Faculty and Staff
John Hays Barton, JD '68, of Los Altos, August 3, at 72, from brain injuries suffered in a bicycle accident on July 14. He joined the Stanford Law School faculty in 1969 and retired from full-time teaching in 2002. He was a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, co-director of the International Center for Law and Technology and held the George E. Osborne professorship. He served in the Navy and worked at Sylvania Electronics Defense Laboratories before and while attending law school. He authored numerous articles and books, including International Arms Control, which became a standard undergraduate textbook. He enjoyed painting, woodworking, college football and playing the organ. Survivors: his wife of 50 years, Julie; his children, John, David, '88, Robert, Thomas, '86, MBA '93, and Anne Wilde; and nine grandchildren.
1920s
Louise Shedd Barker, '28 (zoology), MA '30 (biological sciences), of Seymour, Tenn., August 6, at 102, of pneumonia. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Cap and Gown. She was a high school biology teacher and guidance counselor in Oakland and Redwood City and later assisted her husband in a long-term community research project in Kansas. Active in community life, she was particularly interested in public libraries and the welfare of children. She was predeceased by her husband, Roger, '28, MA '30, PhD '34. Survivors: her children, Celia Barker Lottridge, '57, Lucy Barker Henighan and Jonathan; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
1930s
Roland Chenoweth Davis, '32 (philosophy), JD '36, of Palo Alto, September 4, at 98, after a long illness. He was a member of Kappa Alpha and the golf team. He was an early labor union attorney who formed his own law firm, Davis, Cowell and Bowe, in 1946. He left in 1985 to join his son at Davis and Reno and retired 15 years later at age 91. He was active in the Democratic Party and enjoyed golf, serving as president of the Los Altos Golf and Country Club in 1966. He was predeceased by his wife of 74 years, Harriet. Survivors: his children, Carolyn MacKinnon, Mary Anne Ifft, Alan and Roland; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Woodward Melone, '33 (political science), of Novato, Calif., September 17, at 97. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the polo team. He served in the Army during World War II and enjoyed a 40-year career with Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., retiring as senior vice president for marketing and research. An active horseman, he was a member of the Frontier Boys and the Sonoma County Trail Blazers. He also served as a trustee of Presbyterian Medical Center and an officer and director of the Society of California Pioneers. He was predeceased by his wife, Joy, and his son Jonathan. Survivors: his son Robert; and two grandchildren.
John C. Quinn, '33 (chemistry), of Weston, Mass., August 5, at 98. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Grateful for and proud of his time at Stanford, he was a loyal member of the Alumni Association. Survivors include a son, John.
Nellie Katharine Pleasant Seth, '34 (classics), of Aptos, Calif., August 24, at 96, of natural causes. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. A well-traveled wife and mother, she was known for her artistic expression and her gracious charity. She was a founding member of PEO Los Altos, PEO Martinez and AAUW Martinez. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, James, '34. Survivors: her children, Evelyn Gilbert and Oliver; three grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn Pleasant Johnson, '43.
Robert F. Foster, '35 (social science/social thought), of Pebble Beach, Calif., May 20, at 95. He was a member of Sigma Nu/Beta Chi and the men's water polo team; he also served as captain of the swim team and was an All-American swimmer. After earning a master's degree in business from Harvard, he served in the Navy during World War II. He enjoyed a long career at FMC Corp., and in his retirement he played golf, traveled and was devoted to his family. Survivors: his wife, Carole; his children, Patricia Shepherd and Robert; and two grandsons.
Marion Fern Steadman Jones, '35 (political science), of Boise, Idaho, July 30, at 95. After graduation she traveled by ship to Japan and China. She later worked with polio victims at Children's Hospital Los Angeles before widespread immunization programs were available. She and her husband raised four children in Claremont, Calif., and participated in medical missions in Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Hawaii. She played piano and organ, wrote poetry, cultivated orchids and was a lifelong yoga practitioner. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward, and a daughter, Suzanne. Survivors: her partner, Albert Portland; her children, Katherine, Margie Laughlin and David; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Donald M. McAusland, '38 (economics), of Bellevue, Wash., August 2, at 92. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and the polo team. He served as a flight instructor in the Navy in World War II and had a great love of flying. He owned a real estate brokerage firm in Bellevue and was active in the community as a founding member of both the Overlake Golf Club and the University Club of Seattle. He and his wife wintered in Rancho Mirage, Calif., and he enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his family. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Ginna. Survivors: his three children, Mary Walker, Carolyn Ford and Cal; and five grandchildren.
