1940s
Louise Fish Thursby, ’40 (economics), of Palo Alto, September 9, at 97. She worked in the philosophy department at Stanford and later for Speedo International. A world traveler, she visited Africa, Europe, Afghanistan, New Zealand and Australia, and this year took her annual trip to Hawaii and Yosemite and a cruise to Mexico. She was honored for 50-plus years of service to the Menlo Park Allie Arts Auxiliary, was a docent at Filoli and volunteered at Gamble Garden. In addition, she served as past president of the Stanford Club of Palo Alto. Survivors: her daughters, Fran Murray and Elisa Dodds; nine grandchildren, including Rebecca Dodds, ’98; seven great-grandchildren; and her partner, Dick Fullerton.
Robert Pye “Beck” Beckham Jr., ’41 (economics), of Montecito, Calif., October 20, at 97. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he served in the Marines during World War II. He worked as an independent insurance agent for more than 25 years, selling the agency at age 50 and starting a second career in the restaurant industry. Dedicated to his community, he was president of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses for more than 25 years. He was a painter, poet, golfer and true Anglophile who enjoyed gin rummy and a good Beefeater Gibson. Survivors: his wife of 35 years, Sally; children, Robert III, Patti Healy; Barbara and Bryan; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Margaret Ellen “Bonnie” Bump Bodenhorn, ’41 (history), of Blacksburg, Va., November 7, at 96. She worked on hospital trains for the Red Cross during World War II and later as a math teacher. She enjoyed traveling and lived in the Philippines and Nigeria as well as California, Illinois, New Hampshire and Ohio before moving to Blacksburg. Known for her dedication to equality and human rights, she will be missed for her generosity, grace and appreciation of nature. Survivors: her husband of 70 years, Diran; children, Shorey Bodenhorn Lee, Alan and Nancy; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Paul S. Goodwin, ’42 (general engineering), MA ’46, Engr. ’47 (electrical engineering), of La Cañada Flintridge, Calif., September 26, at 96. An early passion for amateur radio led to a 25-year career with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. As the deep space network manager for the NASA Apollo moon missions in the 1960s, he was part of the tracking and communication team that brought Neil Armstrong’s “one giant leap for mankind” message to the world. He also worked on NASA’s Mariner and Viking missions to Mercury and Mars. When he retired, he and his wife took a 10,000-mile RV trip around the United States. His other interests included fly-fishing, photography and woodcarving. He was predeceased by his son Donald and a great-grandchild. Survivors: his wife of 70 years, Kay; children, Meredith and Brad; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Muriel Boyd Longinotti, ’42, of Cupertino, Calif., October 10, at 96. Known to her family as a “force of nature,” she shared her wisdom and strong opinions to the last. Over her lifetime, she volunteered for 20 years at San Jose Hospital and belonged to La Rinconada Country Club for 40 years. After her husband, John, died in 1992, an old high school friend reappeared and they spent happy and active days together for 20 years until his passing. Survivors: her children, Jack, Dave and Jo; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Pauline Roella “Roe” Ford Edwards, ’43 (education), of Newport Beach, Calif., October 21, at 95. A schoolteacher and a concert pianist, she met and married an Air Force cadet and, for the next 34 years, was a dedicated Air Force wife stationed from Brize Norton SFB England to Vandenberg AFB California and some 15 Air Force bases in between. Once retired, she and her husband lived on Lido Island in Newport Beach, where RV and boating adventures were frequent and where she was known for constantly organizing and hosting social events. Survivors: her son, Bradley, and granddaughter.
Theodore Gregory “Ted” Mihran, ’44 (general engineering), MS ’47, PhD ’50 (electrical engineering), of Schenectady, N.Y., October 9, at 92. He accepted a job with General Electric Research Lab in 1950. During his 43-year career, his research focused on high-power microwave tubes and mathematical modeling of multi-mode behavior of microwave ovens, transistors and integrated circuits. He was granted 10 patents and inducted as an IEEE Fellow in 1964. Also in 1950, he began playing violin for the Schenectady Symphony, performing in his final concert 60 years later. He was an avid amateur radio operator and enjoyed philosophical conversation. He was predeceased by his first wife, Hermine, and second wife, Jean. Survivors: his children, Gregory, Joyce Turley and Richard; stepchildren, Mark Wilson and Susan Ritchie; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister.
Betty Jean Poplin Rose, ’46 (psychology), of Fresno, Calif., October 9, at 91. She loved bridge and music, especially the piano, and traveled all over the world, including Antarctica. She was predeceased by her first husband, George Whitworth, ’45, MD ’49, and second husband, Wesley Rose; her daughter, Kathleen; and infant son, David. Survivors: her sons, George Whitworth V and Paul Whitworth; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Walter H. Condley, ’47 (undergraduate law), JD ’49, of Hollister, Calif., August 20, at 93. A World War II veteran, he worked for Borton, Petrini, Conron, Brown & Condley for 17 years before being appointed to the municipal court bench by Gov. Ronald Reagan. He was next appointed to the superior court bench and retired after 20 years of judicial service. In addition, he was past president of the Kern County Bar Association and, during the Vietnam War, he was a special hearing officer ruling on appeals by conscientious objectors from the Selective Service Board. He and his wife loved traveling by ship and circumnavigated the globe four times. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Norma (Hake, ’48). Survivors: his daughter, Nowa Triolo, and two granddaughters.
