Rest in Peace, AJ Marhofke
Rest in Peace, dear AJ Marhofke. 🙁 I just found out that Covid-19 has taken another loved one from my circle. He created his own Find A Grave Memorial years ago. After he passed, I became the admin of his memorial.
I first met Alan J Marhofke in 2000. He was looking for someone to make a website for his nonprofit org, 911BC K9 Search & Recovery. I was a fresh faced kid who had just taken a web design class, and who had a love for all things computer and all things dog, so of course I volunteered. It was the beginning of a 20 year friendship.
Throughout the years, we did so much more than make a website together. AJ was a tireless volunteer. In the early years I attended countless training sessions with him where I handled Molly Mae and Zip, and I even handled Molly Mae on a real search for Amber Wilde. AJ taught me a lot. We spent a lot of time training together at his house in Dousman, as well as various other locations. And more time on the phone working on the website. I used to just take my dog and stop out at his house on a nice afternoon even though it was over an hour away. He was always glad to see me show up. We had so many adventures together!
We lost track of each other for a few years when life got busy, but then I talked to him January 30th and it was like no time had passed. We spent a couple of hours catching up on the phone and filling each other in on what we had missed. Then the pandemic started and everything got strange.
I have been thinking about him all month and meaning to call him again soon. I promised myself last week that I would call him this week. Well guess what, I’m not going to get the chance to hear his voice again. I could kick myself for not calling sooner. I’m devastated. Don’t wait til it’s too late. Call your loved ones and talk about anything. Even the weather. Just to hear the sound of their voices at all is a gift.
A.J. Marhofke, founder of 911BC, was a K9 forensic evidence instructor since 1969. Specializing in evidence preservation, evidence recovery, and crime scene management, he traveled with his dogs at the request of law enforcement agencies to participate in both new “hot” cases as well as “cold” cases that had been pending for as long as 20 years or more. AJ and Zip also traveled throughout the United States providing informational seminars and training in K9 forensics for many types of organizations.
Since he registered his domain through August 02, 2023, I will be turning it into a memorial website for him.
Apparently, he was taken to the hospital the day before Thanksgiving (2020) and passed away either December 1st or 2nd 2020.
AJ was found very ill at home after a friend called Johnson Creek, WI police asking for a wellness check because he was unable to reach him for several days. AJ was first taken to Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, then transferred to Waukesha Memorial Hospital.
A social worker contacted two of his friends when he was admitted in serious condition. Sadly AJ didn’t make it through this horrible disease and has died from Covid-19.
Our mutual friend contacted me to let me know that, as per AJ’s request, she has Cody, his Border Collie, and he will be lovingly cared for by her as he intended. That’s a relief at least. But I can’t believe he’s really gone.
Rest in Peace, dear old friend. ? I hope you and Thea are together again somehow.