David E. Swanberg, '38 (chemistry), of Lafayette, Calif., July 13, at 92. He earned a master's degree in chemical engineering from MIT and worked in electrochemistry and computer science at Dow Chemical for 30 years. He also worked with Bechtel on air pollution abatement and Frederiksen Engineering on agribusiness and solar energy applications. He loved history and geography and wrote a book, Lines Shaping America. He and his wife enjoyed travel and visited more than 100 countries. Survivors include his wife, Virginia, and two children, Richard, '73, and Janet, '75.
Enid Kuchel Wood, '39 (graphic arts), of Menlo Park, August 16, at 91, after a long illness. A fourth-generation Californian, she was part of a family of early San Francisco settlers. She was a fabric artist, and her work was shown in galleries throughout the Bay Area. She received a five-year service pin from Stanford Associates in 1996. Survivors: her children, Kathy Davis McFarland and Russ Davis, MS '66, PhD '67; and a grandson.
1940s
Paul Burgess "Red" Fay Jr., '41 (economics), of Woodside, September 23, at 91, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for many years. He was a member of Zeta Psi and the baseball team. He served in the Navy during World War II with John F. Kennedy, and the two remained close for the rest of Kennedy's life. After the president was assassinated, Paul wrote a best-selling book about their friendship, The Pleasure of His Company. He worked in the family's business, the Fay Improvement Co., was appointed undersecretary of the Navy under President Kennedy and was a founding partner of William Hutchinson & Co. He enjoyed sports, donating time to charitable causes and organizing social activities. Survivors: his wife, Anita; three children, Katherine, Paul, '72, and Sally Fay Cottingham; and seven grandchildren.
William J. Masters, '41 (social science/social thought), of Portland, Ore., July 14, at 89. He was a member of Kappa Sigma and played on the baseball team, pitching against then UCLA player Jackie Robinson. He served in the Army during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster and the Air Medal. After practicing law in Portland for many years, he became a U.S. administrative law judge. He was also a builder and Washington County commissioner, helping establish a new courthouse and jail, the parks and recreation program, and programs for preventing air and water pollution. Survivors: his wife of 66 years, Mary; his children, William, John, Barbara Terry and Jeanne; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Robert M. "Bob" Allan Jr., '42 (history), of Carmel, Calif., September 11, at 88. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and LSJUMB. He served in the Air Force as a weather adviser in World War II and assisted with predicting the weather prior to the D-Day invasion. His business career included roles as executive vice president of Times-Mirror Corp. and president of Cypress Mines Corp. His passion was sailing, and he was honored by the Intercollegiate Sailing Association for his lifetime achievement. He also loved golf, history, family gatherings and telling stories. Survivors: his wife, Harriet "Spice" Spicer, '43; four children, Skip, '67, Scott, David and Marilee; six grandchildren, including Molly Ashkenas, '10; and three great-grandchildren.
Barbara Bassett Jansen, '43 (speech and drama), of Lincoln, Calif., May 31, at 88, after a long illness. She was a third-generation Sacramento resident and graduated from Sacramento High School. She was devoted to her family and her community. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Jarol, '41. Survivors: her children, Richard and Elizabeth; and two granddaughters.
Margaret Louise Roberts Manson, '43 (health education), of Los Gatos, Calif., September 28, at 87. After graduation she taught physical education at Balboa High School in San Francisco. She was a longtime member of the San Jose Art History Club and the Lucile Saulter Packard and Children's Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed time with her family and in her garden. She was predeceased by her husband, Morton, '40, MD '45. Survivors: her children, Robert and Martha; and two grandsons.
Alice Rhoda Chalmers Schmidt, '43, of San Rafael, Calif., August 8, at 89, after a brief illness. A third-generation San Franciscan, she attended Miss Burke's School, Castilleja and Reed College. She and her husband built a house in San Rafael, and she lived there from 1950 until her death. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Lorenz, and her son Carl. Survivors: her two children, Rhoda Ferguson Trotta and Kurt; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Warren Roderick Thoits, '43 (law), JD '48, of Palo Alto, at 87, after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was a member of Delta Chi. He was a founder of Greater Bay Bancorp and the Thoits, Love, Hershberger and McClean law firm. Known by many as "Mr. Palo Alto" because of his deep involvement with the community, he served as president of the Palo Alto Rotary Club and the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Palo Alto chapter of the American Red Cross. In 1976 he was awarded a five-year service pin from Stanford Associates, and in 2001 he received the Chamber of Commerce's Tall Tree Award for Outstanding Professional. Survivors: his wife, Vicki; his children, Pam, Edward, '80, Rod and Teresa; and his grandchildren.
