Class Notes
Class Notes of 20s
Samy Abisaleh ’20 is the founder of Oil-O, a startup that takes the hassle out of car maintenance by by sending mechanics to customers.
Class Notes of 10s
“Hear #MeToo in India: News, Social Media, and Anti-Rape and Sexual Harassment Activism,” a book by Pallavi Guha Ph.D. ’18, will be published by Rutgers University Press on Feb. 12. It examines the role media platforms play in anti-rape and sexual harassment activism in India, including 75 interviews with rural and subaltern feminist activists and journalists working in urban and rural regions of India. Guha is an assistant professor of journalism at Towson University who has worked for leading media organizations including BBC News and The Times of India.
Anthony Sartori ’18 was named to DC Inno’s 2020 25 Under 25. He is the founder of Evolving Minds, a mental health nonprofit launched in 2019. The nonprofit’s eight-week professional development program, which aims to improve psychological well-being and decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress,has trained 77 school educators in Baltimore.
Katherine Faulkner MBA ’17 is vice president, people and culture at Bridge Connector, an interoperability company changing the way health care communicates. Faulkner and other leadership recently announced the company’s Series B funding at $25.5 million.
Shaun Bierweiler MBA ’14 was appointed senior vice president for public sector at Riverbed. Bierweiler most recently served as president of Cloudera Government Solutions and vice president and general manager of public sector at Cloudera. Bierweiler holds a bachelor of science degree in computer engineering from the University of Florida.
Lucy Moore MARHP ’14, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, was promoted to associate at architecture firm Quinn Evans. She is a project architect and historic preservation specialist who has designed numerous historic preservation and modernization projects in the civic, cultural and higher education realms. Moore holds a B.A. in history from Harvard University and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Green Building Council, the Association for Preservation Technology International and DOCOMOMO.
Shandy Guharoy MBA ’13 was appointed chief technology officer of Unite Us, a technology company building coordinated care networks of health and social service providers nationwide. Previously, Guharoy was senior vice president of information technology at Evolent Health. Guharoy received his Bachelor of Engineering degree from Jadavpur University in India.
Connor Kelly ’13 was named director of business development and partnerships at XOi Technologies, providers of a cloud-based mobile application that connects field service contractors with an industry-leading online knowledge base and empowers them to complete more service requests. Kelly previously held business development, sales and management positions at Built Technologies, Emma, Advanced Network Solutions and Ease Technologies.
Helen Lee ’13 was named to the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40 for 2020. She is environmental program manager at the city of Alexandria’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services. She manages the city’s recycling division and is responsible for implementing the city’s 20-year WasteSmart strategic plan.
Jennifer Buss Ph.D. ’12 was promoted to chief executive officer of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and was named to its board of directors. Since joining the institute as a research fellow in 2012, Buss has written and won dozens of proposals, created several new centers, and in her most recent role as president, overseen all day-to-day business and operating functions of the institute. She also previously served as assistant vice president and vice president. Buss earned her B.S. in biochemistry with a minor in mathematics from the University of Delaware.
Lydia Carlis Ph.D. ’11 joined Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, pioneers in early childhood education and family engagement services, as chief program and people officer. Carlis most recently served as principal consultant for eyemaginED, where she worked with schools, districts, states, foundations and other ed-facing organizations to significantly impact outcomes for children most at risk when schools and systems fail them. Carlis holds a B.S. in physics from Howard University and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction with bilingual special education concentration from The George Washington University.
Courtney Stone ’11 married Sean Mirski on Sept. 25 at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., according to The New York Times. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito presided. She graduated from the University of Maryland and received a master’s degree in nursing from Johns Hopkins University. She is now a second-year law student at Georgetown University.
Kimberly A. Klein ’10, an associate in the law firm of Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman in the Banking/Commercial Lending Practice Group, was named to the New York Metro Rising Stars list of Super Lawyers. Klein earned her Juris Doctor and a certificate in environmental law, cum laude, from Pace University.
Class Notes of 00s
Marlon Amprey M.Ed. ’09 was appointed by the Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee on Dec. 29 to succeed new City Council President Nick Mosby representing the 40th Legislative District in the Maryland House of Delegates. He has a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a law degree from the university’s Carey Law School and is an associate at the law firm Cole Schotz P.C.
Adena Varner ’08 was appointed director of learning and community engagement at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Varner previously worked at Baltimore Center Stage as the director of learning and social accountability and the director of education. She earned a master’s degree in theater education from the Catholic University of America.
Maureen Vosmek M.ARHP ’08 was promoted to associate at architecture firm Quinn Evans. She is a designer and preservation specialist who has contributed to projects including the modernization of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. She holds a B.A. degree in art history and studio art from Franklin & Marshall College.
Darlene Iskra Ph.D. ’07 was one of five female veterans honored during Veterans Week at Start TV. She was one of the first women in the Navy to be a diving officer, surface warfare officer and commanding officer of a ship. Watch the biographical clips at starttv.com/my-start-story/.
Brent Elrod MPP ’06 was named managing director of Urban Housing Solutions, a Nashville-based organization that provides affordable apartments to low-income households, as well as services for residents with social and health needs. Elrod is a graduate of George Washington University and received a 2020 Fulcrum Fellowship from the Center for Community Investment.
Benjamin Gottlieb ’05, a wealth management financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, was named to the 2020 Financial Times “401 Top Retirement Advisers” list.
Deanna Bridge Najera ’04 was named one of The Baltimore Sun’s Women to Watch 2020: Best in Health. Najera served as president of the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants, where she pushed state lawmakers to tap physician assistants in the response to COVID-19. At her new position at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Md., she seeks to increase mentorship opportunities for physician assistants.
Luci Gabel ’03 wrote the book “Eat to Lead,” released in October, to unlock the power of food, improve leadership abilities and change how to look, think and feel. The book illustrates methods to develop the habit of eating smarter and healthier, have long-lasting energy and stay focused in a six-week period.
Kelly Robertson-Slagle ’03 joined the College of Southern Maryland Foundation as a director. The nonprofit helps increase access to higher education through scholarship opportunities and raises funds for college projects involving workforce development. She previously served as Calvert County government's business retention and business development specialist.
Jack Cleveland ’02, who died of heart failure in January 2020, is the author of the new coffee-table book, “Fractals,” filled with art plates that reflect the beauty and mystery of the natural world and demonstrate the power of computer-aided design in creating original works of art. Formerly a technology officer for UMD’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, he was working as an IT technology support professional for Oracle Corp. in Columbia, Md., at the time of his passing.
“Road Out of Winter,” the debut novel by Alison Stine MFA ’02, was published by MIRA Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, in the fall. The book, about a young woman farmer in southeastern Ohio who must protect her found family, received starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist, and will be followed by a new novel in 2021. Stine is a freelance reporter with The New York Times.
Michael Tangrea Ph.D. ’02 was named an endowed professor in innovation at Loyola University. He will expand research in biohealth and promote economic and entrepreneurial success in the state of Maryland. The endowed professorship was funded in part by the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce.
Nathan Moody ’00, M.S. ’04, who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory, was a co-winner of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society 2021 Particle Accelerator Science and Technology Award, for his deep and broad contributions to accelerator science and technology.
Benjamin Picker ’00 formed his own law firm, Donoghue & Picker, in Norristown, Pa., focused on business litigation, consumer protection litigation, civil rights litigation, securities litigation, employment law, personal injury, family law and criminal defense. He obtained his J.D. from the Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Christy Shafer ’00 was appointed chief commercial officer of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics to treat rare seizure disorders. Shafer has spent almost 20 years in the biotech, pharma and medical device spaces, with her most recent position being business director of neurology at Alexion Pharmaceuticals.S he earned her post-baccalaureate degree in immunology and pharmacology and her undergraduate degree in cell/molecular biology and genetics.
Class Notes of 90s
Sophia MacDonald ’99 joined Xometry, the largest U.S. marketplace for custom manufacturing, as chief people officer. She came from Cvent, where she was senior vice president of human resources and grew the employee base from 120 to nearly 4,000. MacDonald holds a master’s degree in organization development and strategic human resources from Johns Hopkins University.
Derrick E. White ’97 wrote the book “Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Jake Gaither, Florida A&M, and the History of Black College Football,” published by UNC Press. Among the first broad-based histories of Black college athletics, the book centers on Gaither, one of the most successful coaches in its history, yet a figure whose loyalties many questioned during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. White was also promoted to full professor in history and African American and Africana studies at the University of Kentucky.
K. Nichole "Nikki" Nesbitt '96 was named managing partner of the Baltimore office of Goodell DeVries. She earned her juris doctor at the University of Maryland law school and has practiced at Goodell DeVries for the entirety of her career, moving through the ranks from summer associate to partner. Her practice focuses on medical malpractice defense and complex commercial litigation. Nesbitt served as the 2020 chair of the Trial Network and is a past president of the Maryland Defense Counsel. She also served on the executive board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Chapter. In 2020, Nesbitt was named a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Claude de Vastey Jones ’95 joined the board of directors for Heritage Housing Partners Corp., which works to promote and provide affordable housing in Howard County, Md. She has more than 20 years of experience in law, including as deputy state’s attorney for Anne Arundel County. De Vastey Jones graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
James Walsh Ph.D. ’95 was appointed superintendent of the Bethel Park (Pa.) School District. He served in the same role in the Burgettstown Area School District for the past five years. He also has degrees from Duquesne University and Nova Southeastern University. He is an adjunct faculty member at Point Park University’s School of Education.
