In Memoriam

Fall 2017

  • Barbara Brown Ely ’53, Minneapolis, Feb. 12, 2017. Survived by her husband Russell Ely, two daughters, and three grandchildren. 

  • Harvey T. Nixon ’53, Evanston, Ill., April 27, 2017. Harvey served in the U.S. Navy and earned a degree in history at Grinnell and then a law degree from Harvard Law School. He married Doris Cahn and raised three children in Evanston, where a wonderful friendship with Harvey Golden ’53 blossomed. Harvey practiced law for 52 years at Mayer Brown in Chicago. Two stints in Grinnell’s Wilson Program provided nice sabbaticals, one co-taught with good friend Fred “Fritz” Little Jr. ’53. Harvey exemplified the quintessential Grinnellian: lifelong student, avid reader, professor of ethics, mentor to attorneys, curious traveler, socially conscious volunteer. He was Asa Turner chair and served on his class committee as class fund director. Survivors include his wife Phoebe, daughters Marian and Paula Nixon ’84, son Jamin, and brother David Nixon ’61. 

  • James E. Phelps Jr. ’53, Danvers, Ill., May 12, 2017. After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry-zoology from Grinnell, James received an M.D. in dental surgery from the University of Illinois. James served for 20 years as a dentist for the U.S. Air Force. He obtained a commercial pilot’s license; in his spare time, he flew emergency patients to surgical centers. James is survived by his four children and nine grandchildren.

  • Theodore Wickman Jr. ’53, Atlantic, Iowa, Feb. 16, 2017. After graduating from Grinnell and a brief office job in Chicago, Ted embarked on what proved to be a very successful career as a farmer in Illinois and later Iowa. He and his late wife Ann Williams Wickman ’53 were generous supporters of many causes including the Atlantic Public Library, the Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center, the Cass County Memorial Hospital, and the Atlantic Community Center. Survivors include his second wife Kay Harris Wickman and his granddaughter Malachi Wickman ’16.

  • Ann Brookes Kurz ’55, Cary, N.C., June 30, 2017. After earning her degree in elementary education at Grinnell, Ann taught second and third grades until she married James E. Kurz in 1963. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher. She was active in her church and the philanthropic organization PEO in both St. Louis and Cary. She is survived by her husband, four children, and five grandchildren.

  • Elizabeth Louise Miller Love ’55, Overland Park, Kan., April 18, 2017. After Grinnell, Lou married James Love, raised three children, and enjoyed a career as a home interiors consultant. She is survived by her children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

  • Judy Conrad-Byrne ’57, Portland, Maine, March 28, 2017. Judy was a loving mother and grandmother and was renowned for her generosity and open-heartedness. She is survived by her three children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. 

  • Richard D. Kohn ’57, Chicago, March 12, 2017.

  • Charles J. Horky Jr. ’58, Palm Desert, Calif., July 15, 2016.

  • Nancy Jo Freeman Wickens ’58, Charlotte, Mich., May 30, 2017. Nancy married Ronald Charles Wickens in 1955, and together they raised three children. Nancy was an accomplished pianist, loved horses and dogs, and made friends wherever she went. She is survived by two of her children, five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.