Fred W. Ackerman, '45 (biological sciences), of Walnut Creek, Calif., July 26, at 84, of cardiac and pulmonary disease. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi. A graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, he served as a surgeon in the Air Force and was the first board-certified surgeon in Contra Costa County. For many years he was chief of surgery at Mt. Diablo Hospital and also served as board chair of the California Medical Association. He enjoyed golf, fishing, boating and travel. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Gloria. Survivors: his children, F. Ward and Dale; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his companion, Barbara La Vigne.
Richard Henry "Dick" Fogel, '45 (communication), of Thousand Oaks, Calif., at 86. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma and the night editor for the Daily. He served in the Army during World War II and was a correspondent and editor for the Stars and Stripes Mediterranean edition. He worked for the Oakland Tribune for many years, starting as a copy editor and moving up to executive editor. In 1978 he co-founded Bay City News, a regional wire service. He received the James Madison Freedom of Information Career Achievement Award in 1989. Survivors: his wife, Marcia, '49; his children, Vicki Fogel Mykles, Richard, '76, and Jonathan; and three grandchildren, including Rebecca, '06.
J. Stewart "Stew" Harrison, '46 (law), JD '48, of Kentfield, Calif., August 1, at 85. He was a member of the golf team. He was a partner at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison for more than 30 years, specializing in admiralty law. He loved golf, was a member of the San Francisco Golf Club and held a single-digit handicap for many years. He enjoyed good conversation, a catchy tune, a cold beer and a warm embrace. He was predeceased by his wife, Evey. Survivors include his children, Jeb and Katie.
John Bingham Campbell, '47 (chemistry), of Long Beach, Calif., July 10. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, the swim team and Alpha Chi Sigma and was also on the Daily staff. He served in the Army during World War II, then continued with the Army Reserves until 1979, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He had a 33-year career with Richfield Oil (Arco) and was purchasing director for Alyeska Pipeline during the construction of the Alaska Pipeline. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Sally. Survivors: his children, Kathleen Craig, '72, Nancy Michaelson, Christine Hata and John; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Patricia Campbell Secord, '52.
Robert A. Nesbit, '47 (geology), of Bakersfield, Calif., April 23, at 84, following urgent surgery. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi and a work-study firefighter at the Stanford station. After graduation he and his wife lived in Colombia and Venezuela, and he went on to earn a master's degree at Oregon State. They moved often until his retirement from Gulf Oil Co. He enjoyed tennis, golf and reading, and he belonged to the Stockdale Country Club and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Survivors: his wife, Mary (Mollendorf, '48); two children, Robert and John; and one grandson.
H. Boyd Seymour Jr., '47 (biological sciences), of San Francisco, September 2, at 83. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He trained in New York with Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Beane before becoming an investment counsel. He served on the board of the Laguna Honda Hospital Volunteers and was the major funder of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center at UC-Santa Cruz. Survivors: his wife, Deborah; and one child, Deborah.
Barbara Laverne "Bee" Allen Wagner, '48 (art), of Sonoma, Calif., September 15, at 82. She was talented in many forms of art, including mosaic, painting and needlepoint, and worked as an illustrator and graphic artist in San Francisco's financial district. She assisted in creating the docent program at the City's de Young museum. She was predeceased by her husband, Henry, '41, MBA '46. Survivors: her son, Hank; and three grandchildren.
Lolita J. "Lola" Wilbur, '48 (French), of Hillsborough, Calif., August 16, at 82, after a long illness. Her quick wit, kindness and vivacious nature made her a fun companion. She enjoyed tennis, skiing and playing piano. Stricken in the prime of her life by debilitating illness, she was supported for the remainder of her life by her family and a longtime caregiver. She was predeceased by her brother, Brayton Wilbur Jr., MBA '61.
1950s
Henry James "Jim" Christensen, '50 (civil engineering), of Orinda, Calif., September 1, at 82, after a long battle with cancer. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He served in the Naval Air Corps during World War II before joining his father in the family general construction business. He worked in construction for more than 60 years, and after a retirement period, he joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He loved all types of music and was a talented performer with a good sense of humor. Survivors: his wife, Janet; his children, Henry, Catherine Siri, Carolyn Stenovec and Elizabeth; and six grandchildren.
