Faculty and Staff
Charles A. Anderson, of Palo Alto, April 17, at 91. He received his undergraduate degree from Berkeley and his MBA from Harvard. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he returned to Harvard as assistant professor of business administration and later joined Stanford Business School as associate dean and professor of business administration. He left academia in 1961 and had a successful business career; in 1968 he became president and CEO of SRI International. After retiring from SRI, he served as chair of the board of Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and spent much of his time in public service volunteer work. He enjoyed barbershop quartet music and spending time at his family's rustic cabin in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Survivors: his wife, Betty; three children, Peter, Stephen and Julie Zarcone; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Leo Weinstein, MA '48, PhD '51 (romantic languages), of Lafayette, Calif., May 4, at 87, of cancer. He left his home country of Germany as a teenager to escape anti-Semitism and came to the United States, where he finished high school through night courses. He served in the Army during World War II, working behind enemy lines in Germany, and helped liberate Buchenwald concentration camp, where his father had died. While attending Stanford he played varsity soccer and was chosen to be part of the first Fulbright group to go to post-war France. He joined the faculty of Stanford in 1951, as a professor of French language and literature, and remained until his retirement in 1991. Passionate about soccer, he coached the Stanford soccer team in the mid-1950s and was a journalist or adviser to journalists for eight World Cup soccer championships. Survivors include his longtime companion, Natalie Dunn.
1920s
Carl A. Valentine, '29 (economics), of Oakland, at 102, as a result of a hip fracture. He served in World War II and participated in the Normandy invasion. He received a master's degree from Harvard and worked for Safeway Stores in the Oakland office for many years. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty. Survivors include a sister.
1930s
Donald J. Kennedy, '32 (economics), JD '36, of Santa Barbara, Calif., at 98, of natural causes. He was the first graduate of Stanford Law School to become a special agent for the FBI. After 13 years with the FBI, he began a 38-year career as a lawyer in Palo Alto. Survivors: a son, Robert Kennedy; a daughter, Elizabeth Kok; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Marian Locher Gustafson, '34 (English), of Sacramento, February 26, at 96. A teacher for 30 years in Tuolumne and Sacramentocounties, she retired from C.K. McClatchy High School in 1978. She was predeceased by her husband, Gustaf. Survivors: two daughters, Ruby and Esther; four grandchildren, including David Leal, '90, and Janet Leal Stones, '92; and eight great-grandchildren.
Fred M. Kalenborn, '34 (geology), of Bakersfield, Calif., May 3, at 96. He was a member of Delta Upsilon. He began working for Standard Oil of California (now Chevron/Texaco) in 1943 and retired in 1972 as superintendent of the Kerto Cymric Area Production Department. He served as president of the Chevron Retiree Association and opened chapters around the United States. He was predeceased by his wife, Janet (Kempenich, '34). Survivors: a daughter, Nancy Lynne Schmitt, '62; a son, William, '65; and five grandchildren.
Charlotte Eleanor Menker Decker, '36 (chemistry), of Corvallis, Ore., March 25, at 94. She worked as a clinical laboratory technician at Stanford Clinic in San Francisco and at Providence Hospital in Oakland and later was a homemaker and avid gardener. She volunteered for many organizations, including the PTA, Camp Fire Girls, and 4-H. She was predeceased by her brother, Homer Menker, '43. Her husband of 66 years, Fred, died just nine days after her. Survivors: her children, Lorraine "Rainy" Takalo, Charlotte "Jane" and Bill; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Jane Kindall Beamish, '37 (psychology), of Seattle, Wash., March 31, at 93, after a three-year battle with cancer. She received her MSW from the U. of Chicago and worked for the Department of Child Welfare Services in Tacoma, Wash., for 10 years, then moved to Seattle and worked at Ryther Child Center for 17 years. With friends, she and her husband started a book club in the 1950s that met monthly for more than 50 years. She was predeceased her husband, Earnest, and her daughter Ellen. Survivors: her daughter Joan; two granddaughters; and a sister.
Paul Edward Pauly, '38 (pre-clinical medicine), of Falls Church, Va., March 18, at 91, of sepsis and pneumonia. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He served in the Army during World War II and later held directorships of several offices involved with international trade activities, including the Office of International Trade Promotion. He retired in 1975 as assistant director of the Bureau of International Commerce and was awarded the gold medal of the Commerce Department. He was predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Florence. Survivors include: his children, Edward and Martha; and three grandchildren.
