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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | From the Hartford Courant online.
By RINKER BUCK: June 21, 2010
http://www.courant.com
Roberta Kaman, Fidelco Co-Founder, Dies
Roberta C. Kaman of Bloomfield, a well-known breeder and trainer of guide dogs for the blind, died early Sunday at Hartford Hospital after a long illness. She was 74.
Kaman was the president and co-founder of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation of Bloomfield, which has placed more than 1,300 guide dogs with blind and visually disabled people throughout North America. Fidelco was considered important within the guide dog world for breeding a line of German shepherds for leading and assisting the blind, and the group also developed "in-community placement" of its dogs, training guide dogs and owners in their home area.
Kaman became interested in training dogs in the late 1950s when she attended a dog training class in Manchester. After she met her husband — helicopter pioneer Charles Kaman of Kaman Aerospace of Bloomfield — at a German shepherd club in New Haven in 1960, the couple bred shepherds for guide dog schools and police departments. This hobby grew into Fidelco in the 1980s and Roberta Kaman was the recipient of numerous awards from the American Foundation of the Blind, the Lions Club and other charitable organizations. |
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Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | The Rainbow Bridge story tells of a green meadow and an adjoining bridge connecting it to Heaven.
According to the story, when beloved animals die they go to the meadow where their bodies are cured of all illnesses, frailties or injuries. The animals run free and play with other animals, missing only one thing – the love and companionship of their people who are still alive on Earth.
Upon a person’s death, their own journey towards Heaven crosses the green meadow where their animals run to greet them. Reunited, the animals and people cross the Rainbow Bridge together into Heaven, never again to be separated.
The entire Fidelco family is saddened by the recent death of our President and co-Founder, Robbie Kaman. There are not enough words of praise to describe what she accomplished in her life other than to say that without Robbie’s vision and passion, there would be no Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
In this time of great sadness, we are comforted by three thoughts. First, that Robbie is now free of her physical pain. Next, that she is united with all of her beloved dogs that met her in the green meadow. And lastly, that every Fidelco German Shepherd Guide Dog has a bit of Robbie beating in its strong and courageous heart.
Godspeed Robbie.
Eliot D. Russman
CEO and Executive Director
The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | My condolences to the Kaman family. |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | Sorry for the repeat. |
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Location: Nashville TN. | I have Bill and his family in my prayers. |
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Location: Central Oregon | Obviously a lady that made a difference . My condolences to the family. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Thoughts and prayers going out to the family. |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | My condolences to Bill and family. |
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Location: Newington, CT | Prayers and best wishes to Bill and the entire Kaman family. |
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Location: Vernon CT | A sad day for all. My heart felt condolences to you Bill and your family. |
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Location: Veedersburg, Indiana | Sad news indeed. My late wife had a foster daughter that is legally blind and uses a guide dog, so I know how important that work is. Not an easy task to train a dog to work that hard to help us feeble humans out, but it is done and it is amazing (at least to me) to see those dogs "work". |
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Location: Cincinnati | Best wishes and prayers to Bill and his family. |
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| My condolences to Bill and his family. Roberta sounded like she was quite a woman.
Michelle |
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Location: Rego Park, NY, | My deepest condolences to Bill and his family. |
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Location: East Tennessee | My condolences to Bill and his family. She made a difference in a lot of peoples lives. |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | sorry for the loss |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Thinking of you and your family, Beal. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Bill - our deepest condolences to you and your family. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Even though we know it is inevitable, it is still a sad time when loved ones pass on. Sorry for the loss. |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | Bill,
Sincere condolences and best wishes to you and your family...
The very best from all Downunder
AJ |
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| Tough summer. First Beasley, now Robbie. Hang in there, Bill. Our sincerest condolences. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | My sincerest condolences to the Kaman family. Many people are living better lives because of her efforts. She seems to have made the world a little better with her time here, something I think everyone aspires to and admires. |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Bill, I am so sorry for your loss and pain. |
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Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | My condolences to Beal and the Kaman family....You're in my prayers |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | So sorry Bill. |
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Location: Tuscany, Italy | My condolences to you, Bill, and to your family. |
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Location: Colorado | My deepest sympathy to the Kaman family.
I pray your family is able to find joy in how Mrs. Kaman lived her life and that her legacy will live on through each one of you.
I will pray that each of you would have peace and understanding through this difficult time.
Todd |
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Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Heartfelt condolences to the Kamans.
Though I didn't know her, I know that Robbie touched the lives of many, including a local friend of mine. He was a spokesperson (and client) for FIDELCO and spoke quite highly of her.
She'll be missed. |
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Location: Right now? | So sorry to hear the sad news, Bill. My sincerest condolences go out to you and yours.
Willa |
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Location: New Hampshire, USA | So sorry for your loss, Bill. :( |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | (1)Place no wreath, upon my door
When I (4)walk, this earth no (1)more(5)
Don't be (1)sad, be not (6m)afraid
I'll be on my (5)way, I'll be on my (1)way
Dig no grave, for these bones
Write no (4)words, upon a (1)stone(5)
This earth can't (1)hold, this soul of (6m)mine
I'll be going (5)home, I'll be going (1)home
Don't stand (4)beneath, that willow (1)tree
Saying (4)prayers, that I'll no longer (5)need
For like a (1)bird, upon the (6m)wind
I will have (5)flown, I will have (1)flown
Place no (1)wreath, upon my door
When I (4)walk, this earth no (1)more(5)
Don't be (1)sad, be not (6m)afraid
I'll be on my (5)way, I'll be on my (6m)way
This earth can't (1)hold, this soul of (6m)mine
I'll be going (5)home, I'll be going (1)home.
(2009 Balsam Range)
Thank You All. |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Our thoughts are with you and your family Bill. We are very sorry for your lose. |
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Location: Utah | Our sincere sympathies to Bill and his family. |
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Location: California | My prayers for you and family. A lady with talent that helped the blind.
Condolecencias.
Hector. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Bill my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours... |
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Location: Seymour, Tennessee | You and your family are in our prayers, I offer my sincerest condolences. |
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Location: Isle of Man, UK | Along with everyone here, I am so sorry to hear that.
JB |
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Location: SoCal | Place No Wreath On My Door |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Thanks Paul
Beautiful sentiments Bill |
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Location: Las Vegas, NV | Sorry for your loss, Bill... |
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Location: Nîmes, south of France | Sincere condolences to you Bill and the Kaman family. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Thanks for posting that Paul.
They are great guys, good friends and good players. |
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Location: Up North | Deepest Sympathy for your family's loss Bill. |
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Location: Indiana | Very sorry Bill. |
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Location: Colorado | Bill:
Sorry for your loss from all of us. |
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Location: Orange County, California | Sorry for your loss Bill. :( |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Condolences from our family to yours Bill. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Thanks to all of you who posted here or even just read it and paused a moment to reflect on this or a similar event they've had. These things are never easy. But time does move on so I'm asking Al to close this so that our life here at the OFC can move forward.
Thanks again to all. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | closed at Bill's request |
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OT - Condolences to the Kaman Family