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.