1940s
Edward Bertaud Jones, '40 (general engineering), of San Francisco, May 21, at 94. He was a member of Delta Upsilon and the track and field team. In his youth he often rowed boats at the Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club. He was a lifelong member of the Olympic Club.
Elizabeth Carol "Betty" Altman Seelig, '41 (social science/social thought), of San Mateo, April 7. A lifelong resident of San Mateo, she volunteered for many years at the Peninsula Humane Society. She was a longtime member of Peninsula Temple Sholom, a committed supporter of the environment and a dedicated Giants fan. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank. Survivors: her son, Dan; a granddaughter; and her brother, John Altman, '50.
John Porter Cull Jr., '42 (general engineering), of Douglas, Ariz., July 25, 2008, at 87. He was a member of El Toro and senior manager of the track and field team. He served in the Navy during World War II in both the North Atlantic and the Pacific Theater and then returned to his hometown of Douglas to operate the family ranch. In 1965 he sold the ranch and became involved in private investing. He loved to travel, bowl and golf, and he served on the board of the Geronimo Trails Homeowners Association. Survivors include: one sister, Barbara Jane Cull Jedenoff, '43.
Helen Brydon Hoag, '42 (economics), of Riverside, Calif., July 22, 2008. Over the years she worked for Standard Oil; Foote, Cone, and Belding; and the Palos Verdes Unified School District. She volunteered at the Torrance Memorial Medical Center and the Riverside Community Hospital. Survivors: her husband of 55 years, Bill; one son, William; two daughters, Barbara and Kathryn; and six grandchildren.
J. Henry "Hank" Mohr, '42 (geology), of Palo Alto, May 17. After graduation he attended Naval officer's school at Harvard and served in the Navy during World War II. He concluded his service as a lieutenant commander. After, his career involved design of swimming pools and manufacturing and distribution of pool equipment. He was the co-founder of Nor Cal Engineering, and he and his wife also started Discus Inc. He enjoyed travel and loved the mountains. He was predeceased by two brothers, including Warren, '45. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Beverly (Ottem, '45); a son, Craig; two daughters, Carla Mohr Raffetto and Andrea Mohr Gandolfo; and five granddaughters.
Florence Porter Grossenbacher, '43 (psychology), of Oakland, April 18. She received her master's degree from the U. of Iowa and worked for five decades as a clinical psychologist. She had a great love of family, music, animals and children. Survivors: her sons, Kenneth and Peter; a grandson; and her sister.
Laurette Bona Toldi, '43 (letters), of Carmel, Calif., April 11, at 87. She worked as an executive secretary at Columbia Steel in San Francisco. She met her husband while traveling in Europe, and they were married for 25 years. She later worked for the Hospice of the Central Coast, training volunteers and serving as director of the Hospice Resource Center until her retirement in 1998. She was predeceased by her husband, Laszlo. Survivors: her children, Cathy, John and Francis; one grandson; and four granddaughters.
Charles Mayo "Mac" MacDonald, '44 (political science), of Santa Barbara, Calif., March 10, at 86. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He served in the Marines during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart, and in Korea. After working for Proctor & Gamble, he was with James Warren Realty for 30 years. Gregarious and outgoing, he loved to laugh and bring laughter to others. He was predeceased by his wife, Marian. Survivors: his children, Clarice Hillebrand, Heather Andrews, Chuck and Victoria; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Mary Louise "Maggie" Blair Arnold, '45 (English), of Portola Valley, June 3, at 85, following an illness. With her husband of 63 years, Richard, '45, she led a life filled with literature, music and art. She enjoyed lifelong friends at Stanford and in the Bay Area. Richard died shortly before her. Survivors: her son, William; a brother; and a half brother.
Richard K. Arnold, '45 (humanities), of Portola Valley, May 17, at 85, of complications of intestinal and lung failure. He was a member of Sigma Nu/Beta Chi fraternities. He served in the Navy during World War II and later founded a public relations firm, Arnold, Palmer & Noble, which represented major clients in San Francisco. Considered by many to be the father of modern-day public relations, he also had a wide variety of personal interests, including literature, jazz, musical comedy and baseball. His wife of 63 years, Maggie (Blair, '45), died shortly after him. Survivors: his son, William; and a brother.
