Faculty/Staff
Bahram Beyzaie, of Palo Alto, December 26, at 87. He was a celebrated filmmaker and playwright hailed as a giant of Iranian cinema whose work blended history, mythology, and politics. Over his prolific career, he directed 10 feature films; 14 plays, including six at Stanford; and published more than 70 books. In 2010, he left Iran to join Stanford as the Bita Daryabari Lecturer of Persian Studies. Survivors: his wife, Mojdeh Shamsaie; and children, Negar, Niloofar, and Niassan.
Charles Pius Bonini, of Stanford, June 6, 2025, at 92. For more than four decades, he served on the faculty at the GSB, where he held the William R. Timken Professorship of Management Science. His research focused on the application of quantitative and statistical techniques to decision making, and he was known for “Bonini’s Paradox,” a foundational aspect of systems theory. Survivors: his wife, Barbara; children, Cissie Bonini Rafferty, ’69, MA ’70, PhD ’74, Julia, ’84, Charles, Barbara, Sheila, MBA ’92, Griffin, and Colin; stepdaughter, Liz; and nine grandchildren.
Michael John Flynn, of Palo Alto, December 24, at 91. He was a professor emeritus of electrical engineering who studied the interface of hardware and software in computers. He was best known for developing “Flynn’s taxonomy,” a framework that remains central to computer architecture more than five decades later. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Ann; and daughter, Theresa. Survivors: his children, Frank, Kathleen, ’81, and Margaret; stepchildren, Kirsten, Ken, and Don; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother.
Thomas James Fogarty, of Portola Valley, Calif., December 28, at 91. As a medical student at the University of Cincinnati, he invented the balloon catheter, a device that revolutionized vascular surgery and saved millions of lives by removing blood clots from patients’ limbs. During his prolific career, which included nearly 200 medical patents, he taught cardiovascular surgery at Stanford and worked closely with Stanford Biodesign. Survivors: his wife, Rosalee; children, Thomas Jr., Jonathon, Patrick, and Heather; and 10 grandchildren.
Robert John Herfkens, of Austin, Texas, February 22, at 76. A professor emeritus of radiology, he oversaw the transition from film to digital radiology imaging at Stanford Medicine. His research helped establish MRI as a cardiac diagnostic tool, and he was also recognized for his pioneering work with CT and PET scans. He authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, 28 book chapters, and three books. He was predeceased by his wife, Tricia. Survivors: his children, Meagan Herfkens Hency, ’07, and Garrett; and four grandchildren.
Joel Clinton Peterson, of Salt Lake City, November 25, at 78, of complications from a stroke. An adjunct professor of management, he taught popular classes for 33 years at the GSB. He founded investment firm Peterson Partners, served on more than three dozen public and private boards, and authored several books. Survivors: his wife of over 50 years, Diana; seven children, including Clint, ’01, Leah, ’02, Benjamin, ’06, Annie Wheeler, ’08, and Elise Peterson Finlayson, ’14; 31 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Alice Anne Segers Whittemore, of Palm Desert, Calif., December 2, at 89. She was a professor emerita of epidemiology and population health. In a Stanford career that spanned 40 years, she developed statistical methods to study the effects of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors on ovarian, breast, prostate, and skin cancers. She served as chair of the department of health research and policy. Survivors: her daughters, Margot Palermo and Gayle; stepchildren, Sarah and Jeffrey Keller; eight grandchildren; and sister.
1940s
Thomas Banks Carvey Jr., ’43 (mechanical engineering), of Santa Barbara, Calif., January 8, at 103. He played football. He served in the Navy. He spent 40 years at Hughes Aircraft, working in line management, rocket motors, propulsion power systems, and guided missions. He was involved in statewide politics and served four years as president of the California Democratic Council. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Donna; children, Denise Hill, Crile, Geoffrey, and Christopher; stepson, Scott Taber; and sister.
Shirley Anne Beine McDonald, ’43 (mathematics), of Petaluma, Calif., February 2, at 103. She co-owned an auto parts store in Petaluma and tutored middle and high school math. She was active in the Petaluma Community Guild and a volunteer with the Stewards of Slavianka and the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. She loved musicals and spending time on the coast. She was predeceased by her husband of over 60 years, Robert, ’43; and son Douglas ’71. Survivors: her sons Keller and William; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Margery Gray Sheiber Silk, ’46, of Westport, Conn., December 12, at 101. She was a founding member of the Aspetuck Land Trust and championed many environmental causes. She played tennis and bridge, loved art, animals, music, and culinary pursuits. She was predeceased by her husband, George. Survivors: her children, Shelley Silk Wehrly, Stuart, and Georgiana; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Beverly Jeanne Waters Strong, ’47 (psychology), of Los Altos, November 27, at 100. She was a professional genealogist who published six books about her family’s history. She enjoyed traveling to her family cabin in Tahoe and to the U.K. and Europe. She had a private pilot’s license and flew her family around Northern California. She loved ballroom dancing and was a lifetime bridge player. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Ted, ’48, MBA ’50. Survivors: her sons, Dave and Don; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Morton Cheim Cohen, ’48 (economics), of San Francisco, January 7, at 98. He was an editor for the Stanford Daily. He served in the Merchant Marines and the Army. He worked in the apparel industry before devoting over four decades to a new career as the co-owner of the Land, Sea, and Air Travel Agency. He was predeceased by his wife, Janice. Survivors: his children, David, Fred, Steven, and Laurie; stepchildren, Gary and Debra Rubin; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister.
Margaret Moore Lewis, ’49 (Spanish), of Yakima, Wash., November 27, at 98. She was a frequent traveler with Stanford Travel/Study. She was a tireless volunteer, serving on the boards of the Nature Conservatory in Washington state and the Yakima Greenway and as board president of the Capitol Theater and Warehouse Theater. She also founded Yakima Town Hall. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter, MBA ’50. Survivors: her daughters, Carol, ’72, Jennifer Gardner, and Christine; five grandchildren, including Joe Byers, MBA ’22; and siblings, Kathy Moore Cusick, ’51, and Jim, ’75, MS ’75.
Robyn Jean Hasty Ledwith Mar, ’49 (English), of Los Altos Hills, December 12, at 97, of cancer. She founded Robyns Travel Inc. in Palo Alto. She started the Widows and Widowers grief recovery program and wrote three books on grief. A breast cancer survivor, she volunteered for Reach for Recovery and served as director of Visitation Volunteers at El Camino Hospital. She was predeceased by her first husband, Charles Ledwith, ’47, MBA ’49, second husband, Mun, and one stepdaughter. Survivors: her children, Alyson D’Auteuil, Mark, Ryan, and Tyler; three stepchildren; six grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Vilma V. Hottinger Starnes, ’49, of Chico, Calif., November 26, at 98. She handled the books for her husband’s business, Butte Roofing Company, and served as president of the Chico Soroptimist Club. She loved spending time at the family cabin at Bucks Lake, where she entertained friends, went fishing, and water-skied with her children. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Ted; and son, Craig. Survivors: her children, Dianne Donoho and Jane Cleland, and Mike; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and sister.
