Faculty
Athena Milatovich Cherry, of Stanford, February 4, at 60, of lung cancer. She was a professor of pathology and pediatrics. She co-authored more than 100 papers on gene mapping, medical genetics and cteslerytogenetics. She started her career as a lab technologist, which proved to be invaluable experience for her as director of the Stanford Cytogenetics Laboratory, where she evaluated and diagnosed thousands of cases each year for more than 20 years. She also served as president of the American Board of Medical Genetics and on the boards of the American College of Medical Genetics and the American Cytogenetic Conference. Survivors: her husband, Bradley; and daughter, Jacqueline.
Bruce Foster Johnston, MA ’50 (economics), PhD ’53 (food research), of Portola Valley, Calif., February 1, at 100, after a brief illness. His work for the Army with food rationing and distribution in postwar Japan led to a career in international agricultural development. With NATO, he worked to implement the Marshall Plan. He then returned to Stanford as a faculty member for the Food Research Institute. His career brought him to many parts of the globe and entailed collaboration with the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, World Bank, Agency for International Development, and the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations. He also enjoyed skiing, hiking and rooting for Stanford sports teams. He was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Harriet, and son, Bruce, ’68. Survivors: his daughter, Patricia, ’76; and two grandchildren.
1930s
Martha Sprague Hurley, ’37 (basic medical sciences), of Palo Alto, January 7, at 104. She was a member of Chi Omega and the track team. She was involved in the life of her children through church activities and social clubs, including PEO and Colonial Dames of America, and especially by passing on to them her love of reading poetry and literature. As a lifelong fan of Stanford football, she made sure to retire near campus. She was predeceased by her husband, Melvin, ’37, MD ’42, and a grandson. Survivors: her children, Arthur, Nancy van Roessel and Janet Boone; four grandchildren, including Peter van Roessel, MD ’07; and five great-grandchildren.
Nancy Pettigrew Moser, ’37, of Walnut Grove, Calif., January 23, at 104. She met her future husband in chemistry lab. During World War II, she sailed with her children on a munitions ship to join her husband in Bahrain. After the war, she returned to California to join the family farming business. She served her community by helping to found a local park and was known for her love of books and preparing exquisite meals for her many friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, James, ’37, and son Jimmy, ’64. Survivors: her children Sally Moser Small, ’62, and Robert, ’71; seven grandchildren, including Kate Moser, ’02, and Sarah Moser, ’06; and eight great-grandchildren.
1940s
Elizabeth Coffin “Pan” van Löben Sels, ’41 (biological sciences), of Walnut Grove, Calif., February 9, at 101. She met her future husband on a Sierra Club outing, got married and transferred to Stanford for her senior year. The couple moved to the Sacramento River Delta to run a farm and raise their children. She was a charter member of the Courtland Community Methodist Church and a member of the Walnut Grove Community Church. She served her community through the Sacramento River Delta Historical Society, Delta Young Women’s Club, and Mary and Martha Knitters, and she received a 50-year pin from La Perita Garden Club. She was predeceased by her husband, Carel, ’41, and daughter Laurie Shonerd. Survivors: her children Topper, Russell, ’66, Libbey McKendry and Helen Cardenas; 16 grandchildren, including Steven ’02, and Julie Murray, ’04; 18 great-grandchildren; and sister.
Raymond Renton Ross Jr., ’44 (biological sciences), MD ’47, of Santa Ana, Calif., December 21, at 97. He practiced internal medicine from 1957 until 1992. He was an avid fly-fisherman and an active Kiwanis member. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Kay. Survivors: his son, Raymond III; and stepchildren, Janice Jensen, Richard Bate, Karen Courtemanche and Barbara Preston.
Mary Adeline Richards Culp, ’47 (political science), of San Francisco, January 18, at 93, of peripheral arterial disease. She held numerous community service leadership roles, including director of volunteers at Mt. Zion Hospital, coordinator for Florence Crittenton Services and president of the Volunteer Center of San Francisco. She helped found the San Francisco Interfaith Council and worked with pastors and lay leaders around the Bay Area in her role with the San Francisco Presbytery. The Junior League, PEO, Old First Concerts and Century Club of California also benefited from her talents. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank. Survivors: her sons, Thomas, Fred, James and John; and two grandchildren.
Florence H. Wickersham “Wicki” McDonald, ’47 (speech and drama), of Newport Beach, Calif., February 26, at 94. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was devoted to helping children with speech therapy and remedial reading, through the International Orphans Organization and through co-founding a chapter of Childhelp USA. In 1974, she pursued her dream of starting a family-style restaurant and later played key roles in two more family-owned restaurants. She was an avid golf player until the age of 90. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Lloyd, ’40. Survivors: her sons, Steven, Bruce, ’77, and Christopher; and six grandchildren.
Jean Faulds Stohl, ’47 (biological sciences), of Cupertino, Calif., January 12, at 95. She served in the Coast Guard Women’s Active Reserve during World War II. She met her husband at Stanford, raised her family and later embarked on a career as a lab technician at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob, ’47, and son Eric. Survivors: her sons David, Scott and Jeff Magus.