Barbara Porter Ghormley, ’47 (education), of Bend, Ore., September 12, at 90. A teacher and a homemaker, she lived in Southern California until 1986, when she moved to Oregon. She was active at the Sunriver Christian Fellowship, where she was a member of the choir and numerous charity programs. She was predeceased by her husband, David, ’45. Survivors: her children, William, ’71, Catherine Taylor and James; six grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
JoAnne Fellows Milburn, ’47 (Spanish), of Los Osos, Calif., November 5, at 91, of heart failure. She received a master’s in social work from UCLA and a doctorate in special education from the Ohio State U. She worked for more than 40 years and taught in the school of social work at OSU. Before retiring in 1989, she was director of the Starr Commonwealth Hannah Neil Center, a multi-service mental health program in Columbus, Ohio. She co-authored a textbook, wrote chapters for several other books and published papers in professional journals. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Thomas, ’45, MA ’55, PhD ’59. Survivors: her children, Michael, ’72, Peter and Alison; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Robert Eugene “Rob” Quoidbach, ’47 (civil engineering), of Longview, Wash., December 14, 2015, at 90. He was a partner of Quoidbach Construction Co., retiring in 1992 after 45 years. He was also a tree farmer, owning and operating two tree farms. In his younger years, he enjoyed skiing and mountain climbing, and he traveled the world many times over. Most remember him for his unique sense of humor and the signature smirk that appeared just before he made you laugh. He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Mary Lou (Scherer, ’47), and his second wife, Mildred. Survivors include Mildred’s children, Steve Peterson, Chris Peterson and Lisa Hill.
Alexander Ferdinand Petzinger Jr., ’48 (biological sciences), MA ’48 (bacteriology), of Yuba City, Calif., July 29, at 92. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he graduated from Stanford and Johns Hopkins Medical School. He worked as an ophthalmologist in Marysville, Calif., retiring in 1990. Friends and family remember him as an excellent doctor and a generous person. Survivors: his wife, Zoila; children, Erik, Giselle Jakowec, Karen Kerwin and Michelle Stivers; 11 grandchildren; and two siblings.
Barbara Rossiter Agnew, ’49 (French), of Irvington, Va., November 4, at 89, of primary lateral sclerosis. Born and raised in Pasadena, she was the consummate California girl but adored her adopted home state of Virginia and its abundant natural beauty. She loved the beach and was an accomplished gardener, cook, painter, photographer and adventurer. Survivors: her husband, James; children, James, Caroline LaMotte and Lawrence; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Corlette Rossiter Walker, ’46, MA ’48.
Jerome F. Downs, ’49 (undergraduate law), JD ’49, of San Francisco, October 23, at 94, after a brief illness. He served in North Africa during World War II and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. From 1953 until his retirement in 1986, he practiced law with Thornton & Taylor, later Thornton, Taylor & Downs, becoming one of California’s most highly regarded property insurance attorneys. Outside of work, he was a licensed pilot and a champion pistol marksman; in retirement, he traveled, was a prolific writer and always enjoyed a good debate. His was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Jean. Survivors: his children, Andrew and Joan; and four grandchildren.
James Libby “Jim” Greulich, ’49 (economics), MA ’53 (education), of Whittier, Calif., September 20, at 90. He served the Army and taught with the Little Lake City School District in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. He went on to serve as principal in the South Pasadena Unified School District, rounding out a career that spanned more than 30 years. He loved camping and hiking in the Sierras with his sons and, upon retiring, volunteered with local tennis events and tournaments. He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Elizabeth. Survivors: his sons, James and William, and one grandson.
Laverne C. “Vern” Johnson, ’49, MA ’52, PhD ’54 (psychology), of La Mesa, Calif., in October, at 91. He served in the Air Force and was a pioneering researcher in the study of sleep. In 1969, he was part of the group that drew up the definitions of the various stages of sleep. He spent 26 years at the Naval Health Research Center and was also affiliated with San Diego State U. and UC-San Diego. In 1977, he received the Distinguished Civilian Service Award from the secretary of the Navy, and in 1993, he was honored by the Sleep Research Society (which he helped found). Survivors: his wife of 64 years, Margaret (Woollen, ’52, MA ’54); three children; and five grandchildren.
1950s
Patrick Lyons DeYoung, ’50 (geography), of Santa Barbara, Calif., November 11, at 90, of complications following surgery. Born in Michigan, he lived for a time in Hawaii, sold airplanes in Mexico, South America and Washington, D.C., worked for the Marshall Plan in Paris and regularly escaped to his family’s home in Big Sur, Calif. He spent the last 20 years in Santa Barbara, where he could be spotted around town in his white Firebird convertible, looking dapper in a hat and sport coat. At Stanford, he was a member of Zeta Psi and played rugby; later, he served as Class Notes correspondent and received the Stanford Associates Award of Merit in 2010 for his outstanding contributions. He lived each year with gusto, a huge heart, constant curiosity, few complaints and wholly devoted to his family. Survivors: his wife, Marilyn “Missy” (Brant, ’53); children, Danny, Gloria, Linda and Pat; stepchildren, Torrey Ann, Athena and Paget Mitchell, Harry Chandler, ’75, Cathleen and Terry Eckhardt, Michael and Sheryl Chandler and Carolyn Chandler; six grandchildren; and 15 stepgrandchildren.
Khodadad Farmanfarmaian, ’50, MA ’52 (economics), of London, December 16, 2015, at 87, of lung cancer. Born to Prince Abdol Hossein Farmanfarma, he grew up in Persia. He earned a doctorate at the U. of Colorado, and in 1956, he returned to Iran on a grant to work on an agricultural project. He stayed on, taking a leave of absence from his tenured position at Princeton U., and was put in charge of the Economic Bureau of the Plan Organisation. In the 1960s, he ran the country’s central bank and later was appointed head of the Plan and Budget Organisation. After the shah was overthrown in 1979, he was twice arrested and managed to escape and settle in London, where he worked for the Hinduja Group managing its private bank. Survivors: his wife of 67 years, Joanna; children, Tanya, Juni, MA ’79, and Nezam-e-din; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and eight siblings.