Alfred Lee Zeigler, ’49 (Latin American studies), of San Francisco, August 4, at 98. He served in the Navy. He directed the Bi-National Centers for the U.S. Information Agency in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile and the International Student Office at the University of Hawaii. Later, he directed Stanford’s Bechtel International Center for 18 years and served as president of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the National Council for International Visitors. Survivors: His wife of 64 years, Peggy; children Mark, ’85, and Rebecca Zeigler Mano, MA ’92; and four grandchildren.
1950s
Dona Jean Adams Affleck, ’51 (biological sciences), of Rescue, Calif., March 27, 2023, at 93. She was president of the Stanford Alumni Association of Sacramento, organized an auxiliary for Planned Parenthood, served on the State Board for the Children’s Receiving home, and sat on several boards. She enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, including to Madagascar and the Galápagos Islands. She was predeceased by her husband, James, ’52, MD ’56. Survivors: her children, Adrienne Mintz, Nila Henneman, and A.J.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Charles McGee Pigott, ’51 (industrial engineering), of Medina, Wash., January 21, at 96. He was in Beta Theta Pi and served in the Navy. He worked at Paccar Truck company for over 30 years. Under his tenure as president, Paccar’s sales increased from $320 million to over $4 billion. He was a Stanford Trustee and served on boards including Boeing and the National Boy Scouts of America. He was predeceased by his daughter Dana, ’84, and one grandson. Survivors: His wife of 73 years, Yvonne (Flood, ’52); children, Mark, ’76, MS ’84, Nora Kenway, ’79, Lynn Mowe, ’81, John, ’86, Thomas, ’91, and Douglas; 17 grandchildren, including Theiline, ’20, Reilly, ’23, Blake, ’26, Avery, ’28, Claire Nassutti, ’09, John Ahrens, ’15, Jack, ’18, Kerry Lewis, ’09, MA ’10, and Turner Varady, ’11, MA ’12; 13 great-grandchildren; and brother, James, ’58.
Marjorie Eunice Gavin Simons, ’51 (education), of Tucson, Ariz., December 15, at 95. She taught elementary school in San Francisco before moving to Tucson, where she was president of the PTA and the Junior League and a docent at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. She loved genealogy and travelled worldwide, enjoying the birds and landscapes of Antarctica, Africa, and Arizona. She was predeceased by her husband, Bernard, MD ’52; and daughter, Kim. Survivors: her sons, George, Gordon, and Tad, ’75, PhD ’82; and six grandchildren.
Robert Winton Brown, ’52 (economics), of Los Gatos, Calif., January 31, at 96. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and the marching band. He attended Stanford on the GI Bill and worked at Rossotti’s (Alpine Inn) on Fridays. After graduation, he worked in sales in Europe and Japan and then joined his brother Wayne, ’48, MBA ’50, at Brown & Kauffmann homebuilders. Survivors: his wife, Lou Rae Kagel; children, Karina Brown Hamilton, ’82, and Christopher; and two grandsons.
Barbara Jane Monroe Dorn, ’52 (education), of Columbus, Ohio, January 20, at 94. She taught elementary school in Southern California. After sailing to Europe as a ship’s cook, she met her husband while racing sailboats in San Francisco Bay. Her husband’s work eventually brought the family to Ohio, where she found community through Liberty Presbyterian Church, the Alum Creek Sailing Club, and teaching English to immigrants. Survivors: her children, Michael, Lorissa Wright, and Margot; and three grandchildren.
Ruthann Person Taylor, ’52 (education), of Oakland, November 16, at 94. She was a lifelong educator, serving as a teacher, school counselor, and vice principal before becoming the principal of North Elementary in Hillsborough, Calif., for the last 30 years of her career. She also served as a member and later president of the Livermore school board. She was predeceased by her husband, Clyde, ’52, MS ’53. Survivors: her children, Anna Brewer, Clyde, and Carol; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Jacqueline Zed Anthony James, ’53 (history), of San Mateo, Calif., January 24, at 94. For 35 years, she taught history and social studies at Hayward High School, where she was a respected mentor and counselor. A champion tennis player until age 88, she was also an avid gardener and Stanford sports fan. She was predeceased by her son, Mark. Survivors: her daughter, Connie Dorland; and two grandchildren.
Benjamin Franklin Johnson III, ’53 (economics), MBA ’55, MS ’58 (statistics), of Los Altos Hills, February 5, at 94. He was a member of Sigma Nu and ROTC and served two years in the Army. In 1968, he founded Woodmont Properties with his Stanford roommate Tad Taube, ’53, MS ’57. He was a classically trained pianist, avid photographer, and amateur magician. Survivors: his wife of 66 years, Sylvia (Ghelardi, ’60); children, Catherine, Victoria, MA ’18, PhD ’18, David, and Sarah; and five grandchildren.
Alan Thorndike Sortor, ’53 (biological sciences), MD ’56, of Fresno, Calif., December 26, at 94. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi and the crew and water polo teams. After medical school, he served as a lieutenant and physician in the Navy. He completed a surgical residency at Presbyterian Hospital in San Francisco before establishing his surgery practice in Fresno. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Wanda. Survivors: his children, Kelly Lofstedt, Kathy, ’76, MA ’80, Marci, and Michael; and six grandchildren.
Margaret Loomis Benson Maradudin, ’54 (history), of Newport Beach, Calif., January 14, at 93. After earning two master’s degrees from UC Irvine in Slavic studies and modern European history, she taught at community colleges in the area. She also served as a docent at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Calif. Survivors: her husband of 71 years, Alexei, ’53, MS ’54; children, Claudia Gurevich and Peter, ’81; two grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.
Harmon Clifford Brown Jr., ’55 (history), of Naples, Fla., December 1, at 92, of a stroke. He was a member of Kappa Sigma. He started his career in finance and became a pioneer in the wholesale flower business in Bogota, Colombia. He founded Harmon’s Restaurant in Telluride, Colo., and later owned and operated a winery in Napa Valley. Survivors: his wife, Joanne; daughters, Lesley Robert and Allyson Becker; stepchildren, Jennifer Pisani and Joshua Corzine; and six grandchildren.
Frederick Shepherd “Fritz” Hoedemaker, ’55 (biological sciences), of Seattle, December 22, at 92. He was in the ski club. He practiced psychiatry and psychoanalysis in Bellevue for 33 years. He loved working with patients and teaching, first at UCLA and later at the U. of Washington and the Seattle Psychoanalytic Institute. After retiring, he spent summers in Sun Valley, Idaho. Survivors: his wife of 68 years, Gloria; children, Karen Hogan, Peter, and Gretchen McKay; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and twin brother, David, ’55.
Sally Ann Ferguson Kelly, ’55 (nursing), of University Place, Wash., August 31, at 92. She traveled the world first as a flight attendant with Pan Am and later as an Army wife in Germany and throughout the United States. She loved the water, had a lifetime of adventures, and supported her hometown Seattle Seahawks. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward. Survivors: her children, Kimberly, Christine Putnicki, Victor, and Leslie; and three granddaughters.
