Larry A. McKeever
Dr. Jernigan and Larry McKeever walking together
at the 1998 Convention in Dallas
Larry A. McKeever
I first met Kenneth Jernigan in the mid-1960's. I
had been reading for the Iowa Library for several years, and when I returned from
Australia, I began work at a classical music station in Des Moines.
Shortly after that Dr. Jernigan called and
wondered if this off-beat station would be interested in a program of poetry. Our
Through the Hands
Dr. Jernigan and Jim Omvig
Through the Hands of Such
as These
by James H. Omvig
From the Editor: Jim Omvig is an attorney
who worked for some years with Dr. Jernigan in Iowa and who then went on to have a
distinguished career in law. What follows is the entire speech he prepared for the
memorial service.
He gave us hope where there had been only
hopelessness; joy where there had been only sadness; confidence where there had been only
Barbara Pierce
Barbara Pierce and Dr. Jernigan
Barbara Pierce
Oberlin, Ohio
September 11, 1998
Dear Dr. Jernigan,
Like everyone else who loves you, in recent
months I have been remembering all the things you have done for me and all the ways in
which you have influenced and shaped my life since our first contact, in June of 1974. As
I look back, it seems as if you have always called forth more from me than I thought was
there to be found. How vividly I recall your telling me when you called to invite me to a
Ruth Hazel Staley
Hazel Staley
Ruth Hazel Staley
Charlotte, North Carolina
September 3, 1998
Dear Dr. Jernigan,
For the past year I have prayed hard daily for
your recovery, but apparently that was not to be. Now I try to console myself with the
belief that God has something very special in heaven that He wants done: and, having
carefully surveyed the whole world, He chose you as the person most likely to do it and do
it well. I know you will serve Him well there as you have served Him and us here. I can't
Making It Count
Following the memorial service, Barbara Walker
reaches down to touch the roses on Dr. Jernigan's grave,
Making It Count
by Barbara Walker
From the Editor: Barbara Walker is
President of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. Here is the eloquent
and moving tribute she paid to Dr. Jernigan at the December 5 memorial service:
Somewhere in our National Center for the Blind, I
once helped to secure a nail. I don't know exactly where it is or even if, in the course
Fifth Generation Remembers
The Fifth Generation
Remembers
by Nicolas Stockton
From the Editor: Not many of today's
blind children will grow up with strong recollections of Dr. Jernigan. Nicolas Stockton is
one of the lucky ones. His mother is active in the National Organization of Parents of
Blind Children, and Nicolas, who is now about ten, has been attending NFB conventions for
more than half his life. This is what he wrote:
Dr. Jernigan was one of the most important people
Prayer
Mrs. tenBroek and Dr. Jernigan
Prayer
From the Editor: Last year Mrs. tenBroek
came upon the following prayer in some travel diaries. It was written by her brother,
Rabbi Norman Feldheym. She sent it to Dr. Jernigan "with all good wishes to the best
of good friends." Since it expresses Dr. Jernigan's heart-felt prayer during the
final year of his life, it seemed a fitting way to close this memorial issue.
Panama
February 8, 1934
O Lord, God, Master of the Universe, Thou by
The Early Years
The Early Years
Federation Leader
Appointed Director of Iowa Commission for the Blind
by Jacobus tenBroek
From the Editor: Instructive as it may be to
compile the
recollections and assessments of a man's life at its close, it is
also useful to look back to discover what his mentor and
colleagues thought of his accomplishments and abilities early in
his career. It is salutary and humbling to consider what might
have been said of us or what may be said of us at the age of
Special Announcement
Dr. Raymond Kurzweil
Special Announcement
The National Federation of the Blind is delighted
to announce an enhancement of its already-extensive scholarship program. Although the
occasion is joyful, we must acknowledge sadness as well because the enhancement honors our
long-time leader, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, who recently died. Those who knew Dr. Jernigan
know he would have been the first to rejoice in this gift from generous donor Dr. Ray
Kurzweil, who says:
"Dr. Jernigan was many things to many
See and Do in Atlanta
[PHOTO/CAPTION: The figures of Confederate leaders carved into Stone Mountain]
[PHOTO/CAPTION: The Plantation House at Stone
Mountain]
[PHOTO/CAPTION: A night view of the Coca-Cola Museum]
Great Things to See and Do in Atlanta:
1999 Convention Tours
by Al Falligan
From the Editor: The clock is running on
preparations for the 1999 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind Wednesday,
June 30, through Tuesday, July 6. If you have not yet made your hotel reservation, you had