Ombudsman Loss

Ombudsman Community Mourns Loss of Two Long-time Advocates

The recent deaths of Sharon Zoesch, Minnesota State Long-term Care Ombudsman, and
Howard Hinds, District Long Term Care Ombudsman with the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency, have deeply saddened ombudsmen and  the long-term care advocacy community nationwide.

Sharon Zoesch at the Spring Ombudsman Training in 2004

       Sharon, age 53, was the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans since 1994.  Sharon became known as a national expert on long-term care issues for the aging and was a dedicated advocate for the rights of the elderly.  Her history of advocacy spanned throughout her life.  Early in her career she worked with prisoners at St. Cloud State Prison and with troubled Native American families on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota as a Vista Volunteer.  Sharon fought a courageous 10 year battle with breast cancer.  She is survived by her husband, Terry, her three daughters, stepdaughter and grandson.  Sharon died June 5, 2005

Some of Sharon's colleagues and friends write:

Sharon was a leader of the leaders in the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. ... She stood out for her skill, wisdom, compassion, courage, and humor -- and this among ombudsmen who have those qualities in spades. We will miss her enormously at ombudsman gatherings, but for many of us, we'll look across the room and see her laughing blue eyes and hear her perfectly-timed wry comment, and she'll be with us. She will always be part of the nationwide Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. My deepest sympathies to Terry and the children.
Sue Wheaton, U.S. Administration on Aging

To Sharon's family: All of us in the advocacy network thank you for sharing Sharon with us. She taught us so much - not to give up, that kindness and strength can go together, that issues need to be carefully and thoughtfully examined. And she showed us that family is essential to a full life....because she always spoke of you with such pleasure and pride. The NCCNHR Board and Staff are truly appreciative of all that Sharon gave and taught us over so many years. 
Alice H. Hedt, National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform

For more tributes to Sharon from family, friends and colleagues, please visit Twin Cities Pioneer Press at: http://www.legacy.com/twincities/Guestbook.asp?Page=Guestbook&PersonID=14179993 

Howard Hinds

        Howard Hinds, District Long Term Care Ombudsman with the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency and Minister of the West View United Methodist Church for over 29 years, died on May 24, 2005.  Howard started his career as the Legal Services Coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging in 1977.  In 1981 he added ombudsman services to his job and quickly began the task of creating the first volunteer ombudsman program in East Tennessee.  Howard was a true champion for nursing home residents and for the ombudsman program.  He also founded the East Tennessee Coalition on Advocacy, Inc., a local citizen advocacy group.  Howard is survived by his wife Anna Fox Hinds, a brother and sister, and a cadre of nieces and nephews.

On hearing of Howard's death, Sue Wheaton, U.S. Administration on Aging, sent the following note to the program.  The note sums up how so many of his colleagues feel:

It was a shock to receive news from Adrian (Wheeler) of Howard's death.  For many years now, his unflagging commitment to the East Tennessee Ombudsman Program and the national program, and his kind and gracious presence have been an integral part of ombudsman get-togethers, large and small.  I will miss his smiling face and long, purposeful stride, which was always taking him to the next objective: pushing NAALTCO a little further down the road, removing some impediment to full-fledged advocacy for residents, sharing -- always with (his wife) Anna and whoever else he could round up -- a gourmet meal at a newly discovered or old, treasured restaurant.  He was the best, he contributed greatly, we will miss him mightily. 

Howard Hinds was one of the founders and a board member of the National Association of Local Long-term Care Ombudsman Programs (NALLTCO). Debi Lee, NALLTCO President wrote:

My fondest memories are of Howard trying to motivate large groups of local ombudsmen over box lunches at NCCNHR conferences .... He was energized by the need to make sure our issues were considered in the national debate. Here's to Howard,  he never gave up on the vision of a local program association.  We can credit part of our success on his belief and his undying passion.  I will miss him and his contributions to NALLTCO.