Rich Adams '94 was promoted to president and chief operating officer of Integrated Prescription Management, a pharmacy benefits management company. Prior to joining IPM in 2019, he served as senior vice president for Kroger Prescription Plans and head of sales, account management, and product development at OmedaRx, the pharmacy program for Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oregon, Utah, Idaho, and Washington. Adams received a master's degree in health policy from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, an MBA from Alliant University and a certification in Finance from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Carmala Garzione ’94, an associate provost for faculty affairs at the Rochester Institute of Technology, received the 2020 William R. Dickinson Medal from the Society of Sedimentary Geology, in recognition of her contributions to orogenic history and paleoclimate. Garzione’s research focuses on the tectonic and climate evolution of sedimentary basins and related mountain belts. She holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Science degree in geoscience from University of Arizona.
Michael J. Widomski M.A. ’91 was one of the two people named to the 2020 CISAzen of the year by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure and Infrastructure Security of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Widomski serves as chief for workforce engagement at the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Office of Workforce Engagement.
Eileen Frazier ’90 was appointed chief administrative officer of NSBA, where she will be responsible for aligning and developing key organizational functions to maximize effectiveness and will lead NSBA’s finance divisions and facilities and office management. She was most recently chief operating officer for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
Mirela Gavrilas ’90 was appointed director of the Nuclear Response Commission’s Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response. She joined the commission in 2004 as a reactor systems engineer and most recently was deputy office director for reactor safety programs and mission support. She has also served on the University of Maryland faculty. Gavrilas has a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Anirma Gupta ’90 was appointed senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Carbon, a leading 3D printing technology company. Gupta was most recently at Tanium, a cybersecurity and systems management software company, where she built the legal department and served as general counsel.
Tom Hicks ’90 was appointed to the board of advisors of Arctaris Impact Investors, a Boston-based investment firm. Hicks served twice as the acting U.S. undersecretary of the Navy. He has represented the Department of Defense on all policy, budget and strategy matters as well as oversaw the day-to-day business.
Class Notes of 80s
Babette Hankey ’86 was named one of the Orlando Business Journal’s 2020 CEOs of the Year. She is president and CEO of Aspire Health Partners, a $100 million nonprofit that provides a continuum of behavioral health services. Hankey is the first female chief executive of the largest behavioral health care nonprofit in the Southeast.
Jin Kang ’86 joined the McDaniel College board of trustees. He is president and chief executive officer of WidePoint Corporation and serves as a director of the company. He is also the founder of WidePoint Integrated Solutions Corp. and served as its president and CEO until 2017. Kang has held senior management positions with several of the world’s leading technology corporations, as well as key leadership positions on high-profile government programs.
Nick Mirabile ’86 was named ASI Advantages Salesperson of the Year 2020. He is vice president of merchandise and licensing for Stran Promotional Solutions, a distributor of branded merchandise and services to organizations across the world.
Audrey Chang ’84 was announced vice president of quality control and analytical services at Vigene Biosciences, an award-winning leader in plasmid and viral vector development and manufacturing. She is the author of more than 15 papers and served as a keynote speaker for many conferences and meetings.
Harry Foster ’83 was named general chair of the Design Automation Conference, the only event devoted to electronic design and design automation of electronic circuits and systems. Foster is the chief scientist verification for the design verification technology division of Mentor, a Siemens business.
Kathleen Neuzil ’83, director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, was named one of The Baltimore Sun’s 2020 co-Marylanders of the Year: The other was the thousands of men and women who make up Maryland’s front-line workers in the health care and services industries.
Gary K. Kessler ’82 joined the advisory board at Executive 1 Holding Company. He is the former deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Air Programs) and has served for over 35 years in the federal government in program management, engineering, flight testing, weapons, strategy and budget. Kessler is now an independent consultant, a board member for several businesses, including the Patuxent Partnership, and president of the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance. EX1 is a private holding firm that invests in artificial intelligence, machine learning and software-as-a-service.
Class Notes of 70s
Olin S. Davis III ’77 works at the Choptank Electric Cooperative and was elected to the board of directors of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. NRECA is recognized as one of the most effective lobbying organizations in Washington, D.C., and represents more than 870 consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives across the United States.
Wendy Johnson ’74 was added to the board of directors of Exagen, an organization dedicated to transforming the care continuum for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. She is currently the chief operating officer of Reneo Pharmaceuticals, where she is responsible for the day-to-day operations. She was instrumental in setting up the company's UK corporate entity.
Neil H. Katz Ph.D. ’74 recently received two prestigious awards in his field: the Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Nova Southeastern University, and the William Kriedler Award for Distinguished Service to the Field of Conflict Resolution from the Association for Conflict Resolution. Katz is now in his 49th year of professorship at both Syracuse University and Nova Southeastern University.
MJ Hall M.Ed. ’72 was appointed to High Point University’s board of visitors. Hall is a strategist, performance coach and business learning advisor. She is senior content manager with the ATD Forum, a consortium of more than 60 corporate members at the Association for Talent Development, the premier organization for corporate talent professionals. Hall also has a Ph.D. in educational leadership from George Mason University, an MBA from Long Island University, and a B.A. from High Point University.
Steve Lafferty '71 was nominated to serve as director of the Baltimore County Department of Planning, effective Jan. 15. Since August 2019, he had been the county's first chief sustainability officer. He previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2007-19 and as Howard County's deputy director of planning and zoning. Lafferty holds a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Rick Knapp ’70 and David Pincus ’70, M.A. ’72, Ph.D. ’84 wrote “Sons of Suicide: A Memoir of Friendship.” The authors, who both lost their mothers to suicide, reflect on how that impacted the course of their lives. Net proceeds from sales of the book will go toward nonprofits focused on suicide prevention, survivors, grief counseling and mental health.
Class Notes of 60s
Hal Brierley ’65 was elected to the NPR Foundation Board. He has served in leadership roles for Pan American World Airways and Continental Airlines. He founded Brierley+Partners, where he served as chief loyalty architect for companies including American Express, AT&T, Ford, Hertz, Hilton, Lufthansa, Neiman Marcus, Office Depot, Sony and United Airlines.
Class Notes of Passings
Tucker Roundtree Morris ’17 died suddenly on Oct. 26 in Ward, S.C. He was 26. When he was a child, Morris and his family spent many happy afternoons by Canoe Brook Lake in Trumbull, Conn., where he learned how to swim, canoe and kayak, playing until dark with his sister and delightful neighborhood friends. Morris' love for the Terps started with his sister Molly's attendance at the University of Maryland, and he was overjoyed to become a Terp himself a few years later. At UMD, Tucker was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and earned a degree in environmental science and technology. Tucker met Morgan Entwistle when they joined the marching band as young teens. They shared their love and life in South Carolina with Blue, their loyal rescue dog. When Tucker joined Morgan in South Carolina, he started his career with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. After working for DHEC for two years, Tucker changed jobs and became the Environmental Manager at SC Pet Solutions in Ward, S.C. He is survived by his parents, Jake Roundtree Morris and Nancy Horton Morris; his sister, Molly Morris; his hometown sweetheart Morgan Entwistle; his grandmother, Ginny Morris; aunts, uncles and cousins; his SAE brothers; and his hometown friends.
Justin I. Onuoha ’09 of Bowie, Md., died Nov. 9 due to gun violence. He was 33. He graduated from Prince George’s Community College, then majored in agriculture and resource science at UMD. He was preceded in death by his mother, Edith Ogbuokiri Onuoha; he is survived by his parents, Remy and Aky Onuoha; siblings, Stephanie and Jason; a niece; and a host of family and friends.
Jessica L. Brause ’00, a mother and teacher, died Sept. 6 due to complications from cancer at the age of 42. She grew up in Columbia, Md., and received her bachelor’s degree in secondary foreign language education and romance languages from UMD and master’s degrees from George Washington University and University of Granada in Spain. She served as a middle school and high school teacher of Spanish and French in Montgomery County Public Schools for many years. She loved traveling and learning new languages and cultures, ballroom dancing, yoga, meditation and spending time with friends. Jessica was preceded in death by her father, Allan Brause, and her grandmother, Ann Hall. Brause is survived by her mother, Sharon Brause; her stepmother, Mervelyn Wyllie-Brause; her sister, Shayna Jones; her stepbrother, Willbert Andrew Thompson; her son, Diego Perdomo-Brause; Diego's father, Marcos Perdomo; and many relatives and friends.
Robert J. Cadrette ’96 died Dec. 5 from complications associated with COVID-19 in Washington, D.C. He earned a degree in criminal justice and criminology at UMD and joined the Charles County Sheriff's Office in 1998. Until 2007, he worked in Patrol Operations, then transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division, where he was a detective in the Financial Crimes Unit and later the Special Victims Unit. In 2013, he returned to Patrol and in 2016, he was transferred to the Property Management Section. Cadrette enjoyed reading books about military history and staying fit through weight training and swimming. Cadrette is survived by his mother, Jean Marie Cadrette; wife, Elaine Cadrette; daughter, Olivia Rose Cadrette; sister, Anne Marie Kuonen; nieces; and a cousin. He is predeceased by his father, Robert Lawrence Cadrette; and his grandparents, Nicholas and Anna Bogosta and Buster Cadrette and Ramona McCarthy.