Joan Maxwell Reinhardt, '50 (education), of San Francisco, August 23, at 81, of metastatic breast cancer. She was a member of Cap and Gown. In the 1970s she ran her own business preparing ready-made meals. She and her husband lived many places during their marriage, including Athens, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; France and Mexico. She was active in many organizations, including the Stanford Women's Club, Parachutists Book Club and Omega investment study group. Survivors: her husband, Richard, '49; her children, Kurt, Paul and Andy; and three grandchildren.
John W. Parchen, '51 (history), of San Jose, June 29, at 80. He was a member of Theta Xi and the Daily staff. He enjoyed two successful careers: one as an aviator for the Marine Corps, from which he retired as a colonel, and the other working for Xerox Corp. Survivors include his wife, Ruthie, and his children, John and Michael.
Lawrence Pierson "Pete" Bates, '52 (civil engineering), of Boulder, Colo., September 12, at 79. He was a member of Theta Xi, for which he served as rush chair. He left his hometown of Seattle with several of his closest childhood friends to attend Stanford, where they formed a western band called the Saddle Sore Four. He and his wife, whom he met on a blind date at Stanford, raised four children, enjoyed the company of many beloved dogs and had a wide circle of friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Florence "Flo" Knorp, '52, MA '53; his children, Mary Ellen, Amy Grant, Sarah and Russell; four grandchildren; and three siblings.
George B. Shott, '52 (economics), MBA '57, of San Francisco, August 27, at 79, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). He served in the Navy during the Korean War; while in the Navy he was a baseball player and manager and received an offer to play for the Baltimore Orioles. He began his career in the electronics industry and later moved into securities research. Over the years he worked for Sutro & Co., White Weld & Co., and G.T. Management, where he became an astute purchaser of venture-backed technology companies and an important investor in many IPOs of the 1980s. He was the vice-chair of the investment committee of Grinnell College and also founded and owned the Golden Baseball League. Survivors: his wife, Mary Lou; his children, Quin Whitman and Bill, MBA '87; their mother, Mollie Campbell; five grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.
Nancy White Tunnicliff, '52 (physical therapy), of Helena, Mont., January 3, at 78, following a short illness. She became a physical therapist and worked with children with polio and cerebral palsy. While raising her family she assisted her husband in his veterinary practice in Helena. Her varied interests included bird-watching and exploring her beloved Montana. She was predeceased her husband, Roger, and her son, James. Survivors: her children Karen Fura, Charlotte Rietta, and Jane; and five grandchildren.
Jeannine Phelps Scott, '53 (sociology), of West Covina, Calif., July 22, at 77, of lung cancer. A fourth-generation Californian, she was passionate about travel and operated South Hills Travel for almost 20 years. She visited many places around the world but particularly loved the Hawaiian Islands. She had recently been parliamentarian of the Covina Women's Club and was affiliated with the Stanford Club of Pasadena for many years. Survivors: her children, Sharon Scott Weber and Richard; six grandchildren; and her former husband, Richard, '51, MBA '53.
Terry Conroy, '54 (political science), of Palm Desert, Calif., September 25, at 77, of heart disease. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. He served as a Navy pilot for six years and then joined his family's automotive parts warehouse business, of which he later became president. Survivors: his wife of 50 years, Patricia; his children, Shannon Conroy Bowling and Michael; and four grandchildren.
James Harold Farr, '55 (preclinical medicine), MD '58, of Salinas, Calif., August 17, at 76. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. After completing his internship and residency at Los Angeles County General Hospital, he served in the Navy. In 1964, he began his 35-year ear, nose and throat practice. He received a 10-year service pin from Stanford Associates in 1992. He treasured his family and friends and adored his cats. Survivors: his wife of 54 years, Ann (Wolff, '56); his children, Patricia, '82, and Suzy; a grandson; and a brother, Donald, '53, MS '54, PhD '58.
Edward Hal Murphy, '55, of Eugene, Ore., January 28, at 76, of natural causes. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He attended medical school at the U. of Oregon and practiced urology in Columbus, Ohio, and Eugene. He was an avid fan of the Oregon Ducks and enjoyed playing golf with family and friends at courses all over the world. Survivors: his wife, Nancy; his children, Mark, '80, Katie and Kelli; his stepdaughter, Pam; and eight grandchildren.
