Obituaries.

Richard I. Birchfield, MD

Richard Birchfield, MD died on July 2, 2000 after a long bout with cancer at the age of 75. Richard did his undergraduate work at the University of Washington and in 1954 was accepted as a student in the fledgling University of Washington College of Medicine. He graduated from medical school in 1958 and went to Duke University School of Medicine for his residency in neurology. Richard then returned to Seattle where he became the Chief of Neurology at the Virginia Mason Hospital and an adjunct professor of medicine at the University of Washington. He retired in 1990.

Richard joined the Seattle Photographic Society (SPS) in October 1992 and the Photographic Society of America in 1993. Almost from the start he began to help SPS with the `little tasks' such as setting up the equipment, announcing and tabulating. He was appointed to the SPS board of directors in 1993 and later was elected as a director. He served as the club president from 1995-1997. He continued to serve on the board until July 1999. He was always willing to judge, comment, set up, take down or do what ever it took to assist. Richard has directed many SPS education nights on numerous occasions. In June 2000, he was presented with the highest honor SPS can bestow - the Service Award.

Richard was a constant supporter of the Northwest Council of Camera Clubs. He had great success in their competitions and encouraged involvement of other SPS members. He twice led SPS to winning the first place award for the NWCCC "theme" slide program.

Richard was one of the first in SPS to start computer printing. He consistently showed progress in this new art form. He was the first member of SPS to win the prestigious Superintendent's Award at the Northwest International Exposition of Photography commonly known as "The Puyallup Fair." Within PSA, he was a top-producing printer. In 1999, he was named the Tops in the World small print exhibitor. Richard was a star exhibitor in Commercial Prints, Photojournalism and Color Slide.

Richard is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 46 years, a daughter, a son and two grandchildren. Richard Birchfield will be missed!

By Eugene E. Collias, APSA 

Luella C. Bruhl

Born January 2, 1915 in San Bemardino, California, Luella Bruhl passed away at the age of 85 on June 23, 2000 in Grand Terrace, CA. She was a staunch PSA & Lens and Shutter Camera Club member. Luella was the widow of Chester Bruhl, also an avid photographer and PSA member. At one time she was president of Lens and Shutter Camera Club. She worked diligently for the club and assisted year after year on the Wind and Sun Council Orange Show International Print, Nature and Pictorial Salon. She judged many club and other competitions.

After Luella's husband passed away, she became involved in many activities ... Gates Cactus and Succulent Society, International Geranium Society, Native Daughters of the Golden West, San Bernardino County Museum Association, and Lutheran Church of Our Savior are a few. She belonged to at least 8 other organizations and was president of many. She was adventuresome, enthusiastic and dedicated.

Luella loved life. She loved the mountains, sea and desert. She loved field trips. I'm sure she is on one of the biggest and best field trips she has ever been on in her life. She was a friend to everyone. Luella will be sorely missed by all the people she knew and cared for ... happy picture taking Luella!

Joseph Reis, President, Lens & Shutter Camera Club, San Bernardino, CA

Glenn Barber, APSA

Glenn Barber, APSA, was a member of Pacific Color Printers and PSA. Glenn was born Oct. 24, 1922 and died June 5, 2000. He retired in 1972 from the U.S. Post Office as a rural letter carrier, after 32 years of service. He served in the U.S. Navy for 8 years in the South Pacific during WW II, attaining the rank of Boatswains Mate Second (BM2). He received a Purple Heart and a Victory Medal. He was a Scoutmaster of Troop 224 from 1948-1950, receiving the Eagle Award in October of 1950. Glenn was a member of the Tillamook United Methodist Church for 66 years, President of Oregon Rural Letter Carriers Association, 4-H leader of photography for 30 years, and photo director for Tillamook County Fair. He was a member of PSA, Pacific Color Printers from 1954, Tillamook County Art Association and the Writers Group of Garibaldi. Glenn joined the Color Print Division of Columbia Council of Camera Clubs in 1955 and worked with all types of projects, such as developing EKO as a negative. This group was changed to what is now called Pacific Color Printers. Glenn went all over Oregon taking pictures of old towns, equipment, etc. If you wanted some information on some out of the way place on a back road, you could see him and he would have some pictures of it.

Glenn is survived by his wife Maxine, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 2 sisters, and 8 grandchildren. We will all miss Glenn.

by Ted Peterson from information by Marine Barber and Lois Wagner