1930s
Edith Hind Reed, ’36 (sociology), of Sarasota, Fla., September 16, at 101. In 1937, she earned a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia U. and was hired by Life magazine. In 1940, she was the only woman assigned to cover the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the Philadelphia Republican National Convention for Time/Life. In 1954, she was asked to help build a sports magazine that became Sports Illustrated. Survivors: her children, Martha Lewis and Thomas; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Patricia Howland Hamilton Dowrie, ’37 (history), of Walnut Creek, Calif., July 23, at 99. She worked for the superintendent of schools in Santa Barbara, Calif., and then taught remedial classes to freshmen at San Francisco State College. After marrying and moving to Sacramento, she served on the boards of the Sacramento Children’s Home and the Sacramento Girl Scout Council. She and her husband traveled widely in Europe, Japan, China and Mexico, and they enjoying hiking, camping and skiing well into their 80s. She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, James, ’36, MBA ’38, MD ’41, and one grandson. Survivors: her children, Carolyn Dowrie Demler and Robert; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Leo Miller, ’38 (biological sciences), MD ’42, of La Jolla, Calif., September 26, at 100. After graduating from Stanford, he completed his internship and residency at L.A. County General Hospital. From 1942 to 1946, he served as an infantry medical officer in the Army, stationed in the Philippines. He started a private practice in internal medicine in Beverly Hills, Calif., in 1950 and retired in 1988, when he and his wife moved to La Jolla. He loved playing the violin with chamber music groups and enjoyed golf, tennis, reading, mentoring young musicians and being with family. He was predeceased by his wife, Madeline. Survivors: his daughters, Wendie Miller Schwab and Lois; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
1940s
James Weller “Jim” Will, ’40 (social science/social thought), of Tacoma, Wash., August 7, at 98. At Stanford, he belonged to Sigma Alpha Epsilon and worked on the yearbook. After college, he moved to Tacoma and took a job with Titus Motor Co. On December 26, 1941, he reported for active duty, serving in World War II and receiving the Air Medal and Bronze Star. He returned to Tacoma and became a partner at Titus Motor Co. while also serving as president and CEO of TAM Engineering Corp. A member of numerous boards, he also devoted time to the outdoors—hunting, skiing, boating—travel and collecting fine wine. Survivors: his wife of nearly 75 years, Muriel; children, Bonnie Jean Anderson, Carla Will-McKendry and James; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Margaret Woodburn Tuttle Sanchez, ’42 (English), of Sandy, Utah, August 21, at 96, of congestive heart failure. She worked at the U. of Utah as secretary in the department of mechanical engineering while earning a master’s degree in English; later, she moved her family to Provo and taught English at Brigham Young U. A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she was also active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, enjoyed studying family history, published a book of poetry and was a charter member of the Utah County Birders. She was predeceased by her son Cedric Goff, one grandchild and one great-grandchild. Survivors: her children, Beatrice Jackson, Larry Goff and Roger Goff; 14 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.
Burt Lacklen Talcott, ’42 (political science), JD ’48, of Tacoma, Wash., July 29, at 96. At Stanford, he played football and pledged Sigma Chi. He entered the Army Air Corps the year he graduated and was shot down during a bombing mission on March 19, 1944, becoming a POW until he was liberated by General Patton’s division in May of 1945. After law school, he joined a firm in California while also volunteering for the Red Cross, the Coast Counties Athletic League and the Salinas Chamber of Commerce. In 1962, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representative and won re-election six times. Later, he worked as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and with POWs in the Veterans Administration. He was predeceased by his wife, Lee. Survivors: his son, Ronald; two grandsons; six great-grandchildren; and one sister.
Albert Hays Busch, ’43 (economics), of Golden, Colo., July 29, at 95. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi and served in the Navy during World War II. He owned Christy Sports, belonged to the Kiwanis Club and volunteered for the Genesee Fire Department. Survivors: his wife, Jackie (Westmoreland, ’46); daughters, Terry Galloway, Lisa Greenway and Jennifer; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Anton Joseph “Tony” Medved, ’43 (general engineering), of Alameda, Calif., June 8, at 94, of congestive heart failure. At Stanford, he was a member of the undefeated “Wow Boys” football team. He served in the Navy during World War II and then attended business school at UC-Berkeley. He worked in the aerospace industry, managing contracts for NAPA’s Gemini and Apollo space programs, and in the engineering and construction industry, where his projects included the Trans Alaska pipeline and airports in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Survivors: his wife of 69 years, Margaret; children, Marianne Medved Dickinson, ’69, Kathryn and Paul; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
James Denhart Niebel, ’43 (chemistry), of Ashland, Ore., September 13, at 93. A teacher and longtime doctor on the Monterey Peninsula, he lived life to the fullest. He traveled widely, with extended stays in China, Russia, Uganda and elsewhere, sampling the food and culture everywhere he went. He loved parties, engaging in deep conversations, listening to Pavarotti and reading Balzac. He passed on a profound love of nature to his kids, and few bartenders could rival his 6 o’clock martini with a whisper of vermouth. Survivors: his wife of 33 years, Elena; her children, Geoff and Garett Clayton; his other children, Greg, Alan, Stuart, Christie Denhart and Cammy Torgenrud, ’86, MA ’87; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Henry Malcolm Steiner, ’44 (general engineering), MS ’50, PhD ’65 (civil engineering), of Bethesda, Md., July 27, at 92, of pneumonia. After 15 years as a practicing engineer, he taught at the U. of the Americas in Mexico and, under the auspices of Stanford Business School, taught economics at the Escuela Superior de Administracion de Negocios in Peru. In the United States, he taught at the U. of Texas at Austin before joining George Washington U., retiring in 1993. He also served as a visiting professor at Stanford and UC-Berkeley. Founder of the international chapter of the Transportation Research Forum, he served as a consultant for the World Bank and was published in textbooks, articles and case studies. He was predeceased by his son Richard. Survivors: his wife, Altagracia; children, Henry, Maria Smith and Jessie; and five grandchildren.
William Paul Bardet, ’45 (industrial engineering), of Pleasant Hill, Calif., July 19, at 92. He was a member of Sigma Chi and enlisted in the Navy after Pearl Harbor. In 1947, he joined his father’s firm, Pioneer Motor Bearing Co., which they took from the automotive bearing business into marine and industrial markets. His greatest pride was seeing both grandsons join Pioneer as the fourth generation to carry on the family business. He and his wife took up sailing in 1964 and enjoyed lazing and reading on the Bay into their mid-80s. He belonged to the Peninsulans, a Stanford alum social group that formed in the 1950s, and in 2007, he was named a member of Stanford Associates. Survivors: his wife of 71 years, Joan; children, Marilyn and Gordon, ’72; two grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.
Helen Marie Mally Kelly, ’45, MA ’47 (English), of Colorado Springs, Colo., May 24, at 92, of heart failure. She flew for the Civil Air Patrol at the start of World War II before attending Stanford. She then returned home to Ogden, Utah, to teach at Weber Community College. In 1954, she and her husband moved to Walnut Creek, Calif., where she lived until 2009. An English teacher at Solano Community College from 1969 until her retirement in 1984, she also spent 12 years on the Mount Diablo school board in addition to other community activities. She was predeceased by her husband, John. Survivors: her children, J. Robert, Marydee Levitt and Catherine; and three grandsons.
Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Johnson Wade, ’45 (education), of Carmel, Calif., August 1, at 92, after a long illness. A member of the Chi Omega sorority at Stanford, she was known for being social and highly organized, planning parties and trips constantly and traveling around the world many times. A devoted alumna, she was invited to join Stanford Associates in 2011. She was predeceased by her husband, Jeptha Wade, and son David Cockcroft. Survivors: her son J. Bryant Cockcroft; stepchildren, Alan, Randy, Jennifer and Jill; and three grandchildren.