Mona Melva Palmer Onstead, ’55 (psychology), of San Jose, January 15, at 93, of lung disease and pneumonia. In 1978, she founded Judyth’s Mountain Specialty Foods, and in 1979 her hot pepper jelly won the Specialty Food Association’s Best New Gourmet Product of the Year. A member of SFA’s board for many years, she was the second woman to serve as chair. In 2015, she was inducted into their hall of fame. Survivors: her husband of 70 years, Shel; and children, Mirela Maereanu, Michael, and Kevin.
Virginia Louise Waxman Stern, ’55 (history), of Washington, D.C., December 6, at 91. She earned a master’s degree in deaf education from Gallaudet University. She worked tirelessly to expand STEM opportunities and resources for people with disabilities. She was recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House in 2012. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Robert. Survivors: her children, Adam, MBA ’87, Ami Gordon, Mark, ’86, and Rachel Davis; and seven grandchildren.
Richard Warren Calfee, ’56, MS ’60 (electrical engineering), of San Jose, September 21, at 90. He was a member of Chi Psi. He served in the Marine Corps. He worked at IBM and then Data Disc before starting a company called Zentec. Later, he worked for a start-up that made protective equipment for athletes, and he remodeled homes in San Jose. Survivors: his wife, Patricia (Holve, ’55, MA ’56); children, Rebecca and Curt; and two grandchildren.
Rex Willard Kramer Jr., ’56 (political science), of Colorado Springs, Colo., January 14, at 91, of complications from a stroke. He served in the Navy for 23 years, primarily in the nuclear attack submarine program. Following his military service, he worked as a CPA and small business owner. He was predeceased by his first wife, Karen; and son James. Survivors: his wife, Cynthia Crater; children, Laurie Zickefoose, Timothy, Tamara Dickson, and Elizabeth Brunner; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters, Louise Kramer Siri, ’60, and Judith Kramer Schluchter, ’66.
Donald Gene Mosher, ’56 (mechanical engineering), of Monticello, Ill., May 26, 2025, at 92, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was stationed at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico as a project engineer and later worked for Honeywell as a lead production engineer. He earned numerous trophies playing golf on the Central Illinois Senior Amateur Tour and played the baritone ukulele. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 70 years, Donna Jean. Survivors: his daughters, Stephanie Mosher-Williams, Catherine, and Rebecca Elliott; two grandsons; and sister.
Jack Van Bergen, ’56 (Latin American studies), of Santa Maria, Calif., January 24, at 91, of heart failure. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and played water polo. He spent 27 years working for Bank of America, including in the Caribbean, England, and Central and South America. He enjoyed fishing, musicals, and cheering for the San Francisco 49ers. Survivors: his wife of 66 years, Leanore; daughters, Katherine Levenson, Marlena Sobel, and Jacqueline Janosky; and six grandchildren.
John Riley Brodie, ’57 (history), of La Quinta, Calif., January 23, at 90. He was a member of Zeta Psi and played golf and football. He was the star quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers for 17 seasons and was named the NFL’s most valuable player in 1970. He then became a football analyst for NBC Sports before returning to professional sports as a golfer on the Senior PGA Tour. Survivors: his wife, Sue (Blevins, ’58); children, Kelly Brodie Stefanki, ’80, Cammie, Diane, Erin, and Billy; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister.
Roger Deane Cannell, ’57 (speech & drama), of Olathe, Kan., September 18, at 89, of a stroke. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa, participated in drama, and was on the KZSU staff. He served in the Marines. He worked as an aviation insurance underwriter before joining his father’s CPA practice. He held a commercial pilot’s license and received the Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” award in 2011. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Mary Jean; children, Todd, Karen Brennecke, and Kevin; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Wesley William Davis Jr., ’57 (architecture), MA ’59 (art), of Santa Barbara, Calif., January 5. At Stanford, he was active in theater, acting in plays and choreographing musicals. During his 45 years living and working in New York, he became the art director of Basic Books, a subsidiary of HarperCollins, was a dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and danced and choreographed for the earliest concerts at the Judson Memorial Church. Survivors: his partner of 70 years, Albert Reid, ’56.
Arthur Allen Harlow, ’57 (economics), MA ’59 (food research), of Spokane, Wash., July 17, 2025, at 90, of congestive heart failure. He played soccer and rugby at Stanford. He worked at the Bonneville Power Administration, retiring in 1994. He was enormously proud of the Harlow Ranch in Thompson Falls, Mont., founded by his grandfather in 1919. He played soccer until he was 70 and was a passionate collector of vintage cars. Survivors: his wife, Mary Giannini; daughters, Melinda Anakalea and Margaret; three grandchildren; and great-granddaughter.
Rodger Raymond “Rus” Rodgers, ’57 (mechanical engineering), of Midlothian, Va., December 13, at 91. He served in the Naval Reserves and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, reflecting a lifelong commitment to service and the sea. Curious and analytical, he worked as a computer engineer but found his greatest joy on the water and had a deep love of sailing. Survivors: his wife, Debbie; and children, Christine Rodgers Norton and Michael.
Stanley Davies Cook, ’58, MS ’59 (petroleum engineering), of Bakersfield, Calif., January 1, at 89, of pneumonia. He worked for Chevron for 39 years in California and Alaska. He volunteered for humanitarian projects in Mexico and India with the Bakersfield Rotary Club and served as a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Bakersfield. He loved the outdoors, where he especially enjoyed fishing and sailing. Survivors: his wife of 64 years, Fay; children, Judith McCaffrey and David; and three grandchildren.
Charles Eugene Cosper, ’58 (psychology), of Sacramento, Calif., December 22, at 90, of lung cancer. He worked for the state of California from 1961 until retiring in 1988. He held various roles in multiple departments, ultimately becoming a senior management analyst at CalTrans, where he helped save the state millions of dollars through efficiency reports and management training programs. He spoke several languages and hosted many foreign exchange students through Sacramento State. Survivors include his children, Glori, Alex, Cindy, John, and Don.
Harry Robert Glatstein, ’58 (biological sciences), MD ’61, of Saratoga, Calif., February 28, at 90. An internal medicine physician, he co-founded the Good Samaritan Medical Group of Santa Clara Valley. He was a member of the American College of Physicians, the Medical Board of California, and the Santa Clara County Medical Association, and his work reflected a commitment to high standards and ethical responsibility in medicine. Survivors: his wife, Glenda; children, Laura and Jeffrey; and three grandchildren.
Bowen Hadley “Buzz” McCoy, ’58 (economics), of Los Angeles, January 25, at 88. He was a member of Theta Xi. He served in the Army. After 28 years in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, he shifted his focus to public service and philanthropy. He endowed Stanford’s McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society. He was predeceased by his first wife, Janice (Arthur, ’60). Survivors: his wife, Barbara; children, Elizabeth McCoy Chen, ’89, John, and Anne; three stepdaughters; and six grandchildren.
Donald Beckley Mitchell, ’58 (mechanical engineering), of Albuquerque, N.M., December 3, at 89. He was a member of ROTC. He served in the Air Force as a mechanical and aeronautical engineer, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. He later worked at Sandia National Laboratories. He was a devoted fan of Stanford sports and the San Francisco Giants and 49ers. He was an avid runner, completing several half marathons. Survivors: his wife, Barbara; children, Marjory Prisco and Gregory; and four grandchildren.
Judith Avery, ’59 (history), of Palo Alto, January 29, at 87. She served on the boards of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society and the Santa Monica Heritage Museum. In her 50s, she earned a master’s degree in archival preservation from UC Riverside. She loved the culture and beauty of the Bay Area. She was predeceased by her former husbands, Russell Lawler, ’55, and Joel Newkirk, ’59. Survivors: her children, Michael Newkirk, Caroline, ’84, Jonathan Newkirk, and Diana McKee; 10 grandchildren; and brother.
Patrick Charles Pinkham, ’59 (geography), of Lincoln, Calif., December 25, at 88. After graduation, he returned to his hometown, Exeter, Calif., and joined his younger brother on property they farmed for over 50 years. He grew unique grape and tree fruit varieties that flourished in the Tulare County agricultural region. He was featured in American Vineyard in recognition of his innovative method of trellising table grapes. Survivors: his wife, Mary; daughters, Dianne Tully and Elizabeth; and four grandchildren.
Jerome Russell Reinhart, ’59 (engineering), of Fullerton, Calif., at 88. He played football and was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He began his career in Silicon Valley before moving to Fullerton to pursue engineering, sales, and marketing opportunities, including a five-year contract with Georg Fisher of Switzerland. He ran a metal stamping manufacturing company until retiring in 2020. Survivors: his wife of 66 years, Mary (Dwight, ’60); children, Carolyn, Susan, and James; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
1960s
William Baerg, ’60, PhD ’65 (chemical engineering), of Carmel, Calif., November 13, at 87. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He worked for Ford Aeronutronics before forming his own company, Linviron, to work on water purification using reverse osmosis. He also invented a device to improve water quality at home. Later he joined Intel as one of the first 25 employees and retired as a senior scientist. He was predeceased by his wife, Martha. Survivors include his children, Elisabeth Cooper, Margaret Plavocos, and William; and stepchildren, Bonnie and Karl Schisler.
Lawrence Frederick Baum, ’60 (geology), of Camano Island, Wash., December 2 at 87. He was a geology professor at the University of Bahia in Salvador, Brazil, and at the University of Idaho. Over the years, he taught rock-hounding classes and opened several small businesses, including a bicycle shop, mining consulting practice, custom sailboat manufacturing shop, and sailing school. He was an avid cyclist up until his last day. Survivors: his children, Heidi Monroe and Andrew; three grandsons; great-grandson; and sister.
Eugene Fumiyoshi Miyahara, ’60 (history), of La Verne Calif., August 7, at 87. He worked in the insurance industry and opened his own brokerage business. After selling his company, he joined Primerica, retiring as national sales director. He served as the advancement chair for the Boy Scouts’s Los Angeles Area Council. He was predeceased by his wife, Sandra Miyahara. Survivors: his children, Michael, Derek, ’86, MA ’86, MA ’95, and David, MA ’88, MA ’91, PhD ’95; seven grandchildren, including Amy, ’23; and his former wife, Ilene Miyahara.
David Bruce Montgomery, ’60 (electrical engineering), MBA ’62, MS ’64 (statistics), PhD ’66 (business), of Highlands Ranch, Colo., November 14, at 87. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He taught at the GSB for 29 years and was recognized as a Centennial Alumni Catalyst. He came out of retirement to serve as dean of the business school at Singapore Management University. Survivors: His wife of over 65 years, Toby (Franks, ’61, MA ’66, JD ’78); children, David, ’84, Scott, and Pamela Shields; and five grandchildren.
Thomas Edwin Perry, ’60 (history), of Santa Rosa, Calif., October 7, at 87, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was a member of Delta Chi. He served in the Army and National Guard. He taught history, PE, civics, and ESL at Woodland High School for 35 years. He also coached football and girls’ softball, and was a foreign student adviser. Survivors: his wife of 67 years, Darlys; children, Anne Pond and Richard; three granddaughters; and great-grandson.
John Walter “Jan” Stypula Jr., ’60 (architecture), of Pebble Beach, Calif., February 26, at 87. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He played football his freshman year. He was a principal architect at Spencer Associates in Palo Alto. Among his major projects: the California State Railroad Museum, Coyote Point Museum, the Saratoga Library, and the Badlands Nature Interpretive Center. Survivors: his wife, Gail (Aguilar, ’59); and sons, John and Michael.
Lloyd Charles Chiswick II, ’61 (history), of Dunsmuir, Calif., January 5, at 87. He was a Russian linguistic specialist in the Army. He worked in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Dunsmuir. He became a well-respected rifle builder under his company, Classic Arms Corporation of Palo Alto.
Susan Allen Cotter Johnson, ’61 (history), of Piedmont, Calif., January 10, at 86. Active in Republican politics, she was appointed to a state commission on educational reform and to California’s seven-member social welfare board by Governor Ronald Reagan. She loved skiing, tennis, gardening, and playing bridge. Survivors: her children, Carrie Pomerantz, Virginia Davis, and Charles; 10 grandchildren, including Samantha Schwab, ’18, MA ’23, MBA ’23, Leigh Pomerantz, ’19, Ross Pomerantz, MBA ’20, and Haley Schwab Cassidy, JD ’22; and three great-grandchildren.
Michael Sears Fullerton, ’62 (philosophy), of Berkeley, January 5, at 85, of cancer. He attended graduate school at UC Berkeley and served in the Peace Corps in Kenya. He was a lifelong progressive and active in electoral politics. He was a co-editor of the Berkeley Co-op News and later worked at UC Berkeley Extension. In retirement, he tutored math at King Middle School and privately. Survivors: his wife, Sandy Horwich; son, Blair; and two sisters.
William Richard Bruner Jr., ’63 (architecture), of Palo Alto, July 30, 2025, at 83. He was a member of Delta Upsilon. He was an architect for the U.S. Department of Forestry, designing visitor centers that harmonized with the environment. He also contributed to projects including Half Moon Bay’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park. He built telescopes and chased solar eclipses. Survivors: his children, Jessica Aalami, Amy, Meta, Dan, and Jeffrey; 12 grandchildren; sister; first wife, Nancy Clough; and second wife, Joy Chase.
Jacob Archibald Butts III, ’63 (political science), MBA ’65, of Nashville, Tenn., May 14, 2025, at 84, of dementia. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta and the soccer, gymnastics, and boxing teams. He worked in finance and produced sports-related content for television, including an Academy Award-nominated film about a frisbee championship. He later started Cameron Communications, which helped executives and politicians become better public speakers. Survivors: his children, Callie Butts Ban and Coleman; two grandchildren; and siblings, Cameron Butts Bianchi, ’68, and Donald, ’64.