Dorothy May Scholl Kennedy, ’50 (education), of Palm Desert, Calif., February 15, 2016, at 88, of cancer. She taught math and science and also worked as a mathematician in the aerospace industry. After retiring, she enjoyed gardening, travel and photography. Survivors: her husband, Bruce; children, Kathy Ariss, Robert Schuchard, ’74, and John Schuchard; and seven grandchildren.
Barbara Jeanne Moore Lynch, ’50 (English), MA ’51 (education), of Santa Rosa, Calif., in August, at 86. She taught at Bakersfield High School until her retirement in 1989. She was predeceased by her son, Bruce. Survivors include her daughter, Catherine Anne, and former husband, William, ’51.
Frederick Pendleton Lyte, ’50 (social science/social thought), MBA ’52, of Pasadena, Calif., October 5, at 88. A member of Kappa Sigma, he ran Lyte Enterprises and was vice president of Retlaw Enterprises, the personal holding company of the Walt Disney family. In addition, he managed a resort development in the Bahamas and was a consultant for the Stanford Research Institute and Booz, Allen & Hamilton. He was a geography expert (visiting more than 70 countries), a Trivial Pursuit and Jeopardy champ and almost unbeatable at poker. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie (Swingley, ’52), and son, William. Survivors: his daughters, Susan King, ’77, and D.D. Holcomb; and seven grandchildren.
Jo Ann Margaret Cornet, ’51 (biological sciences), of Lake Way, Texas, October 9, at 86. She went to medical school at Case Western Reserve U. and worked on the hospital ship Hope, treating patients at ports-of-call in developing nations of Southeast Asia. In 1972, she joined an AMA-sponsored project in Saigon, training Vietnamese medical staff in the latest pediatric practices. She ended her career doing research and teaching in pediatric hematology at the U. of Texas Medical School-Dallas. There, she developed a great interest in families of children with cancer, which led to her involvement with the Ronald McDonald House, a project she supported for the rest of her life. She was a friend to people, cats, golfers and all things Texas—especially UT women’s basketball.
Donald J. Frediani, ’51 (economics), of San Francisco, October 15, at 87. A Korean War veteran, he was vice president of A. Levy & J. Zentner Co., purveyors of fresh fruit and vegetables, where he headed the export division. He was a brilliant man who abhorred mediocrity and engaged in a lifelong pursuit of excellence. He was also an activist at heart and a loyal friend who enriched the lives of many with his knowledge, wit and passion for art, music and nature. Together with his wife, he traveled extensively, exploring every continent and enjoying annual visits to their second home in the Italian Dolomites. He was a gifted pianist and a fabulous cook who loved to entertain. Survivors include his wife, Renata Gasperi.
Donna Lorraine Frank Ver Steeg, ’51 (nursing), of Sacramento, August 28, at 86. She earned a master’s degree and doctorate in sociology and, in 1973, joined the UCLA School of Nursing as a faculty member. During two decades of teaching, she also served as assistant dean of student affairs and associate dean for academic affairs. Survivors: her children, Juliana, Anne Anderson and Richard; four grandchildren; and three siblings.
Shirley Anne Ellsworth Strong, ’51 (education), of Fremont, Calif., August 29, at 87, of Parkinson’s disease. She taught elementary school in Redwood City for three years and later at several universities before devoting herself to raising a family and serving as a Girl Scout leader. Actively involved in the presbytery of San Francisco, she presided as moderator in 1985—only the fourth woman to be elected to the office in the presbytery’s first 135 years. She and her husband served at Ganado Presbyterian Mission on the Navajo Reservation in 1969. Survivors: her daughters, Becky and Kathy.
George Vicars West, ’51 (economics), of Oroville, Calif., October 14, at 88. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi and served in naval aviation during the Korean War. After completing his military service, he moved to Oroville to work with his father-in-law in the olive, cattle and pig business. He also worked for Mid-Valley Savings as regional manager, retiring in 1979 to focus on the olive orchards. Active in the community, he served as president of the chamber of commerce and was a leader in 4H. His humor, interest in people and gentlemanly ways endeared him to many. Survivors: his wife of 66 years, Marjorie “Jan” (O’Brien, ’51); children, Jack, Pam, Maile and Georgeanne; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; and one brother, Herb, ’55.
Allahverdi Farmanfarmaian, ’52, MA ’55, PhD ’59 (biological sciences), of Princeton, N.J., August 27, at 87. Born in Iran, a descendant of the once-ruling Qajar dynasty, he moved to the United States in 1948. After completing postdoctoral work at UC-Berkeley, he held various teaching and research positions, including at Shiraz Medical School in Iran, Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., and Princeton U. He spent 30 years at Rutgers U. as a professor of physiology. An intellectual who loved poetry and the arts, he was also an avid traveler, a gentleman farmer, and a naturalist who loved to mountain climb and canoe. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Parvin Saidi. Survivors: his daughters, Lara Farmanfarmaian Terry and Kimya Farmanfarmaian Harris, and four grandchildren.
Junetta “Netta” Kemp Gillespie, ’52 (English), of Urbana, Ill., May 28, at 85. She sang in the Stanford Memorial Church choir and studied with poet Yvor Winters, whom she considered a mentor. She was an active member of Red Herring Poets for many years, and a posthumous collection of her work is scheduled for publication in 2017. She was director of video production in the U. of Illinois Foreign Language Laboratory and also worked in human relations for the city of Champaign, Ill. Survivors: her husband, Robert, ’56; children, William, Margaret and Rebecca; and three grandchildren.
Donald J. Tobin, ’52 (history), MBA ’54, of Livermore, Calif., October 21, at 91. He grew up in Honolulu and served in the Army. At Stanford, he was a member of Theta Chi and played football and rugby. He worked as an associate athletic director for Stanford before becoming a Realtor in Livermore. His passions included travel, golf and training Labradors. Survivors: his wife of 62 years, Lin (Robertson, ’54); children, Kathryn, ’77, Jennifer, ’82, and Kevin; and two grandchildren.
