Jan Lee Kreader passed away in Los Angeles, CA, on February 26, 2023, after a long illness. Lee was born Edward Dale Cronk to Margaret Cronk on December 5, 1945, in Omaha, NE. In an act of love and self-sacrifice, Margaret relinquished her son for adoption to the Nebraska Children’s Home when he was several weeks old. Lee was joyfully adopted by his parents Helen and Colman “Mannie” Kreader in February 1946. Lee was raised through eighth grade in Dalton, NE, near the family’s wheat farm. They spent the winters of 1952 and 1953 in Tucson, AZ where Lee attended the Brandes School to recover from rheumatic fever he contracted in first grade. Lee’s family moved to Lincoln, NE, in 1959, when his father became the president of the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association. Lee loved music and played the accordion as a child, studied piano in high school, and attended Rocky Ridge Music Center in Estes Park, CO every summer. Lee graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1963 and went on to receive his B.A. in U.S. History in 1967, from the College of Wooster in Wooster, OH.

Lee married his Rocky Ridge and high school sweetheart Barbara Barlow in 1967. Lee and Barb had two children, Benjamin Colman in 1969, and Eleanor Alice in 1973. After receiving a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, Lee completed his M.A. in U.S History at the University of Pennsylvania in 1968 and returned to the College of Wooster to teach history.

When Lee was drafted for the Vietnam War, he successfully petitioned to be classified as a Conscientious Objector on moral grounds. To fulfill his alternative service to his country, Lee and his family moved to Chicago in 1971, where he established and directed Sheridan Center, a bilingual social service and mental health center that provided a comprehensive neighborhood response to the needs of low-income children and families in the neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field. Lee flourished at Sheridan Center and found his life’s calling assisting vulnerable communities and at-risk children, transforming his childhood aspiration to become a Presbyterian minister into a career in social service.

In 1975, Lee went on to direct Broadway Children’s Center before becoming Director of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s day care and after-school programs in 1980. After a brief tenure as the Executive Director of The Day Care Action Council of Illinois, Lee completed his Ph.D. in U.S. Social History from the University of Chicago in 1988, authoring his dissertation on the life of Isaac Max Rubinow, a leading theorist on the idea of social insurance during the New Deal. In 1990, Lee became Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ state-wide resource and referral project, helping families find quality affordable child care.

After Lee and Barb divorced in 1998, he embarked on a new chapter, moving to New York City to work as a Senior Policy Analyst and later Co-Director of Child Care & Early Education Research Connections at the National Center for Children in Poverty, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. While there, he launched Research Connections which synthesized research on child care subsidy use and infant and toddler child care into a standard resource for professionals throughout the country. Soon after moving to New York, Lee met his life partner Kay Hendon, who shared his commitment to child care and early childhood education and his sense of adventure exploring the city’s endless cultural offerings. Lee embraced Kay’s family as his own and cherished his role in their lives, sharing his love and guidance with her children and grandchildren.

Lee inherited the “fiesta gene” from his parents and knew how to have fun. He loved cheering on his favorite teams – the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. Lee also loved show tunes (preferably from Judy or Liza) and was known for his ability to spontaneously warble the perfect lyric to sum up any situation. He had an affinity for Siamese cats, collected cardinals, rubber duckies and wind-up toys, and found it hard to resist a good old-fashioned pun.

Lee was a loving father, grandfather, and partner. He was also a devoted friend who loved his friends as family. Having been an “only child” for seven decades, he was overjoyed to learn that he had six siblings – three brothers and a sister through his birth mother Margaret Cronk Wortman and a brother and sister through his birth father Joseph Grigalauski. Not long after the discovery in 2017, Lee was able to meet all but one of his siblings, as well as their extended families. He relished his new role as the older brother to his brothers and sisters and delighted in being an uncle and great-uncle to their many children and grandchildren.

Lee is survived by his former wife Barbara Skalinder of Highland Park, IL; his son Ben (Gary Trethaway) Kreader of Los Angeles, CA; his daughter Eleanor (Paul) Zwart and granddaughter Antonia “Nia” Zwart of Rohnert Park, CA; his brother Mike (Kathy) Wortman of Lincoln, NE; his sister Sue (Tom) Millsap of Lincoln, NE; his brother Mark (Deb) Wortman of Elkhorn, NE; his brother Paul (Sue) Wortman of Elkhorn, NE; his sister Kathy (Dan) Waldron of Loves Park, IL; his cousin George Bryan of Omaha, NE; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Lee is also survived by his life partner Kay Hendon of New Haven, CT, and her family, including: daughter Sarah Hendon and grandson Sammy Hendon-Dahl of East Haven, CT; Sammy’s father Lawrence Dahl of Madison, WI; son Luke (Lara Loyd) Hendon and grandsons Liam and Emory Hendon of Cheshire, CT; granddaughter Annie Beckett of Boston, MA and grandson Taran Besant of St. Paul, MN, children of Kay’s late daughter Jean (Christophe) Hendon Besant.

Lee was preceded in death by his adoptive and birth parents; his uncle and aunt Donald “Swede” and Mildred Kreader; his granddaughter Helen Zwart; his brother Charles Grigalauski; and his niece Megan Boyer.

Family and classmates gathered in Tucson, Arizona on February 25, 2023 to remember Mary Ann (Eberhart) Litchfield, Class of 1964.

Back row, l to r.  Andrew Ellison (‘x90), Elizabeth (Eberhart) Glick (’81), Steven Glick (’79)

Front row, l to r. Tricia (Eberhart) Miller (’84), Karen Eberhart (’91), Mary Ann (Hartley) Pogue (’64), Audrey (Acton) Lewis (daughter of Mary Ann Litchfield), Art Acton (’64)

A semi-chance encounter of Dave & Cheryl (Trautmann) Boop ’85, Pat (Murray) Wiedner ’60 (Cheryl’s mom), and Christopher Myers ’93 at Stonehenge last summer. (Cheryl sings with Christopher’s aunt in a choir that was in-residence at nearby Wells Cathedral.)

Dave Beckman ’84, Craig Elam ’10, and Araam Abboud ’19. All enjoyed an evening at a University of Dayton Flyers basketball game February 10th of this year. No matter how much time separates the graduation years the connection is strong.

McKenzie Hull (Reese) ’19 married Brock Hull on August 13th 2022 in Youngstown, Ohio. Pictured are backrow L to R Eleri Miller ’19, Ashley Plassard ’19, Marija Cyvas ’19, Cami Miller ’20, Mayia Karayianni ’19, Anna Medema ’20, Womens volleyball coach Sarah Davis. Front Row: Eva Stebel ’19, Jordan Murray ’19, Erin Pascoe (Rajewski) ’19, Ksenia Klue ’18.

Obituary for Mary Lu (“Ghee”) Van Kirk Mertz

https://www.heraldtribune.com/obituaries/psar0404525

We met freshmen year at The College of Wooster, but didn’t start dating until our junior year. After college, we had a long distance relationship between our home towns of Chicago and Milwaukee, which only became longer when Patric moved to California and I moved to Wisconsin for grad school. We got engaged in 2020, and married in September of 2022, with some of our closest Wooster friends in our wedding party and in attendance at our wedding. Wooster was integral in not only uniting us, but surrounding us by incredible friends who have become family over the years. We are forever grateful to the college for bringing all of us together.

Sylvia Spencer Petrie, 90, passed away on August 9th, 2021, at her Peace Dale home surrounded by members of her family.  She was the widow of Rhode Island poet (and long-time University of Rhode Island faculty member) Paul Petrie.  Sylvia was born on June 15, 1931 to Ruth Clark Spencer and Dr. Warren P. Spencer.  She grew up in Wooster, Ohio, where her father was a professor of genetics at Wooster College.  As a young child, she traveled with her mother to visit her mother’s birthplace of Rio de Janeiro, and this Brazilian connection has always been important to her. 

Sylvia attended Wooster College where she was awarded the Netta Strain Scott Prize in art and earned a BA.  She always looked back fondly on her time there.  After graduating from Wooster, she made her way to the University of Iowa where she studied printmaking with Mauricio Lasansky.  It was there that she met and  married Paul, her late beloved husband of 58 years, who was studying creative writing.  They fell in love over their shared love of music, singing the romantic songs of Rodgers and Hart together.  She continued to devote time to her art while they started a family.  Sylvia and Paul sometimes worked symbiotically in their art and poetry, with each occasionally drawing inspiration from the other’s work.  She exhibited her artwork in many venues, including one-person shows in Providence, Boston and even England.  She was a member of several artist groups, notably the Print Consortium and 19 on Paper.  Her work ranged between realism and abstraction but it always revealed a strong love for nature and a sensitivity to the interplay of light and shadow.

Though an accomplished artist, she always put her family first.   A devoted mother and grandmother, she leaves behind  three children: Philip, Emily and Lisa, and their spouses, and five grandchildren whom she doted on.  It is impossible to sum up anyone’s personality with just a few words, but like her beloved monoprints, we might paint in broad strokes—Sylvia was curious; Sylvia was compassionate; Sylvia gave what she had with very little thought for herself.  She will be sorely missed by all of her family.

For condolences, please visit averystortifuneralhome.com.

We were delighted to celebrate our wedding on July 9th, 2022, in the place where it all began: Wooster! Pictured here are a few of our friends, from left to right: Ben Robertson (’15), Katelyn French (’16), Taylor Thorp (’15), Ryan Kish (’15), Alex Chabraja (’16), Kelsey Jandrey (’13), Emily Lanzola (’13), Andrew Badger (’15), David Freund (’13), Alea Safier (’13), Anna Easterday (’13), Matthew Germaine (’15), Keely Pearce (’13), Meredith Eyre (’13), Emily Thornton (’13), Edmund Shi (’15), Adrienne James (’13), Jack Eyre (’15), Gwen Coddington (’13), Kate Sickles (’13), Elliott Valentine (’16), Whitney Sims (’13).

We had a mini Woo  Reunion last weekend. All four couples met at Wooster.

Pictured are: Lois Drinkwater Thompson`73, Edward M Thompson `71, Kathy Echols Hooker `71, William J Hooker `69, Pam Young `71, David Wolf `71,

Not Pictured: Jim `71 and Marsha Ratty `72

St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC, as the congregation’s Wooster alumni welcome our fellow alumna and new Senior Pastor and Head of Staff, Rev. Katie Buckley Harrington, ’00. Katie is currently the only female Head of Staff in the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina. Other alums in this photo are, left to right, Beau McCaffray, ’76, Sue Purves McCaffray, ’76, Rev. Harrington, Phyllis Hancock Leimer, ’58, Jean Rupert Nickol, ’63, and Stephen Nickol, ’63. We are thrilled to have Katie here!

Appalachian State recognized two faculty members with awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. Pictured, from left to right: App State Provost Heather Hulburt Norris; Chancellor’s Award recipient Dr. David Koppenhaver, professor in the Department of Reading Education and Special Education; Provost’s Award recipient Dr. Maggie Sugg, associate professor and departmental honors director in the Department of Geography and Planning; and App State Chancellor Sheri Everts.

Obituary for Petra (Kuchinsky) Martin

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/readingeagle/name/petra-martin-obituary?id=37955206

A group of friends gathered at the home of Amy Clatworthy Daigle. Pictured from left to right – Holly Ferguson `97, Amy Sheldon Bainbridge `97, Jesse Buell Brugel `98, Megan McCabe Postal `97, Amy Clatworthy Daigle `97, Ashley Strigle `97, Liz Conrad Lalmoia `96, Mary Risley `05.

My wife and I took a road trip this month to visit John and Judy (Krudener) Konnert at their home in Reston, VA. It was a great visit. We talked about how we hope to see our ’63 classmates at our 60th reunion this June. See you there!

MIAMI, FL – January 23, 2023 – Cresa Miami, South Florida’s premier occupier-only commercial real estate firm, is pleased to announce that it has welcomed two new advisors to its team of experts. Alberto Martinez and Benjamin Kuhn have joined the firm to service office and industrial occupiers. This announcement comes on the heels of one of the team’s most successful years to-date, with over $160 million in transactions in 2022 alone.

“Now more than ever, tenants are in need of knowledgeable and loyal partners to guide them through the ever-evolving industry and help make their goals a reality,” said Jeff Hartsook, Managing Principal at Cresa. “With this in mind, we couldn’t be more thrilled to be expanding our team and for Benjamin Kuhn to be on board as our newest Advisor. Together, we look forward to building on our existing momentum in the dynamic South Florida market.”

