The Importance of – Bananas?
University of Kansas professor emeritus of history Charles L. Stansifer ’53/54 was noted for his lectures on the subject of bananas and his extensive collection of banana-related objects. What?
Stansifer, you see, was a specialist in the history of Central America, and his humorous lectures on bananas caught, and kept, the interest of his students.
He joined KU’s history faculty as an assistant professor in 1963, after completing a doctorate in Latin American history at Tulane University in 1959 and a brief teaching stint at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette.
Before retiring from KU in 2004, he directed the Study Abroad in Costa Rica program (a KU and Universidad de Costa Rica collaboration) in 1966 and 1974, served as director of the Center of Latin American Studies, 1975-89, was chair of the history department from 1993-96 and was on the graduate committees for more than 200 MA and PhD students of Latin American history and Latin American studies.
His own scholarly work was wide-ranging within his specialty and included analyzing the effects of civil war in Nicaragua on the country’s cultural life and social development.
He made frequent trips to Nicaragua both before and after the 1979 revolution, the first in 1965, his last in 2001. In 1999, he was recognized with the Provost’s Faculty International Leadership Award.
Stansifer, who held a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in history from WSU, died Feb. 4, 2016, in Lawrence, Kan.
— Connie Kachel White
Family Woman
Dorothy “Dot” M. (Neises) O’Neill ’49 was an active woman on campus during her years at the University of Wichita.
The English language and literature major was involved in Delta Omega, Student Council and the spirit group Wheaties, to list just three of the organizations she either was a member of or led.
In 1948, she was crowned Homecoming Queen.
In 1949, she set off on a job hunting expedition. “Chicago has proved to be a mighty exciting place for me,” she wrote the WU Alumni Association. “I landed a good position in the publicity department of the American Osteopathic Association. I write news releases, feature articles, and general publicity. The job keeps me plenty busy, and I am enjoying it tremendously.”
She added, “This place is crawling with moviestars. I interviewed Ann Blyth on the Welcome Travelers show and sat next to Celeste Holm in The College Inn nightclub at the Sherman Hotel one night. I also saw Robert Mitchum at the Mayfair Room. All of the good nightclubs have terrific floorshows, and I am enjoying it no end.”
In 1950, she returned to Kansas to marry John O’Neill.
The couple made their home in Wichita, where she was a columnist for the Wichita Eagle and, later, a real estate agent who retired from Plaza Del Sol. Of all her accomplishments, her family meant the most.
“My honors,” she noted in 1978, “are nine healthy, intelligent, good-looking children.”
O’Neill died Nov. 22, 2015, in Wichita.
— Connie Kachel White
The Right Path
Janet M. Montgomery ’72/75, a pioneer and leader in the field of music in special education, was always proud of her education at Wichita State University.
After graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music, she was among the first to complete Wichita State’s music in special education program.
Created in 1969, it was one of the first Master of Music Education degree programs of its kind in the country.
Montgomery was so appreciative of WSU’s setting her on such an enriching career path that she wished any contributions in her memory to be sent to her alma mater: Wichita State University Foundation, The Dr. Janet Montgomery Fund for Music Education, 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260-0002.
Early in her career, she taught in Wichita public schools and then at Wright State in Dayton, Ohio, where she worked to develop an undergrad program in music education with a special education emphasis, while also a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction in 1983, and continued on as a writer, editor, clinician, presenter, collaborator, historian and teacher at Ithaca College in New York, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the University of Maryland at College Park.
Janet Montgomery, who was inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Association’s Hall of Fame in 2007, died March 19, 2016, in Greenbelt, Md.
— Connie Kachel White
Philanthropist from the Heart
Not many people had the reach of influence as did Joan (Schiff) Beren ’83.
For one thing, Beren and her daughters were recognized by then First Lady Laura Bush in a 2004 speech for their intergenerational example of commitment to family, faith and community.
In her speech, which was presented at the United Jewish Community’s women’s philanthropy Lions of Judah International Conference in Washington, D.C., Bush mentioned Beren’s efforts as the first woman president of the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation, noting especially her work in registering women voters.
The scope of Beren’s philanthropic endeavors was wide-ranging.
She taught at Hebrew Congregation, was an art specialist in Wichita public schools and a staunch advocate for the State of Israel.
She was also a staunch supporter of Wichita State and held active involvements with, among other university entities, the WSU Board of Trustees, the Ulrich Museum of Art, and the WSU Foundation.
Elizabeth King, the foundation’s president and CEO, once described Beren this way: “She is wise, discerning. She sees the big picture. She is a philanthropist from the heart.”
She was also a teacher, teaching by example the value of hard work and the relevance of engaging in the community.
Perhaps her best-taught lesson was the importance of family.
Joan Beren died Jan. 25, 2016, in Wichita.