Anne Hood Denny, ’53 (history), of Tucson, Ariz., October 17, at 85. She earned a master’s degree in library science and worked as a librarian in Tucson. An avid musician, she played cello and recorder and was a member of several musical groups. She also enjoyed genealogy and was the family storyteller. She and her husband loved contemporary art and traveled often to Europe. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Jack, ’53.
James A. Vick, ’53 (economics), of Guerneville, Calif., February 8, 2016, at 84. At Stanford, he pledged Kappa Sigma and played on the football team that went to the Rose Bowl in 1952. A Korean War veteran, he worked as a surety bond manager for 40 years. He loved music, writing, nature and rock collecting. His wife, Holly (Imholt, ’54), died on November 8. Survivors: his five children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Holly Imholt Vick, ’54 (education), of Guerneville, Calif., November 8, at 84. She was raised in Atherton and worked as a marriage and family counselor for 20 years. She enjoyed music, dancing and travel and had an insatiable curiosity about people. She was also a fierce Stanford football fan. She was predeceased by her husband, James, ’53. Survivors: her five children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
John Terrell Packard, ’55 (geology), MBA ’61, of Palo Alto, October 8, at 82. He served in the Air Force and spent 30 years at Scudder, Stevens, and Clark, climbing the ranks to become senior managing director and board member as head of the western region. When Scudder was sold in 2000, he and a co-worker founded Mt. Eden Investment Advisors, which later merged with Evercore Wealth Management. An extremely active Stanford alumnus, he served as a trustee for many years and received a number of honors, including the Governor’s Award in 1987 and a 35-year service pin from Stanford Associates. He was predeceased by his son, Robert, MBA ’89. Survivors: his wife of 60 years, Barbara (Bentley, ’54, MS ’55, MS ’77); daughters, Dana Dooley, ’79, MBA ’92, Becky Nagy and Leslie Martin; and six grandchildren.
Thomas McKenna, ’56 (social science/social thought), of Lincoln, Calif., October 25, at 82, of complications of Alzheimer’s disease. At Stanford, he played football and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. After graduating, he served in the Air Force and then embarked on a 40-year sales and management career in the mainframe computer industry. He was an avid golfer, serving a term as president of the Stanford Golf Club, and a longtime supporter of Stanford football. Survivors: his wife, Ann; children, Michael, ’79, Lucy, Robert, ’84, and Katherine; and 10 grandchildren, including Connor, ’12.
John Keho “Jack” Pike, ’56 (political science), of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., October 21, at 82. After attending Harvard Business School, he returned to California to join his family’s oil well supply company, later became president of Kilsby Tube Supply and ultimately managed the distribution companies for Fluor Corp. An active volunteer, he received the Gold Spike award from Stanford and served on a number of boards of directors. Partially paralyzed from polio as a freshman, he was devoted to exercise—from skiing to surfing—and found great meaning within the Immaculate Heart Community of Los Angeles. Survivors: his wife of nearly 60 years, Josephine “Jody” (Downs, ’57); daughters, Kathy Narum, ’80, Sharon McKenzie, ’81, Micka Ueland, ’86, MA ’87, Liesl Moldow, ’87, and Sara Wilczeski; 16 grandchildren, including Benjamin McKenzie, ’15, and Katherine Moldow, ’20; and sisters, Mikaela Pike Barnes, ’59, and Mary Pike Coquillard, ’61.
Glenn Emerson DuBose Jr., ’57 (speech and drama), of Miami, November 10, at 81, of melanoma. He produced or directed more than 60 arts programs for PBS, and, as managing director of Thirteen/WNET’s cultural and arts division, he created CityArts, a weekly arts magazine honored with a Peabody Award. Earlier in his career, he worked in New York as an actor and director and as an associate producer with CBS News. In 1964, he took a break from television to teach and direct theater at Chabot College in Hayward, Calif. He retired from PBS in 2008 but continued as a special consultant to help create the PBS Arts Festival, a formal initiative to promote the arts that continues to this day. Survivors include his companion of 55 years and husband since 2009, James Arntz.
Paul Hayman Jewett, ’58 (psychology), MD ’62, of Alamo, Calif., June 13, at 78. After completing a residency in Boston, a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Duke U. and a tour in the Army, he joined the pediatrics staff at Kaiser Permanente in Hayward, Calif., eventually becoming chief of pediatrics and physician in chief before retiring in 1999. Survivors: his wife, Helen (Hansell, ’62); sons, Peter, ’86, MS ’86, Mark and Brian, ’90, MS ’91; and six grandchildren.
Harold Messner, ’58 (mechanical engineering), of Vallejo, Calif., November 5, at 81. At Stanford, he played baseball and pledged Phi Kappa Sigma. After earning a law degree from Golden Gate U., he worked as an attorney for Chevron for nearly 40 years. He was involved with the Masons, Elks Club and Sierra Club and enjoyed playing golf and staying in touch with friends, especially at class reunions. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara. Survivors: his children, Lynne Jolitz, Matthew, ’77, Steven, ’78, and Gregory, ’80, MS ’97; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Kendyl Kurth Monroe, ’58, JD ’60, of Bethesda, Md., November 14, at 80. He practiced law at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York City, built and retired to his New Mexico adobe home and spent the past six years near two of his children in Bethesda. A devoted alumnus, he received the Gold Spike award in 1989 and a 25-year service pin from Stanford Associates. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Barbara. Survivors: his sons, Sidney, Dean and Loren, and six grandchildren.
