Faculty
Andreas Acrivos, of Stanford, February 17, at 96. Born and raised in Athens, he came to the United States for college and graduate school and eventually was recruited to join Stanford’s chemical engineering department. A preeminent expert in fluid mechanics, he was recognized for his notable accomplishments in microhydrodynamics, a once-esoteric field that is now central to lab-on-a-chip technology. He received the National Medal of Science, edited the Physics of Fluids journal, and was a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Survivors include his wife, Juana; and sister, Acrivy Stavropoulos.
Richard Monson Christensen, of Walnut Creek, Calif., April 12, 2024, at 91. He was a research professor emeritus of aeronautics and astronautics and of mechanical engineering, and an expert in the field of the mechanics of materials. He helped revolutionize aircraft through his work on “failure criteria,” creating theories and mathematical methods to assess how advanced composite structures accumulate damage, respond to damage, and eventually fail. He wrote three groundbreaking books and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. He was predeceased by his wife, Kristy. Survivors: his children, Lori Enright and Kurt Christensen; and six grandchildren.
Michael Lee Friedman, of Portola Valley, Calif., March 24, at 77, after a long illness. A prize-winning expert on Immanuel Kant, he joined the philosophy department at Stanford in 2000 and left an indelible mark on the history of philosophy, the philosophy of science, and Kant studies. The author of several books, he won the Fernando Gil International Prize in Philosophy of Science for Kant’s Construction of Nature, which probed the deepest, most technical details of Kant’s reconstruction of Newtonian science. He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Graciela de Pierris, who also taught philosophy at Stanford. Survivors include his mother and sister.
George Mitchel “Bud” Homsy, of Lake Forest Park, Wash., March 12, 2024, at 80, of cancer. He was a professor emeritus and former chair of the chemical engineering department. In addition to pioneering research in fluid mechanics and transport phenomena, he helped create Multimedia Fluid Mechanics, a groundbreaking work (originally in CD-ROM form) in interactive education that set a new standard as a learning resource for students in the field. His work in viscous fingering, which deals with fluid displacement in porous mediums, influenced oil recovery, hydrology, and filtration. Survivors: his wife of 59 years, Barbara; and sons, George and Robert.
Jean Snookes Lythcott, of Palo Alto, March 1, at 86, of cancer. She was a clinical professor of science education at the Graduate School of Education. A master pedagogue, she co-founded a charter school, worked with teachers internationally, and spent many summers teaching for the Peace Corps in Africa and Polynesia. At Stanford, where she mentored teacher candidates, she was known for her devotion to education as a tool of liberation and evangelizing her love of science. She was predeceased by her first love, Ian Forrester; and husband, George Lythcott. Survivors: her children, Ian Forrester and Julie Lythcott-Haims, ’89; stepchildren, Ngina, George, and Michael; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
Robert John Moffat, MS ’66, Engr. ’66, PhD ’67 (mechanical engineering), of Los Altos, May 10, at 96. He was a professor emeritus of mechanical engineering. An expert on heat transfer, he was also known for co-designing an infant incubator-transporter that saved the lives of thousands of critically ill neonates. He was a sought-after consultant for jet-engine manufacturers due to his understanding of convective heat transfer in engineering systems. He later adapted that knowledge to introduce the adiabatic heat transfer coefficient, a revolutionary concept that improved the cooling of electronic systems. Survivors: his wife, Karina Nilsen; and son, John.
Inder Perkash, of Los Altos, February 28, at 91. He was an emeritus professor of urology and the first professor of Indian origin to have tenure and an endowed chair. He joined Stanford in 1972 to head the spinal cord injury program at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto. As a urologist with advanced surgery skills, he pioneered new ways to treat and care for veterans with spinal cord injuries. He was one of the first doctors to use lasers to stimulate the bladder nerves and use laser surgery for ureteral strictures. Among numerous honors, he received a Presidential Award for Medical Excellence. Survivors: his wife, Arun; sons, Rajan, ’90, and Sunil, ’91; two grandchildren; and sister.
David Alfred Thompson, PhD ’61 (industrial engineering), of Paso Robles, Calif., November 25, 2023, at 94. He was a professor emeritus of industrial engineering and an expert in ergonomics. He studied the physical and mental toll of the modern workplace and sought to design products and technologies to help people be more productive. He studied the physical demands of bus driving, computer workstations, and prolonged periods of staring at screens, guided by a belief that technology should adapt to people, not vice versa. Survivors: his daughters, Lynda and Diane; stepchildren; grandchildren; sister; and second of four wives, Leeya.
1940s
George Alexander Jedenoff, ’40 (general engineering), MBA ’42, of Orinda, Calif., May 11, at 107, of a heart attack. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi and played rugby. He served in the Navy. He was the general manager of three U.S. Steel plants before becoming the company’s vice president of operations. He later served as president and COO of Kaiser Steel Corporation. He was a passionate skier until age 103 and made a point to serve his communities, which included the Stanford Alumni Association. He was predeceased by his wife of 75 years, Barbara (Cull, ’43). Survivors include his children and grandchildren.
Verna Belle Maroney Reintjes, ’44, MA ’45 (psychology), of Morehead City, N.C., January 20, at 101, of complications from COVID-19. In North Carolina, she was a clinical psychologist for the Department of Social Services and for the Neuse Mental Health Center until her retirement in 1985. She loved traveling, especially to Ireland, Greece, and Hawaii, and she was a member of the Coastal Fellowship Unitarian Church for over 30 years. She was predeceased by her husband, John. Survivors: her children, Anne Krouse, Christine Martin, Susan, and Peter; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Meryle Eleanor Swift Thompson, ’46 (economics), of Menlo Park, April 1, 2024, at 99. She presided over the family rice growing business in Colusa County and supported the Lucile Packard Children’s Foundation, Stanford, the Allied Arts Guild, and the Peninsula Family Service Agency. She read the San Francisco Chronicle every day and was an ardent fan of Stanford sports. She loved watching and playing tennis, public television, dominoes, and cooking dishes from her Danish heritage. She was predeceased by her husband, John, ’45. Survivors include her son, Charles.
Jane Woodruff Smith Foster, ’48 (geography), of Chico, Calif., April 4, at 98, of lung cancer. She was a librarian in Modesto, Calif., and in Palo Alto. She enjoyed playing bridge and tennis while at Stanford. She was predeceased by her husband, Myron, and son John. Survivors include her son Kemper.
