Class Notes & Obituaries

CLASS NOTES

1955

Joyce Hutchinson Craft

Hi fellow Earlhamites! Please stay connected to me and my journey. Sincerely, Joyce Hutchinson Craft

1956

Robert L Jones

Four great years at Earlham College was a time I found enriching as a person. Today in 2021, I find those four years turning into memories of many friends who have passed on. Yes, it is all part of life. At 86 and looking back, Earlham was the best place to be, to grow and to find the boldness to speak out on current issues of today. It was at Earlham I learned to accept others and to cherish their presence regardless of their status. Be safe—this too shall pass!

1958

Harriet (Nikki) Kurtz Nock

I would love to hear from some of the girls I ran around with: Liz Garner, Carol Mills, Peggy Thomas. There are more, but this old brain cannot remember. Tom and I are fine. Living in a continuing care facility. We were traveling and having lots of adventures and then COVID hit. It stopped us dead in our tracks. We now have our two COVID shots so things may soon get back to normal. We have two children, two grandchildren and one great-grandson.

1961

Leonard Tatko

Living happily in Placida, Florida. Fishing, boating, birding. New hobby: photography. Love nature photos.

Mary Birenbaum

Georges `63 and I are still going strong in Portland, Oregon. This past year certainly put a damper on our usual travel, including Georges’ frequent volunteer surgical trips to Central and South America. We lost both friends and family to COVID and hope we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Being homebound has provided new opportunities to volunteer. My current job is observing eviction trials in Lexington, Kentucky, via Zoom. Information I collect gets passed on to agencies offering housing aid. Unfortunately, court begins at 6:30 a.m. Oregon time. The good news is that the Class of 1961 is celebrating its 60th reunion! We’re sending our love and wishes for good health to all.

1963

Beverly Barker Carter

After graduating from Earlham, I married Frederick (Mike) Carter ‘64 (December), and we have three children. I attended Duke University (M.A.T.) and taught high school social studies in North Carolina, Florida and Hawaii. After our family moved to California, I earned a Ph.D. in Educational Policy at Stanford University, directed the Stanford Teacher Education Program and founded the Secondary Teacher Education Program at the newly established Cal State University Monterey. Now retired, I live in Larkspur, California.

1965

Paul Harmon

I still write a column each month for my website. I am finishing up an article on Expert Systems Businesses for an IEEE book that will survey the history of the Expert Systems movement in the 80s-90s, and I am doing some online interviews about my career in Human Performance Improvement, Expert Systems, and Business Process Management. My book, Business Process Change, is still selling well. Meanwhile, the thing that excites me the most, at the moment, is birdwatching, and I get up early 2-3 mornings a week to go to a local park to check out the birds and report them to eBird. Las Vegas has not had people to report on local birds in the past and is often a blank on species maps, but we are trying to remedy that. I’m impressed that Cornell is using AI to make Merlin an amazingly accurate bird identification system, using minimal inputs.

Allan Lohaus

My Earlham experience continues to nurture my life during this 78th year. With gratitude, I reflect on the principled and talented faculty and students who guided my journey to adulthood and becoming a life-long learner. While not on campus, I treasure EC’s mission to ‘do good’ as I support EC, The Navaho Water Project and Kittamaqundi Community—a spiritual home. As I seek a greater understanding of human nature and the divine, I also make hardwood sawdust and functional creations. Looking forward to our reunion and seeing many of you.

1966

Elizabeth Grabbe Iversen

The Washington Post on March 2, 2021, has a great article about our classmate Sybil Jordan Hampton.

1967

Larry C. Walker

In October, the “Apostles” held a Zoom reunion, and it was a wide-ranging gabfest that everyone enjoyed. In virtual attendance were Jon Brush, Bob Mimura, Lany Walker, Greg Masterson, Don Ethier, Bill Marshak, Hoyt Poole, Doug Pope, and Richard and Sandy Nakamura. Everyone was able to tell what they personally have been up to recently, how the pandemic has changed their lives, recent activities and interests, life in retirement, enjoying being a grandparent with difficulties in visitations, changes at Earlham, contacts with other classmates, Earlham’s present financial situation, some current events, and a little bit on things that had happened in the intervening decades since graduation. A very good time was had by all. The reunion ended with all showing strong interest in a 55th reunion of the Class of 1967.

1968

Jeffrey R. Fuhr

My wife Barbara and I have basically done nothing since the middle of March 2020. We have also been unable to get a COVID vaccination thus far. We have registered on about 10 different vaccination websites in Montgomery County, Maryland but have not yet heard a thing. When the virus ends, we will get back to our hobbies of square dancing, guitar playing, gardening and traveling with our friends. Looking forward to it! We also hope to make the 55th Earlham reunion!

Robin W. Sible

I would welcome any news from either the class of 1968 or 1969. I’m especially looking for information on the students who went to England with Paul Lacey in 1967.

1969

Steven Schafer

We finally got around to downsizing and moving to a new home in a small planned community. I am still working and taking on a few projects but not so many that they interfere with enjoying our new grandson and wonderful family. Patti is busy with committees and friends in our community. I hope all my classmates are well and have made it through this terrible pandemic.

1970

Susan Brady Hunter

After 45 years as a drafter and then a civil engineering/GIS technician in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I finally fully retired. At last I can draw and paint for myself again. I specialize in birds and landscapes, and my favorite medium is watercolor pencil. I go birding just about every day and have started prepping my garden for spring. I am still in touch with most of the members of the Greek Foreign Study of 1969. Once, when asked what a philosophy major was doing working in an engineering office by a skeptical supervisor, my reply was, “I can read and write.”

1971

Steven Taylor Pierce

I currently live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and spend my time painting watercolors. My paintings may be viewed on my Facebook page.

1974

John Albert Shiffert, Jr.

After 40+ years of “doing” communications, I have finally realized I should have been teaching communications all along. Following retirement after 20 years as the director of University Relations at Clayton State University outside of Atlanta, I returned home to the Philadelphia area in 2015 and, in 2017, became an adjunct faculty member of the Department of Communication at Drexel University. Outside of teaching technical communications, business communications and public relations writing, I am working on a book (this will be my fifth) about the 1970-71 Earlham men’s basketball team.

Victor Odlivak

I and Dan Smith (roommate for my sophomore year), in celebration of our 50th year of friendship, went on a weeklong bike trip along the rail trails in Northern Michigan ending with 3 days at Mackinac Island where no automobiles are allowed since 1898. I took an e-bike because I had injured my hamstring and had a wonderful time. The trails were gorgeous and the countryside. I had never been to Michigan before. We even found a wonderful Jamaican restaurant on the island where we ate every day.

David Hyde

Susan and I are expecting our second grandchild and first granddaughter this year (9/21). All of our children live in different states. Ed Hyde `06 is a nurse at Cincinnati Children’s. James, his wife Kaitlyn, and their son Oliver live in Annapolis. Mary, her husband Peter, and soon their daughter Fiona, live in Los Angeles. Laura lives in Philadelphia. I am still working. I have been on the COVID-19 front line (in the emergency department) for over a year now. However, it wasn’t until this month (April) that I had to intubate a patient with an active COVID infection.

John Fitzgerald

Christine and I moved to a beautiful spot on the Bagaduce River near Penobscot Bay, Maine, in May of 2019. In the fall of 2018, two election integrity experts and I helped Rep. Raskins’ staff draft H.R. 1 and suggested he ask Pelosi for that number in the next session. In the past few months, I have been working with Methane Action, a new NGO working with scientists on safe methods of removing methane and other pollutants and getting policies in place to ensure their proper use globally. Christine now has two grandsons age 3 and younger in Switzerland, and I have three in California. I have met only the eldest but hope to correct that soon. Daughter Flannery Fitzgerald has earned her master’s in the Human Rights of Climate Refugees and works in the global center at University College Dublin. Christine is restoring native plants to our garden and meadow while I help some there and in trail maintenance on our 18 acres of forest. Canoeing starts soon as we put the removable dock back in. Eagles, osprey, phoebes, otters, foxes, bobcats and of course, deer, are frequent visitors. Looking forward to seeing EC and all of you again.

Christopher Blasdel

A few years back I moved to Honolulu, Hawai’i, from Tokyo, where I had lived for about 45 years. I teach Japanese music part-time at the University of Hawai’i, Mānoa and continue performing and teaching the shakuhachi (Japanese traditional bamboo flute) around the world (obviously not traveling so much during the pandemic, though). About 20 years ago, I wrote a non-fiction biographical account of my life in Japan as a non-Japanese who worked his way up in the rigid hierarchy of traditional Japanese music. I also made observations and commented on the music education system in Japan. I wrote the original in Japanese, then translated it into English where it was published under the title, The Single Tone–A Personal Journey into Shakuhachi Music. Although the book has been out of print for some time, I recently put it on Kindle as an E-book. There are a few Earlham Alumni already living in Hawai’i, but if anyone travels here please let me know. It would be good to meet up!

1975

Rita Detweiler

After graduating from Earlham College, I went on to have a very satisfying career in the field of Education. My work included bilingual education in Colombia, South America and Boston. After pursuing advanced graduate degrees, I then worked as a school psychologist, an elementary school principal and a director of special education. I am now retired and enjoying more time with my husband, our three children and three grandchildren. I would love to hear from old classmates. 

Mark Ward

Mark Ward is retiring in June 2021 after 17 years as lead minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, North Carolina, looking forward to enjoying the mountains. He entered the ministry in 2004 after a 25-year career in newspaper journalism.

Annie Kiermaier

On March 15, 2020, my work as the international trainer for the Theraplay Institute came to an abrupt halt as my wife Lucie Bauer and I evacuated from Edinburgh, Scotland to our home in Maine just before EU flights were closed to the US. My plans for a gradual entry into retirement became a very abrupt change from being abroad half the year to being home, gardening, hiking and raising two adorable cockapoo puppies. Now that Lucie and I are vaccinated, we are hopeful for the coming year including some modest travel plans. Please come visit us in Maine!

Barbara Monahan

I retired in January 2020 after 7 years as head of development for the Friends Committee on National Legislation. A year later than anticipated (due to the COVID epidemic), I have given up my apartment, put my belongings into storage and plan to travel—domestic travel to see friends and family in 2021 and, if I’m lucky, international travel in 2022. I have no idea how long I’ll be able to afford or wish to sustain this itinerant lifestyle, but I’m just going to go for it. No firm plans yet to settle here or there. I would love to hear from classmates and can be reached at [email protected].

Sam Lebold

Greetings to all classmates and fellow Earlhamites. Jean and I are still in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, on the east side of Columbus, where we’ve lived for the past many years. We have three kids and five grandkids (so far). I retired in 2018 after nearly 41 years at Nationwide Insurance and have been enjoying the life of “every day is Saturday.” Since this past September, I’ve been spending most of my time in either Chapel Hill or Norfolk, helping manage our grandkids in remote school at home (1st, 3rd and 4th grades) while their parents continue working full time. An upside of the pandemic has been this chance to spend so much one-on-one time with the grandkids. Last fall I very much enjoyed seeing so many classmates at our online reunion. I hope before long we can gather on campus again, but maybe we can continue occasionally meeting online, since it was easy, with no travel, and allowed so many to participate from so many locations.

Randall Wisehart

Some of you knew my mom, Bernice Wisehart, who worked in the alumni development office for many years. She passed away peacefully on Jan. 7 but lived a very long and full life. In other news, my next book, another historical fiction novel—this one about the history of the Richmond area—has been delayed due to the pandemic but is now scheduled to be published by the Indiana Historical Society in 2022. I am still working a little with the Earlham Graduate Programs in Education but am enjoying easing into retirement.

Katherine Cole

I start all my notes to those I have not heard from recently with the recognition that we have all had our lives disrupted in some unanticipated way over the last year and that many of us are grieving. But with all, I want to share my gratitude for my Earlham community who participated in our Class of 1975 virtual reunion and generously donated money to endow a class scholarship, and to the professors who shared their time with us. This week, the class of 1975 had a significant presence at Earlham Day 2021, and I am grateful for that, too. Every month I get to read a book and talk about it with four Earlham classmates—who all started out as neighbors, but because we have learned how to Zoom, we are able to keep our little book club going despite the fact that two have relocated to Florida and South Carolina. Because of Earlham, I am a Quaker, and my meeting, Herndon Friends, has continued to worship via Zoom and now hybrid meetings with some who are vaccinated participating at our meetinghouse. I have reactivated my medical license to be able to become a volunteer vaccinator for the Fairfax County Medical Reserve Corp. I had no idea how much I would benefit from this work. My husband Terence is retiring this summer, my children and their spouses and grandchildren are thriving and we have dreams of traveling in 2022.

Melissa Graf-Evans

Jon and I have been splitting our time between our barnhouse in Gradyville, Pennsylvania (close to Westtown School, where I worked until June 2020) and Crossville, Tennessee, where we are fixing up a stone house and overseeing a variety of projects on the farm where Jon grew up. While the pandemic has put an end (for now) to the two-week trips we had been leading annually to Israel and Palestine to help people better understand the region, we look forward to our next trip there, whenever it can happen. In the meantime, I have been having a great time organizing and reviewing the detailed letters I wrote during our three years in Burkina Faso in the ’80s and our five years in Jerusalem in the ’90s, grateful to have such vivid accounts of our lives during those years.

1976

Martha C. Frost

I am living with my husband Rich Cruz in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania (28 years). After receiving an M.S.W. from University of Pennsylvania in 1981, I did hospital, geriatric and hospice social work in Pennsylvania and Delaware. I retired in December 2019 and had knee surgery just before the COVID shut down in March. We had enjoyed traveling to Europe, Asia and South America (last international trip was Costa Rica in January 2020), and we look forward to traveling again. In the meantime, I am gardening, birdwatching and hiking locally (exploring the Mason Dixon and Horseshoe Trails as well as the many wonderful gardens in the Philadelphia area). Rich continues to work as a psychiatrist/psychoanalyst. Our daughter Laura, who lives in Elverson, Pennsylvania, works as Garden Manager for Natural Lands at Stoneleigh Natural Garden in Villanova. Needless to say, the past year has been challenging. I feel fortunate that I am well and able to enjoy the natural world outside my door.

Tom Noji

Happy to report that Terry Gariety, Peter White and I are still silly enough to get out the guitars and play music together. If you know these names, then you also know how much fun we are having. Our lasting friendship is one of those less tangibles that Earlham made possible.

Rick Burian

Hello, Class of 1976! This is our 45th reunion year. Though the college has again canceled on-campus homecoming events, we are planning a fun weekend of reminiscing and presentations with social gatherings on Oct. 1-3. Lots more details to follow. We have set up a Class of 1976 45th reunion fund to support current and future students. It will be a spend-down account administered by the dean of student life and used where the need is greatest. On Earlham Day in April, we had a great response to my requests with 62 classmates contributing at least $50, which allowed a most generous challenge grant by fellow alum Karen Crossen and her husband Jeff May (1975) which jump-started the fund with over $30,000. Please join us in honoring our class by making a donation to this fund at any time. Please consider updating the information that you have with the College via the alumni section. Only half of us have email addresses listed. Spread the word to those with whom you remain in contact, yet who may not have a listed email. Most of us indicate that we are still working full-time, yet I am pretty sure that several of us are now retired or part-time. Do you have any photographs from our time at Earlham? We plan to do a slide show as part of our virtual reunion, so could use more photos. Please contact me if you can help. Looking forward to connecting in the fall!

1977

Lisa Margaret Smith

On Sept. 30, 2020, Lisa Margaret Smith retired from her position as a United States magistrate judge for the Southern District of New York, a position she held for 25 years, 6 months and 10 days. Retirement celebrations were truncated, with an excellent presentation by the court via Zoom; other celebrations will await opportunities to commune together safely. It is expected that Judge Smith’s portrait, donated by her chambers staff, will be hung in the spring or summer in the Charles L. Brieant, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse in White Plains, New York, where Judge Smith sat as a magistrate judge.