Born and raised in South Florida, Kuhn has witnessed the city’s immense economic development firsthand. In his new role, Kuhn’s immediate focus is on business development and market research. Prior to joining Cresa, he served as a property manager for WaterFront Realty Group. Kuhn holds a BA from the College of Wooster where he studied Communications and Business Economics.

“2022 was a monumental year for the Cresa team in South Florida,” said Tim Rivers, Market Leader – Florida for Cresa. “Much like our roster of deals, our team and client roster continues to grow at an impressive rate across the state. With the recent addition of Bob Schneiderman in Boca Raton and Lauren Rizzo in our Tampa office, we’re excited to continue our momentum in 2023 and beyond.”

Elmer Everett Selby Jr. age 92, of Horseheads, NY, passed away on November 2, 2022. He was the son of the late Elmer Everett Selby and Clara Summers Moist Selby and was predeceased by his wife, Beverly Ann Scheidemantle Selby of 54 years. Elmer is survived by his daughter Heather (Bruce) Smith of Davidson, NC, son Scott (Judy) Selby of Endwell, NY, son Craig (Nan) Selby of Ashland, OH, sister Clara (John) Kelly, grandchildren Kevin Selby, Emily (Andrew) Torba, Tyler and Jared Smith, Melanie Irvine-Selby, great-grandchildren Sophia and Samuel Torba, and sister-in-law Mariellen Burkhart as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Born on July 22, 1930, in Charleston, WV, Elmer grew up moving between his hometown and Carnegie, PA. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from The College of Wooster in Ohio and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Immediately following his final exam, Elmer flew to Pittsburgh to begin a very successful career with Westinghouse Electric Company. Shortly afterwards, he transferred to Westinghouse in Horseheads. There he rose from Assistant Engineer to Fellow Engineer, working with luminescent screens (awarded a patent), photosensitive surfaces, and clean manufacturing environments with assignments in both Engineering and Manufacturing Departments. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, a member of the American Society for Testing & Materials Committee, Chairman of the Task Force on Surface Examination, and more. During his 35 years of employment, he became involved in metallurgy and nondestructive analysis, was manager of the Chemical & Physical Laboratory, and was involved in Quality Control. One interesting accomplishment was his work on the camera Neil Armstrong used on the moon. Shortly after arriving in Horseheads, Elmer married his college sweetheart in 1955. They settled in Elmira and had two children, Heather and Scott. When Craig was born, they decided the house was too small and moved to Holiday Drive in Horseheads. After retiring, Elmer and Bev spent the winters in a condo in Seminole, FL near Bev’s mother and sister.

Elmer reached the rank of Eagle in his Boy Scout troop, being a role model for his grandsons to do the same. He enjoyed years of camping, hiking, and canoeing as well as earning merit badges. He eventually worked in leadership positions in Troop 33 of Elmira and became the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chairperson of 44 in Horseheads. He was awarded an outstanding service award for his untiring work with Boy Scout Troop 44 and the Claude V Furman Memorial Trophy from the Sullivan Trail Council for promoting “good camping and the love of nature”.

As an active member of the Presbyterian church, Elmer taught Sunday School and served as an Elder and a Deacon. He had a lifelong love for travel, having explored 49 states, Canada, and many European countries. He was also an avid reader of scientific journals and religious books. Elmer was an enthusiastic stamp and coin collector. As a member of basketball teams in college and at Westinghouse, he took full advantage of his 6’5” height. Spelunking was always an adventure and included repelling into shafts to measure rooms and corridors of many unexplored caverns, including a new area of Organ Cave. Other favorite activities included bowling, golf, high school track, and beating everyone in card games.

Elmer was well known as a caregiver. After his wife, Bev, developed Parkinson’s Disease, he retired early to travel with her and then to take care of her physical needs. During her 27 years of suffering, he never wavered in his care of her, showing everyone what it means to fulfill his marriage vow, “in sickness and in health”. A worship service celebrating Elmer’s life was held on Monday, November 7th. He was then laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery in Horseheads.

I was lucky enough to enjoy a Wooster girls trip to Breckenridge Colorado with Monica Brym `98 and my daughter Elise `25.

Shirley J. Wright of Rehoboth, Massachusetts passed away at home on Sunday October 9, 2022, surrounded by family and friends. 

Daughter of Agnes and Joseph Wright of Burlington, New Jersey, she is survived by her beloved wife, Robin Rose, sisters-in-laws, Wendy Rose Sanchez and Charity Rose, nieces Becca Niendorff, Margaret Hageman, Sara Gardner, Mary Alice  and Gabriela Romero Rose, nephews Stephen Niendorff, Harry Sanders, Ben Rose, Thomas Rose, Gabe Sanchez, Bobby Sanchez, and Julian Romero Rose. She is also survived by her loving brothers-in-laws, Richard Niendorff and Martin Sanchez and was pre-deceased by one additional brother-in-law, Charles David Rose. In her life, illness and death Shirley and her wife Robin were supported by many family members and a community of devoted and loving friends who are their extended family. 

Shirley was educated at Burlington New Jersey High School, The College of Wooster, Northwestern University, and the University of Connecticut. She valued education and as a financial aid officer at UConn, Wheaton College and Brown University she was dedicated to making educational opportunities accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. After retiring as Associate Director of Financial Aid at Brown University, she worked for several years as the Scholarship Director at the College Crusade in Providence. Her passion for educational equity was palpable and through her work she helped transform the lives of countless students. 

For the past eight years, she participated in the Grace Notes Singers group which sings for the terminally ill. She loved the women who sang and the compassionate work of the group. She served as treasurer and as a member of the steering committee.  

Shirley was an avid reader who devoured three newspapers a day and countless books on a monthly basis. She cherished vibrant and thoughtful conversations about complex issues of social justice and politics.  She loved canoeing and camping with friends, snorkeling, travel, walking the family pets and appreciating the natural world. She was a highly educated environmentalist and treasured her time in the woods, on rivers, in the mountains or in the presence of old growth forests. The natural world was her sacred space. 

Shirley was committed to addressing issues of social justice and to making a positive difference in the world.   She did so through her philanthropy, her service, and her daily interactions with others. Her generous spirit, compassion and ability to be truly present to others was a gift to many. The most appropriate way to honor her is by sharing your resources with organizations of your choosing or with: Save the Bay Rhode Island, Save the Bay Dr. Providence, RI  02905 or The Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907. 

A Celebration of Life service was held in her honor on Monday, October 17th. 

Robert “Bob” L. Tignor, 89 years old, passed away after a short illness on December 9 in his home in Princeton, NJ.

Bob, a dedicated father, husband, and scholar, was born in Philadelphia on November 20, 1933. His father, Bob M. Tignor, was the minister of the Yeadon Presbyterian church and his mother, Martha, taught high school Latin. The oldest of five, Bob was a natural leader whose work ethic emerged in childhood – from the classroom to the sports fields to his first job at the Breyers ice cream factory. Bob earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster in 1955 and his Ph.D. at Yale University before joining the faculty at Princeton University, where he taught for 46 years until 2006. He was the Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, Emeritus, and a pathbreaking scholar of British colonialism and its aftermath, world history, and the modern histories of Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya. He was also affiliated with the Program in Near Eastern Studies and the Program in African Studies and served as director of the latter from 1970 to 1979.

As a teacher, Bob offered Princeton’s first courses in African history. As a scholar, he immersed himself in the study of the continent, learning Arabic and exploring new historical methods, including ethnographic accounts of the roles of the Kamba, Kikuyu and Maasai peoples of East Africa in the rise and fall of the British empire in Kenya. His research took him to Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, England, and Kenya, countries where he and his family would live during sabbatical years.

His 14 years as chair of the Department of History was considered transformative, as he helped push the intellectual frontiers of the department beyond Europe and North America. He supported the creation of new kinds of courses, in new fields, with connections and support for interdisciplinary international studies, especially in African, Asian and Latin American studies, and initiated graduate and undergraduate courses in world history. He focused on empire and capitalism before either topic was fashionable, writing seven books on African history. His book “Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: A History of the Modern World: 1300 to the Present” (Norton, 2002), a two-volume history of the world, is generally regarded as the defining scholarly work in the field and the leading college-level textbook on global history.

A full list of Bob’s publications and academic honors are included in the Princeton University obituary. [https://www.princeton.edu/news/2022/12/21/robert-tignor-distinguished-egyptologist-and-historian-wonderful-mentor-and]]

Beyond his own scholarship, Bob was a dedicated mentor to generations of undergraduate and graduate students in modern African history and modern world history. Among his graduate students, many of whom went on to prestigious academic careers, he is remembered for his wry sense of humor and no-nonsense approach.

The easy athleticism and competitive spirit that Bob showed as a child – from the swimming pool to the basketball court to the football field where he played quarterback on his intramural college team – continued into his adulthood. Among colleagues and friends, he was known as a fierce and fearsome tennis and squash player. His childhood loyalty to Philadelphia sports teams never wavered, and he was equally devoted to his Princeton Tigers as an adult. A passionate spectator, Bob’s game-watching moods ranged from sheer glee to total exasperation. He never shied away from letting the refs know when he disagreed with a call – which was not infrequently – or voicing his opinions when watching games on TV (and sometimes waking up his sleeping children in the process).

Bob was fair, honest, and deeply committed to helping others, most especially through education. Not one to slow down in “retirement,” he continued writing, publishing books on the Nobel-winning economist W. Arthur Lewis, a short history of Egypt, and a biography of Anwar al-Sadat. He also completed revisions of “Worlds Together, Worlds Apart” and wrote a companion volume. Bob continued his work as a member on the Board of Trustees for The College of Wooster, a role that brought him great pleasure. He volunteered as a reader for the blind; worked with struggling elementary school learners in the read-aloud program at a local elementary school, and helped women living in a shelter get their GED. Bob offered adult education lectures to the Princeton community and held advanced group history discussions in his home for a group of motivated high school students.

Among many things, his family will remember his commitment to summer vacations on Cape Cod spanning 60 years and countless trips taking children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the Brewster General store.

Bob’s wife of 66 years, Marian, suffered a fatal stroke on Dec. 15, just six days after Bob’s death. He was predeceased by his son, Jeffrey David Tignor, who died in 2003. He is survived by his brother, Richard Tignor; his sisters, Joan Tiernan and Judy Russo; his daughters, Laura Tignor and Sandra Selby and husband Trevor Selby; four grandchildren, Hilde McKernan, Sam Cobb, Owen Selby and Isabel Selby; and two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Harper McKernan.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Rd., Princeton, New Jersey, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.

Jay Sherwood (’69) passed away in British Columbia in October, 2022. He is survived by wife Linda (’71) and his two sons and daughter-in-law. Following college, Jay and Linda married and moved to Montana for a few years, where Jay completed an AA in Surveying and worked first for the US Forest Service and later for a surveying firm based in Vancouver, BC. In the mid-1970s, Jay completed certification as a teacher at the University of Calgary and an MA in History at the University of Montana. During his three-decade career as a teacher-librarian in BC and Alberta elementary schools, Jay was heavily involved in school outdoor education programs and environmental studies. He shared his skills in snowshoeing, camping, canoeing, and hiking with many students over the years. After retirement Jay launched a second career as an author, making good use of his history degrees as he conducted interviews and researched materials about the history of surveying in BC in the early 20th century. To date, a dozen of his books have been published, with several winning awards.

Jill Gregory `95 has been a practicing medical illustrator since graduating from the University of Michigan in 1998, and has spent her entire career in academic medical centers in New York City. She started out as a staff medical illustrator at Beth Israel Medical Center, and is currently the Associate Director of Instructional Technology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In this position, she creates visual materials for academic purposes: journal articles, textbook chapters, and in-classroom and online education. She also teaches classes and workshops in effective data visualization for medical and graduate students. She is especially interested in the intersection of medical illustration and instructional design, and believes that while the medical education field knows about and depends on imagery to teach, there is a vast opportunity for medical illustrators to go beyond image-making into influencing how content is taught.

I am a graduate of Wooster, class of 1966, and a retired pastor living in the Finger Lakes of western New York. My late wife, Martha Eshelman Brown (known as “Marty”), was in the class of 1965. My second children’s book, entitled Maggie of the Crooked Lake, a true story about my current dog, is about to be published, and is in memory of Martha.

My first children’s book, Willy of the Crooked Lake, was about a previous rescue dog we found, and it was published in 2015. This book was a fund-raiser to help complete a new shelter at the Finger Lakes SPCA in Bath, NY — we raised approximately $40,000 for that project, along with providing matching funds and connections that brought in tens of thousands more in support. I did book signings at the Lowry Center at a class reunion with the Willy book. Approximately 1800 Willy books have been distributed thus far. My wonderful collaborator and illustrator for the Willy book is an artist friend of many decades, Bonnie Mitchell, and the book was self-published.

