Skip to content

In Memory

1940s

Gerald Canatsey, c’42, 101, Sept. 6 in St. Louis, where he was an executive at Pet Inc. Surviving are a son, a daughter, six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

Wilda Vermillion Connell, ’48, 93, Aug. 4 in Manhattan. She and her late husband owned the Dixie Caramel Candy Store in Junction City. A son, two daughters, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren survive.

George Cooper, e’49, 100, Dec. 14 in Tonganoxie, where he was a mechanical engineer and vice president at Puritan Bennet Medical Gas. He co-authored Jayhawk: Love, Loss, Liberation and Terror Over the Pacific, which details his war years as a B-25 bomber pilot. In 2018 he was honored as a KU Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Alumnus. He is survived by five daughters, three of whom are Georgeanne, c’68, Merrilee, g’90, and Laurie Cooper Putthoff, c’91; a son; a sister; 15 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Jeanne Spencer Fish, c’42, l’45, 99, June 10 in Eureka, California. She was a longtime member of P.E.O. Sisterhood and received the organization’s 75-year service award in 2018.

Donald Frisby, e’49, 92, Oct. 29 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was general manager of real estate and buildings for the U.S. Postal Service. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Doane Frisby, ’50; two daughters; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Harold Green, c’48, 96, Nov. 6 in Kansas City, where he had a long career in pharmaceutical sales. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. He is survived by two daughters, one of whom is Sandra Spires Cook, ’66; three grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Lucian “Lou” Hammer, b’48, 96, Sept. 11 in Lawrence, where he retired as a purchasing agent after a 38-year career with Lawrence Paper Company. Surviving are two sons, one of whom is Gary, g’83; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Betty Bacon Hodges, j’48, 95, Nov. 18 in Mission, where she was a secretary at Lever Brothers and a national officer for Alpha Delta Pi sorority. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. She is survived by two daughters, one of whom is Valerie Hodges Cheney, b’79; a son, Lance, b’87; and four grandchildren.

Raymond Mann, c’49, 95, June 16 in Tomball, Texas, where he retired as chief of exploration operations at Shell Oil Company. Two daughters, five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren survive.

Nation Meyer, ’43, 98, Nov. 12 in Hutchinson, where his career at First National Bank spanned 70 years and included serving as president and senior chairman. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis “Tucker” Landeene Meyer, c’57; two daughters, Diane Meyer Longenecker, d’70, and Laura Meyer Dick, b’89, g’93; two sons, one of whom is John, d’93; nine grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Mary Jo Mercer Powers, c’47, 93, June 27 in Winfield. She had a long career as a dietitian and retired from the VA Hospital in Denver.

Virginia VanOrder Thomas, j’46, 96, June 6 in Cushing, Oklahoma, where she was a homemaker. Two daughters, two sons, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive.

Donald Wright, b’49, 94, Aug. 9 in Topeka, where he was a CPA. He also completed the Bicycling Across Kansas tour 17 times. Survivors include a son, a grandson, two step-granddaughters and six great-grandchildren.

1950s

Franklin Austin, e’54, 87, Oct. 3, 2019, in Englewood, Colorado. He had a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force and worked on a family farm in retirement. Survivors include three daughters, one of whom is Sallie Austin-Swanson, ’81; a son; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

James Baird, j’55, 86, May 1 in Kansas City. He owned the Holt County Sentinel newspaper in Oregon, Missouri. Surviving are three daughters, one of whom is Laura Baird Gatson, c’82; two sons, one of whom is Rob, ’83; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Philip Baker, b’58, 84, Nov. 10 in Venice, Florida. He had a long career as a senior systems engineer and instructor at IBM. He is survived by his wife, Linnie; four daughters, one of whom is Kristin Baker Larpenter, c’91, g’95; a sister; and four grandsons.