Patricia Jane “PJ” McAlmon Hutson, ’46, of El Paso, Texas, August 30, at 91. She attended Stanford, where she was a member of the fencing team, and the U. of Texas at Austin. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she also loved God, her friends and playing bridge.
Leonard Jerome “Jerry” Moore Jr., ’46 (economics), of Bend, Ore., September 21, at 93, of cancer. After passing the CPA exam, he opened his own practice in downtown Fresno, Calif. The firm grew and today, as Moore, Grider and Co., has a staff of 30. Retiring in 1985, he moved to Oregon, where he enjoyed playing golf, bridge and traveling. He was predeceased by his ex-wife, Joan (Law, ’47). Survivors: his wife, Margie; children, Jane, Jeffrey and Toby; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Warren Wendell Caldwell Jr., ’47 (undergraduate law), MA ’49 (anthropology), of Orofino, Idaho, June 24, at 90, of cardiac failure. He earned a PhD from the U. of Washington in Seattle and served as director of the Smithsonian Institution’s River Basin Survey project out of Lincoln, Neb. Upon completion of the project, he was named chair of the department of anthropology at the U. of Nebraska. He also edited two journals and authored 100 books and articles, establishing him as an expert on North American Midwestern prehistoric cultures. In retirement, he gave lectures, volunteered at a local museum and consulted on a Lewis and Clark study. Survivors: his wife, Marillyn; daughter, Susan; and one grandson.
Walter Winslow Phelps, ’47 (economics), of Stuart, Fla., August 12, at 98. A naval aviator during World War II, he joined Bank of America in 1955 and worked as the international director of travelers checks, a position that included six years of residency in Europe. His interests ranged from photography to gourmet cooking to classical music and computers.
James C. “Sully” Sullivan, ’47 (history), of Green Valley, Ariz., July 22. He interrupted his schooling to serve in World War II, earning the Infantryman’s Badge and the French Legion of Honor Medal. After 34 years with Pacific Telephone in California, he retired in 1982. He picked up long-distance running, completing five marathons in 1998, including the original marathon of Phidippides in Athens. He ran well into his 90s until liver cancer took its toll. Still, he lived life to the fullest and was loved for recognizing the divinity in all people. Survivors: his sons from his first marriage, Dave and Dennis; his wife of 33 years, Gerry; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one sister.
Barbara Ellen Knowles Chaney, ’48, of Santa Barbara, Calif., August 14, at 89. A resident of Miramar Beach for 53 years, she developed an interest in marine life and the local environment. Her other interests included natural history, Republican Party politics, travel and scuba diving. Survivors: her son, Henry; and brother, Raymond Knowles, ’56.
Madeline Louise Hall Kuhn, ’48 (history), of El Centro, Calif., September 11, at 89. She worked as a high school English, history and shorthand teacher in the California school systems for eight years. After marrying a farmer, they built Fritz Kuhn Farming, one of the largest alfalfa and hay operations in the Imperial County during the 1960s through the 1990s. She and her husband loved to travel and visited many farming regions of the world, including communist China and Russia in the 1970s. Her beautiful smile reinforced her personal philosophy of life: “sunny side up!” She was predeceased by her husband, Fritz, and son James, ’86. Survivors: her son John; and five grandchildren, including Vienna, ’20.
John Kneale Smith, ’48 (political science), of Independence, Calif., September 7, at 94. A veteran of World War II, he took a job as assistant road commissioner for the Inyo County Road Department, working his way up to become the commissioner while taking on two additional posts as civil defense director and Inyo County administrator. During his 33 years as county administrator, he was a staunch and outspoken defender of the county and valley’s water rights. He hadn’t been retired long when the Southern Inyo Hospital, having fallen on hard times, asked for his help. He guided the hospital back to financial solvency before returning to his ranching duties. Survivors: his wife of 72 years, Mary “Tansy”; children, John, Tansy Sue, Cara Erickson and Zachary; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Michael M. Minchin Jr., ’48 (economics), of Los Angeles, March 22, at 89, of cancer. He attended Stanford on an Eagle Scout scholarship and was a member of Sigma Nu. With a business degree from Harvard, he started his career in advertising and moved on to become the executive vice president of Sizzler International for almost 20 years. Later, he was board chair of Garden Fresh Corp. while serving as a consultant to several publicly held companies. Active in the community, he was president of the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Research Foundation for nearly two decades in addition to several other volunteer posts. He will be remembered for his zest for life and generosity to others. Survivors: his wife of 54 years, Carolyn; sons, Michael III, ’85, and Montgomery; and four grandchildren.
Jane Gillingham Vella, ’48 (nursing), of Santa Margarita, Calif., April 13, at 90, of a stroke. A graduate of Compton Junior College before attending Stanford, she served in the Cadet Nursing Corps during World War II and later as a surgical nurse for the hospital in Yosemite. She and her husband lived the majority of their working years in Sausalito, and she retired from nursing in 1988. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward. Survivors include her sister.
Marilyn Janeck Blaisd ell, ’49 (French), MA ’50 (education), of San Francisco, September 28, at 88. She first visited San Francisco with her family to attend the World’s Fair in 1939, and she would go on to become a historian and major collector of early San Francisco photography. For 20 years, she ran the shop at the Cliff House, a position that brought her into contact with local historians, who furthered her interest in the City’s past. Later, she ran a wholesale business, distributing her books, historical prints, postcards and posters, and she completed her final book, Woodward’s Gardens. Survivors: her husband of 66 years, F. William, ’48, MD ’52; children, Sally Marie, Susan Turner, Richard, Carol, ’80, Bob and Molly; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
June Lillian Harrell Caudle, ’49 (social science/social thought), of Los Altos, Calif., July 19, at 88, of esophageal cancer. A lifelong resident of Los Altos, she retired from her position at Lockheed and spent the next 20 years perfecting her fly-fishing, knitting and needlework, gardening, gourmet cooking and photography. She had a deep love of classical music and the Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyo. She was predeceased by her husband, Harold. Survivors: her children, Kim Lomax, Lisa and Peter; and two grandchildren.
Kenneth Martin Edlin, ’49 (undergraduate law), JD ’49, of San Rafael, Calif., September 4, at 92. He served in the Air Force during World War II and had a successful law practice in San Francisco for more than 40 years. He and his wife were avid gardeners and maintained a large vegetable garden, numerous fruit trees and flower beds. They also loved to travel and frequently visited France to spend time with her family. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Janine.
Leland Albert Kelson, ’49 (industrial engineering), MBA ’51, of San Carlos, Calif., August 6, at 88, of lung cancer. He was active in the Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, and had a lifelong love of the outdoors. After completing his commission in the Navy as a lieutenant in 1954, he started his career with Crown Zellerbach Corp., retiring in the 1980s. He then worked as a logistics expert for Burke & Associates. His adventures took him around the world, from the Antarctic to South America to his cabin in the Sierra Foothills. He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy (Clark, ’51). Survivors: his children, Shawn, Brent, Gwynn and Lance; eight grandchildren; one brother, Richard, ’53, MBA ’58; and his companion of many years, Eulalie “Tyke” Glaser.
John W. McPherrin, ’49 (economics), of Portola Valley, August 5, at 91, of leukemia. He was a member of Kappa Alpha and worked on the Stanford Daily. He enjoyed a long career as an insurance broker, in addition to traveling the world, golf, playing bridge, gardening and keeping bees. He was predeceased by his daughter Linda. Survivors: his wife of 67 years, Irene (Thieme, ’48, MD ’53); children, Helen Dadmehr and David; and two grandchildren.
