We wish to offer our deepest sympathies to the family of a great man, friend and colleague who contributed with great perseverance and enthusiasm for the improvements in Aviation Lighting. He was one of the greatest supporters of our Committee. The aviation lighting industry will miss him.

October 1, 2003 Arthur S. Schai Sr., 92, of Juno Beach, Florida, died Wednesday, October 1, 2003. He resided in Fayetteville, NY, before moving to Juno Beach in 1977. His beloved wife, Virginia Dean Schai, predeceased him in 1993. He is survived by: his children, Virginia S. Smith of Port St. Lucie, FL, Patricia Mackey Curran of Onancock, VA, Arthur S. Schai Jr. of Lafayette, IN, and William D. Schai of Cazenovia, NY; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He retired from Vega Industries Inc., Syracuse, NY, as Senior Vice President in 1977 and began Schai Associates Inc. and retired in 1997. Before moving to Florida, he was a member of the Cavalry Club, Ledges Golf Club, and past Chairman of the IES Aviation Lighting Committee. A memorial service was held October 14, 2003, at the Christ Fellowship Church, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

PAPROCKI, THOMAS HOLL 72 – of Absecon, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, March 26, 2005, at the Atlantic City Medical Center in Pomona. Tom was born in New York, NY and was the son of the late Thomas P. and Blanche Paprocki. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1950 and graduated in 1954.

Tom served five years in the U.S. Army and also attended and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1959.

In 1962 he joined the Federal Aviation Administration at NAFEC as an airport lighting expert. In 1963, as an FAA employee, he accepted the position of Chief Advisor to the Israeli Government on Aviation in Tel Aviv. It is here that he met and married his wife, June, an American Embassy State Department employee. In 1966 he relocated to the American Embassy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He returned to NAFEC in 1968 where his position took him on many interesting temporary duty assignments worldwide.

Tom’s lighting accomplishments included design of the helipad lighting atop the American Embassy in Vietnam to facilitate the American evacuation at the end of the Vietnam Conflict; and, he also was instrumental in the development of the lighting for the night landings of the Space Shuttle.

Following his 1991 retirement from the FAA as a Program Manager for Airport Lighting, he continued his work with several government contractors. At the time of his death, he was employed by Hi-Tech Systems as an Airport Lighting Systems expert.

Tom is survived by his wife of 40 years, June; two daughters, Janice Johnston (Rob), and Jill Paprocki (fianc‚, Ronald), and three grandchildren, Kelly, Dan and Amy. Some of Tom’s hobbies included piloting airplanes, model trains, reading, history, military vehicle restoration and most recently computer technology. He was also a member of the Atlantic City Beach patrol.

May 5, 2005 Curtis J. Brunner, 63, of Camillus, died suddenly at Community General Hospital. He was born in Schenectady, NY. He was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Syracuse and Fordham University, receiving a BA in economics. Curtis began his career in sales in 1969 for Jaquith Industries, rising to the position of president in 1998 until his retirement in March 2001. He was a member of the Manufacturers Assn. of CNY, the Illuminating Engineers Society, active in the United Way of CNY, the Guardian Angel Society and the Galway Lake Assn., where he had a summer home on Galway Lake. He was predeceased by his brothers, Francis and Ronald. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Joanne Badgley Brunner; three daughters: Carolyn Brunner of Rochester, Maureen Reagan of Marcellus and Barbara Brunner of Weedsport; one grandson, Benjamin Curtis Reagan; many nieces and nephews.

Sharp, M.T. “Mike” Suddenly on Friday, July 14th at the age of 83. Beloved husband of Betty for 62 years. Loving father of Mike (Lise), Deborah and Jimmy. Cherished Grandpa to Elizabeth, Harleigh and Tanyss and sadly missed by Jonathan and Ashley. Dear brother of Irene, the late Norman, Phyllis, the late Lindsey and Pat. Friends may visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod St. on Monday, July 17 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 1 p.m. until service time in the Chapel at 2:30. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A special thanks to Black & McDonald and it’s employees for their many years of support, kindness and friendship.

Born May 12, 1944 in Trenton, New Jersey, John was the son of the late John Albert Petrick and Mary Osif Petrick. He was happily married to his loving wife Carol Payne Petrick formerly of Stafford County, Virginia. In addition, he is survived by three daughters, Kendre Helgeland of Norway, Julie Fink of Georgia, Deborah Holt of Virginia; one son, Barry Dobson of Virginia; one sister, Mary Ann Varilla and brother-in-law Mike Varilla of New Jersey; one nephew, Michael John Varilla of Pennsylvania; and five grandchildren.

His work took him into many different aspects of research and development pertaining to science and physics. He was always on the path of invention and creating new dynamic ideas for the world of technology. John had published over 30 patents in his lifetime. His contributions to science and technology included such fields as Laser Initiation, Electromagnetics, Military Systems, Firearms and Lighting. His most recent contributions in the scientific field of Lighting included Medical, Emergency Vehicle and Airport Lighting.

John was an asset and a friend to many, a rare breed among colleagues. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and business associates.

Norman D. Witteveen, 68, passed away December 21, 2006 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Tucson, Arizona. He was born April 3, 1938 in Holland, Michigan. Norm was a resident of Denver, Colorado from 1987 to 2004. He was the design manager for Denver International Airport (DIA) through the early phases of design and construction. After returning from an overseas assignment he returned to DIA as Deputy Director of Aviation-Planning and Development until 1999. At the time of his death, he was employed by HNTB Aviation as National Director of Aviation Quality Assurance and Corporate Advisor. Norm truly enjoyed the Colorado lifestyle spending many days at his second home on Lake Dillon hiking, skiing, and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Martin Witteveen, and his brother Don. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Phillis; sons Scott (Sally) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David (Elizabeth) of Huntsville, Alabama; brothers Maury (Buff) Witteveen of Suttons Bay, Michigan, Jerry Witteveen (Phyllis) of Holland, Michigan; five grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; extended family; and many wonderful friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Norman’s name to Michigan Tech, Civil Engineering Fund, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, Michigan, 49931, or Engineering Ministries International, General Fund, 130 East Kiowa Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

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