Faculty/Staff
Tze Leung Lai, of Stanford, May 21, at 77, of a stroke. He was the Ray Lyman Wilbur Professor, a scholar of theoretical statistics and mathematics, and a professor in and former chair of the statistics department. He contributed groundbreaking work to the field of sequential statistical analysis, stochastic approximation and recursive estimation, and Markov decision processes. Renowned for collaborating outside his field, he held courtesy appointments in the School of Medicine, School of Engineering, and Woods Institute for the Environment. He founded the Financial and Risk Modeling Institute, published more than 300 articles, and supervised nearly 80 PhD theses and seven postdoctoral trainees. Survivors: his wife, Letitia; sons, Peter, ’02, MS ’04, and David, ’08; two grandchildren; and sister.
Perry Lee McCarty, of Stanford, June 4, at 91. He was the Silas H. Palmer Professor in civil engineering, emeritus, and former chair of the department of civil engineering. He pioneered the field of environmental biotechnology and helped discover anaerobic bacteria that could break down environmental contaminants. His work helped guide new strategies for cleaning up industrial contamination and minimizing groundwater pollution worldwide. He helped establish the EPA’s Western Region Hazardous Substance Research Center and won the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in 1992, the Clarke Prize from the National Water Research Institute in 1997, and the Stockholm Water Prize in 2007. Survivors: his wife of 70 years, Martha; children, Kathleen Geist, Perry, ’76, Cara, ’78, and Susan; six grandchildren, including Christopher, ’09; great-grandchild; and two sisters.
Henry “Hank” Whipple Parker, of Hanover, N.H., July 7, at 99. He was a professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering. He served in the military during World War II and the Korean War. A master of logistics and large-scale construction projects, he was recruited to Stanford to provide graduate education for thousands of engineers completing the interstate highway system and dam projects in the Western states. He had an influential 15-year career in the construction industry and, in 1988, co-authored Productivity Improvement in Construction, considered a classic in the field of construction theory and practice. He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Pauline. Survivors: his children, Martha, ’78, David, ’81, MS ’88, Jeffrey, MS ’86, and Judith; five grandchildren, including Niall, ’13, Anne, ’14, and Ellie, ’16; and two great-grandchildren.
Lyman “Van” P. Van Slyke, of Stanford, May 13, at 94. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was a professor emeritus of history and a pioneering scholar of 20th century Chinese history, focusing on the conquest of power by the Chinese Communist Party between 1920 and 1950. He established the International Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies and served as its executive director for 34 years. He was a guide on more than 35 Stanford Travel/Study trips to Asia, which led to what he considered his most significant work: his book Yangtze: Nature, History, and the River. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara. Survivors: his children, Peter, John, and Elizabeth; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Eugene Francis “Buddy” Teevens III, of Hanover, N.H., September 12, at 66, from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. He played quarterback at Dartmouth before becoming a coach, leading teams at the University of Maine, Tulane, and Stanford (from 2002 to 2004). He spent 23 years as head coach at Dartmouth, where he was the winningest football coach in the school’s history. To increase safety, he removed live tackling in practices and led the development of the Mobile Virtual Player, a robotic tackling dummy that has been used by other collegiate and professional teams. His teams have won or shared five Ivy League championships, and he is one of three Ivy Leaguers to win a conference crown as a player and a head coach. Survivors: his wife, Kirsten; children, Lindsay and Buddy Jr.; and
four grandchildren.
1940s
Antony Curtis Gualtieri, ’47 (biological sciences), MD ’52, of Capitola, Calif., June 3, at 99. He served in the Army during World War II. He completed medical training at Stanford, Santa Clara University, and Washington University in St. Louis. He opened a practice in Los Gatos, Calif., and later practiced as a plastic surgeon for 17 years. After closing his practice, he served as a chief medical consultant for the Board of Medical Quality Assurance in Sacramento, Calif. He was mayor of Capitola, Calif., for two terms and also served on the city council and as city treasurer. Survivors: his wife of 42 years, Kathryn; daughter, Anna; stepchildren, Kathleen Levine and Bill Kaiser; six grandchildren; and sister.
