Faculty
James Daniel “BJ” Bjorken, PhD ’59 (physics), of Woodside, Calif., and Driggs, Idaho, August 6, at 90, of metastatic melanoma. He was a professor emeritus at Stanford and at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. He was a theoretical physicist who helped prove the existence of subatomic particles called quarks and contributed to a new mathematical language that earned three colleagues a Nobel Prize in 1990. He won the Wolf Prize in Physics, among other accomplishments. He was predeceased by his wife, Joan; and granddaughter, Nova Adan. Survivors: his daughters, Eliza Davies and Johanna; stepchildren, Peter Nauenberg and Maria James; and nine grandchildren.
Rodney Charles Ewing, MS ’72, PhD ’74 (geology), of Menlo Park, July 13, at 77. The inaugural Frank Stanton Professor in Nuclear Security, he devoted 50 years of expertise in mineralogy, geochemistry, materials science, nuclear materials, physics, and chemistry to improving nuclear waste management. He made fundamental contributions to understanding the effects of radiation on minerals and nuclear materials. In 2017, a new mineral, Ewingite, was named in his honor. Survivors: his wife, Helga Fuchs; children, Travis and Allison; stepdaughter, Franziska; four grandchildren; mother, Mary; and two siblings.
Leonard Hayflick, of Sea Ranch, Calif., August 1, at 96, of pancreatic cancer. A professor of medical microbiology from 1968-1976, he discovered that cells can only divide a certain number of times before they lapse into senescence, causing the body to age and decline—a finding that came to be known as the Hayflick limit. He also developed a cell line still used to make vaccines and discovered the cause of walking pneumonia. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth. Survivors: his children, Anne, Susan, Rachel Hastings, Deborah Hayflick Curle, ’79, and Joel, ’78; eight grandchildren, including Nathan, ’10; and sister.
Halsted Reid Holman, ’46 (undeclared), of Stanford, June 22, at 99. He was a member of Zeta Psi. On Stanford’s faculty for 64 years, he was professor emeritus of immunology and rheumatology and former chair of Stanford Medicine. He discovered that lupus was an autoimmune disease, a finding that led to the field of immunology, and was instrumental in founding the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Training Program at Stanford Medicine. He was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara. Survivors: his wife of 39 years, Diana Dutton; children, Mike, Andrea Reyes, Alison, and Geoffrey; seven grandchildren; and great-grandchild.
Anna Margaret McHargue, of Menlo Park, March 26, at 89, of postoperative sepsis. She was in the Air Force Reserves for more than 20 years, earning the rank of colonel and becoming the first woman flight surgeon in the United States military. She visited all seven continents while in the service and was called to active duty during the war in Iraq. At the School of Medicine, she held a lecturer position and then became an assistant clinical professor. She later worked at NASA, performing employee health duties and flight physicals for personnel.
Amos Michael Nur, of Stanford, June 10, at 86, of a heart attack. He was a professor emeritus of earth sciences, broadly acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost experts in geology and geophysics. He helped define the field of earthquake archeology, pioneered the science of “seismic velocity measurements,” and founded the Stanford Rock Physics and Borehole Geophysics Project. He published over 250 peer-reviewed papers, authored three books, and twice chaired the Stanford geophysics department. Survivors: his wife, Francina Lozada-Nur; son, Boaz; and three grandchildren.
Alice A. Rayner, of Kenwood, Calif., May 11, at 76. She was professor emeritus of critical theory and dramatic literature and former chair of the drama department. Her research focused on themes in theater related to subjects including phenomenology, genre theory, and psychoanalysis. She published three books and was known for her ability to cut to the heart of complex themes in theater and performance texts. Survivors: her son, Eric Quandt; two grandchildren; and three siblings, including Betsy Rayner Woltz, ’61, and Bill Rayner, ’62.
Philip George Zimbardo, of San Francisco, October 14, at 91. He was a professor of psychology at Stanford for 35 years, best known for the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment (see story in this issue). He was a pioneer of social psychology, the founder of Stanford’s shyness clinic, and a leading expert on the bystander effect. He studied topics as wide-ranging as power, heroism, evil, and compassion. His first wife, Rose, died in 2015. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Christina Gresser Maslach, PhD ’71; children, Adam, ’85, Zara, and Tanya; and four grandchildren.
1940s
Elizabeth H. Boardman Ross, ’42 (education), of Portola Valley, Calif., December 4, 2023, at 103. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. After graduation, she attended Columbia Teachers College in New York. She and her husband invested in the building of the Alpine Meadows ski area. She skied into her 70s, hiked in Antarctica, and explored the world well into her 90s. She also loved reading, museums, and touring gardens. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald, MBA ’47. Survivors: her children, Donald, Lauren, and KC; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Margaret Ethel Pratt Heerema, ’44 (biological sciences), of Tracy, Calif., June 26, at 101. After graduation, she earned teaching credentials and became a teacher. She earned her teaching certificate from the University of the Pacific and taught at schools in Lemoore, Bakersfield, and Tracy before becoming a stay-at-home mom. In 1957, she and her husband opened the Mart Department Store. She loved sewing, reading, playing piano, fashion, and biking. She was predeceased by her husband, Marty. Survivors: her sons, John and Ben; and granddaughter.
Robert Edward Wallace, ’47 (mining & mineral engineering), MS ’60 (metallurgical engineering), of Saratoga, Calif., August 10, at 100. After a career that included employment at Lockheed Missiles and Space and the atomic energy division of General Electric, he became co-founder and president of Alloy Hard Surfacing and then founder and president of Polar Equipment. He was an avid reader, hiker, backpacker, climber, and runner. He was predeceased by his ex-wife, Elizabeth. Survivors: his partner, Marjorie Ottenberg; children, Jonathan, Ann, and Edward; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Alice Elizabeth “Buffy” Coutch Coonan, ’49 (education), of San Mateo, Calif., January 17, 2024, at 96. She taught in Wilseyville before she and her husband moved to San Mateo, where she lived for 70 years. She was a founding member of the Coyote Point Junior Museum (now CuriOdyssey). She was a member of the Junior League of San Francisco and served as president of the Hillsborough Garden Club. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael, ’45. Survivors: her children, Mick, Katy Rhoades, Cory Carr, and Tom; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and Helen.
