Faculty
Charles Albert Drekmeier, of Palo Alto, August 25, at 92. He was professor emeritus of political science. His book Kingship and Community in Early India was awarded the American Historical Association’s Watumull Prize. For 23 years, he and his wife, a history professor, co-taught an honors seminar, Social Thought and Institutions, that focused on a single topic, such as community or utopia, for an entire year. A civil rights and anti-war advocate, he co-founded the Stanford Committee on Peace in Vietnam in 1965. He was predeceased by his wife of more than 60 years, Margot; and his daughter, Nadja May. Survivors: his sons, Peter and Kai; and three grandchildren.
John Arthur Gosling, of Manchester, England, July 17, at 81. He was professor emeritus of anatomy and instrumental in the creation of the School of Medicine’s clinical anatomy division. He taught as a visiting professor seven times from 1975 to 1991 before joining the faculty as a full professor. His research focused on the neuroscience of the genitourinary system. He was co-author of Human Anatomy, contributed to dozens of other books and co-authored more than 100 papers. He was a three-time winner of the Kaiser Award for Excellence in Preclinical Teaching. He was also an avid rock climber. Survivors: his daughters, Rachael Williams and Jane Garbett; and seven grandchildren.
James G. Greeno, of Pittsburgh, September 8, at 85, of Parkinson’s disease. He was emeritus professor of education. He helped develop the theory of situated learning, which emphasizes the influence of social interactions and environment on learning. He was a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, served on the editorial teams of several publications, and held leadership roles with the National Academy of Education, the American Educational Research Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He also co-founded the Institute for Research on Learning, a nonprofit dedicated to the application of artificial intelligence and cognitive science to learning. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Noreen; children, John, ’80, and Catherine, PhD ’89; and four grandchildren.
Leda Mussio, of San Mateo, Calif., September 19, at 92, of pneumonia. She was senior lecturer emerita of French and Italian. She directed the Casa Italiana, collaborating with numerous Italian celebrities to connect the immersive residential experience to cultural events in Italy. She was also coordinator of many Italian film events. She took pride in her Florentine heritage and enjoyed maintaining ties to her past students and colleagues. She was predeceased by her former husband, Magdalo. Survivors: her son, Gianmaria.
Peter Paret, of Salt Lake City, September 11, at 96. He was Raymond A. Spruance Professor of International History emeritus. He had served in the Army during World War II; as a scholar, he explored connections between modern guerilla movements and the Napoleonic wars and politics, culture and the arts. His numerous awards include Germany’s Order of Merit, Great Cross; the American Philosophical Society’s Thomas Jefferson Medal; and the Society for Military History’s Samuel Eliot Morison Prize. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was predeceased by his wife, Isabel. Survivors: his children, Suzanne and Monty, ’90; and four grandchildren.
Robert Dario Simoni, of Palo Alto, September 18, at 81. He was the Donald Kennedy Chair in the School of Humanities and Sciences and professor of biology emeritus. His research focused on the biogenesis, structure and function of cellular membranes. He served as acting provost, chair of the faculty senate and five terms as biology department chair. For his service to the university, he was honored with the Kenneth M. Cuthbertson Award. He was also an award-winning winemaker. Survivors: his wife of 59 years, Diane; children, Susan Burk, Steven and David, and five grandchildren.
Makoto Ueda, of Los Altos, August 19, at 89. He was professor emeritus of Japanese. He served twice as chair of the department of East Asian languages and cultures and also directed the East Asian program, now the Center for East Asian Studies. His scholarly work focused on the translation and criticism of Japanese poetry. His translations made many female haiku and tanka poets from the 17th century to today available for the first time in English. Survivors: his children, Eunice Louie and Edward, ’86; four grandchildren, including Julien, ’21; and three sisters.
1940s
John “Jack” Podesta Dixon, ’40 (graphic arts), of Glendale, Calif., October 15, at 104. He earned money for college by working for the Civilian Conservation Corps. At the university, he pledged Theta Xi, ran cross-country and track and was an editor and cartoonist for the Chaparral. He served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War and retired from the Naval Reserves at the rank of commander. In civilian life, he spent 35 years as an engineer at Pacific Bell. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Linnea. Survivors: his wife of 15 years, Shirley; children, Diane Gennuso and Jack; and four grandsons.
John Wesley Arnold, ’42 (medicine), MD ’45, of Long Beach, Calif., April 30, at 100. While in medical school, he met and married Wilma Blakey, then a cadet nurse in training at Stanford. As an Army physician in World War II, he served at the 49th General Hospital in Tokyo. He was a board-certified eye, ear, nose, and throat specialist and practiced medicine with his father for many years. He was also an avid genealogist, gardener, fly fisherman, golfer and amateur historian. He was predeceased by his wife, Wilma; and son Bruce. Survivors: his son John, ’69; and grandchildren, Allison, ’99, Lindsay ’02, MBA ’10, and Blake, ’06.
