Robert C. “Bob” Witkowski, 57, of Ashley, PA, (formally of Wilkes-Barre) passed away on March 20, 2010, unexpectedly at his home.

Bob was born in Jersey City, NJ. He was the son of Charles and the late Florence H. Witkowski of Wood-Ridge, NJ. Bob was employed at the Salvation Army in Hanover Township, PA, and was the former owner of Gratefully Yours on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. He was a 1974 graduate of Kings College.

Beloved longtime WRL staff member Karl Bissinger succumbed to a stroke on November 19. Karl was an energetic and creative fund raiser, an enthusiastic civil disobedient, a generous host to countless meetings, and - most important - a loyal and supportive friend to hundreds of Greenwich Village artists and activists and a devoted, loving partner to Dick Hanley.

Before joining WRL, Karl was a world-renowned photographer and served as a draft counselor and underground railroad conductor for thousands of Vietnam-era resisters.

A memorial for long-time War Resisters League staff member Karl Bissinger will be held on Thursday, January 29, 6 pm in the Community Room at Westbeth (155 Bank Street) in the west Village. Karl, who died last November, began his involvement with WRL and the peace movement 50 years ago and was on the WRL staff from 1973 to 2006. In the 1940s and 50s he was a noted photographer before getting involved in the peace movement.

by David McReynolds

02/05/08
(from EdgeLeft: An occasional column which can be freely used, sent on, etc.)

This afternoon, February 1st, I got a call from Ruth Benn that Ralph DiGia, 93, had died at St. Vincent’s here in New York City. I had visited him this past Saturday and sensed he was losing his battle — he had fallen and broken a hip about two weeks ago, got an infection in the hospital (hospitals in the US are notoriously dangerous places for the sick and wounded to go!), and despite rallying several times, died.