In Memoriam

Spring 2024

  • Betty Printz “Printzy” Sims ’41, Dec. 4, 2023, Washington, DC. Betty was believed to be the United States’ oldest female Marine veteran when she died at age 104. After she graduated from Grinnell and following Pearl Harbor, Printzy, as she preferred to be called, wanted to aid the war effort. She enlisted in the Marines but rules at the time prohibited a combat role. Undeterred, she served as a fixed gunnery instructor instead. Following WWII, she worked at a music store in New York and eventually met her husband, who was in the U.S. Navy. They moved around as they lived a military life and raised two daughters. She established choirs on every base where they were stationed, from Germany to Virginia. She also worked as a music teacher. When her husband died in 1985, she took up traveling with friends, was active in local politics, and got involved with various musical productions and choirs. Survivors include her two daughters, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: In October 2023, Alumni Relations posted a tribute celebrating Printzy’s remarkable life — the page includes a story by Melanie Drake ’92, as well as a 2019 video of a Marine Corps Color Guard presentation in honor of her 100th birthday.

    Pearl Boggan Edgar ’47, March 14, 2023, Wichita, Kansas. Pearl attended the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, as well as Grinnell and the Traphagen School of Fashion, where she studied costume design and illustration. She had three children. Pearl worked as a fashion illustrator for department stores and later earned her master’s in vocational rehabilitation. She then worked for the state of California as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the deaf until her retirement in 1988.

    Margaret Hogg Upham ’48, Sept. 24, 2023, Exeter, New Hampshire. Margaret earned her bachelor’s from Grinnell and a certificate in physical therapy from Simmons College. She married Thompson Upham in 1955. Margaret is survived by two children and four grandchildren. Her husband of 60 years preceded her in death.

    Hester Pitts Newton ’49, Oct. 20, 2023, Galena, Illinois. After majoring in history at Grinnell, Hester worked for the YWCA in Sioux City, Iowa, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. She married Lewis Newton in 1953. She was a stay-at- home mom until the 1970s, when she started teaching elementary school. She was a member of PEO for more than 75 years and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Hester was a frequent alumni event attendee, active volunteer, and generous donor to Grinnell. She served on her 60th, 65th, and 70th Reunion committees; was a class committee member from 2004 to 2022; and was a class agent from 1977 until her death. She was a member of the Asa Turner Society. Hester was honored with a Grinnell Alumni Award in 2013. She is survived by two sons, including Paul “Carter” Newton ’77; five grandchildren, including Vincent Newton ’12; and two great-grandchildren.

    Isabel Yelland Denham ’50, July 14, 2023, Falmouth, Maine. Isabel met Paul Denham ’50 at Grinnell, where they also discovered the Unitarian Universalist community, which became an enduring part of their lives. She graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors, then earned her master’s in English at Smith College. Isabel and Paul married in 1953, and they had three children. Isabel worked intermittently as a teacher and librarian. Paul died in 1994. In her later years, Isabel enjoyed traveling, art, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

    Jeanne Cushing Deutsch ’50, Oct. 24, 2023, St. Louis, Missouri. Jeanne married Carl Deutsch in 1950, and over their 70 years together, they raised four children, many dogs, and a menagerie of exotic birds. In between world travels with her husband and family, Jeanne enjoyed volunteering for many organizations, including Mercy Hospital, Care and Counseling, the Endangered Wolf Center, and the Crestwood Rotary Club. An active, devout member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Jeanne served on the altar guild and many committees over the years. She is survived by her three sons and a daughter, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

    Constance Muir Anderson ’52, Aug. 6, 2023, Martinsville, Virginia. Connie married Walter Anderson Jr. in 1953. She devoted her time to her family and was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church for nearly 60 years. She served her church and community as a choir member, prayer shawl volunteer, Bookmobile driver, Red Cross blood drive volunteer, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts leader, and school librarian. Connie was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years.

    Mary Fisher Flinn ’52, Aug. 8, 2023, Laconia, New Hampshire. Grinnell did not have a women’s tennis team when Mary matriculated. The men’s coach agreed to let her and another female student try out for his team, and they secured two spots. By the time she graduated, a women’s team had been established. Grinnell is also where she met Walter Flinn ’52. Mary was active in the League of Women Voters, a longtime administrator for the North Andover Historical Society, served at the Gilford Community Church, helped fundraise for the New Hampshire Music Festival, and was a volunteer tour guide at Canterbury Shaker Village. She was a Grinnell GRASP volunteer from 2001 to 2017. Mary’s survivors include her husband, Walt; two sons; a daughter; five grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren.

    Nancy Keating Wessel ’52, July 25, 2023, Atchison, Kansas. Nancy married William Wessel Jr. in 1952, and they had four children. He preceded her in death in 2014. Nancy was a member and president of the St. Joseph Junior League, a founder of the local Meals on Wheels program, and involved in children’s community theater. In 1976, the family moved to Atchison, where she and Bill became proprietors of a clothing store and bridal shop previously owned by her parents and grandparents. Later in life, Nancy enjoyed traveling.

    M. Marcia Bycroft Cerven ’53, Nov. 4, 2023, Coralville, Iowa. Marcia, who majored in elementary education, married Orville Cerven in 1954. They went on to have four children and farmed in Adams County, Lincoln Township, for 50-plus years. Marcia taught in the Corning Schools from 1985 to 2003, very often as a substitute teacher and then full time teaching first grade. She loved her almost 20 years of teaching. Marcia was active in the church, where she played piano and organ for many years. Survivors include her four children, five grandchildren, and many great- grandchildren.

    Louise Apple Williamson ’53, Aug. 14, 2023, Greeley, Colorado. Louise attended Grinnell for one year and graduated from the University of Colorado in 1953. She married John Williamson in 1952 and they had two children. He passed away in 2001. She worked as an executive secretary and administrative assistant for many years. Louise belonged to First Congregational Church, Chapter CR of PEO sisterhood, Assistance League of Greeley, and AAUW. She enjoyed doing volunteer work during her retirement.

    Lois Grosser Rex ’54, Oct. 21, 2023, Seattle, Washington. In high school, Lois met and began dating William Rex ’54. They both attended Grinnell and married after graduation. A short teaching career ended with motherhood, and she then began a lifetime of family activities and community service. She was a gifted singer and talented piano player. Lois and Bill enjoyed years of golf, tennis, and fun with family and friends, along with various adventures worldwide. Lois adored her family and loved times spent together more than anything. She is survived by her husband of 69 years.

    Roberta Fell ’55, July 8, 2023, Davis, California. Roberta followed the Grinnell tradition begun by her father, Robert B. Fell ’25. In 1955, Roberta married RP Henry Jr. ’58, who served in the U.S. Navy before attending Grinnell. Roberta worked at the Bowman Center for the Elderly, affiliated with Rush/ Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago. In 1979, she relocated to Santa Barbara, California, where she provided private, in-home elderly care. Roberta, whose father developed the Grinnell class agent system in 1925, served as a class agent for many years starting in 1957. She is survived by her five children and six granddaughters, one of whom, Katherine Henry ’06, also attended Grinnell.

    Stan W. Greenwald ’55, Sept. 29, 2023, Northfield, Minnesota. Stan met Gail Pomrehn ’57 at Grinnell. They married in 1957 and had three children. He graduated from medical school at the University of Iowa in 1959, did his medical internship at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, then served two years as a medical officer in the U.S. Air Force. Stan began private practice in OB/GYN in Iowa City in 1966. Over the course of almost 30 years, he delivered over 5,000 babies. Stan and Gail were very involved in the community, especially at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. In 1991, they moved to Minneapolis, where he practiced until he retired in 1999. Stan really loved being a grandpa to his grandchildren. Stan and Gail traveled frequently, including Grinnell College alumni trips. He was an active alum and served as a New Student Orientation volunteer for several years. Stan is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gail; daughter Marian Greenwald McKone ’80; two sons; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

    Joy Critchett Schacht ’56, Aug. 6, 2023, Marion, Iowa. After attending Grinnell, Joy graduated from Drake University with degrees in journalism and English. Survivors include her husband, Cal Schacht; three children; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

    Louise Jones Harding ’57, Aug. 26, 2023, Seattle, Washington. Louise was a member of the College’s Asa Turner Society and served as a Grinnell presidential inauguration delegate representative in 2002.

    Christine Cochran Kemp ’57, March 23, 2023, Iowa City, Iowa. At Grinnell, Chris was a member of the debate team and Delta Sigma Rho and was crowned homecoming queen. She married David “Nick” Ryan ’55 in 1957, and they had four children. Chris served as coach of the Grinnell College debate team for 10 years and was a substitute teacher. In 1974, she became the first woman elected to the Grinnell City Council and was instrumental in the construction of the city’s first low-rent housing units. Chris and Nick were married until 1975. Chris married Robert Kemp in 1976. She worked as coordinator for the Johnson County Blood Donor program from 1978 until her retirement in 1993.

    Rosemary Ducommun Peterson ’57, Dec. 28, 2022, Waconia, Minnesota. Rosemary started playing piano at age 8 and violin at age 12. In the summer of 1956, she attended Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute, where she played under Leonard Bernstein. She studied music at Grinnell, where she met the love of her life, Brook Peterson ’57. They married in 1957. Rosemary taught for Waconia Public Schools. She led the Trinity Lutheran Church Children’s Choir, Sunday School, and music programs for many years. In 1976, she transitioned to teaching private music lessons until age 82. Brook passed in 1986. Survivors include her four children and sister-in-law Cynthia Peterson McKeen ’68.

    Jean Tiedemann Dawson ’58, Aug. 4, 2023, Barrington, Illinois. During the two years Jean attended Grinnell, she met and fell in love with Clyde Dawson ’56. They married in 1956. They both worked at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home in Franklin Park, Illinois, and eventually became the owners. Jean went to Elmhurst College to complete her bachelor’s and earn a teaching certificate. She was very active with the PTA and did substitute teaching. She served on the Franklin Park Library Board and was president of the Franklin Park Woman’s Board and treasurer for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Women’s Club for many years. Survivors include her husband, Clyde; their two children; five grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren.

    Sim J. Gordon ’58, Aug. 31, 2023, Stuart, Florida.

    W. Jack Hanna ’58, Sept. 27, 2023, Springfield, Ohio. Jack graduated from Grinnell with a bachelor’s in business. He spent his career in industrial sales and retired from Wisconsin Box Co. He was a devoted member of Enon United Methodist Church, where he served as head usher for over 16 years. Jack volunteered at Dayton Children’s Hospital and enjoyed golfing, watching the Bengals, and being outside tending to his garden. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Jamie; and a daughter.

    Kearney K. Kier ’58, Aug. 28, 2023, Euclid, Ohio. Kearney met Peggy Peterson ’58 at Grinnell; they wed in 1958 and had two children. He enjoyed a successful business career in manufacturing and executive leadership, eventually retiring as group president of Scott Fetzer. He continued working as a private consultant and was a part- time instructor in Baldwin Wallace University’s business school. He valued his church and community, was an active volunteer, and enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren. Kearney served on his Grinnell class committee in 2004 and was a class fund director from 1958 to 2004. Kearney and Peggy were married for 61 years, until her death in 2020.

    David J. Allen ’59, Aug. 6, 2023, Kalamazoo, Michigan. David excelled in diving and football at Grinnell, where he met Susan “Scotty” Waldo ’60. They married and moved to Kalamazoo, where he completed his education, earning bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist’s degrees from Western Michigan University. David was a career educator, primarily working with physically challenged and emotionally disturbed youth. In 1998, David was forced to retire when he broke his neck in a fall. His most defining trait was his deep love for family and friends. His survivors include his wife, Susan; two daughters; and three grandchildren.

    Kay Nelson ’59, Sept. 3, 2023, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kay loved her time at Grinnell, rarely missing a reunion, and spoke regularly to many of her classmates. After graduation, Kay went on to teach in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Denver. In Colorado Kay became president of the Colorado chapter of Girl Scouts. She loved music, and some of her favorite memories were attending jazz festivals around the country with her husband, Jerry. In the late 1970s, Kay began working at the Colorado College bookstore. After retiring in 1997, she enjoyed traveling with Jerry. Kay particularly cherished spending time with her kids. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include her son and daughter.

    John J. Roberts ’59, June 12, 2023, Brutus, Michigan. John graduated with his degree in history, then served in the U.S. Air Force for three years. In 1961, John and Linda Bryan married. He worked for many years in advertising and later embarked on a career in management consulting. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis into his eighties. He served for many years on the board of the Burt Lake Preservation Association. John, who made money as a cartoonist in college, did not consider himself an “artist” yet in later years produced many cards, craft projects, and paintings. Survivors include his wife, two daughters, and three grandchildren.

    Peter De Potter Jr. ’60, May 18, 2023, Saint Charles, Illinois.

    William R. Drew ’61, Aug. 20, 2023, Fitchburg, Wisconsin. After completing his bachelor’s in economics, Bill earned an MBA from Emory University. He married Madeline Jones in 1967, and they had three children. Bill enjoyed sales and marketing work with several food product companies and later the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, where he spent 18 years as vice president of marketing services. Bill played the trumpet during college, participating in a band formed by Herbie Hancock ’60. After putting the horn away for over 20 years, he joined bands that performed in retirement homes. Bill was a member of the College’s Asa Turner Society. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Madeline; two sons; a daughter; and seven grandchildren.

    Joan Wieder ’61, Aug. 26, 2023, Larkspur, California. After Grinnell, Joan attended the School of Law at Vanderbilt University and took a position with the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington, DC. She then relocated to San Francisco to accept an appointment with the Department of Labor. She completed her 40-year career with the National Labor Relations Board as an administrative law judge, hearing cases throughout the western states. Joan had many interests and passions in life, including travel. She loved animals. After retiring in 2001, Joan enjoyed painting and sculpting, photo editing, art, filmmaking, adaptive PE, and yoga.

    Suzy Valentine ’61, Sept. 7, 2023, Bonita Springs, Florida.

    William S. Encel ’62, Aug. 17, 2023, Omaha, Nebraska. Bill spent a year at Grinnell before earning a bachelor’s from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and lettered in golf. After graduating, he joined the Nebraska Air National Guard and became an officer, serving until 1969. Bill enjoyed a 37-year career at All Makes Office Equipment, retiring as vice president in 2015. Above all, Bill was a loving husband to his wife of 60 years, Kathy, and a devoted father to his three children. He took great joy in time spent with his four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

    Timothy H. Little ’62, Aug. 8, 2023, East Lansing, Michigan. Tim met his future wife, Roberta Eustis ’62, his first week at Grinnell. After graduation, he received a master’s from the University of Illinois-Champaign and a PhD from Northwestern. He taught high school for several years, later teaching at Michigan State University until he retired in 2006. He was an avid and active musician all his life. He was the leader of the Under Construction Bluegrass Band for over 20 years. Tim served as managing editor of the Michigan Bluegrass Music Association newsletter for 25 years. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Roberta, and a daughter.

    John H. Teget ’63, Sept. 13, 2023, Shenandoah, Iowa. After Grinnell, John earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota. He married Gayle Duncan in 1967. He practiced law in Des Moines and Sioux City before opening his own practice in Shenandoah. John enjoyed providing charitable gifts through the Teget Foundation and was active in numerous civic and volunteer endeavors throughout his life, including the Jaycees, the Big Brother program, and Boy Scouts. He served on the Shenandoah Library Board, the District Library Board, and was a member of the Iowa Library Association. John was an engaged alum, serving as a GRASP volunteer from 2003-2017; member of his 50th, 55th, and 60th reunion committees; class committee member from 2012-2021; class solicitor from 2012-2013; and a class fund director from 2013 until he passed away. John loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Gayle; two sons; and two grandchildren.

    Charlotte Frantz ’64, Aug. 17, 2023, Sidney, Nebraska. Charlotte attended Grinnell and graduated from the University of Tulsa. In her later years, she was a caregiver for her parents until their deaths.

    Richard L. Anderson ’67, March 26, 2023, Salt Lake City, Utah. Richard was an internationally renowned eyelid and facial plastic surgeon and the founder of many modern-day techniques in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids and face. He trained over 100 of today’s experts in oculoplastic and facial surgery as a professor at the University of Iowa and the University of Utah. He was honored with lifetime achievement awards by the Multi-Specialty Foundation for Aesthetic Surgical Excellence and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Richard loved nature, the outdoors, and sports. He was a fan and supporter of the Utah Jazz basketball team. He is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Susan Anderson; son, Mark Anderson ’93, two daughters; and seven grandchildren.

    Jean Capen Tweed ’68, Sept. 28, 2023, New London, Iowa. Jean married Charles Tweed in 1967. She was a member of the Congregational Universalist Church, where her husband served as minister. She worked as a caregiver and homemaker. She enjoyed poetry, all genres of music, and loved to paint. She enjoyed the outdoors, whether camping or in the mountains, most especially the Grand Tetons. She loved time spent with her daughters and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband.

    G. Christopher Meyer ’70, Sept. 11, 2023, Sarasota, Florida. Chris met his first wife, Linda Haines ’70, at Grinnell. They married in 1969 and had four children. After college, Chris graduated from the University of Pennsylvania law school and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he enjoyed a long and successful legal career at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. His practice focused on bankruptcy and insolvency issues. He became a partner in 1982. For more than 10 years, he served as an adjunct professor of law at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. In 2009, Chris married his former high school sweetheart, Jan Jorgensen. Chris retired from Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in 2018 and accepted an “of counsel” position at Strichter, Reidel, Blain & Postler in Tampa, Florida, where he practiced part time until his death. Chris was a highly engaged Grinnell alum, generously giving of his time and resources — he was a GRASP volunteer from 1998-2019; a member of his 45th and 50th Reunion committees; an Alumni Council member from 2016-2022; Alumni Council President from 2020-21 (with Board of Trustees service from 2019-2021); a class committee member from 2014- 2021; and class fund director from 2014-2023. Survivors include his wife, Jan; two daughters; two sons; a stepdaughter; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

    Sydney Brown Lockett ’74, June 29, 2023, Cottonwood, California.

    William J. Monaco ’74, July 25, 2022, Oxford, Florida. After earning his bachelor’s at Grinnell, Bill attended medical school at the University of Illinois, then worked in private practice in internal medicine in Oak Park, Illinois. In 2011, he went to work for Berlin Memorial Hospital in Berlin, Wisconsin. He was known as a compassionate and caring physician. Bill retired in 2019. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating, and spending time with friends and family. Survivors include his wife, Sharon, and one son.

    Robert G. Kister ’77, Aug. 5, 2023, Festus, Missouri. Bob, who played football during college, earned degrees from St. Louis University, Grinnell, and Washington University Law School. In addition to his career as an attorney, he was a community volunteer and supported the Kiwanis. Bob introduced his sons to dirt bike riding and shared his love of the outdoors with his grandchildren. His survivors include two sons and three grandchildren.

    Charles “Ned” Brasington ’05, Nov. 15, 2023, Anchorage, Alaska. Ned majored in political science and German at Grinnell. After graduation, he attended the University of Tartu, where he studied international law with an interest in the Baltic states. He went on to earn his JD from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2011. An accomplished lawyer, Ned served as Alaska’s assistant attorney general. Previously, he supervised the Solicitor’s Division of the Office of the Attorney General in the Northern Mariana Islands. Ned’s personal interests were broad and eclectic. He was a voracious reader, had a natural gift for languages, was an extremely experienced scuba diver, and loved playing Dungeons & Dragons and video games. He also was a lover of animals, especially cats. Survivors include his two children.

    Faculty

    Johanna Meehan, McCay-Casady Professor of Humanities and Professor of Philosophy, Jan. 8, Iowa City, Iowa. Johanna, who joined the College’s faculty in 1990, also served on the advisory board for the Center for Humanities. She transitioned to senior faculty status in 2023. Among the multiple fields of scholarship that she engaged in were literature, theory, psychoanalysis, neuroscience, race theory, feminist studies, memory studies, Holocaust studies, and continental philosophy. Johanna is remembered as a beloved mentor to faculty and students, and a kind and generous colleague.

Fall 2023

  • Barbara Wagner Welgos ’44, June 13, 2023, Decorah, Iowa. Barbara majored in speech and psychology at Grinnell. She married her high school sweetheart, Clarence Welgos, in 1946. They made their home in Decorah, raising three daughters. Barb’s professional career centered around Luther College, where she was hired in 1963 as counselor to women and later served as supervisor of the College Health Service until her retirement in 1984. Her passions were her family, golf, knitting, baking, cooking, PEO (she was an 80-plus year member), reading, church activities, and keeping in touch with her many friends. She was honored with a Grinnell College Alumni Award in 1972. Survivors include her daughters, seven grandchildren, and more than a dozen great-grandchildren.

    Evelyn Jorgensen Sweasy ’45, March 23, 2023, Red Wing, Minnesota. Evelyn, who was a member of the synchronized swimming team at Grinnell, enjoyed traveling during her college summers, when she worked at various western national parks, and with Pan Am Airlines in Florida. She loved to be outdoors, whether swimming, biking, hiking, or gardening. After the war, she married William Sweasy, and they had seven children. She shared 44 happy years with her husband before his death in 1991.

    Barbara Butts Parkhurst ’48, Feb. 14, 2023, Cedar Park, Texas. Barbara attended Grinnell and the University of Minnesota to earn her bachelor’s in journalism. She also received a master’s in education from Grand Canyon College. She married James Parkhurst in 1952 and had four children. James passed away in 1968. Barbara and her children moved to Austin, Texas, where she worked at the Texas State Capitol proofreading legislation and later for the City Clerk of Austin. Barbara volunteered at the Veterans’ Hospital and as secretary of her church. She was a member of the American Association of University Women for more than 50 years.

    Carolyn Ady Simonson ’48, April 20, 2023, Tacoma, Washington. Carolyn held a lifelong gratitude for her years at Grinnell and the friends she made, the pleasure and inspiration she derived from her studies as an English major, and the financial help she received from the College. She went on to obtain a master’s in English literature from Northwestern University, where she met her future husband, Hal. Carolyn was a dedicated teacher, first at the University of Puget Sound and then at Tacoma Community College. She retired in 1987 and finally had time to read voraciously, write, travel, quilt, and be a storybook grandma. She was a hospice volunteer for many years and volunteered as a copy editor for Columbia Magazine. Her three children, including her daughter, Greta Simonson ’79; and six grandchildren, survive her.

    Sherry Leeka Wiese ’48, June 13, 2023, Lincoln, Nebraska. Sherry attended Grinnell and graduated from the University of Nebraska, where she was an active member of Pi Beta Phi. While at university, Sherry met Bill Wiese. They married and had four children. Sherry taught for several years, later obtaining her master’s in educational psychology. She was known for her creative musical talent and energetic teaching style. Sherry and Bill were inseparable for 76 years and enjoyed music, dancing, golf, traveling together, and entertaining family and friends. She was an active volunteer in her church and the community. Survivors include a daughter and two sons, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

    Richard E. Friedman ’51, April 3, 2023, Sarasota, Florida. Richard was an attorney with the Better Government Association when he decided to run for office against Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley in 1971. Daley captured nearly 70% of the vote for a fifth term. Richard drolly referred to the contest as “a real squeaker.” After his mayoral run, Richard was appointed regional director of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

    A lesser-known portion of his resume involved national security law. He chaired the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Law and National Security as well as the National Strategy Forum. He also functioned as a sort of “ambassador at large,” making trips to various Eastern European countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Richard helped write the constitutions for Somalia and the Eastern European nation of Georgia. He is survived by his wife, former Chicago news anchor Jorie Lueloff Friedman. They met when she interviewed him on her show. Richard was a member of the College’s Asa Turner Society.

    George L. Hoyt ’51, May 10, 2023, Cushing, Maine. After George earned his bachelor’s in English and philosophy, he joined the U.S. Army. He later earned a master’s in English from the University of Iowa, where he met June Steenbergh. They shared a love of reading, current events, art, and good conversation that lasted throughout their 60-year marriage. Together, they raised two daughters, moving to Indiana from Iowa. George taught high school English in Indianapolis and later earned his doctorate in educational administration from Ball State University in Muncie, where the family relocated when he took an administrative position at Ball State. George especially enjoyed flying and sailing.

    Willette Ubl Lang ’51, June 22, 2023, Albuquerque, New Mexico. After Willette earned her degree in English education, she was accepted into a training program to become a buyer for the Carson Pirie Scott department store in downtown Chicago. In 1953, she married James Lang and they moved to Albuquerque, where she took a job as a data analyst at Sandia National Laboratory. Their family grew with the arrival of a daughter, and later a son. When her children were in school, Willette volunteered as treasurer of the PTA. She also joined the Albuquerque Civic Choir and enjoyed singing soprano for many years. After Jim passed away in 2012, she began volunteering at the Assistance League of Albuquerque. Willette is survived by her children and four grandchildren.

    Shirley Anderson Toomey ’51, May 16, 2023, Casper, Wyoming. Shirley met her future husband, Bill Toomey ’51, while earning her bachelor’s in art at Grinnell. They married in 1951. The couple settled in Madison, Wisconsin, to raise their family. Shirley was passionate about nature, especially birds. She and Bill loved to play bridge and socialize as well as travel. She volunteered at Madison General Hospital, Oakwood Lutheran Homes, and other community organizations. She and Bill were married 62 years; he died in 2013.

    Robert H. Boehmler ’52, June 15, 2023, Rogers, Arizona. After attending Grinnell, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served in the Korean War. During those years he met and married Donna Swanstrom. After completing his military career, Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to own and operate Bob’s 5 and 10, The Clothes Hanger, and The Shoe Horn in Montgomery City, Missouri. He took great pride in serving his community through his memberships at the First Christian Church, Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Shriners, Kiwanis, Missouri Retailers Association, and Elks Lodge. Bob is survived by his wife, a daughter and three sons, 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

    Alan D. Goldfarb ’52, June 1, 2023, San Rafael, California. Alan received his bachelor’s in political science from Grinnell, followed by a master’s from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a stint in the U.S. Army. His career in public service was spent working for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in New York and Chicago. In 1971, Alan and his wife, Arlene, moved their family to Berkeley, where Alan finished his career with HUD in the San Francisco Regional Office, retiring in 1981. Alan soon became involved in Berkeley civic affairs, serving on the Waterfront and Planning commissions. In 1986, he was elected to serve on the city council. He was passionate about earthquake preparedness and successfully pushed for preparedness staffing and tax incentives, which encouraged residents to retrofit their homes, eventually making Berkeley’s housing stock the most earthquake-resistant in the Bay Area. Alan loved Berkeley’s parks and was an avid walker and jogger. He was a leader in the long struggle to save the waterfront from overdevelopment and create the East Bay Shoreline Park. Alan frequently had letters published in The New York Times and poems in The NYT Metropolitan Diary. Some of his poetry was published in journals, and he published three books of his own work. Alan served as an Alumni Council member in 1997 and volunteered for the College’s Center for Careers, Life, and Service from 2009 to 2013. He was honored with a Grinnell College Alumni Award in 2002. Alan’s survivors include his wife, Arlene Stoller Goldfarb ’53; two daughters; son John Goldfarb ’76; and one grandson.