Bessie Paulsen Tufts, ’42 (history), of Woodland, Calif., July 7, at 99. She was a member of Chi Omega. She worked in San Francisco after graduation, but Woodland soon became her long-term home, leaving for extended trips to Africa, Europe and the California desert. She thought of herself as a farmer, but she also managed several investment properties. She was predeceased by her first husband, James Adams, ’41; second husband, Bill Riegels; and third husband, Warren Tufts. Survivors: her children, Bill Adams, ’70, and Jamie Dougherty; three stepchildren; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Marion Shipman Barnes, ’44, of Oakland, September 5, at 98. While out with friends one evening, she was introduced to a first lieutenant on his way overseas. They fell in love instantly. He proposed that night; she accepted; and after the war ended, they married. She served her children’s local schools through the PTA. Later, she was a floor helper for more than 20 years at Samuel Merritt Hospital (now part of the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center). She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Jerry. Survivors: her children, Jeffery, Stephen, Leslie and David; 12 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
June Eloise Miller Lighty, ’44 (graphic arts), of Burlingame, Calif., September 20, at 97. She pledged Alpha Omicron Pi. After graduation, she worked for the Bank of America. Her volunteer service was manifold: She volunteered for the Red Cross, American Heart Association, PACE, Stanford Home for Convalescent Children and the Garden Café. She was involved with the Boy Scouts, served as a Cub Scout den mother, and hosted “rivalry gatherings” between Stanford and Washington State U. She was predeceased by her husband, Phillip; and son Stephen. Survivors: her sons Phillip Jr. and Thomas; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Philip R. Lee, ’45 (biological sciences), MD ’48, of New York City, October 27, at 96, of heart arrhythmia. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi. He served as a doctor in the Naval Reserve during the Korean War. As assistant secretary for health and scientific affairs in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare from 1965 to 1969, he oversaw the introduction of Medicare and compelled hospitals to desegregate. He was chancellor of UC San Francisco from 1969 to 1972 and later director of its Institute for Health Policy Studies. He returned to government service as assistant secretary of Health and Human Services from 1993 to 1997. Survivors: his wife, Roz Lasker; children, Dorothy, Paul, Margaret, Amy Pinneo and Theodore; stepdaughter, Duskie Estes; five grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Peter Polk, ’45 (interdisciplinary), of Dana Point, Calif., September 25, at 96. He and his wife met as Stanford freshmen, but they married only after he returned from a 13-month combat tour on the USS North Carolina in the Pacific theater of World War II. He worked for Carter Hawley Hale department stores for 35 years and in retirement undertook a second career in real estate. Survivors: his wife, Carol (Hurwitz, ’45); children, Robin and Christopher; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Carole Jean Carpenter Reynolds, ’45 (social science/social thought), of Laguna Beach, Calif., August 11, at 96. She was a member of Delta Gamma, played on the basketball team and wrote for the Daily. She made lasting contributions to the Laguna Beach arts community as an art museum docent, founding member of the arts council, chair of the art commission, co-founder of the Community Art Project and founder of the Laguna College of Art + Design library (now the Carole Reynolds Art Research Library). She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Jack, ’44, MBA ’48. Survivors: her daughters, Kimberly Cooper and KC Cooper; stepsons, Ralf and John Reynolds; and five grandchildren.
Richard Harrison Williams, ’45 (speech and drama), MA ’48 (education), EdD ’57, of Palo Alto, January 5, 2020, at 96, of pneumonia. He was involved with Ram’s Head and served as stage manager at Memorial Auditorium. He first taught in Elk Grove, became vice principal of Yuba City High School and then served as principal of Burlingame High School for 24 years. He led student groups overseas in the summers and also served as president and secretary of the Burlingame Kiwanis Club. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Grace (Von der Mehden, ’50, MA ’54); children, Renee and Blaine; and two grandchildren.
Marie Josephine McGervey Wagner, ’46 (speech and drama), of Burlingame, Calif., August 27, at 95. She was active in volunteer work and an engaged parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena parish. She loved to capture scenes from her travels in watercolor and was a member of the Peninsula Outdoor Painting Society. She was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Herman, ’48. Survivors: her children, Virginia Caughell, William, John and Albert; seven grandchildren; and great-grandchild.
Eugene Harold Corman, ’48 (social science/social thought), of Beverly Hills, Calif., September 28, at 93. He was a member of the tennis team and Theta Delta Chi. He produced prime-time television and more than 30 films for Universal, Columbia, MGM, United Artists and 20th Century Fox. He won an Emmy Award in 1982 for A Woman Called Golda. He was also a passionate collector of modern and contemporary art, and he served as chair of the Beverly Hills Fine Arts Commission. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Nan; sons, Todd and Craig, ’81; four grandchildren; and brother, Roger, ’47.
Robert J. Hildreth, ’48 (psychology), of San Francisco, August 22, at 93. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta. He was owner, president and CEO of a trucking company for 35 years. He also pursued wide interests, including drawing, painting in watercolor, flying, hiking, sailing, opera and Zen Buddhism, and he was a longtime member of the Bohemian Club. Survivors: his wife of 33 years, Mei Ling Kwei, ’50, MD ’55; children, James and Diane; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Virginia Lorayne Schultz Procter, ’48 (mathematics), of Atherton, Calif., June 18, at 93. She and her husband owned and co-managed a home construction company known for building midcentury modern homes. She was also a devoted swim mother, PTA leader and high school sports booster. She volunteered at Stanford’s Children’s Hospital, was a docent at the Filoli historic house and gardens, and cheered many Stanford football and basketball games in person. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Bob, MS ’48. Survivors: her children, Carol Procter Collins, ’83, MS ’85, and Glenn, ’77; and three granddaughters.
