Honored at the Hospice Holiday Celebration as the 25th recipient of the Annual Chapman S. Root Award was Thomas
T. Dinkel. Tom has, quietly and unassumingly, served the Terre Haute, St. Ben’s, Rose-Hulman and St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Woods communities for decades, while spearheading growth for his family’s mechanical and electrical construction company.
Sycamore Engineering was founded as a small mechanical and electrical shop by Tom’s father, Robert H. Dinkel, in
1960. Tom started working in the business as a teenager, “cleaning toilets and sweeping floors.” He joined the firm full time
in 1972 upon earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. As he moved up in the
ranks, becoming President/CEO in 1986, Tom’s passion for engineering and problem solving became the company’s mission.
Today the firm has more than 170 employees and, along the way, has added several supporting companies. In Tom’s 48th
year with the company he still practices engineering every day.
For Tom, business success naturally translates to the responsibility to give back. “When you live and work in a
community, I feel that it’s your duty to get involved. That’s just what you do.” And that’s what Tom has done in a very big
way.
Details of Tom’s activities as a servant leader could fill several pages, but highlights include his long association as an
active member of St. Benedicts Church, his service to Rose-Hulman and the Rose-Hulman Alumni Association, St. Mary-ofthe-Woods College and Sisters of Providence, Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Terre Haute North High School, the
Hospital Authority of Vigo County, the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, the Greater Terre Haute Chamber of
Commerce, the Terre Haute Area Economic Development Corporation, as well as the board of First Financial Bank.
Tom credits both his Catholic upbringing and his experiences at Rose-Hulman as motivators for his community
service. “At elementary school and Schulte (High School) we were always raising money! You learned the importance of being
service-oriented. I know Rose-Hulman contributes to that, too. Students there are always encouraged to actively help out in
the community. Volunteering gives you a chance to help out, get life experience and make friends with people you wouldn’t
have met otherwise.”
While business and service are two of Tom’s passions, he’s had time for much more. Tom and his wife, Susie Dinkel,
have been married 41 years. They have three children, Sara Smith, Lyndsey Bartlett and Tyler Dinkel, and now six
grandchildren. Sara and Tyler represent the third generation of Dinkels at Sycamore Engineering.
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The 2014 Bannon Award Recipient
Mr. Walter Sommers
Mr. Greg Gibson, Mr. Walter Sommers, and Mrs. Trudy Rupska at the 2014 Hospice Holiday Celebration
Mr. Walter Sommers was honored and recognized as the 2014 Bannon Award winner at this year’s 25 th Annual Hospice
Holiday Celebration on December 4 th, 2014. This award was established to recognize an individual who serves as an
employee or volunteer for VNA Homecare and Hospice of the Wabash Valley; an individual who exempliﬁes the spirit of
care, of compassion, and the dedication for helping others as Dr. Bannon did throughout his medical career.
Mr. Sommers faithfully served as a member of the Hospice of the Wabash Valley Board of Directors from 1988 through
1990. Since this time he has continued to give his time and talent as a Hospice volunteer. He has touched the lives of
many people during their most challenging moments by bringing comfort, relief and joy into their lives. His volunteerism
throughout the years has truly represented the heart and spirit of Hospice care.
In addition to his service to Hospice of the Wabash Valley, his family’s establishment of a professional development fund
has provided our nursing staﬀ opportunities to continue their training and certiﬁcations which enables our agency to
provide the very best in Hospice care.
Karina Wallace, our Employee of the Year for 2014 was recognized by her peers
as a great nurse, supervisor and manager with a deep commitment and compassion for the patients we serve
within the Wabash Valley.
Karina is a very important part of the VNA healthcare team, joining the organization as a VNA R.N. in March,
2010. Karina quickly emerged as an exceptional nurse, and became a preceptor of other R.N.s. She was a very eﬀective
team leader and was promoted to Clinical Manager in October, 2013 She is an exemplary role model to others and is
very deserving of the Employee of the Year Award announced Trudy Rupska, Chief Executive Oﬃcer during th e
November 6, 2014 recognition dinner.
This year’s Volunteer of the Year is committed to providing a caring friendship to those patients who are
nearing the end of life’s journey and to the families of those patients who need a listening ear, words of
encouragement or a respite from the days and hours of sitting bedside with their loved ones.
Ron joined us as a volunteer in September 2012 and has a special passion for Veteran patients; some who have issues to
resolve that can only be understood by a Veteran “brother.” He is a member of our We Honor Veterans Committee and
he proudly served his country for 7 years in the United States Marine Corps. Ron reﬂects compassion, unselﬁsh caring and
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love for patients and their families and is always happy to lend a helping hand wherever and whenever it is needed.