Adra Merrill Kober, '45 (economics), of Long Beach, Calif. She was a member and president of Chi Omega sorority. She and her husband traveled extensively, often on sailing trips. She hosted sailing competitors and judges from around the world, including members of the Stanford sailing team. She received a 20-year service pin for her volunteer work with the Stanford Alumni Association and was elected to membership in Stanford Associates. She was predeceased by her husband, Chuck, '45. Survivors: her children, Bonnie Kober Peterson, '71, and Charles; four grandsons, including Kyle Peterson, '07; and her brothers, Paul Merrill, '55, MBA '57, and Charles Merrill, '56.
Barbara Ann West Lowrie, '47 (social science/social thought), of Burlingame, Calif., April 17, at 83. She loved music and was involved with the San Francisco Symphony Association Upper Peninsula League. Over the years she volunteered with numerous organizations, including San Mateo Congregational Church, the PTA and Coyote Point Environmental Museum Association. Survivors: her husband of more than 60 years, James, '46; her children, Jim, Tina, Carter, Mikkel, Bill and Peter; three grandchildren; and a sister.
Carol Stearns Peters, '47 (law), of Los Altos Hills, May 4, at 83. She loved being a homemaker, enjoyed cooking and was a happy and proud grandmother. A tennis player, she also enjoyed golf and bridge. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Colin, JD '47; a brother; and her sisters Muriel, '30, MA '31, and Elizabeth "Betty" Stearns Mecia, '37. Survivors: her sons, Geoffrey, JD '74, and Stephen, JD '76; her daughter, Anne Battle, '75, MA '76; and five grandchildren.
Jean Hanssen Power, '47 (English), of Los Gatos, February 28, at 82. She was on the staff of the Stanford Daily. She was an active volunteer and leader in many organizations, including the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos and Good Samaritan Hospital. She was passionate about bridge and held the rank of Silver Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. She was predeceased by her husband, Ray, '49, MS '50. Survivors: her daughters, Carol, '77, and Nancy; her sons, Brad, '76, and Fred; and eight grandchildren, including Stanford doctoral student Elly Power.
Nancy Campbell Cator, '48 (social science/social thought), of Menlo Park, May 18, at 82, of complications from Alzheimer's. She was an accomplished painter and also had a passion for sewing and crewel. She volunteered at the Stanford Hospital and the Allied Arts Guild, enjoyed golfing and hiking and was a deeply devoted mother and grandmother. She was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy Anne. Survivors: her husband, George, '45; her children Thomas, David, Mark, Sara and Carol; and eight grandchildren.
Doreen J. Foo Croft, '49 (psychology), of Palo Alto, May 19, at 81, of natural causes. She was a member of Cap & Gown and participated in student drama and KZSU radio. She received her master's degree from SFSU and did further PhD studies at Stanford. For 22 years she served as the director of Greenmeadow Nursery School, and for 24 years she was the director of the Child Development Center and Program at De Anza College. She survived cancer, became an actress and appeared in movies (including Patch Adams and Sweet November), television series and advertisements. Survivors: her daughters, Karen, '76, and Colleen, '80; one grandson; one sister; and one brother.
1950s
LaMar Leonard Briner, '50 (mechanical engineering), of Elon, N.C., February 22, at 81. He earned a 20-year pin from the Stanford Alumni Association for his service to the University. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; and a daughter, Gretchen Simonson.
Richard Kendall Chapman, '50 (biological sciences), MBA '52, of Sausalito, Calif., May 19, 2008, at 80. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi fraternity. He was a coffee taster for Folger Coffee Company and then general manager of the Marcel S. Garrigues Company. He served on the board of directors of the Pacific Coast Coffee Association, was a member of numerous organizations and traveled extensively. He was predeceased by his son, Mark. Survivors: his wife, Myrna; two daughters, Elizabeth Chapman-Foxx and Jennifer, '81; two granddaughters; and a brother, Philip, '52, MBA '54.
John William "Bill" Jalonen, '50 (economics), MBA '52, of San Mateo, April 22, at 86, of heart failure. He served in the Army during World War II. He helped launch companies such as World Airways and Pyramid Van Lines and had been chair and CEO of Birr, Wilson & Co. Inc. He was a founder and director of the San Mateo Arboretum Society and received a 15-year SA service pin. Survivors: his wife, Nancy Lee (MacNaught, '48, MA '50); a daughter, Wendy Jalonen Fawthrop, '78; a son, Chris; and four grandchildren.
