Obituary of ERIC MAURICE PENN
Eric Maurice Penn passed away from this earth early in the morning of Monday, August 4th. He had fought a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer but ultimately succumbed to it in the end.

'Rick', as those close to him would call him, was larger than life and reached his zenith of excellence as an artist in the field of photography. He studied at the famed Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara where he received his degree. He accomplished this after completing a tour in the US Air Force where he was an experienced photographer stationed primarily at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.

Following his completion of studies at Brooks Institute, Eric would go on to work with the Navy in San Diego as a civilian photographer. His work would have a strong impact in the Navy's anti submarine surveillance on the aircraft P3 Orion. The call of entrepreneurship would move him to start his own photography business in Santa Barbara. He became highly successful there and garnered numerous corporate contracts with major companies. Eric later moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the South Bay and coupled with a partner to do contract work with the Navy at Moffett Field in Mountain View.

Due to health problems, he would relinquish his enterprise in private business and would devote his remaining years to volunteer work with the California Transplant Donor Network (CTDN) and the National Kidney Foundation focusing on transplant issues and raising awareness for more people to sign up to become organ donors. He was the primary photographer for Team Northern California at the U.S. Transplant Games (Eric was a two time kidney transplant recipient), a Pasadena Rose Parade participant with CTDN who helped sponsor the Donate Life Float in the parade. He was the official photographer for numerous charity golf and tennis events throughout the Bay Area. On an individual level, Eric gave of his talents to support the activities of the local chapters of Jack and Jill of America, an African American community social and cultural organization.

Eric was an integral member of his family and extended family and would share his talents with them through his abiding love. He would be a true confidant to many friends and acquaintances and was loyal to the bone. He is survived by his aunt Jackie Jackson of Altadena, oldest brother James M. Penn, III of Pasadena, brother Michael L. Penn, Sr. of San Francisco, sister Stephanie C. Dangerfield of Altadena, brothers and sisters in-law and numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. His memory and legacy will carry on and remain forever in the hearts of all the lives he touched in his vast and vigorous independent life. Memorial services are pending and the place, time and date will be disseminated by the family.

The family requests that donations in memory of Eric be made to the California Transplant Donor Network, Volunteer Program, 1000 Broadway, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94607.

Arthur Jackson Alongside many others in the San Francisco Bay Area, the NKF mourns the loss of board member and community leader Arthur Jackson, who passed away after a long battle with kidney disease on April 10, 2006. He was 58 years old. A successful businessman, Arthur Jackson was well known in the local community for his charitable activities and deep commitment to enriching lives around the Bay Area. In addition to his leadership role with the NKF of Northern California, Mr. Jackson served on the boards of the United Way, the San Francisco Suicide Prevention Center, Hamilton Family Shelter, the San Francisco Senior Center and the Black Chamber of Commerce, among many others. He also served as President of the Taxi Commission and was President of the San Francisco Health Commission from 1994-1996.

Arthur Jackson's tireless service and remarkable optimism, particularly in the face of his illness, were an inspiration to all who met him. His presence will be deeply missed at the NKF. A memorial fund for patient services has been established by the NKF in memory of Arthur Jackson. For more information or to contribute, please call 415.543.3303 or email info@kidneynca.org.

Joe Belarde The NKF of Northern California mourns the loss of longtime volunteer and committed friend to the organization, Joe Belarde of Belmont, who passed away in late April. A two time kidney transplant recipient, Joe generously donated his time to the NKF's disease prevention and education programs for many years, touching the lives of countless at-risk individuals in the South Bay. Joe also participated in several US Transplant Games, winning medals in a number of events for Team Northern California. In addition to his work with the NKF, Joe also volunteered with the California Transplant Donor Network and the Transplant Recipients International Organization.

The NKF will deeply miss Joe's spirit and dedication -- we offer our condolences to his family and friends.

Dr. John Dickmeyer
Along with his family, friends, colleagues and the countless patients he served around Northern California, the NKF mourns the loss of Dr. John Dickmeyer.

Over his long career, Dr. Dickmeyer served in a number of capacities in the renal care and medical research communities, as a privately practicing nephrologist, as a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Davis and as an executive leader in the renal care community. The NKF deeply appreciates Dr. Dickmeyer's many years of support and involvement and the many contributions he made to improving the care for kidney patients in the region.