FALL 2017 President’s Message submitted by Jeri Meeks, 2017-2018 ASURA President Greetings ASU retiree association members, board members and volunteers! As I start my first full year as your president I would like to say how impressed I am with our growing organization and feel privileged to be part of this fun, smart and engaging membership. I look forward to serving as your President this coming year and would like to thank our Executive Board for their excellent guidance and counsel this past year as well as the board members, office staff and volunteers who continue to make our organization successful. We have a great year taking shape with instructive seminars, fun luncheons and local, state and international travel opportunities. ASURA will continue to serve the community with book sales, an adopt-a-family program and video history projects. We have our eye on reviving the golf tournament – stay tuned. Our membership continues to grow with the introduction of a free year for new retirees. Also, new for us this year, we have service advertisements on the last page of the Prime Times. Please take a look! I am currently putting together our annual Tri-University Retirees Association meeting, which is scheduled for October 23rd this year. I look forward to meeting with the NAURA and UARA Presidents and representatives to discuss association successes, retiree concerns and how our associations, working together, can support our growing retiree community. The ASU Decision Theater in Tempe is hosting this year’s meeting and Dave Cannella from ASRS will be presenting. How would you like to be involved? Volunteering with ASURA is a great way to stay in touch with university colleagues and meet new people. We have opportunities in many of our standing committees and welcome your new ideas. I encourage you to expand your personal interests and passions by becoming involved in an ASURA committee. Please feel free to contact me personally at jeri.meeks@asu.edu. I look forward to hearing from you! Please be sure to look through this issue of the Prime Times as well as visit our website https://asura.asu.edu to keep current on what’s happening this fall and next spring. Inside This Issue Board of Directors & Other Volunteers 2 Healthcare Updates, - ASRS 5-6 Advertise Helpful Services 12 Welcome New ASURA Members 3 Healthcare Updates - ADOA 6-8 ASURA Obituaries 13-14 ASURA Office Updates 3 ASURA Needs Your Old Books! 8 In Memory of Denis Kigin 15 Volunteers Needed 3 Video History Update - Fall 2017 9 In Memory of Donald Gieschen 15 Government Liaison’s Report 4 Meet & Greet Pizza Party/Seminar 10 Advertisements 16 Report on ASRS Board of Trustees Meeting—August 25, 2017 4-5 ASURA Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 Events 11 ASURA Board Nominations Due 11 ASURA BOARD OFFICERS President Bill Moor Betty Landon Tara Roesler ASURA Board of Directors ASURA Board Ex-Officio Members Terms Expire April 2018 Terms Expire April 2019 Terms Expire April 2020 Barry Bruns Bev Buddee Bob Francis Larry Mankin Connie McNeill Tony Brazil Jay Q. Butler Jeri Meeks Tara Roesler David Schwalm Betty Landon Bill Moor Don Nilsen Kathleen Renshaw Pat Schneider Ex-Officio Members Alumni Association: Emeritus College Liaison: Human Resources: University Club Liaison: University Liaison: University Senate: University Staff Council: ASURA Committees & Liaisons Community Outreach: Adopt-A-Family Joan Leard Scholarship Sue Blumer, Joy Shearman Video History Project David Scheatzle Event Committees: Events Committee Chair Barry McNeill Luncheons & Special Events Bonnie Scheall Seminars Bev Buddee Pre-retirement Seminars Trudy Perez Travel John Brock Finance/Fundraising Committees: Finance Bill Moor Book Donations Mary Stevens Treasurer Secretary Vice President Jeri Meeks Rhonda McClintock Don Nilsen Judy Cato Tara Roesler Stephanie Salazar Tom Schildgen Katie Aguilar ASURA Office Staff Golf Tournament To Be Determined Government & Health Insurance Liaisons: Government Liaison Council Jeri Meeks (Legislative) Dick Jacob (ASRS) Larry Carlson (ADOA) Health Insurance Liaison Council Larry Carlson (ADOA) Tara Roesler (ASRS) Membership & Communications Committee: E-News Barry McNeill Membership David Schwalm Newsletter (Prime Times) Jeannette Robson Obituaries Becky Reiss Website & Database Connie McNeill Phone: Fax: Website: Location: *** (480) 965-7668 *** (480) 965-7807 https://asura.asu.edu/ Community Services Building, 200 E. Curry Rd., Room 201B, Tempe, AZ Best to call beforehand Business Operations Manager: Office Staff Coordinators: Technology Manager: Carolyn Minner Linda Van Scoy, Nancy Lesko Connie McNeill Office Hours: Fall 2017 thru Spring 2018 Monday: 9:00am - noon need volunteer 1:00pm - 4:00pm Jeannette Robson Tuesday: 9:00am - noon Nancy Lesko 1:00pm - 4:00pm Linda VanScoy Wednesday: 9:00 am-noon Tara Roesler 1:00pm - 4:00pm Bev Buddee Thursday: 9:00 am-noon Bonnie Scheall 1:00pm - 4:00pm need volunteer Friday: Closed All Day (year round) Subs: Joan Leard, Dorothy Meunier, Helen Seaton, Linda Whatley FREE Identity Protection ASU now offers AllClear Identity Repair — https://cfo.asu.edu/allclear — as a free service for all current and retired faculty and staff, as well as students, applicants and their parents. This new benefit gives you automatic identity repair assistance — no sign-up required — if you ever suspect that your identity has been stolen. Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 2 Fall 2017 Welcome New ASURA Members Harl Alley Gillian Bailey Kari Barlow Tina Barrandey Manuel Barrera Kay Barror Roger Berger Peggy Bonds Rosemarie Bradley Daniel Brooks Sarah Buel Kenneth Carl Linda Caterino Kulhavy Gray Cavender John Cesta Elizabeth Chain Patricia Chan Douglas Chandler Cristi Coursen Katherine Crewe Carole Dempsey Anne Ecton Ira Ellman Cynthia Fark Fumiko Foard Meg Gallagher-Sanders Carol Galluzzo-Knight Dennis Golabiewski Cory Hansen Mary Hutchinson Marcia Jasper William Jenkins Daren Kahus Dean Kashiwagi Ann Koblitz Elizabeth Martos Robert Marzke Jill Massara Kathleen McCoy Jon McMorris John Meraz John Meunier Gerald Miller Barbara Miroballi Monica Montalvo Rachel Montoya Frank Naley Richard Nosky Marlene Nunez Robert Oldani Simon Ortiz Ernie Pacheco Peggy Pate John Pickens Janice Pittsley Consuelo Romero Ann Ryan Irma Sandercock Janneane Siegel Andrew Smith Ann Stanton Henry Stevens Jean Stutz Virginia Sylvester Eric Thor Diane Venrick Richard Whitehouse Laurence Winer Nancy Winn Carlton Yoshioka ASURA Office Updates submitted by Linda Van Scoy and Nancy Lesko, ASURA Office Coordinators With summer behind us, the office is back on its regular schedule, 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Monday through Thursday and closed year-round on Fridays. Below is a schedule of our volunteers who staff the office. It is always good to call ahead, 480-965-7668, if you plan to visit the office. Monday, 9:00am - 12:00pm Monday, 1:00pm - 4:00pm Tuesday, 9:00am - 12:00pm Tuesday, 1:00pm - 4:00pm Wednesday, 9:00am - 12:00pm Wednesday, 1:00pm - 4:00pm Thursday, 9:00am - 12:00pm Thursday, 1:00pm - 4:00pm Friday Volunteer Needed Jeannette Robson Nancy Lesko Linda Van Scoy Tara Roesler Bev Buddee Bonnie Scheall Volunteer Needed Closed Year-Round Linda Van Scoy Nancy Lesko We also have four standby volunteers … Joan Leard, Dorothy Meunier, Helen Seaton and Linda Whatley … who fill in when the regular staff are unavailable. As indicated above we need permanent volunteers for the two mentioned openings. If you would like to give it a try please call me or Nancy Lesko. We would also like to have some additional standby volunteers to call on when needed if that better suits your schedule. As always, if you have any questions, need any help registering for an event, please give us a call. Volunteers Needed   Technology and Website Committee needs volunteers to help maintain ASURA’s technology infrastructure. Contact: Connie McNeill, ConnieMcNeill@outlook.com. Committee members needed for the Special Events Committee. Contact: Jeri Meeks, jeri.meeks@asu.edu. Video History Project … tech savvy people with ability to be video editors, use iMovie or Adobe Premiere. Contact: Dave Scheatzle, david.scheatzle@asu.edu. Legislative Liaison group needs volunteers. Contact: Jeri Meeks, jeri.meeks@asu.edu.   Office staff needed. Contact: Linda Van Scoy, (lvs@asu.edu) or Nancy Lesko (nclesko@asu.edu). Prime Times Editor/Publisher needed. Contact: Jeannette Robson, jrobson@asu.edu.   Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 3 Fall 2017 Government Liaison’s Report submitted by Jeri Meeks (registered lobbyist) This year’s ASURA Legislative team - Jeri Meeks, Tara Roesler and Larry Mankin - is already talking about the upcoming Arizona Legislative session! With federal efforts to revise or reinvent our national health care structure being actively discussed and the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) and the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) health care system rate increases already announced, our team members have been very busy. We are working closely with ASURA ADOA Liaison Larry Carlson and ASRS Liaison Dick Jacob, along with representatives from Matt Salmon’s office at ASU and ASRS representative Dave Cannella, to provide a comprehensive view of legislation affecting our retirees this year. Stay tuned! The Tri-University meeting is scheduled for October 23, 2017. We look forward to discussing relevant retiree concerns with our partners at the Northern Arizona University Retiree Association and the University of Arizona Retiree Association. Also coming up is Dr. Crow’s ASU Alumni Legislative Breakfast and ASU Capitol Day. Our team will continue to recruit speakers for the ASU Board meetings to keep our organization current on legislative issues. All ASURA members are welcome to attend the Board meetings. Would you like to be a Legislative Watchdog? Please consider joining the ASURA Government Liaison team and help us keep our membership involved in this year’s legislative conversation. All are welcome – please email me with your interest … jeri.meeks@asu.edu. Report on ASRS Board of Trustees Meeting — August 25, 2017 submitted by Dick Jacob, ASRS Retirement & Health Insurance Liaison The Board of Trustees of the Arizona State Retirement System met for only the second time in ten months with a legal quorum. Membership of the Board stands at 8, 5 of whom are newly appointed without prior Board experience. There remains one vacant position. Board Chair remains Kevin McCarthy, President of the Arizona Tax Research Association. Continuing on the Board are