Frances Cooper Coakley Beals, ’49 (art), of Edgefield, S.C., June 30, at 95. She studied textile design at the Lowell Technological Institute and earned a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of South Carolina. She taught at several schools, spending 12 years as a science teacher at St. Mary’s School in Aiken, S.C. She was a scout leader, taught swimming, volunteered at Episcopal churches, and was an officer in the local Les Dames Des Fleurs Garden Club service organization. She was an avid photographer who documented her family’s many adventures, including many international eco-tours with her husband. Survivors: her husband of 70 years, Richard; children, Rodney, Karen Kjerengtroen, Cindy Gilbert, and Neil; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Frances H. Lynn-Into, ’49 (biological sciences), of Youngstown, Ohio, June 27, at 95. She earned a master of nursing from Yale. She worked at the Center for the Study of Psychotic Disorder at NYU for 10 years as part of a multidisciplinary team researching the biochemistry of schizophrenia and mood-altering pharmaceuticals. She earned a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing from NYU’s school of education. She later researched medical malpractice cases at her father’s former law firm. She was a fierce skeet shooting competitor, loved the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Metropolitan Opera, and participated in community organizations like the Junior League and Visiting Nurses Association. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert Norman Into.
1950s
Mildred Edith Welch Clough, ’50 (psychology), of Redwood City, July 28, at 94, of sepsis. She was a counselor at Woodside High School, where she founded the Scholarship Center. She also helped found the Middle College program at Cañada College. She volunteered at the San Mateo Genealogical Society, actively researched genealogy during retirement, and traveled widely. She and her husband were big fans of Stanford football, and they attended home games for many years. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald, ’49; and daughter Robin Wasson. Survivors: her daughters Karyne Dyer, Susan, Kimberly Blackwolf, Katrina Barlow, and Barbara Zimmerman.
Marian Lynette Baker Peck, ’50 (physics), of Hollywood, Calif., June 8, at 93, of congestive heart failure, dementia, and chronic kidney disease. After graduation, she performed mind-numbing aircraft design equations using a desk calculator and decided to devote herself to a more interesting pursuit. She earned a master’s degree in math from USC and spent most of her career at Litton Data Systems as a computer programmer and software designer. She volunteered for many organizations and became knowledgeable about edible and medicinal native plants. She loved sewing, cooking, writing, copper enameling, and silversmithing. She was predeceased by her husband, John; and daughter Alison. Survivors: her daughter Celia Davis; and two grandsons.
Mary Allerton Kilbourne Matossian, ’51, PhD ’55 (history), of Portola Valley, Calif., July 9, at 93. She contributed to the Stanford Daily. She earned a master’s degree in Near Eastern history from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and taught history at the University of Maryland for 31 years. A pioneer of Armenian, women’s, and interdisciplinary studies, she authored a groundbreaking 1962 study, The Impact of Soviet Policies in Armenia, which stood for two decades as the primary Anglophone source on Soviet social reforms in Armenian life. Her research on the Salem witch trials was reported widely. She was predeceased by her ex-husband, Garo. Survivors: her children, Lou Ann, Michele, ’82, Viken, and Mark; and nine grandchildren.
Shirley Winthrop Strode Teitsworth, ’52 (biological sciences), of Bakersfield, Calif., August 9, 2022, at 91. She loved hosting social gatherings at her home, from informal patio parties to elegant dinners. She was an enthusiastic attendee and occasional participant in productions at the Bakersfield Community Theater. She enjoyed playing tennis and golf and was a skilled horseback rider. She and her husband Charles skied in the winter and spent warm months in the mountains of Colorado, fishing the Owens River, exploring historical sites, and watching horse races in Del Mar. She was predeceased by her second husband, Charles Manuel. Survivors: her sons, Flint and Stephen Teitsworth, ’79; and stepdaughters, Peggy Howard and Linda Hill.
Beverly Audine Carlson, ’53 (history), MA ’54, PhD ’60 (education), of Ferndale, Calif., April 25, at 92, after a skiing accident. She was a violinist in Stanford’s Symphony Orchestra. For 30 years, she worked at Ferndale High School, where she taught U.S. history, civics, French, and chorus and coached girls’ softball. She sang with and directed the Ferndale Community Choir, which was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall. After retiring, she painted houses for 30 years and earned her contractor’s license at age 75, climbing ladders into her 80s. She created prize-winning crewel embroidery, played golf, and rode a motorcycle. She was a member and lay reader of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Survivors include her cousins and their children.
Ray Eldon Hiebert, ’54 (English), of Carmel, Calif., August 5, at 91, of heart failure. He served in the Army and edited the Signal Corps newspaper. He was the founding dean of the University of Maryland College of Journalism. During a 55-year career that took him to 70 countries, he taught and mentored students and worked with reporters overseas seeking to establish and protect journalism. He was the author, co-author, or editor of more than 25 books, including Mass Media: An Introduction to Modern Communication, one of the first textbooks to deal comprehensively with all forms of media. Survivors: his wife of 37 years, Sheila; children, Emily Townsend, David, Steven, and Douglas; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister.