Maggie of the Crooked Lake, also self-published and also illustrated by Bonnie, will be a fund-raiser for two organizations dear to my heart: CareFirstNY, a hospice organization headquartered in Painted Post NY, and Bampa’s House, a comfort care home located in Corning NY. CareFirst helped me take care of my wife when she was terminally ill in 2014, and the current headquarters of CareFirstNY is located on what was once my grandparents’ land, in a decommissioned school once named for my grandfather. Bampa’s House was created by the family of one of my high school friends and is located in my original home town of Corning. The rationale, in part, for the choice of the two agencies is that Maggie was picked out at the SPCA by my wife before her illness (and her care by hospice), and the story relates how I lost my wife and how Maggie then “rescued” me and became my dog.

Adam Clark `20 and Taylor Wood `20 wedding was on October 15, 2022. Many Wooster Alumni were in attendance at the wedding.
Jake Cohen `21-kneeling, Justin Robinson `20, Adam and Taylor Clark (Wood)`20-bride and groom,
Seth Green `20, Morgan Barnett `21-bridesmaid, Kate O’Doherty `21-bridesmaid, Nick Straughsbaugh `20

Gabe Wasylko ’19 was named one of the “Most Interesting People of 2023” by Cleveland Magazine. Wasylko’s breathtaking images of Cleveland’s skyline have earned him more than 20 thousand social media followers. He also works as Destination Cleveland’s social media manager. https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/people/articles/gabe-wasylko-most-interesting-people-2023

Photo Credit: Cleveland Magazine

Kenny Libben (2010) was recently elected to the board of the International Council of Museum’s committee for Regional Museums (ICOM-ICR).

Charlotte Tierney ’16 married Connor Burnard on April 2, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee surrounded by their cherished Wooster family.

Back: Kathleen Hogg ’16, Spencer Zeigler, Emily Hrovat ’16, Shannan Burrows ’17, Fox Dickey ’16, Dan Ludin ’17, Jen Whitehall ’18, Whitney Spaulding ’16, Gina Malfatti Brennan ’17.

Front: James May ’16, Leah Zavaleta ’16, Maddy Baker ’16, Sarah Van Oss ’16, Gillian Spangler ’16 (on Sarah’s phone), Tori Horvath ’16, Connor Burnard, Charlotte Tierney, Madeline Horvat ’17, Riley Bundren ’14, Jo Turner ’14, Levi Fawcett ’15.

On June 25, 2022 Von Chorbajian (Class of 2008) married his loving partner of twelve years Michael DiPietro in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The newlyweds were delighted to have so many Wooster alumni in attendance to celebrate and are grateful for the many years of close friendship. 

Left to right Alana Cuellar ’09 and her husband Paul Howe, Paula Clark ’08,  Kate Blair ’09 and her wife Maureen Sill ’10

Front row Joe Besl ’09 Laura Seaman ’09 and Caitlin Fetters ’09 – also in attendance were Julia Hendrickson ’08 and her husband Anthony Creeden 

Allie Elchert (’17) married Tanner Fisher in September 2022 at the Brengman Brothers Winery in Traverse City, Michigan. Many of their friends from Wooster were in attendance! Two of Allie’s bridesmaids, Clara Deck and Abbey Partika, graduated with her in 2017.
Pictured from left to right:
Back row: Warren Lewis (’17), Fritz Schoenfeld (’17), Giancarlo Stefanutti (’17), Garret Hodos (’17)
Front row: Jack Berthiaume (’17), Elena Soyer (’17), Lucy Heller (’17), Abbey Partika (’17), Tanner Fisher, Allie Elchert (’17), Clara Deck (’17), Lia Adams, Grace Gamble (’17), Sophie Nathanson (’17)

Eric Petry’14 married Rachel Meyer on September 24, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio, surrounded by friends and family, including many fellow Scots.

Pictured from left to right: (Front row) Gina Christo ’14, Erica Rickey ‘14; (Middle row) Alex Dereix ‘14, Oliver Paul ‘14; (Back row) Dylan Jurcik ‘14, Rachel Meyer, Eric Petry ’14, Ian Wilson ‘14, Ryan Snyder ‘14
Also in attendance: Hon. Solomon Oliver, Jr. ’69, Louisa Oliver ’68, Professor John Rudisill.

Suzanne McMillen Goerger passed away peacefully at her home October 4, 2022. Suzanne was born June 15,1954 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. She was a graduate of The College of Wooster class of 1976 and North Carolina State University and dedicated her career in service to people who are challenged in life with developmental intellectual disabilities and/or mental illness. Suzanne had a gracious, generous and gentle heart and especially enjoyed the simpler things in life: a cup of strong coffee in the morning, a glass of wine shared with the company of family and friends, dinner parties, holiday get togethers, laughter, walks on the beach, floating in her kayak, a kiss on her cheek, a hug, and the giggles of her grandchildren who she loved most of all.

Paula J. Dowd (nee Hykes) beloved wife of the late John C. “Jack”; mother of Lisa J. Schott (Stuart), Laurel K. Dowd, Julia D. Corcoran (Everard) and the late Robert C. Dowd; grandmother of Steven Schott (Valerie) and Lee Schott (Paia) and Claire Corcoran and Ellen Corcoran; great-grandmother of Evelyn and Rowan Schott; sister of the late Brian Hykes. Private burial was held at Lakewood Park Cemetery.

I had a post-pandemic Wooster reunion with my host family (Friends of International Students) in the UK. This is their second visit to the UK. My host mom, Mary Stockton, and my host sister, Elizabeth Perkins, came to visit me in England; we spent ten days exploring New Quay (the southwest coastal city of England). My host sister Elizabeth is currently studying abroad at Goldsmiths University in London.

Sincerely,

Shiwani

Had a wonderful trip to Wooster, perfect October gorgeous day on the steps of the Gault Alumni House!

Lizzi (Beal) Bramer ‘12 married Michael Bramer on June 25, 2022 in Louisville, KY.
Backrow from left to right, Ron Beal ‘84, Liz Striegl ‘12, Devin Grandi ‘13, Zoë (Zwegat) Schmid ‘14. Front row from left to right, Kelley Johnson ‘13, Lizzi (Beal) Bramer ‘12, Liz (Crannell) Pratt ‘11, and Jordan Dieterle ’13.

These graduates independently found their way to OceanView retirement community in Falmouth, ME and grouped-up when they learned of each other’s Wooster backgrounds.  In early October, they hosted Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Quin Brunner, for a lovely breakfast of Wooster reminiscing.

Left to right:  Quin Brunner (Assistant Director of Annual Giving), Alice Bredenberg’59, Carolyn Jenks’60, Stephen Jenks’61, Lyall Rogers’58, Judy Hyde’59, and also at OceanView but not pictured, Dick Hyde’57.

Emily Corwin, Class of 2013, married Joseph Thornton on October 15, 2022 with friends and family in attendance in southern Michigan. Three of Emily’s bridesmaids, Grace (Miller) Kramer, Keely Pearce, and Gwen (Symons) Coddington, graduated with her in 2013 from Wooster.

Pictured from left to right: Meredith Eyre (’13), Keely Pearce (’13), Emily Corwin (’13), Adrienne James (’13), Grace (Miller) Kramer (’13), Gwen (Symons) Coddington (’13), and Matthew Germaine (’15).

Frederick R Nobbs, Jr, Class of 1959, BA Economics, and member of 2nd Section Kappa Phi Sigma & Wooster Swim Team, passed away October 14, 2022 in Doylestown, PA. He and his Wooster sweetheart, Priscilla (née Thorne), were married 62 years. Read full obituary at varcoethomasfuneralhome.com

Jackie McMakin died on October 2^nd, 2022, at age 88 in Shelburne, VT.  She left this world the way she tried to live in it – present, active, and mindful. Her last week was spent reading contemplative texts, taking long canoe rides in Lake Champlain, writing, corresponding with friends, walking in the forest, skinny-dipping in the Lake, listening to Verdi’s Requiem, and enjoying time with her children.

Jackie grew up in New Rochelle, New York, the daughter of Robert and Virginia Straub.  There she met the three great loves of her life – religious studies, her husband Dave (they were the Presbyterian church youth group together), and music.  At the College of Wooster in Ohio, she majored in religion, kept dating Dave, and directed the campus choral group.  Her junior year, she studied at the University of St. Andrews University in Scotland.

Jackie and Dave were married after graduation, and she moved to Japan where Dave was serving in the Air Force.  Called to service, she and Dave then moved to Taegu, South Korea where they worked at a Presbyterian mission for two years, helping that nation with its post-war healing and reconstruction.  From there they took the trip of a lifetime, taking a year to explore Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Israel, and Egypt.

Jackie’s early passions were church and civil rights.  Integration was on everyone’s mind in the early sixties, and Jackie helped create sister bonds between white and black churches in DC.  This interest in what we have in common versus what separates us led to her focus on bringing together different denominations and faiths in ecumenical settings, a master’s degree in religion from the Catholic University of America, and teaching posts at DC-area seminaries.

Jackie and Dave joined the Church of the Savior, an ecumenical church on Massachusetts Avenue, and were active members there for many years.  During this time, Jackie began to write professionally, publishing more than 130 articles in national religious publications, mostly on ecumenism, spiritual development, and lay leadership as well as co-authoring the Doorways to Christian Growth series of books with Rhoda Nary.

Later, she joined Sonya Dyer to create The Lab, a series of workshops focused on vocational discernment that started rooted in the Christian tradition but which they then broadened to include the full breadth and richness of human spiritual experience.  With Sonya, she co-authored Working from the Heart.

In retirement, she and Dave moved from D.C to Vermont.  For fifteen years, they would volunteer to help various communities overseas (in places as far-flung as South Africa, Australia, and Lithuania).  Most recently, Jackie did a series of workshops for young people in Ukraine, an experience that gave her great joy but that has caused her concern as she has seen conflict envelop that country.

Jackie loved adventure.  She and Dave took a big walk or bike ride every summer for more than two decades.  Among many trips, they walked across Great Britain, biked from Amsterdam to Marseilles, and biked the length of the Danube.

On her 82^nd birthday, Dave bought her an ultra-lite single-person canoe.  It was her greatest joy to take that boat out on Lake Champlain during the summer and swim.  She also had an abiding love of music.  Her grandfather was a noted piano maker, and the apple did not fall far from the tree.  Jackie played piano, flute, saxophone, clarinet, harmonica, violin, and accordion as well as being able to sight read.  Throughout her life, she enjoyed conducting choral ensembles.

In her final years, she became passionate about the environment, penning Our Defining Moment: A Pocket Guide to Creating the Future We Truly Want as well as the death-with-dignity movement that works to guarantee the right of people to choose how they die.  She wrote about her commitment to this cause in Looking Forward:  Discovering the Art of Dying Well, her final book.  At the end of her life, she decided to, “choose her exit ramp from life and not wait until it is too late to make that choice” by voluntarily stopping to eat or drink (VSED), an option for which she was an advocate.

Jackie was preceded in death by Dave and leaves behind two children, Tom McMakin who lives in Montana, and Peg Marshall who lives in Pennsylvania

Tricia Hall ’14 and Andrew Collins ’12 were married on September 10, 2022, in a lovely ceremony in Georgetown, Maine. They were surrounded by friends and family, including the Wooster alumni pictured.

From left to right: Brett Hall (’16), Joe Skonce (’12), Katie (Heugel) Jankowski (’12), Lauren (Klingshirn) Manella (’14), Allison Chin (’14), Jocelyn Lion (’15), Devin Johns (’14), Mac Collins (’71), and Susan (Benson) Collins (’72)

Matt and I were married under Kauke Arch.  We remained best of friends and were planning on retiring together.  We had two sons that were Matt’s pride and joy.

https://www.weberfh.com/obituary/Matthew-Bieniek

Groom Dylan Jurcik (’14) and Bride Alex Dereix (’14) surrounded by their friends and fellow Wooster alumni: 

(Back Row) David Hirsh (’15), Audrey Kramer (’14), Erica Rickey (’14)

(Middle Row)  Anya Cohen (’14), Gina Christo (’14), Patrick McGowan (’15), Eric Petry (’14)

(Front Row) Hugh Reynolds (’15), Allie Miraldi (’14), Groom, Bride, Kevin Dinh

Class of 1996 Alumni, Meredith Rucker Spitzmiller has published a multiple point of view thriller novel, THE FAIR OAKS FOUR, under the pen name Mere Walton. Available now at Amazon.