McCarthy, Tom Manos, retired Maricopa County Manager and Clark Partridge, State Comptroller with the Arizona Department of Administration. Backgrounds of new Trustees can be found on the web page https://www.azasrs.gov/content/board-trustee-bios. My initial impression is that the new Board is not tilted toward any particular point on the ideological compass and that its membership looks to enjoy the same cordial and cooperative relationship with each other and professionality that had previously been the case. Key items addressed in the agenda are as follows: ASRS Chief Investment Officer Karl Polen reported that the Fund balance currently is hovering around $37.9B. The FY 2017 Rate of Return (RoR) on investment is tentatively calculated to be 13.9%, higher than the Fund’s target 8%. The final figure awaits further analysis. ASRS Director Paul Matson presented an Investment Committee recommendation to adjust the Fund’s Strategic Asset Allocation policy as follows: (a) Increase the Private Debt allocation from 10% to 12% within prescribed ranges and (b) Reduce the US High Yield Bond allocation from 4% to 2% within prescribed ranges. It was noted that a recently approved increase of the Private Debt allocation to 10% has been significantly successful in improving the Fund’s performance. These recommendations were approved by the Board. Representatives of the Fund’s actuarial consultants, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith and Company, presented a detailed anal(Continued on page 5) Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 4 Fall 2017 (Continued from page 4) ysis of the Fund’s performance in the context of the current assumed 8% RoR, as well as the Fund’s liabilities. Motivated by more modest future earnings expectations, recommendations and options for reducing the RoR to 7.75% and 7.50% were presented along with their impacts on active member and employer contribution rates. The Board was tasked with studying the recommendations in preparation for action at the October 27 meeting. Because of their potential impacts on employee paychecks and employer budgets, actions recommended in Item 3 are potentially among the most important considered recently by the Board of Trustees. It should be noted that, unless altered by legislation, the performance level that is key to Permanent Benefit Increases would remain at 8%. _________________________________ I. Having served as an ASRS Trustee 2013-2017, I have resumed my prior role as observer on behalf of ASURA. Along with Prof. Dennis Hoffman of ASU and two other members, I was recognized for my service at the May 26 meeting of the Board. It was communicated to us privately that Governor Ducey chose not to have university personnel on the Board, preferring representation from K-12. My replacement as the Educator representative is Michael Miller, retired music teacher and currently Fine Arts Academic Coordinator with the Scottsdale Unified School District. I have met with Mr. Miller and consider him to be a responsible choice as Trustee. II. Private Debt involves the lending of funds to private companies who may be unable to obtain adequate bank finance for various reasons, including constraints caused by banking regulations and policies. The investing is done through contracted managers who specialize in this type of investment. Private Debt involves the lending of funds to private companies who may be unable to obtain adequate bank financing for various reasons, including constraints caused by banking regulations and policies. The investing is done through contracted managers who specialize in this type of investment. Healthcare Updates submitted by Tara Roesler, ASRA Healthcare Liaison 2018 ASRS Open Enrollment ENROLLMENT PERIOD: Wednesday, November 1 through Thursday, November 30, 2017 The ASRS retiree health insurance program runs from Wednesday, November 1 through Thursday, November 30, 2017. The effective date of enrollment in, or changes to, your ASRS coverage is January 1, 2018. THIS IS A PASSIVE ENROLLMENT - If you are satisfied with your current ASRS coverage and do not wish to make any changes, no action is necessary. Your present coverage will simply roll over to the new plan year which begins January 1, 2018. For 2018, UnitedHealthcare continue to be the sole provider through the Arizona State Retirement System.  Medicare Plans: The Medicare Advantage HMO plan benefits remain the same, there is a co-pay change to Specialist for the Senior Supplement plan; however, premiums are increasing.  