Thomas Edward Farris, ’49 (psychology), MBA ’51, of Ojai, Calif., June 20, at 98. He was an Army staff sergeant during World War II. He worked at Standard Oil Company of California for 42 years and was the president of the Chevron Federal Credit Union. He served as treasurer of Berkeley’s Northbrae Community Church and a board member for the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill. He was an avid beekeeper. He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes. Survivors include his son, Thomas, and niece and nephew.
1950s
Jo Ann Matter Burchard, ’50 (history), of Palo Alto, May 13, at 94, of congestive heart failure. She worked for 23 years as a project manager for the United States Geological Survey. After retiring, she spent 20 years as publisher of the Peninsula Gem and Geology Society’s newsletter, The Petrograph. She enjoyed family camping and geology field trips. She was predeceased by her ex-husband, Preston, ’48, MA ’50, and son, John. Survivors: her children, Tom, Roland, ’77, and Anna, ’85; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
David Purdy Holman, ’50 (biological sciences), of San Francisco, June 10, at 95. A distinguished pulmonologist and dedicated medical ethicist, he established a pulmonary function lab that introduced the latest advancements in lung physiology and medical care to physicians, significantly improving patient outcomes in the Bay Area. In 1983, he initiated and chaired the medical ethics committee at Children’s Hospital. Survivors: his wife of 72 years, Barbara; sons, Christopher, Kevin, Neil, Alex, and Ted; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brother, Halsted, ’46, who died later the same month.
Joan Stone Danforth Johansen, ’50 (education), of Largo, Fla., July 29, at 95. She and her husband opened Johansen Insurance Agency in 1960, followed four years later by Star Travel Tour Service (now run by their son Glen). She enjoyed 77 years in the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She and her husband traveled extensively, visiting all seven continents and the Arctic Circle. She was predeceased by her husband, William. Survivors: her children, Mary Beth Finlayson, Alan, Ward, Glen, and Seth; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Frederic Wells “Ted” Baum, ’50 (psychology), of Carpinteria, Calif., September 9, at 95. He was a captain in the Army Medical Corps, stationed in Korea. With an MD and a master’s degree in public health, he became the director of maternal and child health at Arizona State Children’s Hospital in Tempe, where he helped to dramatically improve the state’s infant mortality rate during his 23-year tenure. Survivors: his first wife, Rita Ragozzino Baum; second wife, Darleen Benson; children, Edward, David, Daphne Baum Small, Kimberly, and Kathryn Starr-Baum, and four grandchildren.
Richard Parker Abraham, ’51, MS ’54 (electrical engineering), of San Francisco, August 19, at 94. He was a member of Zeta Psi and played football and rugby. He worked at Bell Labs, Texas Instruments, and Motorola before leading the linear product line at Fairchild Semiconductors in Silicon Valley, where his expertise helped shape the semiconductor manufacturing industry. He loved traveling, books, and his 120-acre vineyard. He was predeceased by his wife, Lois (Whetstone, ’55). Survivors: his children, Bill, ’81, Jane Abraham Worden, ’85, and Anne Paulsen; and seven grandchildren.
Donald John Lofquist, ’51 (electrical engineering), of Bellevue, Wash., June 28, at 94. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi. With degrees in business and accounting from the University of Washington, he became a CPA and joined his dad at Lofquist and Lofquist. His accounting career later took him to Fairbanks, Alaska. He was an artisan woodworker, and he loved his garden, good food, and figuring things out. He was predeceased by his wife, Joy. Survivors: his children, Claudia Newman and Brian; and two granddaughters.
Marian George Beaver Nielsen, ’51 (history), of Walnut Creek, Calif., May 14, at 94. She was president of the Stanford Women’s Club of the East Bay and served on the boards of the Stanford Alumni Association and the Stanford Club of Rossmoor. She spent 20 years as a docent and docent coordinator at the Oakland Museum, and 30 years sharing her love of reading at Orinda Books. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob, ’51, MBA ’57. Survivors: her children, Sally, Lucy, ’78, and Andrew; and four grandchildren.
Stanley Gordon Scott, ’51 (mechanical engineering), of Menlo Park, August 19, at 96. He was a member of Sigma Nu/Beta Chi. He moved to Los Angeles to work in the burgeoning aircraft and defense industries. Later he joined Ames Research, part of NASA, to study the atmosphere as part of the Apollo and space shuttle programs, as well as risks to the ozone layer. He would draw on his experiences to write an ominous novel about the dangers of an uncontrolled defense industry. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Willis “UpC.” Survivors: his sons, Jonathan, Kevin, Thomas, and Brennan; and 10 grandchildren.
Gordon Hilmer Addison, ’51 (communication), of Walnut Creek, Calif., September 17, at 95, of Parkinson’s disease. He was a member of the choir and the marching band, played tennis, and contributed to the Stanford Daily. He went on to work for several newspapers and was the publisher and owner of the Arlington Times in Riverside, Calif. He directed church choirs for 25 years and founded the Ashmolean Singers. He was predeceased by his wife, Cara. Survivors: his daughters, Jane Spies, Judi Paredes, Jill Rogers, Wendy Wilcox, and Sally Raty; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Ruth Bacon Vickery Brydon, ’52 (history), of Long Beach, Calif., May 31, at 93. After earning master’s degrees in history and school administration, she taught at Westwood High School for 22 years, helping fund and establish a vocational training program. She also taught at Lassen Community College, Mojave Community College, and Lake Havasu High School. She helped found the Lake Havasu History Museum and served as curator for more than two decades. Survivors: her children, Ken, Carol Koford, and Marilyn Belove, ’77; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Dent Norval Hand Jr., ’53 (political science), JD ’59, of Incline Village, Nev., June 23, at 92. He was a member of Kappa Alpha and the symphony orchestra, and he contributed to the Chaparral humor magazine. He served in the Army. He practiced law in Palo Alto and San Francisco, where he worked for the attorney general. He later co-founded an investment company, Capital Preservation Fund. He was a jazz musician. Survivors: his second wife, Sandra; daughters, Victoria, MA ’98, PhD ’03, and Erika; stepchildren, Jordan and Alen; two grandchildren; and sister.