Lila Joan Spitzer Cerf, ’49 (communication), of Piedmont, Calif., September 10, at 92. She was in the Gaieties. An internship as a travel writer in Mexico City led to her first job after graduation with Sunset magazine. She was passionate about self-improvement throughout her life, particularly in her favorite pastimes of tennis, golf and bridge. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Alan, PhD ’56. Survivors: her children, Robert, Douglas, Jeffery, Richard and Nancy; 11 grandchildren, including Jake, ’12; five great-grandchildren; and sister.
Warren Douglass Noteware, ’49 (civil engineering), of Stockton, Calif., April 16, at 94. He was a member of the flying club at Stanford and served in the Navy during World War II. He toured Europe and North Africa by bicycle for a year after graduation, then took charge of the family farm and ranch. He opened his own engineering firm in Manteca, Calif., in 1971. He was appointed to the California Water Resources Board in 1982 and later to the California Energy Commission. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Marguerite. Survivors: his sons, James, ’74, Brian and Fred; seven grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
Marilyn Cox Titus, ’49 (education), of Arroyo Grande, Calif., September 19, at 93, after a long illness. She was a member of the Rally Committee and Cap and Gown. She initially taught in San Francisco schools and later worked at CSU Northridge and Rancho Los Amigos Hospital. She also served her community as an active volunteer for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, YMCA, PEO and other civic groups. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Mickey, ’50. Survivors: her children, Kathi, Sue Prock, David, Colleen Martin and Pat; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Ransom Buck Turner, ’49 (basic medical sciences), MD ’53, of Santa Rosa, Calif., August 15, at 94. He served in the Army during World War II. At Stanford, he was a member of Delta Chi. He practiced medicine for more than 40 years. He served as president of the California Academy of Family Physicians and held related posts at the state and national levels. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary (Robertson, ’52); second wife, Marilyn; and son, Daniel, ’85. Survivors: his daughters, Jan, Carol Turner Courville, ’81, and Beth Turner Proudfoot, ’79; stepchildren, Lisa Sonnenburg, Eric Anderson, Kristen Anderson and Kurt Anderson; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
1950s
F. Gregg Bemis Jr., ’50 (economics), of Santa Fe, N.M., May 21, at 91, of cancer. He was on the rugby team. After graduation, he served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, then earned his MBA from Harvard. He was a corporate executive for 25 years and then a venture capitalist, but he found his true passion in 1982 when he bought the wreck of the Lusitania for £1,000. He undertook a diving expedition that returned artifacts, but legal wrangling with the Irish government prevented him from solving the long mystery of the ship’s quick sinking from a single torpedo. Survivors: his wife, Lisa (Thacker, ’52); and children, including Stephani Bemis Coppola, ’84.
Ann W. Hutchinson Gordon, ’50 (English), of Dayton, Ohio, October 12, at 92. She worked first in New York City and then Beirut, where she earned her MA and taught at the American U. of Beirut. In 1975, she brought her family from Beirut to Princeton, N.J., before settling in Ohio. She was an avid reader of modern fiction and a fierce tennis player. She was predeceased by her first husband, David; and second husband, Eugene Aleinikoff. Survivors: her children, Matthew and Victoria; and two grandchildren.
Joan Louise Harzfeld Inglis, ’50 (communication), of Menlo Park, August 16, at 91. Her first job was with the Menlo Park Recorder. She then utilized her journalism skills as a newsletter editor for local schools, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and the Orton Society. She also worked to help dyslexic children through what is now the International Dsylexic Association. She was a lifelong advocate of physical fitness and a healthy diet, anticipating the fitness boom of the ’60s by a decade. She was predeceased by her husband, John; and her son John Arthur. Survivors: her sons Christopher and James and their families.
Theodore Marion Noble Jr., ’50, MA ’50 (education), of Lincoln, Calif., August 5, at 94. He was a member of Theta Xi. He joined the Air Force and served for 23 years, including as a pilot in the Korean War, and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He then taught middle school math and science in Hillsborough, Calif., for 24 years. Retirement brought him the opportunity to build his dream home, complete with a backyard four-hole golf course. Survivors: his wife, Lynn; children; and grandchildren.
Kathryn Aileen Cohrt Crockett, ’51 (history), of Mitchell, S.D., September 13, at 91. Her first job was with the United Nations. After living in Germany and Michigan, she raised her family in Hawaii. She pursued an MBA from the U. of Hawaii and worked as a project director for the J. Walter Cameron Center and also supported numerous cultural and arts organizations. After returning to her family home in 1991, her primary passion was working with the Mitchell Area Historical Society. She was predeceased by her son, Arthur. Survivors: her daughter, Claire F. Crockett-Shaw; and grandson.
Charles “Sandy” Mansfield Rockwell Jr., ’52 (civil engineering), of Fairfield, Calif., November 2, at 90, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and Navy ROTC. He met his sweetheart and dance partner at the university, served in the Navy during the Korean War, and then returned to complete his degree and marry in Memorial Church. As head engineer for the Santa Clara County parks department, he helped design and build most of the city’s parks. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Velma (Smoot, ’55). Survivors: his children, Jennifer Doherty, John, ’78, and Lauree Carpenter; five grandchildren; and great-granddaughter.