Ernest Floyd Latham, ’48 (biological sciences), of San Diego, December 26, at 94, of Parkinson’s disease. He was a member of Theta Chi. He earned his MD from Johns Hopkins and then began service in the Navy. For service in combat zones while attached to the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Bronze Star. For his lifelong support of Boy Scout units wherever he was stationed, he was awarded the Silver Beaver. In retirement, he provided training, conducted safety inspections and assisted distressed boaters as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was also an active Mason and Shriner. He was predeceased by his first wife, Doris (Vivian, ’46); second wife, Sandy Hills; third wife, Audrey Finkelson; and fourth wife, Della Woosley. Survivors: his stepchildren, and a niece and nephew.
1950s
Richard Clemens Dice, ’50 (English), of Arroyo Seco, N.M., January 11, at 92. He served in the Navy during World War II. At Stanford, he was in the marching band and met his future wife. He spent his career with First National Bank of Denver, where he became vice president of the trust department. Retirement gave him the opportunity to enjoy gardening, raise sheep and horses, and feed wild birds in his adopted home near Taos. He was also a published author, mountain climber and tango dancer. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Louise (Reyburn, ’52). Survivors: his children, Michael, Christopher, Timothy and Kathleen; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
John Edward Sudden, ’50 (psychology), of Thousand Oaks, Calif., November 16, 2018, at 91, of heart failure. He served in the Navy and was a member of Chi Psi. He worked first for GTE and then for the Ventura County Association for the Retarded. He loved gardening, especially tending to his roses, watching football and travel, but his favorite place was South Lake Tahoe. He was predeceased by his first wife, Virginia, and a grandson. Survivors: his second wife, Millie; children, Lynn Martinelli, Robert and Mark; stepson, Jerry McClain; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister.
Elizabeth Ann Alexander Bennett, ’51 (sociology), of Corralitos, Calif., January 4, at 91. She earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology from San José State and worked as a school psychologist for more than 25 years in Santa Cruz, Calif. She was also a marriage and family therapist and an educational psychologist in private practice. She earned a second master’s degree and pursued additional graduate coursework at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology. Her greatest joys were family vacations at Salmon Lake, meeting with friends for birthdays and to support each other’s writing, and helping her clients. She was predeceased by her former husband, Robert, and daughter, Rebecca. Survivors: her sons, Mark, Matthew and Todd; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister.
Frank X. Gordon Jr., ’51 (sociology), of Phoenix, January 6, at 90. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the swimming, tennis, crew and golf teams. He earned his JD from the U. of Arizona. After practicing law alongside his father, he was appointed and then elected to the county superior court. In 1975, he was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court and served as chief justice from 1987 to 1992. After retiring, he joined the firm of Roush, McCracken & Guerrero. Survivors: his wife, Joan; children, Frank III and Candy Lander; three grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
John Colby III, ’52 (electrical engineering), of Camarillo, Calif., January 4, at 89. He was a member of Alpha Phi Omega. He spent more than 30 years as a Navy civil service engineer at the Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, Calif. He later worked for Aegir Systems and served on the Somis School District Board for 16 years. He was a photographer and woodworker, bred and raced thoroughbred horses, and exhibited oil and acrylic paintings. He was also an avid fan of Stanford football for more than 60 years. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Janet; children, Jennifer, John IV, Jean Bricker and Jill Church; 14 grandchildren, including Justin Bricker, ’13, MS ’14; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Delight Stacy Kolar Leonard, ’53 (sociology), of Portland, Ore., January 5, at 89, of Alzheimer’s disease. She was a Dollie and met her future husband at Stanford. She was devoted to her family, friends, faith and serving her community. In Portland, she was a PTA president, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Altar Guild member, Junior League president, chair of the Women of Good Samaritan Hospital and a board member for Camp Fire and the Oregon Symphony. She also enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing and jogging. With her ladies’ cycling group, she made tours throughout the United States and Europe. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard, ’52, and son Peter. Survivors: her children Chris, ’81, Libby Leonard Pugel, ’85, and Richard; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Roger Alan Schwartz, ’53 (international relations), MA ’55 (political science), of Mendocino, Calif., December 25, at 88, of metastatic prostate cancer. He spent a year in France as a Fulbright scholar. He later started and for 23 years helped run a wholesale importing business with his father. On his buying trips, he traveled extensively in Europe and Asia, while retirement offered him the chance to visit New Zealand, the Galápagos Islands, India, Alaska, Africa and Patagonia. He gave back to his adopted home of Mendocino by helping to manage its water infrastructure, serving as vice president of the music festival and on the county mental health board, and through the Rotary Club. Survivors: his wife of 58 years, Fran; children, Liz and Stephen; and granddaughter.
Dorothy Elaine Spratt, ’53 (geography), of Los Angeles, February 28, at 88. She played in the symphony orchestra. After graduation, she spent her career in real estate. She enjoyed horseback riding and playing the piano and violin. She was an avid tennis player and also loved tending her garden. Survivors: her sister.