Elizabeth Clark Wellington O’Neill, ’48 (social service), of Denver, January 15, at 98. She was an accomplished oil and watercolor painter. Later in life, she earned a master’s degree in psychotherapy with an emphasis on art therapy. She counseled families experiencing childhood cancer and advised staff at related summer camps for 15 years. She was involved with the Girl Scouts for over 90 years and worked as a kindergarten assistant. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Donald, ’45, MS ’48; and a grandson. Survivors: her children, Mary O’Neill Christ, Donald, and Laura; five grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.
Culton “Cully” Ingram, ’49 (speech & drama), of Palm Desert, Calif., November 7, at 96. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi and played golf. He served in the Army. He worked at Chevron for 41 years in marketing and public affairs, a job that entailed 78 assignments and 23 household moves. He was a lecturer at Stanford, San José State, Menlo College, and various community colleges. He was a philanthropist and a director or board member of numerous civic organizations. He loved swimming, cocktail hour with friends, and traveling. Survivors: four children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Lois Mae Condee Seed, ’49 (education), of Carlsbad, Calif., March 13, at 97. She was a teacher at Raymond Avenue Elementary School, a U.S. Army school in Germany, and the Brentwood Presbyterian Church Preschool. She was active in Ebell Juniors, the National Charity League, and the American Association of University Women. She loved theater, classical music, reading, and listening to audiobooks and KUSC. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert, ’50, and son James. Survivors: her children, Marie Seed Lichauco, ’76, John, ’79, Alison Seed-Araujo, Pamela Kimbrough, and Janet Balekjian; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
1950s
Austin McLain Case, ’50 (biological sciences), of Seattle, May 26, 2020, at 90. He was a member of Sigma Chi. He served as a flight surgeon in the Air Force. He was a psychiatrist, University of Washington professor, and co-founder of the Center for Object Relations. He founded Secure Beginnings to serve high-risk mothers and infants and was a founding member of the Washington Association of Infant Mental Health. He was predeceased by his daughter Debby. Survivors: his longtime partner, Lucy Hadac; children, Stan, Margot, and Charlie; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two siblings; and first wife, Carol (Truman, ’52).
Beverly June Bond Childs, ’50 (Spanish), of Newport Beach, Calif., April 19, at 96. She had an abiding curiosity about the world and its people—one she carried across continents while adventuring with her husband. The cornerstone of her family, she was a steady presence known for her patience and caring nature. She prioritized health and exercise and enjoyed beach volleyball and, later, spirited tennis matches. Her sense of adventure never faded. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert, ’50, MBA ’52. Survivors: her children, Gail Omohundro, Blake, and Michael; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Richard H. Overman, ’50 (basic medical sciences), MD ’54, of University Place, Wash., February 1, at 96. He served in the Air Force Medical Corps. Initially drawn to medicine, he felt a spiritual calling to theological studies. He earned a master’s degree from the Southern California School of Theology and a PhD in theology and philosophy of religion from Claremont Graduate School. He joined the University of Puget Sound in 1965 as a professor of religion and taught for 28 years. His was a life dedicated to faith, family, education, and service. Survivors: his wife, Phyllis; children, Leah Wegener and Robert; and five grandchildren.
John Wilbert Abouchar, ’51 (mining & mineral engineering), of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, October 18, 2024, at 95, of Alzheimer’s disease. He served in the Navy. He was an inventor, patent- holder, and technology business developer whose companies made microscopic parts for defibrillators, gyroscopes, mass flow controllers, and automated soldering machines. He worked for North American Rockwell on unmanned non-Earth orbital studies. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, and church service work. Survivors: his wife, Marilyn (Bree, ’52); children, Susan Creighton, JD ’84, John, Jan Marie Abouchar Calle, ’85; stepchildren, Elizabeth Wilson and Wendell Sechler; eight grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren.
Robert August Johnson, ’52 (economics), of Pacific Grove, Calif., May 1, at 94. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi. He founded Old Stage Farms in the Salinas Valley, working there for over four decades. He was a past president of the California Farm Bureau and an early adopter of new agricultural technology, and he helped expand access to higher education for local students and advance agricultural programs at CSU Monterey Bay. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Sue; and grandson. Survivors: his daughters, Roberta Rhodes, Cindy Shaw Johnson, ’80, and Terri Yost; granddaughter; and brother, Richard, ’57, MA ’59.
Elisabeth Anne “Liddy” Hawkins Napper, ’52 (education), of Sonora, Calif., February 24, 2024, at 93, of acute respiratory failure. She met the man she would marry at Roble, where she lived and he worked as a hasher. She taught elementary school in Virginia and California. She was an accomplished seamstress, sold more than 40 of her watercolor paintings, and celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary by cruising the Mississippi on a steamboat. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Lowell, ’49, MS ’49. Survivors: her three daughters, Melanie Napper Reel, ’79, MA ’80, Cheryl Birkholz, and Susan Campbell; six grandchildren, including Jessica Reel, ’08, MS ’08; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Audrey Ann Bojanower Cochran, ’54 (nursing), of Bakersfield, Calif., March 21, at 93. She was a member of the choir. She was a professor of gerontological nursing at Cal State Bakersfield. She loved the Lord, writing, hiking, and her nursing career. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert; and son Ross. Survivors: her sons Lewis and Brian; and three grandsons.
Mary Allene Wicks Brucker, ’55 (political science), of Mercer Island, Wash., June 5, 2023, at 90, of dementia. She was one of the few women to attend law school at the University of Washington in the 1950s. She worked at the King County prosecutor’s office and in private practice before becoming the district court judge on Mercer Island. She later was appointed and elected to the King County Superior Court. She was a member of Soroptimist, served on the Seattle Ethics and Elections board, and supported the Mountaineers Foundation. She was predeceased by her husband, Tom; and daughter Sydney. Survivors: her children, Allison, Christopher, and Rachel; and two granddaughters.
Hamilton Robert Harris, ’55 (civil engineering), of Seattle, January 20, at 90. He served in the Air Force. He worked for Hiller Aircraft in Palo Alto, then for Boeing in Seattle. He worked on the engines for the 737, the failed SST project for supersonic jets, the hydrofoil project, and the stealth bomber project. He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy (Laverty, ’55). Survivors include his daughter, Cindy Lucangioli.