— Cori Dodds ’04, Connie Kachel White
Educator of Merit
Norma J. (Redwine) Tucker ’79 earned the Specialist in Education from WSU, after graduating from McPherson College, McPherson, Kan., with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1967 and from the University of Oklahoma with a master’s degree in liberal studies in 1972.
She continued her higher education and received a doctorate in education from the University of Kansas in 1980.
Tucker began her career in education as a journalism teacher at Buhler (Kan.) High School in 1968.
In 1971, she joined the faculty at McPherson College, where she taught and was director of publicity from 1971 to 1976. She then served as associate dean of English and journalism, 1976-79; dean of faculty, 1979-80; and, from 1980-86, as vice president of academic services.
A published writer, Tucker authored a number of books, including Fledgling Eagle: Captain William Tucker and the New World Colony, as well as numerous articles, papers and poems.
As a college teacher, she was noted for often sharing this piece of advice: “There is no good writing; there is only good rewriting.”
Many of her students went on to pursue their own writing careers of merit, a fact that gave her great satisfaction.
A proud wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Norma Tucker – who was awarded McPherson College’s prestigious alumni award, the Citation of Merit, in 1992 – died May 22, 2016 in Round Rock, Texas.
— Connie Kachel White
Calls to Service
Raymond A.M. Jones ’66, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Wichita State, worked in many different places around the world – and served in many different roles.
A linguist who completed the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program at WSU, Jones entered active duty with the U.S. Air Force in 1967, serving in language intelligence and as a general’s aide in Latin America.
Among his posts before leaving active duty in 1973 was serving as protocol officer for the USAF Southern Command in Panama City, Panama.
Back in the United States, Jones lived in Washington, D.C., for a time and taught high school Spanish and American and world history before entering his primary occupation in hospital management.
He was appointed assistant to the chief of staff at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wichita, where he was involved with education programs and medical research.
He later became area emergency manager for the Veterans Affairs Heartland Network, and retired as area manager for the National Disaster Medical System.
From 1976-89, he served with the Air National Guard.
Active in the WSU Alumni Association since 1974, he served two three-year terms on the board of directors, taking on the duties of vice president of university programs in 1979-80 and helping with all manner of activities and events, including Shocker Auction.
Ray Jones died Feb. 29, 2016 in Wichita.
— Connie Kachel White
Kenneth “Ken” W. Anderson ’75, electrical engineering graduate who worked for KG&E prior to his 27 years at Wichita-based Vulcan Chemicals, from which he retired as principal electrical engineer; veteran of the Kansas Air National Guard who was called to active U.S. Air Force duty in Korea in 1968 in the wake of the USS Pueblo incident; Shocker sports fan proud to have had his three daughters and first granddaughter graduate from his alma mater, Dec. 12, 2015, Valley Center, Kan.
Leon M. Barnes ’51, geologist who worked in the oil and gas industry for Cities Service Co. for 32 years, retiring in 1983; World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a surveyor in the Philippines and occupied Japan, April 4, 2016, Oklahoma City.
Clyde E. Bevis ’51, Wichita Police Department deputy chief whose 24 years of service included working as a patrolman, as supervisor of the WPD laboratory and records sections and as commander of the internal affairs and inspection section; former investigator for the Federal Public Defender in Wichita; former police science instructor at WSU, who taught at the university part-time for 17 years; retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve lieutenant colonel and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who was in the 17th wave landing on Iwo Jima in February 1945, was involved in the occupation of Japan in Sasebo and, during the Korean War, returned to active duty and was assigned to the Armored Amphibious Battalion in Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 30, 2016, Wichita.
Louis E. Biggs ’67, business administration graduate who went on to a 48-year career in banking, 13 years with the Kaw Valley Bank in Topeka, Kan., and 35 years as a bank examiner with the FDIC, Feb. 13, 2016, Lenexa, Kan.
Donna L. Bicknell ’80, artist and retired art teacher who established the art department at Haysville (Kan.) Junior High School during her nine-year tenure there before going on to teach art at Campus High School, also in Haysville, Feb. 12, 2016, Haysville.
Daniel “Dan” L. Blick ’68, graphic design graduate who owned BBCo (Blick Benest Co. Inc.), a Wichita-based marketing design firm; six-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve; and an avid supporter of the Wichita State Shockers men’s basketball team, Jan. 17, 2016, Wichita.
Wilma L. (Ludiker) Blide ’70, homemaker, retired Wichita public schools home economics and English teacher, and enthusiastic Shocker sports fan, Nov. 10, 2015, Wichita.
Patricia L. Bockelman ’59/66, mathematics graduate who taught for 35 years at Shawnee Mission (Kan.) North High School, Feb. 3, 2016, Fairway, Kan.
Barbara J. (Demoret) Breitenbach ’61/71, elementary education graduate who taught in Wichita public schools for four years, former travel agent at NBW Travel in Wichita, and retired civil service employee with the U.S. Air Force at Boeing, also in Wichita, Jan. 13, 2016, Wichita.