Carol A. Salquist Whitney, ’58 (history), of Bend, Ore., October 14, at 80. After graduating from Stanford, she earned a master’s degree in public policy from George Mason U. Her career took her to Washington, D.C., where she lived for more than 25 years. Her firm, Whitney and Associates, specialized in strategic planning and training. In addition, she was an adjunct faculty member in American U.’s department of government and at the George Mason U. School of Public Policy. A Northwest native, she returned there and lived in Bend, where she enjoyed skiing, hiking and walking her dog, Beau. Survivors: her son, Ross, and two siblings.
Emily Zants, ’58 (French), of Santa Fe, N.M., October 1, at 79. After graduating from Stanford, she completed doctoral work in French at Columbia U. and later earned a degree in architecture from the U. of Hawaii. An architect and a world traveler, she was an active member of the symphony and especially loved musicals.
Gerald Dennie “Jerry” Wright, ’59 (chemical engineering), of San Diego, September 28, at 79. He began his career at Kelco Co. in San Diego as director of operations and subsequently joined Lomas Santa Fe Inc. as executive vice president of construction. In 1980, he and his family moved to Richland, Wash., and he worked as manager of safety at Hanford Nuclear Site, retiring in 1985. Survivors: his wife, Marlene; children, Stephanie Hoff, Melanie Reed and Craig; six grandchildren; and one sister.
1960s
Laura Josephine Combs Davis, ’61 (mathematics), of Alexandria, Va., September 19, at 79, of cancer. After marrying and moving to the D.C. area, she earned a master’s degree in statistics and artificial intelligence from the U. of Maryland and worked for the Naval Research Laboratory. In retirement, she remained active in her community, joining the local elections board, volunteering as an usher for arts performances and teaching exercise classes at the Hollin Hall Senior Center. She loved books and growing fruit, vegetables and herbs in her garden. Survivors: her sons, Mike and Alex, four grandchildren and three siblings.
Stephen Mark Dobbs, ’64 (philosophy), PhD ’72 (education), of San Rafael, Calif., October 25, at 73. For the first part of his career, he focused on academia, primarily as a professor of arts and humanities at San Francisco State U. In the late 1980s, he shifted to foundation work, first at the Getty Center for Education in the Arts and later as president and CEO of the Marin Community Foundation. He also pursued philanthropic work, serving as executive director of Taube Philanthropies and consulting for several private family foundations. He had an unquenchable thirst for reading and learning, with a special fascination for the history of his hometown and the Jewish community. Survivors: his wife, Victoria; their sons, Joshua, Gabriel, JD ’14, MBA ’14, and Noah; his son, Aaron; two grandchildren; and three siblings.
Diane C. Albracht Benson, ’65 (English), of Piedmont, Calif., October 25, at 73. She participated in the Stanford in Germany program and practiced as an eye doctor and surgeon at the Castro Valley Eye Center for many years. Survivors: her husband, John, and daughter, Caroline.
Robert Leland “Bob” Moore Jr., ’66 (history), MA ’72 (communication), of Springfield, Mo., October 11, at 72. He began his career as a partner in Veriation Films of Palo Alto, producing and directing award-winning documentaries and educational films between 1970 and 1990. He also explored freelance projects in computer programming and design. After returning to Missouri in 2002, he became an avid walker and racquetball player. He loved hiking the area’s beautiful nature trails and pursued a range of interests at the local library through books and audiobooks. Survivors: his children, Mason and Jennifer, grandson and sister.
1970s
Cathleen Louise Caton, ’70 (psychology), of Los Altos, November 4, at 67, of multiple myeloma. After graduating from Stanford, she earned a medical degree from the U. of Oregon. She was a board-certified internist who practice for 30 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. An avid environmentalist, she loved the outdoors as well as skiing and windsurfing. Survivors include her husband, Steven Hamman, ’70.
Leon James “Jim” Dwulet Jr., ’72 (political science), of Orinda, Calif., October 25, at 67, in an aviation accident. He played golf at Stanford and won numerous amateur golf titles during his college years. An Orinda resident for more than 40 years, he invested in and developed real estate. He made regular appearances at Stanford sporting events and tailgates, despite being a passionate Yankee fan throughout his life. His passion for fly-fishing took him and his friends to remote places, and he continued to play golf while challenging his golf buddies to play their best. Survivors: his daughter, Lauren; stepsons, Will and Nick; one grandson; and four siblings.
Philip Wayne Frey, ’72 (history), of Monterey, Calif., October 5, at 66. After Stanford, he attended graduate school at Yale and studied in Germany on a Fulbright Fellowship. In 2006, he retired from a management career in Silicon Valley and devoted himself to charitable work on the Monterey Peninsula. He served as senior warden and treasurer for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and volunteered in community ministries at the Monterey County Food Bank. His passions that endured were for family, church, history, Bach, wine, creative cooking and fine but affordable art. Survivors: his wife of 44 years, Jackie; children, Wil, Karl, Merideth and Ann; 12 grandchildren; his mother, Evanda; and brother.
Scott J. Chandler, ’73 (architecture), of Boise, Idaho, September 29, at 65, of natural causes. After college, he returned to Idaho and started Caldwell Building Supply, which he sold in 1977. He eventually joined the Masonry Center, a building materials wholesale distribution business, serving as president for 34 years. In addition, he was the managing partner of Orchard Partners LLC and a 13-year member of the Boise City Historic Preservation Commission. He loved travel, which allowed him to indulge in his other favorite hobbies: good food, good music and satisfying his curiosity for the world around him. Known as a quiet man of action, he was considered by many to be the most loyal and dependable person they knew. Survivors: his wife of 35 years, Lynnette; children, Michelle Bliss, Stephanie Wiltshire and Eric; one grandchild; his parents, Kathleen and Earl; and two brothers, including Ken, ’69.