Michael James Cunningham, ’63, MS ’65 (electrical engineering), of Palo Alto, January 1, at 84, of Parkinson’s disease. During his long career with Hewlett-Packard, he worked in Palo Alto; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Santa Clara, Calif. In retirement he moved to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., where he served on the planning commission and was elected to the city council. A dedicated runner, he completed marathons in San Francisco, New York, and Boston. Survivors: his wife, Judith; children, Julie and Timothy; three grandchildren; and sister.
Gail Ray Patterson, ’63 (political science), of Sisters, Ore., March 12, 2025. She earned a master’s degree in political science from UCLA. Survivors include her wife, Pam.
Aimée Sue Dorr, ’64 (mathematics), MA ’66, PhD ’70 (psychology), of South Pasadena, Calif., January 24, at 83. She was a longtime professor of education and academic leader who served as dean of the UCLA Graduate School of Education and as vice president and provost of the University of California. She shaped countless lives through her compassion and ability to uplift the human spirit. Survivors: her husband, Don Simpson; children, Simeon Leifer, JT Dorr-Bremme, Dan Simpson, and Genevieve Sanders; four grandchildren; and four sisters.
Robert Mason Letteau, ’64 (English), of Beverly Hills, Calif., December 18, at 83, of pneumonia. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He graduated from Hastings College of the Law and was a partner in Ross, Pierson & Letteau before being appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court. He earned numerous honors, including Trial Judge of the Year. He was on the Inglewood Park Cemetery board for 35 years. Survivors: his wife, Donna; and daughters, Lara Goss, Tracey, ’92, and Loren Moran.
Stephen Michael Durst, ’65, MA ’66 (history), of Kamuela, Hawaii, February 2, at 82. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He was the founding director of the International Lunar Observatory Association and the publisher of Space Age Publishing Company. He was a driving force behind lunar observatory efforts, ILOA Galaxy Forum, Stanford on the Moon, and Ad Astra Kansas. Survivors: his wife, Joann; children, Sol Ethier, Sidra, Arian, Selena Durst Mao, ’14, and Mira; three grandchildren; and two siblings.
James Bernard Heian, ’65 (economics), of Sarasota, Fla., November 7, at 81. He was a humanitarian and an educator. After earning a PhD, he devoted his career to teaching and mentoring, guiding students and fellow faculty with patience, curiosity, and integrity. He volunteered for his church and neighborhood and with Habitat for Humanity. He was predeceased by his son Robert. Survivors: his wife, Darlene; children, Ellen, Laura, Derek Six, and Siri Sorensen; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
James Wood Benson Jr., ’66 (biological sciences), of Seattle, February 19, 2025, at 81, of Parkinson’s disease. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School. He started work as an endocrinologist at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, where he remained for 30 years, including more than 20 years as director of medical education. He later worked for Group Health. Survivors: his wife of 51 years, Bobbi; children, Laurie, ’03, MS ’04, and Mark; and three grandchildren.
Ronald Walter Kaiser, ’66 (geology), MBA ’69, of Santa Rosa, Calif., January 11, at 81, of cancer. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He co-founded the investment advisory firm Bailard, Biehl and Kaiser, serving as director of real estate research and contributing to the company’s success for 56 years. He loved the mountains and model railroads. Survivors: his wife, Pamela; children, Allison Kelly, Christine Young, and Paul; and two sisters.
Gregory Stephen Strong, ’66 (mathematics), of Saint Paul, Minn., May 5, 2025, at 80. He held actuarial and financial positions at Western Life Insurance Company and its affiliates for 15 years. He then joined Securian Financial Group, where he served as vice president of finance, chief financial officer, and chief actuary and treasurer during his 25 years at the company. He was a proud board member of organizations including HealthPartners and Regions Hospital. Survivors: his wife, Betty; sons, Mark, David, and Kevin; four grandchildren; and sister.
Cylia Sue Walker Kamp, ’68 (medical microbiology), of San Antonio, December 26, at 78, of Lewy body dementia. She earned a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Oklahoma and devoted her career to medical research and teaching anatomy at the University of Texas Health Science Center, where she inspired generations of students with her dedication and expertise. She was predeceased by her son Sean. Survivors: her husband of 57 years, John, ’68; son Ian; and brother.
Mark Hugh Miller, ’68 (history), of San Francisco, October 19, at 80, of pneumonia. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi. He began his career with the Associated Press and National Geographic before moving to Los Angeles. There he worked as a screenwriter for Universal Pictures, a Michelin Guide editor, and a columnist for the San Francisco Examiner. For 15 years, he was a writer/producer for CBS Radio Los Angeles. His wife, Barbara Smeltzer, passed away one month after his death. Survivors include his brother, Guy.
Nancy Pennington, ’68 (mathematics), MA ’69 (education), of Boulder, Colo., November 6, at 79, of cancer. She was in the ski club. She was an applications programmer before earning a PhD in education at Harvard. She pursued research on problem-solving and legal decision-making as a member of the faculty at the University of Chicago and later at the University of Colorado. Survivors: her sons, Andrew and James Hastie; partner, Michael Mitchell; and second husband, Reid Hastie, ’68.
Susan Corliss Heinberg-Moore, ’69 (sociology), of Costa Mesa, Calif., November 21, at 79, of sepsis. She worked in the banking industry in corporate training and employee relations. Later, she became a director in personnel and human resources at Flying Tigers and Polar Air Cargo. She also started two human resources consulting firms. She was predeceased by her ex-husband, Hollis Moore, ’64, PhD ’72. Survivors include her stepdaughter, Melissa Moore Leasure, ’91.
1970s
Janet Wolf Hara, ’71 (English), of Hilo, Hawaii, December 22, at 77, of cardiac arrest. She earned an elementary school teaching certificate from San Jose State and an MBA from the University of Hawaii before becoming a certified public accountant. In Hilo, she was a founding partner of Taketa, Iwata, Hara & Associates and served on the boards of many charitable and civic organizations. Survivors: her husband, Glenn, ’68, JD ’72; children, Matthew, Jessica Hara Boyadjian, ’07, and David; four grandchildren; and three siblings.
Patricia Jean Rogers, ’71 (music), of Point Arena, Calif., January 6. She taught music at Horicon Elementary School in Annapolis, Calif. Survivors include her brothers.
Joseph Erskine Welsh, ’71 (biological sciences), MD ’75, of Atherton, Calif., February 27, at 76. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and was on the water polo and swimming teams. He was a neurosurgeon who gracefully merged the complexity of brain surgery with empathy for the physical and emotional suffering of others. Survivors: his wife, Anne; children, Joseph, Lindsay McConnon, ’99, MBA ’04, Erin Keefe, Courtney Yarbrough, Jacob, and Zachary; 10 grandchildren; and four siblings, including Jeffie Welsh Feakins, ’68.
Janet Mary “Jane” Turner Hart, ’72 (English), of San Francisco, January 6, at 75, of Alzheimer’s disease. She earned a master’s in teaching at Brown University and taught English at Needham High School in Massachusetts. After earning a master’s in management at Yale, she worked in finance as an investor for Aetna Realty and later for the Nature Conservancy (on the Cosumnes River Preserve project) and the Trust for Public Land. Survivors: her husband, Kevin, ’72; son, Bill, ’07; and two grandchildren.
Frederick Gillespie Mann, ’72 (communication), of Greensboro, Vt., February 13, at 75, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was on the Stanford Daily staff. At the Philadelphia Inquirer for over 20 years, he became the assistant managing editor and was known as a champion of women in the newsroom. He also worked as vice president of communications at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Survivors: his wife, Nicole; children, Ted, Jason, Lindsay, and Cassie; stepchildren, Andy, Hilary, and Brette; grandchildren; two brothers; and former wife, Robin Layton.
Carol Ann “Cammy” Mowery, ’72 (undeclared), of Seattle, December 10, at 75, of cancer. After medical school at the University of Washington, she became a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. She practiced with profound skill, empathy, and humor at Group Health Cooperative, Swedish Hospital, and Children’s Hospital, all in Seattle. She declined sabbaticals to assure consistent care for her “kids” (her patients). She was an avid athlete, weaver, knitter, and gardener. Survivors: her husband of 22 years, William McGillin; and two siblings.
David Robert Rada, ’72 (music), of Los Angeles, February 7, at 75, of Parkinson’s disease. He worked in the entertainment industry and was musical director at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy for over 15 years. Joyful and talented, kind and honest, he led the way, alongside his partner, toward acceptance and understanding through music and comedy, and by example. Survivors: his husband of 49 years, Hal-James Pederson; and three brothers, including Stephen, ’65, and William, ’67.
Alfonso Thomas Villanueva, ’72 (sociology), of Claremont, Calif., December 31, at 75. He was instrumental in the creation of El Barrio Park in Claremont, and founded and led the Árbol Verde Preservation Committee, a grassroots organization committed to protecting the barrio. He retired from the California Youth Authority. A devout Catholic, he led a spiritual life that honored his Native American heritage. Survivors: his children, Alfonso, Magdalena Serrato, and Ruben; grandson; two brothers; and former wife, Janet Coyle.
Samuel Brown Casey III, ’73 (English), of Stallings, N.C., August 15, at 74, of brain seizures. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and played soccer. He earned a JD from the University of San Francisco and became a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He later shifted to nonprofit work, serving as the executive director of the Christian Legal Society. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Jill; children, Kelly and Sam; four grandchildren; and sister.
Eric I. Hemel, ’74 (economics), MBA ’77, PhD ’80 (business administration), of Scarsdale, N.Y., July 27, 2025, at 72. He was a senior policy adviser on Ronald Reagan’s domestic policy staff, staff director of the Council of Economic Advisers, and chief economist at the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. He later worked as the co-head of U.S. equity research at Merrill Lynch. Survivors: his wife of 45 years, Barbara Morgen; children, Deborah and Daniel; six grandchildren; and brother, Neal, ’79.
Christopher William Blakely, ’75 (communication), of Los Angeles, December 13, at 71. He played water polo and was on the Stanford Daily staff. After earning a JD from USC, he started a motion picture production company. He worked on corporate films, commercials, and rock videos, and his project X: The Unheard Music was screened at the Sundance Film Festival. He was the founding director of the Surfrider Foundation. Survivors: his wife, Betsy; children, Lauren and William; and brother.
Charles R. Corder, ’76 (political science), of San Francisco, January 16, at 71, after a brief illness with a rare blood disorder. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi and was on the swim team. He worked in human resources with PG&E and Sharper Image, and volunteered as a counselor at the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He received the Stanford Associates Award of Merit for volunteer excellence. Survivors include his sister, Janet, and his nieces and nephews.
Susan Marie Ogden-Malouf, ’76 (psychology), of Placentia, Calif., January 2, at 71, of Parkinson’s disease and bronchiectasis. She earned a PhD from Northwestern and was a professor of theater at Bethel College, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford before starting her own theater to stage original works. She later earned a PhD in psychology and worked as a therapist specializing in trauma therapy. Survivors: her husband of 49 years, Jeff, ’76; daughter, Carter Malouf Boghosian; and grandson.
Stephen Kirk Ingebretsen, ’77 (human biology), of Greenwood Village, Colo., October 25, at 70. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He earned a JD at the University of Colorado; was an adjunct law professor at CU; and volunteered with the Rocky Mountain Law Center, the Challenge Foundation, and the mock trial program at Colorado Academy. He had impeccable taste and delighted in a well-poured gin and tonic. Survivors: his wife of 34 years, Anne; daughters, Claire, Ingrid, and Grace; and sister.
Thomas Kevin Konicek, ’77 (international relations), of Santa Rosa, Calif., March 8, at 71, of a heart attack. He was a member of Delta Upsilon. After graduating from Loyola Law School, he practiced with Clapp Moroney and Lanahan & Reilley. In 2006, he opened Zyromski Konicek, a litigation firm in Santa Rosa he founded with a business partner whom he later married. A fourth-generation Santa Rosan, he was an active community member. Survivors: his wife, Michelle; and two sisters, including Patricia Konicek Dietzen, ’78.
Gregory Frechette Hodson, ’78 (physical science), of Mendocino County, Calif., August 3, 2024, at 68, of heart failure. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and the track and field team. He started his career with the U.S. Geological Survey and then the Army Corps of Engineers before spending 32 years as a hydrologist with the U.S. Forest Service in Covelo, Calif. His heart failed while doing what he most loved: competing in a USA Track and Field event. Survivors: his siblings, Linde Hodson Carley, ’76, and Geoffrey.
Phebe Ann Prescott Greenwood, ’79 (international relations), of Sterling, Va., November 2, at 67, of colorectal cancer. She was on the track and field team. She worked with USAID in Togo, Africa, before earning a master’s in public policy from Harvard. She worked in economic policy with the California Public Utilities Commission and Virginia Department of Transportation, and later became a project manager. Survivors: her husband, Douglas, ’79, MBA ’89; children, Phebe Polk, Hannah Moore, Elizabeth, and Douglas; and two sisters.
1980s
Karen Ann Kalmanir Escobar, ’80 (history), of Clovis, Calif., December 14, at 67. After graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School, she became a member of Senator Al Gore’s staff. She then worked for the Department of Justice before serving for over 35 years as the assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California. She was a proud member of the California Narcotics Officers Association. Survivors: her husband, David; children, Caroline and Mateo; and sister.
John Carlton Backus Jr., ’81 (economics), MBA ’84, of Great Falls, Va., November 21, at 67, of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He started his career in consulting at Bain & Company before working in the airline, finance, and tech industries. He then pivoted to venture capital, helping run Draper Atlantic, New Atlantic Ventures, and PROOF. He was known for his work ethic and relentless optimism. Survivors: his children, John, ’16, William Benjamin, ’20, and Helena; and siblings, Fritz, ’83; and Sylvia.
