OBITUARIES.

Her many friends in Marshall County are mourning the death of Marshalltown's Mary Helen Bradbury, but her passing at the age of 85 has drawn notice in Iowa historical circles as well.

Bradbury was known as Central Iowa's leading historical preservationist as well as a civic-minded citizen. And her long career took on statewide dimensions by the end of the 20th century through her service on the board of trustees of the Iowa Historical Society and the board of directors of the Iowa Historical Foundation.

That's why many professional historians, as well as Iowa history buffs, were paying tribute to the woman who was known throughout Iowa for the historic landmarks in her hometown that she helped save from the wrecking ball. Her imprint is on the Glick-Sower House, where she served as a trustee for over 30 years, as well as the renovated Marshall County courthouse and the old county jail.

She served on the commission that built the new Iowa Historical Museum and research library in Des Moines, led the effort to establish a tributary memorial for famed Indian Chief Johnny Green at the Iowa Veterans' Home in Marshalltown, and was instrumental in establishing the Historical Society of Marshall County.

A world traveler, Bradbury was still most involved in the life of her hometown, even through her later years. She served as a local civil defense leader locally during World War II, was active in scouting and the Parent-Teacher Association, and was a consistent supporter of the Marshalltown High School band.

During the middle of the 20th century, when Marshalltown still elected its park directors, she was one of only- a handful of female park commissioners in the nation

Earl R. Carmichael, former director of parks and recreation for the City of Santa Clara for more than 30 years, died on May 18, 2000, after a battle with pneumonia. He was 70 years old and had been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus several days earlier. Carmichael, who was born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, and raised in Longview, Texas, had lived and worked in the City of Santa Clara (the "Mission City") since 1954. In his honor, special U.S. flags were flown at the City's cemetery and at Central Park. Flags at all City facilities, including parks and recreation facilities, were flown at half-staff for three days beginning the day of his funeral, May 22nd.

A graduate of San Jose State, Carmichael began his career as a recreation leader in 1954, when he became a recreation supervisor and worked his way up to director in 1963. He was a leader in the development of the Mission City's 31 municipal parks, as well as a multitude of major facilities and recreation programs.

Recreation programs flourished under Carmichael's leadership. The City developed the reputation as the "Youth Sports Capital" as Olympians such as Don Schollander, Mark Spitz, Donna DeVarona, Claudia Kolb, and Pablo Morales all swam for the Santa Clara Swim Club. Many local programs and clubs in dance, fitness, drama, sports, and aquatics reached national acclaim due to his high standards. Special events were prominent in the City of Santa Clara under his leadership. These events included hosting the State Parks & Recreation Conference, the National Convention of the Amateur Softball Association, the National Junior Olympics, World Games I, the USA Swimming and Diving Championships, the National Master Swimming Championships, and the USA/USSR Swim Meet, which was televised worldwide from Santa Clara.

Carmichael was an active member of the Amateur Softball Association of America, serving as a Commissioner for 30 years, and held a variety of leadership roles in the ASA, including serving on the executive board four times. He was also a long-time NRPA member.

He retired from the City of Santa Clara in April 1994. The City Council honored his service to the City by renaming one of its public parks "Earl R. Carmichael Park," presenting this honor to him at his retirement party before 450 well wishers.