David E. Brewer ’69, psychology graduate who worked at KPTS Channel 8 in Wichita for more than 50 years, primarily as broadcast manager; “I Make a Difference Award” winner whose volunteer service included reading and performing folk music at Wichita’s Oaklawn Elementary School for 12 years, Dec. 12, 2015, Wichita.
Larry L. Brown ’55, retired social worker whose career included serving as district director of the Kansas Children’s Service League’s Wichita office and as executive director at Sunbeam Family Services Inc. in Oklahoma City, Dec. 22, 2015, Wichita.
Lester “Les” H. Brown ’40, retired owner of Insurance Professionals Inc. in Wichita; World War II veteran who served for three and a half years; Dec. 20, 2015, Wichita.
Charlotte L. (Noe) Browning ’54, active in Pi Kappa Psi sorority at the University of Wichita, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, economics; former WSU Alumni Association volunteer and board member; retired buyer whose career spanned positions at Higbee’s in Cleveland, Ohio; Embry’s in Lexington, Ky.; and Selber Brothers and Dillard’s, both in Shreveport, La.; homemaker and lifelong learner who, at the age of 63, earned a master’s degree in consumer affairs from Louisiana Tech University, Jan. 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz.
Dennis D. Brunner ’68, retired Wichita North High School educator and coach who taught drafting and photography, and coached five All-State players during his 15-year tenure as basketball coach before serving as athletic director prior to his retirement in 1994, Nov. 6, 2015, Wichita.
Betty Jo (McConnell) Burgess ’68/79, homemaker and retired science teacher who taught for 18 years at Mulvane (Kan.) Junior High School, Dec. 22, 2015, Derby, Kan.
Deneice (Rugh) Burk ’80, homemaker and gerontology graduate who worked in social services at Lakewood Heights Nursing Home in Wichita, Nov. 13, 2015, Hutchinson, Kan.
Patrick “Pat” J. Cain Sr. ’86, psychology graduate and Shocker football letterman who wore jersey No. 69 and played for coaches Willie Jeffries and Ron Chismar before playing pro ball as center for the NFL’s Detroit Lions in 1987; social worker and therapist who began his career at the Cleo Wallace Center, a psychiatric facility for adolescents in Colorado, and went on to earn a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver in 1998 and to work as a licensed clinical social worker at Adams County Social Services; Realtor at the family real estate business Bodin Realty International in Boulder, Colo., March 14, 2016, Superior, Colo. For a Shocker football reunion in 2014, Cain shared these gridiron memories: “Prince McJunkins to Don Dreher to beat KU, of course! Or anytime Prince had the ball in his hands was amazing.” Wichita State defeated the Jayhawks, 13-10, in 1982.
William “Bill” R. Calhoun ’50, retired businessman, accountant and owner of Cal’s Inc., a retail women’s clothing store in Wichita, who, after closing the business in 1991, returned to WSU, where he began taking courses in English, political science, art history, creative writing and theater – and found himself in 1998 at the age of 71 performing on the stage for the first time as Arlin, a character in the award-winning play The Great Frozen Man, Jan. 26, 2016, Wichita.
Earl F. Callison Jr. ’59, retired CEO and owner of the Walt Keeler Co. Inc., a Wichita-based concrete industry business; Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Navy; active community volunteer with service to the Wichita Crime Commission, Wichita Wagonmasters, the Metropolitan YMCA and a number of other organizations, Dec. 18, 2015, Wichita.
Gary D. Carson ’64/67, award-winning painter whose work was shown in many Wichita galleries, including his own Carson Gallery and Studio, as well as in galleries throughout Kansas and the Southwest; former visual manager at J.C. Penney, Nov. 8, 2015, Wichita.
Christopher P. Christian ’71, business owner, attorney, former WSU basketball player and WSUAA board member, Feb. 11, 2016, Wichita.
David M. Comeaux ’59/64, art and ceramics graduate who was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a Wichita Police Department employee before joining the FBI and serving for 21 years as special agent and supervisor, retiring in 1986 as senior resident agent in charge of the FBI office in Casper, Wyo., Feb. 16, 2013, Casper.
Richard “Dick” J. Corbitt ’74, Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force; journalism graduate whose first position was as a sports writer for the Wichita Eagle and Beacon; retired marketing director whose career included work as manager of marketing communications at Metal Building Components Inc. in Houston, as advertising manager at Star Manufacturing Co. in Oklahoma City and as public relations coordinator at Associated Advertising Agency in Wichita, Feb. 3, 2016, Wichita.
Mary C. (Harlow) Curry Cohoon ’52, homemaker and retired speech/language pathologist who served as director of the Wichita-based Institute of Logopedics’ field center in Topeka, Kan., before establishing her own private practice and later serving on the faculty of Kickapoo Nation Schools as a speech therapist, Dec. 18, 2015, Topeka.