Nancy Ann Johnson Sicotte, ’53 (social science & social thought), of Palo Alto, June 30, at 92. She played volleyball. An active member of her community, she served on her local PTA and Stanford Alumni Associations. She was an accomplished pianist and an avid bridge player, cherishing the biweekly bridge group (consisting primarily of Stanford alumnae) she played with for over 60 years. She loved family genealogy, needlepoint, quilting, cooking, music, and traveling. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Sheldon “Zeke,” ’52. Survivors: her sons, Steve, ’79, and Dan; five grandchildren; and brother.
Thomas Franklin Holt, ’54 (international relations), MBA ’58, of Moraga, Calif., April 26, at 91. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and enjoyed playing tennis. Survivors: his children, Sarah, Christopher, and Alexander; and six grandchildren.
Frank Joseph Oxarart Jr., ’54 (philosophy), of Discovery Bay, Calif., July 9, at 91. He worked in TV and radio broadcasting, serving as the general manager for stations including KYW News Radio in Philadelphia, KFWB All News in Los Angeles, and KCBS-AM in San Francisco. He transitioned KCBS to an all news format and crafted insightful editorials. He loved golf, traveling, and reading and writing poetry. He was predeceased by his daughter Carol. Survivors: his wife, Melody; children, Trey, Barbara, Scott, and Christina; stepson, David; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and brother.
Robert W. Medearis, ’54 (civil engineering), of Davis, Calif., September 16, at 92. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and played basketball. He served in the Navy. After graduating from Harvard Business School, he worked with real estate developer Lusk Corporation, helped form Builder’s Resources, and became a professional corporate director. He was a longtime adjunct faculty member at Stanford. He was predeceased by his wife, Helga (Biermer, ’54). Survivors: his children, Ken, MS ’89, Ilsi, and Dale; four grandchildren; and companion, Anne Corley.
Lois Jean Whetstone Abraham, ’55 (English), of San Francisco, August 9, at 90. She began her legal career in Arizona at Brown and Bain, and went on to become the state’s first female law partner. After opening the firm’s Palo Alto office, she litigated high-profile cases for tech giants like Apple. She was active in politics and philanthropy, and obtained her pilot’s license at 65. She retired at 82. Survivors: her children, Bill, ’81, Jane Abraham Worden, ’85, and Anne Paulsen; and seven grandchildren. Her husband, Richard, ’51, MS ’54, died on August 19.
Martin Bruce FitzGerald, ’55 (mechanical engineering), of Ventura, Calif., July 13, at 91, of complications from dementia. He was a member of Kappa Alpha. He was an aeronautical engineer at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, GE Tempo, and General Research Corp. He later focused on product design, production, packaging, and marketing for surgical implants, including refining the design for the Jackson-Pratt surgical drain. He loved cars, motorcycles, and a good zinfandel. Survivors: his ex-wives, Joan (Hadenfeldt, ’55) and Pat; daughters, Brooke Ashworth and Tracy; and two grandchildren.
Theodore Drake Frey, ’55 (economics), of Alameda, Calif., July 26, at 91, after a stroke. He served in the Navy. After graduating from Harvard Business School, he worked at Kordite Corp., Esso Chemical (including time in Belgium), and Crown Zellerbach (later James River Co.). He was an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s College for more than 20 years. His adventures included paragliding in Switzerland and bungee-jumping in New Zealand. He was predeceased by his daughter Laura. Survivors: his wife, Anne Spanier Frey; daughters Leslie van Veenendaal and Jennifer; stepchildren, Brian and Gwynne Lovas; and three grandchildren.
Thomas Frederick Sandoz Jr., ’55 (economics), MBA ’59, of Astoria, Ore., June 15, at 90. He was a member of Sigma Nu/Beta Chi. He was a first lieutenant in the Army. He moved to Hawaii in 1960 to be an executive trainee with Castle & Cooke and then Dole. He later worked in finance with Dean Witter, as a trust officer with Bank of Hawaii, and as the vice president of the personal trust department at First Hawaiian Bank. He spent much of his retirement trekking in New Zealand. Survivors: his children, Danika Sandoz-Wright and Tay; three grandsons; and sister.
John Richard Sill, ’55 (economics), of Minden, Nev., June 30, at 90. He was a member of Sigma Nu/Beta Chi. A naval aviator for 20 years, he flew reconnaissance missions during the Vietnam War and served as the commanding officer for VW-1 and VQ-1. He later earned an MBA from San Diego State University and worked in tax accounting and financial management at Diehl Evans and Co. He enjoyed sailing, scuba diving, and riding motorcycles. Survivors: his wife, Carole; daughters, Ruth Cochran and Stephanie; and grandson.
Alan Harry Johnson, ’56 (chemical engineering), MBA ’58, of Stockon, Calif., June 1, at 88, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. After a career in manufacturing, he worked in the wine industry and owned several small businesses. He loved supporting young entrepreneurs at SCORE, guiding schoolchildren at the Haggin Museum, and volunteering for the San Joaquin Historical Society. He was predeceased by his wife, Sally (Williams, ’56), and daughter Christine. Survivors: his children Steven, ’81, Jennifer Johnson Potier, ’84, Linda Gidre, and Thomas; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Joseph Gray Peatman, ’56 (undergraduate law), JD ’58, of Napa, Calif., August 15, at 90. He was a member of Sigma Chi. He served in the Army Reserve. He was managing partner at Dickenson, Peatman, and Fogarty, where he became an expert land use attorney, representing clients who shaped the growing Napa community. He and his wife were named Citizens of the Year by the Napa Chamber of Commerce, and he served as board chair of the Peter and Vernice Gasser Foundation, and. Survivors: his wife, Angela (Brovelli, ’57); children, Marily Peatman Lerner, ’80, JD ’84, Joe, and Bill, ’83; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Hayward Stewart “Stew” Robertson, ’56 (industrial engineering), of Lodi, Calif., July 18, at 90, of an age-related physical disability. He served in the Air Force Reserve. He served a mission to Australia for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He made his career in management engineering, primarily in hospitals. He loved local newspapers, NPR, woodworking, and jazz and classical music. He was predeceased by his wife, Myrna, and a grandson. Survivors: his children, Rebecca Robertson Cranmer, Jennifer, Douglas, and Randall; nine grandchildren; and two brothers.
