We have received word of several remarkable Carlsbad citizens passing away over the past week.
Windle Owen, 95, passed away last Friday. A memorial service will take place at a later date.
Windle was one of the World War II veterans honored during the Fourth of July ceremony last year, though he was not able to make the event. During World War II, Windle served his country in the United States Navy and was stationed in the Pacific Theater. I later worked with Windle in the mines, and he was an outstanding citizen. Thank you for your service to the country, and to our community.
Randy Anderson, a long-time WIPP driver with CAST Specialty Transportation, passed away on Feb. 14. Randy was hired in 1996 and was one of the drivers of the first waste shipment to WIPP in 1999. He also supported the first WIPP shipment from the Hanford site, the first remote-handled waste shipment and the first shipment using a TRUPACT-III shipping container. He was also a part of the team that transported the final shipment to WIPP from the now-closed Rocky Flats plant in Colorado.
Randy was also a great spokesperson for the WIPP project. Many of WIPP’s earliest opponents were afraid of the project because they believed there would be issues with transportation. By safely handling thousands of WIPP shipments, Randy and other drivers showed that it could be done safely. Today, WIPP’s transportation system is widely seen as the safest in the industry- even by those opposed to the project. Randy Anderson played a very important role in the development of WIPP’s safety record.
Randy began driving professionally in 1967. He logged more than four million miles as a driver. We offer or condolences to Randy’s family and friends, and we thank him for his many years of professionalism.
Finally, we offer our condolences to the family and friends of Pastor John A. Burke, Senior Pastor of New Song Christian Fellowship. Family and friends announced Pastor Burke’s passing earlier this week. He had been battling severe illness for several weeks.
Pastor Burke and members of his family have been extremely involved in this community, and they have always been strong supporters of our annual prayer breakfast. He would often join us with welcoming our keynote speakers and musicians to Carlsbad. Thank you for keeping Pastor Burke’s wonderful family and friends in your prayers. He will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway