Faculty
Ernest William “Bill” Hancock, of Palo Alto, December 1, at 93. He taught cardiology from 1960 to 1994 and was the 1997 winner of Stanford’s Albion Walter Hewlett Award for teaching and research. He made fundamental contributions to understanding mitral valve prolapse, pericardial disease and the effect of radiation treatment on the heart. In the 1980s, he was chairman of the cardiovascular board of the American Board of Internal Medicine. He also loved music and was a lifelong pianist. Survivors: his wife, Joan; sons, Will, Nelson and Adam; and six grandchildren.
Ralph Hester, of Stanford, November 29, at 88. He was professor emeritus of French after spending his entire 37-year career at Stanford. His research focused on Renaissance literature and language pedagogy. He co-authored several widely used French textbooks, chaired the department of French and Italian, directed overseas programs in Tours and Paris and founded the France-Stanford Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. The French government awarded him the title of Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques. Survivors: his wife of 54 years, Claudie; daughters, Annabelle, ’90, and Nathalie; and four grandchildren.
Edward Paul Lazear, of Reno, Nev., November 23, at 72, of pancreatic cancer. He was Davies Family Professor of Economics. He was a pioneer and founder in the field of personnel economics. He received numerous awards, both in his field and for teaching, and founded the Journal of Labor Economics and the Society of Labor Economists. He also served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and played a critical role in addressing the financial crisis and recession at the end of the George W. Bush administration. Survivors: his wife, Victoria; and daughter, Julie.
Carl Edwin Thoresen, MA ’60, PhD ’64 (education), of Los Gatos, Calif., October 20, at 87. He was professor of psychology and the author of nine books and more than 150 articles and book chapters on eating and sleep disorders and other topics in the field of health psychology. He enjoyed exploring the world with his family on visiting professorships at Harvard and in Montana, New Mexico, Maine, Rome and London. Survivors: his wife of 62 years, Kay; children, Trygve, Kristen Bridgeman, ’84, MS ’85, and Amy Goforth, ’88; and seven grandchildren.
1930s
Robert H. Dreisbach, ’37 (chemistry), of Spokane, Wash., at 104. He was professor emeritus of chemical and systems biology. He did graduate work at the U. of Chicago and served as an Army doctor in Panama before joining Stanford’s department of pharmacology. His handbook on diagnosing and treating poisoning became a standard reference work and is still in print. In retirement he enjoyed hiking and mountain climbing in Switzerland and closer to home near Seattle. Survivors: his children, Carl and Elizabeth; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth MacCallum Buell, ’38 (German studies), of Greenbrae, Calif., September 1, at 102. She was a member of Chi Omega. She worked as administrative assistant to Ernie Arbuckle, then dean of the Graduate School of Business, and moved with him when he became chairman of the board of Wells Fargo in San Francisco. She retired in 1984 and moved to Greenbrae in 1997. She was predeceased by her husband, Ross, daughter, Leslie, and grandson Rodney. Survivors: her sons, Geoffrey Culver, MBA ’74, and Mac Allen Culver III, ’64, MBA ’66; and grandson.
1940s
John G. “Jack” Gurley, ’42, PhD ’51 (economics), of Palo Alto, November 15, at 100. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and helped the tennis team, playing both singles and doubles, win the national championship in 1942. After teaching at Princeton and the U. of Maryland, he returned to Stanford, where he was the first recipient of the Walter J. Gores Award for Excellence in Teaching. His research focused on economic growth and the economies of communist countries. He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Yvette (Magagnose, MS ’65).
Barbara Vogt Mallery, ’42 (Spanish), of Santa Fe, N.M., November 11, at 100. She raised her family in Palo Alto and, after relocating to Santa Fe, worked for the U. of New Mexico Medical Center, state department of health and St. John’s College. The Historical Society of New Mexico honored her for a book she wrote about her family’s ranch at age 80. She was predeceased by her first husband, Lawrance Bell, ’42, MS ’50; second husband, Richard Mallery; and son Alan Bell, ’65. Survivors: her children, Bruce Bell, ’71, and Catherine Bell; two granddaughters; and one great-grandson.
Russell Byrne Bryan, ’43 (physics), of Belmont, Calif., December 23, at 98, of COVID-19. He was a member of the soccer team and Phi Kappa Psi and served in the Navy during World War II. After earning his PhD at Harvard, he taught at Dartmouth, Cambridge and UC Berkeley. He was an avid hiker and reader and twice ran for Congress in California’s 10th District. Survivors: his daughters, Nicole Byrd, Katherine Larson and Jacqueline Wender, ’78; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brother Greyson, ’41.
June Ellis Catron, ’44 (sociology), of Santa Fe, N.M., October 12, at 97. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta and Cap and Gown. She met her future husband on their first day of freshman English. Her volunteer work supported Junior Welfare, the Museum of New Mexico, the Santa Fe Opera and environmental causes. She was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Tom, ’44, JD ’50, and son Stephen. Survivors: her children Fletcher, ’69, and Peggy; four grandchildren, including Thomas F. Catron, ’99; and two great-grandsons.