Hart Isaacs Jr., ’54 (chemistry), MD ’58, of Del Mar, Calif., June 7, at 91. During his six-decade career as a specialist in anatomic and pediatric pathology, he spent more than 25 years at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and was affiliated with UC San Diego Medical Center. He was a professor at USC and UC San Diego and wrote several authoritative works on child pathology. He had a passion for sailing, bonsai, automobiles, and music. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Ann Levi, and daughter Diana. Survivors: his children Dorothy, Charles, Craig, and Donna; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Eugene Darrell Sharp, ’54, MS ’56, PhD ’62 (electrical engineering), of Palo Alto, June 10, at 91, of congestive heart failure. After earning his master’s degree, he served at Griffiss SAC Air Force base in Rome, N.Y., before moving to Palo Alto with his wife and first son. He worked for SRI, TRGWest, and Grainger and then became a founding member of TCI (Telecommunications Incorporated), where he designed radio communications antennae and served as vice president of technology. His company installed antennae for Voice of America as well as numerous military applications around the world. He was predeceased by his son James, ’81. Survivors: his wife of 66 years, Nancy (Clark ’53, MA ’54); sons Ken, Doug, and Andrew; and two grandchildren.
John Christian Blom, ’55 (history), of Reno, Nev., June 18, at 90, of dementia. He contributed to the Chaparral humor magazine. He worked in ocean transportation for more than 30 years, owned a car wash, and was a partner in preschools from 1990 to 2023. He was a collector of southwestern Native American pottery and co-authored books on the subject. His garden was one of his greatest loves. Christmas was so important to him that he started putting up his lighted villages six weeks before the holiday. He was predeceased by his son, Christian; and granddaughter, Lise MacPhee, ’19. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Brenda; children, May, Pamela MacPhee, ’86, and Heidi; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Diane Patricia Henny Ham, ’55 (geography), of Pleasant Hill, Calif., June 19, at 89. She contributed to the Stanford Daily. She was a real estate agent for 40 years and worked at several firms, including Stoodley & Tefs and Diablo Realty. She was an active member of the Martinez Horsemen’s Association and would drop her son off at school on horseback. She was also an avid reader and consumer of news and a lifelong Democrat. She had a radiant smile, keen wit, and passion for travel and adventure. She was predeceased by her daughters, Kim Slicker and Jody. Survivors: her son, Eben; and three granddaughters.
Peter Conklin Reynolds, ’55 (economics), MBA ’57, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., August 21, 2022, at 89. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and played football and baseball. He served in the Army. He worked at Lockheed Martin for 40 years, first helping to manage financial operations for the missile and space division, later reorganizing and managing Lockheed’s diverse banking, credit, and treasury operations. In retirement, he became an accomplished film developer and photographer specializing in black and white photography. Survivors: his wife, Kathryn (Snyder ’55, MA ’56); children, Carol Edwards, Eric, David, and Paul; and eight grandchildren.
Donald Otis Wells, ’55, MS ’56, PhD ’63 (physics), of Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 2, at 90. He played trombone in the LSJU Marching Band and was on the wrestling team. He became a professor at and later vice president of the University of Manitoba in Canada and led the school’s cyclotron program. He helped start the Manitoba Marlins Swim Club. He served as president of Mount Allison University and the University of Regina and helped create The Valley Hospice. He was predeceased by his wife Eileen. Survivors: his wife Audrey Sanson-Wells; children, Eric, ’78, Valana, ’79, MS ’81, PhD ’85, Vanessa, ’81, Vanita, ’82, MS ’84, Barrett, ’86, MS ’90, PhD ’92, and Barton, ’88; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister.
Joan Carole Rydman Sandberg Westgate, ’55 (history), MA ’56 (education), of Napa, Calif., July 24, at 89, of a stroke. She was a teacher in Los Angeles before starting a family. She enjoyed experimenting with new cuisines and loved to travel. She was among the first to visit China when it opened to Westerners and was a member of the Women’s International Group for Peace and Freedom. She was a master gardener who grew legendary roses and almost finished her degree in landscape design from UC Berkeley. She was predeceased by her ex-husband, Charles Sandberg, ’55; and her second husband, Ed Westgate, ’33. Survivors: children, Kristen Jaeger, Stephanie, ’84, Eric, and Derrik Sandberg; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
John William Hendricks, ’56 (economics), of McMinnville, Ore., May 22, at 89, of heart failure. He was a member of Sigma Chi and the basketball team. He worked for Kaiser Aluminum, Agro Industries, and Operating Engineers Local #3, all in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jennifer. Survivors: his wife, Danni; son, Christopher; stepchildren, Catherine and Alexander Aragon; six grandchildren; and great-grandson.
