MAY 20, 1994 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 9

OBITUARIES

Jeffrey S. Wobbecke, 43

With a passion for music, Jeffrey S. Wobbecke was an active member of local singing groups, including the North Coast Men's Chorus and the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland's choir. A baritone, he had participated in many concerts, including a 1989 production of Heartstrings, a national touring company to promote AIDS awareness and raise funds for AIDS research.

Jeff, 43, died Saturday, May 7, of AIDS complications at Meridia Hillcrest Hospital. He was diagnosed with the disease in October 1993.

A native of greater Cleveland, Jeff lived in Cleveland Heights with his mother, Mary Ellen, herself a well-known friend and vocal supporter of the Cleveland gay community.

In the last six months, Jeff maintained an active schedule, taking a flying lesson, sightseeing in Washington, D.C., and visiting the Rubens art exhibit in Toledo. He had just made plans to enroll in a broadcasting school.

As an active member of the gay community, Jeff each year helped to plan the annual picnic for the Northern Ohio Coalition Inc. (NOCI), a group that raises funds for AIDS and gay-services organizations. He served on a committee to help plan the June 11 Pride Festival. And while he was a member of the Gay-Lesbian-Straight Task Force at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, the church was honored by the Gay People's Chronicle for its status as a welcoming church to all, regardless of sexual orientation.

He contributed his talents to several organizations. At the First Unitarian Church, he sang in the annual Bach concert on Easter Sunday, entertained revelers with more singing at a Mardi Gras fundraiser in

March and served on the Building and Grounds Committee. Jeff had made numerous long-lasting friendships through his involvement with the North Coast Men's Chorus. He also volunteered with a recent tree-planting program for Clean-Land, Ohio, an environmental and beautification organization.

Jeff had been a customer service representative for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northeast Ohio until he resigned in June of 1993. He had traveled throughout the U.S. and overseas, to Amsterdam and Italy. He was particularly moved by a trip in 1989 to see the AIDS Quilt in Washington, D.C.

A memorial service was held Sunday, May 15, at the First Unitarian Church. Members of the North Coast Men's Chorus paid' tribute in song. The family requests that donations be made to the North Coast Men's Chorus.

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Steve Smith, 37

Washington-Gay-rights lobbyist and advocate Stephen C. Smith has died of AIDS-related complications. He was 37.

Smith, a native of Geneseo, N.Y., and a graduate of Harvard Law School, died May 10 in Washington after a long illness.

He was the former legislative director of the national gay rights advocacy organization, the Human Rights Campaign Fund.

Smith played a key role in promoting federal AIDS legislation, including the

Americans with Disabilities Act and the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Bill, his colleagues said.

He worked with the Human Rights Campaign Fund from 1987 to 1993, first as a hired lobbyist and later as legislative director and counsel.

Survivors include Smith's partner of 13 years, Greg Gibbs of Washington; his mother, Margaret Smith of Geneseo; two brothers and four sisters.

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Christopher Gonzalez, 30

Indianapolis Christopher Gonzalez, founder of the Indianapolis Youth Group for gays and lesbians, has died of pneumonia. He was 30.

Gonzalez died May 5 at Community Hospital North.

Gonzalez founded the Indianapolis Youth Group seven years ago and also served as its executive director. The organization has grown to include chapters statewide, as well as a national, toll-free hotline.

In addition, Gonzalez worked as an education specialist at the Hispanic Center.

Gonzalez was a former executive board member of the Marion County HIV/AIDS Coalition, and was on the Indiana board of the Health Round Table Committee for Minority Communities.

In 1993, he received the Diego Lopez Award from the National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation and the Indiana Youth Investment Award.

Gonzalez is survived by his companion, Jeff Werner; his parents, Valentine Sr. and Valerie Scott Gonzalez; two sisters; two brothers; and his grandparents.

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Obituaries

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