Joan Penberthy LaMontagne, ’45 (biological sciences), of Newport Beach, Calif., November 18, at 97. She was a member of Alpha Phi. She declined admission to Stanford Medical School in order to marry, but she went on to earn her PhD in psychology in 1987. She taught and wrote articles in her field and enjoyed sailing and playing the piano. She was predeceased by her husband, John, and son Stephen. Survivors: her children, John, Anne and David; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Clement S. Woods Jr., ’45 (general engineering), of Reno, Nev., May 2, at 97. He was a member of Zeta Psi and the football team and served in the Navy during World War II. He worked on commercial and industrial projects as a partner at Hess, Greiner and Polland. He later founded an energy analysis consulting firm, where he worked until age 97. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Tracy (Price, ’45). Survivors: his sons, Rocky and Robert; and three grandchildren.
Barbara Brooke Hultgren, ’46 (education), of Palo Alto, July 8, at 95. She taught elementary school on the Peninsula before starting a family in Mill Valley, Calif. Her family moved to the Stanford campus in 1959. She was a highly ranked senior tennis player, competing nationally for three decades and winning multiple singles and doubles titles. She was predeceased by her husband, Herb, ’39, MD ’43. Survivors: her sons, Peter ’81, Bruce and John; grandson; and brother, John, ’55.
Charles Winthrop Metcalf Jr., ’48 (economics), MBA ’50, of Elk Grove, Calif., December 2, at 97. He was on the golf team. He put his education on hold to serve in the Army during World War II. After earning his MBA, he established his own accounting firm and worked as a CPA. He was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara (Ross, ’48). Survivors: his children, David, Susan, Sharon and Melissa; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Bernice Helen “Breazy” Rosenthal, ’48 (political science), of San Francisco, January 9, at 93, of lung cancer. As a media buyer and director, she handled a number of leading accounts, from Gumps and Squaw Valley Lodge and Ski Area to the Golden Gate Bridge Authority. In 1963, she took a three-month tour of Asia and the South Pacific. She served on the board of the Green Street Cooperative for 22 years. She was also a lifelong fan of Stanford sports and an avid skier and tennis player.
Mary C. Amadooni Tateosian, ’49, of Walnut Creek, Calif., December 7, at 94. She worked as a phlebotomist in San Mateo, Calif., and raised her family in San Francisco and Walnut Creek. She held numerous roles at St. John Armenian Church and served the Armenian community through the Daughters of Vartan Lodge. She also volunteered at John Muir Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 65 years, Charles. Survivors: her children, David, Cathy and Lisa; and grandson.
1950s
Wiley North Caldwell Jr., ’50 (mechanical engineering), of Evanston, Ill., December 29, at 93. He was a member of Zeta Psi. After a Harvard MBA, he founded Poroloy Equipment, a developer of materials for the aerospace industry. He was later president of Midwest American Dental Supply and W. W. Grainger. He traveled widely to places from the equator to the North Pole. He was predeceased by his son Charles. Survivors: his wife, Joanne (Humphrey, ’50); children Dave, Wendy Caldwell von Oech, ’76, and Tom; six grandchildren, including Athena von Oech, ’03; and seven great-grandchildren.
Ogden Jay Lamont Jr., ’50 (mechanical engineering), of Belmont, Calif, December 28, at 91. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and in the naval reserve until 1989. He worked at several aerospace companies and enjoyed hunting, fishing and working in his home machine shop. He was a dedicated Boy Scout leader and was awarded the Silver Beaver for his service. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and served as president of Clan Lamont.
Walter Crocker Lundin Jr., ’50 (English), of Palo Alto, December 25, at 97. He served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War. In civilian life, he was an office manager for Southern Pacific. He loved taking his family to Pinecrest Lake, worshipping at Our Lady of the Rosary Church and helping the less fortunate. He was predeceased by his wife, Alice (Ferrera, ’51), and son Christopher. Survivors: his children, Walter, Mark, Kathy and Alison; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Howard Jesse Miller, ’50 (political science), of San Francisco, January 20, at 92. He was a San Francisco native and a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 17. Survivors: his wife of 62 years, Eleanor; daughters, Jeanne and Susan; and three grandchildren.
Kenneth D. Gardner Jr., ’51 (basic medical sciences), MD ’55, of Genoa, Nev., November 16, at 91. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi and the basketball team. After his internship and residency at the U. of Pennsylvania, he returned to teach at Stanford and conduct research in nephrology. He was awarded the first Henry J. Kaiser Award for excellence in teaching. He later helped establish the medical school at the U. of Hawaii. He was predeceased by his daughter Larraine Hawes. Survivors: his wife of 66 years, Dorothy (Rowe, ’53); and daughters Karen, Cathy and Hillary.
Dean Edward Holman, ’51 (economics), MBA ’52, of Atherton, Calif., December 17, at 93, of Binswanger’s disease. He was a member of the marching band and ROTC. He served as a pilot during World War II, training as a cryptographer toward the end of the conflict. After starting his career with IBM and Lockheed, he changed course by earning an orthodontics degree from UC San Francisco and opening a private practice in Portland, Ore. He was a dedicated Rotarian and loved history, animals, nature and music. Survivors: his wife, Joanne; daughters, Debby, Suzy and Carolyn; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Marilyn May Dana Kennedy, ’51 (Romantic languages), of Kentfield, Calif., August 29, at 90. She captained the swim team. In her charitable work, she supported the Tamalpais Guild of Sunny Hills, Florence Crittenton Auxiliary, Marin Art and Garden Center, Marin Charitable and St. Vincent’s Dining Room. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Jack, and daughters Kathy and Frances. Survivors: her children Dana Kimsey, Brian and John; four grandchildren; and great-granddaughter.