    Bernard F. Oakes ’52, March 13, 2023, Traverse City, Michigan. After graduation, Bernie served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a ceremonial platoon leader in Washington, D.C., and then a guard commander at Camp David under President Eisenhower. He was honorably discharged with the rank of captain. Bernie retired in 1987, after 31 years of employment with IBM. He moved to Traverse City in 1989 with his longtime companion, Wilhelmina “Billie” Frost, who survives him.

    Joanne “JoJo” Streater Scott ’52, May 20, 2023, Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduation, JoJo worked as a physical education teacher, a licensed realtor, and was a hospital emergency room volunteer. She also was active in her church and several social clubs. JoJo had a passion for boating, swimming, downhill skiing, dancing, travel, art museums, coffee parties, little children, and dogs. Survivors include her two daughters; four grandchildren and two step-grandsons; eight great-grandchildren; and her sister Janice Streater Kelley ’54.

    Earl E. Fisher ’53, June 6, 2023, Eveleth, Minnesota. While at Grinnell, Earl travelled to Italy as an exchange student. Following graduation, he worked at his father’s printing business and married Suzanne Tollefsrud. They settled in Virginia, Minnesota, and had three children. Earl owned and managed his father’s printing business until his retirement. He was interested in airplanes and purchased his own. He married Violet Irene Verbick in 1983, and they enjoyed their home on Ely Lake. Earl was a member of the Elks. Fishing and hunting were Earl’s favorite hobbies. Later in life he took up golf. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife after they retired.

    Harry C. Gurney ’53, April 22, 2023, Highland Ranch, Colorado. Harry attended Grinnell for two years, then enrolled at the University of Wyoming. He volunteered for active duty during the Korean War, and his future took a life-changing path when he was assigned to the Medical Corps, where he discovered his passion for science, medicine, and research. He went on to earn his doctorate at Colorado State University Veterinary School of Medicine. After graduation, he opened the Tri-State Veterinary Clinic in Cheyenne. Later he moved to Colorado and opened a veterinary hospital in Conifer, and then established Aspen Park Veterinary Hospital. He traveled nationally and internationally, presenting at conferences and giving lectures. At age 90, he published The One-Eyed Buffalo and Other Adventurous Stories from the Life of Doc Gurney, Veterinarian. Survivors include his wife, Jan; two sons and a daughter; and four grandchildren.

    F. Roderick Johnston ’53, Nov. 30, 2022, Alhambra, California.

    H. Trevor Jones ’53, March 22, 2023, La Quinta, California. Trevor met his future wife, Marilyn, in high school and they married in 1953. He served two years in the U.S. Army, then embarked on a 40-year career with the telephone company; first with Pacific Telephone and later with AT&T, Pacific Telesis Group, and Air Touch Communications. Trevor retired as an officer of Pacific Bell in 1994. While he loved working, his favorite “job” was that of father and grandfather. He was proud of each of his five children, their spouses, and 12 grandchildren. Trevor’s retirement years in La Quinta were filled with golf, bridge, travel, and friends, always with Marilyn by his side.

    Arthur “Mac” R. McMurray ’53, June 16, 2023, Audubon, Pennsylvania. Born in Grinnell, Mac attended Harvard College and Harvard Business School. He spent most of his professional career as a financial officer for Leesona Corporation in Warwick, Rhode Island. He and his wife, Ann, raised their family in Rhode Island. Taking an early retirement from business in 1985, Mac went on to teach finance at Nichols College in Massachusetts and then Georgetown College in Kentucky before fully retiring in 1999. Mac continued to stay active by playing tennis and swimming. He also enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren and teaching them to swim and ride bicycles.

    Robert F. Austin ’54, June 20, 2023, Houston, Texas. Please see Austin’s tribute.

    Richard F. Boyer ’54, July 18, 2023, Carroll, Iowa. Dick majored in music and, following graduation, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After discharge, he began graduate studies in school administration while teaching at Deep River Consolidated Schools. In 1957, he began teaching instrumental music in the Urbandale (Iowa) Community School District. During this time, he completed graduate studies at Drake University, earning his master’s and educational specialist certification. From 1963 to 1970, he served as assistant superintendent in Urbandale, then spent five years as superintendent of schools in Creston, Iowa, after which he served as superintendent in the Algona (Iowa) Schools for 13 years. In 1988, Dick became the assistant bureau chief in the administration section for the State of Iowa Department of Education, retiring in 1996. Dick was married to Nancy Johannsen in 1956. Their union lasted more than 63 years and produced three wonderful children, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

    Juanita Johns Collinsworth ’54, June 11, 2023, Granbury, Texas. Nita attended Grinnell and the University of Tennessee. In 1953, she married Coy Collinsworth, her husband of 66 years. They reared five children together in Mountain Brook, Alabama. Nita promoted Alabama’s arts and heritage as chair of the first Decorator Showhouse for the Alabama Symphony. She was president of the Women’s Committee of 100 and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as president of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary in Birmingham and held various executive positions in PEO. Nita had a penchant for gardening, flower arranging, and painting. Survivors include four of her children; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her niece Marian Spurgeon ’06.

    Bonnie Paal Fidler ’54, April 21, 2023, Port Angeles, Washington.

    Franz “Bud” Helpenstell ’55, June 20, 2023, Corvallis, Oregon. At Grinnell, Bud met Esta Wetterholm ’54 at a picnic, and it truly was love at first sight. After they married, he received a degree from the University of Iowa. Bud was soon drafted into the U.S. Army, and the couple went to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, where a daughter and son were born. They moved back to Bud’s hometown, Rock Island, Illinois, and he went to work in the bottling business. After several years, another daughter was born. In time, Bud became the president of the A.D. Huesing Corporation Pepsi-Cola bottling company. Bud and Esta enjoyed family fishing trips, visiting family, and, in later years, they traveled all over. Esta passed away in 2011. Bud was very involved in his community, serving as a director and chairman on many boards, including the Augustana College Board of Trustees and the Amy Helpenstell Foundation. He also was a prominent leader within the bottling industry. Bud received many honors throughout his lifetime, including recognition as a Community First Quad-Citian and Rock Island Citizen of the Year. Survivors include a son and daughter; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his sister-in-law, Mary Wetterholm McCoy ’57.

    William A. Kuchera ’55, June 12, 2023, Green Bay, Wisconsin. Bill met his sweetheart, Natalie, at Grinnell. They married in 1954. He graduated from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) in 1958, initially practicing as a family physician with his father. He then relocated to Davenport, Iowa, where he established his own osteopathic family practice. In 1980, he relocated his practice to Kirksville and taught full time at KCOM. He was in a practice with one of his sons in Kirksville until his retirement in 1996. He served on the American Academy of Osteopathy board for many years and earned his fellowship; he was later bestowed the Academy’s highest honor, the AT Still Medallion. Post-retirement, Bill and Natalie moved to Wisconsin. Bill continued to support his profession by authoring and illustrating osteopathic medical books. Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Natalie Zange Kuchera ’53; seven children; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

    R. Douglas Banister ’56, May 28, 2023, Farragut, Tennessee. Doug met his future wife, Tobianne Southern ’55, in a play at Grinnell. After college, he served in the U.S. Air Force and earned a master’s from the Ohio State University College of Education. He began his career as a middle school teacher, then was a textbook salesman for Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Doug’s favorite job, however, was captaining boats at Disney World. He was an active member of his church, where he sang in the choir. He loved being with his kids and grandkids, traveling with his wife, sailing, hiking, reading, kayaking, and riding his bike. He was preceded in death by Tobianne.

    Virginia Haight Bigelow ’56, April 13, 2023, Omaha, Nebraska. Ginny majored in political science and met her future husband, Jack Bigelow ’56, at Grinnell. They married shortly after graduation and had two children. Later, Ginny went back to work as a senior life insurance underwriter, a career she loved with a passion. Jack passed away in 2003. Ginny was an avid bridge player, voracious reader, and owned several Labrador Retrievers over the years. She always had a vegetable garden and grew tomatoes and pumpkins for her grandchildren.

    Shirley Dickinson McCune ’56, May 25, 2023, Mesa, Arizona. Shirley studied at Grinnell and Colorado State for her bachelor’s and earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. She married Wes McCune in 1959. After living in Denver for two years, they moved to Washington, D.C. Shirley received her doctorate from Catholic University in Baltimore in 1966. She worked for the National Education Association for many years. From 1976 to 1979, Shirley served as an Undersecretary of Education in Washington. She subsequently formed her own company, working on implementation of Title IX anti-discrimination requirements. Shirley traveled widely and loved experiencing different cultures.

    Donald I. McGee ’56, April 1, 2023, Washington, D.C. Donald attended Grinnell and the University of Iowa before receiving his master’s at the University of Illinois. He moved to Washington, D.C., where he met his husband, Joseph Rosenstein, who passed away in 2019. In Washington, Donald earned his doctorate and began working with children with disabilities. He spearheaded efforts in special education for the Fairfax County School District as a superintendent of the school for the deaf and hard of hearing. He was active with the A.G. Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, serving on the board of directors. After retiring, he continued his work with the deaf as an interpreter with National Park Services and the Office of the Speaker of the House. He was a gardener and loved classical music and playing the piano.

    Howard E. Buhse Jr. ’57, July 1, 2023, Downers Grove, Illinois. After Howard graduated with a bachelor’s in biology, he obtained his doctorate in zoology from the University of Iowa. He went on to a career as a professor of biological sciences at the University of Illinois–Chicago for over 40 years. His most recent research focused on ciliated protozoa, a model system for analysis of many research problems in biology. He also mentored more than 30 graduate students. He is survived by his wife, Moira Buchan Buhse ’57; a son and two daughters, including daughter Lucinda Buhse ’82; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

    Mary Mills Dunea ’57, May 28, 2023, Northwood, Iowa. Mary, who believed in the importance of involvement in the political system, served as a special assistant to a governor of Illinois, owned an independent bookstore in Chicago, and was a philanthropic donor to multiple causes. Her curiosity led her to travel extensively from Bhutan, where she funded the building of a road in the mountains, to the country of Georgia, where she served as an election observer. Survivors include her three children, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

    Richard Hewitt ’58, May 15, 2023, Huntsville, Texas. After graduation, Richard attended Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he served as editor of the SMU Law Review and received his Master of Laws. He went on to join the Securities and Exchange Commission as an enforcement attorney and eventually became the regional administrator of SEC offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas. He left the SEC in 1978, going into private practice in securities law until he retired in 2013. He loved reading books and newspapers and was an avid sports fan. Richard is survived by his wife, Karen; four children; and five grandchildren.

    Trude Hoffacker ’58, July 1, 2023, Sunnyvale, California. Trude was active in Women’s Honor G and International Club and served as a dorm counselor while majoring in English at Grinnell. After graduation, she completed three years of graduate studies in 18th-century English literature at the University of Minnesota. She took a leave from her studies to teach, eventually taking a job at her former school, Mountain View (California) High School. She fell in love with teaching high school students. Trude also was an English tutor for more than 25 years, working with middle school, high school, and college students. Trude served as a GRASP volunteer from 1999 to 2002.

    Robert Hurst ’59, June 11, 2023, Columbia, Missouri. Bob met Kay Joann Simons ’59 in the Grinnell choir, and they married in 1958. Bob went on to obtain his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate in physics from Penn State University. In 1964, he was hired as a professor of physics at the University of Missouri–Columbia, where he taught physics and computer programming and performed research for over 20 years. In 1974, he began consulting at Boone County Hospital as a medical physicist. He eventually retired from Mizzou and worked full time for the hospital, retiring in 2008. Bob was an avid Mizzou sports fan and served on the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee as both member and chairman. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and an Elder and sang in the choir. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Kay, in 1974, and his second wife, Peggy Heifner Hurst, in 2015. He is survived by his three children and two stepchildren; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

    William McClintock ’60, March 28, 2023, Houston, Texas. Bill met his future wife, Ann, at Grinnell. He received his captain’s commission in the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea and Vietnam from 1960 to 1965. He then moved with his family to Houston and began his business career as a stockbroker with Bache and Company. In 1979, Bill and Ann opened Ann’s Clock (later known as Ann’s Fine Gifts), and the business served the Houston community for 42 years. Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ann Hedgpeth McClintock ’60; a daughter and son; and three grandchildren.

    Rebecca Reiter ’60, May 9, 2023, Iowa City, Iowa. Rebecca was inducted into Mortar Board, Phi Beta Kappa, and Sigma Xi. She went on to earn a Master of Science from the University of Iowa. Rebecca spent her entire working career in the field of biological research, first at the Oak Ridge Laboratories in Tennessee, and for 38 years at the University of Iowa in the Department of Biological Sciences. She coauthored 46 peer-reviewed scientific papers. Her contributions include training and mentoring dozens of graduate students and post-doctoral scientists throughout her career. Rebecca had many interests and served on the boards of the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women, and the Hawkeye Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. She also enjoyed traveling with friends. She was a member of the College’s Asa Turner Society.

    Patricia Tucker Van Anrooy ’60, April 2023, Roseburg, Oregon. Pat met her future husband, David Van Anrooy ’60, at Grinnell. She was a cheerleader, and he was the football captain. Pat graduated Phi Beta Kappa. After college, David joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and upon his return, they married. She and David had three sons, and Pat was a teacher for 20 years. After retirement they traveled to many national parks, Mexico, and Hawaii. Pat was a member of PEO and the Red Hat Society. David and Pat enjoyed cheering on their four grandchildren in sports, and she loved to care for her family. Survivors include her husband.

    John M. Broeker ’62, May 17, 2023, Waconia, Minnesota. John, who graduated with a degree in economics, married his first wife, Judy Goddard ’62, in 1962. They had a daughter and son. John obtained his law degree at the University of Minnesota and went on to clerk for the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. John later moved his family to Minneapolis and worked for the law firm of Gray, Plante, and Moody. He went on to open his first practice, Broeker and Bachman, specializing in long-term health care law. In 1983, John married Linda, and he became stepfather to her three children. John had a love for all animals and was an active member of the Sierra Club. Nothing gave him more pleasure than spending time with his children and his seven grandchildren. In 1973, John was honored with a Grinnell College Alumni Award. Survivors include his daughter, Sara Broeker ’89.

    Sara Peterson Weyer ’63, January 9, 2023, Ames, Iowa. Sara raised her family in Houston, Texas, and had a full career as an editor at NASA. Later, she owned clothing stores in Perry, Iowa, and Ames. She enjoyed women’s fashion and loved attending fashion shows, where she would purchase clothing for her store. Her children and grandchildren were very important and dear to her. Her survivors include her two sons and four grandchildren.

    Thomas E. DeBerg ’64, April 2, 2023, St. Petersburg, Florida. Tom ran track at Grinnell and earned his bachelor’s in psychology, followed by master’s degrees in counseling and social work at the University of Wisconsin. He also served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a therapist for troubled youths and as a medical social worker prior to studying law. In 1983, he graduated from Stetson University College of Law. Tom was a prosecutor for the Florida Bar from 1986 to 2003. He continued his legal career with the Solomon Tropp Law Group, retiring in 2008. He coached Little League, volunteered with the city discrimination review board, taught paralegal studies, and published Divorce Florida Style in 2016. Tom enjoyed fishing and golfing and time at the casino with his wife and friends. Nothing meant more to him than family. He is survived by his wife, Albina; four children; and seven grandchildren.

    John H. Peele ’64, May 7, 2023, Mission, Kansas. After he graduated, John earned a degree in economics from Washburn University in 1966. He joined Hallmark Cards in 1968. In 1988, he started the Asbestos Cooperative Exchange, a member-owned cooperative for abatement contractors that remove hazardous materials. In 1997, he started and ran ABCO Supply, retiring in 2018. John was an avid sportsman, playing many sports into his 70s. His survivors include his wife, Linda; a daughter; two granddaughters; and his sister, Errett Peele Schmid ’60.

    James L. Terral, ’64, April 2022, Nelson, B.C, Canada. After being drafted into the U.S. Army, James applied for conscientious objector status and was rejected. He then went absent without leave, moving to Canada in 1968. James taught at Capilano College in Vancouver, where he was a writer and audio producer in the intermedia artist’s collective, and then taught at Selkirk College in Nelson, where he chaired the advisory committee on computer resources. He was a writer/producer for the online theater project ATHEMOO. In retirement, he had a radio show focused on current events in the Middle East. He played the saxophone and loved jazz.

    Karen Hardy Cárdenas ’65, May 2, 2023, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Karen had a career-long passion for education and cross-cultural connection through language. She earned multiple degrees, including a doctorate in Spanish language and literature from University of Kansas. She rose to department chair at South Dakota State University and was a published author. As a board member of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, she helped shape language in higher education policy for the state and region. An ardent human rights activist, she generously donated time and financial support to organizations fighting for equality and giving voice to the voiceless, most notably with the League of Women Voters. She served as a volunteer for the Grinnell College Department of Spanish from 2001 to 2015. She was a caring mother who loved her family and friends, adored animals, and enjoyed music and the performing arts.

    Nancy Cox ’65, March 24, 2022, Seattle, Washington. After earning her bachelor’s in English, Nancy spent a year becoming a francophone in Paris and then moved to New York City. Seeking new experiences and travel, she became a Peace Corps volunteer in 1966 and served in Accra, Ghana. There she met fellow volunteer Ernie Sarason and, following their time in the Peace Corps, they married and had a daughter. Nancy parted ways with Ernie in 1983 and later moved to Connecticut with her new husband and daughter. She learned to become a tax preparer and moved to Martha’s Vineyard, where she started working at the woman-powered business Vineyard Tax Matters. After separating from her second husband, Nancy spent time in Seattle and Martha’s Vineyard. She was an avid birder and always had a pair of binoculars at the ready. Survivors include her daughter and her sister, Barbara Cox Salkin ’74.

    Kitty Hamilton Mohr ’65, Jan. 27, 2023, St. Paul, Minnesota. Kitty, widowed as the mother of young children, gave them a life of exploration and adventure. She had a vivacious and intellectual spirit and was a generous culinarian who turned the ordinary into extraordinary. She was a voracious reader who loved the library and could tackle the most complex crossword puzzle with ease. Kitty loved gardening, golf, travel, and snowbirding. She was very involved in her community and church. Survivors include her three children and six grandchildren.

    Steven K. Reich ’67, May 24, 2023, Cranston, Rhode Island. Steven received his bachelor’s in English, followed by a doctorate in psychology from the University of New Mexico. Planning on becoming a psychiatrist, he began medical school in his thirties at Southern Illinois University and instead became a pediatrician. His career in medicine took a final turn when he joined the adolescent medicine team at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Career and hobbies were important to him, but his devotion to family was a foremost priority. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; four children; 10 grandchildren; and his sister, Dindy Reich ’69, and brother-in-law, Lee Maril ’69.

    Robert D. Cocks ’74, May 11, 2023, Woodstock, Illinois. After graduation from Grinnell, Bob went on to obtain a master’s from the University of Illinois, followed by an MBA from the University of Chicago. He was an accomplished businessman who managed and consulted for many national companies. He was an active member of the Marine Reserves and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed reading, debating, and engaging in family discussions. Family was at the heart of Bob’s life, and he cherished the time spent with them. He is survived by his wife, Judy; seven children; and 12 grandchildren.

    John R. Burrows ’78, May 20, 2023, Milton, Wisconsin. John fell in love with the study of art and architectural history at Grinnell. He went on to complete graduate studies in architectural preservation at the University of Virginia. One of his first jobs was working for a historical design company, and he began to design his own period wallpaper patterns. Having found his true vocation, John became a historical design merchant, establishing J.R. Burrows and Co., specializing in Victorian furnishings, such as carpets, lace curtains, and wallpaper. He advised and oversaw the installation of period carpets, wallpaper, and other furnishings in historic buildings like Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and in churches as diverse as Trinity Church on Copley Square in Boston and the reconstructed Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois. He also oversaw carpet installations for two rooms in the White House (the Blue Room and the Lincoln Bedroom, during the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, respectively), and provided carpets and lace curtains for the interiors of Steven Spielberg’s 2012 Lincoln movie. He received numerous awards and accolades for his work in historical restorations, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Victorian Society in America. John was a lifelong advocate for LGBTQ rights and causes. In 2001, he was instrumental in founding “Bear Week” in Provincetown, Massachusetts, an annual event occurring each July that attracts more than 10,000 gay men for a week of celebration and conviviality. John was honored with a Grinnell College Alumni Award in 2003.

    Michael F. Varnum ’78, June 15, 2023, State Center, Iowa. After graduation, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his country for four years. In 1991, he married Donna Varnum. They raised their son, Wyatt, in State Center. Mike worked for many years at Werner Enterprises before becoming “Mr. Mom” and helping to raise and care for Wyatt for 30 years. His family was everything to him, and he supported his son’s music career and cheered him on in his skateboarding ventures. He was proud of every moment of the 32 years that he and Donna were happily married. Mike, who is survived by his wife, was preceded in death by his son.

    David W. Kramer ’80, July 2, 2023, Tucson, Arizona. David, who majored in religious studies, made national news as a student when he was overwhelmingly elected SGA president running as “The Messiah” candidate. He was instrumental in bringing major musical acts like the Ramones and Rachel Sweet to campus. He also was a student worker in the first Phonathon fundraising campaign. David spent his career in Los Angeles and Phoenix as a successful financial products executive. He maintained many of his Grinnell friendships after graduation and was an active volunteer for the College. He was a class committee member from 2009 to 2011, class solicitor from 2009 to 2013, and GRASP volunteer from 2012 to 2017. He served on his 30th, 35th, and 40th reunion committees and attended numerous College events. David’s love of singing and dancing, big smile, and laugh were infectious. Survivors include his two daughters, a son, and one granddaughter.

    Mary Jo LaDu ’80, March 28, 2023, Chicago, Illinois. After graduation, Mary earned her doctorate in physiology and biophysics and exercise physiology at the University of Illinois–Chicago (UIC). She was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago before launching her own research program and becoming a principal investigator at Northwestern University in the department of medicine at Evanston and Northwestern hospitals. She joined UIC in 2005 as a professor of anatomy and cell biology, investigating the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative processes. Her research generated more than 100 publications and numerous research grants as a primary investigator with continuous NIH funding since 1995. Among other accolades, she received the Alzheimer’s Association Zenith Award.

    J. David Laird ’80, May 11, 2023, Godfrey, Illinois. David earned degrees in mathematics from Grinnell and in electrical engineering from Washington University before starting his career in Silicon Valley. He was able to combine his love of drawing, painting, and cartooning with his engineering expertise as part of a graphics team that created high-end workstations with unparalleled 3D graphics capabilities. David was an artist at heart, with an appreciation for art of all types, from poetry to painting to music to ballroom dancing. He was an expansive music lover and had impeccable taste in movies. He also loved restoring vintage 10-speed bicycles. Above all, David considered his children, whom he loved dearly, as his most significant achievement. David’s survivors include his two children, sister Christy Laird Staats ’82, and nephew Noah Laird ’17.

    Harriett Dickey-Chasins ’82, Aug. 17, 2023, Grinnell, Iowa. Harriett, who graduated with a degree in philosophy, went on to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology. She married Jeffrey Dickey-Chasins ’81 in 1986, and their daughter was born in 1994. She began her career as a psychologist at the Poweshiek County Mental Health Center in Grinnell. When that facility closed, she launched a private practice. After many years, she became a staff psychologist at the College. She ended her psychological career with a practice in Des Moines. Her second career in sustainable farming and local foods began when she purchased the Grinnell Farm to Table local food hub. After several years, she sold the business. She served four years on the Grinnell School Board. Harriett also was an active volunteer for the College, serving as a Community Council member from 2001 to 2002 and a GRASP volunteer from 2006 to 2017. At the time of her death, she was the marketing manager for two sustainable farms. She was an advocate for local foods and sustainable farming, and she cherished her time in her garden. Survivors include her husband and daughter.

      
  • Luther EricksonLuther Erickson, July 4, 2023, Grinnell, Iowa. Luther and Jenny Erickson came to Grinnell in 1962 when Luther began teaching in the chemistry department, where he served as a faculty member for 41 years. In the lab and classroom, Luther was an outstanding, motivational teacher and mentor and a kindhearted friend to his students. From 1974 to 2003, Luther was the William F. Dodge Professor of Chemistry. He was named professor emeritus when he retired in 2003. Jenny was director of the Forum for 20 years before retiring in 1997. Together they taught, encouraged, mentored, and supported thousands of students while also serving as pillars of the Grinnell community. The Ericksons were known for opening their home to students. Alums recall that a student might first have known Luther from chemistry or Jenny from the Forum but would soon get to know the other. The Ericksons’ loving, enduring connections to students were widely reciprocated. In 2019, a large group of alums undertook a crowdfunding campaign to honor the Ericksons by creating a new professorship in their names: the Luther and Jenny Erickson Endowed Professorship of Chemistry. The family suggests memorial gifts can be directed to support the Erickson fund.

      
  • Robert AustinLife trustee, celebrated pediatrician, student mentor

    Dr. Robert “Bob” F. Austin Jr. ’54, DHL ’96, a life trustee of the Grinnell College Board of Trustees and a beloved pediatrician, passed away on June 20, 2023, in Houston, Texas. The impact of Bob’s career as a renowned specialist in pediatric hematology was rivaled only by his remarkable record of youth mentorship and community service. Bob is remembered for his love of Grinnell, his commitment to making the College a place that is truly diverse and inclusive, his generous support for students, and his 15 years of active service on the College’s board.

    In addition to his zoology studies at Grinnell, Bob was active in cross country and ROTC. He was one of three Black students who graduated from the College in 1954. After earning his bachelor’s, Bob completed service in the U.S. Air Force, then went on to pursue a graduate degree in biology from Boston College and a Doctor of Medicine from Meharry Medical College.

    During the early years of his nearly 50-year career in medicine, Bob established the pediatric hematology section at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. He later became the first chief executive officer of the Syracuse Community Health Center, one of the first federally qualified health centers in the country.

    For the last 35 years of his distinguished career, Bob was active in his medical practice and teaching in Houston. He was the president of R.J. Austin Consultant, Development, and Training and the founder of Project Medical Home, which pioneered a unique approach to providing services to the poor and near poor. Bob was an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. He also served as chair of the advisory committee for the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions.

    Bob received numerous professional and community awards and honors for his lifetime of service, including the Savvy Award, the Barbara Jordan Leadership Award, and the Maconda B. O’Conner award.

    For more than 70 years, Bob was a proud and devoted Grinnellian. He gave generously of his time to the College, his fellow alums, and especially to Grinnell students. He was an enthusiastic volunteer for several Grinnell alumni and student development programs and recruited and mentored generations of students who came to Grinnell from the Houston area.

    Among other volunteer service to the College, he was a GRASP volunteer from 1998 to 2017 and served on the Presidential Search Committee in 2009-10. Bob also was a member of the President’s Committee for a Stronger Minority Presence at Grinnell College. A lifelong advocate for Black and African American students at the College, Bob championed and cultivated alumni efforts to support the Conney Kimbo Black Cultural Center (BCC). In 2010, he launched a fundraising challenge to provide physical and programmatic enhancements to the BCC, a challenge met with support across the alumni community.

