We are sorry to report that W. Lance Blackstock, Fourth District International Executive Council member from 1991 to 2001, died on Oct. 28.

A journeyman inside wireman, Brother Blackstock served for 24 years as business manager and financial secretary of Sheffield, Ala., Local 558.

Brother Blackstock served the IBEW in a wide range of capacities. He was a trustee of the Southern Electrical Retirement Fund and the NECA-IBEW Health and Welfare Fund, a member of the Council on Industrial Relations and a board member of the Pension Benefit Fund.

A well-respected labor activist, Blackstock served as president of the Shoals Central Labor Council and the Northwest Shoals Technical College Advisory Board.

On behalf of the entire membership and staff of the IBEW, the officers send our condolences to Brother Blackstock's family.

With sadness, the IBEW announces the death of former International Representative Stanley Hubbard on Oct.24.

Brother Hubbard, who served on the staff of the Construction and Maintenance Department, retired in 2002.

Hubbard began his IBEW career in 1963, becoming the union's first African-American apprentice in Texas. A native of San Marcos, he was a graduate of San Antonio Community College. A member of San Antonio Local 60, he joined the executive board in 1968.

After 16 years of service to Local 60, Brother Hubbard was appointed an International Representative by then-International President Charles Pillard in 1981. His first appointment was in the Agreement Approval Department. He also served in the Special Projects and Human Services Departments before joining the Construction and Maintenance Department.

In addition to his service to the IBEW, Hubbard was also active in the A. Phillip Randolph Institute, a national organization of African-American trade unionists.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1962.

"Stanley always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face," says retired Special Assistant to the International President for Membership Development Buddy Satterfield, who worked with Hubbard. "He loved the IBEW, believed in our cause and never forgot where he came from."

A widower, Brother Hubbard is survived by six children, 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The IBEW extends sincerest sympathy to Brother Hubbard's family and friends.

Per Capita Department Director Dmytro Halkyn retired effective Dec. 1.

Initiated into Chicago Local 885 in 1972, Brother Halkyn entered training as an electrician on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. He was assigned to service air conditioning and communication equipment.

Concerned that local union members were insufficiently encouraged to become involved in his local, Halkyn ran for and was elected recording secretary, financial secretary and treasurer and executive board member. He assumed leadership of System Council 8 in 1976, serving for eight years.

"I was 25 years old. My predecessor and most of the railroad local leaders were in their 50s," says Halkyn, whose father was a member of the Machinists working on the Chicago Northwest Railroad. "Most of the leaders of the 10 locals in the council were looking toward retirement," says Halkyn. "I was looking to improve conditions for the members as we faced the turmoil of railroad industry deregulation."

Service to smaller towns was eliminated. Tracks were being sold or removed and his employer pared the work force of 25,000 in half. While other unions agreed to concessions on wages, under Halkyn's leadership, the IBEW and Sheet Metal Workers refused. "Pay cuts didn't stop the loss of jobs," says Halkyn.

Halkyn, who graduated with a math degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1972, served as president of the system federation of AFL-CIO railway labor shops and crafts. He says, "The job enabled me to exercise influence with railroad companies and better represent our members in national contract negotiations."

Appointed International Representative in 1984, Halkyn, an Illinois National Guard veteran, took on the task of automating the Per Capita Department's operation at the International Office. The turnaround time for reports was improved from three weeks to five days. Payments that were submitted manually were electronically processed.

"The right people came along at the right time. Great leaders like Jack Moore and Ed Hill encouraged us to modernize our operation and we are still working on new processes," says Halkyn. U.S. Department of Labor auditors, says Halkyn, always are impressed by the accuracy of IBEW per capita reports.

Years of reviewing membership records, says Halkyn, gave him a window into the success of IBEW's organizing efforts. He says, "I am confident that the Brotherhood will continue to seize opportunities to grow, especially in electrical construction," he says. "Over the last 30 years, I have watched the IBEW evolve and act proactively while other unions lagged behind. I believe our future is good."

Brother Halkyn, who has served as secretary-treasurer of his homeowner's association in Tysons Corner, Va., is looking forward to a move south to Williamsburg. He plans to revive dormant interests in art and music. A skilled accordion player who took classes for eight years, he plans to enroll in classes to learn piano. Signing up for art classes, too, will renew an interest in painting that goes back to days in grammar school when he attended an arts institute. "Painting is therapeutic," says Halkyn, a recent survivor of prostate cancer.

"I want to thank our members and my co-workers at the International Office for their friendship and support," says Halkyn. "Working for the IBEW has been a wonderful experience."

On behalf of the entire membership and staff, the officers wish our very best to Brother Halkyn in health and happiness during retirement.