Albert Allen “Bud” Warner, ’51 (social science/social thought), of Fresno, Calif., December 24, at 92. He was a member of Chi Psi and the baseball team. He was the fourth generation in his family to operate the Warner Company, a jewelry business that first opened in 1867. He was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and served on the Fresno grand jury. He was also a skilled fisherman and masterful card player. He was predeceased by his wife, Margie. Survivors: his daughters, Nancy Warner McPhaul, ’78, MA ’79, and Katie Blanchard; four grandchildren, including Angela McPhaul, ’10; and four great-grandchildren.
James Grafton Brown, ’52 (biological sciences), MA ’55 (education), of Millbrae, Calif., November 7, at 90. He began his career as a biology teacher in the San Francisco School District before assuming administrative roles, including serving as principal of Woodrow Wilson High School. He was also a member of the Presidio Golf Club of San Francisco and a lifelong supporter of Stanford football and basketball. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Toni; and daughter, Sandra Brown.
Joan Wildey Marshall Inman, ’53 (social science/social thought), of Santa Rosa, Calif., June 10, at 88. She earned her master’s degree in social work at the U. of Colorado Denver, then worked in state social services in San Francisco. She later ran a bed and breakfast and pursued interests in Rosen Method bodywork, opera and Jungian psychology. She was predeceased by her former husband, Robert, ’52. Survivors: her sons, Michael and Jeff.
James Edward Monson, ’53, MS ’55, PhD ’61 (electrical engineering), of Point Reyes Station, Calif., January 1, at 86, of heart disease. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He and his colleagues created the engineering curriculum at Harvey Mudd College, where he taught for 35 years. In retirement, he enjoyed exploring the natural beauty of Point Reyes, tutoring at Tomales High School and serving on community boards. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Julie (Conzelman, ’56); children, John, Jamie, ’78, and Jennifer; and four grandchildren.
Thomas Joseph Atchison, ’54 (psychology), of Chula Vista, Calif., December 5, at 88. He was a member of Delta Upsilon and the tennis team. A sophomore class on industrial psychology led to an MBA from UCLA, PhD from the U. of Washington and 27 years as professor of management at San Diego State. He was predeceased by his first wife, of 41 years, Elizabeth (Pierce, ’54), and second wife, Frances. Survivors: his children, Michael, Marie Edwards, Steve and Patrick; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and sister.
Edwin Stanley “Ted” Tanner, ’54 (political science), MBA ’58, of Menlo Park, Calif., December 24, at 88. He was a member of the football and rugby teams, Delta Tau Delta and ROTC. After Air Force service, he was an agent-owner with LDM United. He was also a Boys & Girls Club and Guardsmen leader. He was predeceased by his wife of 30 years, Marie Jo, and son Russell. Survivors: his wife of 32 years, Ginger; children, Mary, ’81, John, ’82, and Richard; stepdaughters, Laura and Genevieve; and seven grandchildren, including Molly Donner, ’13.
Margot Anne English Lippert, ’56 (history), MA ’57 (education), of Menlo Park, Calif., September 30, at 86. She taught kindergarten at Phillips Brooks School. She also served her community as a volunteer for the Allied Arts Shop and a docent at Filoli, but the service she loved most was to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. She was predeceased by her daughter Alison. Survivors: her husband of 61 years, John; her children Paul, Lisa and Timothy; and eight grandchildren.
Silas F. Morrison, ’56 (French), of Eureka, Calif., May 1, 2020, at 90. He was on the crew team. He gained licensure as a CPA and practiced in Eureka, Calif., until 2011. He was a charter member of North Coast Kiwanis. He also served as president of the Council on Developmental Disabilities and helped establish and guide the Redwood Coast Regional Center. He was predeceased by his wife of more than 50 years, Joyce, and son Silas Marc. Survivors: his son Norman; granddaughter; and brothers, James, ’55, JD ’60, and John, ’57.
Valerie Frances Weiss Newman, ’56 (international relations), of Los Altos, December 16, at 86. She educated young people as a high school teacher and through volunteer work at a local elementary school, as a visiting English teacher in Poland and through the National Charity League and Episcopal Church. She was predeceased by her husband, Ronald, ’55. Survivors: her daughters, Pamela, ’85, and Ashley McCole; grandson; and sister.
Grover William “Bill” Bedeau Jr., ’57, of Portland, Ore., January 8, at 85, of Alzheimer’s and COVID-19. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He earned his MD from George Washington U., served in the Army Medical Corps in Germany and practiced as a surgeon in Sacramento and in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He loved hiking, skiing, and caring for dogs and horses. Survivors: his wife of 60 years, Karen; children, Michael, Deanna Nelson and Deborah Murnane; four grandchildren; and sister, Deanna Bedeau Pritchard, ’59.
Allan Joseph Hill, ’57 (electrical engineering), of Lakewood, Colo., November 9, at 84. He earned an MBA from USC and spent his career in the aerospace industry in Southern California. He was predeceased by his former wife, Agnes, and son, Kevin. Survivors: two grandchildren; and two sisters, including Carol Hill Sox, ’61, Engr. ’90.