1978

Jean Sheridan

Last March I retired from a pizzeria job I had for 26 years. Being on disability, I write a lot and that assures days fly by…. It is hard to imagine how a German major ever led me where I am now. Any classmates in the Chicago area are welcome to email me at [email protected].

Nancy Otis Chamness, Ph.D.

I am currently living in Holland, Michigan, with my husband, David Chamness, who is a pediatrician. Our son, Dan, is 27, living in Seattle, working for Amazon and enjoying skiing and camping in the Pacific Northwest. I taught German, humanities and comparative literature at Hope College and other area colleges for 30 years, drawing on my liberal arts experience at Earlham and graduate education at Indiana University and in Freiburg, Germany. Teaching, mentoring college-age students, music (oboe, piano, also voice now) and horses remain my passions, as ever. I just returned to riding at Renew Therapeutic Riding Center after some injuries, helped along by wonderful instructors and gentle, understanding horses. Some passions run deep… I still draw on my experience at Earlham in many ways, from academic to spiritual, and in my interactions with people. I would like to hear from anyone who may want to talk or pick up an old friendship. It still feels like yesterday. If you are in the area, please call. We enjoy the natural beauty of West Michigan’s forests and parks and the dunes of Lake Michigan year-round with our golden retriever, Teddy, and would be happy to show you the area.

1979

Julie Saeger Nierenberg

I continue to work in the field of writing and editing, mostly curating content and publishing books centered on themes of death, dying and the end of life (EOL). I do this to further the conversation and comfort around EOL issues and to advocate for those who are dying or living in a stage of grief and bereavement. I have lived in Toronto, Ontario, since 2006 and am now a dual citizen. It’s been three years since my husband Earl died, and I’ve chosen to stay in Toronto for the time being. COVID has made travel to the USA to be with my daughters and other family members an impossibility for now. I look forward to having that freedom again soon. Best wishes to all my Earlham pals. May you be well during these challenging times.

1980

Timothy Curtis

Hi. I don’t remember when I last made any report, but I am living in the Quaker-founded community of Monteverde, in the mountains of Costa Rica. I just passed my 40th anniversary of having first come here, although I and my Monteverde-born wife, Helena Guindon, spent 13 of the intervening years back on my home farm in Pennsylvania, as well as our first year of marriage (1984-85) in Honduras. For the last three years, I have been director of the Monteverde Community Fund, which promotes community philanthropy and supports sustainability initiatives in the local area. Our two sons, Silvio and Tulio, graduated from Grinnell College in 2012 and 2014. Silvio lives in Los Angeles and studies classics at UCLA, and Tulio came for a visit a year ago and is still waiting out the pandemic and tutoring math online. Journey’s End Farm Camp, to which I devoted much of my life from age 3 until 2016, sadly decided to close this spring, after being founded by my grandparents over 80 years ago. It was dedicated to providing a family environment on a small farm in the midst of nature, learning to live simply, creatively and kindly with each other, with the farm animals and with nature. The fourth generation of leadership, my nephew Andy (son of Carl Curtis ’75) and his wife felt led to focus more specifically on farming and will continue doing so in the same spirit. I am an alumnus of Miller Farm, which is what kept me at Earlham for 4 years after EC discontinued its teacher education program during my first year.

Tina Santoni

Thoughts on my first year of retirement. Would love to hear others. Earlier in my life, I couldn’t imagine wanting to retire … but one year ago I retired from 35 years of full-time work as a family nurse practitioner, 40 years altogether having worked as a nurse. My professional life had been deeply fulfilling, felt important, was interesting and challenged me, but I was so ready to retire … depleted, somewhat jaded, worn out, tired of pushing the system and crispy on the edges. I was desperate to be restored and looked forward to traveling to remote places (my balm) and to have more time for people in my life (including a grandson) and creative explorations/expressions. However, the world changed just as I retired. Refueling myself was going to look different than I had planned. Due to the pandemic, we have all had to stay close to home. My trips were canceled and retirement celebrations put on hold. After making hundreds of masks … I paused and in that time of deep breathing that followed, I realized I had a “back burner” that was full to overflowing with pushed aside things and loved ones’ wishes waiting for my time and attention. It is to that back burner that I have focused much of my time on over the past 12 months. I have sifted through our home’s contents, starting with closets, drawers and the attic. I have reread meaningful papers collected over a lifetime (some from Earlham times and loves/I think I had kept every paper I ever wrote), feeling all those old experiences, sitting a bit with them and either passing them on or giving them up to the fireplace. I have corresponded with old friends and reconnected with special people in my life.

I have looked through a lifetime in pictures and tossed many … just keeping the most precious ones. I have traveled back among many memories, “remembering.” I have thrown out and Good Willed bounteous amounts of things that once felt important to hold onto. I have gifted liberally to friends, relatives and neighbors. Once begun, the practice of going through belongings and getting rid of things abundantly has felt great and lightness has taken its place.  (My husband became a bit nervous at one point as I had been someone who held on to many things for their sentimental value. “Are you going to give everything away?”) It turns out that in having less, I can let go of holding on, and that the things we do choose to keep have current meaning or use. It is freeing. It opens up space literally and figuratively. I have a new theory on life’s acquisitions … the Rule of 30. For the first 30 years of my life, I had very few possessions, the second 30 with marriage and children we acquired many things, now in the final 30 we are unloading. And in the unloading, there is a new lightness and room for more than things. Our children and grandchildren benefit. Friends and community benefit. We benefit. Retiring during this strange chapter of history has brought me new practices, new lessons and a new lightness of being. Life has opened up in a different way than I could have anticipated.

Footnote: My retirement has also given me time for exploring more trails in New England, more time for using up collected fabrics and tiles in quilting and mosaic and more time for writing postcards. I will work again but never full-time.

1981

Yumiko Yokozeki

Yumiko has been working in different countries in Africa since 1982, and she received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendations in December 2020 for her contribution to educational development in Africa. It was Earlham College who introduced her to Africa, and she is ever grateful for that.

1984

William Stephens

Oct. 10, 2020, William married Kathryn Guilliam. In December 2020 he will retire from Creighton University and move to Scottsdale, Arizona. During his sabbatical from Creighton University (Omaha) last year he traveled to Milan, Venice and Lake Como, Italy. William presented “Epictetus’ Zoo: Animal Examples in Stoic Teaching” at the international conference Zoophthoria: The Exploitation and Destruction of Animals, Universita’ Degli Studi di Milano in early September 2019. Forthcoming is his book Adolf F. Bonhöffer, “The Ethics of the Stoic Epictetus: An English translation, Revised Edition.” William O. Stephens, translator. New York: Peter Lang, 2021. View some of William’s recent publications, interviews and podcast appearances.

Amrit Bart

Our daughter, Hannah Bart ’23 is in her second year at Earlham (biology major), although, she seems to be spending more time at home than on campus these days. While she seems to like being there (she did mountain wilderness), the campus ambiance has a very different feel. Our second daughter, Sarah, is also looking into Earlham as she completes her high school this year. We have been making regular trips to Richmond from Georgia but have not run into anyone from the Class of ’84. Would be delighted to hear from you and reconnect especially, if you are in a similar situation and visit Earlham from time to time.

Thomas Thornburg

After 25 years as an administrator at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, I returned to a full-time faculty role at the School of Government in July 2020. Giving up the pressures and problems of modern research university management was a relief. I have survived COVID times in Chapel Hill in decent shape, with good connections to friends and family. I look forward to being able to travel and see friends again someday. I am not very present on social media, except for Instagram. Happy to hear from folks at [email protected].

Linda Smith Gurganus

Linda Smith Gurganus is retiring from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2021.

1985

David Winter

Exciting news—after ten years as a Scientific Review Officer at the National Institutes of Health, I’ve left to lead the Accelerator Network at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. BARDA is like the cool kids’ table at Nerd High—they aggressively seek out solutions to immediate and future medical security threats to the country, whether it’s COVID-19 or emerging diseases due to climate change. It’s incredibly fast-paced, and I’m excited to be part of it. Guess I’ll be putting off retirement for a while, I’m having too much fun working!

1989

Laurel A. Whisler

In keeping with the strange year the coronavirus pandemic brought us, I have a significant career change, though it has happened remotely for now. As of Jan. 4, I serve as Associate Dean of Library Learning Commons at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts. For the past 9.5 years, I worked at Clemson University’s Academic Success Center as Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction and then as Assistant Director and Coordinator of Course Support Programs. For the 15 years prior, I was a librarian primarily in 4-year private liberal arts colleges. I’m excited that this new chapter joins both of my career tracks at an institution focused on student success, and I look forward to reconnecting with EC friends in person after it is safe to apartment-hunt and move to New England.

David M. Dobson

David M. Dobson was named president and publisher of academic book publisher Westminster John Knox Press and children’s book publisher Flyaway Books in 2019. He was thrilled to connect with fellow Earlhamite Katie Yamasaki ‘99, who provided beautiful art for one of their books. David and spouse Myriam Denoncourt-Dobson still live in Louisville, with their daughter completing an MFA in poetry at the University of Michigan and their son working for AmeriCorps in New Orleans after graduating from Tulane University.

David de la Cruz

As a commissioned senior officer in the US Public Health Service, this past year has provided me with the opportunity to deploy on multiple missions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I led a team that designed, implemented and provided ongoing support to the first U.S. government Community-Based COVID-19 Testing Site in the country. My team and I coordinated with various federal, state and local government and political agencies—and the processes and procedures were used to expand the testing program to hundreds of other sites across the country. Also, as we all witnessed, many hospitals were being staffed by health professionals who were unable to take crew rest since the pandemic began. I led a team on a mission to provide medical surge augmentation to a large hospital system. Our team provided clinical coverage on multiple hospitals’ COVID-19 wards, allowing good quality care to continue while the permanent staff could rotate out for a day or two. Being away from home and family for more than 100 days was challenging, but the work was rewarding. And it was a privilege to deploy with so many committed and outstanding health officers. Finally, even as the pandemic continues, the Public Health Service is providing support to address the surge in unaccompanied children along the Southwest Border. I am currently detailed to the US Customs and Border Protection where I serve as the liaison for the Public Health Service to the Dept of Homeland Security. After more than 20 years working at the US Dept of Health and Human Services, seeing the same mission from the US Dept of Homeland Security side has been very eye-opening. While we continue to turn the corner of the pandemic, I urge each of you to continue to stay vigilant, safe and healthy. We each can play a role in protecting ourselves and each other.

1990

Ruth Roazen

I’ve gone back to school to get an M.Ed. in special education in mild/moderate disabilities. I’ll student teach this fall, graduating in December. I’m full-time in school and almost full-time working at a 6-12 charter in Flagstaff, Arizona. I work as a para-educator and special education administrator (my M.S.L.S. is still very useful, it’s all in the details). I was not amused when I had to take my grad school app to the COE appeals committee because I didn’t have Eng 105 (Humanities at Earlham is beyond Eng 105). Andrew Roazen ’89 and I are in Flagstaff, our almost 20-year old daughter finishing her sophomore year at the University of Arizona.

1992

Ian Miller and Crate Herbert

Crate Herbert and Ian Miller have had an eventful year. Crate is now vice president for Institutional Advancement at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. Crate and Ian have also been appointed Faculty Deans of Cabot House, one of the twelve residential houses at Harvard College. Cabot is a community of 400 or so undergraduates, graduate students, staff and faculty located on the Radcliffe Quadrangle, spaced far from Harvard Square that feels like the university’s backyard: informal, fun, always full of rambunctious dogs and their owners. Cabot’s motto, Semper Cor, or “always heart” is a constant reminder of the values they associate with Earlham: radical kindness, inclusion and the crucial pursuit of social justice. Come visit Cabot once the pandemic ends!

1993

Bill Asch

Things are going well with Bill Asch and Emily Smith ‘94 up here in Minnesota. We are excited to say that our daughter Mary is headed to Earlham this fall! She had a lot of good choices and Earlham came out as the best fit. Thanks to everyone who helped us with info, questions and advice during this process! Our son Tommy is a freshman in high school, so he’s a few years out. Currently, Bill is the director of software development at eLumen Inc (an Education Technology company) and is having fun working with and visiting (pre-COVID) his teams in Paraguay. Hope to see you all soon!

1994

Jeffrey Perkins

Hi all, I published my first book of poetry, Kingdom, in April 2020. The book is available through my publisher, Spork Press. I’m still living in Los Angeles and working at Otis College of Art and Design as the VP of Communications and Marketing. I hope everyone is doing well.

Shelly Burgess

I hope everyone’s doing well! I’m living and working on the shores of Lake Erie in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio. I’m grateful for my life with my spouse Stosh, my two teenagers, Sascha and Wolfgang, my mom and a crew of great friends. I’m in my 23rd year of teaching physics at a local high school and continue to share my love of meditation with people who want to learn. I’m also ten years cancer-free, 26 years past my first diagnosis and continuously optimistic! Wishing everyone good health and contentment! Email: [email protected]

Lisa Boyles

Hello fellow Earlhamites, I am enjoying living in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. If you are ever in Indianapolis, feel free to visit the Rivoli Park Labyrinth, which is a pocket park in my unfenced side yard that is open to the public. I founded the Rivoli Park Labyrinth with the help of a grant from The Peace Learning Center and many volunteers on the inaugural Indy Do Day in October 2013. I am also enjoying tutoring students as an independent educator. Check out my tutoring and mentoring website to learn more about my focus on creativity and entrepreneurship (www.discoveryencourager.com). I am currently tutoring exceptional students from age 6-16 remotely and in person. I also have been finding time to create art. I am developing an outreach as a creativity life coach for adults through workshops and retreats once we can meet in person again. In the meantime, go to my website to find out more about my journey as an artist of life, and you can even sign up for an online creative collaboration meeting via Calendar there. I hope you join me in the artist of life journey. I look forward to hearing from fellow Earlhamites. You can contact me at [email protected] or (317) 372-6983.  

Amanda Redwine

Amanda Redwine published her first book, Skunk Nugget Parenting, this spring and has started a job as a parent coach and therapist with Evoke Therapy. Thank you to all my classmates for giving me a nudge to change careers at our 25th reunion!

Todd Stevens

Todd Stevens became the Branch Manager for Howard Hanna Rand’s New York City office this January and continues his 20th year of selling and renting more than 600 homes in Manhattan. He’s part of Howard Hanna, a real estate company of 12,000 professionals across eleven states. Todd moved to Harlem in 2002 where he lives with his wife, son and daughter. Write to Todd at [email protected].

Brian Menyuk

It has been a while since I’ve done one of these. Heidi Kelly ’94 and I am still living in the Big Red House in Rensselaer, New York, across from Albany. We’re with our giant Greg, 3 kids (18, 15, 12), a new cat named Bonk and my father who joined us for the pandemic. We almost had an Earlham student in the family, but ultimately, our eldest decided to attend college closer to home, to be nearer to friends and family she missed seeing during the pandemic. I still work for the state government as a civil engineer which also has entailed a good deal of IT work.

Sunu Chandy

Sunu Chandy is excited to share her poetry update and is grateful to so many in the EC Community, including her Creative Writing professor, Barb Caruso, and the Audacious Sisters of Color Writing Group of 1994. Sunu P. Chandy’s collection of poems, My Dear Comrades, was the winner of the 2021 Terry J. Cox Poetry Award, and Regal House is proud and delighted to publish her book in 2023.

1995

Erik Raschke

Erik Raschke has published his highly praised second novel, To The Mountain, with Torrey House Press based on his experience as a father of an autistic child.

1998

Kevin Inouye

Kevin’s second book, The Screen Combat Handbook, came out this past spring. He continues to teach at Case Western Reserve University and is navigating the new world of online instruction during COVID-19. He’s been doing some minor work on a series but eagerly awaits the time when theatres can re-open and classes can include physical interactions!

2004

Jesse Kapenga

Still hanging out in the desert southwest with Naomi Fertman ’04.