Non-Medicare Plans: This year we will continue the lower-cost premium options with slightly reduced benefits giving our non-Medicare retirees a total of six in-state plans and one out-of-state plan to choose from that best suit their needs and budget. New cost-saving features for both the Choice and Navigate plans: Choice Plans - Premium Program Tier 1 Choice plans will offer a new tiered benefit plan design. A tiered plan design offers you the option of picking the contracted doctors of your choice, while giving the option of paying a lower co-payment when utilizing a Premium designated provider. Choice & Navigate Plans: Service Providers Program Using freestanding facilities for certain services can help drive additional cost savings. Choice and Navigate (Continued on page 6) Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 5 Fall 2017 (Continued from page 5) members are encouraged to choose more cost-effective, freestanding network health care facilities (outpatient facility, diagnostic or ambulatory center, physician office or independent laboratory), instead of hospitals, for: • Outpatient diagnostic services, • X-rays, • Independent lab work, • Scopic procedures, • Surgery. An additional co-payment or co-insurance is applied when a network hospital is used for these services in place of a freestanding facility. Dental Plans: Sun Life Financial continues to be the sole provider offering two Indemnity plans and three Prepaid plan options. The plan benefits remain the same for all plan options. The premiums increased slightly for the Indemnity and remain the same for the Prepaid plans. 2018 Medical Plan Premiums UnitedHealthcare Premiums - RETIREE-ONLY COVERAGE The chart shows the single coverage monthly premiums, effective January 1, 2018. Generally, family premiums remain twice the single rate. Note that most health insurance premiums will increase for the 2018 calendar year … a reflection of the increased severity of claims and overall healthcare price inflation that has been experienced. Please refer to the monthly medical premiums table in the Retiree Group Health Insurance Enrollment Guides for all options and premiums on the ASRS website Healthcare page. submitted by Larry Carlson, ADOA Healthcare Liaison 2018 ADOA Open Enrollment ENROLLMENT PERIOD: Monday, October 30 through Friday, November 17, 2017 The ADOA retiree health insurance program runs from Monday, October 30 through Friday, November 17, 2017. The effective date of enrollment in, or changes to, your ADOA coverage is January 1, 2018. THIS IS AN ACTIVE ENROLLMENT. YOU MUST ACTIVELY ENROLL THIS YEAR if you want to participate in the plan. During Open Enrollment from October 30 through November 17 at 5 p.m. Arizona time, you MUST visit yes.az.gov and choose the coverage you want. IF YOU DO NOT ACTIVELY ENROLL, you will be dropped from your current coverages as of January 1, 2018 and you will no longer be eligible for ADOA coverage. What is changing:  Premiums are increasing: For the first time since 2011, there will be an increase in premiums. The charts below detail the premium changes for 2018.  Co-pays are increasing: No co-pay changes have occurred since 2009. Increased co-pays for medical visits (Continued on page 7) Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 6 Fall 2017 (Continued from page 6)   and prescriptions are needed due to higher costs. The charts detail the co-pay changes for 2018. These costs can be managed by using generic drugs, visiting a primary care physician first instead of a specialist, and using urgent care instead of the emergency room when appropriate. Routine preventive care at no cost to you: As indicated below, the plan changes also include providing preventive care with no co-pay. This includes routine wellness exams, a wide range of screening tests, immunizations and preventive care medications. Why are the increases necessary? Rising healthcare costs have been a reality for the past decade. The state is self-insured, which means that employees, retirees and the State pay into the plan to cover the claims. This year, we have reached the point where we must ask our employees and retirees to share more of the costs to meet the plan’s expenses. The good news:  Dental: Delta Dental will remain as our PPO dental provider at the same rates and same coverage. Our pre-paid dental plan is moving to Cigna with reduced rates. What is staying the same:  Medical coverage and carriers: The State is proud to offer retirees an excellent benefits package with a variety of medical carriers and plans to choose from. All medical carriers and coverage plans are staying the same.    Vision: The coverage for this benefit will still be the same. Hearing aids: The coverage for this benefit will still be the same. Health insurance subsidy: There is no impact to subsidies from the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSRPS). Premium Changes for 2018 – Without Medicare Plan Type Tier Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Aetna, BCBSAZ, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare Retiree Only Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Aetna, BCBSAZ, UnitedHealthcare 2017 Monthly Premium 2018 Monthly Premium $593.00 $652.30 Retiree + One $1,387.00 $1,525.70 Family $1,869.00 $2,055.90 $825.00 $907.50 Retiree + One $2,009.00 $2,209.90 Family $2,197.00 $2,416.70 Retiree Only Premium Changes for 2018 – With Medicare Plan Type Tier 2017 Monthly Premium 2018 Monthly Premium Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Retiree Only Aetna, BCBSAZ, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare Retiree + 1 (Both Medicare) $442.00 $486.20 $878.00 $965.80 Retiree + 1 (One Medicare) $1,024.00 $1,126.40 Family (Two Medicare) $1,166.00 $1,282.60 $789.00 $867.90 Retiree + 1 (Both Medicare) $1,576.00 $1,733.60 Retiree + 1 (One Medicare) $1,740.00 $1,914.00 Family (Two Medicare) $1,980.00 $2,178.00 Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Aetna, BCBSAZ, UnitedHealthcare Retiree Only Continued on page 8 Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 7 Fall 2017 Continued from page 7 