Marjorie Lynn Trammel Mollenauer, ’57, MA ’59 (music), of Colts Neck, N.J., December 7, at 84, of pneumonia and heart failure. She played harp in the orchestra. She continued as a concert harpist, including a performance at Carnegie Hall with the New Jersey Chamber Orchestra, and taught harp and piano. She was also a gourmet cook, an avid reader and a student of art history. Survivors: her husband of 58 years, Linn, MS ’61, PhD ’65; sons, David and James; three grandchildren; and sister, Ann Trammel Porkolab, ’62, MA ’64.
Coy Edmond Swanson, ’57 (biological sciences), of Fair Oaks, Calif., September 24. He earned his MD at UC San Francisco and worked in child and adolescent psychiatry for nearly 40 years in the Sacramento area. Survivors: his children, Kitrena and Christopher; stepsons, Michael, Tim and Chris; and four grandchildren.
Grazia Blaettler Bittner, ’58 (history), of Batavia, Ill., April 28, 2020, at 83, of COVID-19 and Lewy body dementia. She earned a master’s degree at Northern Illinois U. She taught Spanish and English at Chicago area community colleges, performed as a musician, led music and educational tours to England, Russia and Estonia, and promoted numerous community institutions and organizations. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward; former husband, Jerome Chambless, ’58; and son Jay Chambless. Survivors: her sons Forrest Chambless, Theodore, Thomas and Christopher.
Louis Michael Guerrieri, ’58 (social science/social thought), JD ’71, of San Carlos, Calif., November 12, at 93. He served 23 years as a Navy fighter pilot. He practiced business law in San Carlos. He had a lifelong love for the science of flight, aircraft and space exploration and was a devoted builder and flier of model airplanes. He was predeceased by his daughter, Diana. Survivors: his partner, Mary Flynn; children Renee Whitener, Sarah Lane and Michael; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
Richard Carlyle Wolf , ’58 (economics), of New York City, November 27, at 83, of cardiac arrest. After serving in the Navy, he earned his MA from UC Berkeley and MBA from Columbia. His banking career took him to San Francisco, London, Paris and New York. In retirement, he built a collection of 5,000 rare and antiquarian books. He was a dedicated fan of Stanford football. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Eva; daughter, Caroline Wolf Naralasetty, ’97; grandson; and two brothers.
John Paul Basye, ’59, of Burlingame, Calif., September 18, at 82. He studied agricultural engineering at Stanford, Texas A&M and the U. of Illinois, taught math, sold lumber, worked as a craftsman and remodeling contractor, developed an innovative textile printing method and launched a clothing business. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Hewitt. Survivors: his children, Rachael, Dale and Rebecca; stepchildren, Karen Hewitt, Leigh Killgore, Lynn Hewitt and Carol Hewitt; and three grandchildren.
Myra Ruth Enkelis, ’59 (social science/social thought), of Mountain View, December 27, at 83, of cancer. As director of medical records at New York Presbyterian Hospital, she pioneered the use of computers and trained professionals across the country to do the same. She volunteered at local schools helping students learn to read and appreciate music and also enjoyed traveling extensively.
George David Vendelin, ’59, MS ’61, Engr. ’63 (electrical engineering), of Saratoga, Calif., December 9, at 82. He worked in microwave engineering for Texas Instruments, Signetics, Varian, Dexcel, Eaton and Avantek. He was an IEEE fellow, wrote two books in his field and taught at Santa Clara U., San José State and UC Berkeley Extension. He was a visiting professor at Stanford and at universities in Portugal and Taiwan. Survivors: his wife of 60 years, Barbara; children, Michelle Arroyo, David, Kristin Earney and Brian; eight grandchildren; and two siblings.
Anthonie Maarten Voogd, ’59 (political science), of Ojai, Calif., December 5, at 83. He served in the Navy. After earning his JD at UC Hastings, he became a partner at Lawler, Felix & Hall, taught at Southwestern Law School and was general counsel for KTI. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy (Heffner, ’61). Survivors: his son, Don.
1960s
Kenneth Gordon Anderson, ’60 (electrical engineering), of Greenbank, Wash., December 17, 2019, at 81. He was a member of the crew team and Theta Delta Chi. He earned his MBA at Harvard and held management positions at Pacific Bell and AT&T. In 2000, he built his dream home on Whidbey Island, Wash., where he enjoyed hours of sailing and helped found the South Whidbey Yacht Club. Survivors: his wife of 22 years, Lynda; sons, Kent and Nick; stepchildren, Tim Bradley, Tammy Gordon and Kacy Proctor; 19 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Roger Nils Folsom, ’60 (history), of Monterey, Calif., October 7, at 82. He served in the naval reserve, taught high school and, after completing a PhD in economics from Claremont, taught at San José State for 17 years. He also taught at the Naval Postgraduate School and enjoyed piloting small aircraft. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Ann; and daughter, Heather.
Neil Thomas Laughlin, ’60, MA ’65 (education), EdD ’72, of San Francisco, September 25, at 82. He was a member of the football and rugby teams and Phi Delta Theta. His teaching and coaching career began at the high school level and continued for 47 years at the U. of San Francisco. His research focused on the physical and mental aspects of sport. He was also a fifth-degree black belt in Judo. Survivors: his wife of 57 years, Maryann; sons, Sean and Jimmy; and two grandsons.