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The legacy of Hospice of the Wabash Valley is and will continue to be our service to the people of
the Wabash Valley who are on life’s ﬁnal journey. Traditionally, the goal of hospice care has been to help
each patient remain comfortable and able to participate in life as fully as possible in his or her home
environment. Through the years, we have provided hospice care in nursing homes, hospitals and
assisted living facilities. We have long understood that there are times when staying at home is not an
option for some patients, and that some families are unable to provide adequate care at home for their
loved one’s last days. A hospice-focused care center within the hospital will provide a level of care and
comfort to support the patient and family in crisis.
In 2013, the Board of Directors embarked on a project to enhance and expand the care provided
to citizens of the Wabash Valley who need hospice services. “We plan to bring a new dimension to the
health care spectrum of services in this area; a dimension not oﬀered within 60 miles of Terre Haute,”
stated Trudy Rupska, RN, CEO of VNA Homecare and Hospice of the Wabash Valley. “Our goal is to build
a Hospice Center within the walls of Union Hospital to assure that patients at the end-of-life have the
medical resources at hand when their disease process is causing symptoms that cannot be managed in
other settings. This Hospice Center and our team will assure a safe haven for those we serve,” explains
Rupska.
On December 4th, 2014, Hospice of the Wabash Valley publicly announced, in partnership with
Union Hospital Foundation, a capital campaign to build a dedicated hospital-based hospice care facility,
the Hospice Center at Union Hospital. This 2.1 million dollar capital campaign will ensure that our
blueprint for compassion and care becomes a reality in this community.
As the ﬁrst and only such facility within this radius, the Hospice Center will be a place where many
generations can come together in a peaceful and unique homelike setting that promotes comfort, dignity
and quality of life. In this peaceful setting that feels like home, family members will be relieved of care
giving duties and able to focus on meaningful time with loved ones. Always present will be Hospice of
the Wabash Valley interdisciplinary team of nurses, social workers, chaplains, aides, community
volunteers and physicians – all specially trained in end-of-life care – to provide compassionate, state-ofthe-art symptom relief and emotional support to patients and their families.
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Don Ireland, Vice President for the Hospice of the Wabash Valley Board of Directors explains that, “Over 30
years ago, the legacy of services to the community in our ﬁve-county service area began for Hospice of the
Wabash Valley. It started with the vision of our founder, Jackie Fox, who gathered a group of community leaders
to establish a hospice program in the Wabash Valley. This program was among the ﬁrst 50 in the United States.
This vision continues today with our plans to build for tomorrow’s end-of-life needs by constructing a Hospice
Center at Union Hospital.”
Since its inception, Hospice of the Wabash Valley has built the legacy of service for those who need hospice
care in this area. Now is the time that we expand upon the legacy by embarking on the capital campaign for an
inpatient hospice center at Union Hospital.
For more information contact Joel Harbaugh, Executive Director, Union Hospital Foundation 812-238 -7534 or
email at [email protected].
“I’ve been involved in Hospice of the Wabash Valley for more than 25 years, and I truly
believe in its mission. I’m reminded of this often when people who have been touched by
Hospice come up to me and thank me for what the care has done for their family.
We are one of the few comparable communities in Indiana without an inpatient
hospice facility, and there is certainly a need for it in the Wabash Valley. I believe it is the
next necessary step in caring for these patients, and Hospice is fortunate to be able to partner
with Union Hospital Foundation to provide it.”