Charles I. Lobel, '50 (biological sciences), of Hillsborough, Calif., at 87, of pneumonia and congestive heart failure following complications of a fall. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II and received multiple decorations. He earned his medical degree at USC School of Medicine and was a physician with Kaiser Permanente for 41 years. He joined the Voluntary Clinical Faculty at Stanford School of Medicine in 1965; became a clinical professor in 1980; and was granted the title of Clinical Professor of Medicine Emeritus in 1985. From 1995 to 2005 he worked at the Samaritan House Free Medical Clinic of San Mateo County. With his wife, he established the Meredith Lobel Fellowship for French studies and the Lobel Fellowship at Stanford Law School to support students in public-interest internships. Survivors: his wife of 54 years, Julia; a daughter, Meredith Lobel-Angel, '78, MA '79, MA '82, JD '82; and a granddaughter, Fiona Angel, '12.
Ernest H. Pope, '50 (French), MA '52 (education), of Los Altos, at 85. He taught French at Gunn and Cubberley high schools in Palo Alto for 30 years before going into the tech industry. He retired as a systems analyst for IBM. Survivors: his wife of 59 years, Katherine (Bebb, '48, MA '50); four children; and four grandchildren.
Betty Colkett Gordon, '51 (political science), of Honolulu, Hawaii, April 6, at 79. She was a member of Cap and Gown and was elected to Women's Council. She was a retired administrator and program manager. Survivors: her husband, Lawrence, '51, MD '55; her sons, Burt, Fred, Peter and Bruce; her daughters, Carol and Jean; and seven grandchildren.
Bruce Alan Iversen, '52 (education), MA '56 (education), of Concord, Calif., March 20, at 78, of Parkinson's disease. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta and a three-time varsity letter winner in basketball. He coached boys basketball and was the former athletic director for Clayton Valley High School, where he retired in 1991. He was inducted into the school's hall of fame in October. He also worked as camp director of Camp Concord in Lake Tahoe. He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn, and a daughter, Tracy Mayes. Survivors: two sons, Scott and Jeff; seven grandchildren; and a sister.
Walter N. Marks Jr., '52 (law), JD '54, of Los Angeles, at 78, of cancer. He served in the Army for two years, practiced law for a year, and then joined the family's Beverly Hills, Calif., real estate firm. He often looked for ways to use real estate to benefit the community, including providing affordable space for nonprofits. He was a philanthropist and human rights activist and served on the board of the Liberty Hill Foundation for 17 years. Survivors: his wife of 50 years, Suzy; his son, Walter III; three daughters, Laurie Wagner, Wendy Miller and Amanda Rondash; 10 grandchildren; and a sister.
William Dayle Gunter Jr., '54 (physics), MS '59 (physics), of Modesto, Calif., April 16, at 77, of multiple myeloma. He was a member of El Tigre. He served in the Army and later worked as a physicist at NASA's Ames Research Center for more than 25 years. He held many patents and his projects traveled to Venus and Jupiter. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Shirley; his daughter, Maria; his son, Rob; two grandchildren; and a sister.
Nancy Ross Seaman, '54 (political science), of Bellevue, Wash., April 19, at 77, of complications from Alzheimer's. She worked for many years as a social worker in child protective services for San Joaquin County. She loved Stanford football and attended the Big Game every year. After retiring, she lived in Ashland, Ore. and did volunteer work with theaters before moving to Bellevue to be with her children. Survivors: two sons, Roger and Mark; two daughters, Anne Boyer and Martha; her ex-husband, John, MA '59, PhD '62; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson, one sister; and one brother.
Robert Bruce Brown, '55 (biological sciences), of Vista, Calif., April 13, 2008, at 74, of liver failure. He served briefly in the Air Force and practiced dentistry for many years in San Diego; for a while he was a dentist for the Chargers. He loved the air and the sea and was a pilot, flight instructor and former commodore of the Oceanside Yacht Club. Survivors: his wife, Betty; a son, Matt; a daughter, Bridget Brown Carolan; a stepson, Chris Hill; two stepdaughters, Bridgit Wallace and Lauren Cooley; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Frederic Allen Cone, '55 (law), of Mill Valley, Calif., May 7, of cancer. An accomplished musician, he sang bass and baritone while at Stanford. He was a member of the Church of Our Saviour Choir and the Marin Symphony Chorus, and in 1987 he played his favorite role, the Commendatore in Amadeus at the College of Marin. After five years in the Navy he embarked on a career in law. He brought an abiding passion for social justice to both his profession and his deep religious faith and worked tirelessly on behalf of OASIS California to promote LGBT ministries. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his step-children, Lauryn, Gwen and Andrew; and his ex-wife, Rebecca Chidlaw.