Raymond R. Wolters, ’60 (history), of Naples, Fla., December 1, at 82. He earned his PhD in history from UC Berkeley and taught at the U. of Delaware for 49 years. He wrote a biography of W.E.B. DuBois and seven books on U.S. race relations, supported by grants from the American Council of Learned Societies, U.S. Department of Education and other institutions. His critique of forced integration measures and the failure of school reforms to address what he saw as intractable racial gaps in academic achievement made him a figure of controversy. Survivors: his wife of 58 years, Mary; sons, Jeff, Kevin and Tom; and four grandchildren.
Jean Bartlett Gould Bryant, ’61 (history), MA ’62 (education), PhD ’73 (history), of Tallahassee, Fla., December 28, at 81. She was a member of Cap and Gown. She taught at Florida State U., where she founded and directed the women’s studies program. She was also active in Zonta International, a women’s service and advocacy organization. Survivors: her husband of 37 years, Jerry; son, Steven Hales; and brothers, Dick Gould, ’59, MA ’60, and Bob Gould, ’63.
Michael William Erlin, ’61 (political science), of Palo Alto, December 17, at 81, of COPD. He was a member of Theta Chi. He worked in insurance for more than 30 years, ultimately founding his own brokerage. In retirement, he moved to a remote ranch in New Mexico to care for llamas, rabbits, horses and dogs. He was also a Cardinal Club member and reunion chair and co-chair. Survivors: his wife, Claire; sons, Michael Jr. and Christopher, ’89; and four grandchildren.
Barry Michael Riley, ’61, MA ’63 (history), of Ithaca, N.Y., December 28, at 81. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi and business manager for the Daily. His career in international economic aid spanned nearly 50 years with USAID and the World Bank and as a consultant. He conducted research for his 2017 book, The Political History of American Food Aid, while a visiting scholar at Stanford. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Esther; children, Malaika Riley Imani, ’93, MA ’93, and Brendan; and four grandsons.
Richard Milferd Baker, ’63 (electrical engineering), of Waconia, Minn., December 7, at 79. During the course of his career, he owned and operated multiple businesses, including several restaurants. He was a dedicated supporter of youth sports and served as regional commissioner of the American Youth Soccer Organization. Survivors: his wife of 41 years, Melinda; children, John, Jim, John Walker, Jennifer Prueter, Michelle Kelly, Stephanie Henry and Kim Kalkbrenner; 13 grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
Robert Graeme Cormack, ’63 (architecture), of Palo Alto, Calif., December 5, at 79, of prostate cancer. He was a member of Theta Chi and the soccer team. After a Fulbright fellowship in India, he earned his MBA from Harvard and spent his career in real estate management. He loved building things for his family, from toys and furniture to a house in Sea Ranch, Calif. He was predeceased by his wife, Ann (Miller, ’63). Survivors: his daughters, Alison, ’88, MBA ’93, and Sara Cherry, ’91, MBA ’96; three grandchildren; and brother, James, ’59.
Mary Katherine Kroeger Porter, ’63 (French), MA ’64 (education), of Mystic, Conn., December 4, at 79, of COVID-19. She taught elementary school and then raised her family and built a community of friends wherever the Navy brought them. She expressed her creativity as a newspaper columnist, florist and handicraft artisan. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, John, ’63, and son Paul. Survivors: her children, Philip, ’91, and Sarah, ’96, MA ’97; and two grandchildren.
Arthur Ralph Tollefson, ’63, MA ’64 (music), DMA ’68, of Okatie, S.C., July 24, at 78. He was an accomplished and widely decorated concert pianist. As an educator, he chaired the music department at the U. of Maryland, U. of Arkansas and Northwestern and was dean emeritus of the U. of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music. He and his family found great joy in exploring the many wonders of the world together. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Brenda; and son, Brian.
Paula Sue Born Bertness, ’64 (psychology), of Lake Wildwood, Calif., November 11, at 78, of cancer. After working as a probation officer, she earned her JD from UC Berkeley. She specialized in labor and intellectual property law as a partner at Morrison Foerster and also taught at Santa Clara U. and Stanford Law School. She was predeceased by her husband of 13 years, Charlie. Survivors: her former husband, Sheridan Downey, ’63; daughters, Julie Downey Giordano, ’88, and Kristina Stroeve; four grandsons; and sister.
Mary Elizabeth “Molly” Brant, ’64 (Latin American studies), of San Francisco, October 12, at 77. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from the U. of Washington. In her career with the General Services Administration, she was responsible for construction of and improvements to federal buildings throughout the western United States. Fluent in four languages, she specialized in intergovernmental relations with Mexico and Canada. She also served as president of the Metropolitan Club of San Francisco. Survivors: her two sisters, including Chrissy, ’72.
Janine Burford Canan, ’64 (French), of Sonoma, Calif., October 26, at 77. After graduate study at UC Berkeley, she earned her MD from New York U. In addition to her private holistic psychiatry practice, she was a widely published poet whose work touched on gender, spirituality, nature and art. She also translated the works of French, German and Indian poets.
Constance McMillan Elson, ’64 (mathematics), of Tucson, Ariz., November 15, at 78, of colon cancer. She earned her PhD in mathematics from UC San Diego and taught at Ithaca College for 30 years. She later worked as a biostatistician at Massachusetts General Hospital before setting out to explore the West Indies by sailboat for five years. She also loved the wilderness lands of America. She was predeceased by her son, Peter, and partner, Frederick Fitzmeyer. Survivors: her former husbands, Elliot Elson, PhD ’66, and Dan Evett; and three sisters.