Robert D. Grigg IV MBA ’93 died Nov. 2 at age 53. Born on Feb. 9, 1967, in Bethesda, Md., to Robert D. Grigg III and the late Margaret Dwyer Grigg, he graduated from Winston Churchill High School and went on to Wake Forest University, where he met his wife, Allison, played for the men's soccer team, joined Kappa Sigma Fraternity and became a lifelong Deacon fan. After receiving an MBA from the University of Maryland, he began his career in New York City. Grigg spent 27 years at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where he was an executive director at the time of his death. A lover of the outdoors, Grigg treasured time spent in Central Park, along the C&O Canal and at Litchfield Beach. He was an ever-present fan on the sidelines of his daughters' athletic competitions. Grigg is survived by his wife of 26 years, Allison Reid Grigg; daughters, Margaret Childress Grigg and Ashley Reid Grigg; father, Robert D. Grigg III; sisters, Jennie M. Grigg and Stacey Grigg Saidy; and two nieces.
Patricia “Patty” Lee Berard M.Ed. ’92, of Selbyville, Del., died Nov. 11. Born on May 10, 1957, in Olney, Md., she was the daughter of James and Betty Mills. Berard attended Damascus High School and Salisbury State University, where she graduated with honors. She met Bob Berard in 1980 while working in Ocean City, and they married the next spring and started a family. Berard worked part-time as a bookkeeper and later a child care provider. She took classes to obtain her master’s degree in education from UMD and began a successful career in education in Montgomery County. She taught at Lee Middle, Kings View, Damascus Elementary and finally Watkins Elementary schools and worked in resource and curriculum development as well as staff development. She retired in June 2019, when she relocated to the Delaware shore. Berard is survived by her husband of 40 years, Robert Berard; her children, Russell, Stephanie, William and Richard; four grandchildren; and siblings Pam, Jimmy, Chris, Mike, Tommy and Samantha.
Arlene Shapiro Wiseth M.A. ’92 died suddenly of natural causes on Dec. 11 at WellSpan Chambersburg (Pa.) Hospital. She was 79. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Charles J. Shapiro and Reveira (Bloom) Shapiro and graduated from Penn Hall Preparatory School in Chambersburg, where she participated in numerous musical and other clubs. After training intensively in ballet from an early age, she was accepted to dance with the New York City Ballet, but at her parents' urging instead went to college. Wiseth earned a B.A. in comparative literature from Brandeis University in 1963, an M.A. in library science from Lesley University, and an M.S. in rehabilitation counseling from UMD. Wiseth retired as a certified rehabilitation counselor at the Jewish Federation of Montgomery County, Md. She previously worked as a teacher and librarian in several school systems. Wiseth was a voracious reader and had a lifelong love of movies, the performing arts, and especially dance. She was a trivia maven, a fan of the Olympics and followed figure skating, gymnastics and competitive swimming for most of her adult life. At Menno Haven, she helped lead Jewish religious services and volunteered in other capacities in her retirement. Wiseth doted on her grandchildren at every opportunity. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Robert E. Wiseth; her son, Marc H. Axelbaum; three grandchildren; a brother, Ethan; and close family friend Veronica Scott. She was previously married to Stewart P. Axelbaum.
Judith J. Kirchhoff Ph.D. ’91 died Nov. 19. She was born on May 7, 1940, to William and Delores Rietzke. She received a master's degree from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in political science from UMD. Kirchhoff met her husband, Bruce, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he was a professor until 2014. The couple married on Aug. 5, 1977. Kirchhoff enjoyed reading challenging things, the symphony and Neil Diamond. She loved the family tradition of "Shore Week," when 40-plus family members would gather in Ocean City, N.J. Other passions included New York City theater and travel. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bruce A. Kirchhoff; daughter, Rebecca A. Kirchhoff; and brother, William Rietzke. Kirchhoff is survived by her brother, Jon Thomas Rietzke; sister, MaryLee Rietzke; children W. Garrett Lane, David Johnson, Sandra Garrett, Laurie Moynihan, Vicki Martin, Holly Stichka and Amy Weinheimer; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Michael A. McLaren ’90 of Hendersonville, Tenn., died suddenly Dec. 21 of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident while traveling near his home. He was 62. McLaren was born in Oldenburg Holstein, Germany, as the son of a British army policeman. He grew up there and in the United Kingdom before joining the Royal Air Force in 1976. He played soccer for the RAF all over Europe. Following his military service, McLaren received his Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education at UMD. He and his wife, Jody, lived in D.C. while he served as dean of students at St. Anselm's Abbey School for boys from 1986-99, then in the same post at Subiaco Academy in Arkansas from 1999-2002. The couple moved to Hendersonville in 2002 to assist in the opening of Pope John Paul II High School, where he served as dean of students and history teacher and his wife as school nurse. Beloved for his care for students in personal difficulty, his preternatural kindness and gentleness despite his enormous height and imposing appearance, "McLaren," as he was known, was a cornerstone of the school's growth and excellence. McLaren also coached youth soccer in the Maryland/D.C. area and was a player in the Capitol League until he sustained an injury. McLaren was preceded in death by his father, William McLaren. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Joanna "Jody" McLaren; his mother, Eva (Schwark) McLaren; his sister, Jennifer McNeill; his stepsons, Josh and Zack; two granddaughters; and "host daughter" Sarah Park.
John L. Whaley M.A. ’90 died in Wilmington, N.C., due to complications from COVID-19. He was 83. He played football and was team co-captain at High Point High School, graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was accepted into the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School and received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1960. He spent more than 27 years and held 13 assignments. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, he got a master’s degree in international relations from UMD and worked for a brief time at its Center for International Development & Conflict Management. Whaley was a lifelong advocate for peace and diplomacy, deterrence and the wise use of military force. He and his wife of 45 years, Beatrice retired to Topsail Island, N.C. She preceded him in death. He is survived by three children, John Jr., Suzanne and Christopher; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Fred Ullom Jr.
Jennings F. Worley III ’90 of Carlsbad, Calif., died Nov. 28 at age 62. He grew up in Forestville, Md., and after graduating from UMD, he pursued his studies in molecular biology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, achieving a doctorate in electrophysiology. He continued postdoctoral work at the University of Miami and the University of Vermont. After several years he moved into the private sector at GlaxoSmithKline in North Carolina, continuing his work in cardiac studies and branching into other diseases like diabetes and cancer. He contributed to multiple drug discovery and bioengineering patents. In 2004, he and his family moved to San Diego to join Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where he dedicated the last 16 years of his life. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Teresa; children, Alex and Lauren; parents, Pauline and Jennings F. Worley Jr. brother, Daniel Worley; and nieces and nephews.
Bruce Howard Rankin M.A. ’88, Ph.D. ’93, an Oregon native, died of a heart attack Nov. 12 in Bodrum, Turkey. Rankin was born Jan. 19, 1953, to Alice (Eschman) Rankin and Howard Rankin. He grew up in Portland and received his undergraduate degree in economics with honors from Portland State University, his master's and Ph.D. degrees in sociology from UMD. He was a research associate and research coordinator at the Center for the Study of Urban Inequality, University of Chicago (1993-97); a research associate at the Joblessness and Urban Poverty Research Program, Harvard University (1997-2000); and a professor of sociology at Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey (2000-15). He published books, book chapters and numerous articles in top national and international journals. As a human being and sociologist, he was deeply concerned about social and environmental problems. He wanted a better society for all and spent most of his personal and professional life striving toward this goal. Rankin was a natural athlete, an Oregon surfer, an accomplished guitar player and an inspiringly deep individual. He was an avid reader, and he loved visiting ancient historical sites. He and his wife, Isik Aytak, moved to Denver in 2015 to be closer to their son, Cuneyt, and his young family. Rankin was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Howard Rankin, and brother, Richard Rankin. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Isik Aytac; his son, Cuneyt Akay; two grandchildren; his brothers, John Rankin and David Rankin; and a niece and nephew.
Bradley J. Stranigan MBA ’88 died Nov. 3 at age 61. He was born Dec. 31, 1958, in Jamestown, N.Y., to Gale E. Stranigan and the late Carol Raffa Barone. He was a 1976 graduate of Jamestown High School and received his degree in finance from the University of Miami, then an MBA from the University of Maryland. Stranigan was the chief executive officer for his business, Potomac Generator Service and Repair, in Beltsville, Md., for the past 14 years. He was a member of the Grace Community Church in Clarksville, Md. Surviving are his three children, Jamie, Molly and Joshua Stranigan; a grandson; his brother, Craig B. Stranigan; his father, Gale E. Stranigan; two stepsisters, Patty Hurtack and Kathy McMaster; as well as two nieces. Stranigan was predeceased by his mother, Carol Barone; his stepfather, James C. Barone; and his grandparents.
