We Remember

Editorial By Katherine Bibeau

This issue of the American Spirit Newspaper is being dedicated to Rev. William H. Duby, founder and editor of the American Spirit Newspaper and it's publishing company Sterling Rose Press, Inc., who passed away suddenly in his home on December 5, 2001. He was 56. The inspiration behind this newspaper, as well as the author of many of its insightful articles, he will be sorely missed.

Rev. William Duby, known to many as "Rev. Bill", was inspired to create the American Spirit Newspaper in 1992, when he envisioned a vehicle by which a message of spiritual freedom could be relayed to many. A grass roots effort, he gave a voice to those who realize there is more to this earth life than meets the eye. Consequently, the articles represented in this newspaper have been on the cutting edge of the "New Age" movement. However, Rev. Bill also believed that "spirituality is practicality", therefore he put together the rare gift of a newspaper that spoke to the soul while educating about practical tools to assist in everyday life.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, from which he was honorably discharged in 1965, Rev. Bill was proud to be an American and loved his country, hence the "American Spirit". He believed deeply in the principles upon which this country was founded and sought to support them through this newspaper. He is author of many articles addressing issues pertaining to this country, where it came from and where it is going, and as a visionary presents a point of view that injects the "spirit" back into America, as was originally intended upon the foundation of this country. He is also the author of a book titled "Cosmic Acid, Drop of Little Love." Through his inspirational writings innumerable people have been helped.

In 1982 Rev. William Duby founded the Spiritual Rights Foundation, Inc. (know as SRF) and its seminary The Academy for Psychic Studies, with branches in Berkeley and San Jose, California. A student of the late Marc Reymont, of the New Age Awareness Foundation in San Francisco, and the late Very Rt. Rev. Lewis S. Botswick, of the Church of Divine Man in Berkeley, Rev. Bill set out to create in SRF, a "half-way house for wayward spirits". This newspaper provides a supplement in each issue dedicated to SRF, and it has been through the dedication of Rev. Bill and SRF's staff and students that this paper has continued for so many years. Though Rev. Bill's presence is irreplaceable, both the Spiritual Rights Foundation, Inc. and the American Spirit Newspaper will continue in the wake of his passing.

As an ordained minister, Rev. Bill's devotion to the teachings of Jesus Christ is reflected in everything he did and can be found throughout his writings; yet he was respectful of all the religions of the world, incorporating much from them in his teachings. As a Pastor, he always sought to guide individuals back to themselves, rather than convert them to his way of thinking, and he provided monthly church services as an opportunity for people to reconnect to their own spiritual heritage.

For 17 years, Rev. Bill could be heard on the popular radio program "Total Prosperity" on KEST. People will always remember his one line answer to the shows opening question, "How are you Rev. Bill?" to which he would respond, "Marvelous!"

As a visionary and entrepreneur he founded many other companies in addition to Sterling Rose Press and the Spiritual Rights Foundation. They include Health and Wealth, Inc., which distributes the extensive SRF tape library, and The International Spiritual Hypnotherapy Institute (ISHI), a school for Hypnotherapy Certification which teaches the importance of combining hypnosis with the psychic arts and operates a Hypnosis Clinic for the public. He also founded Freedom Estates, and our beloved Blue Sky Ranch of East Contra Costa County.

Rev. Bill was well known throughout the Bay Area, and was loved and respected by many. He often made the point that he desired to touch upon people's lives in such a way that they were more of themselves for knowing him. In that he did succeed.