    Bob’s deep connections and service were recognized with an Alumni Award in 1973. During the 1996 commencement ceremony, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters for his efforts as a child advocate in health and education. As part of Multicultural Alumni Weekend in 2017, he was honored for his lifetime of service. Bob served on the Grinnell College Board of Trustees from 2003 until 2018, when he was honored with recognition as a life trustee.

    Among those left to cherish Bob’s memory is his wife of 28 years, Joan Perry-Austin. Bob’s children include Lauren Alisa Austin, Douglass Fleming Austin, David Mark Austin, Beverly Ann Hixon, Marilyn Austin, Catheryn Longino, James Perry Jr., and Jozetta Perry-Delasbour.

Summer 2023

  • Margaret Carey Brattin ’43, Nov. 25, 2022, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Margaret met Eugene Peisner ’41 during her first year at Grinnell. They married in 1943 and had three children. She went on to earn a master’s in special education from the University of Iowa, and to a career as a teacher and reading specialist. Margaret volunteered for the Peace Education Center and belonged to the League of Women Voters. After Gene died in 1985, Margaret married John Brattin. They enjoyed traveling and visiting their children across the country before he passed away. The College’s Peisner Family Scholarship Fund was among the beneficiaries of Margaret’s support.

    Harriet Cook LeMaster ’46, Feb. 28, 2023, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. After graduating with a bachelor’s in music, Harriet received her master’s in music education from Columbia University Teachers College. She married Edward B. LeMaster III in 1955. She was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she served as a relief organist, and at Vicar’s Landing, where she was a regular organist into her 90s. She was involved with the Jacksonville Symphony and served on the board of the Jacksonville University Friends of the Library. Traveling, boating, and fishing were among her many interests. Survivors include her two children and three grandchildren.

    Bettie Neville Noyce ’46, March 7, 2023, Ashland, Oregon. Bettie fondly remembered her friends and happy years at Grinnell. She majored in chemistry and, upon graduation, married her lab teaching assistant, Donald S. Noyce ’44. Bettie was a class agent for 18 years, recipient of a Grinnell Alumni Award in 1996, and founder of the Donald S. Noyce ’44 Masterclass Endowed Fund. She was the mother and grandmother to many Grinnell alumni. Survivors include sons Donald Noyce ’75 and Robert Noyce ’71; daughter in-law Lindalu Vognar ’72; grandsons Adam Noyce ’02 and Christian Noyce ’15; granddaughter Jennifer Noyce ’05; and niece Abigail Scheckter ’02.

    George “Van” B. Vanstrum ’47, Dec. 28, 2022, Greensboro, Georgia. Van’s four years at Grinnell were interrupted by service as an ensign on a PT boat in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Nevertheless, he earned nine varsity letters during his sophomore, junior, and senior years — three each in football, basketball, and baseball. He worked for many decades at Aetna Life, retiring as vice president. He served as president of Grinnell’s alumni association during 1974 and was honored with a Grinnell Alumni Award in 2006. A single-digit handicap golfer, he was also a Life Master in bridge. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Ann (Hauer) Vanstrum ’47; three daughters; two sons, including son Glenn Vanstrum ’74; and five grandchildren.

    Nadine Osincup Collins ’48, Feb. 25, 2023, Scottsdale, Arizona. Nadine married Fred Collins in 1953. In 1966 they moved to Newton, Iowa, where they raised their three children. Nadine was a member of PEO for more than 70 years. She volunteered at church, sang in the choir, and enjoyed sewing, entertaining, and spending time with friends. After Fred retired from Maytag in 1987, they moved to Scottsdale. They enjoyed traveling and making new friends. Most of all, Nadine loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

    Sally Pierce Langan ’49, Dec. 31, 2022, Carol Stream, Illinois. Sally attended Grinnell before graduating from Washington University in 1949. She married Edward Langan in 1949, and the couple had four children. Following a divorce in 1970, Sally raised her four children as a single parent while teaching kindergarten and then first grade in the Wilmette (Illinois) Public Schools. Sally will be remembered for her grace and sense of humor, her Christian Science faith, and her devotion to her family and her students.

    Thomas F. Liegler ’50, Feb. 20, 2023, Whitewater, California. Tom was a member of the Grinnell football and debate teams. He married Joyce Langmade in 1955 and shortly after began his career with the Chicago White Sox. In 1962, he was hired by the Houston Colt 45’s baseball team. Tom assisted in the club’s transformation into the Houston Astros and the building of the Astrodome. The peak of his career came in 1965, when he oversaw the design and construction of Anaheim Stadium for the then Los Angeles Angels. For more than 20 years, Tom directed operations not only at the Big A but also at the Anaheim Convention Center and the city’s two golf courses. Tom’s love of family and his faith were most important in his life, and he and Joyce raised three children.

    William R. Pudvan ’50, Feb. 23, 2023, Columbus, Ohio. After graduation, Bill went on to receive his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He practiced family medicine for 11 years before deciding to specialize, completing a four-year residency in radiology at the Cleveland Clinic and VA Hospital. In 1969, he established a partnership in radiology at Lakewood Hospital in Lakewood, Ohio, where he remained until retirement. Bill loved to travel, fish, and spend time with his family. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Eileen. Surviving him are seven children from two marriages; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

    Elizabeth Weiss Snortum ’50, Jan. 12, 2021, Walnut Creek, California. Born in Germany, Beth grew up in the shadow of Hitler’s rise to power and persecution of the Jews. In 1939, Beth’s mother sent her to join siblings in the U.S. Beth met Niel Snortum ’50 at Grinnell, and they married in 1951. In 1987, at the age of 58, Beth went back to school and earned her master’s in education from St. Mary’s College. Niel passed away in 1991. Beth spent nearly 40 years as a health and sexuality educator for Planned Parenthood. She was a fierce advocate for women’s health and the rights of all people to live their lives freely. In 2014, she received the Mary Lee Tatum Award for exemplifying the qualities of an ideal sexuality educator. It was important to her to pass on her Jewish heritage. As a Holocaust survivor, she participated in several interviews and archival projects. Beth’s survivors include her son and daughter; four grandchildren; a great-grandson; and her cousin, Joyce Stern ’91.

    Patricia Patterson Dimock ’51, March 17, 2023, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Patty attended Grinnell and graduated from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, where she studied fine arts and interior design. Patty’s first marriage was to James Harrison in 1950. Her second marriage was to George Dimock in 1960. Patty was a gifted artist with an adventurous spirit. She traveled, painted, skied the mountains of Idaho and Colorado, sailed and fished off the shores of Florida and the Bahamas, and was a licensed pilot. Her passions included dogs, horses, gardening, and family.

    Malcolm “Shep” H. Shepherd ’51, Jan. 7, 2023, Sun City, Arizona. As a young man, Shep joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served during WWII before attending Grinnell. He married his college sweetheart, Phyllis Fleming ’51, in 1953. Shep enjoyed many years as an accomplished entrepreneur and sales and marketing executive. He and Phyllis loved to travel. Shep was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed most sports, especially the NFL and the Green Bay Packers. Survivors include his wife.

    Virginia “Ginnie” Barbon Stamper ’51, Dec. 13, 2022, Scottsdale, Arizona. Ginnie married in 1952 and had five children. She had a long career in mortgage and banking only retiring at age 83. Ginnie contributed to many charities, was a prayer warrior, and cherished her family. Survivors include two sons; a daughter; five grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren.

    Anne “Nan” Hosmer Hurst ’52, Aug. 24, 2022, Modesto, California. Nan married James Hurst, and they had seven children. She was active in a church wherever she lived. For many years, she hosted American Field Service students. Upon retirement, Nan and Jim volunteered as interpretive rangers for the National Park Service. Nan accompanied Jim on more than 20 volunteer assignments for USAID in 15 developing countries. They traveled extensively, visiting every continent and all 50 states. After Jim’s passing, Nan continued to travel, visiting a total of 101 countries. She is survived by her seven children, 17 grandchildren, and 12 great- grandchildren.

    George H. Turner ’52, April 8, 2022, Homewood, Illinois. George attended Grinnell before leaving to serve in the U.S. Army stateside during the Korean War. George and his wife, Rosemary, were happily married for over 64 years. They traveled the world during George’s career working for Bryant & Borg Warner. He excelled as a sales engineer and was an accomplished draftsman in the HVAC industry. George loved investing and sharing his knowledge of the stock market, teaching drivers education, and cheering on Chicago sports teams.

    Nancy Scruby Mol ’53, Feb. 24, 2023, Beaverton, Oregon. Nancy met her future husband, James Russell Mol ’52, at Grinnell. They both worked in the dining hall, where Jim reportedly dropped a stack of plates when he saw Nancy for the first time. After they married, Nancy and Jim moved to Portland, Oregon, to pursue Jim’s career in hospital administration and Nancy’s career as a high school physical education teacher. They had a daughter and a son before the family moved to Corvallis in 1967, where Jim became the administrator of Good Samaritan Hospital. Nancy earned a master’s in counseling and periodically worked in education. Nancy loved her family and friends, being involved in her church, playing and watching sports, reading, word games, and lemon Oreos. She is survived by her two children and three grandchildren.

    Rolland “Woody” W. Hurst ’54, Jan. 16, 2023, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. Woody, who came to Grinnell to study pre-engineering physics, was persuaded to join the band by the woman who would become his first wife and the mother of their four children. He ultimately graduated with honors in music education and performance. He went on to get his master’s in voice and opera at Eastman School of Music. Most notable were the 10 years he spent in New York City, pursuing his passion for music and theater as an acclaimed professional singer/actor. Besides landing roles on Broadway, he was a soloist with the Robert Shaw Chorale and New York Philharmonic. His credits included television, opera, and movie roles. He went on to earn a doctorate at Columbia University and teach music at California State University.

    Ralph H. Noyce ’55, March 26, 2023, Ashland, Oregon. After Grinnell, Ralph received a master’s in electrical engineering from Georgetown University, then spent a year teaching high school physics and math in Turkey. He served in the U.S. Navy and later settled in Washington, D.C., to work for the Philco company. In 1965, Ralph moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and spent the remainder of his career in product development and testing at IBM in San Jose. Some of his projects contributed to the development of geosynchronous earth orbit satellites. Shortly after his arrival in California, Ralph met Beverly Bollman. They spent many happy years together, marrying in 2007. They enjoyed travel and patronizing the local arts scene. Ralph and Beverly retired in Oakland, California, where they lived until Beverly’s passing. Ralph then moved to Ashland to be close to family. Survivors include nephews Donald Noyce ’75 and Robert Noyce ’71, and niece Elizabeth Noyce ’73.

    Dorsey W. Holt ’56, Oct. 25, 2022, Gig Harbor, Washington. Dorsey’s survivors include his wife, Betty Oelke Holt ’56; brother-in-law, William Oelke ’65; and sister-in-law, Nancy Oelke Hillmann ’60.

    Robert B. Phelps ’56, Dec. 25, 2022, Kingsley, Iowa. Robert was a standout football player and nationally ranked javelin thrower at Grinnell. After graduation, he studied at the Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking, then took a job with Banker’s Trust in Des Moines. In 1961, Robert married his college sweetheart, Carol Jensen Phelps ’57. They returned to Robert’s hometown of Kingsley in 1963, where, with the help of his brother, George, they reorganized the Private Oltmann and Phelps Bank into what became Kingsley State Bank in 1965. He retired in 2019 as chairman of the board. Robert served on the Plymouth County Work Activity Center board of directors and was a representative on the Plymouth County Board of Education. Other community service included both Lion’s Club president/treasurer and Kingsley’s United Methodist Church treasurer for 17 years. Most important to Robert were his faith and his family. Survivors include his wife, a daughter and two sons, and three grandchildren.

    Foster C. Rinefort ’56, Dec. 15, 2022, Charleston, Illinois. Foster was proud that his father, Foster Rinefort ’27, and mother, Helen Mahin ’29, were Grinnell alumni. After Grinnell, Foster earned an MBA from San Francisco State and his doctorate from Texas A&M. His career began with Procter & Gamble, then IMC, where he managed the international safety and health division. He later shifted to teaching' first at Indiana State University then at Eastern Illinois University. He also ran his own consulting firm. Foster was inducted into the Grinnell College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He was an active, engaged alum, serving on the Alumni Council, as a GRASP volunteer from 2006 to 2017, and as an inaugural representative in 1977 and 2007. He also created the Rinefort Scholarship. Among Foster’s other accomplishments, he was an Eagle Scout, Certified Professional Engineer, founder of OSHA’s voluntary protection programs, and recipient of the National Safety Council Cameron Award. Foster was a U.S. Army veteran. He was married to Penny Price for 26 years prior to her death in 1986. In 1994, he married Jean Knakmuhs. Survivors include his wife, Jean; four children; five grandchildren; his brother, Dart Rinefort ’58; and his cousin, Sue Miller ’56.

    Barbara Kneer Cantrell ’57, Jan. 1, 2023, Galesburg, Illinois. Barbara attended Grinnell and graduated from Bradley University. She taught school in suburban Chicago and Galesburg. She also worked at Knox College Library and did substitute teaching. She married Donald Cantrell in 1960. Barbara was a member of Galesburg First United Methodist Church. Her other activities included volunteering at the Community Health Foundation Community Treasures shop, Galesburg Woman’s Club, Galesburg Historical Association, and Knox County Retired Teachers Association. Barbara was also a member of several bridge clubs. Survivors include two sons, and four grandchildren.

    Gloria Wilson Ahrens ’58, Davenport, Iowa, Dec. 15, 2022. Gloria attended Grinnell prior to receiving her bachelor’s from the University of Iowa. She worked as a teacher and legal secretary for many years. Gloria and her husband, Gene Ahrens, enjoyed 31 years together before his passing in 2016. Gloria was an accomplished piano player, huge music fan, and drummer. She was an enthusiastic photographer, home decorator, and collector of dolls. Survivors include three children and seven stepchildren; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

    Noel C. Bacchus ’58, Feb. 4, 2022, New York, New York. Noel is remembered as an author, traveler, athlete, mentor, friend, parent, and spouse.

    Mary Emily Hannah ’58, Dec. 31, 2022, Granville, Ohio. After completing her undergraduate studies, Mary Emily earned a master’s at the University of Iowa and a doctorate at the University of Illinois. She went on to postgraduate studies at the University of Colorado, University of Florida, and Harvard University. Mary Emily had a distinguished career as an educator, administrator, and consultant in higher education. Among other appointments, she served as vice chancellor for academic affairs for the Minnesota State University System; chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; and vice chancellor for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. She helped lead People-to-People delegations to the Soviet Union in 1991 and South Africa in 1995. The College awarded her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1982. She was a generous benefactor and engaged volunteer for Grinnell, serving as the chair of the College’s Asa Turner Society from 1994 to 2003. She received a Grinnell College Alumni Award in 2006.

    Norman R. Leer ’58, March 3, 2022, Madison, Wisconsin. Norman, a Phi Beta Kappa member, went on to earn his master’s and a doctorate in English from Indiana University. He was a faculty member at State University of New York-Stony Brook and Beloit College before joining Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he taught from 1967 until 2006. He was a Fulbright lecturer for one year at Odense University in Denmark. Norman was honored with a Roosevelt University Burlington Northern award in 1985 and an Illinois Significant Poet award, presented by Gwendolyn Brooks, in 1990. Norman married Grethe Brix-Jørgensen in 1975.

    JoAnn Leonhardt Orsborn ’58, Aug. 29, 2022, Colorado Springs, Colorado. JoAnn met her future husband, John Orsborn ’58, at Grinnell. They married in 1960. While raising their children, she participated in a variety of civic organizations and causes. As a proud Democrat and a fierce feminist, she volunteered with the League of Women Voters and Citizen’s Lobby and participated in several political campaigns for Democratic candidates. In 1975, she went back to work at the Colorado College bookstore; just two years later she was tapped to become the manager. She loved working with the faculty, staff, and students, before retiring in 1997. JoAnn was a GRASP volunteer from 1998 to 1999 and enjoyed attending alumni events. After retirement, JoAnn and John traveled around the world. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, a daughter, and a son.

    Leo M. Altemeier ’59, Dec. 18, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. During his college years, Leo ran cross-country and played basketball. He married Arvilla Wyland in 1966. Over the course of his life, he worked in road construction, monument sales, product sales, and roofing, but his real love was farming. In 1981, he and his wife purchased a farm near Malcom, Iowa, where he farmed until he retired in 2019. Leo loved hunting, fishing, and playing cards with family and friends. Survivors include his wife; three daughters and a son; four grandsons and seven granddaughters; 22 great- grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild.

    David C. DeLong ’59, Feb. 28, 2023, Gainesville, Florida. David grew up in Grinnell, Iowa. After he earned his bachelor’s in psychology, he served as an engineering officer in the U.S. Navy. He went on to start his own company, Stadiums Unlimited, before moving to Gainesville and finishing his career as a successful salesman for Musco Sports Lighting. He was a hardworking and dedicated businessman, and his professional accomplishments were a source of pride for him and his family. He had a passion for golf and tennis and was a huge supporter of the University of Florida women’s tennis program and an enthusiast of women’s sports in general. He was a self- proclaimed rancher and loved having horses and extra-large Great Danes. David had a priceless sense of humor, which made him friends all over the world. David’s survivors include his five children.

    Louise Hand Im ’59, Dec. 28, 2022, Charlotte, North Carolina. Louise is survived by her four children, three granddaughters, and six great- grandchildren.

    Nancy Garret Logan ’59, Jan. 9, 2023, Bloomfield, Iowa. Nancy, who adopted one son in 1968 and another in 1971, worked at Davis County Savings Bank, now Success Bank, while she raised her two boys. She retired in 2003 but remained active on the bank’s board of directors until she was 80. Nancy enjoyed traveling in her retirement. She also enjoyed playing golf, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, and professional baseball. Nancy was a proud Grinnell alumna, and she served as a member of the Grinnell Alumni Council in 1997. She was active in alumni events and in her support for the College. Nancy’s survivors include one son and four grandchildren.

    Darrell D. Kruse ’60, Jan. 9, 2023, Hendersonville, North Carolina. Darrell was a Banker Trust Scholar, active in the College orchestra, men’s Glee Club, and the board of religion. He also served as vice president and social chair of Langan Hall. After graduating, he completed General Electric’s financial management program (considered equivalent to a master’s in finance). He was promoted through several roles at GE, ultimately retiring from GE Lighting Systems in Hendersonville. Darrell completed his military service with the regular U.S. Army Reserve. He was a lifelong Lutheran and a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hendersonville, where he and his wife, Marcia, married in 1984. Darrell was active in community service as well as local and national politics. He was involved with several business ventures, including real estate sales and leasing and executive candidate recruitment. Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Marcia Amschler Kruse.

    Edwin L. VandeNoord ’60, Feb. 7, 2023, Boulder, Colorado. After graduation, Ed earned a doctorate in physics and optical engineering from the University of New Mexico. During his career at Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Ed rose to senior vice president and became a leader in aerospace. Ed was proudest of his work on the cosmic background explorer (COBE) satellite program for NASA. Ed and his wife, Rhonda Lee Debondt, enjoyed 60 years of marriage. Ed’s passion for the Rocky Mountains and anything outdoors included fly fishing, skiing, hiking, and biking. Most of all, he enjoyed time spent with his friends and family at their home on Flathead Lake in Montana. Survivors include his wife, a daughter, and five grandchildren.

    Joseph J. Walka ’60, Nov. 22, 2022, Flagstaff, Arizona. At Grinnell, Joe majored in English and edited The Scarlet & Black. After graduation and his marriage to Ann Weller Walka ’60, Joe received his MBA from the University of Indiana and a Master of Public Administration and doctorate in political economy and government from Harvard’s Kennedy School. He taught at the University of Arizona and Idaho State University, then joined Northern Arizona University, where he was the founding director of the Center for American Indian Economic Development. Joe served as dean of NAU’s College of Business from 1987 to 1996. He also served on local and state commissions and boards. He loved camping and river trips with his family and attending NAU sporting events. Joe was an active alumnus who served as a GRASP volunteer from 2000 to 2017, a Class Committee member from 2004 to 2018, and a member of his 45th, 50th, and 55th Reunion committees. Survivors include his wife, and a niece, Clara Rice Hlavac ’99.

    Floyd M. Price ’61, Feb. 26, 2023, Germantown, Maryland. Floyd was a proud Grinnell graduate who went on to earn a master’s from the University of Nebraska. He made major contributions to molecular cell biology during his 31-year career at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, where his work included studying mechanisms of carcinogenesis using tissue culture models. His research proved that genetic predisposition to cancer is associated with deficient DNA repair, and he contributed to the development of a potential assay for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. He co-authored 60 scientific papers/ articles during his career. The son of a Congregational minister, Floyd felt especially connected to the United Church of Christ. When a new UCC church started in Germantown, he became a charter member, serving on the first missions board and nominating committee, and he started the children’s choirs. An avid college sports fan, Floyd particularly cheered for the University of Maryland football and women’s basketball teams.

    Gregory D. Erwin ’62, March 8, 2023, Sarasota, Florida. After Grinnell, Greg graduated from the University of Nebraska Law School. He began his legal career at Dewey Ballantine in New York and subsequently moved to Omaha in 1974 to become the ninth partner, and first securities lawyer, at Kutak Rock. In 1984, Greg co-founded America First Companies, a first-of-its-kind, publicly traded fund of government-backed mortgages. In 1991, Greg won the bid for Omaha’s municipal lottery, forming Big Red Keno, which became the largest operator of Las Vegas-style keno in the United States. For more than 30 years, Greg and his business partners expanded Big Red Keno to include multiple Big Red Restaurant & Sports Bars locations in Nebraska. Greg was known for his humor, generosity, and unfaltering optimism, even when diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 55. Despite epic health battles over the next 25 years, he refused to let bitterness enter his heart. Greg is survived by his wife, Billie Erwin; his three children and four grandchildren; and his stepdaughter and her two children.

    L. Kay Rook Norman ’62, March 9, 2023, Altoona, Wisconsin. Kay met her future husband, Stanley Gerald Norman ’61, at Grinnell. After graduation, she earned a master’s in zoology from the University of Iowa. She and Stan married in 1963. His medical career took them to Hawaii; Chicago, while Stan took a general surgery residency; Wayland, Massachusetts, for his residency in otolaryngology; and then Eau Claire, Wisconsin. They had three children during these years. Kay was active in PEO, PTO, Medical Wives Auxiliary, League of Women Voters, and was a committed swim team mom through the many years their children swam for the YMCA team. She later returned to work as a biology teacher and lab instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She enjoyed camping, canoeing, white water rafting, scuba diving, biking, alpine skiing, wind surfing, and playing tennis and golf. Kay was also a gifted writer, composing a vast collection of poems about life’s journey. Family was everything to Kay. She is survived by her husband, their three children, and nine grandchildren.

    Helen Bishop ’63, Jan. 2, 2023, Falls Church, Virginia. After graduating from Grinnell, Helen earned a doctorate in microbiology and moved to the Washington, D.C., area, where she worked in her chosen field until retirement. Helen read constantly, followed politics and current events avidly, loved the theatre, played bridge regularly, and kept her rather sardonic sense of humor all her life. She was a member of her 50th Reunion committee.

    David W. Kennedy ’63, Feb. 12, 2023, New York, New York. After receiving his bachelor’s, David earned a J.D. and MBA and went on to a career as an author, real estate executive, and teacher. In 1983, he wrote The Condominium and Cooperative Apartment Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide, selected by Library Journal as a Best Business Book of the Year. He authored five other business and financial books and hundreds of magazine articles and newsletters. David was a past president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, a professional organization of independent nonfiction writers. He taught at several educational institutions and developed curriculum for New York state’s continuing education courses for real estate professionals. David was a trivia king, passionate New York Yankee and New York Giants fan, and crossword aficionado. He was a very proud Grinnell alum and served as a class agent from 1995 to 2003, GRASP volunteer from 1998 to 2017, was an inaugural representative in 2002, a Class Committee member from 2011 to 2017, and member of his 50th Reunion committee. David is survived by his wife, Barbara, and a daughter.

    Robert J. McIntyre ’63, Jan. 4, 2023, Harpswell, Maine. After Grinnell, Robert earned a master’s from Cornell University and a doctorate from the University of North Carolina. He specialized in labor economics, with an area focus on Central and Eastern Europe. He taught economics at the University of Pennsylvania, Bowdoin, Dartmouth, Bates, Portland State, and Smith, then returned to Bowdoin. Robert’s work on the economics of system transition in the former Soviet Union led to a year as a Fulbright senior exchange scholar at the Moscow Higher School of Economics. He continued his work on post-Soviet transition economies as a senior researcher at the United Nations in Helsinki, Finland, and as a senior policy advisor for the UN in Bratislava, Slovakia. After returning to Harpswell in 2004, he became active in local affairs and was best known for propagating old varieties of Maine apple trees. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Rosenberg; his daughters, Gretchen McIntyre and Bates McIntyre Larson ’95; and his former wife, Marilyn McIntyre.

    Kent E. Rogerson ’63, Dec. 1, 2022, Stockton, California. After attending Grinnell, Kent completed his medical degree and psychiatric residency at the University of Iowa Medical School. He had a private psychiatric practice in Stockton. Kent was an avid sports fan and an accomplished artist. He is survived by his devoted wife of 32 years, Lana; their six children; six grandchildren; and five great- grandchildren.

    William J. Alexander ’64, Feb. 14, 2023, National City, California. Bill attended Grinnell then finished his history degree at Northern Illinois University. In 1966, Bill married his first wife, Catherine “Kitty” Pape ’66. They had two children. Later, he attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a master’s in instructional design and technology. In 1987, he became associate dean of instructional resources at Southwestern College in the San Diego area. There he met Maryellene Deason, whom he married in 1993. They spent 30 years enjoying a rich life of art and world travels. He is survived by Maryellene and two children.

    Nan Rudolph Bucknam ’65, Dec. 4, 2022, Webster City, Iowa. Nan attended William and Mary College for two years before graduating from Grinnell, then earned her master’s from Antioch College. She married Larry Bucknam in 1968. Nan taught high school social studies in Webster City from 1967 until she retired in 2004. She was a finalist for the Iowa Teacher of the Year in 1988. Nan was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, where she taught Sunday school. She was also part of PEO, YSS, League of Women Voters, Kendall Young Library Board, and St. Margaret's Guild, and she played flute in the community band. Nan enjoyed reading, playing tennis, swimming, cross-stitch, playing card games, walking, and spending time at her cabin. Nan’s survivors include her husband; a son and daughter; and three grandchildren.

    Marcia Hall Muzytschenko ’68, July 19, 2022, Simsbury, Connecticut. After attending Grinnell, Marcia went on to receive a bachelor’s in psychology from Syracuse University. Most of her working career was with Security CT Life Insurance Company. Marcia had a love for all of nature, including many dogs over her lifetime, the beach, the Boston Red Sox, and especially music; above all, she loved her family. She was an accomplished piano player and a clarinetist with the Simsbury Community Band for many years. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, George Muzytschenko; two daughters; and two grandchildren.