Betty Jane Armstrong Dole, ’54 (political science), of Palo Alto, May 4, 2018, at 85, of Alzheimer’s disease. She was a translator for the State Department in Peru before returning to Palo Alto to marry a former classmate and fellow acrobatics troupe member. In more than 30 years as a court reporter, she recorded testimony from tech giants, mob bosses and Cesar Chavez. She also helped feed feral cats, sang in the choir for Our Lady of the Rosary, learned French, took ballet lessons and traveled widely. She was predeceased by her son, Jefferey. Her husband of 63 years, Richard, passed away last year. Survivors: her daughter, Janet Krovoza; and two granddaughters.
Richard Alexander Dole, ’54 (chemistry), of Palo Alto, November 27, at 87, of heart disease. He was a member of Sigma Chi and the freshman football team. He met his future wife through a university acrobatics troupe. He worked as a chemist for Sunkist, a mail handler for the Postal Service and an engineering aide for the Santa Clara County Department of Public Works. He loved swimming and diving at Rinconada Park and fly-fishing and camping in Yosemite. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Betty (Armstrong, ’54), and son, Jefferey. Survivors: his daughter, Janet Krovoza; two granddaughters; and two siblings.
Harold William Dotts Jr., ’54 (industrial engineering), of Northbrook, Ill., December 12, at 87. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta and served in the Army after graduation. He was a member of the Economics Club of Chicago for more than 50 years. He enjoyed golf and downhill skiing and served as class correspondent for Stanford magazine. Survivors: his wife of almost 50 years, Barbara; children, Deborah Phadnis and Mike; four grandchildren; and two siblings.
Keith Fitzalan Mulrooney, ’54 (history), of Falls Church, Va., February 14, at 87. He was a member of the freshman track team, ROTC and Alpha Sigma Phi. He served in the Marine Corps and, after earning an MPA from the U. of South Carolina, worked in city management in California and Virginia and was executive director of the American Society for Public Administration. He began running at the age of 43 and completed the first of six marathons in his mid-60s. The Nature Conservancy recognized his service with its top award. He was a lifelong supporter of the Stanford Club in Washington. He was predeceased by his first wife, of 38 years, Monica (Kaufmann, Gr. ’55), and his second wife, Catherine Mitchell. Survivors: his children, Michele Mulrooney Pavarino, ’83, Jill and Scott; and five grandchildren.
Harriet Louise Ritchie Nard Rivers, ’54, of Modesto, Calif., January 14, at 87. She completed her degree at Stanislaus State and worked as an accountant for the Yosemite Area Boy Scout and the Muir Trail Girl Scout Councils. She gave volunteer service to Babe Ruth Baseball, Memorial Hospital, the Center for Senior Employment and other organizations. She was also treasurer for Saron Lutheran Church in Escalon, Calif., and an avid player of tennis and bridge. She was predeceased by her first husband, Robert Nard, and second husband, John Rivers. Survivors: her children, Dennis Nard, Nancy Morgan, James Nard, Lisa Ryan, Brenda Nard, ’82, MA ’83, Celia Harris and Maureen Nard; stepchildren, Susan Engstrom and Barbara Rivers; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Martin Adelbert “Marty” Spellman, ’54 (basic medical sciences), MD ’57, of Fremont, Calif., February 10, at 87. He was a member of Delta Upsilon. He served four years as an Army doctor in Germany and was a radiologist at Washington Hospital in Fremont for more than 30 years. He also taught courses at Stanford Medical School and helped train doctors in Ghana, Cuba, the Azores and Panama. He was an active Rotarian and enjoyed painting classes and art openings and participating in two book clubs, but his favorite moments were adventures with his wife and family in Europe, China, Russia and Nepal. He was predeceased by his wife, Sherril. Survivors: his children, Shannon, Patrick and Peter; six grandchildren; and brother, Michael, ’65.
Donald E. Patman, ’55 (economics), of Long Beach, Calif., January 30, at 86. He was president of Patman Meat Co. from 1958 to 1977, served as president of the National Association of Meat Purveyors and, with his son, started Patman Meat Group. He was an avid photographer and fan of college football and the Dodgers. Survivors: his wife, Mary Ann; children, Pat, Kelly and Paige; 10 grandchildren; and brother.
Winfred Eugene Wedge, ’55 (social science/social thought), MBA ’59, of Modesto, Calif., March 3, at 86. He was football team captain and a member of Navy ROTC and Delta Tau Delta. He served in the Marines before returning to Stanford for his MBA. He went on to a career of more than 50 years in the construction industry. Survivors: his son, Douglas; and two grandchildren.
Bruce D. Gillies, ’56 (economics), of Berkeley, November 25, at 84. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He served two years in the Army, finished his degree and then earned his JD from UC Berkeley. He spent his legal career with Donahue, Gallagher, Thomas and Woods. His true passions were organizing sports for the neighborhood kids, jazz, singing in the Berkeley Community Chorus and leading trips to the Sierra Nevada. Survivors: his wife of 56 years, Heidi; sons, Donald and Robert; and sister.
