HAPPENINGS
Member Stephen A. Chont Passes It is with extreme sadness that we share the passing of member Stephen A. Chont. Stephen A. Chont, 63, owner of Waltz Green Acres Sod Farm in New Boston, MI, passed away at his home October 28, 2018, from complications of pancreatic cancer. Steve was born August 23, 1955, in Monroe, MI, the son of Daniel and Lillian (Kovacs) Chont.
Steve has been living and working on Waltz Green Acres Sod Farm from the time he could drive a tractor. Sadly, when he was 15, Steve's father passed away, leaving him with greater responsibility running the farm. He went to college to earn a BS degree in Crop and Soil Sciences at Michigan State University. In class he would share his real-life experiences in the field with the professor's book knowledge. It became a routine that the professors would check with Steve if he had anything to add to the day's lecture. During college his summers were spent on the farm. After Steve graduated in 1981, he ran the farm with his mother, Lillian. On July 15, 1989, Steve married his high school sweetheart, Jeannine. After Steve's mother passed away in 1995, they took over the farm, and have been successfully operating it for 24 years. Steve diligently worked this past summer even on the days after chemotherapy. One day after a treatment his sister Lillie spent several hours on the harvester with him cutting some 40 pallets of sod. He loved farming and just to let you know all the field crops were in before he passed in October. Steve loved to travel and attended TPI Conferences in the US, Mexico and England. His first conference was in Chicago 1992. He really enjoyed the knowledge and the camaraderie with his fellow farmers. Of course, Steve was looking forward to this year's conference in Charlotte, NC. Other travel adventures included St. Croix, Kauai, Oahu and Aruba. One memorable trip was to Spain where he was accompanied by Jeannine and her girlfriend, mother, and two sisters. What does that tell you about Steve? When Steve was not working, he was easy going, always willing to give a helping hand and a smile. Steve was an active member of Huron Township Rotary and the Good Fellows of Huron Township. Tis April, Steve was named a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Te Huron Township Rotary has established an Agricultural and Natural Resources Scholarship in Steve's name. Steve is survived by his wife and siblings John, Daniel,
Lillian Chont-Winchell and husband Binger, Robert, and Veronica Chont and husband Greg Kummerfeldt, and eight nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service to celebrate Steve's life was held November 12, 2018 at the Hungarian Rhapsody in Southgate, Michigan.
Former TPI President Stephen T. Cockerham Passes
It is with extreme sadness that we share the passing of former TPI President Stephen T. Cockerham. Known as the humble farmer, Stephen T. Cockerham, 79, forty-year resident of Riverside, CA, passed away on December 30, 2018, at Riverside Community Hospital following complications from treatment for melanoma. Steve was born on February 19, 1939, in Elwood Indiana, to Teodore and Inez Cockerham. He has one younger sister, Joyce Valley (Duane), who lives in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his son, Garrett Charles in 1985 and by his parents. Steve graduated in 1961 from Purdue University as an agronomist in turfgrass science. He earned an MS in Turfgrass Science from New Mexico State University and an MBA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He had an amazing 56-year career in turfgrass-related endeavors including 30 years consulting with the LA Coliseum beginning with the 1984 Olympics, assisting with the design of the Bank One Ballpark (Chase Field) in Arizona in the mid-1980s, and ensuring the quality of the multiple playing fields used for the 1994 World Cup. For five years (1979-1983) he was a farmer in Perris, CA with his own sod farm. From 1983 through 2009 he served at the University of California at Riverside (UCR) as Superintendent of Agricultural Operations. During his tenure there he conducted extensive research with his colleagues, especially Dr. Victor Gibeault, his best friend. His technical professional writing was highly valued in journals and books. Steve served as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador from 1962-64 where he met his wife of 54 years, Barbara, who was serving as a missionary secretary. Tey enjoyed spending time with other volunteers and driving around in a little blue jeep. Steve is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their son, Fernando Gabela, and wife Alicia, and two granddaughters,
56 TPI Turf News March/April 2019
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