Myron Paul Hollister, ’56, MS ’57 (mechanical engineering), of Palo Alto, July 23, at 90, of dementia. He was a member of Kappa Alpha and the track and field team. He served in the Army for six years. After the Army, he worked for Lockheed Martin in the spacecraft thermodynamics department, later overseeing systems employing heat pipes and space radiators. He was a Boy Scout leader, an election poll worker, and a family man who loved tennis, riding his bike, and all things Stanford. Survivors: his wife of 54 years, Linda Wheaton Hollister; children, Cortney, Lisa, Eric, and Margery; and six grandchildren.
John Irving Maurer, ’56 (psychology), MD ’60, of Murphys, Calif., June 21, at 88. He played the horn in the LSJU Marching Band. He served in the military as a psychiatrist and later at a clinic in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury. He co-wrote “Management of ‘Bad Trips’ in an Evolving Drug Scene,” which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. He became the director of the mental health center at Emmanuel Hospital in Turlock, Calif., and maintained a private psychiatric practice. He mentored young psychiatrists on the Navajo Reservation in Chinle, Ariz. He was predeceased by his former wife, Linda Collins, ’61, and son, Paul. Survivors: his wife of 24 years, Oma Gaye; daughters, Kathryn and Karen; stepson, Rick Minyard; two grandsons; and stepgranddaughter.
Lawrence Atkins Wright, ’56 (mechanical engineering), of Saint Petersburg, Fla., June 11, at 89. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi and was on the crew team. He provided engineering services for new cranes for many of the world’s busiest ports. An avid sailor, he spent his life sailing in the San Francisco Bay, Tomales Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. He enjoyed camping, hiking, playing bridge, and cruising the delta in his 32-foot Nordic Tug. He was predeceased by his son, Gary. Survivors: his daughters, Dana Wright McCoy, Sarah Wright Killingsworth, and Lynda Wright Velanovich; eight grandchildren; great-grandchild; and two siblings.
Richard Lee Haserot, ’57 (chemical engineering), of San Marino, Calif., November 21, 2022, at 87. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi. He was an officer in the Navy, earned an MBA at Pepperdine University, and worked at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, then in the defense industry for many years. He lived for 58 years in San Marino, where he was active in many civic organizations. His main passions were family, sailing, and travel. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Ellen (Bernstrauch, ’59, MA ’60); children, Craig, Grant, and Karen, ’88; and four grandchildren.
James Wesley Sides, ’57 (biological sciences), PhD ’66 (geology), of Houston, May 26, at 88, of a stroke. He worked for Amoco Oil and British Petroleum and eventually purchased the Keystone Development Corporation. His work took him and his family to Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, Argentina, Wilmette, and back to Houston. He loved sudoku, long-sleeved patterned shirts, classic country music, summer months in Crested Butte, Colo., weekly hikes studying the geology of mountains, volunteering at MD Anderson and SEARCH Homeless Services, family genealogy, playing tennis and golf, and international travel. Survivors: his wife, Delrena; children, Jim, Barrett, Delrena, and Edward; four grandchildren; and siblings.
Henry “Hanko” Granville Viets, ’57 (mechanical engineering), of Surfside, Calif., June 26, at 87. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He spent three years as a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy, serving as chief engineer on the destroyer USS Cunningham. Later he had a successful career as president of Viets Engineering Company in Long Beach, Calif. He loved traveling, boating, computing, and retelling tales of misadventures with his Stanford buddies. Above all, he loved and was loved by his family. He was predeceased by his wife, Sally.
Alfred George Ferris, ’58 (economics), JD ’63, of San Diego, July 20, at 86, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He participated in student government. He formed a private practice in 1968 and served as an arbitrator and mediator in hundreds of disputes and was a member of the National Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association. He was a former vice chair of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms; served on many local boards; and volunteered at charter schools, the San Diego Public Library, and biotech firms. He was a dedicated San Diego Padres fan. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Jean (Schwartz, ’61, MA ’62). Survivors: his daughters, Kerry Ferris-Wenerdahl and Gillian Ferris-Kohl; and grandchild.