Eric Campbell Brazil, ’57 (history), of Sacramento, Calif., August 12, at 90. He played water polo. As part of his 50-year journalism career, he worked at the Paso Robles Press, Ventura Star Free Press, and Salinas Californian, where he gained a reputation as a “reporter’s reporter” and valued mentor. He later joined Gannett News Bureau, including time at USA Today, and finished at the San Francisco Examiner and San Francisco Chronicle. Survivors: his wife of 67 years, Mary Jo (Elliot, ’57); children, Sally, ’80, and Dirk; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Franz, ’59.
Christopher L. Adams, ’58 (architecture), of Berkeley, August 11, 2023, at 86, of complications from an aortic dissection. He contributed to the Chaparral humor magazine. He served in the Army. He was a city planner and architect for over 60 years, working in Switzerland and Canada before becoming the director of long-range planning in the University of California Office of the President. He was the founding campus planner for UC Merced. He served on numerous Berkeley nonprofit boards, loved the natural world, and supported the performing arts. Survivors: his wife, Jane Humphrey; daughter, Caroline; and grandson.
Bernard Walter Burke, ’58 (economics), of San Francisco, May 24, at 88. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi. During his 63-year career in the securities industry, he was an institutional stockbroker and later worked with FundX Investment Group, where he retired at 80. A third-generation San Franciscan, he was active in local political affairs and an ardent fan of the SF Giants. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor (George, ’60). Survivors: his children, Leslie Dicke, Fred, ’81, and Wendy; four grandchildren, including Molly Dicke, ’18; and sister.
Carol Vivan Weber Medaris, ’58 (English), of Madison, Wis., February 29, at 87, of heart failure. She was a poverty lawyer and welfare expert. She adored her Ladies Lunch Bunch and was an avid canasta and “May I” player, a whiz at jacks, and an avid reader. She loved doing puzzles with and reading to her grandchildren. Her favorite outings took her to the American Players Theatre and the Wisconsin Film Festival. She was predeceased by her son, David. Survivors: her daughters, Louisa and Susan; four grandchildren; and two sisters.
Michael Winn Waterman Smith, ’58 (history), of Rossmoor and Orinda, Calif., July 25, at 87, of breast cancer. She worked as a secretary to the manager of Bank of America in Coronado and then with the oil and gas group with Stanford Research Institute. She later joined Bechtel and became the first secretary for BART. She loved tennis, gardening, and bird-watching. She belonged to the Orinda Country Club for 44 years. Survivors: her husband of 65 years, Kerry, ’57, LLB ’62; sons, Kevin, ’86, and Ian; and three grandsons.
Robert Frank Baker, ’59 (chemistry), of Pacific Palisades, Calif., February 24, 2023, at 86, of complications from COVID-19. He was a member of Sigma Nu/Beta Chi, contributed to the Stanford Daily, and participated in student drama. He was a professor of molecular biology at USC for 46 years, specializing in cancer biology, signal transduction and gene regulation, and structural biology. His other interests included the development of lithium batteries, theoretical physics, and quantum mechanics. Survivors: his wife, Mary; children, Allison and Steven; and two brothers, including Boyd, ’57.
Warren Thomas “Tom” Ireland, ’59 (biological sciences), of San Carlos, Calif., January 22, 2024, at 86, of multiple myeloma. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the boxing team. He served in the Navy. He worked in commercial and industrial real estate development in the early days of Silicon Valley. He loved the outdoors, teaching his kids to ski, and San Francisco sports teams. He was predeceased by his ex-wife, Sandra. Survivors: his second wife, Victoria; children, Tracey and Michael; two granddaughters; and brother, Jerry, MBA ’71.
Jay Anthony Precourt, ’59, MS ’60 (petroleum engineering), of Edwards, Colo., September 16, at 87. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi. With an MBA from Harvard, he moved to Switzerland to work at the International Institute for Management Development. He spent a decade in New York and London with Standard Oil and Exxon and served as president and/or CEO of Hamilton Oil Company, Tejas Gas Corporation, and ScissorTail Energy. As a philanthropist, he provided the lead gift for the Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford, which advances transformative research and engages energy sector stakeholders around the world. Survivors: his wife, Molly; children, Amanda, ’96, and Anthony; and three grandchildren.
1960s
Michael K. Copass II, ’60 (biological sciences), of Seattle, July 26, at 86. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He was a neurologist and an emergency medicine pioneer who founded the Seattle region’s first air medical transport service, Airlift Northwest, to ensure rural patients could receive care. The service has flown more than 100,000 patients since its founding. Survivors: his wife, Lucy (Ames, ’62); children, Cloantha, ’89, Michael III, ’91, and Catharine, ’94, MS ’95; four grandchildren; and sister, Nancy Copass Tiederman, ’62.
Gloria Kay Geisler Didion, ’61 (history), of Carmel, Calif., June 26, at 85. She earned a secondary teaching credential and taught high school history in Oakland before becoming a full-time mother and homemaker. She helped establish the docent program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and found the Discovery Shop in Pacific Grove for the American Cancer Society, and she loved playing tennis. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, James, and a grandson. Survivors: her children, Lori Hunt, Steve, and Kelley Didion Peters, ’85, MA ’86; and five grandchildren.
Joan Mendelson Sautter, ’61 (political science), of Pleasant Hill, Calif., May 2, at 84, of cancer. After earning a JD from UC Berkeley, she clerked for a justice of the California Court of Appeal in San Francisco. She later became a partner at Coffman & Sautter, specializing in trust and estate matters. She supported numerous organizations, including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. She was predeceased by her daughter Amy Sautter Sterling. Survivors: her daughter Elizabeth Sautter Savala; two grandsons; brother, Roger Mendelson, ’63; and social partner of 37 years, Joel Zebrack.
Richard Arthur Waswo, ’61 (English), of Geneva, August 1, at 84, after a fall. He enjoyed tennis, skiing, and music as an undergraduate. He earned a master’s and a PhD in English literature from Harvard and joined the faculty at the University of Virginia. He later became an English professor at the University of Geneva, where he worked from 1976 until his retirement in 2005. He was predeceased by his first wife, Anne (Lardner, ’61, MA ’64, PhD ’69). Survivors include his wife, Laurence Heger.
