Helen Lampert McCune ’42, Mankato, Minnesota, June 23, 2018. After graduating from Grinnell, Helen taught English and history at Grinnell Junior High School. During World War II, she was an associate editor of World Book Encyclopedia in Chicago. ln October 1945 she married John T. McCune ’41 after he returned from his military service in North Africa and Italy. From 1970 to 1982, Helen was director of student services at the University of Wisconsin’s Fox Valley Center, where she championed programs to serve nontraditional students. In a system of 14 campuses, she was the only woman director. She is survived by a daughter, Cathy McCune Gjerde ’73, and a granddaughter.
Elsiebel Long Kasch-Noe ’45, Weslaco, Texas, Jan. 15, 2020. As a young woman, Elsiebel showed quarter horses and was affiliated with the Iowa Saddlehorse Association. A lifelong volunteer, Elsiebel took cancer patients to appointments and made robes and heart-shaped pillows at local medical centers. She is survived by two children, three grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Colleen “Connie” Hannum Bartel ’47, Hopkins, Minnesota, July 16, 2020. Originally from Council Bluffs, Iowa, Connie was a proud fourth-generation Iowan. She was an avid supporter of the Council Bluffs Library and Mercy Hospital. She was a member of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), was an excellent bridge player, and loved to golf. Proud of her Irish heritage, Connie had a fondness for Guinness stout. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law.
Margaret Berry Christensen ’48, Ottumwa, Iowa, May 24, 2020. After leaving Grinnell, Margaret worked at the First National Bank in Shenandoah, then returned to school, receiving a bachelor’s in education from Northwest Missouri State University in 1950. In Ottumwa, she was an active member of First United Methodist Church. Margaret was also a member of the Women’s Club and a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International. She is survived by a brother, her daughter, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Verne D. “Danny” Hull ’49, Yankton, South Dakota, May 20, 2020. Danny was an excellent athlete in high school and college. As time passed, he channeled these energies into running road races and marathons, bicycling, and playing tennis and table tennis. During World War II, Danny served with the 2nd Armored Division in Germany, where he sustained major wounds from combat. Honorably discharged, Danny taught and coached sports. Danny loved to hunt game with his dogs; he even wrote stories about them and established Platte River Kennels, a training facility for hunting dogs. He is survived by his two dogs, Rango and Creamer.
Douglas R. Peterson ’50, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 27, 2020. He earned an additional bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, and a master’s in music from the University of Iowa. In 1976, he earned a doctor of musical arts in choral music and vocal pedagogy from the University of Iowa. He was music director of the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society from 1968 to 2020. He prepared and conducted the world’s greatest choral-orchestra masterworks, enriching the lives of concert-goers for over five decades. He served as Grinnell class agent from 2012 to 2014 and was a member of the 60th and 65th Reunion Committees. Survivors include three children and a sister.
William G. Stauffer ’50, Santa Clara, California, Aug. 5, 2020. Bill was an accomplished pianist, designer, gardener, and gastronome, with a passion for music, nature, and chocolate. He shared his love of the garden as a volunteer with schoolchildren and his love of language teaching English as a second language to adults, and he never stopped learning. He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Alexander J. Elwyn ’51, Chicago, July 4, 2020. After high school, Alexander was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Italy following its surrender to Allied forces. While in Italy, he began his lifelong hobby of photography. Returning from the war, Alexander enrolled at Grinnell and graduated with degrees in math and physics. At Grinnell, he also met and fell in love with Sheila Boyer ’51, who became his wife. He loved to listen to Chicago radio and recorded 36 “Midnight Specials” in which he would play his favorite folk music and satire for his neighbors in Hyde Park. Alexander is survived by his three children.
Roberta Hansen Van Schilfgaarde ’51, Huntsville, Alabama (date of death not available). She is survived by her sister, Eloise Hansen Krivosheia ’56; daughter-in-law, Lynn Beck Van Schilfgaarde ’74; son, Paul Van Schilfgaarde ’76; and grandchild, Diana Van Schilfgaarde Jones ’06.
Dorothy Falk Barchman ’52, Wimauma, Florida, Jan. 5, 2020. Dorothy was an active member of the Handicapped Development Center Boosters and enjoyed working in her vegetable garden. Survivors include three children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Wayne L. Blewitt ’52, Ankeny, Iowa, June 29, 2020.