2006

Amy Wanner Jeansonne

In the fall of 2020, I moved to Troy, New York, with my husband and son. I work in the library at Russell Sage College and have started a new project, @GoSlowStudio. We just bought a little house, so I’m spending a lot of time learning how to do things like patch drywall and repair a toilet. I’m planning for and very much looking forward to putting in a garden, come spring.

2007

Joan Friedrich

Hi friends, I’m currently pursuing a doctoral degree in counselor education at Adler University in Chicago.

Cem Cansu

Greetings from Istanbul where I manage projects for GigaTera, a South Korean-origin energy-efficient LED lighting company, in Turkey, the Middle East and Africa. It has been a delightful experience to meet two alumni (Nana and Koju) in Ghana last year, and I hope I can reach out to more alumni through this platform for potential collaboration opportunities. I have tried to operate Applied Business Club during my management education at Earlham to raise some funds for scholarship opportunities. Maybe this note might yield some returns for such an awesome idea once again. We did a couple of NBA, NHL, MLB-approved stadiums in the USA. I would be at your disposal to coordinate any potential project with our California-based office as well. One last thing, as old-school tree-huggers, I see myself as a pole-hugger, not a dancer, since we put low-carbon emission, environmentally friendly, long lifetime lighting fixtures at the top of those poles. At the end of the day, it’s a green pole, so similar to a green tree, it is certainly “huggable.” It has been a tough period all over the world due to the sad pandemic, so I hope we have more time to read Earlhamite and discover each other’s capabilities for possible partnership with true consensus. Stay safe and healthy.

2008

Molly Rivera-Olds

Molly and Josue Rivera-Olds ’11 welcomed their second child, Elias, to the family in February this year. After an unexpected, pandemic-caused year in Durham, North Carolina, they are heading back to Kathmandu for the summer and will make their way to Istanbul in summer 2022 via a year in Washington, D.C. They would love to connect with friends and EC alum wherever paths cross!

Noah Hungerford

Moving to NYC for a bit while my wife finishes some schooling. Working hard as a nurse during the pandemic has been interesting, to say the least! Doing my best to love all I can. Holla at me if you’re in the area!

2009

Mollie Wegerson

Hello, fellow 2009 grads! I am happy to report that despite the general disruptions of the pandemic I am as well as can be. I continue to live in Chicago and work as an elementary drama teacher at a small Montessori school on the north side of the city. I continue to see and talk to many Earlham grads and had the pleasure of seeing Nat and Caitlin Tracey-Miller ‘09, Lauren North ‘09 and Carolyn Johns ’09 at the start of the year. Wishing health to all!

2010

Mandi Rice

Mandi Rice has lived in Greater Boston for eight years and loves it more now than ever before. After three years at Harvard Divinity School and 18 months in a specialized residency, Mandi is now working as a hospital staff chaplain. What a time to be working in medical care! Mandi feels lucky to have had meaningful work, access to PPE and a paycheck throughout this challenging COVID-19 time. During the Boston winter, Mandi waited for 2.5 hours in the snow to get a Moderna vaccine and is very grateful for that, too!

Mariah Torres

After two years of planning, postponements (due to the pandemic) and construction, Gabriel Torres ’10 and I are finally homeowners! We are so excited to begin this next chapter and look forward to making memories with family and friends in our home in the years to come. It is a relief to have something positive come out of everything we’ve been through this past year, and we hope we’re able to have visitors shortly! Hit us up if you’re in the Houston area!

Joshua Daniel Friedberg

Josh Friedberg published his first book, The Decision to Heal: Pathways from Suffering to Love, a coauthored series of mental health journeys, in February 2021 from Gatekeeper Press. He is currently working as a consultant in the Writing and Reading Center at Truman College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago and volunteering as a staff writer for the online journal PopMatters. He has published nearly fifty articles to date at PopMatters, Good Men Project, Country Queer and others from numerous blogs. He also did a TEDx talk in 2020 at Earlham, “Redefining Creativity as an Autistic Person.” He would love to keep in touch with other Earlhamites at [email protected]!

2014

Emily Belle-Hoerth

I am in my sixth year of working for the environmental education non-profit Chewonki, now as the director of one of their summer camps. I also recently got engaged to Nicky Sontag ’16 after seven years together. We enjoy spending time in the garden and taking adventures with our dog, Birch.

Kirsten Leloudis

Kirsten Leloudis and her husband just bought their first home in the small, crunchy town of Pittsboro, North Carolina. Kirsten currently works as an attorney with the North Carolina Division of Public Health, and this past year has been an exceptionally busy one due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kirsten fondly remembers the early days of Earlham’s public health club and credits her last few years at Earlham with helping her realize her passion for public health.

Mark Dixon

Hey EC! Just giving a friendly update. In 2019, Eboni and I had a beautiful baby girl! For the last 5-6 years I have been working in the Indiana Army National Guard. Last year I became an Army officer working as a medical operations officer, and I love what I do. I hope everyone is blessed and doing well!

OBITUARIES

1943

Marie Porter Smelser

Marie Porter Smelser died in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 11. A former resident of Liberty and Richmond, Indiana and Atlanta, Georgia, she was a graduate of Short High School and Earlham College. Marie taught English for 31 years in Liberty and was a former member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She is survived by her son the Reverend Canon Todd Smelser ’70 and his partner Dr. James Gerhart, her sister-in-law Phyllis Smith and niece Carolyn Sue Webber ’71 and other nieces and nephews.

1945

Patricia Randall Peek

Patricia (Pat) Randall Peek, 97, of Midland, Texas passed away at her home on Feb. 1, 2021. Patricia was born in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana on Nov. 4, 1923, to John A. and Emma Coahran Randall. She attended public school in Indiana and met Charles A. Peek the love of her life and future husband in the 8th grade. She and Charles graduated from Pendleton High School, both with honors, in 1941. Patricia continued to Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and Charles enrolled in the University of Chicago in the fall of 1941. Charles enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and served throughout World War II. Patricia was an honors student, a prolific writer and served as the editor of the college newspaper and graduated with a degree in English from Earlham in 1945. She and Charles were wed on April 20, 1946, in Anderson, Indiana and were married for almost 55 years, until Charles’ death in March 2001. The first years of their marriage saw several moves, including a brief stint in Corpus Christi, Texas then to Rolla, Missouri where Charles completed his degree at the Missouri School of Mines. Next, they settled in Tyler, Texas then moved to Anaheim, California, then to Fort Worth, Texas and finally to Midland in 1954 where they lived for the rest of their lives. Their marriage was blessed with six children. Beatrice Ann “B’Ann”, Charles, Jr., Johnny, Susan, and twins Robert (Rob) and William (Bill). Patricia was an avid reader and instilled a deep love of books and learning in her children. She encouraged exploration and curiosity, especially of the world of nature. She welcomed all kinds of pets, including cats, dogs, a horse, chickens, rabbits, fish and guinea pigs along with tortoises, horned toads, tadpoles, lizards, snakes and a 5-foot-long iguana. In addition to her role as full-time mother, homemaker and part-time amateur zookeeper, Patricia established and led Randallane Kennels, raising and showing award-winning collies. She and Charles were founding members of the West Texas Collie Kennel Club. Patricia was a faithful member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for 65 years. She was a much-beloved pre-school Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher for decades, affectionately known as “Mrs. Pink.” She completed graduate studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado and was a trainer of United Methodist early childhood educators for many years. In 1979 she led the committee to establish the Child Development Center at St. Luke’s UMC and served as the founding director. Patricia never lost her love of writing and was a published poet. She was a leader in the Permian Basin Poetry Society for many years and a lifetime member of the Poetry Society of Texas. She honed her craft with writing courses at Midland College and received recognition for her work, including the prestigious Hilda Simmons Levitt Poetry Award and Poetry Society of Texas awards. Along with her numerous and eclectic accomplishments, Patricia was a gold standard grandmother. She was the much-loved “Grandma Pat” to her thirteen grandchildren: Sarah Hodgson, Abby Tudor, Jason Hosaka, Jasmyn Peek, Dustin Hoff, Miranda Hoff, Madeline Hoff, Joshua Peek, Billy Peek, Christopher Peek, Daniel Peek, James Peek, and Anna Patricia Peek. Patricia hosted groups of cousins each summer, allowing them to eat sugar-laden cereals, coffee ice cream and other “forbidden fruit” for any meal of the day. She offered enticing opportunities to earn money for completing household chores and rewarded work with heavily subsidized trips to Toys R Us and Barnes & Noble. She read endless stories, spent hours supervising swimming at the pool, and encouraged hunting for bugs, rocks, butterflies and lizards. Patricia is survived by her children, Beatrice Ann “B’Ann” Peek (Tom Tudor) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Charles A. Peek, Jr. ’72 (Jane) of Lubbock, Texas, Susan Hoff (Steve) of Richardson, Texas, Rob Peek (Shirley) of Hutto, Texas, and Bill Peek (Amy) of Liberty Hill, Texas, and twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers John Randall, Jr. and William Randall, her husband, her son John “Johnny” Randall Peek, and granddaughter Jasmyn Peek.

1946

Phyllis Smith

Phyllis Smelser Smith was born in Connersville, Indiana, on Sept. 9, 1924. She was the daughter of Dr. H.W. Smelser and Frances Shera Smelser. Phyllis was a graduate of Connersville High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Earlham College in 1946. She also earned a teaching degree from Indiana State University and her Master of Teaching from DePauw University in 1973. She became engaged to Paul Edward Smith shortly after his return from service as an Army Air Corps P-47 fighter pilot in WWII. Paul and Phyllis were married at Connersville First Methodist Church on May 9, 1946. They were blessed with the joys and challenges of over 67 years of marriage, raising four children. Phyllis gave birth to these four children over the span of 3 decades. Paul and Phyllis raised their family on a farm a few miles west of Bainbridge. They moved off the farm in 1981 and settled into the town of Bainbridge. Phyllis was an active member of Bainbridge Christian Church as a deaconess and then elder for many years. Years later, Paul and Phyllis became members of the Bainbridge United Methodist Church. Phyllis was also a past Worthy Matron of Bainbridge OES Chapter 440 and a member of Community Service Home Extension Club for 61 years. Phyllis was a dedicated and much-loved teacher at Bainbridge Elementary School for 28 years. She shared her knowledge, care and great compassion with hundreds of younger children. Several current teachers have recently mentioned to family members that Phyllis was a major reason they decided to pursue the teaching profession. Phyllis was also a member of both Indiana State and Putnam County Retired Teachers Associations. Nothing was more important to Phyllis than family. Among those who will cherish her abundant love and memory are sons, Brian (Cherie) Smith and Trent (Lara) Smith, along with daughters Debby (Leonard Voigt) Provisor and Carolyn Webber, eight grandchildren Joshua Provisor, Laura Provisor, Matthew Provisor, Amy Webb, Kendra Crouch, Lisa McSpadden, Olivia Smith, Kaden Smith; many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, along with sister-in-law Jo Ann Smith. Phyllis was preceded in death by husband Paul, along with brother- and sister-in-law Wayne and Marie Smelser, and brother-in-law Robert Smith. After retirement, Paul and Phyllis delivered meals in Greencastle, traveled in their motor home and attended many of Paul’s fighter pilot reunions held throughout the country. In addition, they spent many winters with dear friends in Homosassa, Florida. Phyllis also enjoyed her furry pets, growing flowers and watching birds at the feeders. Above all else, she enjoyed holidays and special times with her family. In recent years, she has greatly appreciated visits with friends at her residence in Autumn Glenn Assisted Living Center in Greencastle. Phyllis will be remembered for her beautiful smile, strong faith, along with her loving and compassionate nature; always showing kindness to everyone. Phyllis was predeceased by her brother, Wayne Harold Smelser ’42 and survived by her daughter, Carolyn Sue Webber ’71 and nephew Todd Dudley Smelser ’70.

Alice (Robin) Roberts Powelson

Alice (Robin) Roberts Powelson, of Boulder Colorado, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away shortly after midnight on March 1, 2021, from Alzheimer’s. She was 95. Her son and daughter were by her side earlier in the evening, and other family was there virtually and in their hearts. She was predeceased by her husband, John P. (Jack) Powelson, and their daughter, Cynthia L. Powelson, and is survived by their remaining children, Judith C. Powelson, of Honolulu, HI; Kenneth B. Powelson and his partner, Catherine C. Guimond, of Richmond, California; Carolyn Powelson Campbell ’86 and her husband, Thomas A. Campbell, of Evergreen, CO; and Lawrence H. Powelson and his wife, Wallis Bolz, and their two children, Clarissa and Abram Powelson, of Seattle, Washington. Robin grew up on the apple and peach farm of her parents, Byron and Lydia Roberts, in Marlton, New Jersey, working in the packing house during summers and caring for her beloved horse, Dinah. She graduated from George School in 1942 and Earlham College in 1946, with a major in relief and reconstruction. After graduation, she set off for Europe alone to work at a refugee camp for orphaned children in Bad Aibling, Germany, under the auspices of the American Friends Service Committee. She helped create a loving, safe home environment for these often-traumatized children at Bad Aibling, while working to repatriate them to their home countries if they wished, or, more often, finding them adoptive homes abroad. She met her husband, Jack, in Europe, first at a hostel in Paris and then at Bad Aibling; they were married on the farm on Memorial Day in 1953. They lived overseas for years at a time and traveled their entire lives. While Jack worked in the realms of policy and economic theory, Robin always found direct ways to connect with and help people. She and Jack once visited a family of twelve in Nairobi, and while the two men were in the back, the mother turned to Robin and said “I need help.” Robin found a way to provide her surreptitiously with birth control and kept in touch with her for decades after that.
She was a talented writer, sending family letters to the extended family throughout their many years of travel. She had an immediacy, a wry and gentle humor, and an unerring eye for the heart of the story. She later edited these family letters down into five books, one for each child, each focused on the stories in which they played starring roles. Robin was also an artist, painting oils saturated with rich colors and suffused with evocative forms. While her style was her own, it also reflected her love of Georgia O’Keefe and Franz Marc. Peaches, flowers, the dilapidated family barn, women in colorful Guatemalan dresses and many, many other paintings grace the children’s walls. Robin always connected to people directly. Status, theirs or hers, was irrelevant to her. When her children learned that the AFSC had won a Nobel Peace Prize for its relief work in 1947 and that she had therefore shared in the prize (she had never thought this detail important enough to tell them), she waved it away dismissively. When told she looked like she was off to save the world in a photo of her setting off for Europe, suitcase swinging in hand, she said, with her characteristic twinkle and laugh, “And we did it too! Now we just need to do it again!” Robin was always quietly reaching out. At the Boulder Friends’ Meeting, Robin could always be found at tea introducing herself to new visitors, getting to know them and knitting them into the community. She noticed other people’s difficulties before her own and was there to help. Her children always felt her unconditional love and support. Although Alzheimer’s took her memory in the end, it did not diminish her openness and eagerness to connect with the people around her. She was always ready with an appreciative smile and an inquisitive look when anyone approached, even when she had no idea who they were. She lived her life with grace to the end. She is sorely missed.