Glen Beauchamp, e’53, 91, May 29 in Selma, Indiana. He was a retired colonel in the U.S. Marines and served several tours overseas. He later taught high school mathematics. Survivors include three sons; a brother, Gary, c’66, m’70; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Olive Selfridge Bloom, ’54, 87, Sept. 30 in Wichita. She and her late husband, Lewis, m’57, were founding members of the South Central Kansas Community Foundation in Pratt, and she received the foundation’s first Outstanding Service Award. Surviving are three sons, Barry, c’78, m’81, Lamont, m’79, and Jim, j’80, g’83, g’08; 10 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Eli Boucher, g’50, 99, Oct. 8 in Lenexa. He was a retired teacher, principal and superintendent at several school districts in central Kansas. Survivors include two daughters, one of whom is Michele Boucher Heidrick, d’71; three sons, two of whom are Greg, p’74, and Dana, c’79; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Robert Braden, c’55, 89, July 15 in Apple Valley, California, where he was a pilot and retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Surviving are his wife, Valoris, a son, two daughters, four grandsons and two great-grandchildren. 

Thomas Breckenridge, j’53, 88, April 1 in Sunrise, Florida, where he retired after a long career in advertising.

John Cleland, b’58, 84, Nov. 7 in Topeka, where he had a 40-year career with Security Benefit Group and retired as senior vice president, chief investment strategist and chairman of the board of Security funds family. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. He is survived by his wife, Betty Seltsam Cleland, d’58; two daughters, Anne Cleland Hannon, b’83, and Allyn “Sunny” Cleland Murphy, c’84; two sons, Aric, b’87, and AJ, c’94; a brother, Joe, g’65; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Marilyn Barnum Cody, c’50, 91, May 31 in Houston, where she was a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood and volunteered at her church. Two daughters, two sons, 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren survive.

Donald Darnell, d’59, g’63, 87, May 24 in Amarillo, Texas. He was a high school teacher and track coach and retired as director of personnel for Kansas City Kansas Public Schools. He is survived by three daughters, one of whom is Debra Darnell Kielman, ’77; a son, Mark, e’82; three sisters; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Herbert Doubek, c’53, m’56, 91, June 21 in Manhattan. He was a longtime resident of Belleville, where he was a family practitioner and Republic County coroner. He was honored as Kansas Family Physician of the Year in 1992. Surviving are two daughters, one of whom is Debra, m’86; a son; a brother; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth Wohlgemuth Duckers, j’55, 86, Oct. 11 in Bellaire, Texas. A longtime Salina resident, she was a news reporter at the Salina Journal and a public information officer at St. John’s Military School. A memorial has been established at KU Endowment. She is survived by two sons, Ed, b’81, and Kyle, b’82; a daughter, Sarah, b’83, l’86; four sisters, three of whom are Dorothy Wohlgemuth Lynch, d’59, Joan Wohlgemuth Musbach, c’64, and Lois Wohlgemuth Stanton, d’65; and seven grandchildren.

Janice Horn Ferguson, d’52, 90, June 7 in Prairie Village. She was an elementary school teacher and homemaker. Surviving are a son, Scott, e’83; a daughter; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Dorothy Monahan Franklin, ’52, 92, Dec. 28, 2019, in Saratoga, California, where she was a homemaker. A son, a daughter and a sister survive.

Joyce Ellis Friesen, n’52, 88, Sept. 25 in Lawrence, where she was a retired operating room nurse at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She is survived by two sons, Stan, c’79, and Rick, f’83; two daughters, Karen, ’85, and Judy Friesen Kamerer, b’88; a sister; and six grandchildren.

Robert, e’55, and Carol Christmann Gallieart, b’55, both 87, July 28 in Bellevue, Washington, of natural causes. He was chief test pilot for the 747 aircraft at Boeing, which included work for Air Force One, and she was a homemaker. Survivors include a daughter and a son.

Irene Faringer Hain, ’51, 92, July 31 in Lawrence. She was an accountant for nearly 30 years at AT&T. 

Robert Hamm, ’50, 93, Aug. 26 in Kansas City, where he retired as regional manager in the glass division at PPG Industries. He is survived by two sons, one of whom is Michael, b’76; a daughter; a brother, Bill, d’59, g’66; a sister; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grand-children.

Rosalie Henry, c’53, c’55, 89, Nov. 17 in Ness City. She was a longtime resident of Fairway. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. 

Zelina Higginbottom Hickox, d’51, 92, July 19 in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was a retired kindergarten teacher. Two daughters, a son, seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren survive.