Donna Jean Reed Martin, ’62 (undeclared), of La Quinta, Calif., September 3, at 83. She started a school supply store to provide used books, uniforms, and other items at her children’s middle school and served as the assistant coach for her son’s Little League team. She was a lifelong tennis player, and her favorite charity was the Literary Society of the Desert. She was predeceased by her daughter Daryn Martin-Magee, a granddaughter, and a great-grandson. Survivors: her husband of 63 years, Doug, ’59; children, Dianne King, Dennis, and Devon; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brother, Rick Reed, ’68.
Donald Brion Norton, ’62 (physics), of Shoreline, Wash., July 3, at 84, after numerous health challenges. He was in the choir. He served a mission in Japan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After completing his MBA, he worked for 41 years in the systems automation and accounting fields, retiring from the University of Washington in 2016. Survivors: his wife of 52 years, Geneva; children, Alayne Barrett, Keri Norton Hills, ’97, Maren, ’99, Derek, Clark, and Leanne Caperton; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Leroy, ’64.
Allan Ronald Cameron, ’62 (geography), of Eugene, Ore., August 24, at 83. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He was a talented landscape architect who founded his own firm and shaped the natural beauty of many public spaces around Oregon. He inspired and mentored students at the University of Oregon, and loved fly-fishing, the outdoors, golf, and traveling. Survivors: his wife, Judy; daughters, Leslie Spencer, Amy Cameron Reller, MA ’94, and Sarah Westfall; and seven grandchildren, including Annie Reller, ’24, and Michael Reller, ’27.
Nancy Lynn Ruf Davidson, ’63 (communication), of Menlo Park, June 2, at 82, of a stroke. She was a stay-at-home mom until her children left for college. She loved and mastered all types of needlework. She enjoyed knitting best of all, and made gifts of her work to her sister and friends. She was well known in her family as an “A-one gift giver,” always bestowing the most wonderful and delightful presents. Survivors: her husband, Niel, ’59, MBA ’63; sons, James and Matthew; and sister.
Jeanne Fitzpatrick Glennon, ’63 (English), of San Francisco, July 27, at 83. She contributed to the Stanford Daily. After graduation, she was a photo editor at Time magazine in New York City. She earned master’s degrees in three subjects from San Francisco State, taught English at the University of San Francisco, and spent 10 years as a technical writer at Bank of America. She later worked as a paralegal at a family law firm, supporting children with appointed guardians. Survivors: her son, James; and three grandchildren.
Frederick Bruce Dodge, ’64 (political science), of Kentfield, Calif., in July, at 81. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He graduated from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor on the law review. As a partner at Morrison & Foerster, his work yielded a precedent-setting California Supreme Court decision that redefined the public trust doctrine and helped establish a mandate to protect Mono Lake, changing the legal landscape of water law. Survivors: his wife of 42 years, Wendy Wyse; children, Chris, Katie Stephens, and Andy; eight grandchildren; and sister, Barbara.
Kenneth William “Pete” Pettigrew, ’64 (biological sciences), of La Jolla, Calif., June 23, at 82. He was a member of Sigma Chi, played water polo, and was on the swimming team. He was a naval aviator for nearly 40 years, flew 325 combat missions, and completed 4,500 flight hours. An instructor pilot at the Top Gun school at Naval Air Space Miramar, he was later the technical adviser to the movie Top Gun. He was awarded a Silver Star for shooting down a North Vietnamese fighter jet, making him the only former Top Gun instructor with a confirmed air-to-air kill.
Alan Craig Skidgell, ’64 (psychology), of Hartford, Conn., May 30, at 82, of advanced COPD. He served in the Army Medical Corps and was a major in the Connecticut National Guard Army Reserves. After earning advanced degrees from the New School for Social Research and the University of Connecticut, he dedicated his career as a psychologist to advocating for the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities. He spoke seven languages and was a founder of the Napoleonic Historical Society. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Jackie McIlwain; and brother Timothy.
Sandra Carol Brown Langfitt, ’65 (biological sciences), of Encino, Calif., July 5, 2023, at 79, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. She was in the choir. She worked on a project for NASA, studying the cardiovascular effects of weightlessness and developing protocols to prepare astronauts for extended space flight. She earned an advanced degree in medical technology and held leadership positions at numerous hospitals and clinical laboratories. Survivors: her husband, John, ’64; daughters, Laurie Langfitt Stern, ’89, MBA ’94, and Merrill Langfitt Guerra, ’92; and four grandchildren, including Gabriella Guerra, ’19.
Shelby Haynes McIntyre, ’65 (industrial engineering), MBA ’73, PhD ’79 (business administration), of Santa Clara, Calif., May 23, 2023, at 81, of a stroke. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He worked at General Electric Corp. in the distribution transformer division as well as the advanced manufacturing, engineering, and marketing departments. He was a professor of marketing at Santa Clara University for 45 years. Survivors: his daughter, Kimberly Mcintyre-Walker; and three siblings, including Robert, ’58.
Michael Allan Moore, ’66 (history), MA ’72 (architecture), of Tangent, Ore., July 14, 2023, at 79, of pancreatic cancer. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta and played basketball. After training under Leonard Lincoln in Palo Alto, he went on to specialize in passive solar design. He taught architecture and urban planning across the country and especially enjoyed his time at UC Irvine and the Savannah College of Art and Design. He was predeceased by his wife, Denyse. Survivors include his daughter, Courtney, and brother.
Wayne Yet Hung Lum, ’69 (psychology), of Kaneohe, Hawaii, March 6, at 76. He practiced internal medicine at St. Francis Medical Center for 45 years. He was also the medical director of Kalihi Palama Walk-in Clinic, staff physician for the YMCA cardiac rehabilitation program, and internal medicine consultant for the state of Hawaii’s developmental division. He was a member of “Dancing Docs” for 30 years, bringing joy to patients and staff at local performances. Survivors include his siblings, Lynnette Hew, Bev Lum-Chow, Carlton, and Edward.
Richard William Pidduck III, ’69 (political science), of Santa Paula, Calif., July 3, at 76, of lymphoma. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He volunteered with the Peace Corps in India and then joined his brother at Kimball Toppers, an agricultural company founded by their grandfather. After leaving the company, he grew avocados and citrus on his ranch. He served on the boards of numerous organizations, including California Agricultural Leadership Foundation and Sunkist Growers. Survivors: his children, Megan Avery, William, and Nate; four grandsons; three siblings, including Kurt, ’65; and ex-wife, Gail.
