodge, California for 62 years and was active in the Mt. Tirem Lodge, Maine from 1996 on, during which time he promoted the year-end school awards. He loved football, being an ever loyal San Francisco 49ers fan from the team’s very beginning. Walter was a lover of animals and in particular his pet cats.
Robert Van Dis, age 68: Robert Van Dis was born in San Francisco, California on October 3, 1950. Robert passed away peacefully on December 16, 2018 surrounded by family and close friends. He leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Patricia Basazza Van Dis, and his children Monica (Christopher Ray), and Stephen (Allison) along with his adored grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He will miss his best buddy and grand-dog Oly. Robert attended Glen Park Grammar School, Balboa High School, and San Francisco State University. Robert “Butch” Van Dis played organized baseball through High School and earned All City honors in his Junior and Senior years as a catcher. In 1964 Butch was honored as the Police Athletic League Boy of the Year. He served in the San Francisco Police Department for five and a half years before transferring to the San Francisco Fire Department until his retirement in 2004. Butch loved watching the San Francisco Giants, cooking, reading, watching the news, and family get-togethers. Robert had worked as a Police Cadet before entering the San Francisco Police Department on February 14, 1972. Robert wore star #2025. Robert graduated from the Police Academy and worked the following assignments during his short career in the S.F.P.D.: Taraval Police Station (May 28, 1972), Potrero Police Station (June 17, 1973), and closed out his Law Enforcement career at Ingleside Police Station (September 21, 1975). Robert transferred to the San Francisco Fire Department on September 25, 1977.
Report of Special Committee: Sally Foster has been a one-person Committee for the Constitution and By-Laws rewrite. The mail-out for membership voting has been delayed due to a two hundred plus members who have changed their address and declined to notify the WOAA. Once again, we have received assistance from retired S.F.P.D. Captain and current POA Defense Administrator Paul Chignell. Paul has sent out letters to all of the WOAA members who have not provided their new address. Paul’s effort has been a huge success as I am receiving several emails per day from the aforementioned members with updated information. When we (and Paul) have exhausted all efforts to find the members, we will mail-out the proposed changes for a membership vote.
Unfinished Business: See Report of Special Committee.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: Interim President Mark McDonough led our board in a moment of silence for all our members who have passed, and in particular the recent passing of Lawrence Lawson and Walter Van Dehey. McDonough informed the board that our next scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 5pm at a restaurant of choice by out-going President Leroy Lindo. We will conduct our regular business meeting followed by a dinner in Leroy Lindo’s honor for his outstanding year as our president. Leroy provided a calm and cool presence under some stressful moments of business, and delivered the leadership he has exhibited throughout his career at every rank he attained in his long Law Enforcement career.
To All Members: Please visit our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. A member can access a beneficiary form on our website (sfwidowsandorphans.org) for any changes necessary. Click on the Resources Box on the upper right side of the face page, and click on the form. Print the form and complete it with your contact information. The form must be signed by a notary or a WOAA Board Member. We express our thanks and gratitude each month to the men and women who support our organization. Thank you and Merry Christmas to retired San Francisco Police Captain and current POA Defense Administrator Paul Chignell, retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant Rene LaPrevotte who is the host of the Gold Country Reaper website, retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and current long-standing editor of the POA Journal Ray Shine, David Ng of Personnel, Sgt. Rachael Kilshaw and Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office, and to the entire Traffic Command and Officers who graciously afford us a location for our meetings and files.