M. Joan (Wharton) Danneberg ’71/76, award-winning artist who was a prolific painter and sculptor, and founding member of Gallery XII, a co-op owned gallery in downtown Wichita; former Wichita public schools art teacher; former commercial artist who illustrated jewelry and fashion in newspaper advertisements in Kansas City, Dec. 4, 2015, Lenexa, Kan.
Thomas A. Darland ’95, aerospace engineering graduate and Cessna Aircraft design engineer, Dec. 15, 2015, Wichita.
Lyle A. Davis ’51, WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Navy, economics graduate and retired insurance agent whose career included serving as senior account agent for Allstate Insurance Co. in Wichita, Oct. 5, 2015, Redding, Calif. As a young man, Davis worked as a printer at the Emporia Gazette in Emporia, Kan., the newspaper that William Allen White purchased in 1895 and for which he wrote editorials until his death in 1944. Davis served as a pallbearer for White at his funeral in Emporia.
V. Joann (Boone) Doornbos ’84/86, homemaker and child psychology graduate, Feb. 17, 2016, Wichita.
Anthony R. Dosien ’88, business marketing graduate and former commodity trader at Koch Industries Inc., Wichita, Dec. 14, 2014, Augusta, Mo.
Charles M. Ekrut ’73/83, retired Wichita public schools teacher, Dec. 2, 2015, Wichita.
Roy L. Elliott ’62, retired Wichita public schools instrumental music teacher and director emeritus of the Midian Shrine Million Dollar Band, March 26, 2006, Wichita.
Lance A. Emerson ’95, business marketing graduate who was a pharmaceutical sales representative with Rhone-Poulene Rorer in Olathe, Kan., before joining Invisalign, a dental brace company, Jan. 13, 2016, Overland Park, Kan.
Richard “Dick” E. Endsley ’50, Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Army, 1951-1953; business administration graduate who began his career in sales at A.Y. McDonald before taking a position at Crane Supply (later Hajoca Corp.), from which he retired in 1993, Dec. 28, 2015, Wichita.
Richard “Dick” D. Erb ’81, psychology graduate who worked at Boeing in Wichita and then as an instrument buyer at Hawker-Beechcraft, also in Wichita, Feb. 2, 2016, Mulvane, Kan.
James “Jim” R. Fritz ’76, farmer, administration of justice graduate and retired probation officer with the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office in Wichita, Jan. 20, 2016, Douglass, Kan.
Melinda K. (Huhn) Gaskill ’79, elementary education graduate who worked as a program manager at the San Jacinto Girl Scout Council for 32 years, Dec. 29, 2015, Houston.
M. Jean “Jeanie” Goertz ’77/82, educator and consultant in gifted education who held master’s degrees in education and in educational psychology from WSU, a specialist degree in interdisciplinary education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and a doctorate in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff; who taught courses in creativity, language arts and early childhood education at Northern Arizona, was a member of the educational psychology faculty at the University of Texas Pan Am, and, most recently, of the education faculty at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond; author and co-author of numerous book chapters and journal articles, April 7, 2016, Marion, Ohio.
Jerry K. Good ’62, U.S. Air Force veteran, mechanical engineering graduate and retired Boeing design engineer, Nov. 11, 2015, Wichita.
Evelyn M. (Swaim) Hamilton ’69, homemaker and elementary education graduate, Nov. 11, 2015, Wichita.
Gary G. Hammer ’55/57, chemistry graduate who went on to earn a doctorate in chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology, former chemist at Dow Chemical Co. in Williamsburg, Va., and retired chemistry professor at Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Va., Feb. 8, 2016, Williamsburg.
Floyd B. Hannon Jr. ’75/77, WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps; administration of justice graduate who had a long career with the Wichita Police Department, retiring as chief of police in 1976 and moving to Cherokee Village, Ark., where he served as police commissioner and as commissioner for the Suburban Improvement District, Dec. 30, 2015, Topeka, Kan.
Wesley D. Harms ’61, business administration graduate and retired VA Hospital personnel officer, Feb. 1, 2016, Wichita.
Breeden P. Harner ’75/77, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel with 20 years of service at 15 different stations as engineer, navigator, pilot and squadron commander, and including reconnaissance over Korea, tours in Guam and Vietnam; accounting and business administration graduate who had a second career as a computer consultant, Feb. 17, 2016, Wichita.
James “Jim” V. Harris ’71, retired Baxter Springs, Kan., public schools superintendent who held a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from WSU, former superintendent of schools in Sedan, Kan., former teacher and coach, and avid golfer, March 4, 2016, Loma Linda, Mo.
Helen M. (Carter) Stauffer Haywood ’73, homemaker and retired teacher who taught at Enterprise Elementary School in Wichita for 15 years, Dec. 1, 2015, Forsyth, Mo.
Stephen W. Henning ’70, retired teacher and counselor whose career in education included teaching industrial arts at Rosedale High School in Kansas City and serving as a high school counselor at Inman (Kan.) High School, Jan. 11, 2016, Manhattan, Kan.