Robert Guild Linford, '56 (chemical engineering), of Oakland, August 11, at 74, of cancer. He earned a PhD in chemical engineering at the U. of Utah and then joined his brother at Linford Air and Refrigeration, a mechanical contracting firm. Eventually he and his wife split their time between Oakland and her family's farm in Chile. He was an accomplished downhill skier, fly fisherman, commercial pilot and classical pianist. Survivors: his wife, Dagma; his children, Lilli Ann, '82, Robert, Karen and Ian, '11; his stepchildren, Rodrigo, Eduardo and Astrid; and nine grandchildren.
Mary Annette Olson Cook, '57 (nursing), of Grayland, Wash., August 28, at 77, of heart failure. She taught nursing arts for Pacific Lutheran College at Emmanuel Hospital and later worked in public health in Redwood City as well as Pierce County, Wash. She spent most of her career caring for nursing home residents until she retired in 1995. Her interests included travel, all things Norwegian, animals and Stanford. Survivors: her husband of 50 years, Gene; her children, Dianne Cook Gaylord, Ron and Bryan; four grandchildren; and a brother.
1960s
Nancy McKay Egan, '61 (sociology), of Seal Beach, Calif., April 16, at 69, of breast cancer. She was involved in student drama. She spent the last 21 years as director of admissions for the Orange County High School of the Arts. She loved dogs and was involved in multiple charities and foundations. Survivors: her husband, Richard, '60, MD '64; her children, Elizabeth, '86; Michael and Susan; and four grandchildren.
Patricia "Patty" O'Neill, '61 (Russian/East European studies), of London, May 22, at 69, of liver failure. After earning her medical degree from St. Hilda's College in Oxford, England, she practiced medicine in London. After her retirement, she spent time in Normandy, France, in a 1606 house she restored.
1970s
Frank Forrester Church IV, '70 (history), of New York, September 24, at 61, of esophageal cancer. He was a member of Theta Xi. He earned a degree from Harvard Divinity School and a doctorate in early church history from Harvard U. The senior minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in Manhattan for more than 30 years, he was a leading voice in Unitarian Universalism. He wrote or edited 25 books and made great contributions to public service, including setting up a shelter for homeless women in Harlem and starting a scouting program for girls and boys at a welfare hotel. Survivors: his wife of 18 years, Carolyn Buck Luce; two children, Nina Church-Adams and Frank; two stepsons, Jacob and Nathan Luce; his mother, Bethine; and a brother.
Adam M. Saroyan (known at Stanford as Adam M. Wangenheim), '73 (psychology), of Portland, Ore., at 57, of suicide after an arduous battle with cancer. He was an astute player of the stock market and a mentor for young people he brought off the street and formed into bridge clubs. He was a fierce competitor, a Grandmaster of bridge and chess and a scratch golfer who played with only one club. Survivors include a sister, Lia Saroyan, '72.
Tien-Sze Benedict Yen, '73 (chemistry), of San Francisco, August 31, at 55, of acute leukemia. He moved from Asia to Palo Alto at age 12, and after graduating from Stanford, he earned his MD and PhD from Duke U. He spent most of his career at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and was named chief of pathology services in 1996. His research at UCSF focused on hepatitis B, and he made several key discoveries about the virus. He was also involved in social justice issues, particularly those affecting Asian-Americans. Survivors: his wife of 26 years, Maria; his children, Cecilia, '06, and Brian; his mother, Er-Ying; and four sisters.
1980s
Eric Michael Schwietz, '87 (biological sciences), September 19, at 45, in an automobile accident. He was a member of the swim team. A native of Kentucky, he was a licensed ophthalmologist in California and Kentucky.
1990s
Brett Morse Allsop, '93 (values, technology and science), of Bellingham, Wash., August 18, at 38, in an automobile accident. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and competed in track and field and cross-country. In 1994 he founded his first business, Fogdog Sports, with several Stanford friends and later worked as a venture capitalist in England. He co-founded and served as chair of the online air travel business Yapta, and he was vice president of the electronics division of his family's business, Allsop Inc. Survivors: his children, Riley and Aspen; their mother, Amy Kashiwa; his parents, Mike and Maya Allsop; and a brother.
2000s
Christopher Michael Meyer, '02 (art), MA '04 (humanities), of San Francisco, August 8, at 28, of a brain tumor. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a semifinalist for a Rhodes scholarship, a member of the tennis team and a sports writer for the Daily. He was a research assistant at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. He began a PhD in art history at Harvard in 2005 and received a Harvard Presidential Fellowship and a Mellon Fellowship that same year. Survivors: his wife, Monica; his parents, Michael and Tina; and a brother.