Copay Changes for 2018 – All Plans (With and Without Medicare) SERVICES Routine Preventive Health Care Office Visit Primary Care Physician (PCP) Mental Health Provider OB/GYN 2017 $15 2018 $0 $15 $15 $10 $30 $15 $15 $20 $20 $20 $40 $40 $40 $125 $40 $200 $75 Radiology (CAT, MRI, PET) $0 $100 Outpatient Surgery Copay $50 $100 $150 $250 Specialists (all other) *Chiropractor *Therapist: Occupational, Physical, Respiratory, Speech Emergency Room Urgent Care **Inpatient Hospital Admission *This provider is now included in the specialist category. **Not applicable for maternity. Pharmacy Copay Changes for 2018 – All Plans (With and Without Medicare) Preferred Non-Preferred Amount Generic Brand Name Brand Name 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 Retail 30 Days $10 $15 $20 $40 $40 $60 Retail 90 Days $25 $37.50 $50 $100 $100 $150 Mail Order 90 Days $20 $30 $40 $80 $80 $120 ASURA Needs Your Old Books! Are your bookshelves too full? Are you downsizing your office or your home and don't have space for all of your books? Donate your used books to us, and we will work with our partner, Friends of the Phoenix Public Library, to sell them. We will use proceeds of the sale to support our programs. The ASU Foundation, a separate nonprofit organization that exists to support ASU, will provide a gift receipt for tax purposes. Half of the proceeds will be used for our ASURA scholarship that goes to an ASU student and half will be used for our Video History project. If you have books you can donate, please visit our website at https://asura.asu.edu/BookDrive and print our donation form. Complete the form and either (1) scan and fax to 480-965-7807, (2) email to Mary Stevens, chair of the Book Drive project at marystevens0@gmail.com, or (3) mail it directly to the ASURA office. For more information please contact me at 602-758-3750. NOTE: If you need boxes, you can pick some up from our office. When boxing your books, please do not overfill the boxes: leave sufficient room to cover or close each box. Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 8 Fall 2017 Video History Project Update — Fall 2017 submitted by Barry McNeill & David Scheatzle The following is a synopsis by Barry McNeill of two interviews he edited recently and uploaded to the ASU Library Repository. Barry is one of our new Video Editors and these are his first works. You can view the interviews at the links shown below. Here is his report: I recently completed the editing of the Connie McNeill and Marilyn Wurzburger video history interviews. I found both interviews to be interesting and informative. Who knows more about the growth of ASU computing and the introduction of personal computers than Connie McNeill? Who knows more about the building of the ASU Library’s Special Collection than Marilyn Wurzburger? The edited complete interviews are now available from the ASU Library website. Interviewee: Connie McNeill Interviewer: Elmer Gooding Interview Date: February 29, 2012 Website: https://repository.asu.edu/items/44639 Abstract: Connie McNeill, Assistant Vice Provost for Information Technology, retired from ASU in the summer of 2006. Connie came to ASU in the summer of 1976 when she took a job as head of the payroll project. Connie eventually became Executive Director of computer services on the Tempe Campus and finally Assistant Vice Provost for Information Technology on the West Campus. The interview covers growing up in Pullman Washington, her role in developing computer services, both academic and administrative, on the Tempe and West Campuses. Two special topics are the arrival of personal computers on the Tempe campus and the “Space Wars” & the Computing Commons. There is discussion of the Quality Movement and work with the ASU Retirees Association. Interviewee: Marilyn Wurzburger Interviewer: Richard Haefer Interview Date: March 28, 2012 Website: https://repository.asu.edu/items/44710 Abstract: Marilyn Wurzburger was hired as an ASU Library cataloguer in 1960. She worked in both Matthews and Hayden Libraries eventually becoming Head of Special Collections. The early part of the interview covers growing up in Illinois, participating in the Pillsbury Bake Off and being a CBS tele-visitor reporter. The interview then switches to working in Matthews and Hayden Libraries. Marilyn discusses the following six collections/collectors (see notes below for more details): Kelmscott Press, Basilisk Press, Doris & Marc Patten Herbal Books, Fritz Scholder, and Helmut Gernsheim. The interview wraps up with a discussion of some disappointments and highlights of Marilyn’s career. Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 9 Fall 2017 2017 Meet & Greet Pizza Party & Seminar submitted by Bev Buddee and Barry McNeill; photos by Elmer Gooding and Dave Scheatzle The first event of the year, the Meet and Greet Pizza Party, was well attended with over sixty attendees. The pre-party seminar, “What I Wished I Had Known Before I Retired,” featured a panel consisting of Larry Carlson, Ruth Jones, and Bev Buddee. They discussed lessons learned on being retired. Audience participation was welcomed and informative. Once the session ended and the pizzas arrived Vlad Borovansky, Gretchen Hirni, Judy Heilala, and Barry McNeill sliced and served pizzas while Betty Landon kept the drink pitchers filled, and Hal White directed traffic in and out of the room. The event was successful on many levels:      We got to meet a number of our new members — a quarter of those registered were Introductory Members; We got to chat with old friends; We got to introduce our committee chairs, who explained what their committees do; We successfully recruited volunteers for several of our committees; And finally, we all got to enjoy some great cookies. Column 1: Elmer Gooding, Richard Whitehouse, Ignatius Tsong, Ginny Sylvester, Jacob Fuchs. Column 2: Barry McNeill, Jill Massara, Carl Cross, Jane Humble, Carol Shell. Column 3: Dave Scheatzle, Sue & Maynard Blumer, Ted Cary, Bonnie Scheall, Cecilia Hook. Column 4: Jeannine Dahl, Murray Siegel, Sylvia Sharma, Judith Smith, Bob Backus & Vlad Borovansky. (Note: To view more photos from the Annual Meeting and all other ASURA events, please visit the ASURA Photo Gallery web site at http://asura.zenfolio.com) Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 10 Fall 2017 ASURA Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 Events Event Date Cost Seminar: Medicare-ADOA-ASRS Open Enrollment Thursday, October 26 Free Day Trip: ASU Polytechnic Campus tour — Tentative Late October Free Day Trip: MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) — Tentative Sunday, November 12 TBD Board Meeting Tuesday, November 14 Free Board Meeting Tuesday, December 12 Free Social Event: Holiday Potluck & Bake Sale Wednesday, December 14 Free Social Event: Phoenicians Barbershop Chorus Christmas Show Saturday, December 16 or 23 TBD Seminar: Stress Reduction (CSB330, 10am-noon, speaker TBD) Thursday, January 18 Free Seminar: Fraud & Scams (CSB330, 10am-noon, Terri Alexon, Fraud Watch) Thursday, February 15 Free Seminar: Emergency Preparedness (CSB330, 10am-noon, speaker TBD) Thursday, March 15 Free Day Trip: Tovrea Castle Tour (one time slot only) Friday, April 6 TBD Seminar: Caregivers (CSB330, 10am-noon, speaker TBD) Thursday, April 19 Free Please put these dates on your calendars. As the events get closer, additional information will be available on our website, https://asura.asu.edu, and you will be able to register for the events. As we get more into the Fall and Spring and as new events are added, email notifications will be sent and updates noted in the monthly E-News blasts. As a reminder, we are always open to any suggestions from our ASURA members as to what events or travel (local and international) you would like ASURA to consider. ASURA Board Nominations Due January 15, 2018 During February of 2018, the ASURA will be holding elections for five members of the ASURA Board of Directors. The Board manages the affairs of the Association and establishes policies as needed to carry out its mission. Members of the Board are elected for a term of three years and meet monthly during the academic year. You may offer the name of a current ASURA member or your own name as a potential Board member. To be sure that your nominee’s name gets on the ballot, you can submit a petition of nomination bearing the signatures of at least ten current ASURA members. All nominating petitions must be received by January 15, 2018. Send names and/or nominating petitions to: Barry McNeill, Chair 2018 ASURA Board Nominating Committee P.O. Box 873308 Tempe, AZ 85287-33078 Email: barry_mcneill@outlook.com Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 11 Fall 2017 Advertise Helpful Services in the Prime Times (as published on the ASURA website, https://asura.asu.edu/PrimeTimesAdvertising) Do you offer or know of a service that you think our members might find useful? If so, share the information via a small ad in our Prime Times newsletter which comes out three times a year. To submit an ad, send it to the Prime Times editor (the Newsletter Committee Chair), or mail it to our office. Include a note that specifies both how long you would like the ad to run (how many issues) and, if yours is a for-fee service, what discount you will offer to those who mention your ad. The following guidelines apply to ads that we publish in Prime Times: 1. Advertisements must be for services. This excludes ads for goods, restaurants, or events. Examples of services that would be approved for advertisement are home computer services, housing services, living support services, insurance, financial and estate planning services, etc. 2. Advertisements will be grouped in a section that is marked "Advertisements". The size and location of the section is at the Prime Times editor's discretion. The section will include the following disclaimer: "These listings are not endorsements or ratings of the services provided. Information is based only on material received from service providers." The section will also include information on where to find our policy on advertisements (this web page) and how to submit for publication. 3. Ads must be business-card size, i.e., 3.5 inches wide and 2 inches high, and must look satisfactory in black and white, as we do not print them in color. The Prime Times editor will not edit or change the text submitted for advertisement. If the editor, with input from the ASURA President and/or Board of Directors, finds that the text is not suitable for publication, the advertiser will be notified and the ad will not be printed unless corrected. 