1947

Alice Daggy

Alice Jane (AJ) Daggy, 95, died Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana, surrounded by family. She was born at home on Aug. 1, 1925, in Chicago Heights, IL, to Morris and Myrtle Evans Stanley. She attended local schools and then entered Earlham College in the fall of 1943. AJ was the first woman in her family to receive a 4-year college degree. She met James Daggy at Earlham during their senior year (1947), and they were married on Sept. 17, 1949. When Jim was in medical school and completing his residency, she worked in the catalog departments of Harper Library at the University of Chicago and Indianapolis Public Library. They moved to Richmond in 1952, where Jim joined his father, Dr. B.T. Daggy, in his medical practice. In the last several years of their lives, AJ and Jim lived at Friends Fellowship Community, where Jim died in 2013. AJ was a loving wife and mother and an active and caring part of the Richmond community where she was a member of Central United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women (UMW), Elizabeth Circle, Wayne-Union Medical Auxiliary, YWCA, Literary Club, Women’s Club, Strings Unlimited, DAR, Adult School, Tourists and Whitewater Ballroom Dance Club. She also served on the boards of the YWCA, Symphony Women, Meals on Wheels and the Earlham Alumni Council. AJ tutored reading and literacy at Test Junior High School for several years. In addition, AJ and Jim volunteered countless hours at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County, the Richmond Rose Garden, Sister Cities and the Plant Exchange. AJ had a welcoming spirit; her home was always open to family and friends, as well as Earlham students who couldn’t make it home for holidays and international visitors who wanted to stay with local families. She was an avid reader and a dedicated correspondent, hand-writing hundreds of letters and Christmas cards every year. She and Jim had many travel adventures in various areas of the world and enjoyed visiting family and friends. AJ was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother Adeline Stanley, and her beloved husband, Jim Daggy. Survivors include her sister, Margaret Gessner ’51, her children Patty (Howard) Lamson of Richmond, Bruce (Marie) Daggy of Williamsburg, and Carol (Ned) Pennock ’83 of Centerville, Ohio; grandchildren Dan O’Maley (Reinaldo Germano), Monica (Kenny) Dugger, Christina (Adam) Rothenberg, Evan Pennock, Jensen Pennock, Rick (Rachelle Alviar) Stolnacke and Shawn Stolnacke. AJ also leaves behind several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her survivors also include many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Her youngest great-grandchild, Addison Rose Rothenberg, was born on April 9; AJ was so happy to meet her on FaceTime. The family appreciates the many years of loving care provided by the Friends Fellowship Community.

1949

Jack Simpson

Jack B. Simpson, the oldest active-duty lawman in the country, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at the age of 96. He leaves behind a loving family in his wife, Dorothy; children, Barbara, Robert Mark, and Joan; two nieces; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Born on July 4, 1924, Mr. Simpson was destined to be a patriot. Jack became an Eagle Scout in his teens and followed that by joining the Army during WWII, earning two Bronze Stars for his service on the beaches of Anzio and in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. Jack dutifully dug a foxhole every night, to which he credited his survival. Upon his return, Jack went to college, earning a master’s degree and a belief in the power of education. Jack became a special agent with the FBI, participated in the desegregation of our schools and helped to secure justice for the murder of his fellow WWII veteran, Lt. Col. Lemuel Penn.

1950

John Alan Pickett

John Alan Pickett of Longwood at Oakmont, formerly of O’Hara Township died at the age 92 on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. He was the beloved husband for 69 years to Wilberta Naden Pickett; loving father to Mary Wilson ’76 (Paul) of Daytona Beach, Florida, Alan Pickett (Donna) of Cold Spring, Kentucky, Sabra Shoemake (Charlie) of San Francisco, Judy Wagner (Bob) of Wexford, Pennsylvania and Louise Pickett of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. He is the grandfather of 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. John was born in Greentown, Indiana, son of Hanley and Vetta Pickett ’24. He attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science degree in business with an accounting major. John served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Employment included three years with AVCO Corp in Richmond, Indiana, thirteen years with St. Regis Paper Company in Richmond, Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and 23 years with Westinghouse Electric Corp in Pittsburgh. John retired in 1992 from the position of director of computer systems acquisition at Westinghouse. In all his work life, he was known for his personal interest in both his colleagues and those working for him. He had a solid work ethic, was trustworthy and dependable. He was a man of integrity who always wanted to do his best for others. John spent nearly 10 years as a ruling elder in Presbyterian Churches, most recently at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church where he also served as treasurer and controller and sang tenor in the church choir. John achieved the status of emeritus life associate in the National Association of Accountants. John served as both a docent and board member at the George Westinghouse Museum in Wilmerding and as a board member of the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale. He became a Bronze Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. For many years, John was an O’Hara Township auditor. He also served 9 years as a member of the Resource Management Committee to the Board of the Fox Chapel Area School District. Beginning in 2004, John served as Financial Advisor to Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church in Etna, preparing its financial and tax statements and serving on the Administrative Commission that oversees the church’s ministry. At Longwood, he served as assistant treasurer on the Resident Council. John and Wilberta enjoyed their many travels through 44 of the continental United States and many European nations. Many trips included rail journeys to cater to John’s special interest in the railroad industry. John and Wilberta enjoyed three trips overseas with choral groups: the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale tour of England and Wales; the Columbia Chorale (Vancouver, Washington) tour of Italy; and the Pittsburgh Oratorio Society tour of Spain. John’s family was important to him, and he was a loving role model for his five children. Because his wife was working, he saw shared home responsibilities with her as a team effort. He was a sweet, kind and thoughtful man with a good sense of humor who will be dearly missed.

Pearl Ruth Turner Rohde

After a long and interesting life, Ruth Turner Rohde, 92, died in Venice, Florida, on Jan. 28, 2021. Ruth was born on Feb. 20, 1928, the third of seven children, to Raymond and Glenna Collings Turner. She was born at home on a farm in Fountain City, where her father was a tenant farmer. Life was grim during the depression and the family was very poor. When her father secured stable employment at the Crosley factory for 85 cents an hour, the family moved to Richmond. Ruth lived in eight different homes and attended five schools as she grew up. At the age of sixteen, she lost her right eye, the unintended consequence of typical teenage horseplay. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1946 and matriculated at Earlham College on a full scholarship. She subsequently earned her teaching certificate in elementary education and a master’s from Ball State University. Ruth always had a sense of adventure. Her first teaching assignment was in Hawaii on a sugar cane plantation. She learned about opportunities to teach on U.S. military bases in foreign countries, but it required three years of experience domestically before she could apply. Since Hawaii was not yet a state, she returned to the mainland and spent the required years teaching in Gary, Indiana. Subsequently, she taught on military bases in Japan, the Philippines, Germany, France, England and Spain. In Germany, the base ambulance provided transportation for the teachers from the barracks to the school. When she returned to the United States, she taught at Vaile School. Happy in her life, Ruth was content to remain single until she met Glenn Rohde, a fellow teacher and the head of the mathematics department at an Indianapolis high school. They married in their late forties in 1975 and bought a home in Indianapolis where they both continued to teach. Although raised as Lutherans, they were ecumenical in their faith and attended various churches in their communities. After retirement in 1988, they moved to Venice, Florida, but summered at their cabin in the woods in Spencer, Indiana, where they liked to entertain extended family, with Glenn teaching the kids how to fish in their pond. They frequently took international trips with another couple, visiting Amsterdam, Paris and Belgium and enjoying river cruises. After nearly 30 years of marriage, Glenn died in 2004 while visiting their summer retreat. After Glenn’s death, Ruth moved to Village on the Isle in Venice, Florida. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends, listening to books on tape, dishing with family and friends on the phone and anticipating her annual trip to the casino, where she would joyfully play the slots until her $50 stake was gone. Ruth had an unusually close relationship with her nieces and nephews, and they were always impressed with her optimism. Despite her vision impairments, at the age of 92, Ruth would still read the Wall Street Journal with the aid of her magnifying machine. She was savvy in her investments and remained lucid to the end, even asking for updates on the political situation. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sisters, Bertha Prifogle and Sheila Reimer, her brothers, Tom Turner, Jim Turner and infant Aaron Turner, brothers-in-law Floyd Rohde, Duane Harrison and Stan Prifogle, sisters-in-law Angie Turner and Jean Rohde, niece Patty Turner and nephew James Prifogle. She is survived by her sister, Emily Willcox (Chris), her sister-in-law, Joyce Harrison, and ten nieces and nephews: John Turner-Grey, Jean Hoff and Diane Ferlauto (Jerry Planck), all of Richmond, Sue Ann Watjen, Larry Turner, Kathleen Repsher (Stephen). Nancy McKay (Cliff), Beth Reimer, Cheryl Corajod (Brian) and David Harrison (Christine) and their children and grandchildren.

Irma (Jonesy) Wilcox Jones Simon

Irma (Jonesy) Wilcox Jones Simon passed away Jan. 30, 2021. She graduated from Earlham College in 1950 with a degree in Biology. She would often say that attending Earlham was like a dream come true! She found peers that shared her interests in life, faith and world issues and where experiences as a student shaped her life for years to come. Irma was a lifelong Quaker, a peace activist and an environmental advocate. She worked as an educator, a histologist and an inorganic chemist and bacteriologist. Irma was an avid birder and lover of the natural world, who established a nature trail at a local Quaker camp for children and counselors in her hometown of South China, Maine. Irma is survived by her five children, Sylvia (Robert) Eppig, Andrew Simon, Peter (Melinda) Simon, Esther (James) Emmert and Emily (Russell) Poulin, as well as 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her former husband, Stephen W. Simon, a 1951 graduate of Earlham.

1952

Barbara Compton Young

Barbara Jane (Compton) Young, 90, of Fountain Hills, Arizona, passed away on Nov. 12, 2020. She is survived by Stan, her beloved husband of 61 years. Barbara was born in Fairmount, Indiana, on Aug. 27, 1930, to Willard and Lula (Rich) Compton. After graduating from Fairmount High School in 1948, she attended Earlham College and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marion College. Barbara and Stan met in Frankfort, Germany where he was serving in the U.S. Army and she worked for the U.S. Government. They were married on June 21, 1959, in Fairmount and lived in various locations including Washington, California, Kentucky, Indiana and Thailand, where Stan was stationed as an officer in the U.S. Army. After their two children were born and Stan retired from the military in 1974, they relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, where they lived until moving to Fountain Hills in 2016. Barbara had been a member of Valley Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale since 1974 and was an active volunteer with church, school and other community organizations. She was a substitute teacher in the Scottsdale Unified School District for several years and worked as an office manager at Scottsdale Village Square and Westminster Village Scottsdale until her retirement. Barbara and Stan enjoyed living in the Fountain View Village community since 2016. Barbara was an extraordinary caregiver, always thinking of others before herself. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Jeanne White and a brother, Phillip Compton. She is survived by daughter, Karen (Mark) Garland, of Naperville, Ill.; son, John, of Casa Grande; sister, Patricia (Jack) Milam ‘54, of Jerome, Mich.; grandchildren, Kimberly (Daniel) Soto, Kelly Young, Kara, Joshua and Justin Garland, Andrew (Michelle) Summerlin, Kaitlyn Young; great-grandchildren, Makayla Summerlin and Victor Soto; several nieces and nephews.

Barbara Diehl

Barbara J. Diehl, age 89 of Darrtown, Ohio, passed away Nov. 18, 2019, at Woodland Country Manor, Oxford, Ohio, after a brief battle with cancer. Barbara was born in Plainfield, Indiana, to the late Howard and Netta (Moon) Cronk. She is survived by her cousin Harold Thomas (Barbara), sons Ed Diehl (Rebecca) and Eric Diehl (Jennifer), grandchildren Morgan Guinn, Erin Diehl, Patrick Diehl, Gwynneth Diehl, Danielle Diehl Fulton, Jessica Diehl and Logan Diehl. Barbara graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, with a bachelor’s degree in 1952. Barbara was married to Dr. T. Handley Diehl on June 7, 1952, in Stout Memorial Meetinghouse on the Earlham College campus. She earned a master’s degree in remedial teaching from Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, in 1975. A spring (when all the flowers are blooming) memorial service to celebrate Barbara’s life and achievements is planned for 2021 in Oxford. Her achievements, awards and interests include Citizen of the Year Award from the Kiwanis Club, 2020, Lifetime fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society over $80,000, fundraiser and participant for MS Walk 1993-2018 and fundraiser and participant for Crop Walk 1991-2018. She also had active interests in choral singing, clarinet, piano and wildlife, flower gardening, Women’s Music Club 1965-2019, Oxford Community Band 1987-2019, Des Fleurs Garden Club 1991-2019, Electoral Poll Worker 14 years, Meals on Wheels 24 years. She was also an assistant teacher at Hannah House Nursery School (Miami University) 1970-1982 and caregiver for Handley Diehl for 9 years.

Cathryn Kellogg Mann

Lois Cathryn “Hoppy” Mann, a retired teacher in Springfield, Illinois, passed away Sept. 27, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois, at the age of 88. She was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1930. She was preceded in death my her husband of 63 years, Donald R. Mann, and her eldest granddaughter, Adrienne Wind. She is survived by four children: Sue (Len) Wilk of S. Barrington, Illinois., Cindy (Kevin) Spencer of Olympia, Washington, Jeff Mann of Byron, Illinois, and Jon (Alex) Mann of Scottsdale, Arizona; five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

1953

Ralph P. Carey

Ralph P. Carey passed away on May 8, 2020, at the age of 90 as a result of COVID-19.

Carla Lohman Castelluccio

Carla Jean Castelluccio of Indianapolis passed away Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at the age of 88. She was born Carla Jean Lohman Sept. 30, 1931 in Richmond, Indiana, the only child of the late Carl and Thelma (Wilson) Lohman. Carla grew up in Richmond, graduated from Richmond High School in 1949, worked at Knollenburg’s and received her bachelor’s degree from Earlham College in 1953. The day after graduation June 9, 1953, she married Keith Adair Castelluccio ’50 also of Richmond at her parents’ home with services performed by her aunt, the Reverend Bessie M. Buhl of Centerville, Indiana. Carla taught one year 1953-1954 at Joseph Moore Elementary School. They left Richmond in 1954 as Keith pursued his teaching career and Carla became a mother and a homemaker. They eventually settled in Indianapolis in 1961. After raising their four children, three dogs, four cats and looking out for many of the neighborhood children, Carla went to work for Lazarus at Washington Square until her retirement. She leaves behind her husband of 67 years Keith Castelluccio, sons Jan Castelluccio, Peter Castelluccio and Eric (Julia) Castelluccio all of Indianapolis, daughter Susan (Doug) Griffin of Cicero, Indiana, grandsons Nicholas (Dawn) Griffin of Ormond Beach, Florida, Marcus (Tiffany) Griffin of Cicero, Indiana, and great-grandson Logan Griffin of Ormond Beach, Florida. Carla generously donated her body to the Anatomical Education Program at Indiana University School of Medicine. This gift will contribute significantly to the advancement of health science education in the state of Indiana.

1955

Donald B. Nichols

A resident of San Mateo, Donald B. Nichols passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2021. Don was a cheerful and optimistic person, one to see the best in people and situations, as he helped others and made them feel welcome. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all of his loving family and friends. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, the third child and eldest son of six, his father was a family physician, and Don helped carry the 60-pound medical bag on house calls. There was never any doubt that Don wanted to become a family physician, too. He attended the Lancaster Public schools through high school, where he was on the champion basketball team. He then spent one year at Oberlin College and three years at Earlham College, a Quaker school in Richmond, Indiana, where he played on the tennis team and graduated with honors in biology in 1955. He went to the University of Cincinnati for medical school from 1955 to 1959 and had an internship year there at St. Mary’s Hospital, before joining his father in family medical practice in 1960. During those four years of medical school, he was married and had two children, Jeff and Mark. His third son, Douglas was born during his first year of practice in Lancaster, Ohio. He stayed in Lancaster for 14 years, and after the death of his father, decided to move to California in 1974, locating in Hillsborough and joining a medical group practice in San Mateo. He was remarried in 1978 to Marion “Reddie” Houston, who had four children, three girls, Kathy, Susan, Holly, and a son, Rick. Don had many talents and interests as he enjoyed the symphony and restaurants of San Francisco, traveled extensively throughout California and across the world to six continents, became a longtime fan of the San Francisco 49ers and San Franciso Giants, occasionally played tennis and golf, was an avid reader and was an entertaining piano player for decades. He also enjoyed gardening, skiing, barbecuing, the game show Jeopardy, playing bridge, dominos and badminton with friends. He acted in plays and skits over the years and was a singer in the Fault Line A Cappella Chorus until 2020. He and Reddie were active members of the Hillsborough Racquet Club for decades and were deacons and elders in the First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame. Don was adored by countless patients and their entire families that he cared for over his 59 years of practice. He was for a time medical director for his partner practices, spent time teaching as an associate faculty at UCSF, and in recent years, he supported the student health centers at both the College of San Mateo and Cañada College. He is survived by his wife Marion “Reddie,” sister Marilyn ’56, sons Mark, Doug, and Rick, and daughters Kathy, Susan, and Holly, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

1957

Esther Sheron

Esther Ellen Sheron, 85, Marion, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 27, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Indianapolis. She was born in Marion on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1935, to Everett and Mary (Nunemaker) Howell. On June 10, 1956, she married Richard E. Sheron ‘58, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 10, 2010. Esther graduated from Marion High School and received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Earlham College. She was a mathematics teacher with Marion Community Schools. She was a member of First Friends Church and the Western Yearly Meeting of Friends. Esther had an incredible passion for children, and she and Richard were foster parents to over 300 children! She was always very proud of her home that has been in the family for several generations. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and flowers, as well as watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune (a passion of hers). Survivors include her daughters, Mary Joan (Frank) Rouse and Deborah Ellen (Dr. David) Entwistle; sons, David Dale (Sara Ann) Thompson of Marion, James Everett (Diane) Sheron, and T. Andrew (Sabrina) Sheron; grandchildren, David (Krystle) Rouse, Roberta (Gary) Sollars, Dr. Kristen (Cody) Mudrack, Lauren Entwistle, Cameron (Amy) Entwistle, Deven Thompson, Samantha Thompson, Adam (Lindsey) Breedlove, Leah (Cedrik) Bell, T’Randra (David) Mason, Joshua (Taylor) Sheron, Sedonia Sheron, Emilee Sheron, Paris Sheron, Gregory Sheron, Alayna Sheron, and Zaria White; seven great-grandchildren; and 300+ foster children. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Thelma Howell.

