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By Larry Kunz and Bill Albing
We are saddened by the recent passing of two members of our chapter, Austin Farrell and Keith Helmink. We remember them, honor their efforts to create something great through their service to the Carolina chapter, and commit to carry on their good works. We will miss them both.
Austin remained active in the Carolina chapter for over a quarter of a century. Chapter leaders considered Austin a mentor. Many chapter presidents warmly remember his telephone calls. He preferred to use the phone over any other medium because it provided clear, oneto- one communication. He might call with a suggestion or even a word of criticism, always offered constructively and always born of a desire to see the Carolina chapter be the best organization it could be. Austin had a long career in technical writing, including many years with IBM. You can read an anecdote from him on the http://stc.org/STC@50/anecdotes/ AnecdoteResults.asp?Author=Aust in%20Farrell.
Until he moved to Springmoor, a retirement community, in the mid 1990s, Austin kept our chapter's archives in his home. He was the definitive source for information about the history of STC and of the Carolina chapter. Today, our chapter's archives are stored at N.C. State's D.H. Hill library.
Austin is survived by his wife of 55 years, Adelaide T. Farrell, a son, a daughter and son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
As the new chair of the FrameMaker User's Group, Keith got involved in a FrameMaker Wiki. He knew what computers could do and was eager to employ the latest technology to further technical communication.
Keith had worked in various positions before discovering technical communication. He was most recently working as a technical writer for Bowe Bell & Howell. Those of us who worked with Keith knew him as an intensely bright writer who had great visualization and illustrative skills, and as someone who was always caring and respectful of others.
Keith is survived by his wife, Patricia Cash Helmink.
Larry Kunz is a past president of STC Carolina and can be reached at larry dot kunz at veritas dot com. Bill Albing is also a past president of STC Carolina. He can be reached at bill dot albing at keycontent dot org.
We are saddened by the recent passing of two members of our chapter, Austin Farrell and Keith Helmink. We remember them, honor their efforts to create something great through their service to the Carolina chapter, and commit to carry on their good works. We will miss them both.
Austin Farrell
Austin Farrell, an STC Fellow and cofounder of the Carolina chapter, died on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2004. He was 85 years old. Austin's wisdom and dedication to our profession had benefited chapter leaders since the 1960s.Austin remained active in the Carolina chapter for over a quarter of a century. Chapter leaders considered Austin a mentor. Many chapter presidents warmly remember his telephone calls. He preferred to use the phone over any other medium because it provided clear, oneto- one communication. He might call with a suggestion or even a word of criticism, always offered constructively and always born of a desire to see the Carolina chapter be the best organization it could be. Austin had a long career in technical writing, including many years with IBM. You can read an anecdote from him on the http://stc.org/STC@50/anecdotes/ AnecdoteResults.asp?Author=Aust in%20Farrell.
Until he moved to Springmoor, a retirement community, in the mid 1990s, Austin kept our chapter's archives in his home. He was the definitive source for information about the history of STC and of the Carolina chapter. Today, our chapter's archives are stored at N.C. State's D.H. Hill library.
Austin is survived by his wife of 55 years, Adelaide T. Farrell, a son, a daughter and son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Keith Helmink
Keith G. Helmink, chair of the Frame- Maker User's Group, died on October 16, 2004. He was 43 years old. Keith grew up and spent most of his life in Raleigh. After graduating from Sanderson High School, Keith earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.As the new chair of the FrameMaker User's Group, Keith got involved in a FrameMaker Wiki. He knew what computers could do and was eager to employ the latest technology to further technical communication.
Keith had worked in various positions before discovering technical communication. He was most recently working as a technical writer for Bowe Bell & Howell. Those of us who worked with Keith knew him as an intensely bright writer who had great visualization and illustrative skills, and as someone who was always caring and respectful of others.
Keith is survived by his wife, Patricia Cash Helmink.
Larry Kunz is a past president of STC Carolina and can be reached at larry dot kunz at veritas dot com. Bill Albing is also a past president of STC Carolina. He can be reached at bill dot albing at keycontent dot org.
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