Herbert Sprague Smith, ’49 (economics), JD ’52, of Beverly Hills, Calif., August 6, at 90, of respiratory failure. He and his wife of 63 years met at Stanford, and they were avid supporters of Cardinal football throughout their marriage. An attorney in Los Angeles, he enjoyed planning and participating in Law School reunions and received a five-year-service pin from Stanford Associates. His wife, Gayle (Beber, ’54), died on July 28. Survivors: his children, Hillary, Stephen and Leslie, ’82; eight grandchildren, including Raphael Palefsky-Smith, ’18; and five great-grandchildren.
Lane Carroll Tronson, ’49 (electrical engineering), of Saratoga, Calif., September 18, at 90. He was a Navy veteran and member of Stanford Associates. After working for IBM for 35 years, he had a second career as a certified financial planner. He was active in the Rotary Club, Hakone Foundation, Saratoga Presbyterian Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors: his wife of 70 years, Nancy (Raybould, ’48); children, Cary and Lynn, ’80; one granddaughter; and two stepgrandchildren.
James Alfred “Jim” Wakefield, ’49 (philosophy), of Roseville, Calif.,August 13, at 91, of pneumonia. He was a World War II veteran and worked for 32 years with the State of California Personnel Board. Survivors: his wife, Beryl; and daughters, Valerie Wakefield Bahl and Melanie.
Paul Michaels Weil, ’49, of Anahola, Hawaii, September 14, at 89. He was a World War II Navy veteran and an attorney, practicing for more than 50 years. He was also instrumental in founding three banks in Southern California, and he provided pro bono services to a number of community organizations. He received the Anti-Defamation League’s Civil Rights Achievement Award and served as founding chair of the Whittier Fair Housing Committee. He loved the beauty of Kauai and was happiest when family visited their home in Hawaii. He was predeceased by his first wife, Maurine, and daughter Beth. Survivors: his wife of 57 years, Roberta; children, Martha Decherd, Raymond Lanza-Weil and Michael; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
1950s
Colette Betty Combs Crosby, ’50 (biological sciences) of Santa Cruz, Calif., February 17, at 86. She worked as a cost accountant for the Army, a sales associate for JC Penney and a business manager for a medical office. Raised during the Great Depression, she was thrifty and resourceful, making her own draperies, reupholstering furniture and sewing the family’s clothing. Her interests included American history and literature, and she studied Victorian architecture and played the viola and piano. She was predeceased by her husband, Roger. Survivors: her daughter, JoAnne Crosby Pennello; and one grandson.
Robert Calvin Newell, ’50, MA ’50 (education), of Bellingham, Wash., August 27, at 88, of a stroke. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he taught and coached in California until going to Washington U. School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. He completed an otolaryngology residency and served in the Army Medical Corps, retiring as a colonel. In 1971, he moved to Bellingham and worked as an ENT doctor and a head and neck surgeon until his retirement in 1993. An avid skier, sailboat racer and golfer, he also enjoyed playing racquetball and was active in his church community throughout his life. He was predeceased by one grandson. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Irene; children, Dan, Chris, Sharon Collander, Corrine Davis and Andrea Greenfield; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Sarah Jane Paradis Sulak, ’50 (education), of Modesto, Calif., July 26, at 87, after a brief illness. She began teaching at Washington Elementary in Modesto in 1952 and taught in the Modesto City School District for 38 years. During summer breaks, she recharged in the natural beauty of California’s mountains and coasts and by reading, swimming and playing cards. Following her retirement, she served in many volunteer positions, traveled, and enjoyed her friends and family. Survivors: her husband of 35 years, Michael; son, Stephen Ewert; stepsons, John and Michael Sulak; one granddaughter; and five stepgrandchildren.
Edgar Mott “Ted” Buttner, ’51 (electrical engineering), of Sunol, Calif., August 18, at 86. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and earned an MBA at Harvard. In 1967, he became president of the family company, Scott-Buttner Electric, which worked with Westinghouse Electric to install train controls and communication systems on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. He was active in organizations that served in the telecommunications industry and received a 20-year-service pin from Stanford Associates. Known for being kind and thoughtful, he went out of his way to welcome newcomers into his circle. He was predeceased by his son, Ned. Survivors: his wife, Rosemary Chang; two daughters; seven grandchildren; and one sister, Marianne, ’53.
Patrick J. Maveety, ’51, MA ’75 (art), of Palo Alto, June 2, at 85, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Commissioned as an ensign in 1952, he remained in the Navy for 21 years and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal upon his retirement. In 1978, he accepted the voluntary position as curator of Asian art at the Stanford Museum of Art (now the Cantor Center for Visual Arts), retiring on his 70th birthday. A member of Stanford Associates and the Founding Grant Society, he made more than 40 trips with Stanford Travel/Study. He enjoyed watercolors, wood carving, photography and Napoleonic military figure painting. He was predeceased by his son, Matthew. His wife of 58 years, Darle (Hermann, ’51, MA ’52), passed away on August 9. Survivors include his daughter, Mary Helen Klassert.
Darle Ann Hermann Maveety, ’51, MA ’52 (art), of Palo Alto, August 9, at 86. She taught in the Oregon schools for five years before getting married and becoming a Navy wife, traveling the world from Germany to Indonesia. When her husband became a curator at the Stanford Art Museum, (now the Cantor Center for Visual Arts), she volunteered for a number of organizations, including the Santa Clara County Girl Scouts. In 1980, she and her husband purchased the former Lawrence Gallery in Salishan, Ore., and renamed it the Maveety Gallery, which they owned for 13 years. Her hobbies included quilting, calligraphy, painting and travel. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Patrick, ’51, MA ’75, and son, Matthew. Survivors include her daughter, Mary Helen Klassert.
Robert Porter “Bob” Case, ’52 (economics), MBA ’54, of Hanford, Calif., June 23, at 85. A member of Alpha Sigma Phi, he served in the Korean War. In 1957, he took over the family business, Case’s, which he ran for the next 40 years. An ardent supporter of the Hanford community, he helped restore the downtown core, preserving the old courthouse and bringing a vintage carousel to Court House Square. He also served as trustee for the Hanford Elementary School and president of the chamber of commerce and the Hanford Improvement Association. He appeared in close to 20 community theater productions, and his favorite role was James Madison Hanford, his town’s namesake. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Barbara “Bobbie” (Southard, ’53); daughters, Christie Case Randolph, ’78, Robin Armstrong, Anna Michaels and Dana; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother.
Nancy Ann Letchfield Pappas, ’52 (art), of San Mateo, July 28, at 85, of cancer. She was known for her timeless style, sophistication and gentle disposition, and her many interests included tennis, running and playing duplicate bridge. She volunteered at the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop in Menlo Park and amassed countless unforgettable memories traveling the world alongside her husband. She was predeceased by her daughter Jill Lauer. Survivors: her husband of 30 years, George; children, William Lauer, Lynne Bergmann and Greg Lauer.
Harold Herach “Hal” Tokmakian, ’52, MA ’53 (architecture), of Fresno, Calif., September 20, at 89. A veteran of World War II, he served as the Fresno County planning director prior to becoming a professor at CSU-Fresno, where he helped create the department of urban and regional planning. He also served on the Fresno City and County planning commissions. Guided by deeply held principles of sustainability and rationality, he was instrumental in establishing the San Joaquin River Valley Parkway and Conservation Trust. Remembered for his style, wit and intelligence, he had a love of art, books, good food and conversation. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Barbara (Haines, ’49). Survivors: his children, Kathryn, Robin, Ross and Paul; and 11 grandchildren.
