Mark, You and I are on the same wave length. I have been printing each message out as it comes and will deliver them to the family this evening on behalf of those who are not able to attend the funeral. Respectfully, June From: Urich, Mark F. Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 8:53 AM To: Mohamed, Somaia; Lemle, Russell; VHA National Psychology Chiefs; VHA Psychology Internship Directors; members1@xxxxxxxxx; VHA Psychology Postdoctoral Training Directors; CANNON6146@xxxxxxx; malcolmburdick@xxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: Jim Besyner As I read all this I realize I am one of the unfortunate members of this group who did not have the pleasure of knowing Dr. Besyner. Might I respectfully suggest that these messages might be a great comfort to his family, if it were possible to collect and share them. I sometimes reflect on the fact that because of the sensitive and essentially private nature of the work we do, our families often do not know much about it. I do not know the privacy guidelines well enough to know how to complete that task. But I bet someone on this string does. Mark Urich, Ph.D. Lead Psychologist Local Recovery Coordinator Local Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Coordinator Butler VA Medical Center 325 New Castle Road Butler, PA 16001 724-285-2499 From: Mohamed, Somaia Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9:27 AM To: Lemle, Russell; VHA National Psychology Chiefs; VHA Psychology Internship Directors; members1@xxxxxxxxx; VHA Psychology Postdoctoral Training Directors; CANNON6146@xxxxxxx; malcolmburdick@xxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: Jim Besyner What a shocking news! I had the pleasure of working closely with Jim while I was in VISN 17. He was a wonderful colleague and a dedicated psychologist full of life and optimism. I had spoken to him very recently and he was very excited about his leadership of AVAPL among many more responsibilities including Co-chairing the National Psychology Professional Standards Board, and being a member of the Board of Trustees of ABPP. He did all this while overseeing all of the Trauma, Neuropsych, Medical Psych, C&P, and G&EC, and ambulatory, and MH in PC program in Dallas. Somaia From: Lemle, Russell Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 8:41 PM To: VHA National Psychology Chiefs; VHA Psychology Internship Directors; members1@xxxxxxxxx; VHA Psychology Postdoctoral Training Directors; CANNON6146@xxxxxxx; malcolmburdick@xxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: Jim Besyner Jim was one of the most alive people I know. He poured himself into our profession and our veterans. His twinkling eye and wry humor lit the way. I am saddened not only for our loss but for what Jim has been robbed of. He was eager to take on the mantle of AVAPL President later this year, the capstone of a career being a voice for VA psychologists. He had much more to give. Russell From: Burk, Jeffrey P. Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 2:24 PM To: Zeiss, Antonette (SES EQV); Kerns, Robert; VHA National Psychology Chiefs; VHA Psychology Internship Directors; VHA Psychology Postdoctoral Training Directors Cc: CANNON6146@xxxxxxx; malcolmburdick@xxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: Jim Besyner I now have information about donations for those who are interested. The family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Red Cross in Jim's memory. Also, the American Board of Professional Psychology has established a fund in Jim's name through the ABPP Foundation. To contribute to the ABPP fund, you may go to the following web address: http://www.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3577 The funeral home has posted Jim's obituary, which you can read at this web address: http://www.jaynesmemorialchapel.com/index.php/obituaries/details/909-jam es-k-besyner-phd-abpp Jeff From: Zeiss, Antonette (SES EQV) Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 10:46 AM To: Kerns, Robert; Burk, Jeffrey P.; VHA National Psychology Chiefs; VHA Psychology Internship Directors; VHA Psychology Postdoctoral Training Directors Subject: RE: Jim Besyner Well said, Bob. Jim's death is an enormous loss personally and professionally for me as well as for so many others in VA - psychologists and all of mental health. Following on the loss of Bruce Rounsaville last week makes this even harder. I have such vivid memories of Jim, in challenging times and fun times. Jeff, do you have information on the family's wishes about flowers, donations, or sharing memories? I know many of us want to pay our respects to Jim, and express our own loss and grief. Toni From: Kerns, Robert Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 10:38 AM To: Burk, Jeffrey P.; VHA National Psychology Chiefs; VHA Psychology Internship Directors; VHA Psychology Postdoctoral Training Directors Subject: RE: Jim Besyner This is terribly distressing news. Jim was a good friend and wonderful colleague who was a strong public servant and effective leader within the VA psychology community. I know that others were particularly close to Jim and must be wondering how this could be. Having just lost a close colleague here at Yale and VA Connecticut at a young age, I am almost at a loss for words to express my sense of loss and sadness. Jim will certainly be missed. Bob Robert D. Kerns, PhD National Program Director for Pain Management, VA Central Office Director, Pain Research, Informatics, Medical comorbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Psychology, Yale University Mailing address: PRIME Center (11ACSLG) Bldg 35A, 2nd Floor, Room 221 950 Campbell Avenue VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven, CT 06516 Telephone: 203-937-3841 Fax: 203-937-4926 From: Burk, Jeffrey P. Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 10:33 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 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.