William G. McGehee, '55 (biological sciences), MD '59, of Cayucos, Calif., March 11, at 75. He was a member of Delta Chi and the men's crew team. He had a career in hematology and was on the faculty of USC Medical School for more than 35 years. After retirement he lived a quiet life in Cayucos by the Sea. Survivors: his children, Margo and Scott; their mother, Eloise; six grandchildren; and a sister.
Joan Kuckenberg Green, '56 (humanities), of Los Altos Hills, March 15, unexpectedly of natural causes. She taught high school before her children were born, volunteered for the Children's Health Council and the Junior League and later worked as a paralegal. She enjoyed travel and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Ken, '59, MS '60, MS '83. Survivors: her children, Kathy Bixby, Hank, Mike and Brian; three stepchildren; 14 grandchildren; and a sister.
Alan H. MacPherson, '56 (mechanical engineering), of Palo Alto and Laguna Beach, Calif., December 8, at 74, of cardiac arrest. He was a member of LSJUMB and the varsity crew team. He received his master's degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his JD from Harvard. His 40-year career as an intellectual property lawyer was intertwined with Silicon Valley technology and included work at Fairchild Semiconductor as well as at two practices he founded. He served on the board of the San Jose Symphony and was an amateur trumpet player, hiker and cyclist. He was predeceased by his first wife, Suzanne. Survivors: his wife, Judith (Cassedy, '57); his daughter, Sara, '86; his son, Stuart; six grandchildren; six stepchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; and a brother.
Susan Bauer Butler, '57, MA '58 (education), of Escondido, Calif., May 20, at 74. She received a 5-year pin from the Stanford Alumni Association for volunteer service. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter Edmund Butler, '54, MBA '59. Survivors: her daughters, Beth Burns and Elena Thompson of San Diego.
Eugene Edward Kobz, '59 (history), MA '61 (history), of Redwood City, May 26, at 71. He was born in Salinas, Calif. He worked for Caltrans for 39 years and retired as a supervisor.
John Woo Jr., '59 (chemistry), of Huntsville, Ala., May 22, 2008. He was a member of Breakers eating club. He owned and served as president of Gamma Research Inc. Survivors: his wife, June; his sons, John III and Daniel; his daughter, Julie Woo Smith; four grandchildren; four sisters; and a brother.
1960s
Oscar Wood Moyle III, '60 (economics), of Salt Lake City, Utah, April 20, at 71, of cancer. He was a nationally ranked debater, served as president of Delta Chi fraternity and played for the varsity soccer team. He graduated from Harvard Law School and worked in New York before joining the family firm, Moyle and Young, in 1966. During his career he had been president of the Utah State Bar as well as the Western States Bar. An outdoorsman, he was a member of the New State Duck Club and enjoyed fishing. Survivors: his son, O. Wood IV; his daughter, Rebecca, '96; a grandson; and a sister.
Dennis Sather, '61 (economics), of Kettle Falls, Wash., March 18. He was in ROTC and after graduating served in the Air Force in Vietnam. He had a successful career with Pacific Car & Foundry until his retirement in 1999. He enjoyed retired life with his wife in northeastern Washington. Survivors: his wife, Barbara; his children, Heidi Coffman, Kristi Urquhart and Eric,; his stepchildren, Kenneth Allen and Sheila Gayda; and 11 grandchildren.
R. Bruce Lemm, '63 (mathematics), of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, May 7, at 67, of a heart attack. He was a member of El Campo eating club and worked at KZSU radio. He worked at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, ICI Australia, Fireman's Fund San Francisco and Stanford Computation Center before retiring to Hawaii. Survivors: his ex-wife, Carolyn (Barnes, '63, MA '63); a brother; and a sister.
John Mark Molendyk, '63 (pre-clinical medicine), MD '66, of Linn, Ore., November 15, at 71. He completed his residency and a fellowship at Stanford. After serving in the Naval Reserve, he joined Providence Portland Medical Center as its first trained and board-certified radiation oncologist. He had recently retired and enjoyed golfing, reading and going to the beach. Survivors: his wife, Denise; his son, John Jr.; his daughters, Janis Hawkins and Cheri DuChateau; two stepsons, Christopher and Jason Soika; eight grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.