William Huse, c’59, m’63, 83, Oct. 10 in Kansas City, where he was a physician and served as chief of staff at several area hospitals. Survivors include his wife, Linda Irving Huse, h’74; two sons, Shawn, ’86, and Jason, ’88; a daughter; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Laura Willan Johnson, c’58, 83, May 11 in Olathe. She was a longtime resident of Medicine Lodge, where she was a physical therapist. Surviving are three daughters, Lettitia Johnson Bernard, p’82, LeeAnn Johnson Gienke, c’87, p’87, and Lenise Johnson Mellott, p’87; a son, J.C., e’89, g’91; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Richard Judy, c’54, g’55, 87, Sept. 10 en route to the Grand Tetons. He lived in Indianapolis and was best known for his publications and teaching about Soviet economics at the University of Toronto, breeding innovations at the Judy Ranch in Jewell County, his founding of several successful software companies and his seminal book, Workforce 2020: Work and Workers in the 21st Century. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. Survivors include his wife, Jane Lommel; two sons, Alex, ’84, and Stephen, f’87; three daughters; and a sister, Susan Judy Harper, c’68.

Robert Kline, c’54, 88, Oct. 7 in Montgomery, Alabama. He served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force before becoming business administrator at his church. He is survived by his wife, Gene Hart Kline, ’56; a son; a daughter; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Earl Knauss, b’55, 87, Nov. 13 in Kansas City, where he was treasurer and chief financial officer at Farmland Industries. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. Survivors include his wife, Karen; two daughters, one of whom is Michelle Knauss Sonderegger, f’84; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson. 

Ronald Lenser, e’56, 88, Oct. 9 in Dallas, where he owned R.A. Lenser & Associates, a petroleum engineering and geologic services firm. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. Two daughters survive. 

Doris Greenbank Livingston, j’51, 91, Sept. 30 in Wichita. An El Dorado native, she was editor and co-publisher of the Butler County News and vice president of Traf-O-Teria System and Butler County Printing. She is survived by her husband, Wayne, c’53; a son, Robert, c’81; two daughters; six granddaughters; and several great-grandchildren.

Garland Longhofer, d’50, g’55, 94, Sept. 14 in Hutchinson, where he had a long career as a high school teacher and counselor. Surviving are two daughters, Jane Longhofer Briscoe, ’72, and Becky Longhofer Grant, d’77; a son, Tom, b’78; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Ralph MacNaughton, m’54, 91, May 27 in Leawood. He was a radiologist at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City. Survivors include three daughters, two of whom are Mary, ’81, and Kathleen MacNaughton Hance, c’92, m’96, g’15; a son, Paul, ’92; and 13 grandchildren.

Mary Mahoney, d’54, 87, Feb. 17, 2020, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She was a high school physical education teacher and coach and was involved in national and Olympic gymnastics competitions. Surviving are a brother, Tim Mahoney, assoc.; and a sister.

Paul Maurer, p’57, 90, Nov. 3 in Upland, California. He owned several pharmacies. Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline Crampton Maurer, n’49; a son; a daughter; and a grandson.

Beverly Jackson McCain, d’56, 85, Sept. 30 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was an elementary school teacher and active in her church community. She is survived by three sons, three stepsons, 13 grandchildren and three great-grand-children.

Roger McKinley, g’50, 94, Aug. 8 in Winchester, Virginia, where he had a long career with the U.S. Department of Defense and earned the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Service Medal in 1981. His wife, Genevieve, two sons, a daughter, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren survive. 

Frances Hara McNellis, d’59, ’96, 83, Nov. 3 in Lenexa. She lived for many years in Lawrence, where she taught high school history, government and political science. Survivors include her husband, Jesse, c’57, g’59; two sons, John, e’82, g’86, and Michael, c’87; a daughter; and several grandchildren.

Robert Meeker, c’57, l’63, 85, July 25 in Leawood. He retired as general counsel and vice president at Business Men’s Assurance Company. His wife, Pamela, survives.

Georgia Anne “Sis” Hedrick Mercer, c’52, 89, Sept. 6 in Houston, where she taught children with learning disabilities. Surviving are two sons; a daughter; a brother, Clay Hedrick, c’48; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Donna Daise Murray, d’58, 84, Oct. 18 in Larkspur, Colorado, where she was a homemaker and member of P.E.O. Sisterhood. She is survived by her husband, Dick, a’58; two sons, one of whom is Dave, c’84; a daughter; a brother, John Daise, d’55; a sister; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Virginia Jennings Nadeau, f’57, 85, Oct. 31 in Kansas City. She was an interior designer and owned Jennings Interiors on the Country Club Plaza. She also served on the advisory board for the Spencer Museum of Art at KU. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment.