1970s
Ronald Hall Rappaport, ’71 (history), of Chilmark, Mass., June 7, at 74. He left his position at a Boston law firm to join his wife in founding what is now Reynolds, Rappaport, Kaplan and Hackney, the largest law firm on Martha’s Vineyard. A municipal attorney for five of the island’s six towns, he fiercely guarded it against overdevelopment and successfully represented the Vineyard in several landmark decisions. Survivors: his wife, Jane Kaplan; daughter, Julia; two grandsons; and two siblings, including Alan, MBA ’78.
Natalie Ann Black Kohler, ’72 (economics), of Oostburg, Wis., September 10, at 74. She graduated from Marquette University Law School. During her 33-year career at Kohler, she served as general counsel, led corporate communications for the brand, and guided the company through global expansion. She and her husband were inducted into the Wisconsin Advertising Hall of Fame in 2019. Her philanthropic efforts included founding a nonprofit, Black Spring Foundation Inc., focused on literacy and education. She was predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Herbert. Survivors: her stepchildren, Laura, Rachel, and David; 10 step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and sister.
David Austin Rowe, ’72 (political science), of West Palm Beach, Fla., June 21, at 74, of heart disease. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and played soccer. He turned down an offer to play professional soccer in Texas and instead pursued a law degree in Florida. He practiced law in Palm Beach County for 47 years. He was a member of the Beach Club in Palm Beach and spent many happy afternoons there swimming laps and socializing. Survivors include his brothers, John, Terrence, and Donald.
Jennifer Lynn Lendl, ’73, MA ’75 (history), of San Jose, July 13, at 72, of heart failure. She was on the swimming team. She worked for the Santa Clara County Commission for the Status of Women and was a human relations specialist, an authority on youth suicide, a writer, and a speaker. She was a member of the state and county psychological trauma response committee and the government relations chair for the Santa Clara Psychological Association. Survivors include her sister, Julia Lendl-Celotto.
William Shepard Emes Jr., ’74 (English), of Benicia, Calif., December 2, 2021, at 69, of chronic kidney disease. Although he had to drop out of Stanford after developing bipolar disorder, he regained his stability thanks to a team of health professionals who helped him maintain his mental and physical health. He was a hardworking carpenter for over 40 years, a courageous man who fought against injustice, and a dedicated husband and father. Survivors: his wife of 45 years, Sharon; son, Matthew; and three siblings.
Martin Alvin Flannes, ’74 (economics), of Hailey, Idaho, July 8, at 72, after a brief illness. He was a member of Kappa Alpha and played tennis. After graduating from UCLA’s law school toward the top of his class, he joined the firm now called Paul Hastings. He was later recruited to serve as a member of the presidential transition team for Bill Clinton, working in the White House Office of Personnel and the Department of Justice. He loved sailing and cared deeply about the environment. Survivors include: his life partner, Tracy Simpson; and brother, Steven.
Robert Neal Taylor, ’75 (biological sciences), of Buffalo, N.Y., January 22, 2024, at 71. He was a member of Delta Upsilon, played lacrosse, and was on the ski team. He was a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at numerous universities. He published over 385 scientific papers and carried out pioneering work in the science and treatment of endometriosis and complications related to pregnancy. Survivors: his wife, Sarah Berga; first wife, Martha Miller Welch; sons, Christopher and Patrick; stepchildren, Alexis Sherman-Roe and Nathaniel Sherman; three step-grandchildren; and brother.
Dean Russell Morris, ’76 (psychology), of Vallejo, Calif., August 9, at 70, after a long illness. He played baseball. He earned a doctorate in public health from UCLA and worked as an administrator with the Department of Veterans Affairs for 32 years, helping to open two outpatient clinics, conduct seismic retrofitting studies on VA facilities, and secure funding for similar projects. He enjoyed time in his garden and watching Giants, 49ers, and Warriors games. Survivors: his wife of 23 years, Jane; sons, David and Jacob; and two siblings, including Marilyn Morris Chase, ’71.
John Joseph Stuppy II, ’77 (biological sciences), MA ’77 (education), of Los Angeles, March 3, at 68, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was in the marching band. With a tech-focused MBA from Kent College and a PhD in education policy analysis from UCLA, he created the first online tutoring system, earned 39 patents, and devoted his career to helping students learn. Survivors: his former wife, Peggy (Donahue, ’78); children, John, Thomas, Allison Stuppy Sullivan, ’11, and Melia Stern; nine grandchildren; and four siblings.
Dana Christian Lynge, ’78 (English), of Seattle, June 21, at 68, of high-altitude pulmonary edema. He was a member of Delta Upsilon and played soccer. He was a longtime associate professor of surgery at the University of Washington. During medical school, he worked in the Arctic North, serving the Inuit population. As a resident, he traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders, and worked in an ER in Ireland during “the troubles.” More recently, he helped initiate a program to teach general surgery residents about rural surgery and serve rural communities in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Survivors: his wife, Martha; children, Bjorn and Claire; and brother.
1980s
Charles Vincent Haugh, ’81 (economics), of La Quinta, Calif., July 15, at 64, after a cardiac event. He was a member of Sigma Chi. He earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a founding principal of Martin Haugh Financial, where his gentle personality and Ivy League smarts provided financial therapy to hundreds. He was an avid golfer whose consistency off the tee was a representation of how he lived life: not large in quantity but always high in quality. Survivors: his wife, Kathy; children, Brady, ’13, Kevin, ’18, and Rachael; and brothers, Dave, ’77, and Jess, ’73.
Kimberly Peck Morris Mahr, ’82 (geology), of Corvallis, Ore., June 4, 2023, at 62, of chordoma cancer. She participated in student drama. She earned a master’s degree in geology from UC Santa Barbara and then lived in China from 1985-2018, including three years teaching English in Inner Mongolia with the English Language Institute/China (ELIC). She married a fellow ELIC teacher, and they spent a decade in Tibet and Sichuan, with shorter stints in Beijing and Changchun. Survivors: her husband of 30 years, Paul; daughters, Corrie and Janie; parents, Gretchen (Reynolds, ’59) and John Morris, ’58; and sister.