Thalia C. Little Putney

Thalia C. Putney (nee Little), of Madison, Wisconsin and Wilmington, Delaware died peacefully Feb. 26, 2021, at the age of 86 from cardiac issues. Thalia grew up in southern New Jersey and graduated from Moorestown Friends School in 1953 and Earlham College in 1957. She played varsity sports in high school and college and later played on the Delaware Field Hockey and New Atlantic Field Hockey Association teams. While a middle school science teacher at Wilmington Friends School from 1974-1992, she coached tennis and field hockey. Thalia was a great inspiration to countless girls in athletics and was inducted into Earlham College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. Thalia cherished the outdoors and taught with the Delaware Nature Education Society from 1970-1995, inspiring many children to appreciate and respect our natural world. She was a Winterthur Museum Docent from 1969-1984. As someone with lifelong Quaker interests, she was involved with various meetings over the years and was most recently active with the Moorestown Friends Meeting from 2005-2015. She was a lifelong photographer. Thalia is survived by her daughter, Laura Putney Wright ’84 and her husband, Andy Wright ’83, and daughter, Annie Putney, and two grandchildren, Tristan Wright ’13 and Ted Wright ’15. She was predeceased by her son Thomas.

1958

Donald Ellsberry O’Hair

Donald Ellsberry O’Hair, 84, died in San Diego, California, on July 21, 2020. The son of Ellsberry and Ruth O’Hair, he was born and grew up in Springfield, Illinois. A 1958 graduate of Earlham College, he went on to earn an M.Div. degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rochester, NY, in 1961. He served churches in Pembroke, NY; New Haven, Connecticut; and then, for 10 years, was campus minister at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. During a sabbatical year there, in 1969, he earned a master’s from Boston University. In 1976, after receiving a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from California School of Professional Psychology (now Alliant University) in San Diego, California, he established a clinical practice in San Diego. During the same time, he also formed and directed a center to conduct pharmaceutical research studies. In addition, he invented various biofeedback instruments, including one of the first computerized ones and established a company to manufacture and market them. He retired in 1996 but continued his life-long interest in electronics, photography and, later, computers. He also became a licensed amateur radio operator. With his wife, he enjoyed many years of traveling, especially in Europe. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Justice ’58, son John and daughter-in-law Antonina, daughter Amy and son-in-law Andrew, and five grandchildren.

Shirley Taylor Boren

Shirley Taylor Boren, 83, passed away on March 30, 2020, after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia. An identical twin, she was born July 14, 1936, to John Edward and Miriam Heath Taylor of W. Franklin, NH. She graduated high school in 1954 and attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. In 1957, she married Dr. Charles W. Boren ’56. Their family lived in  Connecticut for 26 years. After retiring to the New Mexico mountains for five years, Shirley and Charlie moved to Kendal in Hanover, New Hampshire. Shirley loved music—she played clarinet in the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. She also enjoyed reading, quilting, needlepoint and performing secret random acts of kindness. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, Charles, son, Jonathan, and sister, Anne Taylor-Allen. She is survived by daughter Katharine Taylor, daughter Rebecca Perlo, son-in-law Douglas and beloved grandsons, Zachary and Noah Perlo ’87., her twin sister Janet Moodie and sisters Jean Hammersley, Ruth O’Neill and Sharon Lefebvre as well as an aunt and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Thomas Lowes Kenworthy

Thomas (Tom) Lowes Kenworthy died on Dec. 28, 2020, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born April 25, 1936, in Washington, D.C. He attended Sidwell Friends School, graduated from Earlham College and earned a master’s degree in international economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Tom met his wife, Suzan, in 1960 at an American Friends Service Committee work camp in Mexico. They were married in 1962 and lived in Vancouver, Toronto, and New York City before settling permanently in Atlanta in 1967. Tom was warm, easy-going and unpretentious. He had a delightful sense of humor. His stories could light up a room, and he could make the most mundane conversation topic seem fascinating. Tom was a family man in the best sense of the term. He had a happy marriage for 58 years and was beloved by his children and grandchildren. When his children were growing up, Tom was fond of entertaining the family at the dinner table with stories of the latest goings on in the neighborhood. He attended hundreds of his kids’ practices, soccer matches, swim meets, football games, basketball games, PTA meetings, board and committee meetings, banquets and much more. He assembled and coached a youth soccer team, including his son Randy, that won several state championships and helped to broaden the sport’s popularity in DeKalb County. He involved his children in a seemingly endless stream of home and yard projects, from weekly chores to repainting the house to digging out a new storage room under the kitchen. Family vacations were typically spent visiting relatives in Washington, D.C., New York, or Arizona. Later in life, Tom and Suzan loved hosting extended family gatherings at their home on Lake Lanier. In 1967, after managing sales teams for Colgate and Macmillan Publishing, Tom started a joint venture selling playground equipment to school systems. In 1968, he founded School Media Associates, selling educational audio-visual materials to elementary and secondary schools and colleges. Together with Suzan, and later their sons Randy and Owen, Tom grew School Media from a small, home-based business to an office with 20 employees and multiple regional locations. The business thrived for half a century, evolving to meet media industry advances from film strips to VHS to DVD to digital while surviving the economy’s ups and downs. School Media’s affiliates included over 200 producers like A&E Video, Discovery Channel, PBS Video, Disney Educational Productions and National Geographic. Tom enjoyed traveling across the South and the Midwest through various cities and towns. Most of all, he loved engaging in conversation with the customers and other people he met. He could tell you the name of the librarian in a particular high school in any number of small towns, and long after he “retired,” he continued to work at the School Media offices making phone calls to stay connected with clients. Tom was a devoted Quaker. He and Suzan were longtime members of the Atlanta Friends Meeting. He served as the meeting’s clerk, on a number of its committees, on the central committee of the Friends General Conference and on the board of the Friends School of Atlanta. He enjoyed reading books on Quaker history and philosophy, to complement his regular stack of volumes on history, economics, politics, society and foreign affairs. Tom is survived by his wife Suzan, brother Lee ‘64, children Lane (Kim), Randy (Ellie), Owen (Marti) and Lauren Jarrell (Jonathan), and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary ’29 and Carroll Kenworthy ’25, brother David, and grandson Noah.

1959

Marilyn Moore Bigelow

Objectively, our mother, Marilyn Moore Bigelow, would hate the format of a standard obituary. Sure, you find out the facts about a person, but you don’t usually find out their story. Our mom was all about stories—whether it was through books (in her work as a librarian, an elementary school teacher or co-owner of Bigelow’s Quill Bookshop with Dad) or the way she had of effortlessly pulling someone’s life story out of them. Which was great, except when you were the one at the grocery store with her and she’d run into the fifth person she was “just going to chat a minute with,” since you got there. So we could tell you that Mom was born in Plainfield, Indiana, in 1937, the only child of Ruth Atkinson Moore and Charles Moore; that she graduated from Earlham College in 1959 and married Dad, Paul Jay Bigelow, a few days later; that they raised three kids—Beth (Dan), Becca (Ian), and Mark (Charlene)—in Pelham, Massachusetts; and that Charlie, Ruth, and Paul all preceded her in death, but those are just the facts. Mom would want us to tell the story. When Mom was little, when she wanted to do something like see the ocean, her parents had to tell her, “We’ll do that when you’re older.” First the country was in the middle of a world war, and then when the war was over, her father became ill and died. So Mom knew from an early age that you should not put off doing the things you love or that you’re interested in or that you think are important because you just don’t know how much time you get. We camped because she wanted to be sure we saw the world outside our state. We went to concerts and plays; we talked about books. We all sang Christmas carols while she played the piano at her annual open house. She taught us to play games, from the serious (bridge) to the goofy (charades, Twister, etc.). Our house had stretchy walls because family and friends (who honestly were quickly converted into found family) were always welcome—and if there was lobster and homemade ice cream involved, well, so much the better. Mom enjoyed getting to know people’s stories because as she saw it, people weren’t always alike, but that was okay; after all, “Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?” And that life philosophy rolled into another: We’re all meant to pitch in and make the world a better place for everyone in it. She didn’t much care how people did that because we are all unique, but for her it took the form of volunteering and political involvement. She served on many committees for causes and organizations she believed in and was elected to the school board, the Pelham Board of Selectmen and the Hampshire County Commissioners over the years. People didn’t dare suggest “someone” should do something about some issue or another to our mom because she was sure to sign them up to help. The Quaker saying, “If not thee, then who?” was definitely one of Mom’s guiding principles. She loved traveling with our dad and visiting us kids; enjoyed catching up with assorted friends and cousins; doted on her nieces and nephews and, as the family grew, their spouses and children; but most of all, she adored her grandchildren: Sarah (Damon), Matthew, Heather, Nick, Amanda, Josh and Alex. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s robbed her of the chance to get to know her first great-grandson, Emerson, and he, her, so we’ll just have to tell him her stories when the time is right. Mom passed away on Nov. 20, 2020, after contracting COVID-19, which caused her to go into decline and a short stay on hospice. Since many stories have morals, we feel sure that Mom would urge you to wear a mask. It is a kindness to others and hopefully will prevent more loss to another family. We definitely know she’d tell you to wash your hands—after all, we shared many family dinners with her. But the true takeaways from Mom’s story are these: really listen to people, strive to make your little part of the world better (another guiding principle: “I can’t do everything, but I can do something”), and most of all remember life is short; tell people you love them while you can.

Judson C. Boykin

Judson C. Boykin died Aug. 8, 2019, and is survived by Janice Boykin, widow; and Marie Boykin-Duverge ’60, cousin.

David Charles Kem, M.D.

David Charles Kem M.D., 83, child of God, beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Nov. 22, 2020. David Kem and his three brothers were raised in Richmond, Indiana, by their parents Charles and Janice Kem, a dentist and schoolteacher. He was educated in a rural school where he played sports and was challenged to excel by a perceptive teacher. He graduated from the city high school with honors. He accepted the Lord as his Savior at a young age and attended Earlham College where he majored in chemistry, played varsity tennis and graduated with honors. He met Janet Trueblood in college and they were married just two weeks before he entered the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. His postdoctoral training took place at the University of Michigan. David served during the Vietnam War and was assigned to Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii as chief of the endocrine service. After finishing his Army career, he was recruited to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He was subsequently recruited to the University of Oklahoma Department of Medicine to develop the then defunct Endocrinology Section. He recruited gifted teachers, reestablished his research and started a fellowship program that produced 28 endocrinologists by the time he stepped down as section chief in 2001. He continued full-time patient care, teaching and research. Dr. Kem also had interests in teaching ethical and moral issues on campus. He served as a faculty adviser for the Christian Medical and Dental Society and also co-founded the annual A. Kurt Weiss bioethics lectureship, serving as a trustee of the event for over 33 years. He was always open to visits from students, residents and former fellows for advice and counsel. David and Janet celebrated 61 years of marriage in August. He was a devoted family man and was proud of his five children, twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His interests included tennis, woodworking, camping, photography, travel and history, which he enjoyed sharing with family. He served as a discussion leader for Bible study fellowship. Dave had a wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed classical music and was a fan of his Sooners. Dave was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Charles and Janice Kem ’28 and his brother retired General Sam Kem. He is survived by his brothers, Dr. Jan Kem ’61 and Dr. Bill Kem (Carol); his wife, Janet Kem; his children, Laura Liles (Gary), Carla Collier (Clyde}, Dr. David E. Kem (Gwendy), Sam Kem (Heather), Marie Holden (Darril); his grandchildren, Andrew Collier (Emily}, Daniel Collier (Paige), Dr. Campbell Liles (Emily), Darril Holden (Bradi), Sam Collier (Cheyenne), Hannah Liles, Michael Holden, Matthew Collier (Ruth), Jonathan Liles (Abbey), Karsten Kem (Kate), Joe Collier (Stephanie), Clare Holden, Zach Kem, Anne Marie Kem, Emily Liles, Grace Collier, Dasha Kem, Faith Liles, Jenna Holden, Justin Kem, David Collier; his great-grandchildren, Luke Collier, Lilly Collier, Collin Holden; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Patricia Stone Bright

Patricia Stone Bright passed away in Huntington, New Jersey, on Dec. 21, 2020, as the Star of Bethlehem shone in the sky. Born on her father’s birthday, July 9, 1937, Patsy was a climber of trees from an early age and had many adventures with her best friend, Charlotte. A longtime resident of Linwood, New Jersey, and a graduate of Pleasantville High School, Class of 1955, she went on to earn her baccalaureate from Earlham College in Indiana. Married to her college sweetheart for 58 years, Philip N. Bright Sr., they made six moves to six states. Pat perfected skills of becoming involved and making friends. Always active, Pat enjoyed competitive sports such as golf and tennis and pickleball. She was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church in Linwood, New Jersey, and an active member of Sweet Adeline Cape Shore Chorus. She enjoyed her garden and book clubs and was never happier than with her hands in her garden. Her family and friends were the beneficiary of her dinners and especially her pies. No one could match her lemon meringue pie, and it, along with her mac and cheese, was requested repeatedly. As the dedication of a cookbook published in honor of her 80th birthday reads, “She is a woman who is quick to laugh and brighten your day with a smile. If you were around the Bright house near mealtime, a sincere invitation to our table was easily extended. There was always room for one more. She taught us the magical art of creative cooking. Each of us has our childhood favorites, and now our extended families have theirs as well.” The ultimate caregiver, after raising her five children she felt the call to return to New Jersey where she cared for her mother, father, husband and daughter until their deaths; all passed at home. There was always a beloved pet(s) in our house. Pat was always welcoming to all, mindful to be inclusive of everyone and had a quick and infectious laugh. Having just moved back to Huntington after 35 years, Pat was tackling the challenge of getting to know her new hometown. Most recently she was enjoying becoming part of the choir at First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Eloise Stone; brothers, Robert and Richard (Dick) Stone; husband, Philip Bright Sr.; and daughter, Diana Bright. Pat is survived by brother, Dan (Ruth Ellen) Stone ’57; sister-in-law, Hattie Emma Stone; children, Amy (Parker) Ward, Philip (Cyndi) Bright Jr., Tim (Scarlett) Bright, Paul (Nancy DiJohn) Bright; grandchildren, Parks (Alissa) Ward, Tricia (Mike) Derrig, Jessica, Allie, Rosie and Sophie Bright, Tim Jr., Jason, Samantha Bright and Caitlin (Derek) Snow; Melisa (Brian) Godfrey; great-grandchildren, Katherine, Blake and Peyton Ward, Mason Godfrey and Jennifer Bright; as well as a host of nieces and nephews who will miss their Aunt Pat!

