WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Spring 2014

Proud Shocker

BY CONNIE KACHEL WHITE

Allen "Al" B. Taylor '54 was a running back on the University of Wichita's Shocker football team, before graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education and going into military service with the U.S. Army.

Commissioned in the Army as a second lieutenant of infantry, Taylor graduated from the U.S. Army Aviation School and became a pilot qualified in rotary and fixed wing aircraft and as a CV-2 Caribou Aircraft instructor. He served in the 101st Airborne Division on a team that helped pioneer air assault tactics. After two tours of duty in Vietnam and posts at numerous locations around the world, his last assignment in 1971 took him to Fort Huachuca in Arizona, where he retired from the Army in 1974.

He then began a career in education, first teaching at Smith Middle School, Fort Huachuca and then at Buena High School, Sierra Vista, Ariz. He earned a master's degree in counseling at the University of Arizona and then pursued his dream job – coaching football. Coach Taylor retired from teaching and coaching football at Buena High in 1987.

After retirement, he was an avid fisherman and loved to travel, making several trips around the world with family and friends. "Al was always proud to be a Shocker," writes his wife Joyce, who adds that he enjoyed being a member of the alumni association and receiving its alumni magazine.

He died Aug. 24, 2013, in Sierra Vista, Ariz.


IN MEMORIAM

Grains of Wheat

Lee R. Riley '42 went to school in a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Lamar (Colo.) High School and then living with his sister in Wichita while going to college.

Calm in the Chaos

Ken Landwehr '04, the retired Wichita Police Department lieutenant credited with helping solve more than 600 homicides over the course of his 35-year career, was described by a fellow detective as always being "the calm in the chaos."

A Scholar's Life

Born in Russia in 1921, Cornelius John "C.J." Dyck '55 immigrated to Canada with his family when he was 5 years old.

Powerful Presence

Melvin L. Davis '55 was born in Wichita, grew up in his childhood home on East 3rd Street, was educated at every level in Wichita schools and graduated from the University of Wichita with a bachelor's degree in business.

Freedom Bird

W. Stephen Hathaway, professor emeritus of English, taught creative writing and American literature at WSU from 1974-2012.

Elite Circle

An accounting graduate of the University of Wichita who served as president of Pi Alpha Pi during his student days, Ernest L. Balay '53 proved to be a lifelong supporter and contributor to his Alma Mater.

A First Lady

Morita M. (Crymes) Bateman, retired associate professor of finance, real estate and decision sciences at Wichita State, was a first lady in multiple ways.

Proud Shocker

Allen "Al" B. Taylor '54 was a running back on the University of Wichita's Shocker football team, before graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education and going into military service with the U.S. Army.

In Memoriam

Leaving lasting legacies are these Wichita State University alumni and friends.