Charles Nakoa, c’51, 91, Aug. 12 in Honolulu, where he retired as executive director at Queen Lili’oukalani Children’s Center. His wife, Suzanne, survives.

George Prochaska, ’52, 90, Oct. 20 in Topeka. He was a retired naval captain and worked at Southwestern Bell for nearly 15 years. Surviving are his wife, Kathleen; a son, Mark, c’79, m’84; three daughters, two of whom are Anne Prochaska Landgraf, n’81, and Mona Prochaska Packer, n’84; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Thomas Raymond, m’58, 89, Aug. 31 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was an otolaryngologist. He is survived by his wife, Anna, a son, two daughters, four granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.

George Richardson, b’50, g’51, 92, April 30 in Sequim, Washington. He retired as executive vice president at Del Monte. A daughter, a son, a brother, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren survive.

Russell Settle, c’56, m’60, 85, July 1 in Overland Park, where he was a physician. He is survived by his wife, Sue; two daughters, one of whom is Natasha Settle Karlin, ’92; two stepdaughters, Kimberly Castle Queen, c’88, and Lori Castle Grieve, h’91; two grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and a step-great-grandchild.

James Shirley, b’57, 88, Sept. 2 in Akron, Ohio, where he was a CPA. A son, Philip, c’89, survives. 

Shelby Smith, b’50, 93, Nov. 6 in Wichita. Throughout his career he was an FBI agent, director of security at Boeing and an investment banker. He also served in the Kansas House of Representatives. Survivors include his wife, Betty Shartel Smith, ’52; two sons; two daughters; and 12 grandchildren. 

Con Spainhour, p’55, 87, Nov. 14 in Winfield, where he was director of pharmacy at the Winfield State Hospital and retired at Winfield Pharmacy. Surviving are two sons, one of whom is John, ’89; six daughters, one of whom is Elisabeth Spainhour Walsh, ’98; a sister, Suzan Spainhour Stremel, d’62; 16 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Carolyn Oliver Swift, c’53, g’57, PhD’73, 89, Nov. 9 in Carrollton, Georgia. She had a long career in psychology and community mental health, which included directing the Stone Center for Developmental Services and Studies at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She is survived by two daughters, Lynn Swift Anderson, c’79, l’84, and Mary, c’82, g’92; a son, George, c’85; and a grandson. 

Dot Taylor, ’55, 89, Nov. 11 in Topeka, where she worked at the State Library of Kansas and the Kansas Historical Society. 

Robert Walker, c’52, l’54, 90, Oct. 11 in Los Angeles. He was an attorney and executive at several banks and retired at Wells Fargo. Survivors include four sons, one of whom is Patrick, c’87; three daughters; and 13 grandchildren.

Diane Johnson Weil, c’51, 91, July 26 in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, where she was active in a garden club and named Pennsylvania Gardener of the Year in 1998. Her husband, Harry, two daughters, a brother and a grandson survive.

Marvin Weishaar, b’54, 88, Oct. 27 in Liberty, Missouri, where he owned an accounting firm and was active in various community organizations. He is survived by his wife, Mary Czinczoll Weishaar, ’55; four sons, Marc, b’85, Martin, c’86, l’89, Matthew, b’91, and Michael, d’95, g’99, PhD’07; a daughter; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Mark Yeokum, a’59, 83, Aug. 5 in Leawood, where he retired after a long career with Trans World Airlines. Surviving are his wife, Jo Anne; a son, Dan, b’84; a daughter, Sarah Yeokum Kelly, b’86; a sister; and two grandchildren.

H. Lee Zimmerman, ’50, 94, July 12 in Lawrence, where he owned Zimmerman Steel. He is survived by a son, Kim, ’76; a daughter, Nancy Zimmerman Roberts, d’77; and two sisters, Kathryn Zimmerman Heylman, ’46, and Carolyn Zimmerman Engelken, d’55. 

1960s

Paul Anderson, d’65, 78, Aug. 29 in Salina, where his career in medical sales spanned more than 40 years. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. He is survived by his wife, Marcia Hahn Anderson, d’63; a daughter, Lisa, ’91; two sons, Charles, c’94, and Matthew, c’96; four grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

Justin Aurbach, c’65, 77, Oct. 20 in Dallas, where he was a retired endodontist and clinical professor at Texas A&M University. Surviving are four daughters; a brother, Michael, c’74, j’76, g’79, f’81; and two grandchildren.

