December 2003

Peter James Barr, Sr., 72, beloved husband of Betty Barr, died November 1, 2003 at his residence in Aiken, S.C. Mr. Barr was born in the Canal Zone and moved to Aiken in 1980 after 28 years of service as Assistant Chief of the Panama Canal Fire Division.

Robert William Blades, 85, passed away on October 25, 2003 in Lindale, Texas. Mr. Blades served over 30 years as a United States Government Motorcycle Highway Patrolman in the Canal Zone. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Ismas.

Richard “Dick” K. Erbe, 81, passed away in Longview, Texas on November 13, 2003, after a long illness. Born in the Canal Zone, he graduated from BHS in 1940. He worked for the Panama Canal Company for 33 years, retiring in 1979 as Director of the Supply and Community Services Bureau. While in the Canal Zone, he was an active member of the Boy Scout Council, chairman of the Canal Zone Cancer Committee and co-founder of the Canal Zone Heart Association.

Mary Phyllis (Brennan) Gundersen, 74, passed away on September 25, 2003 in Tampa, Fla., after a long illness. She was a teacher in the Canal Zone for 17 years. She married Captain Christian Gundersen in 1972. After his retirement in 1976 they lived in El Valle until December 1994 when they moved to Florida.

Ermin Willett Highley, 77, of Dothan, Ala., passed away July 28, 2003 after a long battle with cancer. She went to the Canal Zone with her family when she was two years old. She met and married Laurel Highley and they lived on the Atlantic side. She and her husband left the Canal Zone in 1980.

Patricia E. LeBrun died November 14, 2003 in Sacramento, Calif., following a long and valiant fight against cancer. She was born in Gorgas Hospital and attended schools in the Canal Zone. She was employed with the Panama Canal Company and the Canal Zone Girl Scout Council.

Elenor D. Miller, 93, passed away August 17, 2003 in Auburn, Calif. No further information is available at this time.

Dallys E. Perry, 71, of St. Petersburg, died December 4, 2003 at home. Born in Panama City, Panama, she came here in 1994 from Columbus, Ohio. She attended the Business College at the University of Panama.

Velma Medina Reilly, 70, of Hickory, N.C., died July 29, 2003 at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born in the Canal Zone, she graduated from BHS in 1952 and attended CZJC. She went to work for the Inter-American Geodetic Survey where she retired as a Logistic Management Specialist on May 31, 1998.

Shirley E. Sargent, 86, of Williamsport, Pa., died October 31, 2003 at her residence. She was born in the Canal Zone and graduated from the Dickinson Seminary in 1937.

Dr. Melchor Zook Sayoc passed away October 10, 2003. Dr. Sayoc received a D.M.D. Degree from the University of the Philippines. He was in private practice in the Canal Zone and the Bay Area for 34 years. He was also appointed Honorable Counsel, Republic of the Philippines to the Republic of Panama.

Frances Brown Whitlock, 84, passed away quietly October 31, 2003 at her retirement home in Springdale, Ark. She was born during the construction era in Empire, Canal Zone and graduated from BHS in 1927 and married Andrew A. Whitlock on July 31, 1928. She worked for the U.S. Army and Naval Intelligence during WWII and later was employed by the Navy in Coco Solo until leaving the Canal Zone in 1959. She was the Reunion guest speaker at the 1992 Annual Luncheon where she entertained the members with stories of life in the Canal Zone. She was a 3rd-generation Roosevelt Medal descendant and a long-time member of the Panama Canal Society.

Anne E. Williams, 100, of Palm Harbor, Fla., died November 14, 2003 at Manor Care Palm Harbor Nursing Home. She spent most of her life in the Panama Canal Zone and retired in 1965 as a payroll clerk for the Panama Canal Company.

Charlotte “Lottie” Witt, 83, of Mathis, Texas, died October 31, 2003 at the Mathis Nursing Home. She spent 12 years in Margarita, Canal Zone with her husband, the late Harry M. Witt, who worked for the Motor Transportation Division of the Panama Canal Company as foreman of the Repair Shop, Cristobal Pier area.