In Memory of Donald Edwin Furth
September 16, 1937 - February 24, 2003
Founder
Rio Grande Free-Net
| "I am of the opinion that my
life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege
to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I
die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no 'brief candle' to
me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment,
and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it
on to future generations." -George Bernard
Shaw |
|
Don Furth - 2/27/2003 El Paso
Times In lieu of the actual, undoubtedly funny, sarcastic, and witty obituary that Don wrote, (we just couldn't find it!) this is what we came up with: A man whose life touched hundreds of thousands was born in Oakland, CA. Don had several careers and received many awards for his work. While a Data Systems Manager at El Paso Community College, Don recognized the need for free access to information and founded the Rio Grande Free-Net http://www.rgfn.org. RGFN was the first Internet Service Provider in the El Paso area. Don Furth was designated a "Texas Hi-Tech Hero" by Texas Monthly and received the Conquistador Award by the City of El Paso in 1995. His efforts improved the quality of life and education for those in El Paso, Southern New Mexico, and West Texas. Mr. Furth acquired an MA in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University. Prior to his work at EPCC, Don taught at the Sergeants Major Academy and was an instructor at the Ranger School in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He also served tours in Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Germany and was a Sergeant Major with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Bliss, Texas. He retired as a Ranger Sergeant Major with numerous awards for valor and service including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Don Furth was inducted into the Excellence in Technology Hall of Fame by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2000. The Association of Community Networks and the Texas Online Community Network Coalition awarded him the Texas Community Network Pioneer Award in 1999. Don is survived by his wife, Toni Tropiak-Furth; his sons, Tony, Edwin, and Michael Furth and their mother, To-Nhu Furth; daughter, Debbie Furth-Wade; stepchildren, Frances Santelli, T.J. Santelli, and Judy Santelli Elliot; grandchildren, Michael Edwin Furth; Meagan Elizabeth Furth, and Kyle Wade. Visitation for Don Furth will be Friday February 28, 2003 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Harding Orr & McDaniel Funeral Home Chapel. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday with times and location pending. |
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