Mary S. Hoekstra Economou

Mary Sigrid Hoekstra Economou, age 83, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Feb. 10, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. Mary grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and lived in Chicago, Illinois, and later Valparaiso, Indiana, before moving to Texas. She attended Earlham College and graduated with honors from Purdue University in 1959. Mary married Alexander Economou in 1961. He preceded her in death in 1995. Mary is survived by their five children: Sigrid Economou, Aaron (Doris) Economou, Marie (John) Haspil, Alexis (Andy) Pruitt, and Amy Sliwinski; fifteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers Eric Hoekstra and Lynn Hoekstra, her sister Ingrid Lesley, and her large extended family of in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary and Alex met at Purdue University. Both were dedicated public school teachers, and the couple owned two restaurants. They took their family camping, hiking and boating, on wilderness canoe treks and many adventures in our national parks. Mary loved being on or near the water, and she was a knowledgeable birder. She enjoyed attending opera and classical music concerts. She was an avid gardener and her gardens often drew admiring photographers, due to her natural designs and inclusion of native wildflowers. She also found creative expression in needlepoint, embroidery and quilting. Mary loved visiting art museums, drama and reading, especially history. She is remembered for her kind patience, perseverance, witty insights and subtle sense of humor.

1960

Marna Mason Goddard

Marna Mason Goddard, age 82, passed away Jan. 14, 2021. She shared 56 years of marriage with her husband, Steve, who passed away less than two week before Marna. Marna was born in Hartford, Connecticut, graduated from Earlham College and earned her master’s from Harvard. Steve and his wife Marna were both music lovers and patrons of the arts. Their love of nature, community and conservancy was exemplified by their donation of land to London Grove Township which initiated what is now known as Goddard Park. Steve and Marna were preceded in death by their son Chad Phillips Goddard, and survived by their daughter Laura Pogue.

Barbara Ann Milford Scott

Barbara Ann Milford Scott passed away Jan. 21, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer, at Talbot Hospice House in Easton. She was 82 years old. Barbara is survived by her husband, George McGuire, her daughter Makani Lew ‘86 (nee Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Lew) and husband Rory Criss and grandson, Xander Criss, her daughter Jessica Scott, and her sister, Sarah (Sally) Milford Barnes and her husband, Philip P. McGarvey. Barbara is also survived by a nephew, Tim Barnes and his wife, Richa Nand, a niece, Carrie Barnes, and her husband, Pete Graham, plus their son, Silas, and a niece, Leigh Barnes of San Francisco, California, and her husband Jon Feldman, plus their sons, Alex and Miles. Barbara Scott was a leader in her workplace as well as a role model to those around her. She spoke out against injustices in the 60s. She extended a loving hand to troubled youth in the 70s. She encouraged people around her to pursue and excel at all times. She also had a tender side where she had incredible empathy for the little animals and admiration for the beauty around her in nature, in art and in music. By the end of her long life, she helped raise at least 72 kids and opened her home for free or cheap housing so they could have a place they could call their village center. She was loved as a friend and a parental figure. She played the tough guy, but she really had a very big heart. She would befriend people of any age. Barbara bonded with everyone she encountered. For example, on the New York subway, within minutes of being on the train, she would somehow get into conversations with people, and lo and behold they would discover something like they both came from a similar place in Pennsylvania and then go on to talk about other similarities. Or in a diner in Easton, she would know everything there was to know about the kind woman who served her blueberry pancakes. She looked at these encounters with everyone as a possible conversation and potential friend. Barbara was born on June 30, 1938, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Russell Thorn Milford and Emily Mary Buckman Milford. She grew up in a family of two schoolteachers as parents, who much to her joy, and perhaps chagrin, applied their educational lessons at home to both her and her sister, Sally. Daily lessons included working on perfect grammar, re-reading and discussing how Chaucer was the best example of society in print and learning how to fix just about anything. Because of this foundation, she became the sharp-witted, articulate, directed woman people came to appreciate in her high school, college and career. Barbara graduated from Wyomissing High School in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, in 1956. She participated in many clubs and had a very close group of friends. Having her dad as her English teacher meant a lot to her. In 1960, Barbara graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Barbara recalled that Earlham provided a positive learning environment and encouraged community service and social justice. She made many friends that she talked about as truly wonderful at Earlham and at the Young Friends Committee of North America. After graduating from Earlham, Barbara worked as a program director in a YWCA in Passaic, New Jersey, for a year then went to Philadelphia and enrolled in a master’s program at the University of Pennsylvania. This was a new interdisciplinary program called human relations where she specialized in race relations. During the two years at Penn, she worked for the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends for the Race Relations Committee and was a salesperson for Friends Suburban Housing, a real estate firm established to open the suburbs to all interested buyers. This was an exciting and turbulent time in race relations, including a lot of violent counter-pressures to opening suburban housing to blacks and a lot of non-violent demonstrations for equal rights. She left Philadelphia for Long Island, New York, and married Wilbur Lambart Lew. His four children—Art, Phil, Margaret and Roger—became part of her family. Barbara and Wilbur had a daughter in 1964, Makani Lew (nee Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Lew). They remained married for four years after which she returned with Makani to Philadelphia. It was there where Barbara first worked for the Urban League as a housing specialist and later was the housing planner for the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. In 1969, Malcolm (Mal) Scott and Barbara married and lived in Philadelphia and opened their house to not only his children—Leigh, Malcolm III, Lexi, and Liz—but also to about eight others who needed homes from the community. The result was a very busy home in the Germantown / Mt. Airy neighborhood. In 1974, Barbara and Mal and the kids moved to Cabot, Vermont, where they became the house parents for a group home called Sunwood. The next two years were exciting and taxing. There were eight foster kids at a time that were placed with them by the state as kids in need of care and supervision. The local community was not enthusiastic about them housing state kids, but somehow all of the kids did well and were able to return to their homes. In February of 1974, Barbara and Mal had a daughter Jessica Scott. And while Mal cared for her, Barbara began her work at the Governor’s Commission working as the juvenile justice planner. In the first year there she co-wrote a paper on delivering police services in Vermont which led to some political upheaval that led to some positive changes in the corrections systems in Vermont. During her time at this job, she was a part of the successful closing of the state’s reform school and of the state’s prison and replacement of antiquated correctional facilities. At the end of her stay there, Barbara was promoted to deputy director of the agency and specialized in grants management. In 1979, Barbara moved to the Washington, D.C., area where she lived out the rest of her years. Barbara and her two daughters joined families with Forrest Forsythe and his four children: Scott, Lee, Todd and Melynda. Barbara’s first job in the nation’s capital was with a nonprofit called the National Youth Work Alliance as the research and training director. From there she went to CSC and supported the Department of Energy on state programs needing technical assistance on block grant programs. She also supported the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nuclear Negotiations Directorate which, of course, was an entirely new view of life. After a twelve-year period with the small information technology company, CSC, she joined the federal government workforce, first with the Department of Education and then the General Services Administration (GSA) in the Chief Information Officers’ offices. As always, she forged many long-lasting friendships with her workmates. She was known as someone who was a good listener, helped brainstorm solutions and a good friend. One friend said she was grateful for Barbara for how she’d help talk through ideas to make sure there was a good balance of action with sound judgment. When Barbara purchased her first home in College Park, Maryland, she lavished in spending the next two decades decorating it with beautiful Vermont furniture, carpets from faraway lands, gorgeous photos and dishes from around the world. She had a passion for aesthetics and color. Barbara was involved with the Farm and Wilderness camps in Vermont, serving on the board for six years and acting as chair of the board for two. She described it as a heavenly place for kids with its Quaker heritage and its practices of working to sustain living on the farms and in the wilderness. Her daughter Jessica worked at F&W as a nurses’ assistant after having been a camper beforehand. Barbara and George McGuire started their 18-year friendship in 2002 and were married in 2015 on the Queen Mary. Together, they spent a lot of time traveling and taking many gorgeous pictures of the landscape, the animals and the beautiful cultures. Barbara said one of her most interesting trips was a cruise around the horn of South America with a jaunt to the Falkland Islands on the way. Barbara also traveled to some far distant and spectacular locations with her long-term friend from her days in Vermont, Caroline Taplin. The two travelers brought back many memories and photos from Iceland, twice to Turkey, and around the Baltic. Barbara and George spent endless hours transforming their College Park, Maryland backyard into a bird metropolis with too many bird feeders and squirrel distractions. From raccoons finding the entry to the cat door to critters leaping on the roof, they kept their cameras at the ready to record all the marvelous backyard fauna activity. Their other passion was to create a rambling English Tasha Tudor style garden with small curvy paths, small back houses and a year-round colorful rainbow of flora. In the meantime, Barbara and George began to set up another home in Easton, Maryland which was close to one of her favorite birding locations, the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. They would go for the weekend and enjoy visiting the turtles and birds and other animals at the reserve followed by a stop to see the cute goats and fresh veggies at Emily’s Produce or to pick up some delicious baked goods at the Amish Country Farmer’s Market. If it wasn’t birds, it was plants, which meant a visit to Garden Treasures where Barbara would inevitably find another plant or beautiful piece of pottery she just had to have. Barbara’s hobbies were plenty. From knitting hundreds of sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves and afghans for everyone to endless listening to the beautiful music of the National Symphony and the operas at the Met or to programs on NPR. You would often find Barbara curled up with a book or engrossed in a TV documentary. When she cooked a meal, she became the expert and created sumptuous wonders. She made fully equipped dollhouses with handmade furniture and functional electricity. The inside of her house became a jungle of many luscious plants from all of those stops to the plant store. Her most recent hobby of the past 10 years, though she would say it was more of an addiction, was everything involving baseball, the Boston Red Sox in particular. Thanks to the MLB Extra Innings TV program, she was able to steadfastly refuse any offers to do something in the awful humid heat in Washington from April through September, and sometimes October, because she had a ball game to watch. As she said, this yielded her never-ending satisfaction. When we think of Barbara, we think of a woman who was quite a leader. She overcame many barriers. She pursued incredible academic and career goals. She explored new things without issue and generally excelled. She perceived everything around her with all her senses on full alert. She reached out to those around her in her daily interactions in an engaging and inclusive manner. We wish her next journey to be filled with good feelings, true joy and connectedness to beauty.

Clara Jean Wilson Black

Clara Jean Black was born on March 30, 1938, and passed away on Jan. 13, 2021.

1961

Warren Porter

Warren Porter died Aug. 28, 2020. He is survived by his wife Hallie, three children from his first marriage to Sally Porter ‘62, Adam (Nancy), Laura, and Lydia (Gordon), five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

1962

David A. Hackett

David Hackett, historian and Holocaust expert, died at 80 on Nov. 15, 2020. Professor Hackett translated “The Buchenwald Report,” a vital account of life at the Buchenwald concentration camp. He died of the coronavirus. As a teenager growing up in El Paso in the 1950s, David always looked forward to Sunday evenings with a German family, the Bornsteins. Goulash and sauerbraten were served, his parents sipped schnapps with Dr. Bornstein and his wife, and David got to sit next to their daughter, Olga. But what he relished most about these evenings was their atmosphere, reminiscent of an intellectual salon. David considered these soirees sophisticated. He considered them, in other words, European. And he liked it. But at these gatherings, he also started to grasp that Dr. Bornstein was a Holocaust survivor who had fled Europe in the 1940s. As he learned more, his fascination with world history grew and blossomed into a career. He studied in Munich as a Fulbright scholar in the 1960s and acquired fluent German. He became a history professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he worked for more than 40 years, specializing in Germany and early-20th-century Europe. He taught courses such as The History of the Weimar Republic and The Rise of the Nazi Party. In 1995, he published “The Buchenwald Report,” his translation of an exhaustive document made by German-speaking U.S. Army officers at the Buchenwald concentration camp shortly after its liberation in 1945. The complete report, which was originally thought to have been lost after the war, contained interviews with prisoners and graphic details about the camp’s conditions and was partly intended for Germans, with the aim of countering Holocaust denial. “I transcribed, collated and restored the organization of the original German-language text, contained on 400 yellowed, brittle and blurry sheets of carbon copy paper,” David wrote in a preface. The work was, he argued, one of the most significant documentary discoveries from the World War II period.  “I think it was the ultimate puzzle for him,” Mary-Elizabeth Hackett said of her father’s work. “How could a country that produced Goethe, Mozart and Beethoven also be responsible for the horrors of the Holocaust? He wanted to understand it because it was so incomprehensible.” David Hackett was born David Andrew Welper on Jan. 29, 1940, in Rensselaer, Indiana. His father, Andrew Dale Welper, an engineer, died of sepsis when David was 4. His mother, Margaret (Jenkins) Welper, a homemaker, married Clarence G. Hackett, a child psychologist, and the family eventually settled in El Paso. David graduated from Austin High School there in 1958. After graduating from Earlham College in Indiana with a B.A. in history, he received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. His Ph.D. dissertation, which ran 457 pages long, was titled “The Nazi Party in the Reichstag Election of 1930.” As a Fulbright scholar, he lived in a tiny flat in Munich, where his strict landlady brought him crusty rolls each morning for breakfast. In his spare time, he attended the opera and skied in the Bavarian Alps. Professor Hackett joined the history department of the University of Texas at El Paso in 1971. He served a term as chairman in the late 1990s and retired in 2014. A few years later, Parkinson’s disease started to affect his mobility. In addition to his daughter Mary-Elizabeth, he is survived by his wife, Anne Hackett; another daughter, Caroline Hackett ’07; a son, Michael; a brother, Don; his stepmother, Helen; two stepbrothers, James and John Macayel; two half-sisters, Peggy Heinrichs and Susan Murray; a stepsister, Jennifer Eveler; and six grandchildren.

Susan Marguerite Simkin

Susan Marguerite Simkin died Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, while in hospice in Socorro, New Mexico. A graduate of Earlham College with a bachelor’s and the University of Wisconsin with a doctorate, she was a professor of astronomy at Michigan State University for many years. She was as dedicated to good teaching as she was to scientific research. Her research focus was in Extragalactic Astronomy, for which she used both optical and radio telescopes. After research fellowships in the Netherlands and Australia, she valued the many international colleagues and friends she had met. Later in life, she provided funding and guidance to other astronomers by working at the National Science Foundation. The daughter of Norman Victor Smith and Alice Margaret Gullen Smith, Susan was born in Detroit on July 26, 1940. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Roger D Simkin ’60, and is survived by a brother, Dean Lance (Pat) Smith and a sister, Martha Kathleen Smith. She is also survived by two sons, Daniel Ian (Joyce) Simkin `90 and Benjamin Andrew Simkin, and one niece, Amanda Natalie Smith.

1963

Peter Stowe

Peter Stowe died unexpectedly at age 79 from a stroke on Sept. 8, 2020. Peter had suffered from the genetically linked vascular dementia CADASIL since being diagnosed in 2001. Peter received a bachelor’s from Earlham and a doctorate in economics from Purdue University. He taught at Southern Illinois University for seven years and worked at the National Center for Educational Statistics for 25 years. His research helped make Pell Grants more accessible and looked at outcomes for college graduates. Peter is survived by his wife, Jane Telfair Stowe ’63, his brother Tom Stowe ’65, son Tim and three grandchildren. Pete is known for his great sense of humor among family and friends. He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed bicycling and flower gardening.