    Arthur H. Knowles ’70, Feb. 11, 2023, Minneapolis. Arthur lived in the Minneapolis area for many years. He was a Morris dancer, stained glass artisan, and house painter, among many other jobs and interests.

    Jack R. Rued ’70, Nov. 23, 2021, Dublin, Ohio.

    Phillip J. Morales ’72, Nov. 20, 2022, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Phil, who was the first in his family to attend college, earned a track team MVP award at Grinnell. After graduation, he went on to several communications roles, including as a San Antonio Light newspaper reporter, public relations reporter for a prominent Hispanic organization, and technical writer. He also founded his own elevation photography company. In addition, he authored a book explaining in detail how to solve the Rubik’s cube. Phil loved to travel and fly drones.

    Veronica Ohioma Bodunrin ’74, July 8, 2022, Lagos, Nigeria. Veronica, who was born in Nigeria, went to England to further her studies, where she obtained a professional degree from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. She married Peter Oluwambe Bodunrin in 1963, and they had four children. She later moved to the United States and obtained her degree in economics from Grinnell. In 1975, the family moved back to Nigeria, where she got a job as an administrator at the University of Ibadan. She later rose to the position of principal assistant registrar. She obtained an MBA from the Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987. Her husband was vice chancellor of the Ondo State University, now called Ekiti State University. He died in 1997.

    Sheryl Bautch ’79, Jan. 14, 2023, Champaign, Illinois. Sheryl double- majored at Grinnell, studying anthropology and psychology. Her interest in public service led her to complete a master’s in social work at the University of Michigan. After serving as a social worker for several years, she earned her law degree from the University of Illinois. She specialized in family law at the firm of Webber and Thies in Champaign. Eventually, Sheryl became executive director of Family Service of Champaign County. The Family Service building was named in Sheryl’s honor when she retired.

    John A. Butler ’80, Sept. 23, 2022, Mashpee, Massachusetts. John owned and operated B&B Floor Covering for decades and formed many lifelong friendships through his career. He served his local communities for many years as an emergency medical technician and firefighter. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and an avid football fan. He also loved taking photographs, watching films, and anything to do with music. Survivors include his four children and four grandchildren.

    Vickie Hashman Stewart ’83, July 21, 2022, Gilman, Iowa.

    Kelly Frailing ’99, Dec. 11, 2022, Metairie, Louisiana. Kelly, who was class valedictorian at Grinnell, graduated with honors from Loyola in 2007 with the Ignatian Award for Outstanding Graduate Student and the LaNasa-Greco Endowed Scholarship. She was admitted to King’s College at Cambridge University as the recipient of an Overseas Research Studentship Award in 2008. She was an associate professor of criminology and justice and the coordinator of the master’s in criminology and justice program at Loyola University, New Orleans. Kelly was known as a premier researcher and scholar on crime and criminal justice in disaster and was a committed scholar in the field of mental health and drug courts. She impacted many lives through her work, her books, and her teachings. Survivors include her husband, Jack Edward James Reese Jr., and their daughter.

    Adam J. Wesely ’18, Nov. 23, 2022, Bellaire, Texas. As a youngster, Adam was very active in debate while also participating in various sports and activities, with particular interest in philosophy and photography. Adam graduated from Grinnell with a bachelor’s in computer science, then worked as a developer for Texas Mutual Insurance in Austin, Texas. Adam left his job to consider a different path forward, traveling extensively while also receiving a

    certificate to teach English as a second language. Adam is survived by his parents; his siblings; and numerous other family members.

    Faculty and Staff

    Gary Caldwell, March 25, 2023, Grinnell, Iowa. Gary began working at the College as a campus safety officer in 2016 and was promoted to shift supervisor in 2019. He was known as a consummate professional and for making many positive contributions to campus safety during his years at the College.

    Darrel Keenan, Jan. 25, 2023, Grinnell, Iowa. Darrel worked for the College as a Facilities Management staff member in the Electrical Shop from 1952 until 1994. He was the lead worker in the shop at the time of his retirement. He cared deeply about his work and colleagues, the students, and the College’s mission.

    Joan Mohan, Feb. 6, 2023, Grinnell, Iowa. Joan joined the College in 1983 and served as director of the Reading Lab and a lecturer for many years before retiring in 2019. As reading lab director, she provided individual and small-group instruction to help students strengthen verbal skills, improve reading efficiency, and develop more effective study strategies. She also worked with students to improve ESL (English as a second language) proficiency and pronunciation.

    Doug CaulkinsDoug Caulkins, Feb. 21, 2023, Grinnell, Iowa Doug joined the anthropology faculty in 1970 and his wisdom, generosity, and kindness made him a deeply beloved professor for more than four decades. He maintained close connections with alumni from a variety of academic and career interest areas, even if he never had them in a class. Many recall amazing experiences traveling with Doug and his wife, Lorna, and several students and alumni became like family to them. He was awarded the Earl D. Strong Chair in Social Studies in 2000, became the Donald L. Wilson Professor in 2005, and was chair of the Wilson Program in Enterprise and Leadership from 2002 to 2010. He had a passion for bringing alumni back to campus, especially through Wilson programming, to expose students to a range of career options. Doug published more than 70 journal articles and book chapters on diverse topics. His faculty service culminated with his professor emeritus appointment in 2010. In 2018, the Caulkins were honored with the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation Connie Marshall Spirit of Giving Award for a lifetime of service to others.

Spring 2023

  • Craig HendersonLongtime College board member, national cancer expert

    I. Craig Henderson ’63, D.Sc.’94, Grinnell College retired trustee, and a nationally known expert on cancer, died Dec. 26, 2022, at his home in San Francisco at the age of 81. Craig served on the College Board of Trustees from 2000 until he retired from the board in 2016. He was committed to the College’s core values of excellence in education, diversity, and social responsibility, and with those attributes brought robust and creative perspective to his work as a trustee as well as his connections to his fellow Grinnellians, colleagues, patients, family, and friends.

    As an undergraduate, he was interested in music, history, chemistry, and zoology; and he had a variety of extracurricular interests, from playing oboe in the College orchestra to being involved with student government.

    Craig initially dreamed of becoming a musician, but a music teacher he respected advised him to become a doctor instead. He had considered a career in medicine even prior to college and followed the teacher’s advice while satisfying his appetite for music by serving as the College organist. Classmates recall his keen interest in preserving and playing the Herrick Chapel organ.

    He graduated in 1963 with a major in history and a Fulbright Fellowship, which took him to India to work as an English language teacher. Craig then earned his M.D. from Columbia University in 1970.

    While on the faculty of Harvard University, he built one of the country’s first multidisciplinary breast clinics. In 1992, he established the Bay Area Breast Cancer Translational Research Program, funded by a National Cancer Institute Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant. For the World Health Organization, he chaired the Committee on Essential Drugs and was a member of the Expert Advisory Panel on Cancer. Other past roles include CEO and chair, SEQUUS Pharmaceuticals; board member, ALZA Corp.; co-founder, Access Oncology; president, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals; and University of California-San Francisco adjunct professor of medicine.

    Craig was an enthusiastic volunteer for several Grinnell alumni and career development programs. He helped organize class reunions and led a very successful 50th Reunion fundraising effort. He taught a course on campus during Grinnell’s sesquicentennial and served as a speaker for the Wilson Program.

    A lover of opera, he opened his home and opera connections in 2015 to let Grinnell students taking an Opera, Politics, and Society in Modern Europe class get a fall break travel experience in San Francisco. There, students spoke with opera singers, saw orchestral rehearsals, met with opera critics, and got exclusive backstage glimpses into set design and media suites.

    He and his wife, Mary, opened their San Francisco home on other occasions to host alumni-student receptions. Craig and Mary shared two of their greatest gifts with Grinnell; a son and a daughter are alums. 

    Craig’s other passions included sailing, travel, Nantucket, and good food and good wine. In 1993, he received an Alumni Award from the College. In 1994, he was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree during Grinnell’s Commencement.

    Survivors include his wife, Mary; children, Isaac Craig Henderson ’93 (Christina Burns) of New York City and Amy Hudson Henderson ’94 (John Fuson ’93) of Washington, D.C.; four grandchildren; nine nieces and nephews; and extended family members and friends.


     

  • Sterling Lord ’42, Sept. 3, 2022, Ocala, Florida. At Grinnell, Sterling was captain of the tennis team and represented Grinnell in the National Intercollegiate championships in 1941 and 1942. His senior year, he was president of Gates House. Lord worked at several magazines, including True and Cosmopolitan, before becoming a literary agent. He represented such famous authors as Jimmy Breslin, Art Buchwald, Delores Kearns Goodwin, and Jack Kerouac. Kerouac’s book, On The Road, was optioned after four years of trying. It ultimately sold more than 5 million copies and became Sterling’s lasting legacy as a literary agent.

    Avis Easton Ettinger ’43, March 17, 2022, Portland, Oregon. After attending Grinnell, Avis earned a degree in child development from Iowa State University. She started Harmony House Nursery School and later the Merry Manor School of Childhood in Lincoln, Nebraska. She also co-hosted a children’s show on KOLN-TV in Lincoln for five years. Avis danced competitively with the Arthur Murray Dance School after retirement. She also enjoyed playing in several bridge groups and attending cultural activities. Avis was a member of the National Association for the Education of Children.

    Gretchen Hartman Ashbaugh ’44, May 29, 2022, Des Moines, Iowa. Gretchen attended Grinnell, then earned her bachelor’s in journalism from Drake University. She wrote, edited, and designed magazines. Gretchen married Gene Ashbaugh in 1951. In 1955, they adopted their daughter and had a son two years later. Gretchen’s hobbies included sewing, needlepoint, dioramas, word puzzles, and volunteering at various charity organizations.

    Hisaji Quintus Sakai ’46, April 23, 2022, Walnut Creek, California. In 1942, Hisaji escaped being swept up in the incarceration of individuals of Japanese ancestry by gaining early admission to Grinnell. When the Army reopened to Japanese Americans, he enlisted. After his service, Hisaji resumed studies at the University of California-Berkeley, completing an accelerated medical program. He founded a practice and served as clinical associate professor of radiology at the University of California-San Francisco, consultant at Veterans Affairs hospitals, chief of staff at Los Medanos Community Hospital, and radiology chair at several hospitals. In 1953, Hisaji married Jean Kajikawa. Survivors include his nephew, Robert Sakai ’72.

    Jean Doran Hurd ’47, Nov. 7, 2022, Marshalltown, Iowa. Jean attended Grinnell for three semesters, majoring in music. She transferred to the University of Colorado-Boulder, studying music and majoring in business. She wed Marion Hurd in 1950 and had five children. They moved to her father’s family farm, where they lived until 1974. She was a church organist throughout much of her life, accompanied children for vocal and band contests and choirs, and playing for weddings and funerals.

    William H. Berry ’50, Sept. 13, 2022, Naperville, Illinois. William was active in clubs and track in high school and college. He attended Grinnell for two years before receiving his business degree from the University of Iowa. He worked in the hardware business his entire life. He was married twice and had two children from each union. He loved his family very much and enjoyed investing, flying small planes, playing the French horn, and running his businesses. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Korean War.

    Margaret Sheehan ’50, Sept. 1, 2022, Milwaukee. After graduating from Grinnell, Margaret earned a certificate in business administration from the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration in 1960. She was employed as a security analyst by Newton & Co. in Milwaukee. She was a chartered financial analyst, an active member and past president of Zonta Club of Milwaukee, and a member of Old St. Mary parish church for more than 20 years. After retiring in 1985, Margaret enjoyed volunteering and traveling.

    Stuart Oskamp ’51, Sept. 19, 2022, Pomona, California. After college, Stuart spent two tours of duty as an officer on a Navy destroyer. The futility of modern warfare later became one theme in his career as a research psychologist. After his service, Stuart earned his doctorate in clinical and social psychology from Stanford University and joined the faculty of the Claremont Graduate School, where he taught from 1960 to 2000. He loved to write, authored several books, and edited many publications. He and his wife, Catherine Cameron, had four children.

    Gertrude “Gert” Cowan Bleisch ’52, Sept. 6, 2022, Willoughby, Ohio. Gert moved to St. Louis after graduation and met her husband, Nelson Bleisch, there. They had a daughter and a son. After volunteering with the Locust Grove National Historic Landmark in Louisville, Kentucky, she went on to serve as its executive director for several years. Gert later was recognized by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for volunteering over 5,000 hours. She traveled extensively in Europe and Asia and enjoyed cruising U.S. rivers. She was married to Nelson for 59 years before he died in 2012.

    Kenneth M. Sayre ’52, October 2022, South Bend, Indiana. Kenneth graduated from Grinnell with majors in philosophy and mathematics. He earned his master’s and doctorate from Harvard University, where he developed an interest in the study of artificial intelligence. He was assistant dean of Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Science before joining the philosophy faculty at Notre Dame University, where he taught for 56 years. His teaching and research covered a broad range of areas, including cybernetics, information theory, philosophy of mind, environmental philosophy, Plato, and epistemology. He authored 14 books and edited or co-edited five more. Over the years, he held visiting appointments at Princeton University, Bowling Green State University, Oxford University, and Cambridge University. Kenneth married Lucille Shea in 1958, and they had three children. Lucille died in 1980. In 1983, he married Patricia White, with whom he had a son.

    Gordon B. Mulder ’53, April 29, 2022, Issaquah, Washington. After graduating from Grinnell, Gordon went on to the University of Illinois for medical school. Following residencies in California and Washington, he practiced as a neurosurgeon in Seattle until 1998. Gordon wed Mary Ellen Steen ’53 in 1954, and they had two children. He enjoyed playing golf, drinking wine, listening to classical music, attending University of Washington football games, and gardening at their home on Mercer Island. Survivors include his wife, Mary.

    Ralph C. Perkins ’53, Oct. 27, 2022, Washington, Pennsylvania. Ralph attended Grinnell for two years before graduating from the Missouri School of Mines with a degree in mining engineering. He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked in the mining industry for 35 years in Missouri and Pennsylvania and then at the Military Ocean Terminal in Southpoint, North Carolina, for seven years. Ralph and his second wife, Sonja, were married for 39 years. They traveled extensively and loved opening their home and entertaining family and friends.

    James M. Klein ’54, July 24, 2022, Goleta, California.

    Mary Smaltz Wright ’54, Sept. 3, 2022, Southlake, Texas. Mary completed two years at Grinnell, playing basketball and meeting her husband-to-be, Arthur “Mack” Wright ’52, when she auditioned for him at the school’s radio station. Mary transferred to Northwestern University to complete her bachelor’s in nursing. She progressed into teaching orthopedic nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Three decades later, she would return to Mass General and Harvard University to earn her adult nurse practitioner’s degree. In the intervening 30 years, Mack (who died in 2007) and Mary raised three children.

    Jean Mitchell Morehead ’55, Jan. 19, 2022, Newark, Delaware. Jean, who received a Grinnell College Alumni Award in 2006, is survived by her husband of 67 years, James Morehead ’55, and their daughter and son.

    James W. Norris ’55, Oct. 1, 2022, Iowa City, Iowa. Jim served as a United States Navy officer on the USS Finch. He then worked for the U.S. Postal Service until he retired. Jim loved history and serving others and was a volunteer at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch, Iowa. In recognition of his military service, he was selected to participate in an honor flight to Washington, D.C., in 2016.

    Georgia Craig Zummer ’55, Feb. 3, 2022, New Orleans. After attending Grinnell, Georgia began teaching at West Ridge School in Highland Park, Illinois. She later married Anthony Zummer, and they had three children. After a hiatus from teaching, she returned to teach kindergarten at Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth before retiring in 2000. She loved to travel and, after retirement, saw much of the world. She treasured time with her family and friends. Her husband preceded her in death by less than two weeks.

    Robert H. Dickinson ’56, July 21, 2022Raleigh, North Carolina. Bob was the editor of the school paper and majored in political science at Grinnell, After graduating, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, trained as a pilot, and rose to the rank of captain. He worked in advertising and sales before becoming a stockbroker and later an independent certified financial planner. In 1987, he married his second wife, Harleen Young Thosteson. They loved traveling, hosting gatherings, spending time with family and friends, and being involved in their community and church.

    George Drake ’56

    George Drake, who served as Grinnell College’s president for 12 years and held many other titles at the College, died at his home in Grinnell on Oct. 15, 2022. He was 88.

    At Grinnell, he was a student, athlete, intern, sabbatical replacement, soccer coach, trustee, president, historian, and professor. He was also a husband, devoted family man, friend, mentor, colleague, adviser, author, volunteer, inspirer, and Grinnell College icon.

    Survivors include his wife, Susan Ratcliff Drake ’58; their three children, Christopher (daughter-in-law Kay), Cindy (her partner, Lou), and Melanie Drake ’92 (son-in-law Tom Wickersham ’90); and six grandchildren, Nicholas (his wife, Jenny), Elizabeth, Hannah Drake ’18, Danielle, Lila, and Samantha Drake-Flam ’25. Among other family members who are Grinnell alumni, George also was the uncle of Mitch Erickson ’72, and great-uncle of Emma L. Drake ’02Susanna Drake ’00, and Carl J. Erickson ’11.

    Editor’s Note: Read Melanie Drake’s tribute to her father’s Grinnell legacy, “George Drake and Grinnell College.”

    Henry “Hank” S. Gilman ’56, Sept. 12, 2022, Crossville, Tennessee. Hank majored in business and finance at Grinnell. After graduation, he wed Marcia, and they had three children and enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Hank’s career was in retail management, and with frequent transfers, he and Marcia lived in many Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois cities before he retired in 1985. Throughout their lives, they were avid golfers, bridge players, boaters, water skiers, poker players, and voracious readers. They loved to entertain and take beach vacations. Hank also was an avid sports fan.

    Mary Nourse Ketzler ’56, July 6, 2022, St. Paul, Minnesota. Mary graduated with a German major, then went on to graduate school at the University of Minnesota. She and her first husband, to whom she was married from 1956 to 1975, raised four children. In the 1970s, Mary became certified as a special education teacher and worked at elementary schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Mary met her second husband, John Ketzler, through a shared interest in ballroom dancing; they married in 1979. Mary’s many interests included amateur radio and travel.

    Diane Doughty Madsen ’56, July 12, 2022, Elk River, Minnesota. Diane always remembered Grinnell as a place where she made lifelong friends. She loved reading her class’ “Round Robin” chain letter that traveled around the country. She married Howard “Buster” Madsen in 1955, and they had three children. Diane was a paraprofessional for the Elk River School District for 26 years, retiring in 1996 from her dream job as librarian at the high school. Diane loved family time and visits with friends and sitting on the porch next to Buster, who died in 2021.

    Richard D. Crowl ’57, Oct. 2, 2022, Naples, Florida. Dick played baseball and basketball and ran track at Grinnell. He joined the Harry C. Crowl real estate firm, where he managed and sold real estate and insurance for 50 years with his father and his brother, Bud. He married Marilyn Jensen, and they had three boys. Dick and Marilyn were married for 60 years. Survivors include his brother, Harry “Bud” Crowl ’55, and sister in-law, Anne Beuckman Crowl ’57.

    A. Kent Shoemaker ’57, Oct. 26, 2021, Carol Stream, Illinois. Kent earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University, then earned a master’s and doctorate in theoretical and applied mechanics from the University of Illinois. His began working at U.S. Steel Research in 1968. He later went into business for himself, forming AK Consulting, which did forensic engineering for insurance companies and attorneys. Kent married Barbara Pepe Shoemaker ’58 and had four children. At retirement, he served with his wife in several international missions. Survivors include his wife, Barbara.

    James R. Watterson ’57, March 30, 2021, Rancho Mirage, California. Jim went on to graduate from the University of Washington and embarked on a remarkable career as a renowned fashion veteran and cultural icon. A founding male-affiliate member of Fashion Group International, New York, he joined May Department Stores in 1977, serving 22 years, rising to vice president of public relations and special events. He was known for his extraordinary benefit fashion productions, such as AIDS Project Los Angeles, for which he secured leading designers, including Calvin Klein and Gianni Versace. During his career, he partnered with such organizations as the AIDS Service Center, American Cancer Society, and American Ballet Theatre.

    Thomas A. Bailey ’58, April 29, 2022, Kirkland, Washington. Thomas was a pre-med student at Grinnell, where he prepared for a lifelong career as a physician. He went to the University of Iowa Medical School, beginning his love affair with Hawkeye sports. Tom married Brada Ann McCormick in 1963 and they had four children. They eventually settled in Salem, Oregon. Tom loved being a urologist and serving the community. He gave his time and energy to many organizations over the years. He loved reading and educational travel.

    Lynn H. Parsons ’58, Oct. 17, 2022, Orono, Maine. Lynn’s love of history and the course of his life were fostered at Grinnell. First, he met his future wife, Anne Hruska ’58. Second, he came under the tutelage of historian Joe Frazier Wall ’41. After graduation, Anne and Lynn headed to Baltimore to join history graduate students at Johns Hopkins University. Later, they returned to Grinnell, when Lynn spent a year substituting for Professor Wall. Eventually, they moved back east and raised two sons. Lynn’s career as an educator spanned over 40 years, 34 of them at the State University of New York-Brockport, where he taught American history. His area of expertise was most notably the life of John Quincy Adams. In 2009, Lynn was elected a fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Anne died in 2020.

    Jacqueline “Jacki” Rasmussen Pryor ’58, Sept. 28, 2022, Sacramento, California. Jacki enjoyed working for the California State Railroad Museum as an archivist for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Dick Pryor, had a daughter and son. Jacki volunteered for the Friends of Arcade Library for many years and was dedicated to raising money for their children’s programs. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for decades and a member of its choir, an avid reader, and passionate about opera and history.

    Ruthmary Hille Willand ’58, Nov. 29, 2021, Sheffield, Massachusetts. Ruthmary taught second and fourth grade for 17 years. After moving to New Jersey, she enjoyed work in an accounting office. Ruthmary was a passionate cook and a skilled gardener who loved flowers and had a large vegetable garden. With her husband, Steve, she embarked on adventures from fly-fishing to farming. She designed the farmhouse where they lived together for 20 years, as well as a fishing cottage.

    John N. Mork ’59, Aug. 26, 2022, Cambridge, Minnesota. John graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School. Following military service and residency training, John and his family moved back to his hometown of Worthington, Minnesota, where he practiced medicine at the Worthington Clinic, which was founded by his grandfather. John married his high-school sweetheart, Joan Ehlers, in 1960. They spent many happy years in Worthington, raising their family and enjoying church and community activities. After Joan died in 2016, John found love and happiness with Patricia Jensen until her death in 2022.

    Tanya Moore Bohlke ’60, Aug. 24, 2022, Irvington, Virginia. A member of the Mortarboard Society at Grinnell, Tanya earned her master’s in psychology in 1963. Tanya spent most of her career as a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist working at the Tidewater Child Development Clinic in Norfolk, Virginia, where she served as director from 1996 until retiring in 2001. A winner of multiple gold medals in the regional Senior Olympics, Tanya enjoyed exercise, travel, knitting, sewing, quilting and crafts. Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Glen Bohlke ’62, and their three children.

    Merritt “Mac” Campbell McCall ’60, April 9, 2022, Portland, Oregon. Mac met his wife, Carolyn Parsons ’60, at Grinnell. He served in the army in Korea, after which he graduated from Chicago Theological Seminary. For 30 years, he worked as director of the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center for the Presbyterian Church near Portland. Mac was skilled in the use of computers and audiovisual devices and volunteered his talents widely. His survivors include two children and four grandchildren; a sister, Judy McCall ’62; two brothers; a sister-in-law, Margaret Parsons Swenson ’54; and a brother-in-law, Bill Parsons ’62.

    William “Terry” Moore ’61, Sept. 6, 2022, St. Louis. After Terry graduated from Grinnell, he earned a master’s degree. In 1963, he joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in Indonesia for two years. He returned to his alma mater for a time to coach football and wrestling. Terry worked as a math teacher and coach at Hixson Junior High School in the Webster Groves (Missouri) School District for 27 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Shirley Moore.

    James Richard Simmons ’61, Nov. 4, 2022, Chicago. Jim made his mark as a valued member of his class and resident of Smith Hall, which he served as president his senior year. Jim’s superlative collegiate athletic career included playing end for the football team. He was a letterman and all-conference his sophomore, junior, and senior years; Little All American his last two years; and most valuable player and co-captain his senior year. In basketball, he was a letterman all three years. He also earned letters in track all three years. He was a member of Honor G and was later inducted into Grinnell College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduating with majors in sociology and anthropology, Jim married his high-school sweetheart and soon became the father of two sons. He went on to earn a master’s in social work at the University of Chicago in 1964 and his MBA from Brandeis University in 1984. He began his career as a social worker. His subsequent career included being a psychotherapist, administrator, consultant, college instructor, and public policy analyst. Survivors include his wife, Judith; sons James and David Simmons ’88; daughter in-law, Kimberly Eison Simmons ’89; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and his brother, William B. Bailey ’75.

    Sidney “Brookes” Freegard Jr. ’62, Nov. 26, 2022, Comfort, Texas. Brookes attended Grinnell before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, where he served for 38 years. He married his high-school sweetheart, Judy, in 1960. They had a son and a daughter and enjoyed 62 years of marriage. His Navy career was highlighted by 16 promotions as he progressed through enlisted, non-commissioned, and commissioned officer ranks, finishing his career as one of the Navy’s last true remaining “Mustangs” at his retirement in 1997. After his military service, he devoted his time and energy to his church. Brookes’ hobbies included woodworking, restoring antique automobiles, motorcycles, and jazz music.

    Priscilla “Pris” White Foster ’63, Sept. 20, 2022, Houston. Pris graduated with honors from Grinnell and had two rewarding careers, first teaching preschoolers and then Pilates. She married and moved to Houston in the 1960s, where she had two children. Her first career working with preschoolers lasted over 25 years. After her children were grown, she married Tom Foster. At age 60, she began her second teaching career as a Pilates instructor. Pris was a classically trained pianist, performing with Herbie Hancock ’60 and other musicians. Pris and Tom spent many summers hiking, biking, and playing tennis in Colorado. Survivors include her husband, Tom; and a brother, David White ’60.

    I. Craig Henderson ’63D.Sc.’94, Dec. 26, 2022, San Francisco (see tribute Page 52).

    Edward J. Hill ’63, Oct. 28, 2022, Bedminster, New Jersey. After Grinnell, Ed went on to earn a doctorate in physics from Washington University before starting his career in medical research at Vanderbilt University and information systems at Merck. He was an avid and nationally known bridge player, earning Life Master in 1995. Ed also enjoyed travelling and was well known for his love of cooking gourmet food and entertaining his friends and family with themed dinner parties. He is survived by his partner of 30 years, Susan Schwartz, and two daughters.

    Carol Hooker McLachlan ’63, June 10, 2022, Eustis, Florida. Carol was a dedicated mother to her son and daughter. She treasured her children and especially loved her role as a grandmother. She enjoyed rubber stamping, scrapbooking, and quilting. She was a member of the Lake County Quilt Guild for many years. Carol also loved to golf and bowl. She had a vast love of pets and animals of all kinds and would take in any animal that needed help or care and regularly donated to the SPCA. Carol was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Dora, Florida.