Miriam Gershfeld MLS ’87 died on Oct. 18 due to complications from COVID-19. She was 89. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Gershfeld was an only child. The family moved to Scranton, Pa., and Baltimore before eventually arriving in Atlantic City, N.J. Gershfeld developed a love of classical music. She earned a full scholarship at the age of 16 to Rutgers University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in bacteriology. She and her husband, Norman, married in 1953 and moved to Bethesda, Md., two years later. Gershfeld worked as a biologist at the National Institutes of Health and spent 20 years as a medical librarian at the National Library of Medicine. Her last job before retiring in 2001 was as a chemistry technical information specialist at a branch of NIH that gave grants for medical research projects. She and her husband, who had four children together, enjoyed attending concerts at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda and at the Library of Congress. She played the violin in orchestras at NIH and the Jewish Community Center in Bethesda. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and had visited Israel, Jordan and Hawaii.
Elene Laurie Aiken ’87 died Dec. 20 in Oldsmar, Fla., at age 56. The daughter of Carol and Gil Davis and the late Bernard Samuel Aiken, she graduated from UMD with a degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in business from the University of Baltimore. She was a practice manager for retina specialist Dr. Michael Elman of Baltimore for 22 years. She tutored dyslexic children and mentored young girls as a Big Sister, was well traveled and loved entertaining family and friends on special occasions and holidays. Aiken is survived by her brother, Dr. Maurice Aiken; a niece and nephews; extended family; and devoted friends. She was predeceased by grandparents Bess and Louis Schlimer of Baltimore and special friend Dr. Harry Legum of Baltimore.
John Smallwood ’87, a longtime sports columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and Inquirer, died Dec. 5 due to complications associated with Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 55. He was the youngest of three children born to John Smallwood Sr., a career soldier, and the former Jacqueline Fleet, a military analyst at Fort Meade. The family lived on various military bases in the United States and overseas before settling in Odenton in the early 1970s. He was awarded a full scholarship to UMD, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism, then worked for The Baltimore Sun, The Roanoke Times and the Post Bulletin in Rochester, Minn. Smallwood joined the Daily News’ staff in 1994. After covering college athletics with an emphasis on Villanova University, he was promoted to columnist in 1995. Smallwood documented some of sports’ monumental events: the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the Philadelphia 76ers’ run to the 2001 NBA Finals, and the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory at Super Bowl LII in February 2018. Besides sports and food, Smallwood’s other passion was traveling, especially to Alaska and Hawaii. Smallwood is survived by his wife, Yvette; daughter, Ryan; parents; sisters, Gina Simpson and Pamela Candelaria; two nephews; and one niece.
Charles G. “Gary” Benevento ’86 of Scarborough, Maine, died at Maine Medical Center on Dec. 5 at the age of 63. Raised in Duxbury, Mass., Benevento joined the Navy upon completing high school. His military service relocated him to Virginia, where he met and married Emily. Benevento later moved with his family to Maryland, where he completed his degree in electrical engineering from UMD and worked for the NSA. In 1998, the family relocated to Scarborough, where he worked for Control Devices and ON Semiconductor (formerly Fairchild Semiconductor). He cared dearly for his mother into her retirement and helped restore his father’s 19th-century home, using the carpentry skills learned from him. Benevento is preceded in death by his mother, Sara. He is survived by wife, Emily; sons, Brian, Jeff and Robert; father, Charlie; stepmother, Lynn; siblings, Bruce, Andrea, and Barbara; and two grandchildren.
Lattice A. Boykin-McKoy Ph.D. ’84 died on Nov. 21. She was born on March 22, 1926, to the late Rev. L.B. Boykin and Mary Alice Herring. Boykin-McKoy received her registered nurse certification from the Community Hospital in Wilmington, N.C., in 1948, and her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Ph.D. in philosophy/human development from UMD. Boykin-McKoy practiced nursing at Meharry Medical College, Howard University, Seton Psychiatric and Crownsville Mental Health Centers in Maryland. She married Romay McKoy, to whom she remained happily married until his death in 2009. Of this union were three girls, Julie (deceased), Gina and Tammy. Survivors include Mary Brown, her childhood friend and classmate; cousins Ida Parker and Donald Boykin; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Dorothy Simon ’83, a homemaker who resumed college studies after 30 years, graduated with highest honors and undertook a late career as a crisis counselor and therapist, died Sept. 21 of natural causes at her Silver Spring home. She was 97. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., as Dorothy Ligeti, she graduated from James Monroe High School in 1940. She then attended Hunter College for two semesters before leaving school to marry Bernard Simon, a New York University student. After the war, the couple settled in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, then in 1956 relocated to the Washington area. They resided for 40 years in Silver Spring and were longtime members of the Ohr Kodesh Synagogue in Chevy Chase. In the mid-1970s, when her youngest child was headed to high school, Simon returned to the academic pursuits she had abandoned decades before, first taking classes at Montgomery College and later transferring to UMD, graduating with a bachelor's degree in general studies. For four years in the late 1970s, she worked with adolescents and their families at Alternative House and saw clients for personal or marital therapy in her home. Upon the retirement of her husband, she ended her practice and moved to Leisure World in Olney in 1994. Prior to her work at Alternative House, Simon worked at the Black Student Fund and as the puzzlemaster for the National Jewish Monthly. She is survived by two sons, Gary and David; and six grandchildren. Her daughter, Linda Simon Evans, died in 1990, while her husband of 68 years, Bernard Simon, died in 2010.
Theresa M. Meinert ’82 of Leonardtown, Md., died Oct. 15 at age 60. She was born to Alfred G. Asero and Dolores (Candelieri) Asero on March 25, 1960, in Washington, D.C. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from UMD and spent several years at Father Andrew White Catholic School in Leonardtown, first as a pre-K aide and later as a second-grade teacher. In later years, she was employed by David's Flowers before moving to her job as an administrative assistant for the facilities department at Asbury Solomons. She cherished being a stay-at-home mom for several years and devoted her time and care to making her house a home. She loved the beach and enjoyed traveling to Ocean City, Md., Cape May, N.J., and Punta Cana. Meinert is survived by her husband, Joseph; daughters, Monica Meinert and Lia Neice; her parents; her siblings, Joseph, Anthony and Christine Asero; and two nephews.
Paula Girven ’81, a former Olympic high jumper, died on Oct. 17 in Asheville, N.C., at age 62. Born in Virginia, she was the daughter of Elijah H. Girven Jr. and Queen Elizabeth Girven. Among her many accomplishments. She attended Garfield High School in Dale City, Va., where she won nine individual state championships and participated on three state championship relay teams in track and field. In 1976, she tied the national record in the high jump, becoming the first high school girl in the state to jump 6 feet. She competed in the 1976 Olympics and would have represented the U.S. in the boycotted 1980 Games. One of the first African American women to receive an athletic scholarship to UMD, she was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1999. Continuing to bring the joy of movement and fitness to those around her, Girven served as a master personal trainer in Tampa. Girven was an active member of her churches and especially enjoyed offering sign-language interpretation for the deaf community. In 2011, she was certified as a lay minister by the Atlanta Revival Center. Girven also enjoyed movies with family and friends, birdwatching and checking in with her grandchildren. She is survived by daughters, Jasmin Pittman Morrell and Summer Segura; former spouse, Craig Pittman; sisters, Janis Girven and Marcia Green; and five grandchildren.
Dorothy Kauffman Ph.D. ’81 died Sept. 25 at age 78 in Selbyville, Del. Born in Chambersburg, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Michael and Sarah Plasterer Detwiler. She was married to Robert Kauffman, who died in 2011. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland and was a consultant with the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, D.C., where she conducted teacher-training sessions on effective instruction for ESL students in grades K-12. A former elementary school classroom and reading teacher, she served as a reading consultant and taught speech, reading and English composition courses at the community college level. Kauffman was the author of “The Oxford Picture Dictionary for the Content Areas,” published by Oxford University Press, as well as a supplementary reading series for grades 1-6 and content-based ESL literature units for grades K-1. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Yvonne Kauffman; brother-in-law, Reuben Kauffman; and cousins.
Michael Joseph Ross Sr. ’80 of Edgewater, Md., died on Nov. 16 at age 68. Ross was born on March 10, 1952, in Washington, D.C., and lived the majority of his young life in District Heights, Md. He attended Bishop McNamara High School. Ross was employed at Pressure Science (now Eaton Corp.) in Beltsville for more than 39 years before retiring in July 2020. Ross was an avid fisherman and hunter. His love of family was unparalleled. After being diagnosed with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer in July 2019, Ross fought it until succumbing to respiratory complications, brought on by damage to his lungs prior to the diagnosis. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Amy Ross, née Derr, and his three children, Michael Joseph Jr., Cameron and Kristin. Also surviving him are his sister, Margaret Tracey, and her three children; his brother, Daniel Ross, and his daughter.
Helen Myatt Ferguson Ph.D. ’80, a resident of Falcons Landing in Potomac Falls, Va., died Dec. 9 at age 95, according to The Baltimore Sun. She was born in Missouri and raised in Hickory Grove, S.C. She graduated from high school at age 16 and Northwestern University at age 20. She married Herbert H. Ferguson in 1946 and the couple moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where they lived for years. Ferguson earned her master's from Idaho State University, served as state president of the American Association of University Women and also belonged to the DAR. When the Fergusons relocated to Virginia, she earned her Ph.D. in English literature at age 55. She was an avid traveler, devoted, fun-loving mother and grandmother, and lifelong learner. She is survived by three daughters, Meredith Chen, Elizabeth Burke and Amanda Whitney; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years.