1980s
Erin Leslie Marbut Radke, ’83 (political science), of Salem, Ore., October 9, at 56, of a long-term illness. She grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana (where she was a top-ranked gymnast), traded that for the Farm and then the city (New York), finally rejoining her family in Oregon. Survivors: her parents, Reed and Kathleen Marbut, and one sister.
1990s
Richard Anthony “Rick” Casares, ’90 (science, technology and society), of Chicago, October 7, at 48. As an undergraduate, he participated in the overseas program in Oxford, and he was a lifelong Cubs fan. Survivors: his wife, Caren Tarvin, ’89; children, Nathan, Sasha and Lolly; parents, Ruben and Trudy; and brother.
Patricia Scheiern “Patty” Lewis, ’96 (American studies), of Oakland, October 12, at 51. Over the course of her life, she wore different badges: spelling-bee champion, bookworm, pop culture maven, Stanford and U. of Chicago alumna, cancer survivor, skydiver, Cubs fan and dear friend. She was fascinated by literature, architecture, cats, heavy metal and funk, and she found great joy in the life of the mind. Survivors: her husband, Scott, and three siblings.
Business
Theodore Warren “Ted” Rabey, MBA ’48, of Bakersfield, Calif., November 15, at 95. He was raised in South Dakota and served in the Army during World War II, earning the Bronze Star. For 28 years, he worked for the Standard Oil Co., retiring in 1983. He was past president of the Bakersfield Association of Petroleum Landmen and was named Landman of the Year in 1971. After retiring, he worked as a consultant for PG&E and Shell Pipeline Co. He was active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and watching his children grow into outstanding and responsible adults was the highlight of his life. Survivors: his wife, Peggy; children, Marcia Ginn-Tofflemire, Ted Jr., Sandi Weisel and George; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
William Carroll “Bill” Shuford, MBA ’48, of Dallas, October 28, at 94. He joined the Navy after graduating from the U. of Texas and served in the Pacific during World War II. His first career began in Tennessee as an insurance agent, moving to Dallas in 1962 to work for John Hancock Life Insurance Co. In 1979, after retiring from that career, he and his son formed WCS Petroleum Inc., an independent oil and gas company. Never at a loss for words, he always had a joke to share and could brighten any day with his incredible storytelling. He was predeceased by his wife, Alice. Survivors: his sons, William and Scott, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Stephen Titus, MBA ’50, of Balboa, Calif., October 19, at 92, from trauma related to a bicycle accident. He was a naval officer in World War II, specializing in anti-submarine warfare. He had a lifelong love for the ocean, sailing a Snowbird at age 12 and crewing in the Transpacific Yacht Race as an adult. He and his family cruised Southern California’s offshore islands aboard his Cal 36 sloop, Windward. An investment counselor, he merged his firm, Koenig, Hawkins & Titus, with Scudder, Stevens & Clark, in the late 1960s and more recently was an integral part of Payden & Rygel. Survivors: his children, James, Stephen, Theresa Essen and Louise Casey; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and one sister.
William J. “Bill” Cassell, MBA ’61, of Pleasanton, Calif., October 17, at 80. He served in the Korean War and enjoyed a 29-year career at Ampex, which presented him with its first-ever community service award in 1968. He had many hobbies but family, career and service to others always came first. Remembered for his caring nature, he loved life and was loved by many. Survivors: his wife of 59 years, Fran; children, Gail, Diane and Nancy; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; and two brothers.
Norman Bruce “Tad” Williamson, MBA ’64, of Santa Barbara, Calif., October 31, at 84. He served two years in the Army, stationed in France, and began his professional career with Loomis Sales in Los Angeles. Later he moved to FMC Corp. to manage its pension fund, starting in San Jose and moving to its Chicago headquarters for 10 years. He returned to California in 1982 to help form Pacific Financial Research and create and manage the Clipper Fund. Retiring in 1989, he joined the fund’s board of directors; he also served as a trustee of the Thacher School (his alma mater) for 18 years and as an overseer at the Hoover Institution. He loved golf, playing tennis and sailing and spent many vacations with his extended family skiing, fly-fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Survivors: his wife of 57 years, Cici; children, Fred, Chandler, Emily Hancock and Jonathan; 10 grandchildren; and one brother.
Kim Elizabeth Fairey, MBA ’84, of Norwalk, Conn., November 8, at 58, of pancreatic cancer. A gifted pianist who performed at age 10 with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, she earned a BA from Wellesley College and an MDiv from Columbia U.’s Union Theological Seminary. Her career included real estate and banking and, for the last 10 years, she worked with Horizons National, a nonprofit working with underprivileged children. She is remembered for her wit and joy, her can-do attitude, and her huge capacity for fun and for love. Survivors: her daughters, Jennie Lewis and Sarah Lewis; her parents, Tom and Judy; her partner, David Boyd; her ex-husband, Marc Lewis, MBA ’84; and her sister.
Education
Sally Chorich Davis, MA ’49, of Sacramento, October 14, at 90. She was a French and Spanish teacher at Sacramento Senior High School and Hiram Johnson Senior High School, where she also served as chair of the foreign language department. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert.
Robert Murray Thomas, PhD ’50, of Paso Robles, Calif., November 4, at 95. After becoming a full professor at the U. of Brockport, he and his family moved to Indonesia, where he taught at a university in Bangdung. Several years later, he relocated to Santa Barbara, Calif., where he spent the remainder of his career. He was a renowned author and was proud to have made lasting relationships with former students and colleagues from around the world. He was predeceased by his wife of more than 60 years, Shirley (Moore, EdD ’50). Survivors: his children, Robert and Kathryn; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; and one sister.