Robert William Kitto, ’64 (economics), of Kent, Wash., December 25, at 78, of cancer. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi. He earned his JD from the U. of Washington and practiced law for more than 50 years. He also served two terms on the Kent City Council and as the fire protection district commissioner. Survivors: his wife of 42 years, Lois; former wife, Cathy (Smith, ’64, MS ’66); stepchildren, Kirk Peters and Sue Peters; three grandchildren; and sister.
Alan Vern Hager, ’65 (history), of Los Angeles, December 29, at 77, of Alzheimer’s disease. After earning his JD from USC, he spent four decades with the California Department of Justice. As a supervising deputy attorney general, he was a legal expert on oil and gas regulation. He loved traveling with his family and visiting the national parks of North America. Survivors: his wife of 48 years, Kathleen; children, Anne and Christopher, ’96; and two granddaughters.
1970s
Charles Christopher “Kip” Thieriot, ’70 (communication), of San Francisco, January 2, at 73, of COVID-19. He was on the golf team. After earning his MBA from UC Berkeley, he held executive and directorial positions at the Chronicle Publishing Company. Following the company’s sale, he started a Maui vacation rental business. He was an avid golfer and world traveler and also served on the boards of numerous professional, corporate and nonprofit institutions. Survivors: his son, Charles; and brother, Richard, MBA ’69.
Steven Paul Elliott, ’71 (political science), of Reno, Nev., January 5, at 72, of cancer. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi. He earned his JD from the U. of Denver. In Nevada, he worked at Echeverria and Osborne and was the Sparks city prosecutor and city attorney. He was elected district court judge in 1996 and served until 2013. He was an avid golfer, active in numerous civic groups and visited the Mount Everest base camp in 2019. Survivors: his wife, Mendy; sons, Ben, Derek and Nick Vander Poel; and four grandchildren.
William James Moriarty, ’72 (history), of San Francisco, September 29, at 70, of a heart attack. He was a member of Theta Xi. He earned his JD at Georgetown and began his legal career on Wall Street. After relocating, he practiced law in San Francisco for decades, where his principal focus was litigation. Survivors: five siblings.
Thomas Robert Gidwitz, ’75 (communication), of South Dartmouth, Mass., December 4, at 67, of leukemia. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. After a cinema degree from UCLA, he wrote film scripts, novels and short stories but was primarily a science writer. He was on staff at Archeology magazine, edited a publication for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and recently completed a book on Mexico’s Popocatépetl volcano. An ardent conservationist, he gave his time to the Dartmouth Resources Natural Trust and the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Survivors: his wife, Gail; and three siblings, including James, ’68.
Mary Kim Hom, ’77 (biological sciences and Chinese), of Menlo Park, January 13, at 65. She earned her MD at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and did her residency in OB-GYN at Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco. After her third child was born, she retired from medicine and took on countless volunteer roles. She loved oil painting and travel and became conversant in Spanish, German and Swedish. Survivors: her husband of 35 years, Thomas Cooper, ’77, MS ’82; children, Andy Cooper, ’11, Emily Cooper, ’11, MS ’12, and Robert Cooper; mother, Pauline; and five siblings.
Richard Hammond Dohrmann, ’78 (American studies), of Rockport, Maine, January 13, at 65, of cancer. He was on the basketball team. He taught history and coached basketball at Gould Academy in Maine and Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. As a lifelong learner, he pursued interests in photography, painting, woodworking, videography, history, politics and music. Survivors: his wife, Debra (Demers, ’78); children, Anna McIver and Benjamin; two grandchildren; and two siblings, including Stephen, MBA ’68.
1980s
Debra Sue Nicholson, ’81 (economics), of Tahoe City, Calif., September 27, at 61, when the plane she was piloting crashed. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Cap and Gown. She earned her JD from the U. of Virginia. After practicing tax law in San Francisco, she opened an estate planning practice in Tahoe City and also served as a county court judge pro tem. She loved flying, travel, skiing and mountain biking. Survivors: her sons, Bob and Will; mother, Marilyn; former husbands, John Ward and Pete Craig; and two siblings.
Darren Alan Thorneycroft, ’85 (communication), of San Mateo, Calif., September 25, at 57. He was a finance and fitness writer. He enjoyed cooking and fine dining as well as the outdoors. He loved hiking in the Sierras, camping in the desert, body surfing at Torrey Pines and watching Stanford football games. Survivors: his wife, Lila (Collins, ’88); children, Claire and Colin; mother, Karen; and brother.
1990s
Margaret Joan “Gogi” Hodder, ’90 (individually designed), of Berkeley, January 16, at 52, of cancer. She spent her career as a liability claims handler, but her calling was nonprofit work. She co-founded the Mosaic Project to train community peacemakers, helped incorporate Voices Lesbian A Cappella for Justice and served on its board for many years, taught self-defense courses for women and children and supported numerous other nonprofits. Survivors: her wife of 16 years, Sheri Prud’homme; and children, Noah Prud’homme and Nico Prud’homme.
Christopher Demetri Horner, ’90, of Belmont, Mass., December 28, at 52, of pancreatic cancer. He finished his degree at Harvard, then earned an MBA and MS from MIT and a JD from Boston College. He worked as an editor and program manager at Microsoft and as a consultant for Corporate Executive Board before retiring to focus on volunteer work. Survivors: his mother, Matina, and two siblings.
