Bernard C. Hankel

Bernard C. Hankel


A resident of Baton Rouge and native of New Orleans, he passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Baton Rouge Rehabilitation Hospital at age 81. He retired as a printer from LSU, where he worked for 30 years. The family will receive friends at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Deaf Church, Baton Rouge, on Saturday, April 24, starting at 8 a.m. with recitation of the rosary at 9 a.m. and service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Vincent Dufrense. Mr. Hankel will be laid to rest in Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway, after the services. He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Rita B. Hankel; sister, Rose Lea, of Baton Rouge; brother, Alvin Hankel and wife Barbara, of Slidell; brother-in-law, Alvin "Yup" Neeb, of Metairie; two stepsons, Robert "RJ" Bergeron, and Jeff Bergeron and wife Alecia, both of Baton Rouge; two stepgrandchildren, Felicia Bergeron, of Baton Rouge, and Jesse Bergeron and wife Winnie, of Coconut Creek, Fla.; great-grandson, Skye J. Bergeron; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his first wife, Juanita Duhon; parents, Bernard Sr. and Gertrude Hankel; two sisters, Gertrude Bourgeois and husband Clarence, and Marie "Butsie" Neeb; and brother-in-law, Charles Lea. He was a member of Baton Rouge Association of the Deaf, Louisiana Association of the Deaf and International Catholic Deaf Association Chapter 21. Special thanks to Anna Gremillion for always being available when the family needed help. Bernard was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. We are blessed to know that he has gone home to be with the Lord. Arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=bernard-c-hankel&pid=142127246
Published in The Advocate on April 23, 2010

Letter From LAD President

Dear LAD members:
 
It has been my pleasure to be your LAD president for two terms, and I want to say many thanks to my wonderful executive board, members at large, chapter representatives, and all members. It has been a very rewarding experience for me, serving the Deaf community, the Hard of Hearing, and the Deaf-Blind, especially during the crisis times of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav. I learned a lot about the many different ways LAD can offer assistance to those in need. 

 

Though the experiences we had with the hurricanes were a very sad time for all of us, I believe we were brought closer together through them. It helped us learn how to work together regardless of how bad the disaster was. During the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita periods, LAD received a lot of donations from different organizations and people. LAD was able to donate all of that money to people who had to evacuate and who lost their homes because of the flooding caused by the hurricanes. I hope those people will be able to return to their homes and have normal lives again.

 

The LAD had a once in a lifetime opportunity to host the National Association of the Deaf conference in New Orleans last summer.  Because of the dedication of our members, LAD was able to take the responsiblity of providing manpower for the week. I want to express my gratitude to those members who served on committees. They did an outstanding job, coming together as a team, and being responsible to follow through on their committments.  Their efforts made a huge contribution to the success of the conference.  I received many compliments from the NAD and others who recognized their many hours of work.   They represented Louisiana well and I will never forget this memorable experience.

 

Last November, LAD celebrated its 100th Year Annviversary, with almost 200 people in attendance for the festivities. It was a day of great fun and fellowship as we looked back over LAD's one hundred years.  And everyone enjoyed the variety shows and lots of good food. How exciting that LAD is still standing strong after one hundred years and now has another one hundred years to look forward to!

 

I hope that I will see all of you this Saturday, June 6, for the 46th Biennial LAD Conference. It will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Baton Rouge. thought I have decided that I will not run for Presidency again, the new president that you elect will have my support and help.

It has been my privelege to be your president.  Many thanks to all for the tremendous experience and the fullfillment of serving the Louisiana Deaf community.

Randall Pippins, Sr.

LAD President

LAD Rally at BESE on May 19th at 9:00 a.m.

There will be a peaceful rally at the Claiborne Building in downtown Baton Rouge - 1201 North 3rd St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Come out and support LSD!

Please tell your friends about it and try to be there for LSD's sake.

Thanks,

Ed Wood