Bernice Bingham Loughran-Nicholson, EdD ’58, of San Luis Obispo, Calif., October 19. During the war years, she taught art in Vermont, where she met her husband. They eventually moved to San Luis Obispo, and she was asked to start an art department at Cal Poly. Over the next 25 years, she created cross-disciplinary projects between the arts and sciences and humanities. Also during this time, she and her husband established the first Congregational Church in their city. After her husband died, she married a professor at Cal Poly, and they shared the next 30 years together. She was predeceased by her first husband, Joseph Loughran, and second husband, Loren Nicholson, MBA ’47. Survivors: her son, Kevin, and five grandchildren.
Kathleen Silliman Sullivan, MA ’58, of Capitola, Calif., September 25, at 83. Over the course of raising her five children, she taught history at Carlmont High School, was dean at Notre Dame High School, trained teachers at Notre Dame de Namur U. and served as Sequoia High School summer principal. Poised, articulate and well traveled, she was active in the Democratic Party in the 1960s and was an avid supporter of San Francisco’s ballet, symphony and opera. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Mark, PhD ’64. Survivors: her children, Leslie, ’81, Claudia, Caitlin, Adam and Connie; 11 grandchildren; and two sisters.
Brooke E. Sawyer Jr., EdD ’69, of Santa Barbara, Calif., September 30, at 91. His career encompassed farming and college administration, including at CSU-Sacramento, CSU-Moss Landing Marine Labs and Pomona College. He retired in 1977. A World War II and Korean War veteran, he served in the Naval Reserve. He was also an avid sailor, hiker, skier, tennis player and world traveler. In all his community activities, from supporting the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum to being an active member of All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church, he was a fervent advocate for educational opportunities. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara. Survivors: his sons, Robert, Andrew and Peter; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; and two sisters, Carol, ’56, and Holly, ’59.
Engineering
Charles Milton “Jim” Roscoe, MS ’49 (civil engineering), of Eureka, Calif., October 13, at 93. He served in the Naval Civil Engineers’ Corp, designing projects including the radar tower that replaced the famous flag raised by the Marines on Iwo Jima. He worked in both the public and private sectors, but his true passion was teaching. During 40 years at Humboldt State, he helped organize the original civil engineering degree program. He enjoyed land surveying into his late 80s and served many years on the Humboldt County Building Department Board of Appeals. He loved music, had a keen wit and was a man of integrity. He was predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Mary Patricia, and an infant daughter. Survivors: his sons, James, Robert and Thomas, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Orville Tyler Magoon, MS ’52 (civil engineering), of Santa Barbara, Calif., March 19, at 87. He spent 30 years at the Army Corps of Engineers, working in coastal planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of coastal structures—while also managing the family winery, Guenoc. In addition, he served as president of the Coastal Zone Foundation and vice chair of the Coastal Engineering Research Council. After retiring in 1983, he continued his involvement in coastal zone management and coastal engineering, earning several national and international awards for his contributions to the field. He loved nature and animals and his friends remember him as a tireless mentor and leader. Survivors: children, Melissa, Marshall, Mary and Matthew; one grandson; one great-grandson; his wife, Karen; her children and grandchildren; and his brother.
Venumbaka Gopala Krishna Reddi, MS ’58, PhD ’64 (electrical engineering), of Vancouver, Wash., September 29, at 82. Born and raised in India, he came to California in 1957 to attend graduate school at Stanford. He was among the first 50 employees at Fairchild Semiconductor, and he spent brief periods in Milan as a guest professor and in Baghdad, Iraq, as an engineer. He retired after working in research at Precision Monolithics. Never one to boast about his accomplishments, he nevertheless left his mark through groundbreaking research and developing revolutionary processes for fabricating semiconductor chips. He enjoyed reading, watching old movies, playing the stock market and eating well. Survivors: his children, Raj, Kamala Buckowski, Anasuya Polacek, Pramela and Sheila Palomo; six grandchildren; and four siblings.
Charles Frederick Opel, MS ’60 (civil engineering), of Houston, September 4, at 84. He owned and operated C.F. Opel Inc. in Houston and later Nassau Engineering in Clear Lake, Texas, until his retirement. Survivors: his children, Melissa Shaw and Jeff, two grandchildren and one sister.
Martin Carl Poppe Jr., MS ’63 (electrical engineering), of Burlington, Vt., October 31, at 75, of pancreatic cancer. A navigational, electrical, systems, RF, software and hardware engineer, he founded Cambridge Engineering Inc. in 1973 and Martin Poppe Associates in 2009. He held several patents for antenna and enhanced position calculation systems, garnering awards for his work on developing GPS. He was a church leader, tenor soloist, student of German, master gardener and cook. His boundless enthusiasm, spirit and soul shone through his every endeavor. Survivors: his wife, Merryn Rutledge; children, Katherine Poppe Stumpfer, Dorothy and Randall; stepchildren, Rachel Spurrier and Marian Spurrier; four grandchildren; and one sister.
Eugene Charles Muehleisen, PhD ’69 (materials science/engineering), of Hallsville, Texas, November 8, at 84. Over the course of his career, he was a professor at Washington State U. and the U. of Pittsburgh and chief metallurgist at several steel companies. After retiring, he enjoyed playing golf with his favorite partner, his wife. Survivors: his wife of 37 years, Gaylon; children, David, Gail, Kris, Meta, Ilse and Bill; multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Frank Graham Sommer, Gr. ’73 (electrical engineering), of Stanford, October 2, at 70, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Professor emeritus of radiology at Stanford Medical School, he received the 2016 Academy of Radiology Research’s Distinguished Investigator Award. Known as a “Renaissance radiologist” for his wide-ranging interests in his field, he was recognized for his work on ultrasound and imaging blood flow in the kidneys. Adventurous, thoughtful, kind and charming, he would play the piano for audiences at Filoli, restaurants and senior centers. Besides his work and music, he also enjoyed biking, skiing, golf, tennis and squash. Survivors: his wife, Denise Leclair, and sister.
Gregory A. Fowler, MS ’78, Engr. ’81 (electrical engineering), of Mountain View, September 25, at 64, of a heart attack. Despite the loss of his entire optic system at the age of 1, he graduated from Michigan State U. and Stanford and enjoyed a distinguished career as a software engineer at a number of well-known Silicon Valley companies. After retiring in 2003, he devoted his time and technical skill to benefit community-based organizations, including the Mountain View Educational Foundation and the League of Women Voters. He was a founding member of the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind in 1987. His passions centered on the natural environment and its denizens on land and in the sea. Survivors: his wife, Julie Lovins, and two sisters.
Humanities and Sciences
Winfred Farrington “Win” Hill, PhD ’54 (psychology), of Chicago, November 6, at 87. During the Korean War, he served as a research assistant at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. After a brief stint at Harvard, he joined the psychology department at Northwestern U., where he spent 37 years, including two terms as department chair. When he retired in 1994, he was director of undergraduate studies. He was the author of three books, a fellow at the Center for Advance Study in the Behavioral Sciences and past president of the Midwestern Psychological Association. A lover of history, maps and travel, he was known as a wonderful storyteller and willing participant in his grandchildren’s make-believe games. Survivors: his wife, Libby; daughters, Alison and Linda; and four grandchildren.
Calvin L. Thomas Jr., MA ’55 (English), of Arlington, Va., June 1, at 86, of colon cancer and complications from dementia. He served in the Korean War and studied poetry at Stanford with Yvor Winters. Despite his early success as a poet, he decided to capitalize on his German fluency and embarked on a career at the State Department, serving in West Berlin, Zagreb and Hamburg. In South Vietnam, he was assigned to the U.S. Consulate and taught an English literature class to students at the local university. His proudest accomplishment was his family, who remember his love of art, stamps, Graham Greene and coffee ice cream. Survivors: his wife, Eden; children, Alan, Paul, Margaret Trinity, Anne Weinberg, Jessica Dunn, Elizabeth and Youssef; 10 grandchildren; and one brother.
Donald C. Jepsen, MA ’63 (communication), of Salem, Ore., October 26, at 82. He served in the Army and graduated from the U. of Oregon with a degree in journalism. Returning to Oregon after Stanford, he worked for the Eugene Register Guard and then United Press International. Later, in Washington, D.C., he spent three years as press aide for an Oregon representative. He also worked for the Oregon Journal, which was absorbed by the Oregonian. He loved books and his cabin on the Willamette River, was sensitive to the feelings of others and cared deeply about the environment. Survivors include his brother.
Wray Jolley, MS ’63 (statistics), of Oklahoma City, October 8, at 91, of cancer. During nearly 20 years of service in the Air Force, the military moved him and his family to California, Nebraska, Virginia and Germany—he loved every minute and every plane he flew. In his civilian career in computers, he worked for the Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Neb., the Air Force Command in Germany and NATO in Belgium. He never stopped learning and was known for his dapper appearance and always being on time. He was predeceased by his son Thomas and one granddaughter. Survivors: his children, Charles, Carol Vance and Barbara Durren; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
Bruce Bridgeman, PhD ’72 (psychology), of Santa Cruz, Calif., July 10, after being struck by a bus in Taipei, Taiwan. A professor emeritus of psychology at UC-Santa Cruz, he and his wife were on a speaking tour in Asia. He was an internationally renowned researcher on spatial orientation and neuroscience who took an active mentorship role with his students and junior faculty members. His books include Psychology and Evolution, and he served as editor in chief of the journal Consciousness and Cognition. Besides science, he had an enormous depth of knowledge and interest in history, music and the environment. Survivors: his wife, Diane; daughters, Natalie Bridgman Fields and Tess, ’03; three grandchildren; and one brother.
Devarati Ghosh, Gr. ’05 (political science), of Edison, N.J., September 2, at 38, of a heart attack. She was born in Flushing, N.Y., and graduated from Harvard U. For the past eight years, she worked as an associate director for the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Survivors include her parents.
Law
Gerald Bension “Jerry” Ames, JD ’61, of Los Gatos, Calif., October 6, at 79. He loved the law and practiced for nearly 50 years in San Jose. He also loved books, the thicker and denser the better. A rock of stability and love for those in stormier seas, he was known for his generosity and infectious laugh. And when humor wasn’t the right medicine, he offered patience, loyalty and wise counsel to help friends and loved ones. Survivors: his sons, Scott and Mark; three grandchildren; his wife, Judy Marlin; her children, Michael and Elizabeth Johnson; and one sister.
Virginia Laudano Lester, JD ’88, of Alexandria, Va., November 10, at 85. She was president of Mary Baldwin College from 1976 to 1985, during which time she increased the size of the campus, expanded enrollment, launched the adult degree program and forged an alliance with Doshisha Women’s College in Japan. After earning her law degree, she became interim president at Friends World College, worked in the general counsel’s office of AARP and taught at George Washington U. She enjoyed most any adventure, especially traveling and skiing. Survivors: her daughters, Pamela Lester Golde and Valerie, two grandsons and one brother.
Medicine
Suzanne Louise Biggs, Gr. ’74 (pharmacology), of San Diego, October 11, at 68, after a long battle with a serious illness. A member of the state bars of California and New York, she worked as a biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent and intellectual property attorney. She worked with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to make life-savings drugs more widely available. With her husband, she enjoyed a life of love and adventure, from a scuba honeymoon trip in Palau to exploring the jungles of Borneo. Brilliant and beautiful, she appeared on Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and other game shows. Survivors: her husband of 25 years, Jeff, and her brother.