Richard Bennett, b’60, 82, Sept. 9 in Kansas City. He had a long career as a CPA and was partner at Schehrer Harrod & Bennett accounting firm in Lawrence. His sister, Beverly Bennett Williams, b’62, survives.

John Boyd, b’62, 79, June 15 in Kansas City, where he retired as vice president at AUL Corp. He is survived by his wife, Debbie, a son, a daughter, a sister and two grandchildren.

Kenneth Boyer, c’65, 79, June 20 in Wilson, North Carolina. He served in the military for more than 25 years and later owned Southern Testing and Research Laboratories. Survivors include his wife, Merrilyn, three sons, two sisters and a granddaughter.

William Brookman, b’60, 82, Jan. 13, 2020, in Cleveland, Oklahoma. He owned the Active Athlete in Tulsa. Surviving are his wife, Rose Ryba Brookman, ’60; two daughters, one of whom is Melissa Brookman Hattaway, b’95; a son; and six grandchildren.

Wayne Campbell, b’67, g’68, 74, Nov. 29, 2019, in Palm Harbor, Florida, where he retired as community relations manager at Southwestern Bell. He later worked in marketing. A daughter, Kimberly, c’00, survives.

Kenneth Coleman, b’64, 78, June 2 in Pearland, Texas, where his career included working as a sales manager at Gulf Oil and Westlake Chemicals. Surviving are his wife, Sydney, two daughters, two sisters and three grandchildren.

Marjorie Parrish Conklin, d’64, 78, Sept. 29 in Westmoreland, where she started her career as a teacher and later managed the law office of her late husband, Gary, c’60, l’63. She also volunteered in her community. She is survived by a daughter, Kellie Conklin White, b’89; a son, Cory, b’94, j’94; a sister; and two grandchildren.

James Coy, c’61, 81, May 23 in Evansville, Illinois, where he had a long career in marketing, advertising and sales. His wife, Ann, a son, two daughters and six grandchildren survive.

Thomas Dawson, l’67, 77, Oct. 28 in Lansing, where he was an attorney and past president of the Leavenworth Bar Association. Surviving are his wife, Barbara, assoc.; a son; a daughter; and four grandchildren. 

Richard Ewy, l’65, 79, Sept. 8 in Wichita, where he was an attorney and managing partner at Foulston Siefkin law firm. Survivors include his wife, Joanie Stromberg Ewy, d’65; three daughters, two of whom are Sarah Ewy Erickson, c’92, and Erin Ewy Coleman, ’93; a sister, Jeanette Ewy Bussey Ragsdale, n’57; and five grandchildren. 

Duane Fredrickson, m’66, 81, Aug. 6 in Lindsborg, where he was a family physician and participated in the rural preceptor program for the KU School of Medicine. In 2009 he received the Kansas Family Physician of the Year Award. His wife, Nancy, a daughter, a son, a sister and seven grandchildren survive. 

Jane Darrah Gates, d’64, 78, Oct. 3 in Mercer Island, Washington. She was an elementary school teacher. She is survived by a daughter; a son; two brothers, Thomas Darrah, m’66, and John Darrah, b’70; a sister, Jody Darrah McCamish, d’70; and five grandchildren.

Stephen Gechter, b’68, 73, July 16 in Dodge City, where he was a CPA. Surviving are his wife, Sue, a son, a daughter, two brothers, two sisters and two grandchildren.

Darcy Lafollette Gerhard, c’64, 78, May 14 in Franklin, Tennessee. She worked in real estate sales and management at the Gill Agency. She is survived by her husband, Lee, g’61, PhD’64; a daughter, Tracy Gerhard Abrams, c’93; two sisters; and two grandchildren.

Stanley Graham, c’67, a’75, 74, Aug. 14 in Austin, Texas, where he was a retired pilot at American Airlines. Survivors include a sister, Kate Graham, f’70, g’72.

Jane Kenyon Hansen, d’66, 88, Nov. 5 in Midland, Texas, where she was a kindergarten teacher. Surviving are her husband, Hans, c’55, l’66; three sons, Jon, c’74, l’77, Chris, ’76, and Noel, g’87; a sister; a brother; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Larry Heck, c’62, m’66, 80, Nov. 16 in Bonita Springs, Florida. He was a practicing radiologist and also served on the medical faculties at several universities. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. Survivors include his wife, Frances Fullerton Heck, d’62, g’66; a daughter, Julie, ’97; a son; a sister, Jane Heck McCabe, ’73; and three grandsons.

