Samuel Pearson Goddard
The first Arizona Governor of English descent, who
was Tucson-based was Samuel Pearson Goddard (1965 - 67).
Samuel began his long and distinguished career of public service
by enlisting in the Army Air Corps in World War II, immediately after
graduating from Harvard. He was commissioned and served in England, India, North Africa and the South Pacific. Samuel remained in the Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. He earned his law degree from U of A in 1949 and began practicing law in Tucson. He became a community leader, helped organize the Tucson Civic Chorus and the Tucson Watercolor Guild, and took an active role in charitable fundraising. His community efforts earned him the coveted honor of Tucson Man of the Year 1959. In 1961-62 he served as president of the 11 state Western Conference of United Funds and became recognized as a rising power in politics. After an unsuccessful bid for the governorship in 1962, he ran again in 1964 and was elected.Goddard¹s campaign symbol, the Arizona roadrunner, became familiar throughout the state.
Tucson mayors with English surnames were: Robert N. Leatherwood (1880-81) and George Rayfield (1885-87). During Territorial Days, the law was represented by US Marshals; during the timeframe of 1864-1911, out of 270 marshals appointed and sworn in were 81 with English surnames, 30%!
English-born entrepreneur May Bopp and her husband operated a well-known health food store in downtown Tucson for many years. War hero Derek Kinne is also a successful entrepreneur in Tucson, with his business, A & A Laminators. During the Korean War, While a POW of the North Koreans, Derek was hit with a rifle butt by a guard, but the gun discharged, killing the guard and sparing Derek. His conduct during the war and in confinement earned him the King George Cross, only one of three of this prestigious award given for that particular campaign.
Marjorie Henderson Weisfeld
Born and educated in London on February 11, 1920, Marjorie was already an accomplished bookkeeper/accountant and recognized seamstress when she set sail for her first visit to the United States. As dressmaker to Lady Fermoy (Princess Diana¹s grandmother) she had been offered a position as ³traveling seamstress² for the Queen Mother Elizabeth when she was the consort of King George, but turned it down because it didn¹t sound interesting enough. Off she went on the boat, and on her return cruise, met an American, Morris Weisfeld, who not only asked her to dance but eventually asked her to marry him. Then it was off to New York where the couple lived for many years before moving to Tucson in the early 70s. Marjorie never forgot her roots and was thoroughly involved in British activities, including the Daughters of the British Empire, holding teas and raising funds for the DBE home in Sierra Madre, California. She was DBE Regent in the Tucson chapter. In Tucson, Marjorie worked for many years at the Hanmaker Adult Day Care facility, first as bookkeeper and then head of personnel. Nurturing and caring were part and parcel of both her personal and professional life! Marjorie also, as a member of EMAT (European Multi-Ethnic Alliance of Tucson) arranged the annual EMAT New Year's dinner dance for many years. Just in case, according to a close friend, you might think she was all work and no sense of humor: when asked why Queen Elizabeth II always had her handbag hanging on her arm, she replied: ...because she has a gun in there and she knows how to use it...
We lost Marjorie in December 2001 of a malignant brain tumor and she is and will continue to be missed.
Another English-born nurturer of the first order and close friend of Marjorie, is Frieda Coleman, who for years has been a member and supporter of DBE, Casas de Los Niños and Tucson Women's Club, serving twice as president.
Phyllis Ehlinger
Owner/General Manager of radion station KSAZ 580AM and Owl Broadcasting & Development, Inc; Woman pioneer in radio since 1957; 1983 Advertising Federation Silver Medal Award; 1985 Advertising Woman of the Year - Advertising Federation District 12; Outstanding Woman in Media 2000 AM; 'Women in Radio/TV' University of Arizona Dept. of History named an award after her (In recognition of Outstanding Community Support & Service in 2000); 2002 Arizona Broadcasters' Assoc. Hall of Fame (In recognition of outstanding contributions to the broadcasting industry); Only locally built, owned, and operated radio station by a woman in Arizona.
Terence Burke
Tucson lost a very fine English gentleman very recently (June 17, 2003). Terence "Terry" Burke, was the most recognized member of the Seven Pipers Society, acting as Master of Ceremonies, playing tenor drum in the pipe band, singing with the choristers, and dancing with the Scottish Country dancers in Tucson's most visible Scottish organization. Terry was born in Leicestershire, England, studied historical geography at Clark University in Massachusetts, received a doctorate from the University of Birmingham, England, served four years with the Royal Air Force, and then returned to the United States to serve as an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. There, Terry was accorded a Distinguished Teacher Award, among others and became Associate to the Chancellor, Henry Koffler, when he became Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts system. When Dr. Koffler moved to become President of the University of Arizona, Terry became his Associate and remained as Associate with the next two Presidents of the U of A, Drs. Manuel Pacheco and Peter Likins until his retirement in 1998.
Terry was the perfect gentleman, friendly and enthusiastic. His vast genealogical, historical (etc.) knowledge was legendary. His birthplace was England, but his knowledge of the culture and history of Celtic areas of Great Britain and beyond, represent his appreciation of all peoples of the British Isles. The Scottish and Irish music presented at his memorial validated this. In addition, he spent his early years with a Welsh grandmother, in Wales, never speaking English until he attended school. One of his two greatest hobbies, flying, (the other being genealogy) was the scene of his untimely death. He fell while preflighting his aircraft and passed away a few days later.
This fine man will be sorely missed by all Brits and Celts (and lots who aren't!)Tin Tucson! |
