In Memoriam
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September 19, 2023: Joseph S. Brenner
On September 19, 2023, we bid farewell to Joseph S. Brenner, who passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 73.
Joe was the father of Megan Silverman and Jason Brenner, the proud grandfather of Dylan and Devin Silverman, and the brother of Mark, Rick, and Larry Brenner, Nanci Grail, and the late Ruth Newman and Barbara Brenner. He was also the loving life partner of Denise Copeland.
Joe was passionate about his love for classic rock music, fanatical about his Mini Cooper automobile, and an avid skier who pursued his passion with enthusiasm, taking on slopes around the world. His zest for travel was boundless, whether it was chasing powder on the mountains or exploring new corners of the globe.
Above all, Joe found profound joy in watching his grandchildren excel in sports. He cheered them on from the sidelines of soccer, softball, and baseball, beaming with pride at their every achievement.
As a long time member of the Columbia Ski Club, Joe served as a Board Member, G&A Committee member, ski trip leader, and Activity leader. Joe was a dedicated CSC community service volunteer serving on the Adopt-A-Road, Rebuilding Together (many times) and Food Bank teams.
In 2012 Joe was the CSC Volunteer of the Year contributing the most number of volunteer hours.
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January 25, 2022: Tom Delaney, 25th President of the Columbia Ski Club
It is with a heavy heart that we are honoring the memory of our past President and 30 year member, Tom Delaney, who passed away on Jan 25, 2022.
Tom was a quiet, private man, but it is obvious he was a tireless volunteer in many organizations. Finishing second in his graduating class at Mount St. Joseph High School, Tom was also an active member of many school teams and organizations including the National Honor Society and the "It's Academic Team". Tom earned a BA from UMBC and a MS in Professional Writing from Towson State University.
A lifelong Boy Scout and Scout Leader, Tom earned the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15 earning a total of 32 merit badges, five more than required. He served as an adult scout leader and advancement chair for 18 years and he was an invaluable volunteer for decades. A nationally ranked competitor in orienteering, Tom brought orienteering to our ski club in the form of an orienteering bike ride.
Tom loved to explore the world around him. Throughout his life his travels took him to local parks, all 50 U.S. states, and Europe and beyond.
Tom was an active contributor to the success of our club over his 30-year membership and served as President, Board Member and chairman of the Elections Committee.
As president (2005-2006) Tom led the club through its very busy 25thanniversary year. A landmark 25thanniversary dance highlighted a year filled with many activities. Tom was very proud that during his presidency the club was nominated for a Howard County Volunteer of the Year Group Award. Club members volunteered hundreds of hours of community service including a trip to Mississippi for hurricane Katrina relief.
In 2005 Tom received the club’s Marty Womack Unsung Hero award. Tom recalled that he met Marty Womack when he joined in 1990. Tom said of Marty “He was a warm, friendly guy who gave his time freely because he liked people and he liked CSC”. The same could be said of Tom.
Tom led hikes, bike rides, happy hours, and dining out events and enjoyed participating in many club activities. During a Murder Mystery Weekend at Deep Creek Lake, Tom met the love of his life, his wife Debbie. Tom was famous for his unique local bike rides (e.g., Palindrome, Long Corner, No Left Turns and Darnestown). He enjoyed riding with friends at road cycling events like the Sea Gull Century, Civil War Century, Covered Bridge Classic, and Firefighter 50.
For almost 20 years, Tom enjoyed leading the annual club Christmas caroling at Brighton Gardens of Columbia. Tom believed his theory that “If eight or more people sing together, then the "good" singers and the "bad" singers balance each other out, creating a clear, competent group voice that rings out with joy”.
Tom was a much valued member of our club, always happy to pitch in whenever the club needed help. Tom was a wonderful person and good friend. He worked to make the world a better place. We will all miss him dearly.
TheMarch 2022 Black Diamond Expressnewsletter includes a tribute to Tom with memories gathered from a few Club members plus additional photos. We hope these memories will bring a smile to all who read them, as Tom made us smile for many years.
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March 20, 2018: Christopher Sturm, Sr., 84, of Easton passed away peacefully in his home.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Carolyn Sturm; daughters, Teresa Sturm and Susan Sturm, and her husband, Eric Gardner; a son, Tony Sturm; grandchildren, Rachel Bradstock, Jackie Bradstock, Sami Sturm and Sky Sturm; a brother, Leo Sturm and his wife, Dottie Sturm; sister Jeanne Berger; sister-in-law, Nell Sturm, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his brother, Ferdinand J. Sturm, and his son, Chris Sturm Jr.
