ABQ Pickleball Club members offer their sincere condolences to the families and friends of our pickleball players who have passed on. To have a member of our pickleball community added to this list, please e-mail the information to abqpickleball@gmail.org
John Yip 2025
Matt Sloves 2025
Denise Deiterman 2024
Leon Kessinger 2024
Leland Crosley 2023
Gordon Gunn 2022
Virgie Henderson 2022
Michael Dougher 2021
Barbara Wellner 2021
Mark Cohen 2020
Don Welty 2020
Eddie Bononcini 2020
Larry Leahy 2020
Ralph Hauke 2020
S. Scott Herron 2020
Daniel Doose 2020
John Yip (1944-2025)
John was a beloved charter member of the ABQ Pickleball Club. He was a devoted and generous father, avid pickleball player, lifelong musician and teacher, first generation Chinese immigrant, and proud veteran who touched many lives. He passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2025. Obituary
Matt Sloves (1933-2025)
Matt passed away in his sleep on January 12, 2025.
Denise Deiterman (1963-2024) Obituary
It is with a very heavy heart that we are informing you of the passing of one of our wonderful pickleball friends, Denise Dieterman. Denise passed away on July 31 from a particularly aggressive cancer. Please join me in sending condolences to her husband and two children. We will miss Denise and her exuberance on and off the courts.
Leon Kessinger passed away peacefully at his home on March 7, 2024. He was a long time member of the ABQPickleball Club.And, he had won a bronze medal at the Los Vecinos Tournament the weekend before he passed.
Leland Crosley
Leland Leroy Crosley 2023
In June, my pickleball partner for life passed and suddenly I was without a lefty to cover for me. Henry was a terrific athlete.
After 33 years of teaching music, both instrumental and vocal, in a small village in NYS, he informed me that he would be cycling to Albuquerque. “What are your plans?” He asked one morning. So of course, I immediately handed in my notice. Henry headed west, picked up a friend and fellow cyclist in Ohio, and off they went.
From then on, we followed a cycle of NY, our summer home in Quebec, Albuquerque in the fall and early winter, followed by 3 months in Florida. In each place, thanks to Henry’s musical and sports talents, we were able to meet a wide variety of wonderful people.
Henry was such a versatile, talented trombonist that we were able to easily get others to join us in our musical adventures. During the Christmas season we would gather about ten other musicians and flash mob bell ringers — usually at Hobby Lobby. What fun it was to engage small children in singing their favorite songs such as Rudolph and Frosty. Henry always had the right song for each child and adult.
Our pickleball was long and exciting. We began playing in 2004 when we were introduced to the game by pros from the Seattle area. (Pickleball Stuff). We participated in the NYS Senior Games for 39 years. In the early days before pickleball was included we would play tennis, ping pong or whatever else we could fit in. As everyone is aware, pickleball has now taken over most senior games. We managed to win most events until we were edged out by younger and better players. But we never lost our joy in just participating and meeting new people.
We first met Dale and Penny in 2010 at an off-year National Seniors Tournament in Rochester NY. There Henry took 3 golds in singles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles. I only won 2 golds and a silver in singles.
Henry made every match a fun event, never losing his joy for the game and never criticizing anyone. That made him a perfect partner in sports and in my life. I’m sure that everyone who ever played with Henry had a good time. I know I certainly did.
Gordon Gunn (1939-2022) Obituary
Gordon loved Albuquerque. Besides his family and friends, he LOVED the Lobos. He was extremely active in the community. He was very popular and outgoing, developing lifelong friendships. He founded Silver Racquets and taught seniors how to play tennis and pickleball. He was a longtime member of the ABQ Pickleball Club, and loved to get out and play.
Virgie Henderson (1948-2022) Obituary
Virgie was a long-time Albuquerque resident and member of the ABQ Pickleball Club. She moved to Sun City, AZ in 2018 to enjoy year-round outdoor activities, including pickleball, golf, dancing, and travel. Virgie also regularly participated in both national and international pickleball tournaments.
Dr. Michael Joseph Dougher (1950-2021) Obituary
Dr. Michael Joseph Dougher, of Albuquerque, 71, passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021. He died doing what he loved – winning at pickleball. Mike was a professor of Psychology for 38 years at the University of New Mexico. He retired in 2016 but continued his significant academic editorial contributions. In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family asks for donations to the Roadrunner Foodbank (5840 Office Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109).
Barbara Wellner (1936-2021) Obituary
Barbara was a long-time player and ABQ Pickleball Club member, who left Albuquerque for Mesa, AZ to be near family. We mourn her passing on August 10, 2021 and celebrate the time she spent with us; she brought color, wit and a sparkle into our lives.
Mark Cohen (1946-2020) Obituary
Mark Howard Cohen MD, 74, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020. He and his wife, Susan, are long-time ABQ Pickleball Club members. Donations can be made to the WWF- World Wildlife Fund (https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/one-time-donation.aspx) in Mark’s memory.
Don Welty (1950-2020) Obituary
Don Welty passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 11, 2020. He was an avid geologist, master home chef, fisherman, swimmer, scuba diver, gardener, and inspiration to many.
Eddie Bononcini (1946-2020) Obituary
Eddie Bononcini, age 74, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020, peacefully at home in his sleep. Besides having a good sense of humor, Eddie will always be remembered as a loving, caring, and generous husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations in Eddie’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Larry Leahy (1949-2020) Memoriam
Larry passed away on October 26, 2020 in the care of his wife, daughter and granddaughter. He had suffered with ALS and recent complications of pneumonia. He played pickleball regularly at Villelas Park and Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center. He loved skiing, was mayor of Angel Fire, NM and taught many how to ski in the mountains that he loved.
Ralph Hauke (1931-2020) Obituary
Ralph E. Hauke, age 89, passed away peacefully, on Thursday, October 1st, at his home in Bernalillo surrounded by his loving family. He was an active and ardent participant in the Senior Olympics. His many hobbies included playing bridge at the Meadowlark Senior Center in Rio Rancho, tennis, softball, pickle ball and bowling.
S. Scott Herron (1945-2020) Obituary
On September 23, 2020, Scott Herron of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Thanks to her diligence and foresight, board members, countless volunteers, and hundreds of participants continue to benefit from the support of the Senior Sports Foundation which she created in the early 1990s. ABQ Pickleball Club has been a grateful recipient of that support.
Daniel Doose (1999-2020) Obituary
We are deeply saddened to share with you that Greg and Tonnie Doose’s youngest son, Daniel, passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 24th. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please send any and all donations to the Manzano High School Wrestling Booster Club at P.O. Box 51955 Albuquerque, NM 87181 Attn: Coach Romero.
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