Robert D. Lopez
May 9, 1941—December 17, 2021
Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY
Robert David Lopez (Bobby), aged 80, passed away suddenly at home on December 17, 2021. He graduated from Hanford HS in Hanford, CA and earned an Associate Degree in Psychology from Orange County Community College.
Robert outgrew his childhood nickname of “palitos” (Spanish for sticks) to become an amateur boxer and softball player while serving in the U.S. Air Force. He met the love of his life, Joan, while stationed in Bermuda in 1965.
Robert was frequently seen around Cornwall wearing shorts, regardless of how cold it was, carrying a baby or walking a dog. Generous of heart, he exemplified the spirit of giving.
Robert was predeceased by his sister: Gloria Ramos. He is survived by his wife: Joan; his sister: Carolyn Gonzales; his children David Lopez of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, Dr. Andrew Lopez (Fay Kim) of Cherry Hill, NJ and Nina Haase (Darren Farrell) of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY; his grandchildren: Haley Lopez, Rhys Lopez, Jasper Haase, Cleo Haase, and Jed Haase; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and longtime friends.
Due to the on-going pandemic, funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. The family asks that in honor of Robert you stop to compliment a stranger, crack a joke, or watch a youth athletic game. The family hopes to have a celebration of Robert’s life in late spring 2022.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences, please go to www.Quigleybros.com.
Verl Edward Luzena
December 29, 1921— December 10, 2021
Formerly Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Born in Dec. of 1921, Verl Edward Luzena passed away on Dec.10, 2021, just 19 days shy of his 100th birthday. Verl’s death leaves one more empty chair among the heroes of WWII.
Verl and his family moved to New Windsor in 1950 after he was transferred from Fairfield, Conn. to the DuPont plant in Newburgh, NY. Aside from working at DuPont, Verl and his wife Ruth ran the Windsor Country Day School, and Camp Windsor. After five successful years, from 1953-1958, the Luzena family moved to the old Idlewild Estate in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. There overlooking the scenic views of the Hudson River, Verl spent many happy years interacting with the staff of Storm King School, where Ruth now worked in the headmaster’s office. He also enjoyed hours spent at the Storm King Golf Club. In the early 70’s, the DuPont plant was bought by Stauffer Chemical, and Verl was transferred to San Francisco, thus ending his blissful years in the Cornwall area.
Verl was born and raised on a farm in Bradford, Ohio and began studying to be a chemist at Miami Univ. in Oxford, Ohio. He was only 19 when Pearl Harbor was bombed, and at the end of that school year found his way to the Army Air Force. As he had a knack for photography, he was given the option of learning to be a cameraman during the war. He was sent to Lowry Air Base in Colorado to study the basics. Then he went on to a year in Hollywood to study the skills of being a cameraman, working with his paymaster Ronald Reagan. When Ruth finished her years at Miami Univ., she joined him in Hollywood as his new wife.
Spending the years 1944-45 in Europe, Verl filmed both the brutality and the glory of the war. His films are still used in movies and documentaries of the war, usually as background footage. Many times while watching a movie in a theater, Verl would whisper, “I filmed that!”
Returning from the war, Verl finished college and started both a family and his career at DuPont. He patented a variety of things but his claim to fame was the vinyl fabric Jeweltone, a vinyl upholstery with a metallic finish that was widely used in cars, hotel furniture, and books. He later moved up the ladder to plant management.
After moving to San Francisco, Verl and Ruth divorced, and Verl married Diane Butler who worked for Stauffer. He moved to her family home in Baker, LA and began working as a Master Gardener after retiring as a chemist. He not only helped set up the Farmer’s Market in Baton Rouge, LA, but created and renovated many public parks with the assistance of juvenile delinquents that he trained in the art of gardening. Composting was his specialty and he taught classes both in his area as well as in El Salvador in a gardening exchange program.
Verl felt he should always be busy and improving himself, so he took classes on public speaking and nutrition, always inventing a better way to eat and live. He was a self-taught carpenter and built a doll-house, playhouse, and furniture of high quality.
In 2016, the floodwaters of Louisiana destroyed their home and Verl and Diane were rescued. They went days without a bed in overcrowded, flooding shelters. At the age of 94, Verl was ‘adopted’ by his son John and given a new home in Pisgah Forest, NC. Diane passed away within 6 months, but Verl went on to enjoy many more years there before a short illness caused his death on Dec.10, 2021. He continued his short daily walks, voted and complained about politics to the end. As was indicated at the hospice center where he spent his last days, “WWII Vets are a hardy lot. He won’t go quickly.” True, he did not.
Verl leaves behind his son and daughter, and a step son and daughter, as well as 6 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. He was interviewed extensively at the Veterans Center in Brevard, NC and also leaves behind a book containing his (and other vets) memoirs. A service will be held in his honor at Greenoaks Cemetery, Baton Rouge, LA in the spring, date unknown at this time.