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Promoted to glory
Major Larry Fankhauser
Major Larry Ernest Fankhauser, 57, was promoted to Glory on July 18, 2006, in Seattle, Wash., after many years of illness. He leaves four generations of family and many friends who will remember him for his Salvation Army service, his love and gentle spirit.
Larry was born in 1949 in Omaha, Neb., the eldest of five children. He lived his early years in Lincoln, Neb., and met the Lord at an Assembly of God summer camp. After moving to Casper, Wyo., Larry and his brothers met the sons of Salvation Army officers who invited them to Sunday school, and this was the start of Larry’s lifelong participation in The Salvation Army.
Answering a call to the ministry, Larry entered the Soldiers of the Cross Session in San Francisco in 1969. There he met fellow cadet Nila Marler, and they were married in 1972.
Larry and Nila were partners in ministry as officers for 34 years. They shared corps appointments in Northern California; The Dalles, Oregon; and Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska. They served in two divisional appointments—in San Francisco and Anchorage. Larry’s last appointment was chaplain to the men at the William Booth Center in Seattle.
As corps officers in Juneau for five years, they served the people of Southeast Alaska, and Larry often hunted and fished in this area. The Fankhausers had the honor of being adopted by the Tlingit people, and Larry was given the name Klax Klan, meaning “a wise old salmon that swam upstream.”
Besides his ministry and family, Larry enjoyed watching football and Clint Eastwood films, traveling, camping and reading.
Larry is survived by his wife, Nila; children: daughter, Dr. Judy Richardson (Daniel), and sons, Kenneth (Jill) and Caleb; a granddaughter; father, Lawrence Fankhauser; brothers, Dr. Charles Fankhauser, Thomas Fankhauser, Robert Fankhauser, and sister, Barbara Turner.
A memorial service was held at The Salvation Army Seattle Temple Corps.
Major Robert Pontsler
Robert Edward Pontsler, 69, was promoted to Glory on July 28, 2006, from his home in Vancouver, Wash. His spirit and wisdom will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Robert was born in 1937 in San Diego, Calif., and met The Salvation Army as a young boy through vacation Bible school. He became an active as a soldier and bandsman at the San Diego Citadel Corps.
Following four years in the United States Marine Corps and two years as a fireman in the San Diego Fire Department, he prepared to answer the call of God as a Salvation Army officer. While attending college, he moved to Inglewood, Calif., where he met and married Carol Bennett. Robert and Carol entered the School for Officers’ Training from the Inglewood Corps in the first two-year session—the Soldiers of Christ.
Commissioned in 1962, the Pontslers served several years in the Northwest Division as corps officers and assistants at Everett, Seattle White Center, Yakima, Walla Walla and Spokane, Wash.
In 1970 Robert was appointed as a finance trainee at the Northern California Divisional Headquarters. He later served as finance secretary in the Intermountain and Northern California Divisions, divisional secretary in Northern California; general secretary for Southern California and then for the Adult Rehabilitation Command; assistant secretary, then secretary for Supplies and Purchasing, and finally territorial audit secretary.
Retiring in 2002, the Pontslers settled in Vancouver, Wash., where Robert served as corps sergeant-major. He also took part in several community volunteer activities, including the Southwest Washington Medical Center, Fort Vancouver as a tour guide, and at the Oregon Zoo in Portland.
Robert was always a faithful soldier and member of both brass and vocal music sections. He enjoyed researching family and Salvation Army history—in fact, history of many kinds.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, and four children: daughters, Major Kelly Pontsler and Captain Charity (Premek) Kramerius; sons, Eric (Priscilla) Pontsler and Kevin Pontsler; and two grandsons.
A service of remembrance was held at the Vancouver Corps, with Colonel George Church officiating and Major Frank Brown leading the service.
Kenneth Bricknell
Kenneth Sidney Bricknell, 82, lifelong Salvationist, was promoted to Glory on August 2, 2006. Ken was born in Oxford, England in 1924, the son of Salvationist parents, and grew up at the Oxford Corps. He married Phyllis Hosty in 1945. They immigrated to Canada in 1953 and then to the United States in 1960, where they were soldiers at the Bakersfield, Inglewood, Santa Ana and Long Beach corps. At each corps Ken fulfilled leadership positions and participated in music
sections. He was bandmaster in Canada, Bakersfield, Inglewood and Santa Ana.
Ken served in the Home Guard in England during World War II. He had an extensive career in medical research, working at research labs in England, Canada and at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He published a number of papers in this field. Following retirement from UCLA in l985, Ken worked with The Salvation Army’s service extension department; in 1987 he was appointed director of Social Services for Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles County. Beginning in 1991, he and Phyllis volunteered at Territorial Headquarters for 15 years. Ken served as the territorial audio/visual services coordinator in the Community Relations and Development Department, recording and preserving the Army’s cultural heritage for future generations. Recently during a service of appreciation for their years of contribution to The Salvation Army, Ken and Phyllis received the Certificate in Recognition of Exceptional Service.
Ken possessed a special passion for the worldwide mission of The Salvation Army, and gave unqualified support to the service of his only child, Major Rosalyn Mahr, as a medical missionary in India for many years.
Friend and Salvation Army colleague Bob Bearchell said: “Only heaven will reveal the full scope of Ken’s unheralded ministry throughout his life. He made a tremendous impact on my life and countless others.”
Ken is survived by Phyllis, his wife of 61 years; daughter and son-in-law, Majors Ros and Ted Mahr; two grandsons, Terrence and Christopher; a sister, Edna, and brother, Stanley, in England. A celebration of life service was held at the Long Beach Citadel Corps with Commissioner Bill Luttrell officiating.
Louis Lincoln Althaus
Louis Lincoln Althaus, 76, a soldier of the Portland Tabernacle Corps, was promoted to Glory on May 28. Louis was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1929 and attended Grant High School, Portland State University and graduated from Lewis and Clark College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-56 and then worked for 28 years for the Portland General Electric Company, retiring in 1994.
Lou came to know the Lord early in life and was always ready to witness to God’s love and faithfulness. Lou and his wife Shirley were married in 1979, and together they have been active in The Salvation Army for the last 22 years. They have volunteered with the community care ministry and at the Rose Center. Louis also served as the welcome sergeant at Portland Tabernacle, where he was known for his friendly smile and ability to make each person feel special.
Lou loved life; he enjoyed music and sports, especially baseball. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by Shirley, his wife of 27 years; three children, Joy, David and John; stepdaughter Patricia Elliot; and four grandchildren.
A burial service was held at the Willamette National Cemetery conducted by Major Tom Elliot. A memorial service was held at the Portland Tabernacle Corps, with Major Jeffrey Martin officiating.