Margaret J. Lidstrom, '68 (German studies), of South Beach, Ore., March 6, at 61, of lung cancer. She was a member of Cap and Gown and the women's basketball team. She worked for Neiman Marcus, owned and operated Margo's Rock and Mineral Store in Carmel for 18 years and in 2007 opened an online custom note card business. She enjoyed horseback riding and had served as president of the Trail and Saddle club. Survivors: her son, John; and two sisters.
Catherine Linnerman Lonergan, '68 (nursing), of Fresno, Calif., May 25, of natural causes. While working as a registered nurse, she completed her master's in public administration at USF. She later earned a doctorate in theology and also served on the Stockton City Council. Survivors: two daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria Linnerman; one grandson; and one sister.
Timothy Cline Wilson, '68 (architecture), of San Francisco, May 2. He was a member of the football and rugby teams and Beta Theta Pi. He was a licensed architect and also held a black belt in T'ai Chi. Survivors: his father; and two sisters.
1970s
Brooke Lloyd Shearer, '71 (individually designed), of Washington, D.C., May 19, at 58, of cancer. She was on the Stanford Daily staff. A former journalist and private investigator, she served as a personal aide to Hillary Clinton during the 1992 campaign and later became director of the White House Fellows program. She was also the founding director of the Yale World Fellows program and served on the board of the International Center for Research on Women. Survivors: her husband, Strobe Talbott; two sons, Devin and Adrian Talbott; a granddaughter; two brothers; and her mother, Marva.
Lawrence Manley "Larry" Sayre, '73, of Cleveland, Ohio, May 8, at 58, of complications of a stroke. He completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry at UCSD and his PhD from Berkeley. In 1981 he joined the chemistry department at Case Western Reserve U. and in 2001 became chair of the department. His research bridged the fields of organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and biochemistry. Survivors: his wife, Marti; two sons, Andy and Eric; his brother; and his mother, Dorothy.
Peter Ward Shelton, '76 (music), of Oakland, May 10, at 54, after a long battle with HIV and cancer. He spent most of his career as the San Francisco Symphony orchestra's second-chair cellist. He made his first appearance with the symphony at age 18 and joined the orchestra in 1977, while studying for his master's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In 2007 he was awarded the first named chair in the cello section in honor of his 30th season with the orchestra. Survivors: his partner, Javier Valencia, '79; a brother; and his mother, Catherine.
Education
Laura Marie Henry Doyle, MA '35, PhD '50 (biological sciences), of Palo Alto, January 19, at 96. She served as a Wave in the Navy during World War II and earned her master's in meteorology from MIT. She taught at Florida State U., conducted research at Stanford, and later taught and counseled at Menlo-Atherton High School until her retirement in 1975. Survivors include several cousins.
Marian Elizabeth Wagstaff, MA '42, EDD '58, April 26, at 97, of old age. She became principal of Willowbrook Junior High School in Compton in 1945 and integrated the faculty, hiring the school's first black teacher in 1949. She created a camp in the San Bernardino Mountains to promote interracial cooperation and embraced multiculturalism years before court rulings outlawed segregation. She later taught at CSU-Los Angeles, training teachers and continuing to spread the philosophy of races working together. She was predeceased by her husband, Wendell.
Marilyn Baxter Brown, MA '52, of San Francisco, May 12, at 79, after a long illness. She taught for 29 years in San Francisco and was a lifelong resident of the city. She was predeceased by her husband, Leonard. Survivors: her children, Mark Rosen, Linda Reynolds and Jennifer Baxter; and four grandchildren.
George Kristovich, MA '55, of San Mateo, April 16. He served in the Navy during World War II and held graduate degrees from UC-Berkeley, USC and SFSU. He taught at Liberty Union High School in Brentwood and San Mateo High School, and he later became dean of boys and then vice principal at Hillsdale High School. He finished his career as principal of Crestmoor High School. He was a past president of the San Bruno Rotary Club. He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Marie, and his daughter Lori. Survivors: his daughter Paula; and a sister.
