Connectivity
Thanks, Chris Dougherty, for an excellent article on Wi-Fi stuff in the November/December 2024 issue of Family RVing. My head is now spinning since I don’t hardly know an Mbps from a short-form designation for mumps. But, not to worry; I’ll get our 7-year-old grandson to sort this out for us.
Or not!
— Norm Shier, F317777
Desert Hot Springs, California
Service Plan Pays Off
In the May/June issue of Family RVing, the article “When Your RV Needs Repairs” by Chris Dougherty was excellent.
I started living the RV lifestyle in 2000. I have owned four RVs over that time. I have had an extended service plan on my last three RVs — all diesel Class As. While we were heading north in Washington state, the engine in my third RV blew up. It was a terrifying moment for my wife and me. We were towed to a Cummins repair facility. The engine was beyond repair, and a new engine had to be installed.
The new diesel engine cost $40,000. I was thankful I had the extended service plan. The insurance paid $32,000, and I paid $8,000 — a total lifesaver.
I recommend saving all records of oil changes and any other service pertaining to the engine. The one thing that was very important was I saved everything. The insurance people wanted copies of all the oil and oil filter changes. The Cummins people faxed them to the Chicago Cummins office. Everything was approved, as I kept up the engine maintenance based on the manual. The engine had to be shipped from Chicago. Just about a month later, we were back on the road.
— Bob Lawlor, F310849
Goodyear, Arizona
Illini Chapter Honors President
The Illini chapter regrets to announce the passing of their president, Lawrence Sanders, F426046. Lawrence and his wife, Ruthann, joined FMCA in 2012 and became members of the chapter in 2014. He was elected chapter president in October 2016. Since he became president, membership has grown, and attendance at the chapter and area rallies has increased. With new members, new ideas have been shared, and chapter mem-bers have become more active. Lawrence also served the chapter as national director for many years and enjoyed attending many area and national rallies.
He enjoyed traveling, playing cards and table games, watching TV, and eating ice cream. For many years, he enjoyed square dancing, and he held leadership positions in the National Square Dance Camper Association.
The Sanders family started camping in 1967. Lawrence’s children still talk about all the fun they had as kids, all the trips they went on, and the sights they saw, as well as the enjoyment they had while camping. His son and daughter-in-law are also FRVA members.
A gentle, nonconfrontational man who loved his family and his country, Lawrence was proud of his years of military service. In 1958 he volunteered for the draft and served two years in the U.S. Army, 18 months of which were spent in Berlin, Germany, as a selected member of the Occupational Forces. Upon discharge from the Army, he spent 20 years in the Active Reserves, retiring in December 1980 with the rank of Sergeant First Class (E7).
Lawrence is survived by Ruthann, his wife of 63 years, as well as their two children, three grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
— The Illini Chapter
Note Of Thanks
What a privilege it was to spend time with you on Friday morning during your event [in Perry, Georgia]. We are honored that you chose HALO Group as your designated charity for the Driven to Care Silent Auction as well as the Magic Mile Run/Walk. We are so grateful for your partnership in making a difference in the lives of our teammates.
— Halo Group
Perry, Georgia
Editor’s note: Attendees donated more than $4,800 to HALO Group (halogroupga.org), an organization that assists adults with disabilities in maximizing their independence and lifelong growth.
Remembering A “Brother”
When I first met Keith “Shemp” Tindall, F426843 — our friend, brother, and well-established member of our Sun Wheelers chapter family — he was a dedicated career military man, in charge of a contingency of U.S. Air Forcepersonnel, temporarily assigned to Jacksonville Air Traffic Control Center to learn about operations.
Keith excelled and qualified, in minimum time, as a journeyman ATC specialist, in accordance with FAA standards. Midway through his USAF career, the Air Force ended up releasing Keith from his obligation so that he could join the FAA, and that became his career.
Along this road, he met the love of his life, Vivian Ritsma. Both had previous relationships and had established families. They married and began to enjoy life more and more with each passing year.
A mutual interest in travel brought them into the motorhome experience. Ensuing experiences brought them to our Sun Wheelers family. Jumping in with everything they had, they were welcomed and became actively involved on committees and holding elected offices.
A bit over a year ago, Vivian lost her battle with cancer. The Sun Wheelers family was devastated to lose such a vibrant lady, as was Keith. But, at Vivian’s direction, he made a promise that he would stay involved and active with our family.
Now, Keith has lost his own battle with the dreaded “C.” After a valiant fight, during which he continued his activity and love for his Sun Wheelers family, Keith was a light on the hill for continuing humor and love. The Sun Wheelers, and I, have lost a dear friend who was compassionate, dedicated, loyal, and a very bright way forward in the face of adversity.
Note: To read Keith’s full obituary, visit www.sunwheelers.com.
— Doug Pearson, F348649
Hilliard, Florida
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