John Santos “Jack” Buchanan, ’91 (philosophy), of Jackson Hole, Wyo., December 4, at 51, of cardiac arrest. He was a member of the crew team. He worked as an instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School and as a youth counselor in group homes. He loved skiing, hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, music and writing poetry. Survivors: two siblings.
Jehangeer Shiraz Sunderji, ’98 (biological sciences and psychology), of Los Angeles, January 2, at 44, while surfing. He spent five years in investment banking before shifting directions and applying to medical school. With an MD from USC, he developed a specialty in psychiatry and opened a private practice that provided individualized care guided by the latest advances in neuroscience and his interests in art, yoga, Eastern medicine, somatic healing and the surfer’s “flow” state. Survivors: his parents, Shiraz and Gulzar Sunderji; soul mate, Ivy Pruss; and sister.
Business
Denman Kittredge McNear, MBA ’50, of Bethesda, Md., January 5, at 95. He served in the Navy during World War II. He spent his career with Southern Pacific and rose to become chairman and CEO. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling to Scotland, the Galapagos Islands, Canyonlands and Yosemite national parks, Africa, Iceland, the Panama Canal and numerous other destinations. He was predeceased by his second wife, Barbara. Survivors: his children, Denman Jr., Stephen and George; two grandchildren; and former wife, Susan.
Education
Henry Joseph “Hank” Moroski, MA ’51, of Novato, Calif., December 20, at 95. He served in the Navy during World War II. A basketball standout, he turned down the NBA to pursue his master’s degree. His career as a teacher, coach and administrator spanned 38 years, including 21 years as the founding principal of San Marin High School. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Jo Ann, and daughter Jan. Survivors: his children Marty, ’76, Mike, Kay and Mary; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Joseph Perault Hannon, MA ’68, of Chicago, August 9, 2019, at 86, of heart failure. He served in the Marine Corps. After a PhD from the U. of Northern Colorado, he became assistant superintendent of Chicago Public Schools. Elected superintendent in 1975, he was a forceful advocate for magnet schools during a time of budget crises. He later directed the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Illinois Export Development Authority and the Illinois Trade Office. Survivors: his wife, Denise; daughter, Kelley; and granddaughter.
Philip Robert Hidalgo, MA ’75, of Los Altos, December 24, at 68, of acute myeloid leukemia. After an international career as a human resources executive, he undertook a second career with Stanford Travel Study. Survivors: his wife, Laureen; children, Danielle, Richard, Rocky and Buzz; two granddaughters; and two siblings.
Engineering
Walter E. Jaye, MS ’52 (electrical engineering), of Menlo Park, November 9, at 95. He was a Holocaust survivor who escaped a French internment camp, joined the Free French Army and was awarded the Legion d’Honneur for service in World War II. Following the launch of Sputnik, he tracked satellites and missiles with the Dish at SRI International and also worked on projects for various intelligence agencies. Survivors: his wife, Diana; children, Laurie and Eric; and granddaughter.
Robert Ernest Melbourne, MS ’55 (civil engineering), of Oceanside, Calif., December 24, at 91. He served in the Korean War. He worked on major water and road infrastructure projects with Morrison-Knudsen, founded his own firm and then worked at the San Diego County Water Authority for 28 years. He later earned a PhD in history from USC with a dissertation on military civil engineering. Survivors: his wife, Jeanne; his children, Steven, Ann Farley, Maria Hayes and Louise Vance.
Norman Manuel Abramson, PhD ’58 (electrical engineering), of San Francisco, December 1, at 88, of cancer. While at the U. of Hawaii, he headed a group that developed ALOHAnet, which led to the first wireless packet network and whose techniques are still in use today. He held eight patents and was awarded the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal. He loved the ocean and he surfed regularly until age 60. He was predeceased by his daughter, Carin Wethington. Survivors: his wife, Joan, Gr. ’64; son, Mark; and three grandchildren.
Richard Charles Bailey, MS ’62 (electrical engineering), of Webster Groves, Mo., July 23, at 80, of a stroke. After Army service, he spent 27 years as an IBM systems engineer. He continued consulting for Alliance Systems in retirement. Survivors: his wife of 55 years, Ruth; children, Michael, Sara, Martha Doennig and Laura; seven grandchildren; and sister.
Frank John Muratore, MS ’63 (civil engineering), of Merced, Calif., December 24, at 86, of cancer. He served for 22 years as an Air Force civil engineering officer in South Korea, the Philippines and Japan. He later worked for the city of Turlock, Calif., and Merced County. He served as president of the local Italian Catholic Federation and Italo-American Lodge and in multiple roles at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Jeanette; children, John and Lisa; grandson; and sister.
Otis Frederick “Fred” Forsyth, MS ’69 (operations research), of Chapin, S.C., May 30, 2020, at 85. He served in the Marine Corps. His professional career included work at SRI International, the U.S. Navy Third Fleet, NASA’s Ames Research Center and Moffett Federal Airfield. Survivors: his wife, Betty; children, Tamara Johnson and Saundra Taylor; stepchildren, Allison Hays and Scott Hays; and nine grandchildren.
Constance Elizabeth “Connie” Sauer Clark, MS ’70 (operations research), of Whidbey Island, Wash., May 17, 2019, at 72, of cancer. She took advantage of her time at Stanford to explore San Francisco and the West Coast, ski in the Sierras and march against the war in Vietnam. She worked for more than 30 years at Bell Labs in New Jersey, then retired to Whidbey Island, where she volunteered for Beach Watchers and other nonprofits. Survivors: her husband, Neal; son, Alan; and five siblings.