Anne Louise Horney Bentrott Wise, ’52 (social science/social thought), of Seattle, October 26, at 89. She was one of the first female residential Realtors in West Seattle and became one of the most successful. Later in life, she was able to build her dream home on Puget Sound and travel the world. She was predeceased by her first husband, of 24 years, Boyd Bentrott; and second husband, of 30 years, Ken Wise. Survivors: her children, Martin, Bryan, ’83, Robert and Tom; 13 grandchildren, including Bryan, ’06, and Mark, ’10; and four great-grandchildren.
James W. Barnett, ’53 (economics), of Belvedere, Calif. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and served in the Army during the Korean War. He began in the family business as a teller at Santa Rosa Savings, was branch manager at Tamalpais Savings and later was head of New Horizons Savings in San Rafael. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf, skiing, swimming and hiking. Although he traveled extensively, his favorite places were Inverness and West Marin. Survivors: his wife, Jean (Marsh ’53); sons, Charlie and Michael; and two grandchildren.
David Jay Dahl, ’53 (biological sciences), MD ’56, of Pasadena, Calif., June 20, at 89. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. After his internship in New York City and residency in San Francisco, he served in the Army Medical Corps in Germany. In private practice, he was on staff at Huntington Memorial Hospital for more than 30 years, ultimately serving as chief of staff and chief of surgery. He helped train resident physicians at the Huntington Memorial Hospital and also served as a state surgical inspector. He shared his love of the outdoors and physical activity with his family. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Annabelle (Horchitz, ’55); children, James, Susan, Gregory and Janet; six grandchildren; and stepgrandson.
John Erick Mack Jr., ’54, MS ’59 (geology), of Palo Alto, June 16, at 88. He was a member of the track and football teams and Zeta Psi. He served in the Navy after graduation. During his 40 years with Union Oil, he rose from a field geologist in Guatemala to a senior executive in oil and gas and geothermal energy. He was an avid backpacker, fly fisherman, skier and supporter of the Boy Scouts. He was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret (Dickson, ’54, MA ’55). Survivors: his wife of 21 years, Marion (Worthington, ’54); children, John III, ’81, Carter, Laurie Rohrbach and Peter; three stepchildren; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and sister, Laurie Mack McBride, ’61.
John Roland Stahr, ’54 (Latin American studies), of Newport Beach, Calif., October 14, at 87. He was the manager for all student clubs and a member of Navy ROTC, the crew team and Alpha Kappa Lambda. After serving in the Navy, he earned his LLB from Harvard and practiced in Los Angeles and Orange County with Latham & Watkins. He served for more than 30 years on the board of the Pacific Symphony and for many years on the board of the Hoover Institution. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth (Dempster, ’55); children, Walter, ’79, Fritz, ’81, Gretchen Stahr Breunig, ’86, and Karen; and five grandchildren, including Clancey, ’15.
Charlotte Ann Fleisher, ’55 (biological sciences), of Goleta, Calif., April 28, at 88. After raising her family in Albuquerque, N.M., and Goleta, she earned a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She worked as a counselor for Planned Parenthood, at a halfway house for people recovering from mental illness and in private practice. She loved to travel and especially delighted in the art galleries of London, Paris and Amsterdam. Survivors: her husband of 68 years, Robert, MA ’55; children, Robert Jr., John and Kathleen Hansel; and two grandchildren.
Jeremy Ann “Jere” Hamilton Hutchinson, ’55 (education), of Bend, Ore., May 13, at 87. She initially taught elementary school in La Cañada, Calif. She raised her family in Southern California, Iowa and Arizona. Wherever she lived, she owned horses, and her favorite pastime was riding with friends and family. She was predeceased by her husband, William, ’53, MS ’57. Survivors: her children, Jenifer and Thomas; and three grandchildren.
Velma Jean Smoot Rockwell, ’55, of Fairfield, Calif., August 26, at 86. She created a home for her family in the South Bay. She found joy in dancing, sewing, writing poetry, traveling and beachcombing, and she loved teaching others how to find their own joy. She was an active member of Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church. Her husband of 68 years, Charles, ’52, died shortly after her. Survivors: her children, Jennifer Doherty, John, ’78, and Lauree Carpenter; five grandchildren; great-granddaughter; and sister.
William Benjamin Rogers Jr., ’55 (economics), of Fresno, Calif., October 24, at 87, of peritoneal mesothelioma. He pledged Beta Theta Pi, played rugby and football and ran for a 96-yard touchdown in 1952, still the university record. He was a stockbroker with Sutro & Co. and an art gallery owner. With his brothers, he was also a vintner in Madera, Calif. In retirement, he served on the Fresno County grand jury but continued to find time for Stanford reunions and tailgating during football season. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Chris (Johnson, ’54, MA ’55); children, Rick and Kristen; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Dixon Bogue Smith, ’55 (chemical engineering), of Santa Rosa, Calif., at 87. After graduation, he served in the Navy. At Standard Oil (now Chevron), he rose to become one of the company’s 50 top executives. He discovered a passion for rugby as a student and pursued it all his life as a player, referee, international referee evaluator and co-founder of the Hawaii Harlequins Rugby Football Club. He also enjoyed hiking, running, mountain climbing, skiing, opera, history and genealogy. Survivors: his wife of 24 years, Christine; children, William, Gwen Judd, Abigail Lowe, Dixon Jr. and Aurora Sprenger; and three siblings.
Lynn Atterbury Venrick, ’55 (art), of Naples, Fla., October 7, 2019, at 85. She was in the Gaieties. She was a talented portrait artist and also enjoyed repainting the works of old masters.