William James, b’60, 82, May 15 in Prairie Village, where he was a salesman and owned Waldo Hardware. Surviving are two daughters, Sherri, ’82, and Lori James Tempel, ’84; a son; a brother; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Karen Jennison, c’62, 79, Aug. 10 in Greeley, Colorado, where for more than 40 years she was professor of sociology at the University of Northern Colorado. She also served as chair and assistant dean of the department. 

Marvin Koelsch, b’68, 74, Aug. 21 in Wichita, where for more than 40 years he owned Midwest Accounting & Management. He is survived by his wife, Jan, a son, a daughter, a sister and three grandchildren.

Stanley Lehman, c’60, 81, Nov. 3, 2019, in Orange, California, where he was a retired attorney. Surviving are a son; a daughter; two sisters, one of whom is Carolyn Lehman Elfelt, c’63; and a grandson.

David Lipp, b’64, 78, July 18 in Overland Park, where he was president of D.J.L. Development Company. A daughter, Heather, c’97, survives.

Larry Malone, ’63, 79, June 12 in Olathe, where he was an estimator at List and Clark Construction Company. Survivors include two daughters, one of whom is Heather Malone Grandsire, d’92; his stepfather; a brother; and five grandchildren.

Anthony Martin, ’62, 79, July 26 in Overland Park. His career as a dentist spanned more than 40 years. Surviving are his wife, Mary Lou, two daughters, a brother and two grandchildren.

Frank Naylor Jr., c’61, 81, Oct. 6 in Berryville, Virginia. He had a long career in agricultural finance and development, including as the undersecretary of agriculture who oversaw farm credit policy during the Reagan administration. He is survived by a son, Wes, ’86; a daughter; a stepson; a stepdaughter; and six grandchildren.

Michael O’Brien, c’67, 74, July 16 in Echo Park, California, where he was a retired landscape architect and city planner for the city of Los Angeles.

Karin Moebus Otto, c’61, 81, Aug. 6 in Fort Collins, Colorado. She retired as chair of the department of biology at the University of Tampa in Florida. Surviving are a daughter; a sister, Susan Moebus Bjorn, c’68; and three grandchildren.

John Parkison, c’68, 73, Oct. 28 in Kansas City, where he owned a lawn and garden business. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. He is survived by his wife, Jami Wilkerson Parkison, d’67; a son; a daughter; and five grandchildren.

Charles Rees, g’63, PhD’67, 78, Aug. 12, 2019, in Austin, Texas. He was
professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of New Orleans in Louisiana. His wife, Janice, a son, two daughters and nine grandchildren survive.

Gary Rosenwald, e’64, PhD’72, 79, Oct. 26 in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he retired after working as an oil company researcher, educator and government safety officer. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Young Rosenwald, ’64; a son; three daughters; and nine grand-children.

Don Shahan, b’61, 83, Aug. 12 in North Tustin, California, where he retired after a long career in retail management and commercial real estate. He is survived by his wife, Polly, three daughters, a sister and six grandchildren.

Rita Schreiber Tracy, n’60, g’84, 82, Oct. 8 in Lawrence. Her career as a registered nurse spanned 40 years, and she retired as assistant professor at Washburn University School of Nursing in Topeka. She also was a deacon at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence. She is survived by her husband, Dick, d’58, g’65, PhD’66; a daughter, Vanessa Tracy Milota, g’97, ’02; a sister, Velta Schreiber Kramer, f’49; and a grandson. 

Judith Tietze Trowbridge, d’67, 74, July 30 in Dallas, where she was active in her community. Survivors include two sons and four grand-children.

Neil Wood, c’64, 78, Aug. 29 in California. He served in the U.S. Navy. His wife, Rebecca, survives.

1970s

Sarah Boyle Betz, c’70, 73, Sept. 26 in Columbia, Maryland. She is survived by her husband, Robert, d’68; and three sons.