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

It is real hot in the American West right now. August was the hottest month on record in parts of Montana, and it’s not letting up. Some areas are seeing 100-degree temperatures in September for the very first time. Climate forecasts project more heat waves in the future, so air conditioning is just going to become crucial in places where people have never needed it before. Here’s Montana Public Radio’s Aaron Bolton.

ALYSSA ALSOP: We have, like, 16 fans going.

AARON BOLTON, BYLINE: Alyssa Alsop lives in a subsidized apartment complex just 17 miles from Glacier National Park. There’s no air conditioning here. And she says it’s been so hot inside, her 1-1/2-year-old daughter has been sick.

ALSOP: And then she started puking every night, probably a good three times a night. And I’m like, she’s too hot. I would give her three, four cold baths, but how many times can I do that?

BOLTON: Alsop eventually took her daughter to the emergency room because she couldn’t stop vomiting.

Cathy Whitlock, a Montana State University professor who wrote Montana’s climate change assessment, says some are suffering more than others.

CATHY WHITLOCK: It affects the old and the very young, people far from services, people with health conditions, people who live in poverty that don’t have access to cooling systems.

BOLTON: Whitlock says summers like these will only become more common in climate models.

WHITLOCK: So that covers large areas of Montana, and I think it’s probably our No. 1 concern about climate change going forward.

BOLTON: Amy Cilimburg at the nonprofit Climate Smart Missoula is trying to help spur heat adaptation in Montana. Cooling centers don’t really work in rural areas with dispersed populations, so more people will need home air conditioning.

AMY CILIMBURG: It’s not just a comfort thing. It’s actually essential to have the ability to cool your – the place that you sleep, right?

BOLTON: Cilimburg has been working on helping low-income people get AC for about a year, but…

CILIMBURG: How do we actually fund this?

BOLTON: The most climate-friendly option is heat pumps, which also provide air conditioning, but can cost thousands of dollars.

CILIMBURG: It’s complicated. And it – you know, these new heat pumps cost money. So that’s where the Inflation Reduction Act is just really exciting.

BOLTON: The Inflation Reduction Act President Biden signed last month earmarks $4.3 billion for rebates to help low- and middle-income homeowners swallow the upfront cost of installing a heat pump. Cilimburg’s organization is preparing to help people navigate the new rebates and pick up additional costs. And a little AC makes a big difference. Alyssa Alsop in Columbia Falls was finally able to install a window air-conditioning unit, despite it being against her apartment complex rules.

ALSOP: I – we put that in yesterday, and it feels a lot better in here.

BOLTON: Yeah. How hot was it getting in here?

ALSOP: I would say more than probably a hundred degrees. You know, it was to the point where you couldn’t sit in here.

BOLTON: Alsop says with the cool air blowing, her daughter slept through the night without puking for the first time in days. Whether the Inflation Act’s incentives will lead landlords to outfit more apartments like Alsop’s with air conditioning remains to be seen.

Diego Rivas with the nonprofit Northwest Energy Coalition says the federal government is still hashing out exactly what those incentives will look like.

DIEGO RIVAS: But hopefully, with the IRA, these investments become, you know, cost-neutral, so to speak.

BOLTON: How effective the legislation is in helping Montanans get air conditioning depends on how much this Republican state cooperates with the Biden White House, whether they can efficiently help people and landlords access the federal funding with minimum hassle.

For NPR News, I’m Aaron Bolton in Columbia Falls, Mont.

(SOUNDBITE OF THE HALIFAX PIER SONG, “STRANGE NEWS FROM ANOTHER STAR”)

Nick Jones has been named Vice President of Community Wellness and will focus on the Columbus residents’ health through the Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Families (HNHF) program.

The HNHF initiative promotes positive health outcomes in the community by targeting affordable housing, education, health and wellness, community enrichment, and economic development across central Ohio.

After launching on Columbus’s southside, the HNHF program has expanded to the Linden area, and with Jones’ leadership, will supplement and expand upon the bold vision of the One Linden plan with Jones overseeing community relations, social determinants of health and social justice-related projects.

I work for Maplewood Senior Living as Marketing Project Manager and went to one of our communities in Darien, CT to meet the son of a resident. I interviewed him to get a testimonial about the experience he’s had in finding a home for his father. We had an excellent half-hour chat, however I needed to get a photo of he and his father.  As his father was heading off to dinner,  the subject came up that we had communities in Ohio. I said I went to college in Ohio and the father said he did too,  at The College of Wooster.  I said so did I and then the son piped up – me too!

Edward Powers, the father, was class of 1948 and it was when Independent Study was first introduced and where he also met his wife. His son, Randall Powers, was in the class of 1973. Here we are at Maplewood at Darien in the library.

From Left: Lisa Walsh ’91, Edward Powers ’48, and his son Randall Powers ’73 at Maplewood of Darien.

Mark High, a member in the Detroit office of Dickinson Wright PLLC, has been named the recipient of the 16th Annual Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award by the State Bar of Michigan’s Business Law Section. This prestigious award honors Michigan business lawyers who consistently exemplify the characteristics the Business Law Section seeks to foster and facilitate: the highest quality of professionalism, the highest quality of practice, and an unwavering dedication to service, ethical conduct, and collegiality within the practice of law.

High specializes in business transactional matters including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and corporate governance. He has worked at Dickinson Wright for 37 years. Before joining the firm, High spent time clerking for the Ohio State Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court with the late Justice David D. Dowd, Jr. High then practiced law at a Toledo-based firm before moving to Dickinson Wright.

Throughout his distinguished career, High has counseled small and medium-sized entities in several industries to help with transactions ranging from $5 million to $150 million, along with Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson Controls and multiple other Tier One automotive suppliers. He also assisted many foreign entities with their U.S-based operations. He has a special affinity working for Canadian clients.

High joins other experienced and accomplished business law attorneys who received the Schulman Award, including many leading business law attorneys in Michigan he looked up to in the 1980s. Some of High’s most substantial contributions to the Business Law Section include roles as chair and council member of the Business Law Section and a founder of the Section’s Small Business Forum. He has repeatedly served as an instructor at the Section’s annual Business Law Institute as well.

“I remember attending the Section meetings when I was a young lawyer and (legal leaders and former Schulman recipients) Verne Hampton, Cy Moscow and others were leading the way,” High said. “The Section was still in its infancy then and I was amazed at the opportunities members had to help change (business) law for the better by being involved.”

High grew up outside of Cleveland before attending The College of Wooster for his bachelor’s degree and Duke Law School for his J.D. He quickly gravitated to the transactional side of business law because it gave him the opportunity to help clients move forward in a positive direction. “Litigation was never for me,” High said.

As a council member and Section chair in the mid-2000s, the Grosse Pointe Park resident was focused on expanding the Section’s reach, especially with small-to-mid sized firms outside of the Detroit and Grand Rapids markets. He presented educational sessions with colleagues as a spin-off of the Business Law Institute in such communities as Traverse City, Kalamazoo, and Midland.

While High helped to educate his legal colleagues as an instructor, he learned a few things along the way as well. One year he hosted an Institute training in Midland on November 15 and was surprised that only a handful of lawyers had shown up. A local attendee filled him in. “I learned that you never schedule anything in that part of the state on the first day of (firearm) deer hunting season,” High says. “We never made that mistake again.”

In addition to High’s work with the state bar’s Business Law Section, he has been involved in the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section and its Model Shareholder Agreement Task Force. High has served for over 10 years as President of the Canada – United States Business Association. He also is a former co-chair with the U.S. Law Firm Group’s Corporate and Securities Committee, a former member of the Business Advisory Board for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and a former member of the Alumni Board at The College of Wooster. He has served on the boards of Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Detroit Wine Organization.

As a result of his involvement in the Section, High recommends that business-focused attorneys of all ages throughout the state become involved to support their network building and continuing education. “It has been very useful to know the lawyers within the Section and I have actually completed many deals with them,” High said. “Having those strong relationships supported my practice and therefore my clients because it has made so many of these transactions smoother.”

The legal field also demands that its leaders set an example for future attorneys as well, High says. “We work in a profession where we have an obligation to give back and the entire process is very rewarding,” he added. “The people involved with the Section make it very easy for us all to benefit. Plus, it’s great to see the knowledge seamlessly passed from one generation to another.”

High will be introduced at the Schulman Award Ceremony, held in conjunction with the Section’s annual meeting on October 7 in Grand Rapids. Former junior high classmate and long-time Dickinson Wright colleague Timothy Stoepker will introduce High at the Annual Meeting.

This past weekend, a few Wooster graduates and I met at the home of Eric Meyer ’75 and Pamela Placeway Meyer ’75 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The evening was filled with food, laughs, and reminiscing!  Also in attendance were Erie Mills ’75, Rod Kennedy ’77 and Caroly Meyer ’68.

Front Row: Pamela Meyer ’75, Eric Meyer, 75, Carolyn Meyer ’68.

Back Row: Irwin Reese ’75, Rod Kennedy ’77, Erie Mills ’75.

Paige C. Goldberg focuses her practice on Professional Liability, Product Liability, General Trial Practice, as well as Civil Rights, and Governmental matters. She received her J.D. in 2018 from Chicago-Kent College of Law and her B.A. in 2015 from the College of Wooster.

Maggie Connors ’16 and Zachary Kelly ’14 married on August 10, 2019, in Burlington,  Vermont.  There to help make the day memorable were many wonderful friends and family, including numerous College of Wooster alumni, all pictured.

In the first row (left to right): B. Slone ’16, Maggie Connors ’16,  Joanne Elder (Slocum) ’54,  Zachary Kelly ’14.

Second Row:  Katie Kelly ’11, Laura Elder-Connors ’82, Ellen Elder-Joseph ’88, Tim Stehulak ’13.

Third Row:  Kristen Connors ’12, Nathaniel Boyer ’14, Victoria Salemme ’16, Katie Pistilli (Hall) ’16, Adam Jankowski ’13, Katie Jankowski (Heugle) ’12.

As some know, I have become very active  relating to my Scottish heritage, and am the Secretary of the International Clan MacFarlane Society.  I was just recently accorded the honor of being named a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, an organization granted a Royal Charter in 1783 by George III (just about the time they had to admit they lost the war and acknowledged our independence).  The Society is dedicated to the history and archaeology of Scotland, and operates out of offices in the Scottish National Museum (which it founded).

Scot Band bandmates Jake Briggs, Amy Cohen, Jonah Comstock, Emily Howard, and Ryan LeBlanc, all class of ’10, reunited in May for our first group trip since COVID. We spent three days at Glacier National Park (pictured) and another three days in Bozeman, Montana.

My wife, Heidi, and I had the privilege of hiking from Glasgow to Inverness on the West Highland and Great Glen Ways of Scotland in May.  We were able to celebrate our 70th birthdays and 48 years of marraige in the land of the Macleod Clan.  My kilt was the best piece of hiking gear I took and stimulated a lot of conversations.

I just earned 2nd Master’s degree this time in Special Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. I am still teaching at Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences in Georgetown, DE.

Received from Jim Sentman for 1972 Class Notes:

Our reunion days, June 9 – 12^th, were filled with so many brief moments of shared discovery and rediscovery that I want to write them down before I forget them.  Our paths crossed again on a weekend of poignant, funny, and even random events that I treasure.  Was the best one talking to Dr. Gordon Collins at our Coccia House pizza party?   Or perhaps the many of us moved by the bag piper at the Memorial Service?    Maybe a random statement over a breakfast?   Finding a lost twin in Luce Lounge among the snacks & the drinks & the fellowship?

Sunday morning the congregation at Westminster House had invited all alumni to attend a special worship service at 10 a.m., but by 11:45, I returned to a deserted Luce Hall, to discover I was surely the last man standing in celebration of our 50^th reunion.  At Westminster, alumni were invited to speak about our spiritual journey in connection with Wooster, and four of us spoke.  I want to share with you what I expressed.

I defined the Holy Spirit as that divine spark within each of us humans that creates potential connections between us.  I testified that I experienced that spark as a boy of 17, who came to Wooster for an education, but discovered a life changing culture among the students and professors I met.  More importantly that spark was very much alive during Alumni Weekend when, over and over again, a decades old experience was relived among you my classmates and me.    Old friendships, long dormant, came alive again.  New ones formed.  I know Wooster is indeed a real community of caring and supporting people.   Apparently, that did not end on graduation day.

As if in affirmation of all I’d said, it turns out during the worship service a stranger I was sitting with at Westminster House turned out to be Professor Vivian Holliday of the Classics Department, who had taught me Mythology in 1971.   I began to weep when I rediscovered her and was able to thank her for all she gave to me decades past.

I hope that any of you whom I spoke to during our reunion knows exactly what I mean by a brief connecting moment we had that weekend.  I would love to share them all here in this message.   But, instead, I hope that each of you will get to your laptop and send in some special memories either of this June 2022 at Wooster or perhaps from our shared days long ago.