Terry Maurice Badger, ’56 (chemical engineering), of Escondido, Calif., August 9, at 86. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Navy ROTC. After graduation, he trained as a Navy helicopter pilot. He retired from the Naval Reserves after 30 years at the rank of captain. In civilian life, he worked as a sales engineer in the aerospace industry. In retirement, he became a gym sports director and taught racquetball. He enjoyed hiking, bridge and church and community service. He also co-chaired two Class of ’56 reunions. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Lynn (Lercara, ’56); and children, Cara Chase and Craig; and three grandchildren.
William Smith Clark, ’56 (humanities), of Walnut Creek, Calif., August 28, at 86. He was on the boxing, soccer and golf teams. He served in the Navy after graduation, then earned his law degree from UC Hastings. He first worked at his father’s firm, then served as a state deputy district attorney. At the Church of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, he was an adult education teacher, parish council member and liturgy committee co-founder, and he actively supported the Cursillo movement for many years. He was predeceased by his wife, Laura; and son, Bill. Survivors: his daughter, Laurie; and three grandsons.
Bart McClain Schouweiler, ’56 (history), of Reno, Nev., September 10, at 86. He pledged Delta Kappa Epsilon. After graduation, he earned his LLB from Georgetown and served in the Air Force as a judge advocate. He was elected to the Nevada State Assembly twice and served as U.S. attorney for the district of Nevada. He later worked in private practice in Reno for more than 50 years. He was involved with numerous professional, charitable, fraternal and political organizations. Survivors: his wife, LaVonne Douthit.
Sharon Lee Davin Skinner, ’56 (history), of Los Osos, Calif., August 16, at 86, of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. She raised her family in New York City, Princeton, N.J., and Mexico City. After returning to California, she was a production manager at Impact Publishers in San Luis Obispo for 15 years. She was an ardent fan of Stanford football and enjoyed growing flowers, sewing, knitting and interior decorating. Survivors: her husband, James, ’56; sons, Brian, Mark and Blain; and two grandsons.
John Kenneth Stewart Jr., ’56 (history), of San Francisco, September 5, at 86, of cancer. He played football, ran track and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He worked for TRW for 15 years, where he discovered a talent and passion for planning and developing affordable housing. In 1978, he launched his own housing management and development firm, which grew to 1,500 employees. He also served on the boards of the Low Income Investment Fund, Mercy Housing, Habitat for Humanity and SPUR. Survivors: his wife of 40 years, Augusta; former wife, Shannon Wilson; children, Sarah, Jennifer and John; two grandchildren; sister; and two stepsisters.
Ronald Robertus Henry Witort, ’56 (history), of Modesto, Calif., September 13, at 85, of heart disease. He served in the Air Force. After earning his MA in education from San Jose State, he taught in Mountain View and helped introduce computers to the classroom in the 1980s. He later taught in the education program at Stanislaus State. He was also an avid golfer and reader. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Beverly, ’56, MA ’57; children, Chris, Laurie Leonard, Carrie Holgate and Tim; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and half-sister.
Robert Earl Carroll, ’57 (biological sciences), of Westport, N.Y., October 5, at 85, of cancer. At Stanford, he was co-chair for a homecoming float that won the prize for humor; the real punchline was that he married the other co-chair. He earned his MD from Albany Medical College and MPH from Harvard. He served in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, and was professor of preventive and community medicine and department chair at Albany Medical Center. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Diane (Rogers, ’56); sons, James and Lawrence; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; stepbrother; and half-sister.
Peter Hall LaChapelle, ’58 (economics), of Oakland, November 3, at 84. He was a member of the basketball and baseball teams and Beta Theta Pi. He earned his LLB from Lincoln Law School in San Jose and spent 30 years as a deputy district attorney for Alameda County. But his true passion for more than 45 years was coaching baseball teams of all levels, including many years as assistant coach at Piedmont High School. Survivors: his wife of 43 years, Barbara; children, Steve, Tracy, Tom and Erik; stepchildren, Suzanne Heske and Jeffrey Cathrall; four grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren.
George Fred Wieland, ’58 (psychology), of Ann Arbor, Mich., September 29, at 84. He earned his PhD in sociology from the U. of Michigan, then worked as a study director at its Institute for Social Research and later as an associate research scientist at its School of Public Health. He also held positions at the University of London and Vanderbilt. He wrote and edited several social psychology textbooks, as well as popular volumes about the culture of Swabian Germans and German Americans. He also enjoyed contra dance. Survivors: his children, Susan, Sandra, Mike and Patience; three grandchildren; and brother.
Catherine Monnier Minock Wilfert-Katz, ’58 (biological sciences), of Chapel Hill, N.C., September 13, at 84, of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. She was a member of Cap and Gown and the swim team. After earning her MD from Harvard, she joined the medical faculty at Duke. As chief of pediatric infectious diseases, she led research on pediatric HIV that led to a 90% reduction in mother-to-child transmission in North Carolina, followed by similar efforts nationally and globally. She was also a competitive tennis player and runner, an avid gardener and a talented photographer. Survivors: her husband, Samuel Katz; daughters, Katie Wilfert Regen, ’89, and Rachel; and brother, Michael, ’60.
