MEMORIAL PAGE
TODD DEMIK
It is with great sadness that we note that Todd DeMik passed away on January 12, 2007.
Todd lived for reenacting and was very proud to be a Royal. He was like a flame burning brightly, a shining example of enthusiasm,
dedication, and comraderie.
There will be a memorial service a week from Saturday, January 27th,
with a gathering at 11:00 AM followed by a service at 11:00 AM. As
you leave pipers from our regiment and friends of Mike are flying in
from Arizona and California to pipe for him this final time. The
gathering and service will be at DuPage Memorial Center, 951 West
Washington Street, West Chicago, IL 60185 (200-588-1132).
Sent to us from his mother, Anita DeMik
JOHN WHITE
John White passed away Friday June 7, 2006, after having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer only within the last month. Born in 1937, John spent a great amount of time with his Cherokee-speaking aunts and uncles. After going to bacone Indian College in Oklahoma, John spent four years with the Army in post-war Korea. After his return, he he studied ceramics at the California College of Arts and Crafts, and at the Art Institue of Chicago. In the 1970's, John received Master's degrees in Anthropology from both Stanford and the University of Chicago. After working many years for the Sacred Circles Exhibition in Kansas City and Northwestern's Center for American archeology in Kampsville,John decided to start his own field school, the Ancient Lifeways Institute, in Michael, IL.At the field school, which he ran with his wife, Ela and often his children (Karli, Mark, Jonah and Watie), school groups would come for a week-long immersion into an older way of life. Many people who visited John in Michael got involved in his reconstructions, both of the re-created Scottish Highland village and a 1740's Redcoat fort for post-Culloden era encounter weekends. Some of John's other building projects included Sun watch Village in Ohio, Iroquis longhouses at Gonandagan in New York State and the Pawnee Earth Lodge at Chicago's Field Museum.
DAN LYNCH
Dan Lynch passed away on July 12, 2006 after a long
struggle with cancer.
Dan was raised in Whiting, Indiana and while in high school was active in scouting and
music. He attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music and Indiana University. He was an
avid traveler and train enthusiast.
Music was an integral part of Dan's life. He loved blues and jazz. He was also one of the
original members of the 42nd Royal Highlanders Band of Music in Lafayette, Indiana.
Dan served in the navy aboard a destroyer escort. After Dan left the navy, he worked
at Walt Disneyworld and in Brown County, Indiana. Later, he worked at Staleys in Lafayette,
Indiana.
It was several years ago that Dan decided to join the Royals at the Theatikki event in
Illinois. Dan went to the event because he just wanted to help the reenactors by providing
music for them. There he met the Chicago contingent of the Royals and played for them the whole
weekend. After becoming friends with everyone in the group, he decided to become a member.
He became a loyal member of the regiment and made every event he could despite failing
health.
Dan will be remembered as a person who cared about people. Friendship was very
important to Dan. He always willingly shared his knowledge of fifing with anyone who wanted
to learn to play.
In tribute to Dan, members of the regiment will wear black armbands till the end of
the reenacting season.
Submitted by his best friend and fellow Royal Fifer Buzz Hollet