Ruby Selma Bernstein, ’53 (communication), of Oakland, July 28, at 84, after a year of declining health. At Stanford, she worked for the Daily and was a member of Cap and Gown. She worked for the State Department in Germany and France before earning a teaching credential from San Francisco State U. and later a master’s in secondary education. She taught for nearly 50 years, was a founding organizer of the Bay Area Writing Project at UC-Berkeley and became a leader in instructing teachers on how to inspire excellence in writing. She organized and taught hundreds of workshops for English teachers in California and across the country. She was awarded a Fulbright grant to Pakistan and later Iran. In 2011, the year she retired from teaching, she was appointed to the Oakland Library Advisory Commission. Never one to sit still, she traveled the world, campaigned for progressive democratic candidates and ballot measures, and was an expert collector of art glass.
John L. “Jack” Denny Jr., ’53 (economics), of Tucson, Ariz., September 22, at 84. After two years in the Army, he attended UC-Berkeley, where he earned a doctorate in statistics. He then worked in the mathematics departments of Indiana U., UC-Riverside and, for many years, the U. of Arizona. He retired as professor emeritus of mathematics and of radiology. Survivors: his wife, Anne (Hood, ’53); and one sister.
Gwendolen Dee Thompson Brickell, ’54, of Fullerton, Calif., August 26, at 93. An artist since childhood, she maintained a lifelong passion for the arts, as well as opera, travel and reading. Her travels took her to every continent, and she visited all 50 states and more than 25 countries. She was involved with the Fullerton Assistance League and Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum. She was predeceased by her first husband, Frederick Brickell, and second husband, Greg Hellie. Survivors: her children, Alison Dee Spotts, Leslie Anne Dean and Charles; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and one brother.
Earl Busby “Buz” Hunt, ’54 (psychology), of Bellevue, Wash., April 12, at 83, of heart failure. He served in the Marines and then completed a doctorate at Yale. His career spanned six decades, and he became known for his research into the mechanics of human intelligence, cognition and learning. He was a professor at Yale, UCLA, the U. of Sydney and the U. of Washington, where he spent the bulk of his career and co-founded the computer science department. When he wasn’t working, he threw himself into family activities, especially hiking, skiing, theater, travel or just discussing obscure historical facts, scientific insights or stories from literature. He was predeceased by his son Alan. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Mary Lou (Smith, ’54, MA ’54); children, Bob, Steven and Susan; and eight grandchildren.
Carolyn “Gayle” Beber Smith, ’54 (education), of Beverly Hills, Calif., July 28, at 84, of ovarian cancer. She co-directed a preschool in Hancock Park for 20 years and later volunteered for the Beverly Hills Public Library. Her husband, Herbert, ’49, died on August 6. Survivors: her children, Hillary, Stephen and Leslie, ’82; eight grandchildren, including Raphael Palefsky-Smith, ’18; and five great-grandchildren.
Bernard “Bernie” Caplan, ’55 (political science), of Portland, Ore., August 27, at 83. After college, he served in the Army and then attended law school at Willamette U. and Lewis & Clark. He worked for the family business, Caplan Sport Shop, and then enjoyed a long career as a federal customs inspector. Friends and family will miss his good nature, sense of humor and generous spirit. He was predeceased by his wife of 36 years, Nancy. Survivors: his sons, Craig and Jeff; one granddaughter; and two brothers, including Robert, ’57, JD ’60.
Albert F. Garlinghouse Jr., ’55 (civil engineering), of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., July 15, 2015, of melanoma. A member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and an Army veteran, he worked for GAR-BRO Manufacturing and also as a building contractor. His passions included hiking and camping in the Sierras, traveling with family, music, theater and running on the beach. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Barbara; and sons, Rick, Jim and Tom.
Jerry Donald Giesy, ’55 (biological sciences), of Portland, Ore., November 14, 2015, at 81. A member of Sigma Chi at Stanford, he practiced urology for more than 50 years and was a leader in the Portland medical community. A champion of health-care innovation to improve outcomes for patients and establish best practices for physicians, he published dozens of research studies and owned numerous patents. He was famous for translating complex ideas with a diagram on a paper towel, and he never missed an opportunity to share his love of the outdoors, hiking, kayaking and skiing, with friends and family. Survivors: his wife of 58 years, Barbara; daughters, Julie Metzger and Jan Brauer; and five grandchildren.
Justin Manning Jacobs Jr., ’55 (history), of Atherton, August 7, at 82, of cancer. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and served in the Army. After earning a JD from UC-Berkeley, he practiced law in San Francisco until he was drawn into the world of commercial real estate development in what would become Silicon Valley. He ran the family real estate business for 40 years, navigating through the boom and bust cycles of the market. He was also an intrepid inventor and holder of several patents, a scientist, cosmologist and collector of antiques. A keen student of history and spirited debater, he loved his family, guiding his children with an eye toward adventure. Survivors: his children, Justin, Scott, Garrett and Kathryn; six grandchildren; one sister; and his loving companion, Nancy Collins.
Kenneth A. Plough, ’55, of Los Altos, August 6, at 82, after battling ALS for several years. At Stanford, he was a member of Delta Chi and the water polo team. After college, he became president of the family business, Plough Electric Supply Co., which he managed for more than 50 years. With a passion for sports and adventure, he was a helicopter skier, licensed scuba diver and advanced tennis player. He was also an avid supporter of Stanford’s football and tennis teams. He was known for his smile and great sense of humor. Survivors: his wife, Nasrin; sons, Kenneth, Peter and Bradley; stepchildren, Siamak, Roshanak, Negin and Niaz; four grandchildren; and two siblings.
Randolph Edward Siple, ’55 (history), of Ventura, Calif., September 20, at 83. He served in Germany as a tank platoon leader and, returning to the United States, earned a law degree from USC. He practiced law, started several companies, developed land and built homes. His hobbies ranged from collecting and restoring cars, making model ships and playing 13 or so musical instruments, including the Scottish pipes. The author of several books, he considered himself a commonsense conservative and a Renaissance man. Survivors: his wife, Susan; and children, Shaun, Edward Darren, Tanner and Heather.
Joan Liedholm Stewart, ’55 (psychology), of San Diego, February 23, 2016, at 81. She worked at SRI and then her husband’s job took them to Indonesia, where they lived for seven years and had many adventures. Returning to the United States, they lived in Palos Verdes and Fallbrook, Calif., and eventually settled in Rancho Bernardo, Calif. She loved sports and was a big supporter of Stanford’s teams. In addition, she made beautiful quilts, enjoyed reading, and was a staunch Democrat and loyal friend. She was predeceased by her husband, James, ’55, MS ’57. Survivors: her children, Mike, ’79, Glenda, ’80, Kelly, ’81, and Sandy, ’85; and four grandchildren, including Kasey Love, ’20.
Peter Paul Pierce, ’56 (industrial engineering), of Cave Creek, Ariz., September 28, at 82, of a heart attack. After Stanford, where he was a member of Chi Psi, he worked in the family business, Pierce Wrapping Co., in Chicago. In 1973, he moved to Arizona and into the insurance business, serving as president of the Scottsdale Insurance Association. He also was a member of the Arizona Arabian Association and president of the Kiwanis. He was predeceased by his daughters, Kelley and Lauri. Survivors: his wife, Mary; stepchildren, Christopher and Michael Thoms; seven grandchildren; and two sisters.
Emily “Emmy” Hayes Robinson, ’57, of Bermuda Dunes, Calif., September 21, at 80, of a stroke. Born in Honolulu and a graduate of Punahou School, she would live with her family in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., and Birmingham, Mich., before setting in Bermuda Dunes. She was a skilled entertainer, an enthusiastic traveler and an accomplished golfer, and she improved the world she lived in. Survivors: her husband, Robert, ’56; daughters, Anna Robinson Duncan and Deborah Robinson Baker; and four grandchildren, including Julia Duncan, ’18.