Kim Ernest Linnett Sr., ’56, MS ’57 (mechanical engineering), of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., January 31, at 85, of Alzheimer’s disease. He married his university sweetheart and embarked on a career as a rocket scientist on the Atlas and Titan programs at Edwards Air Force Base. He would go on to work on aircraft air cycle systems for Garrett AiResearch (later Honeywell). He was an active participant in numerous sports and, as an early treasurer of AYSO, helped establish youth soccer in Southern California. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Meeks Linnett, ’55, MA ’57. Survivors: his sons, Kim Jr., Barry, ’82, and Chris; and six grandchildren.
Patricia Ann Powers McIntyre, ’56 (international relations), of Tucson, Ariz., August 28, 2019, at 85, of bile duct cancer. She lived in Long Beach, Calif.; Madison, Wis.; Princeton, N.J.; and, since 1966, in Tucson. She was active in civic affairs, particularly Catholic charities. She enjoyed foreign travel for short vacations and extended stays in Mexico, England, Scotland and Sweden. One of her favorite journeys was visiting several of the 88 Buddhist temples on the Japanese island of Shikoku in 2002. Survivors: her husband of 62 years, Larry, ’56; children, David, Mark, Charles and John; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brother.
William C. Jones Jr., ’57 (industrial engineering), MA ’69 (education), of La Jolla, Calif., February 28, at 85, of pneumonia. He pursued a career as a public high school math teacher. He was an avid traveler and loved Stanford athletics. Survivors: his nephew.
Helen Margaret Roe Warren, ’57 (history), of Peoria, Ariz., January 4, at 101, after a short illness. She was working as a nanny, housekeeper and secretary to put herself through the U. of Wisconsin when World War II interrupted her studies. She finished her bachelor’s degree at Stanford, earned her teaching credential, and then taught elementary school in New Jersey and Virginia. She was active in civic life through the PTA and League of Women Voters to advance civil rights and the equal treatment of all people. Survivors: her sons, Hugh, ’63, Robert and Philip; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Richard Maurice Codiga, ’58 (mechanical engineering), of Carlsbad, Calif., November 10, at 82. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi. His career as a microwave telecommunications engineer spanned more than 40 years in the Santa Clara Valley. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Nancy; children, Laura Codiga-Edwards, Douglas and Daniel; and brother, Bill, JD ’56.
Anne Eastham Lewis, ’58 (Spanish), of Carmel Valley, Calif., December 14, at 83, of progressive dementia. She was a member of the golf, tennis and club skiing teams, and the Texas and spirit clubs. She raised her blended family in Atherton, Calif., and Houston and was active in Peninsula Volunteers and Junior League. She earned a master’s degree from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and found church communities in Sun Valley, Idaho, and on the North Shore of Kauai. She was predeceased by her second husband, John Lewis, and son Steven. Survivors: her first husband, John Neff, ’56, MS ’63; children Linda Neff Sunde, ’84, Pamela Lewis Thornton and John Lewis Jr.; six grandchildren, including Samuel Sunde, ’17, and Joseph Sunde, ’17, MS ’19; and sister.
Troy Walter Barbee Jr., ’59, MS ’62, PhD ’66 (materials science), of Palo Alto, November 20, at 82. He was a member of the football and rugby teams and Alpha Tau Omega. He spent 25 years at the Stanford Research Institute and the Center for Materials Research. At Lawrence Livermore, he directed a research lab for 30 years. His research on multilayer synthesis and nanotechnology led to more than 300 journal articles, two edited books and 28 patents. In 2015, Stanford’s Native American Cultural Center inducted him into its Multicultural Alumni Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed the outdoors and backcountry camping with his family. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ann (Hagey, ’58, MA ’59). Survivors: his children, Troy III, Michael, Christopher and Rebecca; second wife, Wendy Smith, and their son, Jacob Bowland; and four grandchildren.
Benjamin Butler Robinson II, ’59 (economics), of Mission Viejo, Calif., November 29, at 81, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a member of Zeta Psi, the football and baseball teams and Navy ROTC. He was a Marine helicopter pilot in Vietnam. His civilian career was in stock brokerage and wealth management. Survivors: his wife of 32 years, Margaret; children, Brooke Meyer and Ben; three grandchildren; and sister, Melinda Robinson Moiso, ’63.
1960s
Barbara Kay Stephenson Harris, ’60 (education), of Olympia, Wash., February 7, at 81, after a long struggle with cancer. She sang in the choir and was on the Women’s Row executive committee. She raised her family in several different states and in Korea and Germany. She later earned a master’s degree from the U. of North Alabama. She enjoyed singing in church choirs and following her favorite sports teams, especially the Stanford basketball team. She was predeceased by her son Jeff. Survivors: her children, Steve, Katie and Kari; five grandchildren; and two brothers, including Kim, ’63.
Nancy Louise Erreca Robertson, ’60 (political science), of Los Banos, Calif., January 27, at 81, of cancer. She worked for the California State Legislature, in educational publishing and import/export. After marrying (and learning to pilot a Cessna during her honeymoon), she was active in town government and served a term as Portola Valley mayor. In her later career, she held positions at multiple Silicon Valley software startups. She also made an appearance on the TV quiz show Jeopardy. She enjoyed tennis, paddle tennis, bridge and golf. Survivors: her husband, Tim, Gr. ’82; sons, Paul, John and Mike; granddaughter; and two siblings.