Chris grew up in Baltimore, MD and graduated from Forest Park H.S. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy. Following his military service, he earned a BA from The University of Baltimore. He met Carolyn (Purdy) in 1956 while she was attending nursing school and two years later they married. They lived in Baltimore County and started a family, then moved to Ellicott City, MD where they spent many happy years. Through the years he patiently taught his family how to play many sports including ice skating, skiing and biking and found time to coach his children’s softball, baseball and hockey teams. Chris loved to go on summer vacations to the beach surrounded by his extended family. In the winter he loved going on ski trips with family and friends. Chris worked for 30 years with the U.S. Customs Service as an accountant/auditor. He had a strong work ethic and an equally strong play ethic! Ever the athlete, Chris spent much of his life engaged in physical activities such as ice hockey, skiing, golf and billiards. Following early retirement, Chris did not slow down. In fact, he challenged himself with new sporting activities including mountain biking and sailing. He also enjoyed rollerblading through the neighborhood in Easton, MD, where they lived for the past 13 years. He loved to start his day with the Sun crossword puzzle and in his leisure time he enjoyed reading, playing the guitar and cooking. Retirement also allowed more time to travel with Carolyn and go on three ski trips each year with his ski club. Skiing evolved into monoskiing which led to snowboarding at age 63 then onto "skibike" riding until age 80. His lifelong passion for ice hockey continued with the senior ice hockey club, the Gerihatricks. They won a gold medal in a senior tournament they hosted at The Gardens Ice House, Laurel, MD. Chris played hockey with them until age 81. He was an inspiration to all!
Chris will be remembered fondly for his quick wit, genuine grin, and endless enthusiasm. It was a pleasure to be in his presence. Chris was a devoted husband and family man, loving father, great Granddad and good friend. He will be dearly missed. |
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Ray Collins, the 8th President of the Columbia Ski Club, lost his battle with cancer on June 24, 2018.
He was born on June 16, 1953 and is survived by his daughter Jessica Rae Collins, brothers Edward Collins, Roger Collins Jr., and Charles Collins, nieces Cathy Heinsohn and Carol Holt, and many friends.
Ray had a way of making people smile, even while inside he was fighting for his life. Ray did so very many activities with the ski club beyond ski… mini-golf, curl, taste good food and wines on a Frederick walking tour, Christmas carol, act in a play put on for Vantage House residents, bowl, host parties, dance, eat pancakes, and lots more.
He also was husband of decades and a father for over 25 years, a computer programmer, a pianist, a dog lover, a stained glass artist, and a terrific friend. He was the kind of person who could make you feel like you were his best friend even though everyone was made to feel the same way and had no clue about all of the many other close friends in his circle. He made everyone feel special, and that was just one of the many special things about Ray.
Here is a toast to Ray. We toasted him at the dinner following a recent mini-golf event, and Judy Schiffer is thinking we should do a mini-golf fundraiser in Ray’s honor. Whatever happens, Ray will be missed, and yet as we start to cry at his loss, we should keep in mind that he would want us to go on having great experiences and doing good in the world. Rest in peace, Ray.
(Tribute written by Athena Dalrymple)
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May 22, 2013: Tom Stanitis of Columbia passed away in his home.
As a young man Tom joined the Marine Corps, a life changing experience. He learned a lot about himself and others. After he left the Marine Corp, hebecame a master carpenter and pursued his education, earning two masters degrees. Tom traveled the world and relished adventure from bungee jumping in New Zealand to paragliding at the Matterhorn. He loved to help others and was very involved in his beloved Columbia community. Tom believed he could make a difference and he did. He was invited to join his high school Hall of Fame. Tom was very proud of his work in Mental Health and substanceabuse prevention. He created the Grove House, a place for people to get together for support on weekends. Tom was honored years later for making a difference in hundreds of lives. Also an avid Packers fan, he often returned to his native Wisconsin to teach and visit his extended family.
Tom was active in the Columbia Ski Club for more than 15 years. He was a trip leader, member of the Board of Directors and participated in a multitude of activities.These included many community service projects. He never missed a Christmas in April workday to repair a home and help a family in need. Tom volunteered countless hours to help others.Tom also lovedto travel, ski, hike and bike with the club.To quote this gracious man, “thank you, thank you, thank you” for being a part of our lives.