Edward Williams “Ted” Finucane, ’58 (chemical engineering), of Stockton, Calif., January 19, at 79. A member of Kappa Alpha, he earned an MBA and worked as a professional engineer. In 1980, he and his wife started their own business, Hi-Tech Sales Inc., a manufacturer’s representative agency selling scientific instruments to monitor the environment. In addition, he began a consulting firm and became involved in workplace safety and health issues, authoring a textbook that is still used in many college industrial hygiene classes. A teacher at heart, he taught customers how to use their scientific instruments and tutored high school students in chemistry, physics and math. He loved spending time at the family cabin at Lake Kirkwood and Stanford sports. Survivors: his wife, Gladys; children, Phil, ’94, and Ryan, ’00; two grandchildren; and one brother, James, ’60.
Thomas W. Kemp Jr., ’58 (philosophy), of Ross, Calif., June 7, at 81, of pancreatic cancer. He played football at Stanford and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. His legal career started in the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and later he became a partner at Pettit & Martin before starting his own firm, Washburn, Kemp & Wagenseil. In addition to sports and family, his two great passions were cooking and duckhunting, and all who knew him treasured an invitation to his restaurant-worthy kitchens (in Ross and Big Lake Farms, a duck club in Sacramento). He brought honesty, wit and warmth to every encounter and touched the lives of everyone he met. Survivors: his wife of 30 years, Barbara Gately; sons, Weatherly, Bruce and Timothy; and seven grandchildren.
1960s
Richard M. Mosk, ’60 (political science), of Beverly Hills, Calif., April 17, at 76, of cancer. At Stanford, he pledged Theta Delta Chi and was a member of the tennis team. During his three decades of public service, he served on the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal at the Hague; was a member of the Warren Commission, investigating John F. Kennedy’s assassination; and served on the Christopher Commission, which investigated the LAPD in the wake of the Rodney King beating. In 2001, he was appointed to the Los Angeles Court of Appeal, retiring last year when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Viewed as a moderate on the bench, he is remembered for his brilliance, big heart and sense of justice. Survivors: his wife, Sandra; children, Julie Morris and Matthew; and four grandchildren.
Edith “Dee Dee” Lindsley Driscoll, ’61 (sociology), of Fresno and Santa Barbara, Calif., September 26, at 77, of breast cancer. The daughter of two Stanford alumni—her mother was one of the first women to graduate from the Engineering School—she took a year off during college to work for a government agency in Chicago. After graduating, she was the executive secretary for the dean of the medical school at Northwestern U. before leaving to raise her children. She was a talented tennis player and will be remembered by those who loved her as the least self-centered person they knew. Survivors: her husband of 51 years, Scott; sons, Hugh, ’87, and Christopher; and three grandchildren.
LaSells McDonald “Bud” Stewart, ’61 (economics), of Eugene, Ore., August 19, at 78, of a heart attack. He worked at the Bohemia Lumber Co. and later for U.S. Plywood as a shift foreman in the sawmill. Returning to Bohemia, he worked in the sales department and on bark research, eventually becoming the director of public relations and government affairs. After retiring in 1991, he embarked on a new project, researching the history of Bohemia Inc., which was published seven years later. He loved being a docent at the Cottage Grove Mining Museum and was a director of the Bohemia Park Foundation. His passions included mining, history and cars, and, at his core, he was a family man. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Sandy; daughters, Jennifer and Adrianne; four grandchildren; and one brother.
James Hamlin McGee, ’62 (history), JD ’70, of San Francisco, July 28, at 75, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. At Stanford, he was a member of the debate team, the business manager of the Institute of International Relations and, in law school, a member of the Order of the Coif. He joined O’Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles and later became a partner at Erickson Zertas & Adams and at Morrison & Foerster. He then spent 18 years in London, Paris and Monaco as an independent legal and financial consultant. Returning to the States in 2002, he became general counsel of Prager & Co. of San Francisco. Known for his sharp wit, he enjoyed skiing in the Alps and Sierras and sailing off the English coast. Survivors: his wife, Isabelle; daughters, Heather, Jenny and Kathleen; three grandchildren; and two brothers.
Paul Dexter Myers, ’64, MS ’65 (mechanical engineering), of Laguna Niguel, Calif., September 6, at 73, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He started his career with Southern California Edison in 1965 as a nuclear engineer and retired as manager of nuclear fuel in 2006. Survivors: his wife of 50 years, Bonita (Kraemer, ’68); daughters, Gretchen Myers Thaxton and Adrienne Myers Klokinis; and three grandchildren.
Gregory George Rockwell, ’66 (history), of Clyde Hill, Wash., October 25, 2015, at 70, of a heart attack. A member of Sigma Chi at Stanford, he went on to Willamette U. College of Law and was still practicing at the time of his death. He loved reading, had a passion for learning and was active in his Catholic faith. In 2006, he received Seattle Prep’s Alumni Distinguished Service Award. Survivors: his wife of 46 years, Mary; children, Mark, Ryan and Jamie; four grandchildren; his mother, Kathleen; and five siblings.
Perry Royal Anderson, ’67, MA ’70 (English), of Buena Park, Calif., July 31, at 71. He served in Vietnam and then moved to Denver to begin a successful career in sales and distribution. After retiring from sales, he started teaching English at Salt Lake Community College and later taught at Goldenwest and Cypress community colleges in California. A man of great intellect, wit and generosity, he loved his books, debating current events and watching his favorite sporting events. Survivors: his daughters, Erin and Jill; wife, Kathleen; her children, Bryan, Andrea and Carly; many grandchildren; and one sister.
Dennis Demont “Denny” Hansen, ’67 (economics), of Murray, Utah, October 1, at 73. In high school, he placed first in the state in pole vault, javelin and high hurdles, and he was a starting offensive and defensive end on the football team, accomplishments that earned him a scholarship to Stanford. After college, he worked for IBM before getting involved with the film industry. He always gave freely of his time to those less fortunate and was known for a gentle and humble spirit. He was devoted to his church, traveled throughout the western United States and perfected his basketball skills in his later years. Survivors: his daughters, Cheriana and Cori; and four siblings.
Susan Aileen Lineberger Cowitz, ’68 (English), of Nevada City, Calif., May 9, at 69, of melanoma. Her love of travel began as a participant in Stanford’s overseas program in Tours, France, and continued throughout her life, traveling the world with her husband and daughters. In 1972, she launched her 37-year teaching career at Woodside High School on the San Francisco Peninsula. After retiring, she retired to a home in the Sierras, where she tended to the surrounding gardens and orchards. Among her many hobbies, she enjoyed painting, sewing, stained glass and her book clubs. Survivors: her husband, Jeff; daughters, Julie and Jennifer; and grandson.
1970s
Donald Rogers Stebbins, ’71 (history), of Piedmont, Calif., September 3, at 67, of liver cancer. He earned an MBA before deciding to pursue a career in law, and for much of his legal career, he worked as a tax attorney for Chevron. His greatest passion in life was his family and children. He coached soccer and baseball teams for his kids and was active in supporting Piedmont schools and community events. His second greatest passion was Stanford football, and he was a season ticket holder for 45 years. He was a gentle man of great humor, faith, dignity and courage. Survivors: his wife of 45 years, Deb (Ellingsen, ’71); children, Ashley Clayton and Charlie; two grandchildren; his mother, Jean; and two siblings.
Michelle “Mickey” McDonald, ’76 (philosophy), of Tucson, Ariz., May 11, at 61, after a prolonged illness due to carcinoid tumors. Trained as a family physician, she worked in Tucson for the Thomas Davis Medical Center, St. Elizabeth and El Pueblo Clinics before switching her focus from individual patients to the community at large. She served the people of the Navajo nation through the Indian Health Services, attended to the medical needs of Katrina evacuees and helped implement a response to a measles outbreak and pandemic flu. She treasured the opportunity to treat patients from all over the world, but her most cherished time was spent with family and close friends. Survivors: her husband, Bob Johnson; children, Helen Cordier, Erik McDonald Johnson and Amelia McDonald Johnson; one grandchild; and one sister.