Jim Sentman

Bride and Groom – Andrew (’16) and Madeleine Herst, joined by many Wooster Alumni.

Back Row:  Jimmy Kocab ’17, Aiden Conley ’16, Jack Marousek ’18, Kevin Gould ’18, Jack Whalen ’18, Rachel Keeney ’16, Matt Keeney ’16

Middle Row:  Hannah Ayer, Nick Halle ’16, Catherine Herst ’14, David Smith ’16, Taylor Bowen ’16, Caroline Click ’17

Bottom Row:  Sebastian Northup ’16, Vivian (Tuttle) Hughes ’54, Jeanne (Tuttle) Herst ’49, Groom-Andrew Herst ’16

After 20 years in marketing, most of it in financial services, I decided this spring to explore a new career path by following my passion. I have been interested in genealogy ever since I had to interview grandparents for a high school project. In April I started Digging for Roots LLC, a genealogical research company, and I finally know what it’s like to look forward to going to work every day! Check out my website at www.diggingforroots.net or email me at katie@diggingforroots.net. I’d love to help fellow Wooster alums learn more about their family history!

Some sad news to begin – My dad, Neil Cameron Hughes ’59, passed away from ALS in December 2021. At Wooster, he was a staff assistant for the Wooster Voice, an athlete on the track and field team, the sports editor of the Index, and a member of the Second Section. He was a great adventurer who joined the Navy, worked at the World Bank and traveled around the world for decades, earned two master’s degrees and wrote two books.

Inspired by my amazing dad, I decided to make at least one of my dreams come true. Owning a bookstore on Block Island, RI is an economically impossible feat, but this spring, I got close with a new job at Brown University in Providence, RI. I’ll be moving up to Pawtucket, RI in July and hope to meet Wooster alumni in the area. All are welcome to come visit. Shoot me an email at jhughes@scoutliterarymedia.com.

Jenna E. Watt-Coaker (nee Flack), age 59 of Bedford Heights., Ohio, died April 14, 2022. Beloved wife of Evan W. Coaker; loving mother of Laren A. Watt of Bedford Hts.; loving daughter of Carol Flack and Bruce Flack (Carly); dear sister of Brian (Laura), Adam (Kate) and John Flack; dear stepdaughter of Sharon Flack; dear aunt to 7 nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Jenna’s life was held at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44118. Interment, Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA.

https://obits.cleveland.com/us/obituaries/cleveland/name/jenna-watt-coaker-obituary?id=34396910

Julia Jane McMillen Huber, class of 57, passed away 11/24/2021.  She was the beloved wife of Joe Huber, Jr. for 57 years and the mother of sons Joseph, an Intel engineering manager and John, a private school headmaster.  Active and leading in many organizations, particularly in her Presbyterian church where she initiated many new programs and was running the Sunday school until two years before her death.  Julie enjoyed developing and giving talks on historical items and edited her husband’s books and papers till the end.  Besides her sons and daughter-in-laws, Julia leaves five grandchildren.

Aaron Stone (2008) was married on February 20, 2022 to his lovely bride Kathryn Seevers in Delray Beach, Florida.

From Left to Right: Jason Stewart (2010), Kevin Kordalski (2011), Grant D’Augustine (2008), Aaron Stone (2008), Kathryn Seevers, Alan Wedd (2008), Matthew Dominski (2008)

In May 2022,  Virginia Sauerbrun Everett’s  grandson,  Andrew Everett,  graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors in Physics from Kenyon College.  He will attend graduate school in Engineering at Washington University,  Missouri.

The College of Wooster magazine may be interested in doing a story on Church. Church Bar’s is a cocktail bar tucked into a not-so-swanky neighborhood with the tagline “filled with the spirits”.

There are three partners of this classy cocktail bar.  Opening is slated for July. The managing partner is an ex-seminarian who studied at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, when they came out. That was frowned upon so Chelsea Gregoire (they/them) found community where they could– by bartending, servant leadership and hospitality.  Now Chelsea has received local and national awards, opened 18 bars in the last 5 years (trans/non-binary). Marisa Dobson, she/her nationally known PR professional and our brand evangalist (gay).  I am the third partner, Martha Lucius, she/her, class of 1985, Economics Major, Religious Studies minor. Owner and operator of two restaurants, presently restaurant consultant  & coach., soon to be  community curator ( straight). We are creating a new inspired and inclusive hospitality. We are purposely acknowledging inequities in hospitality, breaking open the conversation, and boldly determined to rebuild the industry. We know humanity and equality needs to be acknowledged, and rewarded.

I was inspired to share my story after seeing A’Janay Nicholson (2022) graduate this week. She is an adopted daughter in my life. I introduced her to Wooster, and Wooster found a way for her to attend with a full-ride. Visiting Wooster reminded me of how much we were taught to quietly choose a better path for the world. Walk lightly on the Earth and be the change we want to see. I feel that more than ever with Church, and A’Janay inspired me to know Wooster is alive and well and lives in the spirit of it’s student body.  Thank you to President Bolton for getting to know A’Janay and listening to her during the four years she attended.

Our friend and author Kathy Hooker (Eckles), class of ‘71 and my husband, photographer David Young-Wolff (Wolff), class of 71, assisted by Bill Hooker, class of ‘69, and I, Pam Young-Wolff (Young) class of ‘71, have collaborated on a book that was recently published called “Voices of Navajo Mothers and Daughters: Portraits of Beauty.”

In “Voices of Navajo Mothers and Daughters: Portraits of Beauty,” Kathy interviewed grandmothers, mothers, and daughters from twenty-one Navajo families. The time we spent with them was so memorable and they opened up about how they have been shaped by powerful cultural and historical forces—and by their love for each other. David then photographed the women in their surroundings which adds to understanding these strong, beautiful women and their lives.

Along with the stories Kathy included informative chapters about Navajo history and culture, including the coming-of-age ceremony (kinaaldá), the tale of Changing Woman, the Long Walk and Fort Sumner, boarding schools and education, the Navajo-Hopi Land Dispute, and sheep and wool-weaving.

The book is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Soulstice Publishing and the Wooster bookstore. This project was definite one of the highlights of our lives and it was such fun collaborating with Wooster alumni!

Nancy Rose Ludowise, 77, of Columbus, Ohio took her last breath on April 17, 2021. She was born May 1, 1943 in Akron, Ohio and was the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Harry and Mrs, Bertha Rose. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Martha Louella Timmons and her brother, Harry David Rose, Jr. She graduated from Old Trail High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in History from The College of Wooster and her Master’s of Natural Science degree from the University of Wyoming. She devoted her life to a teaching career and she loved her students, from her early years teaching Special Ed through her substitute teaching as a retiree. She impacted so many lives in a positive way- listening, guiding, instilling curiosity, and believing in the potential of all people. She created a life of love and adventure with her husband, Jim, and her three children, Christine, Benjamin and Jennifer. Nancy cherished being a grandma to her grandsons, Cameron and Parker, and their lives have been so greatly enriched by her. She was a trailblazer for her time, passionate about social and environmental issues and equal rights for all- and campaigned tirelessly for causes dear to her heart- be it re-introducing wolves into Yellowstone National Park, or electing a woman into the White House. She had a strong faith and belief- she was brave and bold and feisty- she did things her way all up to the very end. A memorial service will be scheduled later on in 2021, time and place to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective at 3960 Brookham Drive, Grove City, Ohio 43123.N

Dorothy Morley Kantosky passed away peacefully on March 6, 2022 at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton with her devoted and beloved husband, Bill, by her side. Dorothy was born in Ashtabula, Ohio to Dr. John D. Morley and Genevieve Morley who predeceased her. Dorothy leaves her husband, Bill, her sister, Mary Morley, Her sister, Dr. Jane Kitchen, her brother, David Morley, and her cousins, Dr. Tom Morley and Molly Paccione as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was a proud graduate of the College of Wooster, of the University of Denver school of library science with a master’s degree and of the University of Akron school of law. In addition to working for both the Summit County and Montgomery County Prosecutors’ Offices as well as the Legal Aid Society, Dorothy was in private practice for several years. Dorothy proudly represented all her clients diligently and passionately. Dorothy retired in 2005 to kindly care for Bill’s dad.

Dorothy and Bill had a wonderful marriage of 48 years. They enjoyed traveling around the world on cruises and visiting with all her family members and with Dorothy and Bill’s close friends, Tom and Karen Crothers and Bonnie Shane. She will be most dearly missed by her husband who knows she will rest In peace after a full and kind life. May God bless Dorothy and take care of her. Donations in memory of Dorothy may be made to Ohio’s hospice of Dayton at 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45420, which had taken good care of Dorothy or to Alzheimer’s which took her dear life. A memorial service will be held on May 28, 2022 at the Tobias Funeral Home at 5471 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45249. Please contact Bill Kantosky at william.kantosky@yahoo.com for further information.

I was called to lead a Welcome Team for resettlement of an Afghan refugee family. After three months of training, fund-raising, managing delays, praying, changing partner agencies, and dealing with a few more delays, our church team helped a family move into their new home in Central Ohio on April 1. It has been humbling and inspiring to work with a dedicated and talented team from St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, which put its faith into action. Our partner agency, the Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) and its staff have been remarkably dedicated, and most of all the young refugee couple and their four small children have shown incredible strength and perseverance. This has been a tremendous growth opportunity for all involved. I would recommend it to anyone, especially other Wooster alums. Our experience at a college with a vibrant international community makes us uniquely situated to interact and co-labor with new neighbors from around the globe.

Virginia Manning Warren passed away on March 01, 2021 following a stroke in September of 2020. The complete obituary can be viewed on Roysten Funeral Home, Middleburg,Va. web site.

I am living in Casper, Wyoming. Is anyone out here that would like to reconnect?

Foundation Press, has just published the Eighth Edition of Scientific Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases, authored by Andre A. Moenssens, BettyLayne DesPortes and Roderick Kennedy. This book has been a solid primer on forensic science since the early 1970’s, and has served as a class text for law schools as well as a reference for lawyers and judges. Judge Kennedy is also a co-author of Nita A. Farahany, Roderick T. Kennedy & Brandon L. Garrett, “Genetic Evidence, MAOA, and State v. Yepez,” 50 N.M. L. Rev. 469 (2020). (Available at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/nmlr/vol50/iss3/7) Rod served as local counsel in the Yepez case in the New Mexico Supreme Court. He is a retired Chief Judge of the New Mexico Court of Appeals, and occasionally teaches Scientific Evidence Law at the University of New Mexico School of Law.

We had a beautiful outdoor, interfaith, queer ceremony and reception outside of Cleveland in August (between Covid surges). Pictured are Robyn Van Dusen-Trem (’11), Allie Curtze (’12), Allison Wadleigh (’10), Abby Harris-Ridker (’13), Celeste Tannenbaum (’13), Sam (SB Loder) Tannenbaum (’12), Hope Hunter (’19), Henry Potts-Rubin (’20), Greer (Morgan) Friedrich (’12).

Lauren Grimanis ’12 and Karl Ruter ’10 celebrated their wedding in California in July 24, 2021.

We had a small ceremony at our house in Berkeley, CA and then enjoyed time with our families (and our mountain bikes) in Lake Tahoe. Highlighted in our ceremony was our Wooster meeting story – meeting for the first time at practice for the club ice hockey team. Karl played forward, Lauren played goalie….and Karl couldn’t get a puck past Lauren.

Ken Fischer here. I can report that I’m in good health, happily married to Penny going on 56 years, teaching Arts Leadership at Univ of Michigan, doing volunteer work with arts and social service nonprofits, having fun with my memoir “Everybody In, Nobody Out,” visiting our son Matt and his family in California, and looking forward to our in-person reunion whenever we determine it’s safe to hold it.

Kristin (Welk) Roscoe ‘06 and Eric George Roscoe (‘07) celebrated the birth of their son George Roscoe, on October 17, 2021.

During the summer of 2021, I had the opportunity to work with Savannah Sima (’23) on an APEX project.  After several years of facilitating racial allyship study groups, my co-facilitator, Bill Shaul, and I decided to enlist the talents of a Wooster student to research resource materials and develop a website (www.racialallyship.org) as a self-study tool for youth and young adults to engage in learning about systemic racism and the impacts in many areas, including education, housing, criminal justice, and healthcare. We were delighted with the results of Savannah’s work and realized again the immense value that Wooster provides both in personal development and in the larger world.

Hello,

Over the past few years, while I have served as the informal, the interim, and now the official Class Secretary, I have looked for ways to keep us connected. And a way to revive the site that the College helped us create before our 50th.