Thomas Allen Roupe, ’87 (art and English), of Houston, January 25, at 60. He was a member of Delta Upsilon. His career was spent in the financial sector at companies including Apple, Xerox, and Morgan Stanley. He was proud of his community work in Houston and served as a board director for many organizations, including UT MD Anderson and the Museum of Fine Arts. Survivors: his wife, Jessica; children, Georgia and Jack; mother, Barbara (Doyle, ’59, JD ’76); and sister.
1990s
Lyle Donovan Perrigo III, ’91 (industrial engineering), MS ’92 (engineering-economic systems), of Placentia, Calif., May 13, 2024, at 55. He served in the Army and later worked at Raytheon and Chip Shot while earning an MBA from Haas School of Business. He joined McKenna Labs, serving as executive vice president. He enjoyed competing in triathlons, scuba diving, and singing in choirs. Survivors: his wife, Myriam (Perez, ’91); children, Christopher, Sage, and Emma; mother, Dalene; and siblings, Dale, ’95, MS ’96, Juliann Talkington, ’85, MS ’87, and Susan Covello, ’88.
Business
Charles Elmer McLaughlin, MBA ’51, of San Francisco, October 10, at 99. He joined the Navy at age 17 and then worked for California as a civil engineer. Later, he worked for American Standard before establishing his own business, McLaughlin Associates. He was an active member of Christ Church Episcopal and enjoyed tennis, traveling, painting, classical music, and Stanford football. He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy (Bennet, MA ’50). Survivors: his children, Michael, Amy, and Peter; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Ronald Sheridan Patten, MBA ’58, of San Mateo, Calif., September 12, at 93. He formed Stewart and Patten, an investment management company, and devoted his life to building the business and creating deep and lasting relationships, both professional and personal. He had a deep love for the outdoors and shared his enthusiasm for backpacking, fishing, and bodysurfing along with his children and grandchildren. Survivors: his wife of 73 years, Sally; children, David, Linda Montgomery, and Cynthia Murner; grandchildren; and sister.
John Gibson Crossman, MBA ’60, of Bonita, Calif., November 9, at 89, of stomach cancer. He enjoyed a long career as a financial manager, market forecaster, investment manager, and company director in cities across the country. He was a gifted storyteller, attentive listener, and student of history and current politics. He belonged to a Bible study group that featured particularly good breakfasts. He was predeceased by his first wife, Nancy. Survivors: his wife, Carol (Thompson, ’58, MA ’59); children, John, Claire, and James; and four grandchildren.
Gerald C. Gray, MBA ’62, of Omaha, Neb., April 29, 2024, at 85. He enjoyed a distinguished career in data processing, leaving an indelible mark on each organization he served. He volunteered with nonprofits including Goodwill and Meals on Wheels, was active in the Countryside Church, and founded the Alvamar Invitation Golf Tournament in 1971, a tradition that continues 55 years later. Survivors: his wife of 62 years, Mary; sons, Scott, Jeffrey, and Brian; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Engineering
Darrell R. Pieper, MS ’56 (civil engineering), of Sisters, Ore., November 15, at 92, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was on the gymnastics team. He served in the Navy. He spent 20 years with Bechtel and worked on engineering teams designing airports around the world, including Los Angeles, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, before “retiring” to raise alpacas with his wife. Survivors: his wife of 70 years, Barbara; children, Scott, Donna, and Steve; and three grandchildren.
Mary Irene Carswell Peden, MS ’58, PhD ’62 (electrical engineering), of Seattle, August 22, at 99. She was the first woman to graduate from Stanford with a PhD in electrical engineering, to be hired at the University of Washington in the College of Engineering, to conduct research in the interior of the Antarctic, and to serve as the president and on the board of the IEEE. She was predeceased by her husband, Leo. Survivors: her stepdaughters, Jefri Donovan and Jennifer Conor.
Fred Lewis Smith III, MS ’64, PhD ’68 (electrical engineering), of Montrose, Colo., February 25, at 86, of a stroke. After teaching at Colorado State University and serving as the manager of engineering at Armco Autometrics, he spent 27 years at Ball Aerospace’s systems division. He was technical manager for the Shuttle Star Tracker program and was involved with the Deep Impact program and Chandra and Hubble telescopes. Survivors: his wife, Elizabeth (Imle, MA ’67); children, Catherine Stroh and Gregory; and granddaughter.
Russell Duane “Deek” Hensley, Engr. ’66 (aeronautics and astronautics), of Germantown, Tenn., July 18, 2020, at 89. He served in the Air Force. His career spanned nuclear engineering, global telecommunications, and geopolitics. He helped develop the nuclear rocket engine, worked on the Arab oil embargo under Nixon, and was president of Aetna Diversified Technologies. He was predeceased by his daughter Mary Adams. Survived by his wife of 63 years, Lillie Johnston; children, Laura Matson and Russell; seven grandchildren; three great-grandsons; and brother.
Peter Kimble MacEwen, MS ’69 (civil engineering), of Glen Mills, Pa., January 26, at 91. He worked in water supply and resource engineering for 40 years and was the executive manager and chief engineer of the Chester Water Authority for 24 years. He was active in many civic organizations and served as director of the Chester Boys Club for 23 years. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Rita. Survivors: his children, Brian, Lynne Quinn, and Diane DiMarco; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
John Francis “Skip” Igoe Jr., MS ’70 (civil engineering), of Foster City, Calif., September 13, at 83. He served in the Air Force. A leader in engineering and real estate development, he was a construction project manager for San Francisco’s Moscone Convention Center and guided major real estate and campus developments for numerous companies, including more than 23 million square feet for Google. Survivors: his wife of 59 years, Peggy; children, Susan, Matthew, Rebeca Bertolina, Ben, and John; and 13 grandchildren.
George Urban “Bud” Ramos, PhD ’70 (computer science), of Nipomo, Calif., July 22, 2025, at 83, of leukemia. He worked at Hughes Aircraft, Sylvania, and ROLM, where he served as regional manager in Virginia and Connecticut. An avid outdoorsman, he rafted through the Grand Canyon, trekked to the pyramids in Central America, and toured around the world in 68 days. Survivors: his wife of 62 years, Eileen; children, David, ’88, Leo, ’90, and Jeff; five grandchildren; and three siblings.
Diosdado Pamittan “Dado” Banatao, MS ’72 (electrical engineering), of Palo Alto, December 25, at 79. An engineer, entrepreneur, and mentor, he was a central figure in the early semiconductor and personal computing industries, helping to develop the first 16-bit CMOS Ethernet transceiver. He co-founded two start-ups, Chips and Technologies and S3, and later founded Tallwood Venture Capital. He established the Philippine Development Foundation to strengthen the Philippine innovation ecosystem. Survivors: his wife of 53 years, Maria; children, Rey, Desi, and Tala; and nine grandchildren.