John N. Vinh Jr., '02 (symbolic systems), of San Diego, July 12, at 28. He was a member of Lambda Phi Epsilon. After graduation he served in the Army and was a Signal Corps captain with the Third Infantry Division in Iraq, where he received numerous commendation medals. Later he worked in network engineering in San Diego. He loved biking and the outdoors. Survivors: his parents, Janie Nguyen and John; and a sister, Kim, '04.
William Robinson Woodward, '06, of Austin, Texas, August 26, at 25. He grew up in Austin and graduated from the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. He was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi. He was predeceased by his sister Fraser. Survivors: his parents, William and Mary; his grandmother; and his sister, Morgan.
Education
Dorothy H. Geiselhart, MA '55, of Cathedral City, Calif., April 17, at 95, of a stroke. She played the piano daily. She was a world traveler and a delight to be around.
Engineering
Charles Robert "Bob" Warfield, MS '46 (mechanical engineering), of Aliso Viejo, Calif., September 4, at 89. His graduate studies at Stanford were interrupted by service in the Army Air Force in World War II. He was an executive for Kobe Inc. for 25 years. He retired in 1979 and enjoyed golf, tennis, sailing and travel with his wife. Survivors: his wife of 68 years, Mary; his children, Susan Page, Robert and Steve; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister.
Stephen M. Kohan, PhD '69 (chemical engineering), of Los Altos, August 27, at 67, after a long battle with prostate cancer. He worked for several corporations, specializing in catalytic technologies, fluid mechanics and risk analysis for refineries and chemical plants. He was a dedicated researcher and fun co-worker. A devoted family man, he participated in his daughters' swimming careers and supported them in their various community service projects. Survivors: his wife, Susi; his daughters, Lori and Shelli; and a grandson.
Humanities and Sciences
Joan Carol Zucker Rapoport, MA '67 (French), of Van Nuys, Calif., at 66, of pancreatic cancer. She was a professional potter for more than 35 years and specialized in raku ware. She taught pottery at the Evanston Art Center and Everywoman's Village as well as at studios, city colleges and community groups. Survivors: her husband, Ron, '62; her children, Rebecca and Julie; and a granddaughter.
Alan Douglas Skouby, MA '69 (economics), of Columbia, Mo., July 26, at 71, after a recent diagnosis of ALS. He earned his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the U. of Missouri. His 40-year career as an engineer and economist included work at Exxon, Monsanto, Cummins Engine and DeKalb Genetics. In 1997 he began a second career in academics, teaching at Butler U. and then the Trulaske School of Business at U. of Missouri. Survivors: his wife of 51 years, Yvonne; his children, Mark and Nancy; three grandchildren; and four brothers.
Clara Ines Olaya, MA '81 (communication), of Bethesda, Md., April 22, 2007, at 61. A native of Colombia, she worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Academy for Educational Development, International Planned Parenthood Federation, UNICEF and UNESCO. She received a variety of awards during her career, including the National Hispanic Leadership award. She wrote and illustrated a reference book on fruits of the Americas. Survivors include her son, Sergio.
Lewis Bernard "Lew" Aronson, MS '89 (applied physics), PhD '92 (applied physics), of Los Altos, August 25, at 45, after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma. After his diagnosis nine years ago, he worked tirelessly to turn his illness into hope for others by founding the Myeloma Research Fund. He was a loving husband and partner, a wonderful father, a caring friend and an inspiring colleague. Survivors: his wife, Jenny; his children, Nina, Heidi, Tommy and Joey; his parents, Dorothea and Raphael; a brother; and a sister.
Law
Irving Sulmeyer, JD '51, of Rolling Hills, Calif., September 26, at 82, of cancer. He was a member of the Law Review and Phi Alpha Delta. He served in the Navy and earned his undergraduate degree at California Institute of Technology. After finishing law school, he started his own legal practice, Sulmeyer, Kupetz, Baumann & Rothmann. He was considered an expert on bankruptcy law and testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. He wrote several books on bankruptcy and was a member of the Law School's Board of Visitors. Survivors: his wife, Rachel; his children, Lisa, Stephen, '80, JD '83, Karen, John and Michael, '02; and three grandchildren.
Stanley Lowe Spangler, JD '68, of Denver, August 9, at 66. He served in Vietnam and was a captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He practiced commercial law in Denver for 36 years. Survivors include his brother.