This updated electronic version of Class Notes is supposed to make things easier, but I’ve had major trouble getting into it.

When the expanded Reunion Planning Team meets on Monday afternoon, Connecting will be on the agenda. If you happen to find this note before then (or even afterward), I would appreciate hearing from you to see if it works for you.

I’m on Walt@Wooster.scot

In any case, I’ll send out a survey on how we can connect in a way that works for people approaching very late middle age.

Onward,

Walt

I am leading two expeditions to Tanzania again in 2023. In February 2023, I am organizing a safari trip to 4 National Parks, including 3 nights in tented camps in the Serengeti (think glamping). In August 2023, I am organizing an expedition which will have 3 days of safari (including walking safari while climbing Mt. Meru, 14, 800 ft), and a 7 day trek of Kilimanjaro (19, 340 ft). The climbing expedition is fully porter and guide supported.  Please check my guiding business website, www.adkallseasonsguideservice.com for more information or email me if you are interested in either trip. My personal email is peggymackellar58@gmail.com.

Currently, I still work 4 days a week as a dental hygienist in Lake Placid, NY. I ski, snowshoe, hike, paddle, etc as much as I can.

My second poetry collection, The Sustain Pedal, has just been published by Cherry Grove Collections. First book, The Dead Spirits at the Piano. 

Margaretta Bunning, 96, died peacefully at her residence on 7 June 2020. Margaretta was born 22 August 1923 to the late Helen M. (Kinsey) Simmers and Christian E. Simmers (formerly Dappen) in the house built by her great-grandfather in Frys Valley, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. In a life as long as hers, Margaretta experienced much. She was a farm girl during the Depression and rode a school bus to town for education. In the winter she sometimes stayed with her grandmother in Gnadenhutten to get to school easier. During World War II, Margaretta attended The Ohio State University, but when at home she sometimes helped at the Dennison railroad depot canteen, called “Dreamsville USA” by the soldiers it served. While at OSU, Margaretta met C. Russel Bunning or “Russ”. They shared an interest in co-operatives. Russ helped form a housing cooperative “Rochdale” for men students and Margaretta did likewise for women students at “Pinedale”. After her graduation from OSU, Margaretta and Russ married 24 June 1945 at the Sharon Moravian Church in Tuscarawas County. At first Margaretta was a teacher, but when Russ moved with his employment, she focused on being a housewife and mother. No matter where she lived, however, Margaretta had a large garden and canned much food for the family. Other constants were church and civic activities. During and after Russ’ employment with Farm Bureau/Nationwide Margaretta was involved with Farm Bureau activities. She was an original member of Farm Bureau Advisory Council #20 and attended until it disbanded decades later. While her girls were in school, there was PTA; then 4-H. Margaretta was a leader for both. Even when she returned to teaching, Margaretta continued to participate in Licking County League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women (AAUW), CROP and a foreign affairs discussion group. She earned a Masters Degree in Teaching in 1974 from the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio. Margaretta retired from the Heath City School District in 1986. She taught most of the time at Garfield Elementary as a fifth grade teacher. As a member of Second Presbyterian Church for 66 years, Margaretta was involved in nearly every aspect of church work. She was a Deacon, an Elder and president of the Board of Trustees. She taught Sunday school, Youth Club, Bible school and Bethel Bible classes. She was also active in a church discussion group. In 1989 she became a Stephen Ministry participant. Margaretta served on several staff search committees and was active in Presbyterian Women. She received a PW honorary life membership in 2011. Margaretta belonged to a Circle and attended denomination-wide PW events. Margaretta enjoyed many things including reading, traveling to visit friends and relatives in the U.S.A. and Europe and hosting them in return, listening to classical music on WOSU-FM, collecting cat figurines and rooting for the OSU football team. Margaretta was a great party-giver and hosted countless birthday, anniversary and holiday parties. She was always happy to be surrounded by her family, especially the grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchild. Margaretta was kind and loving and will be greatly missed by friends and family. She is survived by three daughters: Helen (David) Skeese of St. Louisville, Virginia Moody of Huber Heights and Karen Bunning of the home; eight grandchildren: Charlotte L. Skeese of Newark, Elena M. Skeese of St. Louisville, Margaret (Joe) Slabaugh of St. Louisville, Russel (Danielle) Skeese of Newark, Tom (Marleah) Klingler of Sparta TN, Amy (Stephen) Marlowe of Dayton, William (Nancy) Klingler of San Diego CA and Virginia Cruea of Tipp City; thirteen great-grandchildren: Presley and Jordan Slabaugh of St. Louisville; Savannah and Nathaniel Skeese of Heath and Carter and Levi Skeese of Newark; Shiloh and Lily Klingler of Tennessee; Emma and Hannah Marlowe of Dayton; Allison and William Klingler of CA; Dylan Cruea of Tipp City; and one great-great grandchild, Keyaira Skeese of Heath; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Margaretta was predeceased by her sister, Mary M. Huggins; and one great-grandson. Due to pandemic restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 428, Newark OH 43058-0428. Margaretta donated her body to The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Subsequently burial will be at the Clay-Union Cemetery in Gnadenhutten OH. Sincere thanks to the many people who have offered prayers and support, including Hospice of Central Ohio who gave Margaretta care in her final days. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com

Jane Stowe Marks passed away on August 5, 2021 at the age of 96. Jane was born in Churchville to Lester and Aldyth Stowe. Also predeceased by 2 loving husbands William Hartman and Carl Marks; brother Dick Stowe; niece Laurie Stowe. Survived by daughter Beverly Petrocco; son Bruce Hartman; nephew Richard Stowe; stepdaughters Patti Bookbinder and Jeanie Schmeichel; grandchildren Joelene Nelson, Shannon Fader, Jennifer Hartman, Kimberlee Clarey; 5 great grandchildren. Jane lived a full life as a wonderful mother, grandmother, teacher and minister’s wife. Her deep faith and involvement in the church was at the core of who she was. She played piano, had a beautiful singing voice, loved to travel, knit and crochet, and was a great cook and baker (pies were her specialty). She was a strong woman who was also kind, compassionate and caring – always thinking of others. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID virus the family has decided to postpone a service until a later time. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jane Stowe Marks please visit our Sympathy Store.

Dorothy Jean Campbell Hallett, age 94, passed away at home on February 14, 2020. Dorothy was born August 29, 1925 in Kunming, China, the second oldest of four children to missionary parents Rev Kenneth and Dorothy C. Campbell. She was home-schooled and attended Shanghai American School. When the family returned to Seattle, Washington, she graduated from Roosevelt High School. Dorothy attended the College of Wooster, Ohio, where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish, Summa cum Laude and made many lifelong friendships. As a young graduate in Seattle, she took a course in secretarial skills at Broadway Technical School and was working as an elevator operator at the former Edmund Meany Hotel when she met a handsome attorney named Frank S. Hallett, Jr. They were married in 1948 in a ceremony officiated by her father, and began a long and happy marriage of nearly fifty-one years in the town of Castle Rock. Dorothy shared Frank’s love of horses and the outdoors, and she devoted her life to the service of her family, home and community. She led groups such as Cub Scouts, Campfire Girls, Rainbow Girls, and AFS for the sake of her children and was very active in Castle Rock Women’s Club, PEO, Cowlitz County Historical Society, Eastern Star, and the Jane Austen Society of North America. She maintained a keen interest in politics and current events and participated in her community through both Castle Rock and Kelso United Methodist churches, United Methodist Women, the Castle Rock Library and the Castle Rock Fair. Throughout her life Dorothy had a great love of reading for knowledge and pleasure and enjoyed very much her many travels. She found great pleasure in getting to know people and learning their life stories. She loved jokes and always tried to bring a new one to her group at the Castle Rock Senior Center. Dorothy always wanted to get out and do things. She attended community concerts, lectures and many sporting events and performances. She always had a sympathetic and listening ear for others and many people will miss her cheerful presence. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Frank, infant daughter Deborah Jean, her parents, and brothers Wallace, Kenneth, and Edward. She is survived by her children Mary Perillo, Seattle, Richard Hallett, Castle Rock and Nora Hallett (Jack Brummel), Olympia. She also leaves grandchildren Leanora, Xina (Chrystian), Garrett, Elena, Gina (Jason), Aubrey (Morgan) and Brett, as well as six great grandchildren, three nephews and four nieces. She will be laid to rest in Castle Rock Community Cemetery. Remembrances may be made in her name to support educational scholarships for young women to PEO, Chapter CO, 1002 N 18th, Kelso, WA 98626. A funeral service for Dorothy will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 10:00 am at Kelso United Methodist Presbyterian Church, 206 Cowlitz Way, Kelso, WA 98626.

Karen Skonberg Verprauskus March 9, 1941 – March 19, 2021 45 Year Resident of Santa Cruz, Karen Verprauskus passed away at Dominican Hospital following a brave and much too brief battle with a very aggressive form of leukemia. Born Karen Edna Skonberg in Basking Ridge, New Jersey to parents Dorthy and Andrew Skonberg and older brother Andrew on March 9, 1941. She recently celebrated her 80th birthday.

Karen earned a BS in Economics at The College of Wooster in Ohio in 1963. She then moved to Hartford Connecticut and took a position in the IT Department at Cigna Insurance Company where she designed computer programs that ran on IBM 360 and RCA2000 computers. She supervised eleven “coders” who reduced her designs to program punch cards and large reel magnetic tapes for the computers.

It was in Hartford that she met her husband, Frank Verprauskus. Karen and Frank were married on May 27, 1967 in Basking Ridge. In 1969, she and Frank moved to San Jose California where she took a position with the IT Department at the County of Santa Clara. Among other duties she put the Sheriff’s Department computer on-line with the FBI computer in DC, at that time a quite new concept. Her sons, Andy and Peter, were born in 1970 and 1972 and she shifted her focus to “domestic engineering” to give them a good start in life. The family moved to Santa Cruz in 1976 where Karen and Frank started ALTEN of Santa Cruz – Monterey, the first licensed solar company in Santa Cruz County. Karen helped ALTEN sell and install over 150 solar thermal heating systems for domestic hot water, pools and home interiors over the next three years.

Karen’s next career move was into teaching. She went through a two year credential program (Masters equivalent) at UCSC and began teaching at Mission Hill Junior High School where she taught advanced mathematics and Algebra and became Chair of the Math Department. She became renowned for her problem of the week exercises which required application of mathematical theory to practical problems. Students often came back to tell her how they had applied the techniques learned from her on college problems and work related problems as they started their careers. A talented and accomplished musician, Karen could play any type of keyboard instrument; from a grand piano to a four-manual pipe organ. She was the lead trombone player in her High School and College bands’ and the pianist in a dance and party quintet that played gigs in central and northern New Jersey.

She and her husband Frank were avid travelers with destinations to over seventy countries including Peru, China, Tibet, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, India, Australia, New Zealand, Panama, Curaçao, Belize, Japan, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, South Africa, Taiwan and most countries in Europe. Karen and Frank owned several rental apartments throughout Santa Cruz which Karen managed personally with a level of care and attention for the people living there that brought her invitations to birthday parties, quinceañeras, christenings and even weddings.

She is survived by her husband, Frank Verprauskus, of Santa Cruz, her son, Peter Verprauskus, his wife, Tina Chen, and granddaughters Emma and Keira Verprauskus of Moraga, California, her son, Andy Verprauskus, his wife, Michaelanne Ehrenberg and granddaughters Siena and Giada Verprauskus of Mercer Island, Washington. She also leaves many loved and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbors and friends who will keep her in their hearts. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Santa Cruz Symphony or The Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Karen’s name would be appreciated.

Austin Holter will soon have a much shorter work commute, but his to-do list will be considerably longer. A Wooster High School search committee has selected Holter from a pool of 25 applicants to be the Generals’ new head football coach, superintendent Michael Tefs confirmed Thursday afternoon. The Wooster Board of Education is expected to approve the recommendation at its meeting March 15. Holter will succeed Doug Haas, who resigned in January after compiling a 59-36 record over nine seasons. The 32-year-old Holter, who already lives in Wooster, had been commuting nearly 70 miles each way to Denison University in Granville, where he was the offensive coordinator.

A 2010 College of Wooster graduate, Holter was a record-setting quarterback for the Fighting Scots. “I’m absolutely honored to be recommended to be Wooster High School’s next football coach, but recognize there’s still another step,” Holter said. “The board of education still needs to make its decision on the recommendation and I respect that process. “I would love to have the opportunity to serve the Wooster community,” Holter added. “Coach Haas did an unbelievable job with the program, which started with Dr. Tefs making the right hire and supporting him. Doug left some big shoes to fill, which the next coach can hopefully build upon and add his own flair. I’d be extremely honored to be that guy.”