Marilyn Valerie Sanchez-Corea Knight, ’55 (psychology), of Tiburon, Calif., May 24, at 91, of breast cancer. She earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of San Francisco. From 1968 to 2004, she was a director, executive director, and educational consultant of the Belvedere-Hawthorne Nursery School, where she introduced the first pre-kindergarten program in southern Marin. She helped launch The Ark, a weekly community newspaper, and was a longtime parishioner of St. Hilary’s Catholic Church. She was predeceased by her husband of 42 years, Geoff. Survivors: her children, Jocelyn Knight Cacciatore and Geoffrey; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brother.
Lois Ann Blemer Lippincott, ’55 (English), of Orinda, Calif., May 24, at 91. She was a dedicated docent at the California Academy of Sciences, where she shared her passion for marine life during tours of the Steinhart Aquarium. She also embarked on adventurous journeys around the globe, collecting unique fish species for the aquarium and contributing to its vibrant displays and educational mission. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Alan; beloved partner, Bob Gledhill, ’55; and daughter Abby. Survivors: her daughter Lisa and grandson.
Maryann Jones Patterson, ’55 (music), of Walnut Creek, Calif., July 11, 2023, at 90. She sang in the choir. Inspired by her faculty mentor, a devotee of French Romantic organ music, she played it with enthusiasm and skill throughout her life. She loved the history of ancient instruments and notation and was a devoted student of Latin who taught her daughters to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in Latin. She practiced her organ craft wherever she could—including a Coast Guard base—and played everything from Bach to Buxtehude to Hindemith. Survivors include her daughters.
Elizabeth Burgess Dempster Stahr, ’55 (history), of Newport Beach, Calif., April 29, at 91. She tirelessly supported charitable causes, especially those focused on children, libraries, and the arts. She led the fund-raising efforts to build the Newport Beach Central Library, was an advocate for Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles, and strongly supported Stanford—in recognition of her contribution to help renovate the Hoover Tower carillon, one of the bells bears her name. She was predeceased by her husband, John, ’54. Survivors: her children, Walter, ’79, Fritz, ’81, Gretchen Stahr Breunig, ’86, and Karen; and five grandchildren, including Clancey, ’15.
Barbara Lee Horne Tiernan, ’55 (undeclared), of Saratoga, Calif., August 3, 2024, at 91. After raising children, she helped expand Airrigation Engineering Inc.—a developer and supplier of chemical root control systems—around the world. As company president, she established a subsidiary called Foam Innovations. She loved sports, made the DeAnza College tennis team in her 40s, and played in contract bridge tournaments across the country. She was predeceased by her children, David, Dane, and Christine. Survivors: her husband, Frank, MBA ’72; sons, Rick and Brian; stepchildren, Jim, Jo Anne, Dave, Vince, Chris, and Frank Jr.; and sister.
Ardath Harrison Wightman Jr., ’55 (biological sciences), of Fullerton, Calif., July 23, 2023, at 90. He was a member of Kappa Alpha and on the crew team. He committed his life to his family and his medical practice, which he approached with a deep sense of empathy and understanding. His unwavering devotion to his family and his patients was evident to all who had the privilege to know him. He was best known for his calm demeanor and gentle soul. Survivors: his seven children; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
Charles Carlin Kerwin Jr., ’56 (undeclared), of North Bend, Ore., May 27, at 91. He was on the crew team. He served in the Marine Corps. A graduate of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, he worked first as an investment banker in Los Angeles. With a passion for financial management and growing his clients’ portfolios, he started a Seattle-based investment firm, Kerwin Beley & Associates, that operated for over 40 years. He was an avid fisherman who enjoyed spending summers in Alaska on his boat. Survivors: his wife of 58 years, Nancy.
Brenda Jane Sorey Miller, ’56 (history), MA ’57 (education), of Palo Alto, March 20, at 91, of Alzheimer’s disease. She began a teaching career, sharing her love of learning with young minds, before dedicating herself to raising three sons. She was a steadfast presence in their lives, instilling in them the values of curiosity, kindness, and perseverance. She had a deep love for travel, was always eager to explore new places and cultures, and found great joy in the companionship of dogs, especially her final companion dog, Max. Survivors: her children, Charles, William, and Richard.
Virginia Kay Vinson Ruhland, ’56 (geography), of Oakland, March 31, at 90, after a short illness. After being a stay-at-home mom, she worked at Heald College for 16 years. In retirement, she traveled the world and particularly enjoyed Europe, riverboat cruises, and Asia. She was a strong supporter of the East Bay performing arts with subscriptions to Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Oakland Symphony. Survivors: her children, Kurt, Eric, Lisa, and Elizabeth; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Herschell Stephens Thomas Jr., ’56 (basic medical sciences), MD ’69, of Phoenix, April 10, at 90. He was a lieutenant commander in the Navy. A general surgeon in Phoenix for over 45 years, he was the chief of surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital, president of the Maricopa County Medical Society, president of the Phoenix Medical Club, and founder and president of the Mamakai, a medical society. He was a 50-year Rotarian and recognized as a Distinguished Eagle Scout. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Anne (Smoyer, ’60); children, Winston, Lynne Carpenter, and Laura Thomas Mitchell, ’93; eight grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren.
Suzanne Griffin LaTourrette, ’57 (Pacific-Asiatic-Russian studies), MA ’61 (education), of Los Altos, April 15, at 88, of dementia. She taught English as a second language for the city of Mountain View before returning to school and launching a 20-plus-year career as an agent at All Horizons Rancho Travel, specializing in Hawaii. A great lover of the outdoors and nature conservation, she was active in the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Green Foothills, and Environmental Volunteers. Survivors: her husband, Peter, ’56, MS ’57, Engr. ’59; sons, Jeff, Tom, and Dean; and six grandchildren.
Anna Dale Lyon Silliman, ’58 (education), of San Diego, May 25, at 88. She enjoyed a brief career as a school teacher in Watsonville, Calif., before raising her daughters. She was a member of the Junior League, Thursday Club, Point Loma Association, and ARCS Foundation. She treasured many years at the Zoological Society, administering the popular Speakers’ Programs, and served on the San Diego County Grand Jury. She was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Ray, ’56. Survivors: her daughters, Lynn, ’81, Lauri, and Terri, ’89; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sister.
