June 2003 IBEW Journal

Retired

Martha H. "Marty" Letsinger announced her retirement, effective June 15, 2003, as director of the IBEW Education Department, a department she was hired by then-International President Barry to create in 1988 and subsequently oversaw the development of more than 25 classes, including training for stewards, business managers, new members and organizers.

Looking back at the point of retirement, Sister Letsinger takes particular pride in the IBEW Train-the-Trainer program in which some 1,800 International Representatives and local union leaders have conducted classes attended by 150,000 IBEW members. And she attributes the quantity and quality of IBEW training programs "to the tireless efforts of the IBEW Education Department support staff members."

A native of Orlando, Florida, she joined IBEW Local 606 in Orlando in 1988.

Before her 15 years of service at the IBEW International Office, Sister Letsinger was field director of the Florida AFL-CIO, conducting statewide training for central labor councils and local unions on leadership, internal organizing, lobbying and political action. She came to that role from the position of COPE director of the Central Florida (Orlando area) AFL-CIO. She has been president of Results Unlimited, a consulting firm on seminars and presentations, which she founded.

In retirement, she plans to continue her volunteer hospice work as well as assisting homeless mothers and children in the House of Ruth shelteralong with traveling with her husband, Bob Damiani, and visiting friends.

The IBEW congratulates Sister Letsinger on her career, thanks her for her contribution to the IBEW and the labor movement and wishes her the best for long and fulfilling retirement.

Retired

William J. Norvell

William J. Norvell, who has worked with IBEW construction and utility locals as an International Representative for the past 13 years, retired May 1, 2003, from his Sixth District post.

Prior to being appointed as an International Representative in 1990, Brother Norvell spent 10 years as business manager/financial secretary of Local 193, Springfield, Illinois.

Born in Quincy, Illinois, Brother Norvell became a member of Local 51, Springfield, Illinois, in 1962 after three years as a radio repairman in the U.S. Army.

In 1969, after transferring his card to Local 193, he served as chief steward of the City Water, Light and Power unit in Springfield for seven years, then as assistant business manager before becoming business manager. He was a JATC secretary and also served on negotiating and safety committees.

The IBEW wishes Brother Norvell and his wife, Laura, all the best in retirement, a chance for him to exercise his preference for the outdoors, whether hunting, fishing or golfing.

Retired

Owen J. Schleisman

More than 42 years of service to the IBEW comes to a close with the June 1, 2003, retirement of Sixth District International Representative Owen Schleisman.

Brother Schleisman was initiated into Minneapolis, Minnesota, Local 292 in 1961, where he worked as a journeyman inside wireman and an electrical inspector. An early labor activist, he served on virtually all of the locals committees from benefits to labor/management to safety, organizing and a host of others. After three years as president and two on the examining board, Brother Schleisman was elected business manager in 1978. During his years at Local 292, he served as chairman of the Minnesota Construction Investment Foundation and as secretary of the IBEW State Council. He also held posts on the boards of the Minneapolis Building Trades Council, the Minneapolis Central Labor Council and the Minneapolis Community Development Agency.

After 10 years as business manager, he was appointed to the Sixth District International Staff, where he has most recently been assisting railroad locals with a series of mergers and amalgamations. He has handled construction jurisdiction matters, Davis-Bacon compliance and monitored government contracting. Brother Schleisman also performed special assignments throughout his 15-year career as International Representative.

Brother Schleisman served in the United States Air Force as a reservist in the late 1960s. He attended U.S. Air Force technical schools, the Dunwoody Industrial Institute and the University of Minnesota. He has been active in the Big Brothers programs and in the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor club.

The IBEW staff, officers and members wish Brother Schleisman, his wife, Linda, and six children the best of a long and happy retirement.

Deceased

With great sadness, the IBEW announces the death April 17, 2003, of retired Ninth District International Representative Vernon L. Breuillot, age 81. Brother Breuillot retired in 1984 after more than 42 years of active service to the IBEW. Appointed to the Ninth District staff in 1948, he served in that post nearly four decades. His responsibilities included servicing and organizing construction, utility, maintenance and U.S. civil service groups.

Brother Breuillot was initiated into the IBEW in 1942 as a member of Local 100, Fresno, California. A journeyman electrician, his membership later transferred to Local 1245, San Francisco. His union-wide activities included service as secretary-treasurer of the California Central Valley Trades Council, AFL-CIO.

Born in 1922 in Fresno, Brother Breuillot was proud of his IBEW heritage and came from a family of five IBEW members. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The IBEW extends deepest sympathy to Brother Breuillots family and friends.

Deceased

The IBEW is saddened to report the death of retired International Representative Eugene D. Cokeley, who was initiated into the IBEW in 1946 and retired in 1982. He was 84 at the time of his death on April 8, 2003.

Brother Cokeley was born in Minnesota and served in World War II before beginning his inside wireman apprenticeship in Washington state. He was initiated into Local 191, Everett, Washington, and transferred his membership to Local 112, Kennewick, Washington.

Starting in 1954, he served Local 112 as financial secretary and then as business manager for five years before being named International Representative by then-International President Gordon Freeman in 1961. He was assigned to the Ninth District to assist construction and manufacturing members in Washington and Oregon.

Brother Cokeley was in both North Africa and Italy with the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the VFW, Eagles, Moose, National Council of Senior Citizens and the Puget Sound Chapter of the Senior Citizens. He credited his longevity to swimming and in-water exercise in his ritual of visiting the health spa three times a week. An essay, "My Hero," written about Brother Cokeley by his grandson was printed in the IBEW Journal.

The IBEW extends its deepest sympathy to his wife, Irene, his children and grandchildren, and to his other family members and friends.

Deceased

Norman D. Schwitalla

The IBEW regrets to report the April 5, 2003, death of retired Tenth District International Vice President Norman D. Schwitalla, 68, a Minnesota native and 50-year IBEW member who began his railroad career in Local 1155, Willmar, Minnesota.

In April 1993, then-International President J.J. Barry appointed Brother Schwitalla International Vice President for the Tenth District, which was at that time the IBEW railroad district. He served in that post until 1997.

Brother Schwitallas distinctive career included serving as General Chairman of System Council No. 16 and in a wide variety of other railroad posts for the IBEW. Initiated into Local 1155 in 1953, he served his local as crew steward and as a member of the Safety Committee before 12 years as president and local chairman.

Outside his local, in addition to System Council 16, Brother Schwitalla held the posts of vice president and president of System Federation Number 7 of the AFL-CIO Railway Employees Department, as vice president of the General Chairmans Association of Burlington Northern Railroad and different terms as chairman and vice chairman of the National Railroad Adjustment Board.

He was in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 and served as a scoutmaster and Webelos leader. He was also a member of the West Point Parents Club, the Loyal Order of Moose and the St. Walters Mens Club.