4. There will be no fee for printing advertisements in Prime Times. However, if services advertised are provided for a fee, the provider must certify that they will give a discount to anyone who mentions the Prime Times ad. The discount should be at least 5%. 5. Advertisements will be run in at least two consecutive issues, if the advertiser desires. They may be run indefinitely so long as there is space. If space becomes an issue, the oldest ad(s) will be “bumped” and those bumped must wait at least two issues to be reinstated. Advertising of any kind is not permitted at our events, via our e-mail list, or on our website. Exceptions: our own events, affiliated events, presenters at our seminars, and e-mails specifically allowed by our E-mail Notices Policy. (These guideliness were approved by the ASURA Board in the December 14, 2016 meeting.) Protect Yourself and Your Family — Get Vaccinated Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 12 Fall 2017 Obituary Notifications: May 2017 - September 2017 submitted by Becky Reiss (please note that all obituary notices and photos, when available, are on our website: https://asura.asu.edu/obituaries) Name Date of Death ASU Affiliation Ballantyne, Janet August 30, 2017 Consultant Benes, Elinor Simson July 18, 2017 Volunteer, ASU Extension Bernal, Ernesto Marroquin September 1, 2017 Director, Center for Bilingual Education and Research Bloemendaal, Nancy Lee August 29, 2017 Professor, Music Department; Designer-Tech Dir., Lyric Opera Theatre Bredehoft, Theodore “Ted” Cornell May 20, 2017 Wrestling Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Brogan, Deborah A. July 31, 2017 Eating Disorders Team Psychiatrist Buckley, Father Gerald Albert August 15, 2017 Campus Ministry Carney, Eliza Singleton “Tink” Macaulay June 27, 2017 Academic Advisor, College of Nursing Carney, James Donald June 20, 2017 Emeritus Professor of Philosophy Cheng, Lorna Lok Ping September 9, 2017 Instructor, Computer Science Clark, Robert Cameron August 23, 2017 Professor Emeritus, School of Music Comprone, Joseph J. May 1, 2017 Dean, Arts and Sciences at ASU West Cox, Marilyn Ann July 6, 2017 Secretary Duplissis, John May 12, 2017 Custodian, Health Services Fausel, Donald June 12, 2017 Professor Emeritus, College of Public Programs Ferrell, Donald Miller August 1, 2017 Professor of Journalism Finerd, Ralph James (Jim) July 25, 2017 College/department affiliation unknown Fink, Edna June 18, 2017 Registrar’s Office Flanagan, Kathleen Elizabeth September 1, 2017 Secretary, ASU West Gamboa, Hilda Varela July 4, 2017 Housing Department Supervisor Garver, George Gaylin July 26, 2017 Dean, College of Education, ASU West Gieschen, Donald Werner July, 2017 Professor Emeritus, Philosophy; ASURA President 1996-1997 Hall, Norma Jean June 9, 2017 College/department affiliation unknown Jacquette, Francis Lee August 4, 2017 Part-time faculty member; College/department affiliation unknown Johnson, Zeno Martel August 20, 2017 Professor, Philosophy Obituaries continued on page 14 Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 13 Fall 2017 Obituaries continued from page 13 Name Date of Death ASU Affiliation Kigin, Denis John August 24, 2017 Dean Emeritus Knight II, John Costain (Jack) September 5, 2017 Associate Professor; Manager, Mass Spectrometry Facility Kush, Frank Joseph June 22, 2017 Assistant Football Coach; Head Football Coach; Assistant to Athletic Director LaFoe, Lorin George July 14, 2017 Volunteer, Date Palm Farm Lewis, Robert Roe August 28, 2017 Member, Advisory Board, School of Social Work; Adjunct Instructor Martin, Cecilia Mary July 15, 2017 Secretary Migliorisi, Emanuel L. June 2, 2017 University bookstore, Sun Devil Stadium, Wells Fargo Arena Montemayor, Joel Joaquin August 10, 2017 Diversity Training Moyer, Joan E. August 27, 2017 Professor, College of Education Ney, James W. May 30, 2017 Professor Emeritus, English Department Noble, Laura Ellen July 31, 2017 Horticultural specialist O’Gorman, Patrick William July 6, 2017 Assistant Irrigation Manager, Karsten Golf Course Pai, Ammembal Lakshman “Alex” June 2, 2017 Professor, Computer Science Parra, Yolanda Aguirre June 28, 2017 Specific job unknown Petersen, Russell James August 28, 2017 Chair, School of Accountancy Pinkava, Donald J. July 25, 2017 Emeritus Professor, Life Sciences Platt, Emmett K. June 3, 2017 Head, Computer Literacy Program Prather, William F. June 15, 2017 Adjunct Professor, Speech and Hearing Science Rodriguez, Elaine May 11, 2017 Mother of Rick Rodriguez, Professor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Schaefer, William C. (Bill) August 3, 2017 President, Sun Devil Club; President and Lifetime Board Member, Sun Angel Foundation; Lifetime Member, ASU President’s Club; Benefactor of Bill and Judy Schaefer Sports Hall of Fame, Sun Devil Stadium Sommerfeld, Milton May 16, 2017 Chair, Department of Botany and Microbiology; Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Schlinsog, George W. August 28, 2017 Professor, College of Education Simmons, Douglas J. April 7, 2017 Professor, Foreign Language Department Solheim, Nellie Louise Crozier July 8, 2017 Recipient of Honorary Doctorate degree and Regents Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education Stowe, Gwendolyn Joyce January 7, 2010 Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Underwood, Enos Edwin August 31, 2017 Registrar Vick, Sr., Richard Snead July 20, 2017 Stadium broadcast announcer for Sun Devil football games Winkles, Elinor “Ellie” September 7, 2017 Wife of Bobby Winkles, former ASU baseball coach Wright, Catherine Madeline June 21, 2017 Student Recreation Facility Coordinator Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 14 Fall 2017 In Memory of Denis Kigin possible. As an avid volunteer in the community, he chaired the On August 24, 2017, Denis Kigin, the first elected pres- Arizona Heart Ball and was president of the Tempe Kiwaident of the Arizona State University Retirees Association, nis. He was active in his Catholic church in Tempe both at passed away. A friend to all. He was ninety-four. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and The Church of the Resurrection parishes serving as Eucharistic Minister and in delivDenny joined the ASU faculty in 1958 as Associate ering meals for the Society of St. Vincent dePaul. Professor with the Division of Technology in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Following a two Denny was the first elected President of the ASU Retiryear absence in the 1960s, he returned as an administrator, ees Association (1992-1993) and, until 2006, continued to ultimately as Dean of Continuing Education, Director of serve in various ways. Under Denny’s leadership, numerSummer Sessions and Coordinator of Commencement. He ous programs of the Association — the Adopt-a-Family retired in 1988 as Dean Emeritus. program for one — were created and have endured to the submitted by Hal White present. Whenever a retiree commented they were not going to a particular Retirees program because of a lack of interest in the topic, Denny would say that he had gone to a program or two when he was not interested. When asked, "Why?" he said, "To support the Association." His interview by the ASURA Video History Project is available online. During his tenure at ASU, Denny held numerous national leadership positions including program consultant to the President's Conference on Occupational Safety and planning committees for the National Safety Conference. He served on the National Commission on Safety Education and also the Board of Directors for the National Safety Council. He was a leader for the North Central Conference and Western Association of Summer Session Administrators and the Council on Extension and Continuing Education of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. Denny was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-nine years, Helen Harty Kigin, who passed away in 2016 and by two brothers. He is survived by four children and five grandchildren. Denny served as a U.S. Marine pilot in both World War II and the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain. He later earned a BS degree from Mankato State College (now Minnesota State University) and attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout and the University of Missouri at Columbia, earning a Masters and Ed.D. In later years, as a resident of Friendship Village retirement community, he was asked to share his experiences and credited the GI Bill with making his education When the final Board meeting of his term as Retirees president concluded, he was rewarded with a standing ovation. For those who knew Denny, they are reminded of his warmth. For those who may not have known him, if they listen closely, they can still hear the applause. In Memory of Donald Gieschen Donald Werner Gieschen, 93, passed away in July 2017. Don joined the US Navy in 1943, became a Naval Aviator, eventually a Torpedo Bomber pilot and remained in the Navy until Fall of 1946 serving with the occupying forces in Japan. Upon his discharge, he returned to college where he earned his BS in Philosophy in 1950 from Northwestern University. Don earned a Masters in 1953 followed by a PhD in 1962 from the University of Minnesota. He was hired by ASU in 1959 where he spent 30 years teaching philosophy. He published numerous papers and wrote the book, "An Uncommon Conversation." After retiring Professor Emeritus, the ASU philosophy library was named after him. project, and also the ASURA scholarship endowment fund. Legislative relations had always been one of Don’s major interests ever since he joined ASURA. He served as the ASURA Legislative Liaison from 1997-2003 and, along with other members, represented ASURA in the coalition of state university retirees’ associations to plan strategies for action in the legislature. Don was president of ASURA from 1996-1997 and was instrumental in implementing Retirees Day, his pet Arizona State University Retirees Association Prime Times 15 Don was a kind and gentle soul who never spoke unkindly of others. He valued peace and love and his family spoke of how he kept his sense of humor and continued to smile to the end. He will sincerely be missed by his family and friends. Fall 2017 ADVERTISEMENTS Prime Times is issued three times annually by the Arizona State University Retirees Association and offers special editions, as needed. It is compiled and published by Jeannette Robson, printed by AlphaGraphics, and mailed through ASU Mail Services. Articles are always welcome, subject to Board approval. 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