Just as we were about to go to press, we were struck speechless by the heartbreaking news of the death of our Secretary/Board Member William D. Hens. Bill (as he was known to friends and family) was undergoing an ordinarily simple medical procedure, when he developed complications that took his life swiftly and suddenly. Bill had just turned 55 in May of this year.
I felt I could do no less in my column this month than to pay tribute to this very warm, very generous, down-to-earth man who, over the years, touched the lives of many of our members, Board Members, and staff, and won a place in our hearts. Bill’s robust and youthful bearing, combined with his positive, friendly and easygoing manner, made him seem timeless and indestructible and makes it even harder to accept our loss.
Bill was a Vietnam-era veteran who served in the United States Navy. He became a paraplegic in 1977 as a result of a construction accident. Though his working career of choice was stymied at a fairly young age, Bill was not one to dwell on loss or sadness. Instead, he concentrated his energies on raising his daughter Shannon as a single father and on helping others who shared his disability. Bill’s large stature made him a natural athlete (he played semi-pro football in his early 20s), and he devoted many years to playing various wheelchair sports, as well as coaching younger players. Bill was extremely well known in the world of wheelchair sports, particularly weightlifting, and he traveled abroad frequently as a competitor and a coach. In recognition of his contributions and his standing in the wheelchair sports community, Bill was asked to officiate at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games this year, and was both nervous and proud to do so.
Bill was first appointed to our Board of Directors in 1991. He subsequently ran and was elected Treasurer, served again as Board Member, and was elected Secretary in 1997. He was re-elected to the position of Secretary in 1999, 2001 and 2003. Bill’s record of attendance at Board meetings was flawless despite his personal obligations, his many athletic interests, and the great distance he had to travel from his home in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Bill’s demeanor at meetings was that of the mature, poised and thoughtful leader he had become as a result of being around the organization for many years and caring deeply about our members and our cause. The word “no” was not part of Bill’s vocabulary, at least not when it came to carrying out his duties as Officer and Board Member, and to helping his peers.
In addition to the great service Bill rendered to our organization and its members, he was also a devoted son, a proud father, and an even prouder grandfather in the last year of his life. The loss of Bill Hens weighs heavily on the hearts of the entire United Spinal Association family, including our Board of Directors, who join me in expressing our deepest sympathy to Bill’s family. We join you in your loss and in your sorrow, for we have lost a good leader, and an even greater friend. May he rest in peace.
Gerard M. Kelly
Executive Director
Our Super-Size Angel
by Maria KurtzOut of the blue
He was among us
And seemingly never left our side,
For his gentle chuckle and resonating voice
Could be recaptured long after he was gone.
Wings he hath not,
For he was earthbound,
Yet there was magic where he trod.
Was it his luminous inner light
That shone so brightly on all he beheld?
He’s gone as suddenly as he appeared,
“Called by his Maker” some might say.
Yet those who loved and cherished him here
Are left wondering why
The sudden call of Our Super-Size Angel
To a Heaven replete with other angels.Maria Kurtz is Executive Assistant to the Executive Director.