Paula S. (Kraus) Hilbert ’92, homemaker and nursing graduate, Feb. 10, 2016, Wichita.
M. Virginia (Neifing) Hirning ’42, retired Wichita public schools journalism, social studies, Latin and English teacher, Jan. 30, 2016, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
James M. Hocutt ’87/91, English language and literature graduate who went on to earn a master’s degree in counseling; musician who played bass in several local bands in Wichita, Jan. 14, 2016, Wichita.
Robert E. Hoffman ’64, retired Boeing industrial engineer and secondary education graduate who taught technology education at Southeast High School in Wichita, Jan. 2, 2016, Wichita.
Lois M. (Burrell) Hollabaugh ’48, former managing editor of the Sunflower and English language and literature graduate who was a homemaker and a newspaper reporter for the Salina Journal and the Wichita Eagle, Nov. 15, 2015, Wichita.
Kyle B. Hunt ’12, aerospace engineer who held a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Wichita State and whose career included working for Cessna Aircraft Co. and then as a stress engineer manager at The Spaceship Co., which is based in Mojave, Calif., Feb. 16, 2016, Tehachapi, Calif.
Gayle G. (McGilbray) Jackson ’71, homemaker, secondary education graduate and English teacher at Wichita’s East High School, Jan. 6, 2016, Bel Aire, Kan.
Gilbert C. Jackson ’71, former Coleman Grocery Store businessman and retired Derby, Kan., public schools teacher whose career in education spanned 15 years of teaching geography, citizenship and English to middle school students and six years of teaching special education, Dec. 14, 2015, Wichita.
Leslie G. Jacobson ’13, strategic communications graduate and leasing agent for Three Fountains Apartments and Townhomes in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 9, 2016, Kansas City, Kan.
Thomas J. Jenkins ’55, WWII combat veteran and geology graduate who retired from Boeing, Wichita, Dec. 31, 2015, Palm Bay, Fla.
Rodney D. Jessup Sr. ’49, WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Navy, economics graduate and retired petroleum accountant at Aylward Drilling Co., Jan. 7, 2016, Wichita.
Coy L. Johnson ’81, retired general manager and vice president at Pearson Excavating, Dec. 11, 2015, Goddard, Kan.
Jane E. (Williams) Johnson ’69, homemaker, art education graduate and substitute teacher, Feb. 14, 2016, Wichita.
Betty A. (Brush) Jones ’48, homemaker, economics graduate, former church secretary and Fuller Brush saleswoman, Nov. 10, 2015, Kingwood, Texas.
Thelma Y. (Pace) Jones ’76, homemaker and Wichita public schools elementary school teacher who taught many second grade students how to read and write during her 39 years in the classroom, Jan. 12, 2016, Wichita.
Robert L. Kallail ’56, U.S. Army veteran and business administration graduate who worked at Standard Beverage Co. and, later, for Harper Trucks in Wichita and whose own business ventures included co-owning The Famous, a private club; helping start up Taco Kids, a fast food chain, and the For Pete’s Sake Restaurant; and operating five Pizza Huts in Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 13, 2015, Wichita.
Shirley R. (Lochmann) King ’81, homemaker, church organist and cat-sitter who formerly worked at the Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning (now the Riordan Clinic) and for several ophthalmologists in Wichita, Dec. 10, 2015, Wichita.
John W. Kniseley ’66, journalism graduate, retired Walt Disney Cruise Vacations quality assurance processor, former terminal manager for Mistletoe Express Service in Fort Smith, Ark., former sales representative for Roadway Express Inc. in Huntsville, Ala., and avid Shocker sports and Denver Broncos fan, Jan. 13, 2016, Wichita.
Mary E. (McBee) Kuhlmann fs ’44, homemaker and former medical technologist, Nov. 17, 2015, Dallas.
Richard W. Lane ’72, accounting graduate, Dec. 28, 2015, Pacific Junction, Neb.
Wade H. Lankford ’89, business management graduate and retired Boeing program manager, Dec. 4, 2015, Valley Center, Kan.
Lawrence S. Lester ’65, U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a pilot during the Vietnam War, Federal Express pilot who retired in 2002, business administration graduate, March 11, 2016, Memphis, Tenn.
Phyllis J. Macy-Mills ’78, homemaker, singer/songwriter, guitarist, children’s book author and PA named Kansas Physician Assistant of the Year in 2001 whose career in health care included working for Mid-America Heart Associates and Galichia Medical Group in Wichita and at South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center in Arkansas City, Kan., and Cedar Vale Community Hospital in Cedar Vale, Kan., Nov. 14, 2015, Pratt, Kan.
Monna L. Manes ’70/73, chemistry graduate who also held a master’s degree in geology from Wichita State, retired geologist, Jan. 17, 2016, Wichita.
