Obituaries - Brief Article - Obituary

Camping Magazine, Sept-Oct, 2002

Newman -- Pioneer of Camping

Edna K. Newman, co-director of El Rancho Navarro for twenty-five years and longtime member of the American Camping Association, passed away recently. She was a Pioneer from the American Camping Association Northem California Section, a dedicated standards visitor, and elected director emeritus of the Western Association of independent Camps.

Kopszywa -- Camp Leader

Ed Kopszywa, director of the San Gabriel Valley YMCA in Covina, California, for nearly twenty years died recently. He is credited for his determined fund-raising efforts and growth campaign, which serves as a model for other nonprofit agencies, and for his devotion to children's programs and youth activities.

Founder and President of Seeds of Peace

John Wallach, founder and president of Seeds of Peace, passed away in July. In 1993, he began the Seeds of Peace program by bringing Arab and Israeli teenagers together for a summer camp experience in Maine. The program has grown into an international organization with over 2000 "Seeds" from twenty-two nations. Wallach worked for Hearst Newspapers first as a reporter and then as foreign editor. He was a prolific author and journalist, often seen on PBS' "Washington Week in Review"; many CNN programs; and NBC's "Meet the Press."

Known as a "peace-builder" and humanitarian, Wallach earned many prestigious awards, including the highest diplomatic award from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, two Overseas Press Club awards, the B'nai B'rith Humanitarian Award, and numerous other honors.