Donald R. Boeckling ’52, Cupertino, California, June 19, 2020. Don studied economics and business at Grinnell. He and his wife, Ann Joseph ’52, married shortly after graduation. He enlisted in the Air Force and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. He left the Air Force in 1956 to pursue a career in software development and worked in the insurance, aerospace and defense, and computer hardware industries. A huge sports fan, Don loved the San Francisco Giants, 49ers, and Stanford football. He also was a regular theatre- and symphony-goer. Don is survived by his sister, Joanne Boeckling Olsen ’54, and brother-in-law, Jim Olsen ’55; two children; and two grandchildren.
Susan “Bunny” Westerfeld Howell ’52, Newark, California (date of death not available).
Alice Rutledge McKinney ’52, Eugene, Oregon, March 19, 2020. Alice lived in Yellow Springs, Ohio, after graduating and was an extremely active community member and volunteer for a number of local organizations for 72 years. She was a social activist all her life and was a champion for civil rights. She was a proud member of the diverse congregation at the First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs. Alice was known for leading hikes and being a wildflower and bird enthusiast. She worked for several years during retirement as the Yellow Springs News proofreader. Alice is survived by four children, including Ruth McKinney ’77; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
James D. Jenkins ’53, Marshalltown, Iowa, April 18, 2020. After graduating, James was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, for two years. After his service ended, James attended law school at the University of Iowa and graduated with a J.D. in 1958. He worked in Des Moines for a few years, then moved to Albia, Iowa, in 1960 to work for his uncle’s law firm. That same year, he ran for Monroe County attorney and won his election by two votes, earning him the nickname “Landslide Jenkins.” James was a serial hobbyist and spent his time reading, camping, traveling, gardening, and flying his own light plane. He is survived by four daughters, including Rebecca Jenkins Schultz ’82.
Charlotte Fitzpatrick Ramshaw ’53, Savannah, Georgia (date of death not available).
M. Isabelle Rice Borg ’54, Martinsville, Indiana, March 14, 2020. Survivors include a niece, Patricia Kennedy ’78; and two nephews, Paul Kennedy ’76 and Wesley Kennedy ’81.
Robert F. Norton ’54, Salem, South Carolina, April 19, 2020. Bob was an active volunteer with his church, the local hospital, and the elementary school in Salem. He actively walked the course when he golfed and loved Cubs baseball. In 1953, Bob married Barbara Newman ’53. She preceded him in death. He is survived by two children, his sister, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Frances Bean Rakestraw ’54, Sun City West, Arizona, July 20, 2020. After college, Frances joined her husband in England, where he served in the U.S. Air Force. They lived in the English countryside for two years before returning to the United States. Frances taught nursery school and was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) later in her life, holding officer positions at both the chapter and state levels. She had a passion for travel and went on more than 20 ocean cruises. Frances is survived by her husband, two sons, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Clinton Ross ’55, Laughlin, Nevada, March 12, 2020.
Jane North Norris ’56, Marshalltown, Iowa, May 21, 2020. Jane and David Norris ’55 were married at Grinnell before she joined him at his military deployment in Japan. Back in the United States, Jane was a news correspondent for the Des Moines Register, Waterloo Daily Courier, Cedar Rapids Gazette, and Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. She also volunteered at the Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa, and met with King Olav V on his visit to the community. Jane was obsessed with Norwegian needlecraft, teaching classes at the Marshalltown YMCA for many years. She served as a class agent from 1966 to 1989. She is survived by her husband, two children, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a brother.
Barbara Udell Hammer ’57, Rancho Mission Viejo, California (date of death not available).
Nancy Abel Wagner ’57, St. Charles, Missouri, March 20, 2020. She is survived by her husband, Robert Wagner ’56; siblings, Burdette Abel ’59, David Abel ’64, and Gordon Abel ’69; and son, David Wagner ’81.
