Bill Volna at his “Sandbox,” where he invented many things. (Northeaster file, Karen Kraco)
Bill Volna, astronomy enthusiast, inventor, dies at 93
St. Anthony Village resident, Edison grad, aerospace engineer and prolific inventor William Volna reached for the stars one last time Sunday, Feb. 9. He was 93. A member of the Edison class of 1949, he had an abiding interest in astronomy, which led to a career in aerospace engineering at Honeywell, where he worked for 19 years. He married Jean Lammers in 1956 at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church. They had four children, and raised them in St. Anthony Village.
A University of Minnesota mechanical engineering graduate, Volna is credited with the invention of static accuracy (cockpit simulators) for Honeywell/Wright Patterson Air Force Base; infrared semiconductor evaluation station for Honeywell, Lexington, Mass.; roll/tumble test stations used for final calibration of Honeywell Ring Laser inertial navigation systems; a solar-powered desalination still that produced 18 gallons of distilled water during a sunny day in October; a patented solar-powered, two-axis solar tracker that required only 12 watts of drive power; and an autocollimator test set for field calibration of helmet sight systems on U.S. Navy F14 fighter aircraft, among others. Perhaps his best-known invention is an all-season, environmentally controlled, astronomical observatory that seats two persons that he took to the Antarctic. Volna is survived by daughter Nancy Jarmulowicz (Paul), daughter Amy Roe (Jeff), son Andrew (Stephanie) and grandchildren Alex, Britta, Annika, Andy, Katya, Max, Zoe and Louie and cat, Posey. Preceded in death by wife Jean and son Ted. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 22, 1-3 p.m. at the Hollywood Theater.
Holland Neighborhood Association moves
The Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association has moved from Central Avenue to the Holland Arts East Building at 639 22nd Avenue NE, Unit 9B. In the latest edition of The Hollander newsletter, community leaders wrote, “This new space will allow us to better serve the Holland neighborhood, host community gatherings, and continue our work to strengthen our neighborhood.” They have a new Facebook page as well: facebook.com/HollandNeighbor
hoodNE. Email: holland@hnia.org.
James Delmonico passes away
James Delmonico, grandson of Vincenzo Delmonico, founder of Delmonico’s Italian Foods, passed away Jan. 31. He had been ill for a long time. He grew up in Northeast and worked in his family’s store at 1112 Summer St. NE, helping his father, Michael “Mike” stock the shelves and serve customers. He was 74 years old.
Hope Fagerland
Minnesota School Administrators recognize Hope Fagerland
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Hope Fagerland, executive director of academics for St. Anthony-New Brighton School District, the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Central Office Leader Award. She received this award for demonstrating exceptional leadership, a commitment to student-centered decision-making and a passion for continuous improvement. Fagerland has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing student services, equity, and school safety. She played a crucial role in developing and leading the district’s Safety and Security Plan, collaborating with school-based emergency response teams and local law enforcement to ensure a comprehensive approach to crisis management. She will be recognized during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference, March 20-21, at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest.
On the dean’s list
Tucker Stene, Minneapolis, made the dean’s list at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona.
Nora J. Nederloe of Minneapolis was named to first honors on the Clark University dean’s list. Clark University is in Worcester, Mass.
Emmalise DeBlieck, Ben Matre and Hans Otte, Minneapolis; and Jax Midboe, Sophie Schmidt and Gabe Shenoy, St. Anthony, were named to the dean’s list at Iowa State University, Ames.
Natalie Mantras, Minneapolis, earned dean’s list honors at University of Tampa for the fall 2024 semester.
Minnesota State University-Mankato named several students to the fall dean’s list, including Amariana Ervin, Deka Mohamed and Mahad Mohamed, Columbia Heights; Ana Cerda, Stella Miller and Alejandro Ramirez, Minneapolis; and Gemechis Benti, Danae Kerber and Erin Przybilla, St. Anthony.
Two local students made the dean’s list at Tufts University, Boston, Mass.: Alison Alden-Pope, Minneapolis, and Truc Mai, Columbia Heights.
University of Minnesota-Duluth named the following Columbia Heights students to its fall dean’s list: Beatrice Carter and Emilio Vargas. Minneapolis honorees included Abigail Johnson, Gideon Lubbers, Ava Ludford, Amethyst Maddison, Ilm’aime Ntambwe, Eli Pierce and Brian Westacott.
Congratulations, graduate
Jessica R. Swiontek, Minneapolis, received a Master of Business Administration from Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan.