|
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7237
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. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
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. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | My condolences to the Kaman family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Sorry for the repeat. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I have Bill and his family in my prayers. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Obviously a lady that made a difference . My condolences to the family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Thoughts and prayers going out to the family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | My condolences to Bill and family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Prayers and best wishes to Bill and the entire Kaman family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | A sad day for all. My heart felt condolences to you Bill and your family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 166
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". |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2007
Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Best wishes and prayers to Bill and his family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 715
| My condolences to Bill and his family. Roberta sounded like she was quite a woman.
Michelle |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | My deepest condolences to Bill and his family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | My condolences to Bill and his family. She made a difference in a lot of peoples lives. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | sorry for the loss |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Thinking of you and your family, Beal. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Bill - our deepest condolences to you and your family. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
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. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Bill,
Sincere condolences and best wishes to you and your family...
The very best from all Downunder
AJ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Tough summer. First Beasley, now Robbie. Hang in there, Bill. Our sincerest condolences. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4233
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. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Bill, I am so sorry for your loss and pain. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 2178
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | My condolences to Beal and the Kaman family....You're in my prayers |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | So sorry Bill. |
|
| |
OT - Condolences to the Kaman Family
Members Forums -> General Posting