Barbara Jean Sinkula, MS ’88, PhD ’93 (civil engineering), of White Rock, N.M., November 19, at 59, of brain cancer. Her dissertation led to a book on Chinese environmental policy. She worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1993 to 2018. She enjoyed playing the cello with the Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra, beekeeping and travel. Survivors: her children, Darcy Turin and Karl; and sister.
Benjamin Phillip Kessel, MS ’11 (mechanical engineering), of Somerville, Mass., September 20, at 34, in a climbing accident. He worked first as a test engineer at CoolChip Technologies and then as a control systems engineer at Ivenix. He was also a climbing teacher and expedition leader with the MIT Outing Club and had climbed in Nepal, China, Thailand, Patagonia and Peru. Survivors: his mother, Irene; father, Paul Costello; and brother.
Humanities and Sciences
Jane Fowler Wyman, MA ’60, PhD ’70 (English), of Menlo Park, September 20, at 85. She taught at Stanford and Colby College and, after returning to California, worked as a technical writer at Tandem Computers. She served on the San Mateo County grand jury and supported numerous community endeavours, including the Menlo Park Library Foundation and Music@Menlo. Survivors: her son, Jedediah.
William Mortimer Carley Jr., Gr. ’65 (political science), of Chatham, Mass., December 23, at 84, of small-cell carcinoma. He served in the Air Force. In a 40-year career with the Wall Street Journal, he wrote about medicine, science, terrorism, espionage and many other topics for the San Francisco, New York, and Boston bureaus and as a correspondent in London. In retirement on Cape Cod, he enjoyed bicycling and swimming. Survivors: his wife, Jeanne; children, William, Cathlyn Carley-Sobacic and Jeanne Revell; five grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren.
Jacqueline Rose Carter Walker, MA ’68 (communication), of San Carlos, Calif., October 5, at 82. She worked as a writer and editor for Sunset magazine, Northern California Cancer Center and Cygnus Solutions. She loved traveling the country in the family’s small plane, public speaking, ballroom dancing and worshipping at St. Matthias Catholic Church. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Ron. Survivors: her son, Wayde; and four granddaughters.
Philip William Perry, MA ’69, PhD ’76 (economics), of Orinda, Calif., December 21, at 80, of Parkinson’s disease. He served in the Navy. After teaching at Occidental College and a visiting appointment at Stanford, he moved to Data Resources as manager of the company’s depository institutions practice. He ended his career with a return to teaching in the graduate business program at St. Mary’s College. Survivors: his wife of 58 years, Julie; children, Kristienne Rassiger and Philip; eight grandchildren; and sister.
Matthew Henry Cusimano, MFA ’74 (art), of Mountain View, September 3, at 75, of septic shock. He served in the Marine Corps. He taught art at West Valley College, founded a design business and worked for the city of Mountain View, AT&T and Xynetics before working for 37 years in the family mortuary business. He enjoyed golf, building model airplanes and travel. Survivors: his wife of 16 years, Irina; stepdaughter, Viktoriya Ledina; stepmother, Margaret; and two siblings.
Patrick L. N. Seyon, MA ’75 (political science), PhD ’77 (education), of Arlington, Mass., October 13, at 82, of Parkinson’s disease. As vice president of the U. of Liberia, he survived imprisonment by Liberia’s military dictatorship and later returned to lead the university as its president. He also held positions at Harvard, Northeastern and Boston U. and was a professor and dean of liberal arts at Roxbury Community College. Survivors: his wife, Barbara; children, Marina, Lord and Letecia; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sister.
Law
Gary Byron Fields, LLB ’59, of San Francisco, October 18, at 86. After working as a prosecutor for the Justice Department, he entered private practice with a focus on civil litigation. He was dedicated to representing unpopular causes and victims of racial discrimination. He was also an avid golfer and downhill skier. Survivors: his wife, Margo.
Wayman McCowan Robertson Jr., LLB ’61, of Berkeley, November 14, at 87, of Alzheimer’s disease. He served in the Navy. He was a personal injury and civil rights attorney for the California attorney general and tried more than 50 cases. He was a passionate player of golf, bridge, backgammon and poker, and also enjoyed travel to Africa, Europe and South America. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Pauline; children, Wayman III and Dana Kriesel; grandson; and two siblings, including Carl, ’58, LLB ’64.
Kelvin Lloyd “Kelly” Taylor, LLB ’66, of Medford, Ore., December 11, at 80. He worked for the California attorney general and in private practice before shifting to writing and editing law books with Bancroft-Whitney. He enjoyed sports, especially baseball, and was an avid supporter of the Southern Oregon theater community. He was predeceased by his first wife, Judith. Survivors: his wife, Sandye; sons, Todd and Erik; stepchildren, John Rossello, Robert Rossello and Jennifer Andrews; eight grandchildren; and great-grandchild.
Norman Jeffrey Blears, JD ’80, of Atherton, Calif., November 7, at 65, of cancer. After clerking in San Diego, he returned to the Bay Area. His clients ranged from individuals and start-ups to major corporations. In 2000, the Santa Clara County Bar Association named him Professional Lawyer of the Year. He also served on the board and as president of the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley. Survivors: his wife of 40 years, Nancy; daughters, Lauren Byrne and Kimberly Bausback; and two grandchildren.
