Steamboat Pilot & Today

MICHAEL LOUIS CLEMENTS

Michael Louis Clements, 45, of Poteau passed away April 18, 2002. He was born April 30, 1956, in Steamboat Springs to James Donald and Verna Marie (Miles) Clements. He worked at Wortz/Bremner.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include two daughters, Amber Young of Glenwood, Ariz., and April Clements of Heavener; one grandson, Tyler Young, of Greenwood, Ariz.; two brothers, Stan Clements of Ohio and Dan Clements of New York; three sisters, Marilyn Monical, Sandy Eicher and Linda Clements; and special friend Rowena Cox of Poteau.

HARRIET JANE HENDERSON

Harriet Jane Henderson died April 20, 2002, at the Doak Walker Care Center. Jane was born Oct. 3, 1920, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

She moved with her parents, Mildred McLean Lawrence and Howard Lawrence, to Ojai California at the age of 3. She graduated from Nordhoff High School and worked as a nanny in the Santa Ynez Valley, driving the old pass from Ojai.

She married Donald Henderson (her high school sweetheart) at the end of WWII and moved to Denver, where they were stationed with the Air Force. Their son Howard was born in Denver and upon retirement from the Air Force in 1960, they moved back to Ventura, Calif.

In 1992, after the death of her husband, Jane moved to Steamboat Springs to be with her son and his family. Jane touched the hearts of many people with her wit and ready humor. Her extended family of caretakers and nurses meant a great deal to Jane. She is survived by Howard and Sharon Henderson of Solvang, Calif., and two grandsons, Will and Miles, still living in Colorado.

ROBERT BRUCE KEPLINGER

Bob was born March 12, 1946, in Steamboat Springs to Bill and Hope Keplinger and died unexpectedly March 22, 2002, at the VA Hospital in Atlanta, Ga.

He moved to Richland in 1952, graduating in the class of 1964. He entered the Army in 1966 and after basic training decided he didn't want to be Private Keplinger. He renegotiated his enlistment and went to Fort Benning to Officer Candidate School.

Always the one for "being prepared," he chose to attend Special Forces Training. As a lieutenant, he served in Vietnam and as the CO of the Special Forces Underwater Demolition School in Key West, Fla.
He was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart by the U.S. Army and the Gallantry Cross by the South Vietnam Government.

While at Fort Benning, Bob met and courted Carla Martin. They married Dec. 23, 1969, and Bob returned to complete his college education.
He graduated with honors from the University of Arizona in 1971 and immediately began a career in commercial acquisitions and sales.
He loved "working the deal" and over the years became a successful entrepreneur.

Always an enthusiastic rifleman and sportsman, Bob actively competed, receiving his Distinguished Marksman classification while still in high school and ultimately attained his Master Marksman classification.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Hope Keplinger.

He is survived by his wife, Carla; his father, Bill Keplinger; and his sister, Judy Keplinger. We will miss his shy smile, his daunting intelligence and his winning charm.

Memorial services were held March 25, 2002, in Atlanta, Ga. Interment will be at the Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.