1980s
Ronald Vincent Cordova, ’80 (biological sciences),of Winston, Ore., September 13, at 58. A member of Kappa Sigma, he earned his MD from the U. of New Mexico and worked as an emergency medicine physician in California and Oregon for more than 30 years. He was a gifted athlete and world traveler who loved great music, good wine and exotic food. Survivors: his parents, Vincent and Mary; three siblings, including Loretta Cordova de Ortega, ’81; and former wife, Inge.
Keith Paul Young Jr., ’80 (history), of Dallas, September 9, at 58, in a traffic accident. After founding Apartment Protection Services and selling it to Centex, he joined the family business, Young Chevrolet; later, he founded Young Hyundai. Active in his community, he was a founding member of the Dallas Rowing Club and served on the board of Educational Opportunities Inc. Not surprisingly, he loved cars, and one of his greatest adventures was completing the 7,600-mile Peking to Paris road rally in a 1940 Chevy Suburban with his then-83-year-old father. To his family and friends, he was an anchor—steady and utterly trustworthy—and a lot of fun. Survivors: his wife, Mary (McEntire, ’80); children, Martha and Keith III; father and stepmother, Keith, ’51, and Anne; and one sister.
David Scott Bauman, ’81 (chemistry), MS ’81 (engineering-economic systems), of Scarsdale, N.Y., September 7, at 56. A member of the staff of the Stanford Daily and graduate of Harvard Business School, he started his career in California and eventually raised his family in the New York area. He was the consummate lifelong learner, and his passion for knowledge was exceeded only by his passion for his family. Survivors: his wife, Amy; children, Samuel, William and Rachel; mother, Rhoda; and sister.
David Haft, ’82 (geophysics), of Brooklyn, N.Y., June 16, at 56, of natural causes. After Stanford, he earned a master of architecture degree from Columbia U. He stayed in New York, working for a few large architectural firms, was a member of the American Institute of Architects and gained his certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). In recent years, he focused his practice on university science buildings, including the Interdisciplinary Research Center at Columbia U. A voracious reader, he loved doing the New York Times crossword puzzle, cooking and playing the guitar. Survivors: his children, Samuel and Natasha; five siblings; and his former wife, Beth Katleman, ’81.
Mark A. North, ’82, of Long Branch, N.J., August 4, at 56. He was a longtime employee at Bayway Refinery in Linden, N.J., and a member of Teamsters Local 877. Passionate about music, he served as president of the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation and was known for his extraordinary CD collection. He was also an advocate for social justice, a Yankees fan and loved by a great number of friends. Survivors: his son, Mark Delgado; and his sister.
Vivek Bhargava, ’84 (history), of Rancho Mirage, Calif., June 29, at 53, of renal failure. He was born in New Delhi and moved to the United States at the age of 6. At Stanford, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi and participated in the overseas study program in Cliveden, England. After completing medical school, a residency and two fellowships, he joined the faculty at Stanford Medical School, where he also served on the admissions committee. Licensed in California and Washington, he did locums tenens in various cities with the VA and ran a private practice in Merced, Calif. He also lectured at medical conferences in his specialty of breast and prostate cancers. He believed our highest calling is to give of ourselves, our time and talents, and to be active in helping others. Survivors: his partner, Derek Moore; and parents, Nirmal and Krishna.
James “Jim” Donahue, ’87 (electrical engineering), of Great Falls, Mont., September 24, at 51. After graduating from Stanford, where he was a member of the Band, he worked as a chip design engineer at NCR and was awarded U.S. patents for his contributions. He earned a law degree and was deputy county attorney for Cascade County in Great Falls and a justice of the peace. In 2001, he joined Davis, Hatley, Haffeman & Tighe, practicing insurance defense, criminal defense and personal injury law. Passionate about muscle cars and rescuing animals, he was active in the Humane Society of Cascade County and served as its president for many years. Survivors include his sister, Patricia, ’84.
Erik Graham Hagestad, ’88, August 16, at 50, of a blood infection and septic shock. He graduated from Stanford with a self-designed major in visual communications. His curiosity about different cultures and love for travel were integral to his life, beginning with overseas study as an undergraduate and the five years he spent in Paris immediately after college. Working with The 451, he lived in New York, San Francisco and London, and he enjoyed several sabbaticals touring Southeast Asia, South America and Europe. His passions for the environment and scuba diving led to his latest adventure: volunteering for Tropical Research Conservation Centre on Pom Pom Island in Malaysia, where he was helping to rebuild coral reefs. He will be remembered for his love of friends and family, a gentle spirit and a quest for adventure. Survivors: his wife, Talor Min; father, Grant, ’59, MS ’60, MBA ’64; and sister, Jeanne, ’85.
1990s
Verania Ann White Hammond, ’90 (English), of Alexandria, Va., April 4, at 47, of traumatic brain injury. Born in Fresno, she was a California girl at heart who loved the sun, sand and water, and whose first job was at a surf shop. She earned her BA from Stanford but also studied at Oxford and Harvard universities, and she received a master’s of fine arts from Arizona State U. She took great pride in supporting veterans through her most recent job with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). A devoted friend and family member, she expressed her love through small gifts and cards to everyone who mattered most to her. Survivors: her parents, John and Barbara White; grandmother; sister; and former husband, Joe Hammond.
Jamal S. Morris, ’91 (Japanese), JD ’98, of Oakland, August 6, at 45, of renal failure. He worked at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Morrison & Foerster. Survivors: his mother, Mozell Quarles; stepfather, William Quarles; and two siblings.
John Joseph McGraw, ’98 (psychology and philosophy/religion), of Northridge, Calif., July 20, at 41. At Stanford, he competed on the crew team and was a member of Sigma Nu. He then attended UC-San Diego, where he received a master’s degree and two doctorates. An assistant professor in the department of religious studies at UC-Northridge, he also held positions as an affiliated researcher at the Aarhus U. in Denmark and at San Pedro La Laguna in Guatemala. A world-class scholar and dedicated triathlete, he had a deep love of nature and an insatiable zest for adventure. Survivors: his mother, Belinda Bates Posey; father, Joe; and three siblings.
2000s
Marlene Perez Dominguez-Hicks, ’05 (human biology and sociology), of El Cerrito, Calif., September 6, at 33. At Stanford, she participated in the Haas Center for Public Service and the study-abroad program in Oxford, England. After graduating, she went on to Meharry Medical College School of Medicine and Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners (in association with Michigan State U. College of Human Medicine). Survivors: her husband, Alexander Hicks; daughters, Alyssa and Alana Hicks; parents, Cristobal and Victorina Dominguez; and brother.
John Edward Gordon McMordie, ’15 (mechanical engineering), of Perkasie, Pa., August 26, at 23, of injuries sustained while running a half-marathon. A campus tour guide for three years, he also served as a resident assistant in Wilbur Hall during the 2014-15 academic year. He received the Terman Engineering Scholastic Award as well as the Stanford Alumni Associates Award of Excellence for leadership and dedication to the university. Due to receive his co-terminal degree in mechanical engineering in 2017, he was serving as a teaching assistant in the Product Realization Lab. A natural leader, an innovator and an inspiring teacher and mentor, he loved learning and music, but, most of all, he loved people and had an unmistakable joie de vivre. Survivors: his parents, Bruce Gordon and Cheryl Lynn McMordie; two sisters; and his grandmother.