William Richard Bryg, MS ’79 (electrical engineering), of Saratoga, Calif., July 2, 2025, at 67, of sudden cardiac death. He was on the fencing team and a member of Ram’s Head. He worked for Hewlett-Packard, Amara, and Sun Microsystems, and he held numerous patents for semiconductor design. He retired early and enjoyed a quiet life with his wife. Survivors: his wife, Catherine; and brothers, Lance Lefevre and Robert, ’76, MS ’77.
Humanities and Sciences
Galen Kent Howard Hilgard, MA ’59 (biological sciences), of Santa Cruz, Calif., November 22, at 92. She taught UCSC Extension courses in marine biology and volunteered at her daughters’ schools, often leading field trips on which students could explore intertidal flora and fauna. She enjoyed watercolor and printmaking and was an editor and contributor to Observing Marine Invertebrates, Drawings from the Laboratory. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Henry, MD ’62. Survivors: her daughters, Julia Hilgard Ritter, ’82, Galen Hilgard Roll, ’86, and Adaline; and six grandchildren.
Martha Monserrat Santi Foschi, MA ’64, PhD ’70 (sociology), of Vancouver, British Columbia, December 22, at 88, of complications from dementia. From 1967 to 2003, she was professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia. Her research interests were in social psychology, inspired by the work of Stanford professors Joseph Berger, Morris Zelditch, and Bernard Cohen. In her honor, UBC established the Martha Foschi Award for Excellence in Research and Teaching. Survivors: her husband, Ricardo, MS ’64, PhD ’66.
Frances M. Scholz, MA ’64 (German studies), of Auburndale, Mass., June 25, 2025, at 84. She was a professor of German literature at Brandeis University. She traveled throughout South America and Europe, practiced meditation daily, and regularly engaged in philosophical discussions. A loving anchor in her family, she broadened their world by engaging them in political, historical, and spiritual discourse. Survivors: her husband of 49 years, Homer Franck; children, Jonathan, Mary Cleary, and Michael; seven grandchildren; and brother.
David Stevens Garlick, MA ’65, PhD ’73 (German studies), of Charlottesville, Va., December 3, 2024, at 86. He taught at Pomona College, Middlebury College, the College of Wooster, and Mary Baldwin University before retiring in 2004. He loved German culture, but his true passion was music. With a strong bass-baritone voice, he studied singing in Boston and at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. He performed in various operas and soloed in oratorios. Survivors include his wife, Nancy, and two sisters.
Allen Marshall Goldman, PhD ’65 (physics), of Mendota Heights, Minn., May 16, 2025, at 87. He was a Regents professor emeritus of physics and astronomy at the University of Michigan, where he was on the faculty for 60 years. He was a giant in the field of superconducting thin films, and his work led to numerous impactful discoveries and experiments. He mentored over 60 doctoral students. Survivors: his wife Katherine (Darnell, ’62); children, Matthew, Benjamin, and Rachel; two grandchildren; and sister.
Wesley George McCain, MA ’66, PhD ’69 (food science), of New York, January 14, at 83, of pneumonia and Parkinson’s disease. He taught finance at Columbia University, taking a leave in 1969 to serve as an economist in the White House. While still teaching, he founded Towneley Capital Management. His career spanned money management, mutual and hedge funds, and venture capital. He loved the outdoors, especially hiking New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and endowed a tap-dancing scholarship. Survivors: his wife, Noreene Storrie; son, Malcolm; and two siblings.
John Richard Collins, MA ’72, PhD ’76 (comparative literature), of San Francisco, October 30, at 77, after a brief illness. He was a professor at City College of San Francisco, where he was founding chair of the country’s first gay and lesbian studies department. He taught composition, creative writing, and gay literature, and published widely. He was predeceased by his partner, Martin Cogan, ’70. Survivors: his siblings, Eddie, Mike, Joanne, Jimmy, Kevin, Patti, and Peggy.
Law
Robert R. Granucci, JD ’57, of San Francisco, January 14, at 92, after a long illness. He was on the Law Review. He specialized in appellate law as a deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice, and he argued multiple cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was active in church and community services, and loved duck hunting, competitive shooting, and writing. He was predeceased by his wife, Muriel. Survivors: his sons, David and John; and two grandchildren.
Sheldon S. Baker, JD ’61, of Glendale, Calif., February 14, at 89, of cerebrovascular arteriosclerosis. He was an attorney, author, and legal thought leader. A partner at Halstead, Baker, and Olson, and later Baker, Olson, LeCroy & Danielian, he specialized in business, estate planning, property, and tax law. He served as mayor of Glendale and was honored by the Boy Scouts of America for his decades of service and mentorship. He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn. Survivors: his children, Melissa O’Gara, Curt, and Jon; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Dale Kent Neal, JD ’73, MBA ’73, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., October 13, at 77, of complications from cancer. He played rugby. During his 32 years at Latham & Watkins, he became one of Los Angeles’s most respected land use attorneys, working on large development projects like Playa Vista and Warner Center. He was also known for his pro bono work on behalf of LA schools and housing developments. Survivors: his wife, Christal (Johnson, ’74); children, Sarah Neal Kline, ’99, and Tyler, ’98; seven grandchildren; and two brothers.
John Steven Zignego, JD ’73, of Red Wing, Minn., March 13, 2025, at 76. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Carleton College. After law school, he worked as a self-employed attorney in Minnesota. He was a loving, kind, thoughtful, and conscientious son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Survivors include his sister, Julie, and three nieces and nephews.
Medicine
Demosthenes “Demo” Pappagianis, MD ’62, of Davis, Calif., March 8, at 97. After working at UC Berkeley Naval Biological Laboratory and teaching at UC Berkeley and Stanford, he joined the faculty at UC Davis School of Medicine as the founding chairman of the department of medical microbiology. He was a renowned expert on coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) and a lifelong Democrat with a passion for civic responsibility. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Alice. Survivors include his daughters, Michele and Marika, and two grandchildren.
Sustainability/Earth
Keith Arthur Kvenvolden, MS ’58, PhD ’61 (geology), of Palo Alto, October 25, at 95. He served in the Army. He worked at NASA’s Ames Research Center, leading a team analyzing moon rocks, and then joined the U.S. Geological Survey, conducting marine-based research all over the world. He was a consulting professor in geology at Stanford and published over 200 papers in scientific journals. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ann. Survivors: his children, Joan Lewis and Jon; and three grandchildren.
William Lang Cameron, MS ’62 (geology), of Easton, Md., December 6, at 89, of pneumonia. Early in his career, he was the first to study several regions—in Alaska and Labrador, Canada—from an economic geology perspective. He worked for Hanna Mining in Montana and Jododex Australia in Perth, and was a vice president at Pacific Tin and Chemical Bank, both in New York City. He was an avid sailor and, once retired, enjoyed building model boats. He was predeceased by his wife, Judith. Survivors: his children, Cynthia and Douglas; and grandson, Thomas.