Margaret Lorraine Mix Gould, ’59, MA ’60 (education), of Los Altos Hills, May 7, at 85. She was a Stanford Dollie, performed in Gaieties, participated in student government, and was a cheerleader. She was the class correspondent for the Class of ’59 for more than 36 years. She worked as an accountant and business manager for an oil and gas drilling company, a building development company, and a private family vineyard. She was executive director for a family foundation with worldwide charitable programs. Survivors: her children, Sue Brown, Sheri Blaisdell, ’84, Karin Spicer, and Rick, ’90, MBA ’95; 14 grandchildren, including Amy Esguerra, ’08, Jack Blaisdell, ’18, Matthew Blaisdell, ’20, and Kayley Gould, ’23; and five great-grandchildren.
Kenneth Lee Pierce, ’59 (geology), of Bozeman, Mont., July 9, 2021, at 83, of Parkinson’s disease. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and the LSJU Marching Band. With a PhD in geology from Yale, he began his U.S. Geological Survey career mapping river terraces in Kentucky. He later joined a team of geologists mapping Yellowstone National Park. His landmark study on the dynamics of the northern Yellowstone ice complex received the Kirk Bryan Award from the Geological Society of America. Over 25 years, he refined the once-controversial Yellowstone Hotspot hypothesis. He later joined the faculty of Montana State University. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Linda; children, Andrew, Daniel, PhD, ’94, and Jennifer; and six grandchildren.
James Robert Wilson, ’59 (geochemistry), of Boulder, Colo., in 2020, of ALS. He earned a master’s degree and PhD in geology from Harvard and spent most of his career with Merrill Lynch and UBS Financial Services. He enjoyed many years of golf, tennis, swimming, photography, traveling, and winters in Mexico. Survivors: his wife, Lawrie Diack Wilson; children, Sam, Crofton, Chris, Meg, Margarita, Jon, and Dani; three grandchildren; and sister.
1960s
Gregory Cromwell Knapp, ’60 (psychology), of Scottsdale, Ariz., August 3, at 85, of multiple cancers. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and a first lieutenant in the Air Force. As an exchange student at Keio University in Japan, he was a member of the national champion judo team. He worked as a film stuntman, screenwriter, and producer. He started his career in Japan, doing voiceover recordings, writing advertising copy, and directing English dubbing of feature films, documentaries, and cartoons. He wrote the book Stranglehold as well as scripts for several Japanese and American productions. He later developed, wrote, and produced film and TV specials for Mellodan Productions in Burbank, Calif. Survivors: his wife of 54 years, Marsha; and son, Holden.
Edwin Solon “Ted” Harwood, ’62 (sociology), of Needham, Mass., June 7, 2021, at 82, after a short illness. He served in the Army for three years, and earned a doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago. He taught sociology for more than 20 years and later developed a communications and writing consulting practice. Survivors: his partner, Alice Schwartz; children, Bryna, Alexander, and Abigail; three grandchildren; and sister.
Bonnie Corinne Larson Lindquist, ’62 (mathematics), of Webster, Minn., April 27, at 82. After raising her children, she embarked on a 30-year career as a grocery buyer for Fairway Foods, then Holiday Companies, and finally Nash-Finch. She was a longtime member of Christiania Lutheran Church, where she served as congregational president, vice-president, secretary, altar guild member, and Sunday school teacher. She was a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and enjoyed sewing, quilting, and reading. She was predeceased by her first husband, John; and stepgrandchild Rachel Hansen. Survivors: her husband, Donald Eide; children, Jahna, Jerrod, and Brandt; stepchildren, Jodi Hansen, Sarah Schwerin, and Abraham Wolfe; three grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; and sister.
David Russell Edwards, ’63 (economics), MBA ’69, of Tacoma, Wash., February 14, 2020, at 78. He was a member of Sigma Nu and Beta Chi. He served in the Navy and spent his career at Weyerhaeuser Company. He loved open spaces, whether around the family cabin and wheat fields of Walla Walla, the wildness of Washington’s ocean coast, or the serenity of Puget Sound. Survivors: his wife, Pat Shuman; children, Caleb Page, Kelly and Brooke; five grandchildren; and two siblings.
Eric Sheldon Jacobson, ’63 (chemistry), of Lottsburg, Va., August 4, at 81. He earned an MD and a PhD in physiological chemistry and became a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine in both infectious disease and internal medicine. For nearly three decades, he was a researcher and attending physician in infectious disease at the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Medical College of Virginia. His program of research in cryptococcal genetics was nationally recognized. He was a Sea Scout in his youth and once considered becoming a naval architect. He loved classical music and played viola in the Richmond Philharmonic. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Christiane; children Lisa, Melanie Jacobson Schuster, and Leif; three grandchildren; and two siblings.