Barbara E. Arndt Ph.D. ’79 of Westlake, Ohio, died Dec. 8 at age 82. She was the daughter of Lester Timm and Dorothy Schlote of Waterloo, Ontario. She received a B.S. cum laude from UCLA and M.S. from the University of Oklahoma. Her postdoctoral work at Case Western Reserve University was focused on juvenile diabetes research. She retired in 2010, formerly holding a position in the Jones Day Intellectual Property Practice, where she prepared, filed, and prosecuted patent applications in chemicals/polymers and biotechnology/pharmaceuticals. Arndt was an avid reader and an accomplished pianist and loved winning at bridge, trading her stock portfolio, completing New York Times crossword puzzles, and serving on Brookdale's Resident Council. A world traveler and souvenir collector, her most memorable journeys were traveling to Antarctica, the Middle East, and the Holy Lands. She was predeceased by her husband, Fred, and brother, Gerald Timm. She is survived by daughters Suzanne Busby Aldrich, Sharon Busby Pratt Count and Stephanie Busby Thomas Duller; and eight grandchildren.
George W. Ware M.A. ’79 died Oct. 25 after a long illness. Ware was born on Dec. 28, 1949, in Boston. He attended Assumption Prep in Worcester, Mass., and Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Md. He earned a B.A. in history at Holy Cross College, studied history at Columbia University and obtained an M.A. in history from UMD. He married his wife of 42 years, Lucinda, in 1978. Ware’s career in proposal management spanned 36 years, including 20 at Fortune 500 companies: Lockheed Martin, ACS and EMCOR. He was known for his exceptional writing, editing and negotiation skills, and for being a mentor to colleagues. He was named Employee of the Year at Martin Marietta in 1990 and at Lockheed Martin in 1996. He also worked as an independent consultant until his retirement in 2012. Ware will be remembered for his love of history and passion for science fiction novels and films. He was also a long-distance runner, rock music enthusiast and lifelong fan of Washington, D.C., sports teams. He is survived by his wife, Lucinda; daughters Alison and Rebecca; his siblings, Bonnie, Michael, Barbara and Maria; and many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Ware Sr. and Patricia Kirby Ware; his stepmother, Joan Barden Ware; and his sister, Cynthia Ware.
Theresa K. Robinson ’77, ’82 died from ALS on Nov. 27. She was 66. Robinson grew up in Cabin John, Md., with her parents, Kathleen and Patrick, both Irish immigrants, and her siblings Mary, Patrick, Liz and Kathleen. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Cross and earned Bachelor of Science degrees in food science and dietetics from UMD and an M.S. in special education from Johns Hopkins University. Up until her first son, Brian, was born, she worked as a nutritionist in underserved communities for the American Red Cross.
Richard I. Simon Ph.D. ’77 died Nov. 10 at age 71. Born in the Bronx, Simon studied English at the University of Rochester and earned a Ph.D. in psychology from UMD. After a brief stint as a clinical psychologist, he drew upon his writing, editing, entrepreneurial and networking skills to transform a small publication for therapists into a celebrated and award-winning journal, the Psychotherapy Networker. His infectious wit and outgoing personality charmed and delighted everyone he touched. And—he would not want it to go unmentioned—he was a great basketball player. He will be missed by his Networker crew, his family, his friends and his tribe. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jette; his daughter, Signe, and his grandson-to-be, Auguste.
Cynthia “Cindy” Ann Cambardella ’75 of Ames, Iowa, died on Sept. 21 of lung cancer. Cambardella was born on March 8, 1953, in Old Forge, Pa. She earned a B.S. in microbiology and chemistry from UMD and a Ph.D. in soil ecology and ecosystem science from Colorado State University. Cambardella moved to Ames in 1991 to work for 27 years as a research soil scientist for the USDA-ARS at the National Soil Tilth Laboratory (present-day NLAE). Her groundbreaking research focused on how land use and agricultural management practices impact soil health and water quality and the benefits of organic farming. She was a founding member and leader of the Sustainable Agriculture Community in the American Society of Agronomy. She also served as an affiliate associate professor of soil science in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University. In her personal life, Cambardella was devoted to AA recovery and the friends she had in the program. She had a rich spiritual life and loved nature, both plants and animals. Cambardella is survived by her spouse, Janet Hartman; a brother, Bill; sister, Mary Kamberger; and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Anthony and Eleanor Cambardella; and her brother, Louis.
Robert “Bob” Lewis Parker ’75 died Aug. 8 after a two-year fight with prostate cancer. He was 67. Parker was born on May 2, 1953,. in Wilmington, Del., to the late Lewis Conrad and Mary Walker Parker. At the age of 6, his family moved to Earleville, Md., where he attended Bohemia Manor High School. Parker earned a degree in zoology at UMD. In 1988, he decided to become a Realtor, like his father and brother, Steve. Throughout Parker’s 32-year career in real estate, he worked with Mount Vernon Realty and Century 21 in Laurel, RE/MAX in Howard County, where he rose to the level of manager, and Maryland Real Estate Network in Fulton, where, for the past five years, he served as an agent and broker. Parker loved sports, both as an athlete and a fan, particularly of the Baltimore Orioles. He coached baseball for his sons’ teams with an inclusive, encouraging manner. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and sons, Luke and Jake; sister, Mary Lou Parker; and brothers Steve and Dave. He was preceded in death by brothers Bill and Don.
J. Richard Lewis Ph.D. ’75 died Nov. 11. He was born on Feb. 29, 1936, to Sirmon Green Lewis and Mary Myrtle Gregory in Camilla, Ga., and the family settled in Bagdad, Fla., before World War II. He graduated from Milton High School, Mercer University and Florida State University. In 1958, Lewis married his high school sweetheart, Betty June Bishop, and they had three children. Richard and Betty began their careers in education in the public schools of Venice, Fla., and then moved to Frederick, Md. In 1982, Lewis became deputy superintendent in Ft. Myers, Fla., and later in Yorktown, Va. He completed his career at Johns Hopkins University. The couple retired to Bagdad, where they were active in the Bagdad Village Preservation Association, Bagdad Mill Site Park and Bagdad Waterfronts Partnership. He is survived by his son, Tony Lewis; daughters, Shelley Andrew and Catherine Lewis; his sister, Joan Baxley; five grandchildren; dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family and friends; and his beloved dog, Lexi. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty, and four siblings.
Dorothea “Dorothy” M. Chrismer ’74, a longtime University of Maryland employee, died Oct. 5 at age 68. She was born on April 17, 1952, to Carol Dean Shifflett and Elizabeth May (Gussio) Shifflett in Washington, D.C. She was raised in Greenbelt, Md., and moved to Laurel in 1986 upon marrying her husband, Ronald M. Chrismer, in 1986. She graduated from Parkdale High School in Riverdale, then from UMD with a bachelor's degree and later attended graduate studies there, where she met her husband. After a 36-year career at UMD, she retired as assistant vice president of information technology. Chrismer was a longtime member of St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church in Laurel and the sorority Alpha Delta Pi. She enjoyed music, dancing, cooking, sewing, traveling, playing bunco card games, and spending time with her family and many friends. She is survived by her husband, Ron; their son, Jeffrey; her brother, Dean; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Lou Ellen Campbell ’74 of Elkton, Md., died Nov. 3 at age 77. She was born in Richland, Va., on Nov. 3, 1943, to the late Harman and Gladys (Meadows) Allison. While growing up, Campbell enjoyed participating in 4H by submitting award-winning canning and sewing projects for competitions. As a teenager, she moved to Maryland, where she graduated from Bel Air High School in 1961. She then continued her education at UMD and ultimately earned a master's degree. Throughout her life, Campbell enjoyed teaching in different environments, including her job at 3M, and at the local community college and self-sufficiency programs. She loved animals, quilting, taking pictures of nature and traveling. Campbell is survived by a large extended family, including cousins Kathrine Chestnut and Tina Poffenberger. In addition to her parents, Campbell is preceded in death by her two brothers, Homer and Robert "Bob" Allison.
Frank Robert Bartle ’74 died Nov. 22 at his Landsdale, Pa., home. He was 68. Born Nov. 10, 1952, he was the son of Marie Bartle and the late Francis F. Bartle. He had a successful collegiate swimming career at the University of Maryland, followed by Dickinson School of Law. After graduation, he joined Dischell Bartle and Dooley, where he served as managing partner, making a career of solving complex legal cases. In addition, Bartle was chairman of the Republican Party of Montgomery County from 1993 to 2004. His remarkable intelligence, dedication and quiet strength provided him with the ability to command a room at any given time. Whether going to dinner with his wife, taking his son and grandson to a Yankees game or relaxing by the pool with his daughters, Bartle's favorite times were those spent with loved ones. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kathleen Bartle; children Tara Bartle, Victoria Bartle and Frank Bartle; siblings Kathleen Canning, Robert Bartle, Anthony Bartle and William Bartle; a grandson; and many nieces and nephews.