John I. “Jack” Yellott Jr., ’60 (political science), MA ’61 (sociology), PhD ’66 (psychology), of Laguna Beach, Calif., December 4, at 81. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He was professor emeritus of UC Irvine’s department of cognitive sciences, which he helped found. He taught previously at the U. of Minnesota and was a visiting member of Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study. He was a popular teacher of mathematical psychology, and continued his research in mathematics and vision sciences until last year. Survivors: his wife, Dorothea (Geary, ’60); children, Carolyn Yellott Darlington and John; two grandchildren; and sister.
Marvin Gary Dickson, ’61 (history), of Edinburgh, Scotland, February 25, at 81, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a Woodrow Wilson fellow at Yale, then earned his PhD at the U. of Edinburgh. As a medieval historian, he published numerous journal articles and two books on the Children’s Crusade and charismatic movements. He was a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study. He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Margaret. Survivors: his daughters, Sarah Brengman and Rachel; and two granddaughters.
Raymond C. Fisher, ’61, LLB ’66, of Sherman Oaks, Calif., February 29, at 80. He finished his undergraduate degree at UC Santa Barbara before returning to Stanford for his law degree. He clerked for Justice William Brennan Jr., was in private practice for 30 years and served as president of the Los Angeles Police Commission and Constitutional Rights Foundation. He was appointed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1999. His decisions touched on right of the press to observe executions, the use of cigarette tax money for anti-smoking ads, employment discrimination based on HIV status and the secrecy of the government’s no-fly list. Survivors: his wife of 59 years, Nancy; children, Jeff and Amy; and four grandchildren.
James Clair Flood, ’61 (political science), of San Francisco, February 18, at 80, of heart failure. He was a member of Theta Chi and ROTC. After serving in Army intelligence, he began a banking career with Wells Fargo. He later joined the family business. In this capacity he managed and oversaw the restoration of the Flood Building in San Francisco. The mountains and rivers of northwest Wyoming became a second home for him. One of his favorite accomplishments was summiting the Grand Teton with his daughters. In the week before his death, he went horseback riding and duck hunting, and he skied in Jackson Hole the day he died. Survivors: his wife of 54 years, Astrid; daughters, Christina Flood Kane, Lisa, and Karin; seven grandchildren; and three siblings.
John Ritchie “Jack” Lamey, ’61, of Seattle, December 15, at 80, of cancer. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta and the golf team. He finished his degree at the U. of Washington and stayed for an MD. During 30 years of practice in obstetrics and gynecology, he delivered around 5,000 babies. Retirement allowed him to rededicate himself to golf as a senior amateur player and as board president of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association. He also served in leadership roles for Big Brothers of Seattle and Northwest Forum. Survivors: his wife, Yvonne; children, Lisa Stewart, Heidi, Michael, Jason and Laura; stepchildren, Mary Simpson, Taylor Everett and Paige Porter; 10 grandchildren; and sister.
Robert Stanton Niccolls Jr., ’61 (mechanical engineering), of Meridian, Idaho, December 4, at 80, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a member of ROTC and the club ski team. After 10 years in engineering, he embarked on a new career in business, starting in life insurance sales and then focusing on pension planning for individuals and businesses. He was active in Rotary, YMCA, and Exchange Club and served on the Chamber of Commerce board. He loved skiing, enjoying success in senior downhill races in his 70s, and was an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church. Survivors: his wife of 58 years, LaVonne; sons, Steven and Stanton; and seven grandchildren.
Ronald S. David, ’62 (psychology), MD ’67, of Tucson, Ariz., February 10, at 80. After Army service, he pursued training in psychiatry in New York. He was director of outpatient services at a mental health center in the East Bronx, N.Y., and then in Tucson. He was also the director or managing partner of several private practice groups and was a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the U. of Arizona for 30 years. He was awarded the position of Life Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and served on the board of the Borderlands Theater in Tucson. Survivors: his partner, Madeleine; children, Diana and Sam; five grandchildren; two stepchildren, Sophie and Stephan; and three stepgrandchildren.
Carter H. Harrison Jr., ’62 (petroleum engineering), MS ’64, Engr. ’66 (civil engineering), of Tucson, Ariz., January 2, at 83, from Parkinson’s disease. He served in the Army. At Stanford, he was head usher at Memorial Auditorium. He was a consultant for water projects throughout the Northwest. He was also an assistant professor at Auburn U. and research manager of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He served as president of the Oregon section of ASCE and the Society of Architects and Engineers. Survivors: his wife of 55 years, Connie (Tilton, ’62); children, Julie and Berkeley; two grandchildren; and three brothers.
Lee James Sneller, ’63 (industrial engineering), of Long Beach, Calif., December 31, at 79, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was a member of Delta Chi. He earned an MBA from Cal State LA in 1968 and was a manufacturing executive at several companies, starting with Mattel. He met his wife while working there in 1963. After his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he made it his mission to educate others about the disease. He was an avid supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association and rode on the organization’s Rose Parade float in 2011. Survivors: his wife, Pat; children, Traci, Jeffrey, ’92, MS ’92, and Todd; and seven grandchildren.