Scott C. Lambert Jr., ’63 (English), of San Francisco, August 16, at 82, of cancer. He earned a master’s in English and French literature from UCLA and a PhD in English literature from UCSD. He spent his career at Standard Oil Company of California (now Chevron), where he became an expert on oil and gas exploration in the Middle East. He was a perennial student and had a library with 1,500 works. After studying abroad at Stanford’s French campus, he spent two weeks of every year in France. He began studying German in his 70s, collected unique automobiles, and enjoyed sailing and playing the piano. Survivors: his wife of 35 years, Laura; and daughters, Sophie and Leslie.
Julien Robert Ransone, ’63 (economics), of Dallas, July 21, at 82. He was a member of Kappa Sigma. He earned an MBA from Wharton and served in the Air Defense Artillery branch of the Army. He worked in the oil and gas industry at Atlantic Richfield, Dorchester Gas Corporation, Petrus Oil Company, and its successor Bridge Oil. He founded Wellspring Partners, an energy acquisitions and divestments advisory firm, and was instrumental in founding energy industry-related groups with an emphasis on education, deal-making, and networking. He held leadership and board positions at the Texas Energy Council, Texas Energy Update, and the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Survivors: his wife of 45 years, Patti; daughters, Emily and Meridith; three grandchildren; and brother.
Robert Nicholas Brooks, ’64 (humanities), of Altadena, Calif., April 24, at 80, of colon cancer. He served in the Army treating wounded soldiers returning from Vietnam. After earning his MD at USC, he started a private practice in psychiatry and then a medical practice focused on AIDS patients, emphasizing alternative treatment in addition to traditional medicine. After retiring, he taught English as a second language and worked for 20 years as an academic coordinator for an afterschool program in Los Angeles. He spent the last two years of his life making computer art. Survivors: his former wife, Nancy Shinno; and daughter, Tomoko Brooks Price.
Corrie Lynne Oborn Player, ’64 (English), MA ’65 (education), of Cedar City, Utah, July 24, at 80. She wrote permit applications, and taught university-level writing and speech for more than 50 years. Her projects centered on issues like waste management and geological hazard investigations. She was a volunteer lobbyist on behalf of rural, western communities at a regional and national level, holding a variety of elected and appointed offices in Alaska, California, Utah, and Oklahoma. She was a National Foster Parents Association regional president and helped raise more than 40 foster children, adopting three of them. Survivors: her husband of 58 years, Gary, ’64; children, Dolly Roy, Sherri Brower, Gary, Roch, Eric, Linda Carpenter, Micah, Brian Prestcott, and Nathan; 40 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two siblings.
John Alexander Casey, ’67 (history), of Port Edwards, Wis., June 6, at 78, after an illness. After graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, he became a partner at Quarles & Brady in Milwaukee, practicing in business, utility, and shareholder litigation. He was the president of the Alexander Charitable Foundation. He enjoyed the outdoors, trap shooting, boating, fishing, hunting, and playing golf. He was a member of the Up River Gun Club and the Gitchee Gumee Fishing Club. He was a fan of the Green Bay Packers, the Wisconsin Badgers, and the Milwaukee Brewers. He was predeceased by his daughter Megan. Survivors: his wife, Cornelia; children Crystal Rietveld, Gwenevere McIntosh, Elizabeth Callahan, Jessica, Caitlin, and Kyle; 10 grandchildren; and two sisters.
Sidney Jay Weiss, ’68 (psychology), MD ’73, of Mission Viejo, Calif., July 9, at 77. He was a member of the Ram’s Head Theatrical Society and a staff member at Stanford Sierra Camp. He was a board-certified ophthalmologist and a clinical professor at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute. He specialized in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, serving the people of Orange County, Calif. Survivors: his wife, Debbie; and children, Sarah and David.
1970s
Joshua Genge Greenwood, ’71 (English), of Petersburg, Va., December 25, 2022, at 74, of a heart attack. After teaching English at St. Christopher’s School, he founded Greenwood Ironworks, becoming a nationally known master blacksmith and colonial buildings authority. He pioneered functional hand-crafted art in iron, teaching master classes around the country and designing web-based instructional videos. He established two nature sanctuaries and hydropower sites, one on the Appomattox River, the other planned for Agua Zarcas, Costa Rica. In 2022 the Capital Region Land Conservancy acquired his Appomattox River site, the future Greenwood Park, for archeological and environmental study. Survivors: his wife, Ingrid; her children, Christine, Thomas, and Babette; and his six siblings, including Douglas, ’79, MBA ’89.
