Posted on 08/07/2005 7:59:33 PM PDT by nuconvert
"Home at Last" Author, Menno Duerksen, Passes Away
Menno Duerksen, author of "Home at Last," arguably the definitive history of the "Memphis Belle," passed away in his sleep, Monday, June 20, 2005. Menno's carefully researched book, published in 1987, looks at the lives of the crew, as well as the aircraft, the combat missions, and its history in Memphis, TN up until the innaguration of the pavilion on Mud Island. Menno was 88 years old, four days short of his 89th birthday, at his death. His funeral was June 24, 2005 at Memphis Funeral Home. Menno is survived by his wife Theresa, a sister, several children, 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Menno wrote many times about the "Memphis Belle" during WWII and was on hand when the "Belle" flew into Memphis on its second stop on the War Bond Tour in 1943. He was always a strong supporter of the Memphis Belle Memorial Association. "Home at Last" has been a centerpiece of the MBMA's educational programs for many years. He was not very active in the past few years, due to his health. He recently visited the aircraft and viewed work in the restoration center. Several of the MBMA board members and volunteers visited Menno to keep him up-to-date. But, everyone who visited with Menno came away with a sense of awe of what this man had experienced and how he could describe it in a crystal clear fashion, as if he had seen it just yesterday.
Menno's journalistic career is distinguished by the historic events he witnessed and reported ... and the breadth of his work in journalism. He reported on the Nuremberg trials from Germany and climbed a high tower to get a view of the hangings through binoculars, so he could give a first hand account. He reported on the heroic efforts of the doctors trying to save Martin Luther King's life in 1968. And, Menno wrote for antique car restoration magazines and had many other interesting stories to recount.
Menno's death reminds us of how many of his generation have already left us. Fortunately, we have his book and our memories of this great man. Menno's family asks that any memorials be sent to the Memphis Belle Memorial Association or the Memphis Humane Society.
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I hope the book was better than the movie.
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