For 2012 

12/02/2012 I am saddened to report that Dr. Tom Shirley passed early Sunday morning Dec. 2, 2012. Services for Dr. Shirley will be at 11:00AM Thursday Dec. 6th at the Orchard Evangelical Free church in Arlington Heights. I am certain more information will be available in the Daily Herald tomorrow or the next day. I thought you would like to know.
Rest in Peace Mr. Shirley

DR. THOMAS WILLIAM SHIRLEY

Dr. Thomas William Shirley of Prospect Heights for 52 years Dr. Thomas William Shirley was born on May 7, 1930, in Milford, Mass., to Ralph B. and Florence Ellen (nee Morris ) Shirley. He went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. Thomas was a retired Naval Reserves captain having served his country for 43 years, two of which were active duty during the Korean War as an officer on the destroyer U.S.S. Renshaw DDE499. He received his doctorate degree from Northwestern University in Evanston. He was an educator in School District 214 for 34 years, serving as Principal at Wheeling High School for 25 years. During his tenure in District 214, he began the ROTC Program, the TORCH Program (OMNI), and contributed to the continuing education night school program. He was a member at Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights, where he served in various ministries. Tom was actively involved with the Rotary Club of Wheeling, Salvation Army, and the Dollars For Scholars Program. He loved to spend time with his family, and his greatest pride his grandchildren and was loved by all. Thomas is survived by his spouse, Linda of 56 years, whom he married on Aug. 11, 1956; his children, Scott (Kristine) Shirley, Stephen Shirley, David Shirley and Philip (Andra) Shirley; his grandchildren, Thomas, Samantha, Sierra, Luke, Michael and Logan; and his half-brothers and sisters, Mary Jane, Rita, David and Giles. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Alice Manny; his half-sister, Cindy McLean; and his brother, Ralph Bramlet Shirley. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road (four blocks south of Palatine Road), Arlington Heights. He will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Orchard Evangelical Free Church, 1330 N. Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Interment will be in Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Orchard Evangelical Free Church, 1330 Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004, or the Salvation Army, salvationarmyusa.org. Funeral information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFH.com or call 847-253-0168.

logo
 
11/22/2012 This news was passed along by Nancy Knight '76 this Thanksgiving day of 2012
William "Bill" Kaage has been named the Service’s national fire management officer. In this position, he will serve as the chief of the Branch of Wildland Fire within the Division of Fire and Aviation Management. Bill will take on his new responsibilities in mid-April.

"With over 25 years of experience in the fire and resource management arena, Bill is extremely qualified and well suited to lead the wildland fire program into the future," said Tom Nichols, the chief of Fire and Aviation.

Since 2005, Bill has served as the deputy regional fire management officer for operations in Pacific West Region. Prior to that, he spent nine years as the fire management officer for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. These parks are home to a historic fire program, having practiced prescribed fire for over 40 years. During his tenure, fire program staff ignited 17,000 acres of prescribed fires and managed 23,600 acres of lightning-caused fires. As FMO, Kaage focused on building an integrated fire and fuels management program based on resource objectives, park goals and teamwork.

Kaage started his career in 1983 as a firefighter on the Clearwater National Forest, progressing up the ranks until he became assistant FMO on the Powell District of the Clearwater. In 1994, he moved to Everglades National Park, where he served as the park’s FMO. Everglades also boasts a historic fire program, as the park conducted the first prescribed fire for ecological management in both the park and in the National Park Service in 1958. The 1958 burn pioneered using fire as a resource management tool nationwide.

Well versed in all aspects of fire management response, Kaage has served as a fire use manager, operations section chief, fire behavior analyst, and incident commander. Most recently, he was the incident commander for a Northern California Type 2 team. As deputy regional FMO, he currently serves as the NPS representative to the California Wildfire Coordination Group (CWCG), where he is the vice chair. He also serves as the chair of CWCG’s operations committee.

Born in Chicago and raised in the Midwest, Kaage graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin with a bachelor of science degree in biology. In 1988, he completed his master of science degree in forestry with an emphasis on fire ecology and fire management from the University of Montana.

Bill and his wife, Susan Lamberson, have two grown daughters, Emma and Abbie. He is an outdoor enthusiast and is committed to spending time with family and friends, especially when water is involved.

Kaage will be stationed at the Fire Management Program Center at NIFC.

For more information about the National Park Service’s Fire and Aviation Management Program, visit: www.nps.gov/fire.
01/01/2010 Happy New Year!  There are still 171 Members of the Class of 1976 missing. 

This Page Last Updated On: Monday, January 08, 2024