Gayle Elaine Henderson Kierulff, ’59 (sociology), of Bellevue, Wash., June 13, at 82. She worked as an administrative assistant and marketing coordinator for Sunkist and for a physical therapy practice. While raising her family, she continued to sharpen her needlepoint skills and pursue her love of sports, particularly baseball. Survivors: her former husband, Herbert, ’59; children, Kathryn Wickward, Elizabeth Whiting and James; and four grandchildren.
1960s
Cynthia Lee Allen Passaro, ’60 (art), of La Selva Beach, Calif., September 18, at 82, of congestive heart failure. She raised her children in Highland Park, Ill., and returned to California in 1989. She was a talented artist and managed the La Selva Beach art fair for many years. She was also an avid gardener and symphony lover and a force to be reckoned with in Scrabble. She was predeceased by her son, Douglas, ’84. Survivors: her children, Leslie Lyon and Michele Singer; and former husband, Lanny, ’59, MBA ’65.
Allan Engel DeFraga, ’62 (political science), of Martinez, Calif., in May 2018. He was a member of the freshman football team and Delta Chi. After earning his JD from UC Hastings, he practiced law for 38 years. He was an avid sports fan and bridge player, a passionate bocce player and theater attendee, and he loved to travel. He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Ann (Stark, ’65). Survivors: his son, Matt; three grandchildren; and brother, Donald, ’67.
Peter Johnson Musto, ’63 (economics), of San Francisco, September 5, at 79, of heart disease. He worked first for Coldwell Banker, then entered the family real estate management business. He was head usher at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin and a member of the Order of St. John. He also served as board director for the Society of California Pioneers and was a significant supporter of the San Francisco Opera and Ballet. Survivors: his longtime companion, Peter Gilliam; and sister.
William J. Rorabaugh, ’68 (history), of Seattle, March 19, at 74, of lymphoma. He wrote for the Daily. He earned his PhD from UC Berkeley and taught for 43 years at the U. of Washington. He published numerous books and articles on the history of the early American republic and on the culture and politics of the 1960s. He was a fellow of the Newberry Library, Huntington Library, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Humanities Center and Kennedy Library. He also enjoyed photography and the fine arts. Survivors: his two siblings.
1970s
Thomas Eugene Snyder, ’70 (chemistry), MD ’76, PhD ’78 (medical neurosciences), of Wellesley Hills, Mass., November 1, at 72. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma. He completed a residency in psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and later founded Emotion Mining Co. to advance his goal of studying and measuring subconscious motivation. He loved introducing his children to sports as a way to teach an appreciation for competition, fair play and camaraderie. He was predeceased by his son Geoffrey. Survivors: his wife of 45 years, Jennifer; children Caitlin Burke and John; granddaughter; and two brothers.
Thomas Hazard Roe Gurnee III, ’72 (economics), of Reno, Nev., August 16, at 69, of cancer. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma and the golf team. His year with Stanford in Germany was the precursor to future international travel. After earning his MBA from Santa Clara U., he worked for Varian in Brazil, moved to Singapore three times, worked in France for Schlumberger, and moved to China to handle IPOs for Sohu and Xinyuan. In Reno, he developed real estate and helped save the ArrowCreek Country Club from bankruptcy. Survivors: his wife, Jeanne Ackley; sons, Evan and Connor; grandson; and three siblings.
William Cornelius Weeks, ’72 (psychology), of Seattle, August 22, at 69, of sudden cardiac arrest. After graduation, he worked for Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) for 35 years as a programmer and systems analyst, primarily working on offline mass data storage technology. He enjoyed playing analytical games and solving puzzles, reading and following team sports. As an athlete, he loved to run, hike and play tennis and golf. In retirement, he enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Survivors: his partner of 28 years, Melanie; and three siblings, including Charles, MFA ’70, and John, ’72.
Susan Ann Myers DePrez, ’73 (history), of Highlands Ranch, Colo., June 18, at 68, of osteosarcoma. She was a member of Cap and Gown and the Dollies and a summer intern in the White House Office of Communications. After earning her JD from Loyola Marymount, she worked in the office of the state deputy attorney general. Later she served as legal counsel for Fluor Corp. and the Times Mirror Co. She was the Class of ’73 class correspondent for 19 years. Central to her faith life was a community of Catholic couples that met regularly to study and to share their blessings and challenges. Survivors: her husband, Greg, ’73; children, Stephanie and Danny; and sister.
John Edward Ferris, ’73 (English), of Prague, September 13, at 71, of cancer. He was a member of the swim and water polo teams and Beta Theta Pi. He entered the university holding a world record in swimming and added two Olympic bronze medals and an NCAA championship before graduation. After graduation, his entrepreneurial career took him to French Polynesia, Newfoundland, England, Ireland, Portugal, Albania, Croatia, Istanbul, Paris, Addis Ababa and Prague. His endeavors included opening a tourist resort, collaborating with a Dutch botanist to innovate the floral business, founding a restaurant, writing novels and starting an English-language school for Chinese students. Survivors include his sister.
Richard Paul Wetzig, ’75 (human biology), of Colorado Springs, Colo., August 24, at 67, of cardiac arrest. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi. After medical school at the U. of Colorado, he completed his internship and residency, followed by fellowships at Harvard and the National Eye Institute. He then joined the department of ophthalmology at the U. of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He was also in private practice in partnership with his father and brother. He was a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Uveitis Society, and numerous local committees and advisory boards. Survivors: his daughters, Natalie and Yvonne; former wife, Melissa; mother, Doreen; and two sisters.