Jalyn T. McKinney ’03, psychology graduate and Department of Corrections probation officer, Jan. 19, 2016, Wichita.
Bob T. Miller ’61, English education graduate who was a member of ROTC at the University of Wichita; U.S. Air Force veteran, who served as a pilot and captain from 1962 to 1968, receiving two air medals and a Vietnam service medal; New Hampshire Air National Guard veteran, who served with the 910th and 28th Air Refueling Squadron; pilot who flew 23 years for Eastern Airlines and then five years for Kiwi International Airlines before his retirement in 1997, April 5, 2016, North Hampton, N.H.
Wayne E. Miller ’53, U.S. Army veteran who served as a lieutenant in the 25th Field Artillery Battalion; business administration graduate who was a regional salesman of electrical equipment, worked part-time for G&N Construction, and was co-owner, along with his wife, of a cake baking business in operation for some 40 years; avid Shocker baseball fan, Jan. 23, 2016, Wichita.
Shawna K. (Harp) Mobley, homemaker, sociologist, Correctional Counseling of Kansas owner/director and WSU School of Community Affairs adjunct faculty member who garnered many professional accolades for her work in the domestic violence and criminal justice field, Jan. 4, 2016, Colwich, Kan.
Betty I. (Lohrengel) Moore ’61, homemaker and retired elementary school teacher who taught for 37 years, many of them at OK Elementary School in Wichita, Dec. 20, 2015, Dallas.
Shannon D. (Railton) Moser ’05, homemaker and business administration graduate, Dec. 12, 2015, Reeds Spring, Mo.
Mary Margaret (Williams) Orsman Kelch ’69, homemaker and retired elementary school teacher who was honored in 1989 for her then 25 years of service to education, which included being a K-6 gifted resource teacher at Minneha and South Hillside elementary schools in Wichita, Dec. 4, 2015, Derby, Kan.
Donald “Don” D. Paillette ’49, U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve veteran who completed active duty, which included service with Fighter Squadron 71 stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, in 1964 and retired in 1974 as commander of the Naval Reserve Manpower Center at Naval Air Station Point Mugu in California; secondary education graduate who taught history for 29 years at Ventura College, Ventura, Calif., where he also announced the Ventura College Pirate women’s basketball games for many years, Nov. 24, 2015, Ventura, Calif.
Charlotte M. (Moyer) Panton ’66, homemaker and Spanish graduate who taught language arts at Fairborn, Ohio, public schools, worked in sales for the Beavercreek Daily News and in administration at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and owned and operated her own business restoring cane furniture, Jan. 29, 2016, Beavercreek, Ohio.
Edward “Ed” E. Pates ’76, psychology graduate and truck driver, Jan. 18, 2016, Hedville, Ky.
Earl R. Pegg ’66, psychology graduate and retired Boeing manager, Jan. 7, 2016, Wichita.
Lloyd F. Phelps ’75, business administration graduate, senior account executive at SecureNet Alarm Systems Inc., Maize, Kan., and avid Shocker baseball fan who was known by WSU baseball coaches and players as “Loyal Lloyd,” Dec. 8, 2015, Wichita.
Fradene R. (Goldstein) Pollack ’40, homemaker, English language and literature graduate, and volunteer and philanthropist who, along with her husband, established the Pollack Music Room at the Los Angeles campus of Junior Blind of America, a favorite charity of hers, March 15, 2016, Van Nuys, Calif.
George Pratt Jr. ’83, U.S. Air Force veteran stationed in Korea, Japan, Germany and the Philippines during 27 years of military service, retiring as chief master sergeant; top salesman for a Lincoln dealership in San Antonio, Texas; elementary education graduate who retired from teaching after 14 years at Goddard, Kan., public schools, Dec. 30, 2015, Belton, Texas.
Harold R. Reed ’74, administration of justice graduate and retired law enforcement officer whose career in criminal justice included 21 years with the Wichita Police Department and then service as a parole officer for the Kansas Department of Corrections from 1989 to 2005, Feb. 23, 2016, Tucson, Ariz.
Suzanne (Gross) Reed ’85, homemaker and poet whose first volume of poetry, “Sand Verbena,” was published by the University of Notre Dame Press in 1962; former poet in residence at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis.; Spanish graduate who went on to earn a doctorate in Spanish linguistics from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where she also worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Agricultural Research Service and the Forestry Service; award winner for her writing of “Patterns in the Wild,” a conservation film that can be viewed on YouTube, Nov. 22, 2015, Wichita.
Mary J. (Kitchen) Roper ’68/74, homemaker, retired co-owner, along with her husband, of Pine Valley Farm just outside Wichita where they grew five varieties of Christmas trees and operated a holiday gift shop, master gardener, and art education graduate who taught art at a number of Wichita schools, including College Hill and Sunnyside public elementary schools and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, and was named Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association in 1989, before taking up art education administrative duties for Wichita public schools, Feb. 18, 2016, Dallas, Texas.