Judith Robinson Hoffberger ’74 died Sept. 17 at age 68. She was born on July 11, 1952. She is survived by her devoted husband, Richard Hoffberger; children, Samuel and Jamie Hoffberger; brother, Stuart Robinson; and three grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Malvin and Beverly Robinson.
Wallace K. “Wally” Pond Ph.D. ’73 died Nov. 5 at age 83. Born in Boise, Idaho, on Jan. 19, 1937, to Wallace and Lucielle Matthews Pond, he graduated from Boise High School in 1955 and remained friends with many of his classmates. Pond attended Boise Junior College, transferred to University of Utah through post-grad and then to Johns Hopkins University. Pond married his first wife, Sharon Wall, in 1962, with whom he raised two children. Over the years he lived in Montgomery, Ala., Baltimore and Atlanta. In 1973, he and his young family returned to Hailey, Idaho, and eventually back to Boise. Pond was an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War years. He later served with Idaho Air National Guard and retired as a lieutenant colonel. He loved teaching, beginning his teaching career as a math teacher and coach at South Junior High. Over the years he was a faculty member at UMD, Federal City College in Washington, D.C., and Boise State University. Pond was director of psychological services for the Elks Rehabilitation Hospital for many years. He was also state social actions officer and psychologist for Idaho Air National Guard and did workshops for many government organizations and business groups. During this time he kept a private practice in Boise focusing on individual and family counseling. Pond and his second wife, Barbara, had wonderful years of travel all over Europe, Canada and the U.S. He enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking and road trips. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Barbara Dyer Pond; son, Wallace Pond; daughter, Jennifer Pond; Barbara's children, Teri Dyer Barnett and Eric Dyer; sister, Patricia Pond Tovey; his first wife, Sharon Wall Pond; 10 grandchildren; and loving nieces and nephews. Pond was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth Pond Walker; a grandson; and two nieces.
Debra B. Powell ’73 died Oct. 2 in Charlottesville, Va., at age 69. She was born on July 20, 1951, in Alamogordo, N.M., and moved with her family to Maryland at an early age. Following her graduation from UMD, Powell worked in business and federal government consulting in the D.C. area for 35 years. She relocated to Charlottesville, Va., and, with her sister, opened Partridge and Grace Designs, a custom framing studio. She was an avid reader, gifted writer, critical thinker and lifelong learner. She loved to travel, especially throughout Europe, but equally relished an evening glass of wine at home. Her selflessness was evident in the compassionate care she provided to numerous family members during their times of need. She is survived by her husband of seven years, Greg Powell; her son, Wesley Powell; her brothers, David and Danny Baker; and two granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Patricia Baker; her sister, Denise Crumpler.; and her longtime companion, Morris T. Warner Jr.
Charles L. (Larry) Hutto ’72 of Severna Park, Md., died Nov. 21 at age 75. He was born in Abilene, Texas, on July 18, 1945, to Charles and Lola Hutto. He lived all over the world as a self-described Navy brat. Hutto attended the University of Arizona, where he met his wife, Kate (née Hume). He served in the Air Force from 1966-69 as a Chinese linguist. He was last stationed at Fort Meade, Md., which led to his settling in Anne Arundel County. Hutto graduated from UMD with high honors, pursued graduate studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and earned his doctor of audiology degree from the Arizona School of Health Sciences. Hutto discovered audiology when he and his wife adopted a deaf child, Ernest. He founded Chesapeake Hearing Centers in 1975, becoming the first audiologist in private practice in Maryland. One of his proudest moments was being selected to initiate the first in-hospital hearing screening program at Anne Arundel General Hospital. He also mentored audiologists nationwide, served as the president of the Maryland Academy of Audiology and the Audiological Resource Association, lectured at local and national professional meetings and taught graduate courses at Loyola College. Hutto was a devoted father who also enjoyed photography, astronomy, golfing, playing bluegrass music on his guitar, tinkering with computers, and reading about Texas history. He is survived by his wife, Kate; his children, Mariya Hutto, Julie Petruzzi and Ernest Hutto; siblings Summer and David Hutto; three grandchildren; and many other relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, David.
Jane Ann Stockdale Ph.D. ’72 died Dec. 16 at St. Andrew's Village, Ind. She was 81. She was born July 7, 1939, to the late Eleanor “Janie" (Weiss) and James Merrill Stockdale. She graduated from Punxsutawney High School and received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana State University and her doctorate in counseling and personnel services from UMD. Her employment included Punxsutawney Area School District teacher from 1960-63, DuBois Area School District school counselor from 1963-66, Pennsylvania Department of Education from 1971-77, Bucknell University professor from 1977-80, and Pennsylvania Department of Education veterans education director from 1980-99. She enjoyed attending live theater and was a patron of the Pittsburgh Symphony. She loved vacations with her family in Rehoboth Beach and traveling to Disney World several times a year. Surviving relatives include siblings, Gretchen Balestreire, James "Jim" Merrill Stockdale Jr., Paul "Hoagy" Franklin Stockdale, Jon Alan Stockdale, Deborah C. Long and Jody Dobson; and 12 nieces and nephews.
John D. Corun ’72 of Hagerstown, Md. died Nov. 29. He was 73. He was the husband of Nancy Dronebrug Corun. Born in Waynesboro, Pa., he was the son of the late D. Melvin and Edith L. Kite Corun. After earning an economics degree at UMD, Corun worked at the A&P Store in Frederick and Roadway Trucking and retired from Frederick Community College, where he worked in shipping and receiving. He was a member of the Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Myersville, Moose International, Sons of Amvets, Middletown, Post # 9 and the Sons of the American Legion, Hagerstown Post. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Dronebrug Corun; stepdaughter, Debra A. Smith; a grandson; and several cousins, including Jan Magaha.
Alice May Burton Robinson MLS ’72 died Dec. 2. She was born on July 15, 1938, to Mack Burton and Virgie Thornton in Rougemont. Robinson was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Beatrice Burton Hawley and Mack Burton Jr. She is survived by her husband, Delma Robinson Jr.; one daughter, Binta Robinson; two sisters-in-law, Alene Morton Burton and Louise Robinson Green; five nieces; three nephews; and a host of cousins, additional relatives and friends.
Dr. Richard (Dick) G. Meltzer ’71 of Potomac, Md., died Nov. 18 at age 71. Meltzer was born on May 24, 1949, to Ruth and Seymour Meltzer. He lived in Rochester, N.Y., until he was 12, and then moved with his family to the Washington, D.C., area. He graduated from the University of Maryland and Georgetown Dental School, with a residency at Providence Hospital. He ran a private dental practice in Aspen Hill for 40 years, providing care to thousands of patients and earning renown as the "singing dentist" for his beautiful voice. A pioneer in IV sedation in the dental office, he helped write the laws for sedation dentistry in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Meltzer served in professional associations such as Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity, the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners and as a diplomat of the American College of Forensic Dentistry. He was also the volunteer dental director of the dental clinics at the Hebrew Home. He was awarded fellowship in the American College of Dentists, a recognition bestowed on only 3% of dentists in the country. He was also a member of the Ethics Committee of Southern Maryland Dental Society and the Maryland State Dental Legislative Committee. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed spending time at the beach and traveling with his family. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Helene; children Kimberly Weisman and Jason Meltzer; five grandchildren; and brother, Steve. He was predeceased by his other brother, David.
Ronald E. Doherty ’71 of Edgewater, Md., died Dec. 23 at age 77. He was the son of the late Clarence Doherty and Jean M. Doherty (Koenig) and was a graduate of Catonsville High School. Doherty served in the U.S. Army from 1964-68 in Korea and Germany. After earning an accounting degree at UMD, he enjoyed a 30-year career as senior accountant/CPA at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in Washington, D.C. He was known for his vast knowledge and detail-oriented work ethic and formed numerous long-lasting friendships there. Doherty was an avid Orioles fan and enjoyed fishing, crabbing, boating and jet skiing and hosting summer holiday family gatherings. He was preceded in death by his niece, Darlene L. White. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley M. Winegar, nephew Donald Winegar and niece Deborah Simpson as well as 19 loving great-nieces and -nephews.
Craig Donoff ’71, a South Florida tax and estate attorney, died at his Miami home on Dec. 26 of lung cancer, four days after turning 71. Donoff was born in Miami and graduated from the University of Maryland with a business degree and from the American University Washington College of Law. He also earned Master of Law degrees in taxation and estate planning, making him one of the few attorneys in the U.S. with two LLM degrees. He went on to practice law for 46 years in Miami and Boca Raton and was selected in 1997 by his peers as a leading Florida attorney in the areas of trusts and estate law and was president of the Miami chapter of the International Association for Financial Planning, remaining on the board of directors for many years. Donoff was the founder and first president of the Boca Raton Estate Planning Council chapter and provided education about estate planning through his newsletters, seminars and the books he wrote. He sat on many boards including the Federation of South Palm Beach County, the Jewish Community Foundation of South Palm Beach County, the Professional Advisory Committee, and most recently the Friends of the Israeli Defense Force. Donoff also received honors from the Hebrew University, Florida Atlantic University CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities), Temple Beth El Brotherhood, Ruth and Norman Rales JFS, Israeli Bonds, and the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center for special needs. He ran many marathons and was a champion tennis player. He had a passion for collecting autographs and pictures. He took great pleasure in seeing his children become successful, hard-working attorneys like himself. He is survived by his wife, Judi; daughter Lindsey Donoff and stepsons Matthew and Garrett Nemeroff; four grandchildren; and siblings Rick and Barbara Donoff. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Alice Donoff, and his son, Chase Donoff.