Robert Vincent Violante, ’63 (basic medical sciences), MD ’66, of Palo Alto, February 25, at 80. As an Army physician, he was based in Bangkok for three years, and he returned often to Thailand throughout his life. He managed emergency departments at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and other Bay Area hospitals and helped build medical institutions in Santa Clara County. He enjoyed skiing, sailing, swimming, fly-fishing and sports cars. He was also a fan of Stanford athletics and gave guest lectures on emergency medicine for the School of Medicine. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara. Survivors: his wife Lauren Weissman; children, George, Gina Haynes, Tida, Suzanne Lytle and Cristina; stepdaughter, Danika Kohler; 12 grandchildren; and sister.
Graham Gilmer III, ’64 (biological sciences), of Lynchburg, Va., January 17, of cancer. He was a member of the track team and Sigma Chi. He earned his MD from the U. of Maryland, served in the Marine Corps as a flight surgeon and then completed his ENT residency in San Diego. He practiced medicine for 41 years in Lynchburg. He served his community through Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and the Lynchburg Tree Stewards and was an elder at First Presbyterian Church. His interests ranged from photography, bonsai and woodworking to birding, duplicate bridge and golf. Survivors: his wife of 50 years, Helen; sons, Christopher, Drew and Graham IV, ’05; eight grandchildren; and three siblings.
Charles Bryan Burton, ’65 (political science), of Phoenix, February 17, at 76, after a short illness. He was a member of Kappa Sigma. He earned his JD from Duke U. and then returned to his hometown of Phoenix. He founded Burton & Leather & Associates and enjoyed a legal career lasting nearly 40 years. Retirement gave him the opportunity to focus on golf, watching sports and supporting his beloved Stanford Cardinal teams. Survivors: his children, Elizabeth and Bryan; and three grandchildren.
Robert S. Rosch, ’65 (history), JD ’68, of Bear, Del., July 2019, at 76, of ALS. He was predeceased by his first wife, Anne (Selby, ’66, MA ’69, PhD ’71). Survivors: his wife, Phyllis; and daughters, Stephanie and Caroline.
Lawrence Gordon Tesler, ’65 (mathematics), of Portola Valley, Calif., February 17, at 74. As a student, he was hired to write software for various university departments and set up a successful consulting company. During the 1970s, he worked at Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center in California, which produced many breakthroughs in computer technology. He went on to work for several leading tech companies, including Xerox, Apple, Amazon and Yahoo, devoting his career to making computers practical, affordable and easy to use. His best-known innovation was the “cut, copy and paste” command, which was incorporated into Apple’s Lisa computer in 1983 and is now an elemental feature of all electronic devices. Survivors: his second wife, Colleen Barton, PhD ’88; daughter, Lisa; and two brothers.
Harry McDougal Parker, ’67 (geology), MS ’74 (statistics), PhD ’75 (geology) of Reno, Nev., December 19, at 73, of melanoma. He developed the use of conditional probability distributions to forecast recoverable resources, an approach still used in the mining industry. His career, first with Hanna Mining and then Fluor before he co-founded Mineral Resources Development Inc., took him to 17 states, eight Canadian provinces and 35 countries outside North America. He served extensively in administrative roles for the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, and his work was recognized with numerous awards from professional bodies. He also pursued interests in trilobites, food and wine and Porsches. Survivors: his wife of nearly 51 years, Susan; children, Meg and Winthrop; six granddaughters; and sister.
Douglas Alden Karlson, ’69, MS ’75 (mechanical engineering), of Palo Alto, January 1, at 71. He was a member of Chi Psi and the crew team. He spent his career as a manufacturing and supply chain manager in the Bay Area. He found joy in nature and the outdoors, in the Bay Area’s food and wine culture, in travel to Europe and Asia, and in the community at Stanford Memorial Church. He reconnected with the sport of rowing later in life through the Bair Island Aquatic Center in Redwood City, where he served as a board member, president and treasurer. He was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Rebecca. Survivors: his partner, Nancy Radcliffe; and children, Sarah and Doug.
1970s
James Edward Duignan, ’71 (general engineering), of Redwood City, February 9, at 77. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked on the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and enjoyed a long career as a heavy equipment mechanic and welder for Peterson Tractor, Caterpillar, Fisk Firenze and McLean, and he retired from the San Mateo Department of Public Works. He was also a coach, referee and regional director for AYSO Soccer, sang in local church choirs, played acoustic guitar, baked bread, won chili cook-offs and built everything from coffee tables to industrial-size BBQ grills. Survivors: his wife, Sue; children, Nellie Mikulin and Paddy; two grandsons; and two siblings.
Timothy Bell Moyer, ’72, MA ’74 (economics), of Califon, N.J., February 2, at 69. He was a member of Delta Upsilon and the club lacrosse team. After earning his MBA at Harvard, he had an extensive banking career with Salomon Brothers, Dean Witter and Société Générale. After 9/11, he joined the FBI’s newly formed financial counter-terrorism unit, where he worked until his passing. He pursued broad interests in world travel, French and history, but he especially loved the peace and quiet of the woods surrounding his home. Survivors: his wife, Wilhelmina; children, Lindsay Stempniak and Timothy Jr.; four grandchildren; and three siblings.
