Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

The Pinecone | May 2020 • 3 • welcome to 3535 Kirby Road • Memphis, TN 38115 Roger and Mary LaBonte, recently made their move to Kirby Pines from their former home in Memphis. Married for 58 years, they have 2 children, Yvonne and Michael and a grandson, Zachary. Dr. LaBonte received his Doctorate of Medicine degree from The University of Tennessee and his Masters Degree in Public Health from The University of Memphis. Up until the pandemic crisis, Roger was teaching at U.T. in Memphis. After attending The University of Memphis, Mary worked at a paralegal. A proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, Roger enlisted as a seaman recruit and retired as aMaster Chief Petty Officer. Serving from 1958-1978 he had multiple assignments while Mary served as a supportive spouse. For enjoyment, Mary reads and Roger likes to fish. In their younger days, sailing was a hobby. They have traveled throughout the world with the exception of the Far East. Their travels to Spain and New Zealand were their favorite destinations. Roger was chosen to be a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha, Honorary Medical Society. That along with his service to the U. S. Navy are two of his proudest accomplishments. Mary is very proud of her children and the title of Mother. We are elated to have Roger and Mary as new members of our Kirby Pines Community. When you meet them, be sure you invite them to get involved in some of our many Life Enhancement activities. Welcome Roger and Mary! Roger & Mary LaBonte Bob & Margie Belcher Bob and Margie Belcher come to Kirby Pines from Bartlett, TN. They married in 1979, have eight children from previous marriages, 13 grandchildren and three great grands. At age of 17, Bob left for the military and served 23 years as a naval aviation pilot/flight engineer instructor, combat instructor/team leader for naval special forces and maintenance control officer for three aviation support squadrons. He went on to work as plant/corporate engi- neer for Container Corporation of Amer- ica and Bemis, Inc. In 1984, Bob taught U of A graduate level evening classes in engineering and management. In 1994, Bob became certified and licensed as a lead auditor, management consultant and trainer for quality, safety and productivi- ty systems by the International Registry of Certified Auditors in London, England and The Organization of International Standards in Geneva, Switzerland, a po- sition he still holds to this day. Margie graduated from Central High School, then Memphis State in business administration. She taught elementary school, secretarial business school and was Executive Secretary for Leader Fed- eral for ten years before retiring in 1986. Margie and Bob were very active at Bel- levue Baptist Church. With extensive work in several ministries. Welcome Bob and Margie! We hope now that you have found your new home, here at Kirby Pines, we also hope you find many new friends to share your interests. Sam Dlugach One of our newest residents at Kirby Pines is Sam Dlugach. Sam didn’t have to go very far, his former home was only a mile or so from the Kirby campus. He and his late wife, Gene, were married 55 years and have two children. Their son, Samu- el, lives in California and their daughter, Kris, is in North Carolina. Sam is also the proud grandfather of five grandchildren. Sam and Gene graduated from Memphis State in 1971. Sam’s degree is in Voca- tional Education and Gene’s major was Speech Therapy. After graduating, they became teachers in Memphis and taught in their fields for more than 30 years. A highlight of Sam’s career was when he was named the “Tennessee Vocational Teacher of the Year.” Sam also served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 6 years. To stay active, Sam participates with the musical groups at McWherter Commu- nity Center (Joyful Sounds of McWhert- er and Noiseful Joys). His terrier, Sadie, keeps him busy walking around Kirby Pines when he isn’t exercising and doing water aerobics at the Y.M.C.A. A collector of light houses, Sam brought them with him to decorate his apartment and looks forward to sharing them with his new friends. Sam has traveled to Hawaii and Alas- ka but recently his travels have been to North Carolina and California to visit the children. Please watch for Sam and Sadie out walk- ing around our beautiful paths and give them a warm Kirby welcome! New Resident Bios written by resident, Peggy Gatlin (Resident Bob Belcher wrote their own).