David F. Ross ’72, aeronautical engineering graduate, former engineering specialist and manager at Garrett Turbine Engine Co. in Phoenix, Ariz., and retired engineering director at Honeywell International Aerospace Division in Phoenix, Feb. 26, 2016, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Travis K. Roth ’93, graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin who completed his residency in Atlanta, Ga., where he worked as an ER physician, Nov. 5, 2015, Atlanta.
Charles W. Sanders ’60/60, retired oil and gas producer, Nov. 26, 2015, Wichita.
Harold M. Scheer fs ’42, retired dentist who after graduating in 1945 from the Washington University School of Dentistry, St. Louis, joined his father’s practice in Wichita, where, among his many career accolades, he was named Dentist of the Year in 2000 by the Kansas Dental Association; U.S. Air Force veteran who served for 21 months as a captain with the 78th Medical Group Dental Division; active community and civic volunteer and leader who was involved with the Wichita Symphony Society, the Wichita Historical Museum, Botanica, the Kansas Air Museum and the WSU Alumni Association, among many other organizations; recipient, along with his wife Ruth ’48, of the first-ever Award of Distinction (2006) presented by the WSUAA for their unflagging support of Wichita State.
John A. Schmitt ’77, Kingman United Methodist Church senior pastor who, after graduating from St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Mo., served in various capacities at churches in Missouri and Kansas, including as associate pastor at Mulvane United Methodist and Lake Lotawana United Methodist, and as pastor at Gypsum United Methodist and Kipp United Presbyterian, Jan. 27, 2016, Kingman, Kan.
Roger K. Scholes ’70, administration graduate whose career in labor and management spanned working as personnel director at the Skelly Oil Co., refinery in El Dorado, Kan.; as supervisor of labor relations for the raw materials department of the Inland Steel Co. in Chicago; and as a sailing instructor for people with disabilities, Dec. 16, 2015, Chicago.
Paul L. Schwartz ’62, electrical engineering graduate whose career included work as a field support manager and engineer at Western Reserves in Wichita and as a division line supervisor at KG&E in El Dorado, Kan., Jan. 8, 2016, Topeka, Kan.
Margaret “Mardy” A. (Waddell) Shearer ’67, homemaker, master seamstress and quilter, elementary education graduate who taught kindergarten for many years at Manhattan-Ogden (Kan.) public schools, May 17, 2016, Manhattan, Kan.
Howard W. Shufelberger ’50, WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Army on Okinawa and in the Philippines and retired business teacher who taught for 32 years in a number of public schools in Derby, Kan., South Haven, Kan., and Topeka, Kan., Dec. 21, 2015, Topeka.
S. Kent Smith ’85, home renovator and sportsman whose employment ranged from being a ski instructor in Breckenridge, Colo., and head tennis counselor at the Cimarroncita Ranch Camp in New Mexico, to serving as a job service representative in Frisco, Colo., and an inspector for the Kansas Department of Revenue in Topeka, Kan., Jan. 4, 2016, Longmont, Colo.
George T. Spencer ’68, businessman and co-owner with his wife of Wichita’s The Fabric Shop, Nov. 7, 2015, Wichita.
Lynnette S. (Nickel) Spencer ’80, homemaker, nursing graduate and RN who worked at Wichita’s St. Francis Hospital Burn Center, Jan. 12, 2016, Wichita.
Betty M. (Brock) Stiles ’48, homemaker and economics graduate, Dec. 22, 2015, Sedro-Woolley, Wash.
Donna L. (Gloege) Strong, homemaker, Wichita community volunteer, and University of Colorado business accounting graduate who worked at Wichita State for 17 years before retiring, April 19, 2016, Scott City, Kan.
Larry L. Stukenholtz ’81, music performance graduate who went on to earn a doctorate in musical arts from the University of Michigan and whose career included teaching, conducting and composing, Dec. 19, 2015, Fenton, Mo.
Sam H. Sturm Jr. ’48, WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Navy as a member of a crash and rescue crew, political science graduate who went on to receive a law degree from Washburn University and serve as a district judge and a juvenile court judge in Harvey County before being appointed administrative judge of the Kansas Ninth Judicial District by the Kansas Supreme Court in 1977 until his retirement in 1987, then serving as a special assignment judge for the Kansas Supreme Court and hearing cases across the state, Dec. 29, 2015, Newton, Kan.
Lois A. (McVicker) Wittich Swartz ’80, homemaker and elementary education graduate who taught at Haysville, Kan., schools, Feb. 7, 2016, Phoenix, Ariz.
David D. Tammany ’64, artist and painting graduate who earned a master’s degree in fine arts from Tulane University in 1966 and then taught in the art department at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, where he later served as interim executive director of human resources and as assistant vice president for academic personnel relations before returning to teach in the art department until his retirement in 2010, Dec. 20, 2015, Ypsilanti, Mich.