    Ruth Ann Mosback Bramson ’64, July 31, 2022, Boston. Ruth Ann earned a master’s from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and ultimately received a doctorate in public administration. In the early 1970s, she settled in Florida and became interested in driving change in her community. The League of Women Voters of Florida elected her state president. The National Democratic Party appointed her the Florida state director of the Mondale-Ferraro presidential campaign in 1984. She was the deputy county administrator of Hillsborough County (Tampa) for several years. She was the first non-attorney named to the board of governors of the Florida bar. After moving to Boston in 1992, Ruth Ann returned to teaching graduate students in the Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University. Survivors include her spouse, Robert Bramson ’63, three children, and seven grandchildren.

    Johnnie Ruth Edmondson Petraglia ’64, May 30, 2021, Kaneohe, Hawaii. Johnnie is survived by two children and three grandchildren.

    Leslie Silver Snorf ’64, Oct. 12, 2022, Carmel, California. Leslie studied Spanish literature at Grinnell. She married her first husband in 1965, moved to San Francisco, and had two sons. Following her divorce in 1977, Leslie worked at Dansk and I. Magnin in Carmel before becoming a stockbroker at Dean Witter in Monterey; she finished her financial services career with Kidder Peabody in Carmel. Leslie married Charles Snorf in 1987. Following retirement, Charlie’s commitment to Orthopedics Overseas took them to extended service residencies in St. Lucia, Vietnam, and Bhutan. Leslie’s passion for civic engagement led to numerous volunteer roles over 40 years. She loved her investment club, meditation group, book club, and brisk morning walks around Carmel Point. Leslie was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her sons, stepdaughters, and grandchildren.

    Thomas W. Buchholtz ’65, Aug. 7, 2022, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Tom, who played basketball at Grinnell, went on to graduate from Cornell Medical School in 1969. He completed a general surgery residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and a two-year stint as a surgeon for the U.S. Navy. He moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts, and practiced general surgery at Salem Hospital. Tom married his first wife, Susan Piratek, in 1967, with whom he had three children. After Susan died in 1983, he married Barbara Marenghi in 1986, and they settled in San Francisco. He and Barbara enjoyed annual trips to France and Italy. In 2012, after Barbara died, he was reunited with his first childhood crush, Karen Colletti, at a high school reunion. He was a loyal member of the Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church.

    Paul K. Frederick ’65, Aug. 4, 2022, Carmel, Indiana. After graduating from Grinnell, Paul attended medical school at Albany Medical College and completed an internal medicine residency and a two-year fellowship in gastroenterology. Paul was a founding member of Indiana Gastroenterology in 1975. In 1980, Paul married Judy. Retiring after 53 years in medicine, he enjoyed gardening and excelled at tomatoes. Survivors include Judy, his wife of 42 years; five children; eight grandchildren; and his first wife, Caroline Smiley Frederick ’66.

    R. Norma Novy ’65, September 2022, Medford, Oregon. Norma attended Grinnell before earning her bachelor’s from the University of Iowa. This led to a successful career as a graphic designer for companies in Chicago and later San Francisco. In the late 1970s, she began her own business, Acorn Graphics. She also studied at the Berkeley Psychic Institute, became a hypnotherapist and a licensed minister, and later pursued Buddhist studies. Norma and her husband, Hank Levin, moved to Medford in 2016.

    R. Ellen Detering Langill ’67, Aug. 16, 2022, Waukesha, Wisconsin. Ellen majored in classics and Latin at Grinnell and earned a doctorate in American intellectual history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ellen taught history for nine years at Carroll University, seven years at UW-Waukesha, and over 20 years at UW-Milwaukee. She served on historic society and historic preservation boards and managed National History Day for the southeastern Wisconsin region. She coached basketball, tennis, and field hockey and was a Girl Scout troop leader for both her girls. She was an active board member and president of many community enrichment organizations for over four decades. In recognition of her service, Ellen received several volunteer service awards, including the Community Leader of the Year Award from United Way of Waukesha County. She received a Grinnell College Alumni Award in 2006. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Ross Langill ’67; their two daughters; and her sister, Susan Detering Wineke ’64.

    Susan Upshaw Lidstone ’67, Oct. 25, 2022, San Antonio. After she received a bachelor’s from Grinnell, Susan began working as a flight attendant with TWA Airlines. She had several other jobs, including working as a bookkeeper for her brother for several years. Susan then returned to school, received her teaching certification, and became a math teacher. Survivors include her daughter and son, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

    Margaret Ward ’68, Oct. 11, 2022, Des Moines, Iowa. Margaret majored in sociology at Grinnell and a earned a master’s from the University of Tennessee. She served as a social worker with the Iowa Department of Human Services for more than 30 years. After retiring, Margaret and her husband, Clarence “Clancy” Berleen, spent a few years traveling in their fifth-wheel camper. Margaret loved playing the fiddle and guitar. Over the years, she played in bands that performed at the Iowa State Fair, the Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market, and retirement homes in the area.

    Sean P. McCormally ’70, Nov. 21, 2022, Takoma Park, Maryland. Sean received his bachelor’s from the University of Iowa, then began his journalism career at The Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa), where he was an award-winning editor and columnist. In 1980, he moved to the Washington Bureau of United Press International, where he excelled as an editor and officer of the Newspaper Guild. He joined the communications department of the National Association of Letter Carriers AFL-CIO in 1992 and retired as its director in 2010. He twice won the International Labor Communications Association’s highest award for journalistic excellence. He is survived by his daughter and grandchildren.

    Mark H. Ashcraft ’71, Sept. 6, 2022, Henderson, Nevada. Mark met the love of his life, Mary Homerin ’71, in the college choir at Grinnell, marrying her in 1971. After earning his doctorate in psychology, Mark served as psychology department chair at Cleveland State University (CSU) and then the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV). He published textbooks, including Human Memory and Cognition, which are still used in college classrooms today, and is remembered especially for his research on math anxiety and cognition. He retired in 2020 after more than 40 years of teaching and was named professor emeritus at both CSU and UNLV. Mark’s love of music and the arts continued throughout his life, and he and Mary were longtime supporters of the Cleveland Orchestra. They were Grinnell class letter writers for years and were honored with Grinnell Alumni Awards in 1996. Mark’s survivors include Mary, his wife of 51 years, and their son and daughter.

    Priscilla Pye Dickenson ’71, Dec. 29, 2021, Austin, Texas. Priscilla obtained a bachelor’s from the University of Houston, followed by a master’s in speech pathology. She began a private speech pathology practice in Austin, helping speech patients from every part of the Austin community, including many prominent musicians. In 1986, she married Jon Emery, an Austin musician. In 1989, she had a son. Priscilla gradually moved away from her private practice and began consulting as a speech pathologist for Texas Disability Services. She and Jon divorced in 1996 but remained good friends. Survivors include her son.

    Stephen Nunn ’73, July 10, 2022, Nashville, Tennessee. Steve received a master’s in public administration from the University of Memphis. He went on to complete a law degree at Vanderbilt University Law School in 1980. His lengthy career included positions as a staff attorney at State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Co., assistant attorney general and senior counsel for Tennessee’s attorney general’s office, contract attorney for Metropolitan Nashville Public Works, and a private law practice spanning over a decade. Steve was an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Nashville. He is survived by his two children.

    Richard D. Jelinek ’74, Dec. 20, 2021, Bluemont, Virginia.

    Lana Maring Woodside ’74, Oct. 30, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. Born and raised in Grinnell, Lana studied at Grinnell College before transferring to the University of Iowa, where she received a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and language. She earned a master’s from North East Missouri State University in 1976. She started her professional working life as a speech clinician in the Grinnell public school system, then moved to Milwaukee, where she also worked as a speech clinician in the Milwaukee public schools. Later, she returned to Grinnell and finished her career as an employee at GTE.

    Linda Thiemann ’75, Nov. 16, 2022, Allen, Texas.

    Ricky E. Williams Sr. ’75, Sept. 1, 2022, Tampa, Florida. Ricky was a graduate of Grinnell and the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. He was a stellar trial lawyer, beginning his career as the first African American assistant state attorney in Volusia County (Daytona Beach, Florida). Ricky founded both the law firm of Williams & Associates and “Call Ricky, Ask Ricky.” He was an avid athlete in basketball, tennis, and golf. Survivors include three sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren.

    Carolyn Miller Schultz ’80, July 26, 2022, Chicago. At Grinnell, Carolyn majored in theatre and anthropology and met Andrew Schultz ’80. They married in 1980 and had two daughters. Later, they assumed the care of a nephew. An accomplished interior designer, writer, and furniture designer, Carolyn’s career also included stints in hospital administration, nonprofit management, and as a hand model. During the 1990s, she was a freelance stylist and writer for Better Homes & Gardens. After a move to New York, Carolyn worked for Chris Madden, rising to the post of vice president of design while collaborating on and co-authoring several of Madden’s design books. After 2010, she became a freelance design consultant. Survivors include her husband; daughters, Mia Schultz ’08 and Claire; nephew, Brandon; and six grandchildren.

    Todd N. Strimple ’95, Sept. 2, 2022, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Following Grinnell, Todd studied massage and nutrition at Heartwood Institute in Northern California. He lived in Colorado and California before meeting his wife, Caitlin Rhoades, and settling in Santa Fe. Over the last 20 years, he practiced as a massage therapist. He also taught at the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts. In 2021, he graduated from the Structural Integration Program at the University of New Mexico-Taos, furthering his studies in the field of bodywork.

    Paul H. Wieser ’95, Nov. 18, 2022, West Des Moines, Iowa. Paul attended several colleges, including Grinnell, and ultimately graduated from Drake University with a degree in philosophy, psychology, and religion. For 20 years, he worked in Seattle and Los Angeles in music and music production, where he rubbed elbows with such greats as Bob Marley, Dr. Dre, and Dave Matthews.

    Aaron A. Wagner ’99, Sept. 23, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. Aaron was born and raised in Grinnell. He majored in social studies with a concentration in African American studies at Grinnell and earned a master’s in social studies from the University of Chicago. He was on varsity tennis teams in high school and college. During his junior year at Grinnell, he studied abroad in Zimbabwe. Aaron’s passions after graduation were advocating for minorities and workers. He also worked on campaigns for Democratic Party candidates. He was an ardent fan of the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bears, and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. He also possessed scholarly knowledge of rap and hip-hop music. He died at his home of natural causes. Survivors include his parents and his brother, Jason Wagner ’93.

    Gwendolyn “Gwenna” Ihrie ’15, Dec. 8, 2022, Aldie, Virginia. Gwenna graduated from Lincoln (Nebraska) High School, where she was a talented student, athlete, singer, and writer. Gwenna was very involved as both a student and alum of Grinnell College. Among other interests, she was a key member of the building committee that selected the architecture firm for the Humanities and Social Studies Center project, and she served as the Student Government Association vice president for academic affairs during her senior year. After graduating with her bachelor’s in political science, Gwenna spent two years with Americorps. She moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a college success adviser for underserved populations through the nonprofit SEED Foundation. In D.C., she was introduced to Cliff Novak by a mutual friend. They were married on July 29, 2022, in a small ceremony attended by their closest friends. There was never a shortage of people who wanted to spend time with Gwenna every day. She loved socializing, crocheting, embroidery, and television. She was passionate about women’s studies, human rights, equality, and making the world a better place for all. Her other love was her gray-and-white kitten, Lavender. Gwenna died after a two-year battle with osteosarcoma. She is survived by her husband and numerous other family members and friends.

    Former Faculty

    Jean Ketter, professor emerita of education, Dec. 8, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. Jean was appointed to the Grinnell faculty in 1994. She became a full professor in 2008 and moved to senior faculty status in 2016. She played an essential role in shaping the Department of Education’s course offerings and broader social justice mission. She was formative in leading the department’s Teacher Education Program. She worked extensively with the College’s Partners in Education (PiE) program and became the program’s first official director. She put her commitment to social justice into action as a Posse mentor and faculty adviser to the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Survivors include her husband, David; two children; and three grandchildren.

Fall 2022

  • Florence Collier Simmons ’41, June 17, 2022, Goodyear, Arizona.

    Virginia “Gina” Dodds Worthington ’43, Aug. 17, 2021, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. During her formative years, Gina lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1946, she married Jack Worthington, who died in 1991. Gina was a claims adjuster at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Chicago, and an English teacher in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She was member of PEO Sisterhood, Chapter EK. She is survived by her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

    Barbara Schneider Royal ’45, June 22, 2022, Munster, Indiana. Barbara met Richard Royal ’43 when he helped new students move into their dorm at Grinnell. On the first day of spring of her first year, they eloped — World War II was on, and Dick had been drafted into the army. Barbara and Dick were married over 60 years. After the war ended, she helped support him through Harvard Business School, then moved with him to Chicago before settling in Hammond, Indiana, where they raised their three children and lived until Dick died. Barbara was deeply engaged in her community and was involved in organizations such as the League of Women Voters, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (from which she received an award in 2020 for 78 years of involvement), and the PTA Council. She was employed at times as a reading teacher and at an architecture firm. She is survived by a son and daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

    Evelyn Faulkner Casper ’48, May 2, 2022, Big Pine Key, Florida. After she received a bachelor’s degree cum laude, Evelyn married and moved to Miami. She and her husband lived in Key Biscayne, Florida, for 30 years. She worked at the Miami Beach Public Library and later taught at the Key Biscayne Community Church Preschool. She worked for the Miami-Dade Public School District as a reading resource teacher for 10 years before moving to the Florida Keys. She received a master’s from Florida International University in 1978 and completed seminary training at Unity Worldwide Ministries in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, in 1988. She founded Unity of the Keys church in 1984 and served there until 2000. She also founded Unity Church of Marathon in Marathon, Florida. She is survived by her daughter, a grandson, and great-grandchildren.

    Charles E. Farr ’48, May 27, 2022, Des Moines, Iowa. After serving as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Philippines and with the occupation forces in Japan, Charles was honorably discharged and entered Grinnell to major in mathematics. He graduated with honors and married Marilyn Herselius ’47 in the College chapel on graduation day. A year of graduate studies at Columbia University in New York was followed by employment in the insurance industry at Equitable Life Assurance Society in New York. In 1952, the young family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Charles was an actuarial trainee at Bankers Life, now Principal Financial Group. His employment at Principal spanned 35 years. He was a fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, and an enrolled actuary. He retired from Principal in 1987 as chief actuary and then formed an actuarial consulting firm, retiring, from this work in 1996. Charles was active all his life in activities such as pole vaulting, softball, bowling, tennis, golf, swimming, sailing, canoeing, camping, cross-country skiing, and mountain climbing. Other interests included the trombone, piano, opera performances (serving on the Des Moines Metro Opera board for many years), learning American Sign Language, and qualifying as a master gardener. Charles and Marilyn traveled extensively. He also volunteered at Grinnell, where he served as an Alumni Council member. Marilyn preceded him in death. Survivors include one daughter; three sons, including Charles Farr ’72 and Tom Farr ’74; a daughter-in-law, Deirdre Schectman Farr ’75; and seven grandchildren, including Kathleen Farr Matthews ’05.

    Elizabeth Johnson Wilson ’48, April 11, 2022, Dallas. After graduation, Elizabeth worked for many years as a speech therapist. She was known for her beautiful soprano voice and was in demand as a soloist and choir section leader. She is survived by two daughters and two grandsons.

    Ruth Holden Hansen ’49, Jan. 21, 2022, Daytona Beach, Florida. Ruth married Niel Hansen ’49 in 1948. Family always came first for Ruth. She was a full-time mother, while also volunteering as a Girl Scout leader, chair of the elementary school library, and on the Council of Student Parents. She was the treasurer for the Darien Visiting Nurse Association and the Stamford Home Health Aides, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. She was dedicated to the Melvin Village Community Church and the Hikers. Ruth and Niel loved to travel, particularly enjoying the national parks and international travel. Ruth enjoyed knitting, skiing, tennis, kayaking, and, most of all, living on the lake and watching the loons. She is survived by her daughters, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

    William “Bill” R. Frank ’50, March 28, 2022, Wayzata, Minnesota. While majoring in sociology, Bill spent a semester in 1947 at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, as an exchange student. Living in a community of Black students and experiencing segregation in the non-campus community had a profound influence on his life. After graduation, Bill attended Yale Divinity School. In 1952, he married Louisella Kurth ’51. He was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Christ in 1953 and served at churches in Wisconsin and Ohio. After retiring as a pastor, he worked for the Milwaukee Council on Alcoholism, seeking shelter for the homeless and counseling for those with addictions or mental illness. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

    Claudine Briese Jacobs ’51, May 31, 2022, Medford, Oregon. Claudine married Robert Glenn Jacobs ’50 after graduation. Over the next 10 years, Robert attended graduate school at the University of Iowa and the Chicago Theological Seminary and taught at Iowa Wesleyan College. Claudine taught school for one semester, took graduate classes, and worked as a secretary. They had two children before moving to Los Angeles, where Robert taught at University of California-Los Angeles. Later, he taught at Western Illinois University in Macomb. Claudine worked in the college bookstore after her children were grown. After his retirement, Robert developed numerous health issues, and Claudine became the primary caregiver. She is survived by a son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

    Elaine Brown Kirst ’51, June 27, 2022, Watertown, Wisconsin. Elaine, who married Eugene Kirst in 1949, furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UCLA, and Grinnell. Later in life, she became an LPN. She and Eugene raised five children. She had a love for music and shared her talents by educating others with piano, voice, and violin lessons. She was a part of the Watertown Chamber Violin Orchestra, Watertown Players, Euterpe Singers, Vesper Singers, and the Lutheran Chorale Singers. Reading, taking part in book clubs, playing bridge, and cross-stitching brought her much pleasure. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

    Janet Wallyn Purcell ’51, April 2022, Prospect Heights, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Purcell ’50.

    W. Ben Whitehill ’51, June 7, 2022, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. At Grinnell, Ben was president of Dibble Hall, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated in three years. Ben married Carolyn Slater ’54. He attended Harvard Medical School, interned at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and served in the U.S. Navy on Guam for two years. A residency in general practice in Denver was followed by 15 years as a medical missionary in Hong Kong. In 1975, he joined the U.S. Public Health Service and worked at the Leavenworth, Kansas, and Atlanta federal penitentiaries and the Santa Fe Indian Hospital in New Mexico. After retirement, he enjoyed new opportunities to serve others — in a Santa Fe elementary school as a volunteer tutor, as a physician in mountain villages in Honduras and Quito, Ecuador, and as a board member of a clinic for low-income persons in Santa Fe. Ben was honored with a Grinnell College Alumni Award in 1976 and received the Joseph F. Wall ’41 Alumni Service Award in 1998. In 2016, he and Carolyn were named Santa Fe Living Treasures. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, four grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

    Nancy Tegger Edwards ’52, May 30, 2022, Schenectady, New York. Nancy attended Grinnell for two years before transferring to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana to complete a bachelor’s in political science. Years later, she earned a Master of Public Administration degree. She married James Edwards in 1956, and they raised two children. Nancy was a devoted mother, always putting family first during their younger years, but staying active by serving in the League of Women Voters and engaging in one of her passions, bridge. With her children grown, Nancy returned to the workforce; her favorite job was coordinating the travel-abroad program at Union College as an administrator in the foreign languages department. Nancy’s love of travel took her all over the world with her husband. She is survived by her husband, her daughter and son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

    Margaret Wilson Kersten ’52, Nov. 22, 2021, Rockford, Illinois. Margaret was married to Willis Kersten, who preceded her in death. Survivors include a daughter and son, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a brother.

    Benjamin F. McGuckin Jr. ’52, April 7, 2022, Charleston, South Carolina. After graduation, Ben joined the U.S. Navy, where he rose to the rank of captain. He was called to active duty in 1962 for 10 months during the Berlin crisis. As a lifelong athlete, Ben enjoyed swimming, tennis, and golf, as well as fishing, shrimping, and hunting. He was a member of Grace Church and a member and former commodore of the Carolina Yacht Club. He spent 40 years with New York Life, but his greatest joy was his family. He is survived by two daughters and a son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

    Barbara James Williams ’52, June 2, 2022, Montpelier, Vermont. After a time at Grinnell, Barb graduated from the University of Iowa. She and her husband settled in the south suburbs of Chicago. Following her divorce in 1974, Barb raised her four children as a single mother while earning a master’s in environmental engineering from Governor’s State University in Illinois. She went to work first for the Environmental Protection Agency and later the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Chicago. She served for many years on her town’s park district board and was president of the Illinois Association of Park Districts in 1979–80. Barb enjoyed hiking, tennis, bridge, travel, and socializing with a wide circle of friends. She is survived by one son, two daughters, and five grandchildren.

    Mary Halliday Freeman ’54, June 7, 2022, Plainfield, Illinois. After graduation, Mary worked as a medical technician and librarian and married Robert Freeman. They lived in Glen Ellyn, Yorkville, and Plainfield in Illinois and had three children. Mary regularly volunteered at church and loved singing in the choir. She is survived by her children and five grandchildren.

    J. Barry Lawrence ’54, March 26, 2022, Hendersonville, North Carolina. Barry was an avid swimmer and was part of a conference championship-winning Grinnell swim team. After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology, Barry went on to a successful career as an advertising account executive. He was married to Sandra Lobotzke Lawrence. They enjoyed traveling and living in places such as Little Rock, New Orleans, and Seattle before settling in Hendersonville. Barry loved sailing and was a member of the North Shore Yacht Club for many years. Barry and Sandra were both active members of St. James Episcopal Church. Sandra died in 2019 after 42 years of marriage.

    Norman D. Noe ’54, April 10, 2022, Greeley, Colorado. Norm met Marty Strovers, a Grinnell “townie,” and they married in 1955. After college, he went into the insurance business with his father in Greeley and continued working in the insurance field until his retirement in 1996. He helped form Pioneer General, a surety bonding company, where he served on the board of directors. Among Norm’s many public service roles, he was a Jaycees member and statewide vice president and president of the Boys and Girls Club of Greeley. He also sat on the Greeley parks and recreation and museum boards. Norm was a family man and enjoyed watching his kids’ and grandkids’ activities. He was an avid reader and loved camping and fishing. He is survived by his wife, three children, and grandchildren.

    Seymour J. Raffety ’54, June 16, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. Seymour was one of five children of LaVerne Raffety ’22 and his wife, Iness. Seymour’s parents farmed for many years northwest of Grinnell. After Seymour earned a degree in physics and mathematics from Grinnell, he went on to complete a master’s and a doctorate in nuclear engineering at Iowa State University. His nuclear engineering doctoral dissertation, “Design of UTR-10 Fission Plate,” completed in 1964, examined the implications of development of a useful fission plate installation for research work. Seymour also served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Nuclear Society. He worked as a nuclear engineer for the Dairyland Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin, that delivers electricity to 62 counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. Seymour was married to Carmen M. Raffety, and after he retired from Dairyland, the couple returned to Grinnell. Seymour was a generous benefactor to the College. Among his philanthropic contributions were donations to create the Raffety Physics Advanced Capstone Laboratory and the LaVerne E. Raffety Scholarship. Seymour was 89 when he died at the Mayflower Community Health Care Center in Grinnell. A service with military honors was held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Survivors include his wife, a brother, and three children.

    Gerald P. Hagen ’55, Jan. 31, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. Born and raised in Grinnell, Jerry played many sports. He received a degree in physical education and teaching and later went on to earn a master’s in educational administration from Drake University. He started his career in teaching and coaching, eventually moving into educational administration. He served as an elementary principal in the Grinnell-Newburg School District from 1965 until he retired in 1996. He was passionate about Grinnell history. Jerry started Grinnell’s first soft-serve ice cream shop, The Frosted Palace, and he and several friends owned JD’s Restaurant for a time. Jerry ran the clock for football and basketball games for many years. In 2006, he received Football Coaches of Iowa Achievement Award honors. Jerry married Jeananne Reisetter ’63 in 1963, and they raised two daughters. The couple divorced in 1998. He is survived by his two daughters, grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

    Rachel “Polly” Hallett Johnson ’55, March 15, 2022, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Polly graduated from Grinnell Phi Beta Kappa and went on to Harvard Law School, where she was one of eight women in her class. After law school, Polly married a Harvard classmate, Robert “Joe” Johnson, and they lived in Concord, New Hampshire, before heading west to New Mexico in the early 1960s. Family lore has it that Polly got the highest score on the New Mexico bar the year that Polly and Joe took the exam. She and Joe were married for 57 years until his death in 2018. Polly is survived by two daughters, two sons, and her grandchildren.

    Allan D. Kellar ’55, April 9, 2022, Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Allan majored in music at Grinnell and was a member of two national honor societies — Phi Beta Kappa (academics) and Pi Kappa Lambda (music). In Chariton, Iowa, he met and married Linda Bricker, and they raised two daughters. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees in music at the University of Iowa. In 1965, he joined the faculty at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as chair of the music department, teacher of music history, and director of choral activities. He led Coe choirs on seven tours to Europe. He also directed the choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. In 1975, he was named the Pearl M. Taylor Chair in Music, Coe’s first endowed professorial chair. In 1999, the Kellars moved to Lake Elmo, where they were active in musical and community activities. Allan also performed in Broadway-style musical productions and for 10 years was a member of the Minnesota Chorale, performing regularly with the Minnesota Orchestra. In 2010, Grinnell College presented him with an Alumni Award for his work as a teacher and humanitarian. Allan loved baseball, traveling, reading, and photography. Most of all, he loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Beth and Holly Kellar ’93; and his grandchildren.

    Bonnie Hagen Schmidt ’55, May 16, 2022, Marion, Iowa. Bonnie was born and grew up in Grinnell. After she graduated, she moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she enjoyed teaching in the public school system for eight years. She married Gene Schmidt in 1962, and they had two children. Bonnie was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Chapter DK in PEO, and various educational organizations. She loved spending time with her family and following her grandchildren’s activities. She is survived by her husband, two children, and three grandchildren.

    Nancy Hunter Batz ’58, July 20, 2022, St. Paul, Minnesota. At Grinnell, Nancy made lifelong friends, traveled the country and abroad, and prepared to embark on a music teaching career. Nancy met Ronald Batz, her husband of 50 years, while teaching in Lake City, Iowa, and they had three children. Nancy’s most significant teaching job was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, teaching K–8 music for 21 years before retiring in 1998. Her favorite job was teaching at United Community (now Boone High School), in Boone, Iowa. Nancy and Ron loved meeting new people and hosting parties around the upright grand piano in their living room. Upon retirement, they built and lived in a lake home in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where Nancy continued teaching piano and voice. Nancy was a member of the Grinnell Reunion Planning Committee from 2012–17. She is survived by her son, two daughters, grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

    Joan Spratler Jackson ’59, March 8, 2022, San Francisco. Joan’s love and devotion to her children was rivaled only by her dedication to her 30-year career as a librarian and branch manager with the San Francisco Public Library. She is survived by her son and daughter.

