[AVAPL Members] Re: Jim Besyner
- From: "McNamara, Kathleen M." <Kathleen.McNamara@xxxxxx>
- To: "Burk, Jeffrey P." <Jeff.Burk@xxxxxx>, "VHA National Psychology Chiefs" <VHANationalPsychologyChiefs@xxxxxxxxxx>, "VHA Psychology Internship Directors" <VHAPID@xxxxxxxxxxx>, "VHA Psychology Postdoctoral Training Directors" <VHAPPTD@xxxxxxxxxxx>, <members1@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:10:22 -0800
As others have already mentioned, the "reply to all" is not my
usual way of responding to personal things. But, the loss of Jim is one
of the times when being close to others with a shared perception and the
same feelings, even if only through e-mail, might help to temper the
sadness with the good memories. The warmth and openness that was always
present wherever Jim was is foremost in my memories. I saw him balance
integrity, dedication, and commitment to our veterans and to our
profession with the humor and laughter that could make any situation
another moment filled with the richness of living and the joy in being a
psychologist. I hope I can come closer to that balance as I remember
what a wonderful opportunity I have had to know Jim. Jim was a most
special person. I know I will reflect on the time I had to enjoy being
with him, often with a mixture of sadness and some of the mirth that he
always imparted. I am sad for our loss as his Psychology family, and
cannot imagine the deep sadness that his family must be feeling.
Malcolm, June and Steve, thank you for being with the family and
sharing how deeply felt Jim's loss is to our Psychology family, and how
many of us wish we could be with them to console and support them.
Aloha, Kathy
-----Original Message-----
From: Burk, Jeffrey P.
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 5:33 AM
To: VHA National Psychology Chiefs; VHA Psychology Internship Directors;
VHA Psychology Postdoctoral Training Directors
Subject: Jim Besyner
It is with profound sadness that I pass along the information that Jim
Besyner died suddenly on Saturday, January 15, 2011. Jim was the Chief
of Psychology at the VA North Texas Health Care System (Dallas),
President-Elect and former Secretary of AVAPL, and former founding
member of the Executive Committee of the VA Psychology Training Council.
He was a member of the American Board of Professional Psychology and was
serving on its Board of Directors. He also recently became a Fellow of
Division 12 of APA. Those who knew Jim were as impressed by his ability
to inject humor in the most tense of situations as they were of his
insight and intellect. We will miss him dearly.
The information we have about services for Jim is as follows: There will
be a viewing Wednesday, January 19, from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at Jaynes
Memorial Chapel, 811 Cockrell Hill Rd., Duncanville, TX 75137. Funeral
service will be Thursday, January 20, 10:00 - 11:00 AM, with burial in
McKinney, Texas, at 12:30 PM.
As we receive more information, we'll be sure to pass it along.
Jeff
___________________________
Jeffrey P. Burk, Ph.D.
National Mental Health Director for
Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Services (116B-1)
VA Central Office, Office of Mental Health Services
c/o North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System
1601 SW Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32608-1197
Phone: 352/376-1611 ext. 4642
E-mail: jeff.burk@xxxxxx <mailto:jeff.burk@xxxxxx>
Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise;
risking more than others think is safe; dreaming more than others think
is practical; and expecting more than others think is possible.
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