Lewis Wohlford Butler, ’79 (civil engineering), of San Francisco, September 17, at 63, of esophageal cancer. He played goalie on the soccer team and was senior class president. He earned a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard and led his own firm, Butler Armsden, for 35 years as it gained a reputation for inventive modernist architecture. His Valley of the Moon Retreat, a home in Sonoma, received the 2016 American Institute of Architects Award. He also enjoyed surfing and tinkering with vintage British motorcycles. Survivors: his wife of 37 years, Catherine Armsden; children, Elena and Tobias; father, Lewis, LLB ’51; and sisters, Lucy, ’78, and Serra Butler Simbeck, MA ’92.
1980s
Brenda Jay Rinehart, ’81 (art), of Portland, Ore., January 9, 2020, at 59. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as an undergraduate, but thanks to the support of a wide circle of friends, she faced the challenge with courage and resolve and pursued her interests in artwork, sewing, volunteer service and her church community. Survivors: her eight siblings.
Timothy Tully Scott, ’81 (English), of Portola Valley, Calif., September 5, at 61, of urothelial cancer. He earned his JD from the U. of Chicago. As an attorney specializing in business law, he became hiring partner and chair of the litigation department at Wilson Sonsini and then chair of the litigation practice at Sidley Austin. He retired as managing partner of King & Spalding’s Silicon Valley office. He cultivated diverse interests, including painting, photography, cooking, travel, reading and writing. Survivors: his wife of 27 years, Joye; children, Jennifer and Michael; mother, Ann; and two brothers.
Byron W. Jeong, ’83 (economics), of Noto, Italy, June 19, at 58, of cancer. He was a member of Kappa Sigma. After graduation, he toured the world with Up With People. On his return, he worked for Apple to recruit and manage channel partners in Asia. He also worked for Knight Ridder, in modeling and as an entrepreneur in home decor. For the last several years, he put all his efforts into building an environmentally friendly modern glass house as a retreat on an olive farm in the hills of Sicily. Survivors: his two sisters.
Donna Ellen Westmoreland Grundberg, ’85 (history and anthropology), of Brentwood, Tenn., October 6, at 57, of pancreatic cancer. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. After graduation, she worked at the Smithsonian. She raised her family in Chicago and San Diego before settling in Brentwood. She was a special needs teaching assistant at Woodland Middle School, where she was honored as employee of the year in 2018. She loved hiking, walking with friends and running in road races. She was also a devoted member of Brentwood Baptist Church and several Bible study groups. Survivors: her husband of 29 years, Jim, ’83; children, Ryan, Drew, Eleanor and Joseph; parents, Don and Leta Westmoreland; and two siblings.
Katherine Anne Munter, ’87 (English and French literature), of San Francisco, August 18, at 54, of diabetes. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi. After graduation, she worked as a clerk for the U.S. Tax Court. She returned to the Bay Area to earn her JD at UC Hastings. She started her legal career at Gordon & Rees and later worked at Phillips Spallas & Angstadt. She also served on the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women and as a board member for Catholic Charities and the Tel Hi Neighborhood Center. She also mentored many young women looking to advance their professional careers. Survivors: her mother, Helen; and two sisters, including Patricia, ’90.
Michael Scott Weersing, ’87 (English), of Mount Lyford, New Zealand, November 12, at 55. He traveled to New Zealand in 1996 and, with a partner, transformed a sheep farm into a biodynamic winery, Pyramid Valley Vineyards. The two co-founders helped innovate the country’s wine industry and received worldwide attention for the wines they produced. Survivors: his mother, Mary, ’61; and three siblings, including Susan, ’84.
Education
George Edward Rudloff, MA ’49, EdD ’55, of Newport Beach, Calif., June 2, at 96. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. In 1962, he earned an MPH degree from UC Berkeley. He taught high school in San Jose and college courses at San Jose State and San Francisco State before becoming one of the founding professors at Sonoma State. He was a successful swimming and water polo coach and also won multiple national titles as a masters swimmer, including six gold medals at age 92. He was predeceased by his son Robert. Survivors: his wife, Loralynn; children Carol, Ed and Jim; and eight grandchildren.
Engineering
Govind Swarup, PhD ’61 (electrical engineering), of Pune, India, September 7, at 91. He was known as the father of Indian radio astronomy for his contributions in several areas of astronomy and astrophysics. He joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1963 and was named professor of eminence in 1989. He was the lead scientist in the design and installation of the Ooty Radio Telescope and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. He was also director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics and a fellow of the Royal Society. Survivors: his wife, Bina; children, Anju Basu and Vipin; and brother.
Jackie Ondra Bunting, PhD ’67 (aerospace engineering), of Bozeman, Mont., November 14, at 82, of Alzheimer’s disease. He had a rewarding career with Lockheed Martin in the space program. In retirement, he continued to enjoy exploring new technologies, traveling, skiing and spending time with family and friends. Survivors: his wife, Jane; children, Michelle Howard and Rad; three grandchildren; and brother.
Stephen Whatley Guin, MS ’82 (civil engineering), of New Orleans, April 25, at 64, of cancer. He worked in California, Florida, and Louisiana as a project manager and consultant in engineering, construction, real estate development and construction finance. He enjoyed reading and discussing philosophy, religion, literature and political economics. He also loved sport fishing, hiking, biking, birding, and especially international travel and snorkeling. Survivors: his children, Caroline and Daniel; sister; and brother, David, ’80.