    Roger C. Smith ’60, March 30, 2022, Grand Junction, Colorado. Roger was a retired criminologist who served as director of the Michigan Bureau of Forensic Mental Health Services for 20 years. He earlier worked for the Hawaii Department of Public Safety and U.S. Justice Department, after earning advanced degrees from the University of Chicago and University of California-Berkeley. Survivors include his wife, Carmen.

    Steve K. Beaumont ’62, June 16, 2022, Garber, Iowa. After he attended Grinnell, Steve earned a doctorate in history from the University of Wisconsin and served in the U.S. Navy. Steve made his living as a carpenter. A passionate conservationist, he reconstructed several plots of prairie at his Jupiter Ridge Farm near Garber. He also maintained a huge garden. His carpentry expertise and advice were invaluable in his volunteer restoration work at Motor Mill, a historic site in Clayton, Iowa. Steve also volunteered for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and for the Clayton County Conservation Awareness Network, which honored him with a conservation award in 2019. Steve’s benevolence culminated with the donation of his farm to the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, an organization formed to protect farmland to be used for growing food.

    Vicki Warren Churchman ’67, April 9, 2022, Wichita, Kansas. Vicki earned a teaching certificate and a bachelor’s from Grinnell, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to earn a master’s in literature from the University of Iowa and journalism certification at Fort Hays State University. Her professional career centered on education and had a positive influence on the lives of many students. She was named to the Kansas Journalism Teachers’ Hall of Fame in 2001. She is survived by her husband, Dale Churchman; four children; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

    Virginia “Ginny” Olson Richardson ’68, Dec. 11, 2021, Tucson, Arizona. Ginny created art over a span of seven decades. She earned a bachelor’s from Alfred University in 1972 and worked as head of the graphics department for the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She painted large-scale performance pieces in settings from schools to churches. Her work has been exhibited nationally and hangs in the homes of individuals as well as churches across the United States and internationally. She was married to Randy Richardson for 44 years. Together, they made a trip around the world, living for a year in Paris and six months in Cambridge, England. Ginny loved being a mom to her two children. In 1993, she earned a master’s from the University of Arizona. She was a counselor and art therapist with Carondelet Hospice in Tucson. She is survived by her husband, two children, and two grandchildren.

    Mark S. Soldat ’69, April 18, 2022, West Des Moines, Iowa. As part of his studies at Grinnell, Mark spent a year abroad at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. After graduation, he went on to study law at Drake University, graduating in 1974. He practiced law in Algona, Iowa, from 1974–2003. During that time, he also served as the Kossuth County attorney. He spent the latter half of his career practicing law in the Des Moines area and was prominent in the field of workers’ compensation law. Early in his career, he famously worked pro bono to save a beautiful tree canopy from destruction in a road expansion project in Algona. While ultimately unsuccessful in that battle, the spirit of fighting against greed, power, and corruption embodied the way he lived his life. Mark was particularly proud of being a founding member of the Iowa Association for Justice Workers’ Compensation Core Group, his numerous Iowa Supreme Court cases establishing legal precedent that benefited injured workers, and the fact that he actively practiced law and tried cases for 47 years. He loved music and dance, was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and New York Yankees fan, and enjoyed travel. Above all, Mark loved his family and friends. He is survived by his partner, Jeanne Anderson; two children and his ex-wife, Marcia Soldat; and two grandchildren.

    Charles U. Tweed ’69, Nov. 5, 2021, New London, Iowa. In 1967, Charles married Jean Percilla Capen ’68. Charles, who studied music in Oberlin, Ohio, received a bachelor’s in history from Grinnell. For more than 40 years, he served as a minister of the Congregational Universalist Church in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, retiring in 2004. He was a humanitarian and a classical pianist who also loved biking, hiking, camping, and sipping coffee with friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell jokes, but he was happiest when surrounded by family. Survivors include his wife; two daughters; four grandchildren; and his sister-in-law, Marian Capen Engstrom ’64.

    Evelyn “Evie” Underwood ’70, July 16, 2022, Del Norte, Colorado. After graduating from Grinnell, Evie attended law school at the University of Minnesota. She was admitted to the bar in Colorado and Texas. For a brief time, she practiced law in Germany for the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). After returning from Germany, she continued practicing law and owned a private law office in Del Norte. She was a member of PEO and Twin Mountain Ladies Aid and was active in Pioneer United Church. Evie enjoyed the presence of numerous animals — cows, yaks, goats, horses, dogs, and cats — in her life. She also spent many hours working on her vegetable garden. She was always game for an adventure: camping, fishing on the Rio Grande, foraging for culinary mushrooms, and traveling with family and friends.

    Martha “Molly” Wolf ’71, Feb. 25, 2022, Gananoque, Ontario, Canada. She is survived by two children.

    Stephen G. Dohe ’73, May 9, 2022, Omaha, Nebraska. Stephen is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marilou Dohe; a son and daughter; and two grandchildren.

    Bruce F. McKean ’73, May 7, 2022, South Portland, Maine. Bruce attended Grinnell for one year and then transferred to the University of Iowa, where he graduated with a degree in English. An excellent musician, Bruce played lead guitar in bands during college and for many years afterwards. After graduation, while continuing with music, he began a separate career as a middle school English teacher. He also coached basketball and track and led a group of students in a band that played at local events. Bruce taught for 15 years before health problems forced his exit from the profession, though he continued playing music and taught private guitar lessons. In 2007, he moved to the Portland, Maine, area, where he married Karen Canter. He enjoyed Maine for the food, the crisp weather, and the life. Survivors include his wife, Karen, and his brother, Kevin.

    Alan S. Rosenfield ’73, May 11, 2022, Santa Clarita, California. Alan graduated from Grinnell with honors in political science. One of his favorite extracurricular activities in Iowa was aviation, and he became a pilot. Alan began his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. While still working full time, Alan entered the Southwestern University School of Law. He was admitted to the bar in 1981. He worked as a deputy district attorney until he was appointed to the Newhall Municipal Court in 1990. He was elevated to the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2000. He presided over criminal matters for 17 years in Newhall, Lancaster, and Antelope Valley courthouses. He sat in central civil in 2008 and transferred to the Santa Clarita courthouse in 2014, retiring from the bench in 2017. He had served as an assigned judge since his retirement. Alan was proud of his service in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1983–2012. He served as an army judge advocate officer and received the JAA Outstanding Career Armed Services Attorney Award. Alan was an excellent chef; played the banjo; loved cars, motorcycles, aviation, and his pets; collected whimsical art; and traveled with his wife, Angela. A 40-year resident of Santa Clarita, he was known for his community service. Alan served as a GRASP (Grinnell Regional Admission Support Program) volunteer for Grinnell from 1998–2002. He is survived by his wife and a stepson.

    Laurie Casselman ’75, March 2022, Tucson, Arizona. Laurie served as an executive of QRP Inc., producer of specialty gloves and finger cots for controlled environments, a company founded in 1974 by her father. Laurie’s survivors include her brother, Duncan Casselman ’81, and a daughter.

    Jonathan V. Higgins ’80, July 24, 2022, Evanston, Illinois. Jonathan was an active athlete, musician, and scholar at Grinnell. He was rookie of the year, a two-time co-captain, and three-time all-conference soccer player. He adored his soccer coach, John Pfitsch, and John’s wife, Emily. He played music in numerous bands during his time at Grinnell, most notably with the Space Potatoes, who still perform at reunions. Jonathan was a biology major who pursued independent research in freshwater ecology under the direction of Professor Ken Christiansen. Jonathan received master’s and doctoral degrees in science from the University of Illinois-Chicago. He began his career as a contractor with the Environmental Protection Agency before joining the Nature Conservancy in 1995. With the conservancy, he developed methods to incorporate freshwater into their planning efforts, helping to transform the organization from a land-based, nongovernment organization to one that conducts broad conservation globally. Jonathan was widely published,  cited, and recognized globally as an expert in freshwater conservation ecology. His work took him across North, Central, and South America as well as Africa, China, and Australia. Jonathan was passionate about his work and always eager to share his knowledge. He mentored young professionals with enthusiasm. In 2020, he created and funded the Grinnell College Jonathan Higgins ’80 Internship in Environmental Conservation Fund to encourage students to pursue careers in conservation and the environment. Donations to the fund can be made online (select “Other” under “Fund to Support,” and specify Jonathan Higgins). Checks may be mailed to: Grinnell College, 733 Broad St., Grinnell IA 50112-1690. Jonathan is survived by his wife, Susan Besson, and her two children, as well as his sister, Robin Higgins Karney ’78, brother-in-law, Peter Karney ’78, and nephews Daniel Karney ’04 and Benjamin.

    Leisa Knettle Mukai ’86, April 21, 2022, Xcalak, Mexico. After 30 years of diving and snorkeling around the world, Leisa and her husband, Rob, an avid fly fisherman, moved to Mexico in 2014. They established a beachside off-the-grid eco inn, the Acocote Eco Inn, in Xcalak. Leisa was killed and Rob was seriously injured in an auto accident outside Xcalak. Survivors include her husband and a son.

    Jennifer Bishop ’87, June 27, 2022, Fairhaven, Massachusetts. While at Grinnell, Jenn participated in track and cross country and set several College and state records. After graduation, she put her degree in political science to use when she joined the Democratic Party as a campaign organizer for presidential candidate Mike Dukakis. In 1992, she enrolled in law school at Boston University. After graduating, she married Robert Norton and moved to Wellesley, Massachusetts, where she joined G.W. and Wade Financial Planning group. After Jenn and Robert divorced, she moved to Fairhaven, Massachusetts. There, she met and married Ian Dobson and welcomed their son in 2003. She left G.W. and Wade to set up her own financial planning business in New Bedford, Massachusetts. This gave her the opportunity to get involved in her son’s activities as well as community activities such as YMCA, Boy Scouts, and city preservation projects. After Jenn and Ian divorced, she continued her service work in the community. She is survived by her son, Calvin Bishop Dobson.

    James “Pen” Helm ’92, May 13, 2022, Louisville, Kentucky.

    Peter D. Pennington ’04, June 4, 2022, White Salmon, Washington. Pete loved nature and the outdoors. During high school, he trained in Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue and became an Eagle Scout. As an adult, he kayaked through the Grand Canyon. He enjoyed hiking, biking, skiing, hunting, fishing, and camping. During Pete’s 2004 Commencement ceremony, he conducted an orchestral piece that he had composed. He went on to earn a master’s in counseling from Oregon State University-Cascades. Highlights of his career included working with at-risk youth in a wilderness program and building a successful problem-gambling recovery program. He practiced yoga and meditation. Throughout his life, Pete struggled with mental health issues. He continually worked to understand and navigate these challenges.

    Nathan E. Austin ’07, June 9, 2022, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Nathan’s survivors include his spouse, Keegan Gourlie Austin ’07, and one child.

    Former Faculty and Staff

    Robert Haveman, June 18, 2022, Madison, Wisconsin. Bob received a bachelor’s in economics from Calvin College and went on to earn a doctorate in economics at Vanderbilt University. He started at Grinnell in 1962 as an instructor in economics, eventually earning the rank of professor. He left the College in 1970 but often spoke of Grinnell as a “a place he loved.” He took a position as a senior economist with the U.S. Congress, then joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin, where he finished his career. Along the way, he served as director of the Institute for Research on Poverty and LaFollette School of Public Affairs and chaired the Economics Department. Bob was an award-winning teacher who published widely. In 1996, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Umea University in Sweden. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Bobbi Wolfe; five children; and 10 grandchildren.

    Katherine McClelland, June 18, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. Katherine graduated from Oberlin College and went on to earn a master’s in education at Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Katherine was Grinnell’s second director of the Mathematics Learning Center. She led the transformation of the center into what is now known as the Math Lab. In her 28 years as lab director and lecturer in mathematics, Katherine trained and supervised teams of student tutors and worked with hundreds of students individually to help them succeed in their mathematics and statistics courses. In her later years at the College, she taught introductory statistics courses. After retiring in 2012, she continued to teach statistics in the Liberal Arts in Prison Program at the Newton Correctional Facility. Survivors include her husband, Kent McClelland; son, David McClelland ’03, and daughter-in-law, Karen Fischer McClelland ’02.

    Paul Nelson, Aug. 11, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. In 1990, Paul joined Grinnell as a music technical assistant in the music department, a position that combined his love of music and audiovisual recording. He served as a staff member for more than 30 years before retiring in 2021. Paul organized and went on Grinnell choir tours throughout the world. Music was a year-round activity, from playing in the community band during the summer to the College Symphonic Band during the academic year. Around town and across campus, Paul was known as someone who “never met a stranger.” Paul’s biggest passion in life was family. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Merna; five children, including Revae Nelson ’02, associate director of financial aid at the College, and Maureen Nelson ’04; and four grandsons.

    Bruce Voyles, May 24, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. Bruce joined Grinnell as an assistant professor of biology in 1977. He was promoted to associate professor in 1985 and became a professor of biology in 1994. He helped create and served as the first chair of the biological chemistry major and served as the chair of the science division for several years. Bruce was appointed the inaugural holder of the Patricia A. Johnson Professor of Biology in 2000 and held this professorship until 2011. He moved to senior faculty status in 2006 and was granted emeritus rank in 2011. He made numerous contributions to his field as a respected scientist and researcher. He contributed to programs to better integrate teaching and research that received grant funding from the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. One of his most impactful achievements was helping create the mentored advanced program for student research, MAP. Over the years, he included many students in his own research studies. Bruce was known for making science clear and interesting and for caring about his students. He is survived by his wife, Martha Voyles, Grinnell associate professor emerita of education; two children; and four grandchildren.

Summer 2022

  • Martha Hale Agar ’42, Oct. 24, 2021, Tucson, Arizona.

    Beatrice Giles Elliott ’42, March 25, 2022, Holmes Beach, Florida. Beatrice attended Grinnell and Denver University in Colorado. In 1942, she married Jack Savage, who was killed in the battle of Okinawa in 1945. Shortly after World War II, she joined the office of Sen. Edward V. Robertson of Wyoming and served as his executive secretary in Washington, D.C. There, she met U.S. Air Force Col. Robert W. Elliott, who was serving at the Pentagon. They married in 1947. In her retired life, she loved traveling and enjoyed many international trips.

    Barbara McMurray Rickey ’42, Sept. 6, 2020, Marysville, Washington. Survivors include a niece, Ann McMurray Balderson ’62; and nephews, Thomas McMurray ’64, David McMurray ’76, and Scott McMurray ’79.

    Margery Willard Ertsgaard ’44, Feb. 10, 2021, Santa Rosa, California. Margery graduated from Grinnell with a major in sociology. She married her second husband, Byron Ertsgaard, in 1970. Marge loved being outdoors, and she and Byron enjoyed traveling. Marge volunteered for Camp Fire Girls, the American Field Service, PEO, her churches, and at Rogue Valley Manor. She is survived by a daughter, a son, and six grandchildren.

    Bette Horst Gadient ’44, Dec. 14, 2021, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Bette met Richard Gadient ’44, at a dance before attending Grinnell for one year. She married Richard in 1944; they settled in Davenport, Iowa, and raised six children. Bette volunteered for many organizations, including parent teacher associations, the Visiting Nurse Association, Cub Scouts, and Dad’s Club baseball. She also attended evening and Saturday classes at Marycrest College for eight years and graduated in 1968 with a bachelor’s in art. She is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

    Mary Guin Doudna Knoll ’44, Feb. 21, 2022, Omaha, Nebraska.

    Gladys Mortensen Anderson ’45, Feb. 7, 2022, Lindsborg, Kansas. Survivors include two sons, four grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren.

    Doris Crowl Kirhofer ’47, Jan. 20, 2022, Aurora, Illinois. After graduating from Grinnell, Doris earned her master’s in speech pathology at the University of Nebraska. She married her husband, Walt, in 1949. They moved to Baltimore, where she taught school for two years, then stopped working to raise her three children. She practiced as a speech therapist later in her life. She was a tireless volunteer, holding leadership positions in several organizations. She is survived by her three children; six grandchildren; brothers, Harry “Bud” Crowl ’55 and Richard Crowl ’57; and sister-in-law, Anne Beuckman Crowl ’57.

    Iris Zeliadt Starkey ’47, Feb. 7, 2022, Riverside, California.

    Elmer “Mike” Alft ’49, Nov. 22, 2021, West Grove, Pennsylvania. A Phi Beta Kappa at Grinnell, Mike earned a master’s at Syracuse University and was a John Hay Fellow at Yale University. He married Frances Clark Alft ’49 in 1950 and taught in Elgin, Illinois, schools for many years. Mike served as a member of the Elgin City Council, 1963–1967, and mayor of Elgin, 1967–1971. He was a founding member of the Elgin Area Historical Society and the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Foundation. He enjoyed traveling with Fran, touring museums and national parks, and reading. He authored 17 local histories about Elgin. He received a Grinnell Alumni Award in 1999 and was named the Elgin Image Awards’ lifetime achievement winner in 2007. Survivors include four children, 13 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

    Joanne Heath Collins ’49, Dec. 19, 2021, Tucson, Arizona. After Joanne received her bachelor’s from Grinnell, she married Thomas Collins in 1950. They lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, until 1999, when they moved to Tucson, Arizona. She was active in community affairs in Cedar Rapids, serving as a trustee of Brucemore, member of the board of the Museum of Art, trustee of the Museum of Art, and president of the sustaining members of the Junior League. In Tucson, she served as a member of the advisory council of the Museum of Art and a member of the Junior League. She is survived by four sons, nine grandchildren, and one great- granddaughter.

    Jenny Jacobson Egan ’49, Dec. 29, 2021, Idyllwild, California.

    Gilbert L. “Tommy” Farr ’49, Nov. 10, 2021, Bellevue, Idaho. Tommy enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940 and married Janet Monilaw in 1945. Following military service, he completed his degree at Grinnell and then did a year of graduate work in wildlife management at the University of Wyoming. He taught for six years before becoming administrator of the Idaho Primitive area in the Copper Creek District. When he was assigned to the Caribou National Forest, he took up flying again, earning multiple pilot ratings and also acting as a flight instructor. In 1971, he became district ranger on the Ketchum Ranger District in Sawtooth National Forest. His love of flying continued in retirement, when he co-founded White Clouds Aviation, chartering air flights. For many years, Janet and Tommy traveled throughout the West. He is survived by his brother, Charles Farr ’48.

    Dorothy Weaver Murphy ’49, Dec. 23, 2021, Hilton Head, South Carolina. Dot earned her master’s from Northwestern University. She married David Murphy in 1951, and they moved to southern California, where they raised two daughters before returning to the Chicago area. They lived in Tokyo for five years, then retired to Hilton Head Island in 1984. A Who’s Who in American Women psychologist, Dot held positions in public service and private practice. Upon retirement, she devoted herself to painting, gardening, and ikebana as well as bridge and golf. She is survived by a daughter.

    Coolidge S. Wakai ’49, Aug. 31, 2021, Huntington Beach, California. Coolidge began his college studies, was drafted into military service, served in Italy, then completed college and earned a medical degree. He and his wife, Edith, raised their family in Honolulu, where Coolidge served the community through his cardiology private practice and in multiple hospital and medical leadership positions. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling, gardening, and family gatherings. Survivors include his child, Ross Wakai ’89.

    Donald J. Casey ’50, Jan. 12, 2022, Phoenix. Donald was a decorated World War II combat Marine (Pacific theatre), private pilot, accomplished large and small animal veterinarian, and third- generation Iowa farmer. When he was 50, Donald and his wife, LaDeane Osler Casey ’47, moved from Iowa to Paradise Valley, Arizona. He continued practicing veterinary medicine for 25 years, starting up multiple small animal clinics. He also was longtime volunteer for the homeless at St. Vincent de Paul, attended daily mass at the Franciscan Renewal Center, served as eucharistic minister at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, enjoyed golf, and spent many hours watching his grandchildren’s sporting and school events. He is survived by five of his six children, nine grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters.

    Harriet Balzer Kenworthy ’50, Feb. 22, 2022, Flint, Michigan. During her Grinnell years, Harriet spent four summers serving as a camp counselor for special needs children. She went on to earn a master's in social work from the University of Minnesota and was employed as a social worker in Flint and Minneapolis. Harriet chaired many community boards. She was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Harriet was preceded in death by her husband, Watson. She is survived by her son and daughter and two grandchildren.

    Robert J. McClellan ’50, Nov. 10, 2021, Laramie, Wyoming.

    David W. Segur ’50, Feb. 3, 2022, Carmichael, California. After Grinnell, Dave worked in the Chicago area and Oregon before joining Liberty Mutual Insurance in Oakland. Liberty Mutual moved Dave to Sacramento as sales manager in 1961. He was inducted into the Liberty Mutual Sales Hall of Fame in 1974 and retired in 1988. Following retirement, Dave was able to be more active at his church, becoming a member of the choir and orchestra and serving as a deacon and elder. Dave and his wife, Marie, had years filled with family and church friends, camping, river rafting, and adventuring. Survivors include his wife, seven children, 30 grandchildren, and 14 great- grandchildren.

    Howard D. “Howie” Van Schaick ’50, Jan. 22, 2022, and Doris

    Jones Van Schaick ’50, Jan. 27, 2022, Markesan, Wisconsin. Doris graduated from Grinnell with a degree in sociology, while Howard continued postgraduate study at George Washington University School of Business. The couple married in 1951. Howie served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and they raised their family in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, where Doris was an active member of the Community Presbyterian Church. In 1985, they moved to Wisconsin, where both were active members of their community and of the Federated Church of Green Lake. Doris enjoyed singing, reading, swimming, and gardening. Howie, who retired from the steel industry when he was 65, was an avid reader and enjoyed boating and swimming. In their retirement years, they traveled the country in their RV. Both were College alumni and development volunteers from 2005 to 2015. They are survived by their daughter, two sons, four grandchildren, and four great- grandchildren.

    Richard C. “Dick” Adams ’51, Jan. 2, 2022, Sister Bay, Wisconsin. After graduation, Dick began teaching high school math. In 1951, he married Betty Louise Harshbarger. The couple was married for eight years and had three sons; Betty died in 1959. Dick earned a master’s in education and administration at the University of Michigan and later studied to become a guidance counselor. In 1962, he married Shirley Marie Roe. In 1965, he took a guidance counselor position, from which he retired in 1984. Dick and Shirley moved to Wisconsin in 1988. Dick was a huge baseball fan and loved gardening and fishing. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; four sons; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great- grandchildren.

    Shirley Haegele Helpenstell ’52, Dec. 20, 2021, Nampa, Idaho. Shirley met her husband, Fred Helpenstell ’52, at Grinnell. The 10 years following her graduation were spent in Illinois and Wisconsin. While Fred was in orthopedic training, she began her long and successful career as a teacher, and they had four children. In 1964, they moved to Idaho. Shirley taught kindergarten for many years, then sixth grade and parenting classes, then started an after-school program. She was involved with numerous committees and boards; however, her pride and joy was helping start the Boys & Girls Club of Nampa. Nampa honored her as Citizen of the Year in 2000. Shirley served as a GRASP volunteer for the College from 1998 to 1999. Survivors include her children and their spouses, among them, Tom Helpenstell ’81, Tom Faciszewsk ’83, Jill Helpenstell Faciszewski ’83, and Jeanne Helpenstell Mack ’84; 13 grandchildren; and nine great- grandchildren.

    Marcia Coates Jacobson ’52, Jan. 15, 2022, Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. Marcia attended Grinnell for one year, married Robert Jacobson in 1950, then worked for six years at Wincharger and for 27 years as the office administrator of First Presbyterian Church. She volunteered as clerk of session, organ committee, Presbyterian Women, and circles of First Presbyterian Church, auxiliary of Goodwill Industries, and PTA at Hunt School. She is survived by three children and three grandsons.

    William D. “Oz” Osmundson ’52, Nov. 25, 2021, Clear Lake, Iowa. After his sophomore year at Grinnell, Oz transferred to the University of Iowa, where he met Fran Swartz. They married in 1954. After earning his bachelor’s in economics, he joined the accounting firm of McGladrey, Hansen, Dunn & Co. (now called RSM) in Rock Island, Illinois. He was awarded his CPA in 1954 and made partner in 1956. He left McGladrey in 1989 and was self- employed thereafter. Oz and Fran lived in Rock Island for 53 years before moving to Clear Lake in 2007. Oz served on various boards and was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake. Oz and Fran enjoyed traveling in Europe, the British Virgin Islands, and connecting with relatives in Norway. Oz is survived by his wife, Fran; three sons; and six grandchildren.

    Doris Anderson Davies ’53, Feb. 17, 2022, Englewood, Florida. Doris graduated from Grinnell in 1953 and moved to Englewood with her family in 1960. A talented singer, she performed with musical groups including Sweet Adelines, Suncoast Chorus, and Keynotes; and she sang in the choir at Englewood United Methodist Church for more than three decades. She loved the theatre and was a patron of Lemon Bay Playhouse and the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Doris was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Clyde Stanley Davies Jr. ’54. She is survived by two daughters, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a great-great- grandson.

    Natalie Thompson Hahn ’53, Oct. 11, 2021, Berkeley, California. Natalie completed two years at Grinnell before she transferred to Stanford University, graduating in 1953. She married her first husband in 1956. Natalie earned a master’s in library science from University of California-Berkeley in 1970 and worked at multiple branches of the Marin County Library as a reference librarian. After her first husband died in 1976, she married Erwin Louis Hahn, a professor of physics, and moved to Berkeley. They brought together five grown children. Natalie threw herself into volunteer work at UC-Berkeley, where she was active with foreign students. With Erwin, she enjoyed sabbaticals and physics awards ceremonies in Europe and beyond. Natalie is survived by five children, three grandchildren, and five great- grandchildren.

    Donna Goetsch Boone ’54, Dec. 16, 2021, Oak Brook, Illinois. Survivors include her husband, Ernest Boone; two children; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

    Paul D. Friend ’54, Dec. 29, 2021, Northbrook, Illinois. Paul was an outstanding Grinnell tennis player. After graduating, he worked for his family’s business, K. Friend & Co. After the business was sold, he worked in commercial real estate. Paul enjoyed bowling and playing tennis, and was an avid fan of all Chicago sports teams. He loved traveling the world — attending six different Olympic Games and visiting the professional sports halls of fame with his children. Paul is survived by his wife, Rosanne Alper; his second wife, Joani, and their child; his first wife, Bonnie, and their four children; and by 11 grandchildren.

    Sue Yager Weatherley ’54, Sept. 7, 2021, Boulder, Colorado. Sue earned her master’s in social work at the University of Denver. Her career began in San Antonio, working on the burn unit at the Brooke Army Medical Center, where she met Don Weatherley. They married in 1956 and settled in Boulder in 1960. Sue had a long career at the Mental Health Center in Boulder, where she was instrumental in starting innovative programs for children and families. She and Don helped establish the Boulder Family Therapy Center, where they practiced for many years. She retired in 2001 but maintained a small private practice until 2017. Survivors include four children: Mark, Anne, Sara Weatherley ’85, and John; son-in-law, Daniel Greenberg ’83; and six grandchildren.