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April 20, 2010: Indarmohan Singh Schabrawas born on October 28, 1942 in Churkana Mandi, India. He and his entire family had to leave their family home behind when they moved to Ludhiana, Punjab after the India-Pakistan Partition in 1947. As a young man, Indar loved playing basketball, and he graduated with a degree in engineering. His love for America and the idealism of John F. Kennedy led him to emigrate to the United States in 1964, carrying with him only a steamer trunk and his dreams. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he attained a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
In 1968, Indar went back to India to get married, and then returned to the U.S. where he completed his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering in Dayton, Ohio. His daughter Lita was born in 1971. Indar began a successful career in real estate becoming a distinguished agent and broker in Howard County. In 1990, he began working with Federal government agencies as a real estate specialist and ended his career at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He was active in political and civic organizations, including the Columbia Ski Club where he was Membership Chair for several years. He was a loving and devoted father and grandfather, and his grandchildren Joshua, Abbey, Delaney, and Eliana were the love of his life. He will be dearly missed, and his kindhearted spirit will live on in all of us.
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July 28, 2009:Bill Eskew, long-time Columbia Ski Club member and leader, passed away after a long illness. Bill Eskew was president of our ski club in the 1993-94 season. Many club long-timers will also remember that Bill served as Ski Trip Coordinator for several years as well as the club’s Treasurer. He led a number of ski trips and was particularly fond of Europe. Bill will be greatly missed; he was a true leader of our club for many years.
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July 18, 2008:Howie Silverpassed away after a long bout withLou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Howie was a fun-loving guy with a broad smile and a heavy accent whose activity level belied his age of 65. Up until the last 2 years, when he became wheelchair-bound, he was very active in sports such as tennis, biking, baseball, and of course, skiing. Howie was a long-time member of CSC. We will miss you, Howie!
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August 10, 2006:LInda Bain,a spirited, fun-loving woman who has been an active club member for at least a dozen years. Linda wasCSC Racing Team Chair for many years and former member of the CSC Board of Directors.
Linda enjoyed outdoor sports, especially still water kayaking, hiking, biking, rollerblading and snow skiing where she was a competitor and certified teacher. She also enjoyed doing handcrafts and gardening. Linda was known for her collection of fine pottery and Native American Art. She will be remembered for her love of life and people as well as her happy countenance.
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Fran Plate (Mary Frances Clare Richardson), died July 18, 2006. Fran was very active in CSC during the 80s from right after the first meeting. She was considered a valuable member of the Moguls softball team during that time and was also a part of the bowling group. During the 80s, she ran Beach Trips to Ocean City, and set up the Annual Family Picnic at Centennial Park. She ran ski trips to Killington, Canaan Valley, and Winter Park. Fran met and married Lee Plate at one of the CSC Happy Hours around 1983. She will be missed by her many friends and her family, husband Calvin Richardson, her son and daughter who grew up in the ski club, Steven and Michelle Clare.
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Feb 13, 2006. Maribeth Geiss was a long time member of the Columbia Ski Club and will be greatly missed. Maribeth served on the Awards Committee for many years.
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Edwin Graf III, died September 11, 2001
Ed was a victim of the tragedy at the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001 where he was a Vice President at Cantor Fitzgerald Securities. Ed was a loving father and brother. An outdoorsman at heart, loving bicycling, tennis, paddle boarding and skiing, Ed was also an accomplished climber and mountaineer leading many route climbs in Yosemite and the Grand Tetons as well as Eastern wall climbs in NY, VT and NH. He was also a sub-3 hour marathoner, registering a personal best in the 1980 NY Marathon at 2 hours 49 minutes.
Ed's true passion and dedication was to his family and children. He leaves behind his mother, siblings children, 17 nieces and nephews as well as numerous close friends. Ed, a CSC member, was the cousin of long time member Bill Eskew and brother of long time member MaryBeth Graf-Brohawn.
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Stephen Smith, died October 14, 2000 - Stephen's funeral service was Oct. 19th, and he was buried in Little Rock, AR Oct. 20th.
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Alan Browne, died October 1, 2000 - Alan was the 4th President of the Columbia Ski Club (circa 1985). During his term as President, Alan oversaw the creation of the LEARN TO SKI PROGRAM.
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