Anne Hruska Parsons ’58, Bangor, Maine, June 16, 2020. Anne earned a master’s degree in counselor education from the State University of New York. She and her husband, Lynn Parsons ’58, moved to Detroit, where she was elected to the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee. Anne moved back to New York and began a 20-year career at the State University of New York at Brockport, during which she served as the president of the New York College Learning Skills Association. As a retiree in Castine, Maine, Anne took on active leadership roles in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation and was a member of the Castine Garden Club. She is survived by her husband and two sons.
Sharon Heimendinger Hines ’60, Ankeny, Iowa, Nov. 23, 2019.
William J. McClung ’60, Berkeley, California, July 27, 2020. Bill was best known as the principal founder of University Press Books in Berkeley. He also enjoyed a long career as an editor and editorial manager at the University of California Press. He spent his final decades as an urban activist, preserving both nature and culture in the Bay Area. He served as president of the San Pablo Park Tennis Club and was dubbed the “King of ‘The Claremont’” after he won both the singles and doubles championships at the club. Bill is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Nicola McClung ’97; one son; and two granddaughters.
Robert S. Woito ’60, Madison, Wisconsin, June 21, 2020. Robert came to Grinnell on a basketball scholarship and ended up quarterbacking the football team under Coach John Pfitsch. He majored in history, joined ROTC, and served in Istanbul during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He went on to the University of California at Berkeley, earning a doctorate in history. He subsequently co-founded the World Without War Council in Berkeley and authored many books, such as To End War: A New Approach to International Conflict and The World Disarmament Kit. Robert is survived by his children, Andrea Woito Murray ’86 and Katrina Woito Severin ’85.
Keith B. Kester ’61, Arvada, Colorado, July 17, 2020. Keith earned a doctorate in chemistry from Harvard in 1968 and then taught chemistry as a professor at Colorado College until retiring in 2012. Keith was very active in his community and as a member of organizations such as the New Earth Covenant Community, a Rocky Flats cleanup project, and the Society for Religion in Higher Education. He loved nature, conservation, and exploring the outdoors with his family. Survivors include his wife, daughters, brothers, and ex-wife, Phyllis Ball Kester ’61.
Olive Kemp Whitley ’61, Chicago, Feb. 24, 2019. Olive was passionate about education and made it her life’s pursuit to ensure all children had educational opportunities that helped them reach their full potential. She earned a master’s in special education from the University of Illinois and taught kindergarten and special education, with a focus on educating people with hearing impairments. During her own education, Olive became a legacy member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, joining the same sisterhood as her mother. She is survived by her husband.
Michael S. Horwatt ’63, Reston, Virginia, Aug. 14, 2020. Michael was the lead speaker of the Grinnell 14, a group of 14 students who drove from Grinnell to Washington, D.C., in the fall of 1961 to protest the nuclear arms race. The students became international news after they presented a petition to the White House and the Soviet ambassador. “Perhaps the signature characteristic of a Grinnell education is how to bring about change within the periphery of tradition,” Michael said when asked to reflect on his experience. His actions helped start a student-led movement for peace. Survivors include a grandchild, Jalyn Marks ’16.
James W. Smith ’63, Cutler Bay, Florida, April 9, 2020. James loved his time at Grinnell and played on the tennis team. He was also part of the Grinnell 14 protest group led by Michael Horwatt that went to the White House. Survivors include his daughter, Tanya Smith ’92, and son-in-law, James Tipton ’94.
Mary Beth Lohrenz Fox ’64, Green Valley, Arizona, April 15, 2020. Mary met her husband, Michael Fox ’64, at Grinnell. She earned a master’s in library science from Southern Connecticut State University and worked for many years as a reference librarian at the Darien, Connecticut, public library. Mary volunteered as a 50th Reunion planning committee member. She is survived by her husband, two children, and four grandchildren.
Gregory R. Strawn ’64, Minneapolis, December 2019. Survivors include his wife, Catherine McDonald Strawn ’64.
David W. Gauger ’65, Yankton, South Dakota, March 23, 2020.
J. Kristian Nash ’66, Casselberry, Florida, April 25, 2020. Kris was an English/journalism major at Grinnell. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Following his discharge, Kris worked for the Associated Press, Sanford Herald, Firestone Tire Co., a printing company in Chicago, and as a courier driver running bank data from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of dialogue from his favorite movies and excelled at all sports trivia, recalling players’ names, stats, and details from games long in the past. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
Steven R. Eberhardt ’67, Boonton, New Jersey, Dec. 15, 2019. He is survived by his spouse, Polly Priest Eberhardt ’68.