    Charles K. Hazama ’55, Nov. 28, 2021, Winter Springs, Florida. Chuck came to Grinnell from Hawaii. His education was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He received a Purple Heart and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans. He resumed studies at the University of Northern Iowa, where he met Almira “Aly” Oyakawa; they married in 1958. Chuck, Aly, and their two children moved to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1967, when he was hired at the YMCA. From 1972 to 1979, he served as YMCA executive director. A dedicated civic leader, Chuck was elected to eight, two-year terms as mayor of Rochester, serving from 1979 to 1995. He was a longtime member of the Congregational Church and held leadership roles in multiple organizations. Chuck loved to travel. He was also passionate about gardening and enjoyed spending time in the gardens at his Rochester home and his family home on Maui, where he lived for much of the winter during his retirement years. He is survived by his son, daughter, grandson, and five of his son’s stepchildren.

    Patricia Parr Millhaem ’55, Jan. 17, 2022, Hilton Head, South Carolina. Pat was a graduate of the University of Iowa after attending Grinnell. She was active in her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, and the American Association of University Women. She later worked a variety of roles in health care and administration. After she and her husband retired, they relocated to Sarasota, Florida, where she volunteered at St. Andrews Church and for a variety of women’s support organizations. She is survived by her sons, two grandsons, a great-grandson, and three great-granddaughters.

    James C. Olsen ’55, Nov. 6, 2021, Grass Valley, California. His wife, Joanne Boeckling Olsen ’54, died on July 18, 2021.

    Ronald E. Schmierer ’55, Dec. 4, 2021, Omaha, Nebraska.

    Charles S. Haynes ’56, March 18, 2022, Lenox, Massachusetts. Charlie, active in theatre at Grinnell, was an engaged alumnus who enjoyed a rich and varied life as a professor, artistic designer, writer, and sports fan. After graduate study at the University of Minnesota, Charlie moved to New York City. He married Harriet Hawkins in 1969. He received a Fulbright scholarship to continue linguistic research in Japan, and he and Harriet spent several years abroad, including another Fulbright tour in Indonesia. Eventually they settled back in New York City with their two sons. Charlie had a remarkable 47-year professorial career at New York University, where he had earned a doctorate in linguistics. Charlie completed a master’s in divinity studies at New York Theological Seminary in 2003. He was active in his communities, especially within his church. After Harriet died in 2016, Charlie continued to refine his distinctive arts practice featuring mixed media set in glass-paneled wooden boxes. He also wrote several plays and countless poems. His survivors include a devoted partner, Carol Walker; two sons; and three grandchildren.

    Larry L. Schaleger ’57, July 24, 2019, Oakland, California. Larry was a true Renaissance man. He went on from Grinnell to earn a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota. He was a professor at the University of Hawaii and a laboratory guru at Jacobs Engineering. A cross- country champion at Grinnell, Larry also was a marathon man, Sierras backpacker, and golfer. He was a bridge whiz, sketch artist and painter, and lover of books. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; children, Paul, Mary, and Eric; and a sister, Valerie.

    James H. Stacey ’57, Feb. 2, 2022, Chicago. James received his master’s degree in English literature from San Francisco State University in 1960. He lived in Honolulu, where he taught English at the University of Hawaii before returning to his hometown, Chicago; there he worked for Fairchild Publications, BusinessWeek magazine, Michael Reese Hospital, and the American Medical Association. Later, he spent 18 years in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, moving back once again to Chicago in 2004. A longtime writer and press liaison for the AMA as well as a prolific freelance writer, he was the author of four books. James is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol; his daughters from his first marriage, Nicole Stacey and Michelle Stacey ’79; four grandchildren; two stepchildren and two step- grandchildren; and many Stacey cousins, nieces, and nephews in the Chicago area, including nephew Gordon Stacy ’79 and niece Kristen Stacy ’16.

    Jean Fowler ’58, Jan. 30, 2022, San Francisco. Jean graduated from Grinnell with “an enduring sense of obligation to the College.” After a brief stint working for the Girl Scout Council in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jean moved to Germany, where she was employed as a “service club girl” for the U.S. Army. This experience instilled a love of Frankenwein, skiing, and travel. Upon her return to the states, Jean lived in San Francisco. Her career with the Asia Foundation, Levi Strauss, and the World Affairs Council of Northern California provided multiple opportunities to travel abroad. Jean’s retirement in 1999 allowed more frequent adventures, often in the company of Carolyn Hewes Toft ’58 — her Grinnell roommate and lifelong best friend. Jean continued to pursue her passion for exploration, visiting more than 70 countries in her lifetime.

    Susan Ward Fisher ’59, March 19, 2022, Rochester, Minnesota. Susan received her bachelor’s from Grinnell. She married Darrell Ervin Fisher ’57 in 1959. Darrell was an orthopedic surgeon with the Surgical Associates from 1970 to 2000 in Mason City, Iowa, where the couple lived until moving to Rochester, Minnesota in 2021. Susan described herself as a “professional volunteer” and faithfully served the Mason City community in leadership positions for nearly 40 years. She was employed as coordinator of education at First Presbyterian Church for 15 years. As a church elder, she served on the national Social Justice and Peacemaking Ministry Unit of the Presbyterian Church USA. She was board president of Mason City Public Schools and founding president of the Education Foundation of Mason City Public Schools. She was the first woman campaign chairperson and first woman board president of United Way of Mason City. She worked with her husband on numerous medical mission trips to St. Lucia and Kenya. Susan served on the board of the Grinnell College Alumni Association and was a reunion planning committee member (2008–2014), Alumni Council member, class fund director (2015–2018), and GRASP volunteer (1998–2017). Susan is survived by her husband, Darrell; two sons and a daughter; and five grandsons.

    Janet Schaab Mann ’59, Aug. 22, 2021, Salt Lake City. Janet was a professor of music at the University of Utah, where she founded the division of piano pedagogy. Her heart was with Broadway music, and she starred in dozens of regional theaters, from MUNI Opera in St. Louis to Midland Michigan to Salt Lake City. Janet also starred in a cappella groups and was the founder of “Serendipity.” She was a brilliant classical pianist. She was also a talented artist, especially in watercolors, with an amazing eye for color and shading. Janet loved to travel and visited over 100 countries. In 2008, Janet served as a member of her Grinnell 50th reunion planning committee. She is survived by her husband, Michael Kalm; five children; and 11 grandchildren.

    Ruey Brodine Morelli ’59, May 2021, Ferrara, Italy.

    David A. Rave ’59, Dec. 19, 2020, Venice, Utah. Dave went on from Grinnell to earn two master’s degrees — one in social work from Smith College and one in library science from Brigham Young University. He married Connie Jean Buchanan in 1969. Dave served in the California National Guard. He enjoyed working on family history, reading, and collecting model trains. Dave is survived by his wife, Connie, and his son.

    Karl L. Krumel ’60, Oct. 27, 2021, Bonita Springs, Florida. His wife, Nancy Strindmo Krumel ’61, died on June 15, 2021, also in Bonita Springs.

    Carolyn Parsons McCall ’60, Aug. 25, 2021, Portland, Oregon. Carolyn spent two years teaching English in Turkey in the Grinnell fifth year abroad program. She married Merritt McCall ’60, and together they managed Menucha, a Presbyterian Retreat and Conference Center near Portland, for 30 years. Carolyn loved her family, her church, music, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, for which she was a qualified interpreter. She served as an alumni volunteer from 2010 to 2015. Survivors include her husband; two children; five grandchildren; a sister, Margaret “Peg” Parsons Swenson ’54; and a brother, Bill Parsons ’62, and his partner, Kay Jones Rencken ’62.

    Lawrence W. “Larry” Klute ’62, Nov. 18, 2020, Long Neck, Delaware. After Grinnell, Larry graduated from Duke Law School in North Carolina. He served for four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War as a captain and attorney. He owned a private law practice and worked for the neighborhood legal services in Washington, D.C. He retired as a federal attorney for the Board of Veteran Appeals. Larry is survived by his husband of 20 years, Eric Peterson; two daughters; and two grandchildren.

    G. Warren Smith ’62, Dec. 26, 2021, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Warren majored in chemistry at Grinnell, where he met Constance Krambeer Smith ’63. Following their wedding, he earned his doctorate in organic chemistry from Cornell University. After a few years on the Cornell faculty, he joined the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, serving as department head and faculty member for 10 years. He next served as dean at the University of Houston-Clearlake and later moved to Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, where he was vice president for academic affairs and then president. Then he served as Slippery Rock University’s 14th president from 1997 to 2003. He was a member of numerous scientific societies. An Eagle Scout, Warren was awarded the Silver Beaver in recognition of his years of dedication to scouting. He was a violinist and a faithful member of community orchestras wherever he lived. He also served in leadership roles in various civic and governmental groups. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Connie; his son; and two granddaughters.

    Ane Sorensen Gade ’63, March 8, 2022, Santa Cruz, California. After a year of study at Grinnell, Ane married Barton Pruhs, had three children, then completed her undergraduate degree in school counseling at the University of Iowa. In the late 1960s, Ane worked as a school counselor. After completing her master’s degree in social work and counseling from the University of Iowa, she became a therapist for Lutheran Social Service’s Beloit of Iowa Counseling and Residential Treatment Center, where she eventually became clinical director. In the late 1970s, she married William Tysseling. In 1987, she moved to California, where she was employed as a counselor in San Jose and Santa Cruz. She opened a private counseling practice in 1991 and continued to provide counseling services to individuals and couples until 2021. Ane was an inveterate reader and loved the theatre. She is survived by her spouse, Bill; her daughter and two sons; and six grandchildren.

    Sara Higgins Mitchell ’63, Jan. 30, 2022, Ames, Iowa. Sara attended Grinnell for two years, then graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She received her master’s in English education from University of Iowa later in her life. Sara married Larry Mitchell in 1963, and they raised two children. Besides teaching and providing English as a second language for many communities, she served on a school board in Wisconsin. Sara loved the woods and was a master gardener who loved working at Reiman Gardens in Ames. She enjoyed sewing and working on her loom and wrote family histories. Survivors include her husband, Larry; her daughter and son; and five grandchildren.

    Beverly Kahling Offen ’63, Nov. 25, 2021, Glenview, Illinois. Beverly graduated from Grinnell Phi Beta Kappa with a major in history. Subsequently, she earned a master’s in library science from the University of Rochester and the University of Hawaii. Beverly was a professor of library sciences at Oakton (Illinois) Community College Library until retiring. Then she became a published and prolific short story writer as well as a talented poet. Beverly was a tireless volunteer who hosted numerous educational events for the Victorian Society and later became its president.

    David V. Evans ’64, Feb. 25, 2022, Arlington, Virginia. After graduating from Grinnell, David went on to earn a master’s in political science from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University and worked toward a doctorate in political science at Penn State. He received an honorary doctorate from Hastings College in 1998, when he was the commencement speaker. David was an authority on federal education law. He was legislative associate for higher education of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training, and Lifelong Learning and worked for Rep. Dale E. Kildee, the subcommittee’s ranking minority member. Before that, he served for 19 years with the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Education, Arts, and Humanities as a professional staff member and director, working directly for Sen. Claiborne Pell. He played a key leadership role in reauthorizations of the Higher Education Act (1986, 1992, 1998); reauthorizations of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1978, 1988, 1994); rewriting of the Vocational Education Act (1984, 1990, 1996); and other important legislation, such as The Education for Economic Security and Goals 2000 Act. He was a co-founder and member of the board of directors of Votivo, a candle manufacturing company in Seattle. He also served as administrative assistant to the governor of Rhode Island and special assistant to the governor of Nebraska. David was a member of his 40th, 45th, and 55th Grinnell reunion planning committees, and a class fund director from 2006 to 2022. He led his class in raising over $1.25 million for its 50th Reunion and in the establishment of the Class of 1964 Endowed Scholarship.

    Stephen P. Grooms ’64, Nov. 25, 2021, St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduating from Grinnell, Steve earned a master’s in American studies at the University of Minnesota, where he met and married Kathe (Schnoes) Grooms. An avid hunter and fisher, he was the senior editor of Fins and Feathers magazine for five years before becoming a successful outdoor writer whose work was published in many magazines and books, including his own Pheasant Hunter’s Harvest, The Cry of the Sandhill Crane, Bluebirds, The Ones that Got Away, and The Return of the Wolf. He looked back with pride on his outdoor writing career, noting that his writing reflected his progressive politics and helped legitimize the role of women in outdoor sports. Steve is survived by a daughter and grandson.

    Michael Patterson ’64, Feb. 16, 2022, Dublin, Ohio. Michael went on to earn his doctorate in experimental psychology in 1969. He served as the director of research at three colleges of osteopathic medicine (Ohio University, Athens; University of Health Sciences, Kansas City, Missouri; and Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida) from 1977 until retiring in 2008. He had innumerable scientific publications to his name and was associate editor for the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association and the Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine textbook. He earned multiple honors and awards, including an honorary Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the College of Osteopathic Studies in Montréal. He was an avid camper, international traveler, and was extremely proud of his scouting career where he earned his Eagle Scout, was a scout master, and earned the Silver Beaver award for distinguished service in scouting. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice; two sons; and five grandchildren.

    Thomas F. Somerville ’64, March 30, 2022, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. After majoring in art and theatre at Grinnell, Tom received a master’s in theater from the University of South Dakota. He also earned an MFA in directing from Florida State University. Tom taught for several years as a tenured professor at the University of Puget Sound. Upon leaving academia, Tom had a long and successful career as a theatre director of more than 160 productions, directing shows at some of the nation’s most prestigious regional theatres. From 1985 to 1990, Tom served as director of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre in Jupiter, Florida. Tom is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kathy; five children; and five grandchildren.

    Allen M. Rossman ’66, Jan. 20, 2022, Woodinville, Washington. Allen attended Grinnell and Johns Hopkins Medical School and received his ophthalmology training at Yale. Part of his residency was spent in Haiti at Albert Schweitzer Hospital. He also served two years in the Army Medical Corps in Fort Riley, Kansas. Soon after Allen opened his ophthalmology practice in Kirkland, Washington, he was diagnosed with leukemia but triumphed over the disease and returned to full-time practice for more than 30 years. Music was a lifelong passion. He played the guitar and banjo, joining college classmates in impromptu performances. He was a member of The Geezers and the Pointless Sisters band, which performed at his 50th Grinnell Reunion celebration. Allen and his wife, Debbie, were married nearly 40 years. Following retirement, they spent time on the road in their Alfa Romeo sports cars, volunteering at rallies with the Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon. They also spent winters in Arizona with family and friends. Allen is survived by his wife, Debbie; two daughters; three grandchildren; and sister, Amy Rossman ’68.

    Stewart M. Mansfield ’67, May 19, 2021, Northville, Michigan. After Grinnell, Stew proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971 and received the Bronze Star. After his military service, he had a successful career with Ford Motor Co. from 1972 to 2000. Stew is survived by his wife of 28 years, Barbara; a son, and two grandchildren.

    Michael C. Dejoie ’68, January 2022, New Orleans. Mike was known and beloved by classmates across campus. At a time when Grinnell men typically socialized in their own hall, Mike could be found in any hall. He sang in choir and fondly remembered performing for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Mike worked on The Scarlet & Black and was in ROTC. He was one of the founders of the Grinnell College radio station KDIC. After graduation, he worked for a time at CBS News. He later became a public relations executive with AT&T in Atlanta before returning home to his beloved New Orleans. Both his home and his ancestral home were devasted in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina; he worked hard to restore both. Mike was a member of his 40th Grinnell Reunion planning committee and served as a GRASP volunteer from 2004 to 2017.

    Bruce C. Luecke ’69, Nov. 27, 2021, Madison, Wisconsin. Bruce earned his DVM from the University of Missouri and held an advanced degree in pathology from the University of Illinois. He worked for the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the 1980s. He acted as a whistleblower, a challenging and defining experience. Bruce was devoted to animals, wild and domestic, and was in his element taking care of things. Bruce and his wife, Susan Freiss, enjoyed the adventures they had exploring wild places in Wisconsin and beyond. In Bruce’s later working years, he enjoyed his position as a special education assistant with the school district, helping to support children with special needs and who had experienced trauma. Bruce is survived by his wife, Susan.

    Roy Biser ’70, Feb. 24, 2022, Houston. Roy earned a Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology. He served as a Methodist minister at many churches throughout East Texas and was a valued member of the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Roy married his high school sweetheart, Merri Gay Beatty, who survives.

    Rachel Canright Summers ’70, Sept. 4, 2021, Port Medway, Nova Scotia, Canada. Born in Chicago, Rachel spent part of her childhood in Guam. After earning her bachelor’s at Grinnell, she earned another bachelor’s, in nursing, from New York University. She lived in New York for 35 years before moving to Canada and becoming a Canadian citizen in 2004. For almost 20 years, Rachel lived in the old lighthouse-keeper’s house in Port Medway, Nova Scotia. She was an excellent artist, a painter with a liking for egg tempera, and a sculptor. She was a careful gardener, tending the flowers around her house and working in the community vegetable garden. She had been an emergency room nurse in New York. She was a Port Medway first responder with the volunteer fire department, always ready to help with fire and medical emergencies.

    James E. Bierman ’73, Jan. 15, 2022, Northfield, Minnesota. Jim attended Grinnell for two years, then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he received his bachelor’s in mortuary science. He returned to Northfield to work for his family’s furniture store and mortuary, eventually buying Bierman Funeral Home, which he owned and operated until retiring in 2015. Jim and his high school sweetheart, Mary Boyd, married in 1972. Jim was active in the Sportsman’s Club, was a member and usher at St. John’s Lutheran Church, enjoyed fishing, and took many trips with friends and family to Canada and Alaska. He received the Rice County Wildlife Enhancement Award in 2020. Survivors include his wife, Mary; three children, and one granddaughter.

    John F. Potts ’74, Feb. 26, 2022, Ottawa Hills, Ohio. After Grinnell, John graduated from the University of Toledo Law School in 1978. He was a longtime Toledo attorney, practicing on his own for 45 years; specializing in criminal law, white- collar crime, and appellate work. John loved music and played harmonica with several groups, including the Post-Modern Blues and The Microphonics. In his youth he was an athlete, wrestling and playing football for his four years at Grinnell. He also enjoyed bicycling and following the Tour de France.

    Twila Thompson ’76, Jan. 4, 2022, New York City. Twila attended Grinnell to study theatre. Ultimately landing in New York City, she participated in acting classes at the Actors Institute. Soon, she was facilitating programs, leading group experiences, and offering personal coaching. As the Actors Institute evolved to work more in the corporate world, Twila became a partner in TAI Group. She developed an intense experiential program, challenging people to reframe personal injury and trauma as a source of creativity expressed through poetry, prose, music, and sculpture. In 2013, she relocated to London to develop international business. She returned to the United States as the director of new partnerships.

    David H. Leech ’79, June 15, 2021, Eureka, California.

    Peter D. Russell ’79, Feb. 5, 2021, Malibu, California. Peter was a story analyst for major film and TV production companies in the 1990s. Then he started his own business: teaching, writing, consulting, and appearing regularly as a conference speaker. Peter entertained and inspired with his online presence as “peterrussellscriptdoctor.” He taught at several California colleges and was awarded Teacher of the Year at University of California-Los Angeles in 2009. Peter was hiking with his wife when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Suzy.

    Sarah Brichford ’81, Feb. 28, 2022, Russiaville, Indiana. Sarah went on from Grinnell to earn a master’s in environmental studies from Yale University. In 1992, she married Jack D. Johnson. She worked as a water quality specialist in various positions for universities, nonprofits, and local government for over 30 years before retiring in 2019. Sarah was an outdoor recreation enthusiast and played several sports. She was an avid fly fisher. She played French horn with the Kokomo Chamber Brass, Howard County-IUK Community Band, and community theatre productions. She was a volunteer for many community groups and activities. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. She is survived by her husband, Jack, and a son and daughter.

    Robert F. Hale ’82, Jan. 24, 2022, Michigan City, Indiana. Bob graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and worked as a Great Lakes merchant seaman. Survivors include his sister, Julie Hale ’79.

    Nikolas Gregory ’90, Feb. 20, 2022, Andover, Massachusetts. Nik earned a doctorate from MIT in 1999. A longtime resident of Andover, where he lived with his wife of 30 years, Laura Meyer Gregory ’89, Nik enjoyed photography, walking, skiing, and spending time with family. After he died unexpectedly, his family suggested memorial donations could be made to the Nik Gregory ’90 Fund at Grinnell College. Nik is survived by his wife, Laura, and two daughters.

    Roy B. Huggins ’99, Nov. 19, 2021, Portland, Oregon. Roy studied music at Grinnell, performing  in Grinnell Singers. In 2001 he transitioned to Portland, where he met Electra Allenton ’05. He worked in web development until he obtained a master’s in counseling from Portland State University (PSU). After graduating and marrying, he and his wife moved to Japan for three years. Upon their return to Portland, Roy was invited back to PSU to teach. However, his life’s work and deep purpose was his multinational bilingual counseling practice and a nationally respected consulting company, which assists with HIPAA compliance. Roy was a GRASP volunteer from 2002 to 2013. He is survived by his wife, Electra.

    James R. Schueller ’03, Feb. 8, 2022, Los Angeles. While attending Grinnell, Jim earned numerous varsity letters in baseball and football. After he received his bachelor’s in history, he lived in the Phoenix area for several years before moving to Los Angeles. Jim spent his life doing what he loved — meeting new people, being a free spirit, working as a professional physical fitness trainer, and playing the guitar in several bands. Jim loved his family dearly, rarely missing a large Schueller family gathering. Survivors include his parents, sister, two brothers, and four nieces.

    Former Faculty

    Ed Gilday, May 17, 2022, Grinnell, Iowa. Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies Ed Gilday taught countless Grinnell students about Asian religions and culture. After earning his bachelor’s in Asian studies, master’s in Buddhist studies, and doctorate in the history of religions, he worked at both Bowdoin College and the University of Colorado. He joined the Grinnell faculty in 1995. Over the course of two decades, he taught courses on Asian religions, including Buddhism and Chinese and Japanese religions. He chaired the religious studies department for many years and was a strong proponent of off-campus studies. Ed was beloved by students for his friendliness and for being invested in their success.

    Mathilda Liberman, April 12, 2022, Lincolnwood, Illinois. Mathilda earned her bachelor’s at the University of Michigan and her master’s at the University of Connecticut. She started her career with Grinnell in 1960, when her husband, Myron Liberman, joined the faculty as a professor of English. Mathilda taught courses in the humanities and was instrumental in helping to develop and organize the Writing Lab. She was the lab’s first director and served in that role for more than two decades. Myron retired in 1987 and died in 1995. Mathilda was named lecturer emerita in English when she retired in 1997. Mathilda’s survivors include her two sons.

    Sheila McCarthy, Jan. 11, 2022, Ithaca, New York. Sheila graduated from Emmanuel College with a bachelor’s in Russian. She went on to receive a master’s in Soviet area studies from Harvard and a doctorate in Russian literature from Cornell University. Shelia joined the College as an associate professor of Russian in 1973. She met her husband, Clifford “Cliff” Reid, here. They left Grinnell in the late 1980s to take faculty positions at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Throughout her career, Sheila was known equally for her excellence as an instructor and for her care of students as individuals. She retired from Colby in 2009. Cliff Reid passed away in November 2021.

    Gregg Narber

    Gregg NarberLongtime College board member, Des Moines civic leader

    Gregg R. Narber ’68, Grinnell College Board of Trustees life trustee and a civic leader in Des Moines, Iowa, died Feb. 16, 2022, in Longmont, Colorado. He was 75.

    Gregg believed fervently in education and actively pursued it all his life. He majored in political science and Latin American area studies at Grinnell, then earned his master’s in political science and law degree from Washington University (St. Louis), and a master’s and doctorate in history from the University of Iowa. He pursued additional studies in the political science doctoral program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in the MFA program in painting at Drake University.

    Gregg was editor-in-chief of the Washington University Law Quarterly and won awards for his scholarship. He taught history at Luther College and as a graduate instructor at the University of Iowa. He published works on Regionalist and New Deal art programs. Gregg was an AFS exchange student to Brazil in 1964, acquiring facility in Portuguese.

    After law school, he did active duty as a trial judge advocate

    in the Marine Corps. In a 27-year legal career with Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa, he became senior vice president and

    general counsel; leaving that position to serve as a director of Principal’s joint venture in Brazil. He was a member of the house of delegates of the American Bar Association for several years.

    Gregg’s other passions included reading, art, and music. He was on the board of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and a life trustee of the Des Moines Art Center, where he gifted important works to its collection and was president of the board for several years and a member and later chair of its acquisition committee. He was a member of the Des Moines Arts and Recreation Council, the City of Des Moines Public Art Commission, and the Des Moines National Poetry Festival. Gregg also wrote and lectured widely on regionalist and New Deal art programs.

    Gregg served as a Grinnell College trustee from 2000 to 2012, then was named a life trustee. He was a member of the Grinnell College Museum of Art Leadership Council from 2015 to 2018.

    Gregg shared 50 of his years with two remarkable women: Christann (Kice) Higley ’70, mother of his two sons; and Kathleen Joyce “Kathie” Andriano, with whom he adopted two daughters.

    He is survived by his wife, Kathie; four children; six grandchildren; and a brother and sister. Christann also survives.

Spring 2022

  • Norma Myers Runge ’42, Jan. 3, 2021, San Diego. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Runge ’42.

    Leland J. “Bud” Hawley ’45, April 23, 2021, Laurens, Iowa. After Grinnell, Bud joined the U.S. Army, assigned to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he met and married Beverly Buckwalter. In 1945, he returned to Laurens to become the third generation in the family business, Hawley Insurance Agency. During their 28-year marriage, Bud and Bev raised four children. In 1987, he married Jeanette (Oleson) Johnson, and they enjoyed 34 years of marriage until she died in March 2021. Bud was an active, lifelong member of Laurens United Methodist Church and a past master of Masonic Grace Lodge #519, a master mason and 32nd degree Scottish rite mason, and a Shriner with Abu Bekr Temple. He enjoyed travel and visited all 50 states, much of Canada, and parts of Europe and Australia. A loyal Democrat and proud descendant of Iowa Pioneers, Bud was honored for his stewardship of the Hawley Home Place, an Iowa century farm since 1981. Survivors include a daughter, son, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

    Mary Watt Collinge ’48, March 11, 2021, Webster, New York. Mary trained and practiced as a home economist before “retiring” to raise a family. Later, she had numerous volunteer roles, including serving on the boards of the Rochester Presbyterian Home and the Penfield Public Library. She also volunteered for Webster Presbyterian Church, the Camp Fire Girls, Literacy Volunteers, and the Penfield Trail Committee. She was a proud member of PEO Sisterhood and enjoyed walking with the Wednesday Hikers and traveling. Survivors include a son, two daughters, and a grandson.