Wooster athletic director Joe Rubino said last week that the Generals’ search committee came up with a unified vision of what they wanted in the school’s new football coach. “We were looking for someone who not only can lead a winning football program, but also be a great communicator and establish a top-notch football culture here,” Rubino said. “When you have someone who took the program as far as Doug Haas (won or shared six OCC titles, five playoff trips), you don’t ask candidates, ‘What needs to change?” “You look at it and say, ‘What has Doug left us that we can build on?’ We wanted someone with the depth of knowledge and experience to be very successful; someone who will put kids first and do a great job.” Mike Schmitz, who recorded a 78-54 record as The College of Wooster head football coach from 2000-2012, believes his former quarterback fills all the qualities Wooster High was looking for. “It’s an absolute home run hire,” Schmitz said. “First and foremost, Austin is just a great person. He’s impressive in so many ways. “He’s a person of impeccable character and a great family man. His family had already chosen to make Wooster their home before this even came up so he’s committed to living here. And he just has an infectious enthusiasm for life and coaching that make young people want to play for him.”

Someone asked Schmitz how he thought Holter would handle adversity as a high school head coach, which involves different challenges than being a college assistant. “Austin was our quarterback, which means there’s a lot of chaos on every play,” Schmitz said. “There’s a lot of information that needs to be processed and you have to put your teammates in the best position to succeed. “He was able to do that and he just has the right temperament to be a leader. He not only knows the Xs and Os, but with his recruiting background at Denison I think he’ll be able to recruit the hallways of Wooster High School and get kids to want to play for him.” Holter will need the extra time his shorter commute allows to lead a program for the first time. Despite being a rookie head coach, Holter will bring a wealth of experience to Wayne County’s biggest high school. Denison has recorded a 51-20 record since 2013 when Holter became offensive coordinator under head coach Jack Hatem. It’s the best stretch in program history.

Since 2016, Denison averaged 36.5 points per game, while posting a record of 31-10 with two NCAC titles. Denison’s 2020 season, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would have been Holter’s 11th season at Denison. He was the Big Red quarterbacks coach his first three seasons, then spent the last seven as the team’s offensive coordinator. The 2018 Denison squad earned a share of its first NCAC title since 1986 and made the program’s first playoff appearance in 33 years. The Denison offense set numerous program marks, including points per game (39.7), touchdowns (60) and total offense (5,000). Holter-coached quarterbacks rank first, second and fifth on the DU all-time passing yards list. “I have absolutely loved my time at Denison,” Holter said. “It will always hold a special place in my heart.” Holter spent three seasons as the Fighting Scots’ starting quarterback, becoming a two-time All-NCAC selection. In 2009, he set school records with 2,873 total yards of offense (now third-best) and 2,106 passing yards (now No. 6). He ranks third in career total yards (7,459).

A native of Johnstown, Holter has a graduate degree from Ohio University in sports administration. The Wooster search committee narrowed the original list of applicants to 10 candidates, who were given interviews. The list was then pared down to finalists Holter, Brent Besancon (former Smithville, Rittman, New London head coach), Luke Durbin (former North Ridgeville head coach) and Keaton Leppla. Besancon and Leppla were both assistants on Haas’ staff. Director of secondary education Rich Leone said part of the committee’s recommendation is to also hire Holter as an alternative education/in-school suspension teacher, which will fill a position that was held by a recent retiree. “We are very excited and really looking forward to the possibility of Austin coming to Wooster High School,” Leone said. “He was a College of Wooster all-star, his resume at Denison is as impressive as any I’ve ever seen and he’s a great person.” Holter’s Wooster connection has remained strong while coaching at Denison.

In addition to attending college here, Holter and his wife, Dr. Sara Wiswell, have lived in Wooster since 2018. They have a 19-month-old son, Emmett, and are expecting a daughter in May. Wiswell, who’s also a COW grad, is a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology with the Cleveland Clinic in Wooster. “Wooster is a very special place,” Holter said. “To get involved at a much deeper level, and help mold young men at the high school level and even get involved with the middle school and youth league, would be a great opportunity.” Aaron Dorksen can be emailed at aarondorksen24@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AaronDorksen.

Greetings Wooster Alumni! Michael Hatton (Theatre & Dance Program Head, NKU) and I have organized this program with the support of CCSA (The Cooperative Center for Study Abroad). Michael, being a Board Member with CCSA, will serve as the Program Director for Scotland: Hearth and Home, while I will serve as Leader/Faculty. I encourage you to post this more widely than just the 1969 class notes page. While this is not an academically credited program, we are open to any participant of a certain maturity! CCSA is extremely helpful and will answer any questions about the program specifics, as they arrange all accommodations, transportation, including international flights as desired.

For more information, please contact me at vaughng@nku.edu More information can be found here. The application deadline of October 1, 2021. Please contact me with questions! Gretchen Gretchen Hill Vaughn ’69 Professor Emeritus Theatre & Dance Program Northern Kentucky University

Here’s some information from a member of the class of 1993, Alea Henle: It’s been a busy year publication-wise! This past fall, the University of Massachusetts Press published my non-fiction book Rescued from Oblivion: Historical Cultures in the Early United States. I’ve also started writing and indie publishing contemporary fantasy. Swan & Shadow came out earlier this year. The short description is: Swan Lake + The Magic Flute set on a modern (pre-COVID) college campus. It draws in part on memories of Wooster! https://books2read.com/b/bzjBPG

CHICAGO, IL — Sharon Jones, 82, passed away on May 12th, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. She was born September 11, 1938, in Lima, Ohio to Alice and Ernest Williams and spent much of her life in Waynesfield, Ohio, before moving from the area in 2000. Her late husband, Dr. Dan Jones, died in 1974, forcing her to raise their two sons on her own.

She was a lifelong educator, spending nearly 30 years as a teacher at Waynesfield Goshen Local Schools. Upon retirement, she moved to Columbus and spent an additional 10 years teaching adults from other countries how to speak English. She placed a huge value on education and earned undergraduate degrees herself from Bowling Green and the College of Wooster and a Masters degree from the University of Dayton. For her lifetime commitment to education, she was given the opportunity carry the Olympic Torch during the national torch relay in 2002, prior to the Salt Lake Winter Games. Sharon loved to travel and explore the world. She lived in Thailand and Korea for a time after college and explored much of Europe and Asia through the years. Later in life, she became an avid Ohio State football fan and season ticket holder.

She is survived by two sons, Michael (Diana) in Portland, Oregon and Dan (Stefani) in Chicago, Illinois; three grandchildren – Sarah, David and Emma; and her brother Larry (Karen) Williams who resides in Columbus. To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store. Published by The Lima News from Jul. 12 to Jul. 13, 2021.

Joan Marie Winter Chellis died May 23, 2021 in Southport, NC. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Henry Frank Winter and Marie Elizabeth Menges Winter on September 19, 1931. She spent her childhood on Wooster, Ohio and graduated from Wooster College. She married Kenneth Edward Chellis in 1953. They lived in numerous places during the almost 60 years together. They lived in Ohio, Florida, Germany, New Mexico, and Washington. After Ken’s death in 2013, Joan moved to St Louis to live next door to her brother, Dr. Henry Frank Winter, Jr. Most recently she lived near her brother John F. Winter in Southport, NC.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Patricia Winter Reader, of Akron, OH. She is survived by her two brothers and two brothers-in-law, Terry Chellis of Wooster, OH and George Raeder of Akron, OH. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Joan will be buried near her husband in the Medical Lake Military Cemetery near Spokane, WA. Online condolences for Joan’s family may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com. Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service – 1411 N Howe St. Southport, NC 28461 (910) 457-6944

Mary Candland, of 125 Stein Lane, Lewisburg, died at the Heritage Springs Memory Care peacefully and surrounded by family on Saturday, March 20, 2021. Mary was a creative, curious, energetic, and adventurous person. She was a woman of the community while a world traveler. She was known for her contributions to a variety of Lewisburg communities, from the Cub Scouts to the League of Women Voters to the Woolies.

She was always creating, and her range was broad. Drawing and painting, developing photographs, woodworking, pottery, quilting and sewing, weaving and spinning, raising Basset hounds, these were just a few of her interests and talents.

Mary Elizabeth Homrighausen was born Nov. 29, 1936, in Indianapolis. She was the fifth child of what would be six, of Ruth Willa Strausberger and Elmer George Homrighausen. The family moved two years later to Princeton, New Jersey, when her father joined the faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary. Mary grew up with her five siblings at the Deans’ House on the campus of the seminary. Mary graduated from Princeton High School in 1954, from which she was all-state in field hockey while winning the school’s Latin prize, and from the College of Wooster in 1958, where she studied art and psychology.

During the summer of 1958, she undertook a job as a research assistant in psychology at Princeton where she met a student, Douglas Candland, who was writing his doctoral dissertation. They were married on June 18, 1959. The ceremony was in Miller Chapel on the campus of the Seminary led by her father and the president of the seminary, the Rev. Dr. John McKye. They moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, when her husband was awarded a grant for postdoctoral training. Mary became a member of the Medical illustrations group at the Medical School of the University. Several of her drawings of surgeries and anatomical parts are republished in medical encyclopedias.

In 1960 they accepted a position for her husband at Bucknell, which would remain their homestead. Their first home, with their month-old son (Kevin), was a rental at 1414 Market. With the birth of a second son (Christopher) they moved to a home in Lochiel, and with a third son (Ian) to their long-time home, known as the Muffly-Loughead-Purnell home on Stein Lane, Lewisburg, in 1968. Mary undertook printmaking with Marvin Lowe and Neil Anderson, winning an all-state art award for her work, joined the Baptist Church Choir, and was active in the Susquehanna Valley Spinners & Weavers Guild. Mary was an early member of the League of Women Voters, a group supported by her for more than 50 years. She designed the Facts for Voters and the Voters Guide which, for each election, provided information provided by candidates as to their policies.

In 2003 Mary was awarded the first Jill Reynolds Service award for her editorial service and graphic design of League publications. For 10 years, Mary served as art director of Bucknell Publications. One of her tasks was designing posters for campus lectures and events. Eventually, she was asked to deny requests to draw them, as their quality and originality encouraged students and faculty to remove them from announcement boards in order to decorate their rooms and homes. With Janet Weis she designed potential logos for the Weis Center. The one chosen graces the north wall on the center and at Ms. Weis’s suggestion also appears on programs and advertisements of events.

Following her years at Bucknell, she prepared brochures, ads, and newsletters for a variety of local nonprofit groups while deepening her own interests in textiles. Her husband and family spent year-long appointments at other universities, moving the family for year-long appointments. Mary undertook the logistics for the family and enjoyed these experiences at Tulane, Stirling (Scotland), Cambridge (England), and Berkeley. When the children were grown, she joined her husband and supplied supplemental artwork on his working trips studying free-living primates in East and Central Africa and Madagascar. When one of her sons was married to an Indonesian citizen, Siti Nurjanah, travel to meet new relatives in that country and South East Asia was added.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas, after a marriage of 62 years interrupted by her death; son Kevin (wife Katie; grandchildren Emma and Fiona) of San Francisco and son Christopher (wife Siti Nurjanah) of Wellesley, Mass. She was predeceased by son Ian of Lewisburg. She will rest at the family plot in Lewisburg Cemetery between son Ian and, in time, her husband. A date of a gathering to celebrate her life will be announced later. The family sends its very deepest gratitude to the staff of Heritage Springs Memory Care who cared for her tirelessly during the last two years of her debilitating dementia. Arrangements are by the John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Published on March 23, 2021

Nancy (Nana) Anne Caldwell, of Pasadena, passed peacefully among family and friends on Friday, August 13, 2021. The daughter of Nancy and Powell Awbrey she was born July 8, 1940 in Parsons, Kansas. Her childhood days were filled with family gatherings, church, friends, trips and entertaining. She earned her B.A. with Honors in Political Science from the College of Wooster. And, earned her M.A. and Marriage and Family Counselor license in the State of California.

Nancy met her future husband, Larry Caldwell while attending the College of Wooster. She lived in London for two periods where she became a great fan of brass rubbing in the days when that was still done partly by standing on rickety wooden ladders, in cold stone country churches. She also lived, with her young family, in McClean and Reston, Virginia, where she took up quilting and touring our nations early history with her young sons and husband. The couple eventually settled in Altadena, California, where Nancy raised three children: Stuart, Ethan and Trevor Caldwell.

