We honor here members, friends and supporters of the American Council of the Blind who have impacted our lives in many wonderful ways. If you would like to submit a notice for this column, please include as much of the following information as possible.
Name (first, last, maiden if appropriate)
City of residence (upon passing)
State/province of residence (upon passing)
Other cities/states/countries of residence (places where other blind people may have known this person)
Occupation
Date of death (day if known, month, year)
Age
ACB affiliation (local/state/special-interest affiliates or national committees)
Deaths that occurred more than six months ago cannot be reported in this column.
Harry Herzek
December 26, 1956 - February 8, 2022
Harry Edward Herzek passed away at his home on Feb. 8, 2022, at the age of 65.
Born in Mount Holly, N.J., the son of Lorraine (Smith) Herzek and the late Frank Herzek, he was a 1976 graduate of Neshaminy High School and lived most of his adult life in Philadelphia.
For many years, Harry was employed with the Philadelphia Department of Corrections as a social worker.
Along with his mother, Lorraine, Harry is survived by his brothers, Frank J. Herzek (CarolAnn) and Karl P. Herzek (Tina).
He will also be sadly missed by his nieces, Anna Marie Herzek, Ashlee Brenner, Alexis Herzek, Erica Oscar (Dave) and Melinda Herzek, along with many great nieces and nephews.
Services and interment will be held privately.
Dennis Yacks
July 5, 1945-November 3, 2021
On Nov. 3, 2021, the world said goodbye to an ACB life member. Dennis Yacks was born on July 5, 1945, in Kansas City, Mo. He spent most of his life in Colorado. We married in November of 1969. He is survived by daughter Nycki Heisler (Bradley), son McLane Yacks (Diana), as well as five living grandchildren and one deceased. Two of our granddaughters have wonderful husbands. He has one living brother and several nieces and nephews.
When I think about those first years, I think about the country song about a little bitty dish and a little bitty spoon. We both enjoyed music by Alan Jackson. However, Dennis’ favorite artist was by far John Denver, whose songs “Country Roads” and “Rocky Mountain High” opened and closed his memorial service.
During the 2012 convention, Dennis received a life membership presented by me for all the love, support, transportation, and loads more that he gave to the local and state chapter where I served in many capacities. After a profoundly serious auto accident in September of 2011, Dennis’ health began to decline. We moved to Michigan to live close to his brother in 2013, and then to Arkansas in 2015 to share a home with our son. He entered a nursing home on July 31, 2018, where he resided until his hospitalization on October 23 with aspiration pneumonia. My daughter Nycki Heisler and I were by his side holding his hands when the Lord called him home.
Dennis is buried at Crownhill Cemetery in Colorado, surrounded by the mountains where he loved to fish. I miss him, as do many family members and friends. We traveled this life together until just 13 days short of 52 years. He was truly the love of my life as well as my dearest friend.
— Linda Yacks