Raymond E. Spaulding Ed.D. ’71 of Radford, Va., died Sept. 16 at the age of 80. Upon graduating from Guilford College, he taught mathematics in Dundalk, Md. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and taught at Radford University. In 1971, he completed a Ed.D in mathematics from UMD and returned to Radford University, where he taught until retiring in 2003. He was an avid cyclist, poke boater, reader, music lover, bridge and tennis player, NOVA watcher, sports enthusiast, and mathematical problem solver. His absolute joy was spending time with his family, especially in the summer on the deck with a bushel of steamed crabs and his latest CD on the stereo. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Jackie; a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer; son, Noah; four grandchildren; and a sister, Ruth.
John R. "Jay" McKenna Jr. ’70 of Annapolis, Md., a former development specialist at the World Bank and Green Beret, died Nov. 5. McKenna was born in 1944, in Oakland, Calif., where his parents, Lt. Cmdr. John R. McKenna and Mary C. McKenna, were stationed during the war. He spent most of his childhood in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Md., except for a few years in Montgomery County, Pa. He grew up sailing 11-foot moth sailboats at the Stone Harbor Yacht Club in New Jersey and later owned two. He graduated in 1962 from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, where he was on the wrestling team and a pole vaulter for the track team. He briefly attended UMD before enlisting in the Army in 1963, and became a Ranger and Green Beret. After finishing his Army service, McKenna returned to UMD and completed his geography degree, then earned his master's degree in cultural geography from Louisiana State University. He was the co-founder of rugby clubs at both UMD and LSU. He joined the World Bank and played a key role in helping to shift its focus toward aiding the rural and urban poor. His work involved extended travel throughout Latin America, Pakistan and Europe; he spoke several languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, German and Portuguese. After retirement, McKenna did some consulting work and later became a sales manager for Smith-Midland, which manufactures and installs “beach prisms” to prevent coastal erosion. McKenna was known for his gregarious and engaging personality and his love of travel, sports and the Chesapeake Bay. His quest to find the world's best peanut butter and root beer was well-known. McKenna is survived by his wife of 18 years, Samantha “Sam” Junod McKenna; his children, Winston McKenna, Justin McKenna, Roberta McKenna and Chris McKenna; sisters, Mary McKenna and Joanne McKenna Kla; a stepdaughter, Kelly Junod; two stepgrandsons; his former wife, Ann Lujack McKenna; and many loving nephews and nieces.
James “Jim” Erwin Christensen ’70 of Greeneville, Tenn., died Oct. 12 at age 79. Christensen was born on Aug. 15, 1941. He spent 30 years working in UMD’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, first as an admissions counselor, then assistant and associate director, and ultimately as director. Christensen was asked to author “Transfer Credit Practices,” a book published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and used across the country. He influenced academic policy within the university and across the University System of Maryland and received UMD’s Distinguished Service Award. After retirement, Christensen and his wife, Jo, retired to her hometown, Greeneville, Tenn. He was an avid golfer, a voracious reader, a master of one-liners and famous for his dry humor. He was a member of the Exchange Club and Link Hills Country Club. Christensen is survived by his wife, Jo McGuffin Christensen; nieces, Donna Bergman and Christina Bergman Cherry; a nephew, Karl Bergman; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Joy McGuffin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin O. and Edna F. Christensen, and his sister, Judith Christensen Bergman Callin.
Kenneth “Terry” Terrell Ellington ’70 of Bowie, Md, died Dec. 2 at age 76. He was born Nov. 12, 1944 to Kenneth, Sr. and Lucille. After graduating from UMD with a bachelor’s degree in business and public administration, he worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an international trade specialist for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Donna Ellington, sons Ken and Kevin, sister Marcia Funk, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Steffeny Ellington.
Rochelle Elizabeth Snee ’69 died Sept. 6 in Seattle. She was born Dec. 6, 1947, in Trenton, N.J., and was a graduate of Dulaney High School in Lutherville-Timonium, Md. She majored in classics at UMD, then earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in classics with a concentration in the Byzantine period at the University of Washington. She was on the faculty of Pacific Lutheran University, where she taught classics courses, served as chair of the Language Department for several years and accompanied Egyptologist Donald Ryan on several trips to Egypt to provide students with an understanding of Roman sites existing there. Through the years, she published articles on Valens’ recall of the Nicene exiles and Gregory Nazianzen's Anastasia Church in Constantinople. She was preparing to publish a book on the life of Oikonomos Marcian at the time of her death. In addition to travel and cooking, she enjoyed reading, theater, opera and ancient art. Snee is survived by her husband, Joseph Knee; her father, John J. Snee; her siblings, Christine L. Snee and Joseph M. Snee; her sister-in-law, Ruth Snee; a nephew and a niece; a great-niece; and a godson. She was preceded in death by her mother, Marian E. Snee, and two brothers, Thomas E. Snee and David W. Snee.
Gordon Howard Lester Jr. ’69 died Dec. 11 after a 15-year battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on Nov. 27, 1946, to Dorothea Joachim Lester and Gordon Howard Lester Sr. and grew up in Takoma Park, Md. Lester graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville, and graduated from UMD with an economics degree. Lester started his career with the U.S. government in 1969 at the Bureau of Economic Analysis as a regional economist doing studies of regional agricultural statistics. This is where he met his wife, a computer programmer. He transferred in 1979 to the Census Bureau,, from which he retired in 2005. He developed several longitudinal surveys on agriculture topics and analytical reports on child support. For his efforts on components of the Survey of Income and Program Participation, he received the Bronze Medal Award for Superior Federal Service from the Department of Commerce in 2003. Lester loved the ocean, was a certified scuba diver, and enjoyed staying at his Bethany Beach, Del., home. He loved traveling and homebrewing, visiting over 300 microbreweries. He was also an ardent fan of the Redskins and the Capitals. Lester is survived by his wife of 45 years, Peggy O’Malley Lester; his son, Jeffrey; and several cousins.
Eddy G. Lee ’69 died Nov. 22. He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1948, the youngest son of the late Olive Louis Doong and Ark Kee Lee, both of Toishan, Canton, China. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1965, and completed his degree from the University of Maryland in electrical engineering in 1969. He performed his military service on the USS Bordelon. Subsequently, he worked for NAVELEX and NAVSHIPS as a civilian electrical engineer. He was a longtime resident of University Park, Md., and served as an elections supervisor. Lee had an avid interest in the arts, including collecting and playing musical instruments, attending craft shows and making jewelry. He was a fan of diverse musical genres, especially folk singing. He was also a barbecue connoisseur and participated in local barbecue competitions. He enjoyed giving his nieces and later his great-nephews and niece gifts that encouraged the exploration of science, engineering and technology. Lee is survived by his brothers, David and Arthur; nieces, Susan and Karen; three great-nephews; and a great-niece.
Retired Maj. Gen. Mark V. Rosenker ’69, a public affairs specialist who served in Republican presidential administrations and led the National Transportation Safety Board, died Sept. 26 at a hospice center in Alexandria, Va. He was 73. Rosenker was born in Baltimore on Dec. 8, 1946, and was a ROTC cadet at the University of Maryland; he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force after receiving his bachelor’s degree. Rosenker switched to the Reserve three years later and earned the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit before retiring in 2006 at the rank of major general. He developed a keen interest in aviation and auto issues early in his career, working on public relations for groups including the American Safety Belt Council. He also became involved in presidential politics, joining Richard M. Nixon’s 1972 reelection campaign and serving as deputy press secretary for President Gerald R. Ford’s campaign in 1976. Rosenker later worked as an advance man for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush while spending 23 years running public affairs for the Electronic Industries Association, a now-defunct manufacturers’ trade group. He opened the Washington office of the United Network for Organ Sharing, which manages the country’s organ transplant system, before joining the George W. Bush administration in 2001. As deputy assistant to the president and director of the White House Military Office, Rosenker coordinated military support for the executive office, presiding over Camp David, Air Force One, secure communications and the handling of the “football,” the emergency satchel that presidents can use to launch a nuclear attack. After being appointed to the NTSB board in 2003, Rosenker chaired the country’s accident investigation agency from 2005-09, leading investigations that examined the catastrophic collapse of a bridge over the Mississippi River as well as the plane crash that killed millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett. (Rosenker recently completed a term as vice chairman of the safety commission.) He later joined CBS News as a radio and television analyst, founded a transportation safety consulting group and was appointed one of the first members of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, an independent oversight group for the regional transit agency. In 2018, a political communications center at the University of Maryland was named in honor of Rosenker and his wife of 27 years, Heather Beldon Rosenker.