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- Greg Gibson President, Board of Directors, Hospice of the Wabash Valley
In Honor Of
Starting Oct. 1, 2014
through Jan. 31, 2015
In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Greg Gibson
Karen Dyer
In Honor of Donna Hux
The Coveleskie girls
Memorials
Starting Oct. 1, 2014
through Jan 31, 2015
In Memory of Crystal K. Flora
Linda Jean Boone
Judi Boyd-Horndasch
Lissa B. Byers
Barbara Day
Jerry & Sharon Day
Sandy & Steve Garritson
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Heng
Valerie L. Jones
Cindy M. Lopatowski
Susan A. Loughlin
Tommy and Judy McGregor & Family
Ted & Rebecca Putman
Eula Webb
Peggy Weber
John & Barbara Wesley
In Memory of Charles Fox
Marcella Fox
In Memory of Mary K. Ax
Rob & Mary Beth Eberwein
Dr. & Mrs. Deward Peterson
In Memory of Carl Froderman
Charlotte D. Butts
In Memory of Dr. William Bannon
William Welch
In Memory of Bernice Gehring
Mr. & Mrs. Don Gehring & Family
In Memory of Ted Bentrup
Sue & David Bentrup
In Memory of Susie Granan
Tommy Lou Brosche
In Memory of Sherman B. Bratcher
Karen McCammon
Carlinda Norris Norris
Linda Willham
In Memory of Courtney Griffith
Patricia Griffith
In Memory of Brenda Bryant
Mary Anne Hux
In Memory of Don Hammon
Tony & Judy Jenkins
In Memory of Rita Depasse
Ronald Depasse
In Memory of Harry Hayworth
Vanessa Childs
Marjorie & William Driscoll
Larry & Loretta Walden
In Memory of Kathryn Dolinski
Dierdre G. Dillon
In Memory of Toni Heddon
Richard & Treva Gallagher
In Memory of Dennis Ehm
Edward Hazledine
In Memory of Leland R. Higginbotham
Virginia Bedford
Connie Fell
In Memory of Robert E. Hux
Mary Anne Hux
In Memory of Harry “Pat” Enright
Bess L. Enright
Dave and Janet Friedrich
Charles & Sandra Perdieu
In Memory of Florence Eveland
Marion M. Eveland
In Memory of Jerry D. Keith
Chris Herrington
Emily L. Herrington
Cathy Schwab
In Memory of Georgia Hires
Doris Myers
In Memory of Anita Killion
Judi Boyd-Horndasch
In Memory of Tony La Verda
South Vermillion County Indiana
Council of Senior Citizens
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In Memory of Garry W. Lee
Eugene A. Kobos
Cynthia K & Steven D Shaw
In Memory of Paul Marietta
Mark Marietta
In Memory of Rose Mary Marietta
Mark Marietta
In Memory of Virgil Marsolf
Clinton First United Methodist Church, Inc.
In Memory of Robert A. Martin
Kathleen C. Martin
In Memory of Don May
Sue May
In Memory of Ida A. McBroom
Mark J. & Susan Fuson
In Memory of Mary McDaniel
Richard & Treva Gallagher
In Memory of Dwight Miller
Brian and Elisa Byrer
In Memory of James L. Morlan
Betty L. Burkhart
In Memory of Wayne Myers
Bill & Louise Myers
In Memory of William G. Neff
Linda K. Ballman
Rosalind H. Flicker
Sandy & Steve Garritson
Calvin & Faye Larison
Janice Mooty
Taylor Mail Service Inc.
In Memory of Harry E. Nelson
Gracie Carithers
Valeri J. Chapman
Cheryl & Bruce Conley
Anita Crumrin
Dutch Acres Homeowners Association Inc.
Mary Feiler & Family
Charles & Polly Jones
Norman & Sally Lowery
Mr and Mrs Alex Maxwell
Wabash Valley Goodwill
Michael & Nanette Wargo
In Memory of Imogene O’Day
Gerstmeyer Class of 1971
Max & Jackie Gibson
Memorials
Starting Oct. 1, 2014
through Jan 31, 2015
In Memory of Dolores Templeton
Donald William and Susan Scott
In Memory of Thelma Thorlton
Pat (Howell) Thorlton
In Memory of Jackie Phillips
Juanita Reilly
In Memory of Hershel Thurmond
Lynda Strange
In Memory of John Pittman
Marie Wilkinson
In Memory of Linda Vaira
Mary Anne Hux
Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Lenderman
Mr and Mrs Tony Macak
In Memory of Mary M. Roshel
Arlena Roshel
In Memory of Margaret Weller
Jane Braden
Marie Wilkinson and Family
In Memory of Dave Rowlett
James & Jane Buchan
In Memory of Shirley A. Sankey
Calvin & Faye Larison
Mark Larison
Randy & Dara Stakeman
In Memory of Pauline Whitkanack
Karen Scott
In Memory of Larry Schopmeyer
Donna Schopmeyer
In Memory of C. Richard Templeton
Donald William and Susan Scott
Your Donation is of vital significance to the financial support of
Hospice of the Wabash Valley and Visiting Nurse Association.
It is helpful to us at this time of year if you would consider sending your 2014 Donation in response to this
newsletter. Your support is very much appreciated.
Please Check:
£
PARTNER
($1,000 or more)
Name:___________________________________________
£
ASSOCIATE
($500 - $999)
Address:_________________________________________
£
PATRON
($100 - $499)
__________________________________________________
£
FRIEND
($25 - $99)
__________________________________________________
Phone:___________________________________________
AMOUNT ENCLOSED:________________
You may designate your donation to one of the following programs:
£ Hospice Bereavement Program
£ Indigent Program - Hospice & VNA
£ Hospice Inpatient Center
You may also designate your donation in honor of or in memory of a friend or loved one. Please be specific.
____ In honor of _________________________________________________________________________
____ In memory of _______________________________________________________________________
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