John William Middendorf IV, ’82 (mechanical engineering), of Tasmania, Australia, June 21, at 64, of a stroke. He designed and manufactured rock-climbing equipment for two companies he founded, first A5 Adventures Inc. and later D4. After getting caught in a life-threatening storm climbing Half Dome, he invented an all-weather portaledge, which revolutionized big-wall climbing. He taught math and science in Tasmania and worked as a Grand Canyon river guide. He also wrote several books on rock climbing. Survivors: his wife, Jeni; children, Rowan and Remi; father, John; and two siblings.
Frank Wei-Hong Chen, ’85 (economics), of San Marino, Calif., July 18, at 60. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and was in the student government. A graduate of UCLA School of Law, he practiced for 30 years and then joined the Los Angeles Superior Court as a commissioner in 2018. A leader of the Asian American community, he served as president of the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association and the Taiwanese American Lawyers Association. He was also an accomplished salsa dancer and loved to make chef-quality dinners for his family. Survivors include his wife, Chun-Yen; and children, Nathaniel and Natalina.
2000s
Jessica Alana Sánchez, ’08 (human biology), of Manhattan Beach, Calif., June 24, at 38, of cancer. She earned a law degree from Boston University and worked for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles, championing social justice and advocating for migrants and refugees. While her calling was service, her passion was family. She was the heart and soul of family celebrations, holidays, and travel experiences. Survivors: her husband, Rolando Manzo, ’09; daughter, Leila Manzo; parents, Estela Mora and Jose Luis; and sister.
Business
Robert L. Katz, MBA ’48, of Portola Valley, Calif., June 30, at 98. He served in the Navy during World War II. He taught in the business schools of Harvard, Dartmouth, and Stanford, and he authored several business textbooks. He led the organizing committee to incorporate the town of Portola Valley to protect it against unchecked growth. He served as president and CEO of US Natural Resources Inc., led numerous conservation efforts in Yosemite Valley, and was involved with many environmental organizations. He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Susan. Survivors: his sons, Andrew, Peter, and Jeffrey; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Robert William Davis Jr., MBA ’56, of Bethesda, Md., February 2, at 92, of a pulmonary embolism. He was a first lieutenant in the Army. He worked at Minneapolis Honeywell and Bechtel Corp. before joining Ford Motor Company’s aerospace division, Aeronutronic. He later worked with Congress on behalf of Ford’s legislative affairs office. He enjoyed hunting and boating and carving decorative decoys. Survivors: his wife of 67 years, Annette (Dyer, ’55, MA ’56); children, Deborah Davis Lindsley, Robert, Todd, and Brett; seven grandchildren; and great-grandchild.
Richard Francis Okada, Gr. ’64 (business administration), of Oxnard, Calif., August 13, 2023, at 91, of cancer. He was a first lieutenant in the Army. At Stanford, he was a National Institute of Public Affairs Fellow. For 31 years, he worked in engineering and executive management at the Naval Ship Weapons Systems Engineering Station in Port Hueneme, Calif. He taught management at the University of La Verne and was an adjunct professor at California Polytechnic State University. He was an enrolled agent with the IRS, a certified financial planner, and a California real estate broker. Survivors include his nephews and nieces and their families.
Richard Judd Hanna, MBA ’72, of Mill Creek, Calif., August 10, at 83, during the Park Fire. A lieutenant commander in the Navy, he flew fighter jets and rescue helicopters during two tours in Vietnam. He worked primarily in real estate development, served on the California Fish and Game Commission, and was a founding member of the California Wildlife Officers Foundation. He lived on a ranch that had been in his family for 100 years, and loved being a rice farmer and resource manager for Aloha Farms for over 30 years. Survivors: his wife, Kerry Burke; sons, Joss and Mark; and four grandchildren.
William G. “Sandy” Larsen Jr., MBA ’72, of Sonoma, Calif., June 12, at 79. He was a bombardier/navigator in the Marine Corps and flew A-6s in Vietnam. After working at Price Waterhouse and Bank of America, he developed a start-up that hired executives in advertising and marketing. He later sold the business and was able to retire to his beloved Sonoma home. There, over 20 years, he joined monthly “Bill and Dave” hikes with up to 100 followers from the Bay Area who shared his passion for the mountains and exploring Northern California. Survivors include his siblings, Kay and Bob.
Education
Barbara Haring Rambo, MA ’60, of Salinas, Calif., March 5, at 102, of a heart attack. Survivors include her daughter, Barbara White.
Sallyanne O’Brien Davalos, MA ’61, of San Francisco, August 6, at 85. During her 33-year career in the San Francisco Unified School District, she taught students from second grade through high school. She was later a lecturer and teaching practicum adviser at San Francisco State. A lifelong learner, she proudly read the Wall Street Journal and San Francisco Chronicle every day. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Gerald. Survivors: her children, Linda Yelland, Stephen, and Leslie Davalos Bergholt; seven grandchildren; and brother, William O’Brien, ’57.
Patricia Evans Swanson, MA ’93 (sociology), MA ’93, PhD ’93 (education), of Paicines, Calif., March 2, at 65. After four years as a professor of teacher education at Stanislaus State, she spent 27 years at San José State, where she taught social studies and math methods and served as chair of the teacher education department. She was a beloved and respected professional whose passions included backpacking, horseback riding, and baking. Survivors: her husband of 30 years, David Reikowski, PhD ’94; children, Elizabeth, Matthew, and Peter; and sister.
Engineering
Edward McClung Thompson Jones, MS ’48, PhD ’50 (electrical engineering), of Los Altos, March 5, at 99. He served in the Navy. After researching passive microwave devices at SRI, he co-founded TRG-West and later TCI International, companies that designed and manufactured antennas. After retiring from TCI as chairman of the board, he enjoyed golfing in Los Altos and skiing and hiking at Lake Tahoe. He was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara Bjornstrom, ’49; and second wife, Elfrieda Bender, MA ’69. Survivors: his children, Alan, MD ’76, Ronald, and Ruth, PhD ’82; and stepdaughters, Evelyn, Doreen, and Lorna Bender.
