W.D. "Corky" Weimern

Born Jan. 24, 1936 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, the last of 11 children to Rose and Leo Weimern. Died March 7, 2006, in Fort Collins. Graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor's degree in Education and a minor in psychology; graduate studies done at Florida Atlantic University. Served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. A son, Leo, born from a first marriage. Corky was a teacher in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during a time when bargaining for teacher contracts and benefits were in a crisis. He was a staunch union supporter and was one of 75 teachers who went on strike and was fired because of his support for the union. Being labeled a "union" man, he became a lifelong zealot in defending teacher rights and bargaining contracts for teachers' benefits. In 1968, he was employed by the National Education Association and became an Executive Director and Chief Negotiator. He used his bargaining and mediation skills as a troubleshooter and organizer. After 17 years two years in California, the rest in Florida, he retired as Executive Director for the Manatee Education Association. Corky always loved to write, whether it was the union newsletter, filing grievances, or bargaining the teacher contracts. In his personal time, he was writing his own creative adventure tales in novels and short stories. To devote more time to his writing talents, Corky retired to a farm in North Carolina. After nearly five years of "early retirement", he decided to return to his beloved Anna Maria Island Florida. He enjoyed walking on the beach, relaxing in the sun, rekindling his writing skills, renewing old friendships and making new ones. But, as life goes on, he put his writing on hold and was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture office in Palmetto, Fla. On March 11, 1995, Corky married Gloria Campbell nee Schroeder who became his helpmate and the love of his life. Their employment necessitated a move to Fort Collins, in 2000. His health had been fragile and began to worsen. Corky retired in 2004 and started writing again. He recently published a book of his short stories. He is survived by his wife, Glo; his son, Leo; daughter-in-law, Lisa; and his beloved granddaughter, Norah. He was known by many, respected by his colleagues, often misunderstood because of his hard-line approaches to finding the answers, and was loved by those close enough to know his heart. He will be missed. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hogan, Fort Collins. Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of Larimer County, Colorado.