The Death of a Great BHS Grad

     Perhaps you missed it. In our last edition, the last death mentioned in our Boone Connected Deaths segment was that of James Van Ness, 90, Evanston, IL. BHS-44. The Kornerman's classmate Richard Longworth, BHS-53, a Chicagoan, who noticed the Van Ness obituary in a windy city newspaper, was kind enough to send the info to us but it barely made our deadline. We were able to post just the name at the last minute.
     By the way, let me chortle just a minute about how many more entries we provide in that section of our publication than any of our "regular, local," media do. Okay, I know, its an outright brag.  The Kornerman thinks its an important service because of the fact so many of our viewers are out of the area, spread out all over the country as a matter of fact. We hear quite often from those viewers that the Korner makes them first and, perhaps, only aware of that sad news pertaining to old friends, classmates, even relatives on occasion.
     James Van Ness became a member of the faculty at Northwestern University in 1952 and spent his entire career there, from 1962-65 as the director of the school's computing center and from 1969-72 as chairman of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
     Van Ness made major contributions to the area of large scale-networks, including early computer systems and the power grid. His work was a driver in bringing high-performance computers to Northwestern in the 1970's, a time when computers were so massive they required their own buildings. He won numerous honors for his development of computer algorithms used in the design and operation of electrical power systems and his contributions to research and education in computer analysis of power systems.
     Boone's Stan Redeker, a BHS classmate of Van Ness, wrote, "he was truly outstanding in his field and is someone Boone can be very proud of." Absolutely! The Kornerman loves it when we have an opportunity to showcase outstanding Boone citizens or former citizens who have excelled.
     Editor's Note: The father of James Van Ness became a BHS Principal in 1929 and eventually served our community as Superintendent of Schools. Then too, I and many other members of BHS classes of the early 50's recall Mrs. Van Ness (was it Jean?). She served several years as a secretary to the principal, Peter Solar, and others before and after.
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     We had some response to our Wednesday edition "visit" to Miles-Lee Park
     Bill Wallace, BHS-70, wrote, "I grew up in the house across the street to the south of that park on the southwest corner of West Fifth and Franklin Streets. When I was a kid,  there were two rental dwellings where the park now sits. The landlord/owner of those two houses had the last name of Lee. I don't know if there is a connection there to Miles-Lee, but it sure seems like a strong possibility."
     Dick Longworth and Mark Tompkins, BHS-60, were both intrigued by the mention of Bastogne in that park story.
     Longworth wrote, "you're right, Bastogne is the Belgian town in the Ardennes Forest that became famous for the American general who said, "Nuts!" in the last great German counter-offensive of World War II. The Nazi Army broke through in the Ardennes and created a huge bulge in American lines, which is why it was called the Battle of the Bulge. American troops were quickly trapped around Bastogne. It was late December and terrible weather prevented American reinforcements from reaching Bastogne or getting supplies in. The Germans sent an emissary demanding American surrender, to which the American commander, General Anthony McAuliffe, replied, "Nuts." The next day, the weather broke, reinforcements arrived and the Germans were pushed back. There are several memorials to this in Bastogne, plus the Bastogne War Museum, which is known locally as the Nuts Museum."
     Tompkins wrote, "yes indeed, General McAuliffe replied, "Nuts" to the German's surrender demand. Back in May, I bicycled about 20 miles from Witiz, Luxembourg to Bastogne and stayed several nights. There, on the town square, is the Nuts bar along with a Sherman tank and a bust of General McAuliffe. Even to this day, the folks of Bastogne treat Americans with friendship and respect because we liberated them from the ruthless Nazis....twice.....once, a few weeks before the Battle of the Bulge, and then we preserved that freedom when the Battling Bastards of Bastogne (our troops) held out under the German siege until Patton's eventual breakthrough. By the way, on three days in a row, Belgians bought me a beer at the Nuts bar."
     P.S. Boone's Squeak Lingren had a brother, Earl, and the Kornerman had an uncle, George Morris, who were among many other local participants in the Battle of the Bulge. Those Boone countians who were killed in that battle are listed on the monument at Miles-Lee park.
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     Boone Connected Deaths: Muriel Parks, 95, Boone. BHS-39. She was a nurse, including working as  a surgical nurse at Boone County Hospital. She also helped her late husband, Dr. Marion Parks, in his optometry practice here. Boone area survivors include two daughters, Susie Keraus and Barbi Davis, and a sister, Charlotte Feddersen all of Boone..........Steven Steward, 52, Ames. Boone area survivor is a sister, Joy Hall of Boone..........Howard Jagerson, 91, Des Moines. Born in Madrid.........Richard Calonkey Sr., 70, Woodward. Boone area survivors include his wife, Billie Jean, a daughter, Connie Ingram, and a son, Richard, all of Woodward and a brother, Henry, of Scranton, formerly of Boone...........Gina Christians, 58 Boone..........Christy Abbott, 63, Ogden. Formerly of Boone..........Helen Carpenter, 82, Boone..........Carlos Chavez, 96, Boone. Moved to Boone in the early 80's. Was active in the VFW Post #817. Delivered flowers for Northwest Greenhouse. Boone area survivor is a daughter, Linda Wirth, of Boone.
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