Archille Bourque, g’72, 88, Aug. 1 in Putnam, Connecticut. He served in three branches of the armed forces, retiring as lieutenant colonel, and later worked in banking and insurance. Survivors include his wife, Eileen, two sons, three daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Richard Braunsdorf, c’72, 71, July 26 in Kansas City, where he was a microbiologist at the Wyandotte County Health Department and area medical centers. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Wise Braunsdorf, n’71; a son, John, e’00; a daughter, Beth Braunsdorf Bosch, j’04; a sister, Linda Morgovnik, ’96; a brother; and three grandchildren.

Eunice Nealeigh Campbell, d’70, 72, July 3 in Naalehu, Hawaii. She was a retired high school English teacher. Surviving are her husband, George, g’70; two sons; two brothers; a sister; and six grandchildren.

Leonard Clark, l’73, 77, July 11 in Derby. He lived in Wichita for many years and served in government, private practice and academia. Survivors include his wife, Leatha Johnson Clark, ’79; three daughters, two of whom are Teresa Clark Hodges, c’95, g’08, and Laura, j’05; a son; a granddaughter; and a step-grandson.

Daniel Crook, p’70, 72, April 16 in El Dorado, where he retired as staff pharmacist at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Catherine; two daughters, one of whom is Kirstie Crook Towner, ’93; three sons, one of whom is Kevin, ’95; a sister; and six grandchildren. 

Russell Daniels, b’71, 74, Feb. 19, 2020, in The Villages, Florida. He was executive vice president of administration and risk at Dunbar Armored in Baltimore. Survivors include his wife, Marcy; two daughters; and two brothers, one of whom is William, b’73.

Richard Davis, ’71, 71, July 9 in Wichita, where he retired after more than 40 years in dental practice. He is survived by his wife, Linda, assoc.; two sons, Darren, p’97, and Gavin, ’99; a sister; and three grandchildren.

Stephen McIntire, c’71, 71, June 22 in Urbandale, Iowa, where he was a copy editor at the Des Moines Daily Record. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. Two sisters survive.

John Stewart McWilliams, l’70, 74, Sept. 17 in Overland Park. He was an assistant district attorney in Sedgwick and Johnson counties and later was appointed associate district judge for the 10th Judicial District of Kansas. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Wortman McWilliams, c’67; and two sons, Nolan, b’03, l’08, and Nicholas, h’03, ’06.

Jean Dooley Peterson, d’71, g’76, 100, Sept. 2 in Kansas City. She was a teacher and active in her church community. She is survived by a daughter, Ann Peterson Hyde, c’66; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Richard Stoico, b’77, 65, June 17 in Naples, Florida. He owned Cafe Luigi for nearly 30 years in Bedford, Massachusetts. Surviving are his wife, Carol; a daughter, Kelsey Stoico McIntosh, ’07; a son; two sisters; two brothers; and three grandchildren.

1980s

Ruthellyn Henderson Hinton, g’83, PhD’01, 76, April 30 in Pittsburg, where she was professor of nursing at Pittsburg State University. She is survived by two sons, a daughter, a sister, a brother and two grandchildren.

David Millstein, ’80, 75, Oct. 26 in Lawrence, where he owned several properties along Mass Street and was instrumental in the revival of Liberty Hall in the mid-1980s. He is survived by his wife, Susan Youle Millstein, c’79; a son, Josh, e’01; two daughters, Audrey, ’02, and Casey Millstein Dobbins, f’09, ’11; a sister, Cydney, c’72; and three grandchildren. 

1990s

Elizabeth Willard Van Beber, s’93, 53, Nov. 3 in Overland Park. She was a therapist at the Gillis Center in Kansas City. Survivors include her husband, Eric, b’83; two daughters, one of whom is Kathryn, a sophomore at KU; and two brothers.  

2000s

Patricia “Trish” Becher, s’09, 52, Sept. 10 in Louisburg, where she was director of community support services at Comprehensive Mental Health. Surviving are her wife, Kelly Ratliff, ’82; a son; a daughter; her mother; three sisters; and a brother.

Laurie Shoffner Coyner, m’05, 63, June 14 in Wichita. She was a psychiatrist. Survivors include her husband, John; two sons, one of whom is Derek Cox, c’10; a daughter; two brothers; and a grandchild.

Bradley Hope, b’05, 40, Aug. 7 in Andover, where he was a CPA at Adams Brown Beran & Ball. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. He is survived by his father, John, d’74, g’80; and a sister.