Jacqueline M. (Perry) Thompson ’83, homemaker and instrumental music education graduate who taught piano for more than 50 years, April 4, 2016, Wichita.
Samuel “Sam” P. Topel ’66, art educator and artist who graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago before earning a master’s degree in art from WSU, minister and missionary who served with the United Indian Missions from 1975 to 1991 in New Mexico and Arizona, with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism in Togo, West Africa, and with Avant Ministries at Echo Ranch Bible Camp in Auke Bay, Alaska, in 2013, Dec. 31, 2015, Quincy, Ill.
Thomas “Tommy” W. Tooker ’62, former executive director at the National River Academy, an institution based in Helena, Ark., that trains riverboat pilots, deckhands, tankermen, engineers and other river transportation-related workers; former director of training at Coastal Towing in Houston; former guidance counselor and director of counseling at Tyler Junior College and Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas, Jan. 13, 2016, Tyler.
Dorothy L. (Green) Totten ’51, homemaker; retired teacher who began her career at schools in Wichita and Lawrence, Kan., before moving to Scottsdale, Ariz., where she taught at Hopi, Pueblo, Mohave, Cocopah and Ingleside public schools and served as principal at Cherokee Elementary School, where she was known to students as “Doc Tot,” Jan. 2, 2016, Scottsdale.
Aaron “A.T.” M. Travis ’09, sport management graduate who worked at Stroot Lockers and Gander Mountain, Jan. 24, 2016, Wichita.
Marvin M. Tyson ’89, retired senior industrial engineer at Beechcraft, where he worked for more than 40 years, and avid Shocker basketball fan, Jan. 31, 2016, Bel Aire, Kan.
Darrel L. Unruh ’79, retired vice president of industrial services at Goodwill Industries Easter Seals of Kansas, Wichita, where he also was director of marketing and sales/contracts; former industrial engineer and maintenance mechanic at Hesston Corp., Nov. 25, 2015, Newton, Kan.
James “Jim” R. Unruh ’70/71, business administration graduate who went on to earn a master’s degree in economics and then build a career in business management with the Hesston Corp., Hesston, Kan.; Pizza Hut Corp., Wichita; Tricon Corp., Louisville, Ky.; and YUM Brands Inc., also in Louisville, Feb. 27, 2016, Wichita.
Robert E. Unruh ’56, retired public school music teacher whose career included teaching in Lehigh, Kan., and teaching and directing vocal music at Kingman High School, Kingman, Kan., piano tuner/technician and postal employee, March 31, 2016, North Newton, Kan.
Mary K. (Funke) Vestring ’45, homemaker, May 12, 2016, Bel Aire, Kan.
Thomas L. Wade ’74/74, secondary education graduate with two bachelor’s degrees, one in sociology, the other in social studies; veteran of the U.S. Army who was stationed in Gelnhausen, Germany; pastor who served in the ministry for 40 years at churches in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, March 9, 2016, Independence, Kan.
Jimmy R. Wallis ’62, mathematics graduate, retired engineer at Boeing in Wichita who joined the aircraft company in 1965 as an associate research engineer, former reliability engineer at McDonnell Aircraft Corp. in St. Louis, Jan. 1, 2016, Haysville, Kan.
David M. Weaver ’67, U.S. Navy veteran who served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal and economics graduate whose work history included serving as vice president of cash management sales at Fourth Financial Corp. in Wichita, Jan. 22, 2016, Circleville, Ohio.
Donald J. Weber ’69, business administration graduate who co-owned MIT Cleaning and Restoration and was vice president of marketing at Cargill for 25 years, Nov. 22, 2015, Maize, Kan.
Thomas R. Westbrook ’98, English language and literature graduate, and fuel services manager at Cessna Aircraft, Dec. 14, 2015, Wichita.
James D. Whitesell ’79, accounting graduate and retired Cessna Aircraft manufacturing engineer, Jan. 7, 2016, Anthony, Kan.
Kathleen K. (Knight) Wilkin ’60, homemaker and retired elementary school teacher who taught at schools in California and in Wichita until her retirement in 1974, April 16, 2016, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Donald R. Williams ’79/80, Ozark National Life district manager, May 23, 2016, Wichita.
Willie S. Williams ’58, chemistry graduate who went on to earn a master’s degree from Xavier University and a doctorate in psychology from Michigan State; former assistant dean and assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Shaker Heights, Ohio; retired educator, counselor and consultant who served the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) court system, Feb. 19, 2016, Shaker Heights.
Kristi F. (Camp) Wilson ’87, homemaker and health science graduate who worked as a medical technologist, April 24, 2015, Newton, Kan.
Darvin “Dee” R. Wilson ’52/60, U.S. Army veteran and retired Wichita public schools teacher who taught business at East and South high schools, Nov. 11, 2015, Wichita.
William S. Wright ’59, geology graduate and former account manager at BJ Services Co. in Dallas, May 13, 2016, Dallas.