Elizabeth Claire Trueblood Derr

Elizabeth (Honey) Trueblood Derr, 79, passed away on March 18, 2021, in Oxford, Pennsylvania. Honey was born on April 30, 1941, in Palo Alto, California, the daughter of D. Elton and Pauline Goodenow Trueblood. At age four her family moved to Richmond, Indiana, where she grew up as a faculty child on the Earlham College campus. Her mother and older brother Arnold designed their family cottage at Lake Paupac in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Honey spent almost every summer there as a young girl where she enjoyed adventures with family and friends while her father wrote books. Lake Paupac continued to be a place to celebrate family throughout her life. Honey graduated from Westtown School in 1959 and attended Earlham College. She met her husband Dan at Earlham College and they married in 1963. After living in several places, Honey found a “diamond in the rough” farm in Conowingo, Maryland which they named Spring Valley Farm and molded into a beautiful treasure over the next 47 years. Honey had a love of gardening and plants. Over the many years living at Spring Valley Farm she made the most of her gifts of creative vision, determination and ingenuity, completing the many projects that shaped the memorable landscape of the family farm. She passed these gifts to her children and grandchildren by including them in all parts of the process. Honey was well known for her ability to encourage those with doubts, and she always looked for ways to help others believe in their gifts. She ran a small business for several years called, The Spring Valley Farm Garden Shop where she sold vegetables and flowering plants to the public. Together Honey and Dan created a pick-your-own fruit business selling blueberries and other fruit. As her three children got older she began substitute teaching to supplement the family income. At 45 she began a career as a librarian, which was appropriate given her love of reading. She worked at the Perryville Library and at the Elkton Library where she was head of circulation. But above all other ventures, Honey was most passionate about raising her three children and used the farm as a unique backdrop for child-rearing. Both fun and firm, she taught them the virtues of freedom and accountability. After retirement from the library, Honey assisted her husband in the direct marketing of the blueberry growing business. From greeting and assisting customers to setting price points to creating and maintaining the website, she thrived in all sales and marketing aspects of the business. Honey was a lifelong member of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and attended Deer Creek Meeting in Darlington, Maryland, with her family for many years. Honey and Dan moved to Ware Presbyterian Village in 2017. Honey quickly made many friends and greatly enjoyed the community atmosphere. While at Ware, Honey volunteered with Canine Partners for Life where she trained a yellow Labrador service dog named, Nittany. She is survived by her husband, B. Daniel Derr ’62 and their three children; Sam Derr (wife Amanda, children Sarah, Isaac, Anna), Brooke Derr (husband Dan Feingold), and Nathan Derr (children Eric, Amelia, Jake). Honey is also survived by one brother, Samuel J. Trueblood ’60 (wife Mary Ellen) of Exton, PA. Additional siblings include two deceased brothers, Martin Trueblood ’47 (wife Margaret) and Arnold Trueblood ’52 (wife Caroline).

1964

David Rosenman

David Rosenman passed away in March from cancer. David was raised in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and attended the Friends Central Schools in Overbrook, Pennsylvania, before entering Earlham as a first-year in 1960. At Earlham, David was a pre-med major. After graduation, David earned a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and was a Fellow in Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. While a student at Earlham, David was an active volunteer especially with the Richmond chapter of the American Friends Service Committee and WECI. He was instrumental in bringing Pete Seeger and Joan Baez to the campus for concerts benefitting the American Friends Service Committee. After graduation, he took part in the Earlham Japan Foreign Study program led by Jackson Bailey and Lou Hoskins, and participated in AFSC’s Far East Work Camp. These experiences engendered life-long friendships and a continued interest in Japanese history and art. After receiving his medical degrees, David served as a volunteer on the hospital ship of Project Hope, teaching medical students in Colombia and administering vaccinations in remote communities. He later served as the director of student health and counseling services at Cal State Fullerton and the University of Virginia. Later in life, David had a psychiatry practice which evolved into his counseling full-time with veterans from war zones suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and brain injuries. In all that he did, David focused on improving the effectiveness of medical support programs and received many citations and recognitions for his efforts. He was particularly proud of his efforts to help start a tree-planting program that raised millions of dollars to add trees to local forests in Seal Beach, California. Throughout his life, he kept regular contact with a wide circle of Earlham friends, especially among the Class of 1964. He helped classmates dealing with health issues of their own or their loved ones. In recent years, he established and led a list serve in which 24 of his classmates participated. He communicated with them regularly up until his death about many topics, but particularly health issues. He provided them with almost daily updates on public health advice about COVID-19. He cared very much for them, as they did for him, which led them to increase their giving on Earlham Day in his honor.

1965

Heidi Honnold Spencer

Heidi Honnold Spencer, 77, of Stevens Avenue, died of natural causes on Jan. 22, 2021, at home at Park Danforth where she resided with her husband, Charles David Spencer. Heidi was born in Philadelphia on June 30, 1943, the daughter of the late John and Annamarie (Kunz) Honnold, and grew up in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. She was an outstanding student attending Earlham College and the University of Pennsylvania. Heidi married the love of her life, David Spencer, and they celebrated 58 years of marriage. Heidi was a lifelong musician which included piano, violin, guitar, the accordion and most of all, singing. She had a passion and love for butterflies all of her life. Heidi and her husband David volunteered at the Peace Corps in the 1960s in Micronesia where she taught in the high school on the island of Yap. She spent time in Washington State volunteering with migrant farmworkers and was versed in several languages which included Spanish, French and Yapese. Heidi earned a master’s degree in teaching from Columbia University and later returned to school to attain her master’s of social work while raising small children. She then started her own psychotherapy practice in the D.C. area and became well known as her practice grew increasingly successful. This gave her incredible joy to help so many people in need. Heidi is survived by her husband of 58 years, David Spencer; children, Hans Indigo Spencer, Jason John Spencer and Tanya Spencer Shepardson; five grandchildren, who brought her immense joy, Charlie Alfred Spencer, Anica Katherine Spencer, Diego Justus Spencer, Cooper Hugh Shepardson and Hunter Cole Shepardson; a brother, Edward Ernest Honnold; nephew, Evan Morris Honnold and niece, Evelyn Anne Deming.

1966

Sandra Conklin Bishop

Sandra Kay Conklin Bishop departed this world on Nov. 21, 2020, after a brief illness following a long battle with ovarian cancer. Born in Elwood, Indiana, on Sept. 22, 1944, to Imojene Mae Ross Conklin and Harold David Conklin, she lived with her family in the country until they moved to Frankton, IN. She attended the Frankton School from grades 1- 12 and graduated valedictorian, Class of 1962. Sandra earned a bachelor’s in interdepartmental studies of marriage and the family from Earlham College in 1966. On March 19, 1965, she married her childhood sweetheart, John A. Bishop of Frankton. Following graduation, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she worked as a Hamilton County Welfare Department caseworker until the Jan. 1, 1968 arrival of her first child, Jennifer Ellen. She transitioned to her primary occupation of mother and homemaker, and Jan. 1, 1970, saw the arrival of her second child, John David. In 1971, John A. was drafted into the United States Air Force, where they quickly found that they liked the Air Force and its community and decided to stay in the service. On March 15, 1979, their third child, Angela Kathryn, was born in Bellevue, Nebraska, but within months they were stationed in Germany, which proved to be a great adventure. After 27 years of Air Force life, with assignments in Georgia, California, Texas, Nebraska, Rhein Main Germany, Arizona, Texas again and Ohio, they retired to civilian life. They settled in Fort Myers, Florida, for 12 years until John’s final retirement when, in late 2013, they moved to Portland, Oregon, to be nearer to their children and grandchildren. Sandra’s greatest joys in life were family, homemaking and sharing their military life. She especially loved cooking for family and friends. When living in San Antonio, Texas, she entered cooking contests, and her recipe won the Parade Magazine, “My Favorite Recipe” contest and a trip to Hawaii. She also won the Texas Beef Cook-Off and a chance to show her culinary skills at the national level. She continued as an avid culinary enthusiast, active in the Air Force Gourmet Club, and cooking for her grandkids. In 2017, Sandra was diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. She underwent several rounds of chemotherapy but when the cancer reached a point where there were no further treatment options, she chose to enter hospice. Home hospice allowed her to spend her final weeks cared for by John A., her three children and four of the grandkids. She slipped away peacefully and quietly content in her Lord and Savior. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother David Wayne Conklin, and is survived by her husband, her children and their spouses, (Jennifer Bishop, John D. and Veera Bishop, Angela and Casey Baker), sisters Betty Memmer and Rebecca Brashear, and six grandchildren (Ruth Merrill Baker, Beatrix Ellen Baker, Aasha Annika Bishop, Harold Thomas Audubon Baker, John Bomi Bishop, and George Peregrine Baker).

John V. Hanson

John V. Hanson, 76, beloved father, husband and grandfather, died unexpectantly following a wonderful weekend with family on Sunday morning Jan. 10, 2021, in Chicago. He was born on Oct. 23, 1944, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to the late Margaret Grace (nee Wagner) and Raymond Gilbert Hanson. He grew up in McHenry, IL. He graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana before enrolling in law school at Washington University in St. Louis where he met his loving wife of 52 years, Ellen Anne Chamberlain. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Anne Hanson; two sons, John Michael (Heidi Huckabay) Hanson and Richard Andrew (Jasmin Fox) Hanson; six grandchildren, Tor, Arik, Björn, Violet, Gwendolyn and Noah; two brothers, Thomas (Mary Gerwig) Hanson, William (Nancy Bartle) Hanson; two sisters, Sally (David) Ralph and Lou (Carol Wilmot) Hanson. John was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Raymond G. Hanson, Jr. John practiced as an attorney in Morris and the surrounding communities for nearly five decades. He served his community diligently by holding leadership positions on the Grundy County Housing Authority, the Grundy County Republican Central Committee, the Morris Hospital Auxiliary Board as well as countless other community organizations. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge #412 of Marseilles AF & AM as well as other civic and fraternal organizations. First and foremost, John was a family man. His love, guidance, generosity, wit and wisdom will be remembered eternally by his loved ones. He brightened every room he entered. He taught his kids valuable life skills such as service to the community, cooking, shooting and hunting. He was a skilled artist in drawing, carving powder horns, building rifles and hand-forging knives. He will be missed by his family and friends.

1967

Phillip Scott

Philip Ainsworth Scott, 76, passed away April 11, 2021. He was born Jan. 2, 1945, at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, to Lt. Col. Robert and Sarah Scott. A graduate of Haslett High School and Earlham College, Philip would go on to serve in the U.S. Agency for International Development during the Vietnam War. His career with the State of Michigan lasted for 23 years, retiring as director of refugee services. In retirement, Philip moved to Kingsley and worked as an interpreter for the Vietnamese and deaf communities. Surviving are daughters, Shonita Scott and Lt. Col. Allie (Alfonza) Payne; five grandchildren; his sister, Susie Galbraith; and his ex-wife, Constance Scott. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John and Robert.

Richard Quick

Richard Quick, 66, passed away on Feb. 14, 2021, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease. After graduation from Earlham, Richard attended Reed College where he obtained a MAT. He began teaching in the Detroit Public Schools in 1967 and initially taught high school biology at a multicultural school where he stayed for more than 15 years. He then changed direction and moved to a position at a magnet school where he taught computer science for the remainder of his 39-year career.  He felt that both experiences were challenging and valuable. Retirement meant travels, both abroad and domestic. Richard and Betsy traveled to more than 10 countries and were always eager to visit family and friends in other states. He continued to be involved with the Detroit Audubon Society where he was always a board member and sometimes president. Birding continued to be a favorite activity, but he also found time to work on his 1957 MGTD with help from the classic car group he joined. Golf was another favorite past-time for Richard and Betsy, as well as vacations in Michigan’s upper peninsula and Mackinac Island. Richard leaves behind a loving family — wife, Betsy Britton Quick `67; daughter, Amanda, son-in-law Brian, and grandson, Zachary; and son, David. He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.

Loraine Peck Adkins

Loraine Peck Adkins passed away quietly at home on Dec. 13, 2019. She had a number of health issues that caused her chronic pain. She developed recurring aspirations that could not be repaired so after much deliberation she and her family chose to participate in hospice at home.

1968

Bruce D. McAtee

Bruce D. McAtee, 75, of Lancaster, died Feb. 11, 2021, at home surrounded by family. He was born to the late Harry and Gertrude Davis McAtee in Piqua, Ohio. The son of a plumber, he acquired no technical skills, which allowed his son to win a ‘best design’ trophy for a pinewood derby car that appeared to have been made by a 6-year-old but was in fact mangled into shape by Bruce himself. What he lacked in craftsmanship, he compensated in personality. A font of puns, jokes and malapropisms, Bruce made friends with all he encountered, including numerous chagrined waiters and waitresses and was a renowned doodler and aspiring cartoonist. A lifelong fan of sports and games of all kinds, he played center for the Earlham College football team, graduating in 1968, later closely following the Browns and OSU, where he was a Red Coat for over 10 years. Following graduation, he embarked on his lifelong calling in public service. After spending two years in the Peace Corps, he began a 34-year career at the YMCA, with his last 17 years as the director for the Robert K. Fox Family YMCA. Following his retirement in 2005, he served as a Lancaster City Councilman, sat on the boards of United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters, was president of the Lancaster-Sherman Rotary and was a member and supporter of many other charitable organizations, and was a longtime congregant of the First Presbyterian Church. Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Nancy McAtee ’68; children, Michael (Lauren) and Rebecca (Calvin); grandchildren, Morris and Ruby; brother, Alfred (Robin); and, several nieces and nephews, family and friends, all of whom will surely miss the opportunity for just one more board game or a round of cribbage. He was preceded in death by his parents and also by his siblings, Colleen and Michael.

Susan K Roberts Forsberg

Susan Kraybill Roberts-Forsberg, 60, passed away Oct. 22, 2007. Late of Homewood, Illinois, she was the beloved wife of Bruce A. Forsberg for 32 years. Dear mother of William Bruce Forsberg of Homewood. Cherished daughter of Eleanor and the late Warren Roberts of Belpre, Ohio. Loving sister of Anne Roberts-Carver of Columbus, Ohio, and the late Thomas Roberts. Member of the American Library Association and the American Medical Association. Volunteer for the South Suburban Humane Society and the P.A.D.S. She was an alumnus of the University of Illinois and Earlham College.

1969

Patricia Lorton Foreman

Patricia A. “Pat” Foreman, 73, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at Reid Health. Born Aug. 27, 1947, in Henry County, Indiana, to Ralph and Hilda Lauridsen Lorton, Pat lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a 1965 graduate of Jefferson High School in New Paris, Ohio, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Earlham College in 1969. Pat was a computer programmer. She was a member of the Church of Christ in New Paris. Pat loved the Word of God and participated in Bible study fellowship. She enjoyed learning, reading, bird watching and traveling. Pat loved her family and cats. Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Richard “Rick” Foreman; sons, Robert “Rob” (Amanda) Foreman, and Michael Foreman, Illinois; grandsons, Cody, Austin and Bryce Foreman; sisters, Kathy (Jim) Low, and Debby (Steve) Bowman, Indiana; nieces; nephews; cousins; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Gary Cox

Gary Cox died in Spain of COVID-19 in March 2020. For twenty years he worked in Russian studies and literature at SMU. More recently he taught English literature online to students in China, and in the summer of 2019 led them on a tour of Greece. He was the father of three. He heartily agreed with the assertion that Earlham changes lives.