Robert Roy Maxfield, MS ’66, PhD ’69 (electrical engineering), of Buchanan Dam, Texas, August 13, at 82. He co-founded ROLM Corporation, building rugged computers for military applications. After the company was acquired by IBM, he worked briefly in venture capital, then became a mentor and investor in the start-up space. He authored publications on economics and adaptive systems and was a three-decade board member of the Santa Fe Institute. He was predeceased by his daughter Mary Jane. Survivors: his wife of 34 years, Kathie; daughter Melinda; two granddaughters; and two siblings.
Humanities and Sciences
Warren Thomas Sommer, MS ’58, PhD ’65 (physics), of Milwaukee, Wis., June 14, at 89. He was a first lieutenant in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was a faculty member in the physics department at Wayne State University in Detroit. He later worked as a product developer on his solar energy patents. He will be remembered for his sharp mind, great smile, and kind heart, and for chasing his dream of inventing. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Cynthia.
Theodore Merrill Vestal, MA ’58, PhD ’62 (political science), of Tulsa, Okla., June 7, 2023, at 89. He served in the Army Reserve and attended Yale Law School. He moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was associate director of the Peace Corps and worked tirelessly on asylum and amnesty cases. He was later resident director of the Educational Resources Center in New Delhi, and a professor of political science at Oklahoma State University. His wife of 66 years, Patricia, died in December 2023. Survivors: his children, Suzanne D’Corsey, Theodore, and Charles; and three grandchildren.
Allen Eric Bergin, PhD ’61 (psychology), of St. George, Utah, February 15, at 89, after a fall/stroke. He was a clinical psychologist known for his research on integrating psychotherapy and spirituality. He earned the 1989 American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Knowledge. He was predeceased by his sons Daniel and Michael. He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Survivors: his wife of 68 years, Marian; children, David, EdS ’86, PhD ’87, Marian Sue, Cyndy Bennett, Kathleen Cook, Eric, Benjamin, and Patrick; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and sister.
Helmut Franz Pfanner, MA ’61, PhD ’65 (German studies), of Lochau, Austria, March 30, 2023, at 89. His research focused on German-speaking authors who fled the third reich during World War II, especially Oskar Maria Graf. Among the many faculty positions he held, he served as chair of the department of Germanic and Slavic languages at Vanderbilt. He published a dozen books, 120 articles, and more than 100 reviews. Survivors include his children, Renate Otto, Heidi Kathrein, Eric, Marta Pfanner Bredehoeft, Franz, ’22, and Maximilian.
James Dineen Burden, MA ’63 (international relations), of Vero Beach, Fla., August 1, 2023, at 94. A Navy captain and Legion of Merit recipient, he flew 154 combat missions as a fighter and attack pilot in Korea and Vietnam. After retiring from the military, he joined an aerospace company and worked on search and fire control radars. He was predeceased by his first wife, Jean. Survivors: his wife of 25 years, Laura; children, James, Kerry Rice, Kathleen, and Leslie Askew; stepson, Alex Clark; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sister.
Joseph E. Kiskis Jr., MS ’71, PhD ’75 (physics), of Davis, Calif., July 31, at 76, of a heart attack. He was a professor emeritus of physics at UC Davis, where he spent more than four decades. He studied theoretical high energy physics and made significant contributions to the bag model of quark confinement. A passionate advocate for faculty rights and shared governance, he was awarded the Charles P. Nash Prize in 2012. He was a great outdoorsman who spent weeks every year solo hiking and camping in the High Sierra. Survivors: his wife, Diana Vodrey; two stepchildren; and brother.
Leda Wolodin Zuckerman, MA ’72 (French), of Paris, June 24. A French literature major at Mount Holyoke College, she joined the Peace Corps and taught the language to college students in Chile. After moving to Paris with her husband in 1972, she enrolled at Université Dauphine to study interpretation in English, French, and Spanish. She spent 40 years traveling the world as a conference interpreter, at one point serving as the interpreter for French president Jacques Chirac. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Daniel Lebidois, MS ’70.
Aileen James Traeger, DMA ’81 (musical arts), of Grass Valley, Calif., June 6, at 86, of dementia. She was an educator, a lifelong supporter of the arts, and a concert pianist who performed around the world. She held teaching positions at Pacific Union College, Stanford University, and Santa Clara University before spending more than a decade as the artistic director for the American Pianists Association. She was predeceased by her husband, Don. Survivors: her children Tom Eiseman, Tamara Eiseman, and Terese Telloni; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Law
William Hartley Owen, JD ’58, of San Francisco, August 2, at 92. He rowed crew at UC Berkeley and served in the Air Force. He co-founded Owen, Melbye & Rohlff in Redwood City. He loved family, friends, aviation, and Cal football. When not preparing for a trial, he could be found at Lake Tahoe teaching friends to ski or playing golf with his family in Woodside or Palm Desert. Survivors: his wife of 48 years, Trish; sons, Jeff and Tom; and two granddaughters.
Richard S. Levenberg, JD ’62, of San Francisco, July 7, at 87. He was on the Stanford Law Review. His career spanned roles at large corporations, including Great Western United, Shakey’s Pizza, and Arby’s, the state of California, and American Supply Co., a family-owned business. He was president of his local rotary club, volunteered at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, and loved sports, jazz, reading, and Shabbat dinners. Survivors: his wife of 57 years, Pat; children, Josh, Mandy, and Wrenn, ’99; and eight grandchildren.
Medicine
Robert Mervyn Cody, MD ’57, of Burlingame, Calif., June 26, at 93. A fellow of the American College of Cardiology, he worked in private practice and was a clinical professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford. Among many leadership roles, he was president of the California Heart Association and chief of medicine and chief of staff at Mills Memorial Hospital. He was the
Stanford Medical Alumni Association president. He enjoyed skiing, boating, and a good one-liner. Survivors: his wife of 70 years, Gretchen; children, Jim, Beth, Greg, Margaret, Richard, and Carolyn; 13 grandchildren; and great-granddaughter.
Devra Joy Cohen Marcus, MD ’66, of Washington, D.C., August 27, at 83, following a short illness. She worked in low-income city clinics, bartering medical care for art and completing medical exams to support asylum applications. Later she ran a private practice from 1974-2004. Once retired, she became a serious student of art. She opened her homes to guests, including refugees from China and Ethiopia, students, and artists of all types, asking only that they participate in the lively dinnertime discussions. Survivors: her children, Naomi Horowitz, Rachel, ’89, MD ’94, and Adam; nine grandchildren; and brother.