Albert Rene Martin, ’59 (biological sciences), of Greenbrae, Calif., May 21, at 87, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was a member of Theta Xi. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, he worked on the efficacy of cholera vaccines with the U.S. Public Health Service and developed neighborhood health centers in Cambridge, Mass., before becoming a medical director at the Harvard Community Health Plan and later at Blue Shield of California. He helped design the California Healthcare Foundation Leadership Program. Survivors: his wife, Diana Richmond; daughters, Lauren and Susannah; stepdaughter, Kavana; two stepgranddaughters; sister; and former wife, Helene.
James Robert Ukropina, ’59 (history), MBA ’61, of Pasadena, Calif., April 8, at 87. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and played rugby and football. He served in the Air Force. A graduate of USC Law School, he was a partner at O’Melveny & Myers, an executive at Santa Fe International and Pacific Lighting, a member of the Stanford University Board of Trustees, and a dedicated philanthropist. He was predeceased by his wife of 15 years, Margaret Duckhorn. Survivors: his former wife, of 40 years, Lois (Brandenburg, ’62); sons, Mike, David, ’90, and Mark; five grandchildren; and twin sister, Jo-an Ukropina Barnett, ’59.
1960s
John Shelton Lawrence, ’60 (philosophy), of Berkeley, January 2, at 86, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He earned a PhD from the University of Texas, then spent most of his career at Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, where he taught philosophy and photography, authored several books, and oversaw a curriculum change process. He chaired the board of the Sioux City Art Center, enjoyed attending the Berkeley Repertory Theater, and was an active community volunteer. Survivors: his wife, Nancy (Cummings, ’61); children, Eric, ’90, and Jennifer; four grandsons, including Bradley, ’20; and brother.
Priscilla Lord Cowles Cowell, ’61 (psychology), of Portland, Ore., March 20, at 84, of brain cancer. She sang in the choir. She earned a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. With a specialty in literacy, she worked in developing countries on projects funded by USAID and the Ford Foundation. She helped develop national school curricula in Chile, American Samoa, Venezuela, and Namibia, and taught in Indonesia, Nepal, and Pakistan. In Portland, she was a learning specialist at the Catlin Gabel School. She was predeceased by her son Nicholas. Her husband, Nick, died two months after she did. Survivors: her son Christopher and two grandsons.
Ted Lane Kromer, ’61 (political science), of Redding, Calif., March 31, at 86. He was a beloved father, grandfather, entrepreneur, professor, world explorer, and friend. Survivors: his daughters, Karen Foster and Kristen Mcgee; and four grandchildren.
Franklyn Rehm Atkinson, ’62 (history), of Belmont, Calif., April 14, at 83. He was a member of Zeta Psi and played football and rugby. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as their first pick in round 8 and later played for the Denver Broncos. After attending business school at UCLA, he worked in venture capital and finance. From 1974 to 1980, he and his family lived in Beirut; Dusseldorf, Germany; and London. Survivors: his wife, Linda (Beardwood, ’62); daughters, Patricia, ’87, MBA ’92, Gunhild Atkinson Jordan, ’89, and Robin Fox; and five grandchildren.
Douglas Howard McAulay, ’62 (psychology), of Oakland, July 5, 2024, at 83, of congestive heart failure. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was in the second Stanford class to study abroad in Beutelsbach, Germany. While there, he drove his motorcycle to Munich, spent the night in a park before applying for a job at the foreign workers’ bureau. He was hired by a ball bearing plant and spent the summer there, perfecting his German. Survivors: his partner, Helen DeVol; son, Michael, ’88; and two grandchildren.
Bruce Frederick Schaefer, ’62 (industrial engineering), of Saratoga, Calif., April 24, at 84. He was a member of Chi Psi and managed the golf team. He earned an MBA from the University of Washington and spent most of his career in senior IT management at various Silicon Valley tech firms. He and his wife loved to travel, visiting each country in Europe and vacationing on the East Coast and in Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Singapore, and the Bahamas. He was predeceased by his wife of over 20 years, Louise. Survivors: his daughters, Kim Nicols, Kari Mullan, and Jodie; four granddaughters; and longtime partner, Sandra Spivak.
John Wesley Goddard, ’63 (industrial engineering), of Danville, Calif., October 28, 2024, at 83. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the cable television industry and was the CEO of Viacom Cable from 1980 to 1996. His biggest passion was duck hunting, and he owned and managed a family hunting property in California’s Central Valley. He also loved snow skiing and fly fishing. In retirement, he took annual fishing trips to Alaska and traveled often to New Zealand. Survivors: his wife of 43 years, Joan; son, John Jr.; two grandchildren; and ex-wife, Susan (Ehrhart, ’62, MA ’63).
Edward T. Engle Jr., ’64 (history), of Mill Valley, Calif., April 26, at 82, of amyloid polyneuropathy. He was a member of Sigma Chi. He earned an MBA from Columbia University and co-founded a college textbook publishing company. After selling it, he worked at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and spent 10 years as chairman of the business administration department at Dominican University. Later, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, he worked for a small nonprofit, creating training programs for Russian entrepreneurs. He loved traveling to obscure places, from Borneo to subarctic Russia. Survivors include his partner, Celia; his caregiver; and many cousins.
Tessa E. M. Morelli Lepper, ’64 (English), of Walnut Creek, Calif., March 25, at 81, of cancer. A gifted middle and high school teacher, she served on the Walnut Creek School Board, was an integral part of the development of the Walnut Creek Youth Educator program, and supported initiatives to fund the city’s middle and high schools. She shared her love of nature as the educational coordinator at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. She enjoyed skiing, golfing, playing bridge, and traveling. Survivors: her husband of 59 years, Gary, ’65; daughters, Caitlin Ryan and Meghan Martin; and four grandchildren.
John Thomas Studebaker, ’64 (anthropology), of Sacramento, Calif., January 22, 2024, at 81, of congestive heart failure. He was on the Stanford Daily staff. He was an attorney for the Legislative Counsel Bureau of California for more than 30 years. He worked on important litigation related to the renovation of the California State Capitol Building. He was an accomplished pianist and jazz buff who also loved history, photography, hiking, flying gliders, and target shooting. He was a longtime member of the Sacramento Stanford alumni monthly book club. Survivors include his sister, Stacy.