Business
David Hill Keyston, MBA ’48, of Carmel, Calif., September 6, at 91. A Navy veteran, he loved the San Mateo peninsula and contributed to its prosperity and development with his brother George through Anza Pacific Corp. He was also a lifelong conservative and Christian Scientist remembered for his love of family, truth, principle and self-governance. A fixture at the Beach and Tennis Club in Pebble Beach, Calif., where he read the Wall Street Journal every day, he was always willing to discuss ways to restore America. Survivors: his wife, Dolly; children, David, DeeAnne Keyston Howe and Douglas; and five grandchildren. He was also married to Norma Jean Hodges Keyston.
Edwin Ellsworth Bly, MBA ’49, of Sacramento, March 27, at 89. Born in San Francisco, he became a proud Eagle Scout and served more than 25 years in the Navy. He and his wife built an apartment house and real estate business, and he was active in the California Apartment House Association, serving as Sacramento president. His many interests included skiing, world travel, whitewater rafting and scuba diving, and he even tried parachuting and bungee jumping in his later years. Survivors: his wife of 60 years, Hilde; their children, Gretchen, Cheryl, Ted, Susan and Karl; and 11 grandchildren.
Ferry Earl Hillyard, MBA ’50, of Salt Lake City, August 1, at 95, following a brief illness. He served as a missionary for the Church of Latter-day Saints in the Spanish American Mission and was a World War II veteran. After graduating from Stanford, he worked for many years with the U.S. Defense Department. He served in many LDS Church callings throughout his life, and he maintained a beautiful, productive half-acre garden for 45 years. Survivors: his wife of more than 65 years, Faye; children, Robert, John, Marilyn Marchant and Mary Miller; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
Joseph T. Hootman, MBA ’57, of Windsor, Calif., August 17, at 82. Survivors include his wife, Ruth; and stepdaughter, Sue Clifton.
Education
Gerald Adams “Jerry” Vroom, MA ’55, of San Jose, July 29, at 93. He was the longtime golf coach at San Jose State U. and a member of the Collegiate Golf Coaches Hall of Fame. A Navy veteran, he was hired by the department of intercollegiate athletics at San Jose State in 1948. In 1962, he was appointed head coach of the men’s golf team (a position he held for 22 years until his retirement), and in 1967 he was promoted to full professor in the men’s physical education department. The author of So You Want to Be a Golfer, he received numerous honors during his long and distinguished career and was a mentor to legions of young players. Survivors: his children, Cindy, JD ’87, Scott, Brad and Barry; and six grandchildren.
Gerald Frederick “Jerry” Brock, MA ’58, of San Mateo, March 24, at 89, after a long illness. He joined the Merchant Marine in 1944 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He then earned his BA from UC-Santa Barbara, but his teaching career was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army in 1952. After his discharge from active duty, he returned to California and resumed his career while working toward a graduate degree. His 33 years in education included working as a classroom teacher and principal for Millbrae, San Mateo and Foster City schools. Survivors: his wife of 60 years, Lois; children, Stephen, Susan Groshong and Barbara Carlisle; five grandchildren; and three brothers.
Rosetta Crouch Smith, MA ’60, of Carmel Valley, Calif., August 3, at 99. She began teaching in Roseville in 1940 but was forced to resign when she married and became pregnant. After teaching at Salinas High School, she moved to Monterey High School, where she worked from 1953 until she was hired as a business instructor for Monterey Peninsula College. She remained at MPC until 1992, when her failing vision made it impossible for her to drive to school. Her primary focus during her career was the Cooperative Education Program, now widely accepted as work experience and which grew out of her master’s studies at Stanford. She was predeceased by her husband, Carroll. Survivors: her children, Janel Hornbeck, Steven, Rosanne Muto and Stuart; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Dal Leroy Pope, MA ’69, of Emmett, Idaho, September 24, at 80. He grew up on small family farms, excelled at sports in high school and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during college. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young U. and a master’s from Stanford, he enjoyed a 40-year career as an educator, most of it at Del Oro High School in Loomis, Calif. In retirement, he worked at Eagle Software as a consultant and trainer. He loved the outdoors and spent his free time fishing, backpacking and photographing just about anything that came into his camera’s field of view. Survivors: his wife, Helen; children, Sylvia Walker, David, Brian, Cindy Pavik, Nancy Palmer and Brandon; 20 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and five siblings.
Valerie Sartor Goines, MA ’76, of Redwood City, August 13, at 62. From 1976 to 1978, she was a lead teacher at the Redwood City Child Development Program at Fair Oaks. For the next 23 years, she worked at the Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County. She received the Kent Award from the San Mateo County School Boards Association and recognition by the California Community Colleges Foundation for services to foster youth and foster care providers. Her greatest impact was the one she left on her family and loved ones, offering guidance and support and always putting them before everything else. Survivors: her husband of 39 years, Michael; children, Kate and James; grandson; and two siblings.
Engineering
DeForest L. “Woody” Trautman Jr., PhD ’49 (electrical engineering), of Toledo, Ohio, August 18, at 96. After teaching at UCLA and working at Hughes Aircraft, he moved to Paris for a position with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. In 1976, he became chief of management information systems at the U. of Toledo, from which he retired. Previously, he was director of long-range planning at the State U. of New York at Stony Brook. A former president of the Technical Society of Toledo, he co-founded the Multifaith Council of Northwest Ohio with his wife in 2003, and they were honored in April as “compassionate heroes” at the council’s annual dinner. Earlier, he belonged to the Interracial Religious Coalition and helped organize workshops on world religion. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Henrietta “Retta” (Callery, ’48). Survivors: his wife of 13 years, Judy; children, Patricia, Edwin and Craig; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Frank Welch Clinard Jr., PhD ’65 (material science and engineering), of Los Alamos, N.M., August 30, at 83, of complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He grew up hunting and fishing with his family in the mountains of North Carolina and received two degrees from North Carolina State U. before going on to Stanford. His career began at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1964 and he retired 25 years later. He then consulted for private companies and taught materials engineering at New Mexico Tech. A member of the Libertarian Party since 1976, he ran for New Mexico State Senate in 1992, after which he served as the public relations director for the LPNM. He and his wife loved Beagles and race cars and spending time at their cabin in Colorado. He was predeceased by his wife, Elva.
Robert MacKay Jimeson Jr., Gr. ’67 (civil engineering), of Vienna, Va., July 31, at 95, of cancer. As an organic synthesis fellow for Union Carbide, he conducted research and development of chemical products, from weed killers to perfumes, floor waxes to shaving creams. In 1948, he was hired by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in the synthetic fuels program, transferring to the Department of the Interior and then the Department of Energy. He started RMJ Associates in the 1980s, consulting on government relations, environmental management, chemical engineering and more. He loved studying, teaching, and discussing science and religion. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Rose Marie, and daughter Robyn. Survivors: his children, Shelley, Robert III and Jeffrey; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Edward J. Tiernan, MS ’67 (electrical engineering), of Bluffton, S.C., September 25, at 77. After serving in the military, he earned degrees from Iowa State U., Stanford and Pace U. He worked for Bell for many years, retiring as the executive director at Verizon Communications. In retirement, he was a vice president of CORBE Inc., a nonprofit that advocated for pension and 401(k) benefits of employees and retirees of Bellcore/Telcordia Technologies. He was an avid golfer and hit a hole in one in his last game. He was predeceased by his daughter Annette Tiernan-Brown. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Pam; daughters, Julie Peck and Lisa Fiorentine; five grandchildren; and one sister.
Sharen K. Eckert, Gr. ’78 (industrial engineering), of New Castle, Penn., April 22, 2015, at 69. A tireless advocate for Alzheimer’s research, she devoted 17 years to the Alzheimer’s Association in Cleveland, 13 years as executive director. More recently, she worked for the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging as vice president for advocacy and public policy development. Earlier in her career, she spent 15 years as a human factors specialist at Lockheed Martin.
