Where the Deaf Elders Meet
Deaf Seniors of America
An Organization Created for Seniors by Seniors
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Robert Cook, President Surprise, Arizona Born deaf and raised in St. Paul Park, Minnesota. Graduated from Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in 1959. Married Sharon (Eide) Cook, they have three deaf daughters. Employed by State of Minnesota for 34 years predominately in the deaf and hard of hearing services division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Deaf activist serving organizations both in Minnesota and Nevada. Richard Bonheyo, Vice President Fremont, California Born in 1934 to deaf parents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attended Pennsylvania and Western Pennsylvania Schools for the Deaf. Graduated in 1952, a year later he enrolled in Gallaudet University and graduated in 1958 with an education major. While in college, he met Lucretia Armstrong from Minnesota and got married in 1958. They raised four children who live in Alabama, Maryland, and Minnesota. He taught at Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf for 21 years, then at California School for the Deaf in Fremont for 19 years. After retiring in 1997, he and his wife travel the USA visiting their children and eight grandchildren. Currently he is very much involved with the Bay Area Community activities. Nancy Rarus, Secretary Herndon, Virginia Born deaf and raised in New Jersey. Graduated from New Jersey School for the Deaf in 1958 and went to Gallaudet University. Nancy worked in Connecticut, Arizona and the District of Columbia in the field of Education. She was at National Association of the Deaf as Associate Executive Director for Programs. She is a mother of two and a proud grandmother of six. Joseph "Joe" S. Rose, Treasurer Silver Spring, Maryland Washington, D.C. was Joe's home for most of his childhood life. Kendall School and Gallaudet University were the institutions where he received his education. During his junior and senior years at Gallaudet, he was a married student to classmate sweetheart, Kay Francis Moody of Alabama. Joe was a printer/text processing computer with a 30-year service at Government Printing Office. He was involved with Washington Metropolitan Deaf organizations in leadership capacities for a number of years. He is, at the present time, concentrating on his Deaf Seniors of America work, and his love for golf. Kay Francis and Joe are blessed with three children and seven grandchildren. James Potter, Board Member Morristown, Minnesota Born to deaf parents at Windom, Minnesota. Graduated from Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD) in 1957. After Gallaudet, taught at North Carolina School for the Deaf 1960-62, Missouri School for the Deaf 1962-63 and MSAD 1963 until retirement in 1997. Capacities served were graphic arts teacher, mathematics teacher, counselor, and assistant principal. Served two terms on Gallaudet University Alumni Association board, two terms as board member of MSAD. Happily married for 48 years to Kathy. Five sons, one living in Sacramento, California, another in Reno, Nevada, and three in Minnesota. Thirteen grandchildren. Loves golf, racquetball and snowmobiling. Barbara Schmidt, Board Member Coon Rapids, Minnesota Born deaf and graduated from Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in 1955. Went to Gallaudet University for a year in 1956-57 and married her childhood sweetheart. She became parent of three hearing children and now has seven hearing grandchildren. Worked mostly as a keypuncher for the State, J.C. Penney, worked at Nortronics and Brown Photo Co. Active in Bread of Life Lutheran Church for the Deaf and has been its president for almost 20 years. Served on board on the Charles Thompson Memorial Hall and on the Minnesota Deaf Senior Citizens. Workshop coordinator in Deaf Hospice Education Project. Member of the Evangelical Lutheran Deaf Association. Ronald Nomeland, Board Member Silver Spring, Maryland Born June 24, 1936 of Deaf parents in Faribault, Minnesota. Graduated from Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in 1955. Received bachelor's degree from Gallaudet University in 1958, and earned higher degrees from University of Maryland, California State University, Northridge, and Syracuse University. Held several positions at Gallaudet University for 35 years, retiring in 1996 with the title of Professor Emeritus at Gallaudet University. Working part time at National Association of the Deaf. Married to the former Melvia Miller of Houston, Texas for more than 45 years and the father of an adult deaf daughter. With Melvia, is now authoring a book, which is hoped to be published at the end of 2007. Also, currently is serving as treasurer of the Maryland Deaf Senior Citizens organization. |