Nancy taught middle school in Tewksbury, Massachusetts and worked for a number of years at J. Herbert Halls and Valle’s Jewelers in Pasadena. In every position she held she was known as a true people person. She had the rare gift of remembering who she met and personal details about them. She was a people person at heart.

Nancy was active in the Presbyterian Church throughout her life. She taught Sunday School, served as Deacon and as a Ruling Elder. She was unobtrusively devoted to God, developed deep friendships through congregation, and advocated for an inclusive church. The mother of boys and sister of brothers, she could hold her own on a hike or watching a basketball game but was quick to make female friends and dote on her granddaughters, nieces, and the daughters of others, given the chance. Forever a child of the Sunflower State, she would light up when presented with her favorite flower. She and her family spent many summers making memories in the lakes, rivers, and mountains of the Colorado Rockies, where she returned with frequency as a devoted daughter to her elder mother and companion to her brother in his later years.

Part-time family historian and a full-time nurturer of others, her legacy includes dynamic and successful grown children and their growing families, multi-generational friendships, and many hearts touched. Nancy was a devoted mother to her three sons, the joy of her life; and loved being “Nana” to her adored grandchildren. She was a passionate basketball fan, rooting for her sons at La Salle High School and at Occidental College, but also the Kansas Jayhawks and the Los Angeles Lakers. She was a loyal friend throughout her life, always making friends readily and easily. She enjoyed entertaining and many close and lasting friendships. She is survived by her three sons, Stuart Caldwell, Ethan Caldwell and Trevor Caldwell; her honorary son, Jeff Randall; her loyal daughters in law, Briana, Lisa and Loriann Caldwell; her seven grandchildren; and her many friends.

Her brothers, Stuart and John predeceased her. Services will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Pasadena Presbyterian Church or the Ranch House, Memory Care at the Monte Vista Grove Homes in Pasadena, California. Published by Whittier Daily News on Sep. 5, 2021.

Audiologist, author, activist, artist, and loving mother and grandmother, Eleanor “Elly” Ruth Wagner was born in Pittsburgh, PA on Sept. 17, 1941. Raised in Houston, PA, Elly graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. In 1965, while registering voters in Montgomery, AL, she attended a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that inspired her lifelong activism. She worked tirelessly to make the world a better place, consistently championing the causes of social justice, voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, non-violence, and climate stabilization and sustainability. In 1971, she moved to Edina where she made her home, raised her children, and cultivated the garden that was her pride and joy later in life. She worked as an audiologist at Park Nicollet Medical Center for over 40 years, specializing in patients with tinnitus.

Elly was an author, publishing 3 books including Lavender Reflections, a book of affirmations for lesbians and gay men, published in 1995. Her other professions included photography, gardening herbs and flowers, crafting, and she was a vendor and then president of the Hopkins Farmer’s Market. Elly was a skilled musician who brought people together through music and song. She was active in her local community, including the Lyndale United Church of Christ, Grandmothers for Peace, MN Herb Society, and several writer and book groups.

She died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer on Sept. 23, 2021 at home, surrounded by family and friends. Predeceased by her parents Homer and Louise and brothers David and William, she is survived by her sister Lois, brother Paul, long-term friend Kathy, sons Glydewell (Cynthia) and Keith (Jennifer), and 4 grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for October 9, 2021 (details at summitfuneralandcremation.com). In lieu of flowers, please make tributes to Lyndale UCC on Elly’s behalf.

Janet Senne, of Sandusky, a woman of many interests and involvements, died peacefully at Portland Place December 3. She was 94 years old. She was born January 8, 1921 to Francis and Norma Kuhn in Tiffin, Ohio. A graduate of Heidelberg University in Tiffin, she originally came to Sandusky for work as a draftsman during World War Two. Following her marriage to Donald on May 1, 1949, she turned her attention to child rearing and community engagements. As a continuous member of Grace Episcopal Church, she served as a volunteer and longtime manager of its Thrift Shop. With the help of supportive friends, she actively attended services until recent weeks. Janet’s involvement in local cultural and historical groups was widespread and enduring. She was a multi decade member of the Erie County Historical Society. And, in no particular order of priority, was also a longstanding member of AAUW, the Old House Guild, the Follett House Museum, Puppeteers of America, and Serving Our Seniors.

In creative pursuit of her historic interests, she often provided live character portrayals of notable women in church and local history. Additionally, for many years she manned and promoted the Historical Pavilion at the Erie County Fairgrounds, and assisted Don delivering Meals on Wheels. Still further, she was a Campfire Girl leader and avid puppeteer, providing countless performances for church and community groups.

She is lovingly survived by her son, Steven (Judi) Senne; son-in-law, Tom Stuck; grandchildren, Jolyn (Blair) Russell, Jacob (Elisha) Stuck, Michael (Amy) Stuck, Ann (Craig) Murray and Rachel Stuck; great-grandchildren Keane, Syden and Palen Russell; Henry Stuck; Nolan, Graham, and Paige Murray She was preceded in death this year by Donald Senne, her husband of 65 years, a daughter, Mary Stuck, in 2006, and brothers, Robert Kuhn and James Kuhn A memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2015, in Grace Episcopal Church, 315 Wayne St., Sandusky. The Rev. Jan Smith Wood will officiate. Memorial contributions in Janet’s name may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, or to Serving our Seniors, 310 E. Boalt St., Sandusky, OH 44870. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, is handling the arrangements. Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting www.toftfh.com.

Hello from Ann Coffman Hunter. Last spring, Dick and I moved to a retirement community just north of Baltimore. Fortunately, our house sold in three days, but the whole process, which would have been tough under normal circumstances, was grueling, especially since Dick was still recovering from his extensive back surgery in January. However, it was all worth it, because we love Broadmead, which was started by Quakers and has mostly one story homes and a huge campus with hiking trails. I have plenty of room to garden and get to talk to lots of people who stop by when I’m happily digging in the dirt.

During downsizing I read all the letters I had written to my parents; it was like reading an epistolary novel. I learned that it had taken “a village” (second floor Babcock) to get my IS in, one day late. I remembered that a few people had helped me, but I had told my parents about every single person who stopped by to type, proofread, collate, whatever I needed. Though you may not remember, I just want to tell you all how grateful I am for such kind and helpful friends.

We’ve had it bit of contact with Elden Schneider and Lydia Robertson Brown locally, and also with Dori Hale, but we will be glad when we can see more of you, virtually or in person.

I’m retired twice! I began work as a Children’s Librarian in my hometown library, Herrick Memorial Library, in August 1973. Grew up in Wellington, Ohio, from the age of 10. Working with kids and books was inevitable, my two loves. I continued working there for 29 years – many generations! Retired for one year to see what I wanted to do ‘when I grew up!’ For 9 months I attended nursery school, volunteering then assisting part time. Had to get back to books and people. Began work in 2002 as Children’s Associate in Ashland, Ohio, public library. Retired in July 2011, partly because I realized it was getting hard to keep up with the kids! After about 3 years, I couldn’t hike or maintain my flowerbeds anymore. Too hard physically to bend, sun & heat intolerance. Turns out I have Sjogren’s Syndrome, probably began in childhood, including fibromyalgia, couple other autoimmune disorders. What a way to spend retirement – indoors or in shade, puzzle books, music CDs, etc.  Facebook has become a life saver. Catching up with so many parents & kids from libraries, former school friends, aunt & 3 cousins; siblings on west coast seem to be involved with themselves and partners. So, here I sit typing to you! That’s my life in a nutshell since COW graduation!

David G. Johnston passed away unexpectedly on September 23,2021 in Pittsburgh, PA at the age of 62. David will be remembered for his warmth, kind spirit and generous compassion for others, and his love of family. Although he didn’t have a lot of material goods, he shared his time and energy with anyone in need.

David was born to Marion (Northup) and James R. Johnston in Sewickley, PA to where he developed an abiding love for Pittsburgh. He was an avid fan of all the Pittsburgh sports teams, starting with the Pirates and his admiration for Roberto Clemente. David then lived in Carlisle PA where he was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. Following his father’s footsteps, he participated in scouting and camping and developed his love of nature – including a trip to Mexico to see the solar eclipse.

He graduated from the College of Wooster where he found life-long friends. David moved to the Boston area where he lived for over a decade, making many friends. Throughout that decade, he rarely missed a weekend volunteering at his local church food bank. Before leaving Boston, David graduated from Tufts University with a Master’s in Urban Planning and worked as a procurement specialist. In 1995, David returned to Pittsburgh where he continued this line of work for the county and the city and helped to raise his beloved twins, Martin and Emily.

Of all the qualities that David possessed, what has impacted those around him the most are his positive attitude and friendly disposition. He was amicable and easy-going; he could strike up a conversation with anyone – from the bus driver on his route to his work colleagues to the regular customers at the local diner. David was known for his strong tennis game with impossible serves. He was competitive in ping pong and volleyball, where he would dive into a creek to retrieve a wayward ball, all to make people laugh. He loved to tease his four sisters and was a good storyteller always finding the humor in human predicaments. He had a fierce love of dogs – even though his dogs were never well trained. He loved bluegrass music and enjoyed his nieces and nephews.

As a man of faith, he found his involvement with the East Liberty Presbyterian Church meaningful, serving as Deacon and volunteer. Because of his faith, he anticipated a happy reunion with his loved ones. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his twin children Emily (Ryan) Provolt and Martin (Haley) Sasso, siblings Jennifer McKenna, Gail Viscome, Ann Johnston and Lucy Johnston-Walsh, 11 nieces and nephews and four great nieces and nephews.

A small service will be held starting at 11:30 Monday September 27 (including a zoom link on the website at the funeral home – D’Alessandro, 4522 Butler St., Pittsburgh PA) and another service later in the fall in Carlisle at Second Presbyterian Church. Zoom Info: Topic: Johnston Funeral Time: Sep 27, 2021 11:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting, Meeting ID: 816 1584 1927. Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kWmYUBgDH To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of David Glen Johnston please visit our Sympathy Store.

Dave Hay ’77, Rob Rutan ‘77, Dave Luken ’77 , Bob Dyer ’77 , Tom Farquhar ’77 , and Mike Kinney ’76 enjoying a 4 day rafting and camping trip on the Colorado River in Utah earlier in September. Other than hairlines and waistlines not much has changed.

As a former contributor to this paper, Randy would have likely preferred to have his name appear as a byline in any other section of this rag. But here we are. On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Randy Luvaas departed his earthly constraints and joined the angel band. He has ended his many battles with – you name it – including seven-bypass heart surgery and glioblastoma. Randy was born John Randall Luvaas on February 13, 1952 in Durham, North Carolina to Jay and Vera Lee (Hampson) Luvaas. After graduating from Meadville Area Senior High (1970) in Meadville, PA, he attended the College of Wooster (1974) where he studied literature because “if I’m going to do all that reading, I’m at least going to read something good.”  Thereafter, his interest in writing led him to newspaper work, first for the Meadville Tribune, then, after relocating to the Pacific Northwest, to the Toppenish Review, where he was writer and editor. He then migrated to the Yakima Herald-Republic and concluded his newspaper career as editor and writer for Yakima Valley Publishing.

Randy was very active in and supportive of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Yakima. He loved the Pacific Northwest and spending time outdoors with his family. He made sure his son Riley explored the outdoors, read good books, had a baseball and soccer coach, grew up in UU principles and teachings, cursed the Yankees and grew accustomed to disappointment with the Seattle Mariners. We’re all looking forward to the M’s inevitable World Series victory to spite Randy for all his years of fandom.

Even though writing was his profession, music was his passion. He excelled at musical arranging, singing, and playing guitar in several bands, including the Yakima Fruit Tramps, the Jazzicians and Torrential Downpour. Randy is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janis (Miller), whom he met in Toppenish in 1982, but who grew up on the same street in their hometown of Meadville.

Randy would describe Janis as a long-suffering wife, which she was. But she remains eternally grateful for the love and laughter he gave her. He is also survived by his son Riley, who inherited all that was good in his father; sisters Karen Luvaas (Peter Kucera), Diane Buckius, and Amy Miller (Bill); and brother Eric Luvaas (Jennifer); brother-in-law Douglas Miller (Marilyn); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many beloved and devoted friends. We are most grateful to those who shared his love of music, especially these last wonderful years with the Yakima Fruit Tramps.

A Remembrance Event will be held on Saturday, May 15th, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Yakima, 225 North 2nd Street in Yakima, starting at 3:00 PM. Please come and share your memories of this great guy. Donations in Randy’s memory may be made to Justice Housing Yakima: https://donorbox.org/cottage-hill-village, because, there but for the grace of God go any of us. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. “I see my light come shining, From the west down to the east. Any day now, any day now, I shall be released.” (Bob Dylan)