Jefferson Reyes Cartano, MS ’96 (operations research), of Livingston, N.J., August 24, at 47, of cardiac arrest. He taught physics and engineering at the County College of Morris for 10 years and was a PhD candidate in engineering communication at the U. of the Philippines. As a teacher, he was known for caring, motivating and encouraging his students. Survivors: his wife, Maria Christina; son, Rocco; mother, Noemi; and three siblings.
Humanities and Sciences
Leonard Foster Gardner, MA ’50 (history), of Palmyra, Va., August 30, at 98. He served on the USS Reid during World War II and was a survivor of Pearl Harbor. After a career with the federal government, he moved to Lake Monticello, Va., where he started a newspaper, served on the county board and held posts on numerous boards and commissions. Survivors: his wife of 73 years, Doris; children, Rim, Carol Sherry, Margie Southard and Susan; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Joyce Hawkins Wagner, Gr. ’52 (history), of Wenham, Mass., December 29, 2019, at 92, of Alzheimer’s disease. She taught school in Palo Alto and Newton, Mass., and later worked as a book editor in Boston. She was president of the Friends of the Wenham Public Library, served on the board of the Wenham Housing Authority, worked with the League of Women Voters, taught Sunday School, led a Girl Scout troop and coached a girls’ softball team. She also enjoyed playing piano, guitar and trombone. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred. Survivors: her children, David, Robert and Elizabeth; three grandchildren; and sister.
Warren Lee Meinhardt, MA ’55 (Spanish), of Gibson City, Ill., June 1, at 89. He earned his PhD in Romance languages from UC Berkeley. He taught at the U. of Illinois for 10 years and then for more than 30 years at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He was a lifelong stamp collector and especially enjoyed his time traveling in Mexico, Spain, Ecuador and Peru. Survivors: his wife of 67 years, Joan; children, Leland, Edmund, Laura Hazen and Glenn; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Robert Meloy Ady, MS ’64 (statistics), of Los Altos, September 23, at 92, of metabolic encephalopathy. He served in the Navy. During his career in electronics and systems engineering, he worked on sonar, radar, and satellite communications for Sylvania, Applied Technology, Ford Aerospace, Deskin Research Group, Boeing and General Dynamics. He played a significant role in developing GPS technology. He was also an accomplished swimmer and scuba diver and an avid tennis player. Survivors: his wife of 69 years, Barbara; sons, Piers, Byron and Giles; six grandchildren; great-grandchild; and two siblings.
Philip Carroll McGuire, MA ’66, PhD ’68 (English), of East Lansing, Mich., February 9, 2020, at 80, of cancer. He taught Renaissance literature at Michigan State U. for 40 years and served as English department chair. He published two books, co-edited a third on Shakespeare and was the author of numerous articles and chapters. He held grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Folger Shakespeare Library and was twice a visiting professor in England. Survivors: his wife, Penelope; children, Lucy and Emmet; two grandsons; and six siblings.
Ann Hillyer Rosenthal Metcalf, MA ’69, PhD ’75 (anthropology), of Kensington, Calif., September 13, at 80. She was professor emerita of anthropology and Edward Hohfeld Chair in American Studies at Mills College. She previously held positions at UC Berkeley, the U. of Washington and the Institute for Scientific Analysis. Her research focused on the status of women, child development and Native American studies, and she was awarded two National Science Foundation fellowships. She was an avid reader of Jane Austen, Stephen King and everything in between. Survivors: her sons, Stephen Rosenthal and David Rosenthal; and three grandchildren.
Richard S. Preisler, PhD ’80 (biological sciences), of Reisterstown, Md., June 2, at 68, of progressive supranuclear palsy. His academic career at Towson U. spanned 35 years as a chemistry professor and department chair. He loved learning and teaching. The most important things to him were classical music, family, reading, literature and the value of integrity. Survivors: his wife of 27 years, Barbara; daughter, Shelley; mother, Florence; and sister.
Allison Anne Vana, MA ’98 (political science), of Pasadena, Calif., August 9, at 45. She earned her JD from the U. of Illinois and was an associate at Meserve, Mumper & Hughes. She focused on insurance litigation relating to life, health and disability policies. She excelled at research and drafting motions and gave time to pro bono work. She loved the arts and traveling and was fiercely loyal to those she cared for. Survivors: her parents, Andrew and Mary; and two siblings.
Law
David Arthur Binder, LLB ’59, of Los Angeles, September 15, at 86. He was emeritus distinguished professor of law at UCLA, where he was on the faculty for more than 50 years and was honored with each of the university’s three major teaching awards. He was a pioneer of clinical legal education and co-author of eight books on legal conceptual frameworks and practical skills. He spent many summers teaching courses on American law at universities in China. He was an avid golfer and also loved trekking in Nepal, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Switzerland and Peru. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Melinda. Survivors: his three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Osborne Mackie Reynolds Jr., LLM ’65, of Norman, Okla., September 4, at 80. He earned a doctorate in juridical science from Southern Methodist U. In 1968, he joined the faculty of the U. of Oklahoma, where he was Maurice Merrill Distinguished Scholar and professor of law emeritus. He also held visiting appointments at Southern Methodist U. and Vanderbilt. He was the author of Local Government Law and numerous legal articles and other works. He enjoyed travel and visited more than 100 countries and all seven continents.