Marilynn Jean Cason, ’65 (political science), of Evanston, Ill., March 18, at 81. After law school at the University of Michigan, she worked for Dawson, Nagle, Sherman & Howard; Kraft Foods; and Johnson Products, where she was corporate vice president for manufacturing and marketing in Africa. She was later the lead attorney and VP of human resources at DeVry University. She had a deep love for visual and textile arts of West Africa and supported struggling artists and an array of museums. She was predeceased by her husband, Wes Kriebel, and a granddaughter. Survivors: her stepchildren, Linda Foltz, John, Paul, and Jeffrey Kriebel; five grandchildren; great-granddaughter; and sister.
Nancy Jean Caling Fosmire, ’65 (electrical engineering), of Seattle, May 3, at 82. She was the first woman in Stanford’s electrical engineering department. During her varied career, she worked as an electrical engineer for Boeing, a technical writer in the United States and Denmark, and the owner/operator of a guest house near La Push, Wash., and rentals in Seattle. She founded and ran Opera Plus, a group whose members enjoyed previews for each production of the Seattle Opera. She nurtured a lifelong interest in music and folk dancing. She was predeceased by her husband, Russell.
Margaret Alice Ferguson Gibson, ’65 (political science), of Los Alamos, N.M., March 31, at 81. She was in the symphony orchestra. She earned a master’s degree in political science from Northwestern University and two more—in computer science and biomedical sciences—from the University of New Mexico. She began her career as one of the first computer scientists to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad; after moving to the East Coast, she worked for the Computer Sciences Corporation. She was active in the First United Methodist Church of Los Alamos. Survivors: her husband of 56 years, Benjamin, PhD ’66; sons, James, Michael, and Stuart; four grandchildren; and two sisters.
Susan Adair Roberts Persson, ’65 (English), of Lafayette, Calif., March 17, at 81. She earned a PhD in English literature from the University of Colorado Boulder, an MSW from DePaul University, and her diploma in analytical psychology from the C.G. Jung Institute. She enjoyed a 30-year career as a psychoanalyst, practicing in Santa Fe, N.M., and Evanston, Ill. Survivors: her husband, Jan; and children, Erik and Cynthia.
Mary Elizabeth Rolfs McDevitt, ’66 (history), of Mill Valley, Calif., March 3, at 80. With a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Dominican University, she worked at Family Services Agency of Marin, then led a successful private practice in San Rafael for over 36 years. She was a professor in Dominican’s counseling psychology graduate program for 26 years and helped develop its curriculum. She enjoyed gardening, pampering her cats, socializing with friends, and reading. Survivors: her husband of 58 years, Ray, ’65, JD ’69; daughters, Devon Marvel and Jessica; four grandchildren; and brother.
Elizabeth Jean “Penny” Trimble Buckley, ’67 (art), of Oakland, July 24, 2024, at 79, of complications from dementia. She earned a master’s from UC Berkeley and a PhD from UCLA with a specialty in Renaissance art. She was a docent at the Getty Museum and authored guides to the collections. She later taught at UC Santa Cruz before earning a degree from UC Law San Francisco. She retired from the California Court of Appeals in San Francisco. She was a traveler, scholar, gardener, and chef. She was predeceased by her husband, Mike. Survivors: her daughter, Kay.
David Roger Lipson, ’67 (history), of Sausalito, Calif., May 4, at 79, from influenza A. His distinguished legal career spanned more than five decades. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he clerked for Justice Sullivan and Judge Weigel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. He worked for the state public defender and for various law firms, where he earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients for his integrity and keen mind. Survivors: his wife, Una Ryan; daughter, Christina; two stepdaughters; and grandson.
Robin Jane Coats Walther, ’67 (mathematics), of Pasadena, Calif., February 8, at 79, after a long illness. With a PhD in economics from UC Berkeley, she taught economics at USC, among other schools. She also researched and wrote about gerontology. After leaving academia, she spent more than 20 years as an executive at the Southern California Edison Company, working on electric utility regulation. She was predeceased by her daughter, Danielle Walther Rangel. Survivors: her husband of 55 years, James, ’67; and siblings, Betty Coats Heian, ’66, Robert, ’71, MBA ’74, JD ’75, Frank, ’72, and Tom.
Kevin Beedy King, ’68 (political science), of Palo Alto, February 16, at 78. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He earned a degree from UC Law San Francisco before pursuing a career in education, working for school districts in Southern and Northern California. He was passionate about tennis. Survivors: his siblings, John, James, and Katharine.
William Carl Hobbs, ’69, MA ’71 (English), of Durango, Colo., March 31, at 77. He was on the Stanford Daily staff. He taught reading and English at junior high and high schools in Colorado before becoming a full-time author of young adult fiction. His 20 novels won many awards, and two were included among the American Library Association’s “100 Best Books for Young Adults.” He was an avid outdoorsman with an intimate knowledge of the mountains, rivers, and canyons of the American Southwest, Alaska, and Canada. He was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Jean. Survivors include his siblings, Barbara Hobbs Morrissey, Edmund, MS ’69, and Joseph.
Lura Marie Smith, ’69 (psychology), of Mercer Island, Wash., May 17, at 78, of pancreatic cancer. She spent three summers working at Stanford Sierra Camp. After a brief sojourn in Yosemite Valley, she lived in Alaska and Northern Idaho for 10 years. She earned a JD at Gonzaga University at 41 and spent more than two decades clerking for the chief judge of the Western Washington Federal District Court. She loved hiking and traveling to mountain destinations. Survivors: her husband, William Schubach, ’66; sons, Matt Ginzton, ’98, MS ’01, and Nate Ginzton, ’01; stepdaughters, Sarah and Julia Schubach, ’14; four grandchildren; and sister, Erin Atwater, ’78.
1970s
Maureen Barbara Jenks Querio, ’70 (history and nursing), of Oakland, May 20, at 76. She worked as a nurse before raising a family. She was the primary caregiver and advocate for her second son, born with special needs, and zealously supported him and his fellow residents when he moved to the Sonoma Developmental Center. She was a devoted Catholic, community volunteer, and director on the Bay Island board. She was predeceased by her son Philip. Survivors: her husband, Don, ’69, JD ’72; children, Cynthia Querio Barthold, ’07, and John, JD ’03; five grandchildren; and two brothers.