Paul W. Thurston ’67, Savoy, Illinois, April 30, 2020. Paul graduated from Marshalltown High School, where he was a triple-threat athlete in basketball, football, and golf. At Grinnell, he was named All-Conference defensive end. He earned a master’s in history from Wesleyan University. During this period, Paul trained with the Peace Corps, served inner-city youth with Outward Bound/Upward Bound and Eastern Kentucky with Vista Volunteers, and spent six months on an economic development research project in Costa Rica. Returning to the Midwest, Paul obtained J.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Iowa. He then served the University of Illinois’ Department of Organization and Educational Leadership for 28 years in various roles, including professor and department head. He is survived by his wife, four children, and 11 grandchildren.
M. Catherine Todd ’67, Concord, Massachusetts, Feb. 29, 2020.
Gary R. Agisim ’69, Richmond, Virginia, May 15, 2020. Gary served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1973. He was a longtime member and past president of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC). He worked for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and held multiple patents. Gary was known for delivering the closing presentation to the SCC national meetings. His work presented top-quality science, but he sang and performed for a full house. He is survived by his daughter.
James “Jamie” W. Trotter ’71, Chicago, June 15, 2020. Jamie studied philosophy at Grinnell, where he met his future wife, Jane. After Grinnell, Jamie was drafted during the Vietnam War and served in the 15th Engineer Battalion, 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. While at Fort Lewis, he earned a master’s in human resources management. He left the military after his direct commission to officer was stalled due to the Watergate scandal. He and Jane moved to Chicago, where he received an MBA in finance and accounting at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 1978. Survivors include his ex-wife, Jane Coleman Trotter ’72; two children, a sister, and two grandchildren.
Milton P. Rolland Jr. ’75, Chicago, June 11, 2020. Milton loved to cook and took pride in his culinary skills. He had a deep love for his mother and took care of her throughout her life. He is survived by a sister, Careda Taylor ’76.
Gwendolyn Satterfield-Barjon ’80, Red Oak, Texas, April 22, 2020. Survivors include her husband, Paul Barjon ’83, and three children.
Judith Weinreb ’82, San Leandro, California, June 8, 2020. After Grinnell, Judith worked for United Airlines. Her career allowed her to explore her passion for travel (and shopping). She was a lifelong Oakland Athletics fan. Judith is survived by her husband, her mother, and her sisters.
Christine Kaestle ’95, Blacksburg, Virginia, July 16, 2020. Christine studied biology at Grinnell and completed her doctorate in maternal and child health at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2006. She joined the faculty in the Department of Human Development at Virginia Tech in 2006 and was promoted to full professor in 2019. Her career focused on understanding human sexuality as a core human behavior. Christine was a lifelong vegetarian and vigorously fought for women’s rights, anti-racism efforts, and economic justice. She was a GRASP Volunteer from 1998 to 2017. Survivors include her husband, Louis Madsen ’94; and her parents and sister.
Brent E. LeMoine ’16, Aurora, Illinois, May 13, 2020. Brent excelled in academics, earning his degree in economic, and athletics at Grinnell. He played basketball all four years. He made annual trips with his friends to watch the Final Four Division I college basketball championships. Brent was known for being incredibly tall and strong, and for his easygoing and kindhearted nature. He was a supportive friend who was generous with his time and energy, always giving of himself to others. In 2016, he hosted Grinnell’s massive, campus-wide block party, continuing an annual tradition.
Faculty
Kenneth Goldsmith, Houston, June 26, 2020.
Kenneth was a member of Grinnell’s music department faculty from 1975 to 1987. He was a lifelong musician and master of the violin. He began studying baroque and classical styles at Stanford University in 1966 and was one of the first teachers of baroque and classical violin in America. Kenneth performed with many of the world’s finest artists, and his students have gone on to perform in major symphony orchestras, in opera and ballet orchestras, in string quartets, in period music ensembles, and on the faculties of colleges across the United States. He had an extensive discography and received a Grammy Award nomination, a Stereo Review Recording of Special Merit, and a Record of the Year citation from the Village Voice.