35 Beautiful Years

Happy Birthday John Eric!

Stupid Mask!

The thing I remember most is the smile on dad’s face when he was holding you for the first time. I hope that image will always be with me. Initially, dad was afraid he might hurt you when handling you but quickly learned you were much tougher than you looked.

You were so much fun. Always a risk taker. Quick to analyze and dissect things. Loved to work with tools and electronics. Read for hours. Loved to get physical on the lacrosse field.

Sorry we cannot be with you.

http://smu.gs/138rkyS

Eric Visitations

We were sad that Eric could not make it home for our usual Christmas Eve dinner so we improvised and fixed the problem (See Photo). BooBoo Kittie came too.

2012 Xmas Dinner Party

Gma Hoffmann and Uncle Buzzy LOVED visiting with Eric in California using Google Hangout. Uncle Buzzy loves the Internet. He believes in magic.

Fortunately for us, Eric and Eloise came East for New Year's Eve and to spend a few days with us.

We had a great time cooking, drinking wine, visiting the Pond House, eating at our favorite restaurants, drinking beer, and just hanging out at home! Thanks for the fun. Hope to see you soon.

Boys with their Patents!

Tristan Walks

August 12, 2012 CMUSV Ceremony

Tristan's a gusty guy. He quit a good paying job to take on a cut throat Master's Degree program in 12 months.  He made some new friends, learned about Software Management, the good, the bad, and the ugly of collaborative learning, and about himself. He even became a comic book character.

He overcame some significant obstacles - personal, financial, and institutional - and persevered. He was also lucky to have family support from his big brother, his parents, and granddaddy. We are really proud of you. Well done. You made it!

QUILT MASTER

It's hard to imagine a more unlikely "Quilt master" than Teddy (a.k.a. William) Kilpatrick. While he loves to sew and layout the patterns, he needed a mission. Thanks to Dr. Patti Cantwel and the dedicated staff (Pediatric ICU and Palliative Care) at the Holtz Children's Hospital, Teddy found his  purpose. You made his visit last Thursday a day he will always remember!

Click for Slideshow

P.S. - Ceil Baum, you get to add another mitzvah to your list.

Eric Cat Turns A Year Older

While I know you think of yourself as Mad  Max (hence FB photo):

for me, you will always be Eric Cat (Thank you gma Evie for the outfit!):

Over the years, you've worn many outfits including pirate (but we have some in the Halstead family closet), fisherman, shooter, actor, runner, derby ref, brother, and son.

Thanks for bringing joy into my life. I love you and miss you. Have a wonderful birthday.

Father's Day

I still miss my dad everyday. He loved to know what was going on with my family and getting the wildlife report from the Pond House. I know John misses his dad too. We make the best of it.

Tristan and Peg joined us for dinner. It was lovely on the porch with the colored lights, making S'mores. Eric we missed you.

John did enjoy himself on Father's Day (fly fishing his private pond in his socks)!

Barbara Halstead Humphries

Robert O., Barbara, and Robert J.

Barbara taught us all lessons about courage, determination, and never giving up during her long battle with cancer.

Virginia Beach Pilot - April 19, 2012


Barbara Halstead Humphries, 70, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday April 16, 2012. Barbara was born October 30, 1941 to the late Robert Otto Halstead and Louise White Land. She was raised in Princess Anne County and lived in Virginia Beach most of her life and was a graduate of Princess Anne High School. Barbara was married to Walter Lee Humphries her husband of more than 50 years. 


Barbara went to work in 1968 with VEPCO (Dominion Power) where she held many different positions over the years, the last being in the Regional Operations Center. She retired in 2000 after more than 30 years of service as she began her long courageous battle with breast cancer. After her retirement Barbara and Walter built a home at Knotts Island, NC where they resided upon her death.


Barbara was Past Worthy Matron of Virginia Beach Chapter #75 OES, past board member of Back Bay Restoration Foundation and a member of Ducks Unlimited. 


Along with her husband Walter, she is survived by their daughters, Sharon H. Clark and her companion Bob Walker of Virginia Beach and Beth Humphries-Jacobs and her husband Tim of Mapleton, IL. Grandchildren, Jason and Matthew Ward of Virginia Beach, Amanda Palmore of Minonk, IL, Justin Martin of Knotts Island, NC, Nicholas and Jenna Woerner of Magnolia, IL and 2 great-grandchildren Arilynn and Avram. She is also survived by her siblings Bobby Halstead of Madison, WI, Suzanne Hoffmann of Kennett Square, PA, Susan Cruz of Virginia Beach and Nancy Williamson of Annapolis, MD, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother Sidney H. Williamson.


The family would like to thank Dr. Steinberg, the staff at Virginia Oncology Associates and Albemarle Hospice for the care that has been provided during Barbara's courageous fight against cancer.


In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Barbara's memory to Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater, PO Box 12693, Norfolk, VA 23541