On behalf of , we would like to thank all of our current donors for their generosity and support. Here are some of their stories.

People Helping People: Bill Warrick

"My appreciation of Retirement Housing Foundation's mission and mode of operation began in the early 1990's and matured rather quickly to the high level where it continues today. The process was hastened by the opportunity to attend occasional RHF meetings and to visit their communities in California and several other states," says William (Bill) Warrick.

When asked what he thinks makes RHF so special, Bill replies, "From my earliest observations it was easy to sense the quiet dedication and spirit of the national Board of Directors and local Boards. These talented and experienced people from various walks of life are carefully evaluated before being invited to join as non-paid volunteers. Management and other key employees at the Long Beach headquarters and in the field display strong talent and enthusiasm for the mission of the organization."

Bill Warrick was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His father (also Bill) was a Civil Engineer with the Pennsylvania Department of Highways. "Dad Bill" was transferred to various cities in the state while "young Bill" was proceeding through his early school years.

After graduating from high school in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania and a military tour in Europe during WWII, "young Bill" returned to earn college degrees from Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation he began work for Atlantic Refining Company, a major oil company which later became ARCO. Over a period of 35 years at ARCO, during which the company acquired two other major oil companies, Richfield Oil Corporation and Sinclair Oil Company. Bill held several management positions in Sales & Operations, Corporate Planning, and finally as Manager, Distribution Engineering.

[More About Bill Warrick]

Teri & Kiku Kawata

Teri & Kiku Kawata

Rev. Dr. Teruo Kawata, member of the RHF Board of Directors, fondly remembers that fateful day in the 1970's when he met our founder, Rev. Clark Harshfield.

At the time Dr. Kawata was the United Church of Christ (UCC) Conference Minister in the Central Pacific Conference (Oregon and Southern Idaho). The Portland area was in great need of senior housing, so Dr. Kawata asked Rev. Harshfield if RHF could build in the Portland area.

Although a retirement community did not occur at that time, their meeting proved to be providential for the both of them. It was only a few short years later when Dr. Kawata, who was now the Conference Minister in Hawaii, was approached by Rev. Harshfield to join RHF in the development of Pauahi Kupuna Hale in Honolulu with 48 apartments serving-older adults. Dr. Kawata graciously agreed and a long relationship between Dr. Kawata and RHF began.

Dr. Kawata graduated from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1952, and was ordained to the Christian Ministry in June of that year. He served churches in California and Hawaii, and on the national staff of the United Church of Christ.

[More About Kiku & Teri Kawata]

Ray East

Ray East is dedicated to the mission of RHF. As a member of the Circle of Friends, he feels there is not a better feeling than knowing that his planned gift will allow RHF’s mission to continue. When he joined the RHF Board of Directors in 1995, he was told by Jean Moore Warrick, a fellow RHF board member and Circle of Friends member, "When one of our community residents takes you by the hand and says, ‘I don't know where I would live if it were not for RHF’, then you know why we serve RHF and why the important work of RHF must continue after we are gone.”

Mr. East was born in Pulaski, VA. He worked for NBC for 36 years mostly in the Washington DC area as the Art Director and artist/photographer. He won and Emmy for his work in television. He did court room sketching for several years, including some of the Watergate Trials (he was in the court room as the only artist the morning the burglars were arraigned). Mr. East, whose nickname is, “Corky”, retired in 1999, enjoys tennis and photography, which he stills does commercially, and he also serves on three other boards. He lives with his wife Caroline in Charlottesville, VA.

Mr. East recently said, “RHF is the very best at giving safe shelter to those who need it most. I believe in what we do. There is a saying about charity that I love, ‘You can't have it if you don't give it away.’ Such wisdom!”

(left to right) Lydia Cerveny, Wanda Haudek and Elsie Valek

We are nicknamed “the three sisters,” and became charter members of the RHF Circle of Friends in 2002 when we informed the RHF Fund Development Department of our bequest arrangement to RHF.

All of us were born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to California in the 1950’s and in the 1970’s. We moved to an RHF community Sun City Gardens located in Sun City, CA. in 2001. We have been very happy and grateful for the wonderful care we receive each day here.

Wanda is glad that her legacy will do so many things for seniors to make their lives a little better. Lydia is proud that her legacy will contribute to the RHF mission by providing funds to help someone less fortunate. Elsie receives the satisfaction of helping RHF and others in a meaningful way for many years to come!

The gift-planning options of RHF are plentiful, enough to meet almost every need. We recommend exploring the choices available to you.

(RHF is sad to report that Wanda passed away in 2003.)

Major Fitzhugh L. O'Neill, Jr.

Ruth and Hugh O’Neill in 1991 at their 50th wedding anniversary

We are pleased to welcome a very special donor into our Circleof Friends, Major (Ret.) Fitzhugh O'Neil, Jr. "Hugh" has lived at Bishop's Glen since July 1996.

Hugh was born in Norfolk, VA and grew up in New York City during the depression. As a child, he admired police officers and firefighters for their devotion to their community and had ambitions of someday being in one of those professions. He also dreamed of someday being a pilot. As years went by, Mr. O'Neill came to realize his childhood fantasies as he ventured into his many careers.

First, he became a NYC police officer in 1942. Then during WWII, he was in the Army Air Force as a Pilot. At the end of the war he became a NYC Fireman and at the same time he joined Air Force Reserve so he could continue his calling to the skies.

During the Korean War he was recalled to active duty in the Air Force as a Pilot and it was at that time he decided to make the Air Force his career. During his aviation career he was promoted to an Operations Officer. He attended college at night and earned his BBA degree. It was at that time he was accepted into the regular Air Force. For many years Major O'Neill was able to fulfill his love of flying. In 1968 Major O'Neill retired from the Air Force to begin yet another career by becoming a stockbroker for Bache & Co.

Through the exciting changes in his careers, Hugh and his wife, Ruth raised a family. Ruth meanwhile joined an art club in Daytona Beach and became the president for two consecutive years. She has contributed numerous beautiful oil and watercolor paintings to decorate Bishop's Glen.

They have two grown children, Fitzhugh III who lives in Apopka, Florida, and Kenneth who resides in Gastonia, North Carolina. He has one grand child, Sandra Wright who lives in Plymouth, Michigan.

Hugh keeps himself very busy with his current hobbies including being an avid bridge player (a Silver Life Master Player in the American Contract League), crossword puzzles, reading Sci-Fi and historical fiction.

We are honored and proud to have Major O'Neill-a former NYC Police Officer, NYC Fireman, a WWII and Korean War veteran and a former stock broker residing at Bishop's Glen.

As a donor Major O'Neill is aware of and grateful for the fine work of RHF. He is making his gift in memory of his wife, Ruth who passed away January 2003. Creating Charitable Gift Annuity with RHF is an investment in the future. "I am assured that I will receive a life time income, while having the satisfaction of knowing that in the future some deserving individuals at Bishop's Glen will benefit from my blessings in life."

RHF regrets that Major O’Neill passed away in 2005