Engineering
Otto J. M. Smith, PhD '41 (electrical engineering), of Berkeley, Calif., May 10. He was professor emeritus in the UC-Berkeley department of electrical engineering and computer sciences, and at the time of his death he was still active in the field of earth-friendly energy production. Holder of more than 30 patents, he is perhaps best known for inventing the "Smith predictor," a component of electronic control systems. His diverse interests included a great love of animals, and he kept a number of pets, including an albino opossum named Pogoette. His family recounts that he once set a praying mantis's leg with a toothpick. He made many presentations about science and the natural world and dedicated his time to many political and social causes. Survivors: his wife of 67 years, Phyllis (Sterling, '42); one daughter, Candace Shock; three sons, Otto, Sterling and Stanford; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Victor G. Bruce, MA '46 (mechanical engineering), PhD '50 (applied mechanics), of Princeton, N.J., May 29, at 88, after a short struggle with cancer. During World War II he worked on the development of radar at the MIT Radiation Lab. In 1956 he joined the faculty of Princeton University's biology department, where he remained until his retirement in 1982. His primary research focus was circadian rhythms in biological clocks. Survivors: his wife, Nancy; his sons, Peter, James and Andrew; and eight grandchildren.
Hans Olaf Sorensen, MS '60 (electrical engineering), of Palo Alto, May 14, at 80, following complications of chronic disease. He received a 25-year service pin from SA and was elected to membership in Stanford Associates. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and later earned a degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He moved to Palo Alto for a job with Hewlett-Packard, where he worked for 41 years as an optoelectronics and fiber optics applications engineer. He was known by his colleagues as "the father of light" for his work with light-emitting diodes. Survivors: his wife of 57 years, Gretchen; his children, Lise Brunhart, Kristin Sorensen Gerhart, Peter and Amalie; two granddaughters; and four siblings.
George F. Rieger, MS '60 (applied mechanics), of Los Gatos, April 18. He served in the Navy during World War II. A professional engineer, he worked at General Electric from 1950 until 1983 in the nuclear energy division. He was active in the Rinconada Hills Association. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy. Survivors include his daughter, Dorothy.
Douglas W. Meservey, MS '74 (electrical engineering), of Menlo Park, March 6, at 59. He was the founder and owner of Map Solutions, a real estate mapping software product and firm. He was also a yoga teacher, an entrepreneur software developer and a loving father. He enjoyed cooking and gardening. Survivors: his daughter, Leah; two brothers; and his father.
William Edward Swanson, MS '76 (civil engineering), of Daly City, Calif., April 3, at 74, of cancer. He taught at San Jose State U. for nearly 40 years and was consistently ranked as one of the electrical engineering department's most highly regarded professors. He was awarded several National Science Foundation Fellowships for independent study. He loved poetry, music, games, puzzles, puns and Car Talk. Survivors: his life companion of 30 years, Lynda; and his two daughters, Karin and Wendy.
Humanities and Sciences
Loren E. Tesdell, PhD '58 (political science), of Minneapolis, Minn., November 19, at 88, of thyroid cancer. He received his undergraduate degree from the U. of Iowa and his master's degree from NYU. He taught at many universities, including U. of Texas-Austin, Temple U., American U. in Cairo, and Southwest Minnesota State U., where he retired from after 20 years on the faculty. He also worked for the American Friends Service Committee as administrator of international programs. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret. Survivors: his children, Lee, Rebecca, Erica, Jon and Carl; and three grandchildren.
Joanna Despres, MA '67 (art), of Stanford, March 29. A nationally recognized American muralist and painter, she had one-woman art shows in France, New York, Pakistan and San Francisco, and her works are in many collections in the U.S. and abroad. She was secretary to the executive council that implemented the National Recovery Act's WPA during the New Deal. She traveled the world with her husband, Emile, who was an international trade adviser to numerous U.S. presidents and also taught at Stanford. She was predeceased by her husband and one grandchild. Survivors: her children, Lani Despres Burack, John and Chuck; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Lesley Gilb Taplin, Gr. '74 (speech and drama), of Los Angeles, April 13, at 62, in an auto accident. Her career included work as an actor, film producer, production assistant, production manager, story editor, researcher, writer, gallery manager, publisher and teacher. She was also a passionate volunteer for many downtown Los Angeles organizations. Survivors: her son, Nicholas; her daughter, Blythe; a stepdaughter, Daniela Taplin Lundberg; a sister; two half-sisters; and a half-brother.