Tatiana Marie “Tania” Granoff, ’73 (history), of Los Altos, July 12, at 71. During her career in student services at Stanford, she worked in student accounting, undergraduate advising, undergraduate admissions, and the Dean of Students office. She served multiple times as PTA president at her children’s elementary and middle schools. She spent 17 years as the librarian at Santa Rita Elementary School in Los Altos. She made thoughtful book recommendations to family and friends, was active in several book clubs, and served as the librarian at Congregation Etz Chayim. Survivors: her husband of 47 years, Robert Olson, ’72, MS ’73; children, Aaron Olson and Elspeth Olson, ’08; two granddaughters; and three siblings.
Charity Scott, ’73 (humanities), of Atlanta, March 18, at 71. After attending Harvard Law School, she practiced in Baltimore and Atlanta before finding her true passion: teaching. She was a professor at the Georgia State University College of Law and was the founding director of its Center for Law, Health, and Society, which consistently ranks among the top 10 programs nationally. She co-founded the Health Law Partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta and the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. She was a well-loved and accomplished teacher who brought improvisational comedy and meditation to legal education. Survivors: her husband of 45 years, Evans Harrell, ’72; children, Peter Harrell and Constance Shreckengost; two grandchildren; and brother.
Business
Donald Orville Nichols, MBA ’63, of Kissimmee, Fla., February 28, 2022, at 83. He had a degree in electrical engineering, briefly taught statistics at the University of Louisville, and spent 30 years at General Electric. He worked in purchasing and later electronic commerce, where he was instrumental in the implementation of Electronic Data Interchange. He traveled for work and enjoyed trips around the world. After retiring, he found a second career at Disney World, holding various positions, including 17 years as Ranger Don at the Wilderness Lodge. He never missed his daughters’ swim meets and became a USA Swimming certified judge. Survivors: his wife of 58 years, Jane; daughters, Meg McCabe and Beth Cavalieri; and four granddaughters.
Jeremy Guy A. Davis, MBA ’66, MA ’68 (economics), of Sydney, June 13, at 80, of aortic dissection. After graduation, he joined the Boston Consulting Group, ultimately serving as vice president and managing partner and helping to open new offices in Paris and Menlo Park. In 1980, he became dean of the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. He was involved in venture capital, chaired Australian government advisory boards, and was a director and life patron of Sydney’s baroque opera company, Pinchgut Opera Ltd. He was a member in the Order of Australia and a fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Jessica; and daughter, Rachel.
David Lindsay Elder, MBA ’72, of Atherton, Calif., April 12, at 75, of Lewy body dementia. He served in the Army. He helped start the Stanford Concert Network, bringing acts like Aretha Franklin and Van Morrison to campus. After graduating, he managed bands and opened a recording studio called the Music Annex. He then spent more than 30 years in commercial real estate and specialty finance. In the 1990s, he co-founded and was CEO of Atherton Capital, a specialty finance firm. During retirement, he enjoyed playing golf and serving on the local Boy Scouts of America board. Survivors: his wife, Karlene; children, Lorri Elder Dyner, ’96, MBA ’05, and Benjamin; and five grandchildren.
Education
Bernard Thomas Hofmann, MA ’57, of Lincoln, Calif., December 22, 2022, at 93, after a short illness. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He taught world history for 35 years at Washington High School in Fremont, Calif. He and his wife loved traveling the world to visit the ancient sites he covered in his teaching. In high school, he was inducted into the Bellarmine Athletic Hall of Fame for track. He represented the Air Force as a runner in the post-World War II Pan-Asian games. He loved playing golf and camping and was a lifelong Catholic. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Connie; children, Wendel, Barbara Evans, Jennifer Kaufman, and Casey Kopp; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Engineering
Roy Ellis Lave Jr., PhD ’65 (industrial engineering), of Los Altos, June 22, at 87, of lung cancer. He was an industrial engineering associate professor at Stanford before founding management consulting firm Systan Inc. In Los Altos, he served as mayor and council member and helped found the city’s community foundation. During his time on the council, the city purchased the property for Redwood Grove, land for Heritage Oaks Park, and the Hillview property on which the Los Altos Community Center sits. He helped found the Los Altos Rotary AIDS Project. In 2021, he and his wife were named Los Altans of the Year by the Los Altos Town Crier. Survivors: his wife, Penny; children, Julia and Reynolds; and three grandchildren.
Douglas Duane Speers, MS ’68 (civil engineering), of Seattle, July 29, 2022, at 87, after a long illness. He was chief of hydrologic engineering for the Corps of Engineers in Portland, Ore. Survivors: his wife of 59 years, Alice; children, Paul and Kathleen; granddaughter; and sister.