Kathleen L. “Taffy” McNellis, ’71 (psychology), MA ’72 (education), of Redwood City, November 26, at 75, of syringomyelia. She taught at San José High School before earning a PhD in cognitive psychology at Cornell University. After giving birth to her children, she worked as a school psychologist at a public high school in Middletown, N.J.—a job she loved. She enjoyed cooking, family dinners, reading, caring for plants, traveling with her family, and giving advice to anyone who would listen. Survivors: her husband of 43 years, James Cunningham, ’72; children, Erin and Michael; grandson; and three siblings.
Melanie Phelps Bean, ’73 (music), of New York, June 3, at 73. She earned a master’s degree in piano and performed in San Francisco and Chicago before moving to New York. She played chamber music and accompaniment, and taught piano both privately and at the Hoff-Barthelson School. She was a gifted writer and composer who found inspiration in musical theater. A longtime member of the Riverside Clay Tennis Association, she served as one of the organization’s more influential presidents. Survivors include her partner of 43 years, Ira Bauer, and two siblings.
John Heardcouch Minott Jr., ’74 (history), of Philadelphia, February 21, at 73, of a heart attack. He attended Stanford in France and became fluent in French. After working in the University of Oregon archives, he enrolled at the university and earned a master’s degree in international studies. He worked at the historic Masonic Temple in Philadelphia for over 30 years. A skilled spokesperson and history buff, he brought the past to life with a quick wit and sense of humor. He took great pride in giving tours in English and French to visiting dignitaries and tourists. Survivors include his siblings, Joseph, Geoffrey, Owen, and Elizabeth.
David Merle Orchard, ’74 (anthropology), of Houston, January 7, at 72, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a member of Kappa Alpha and on the crew team. He earned a master’s degree in geology from the University of Texas at Austin and worked in oil and gas exploration at ERG and ConocoPhillips. He started Manzanita Alliances, a prosperous industry services company, and the Foundation for Quaternary Paleontology of Venezuela, in support of a fossil excavation project. Survivors: his wife of 51 years, Marie; children, Emily Orchard Kilbride, Phillip, Ellen, Samuel Holmes, and Abraham Kamara; 10 grandchildren; and sister.
Michael Carleton Wood, ’74 (political science), of Mill Valley, Calif., April 10, at 72. He was a member of Delta Upsilon and played rugby. He earned a JD from Hastings Law School and an MBA from UC Berkeley. He became a partner at two law firms: Reed Smith and Cooley. While teaching his 3-year-old son to read, he realized the importance of phonics in early childhood reading and comprehension. He left his legal career and founded LeapFrog Enterprises, maker of the LeapPad, a computer tablet that would influence a generation of young readers. He later founded Smarty Ants, an educational software company. Survivors: his wife, Leslie Harlander; son, Mat; three grandchildren; and two brothers.
Simon Ming Yeh, ’74 (chemistry), of Walnut Creek, Calif., April 28, at 72. He earned a PhD in chemistry from UC Davis and enjoyed a long career in the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries, first as a scientist and then in senior management. A devout Christian, he was active in his church community, teaching Sunday school and serving on various committees. He was an avid runner who completed 17 full marathons and many more half-marathons. He will be remembered for his faith, kindness, and strength of character. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth (Seet, ’75); and daughter, JoAnna.
Beverly Antoinette Anderson, ’75 (human biology), of Denison, Texas, February 19, at 72. After graduating from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, she dedicated her life to pediatric medicine in New York, providing compassionate care to countless children and families. Her commitment to the well-being of her young patients left a lasting impact on the community. She was predeceased by her son, Lawrence Brown III.
Suzanne Marguerite Austin, ’76 (biological sciences), of Los Gatos, Calif., May 8, at 70, of cancer. She earned her MD at Case Western University and completed a fellowship at Stanford Medical School. She and her husband renovated a building for her own medical practice, which she opened in San Jose in 1992 and filled with many of her mother’s paintings. She loved to swim and spent her honeymoon and two wedding anniversaries in Hawaii. Survivors: her husband, William Drennan; and sister, Melissa, ’73.
Donald James Brunsten, ’76 (economics), JD ’79, of Los Angeles, March 10, at 70, of cancer. He was on the Law Review and received the prestigious Writer’s Award during his second year of law school. He began his legal career with the Century City law firm of Pacht, Ross and went on to practice law for over 40 years in Los Angeles. He was humorous and had a great love for sports and animals. Survivors: his siblings, Bill, Pat, and Barbara; and dear friend, Barbara Levin.
Karl Lee Schoenberger, ’76 (Japanese), of El Cerrito, Calif., April 8, at 71, of complications from a stroke. He was an award-winning reporter who spent a significant part of his career in Tokyo covering the global rise of the Japanese economy in the 1980s and early ’90s, working for publications like the Associated Press, the Asian Wall Street Journal, Fortune magazine, and the LA Times. He was fluent in Japanese, a Nieman Fellow at Harvard, and the author of a book about the Levi Strauss company. Survivors: his daughters, Chelsea Rose, Sonya, and Hannah; former wife, Susan Kuramoto Moffat; and brother.
William Archibald Langewiesche, ’77 (anthropology), of North Salem, New York, June 15, at 70, of prostate cancer. Dubbed the “Steve McQueen of journalism,” he was among the most prominent long-form nonfiction writers of recent decades, winning two National Magazine Awards and reporting for Vanity Fair, the New York Times Magazine, and The Atlantic. A former commercial pilot, he often wrote about high-stakes, calamitous topics like aviation disasters, the recovery efforts after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Iraq War. Survivors: his wife, Tia Cibani; children, Matthew, Anna, Archibald, and Castine; and sister.
Christopher Michael Sperberg-McQueen, ’77, MA ’77 (German studies), PhD ’85 (comparative literature), of Española, N.M., August 16, 2024, at 70. He was a medieval German philologist and markup language specialist. The co-editor of the Text Encoding Initiative, he helped develop guidelines for the encoding and interchange of electronic text, which underpins most digital humanities scholarship. He was the first humanities computing consultant at Princeton University, worked for the World Wide Web Consortium, and founded Black Mesa Technologies, an IT consulting firm. After the 2016 election, he devoted himself to progressive politics in New Mexico. Survivors: his wife, Marian, MA ’76, PhD ’81; stepmother, Elvira; and eight siblings.