1980s
Marianne Miller Boyce, ’85 (economics), of San Francisco, January 27, at 56, after a long struggle with metastatic breast cancer. She was a member of the crew team and Kappa Alpha Theta. Survivors: her husband of 34 years, Albert, ’86; sons, Evan, Thomas, ’12, and Trevor; and grandson.
1990s
Scott Wallace Pearson, ’91 (political science), of Alameda, Calif., January 25, at 50, of hypertension. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi and the marching band. He worked as a project manager for several computer game start-ups. He was devoted to his sons and enjoyed playing sports with them, especially golf, skiing, baseball and soccer. Survivors: his sons, David and Adam; parents, Mark and Kathy; former spouse, Kim Cusato; and sister, Willow, ’92.
Business
Raymond Hawkins Sheen, MBA ’57, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., February 5, at 96. He served for 26 years in the Navy and retired at the rank of commander. He then started a second career at RAND Corp. in Santa Monica. He retired in 1978 as head of the facilities and services department. To fellow parishioners at the United Methodist Church of Thousand Oaks, he was known as the “friendliest man at church.” In retirement, he dedicated his time to visiting the sick and elderly and also found time for travel. He was predeceased by first wife, Marion Bell, and second wife, Ruth Evens. Survivors: his third wife, Lois Olson Thorgusen Sheen; daughters, Nancy Pasquarelli, Carolyn and Pam; six grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.
Richard Whitehead, MBA ’66, of Brookhaven, Ga., February 4, at 82, of Lewy body dementia. In 1983, he founded the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, and he was a principal in several Atlanta financial advisory firms for more than 30 years. He was an avid reader of nonfiction and a fan of Atlanta sports teams. Survivors: his wife of 55 years, Karen; sons, KC and Jeff; and five grandchildren.
Elizabeth Ruth Gill, MBA ’89, of Toronto, January 23, at 56, of cancer. She worked as a marketing executive for Disney, the Davies law firm, and Danier and was head of the Childhood Cancer Foundation Canada. She was a fan of the Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins and enjoyed hosting elaborate Halloween parties. Survivors: her husband, Shayne Kukulowicz; children, Caitlyn and Ryan; stepdaughter, Halle; father, Thomas Gill III; and brother, Thomas Gill IV.
Engineering
Rune Evert, MS ’66 (aeronautical and astronautical engineering), of Solvang, Calif., November 20, at 93. He came from Sweden to work in aviation, advanced his career with his engineering degree from Stanford and later added an MBA from UCLA. He developed and operated satellite space launch systems in engineering and management positions at several aerospace companies, including Lockheed Martin and Hughes Aircraft. He was also a visiting engineer at the Aeronautical Research Institute of Sweden. In retirement he enjoyed building his dream home in Solvang, traveling with the Stanford Alumni group and keeping two Volvos perfectly maintained. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Anne-Marie Johansson.
William Eric “Bill” Drummond, MS ’67, PhD ’71 (electrical engineering), of Cupertino, Calif., January 17, at 77, of bladder cancer. At Nuclear Semiconductor Inc. (later Spectrance) in Menlo Park, he developed semiconductor devices for measuring X-ray spectra. Over his 34-year career, he rose to the position of general manager and helped make the company a leader in its field. He loved traveling the world, collecting stamps, and being with family and friends. Survivors: his girlfriend, Connie Choi; and two siblings, including James, JD ’72.
Alfred Rew Yarrington, Gr. ’69 (electrical engineering), of Venice, Fla., January 1, at 83, of a blood clot. He served in the Army. In addition to his engineering degree, he earned a JD from Lincoln Law School in San Francisco. He made use of both degrees in his career as an international contracts attorney in the defense industry. Survivors: his wife of 50 years, Rita; children, Julia and Albert; stepson, Russell Jones; seven grandchildren; and sister.
Kevin William Hannan, MS ’79 (electrical engineering), of Tacoma, Wash., January 3, at 63. He had a 30-year career with Boeing and retired in 2011. Survivors: his sister.
Humanities and Sciences
Vladimir Joseph Kovalik, MA ’53 (economics), of Monterey, Calif., February 15, at 91. He was a member of the Alpineers Club. Born in Slovakia, he became a member of the Czech national hockey team and carried the flag at the 1948 Olympics. But he was soon arrested for anti-communist activity and put on a train bound for Siberia. He escaped, met his future wife in a displaced persons camp and came to the United States. After earning his master’s degree, he took a position at the Stanford Research Institute. Together with his wife, he published several books on oceanography. He was predeceased by his former wife, Nada (Skidmore, ’47). Survivors: his children, Kim, Kyle and Karen.