Douglas Kent Rytting, MS ’71 (electrical engineering), of Reno, Nev., February 3, at 81. He worked for Hewlett Packard and then, for 37 years, led research teams establishing network analyzers as crucial measurement tools in radio frequency and microwave electronics. He traveled as an IEEE distinguished lecturer after he retired. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a bishop, stake high councilor, and area president of the Quorum of the Seventy, among other callings. He enjoyed dad jokes, music, nature, and tinkering with electronics. Survivors: his wife of 57 years, Sharon; children, Sherry Olson, Julie Moore, Jeff, and Michael; and 15 grandchildren.
Richard Michael Harris, PhD ’72 (engineering-economic systems), of Huntingtown, Md., May 23, at 81, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MIT and worked for MITRE from 1972 until his retirement in 1995. He was predeceased by his wife Carole Stallings. Survivors: his wife Anne Whitaker; children, Richard, David, Susan, Catherine, and Paul; and brother.
Phillip Harris Paul, PhD ’ 84 (mechanical engineering), of San Francisco, June 18, at 69, of cancer. After graduation, he spent six years as a senior research associate at Stanford, working on laser-based imaging diagnostics. He became the globally recognized expert in planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging in reacting flows. He then spent 10 years as a senior scientist at Sandia National Laboratories. After co-founding Ekisigent, a biotech company specializing in microfluids, he returned to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, focusing on problems in national security at the interface of biology, material science, and engineering. Survivors: his wife, Mary Gwynn; mother, Dorothy; and sisters, Marlene Preston and Liz.
Humanities and Sciences
Ernest Daniel Rose, PhD ’64 (interdisciplinary), of Santa Rosa, Calif., December 23, 2022, at 96, of complications from abdominal surgery. He was a Navy pilot in World War II. He was a documentary filmmaker and professor of documentary film who worked on nearly 200 films. He was part of UCLA’s first class of film students and was later awarded a Mass Media Fellowship by the Ford Foundation. He was a film consultant for the U.N. and was hired by the Department of Justice to appraise the value of footage of JFK’s assassination. Starting as a writer, director, cinematographer, and editor, he was active in his field for more than 70 years. Survivors include his children.
John Conrad Ogden, PhD ’68 (biological sciences), of St. Petersburg, Fla., June 25, at 82, of pneumonia and a stroke. He was an early leader in the field of behavioral ecology. After a postdoc at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, he joined FDU’s West Indies Lab on St. Croix, where he worked as a marine biologist before becoming the director. He was program director of the NOAA Saturation Diving Facility HYDROLAB and became an aquanaut. As the director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography, he helped establish the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He published over 70 papers, produced television programs about tropical ecosystems, and helped form the International Society for Reef Studies. Survivors: his wife, Nancy; and children, Eric and Lisa.
Carol Ann Christensen, PhD ’74 (psychology), of Palo Alto, July 14, at 77, of MS and a stroke. She was hired as an assistant professor of psychology at Vassar College, where she remained for 43 years. She specialized in the use of behavioral measures and electrical brain mapping to study information processing in the human brain across the age span. She was instrumental in founding undergraduate programs in biopsychology (now neuroscience and behavior) and cognitive psychology (now a department). She retired in 2016 as professor of cognitive science. She was a visiting scientist at Stanford, the Palo Alto VA, the NASA Ames Research Center, and the University of Otago in New Zealand. Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Karl Drake, ’69.
Laurie Kraus Lacob, MA ’82 (communication), of Woodside, Calif., June 19, at 65, of cancer. She developed and executed research and communications strategies in the venture capital, technology, and university advancement sectors. She devoured books and movies and became involved in the creative aspects and production of two films, released in 2013 and 2020. She adored adventure travel and organized annual trips for her family. She served on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford and the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health and supported many organizations through her participation and philanthropy. Survivors: her children, Kirk, ’10, Kelly, ’12, MBA ’20, Kent, and Kayci, ’17, MA ’21; two grandsons; and sister.
Medicine
Patricia Sue Malone Layard, MA ’67 (hearing and speech sciences), of Austin, Texas, April 8, 2021, at 78. She loved being outdoors in her gardens, and she created beautiful spaces for family and friends to enjoy. She had a passion for hands-on home improvement projects, and in the late 1980s she took early retirement to work on the historic restoration of an 1890 Victorian home in the San Francisco Bay Area, which she completed almost single-handedly. In Austin, she was an active volunteer with The Settlement Home for Children. Survivors: her husband, Max, MS ’65, PhD ’69; daughter, Julia Kinsey; grandson; and sister.