Thomas Hamilton Bedecarré, ’78 (political science), of Woodside, Calif., March 29, at 69, of brain cancer. He earned an MBA from Northwestern University and became a renowned entrepreneur and advertising executive. He worked at Ogilvy & Mather, was vice president of Hal Riney & Partners, and formed Atlas, Citron, Haligman & Bedecarré—later CHB—the largest independent ad agency in San Francisco. He took great pride in serving as a bridge between Madison Avenue and Silicon Valley, building relationships that reshaped marketing. He was an adjunct lecturer in Stanford’s School of Engineering. Survivors: his wife of 40 years, Maggie; children, Kate, Madeline, and John; two grandchildren; and five siblings, including William, ’80.
Jane Alison Zack Simon, ’79 (international relations), of San Mateo, Calif., March 29, at 67, of complications from cancer. She earned her JD from the University of San Francisco and spent over 30 years at the California Department of Justice helping to shape the legal frameworks around public health, healthcare reporting, and physician accountability. Her greatest joy was her family, and she gracefully balanced her career with her home life. She formed lifelong friendships at Stanford, and a scholarship fund is being established in her name for a law school student committed to public service. Survivors: her husband of 34 years, Rick; children, Nick, ’15, and Alison; and three siblings, including Kathy Zack, ’80.
1980s
Kevin Edward Solliday, ’85 (political science and urban studies), of San Francisco and Monterey, Calif., January 30, at 61, of complications from lymphoma. He served as chair of the Axe Committee He earned a JD and a master’s of city and regional planning from UC Berkeley, practiced at several law firms before transitioning to a 24-year career at Gap Inc. He started as associate general counsel and later became an executive overseeing corporate facilities and shaping Gap’s real estate footprint. He was a master negotiator, whether navigating a complex business transaction or coordinating a social gathering, and left an imprint on his close friends and the cities he loved. Survivors: his wife, Amy.
Karen Joy Goedewaagen Knetter, ’87 (applied earth sciences), MS ’88 (civil engineering), of Madison, Wis., September 7, 2024, at 59, of cancer. She played basketball. She worked for Resource Systems Group, an environmental consulting firm in New Hampshire, before moving to Wisconsin. In Madison, she was active in the local schools, churches, Girl Scout troops, youth sports teams, and nonprofits. She was admired as a mother, friend, artist, athlete, yogi, cook, gardener, listener, teacher, and believer in love and compassion above all else. Survivors: her former spouse, Mike, PhD ’88; daughters, Maxine and Lillian; father, Tom; and two siblings.
1990s
John Justin Davis, ’93 (human biology), of Paso Robles, Calif., March 17, at 53, of a heart attack. He was a member of Sigma Chi and on the rugby, fencing, and wrestling teams. He attended medical school at Oregon Health & Science University. He proudly practiced medicine and always made himself available to patients, friends, and family with understanding and compassion. He was a member of the Rotary and worked with local middle and high school teachers to offer advice to young scholars interested in the health sciences. Survivors: his wife, Lisa; children, Skye, Sloane, and Jack; parents, Carolyn and John; and sister.
Miguel Hernandez, ’93 (public policy), of Piru, Calif., and London, March 5, at 53. He played lacrosse. He attended the Kellogg School of Management and worked in venture capital and private equity, most recently as a vice president for Lazard, a global financial services company. He met his wife while working in Japan; he also spent several years living in Poland and the United Kingdom. He was known for his tremendous warmth, geniality, and utmost devotion for his family and friends. Survivors: his wife, Miki Nozawa; children, Lucas and Erika; and four siblings.
Karen Iris “Kaz” Brecher, ’97 (psychology), of Los Angeles, May 17, at 49, of ovarian cancer. She was in Ram’s Head Theatrical Society. Through her work with Civic Collaboratory and Made by Us, she developed strategies to engage youth in the future of democracy through a deeper understanding of the past. She held innovation faculty positions at the THNK School of Creative Leadership in Amsterdam and Vancouver and at Experience Institute, where she transformed how people think about learning, leading, and living. She was especially proud of co-founding Sirius Enigmas with her father. She was a cheerleader and wise adviser to an uncountable number of friends and loved ones. Survivors: her daughter, Birdie; parents, Aviva and Kenneth; and brother.
Business
Dean Fay Collins, MBA ’50, of Benicia, Calif., February 4, at 101, of cardiopulmonary arrest. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces, was stationed in New Guinea, and later participated in the post-WWII Air Force Reserve program. He worked as an accountant for over 50 years, many of those for himself after he opened a public accounting business in Benicia. He was an avid walker and fan of the Giants, 49ers, and Warriors. He enjoyed gardening, the beach, and Dixieland jazz. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Joan; children, Kelly Moulis and Scott; and four grandchildren.
Donald Henry Bueermann, MBA ’55, of Gearhart, Ore., February 10, at 95. He worked as a stockbroker for many years. After retiring, he and his wife built a house in Gearhart overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He served as president of the homeowners association for six years and was the chairman of the finance committee at Lighthouse Christian Church. Survivors: his wife, Carolann; sons, Brad, ’79, and Mark; stepchildren, Alan and Cheryl Gunderson; two granddaughters; stepgrandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
James Givens Ingram, MBA ’63, of Harrodsburg, Ky., August 25, 2024, at 88. He worked for Arthur Andersen in Indiana and C&S Bank in Atlanta before becoming president and CEO of Mercer County National Bank in Harrodsburg. He was a devoted member, elder, and former chairman of the board of Harrodsburg Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He was chairman of the board of the James B. Haggin Hospital from 1988 to 2017. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Janet. Survivors: his daughters, Dianne Oliverio, Dawn Olive, and Debbie Souder; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister.
Sue Sevilla Douthit O’Donnell, MBA ’76, of Atherton, Calif., May 27, at 80, after a short illness. She worked in public accounting, earned a CPA, and then joined a real estate syndication firm. She was instrumental in helping to renovate the library at Denison University, her alma mater, and received an Alumni Citation. She supported libraries at UC Berkeley and Stanford’s Hoover Institution. Later she developed an interest in medical research and wrote patient reviews for the British Medical Journal. She was predeceased by her stepdaughter Katharine O’Donnell Hamer. Survivors: her husband, Bob, MLA ’16; stepdaughter Heather; and two grandchildren.