Thomas William White, MA ’65 (Latin American studies), of Houston, November 24, of cholangiocarcinoma. He studied in Brazil as a Fulbright scholar prior to graduate study. Later, he served in Army intelligence in Vietnam and was awarded a Bronze Star. In his civilian career, he worked in banking, savings and loan, and the oil industry. He served on the board of the Stanford Club of Houston for more than 20 years. He especially enjoyed being part of the Houston chapter of the Larry Dierker Society for Baseball Research. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Monica (Stephens, ’67); children, Christopher, Harry, Irene and Thomas Jr.; 10 grandchildren; and two sisters.
Philip Oppleman Temko, PhD ’68 (philosophy), of Santa Rosa, Calif., December 19, at 95. He served in the Army during World War II. He taught philosophy at Sonoma State for 30 years. He enjoyed music and books, the outdoors, and family gatherings at home and on the Oregon coast. Survivors: his wife of 70 years, Judy; children, Wendy, Heidi and Danny; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Law
Charles Lawrence Swezey, LLB ’48, of Palo Alto, February 10, at 96, of heart failure. He served in the Army and attended law school on the GI Bill. As an attorney, he specialized in workers’ compensation law, and he had particular impact through public service. He was president of the Palo Alto Fair Play Council and served on the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board for 31 years. He was also an avid cyclist and combined his interests in art and travel by touring museums in the U.S. and around the world. Until the end of his life, he attended Stanford football and basketball games with religious devotion. He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Betty Ann. Survivors: his children, Tim West, Kirk, Sean, Blair, Erin, Adam, Rory, Megan Swezey Fogarty, ’86, and Tanya Swezey Stabinsky; 21 grandchildren, including Devon, ’08, and Molly Ellen Fogarty, ’19; and sister.
Donald Victor Petroni, LLB ’58, of Santa Ynez, Calif., February 7, at 88. He started graduate work in English, served in Army counterintelligence, then returned to earn his JD and edit the law review. He joined O’Melveny & Myers, first specializing in international law and spearheading the opening of an office in Paris, then returning to focus on entertainment law. He negotiated contracts for actors like Burt Reynolds, ventures like Univision and events like the Olympics. In 1993 he fulfilled his dream of building a castle in Santa Ynez, growing grapes and olives and making wine. He was predeceased by his stepson Alvah Halle. Survivors: his wife, Ann; children, Lisa Osur and Victor; stepchildren Pamela Halle, Samuel Halle ll and Michael Halle; 10 grandchildren; and two brothers.
Richard Stuart Grim, LLB ’63, of Phoenix, January 13, at 84. He served in the Air Force. He spent his career in international finance. His initial position with Continental Bank in Chicago was followed by postings in Milan and London. After joining the financial division of Greyhound in Phoenix, he took his family abroad once more to open an Indonesian office in Jakarta and then again to London. In retirement, he continued to be active as a management consultant and entrepreneur. Survivors: his wife of 57 years, Linda (Harrison, ’63); children, Terry and Marisa; and five grandchildren.
Russell Glenn Allen, JD ’71, of Newport Beach, Calif., January 19, at 73. He served as a judge advocate at Norton Air Force Base for four years, then joined O’Melveny and Myers, specializing in wills and trusts. After 32 years, he left the firm and worked for JP Morgan Chase before opening his own private practice in Corona del Mar, Calif. Survivors: his wife, Joan; daughters, Samantha Allen Ochoa, ’91, Theresa, Rebecca and Deborah; and two grandsons.
Kaatri Robbins Boies Grigg, JD ’71, of San Francisco, February 15, at 74, of frontotemporal dementia. After initially working in the Wells Fargo Bank legal department, she switched to a career in nonprofit leadership. She served on the board of directors of San Francisco Children’s Hospital, later the California Pacific Medical Center. She was also a founding trustee and board member and chair for San Francisco Day School. She performed additional board service for Breakthrough Collaborative, Chanticleer and the American Conservatory Theater. She was predeceased by her son Jeffrey. Survivors: her husband of 48 years, Douglas; son Eliot; five grandchildren; and brother.
Cynthia Ann Vroom, JD ’87, of San Jose, November 27, at 70, of cancer. She earned a PhD in French literature from UCLA before earning a law degree. She worked at several law firms but found her dream job as legal counsel for the University of California. Her primary areas of practice included employment litigation, First Amendment issues and academic personnel issues. She was a visiting professor at the University of Aix-Marseille and once had the opportunity to translate for Chief Justice William Rehnquist. She was fluent in Italian and an avid fan of college sports. Survivors: her brothers, Scott, Barry and Brad.
Medicine
Michio “Mitch” Takahashi, MD ’58, of Walnut Creek, Calif., September 22, at 86. He interned and did his residency in internal medicine with the U.S. Public Health Service, first in Seattle and then in San Francisco. In 1965, he joined Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek. He was later chief of internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente in Pleasanton and physician in charge at Kaiser Park Shadelands. His favorite pastimes were playing golf with his wife and friends, supporting the Stanford women’s basketball team and playing the ukulele. He was a self-appointed class photographer and attended every Stanford reunion with camera in hand. But his greatest joy was his granddaughter. Survivors: his wife of 57 years, Millie; daughters, Sandy Takahashi Sirai, MBA ’89, and Sherry; granddaughter; and three siblings.
