Remembering Rod Cramer And Kenneth Austin

Rod Cramer, Mid-America Chapter member since 1991, passed away on November 13, losing his short and sudden fight with leukemia. He was 49. Rod was Fleet Manager for the Black & Veatch Utility Company, a past-NAFA Chapter Chair, and board committee chair.

Several of the chapter's members expressed what an important element Rod was to their efforts, and considered him a pillar of the Mid-America branch for over 20 years. They also shared their shock at the speed at which events transpired: Rod had only been diagnosed a little more than a month before his passing.

Brad R. Bohnen, Head of Fleet Management for Ericsson and Chairman of NAFA's Mid-America Chapter said, "We will be honoring his life celebration at our December meeting and will be soliciting donations to assist his family in such a time of need. We have created a 'youcaring.com' site to benefit Rob’s family."

NAFA Member Debbie Mize, Fleet/Relocations Manager for Hallmark Cards said, "There are no words to express how sad and heartbroken we all are to hear this. We have lost a great colleague and friend."

To contribute, visit: http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=13537&url=fundingrodcramersroadtorecovery All donations will go directly to Rod's family during their time of need.

Kenneth E. Austin, Mississauga, ON, passed away mid-November. He was a Member of NAFA for 38 years.

Retired for six years after twenty years of Fleet Management in the pharmaceutical industry, Kenneth spent last ten years before retirement working for a large Canadian bank. Golf, travel, theatre, community work, and spending time with his family were the things he appreciated most in his post-working life.

At his milestones event in 2009, celebrating 35 years with the Association, Kenneth said, "I was honoured during my active time with NAFA to serve as Chair for the Ontario Chapter (1982-1984), Trustee, NAFA Foundation, and as Vice-President for Canada. The camaraderie and willingness to share information and strong friendships made during this time will always be remembered."

NAFA Fleet Management Association
125 Village Blvd., Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004