2010s

Benjamin Levy, c’11, 33, June 29 in Lawrence, where he worked in data analysis. He is survived by his parents, Richard, c’78, g’80, and Kathleen Kunde Levy, ’01; and a sister, Erin, a junior at KU. 

UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

Elizabeth Banks, assoc., 90, Oct. 10 in Lawrence, where she was professor emerita of archaeology and curator of the Wilcox Classical Museum. She was inducted in the KU Women’s Hall of Fame in 1991.

James Church, 85, Oct. 14 in Lawrence, where he had a 40-year career as professor of mathematics. He is survived by his wife, Ann; a son, James Jr., c’89, g’94; and three grandchildren.

James Cook, 84, Nov. 18 in Olathe, where he was a hematologist and professor emeritus of medicine at KU Medical Center. Surviving are two sons, Gregory, ’81, and Paul, c’90; two daughters, Cheryl Cook Sperry, n’83, and Dianne Cook Walker, h’90; two brothers; eight grandchildren; and two great-grand-
children.

Dennis Diederich, m’65, 84, Aug. 29 in Overland Park. He was an internist and directed the division of nephrology and hypertension at KU Medical Center. Survivors include his wife, Alice, ’87; two brothers, one of whom is Paul, m’76; and six sisters, two of whom are Marilyn Diederich Kramer, ’83, and Jeanine Diederich Hummell, ’86. 

James Gunn, j’47, g’51, 97, Dec. 23 in Lawrence, where he was professor emeritus of English and founding director of the Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction. Known affectionately as the “Father of Science Fiction,” he wrote more than 100 short stories and authored 28 books during his career. He also was managing editor of Kansas Alumni magazine from 1955 to ’58 and contributing editor from 1958 to ’60. A son, Kevin, c’79, survives. 

Josephine Herrmann Lutz, d’79, 93, Nov. 2 in Wichita. She managed student services for independent study and was a docent at the Spencer Museum of Art. Surviving are three daughters, two of whom are Jennifer, d’82, and Rosalind Lutz Courington, c’90; a brother; a sister; four grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

Mary Ross Moran, g’72, PhD’75, 85, Oct. 5 in Lawrence. She was retired professor of special education. Surviving are two sons, one of whom is Greg, c’83, m’87; two daughters, one of whom is Laura, e’86; nine grandchildren; and two great-grand-children.

C. Richard “Dick” Robins, 91, Nov. 12 in Lawrence. He was curator emeritus at the Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum. His wife, Catherine, two sons and a daughter survive.

Susan Smith Wachter, g’86, 72, Nov. 16 in Lawrence, where she started her career with Kansas Athletics as assistant athletics director of business development and retired as chief financial officer. She was KU’s Outstanding Female Employee of the Year in 1987. A memorial has been established with KU Endowment. She is survived by her husband, John; a daughter, Jessica Wachter Thompson, c’00; and two grandchildren.

ASSOCIATES

Martin Kasick, assoc., 78, May 18 in Olathe. He worked at Case IH for more than three decades. Surviving are his wife, Patricia, assoc.; a daughter, Kimberly Kasick Hicks, c’90; two sons; and five grandchildren.

Peter Leibham, assoc., 80, Oct. 18 in Lenexa, where he had a long career in sales. He is survived by his wife, Karla Bender Leibham, d’74, g’93, ’03; a son, Peter Jr., ’87; a daughter, Kirsten Leibham Parker, c’96, g’99; a brother; and two grandchildren.

Edward “Bud” Price, assoc., 77, June 30 in Prairie Village. He owned Colonial Patterns Inc. Survivors include his wife, Carol Haworth Price, d’70; three sons, two of whom are Chris, c’99, and Matt, b’01; two sisters; and two grandchildren.

Albert Ross, assoc., 96, June 3 in Mission, where he was a retired attorney. Surviving are his wife, Ora “Gretta” Nuttle Ross, d’68; three daughters, one of whom is Gretchen Ross Hill, PhD’90; a son, Albert IV, m’85; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Walter Scheller, assoc., 84, May 22 in Tonaganoxie, where he was a home builder. Survivors include his wife, Lisa Stevens Scheller, h’76, g’03; a daughter, Carrie Scheller Barth, b’95; three stepsons, one of whom is John Fatzer, ’01; and five grandchildren.

TAGS
SHARE:

RELATED ARTICLES

School Codes

Magazine Departments