In Memory

Things change over the course of thirty years.  This event has had many dedicated women and men who have offered their time, muscle, money and talent to make this a success and, sadly, some of them are no longer with us.  That does not mean they are forgotten.  With each amp shoved up a ramp, sound board plugged in and tuned, media creation and distribution, and doors staffed, we remember our friends who are no longer with us.  And, when things are over for the year, we lift a glass to them.

​

Don Running

Jim Haase

Chuck Beth

Joe (Jo Pa) Patrenas

Victor (the Buffalo) Vasquez

​

In 2023, the event lost a giant, when Steve Klinkhammer passed away after a life spent giving to others; while as a Navy Corpsman during the Vietnam War, as a Nurse Anesthetist in the Army Reserves and later as a teaching Doctor of Nursing Anesthesiology.  Steve was one of the founding fathers of the event, a leader with vision, ambition and a drive to make the event better with each passing year.  Along with chairing the event for several years, Steve performed as well, as a member of Mesnard Location, a well known group from the Racine area.  He will not be forgotten.

​

Early in 2024, Tracey Larren, formerly an integral member of the committee and former Racine Alderwoman, passed away suddenly.  For many years, Tracey contacted and lined up performers back when the event had several more venues than currently.  Along with that, she procured drumkits and sound equipment for many of the events.  This was a herculean task, as bands change, schedules change and the weather can play havoc with moving equipment.  Despite that, Tracey worked tirelessly and made every event a successful event.  Her venue/band/equipment spreadsheets were a thing of beauty.   

​

The event lost a foundational member in April when Jim Raab passed away after taking on cancer and keeping it at bay for several years.  His fight and spirit were inspirational.  As a committee and Food Bank board member, Jim did everything from lugging equipment and food boxes, managed venues, took tickets, provided calm and stable security when needed and logical, well-thought suggestions in meetings.  He had no enemies.  He loved singing and music in general, art, poetry and a cold beer.  Jim was a strong advocate of fairness.  Fairness in food for people, housing, education, work and opportunity.   He never could understand why something so easy was so difficult to realize.

​

In June of 2025, the committee lost a valued member in Tom Ford.  Tom worked to market and enlist sponsors for the event.  His efforts brought awareness of the event to businesses and organizations that were not familiar with Thoughts for Food.  Additionally, and of equal importance, he brought in several thousands of dollars from these sponsorships.  Dollars that bought more food for those in need.  Tom's cheerful, soft-spoken personality was perfect, not only for selling but for participating in committee discussion.  A perfect gentleman, he was an example to all of us.   ​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​