    Julia “Tigger” Stimson Appel ’49, Sept. 27, 2021, Antigo, Wisconsin. Julia graduated from Grinnell with a major in biology, then earned a nursing degree as a private duty nurse. Julia and her husband, David, loved the outdoors. They enjoyed hiking, camping, and rock climbing as well as sailing and skiing. Julia also became interested in writing. She joined the Romance Writers of America Appleton chapter in 1989. She completed a novel and wrote articles for travel magazines. Survivors include her three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

    Isadore Berman ’49, Oct. 6, 2021, Grinnell, Iowa. Isadore received his MBA from Columbia University in New York in 1951. He was a U.S. Army World War ll veteran who served in Europe. In 1956, he married Ida Roseman, and the couple made their home in Grinnell, where they raised two children. Isadore worked with his father for many years and then as a partner with his brother until around 1986, continuing to run Sam Berman and Sons along with his son into an ever more successful scrap iron and metal business in Grinnell. He was a 75-plus-year member of the Grinnell American Legion, VFW, Grinnell Masonic Lodge, Grinnell Elks Lodge, and the Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Des Moines. He was an avid reader, held a keen interest in investing, and loved to travel. He served as a New Student Orientation volunteer for the College in 2009. Survivors include his daughter and son, and three grandchildren.

    Katherine Mueller Smith ’49, Sept. 19, 2021, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

    Eleanor Kennedy Walters ’49, Oct. 5, 2021, Marion, Iowa. Eleanor attended Grinnell for two years, then graduated from the University of Iowa. She married William Walters in 1953. Eleanor taught high school for 15 years, including 11 years in Wyoming, Iowa. She was very active in the Onslow and Wyoming Presbyterian Churches and served as an elder, a youth fellowship adviser, Sunday school teacher, and circle chairwoman. She was a member of the PEO Sisterhood of Anamosa, the Wyoming Library board, and numerous other community and social organizations. Eleanor was exceptionally well read, loved history, had a keen sense of humor, and enjoyed playing cards and games and spending time with her family. Survivors include her husband, two sons, five grandchildren, and six great- grandchildren.

    Jerald A. Anderson ’50, Sept. 8, 2021, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Jerry graduated from Grinnell as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1962, he married Wanda Sorenson. After serving in the U.S. Army, Jerry worked at the United Fire and Casualty Co. in the underwriting department until retiring as an assistant vice president in 1990. Jerry is best known for his humble, hospitable manner and quick wit. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and singing in the church choir. In retirement, he served on the boards of the Linn County Chaplaincy and the Linn Community Food Bank. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years. He is survived by a daughter, son, and two grandsons.

    Shirley Miller McFarland ’50, July 14, 2021, Des Moines, Iowa. Shirley met Robert A. “Bob” McFarland ’49 at Grinnell and married him in 1948. She later received her bachelor’s in English literature from the University of Iowa. Her husband’s career in education had their family living in several communities in Iowa, where she not only raised her family but was very involved in community activities. While living in Marshalltown, she volunteered as a tutor for minority students in the schools. She continued tutoring when she and Bob moved to Estes Park, Colorado, in their retirement. She was active in church as a deacon and in the choir, active in the senior center, and was a P.E.O. sister. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include three children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

    Katherine “Casey” Cosandey Snook ’50, Aug. 10, 2021, Alpine, Texas. Katherine lived much of her young life in Minneapolis. At Grinnell she met her husband, Donald Snook ’49, while singing in the choir. Don’s work with the state department and later, Esso Middle East, took the couple to Syria and then to Libya for a total of 18 years. During that time, their daughters were born. In addition to starting and singing with various music groups, the couple enjoyed picnicking in the countryside, visiting picturesque villages, exploring the coast and the Sahara Desert and Greek and Roman antiquities, and roaming through historic Mediterranean cities. In 1969, the family returned to the United States. A member of the Unitarian Church, Katherine served on its board of trustees and as president of the Saugatuck Valley Audubon Society and volunteered at the Westport Historical Society and the Westport Arts Center. In addition to enjoying walks and picnics in the countryside and on the shore, she and Don sang with several local church and community chorales and the Westport Madrigal Singers. In 2016, Katherine and Don moved to Alpine, Texas. Surviving family members include her husband; three daughters, Laura Snook ’74, Ann, and Helen; and four grandchildren.

    Dorothy Wagner Boettcher ’51, Oct. 12, 2021, East Lansing, Michigan. A naturally gifted musician from a very early age, Dorothy continued her professional training at Grinnell, majoring in music. She excelled in piano, flute, and voice — exhibiting those skills through musical tours and local performances. In 1951, she married Alvin Boettcher and moved to Michigan, where Dorothy began to teach music in the Lansing school system as well as piano lessons in the home. She received her master’s in education from Michigan State University while raising three children. She taught fifth grade in the East Lansing school system for 20 years. Retirement was filled with continued participation in The Peoples Church choir and chorale groups, to whom she lent her powerful soprano voice. Frequent European vacations with Alvin, who died in 2019, were also a favorite pastime. She is survived by a daughter, two sons, a grandchild, and six great-grandchildren.

    M. Mercedes Bolger Biedermann ’52, Oct. 3, 2021, Norristown, Pennsylvania. Mercedes married John Stewart Biedermann in 1957 and moved to Philadelphia, where John co-owned a wholesale plywood business. She joined the Junior Saturday Club, where she made friends, enjoyed social events, and engaged in community outreach. Her ultimate passion was bridge, which she learned to play in college. She was still playing at the retirement community where she last lived. Survivors include two children and five grandchildren.

    John H. Sitton ’52, Oct. 12, 2021, Ruston, Louisiana. John was born in Denver and graduated from Denver schools and Grinnell. While working in California, he met and married Linda Roberts. He worked in restaurant and retail management up and down the West Coast. He enthusiastically served his church while finding time for merchant groups, Rotary, Judicial Justice Commission, California grand jury, and other civic and volunteer causes. Survivors include his wife, Linda; a son and daughter; and eight grandchildren.

    R. James Bagnall ’53, Sept. 25, 2021, Marshalltown, Iowa. During high school, Jim worked part-time at Arbie Feeds in Marshalltown. After attending Grinnell, he graduated from Marshalltown Community College and went to work full time at Arbie as assistant manager. He married Elizabeth “Bette” Watson in 1951. In 1969, he was promoted to president and general manager, semi-retiring in 1995. Jim was active in community and church activities and volunteered with seven organizations: Jaycees, Noon Lions, United Way, Marshalltown Area Community Hospital, and the Industrial Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce. He held many offices in the First Baptist Church (Journey Church) and taught Sunday School for several years. He loved traveling, fishing, woodworking, watching sports, and reading. He enjoyed vacationing with his family and holiday gatherings. He was a man of integrity and generosity and left a great spiritual legacy. Jim is survived by his wife, Bette; three children; nine grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

    Joan Furhman Jones ’54, Oct. 14, 2021, Springfield, Missouri. At Grinnell, Joan majored in art. Later, during an 18-year professional public relations career with the YWCA in Iowa, Texas, Virginia, and California and with the American Red Cross in Los Angeles, she further honed her graphic skills. She married Earl “Dick” Jones in 1972. Their relationship lasted 49 years. In 1973, Joan began a 45-year career doing what she loved most — painting, specializing in watercolors and pastels. Her favorite subjects were figures, mostly models, and townscapes from locations in Mexico, Norway, and the central coast of California. During this period, Joan created hundreds of paintings and her work was shown in numerous juried shows and galleries, and she received dozens of honors and awards. In recent years, she took up jewelry design and produced many online video programs. Joan was a long- time member of P.E.O., Chapter DP, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, subsequently of Bethany Lutheran Church, and more recently of Trinity Church of the Nazarene, all in Lompoc, California. She is survived by her husband.

    Barbara Scott Couve ’55, Oct. 3, 2021, Deer Park, Illinois. In high school, Barbara was a multisport athlete, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Student Council. At Grinnell, she was on the Homecoming court and was Mardi Gras queen as well as a Langan sweetheart. After graduation, she worked as a photo typesetter for BC Lettering and was a teacher’s aide at Central Road School in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. She was happiest when traveling with her spouse of 62 years, Carl Forrest Couve ’54, or cheering on her children and grandchildren at their activities. She was a member of the Grinnell Reunion Committee from 2004 to 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, and is survived by three daughters, five grandchildren, and one great- grandson.

    Frank W. Hays ’55, Sept. 26, 2021, Bonita Springs, Florida.

    Edwin O. Jantz ’57, Sept. 1, 2021, Southbury, Connecticut. Ed majored in economics at Grinnell, then joined the Air Force and was able to leverage his early military experience in a progression of sales roles. He later went on to earn a master’s from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Ed married Nancy Gail Holzer in 1960. They continued to move as Ed was promoted in various sales roles in Colorado until he made a career change into city management with a move to Los Alamos, New Mexico. The family later moved to Texas, where Ed focused on municipal purchasing and held roles as director for purchasing for the city of Dallas, county of Dallas, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. After retirement, Ed and Gail moved to Connecticut. Ed was well known for his optimism, his sense of humor, and kindness to all. He lived an active and engaged life and loved hiking, fishing, gardening, and reading nonfiction and financial publications. He is survived by his wife, Gail; three daughters, five grandchildren, and one great- granddaughter; and his brother, Gary L. Jantz ’62.

    James C. McKinnell ’57, May 15, 2021, Red Lion, Pennsylvania. After he completed his undergraduate studies at Grinnell, Jim spent a year at Eden Seminary in St. Louis, then completed his ministry education with Bethany Biblical Seminary, Chicago, in 1961. At Bethany Seminary, he met Letha Miller, who he married in 1959. Jim’s pastoral ministry included student pastorates at Grinnell and in St. Louis; he and Letha did seminary internship pastorates with Brethren congregations in Maryland. Jim and Letha went on to serve several Brethren congregations. Jim also completed doctor of ministry studies at Bethany Seminary. Bible interpretation was his major interest. Jim enjoyed gardening, playing guitar, singing, family genealogy, and making entries in his diary for over 60 years. Jim was preceded in death by Letha in 2018. He is survived by two sons, five grandchildren, and two great- grandsons.

    Doris Koerner Willoughby ’57, Sept. 8, 2021, Lakewood, Colorado. Doris graduated from Boulder (Colorado) High School as class valedictorian in 1953 and majored in education at Grinnell. She taught second grade in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 11 years. She married D. Curtis Willoughby in 1967. From the time they met, Doris became a driver and reader assistant for Curtis, one of the first blind electrical engineers in the country. Doris received her certification in the teaching of blind children in 1969 after studying during the summers and evenings. In 1972, the Willoughbys moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Doris taught blind children. They moved to the Denver area in 1993, and Doris received a master’s from the University of Northern Colorado soon after. Doris taught blind children in the Adams 12 School District near Denver. She later taught blind adults at the Colorado Training Center for the Blind, where she helped students prepare for citizenship and the GED test, among other things. She was a pioneer and leader in the education of blind children for at least four decades and wrote or co-authored four books on that subject. At its 50th anniversary convention, the National Federation of the Blind honored Doris with its highest award in education: the Distinguished Teacher of Blind Children Award. Doris was an active member of the United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband.

    James David Schenken ’58, April 2021, Alpharetta, Georgia.

    Thomas J. Soper ’60, April 17, 2021, Sturgis, Michigan. Tom, a longtime distance runner, is survived by his wife, Lucy Ann Zimmerman; a son, daughter, stepson, and stepdaughter; and four grandsons.

    Charles “Chuck” M. Palmer ’61, Nov. 7, 2021, Des Moines, Iowa. Chuck spent his life dedicated to the mental health and well-being of children and families. After graduating from Grinnell and the University of Chicago, he began a six-decade career in human services. He spent time at the Child Guidance Center and United Way before joining and eventually leading the Iowa Department of Human Services. He was named the director of DHS twice, first in 1989 until 1999, and again in 2011 until 2017. His professional career also included roles at the Institute for Social and Economic Development and the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative, among others. He served as an adjunct professor at Drake University and University of Iowa. Chuck was also active in local and national volunteer and community organizations, including the American Red Cross and National Association of Social Workers. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Karen Heise Palmer ’61; and two children and two grandchildren.

    Gary A. Hanson ’63, Sept. 6, 2021, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Gary majored in history at Grinnell. He spent the summer of 1962 with a family near Bilbao, Spain, as part of the Experiment in International Living. He earned a master’s and doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He spent 1967–68 in the Soviet Union with the IREX U.S. government exchange doing research in Moscow and St. Petersburg and traveling to Central Asia and Caucasia. He taught Russian and European history at the University of Saskatchewan from 1969 to 2000. Favorite courses were the Russian history survey, nationalism and the nationalities of the Soviet Union, Stalin and Stalinism, and especially a history of Siberia, his research interest. Activities included Amnesty International, the Canadian International Council, and the Saskatoon Stamp Club, and he belonged to Zion Lutheran Church. He especially enjoyed trips to Yugoslavia, the Republic of South Africa, Portugal, and Argentina.

    Raymond B. Cooper ’64, July 24, 2021, Sylacauga, Alabama. Ray was employed by Kimberly Clark Corp. as a director of finance for 42 years with his last position in Waco, Texas. While there, Ray participated in Camp Fire USA and served as president of the local chapter. Ray officially retired from Kimberly Clark in 2007. He enjoyed golfing, woodworking, lawn care, watching television, living on the lake and, most of all, spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, JoAnne; two daughters; and five grandchildren.

    William S. Johnson ’64, Sept. 4, 2021, North Liberty, Iowa. Bill graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Grinnell and then attended the University of Chicago on a Fulbright scholarship. He later moved to Iowa City and earned a second degree in music from the University of Iowa. Bill loved classical music and was an accomplished pianist who taught piano and gave concerts. He was fluent in German, Italian, Russian, and French and enjoyed reading classic books in their original languages. He especially enjoyed a meal with wine and conversing with friends who enjoyed his dry sense of humor. In his view, he was a “tough cookie” who valiantly dealt with health issues throughout his life.

    Donald Reimer ’64, Sept. 1, 2021, Broomfield, Colorado. Don majored in political science at Grinnell, then joined the Air Force to become a B-52 navigator. He served for five years, then earned a teaching certificate and taught in California for a few years. For several years, Don was general manager with Modern Farm Systems. He married Beverly (Bev) Mischke Reimer in 1975. After Modern Farms Systems was sold, Don and Bev bought Colorado Health Food Store in Boulder, which they owned and operated until 1999. He served on the Flatirons Habitat for Humanity board of directors for several years and was a financial supporter of many national and local charitable organizations. Don is survived by his wife, Bev; three daughters, including Sarah Reimer Dawson ’99; six grandchildren; and a great- granddaughter.

    Jean Terry West ’64, May 17, 2021, Covington, Kentucky. Terry was always active and entrepreneurial: teaching natural childbirth, starting a restaurant, and then working at restaurants and catering businesses all over the country, including Dallas, New Mexico, Connecticut, and Little Rock, Arkansas. In later years, she still ran a catering business from her house and cooked every week as a volunteer at the local shelter. She was a Grinnell regional volunteer from 2015 to 2017.

    Barry M. Anderson ’65, Nov. 4, 2021, Carthage, Illinois. Barry received his law degree in 1968 from the University of Iowa Law School and master’s in law enforcement and justice administration from Western Illinois University. He practiced law in Keokuk, Iowa, for over 30 years. He was elected Lee County attorney and served as a magistrate judge in Lee County. He chaired the Iowa Criminal Law Section of the Iowa Bar Association and was an active member of the Indigent Defense Task Force in Iowa. He later became an assistant professor in the LEJA School at WIU.

    Bruce “Trick” M. Beckord ’65 M.D., Aug. 29, 2021, Boulder, Colorado. Bruce attended Grinnell and the University of Iowa Medical School. He married and reared four kids in Estes Park, where he helped found the first hospital, and in Boulder, where he was head of sports medicine at CU. Bruce led a life full of adventure and traveled the world. He loved his family, the Denver Broncos, and playing pickleball. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Lou; his two sons and two daughters; and six grandchildren.

    Dennis R. Homerin ’65, Aug. 27, 2021, Los Angeles. Dennis, who served on the College’s Board of Trustees from 1975 to 1994, first came to Grinnell in 1961. He served on the student government association and was a letterman on the varsity football team, which won the Midwest Conference Championship in 1962. He graduated in 1965 with a major in history. Dennis went on to earn his law degree in 1968 from the University of Minnesota, where he was a three-year Dean’s Honor Scholarship award winner and editor of the Law Review. After law school, Dennis moved to Chicago, where he joined the firm of Seyfarth, Shaw, Fairweather & Geraldson and later became a partner. He was later named vice president and labor counsel for Tribune Co., where he helped negotiate player contracts for the then-owners of the Chicago Cubs. Dennis went on to become a partner at Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue before retiring to start his own consulting business and spend more time with his children and grandchildren. Dennis was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, an Eagle Scout, avid reader, history buff, music lover, and founding member of the Joe Denny Band, in which he played trombone. He enjoyed traveling and spending time at his home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, before moving west to enjoy his retirement. Survivors include four children; four grandchildren; his sister, Mary Homerin Ashcraft ’71; and brother in-law, Mark Ashcraft ’71.

    Susan Taylor ’65, Sept. 27, 2021, Austin, Texas. Sue, who double- majored in journalism and American history at Grinnell, spent her professional life as a journalist. She worked for United Press International in Chicago and recalled often her experiences covering Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Chicago Campaign in 1966. After moving to Austin in the 1970s, she worked for the Austin American Statesman in various positions, including wire editor and assistant city editor, while mentoring scores of neophyte journalists. She retired in the late 1990s. After Chicago and before Austin, she traveled the country in an RV. She enjoyed other memorable trips to Hawaii, the Galapagos Islands, and Cape Cod. She was an avid reader, always with stacks of newspaper nearby and a good book to share. She adored animals, loved children, and was an ardent supporter of land and water conservation.

    Roger W. Able ’68, Oct. 2, 2021, Haines City, Florida. Roger was a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At Grinnell, he majored in biology and played basketball. After attending management training at General Electric, he spent most of his career in appliance sales and sales management. He retired in 2003 and with his wife, Marie, moved to Florida. Roger was always involved in service to his communities. He was actively involved in his churches; he served as CEO and president of Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh (1997–2000), and for years he provided formal and informal planned giving advice to his Grinnell classmates and to the College. He was a reunion committee member from 2004 to 2011 and class solicitor in 2011. It was his idea to gift Grinnell a life insurance policy on himself; its cash value was large enough four years ago for Roger and Marie to turn it into the Able Endowed Scholarship. Roger was proud of his Grinnell legacy — his maternal grandfather Herbert Risser was class of 1908 — and the scholarship supports a legacy student. Roger’s support for Grinnell athletics is reflected on the donor plaque in the lobby of the Bear Recreation and Athletic Center. Roger is survived by his wife, two daughters, and seven grandchildren.

    Joshua Sachs ’71, Nov. 7, 2020, Evanston, Illinois. Survivors include three children and three grandchildren.

    Nancy Ackerman Schofield ’71, Oct. 5, 2021, Menomonie, Wisconsin. Nancy majored in mathematics at Grinnell and married Ken Schofield 71 on campus the day after graduation. Nancy and Ken moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Ken attended the University of Wisconsin Law School and Nancy worked as a computer programmer for the UW’s Institute for Research on Poverty. They moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin, in 1977 and never left. Nancy received a master’s in clothing, textiles, and related arts from UW-Stout in 1979, teaching intermittently in the home economics department from 1979 to 1998. She commenced a doctoral program at the University of Minnesota in 1994. Nancy received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota in design, housing, and apparel in 2000. By that time, she was teaching classes in UW-Stout’s College of Engineering, Technology and Management (CTEM). She taught an array of computer-aided design courses full time from 1998 to 2013. After retiring as a full professor in 2013, Nancy continued to teach part time until 2015. In addition to her teaching, she took seriously her role as a mentor to women engineering students, including being faculty adviser for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She was active in other community and civic organizations, including her children’s elementary and middle schools, League of Women Voters, Master Gardeners, City of Menomonie Urban Forestry Board, Stepping Stones garden tour, Dunn County Historical Society’s Fulton’s Workshop, and others. She also was a Grinnell reunion committee member from 2011 to 2020. Nancy is survived by her husband, two brothers, two sons, and four grandchildren.

    Leonard M. Kurz ’75, Nov. 5, 2021, Piermont, New York. Leonard graduated from Grinnell with a major in history and from Stanford University with a master’s in film and television production. He was CEO, president, and creative force behind Forest Creatures Entertainment, a motion picture, television, and new media production company established in 1993. In 2007, Forest Creatures Entertainment produced Kitka and Davka in Concert: Old and New World Jewish Music, which has been broadcast extensively on the PBS network. He was producer, director, and writer of the feature-length documentary Free the Children; producer, director, and writer of the television documentary Accused of Being Communist; a co-producer of Maangamizi: The Ancient One, the first film from Tanzania to be considered for an Academy Award; and producer, director, and writer of Early Misgivings. He also was a script reader for Francis Ford Coppola. He was a founding director (U.S. board) of Free the Children, an international organization which has the unique mission of creating a global network of children helping children through education. Leonard served as a director and officer of the Kurz Family Foundation. He played a significant role in establishing two endowed professorships at Brooklyn College: the Herbert Kurz Chair in Constitutional Rights and Civil Liberties and the Herbert Kurz Chair of Finance and Risk Management, as well as a program that assists black and Latino male Brooklyn College students. He was a founding member of the State University of New York’s Chancellor’s Society and received awards for his philanthropic work. Leonard served as an internship host for Grinnell students from 2010 to 2016. He was a Wilson Program speaker in 2016. Leonard established several endowed funds at Grinnell to support student career exploration and research in the areas of peace studies, sustainability, and human rights. He was also a generous supporter of the Peace and Conflict Studies program at Grinnell.

    Dennis D. Ashby ’78, Sept. 7, 2021, Grinnell, Iowa. Dennis was raised on a farm west of Grinnell. After graduation, he went on to earn a degree from Drake Law School. In 1979, he married Carolyn Cline. After law school, he worked part time for the law offices at Farm Bureau while starting his own law practice in Des Moines. He had a rewarding career helping farmers during the farm crisis and working with small businesses. He taught nontraditional students for Upper Iowa University-Des Moines Center for 30 years. He also taught undergraduates at Grandview University for 15 years. For seven years in the 1990s, he served as pastoral care minister at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Des Moines. In 1998, he started Well Read Books, a used bookstore in Des Moines, selling it in 2015. He retired from all his endeavors in 2017, returning to his childhood home west of Grinnell. He was an active member of the Basilica of St. John Catholic Church in Des Moines and St. Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and, more recently, the Elks in Grinnell. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and nine grandchildren.

    Nina Frankel ’79, Oct. 20, 2021, San Francisco. Nina spent two years at Grinnell before embarking on her adventurous life. She traveled, studied, and worked in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Portugal. In 1981, she graduated from University of California-Berkeley with a degree in Latin American studies. A native San Franciscan, Nina had a multidecade career as a public health advocate, campaigner for free and fair elections, and outspoken defender of international justice, refugee safety, and human and civil rights. She attended Harvard’s School of Public Health, graduating with a master’s in population sciences in 1986. She later worked around the world on AIDS prevention, abortion counseling, election monitoring, and refugee resettlement. She supported a wide range of liberal, philanthropic causes and was known for her frequent letters to the editor as well as acerbic and witty protests to organizations about unethical business practices.

    Jean Ward Angstman ’80, Sept. 20, 2021, Lakewood, Colorado. Jean graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Grinnell with a major in French. She completed her formal education with a master’s in speech pathology and audiology from the University of Denver in 1984 and began a long career as a speech pathologist in the Jefferson County, Colorado, public schools. She married Burke Angstman in 1985. Jean had many hobbies and interests, including folk dancing, quilting, doll making, cooking, traveling, and reading romance novels. She loved the outdoors, especially hiking around her summer home in Grand Lake, Colorado. She is survived by her husband; two sons; a granddaughter; her sister, Teresa Ward ’83; brother in-law, Andrew Nelson ’82; and niece, Molly Nelson ’21.

    James F. Goodfellow ’82, July 12, 2021, Oakland, California. In addition to his studies at Grinnell, James studied in Russia, was a Marshall Scholar, and received a master’s in economics at Cambridge University, England. He went on to earn his law degree from Yale Law School.

    Richard A. Bohm ’86, Nov. 7, 2021, Palmetto, Florida. Rich majored in economics at Grinnell and earned his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. He spent his career in the defense industry at McDonnell-Douglas, Boeing, American Ordnance, and General Dynamics. An avid and curious traveler, Rich visited many corners of the world and spent time working in France and Saudi Arabia. Rich rescued several dogs, to which he devoted much love and care. He is survived by his wife, Marissa Albano Bohm.

    Former Faculty

    James Lindberg, Sept. 23, 2021, Des Moines, Iowa. Visiting professor of chemistry at Grinnell from 2002 until 2015, he came to Grinnell after taking early retirement from Drake University in Des Moines. He taught organic chemistry to hundreds of students at Grinnell. His passion for teaching and mentoring was evident in his interactions with students and his generosity with colleagues.

    Clifford Reid, Nov. 6, 2021, Waterville, Maine. Cliff, former professor of economics, was a Grinnell faculty member for 14 years. He left Grinnell in 1987 to become a professor of economics at Colby College in Waterville, where he taught until retiring in 2009. He received a bachelor’s in economics from George Washington University and a doctorate in economics in 1973 from Princeton University, where he developed a research interest in the role of discrimination in American life — in housing, employment, and wages — that he would continue to pursue throughout his academic career. He was legendary for his rigorous standards in the classroom and was a caring mentor to generations of students at Grinnell and Colby.

    Emily Pfitsch

    Beloved Grinnell Icon and Honorary Degree Recipient

    Emily PfitschEmily Ann Pfitsch D.H.L ’17, longtime friend of the College and recipient of an honorary doctor of humane letters in 2017, died Jan. 21, 2022, at the age of 96.

    Though she never held an official position at Grinnell, Emily was a beloved member of the community and a remarkable ambassador for the College for more than 70 years.

    Emily arrived in Grinnell with her husband, John, in 1948. While he began his career in Grinnell’s athletics department, she studied Spanish and earned a teaching certificate, leading to a 24-year career teaching Spanish and supporting international programs in the Grinnell schools.

    She and John traveled widely, living for times in Panama, Ecuador, Portugal, and Spain. She loved sharing her passion for the Spanish language and international cultures with her family, friends, and students and regularly hosted exchange students in her home.

    The honorary degree Emily received from the College in 2017 recognized her influence on the College community, most notably “her boys” — several generations of Grinnell College athletes coached by John who found a steady source of support with Emily.

    Emily provided a warm and welcoming presence for African American scholar-athletes attending Grinnell in the 1950s and 1960s, regularly hosting students and their families in her home overnight. She also hosted the annual picnic for alumni soccer players in her backyard for more than 30 years.

    She continued to host trustees who returned to campus, and she remained a visible and engaging presence at numerous Grinnell events. She will forever be known by Grinnellians as someone who made the College feel like a second home.

    Emily is survived by her children, Jack, Connie, and Bill; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and John, her husband of 64 years.

    Visit Smith Funeral Home and search for “Pfitsch” for more information and tributes. The Pfitsch family has suggested that memorial contributions may be directed to the John and Emily Pfitsch Scholarship at Grinnell College. Give online or by mail, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.