Founding Member Of Desert AIDS Project Dies
By News Channel 3newsline3@kesq.com
PALM SPRINGS -Warner Engdahl, a founding member of the organization that is now known as Desert AIDS Project, passed away yesterday.
“Warner helped to found the Community Counseling and Consultation Center, back in 1984 when the word ‘AIDS’ was rarely spoken above a whisper, much the way cancer had been regarded a generation earlier,” said David Brinkman, Executive Director of Desert AIDS Project.
“He was part of a wonderfully dedicated volunteer group that helped to identify and secure services for people mostly dying of AIDS, rather than living with it as they are today. Warner was truly a pioneer in helping to form D.A.P.’s missions of care, prevention, and advocacy.”
Prior to joining D.A.P.’s staff, Engdahl was Vice President of Operations at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage where he was charged with educating staff and relieving their fears about treating AIDS patients. In this capacity, he worked closely with the recently-deceased Dr. Lawrence Cone, a renowned infectious disease specialist, who received the Science and Medicine Award at D.A.P.’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala in 2000. Dr. Cone and his wife, Mary, who will receive the 100 WOMEN Award at the 16th annual Steve Chase gala next month.
In recognition of his involvement as a founding Board member and serving for 10 years as Board President, D.A.P. has also presented nine recipients with the Warner Engdahl Community Service Award. The D.A.P. fundraising event closest to his heart was the Desert AIDS Walk, which Engdahl participated in from the beginning, walking alongside Betty Ford, Kirk and Anne Douglas, Sonny and Mary Bono, and thousands of others throughout the years.
Engdahl also served as Director of Medical Services, Chief Operating Officer, and Interim Executive Director throughout his years of involvement at D.A.P. Curtis Ringness, Jr., present D.A.P. Board President, added, “Warner’s wise counsel nurtured D.A.P. in its earliest days. He helped to make it the nationally-recognized agency that it is today.”
