R.I.P. Betty Klenck Brown

[Ric Gillespie]

Betty Klenck Brown passed away Wednesday night, June 18.  She was 92.  Betty had been in declining health for several months and was in hospice care but she remained lucid until just a few days before she died.  I last talked to her about a month ago and she was very much herself - sweet, funny, and eager to hear the latest TIGHAR news.
Her daughter reports that she was comfortable with the approaching end, not anxious or afraid.  "When I go, be sure and let Ric know."
It was a great privilege to know her.

Betty will be buried beside her husband "Brownie" (who died of Alzheimers several years ago) in the family plot in Hoopeston, IL on June 30.  Her role in the Earhart saga will be mentioned in her obituary and the plaque that Pat and I presented to her on behalf of the TIGHAR membership in 2013  (YouTube "Thanks to Betty") will be displayed at her funeral.

[James G. Stoveken]

For me, Betty's notebook is one of the Earhart Projects most important discoveries.  I'm grateful that she saved and shared it with us.

My condolences to the family and friends of Betty Klenck.

[Paul March]

Rest well Betty.
Betty is a testament to the power that a single person has to positively impact so many. May her family and friends find comfort in her memory.
The search continues in her spirit.....

[Dave McDaniel]

Sad news indeed. She will be remembered well and for a long time.

My deepest condolences to Betty's family,

Dave

[Friend Weller]

Betty and her once-unappreciated doodlings in a notebook will not be forgotten.  She has left a priceless contribution and her mark upon the legacy of Amelia Earhart.

Condolences to her family.

[JNev]

Thanks for sharing this news, Ric.  Betty was a mighty fine and special lady, I'm sorry to hear of her passing but am grateful for along and fruitful life.  I will always be glad for the fascinating chapter she gave us in this chase.

Maybe now Betty's own wonderings about that fateful afternoon of odd broadcasts have been clearly answered for her, only the Cosmos can know.

[Chris Johnson]

As we say over here 'she's had a good innings' and fingers crossed this year we'll find the grail and then we can say that Betty was with Amelia and Fred at the very end.

[richie conroy]

My condolences to Betty's family

Thinking of them at this sad time

Thanks Richie

[Tim Gard]

Betty gave the world a priceless contribution.

[Joe Cerniglia]

Betty thought the world of TIGHAR and of you, Ric.  Your calls and visits always kept her spirits up.  She was very kind to me in giving me the opportunity to call her up a few years ago after I contacted her on Facebook. 
I'll miss her as will all who knew her.  I'm thinking of her family as are all TIGHARs.  We are lucky she documented for posterity what she heard and what she thought about it afterward.  I was looking for a way to remember Betty and found this 2007 interview I thought to share.  It seems a nice way to revisit her and for those who are unfamiliar with her story to learn more about her.

Joe Cerniglia
TIGHAR #3078RCP

[Randy Conrad]

Thanks for posting this interview Joe! This interview and several others like it, are a major contribution...not only to the TIGHAR organization...but to the world. It tells the world that what she wrote down is most likely the last words that anyone heard from Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan!!! What a treasure!!!! I loved this interview because it gives the listener the true understanding of who Amelia truly was. Typical Kansas cussing girl who'd rather stick with it and fix it or and doesn't take no for an answer! I had to laugh as Betty described Amelia in her frustrations! I truly wonder what Fred's attitude towards her on this whole trip was like? Anyway, not only did one person hear Amelia, but Betty's father heard her as well. In the interview Betty describes her father's radio as a console with a short wave radio. It almost depicts the radio my great grandfather had in his home. With that...I wonder...why only a small percentage of people heard her, and not many others? This is a question that truly needs to be answered! Anyway, Betty's notebook is a priceless treasure, and I'm positive that it will end up in a glass case for future generations to come!! My heart goes out to Betty's family during this difficult time. R.I.P. Betty....and may the Lord guide you safely home!!!

[Tim Gard]

Interesting that the radio host dates the notebook at July 2nd 1937.

I'm satisfied that TIGHAR has fleshed it out as being July 5th 1937.

[Randy Conrad]

Was glancing at the pages of Betty's Notebook this morning, and remembered from the interview she had where she talked about sitting on the floor and listening to her father's radio. I was somewhat amused by the pages 34, 35, and 38 of her notebook. You would think at first these were words to a poem or just words written down on paper..but indeed were lyrics to the song "Carelessly" written by Billie Holiday in 1937. Anyway, wanted to pay tribute to Betty by posting this song on the forum in her memory. But, wanted to express the value of this notebook. If Betty can take the time to write down the lyrics to a song...word for word...then the words she written down from Amelia...are word for word. Anyway, when you listen and watch this video...pay close attention to the 1.05 mark..You will see a similarity in Betty's drawings and the drawing on the album cover. Very interesting! Anyway....this song goes out to you Betty!!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWxbZ0p03ec

[manjeet aujla]

She was one of two 'personal' links to AE's post-crash story (the other one being Gallagher), and we oughta be thankful that she came forward with her diary, and that it is now an integral, recorded part   of Tighar's Niku theory, indeed one of the strongest bricks. It doesn't matter if the diary is  'scientific' or not... it has the ring of truth.

On meeting AE (note: I don't mean to go in the realm of the religious here), I hope she asks AE, "Girl! why were you not transmitting just the words 'Norwich City" or "Gardner Island" over and over again?"

[Ric Gillespie]

"Girl! why were you not transmitting just the words 'Norwich City" or "Gardner Island" over and over again?"

"Didn't you hear me?  I said Norwich City over and over.  What's Gardner Island?"