Humanities and Sciences
Francis L. Detert, MS ’48, PhD ’50 (chemistry), of San Leandro, Calif., August 19, at 93. He served in the Navy during World War II and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. His career with Chevron Research in Richmond, Calif., spanned three decades, during which he developed an expertise in finding uses for oil by-products. An avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland A’s, he enjoyed walking all over the City, traveling with his sisters and wood carving. He volunteered at San Quentin State Prison, where he taught inmates business skills, including bookkeeping, and at senior housing centers.
Melvin Erickson Thayne, MA ’50 (history), of Salt Lake City, September 6, at 91. He served in World War II, earning five battle stars, and was the owner of Thayne Realty. Known for his high standard of excellence and tireless work ethic, he served as president of the Salt Lake City Board of Realtors and of the Utah State Association. His greatest joy came from his family, who cherished his integrity, ready laugh and gentle heart. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Emma Lou. Survivors: his daughters, Becky Markosian, Rinda Hayes, Shelley Rich, Dinny Trabert and Megan Heath; 18 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
Donald Frank Hug, MS ’62 (statistics), of Roseville, Calif., August 25, at 85. He retired from the Air Force in 1982 after more than 30 years of active duty. He was involved in almost every aspect of developing computer systems for the Air Force, starting in 1956, and his last assignment was supporting the Air Logistics Center at McClellan Air Force Base. Among other medals, he received the Legion of Merit for his outstanding service. After retiring, he became a computer consultant and active volunteer, preparing hundreds of free income tax returns for senior citizens and serving as state coordinator for the AARP tax program from 1995 to 2012. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Gene, and his son Douglas. Survivors: his children, Debra Zan and Donald Jr.; three grandsons; and his wife, Karen.
Elizabeth “Kay” Seymour House, PhD ’63 (English), of Quincy, Ill., August 5, at 92. After earning her doctorate, she became a professor at San Francisco State U., where she remained until 1989 and served as department chair from 1987 to 1988. She also spent a year in Italy as a Fulbright lecturer and directed the California State U. Program in Italy from 1972 to 1974. The author of all or parts of 10 books and numerous scholarly articles, she served on the editorial board for publications of the writings of J.F. Cooper from 1966 to 1990 and was elected to the board of Quincy U. in 2000. Survivors: her sons, Barr and Kirk McReynolds; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Judith Ann Balch Liteky, MS ’65 (statistics), of Vallejo, Calif., August 20, at 74, of multiple myeloma. She left an order of Catholic nuns in 1973 to teach college in San Francisco, where she developed a program for young Latina women and later became involved in the sanctuary movement for refugees. In 1990, she joined School of the Americas Watch, a protest campaign against a U.S. training center for Latin American military leaders, and she devoted decades to organizing support for Central American war refugees. In 2014, she received the James Madison Freedom of Information Award for her role as a plaintiff in an ongoing lawsuit seeking to require the U.S. government to release the names of Latin American personnel who have attended the training center. Survivors: her husband, Charles; and one brother.
Glenn Rush Whitehead, MFA ’72 (art), of Smithville, Texas, July 14, at 76. Born in Houston, he moved to New York City in the 1960s and took classes at the Arts Student’s League and the New School and haunted art museums. After Stanford, he taught painting at Wichita State U., scandalizing the administration by writing hilarious letters of recommendation for graduates. But he found teaching to be a distraction from his own work so he returned to Texas. His paintings, shown in Wichita, Houston and Austin, Texas, are a rich testament to his intense love of nature and women.
Law
Robert Lee Greenberg, JD ’54, of San Francisco, September 23, at 87. After law school, he returned to his hometown, Stockton, Calif., and practiced law for more than 40 years. He was certified by the state of California to act as an ombudsman to protect senior citizens from neglect and abuse. He was honored to be named ombudsman of the year and received a certificate of appreciation from the mayor of San Francisco for his compassion and friendship to the elderly. He avidly participated in Stanford alumni activities and traveled the world. An accomplished classical pianist, he regularly attended the San Francisco Opera and symphony and attended many charity events to promote the arts.
Robert Charles “Bob” Schleh, JD ’59, of Sacramento, April 16, at 81. After working as a lobbyist for the state bar in California, he became a partner in Crow, Lytle, Schleh and Mason and was later appointed a court commissioner. He served as president of the Sacramento Barristers and was on the board of directors of Lawyers Mutual Insurance Corp. for 30-plus years. Of the 26 years he spent in the Air Force Reserves, he was most proud of his part in Operation Homecoming at the end of the Vietnam War. Music was a major passion of his, and he also enjoyed golf, basketball and skiing. Survivors: his wife of 54 years, Margery; children, Melinda and Kevin; three granddaughters; one stepgrandson; and two brothers.
Edwin L. Laing, JD ’61, of Santa Barbara, Calif., August 7, at 83. A graduate of Grinnell College in Iowa, he served three years in the Navy. After law school, he joined the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and then entered private practice. Over the course of his life, he was a lawyer, socialist, civil libertarian and member of the Peace Corps. He was predeceased by his second wife, Margaret Stuart Dunlap. Survivors: his daughters, Karen, ’78, and Barbara; and two grandchildren.
Carl Darrell Lawson, JD ’63, of Chevy Chase, Md., September 9, at 78, after a long and courageous battle with multiple illnesses. A graduate of Harvard College, he worked at Gibson, Dunn, and Crutcher in Los Angeles before relocating to Washington, D.C., to do appellate work in the antitrust division of the Justice Department. Later, he moved to the Federal Communications Commission, where he was involved in the regulatory proceedings after the breakup of AT&T in the 1980s. He continued to serve as a senior FCC counsel until his retirement, when he devoted time to researching European royal history. He had a wholehearted love of family, politics and world affairs. Survivors: his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth; son, John, ’97; two granddaughters; and one brother.
Peter Putnam Miller, JD ’68, of Rowayton, Conn., September 26, at 78. After starting law school, he volunteered for service in the Army. His legal career began at Sullivan & Cromwell, but in 1974, he joined Mobil Oil, where he became general counsel for operations in Norway and then Indonesia. As an energy law specialist, he negotiated major sales and distribution agreements throughout Europe and Asia and, upon retiring, formed Energy Law Consultants. In his free time, he loved travel, fine cuisine, reading, coin collecting, enthusiastic political discourse and telling people what to do in an emphatic baritone voice. Some say he never lost a game of Trivial Pursuit. Others dispute this. He was predeceased by his first wife, Jeanne, and second wife, Gloria. Survivors: his wife, Helen; children, Jóna and Kris; and three siblings.
Medicine
Ralph Downs, Gr. ’54 (physical therapy), of Bountiful, Utah, August 20, at 89. He lettered in three sports at Utah State U. and served in the armed forces before starting graduate school. After Stanford, he opened the first private physical therapy practice in the state of Utah. He loved his patients and worked up to the time of his death, giving frequent neck massages to the staff at the veterans home where he passed away. He also loved Bear Lake, where he built a family cabin, and he was known for his kindness, generosity and heart of gold. Survivors: his wife of 66 years, Trudie; children, Dave, Janet Adamson, Peggy Pantle, Kelly and Richard; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two brothers.
Bobby Scott Glickman, MD ’96, of Antioch, Calif., May 29, at 45, of sepsis. After graduating from Stanford, he trained in surgery at the U. of Nebraska Medical Center. In 2004, he moved to Antioch and joined Bay Area Surgical Specialists. A veteran of the Naval Reserve and an avid reader, especially of history and biography, he loved dirt bike riding with friends. His most cherished moments were those he spent with family. Survivors: his wife, Ladan (Shirvanee, MS ’93); and children, Ryan and Athena.