1970

Michael L. Pettengill

Michael L. Pettengill died unexpectedly on Dec. 16, 2020, in Merrimack, New Hampshire. He attended Earlham around 1966-68 in physics but did not graduate. His claim to fame while at Earlham 1968-1973 was filling a new position as a computer operator in the early days of computer technology and eventually managing the lab which eventually led to installing one of the first IBM computers with a variety of business applications where he multi-tasked with students and faculty alike. It appears he had a knack for self-learning, enjoyed computer programming and technology and about 1974 began work with DEC, Digital Equip Co moving around the midwest until he landed in New England, eventually settling in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Around 2001, DEC eventually consolidated/merged with Hewlett Packard and Compaq and Mike shifted and he moved on to other things. He got caught up in self-funded sabbatical involving himself with robotics, computer-controlled machine tools, which led him to NH Community Technical College in Manchester, New Hampshire, attaining a welding certificate with AA. He went on to tutor/teach at the New Hampshire Technical College machine tool technology and computer-aided design. At some point his interests expanded with public radio and television, got caught up in a variety of interests including some of the cooking shows, picking up new techniques and recipes from America’s Test Kitchen, thoroughly enjoying experimenting. His parents, Herbert D Pettengill `47 and Martha S. Pettengill died in 1996-1997. Dec. 16, 2020, a snowstorm was working its way up the east coast so he headed off to the local grocery where he collapsed and was taken to the local hospital in Nashua, NH where while in was getting an MRI, his heart arrested and he couldn’t be revived. He had been feeling poorly for a few weeks prior but apparently felt well enough to bike down to the store. He had just turned 73 on Nov. 21. Mike never married and is survived by his sister, Eileen Pettengill, and a younger brother, Larry Pettengill, his wife Joyce Benton, and their two children, Stacie & Tony.

1973

Marshall Janes

Marshall Hollister Janes, 68, died on April 14, 2020. A family memorial will be planned at a later time.

1974

Carol Sauers Stange

Carol Sauers Stange, 68, passed away in Amherst, Mass, on Nov. 3, 2020. Born in Elgin, Illinois, on Dec. 18, 1951, to the late Charles and Barbara Sauers (Gray), she grew up in White Plains, New York. Carol graduated from White Plains High School in 1970, Earlham College in 1974, and received her master’s of social work degree from the University of Louisville in 1979. She retired in 2002 from the State of Kentucky, Department of Mental Health/Division of Substance Abuse as Women’s Program Director. Carol is survived by her husband, Robert Stange, her sister, Janet Sauers and her nieces, Anna and Sarah Nation, both of St. Paul, MN. Carol’s greatest joy in life came from her love of music, travel, reading, dancing and being with friends. She was known for her dedication to her work in women’s substance abuse treatment and her passion for social justice. Her lovely smile and kind, compassionate spirit will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

Dr. Terry Blasdel

Dr. Terry Blasdel, born and raised in Canyon, Texas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 17, 2021, after a long co-existence with cancer. She had been in hospice care at home watched over by her husband, family and friends. Terry earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, a Master of Agriculture degree from West Texas State University in Canyon, and a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine from Texas A & M University, College Station. She started her professional career as a veterinarian at the sanctuaries. There will be much that Terry will be remembered for—her selfless giving of time, expertise and advice to her colleagues and friends, her deep love for her husband and family, the long hours of mentoring younger students and the passion she maintained for lab animal welfare. She is survived by husband Chris Coleman and siblings Eugene Sherwood Blasdel ’67, Mike Blasdel ’68, Christopher Blasdel ’74 and two dogs: Rooster and Pita.

Katherine Sibert

Katherine Anne Sibert, the spouse of Jerry Leases, died of a sudden illness at SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Illinois, on Feb. 10, 2020. She is survived by her husband Jerry, two sisters, one brother, and numerous nieces and nephews. Katherine Sibert was born Oct. 18, 1952, in Jacksonville, Illinois, to Robert F. and Jessica B. Sibert. She was the third of their four children. She graduated from Jacksonville High School, attended Earlham College in Indiana, and continued taking courses at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She married Jack Meyer in 1973, and he preceded her in death. She married Jerry Leases in Giant City State Park in 1986 and they lived in the country south of Murphysboro. Katherine liked to hike, fish, birdwatch and garden in the outdoors. She engaged in many hobbies such as stained glass, sewing and cooking. She was an avid reader of books and a Scrabble superstar. She and Jerry lived with a constant population of cats and golden retrievers. Her voice was well-known in the area because of the many years she spent reading stories on the radio station WSIU in Carbondale.

1975

James Van Lewis

James Van Lewis III, 67, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home Nov. 25, 2020. He was born May 28, 1953, the son of Veronika (Kokoshka) Lewis and James Van Lewis Jr. in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up on military bases from Long Island, New York to Wiesbaden, Germany to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, James fell in love with airplanes and adventure. He loved to ride his bicycle and make model airplanes. James graduated from Hickman High School in Columbia in 1971. He attended Earlham College where he played varsity volleyball and ran cross-country. To broaden his horizons, James decided to try his luck in the Big Apple, where he filled in between fashion modeling with odd jobs and a bit of acting. He soon landed an advertising copywriter position. Wanderlust struck again, however, and James moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he was first mate on the tugboat “Luna.” He became interested in the healthcare profession and became a kidney dialysis technician while attending Harvard University’s evening program. James returned to Missouri to help his parents on their farm in California, Missouri. He began classes at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he met his wife-to-be Mia, and they were married in Boonville on May 24, 1995. They adopted Johanna, a stray cat. James graduated from Mizzou in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife. He pursued an internship at the Warsaw Fish Hatchery. James returned to Columbia and enjoyed working with his hands, building model airplanes. James is survived by his beloved wife Mia, their two rescue cats Jennifer and Johanna II, his sister-in-law Karen Pfost, his niece Rachel Cofer and great-niece Maya Cofer of Bloomington, Ill. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Kathleen Lewis and his nephew Michael Cofer.

Ken Lee

Ken Lee died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the presence of his family on Feb. 18, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Milly Whiteagle-Lee; his sons, Sam and Noah; and grandson, Malachi; as well as his sister, Nancy (Gordon); and brother, Ted (Deb). Ken was born in New York, graduated from Earlham College in 1974, and attended the University of Minnesota for graduate school. He then met Milly, and they married. Ken worked for OSHA in Milwaukee for many years before retiring. Ken greatly enjoyed working for causes like union stewardship and worker rights, refereeing soccer, and being with his family. He received loving care and support from his family, especially from his dear wife Milly, and from Anna’s Compassionate Care. He will be missed.

Christopher J. Brown

Christopher J. Brown passed away on Nov. 27, 2020.

Claire McCurdy

Claire McCurdy, 66, died unexpectedly on Sept. 12, 2020, in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, NY. She died about a week after undergoing surgery to remove pulmonary emboli, which had compromised her health for months. Her family and friends miss her terribly and will celebrate her vitality, honesty, creativity, perseverance, and love of friends and family as well as her bright smile and exuberant laugh. Claire lived in New York City and worked as editor-at-large at the online journal International Policy Digest, writing news and feature stories. She focused primarily on Japanese society, culture, arts and architecture, and she also wrote about gender, health and mental health issues. In recent years, she focused on the Fukushima earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown and their impacts on different elements of Japanese society. Earlier she served as an archivist/curator, grant writer, researcher and teacher for New York City cultural and non-profit institutions. A certified archivist, she earned a master’s in history with a concentration in archival management from New York University and a bachelor’s in English with honors from Earlham College. Most importantly to her, Claire’s studies at Earlham in Japanese language and culture, cross-cultural education and how to teach English in Japan launched her on her life’s work. She taught English in that country for years, first through Earlham and later to corporate executives. When she returned to the States, she became a writer and although she worked in the nonprofit world for some years, she wrote throughout her career about Japanese culture and society. She focused in particular on religious practices and beliefs; myth and folklore; and arts and crafts of religious, psychological or cultural significance. She also dug into gender issues: the differences between men’s and women’s experiences in everyday life, the lives of women professionals, perspectives of women political activists, and her own standing as a woman and teacher in Japan. She was fascinated with the culture and endeavored to understand it and explain it to Westerners as best she could.

1987

Steven Shawn McWilliams

Steven Shawn McWilliams, 55, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away suddenly in his home on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. Steven was the son of the late Robert McWilliams and Katherine Harris Johnson. A native of Indianapolis, Steve was born Jan. 12, 1965. He graduated from John Marshall High School and received a basketball scholarship to Earlham College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology. Steve loved sports, especially basketball and golf. Steve is survived by his mother, Katherine Harris Johnson (Ralph); sisters, Caroline McWilliams Johnson (Ron), Sheila McWilliams Henry (Brian); nieces, Sydney, Taylor and Morgan; nephews, Jonathan and Ronald; and a host of other extended relatives and friends.

Anne Elizabeth Powers

Anne Elizabeth Powers of Cincinnati, formerly of Johnson City, Tennessee, was born June 30, 1965, in Cincinnati and passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 55 on Feb. 21, 2020, surrounded by her loved ones. Anne earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English, which only represents a fraction of the depth of her relationship to language and literature. A penetrating intellect, Anne graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Earlham College in 1987, received her master’s from the University of Chicago in 1989 where she earned the Jonathan D. Steiner Award – Best Master’s Essay. Anne was a member of Mensa since her high school days at Ursuline Academy. Her talented use of the English language served her in every aspect of her life but especially helped her to realize her potential in the field of technical writing and as a business analyst. She worked within the IT field, excelling and constantly growing her title for many years, most notably and recently at Fifth Third Bank, a job and community whose significance in her life cannot be overstated. Mentored and supported by her colleagues at Fifth Third Bank since the beginning of her employment there in 2009, Anne served as team or project lead for multi-million dollar strategic projects and was co-chair of the Employee Engagement Committee for 300 employees and contractors. Anne was a kind, consistent and vigilant member of every community she participated in throughout her 55 years of life. Her intellect, dynamic thinking and empathy benefited everyone she met. The grief and gratitude felt by her living relations (including her daughters Emily LeBarre and Eleanor Powers-Beck, son-in-law Evan LeBarre, brothers Bob and Dave, parents Jim and Kate and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends) is a reflection of the essential role she played in their lives. Anne was fiercely devoted to her family and she was a mother above all else, a title to her that was transformative. Her love remains a resource to the people in her life as it reverberates through her community and the world at large. This is her legacy. In December 2019 Anne was diagnosed with Glioblastoma IV. She responded to this devastating diagnosis with heroic equanimity and humor. She practiced gratitude on a daily basis to the very end. Her family is beyond grateful for the loving care she received from Monica Koehler and Rhonda and Malekaof the Kingdom Keepers.

1994

Doug Atkinson

Doug Atkinson passed away March 5, 2021, from complications due to COVID-19. After Earlham, he received an MLIS from Wayne State University, then moved to Champaign, Illinois where he worked in medical supply billing. For the past twenty years, he shared a home with Kathleen Fuller ’97 and Josh Medin. His was a life full of books, games, pop culture and cats, and friends who miss him terribly.

1997

Matthew Denman Smith

Matthew Denman Smith, Ph.D., 45, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, died at Brigham and Women’s Hospital on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Matt will be deeply missed but his spirit remains in the hearts of his devoted mother, Margaret (Smith) Agnoli; his loving sisters, Rebecca MacCormick (Gunnar) and Angela Olivere (Mark); his much-adored nephews and niece, James and Asa MacCormick, and Lillian, Andrew and Benjamin Olivere; many dear aunts, uncles and cousins; an abundance of deeply loved friends; and of course his steadfast pup, Marty. Matt was preceded in death by his father, Scott R. Smith, his stepfather, Donald G. Agnoli, grandparents James and Lois Denman and Marilyn and Russell Smith, and his beloved four-pawed companion, Luther. Matt was born in Rutland, Vermont, on Oct. 25, 1974, to Scott and Margaret (Denman) Smith. He was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 17 months (with a life expectancy of 19 years) but never allowed CF to define his life. Instead, he used the awareness of mortality as a catalyst to embrace and make the most of his experience. This approach to life was only reinforced by the loss of his father at age 7. Matt grew up skiing and exploring the Vermont outdoors where his love for nature and science took root. The family moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts when Matt was a teenager, where he gained treasured new family and friends. He discovered his love for travel and adventure and expanded his horizons through family trips to Europe and camping across the United States. He graduated from Longmeadow High School in 1993. Matt attended Earlham College in Indiana, a Quaker school that he often reflected on as a formative place. There, his innate kindness and pensive nature blossomed from learning deeply about the power of humility and spirituality. Matt gravitated towards higher education after college, where he pursued his interest in nature. He began with a Masters in Wildlife Science at the University of Arizona where he studied “perhaps the most adorable of birds,” the burrowing owl. He spent long summers in careful scientific observation of these owls all over the remote mountain west. He completed his thesis in 2004 and a publication resulting from this work was featured in the preeminent textbook on animal behavior – a great distinction. He then transitioned back to the east coast to conduct his doctoral research studying animal behavior at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Powered by the salty ocean air that always felt good on his lungs, Matt spent 7 years studying the mating behavior of horseshoe crabs. Because horseshoe crabs often mate at night, much of Matt’s research included late nights with his feet in the ocean lit by bioluminescence in the shallow sandy waters. Throughout these years he traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Highlights included skiing in Canada, surfing in Costa Rica and attending scientific conferences in Australia and Brazil. After he finished his Ph.D. in 2012, Matt continued working as an adjunct lecturer at UF, where he dedicated much of his time to training younger scientists, one of his dearest passions. He then began postdoctoral research at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Matt uplifted others with his fun-loving nature, infectious humor and enthusiasm for life. These qualities were wonderfully balanced by his sincerity, thoughtfulness and wisdom. He had a unique ability to hone in on the deeper aspects of the human experience and brought great value to relationships with his considered and wise counsel. He forged strong lifelong friendships. His spirituality, introspection and care and support for others were exemplified in the handful of marriage and commitment ceremonies that it was his great honor to conduct for friends and family. He was always on the lookout for an element of the sublime. Eating well was one of his enduring pleasures. That exquisite ribeye, beautiful salad or rich dessert enjoyed with friends or family was a constant theme. He even, as an extreme night owl, woke early on occasion in pursuit of smoking the perfect brisket. He appreciated art and craftsmanship in many forms. He was a car enthusiast from a young age and was keenly interested in technical and design features as well as the pleasure of driving. He loved discussing the merits of the latest movies and television series, pondering possible additions to his artwork collection, or creating his own paintings and photography. He sought adventure and a good time: parties, game nights, trivia, bowling, golf, surfing, karaoke. Music was incredibly important to him throughout his life. He loved discovering, listening to and sharing music of many genres, new and old, and reveled in being up against the stage at live concerts, dancing and singing along. At UF he caught the fever for the incredible communion of Gators home football games and from then on was a truly dedicated fan. He took pride in his appearance and enjoyed dressing well, supporting small, ethically-run clothing companies. He was always trying new and engaging ways to take care of himself and build his strength. He started with road biking in his teenage years and participated in the MS challenge by riding 150 miles (96 in the pouring rain). He enjoyed hiking, canoeing and kayaking. Later he got into more formal fitness training programs and even completed an Olympic-length triathlon. As his lung disease progressed, Matt returned to Longmeadow, to be closer to family and the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. He spent his summers on Cape Cod, boating and enjoying the beach and ocean air. In May 2019 Matt underwent a successful double lung transplant surgery and survived 14 months that included precious time with family and friends. Unfortunately, multiple rare complications prevented a full recovery. He showed strength and courage throughout his medical journey and faced every hurdle with perseverance and grace. The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to those who provided exceptional medical care for Matt. Special appreciation to Dr. Manuela Cernadas from Boston Children’s for her incredible dedication and to the doctors, PAs, nurses and staff at Brigham & Women’s and Dana Farber, especially the Lung Transplant, Pulmonary and Critical Care and the Palliative care teams. The family would also like to thank his childhood doctors, Dr. Donald Swartz and Dr. Robert Gerstel for their early guidance and treatment that served him well throughout the years.

2018

Anthony R. Maggard

Anthony R. Maggard passed away on Dec. 31, 2020. From kindergarten, Anthony had many hopes and dreams. Anthony was determined, driven, and self-motivated. Anthony always wanted to help people. When he was 6 years old, his grandmother had a stroke and was paralyzed, he told his father that one day he was going to fix his grandmother. Anthony wanted to have an island so people could have a better life. Anthony wanted to save the world of suffering and cure diseases. Anthony was extremely loved by everyone with whom he came in contact. He will truly be missed every day. Anthony earned his bachelor’s degree from Earlham College and was on his way to getting a master’s in neuroscience at Brandeis University.