Education
Erika Sander, MA ’67 (education), of Milwaukee, March 1, at 83. She earned a PhD in education from UC Berkeley. She was an assistant professor in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she mentored young faculty members and was the first women’s basketball and field hockey coach. She was the chair of the department of human kinetics (now kinesiology) for a decade and also served as interim dean of the School of Allied Health Professions, assistant vice chancellor for personnel, and interim director of human resources. Survivors include many close friends.
Janet Hogan Brigman Larkey, MA ’68 (education), of Dallas, December 26, at 85, of long COVID and chronic myeloid leukemia. She was an artist, jeweler, art teacher, color consultant, and keynote speaker. She was the first guest host on QVC and appeared on CBS This Morning. She wrote Flatter Your Figure, a bestseller that sold half a million copies, and the Trophy Award-winning autobiography Mom, Mania, and Me about living with a bipolar mother (published under the pseudonym Diane Dweller). Survivors: her husband, Patrick, ’69; children, Stephanie Phillip, William Brigman, and Jana Johns; and four grandchildren.
Jo Ann Kohnstamm Intili, MA ’77 (sociology), PhD ’77 (education), of Oakland, April 22, at 79. Having served in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan, she spent more than a decade providing technical support and data reporting services for AmeriCorps. In 2003, she returned to Afghanistan to collaborate in USAID-funded efforts to bring education to thousands of rural villages. Through continual, strategic philanthropy, she supported organizations dedicated to social justice, community development, responsible media, immigrant equity, and community well-being. Survivors: her husband of four decades, Edward Kissam; stepchildren, Cassady and Kyra; and three grandchildren.
Engineering
Jerome Boris Gilbert, MS ’54 (civil engineering), of Greenbrae, Calif., May 13, at 94. He was a defining figure in California water management, shaping decades of policy in one of the country’s most complex environments. He led public agencies, authored critical state and national legislation—including the EPA Clean Water Act and California’s Porter-Cologne Act—and served as the first executive officer of the State Water Resources Control Board. He later founded J.B. Gilbert & Associates, which took on major sewage control system and water quality plan projects. Survivors: his wife, Judy, ’55; daughters, Victoria Quintanilla, Jean Smith, and Tania Scheer; and four grandchildren.
Jerry A. McLellan, MS ’63 (civil engineering), of Kalamazoo, Mich., September 13, 2024, at 86. He was a quality control engineer and chief engineer at Precast Schokbeton in Kalamazoo until 1974. He then joined Walker Parking Consultants as a project manager and eventually became the vice president. His responsibilities included structural design, quality control, and risk management of bridges, parking garages, and other civil projects. He loved sailing, skiing, and biking. He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Nancy. Survivors: his daughters, Pamela Thomas and Barbara Kesler; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sister.
Kenneth Gordon Paulsell, MS ’63, Engr. ’65 (mechanical engineering), of Glen Mills, Pa., January 6, at 88. He worked for Creole Petroleum, a subsidiary of Standard Oil, in Maracaibo, Venezuela. After graduate school, he was hired by the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Del., where he enjoyed a 30-year career. He practiced quiet philanthropy and instilled the values of kindness and giving in his grandchildren. He was a dedicated gardener at his farmette in Chadds Ford, Pa., and achieved the title master gardener with Penn State. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Pamela; children, Katherine Matson, Hilary Mameniskis, and David; nine grandchildren; and two siblings.
Darrell Whitman Neily, MS ’71 (applied mechanics), of Adelphi, Md., August 25, 2023, at 74, of cancer. After conducting engineering research for the Harry Diamond Laboratories, he managed research and development for the U.S. Coast Guard. He later became the CFO for the Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center, which provides funds to remove, restore, and compensate for damages from oil spills in navigable waters. In retirement he served on church committees and as president of the Cherry Mill homeowners and the Maryland Volkssport associations. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Margaret; sons, Joseph and Jeffrey; and two siblings.
Humanities and Sciences
Edwin Burke Parker, MA ’58, PhD ’60 (communication), of Portland, Ore., February 8, at 93, of lung cancer. He was a professor of communication who contributed to the early development of the internet, bringing satellite communication to rural Alaska, founding the satellite data network industry, and starting the Oregon Health Network, which improved the quality of health care delivery throughout the state and eventually expanded to all 50 states. He was a co-founder of Equatorial Communications, a start-up that developed the first small commercial satellite terminals for data communications. He was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley-Ann, and second wife, Fran. Survivors: his children, Karen and David; two granddaughters; and the love of his life for the past 10 years, Anne.
Robert King Waits, MS ’58 (chemistry), of Sunnyvale, Calif., January 24, at 92. His career spanned R&D, integrated circuit production, and technical writing. He worked on the team that developed the first integrated circuits, and he patented the processes (still in use today) for manufacturing low-power integrated circuits. He was a member of the American Vacuum Society for over 40 years. He was a voracious reader, researcher, and collector who authored several books in retirement. Survivors: his wife of 60 years, Susie; daughters, Janine Penney and Jennifer; and three grandchildren.
Myles Hollander, MS ’62, PhD ’65 (statistics), of Tallahassee, Fla., January 27, at 83. As part of his 42-year career at Florida State University, he was named the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor and made substantial contributions to areas including nonparametric statistics, reliability theory, survival analysis, biostatistics, and probability theory. The American Statistical Association honored him with the Gottfried E. Noether Senior Scholar Award. He was a member of numerous national statistics associations and an editor of several academic journals. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Glee. Survivors: his sons, Layne and Bart, ’90; and five grandchildren.
Medicine
Camellia Marie Ware Adams, PhD ’93 (genetics), of Bristol, Va., March 20, at 80. Prior to Stanford, she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Mary Washington College, studied at Case Western Reserve, and earned a master’s degree in microbiology from San José State University. She and her husband, a Navy lieutenant, were stationed in Italy and Spain for several years. She worked at Genentech and contributed to the development of drugs still used today to treat cancer, macular degeneration, and multiple sclerosis. She retired in 2010. Survivors: her former husband, Richard; sons, Kirk and Scott; brother; and her partner, David McFarlane.