John Ross Hill ’69 of Easton, Md., died Dec. 19 at his home, according to The Star-Democrat. He was 79. The son of the late John Geddy Hill and Mary Anna Hill, he grew up in Bethesda, Md., and served in the U.S. Army from 1963-69. After earning his degree in mechanical engineering at UMD, Hill worked as a naval architect in the private sector. He was then employed for 32 years as a civilian at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he served as the branch head for the Hydromechanics Laboratory. He taught naval architecture as well as conducted research for the Department of Defense. During his career, he served on numerous maritime technical advisory committees. When his children were younger, he served as a volunteer coach for their indoor and outdoor soccer teams, as well as an assistant swim coach for the Talbot County YMCA swim team. Hill is survived by his wife of 44 years, Ellen Hill; his sons, Christopher G. Hill and Douglas R. Hill; his sister, Nancy A. Dalagez; his nephew, John “Jay” G. Dalager; and four grandchildren.
Dr. James “Jim” Thomas Lee ’69 died Nov. 29 at his West Hollywood home from heart disease. He was born in Philadelphia to Doris and Thomas Lee, and attended grade school and high school in the suburbs, then graduated from UMD and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He later became certified with the American Academy of HIV Medicine. He specialized in addiction medicine for 15 years, focusing exclusively on HIV medicine from 1982 onward. He was a member of AA for 34 years and lived his spiritual life with A Course in Miracles, which gave him direction, joy and love. When not working, he was planning trips and vacations with loved ones. Lee is survived by his husband, Uriel Elon. Lee had five siblings and is survived by one brother, and many nieces and nephews, including his best friend and loving niece, Judy.
Carl V. Dreisbach Jr. M.Ed. ’68 of Elizabethtown, Pa., died Nov. 1 at age 98. He was the eldest child born to Carl Valentine Dreisbach Sr. and Ethel Trout Dreisbach in York, Pa. Dreisbach graduated from William Penn Sr. High then served with the 83rd and 106th infantry divisions during World War II. After leaving the service, he attended Millersville State Teachers College (now University), where he graduated with a degree in industrial arts. He later earned his master's degree in industrial education at UMD. Dreisbach had a 38-year teaching career, first in York and then in Wilmington, Del. He received the Teacher of the Year Award from the Delaware Industrial Arts Association in 1970. Dreisbach was very active with the Boy Scouts, moving nine summers to Del-Mar-Va Council's Rodney Scout Reservation, where he was trading post manager and served one year as program director. He received the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor in 1977 and the Order of Merit from the Brandywine District in 1975; he also received the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Souter's Award in 2007, reflecting his other lifelong interest, the Masonic fraternity. Dreisbach and his wife, Frances, were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in York, Pa., and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Wilmington, Del. He served on the Good Shepherd's church council and as an assistant minister. Dreisbach is survived by his children and stepchildren, Michael, Cheryl Harris, Barbara Rodgers, Robert Galloway and Tracey Galloway; foster stepson Shawn Scott; grandchildren, step-grandchildren and a great-grandson. Preceding him in death were his wife, Frances, and his siblings, Richard, Ann Witta and Margaret Ross.
James “Jim” A. Noble ’68 died Oct. 31 in Callaway, Md., at age 76. He was born on Feb. 29, 1944, in Hanover, Pa., the second son of the late Stanley and Ethel Lansinger Noble. After graduating from Catonsville Community College, Noble moved to St. Mary’s County then earned his B.S. in electrical engineering from UMD. Noble worked with the telemetry data section of TSD and the Chesapeake Test Range Directorate. In 1972, he was sent to California for a year to work with Xerox to build a real-time telemetry and display system for NATC Patuxent River. This system was used on every instrumented test flight for every aircraft type that the U.S. Navy tested at Patuxent River. He also worked for Honeywell, doing maintenance on the Chesapeake Test Range display and computer equipment. Noble retired after 28 years of government service, earning many commendations. He enjoyed snow skiing, boating, writing, problem solving and inventing. He also authored books, and wrote and published short stories for Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and Writers Digest. He was part of the Southern Maryland Writers Project and submitted to The Washington Post Style Invitational. After retirement, He volunteered with the NARFE, SMARTCO and St. Mary’s County Office on Aging, teaching and refurbishing computers. Noble is survived by his brothers, Michael Noble and Thomas Noble; a niece and three nephews.
Kathryn R. Overton ’68 died Dec. 5 at her home in Manchester, Pa. She was 74. Overton was born to the late Doris W.E. and Charles P. Reichel and graduated from UMD with high honors; she was also in the Tau Mu Epsilon Fraternity. In 1975, she earned a J.D. degree from Georgetown University. Her career included positions at the National Geographic Society, Riggs National Bank and International Fund Management, followed by over 30 years of service at the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. All the while, she was a published author with more than a dozen short stories, novellas and novels in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Overton loved all critters and flowers, especially snakes and violets. She had many pets, including dogs, cats, hamsters, gerbils, finches, parakeets, ferrets, guinea pigs, mice, turtles, fish, horned toads and rabbits. Overton was predeceased by her husband, John Clayton Overton, and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Taylor "Pi" Overton Taylor; her sister, Christina A. Reichel; her aunt, Shirlee Ehrmantraut; and her cousin, Lisa Freeman.
Hilda B. Burcher MLS ’67 of Alexandra, Va., died Oct. 14 at age 82. She was born in Caroline County, Va., on June 5, 1938. She was the fourth of six children. Burcher grew up on a farm in Aylett, Va., attending King William High School. She graduated from Mary Washington College and UMD. A lover of books and literature, she taught English at Edison High School in Fairfax, served as the head librarian at St. Agnes School in Alexandria for 20 years and subsequently taught in Alexandria Public Schools until her passing. Burcher is survived by her two sons, Rear Adm. E. Andrew Burcher and retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mark E. Burcher; and six grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eugene S. Burcher.
Gerald “Jerry” E. Lingenfelter ’67 died Sept 23 in New Brunswick, N.J. He was 75. Raised in Leechburg, Pa., he was a resident of East Brunswick, N.J., before moving to Frankford, Del., 11 years ago. After receiving a fire protection degree from the University of Maryland, Lingenfelter became a fire protection engineer at AISG in New York, N.Y., and continued his career and retired from TVA Fire and Safety. From 1967-71, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard, achieving the rank of commander and receiving the National Defense Service Medal. Lingenfelter was a member of the United Methodist Church in Millville, Del., and a supporter of the Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society. He was a member of UMD’s alumni association and its fire protection engineering alumni group. Surviving are his daughter, Tara Palmieri; his siblings, John and Susan Smith; three grandsons; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Crystal Lingenfelter; his parents, Anna and Neville Lingenfelter; and his brother, Michael.
Frank E. Silvestro ’67, MBA ’71 died Nov. 28 in Tulsa, Okla. He was 76. He was born in Washington, D.C., to Joseph and Eileen Silvestro and married Marcia Servis in 1981. He was a proud Army officer and served in Vietnam. He retired as a chief financial officer in 2008 after 35-plus years in accounting and finance. Frank enjoyed carpentry, home improvements, University of Maryland sports and sailing. He was a devout Catholic and devoted parent. His wife died one day after him. They are survived by their three children, John Silvestro, Suzanne Stevenson and Mark Silvestro; Frank's sister, Rose Fullerton, and brother, Joe Silvestro; and five grandchildren.
Brewster Chamberlin ’66, Ph.D. ’72, a writer and historian, died at the age of 81 on Nov. 12 in Key West, Fla., his home since 2001. After completing work on a Ph.D. in modern European history, Chamberlin became known for the seminal German-American archival project he directed from 1975-81 chronicling the 1944-49 records of the U.S. military government in Germany. That work led to his recruitment as founding director of the Archives and Library, and then as director of International Programs at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Until retiring in 2001, Chamberlin collaborated with archives around the world, including Yad Vashem in Israel, to build a worldwide network dedicated to preserving and securing records and artifacts of the Holocaust. His long career also included university teaching and lecturing, but travel and his love of writing occupied his later years. After moving to Key West, he published books of poems, travelogues on Paris and Greece, novels, at least one thriller, and chronologies of the life and times of both Ernest Hemingway and Lawrence Durrell. The complete list of his writings can be found at brewsterchamberlin.com. Chamberlin is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lynn-Marie Smith; his brother, Dean Chamberlin; and his sisters, Ellen Chandler and Bonnie Goebel. An earlier marriage to Angela Schüssler Chamberlin ended in divorce.
David A. Daniels ’66 of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., died Sept. 10. Born Nov. 16, 1933, to Nancy Corliss Daniels and Richard James Daniels in Franconia, N.H. He graduated from Red Bank High School and Rutgers University. He authored 19 patents during his time as an organic chemist and traveled to every continent during his tenure as a senior vice president of sales for many major companies. He was school board president, coach to his children's teams, talented golfer and world traveler. He was preceded in death by his four brothers and sisters and his parents. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary; children, David Arthur Daniels Jr., Debborah Anne Hayes, Richard James and John Harold; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
John “Jack” T. Schofield ’66 died Oct. 15 in Annapolis, Md., two weeks shy of his 77th birthday. Born on Oct. 27, 1943, he was the son of Mary and John T. Schofield Sr. Jack was a standout athlete from a young age, playing football for the Annapolis Athletic Association and competing in Little League baseball. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School, he attended UMD on a lacrosse scholarship; he became a two-time All-American and in 1965 led all of Division I with 190 saves. Schofield was inducted into the St. Mary’s High Athletic Hall of Fame (1997), the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame (1993) and the Chesapeake Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame (2019). Schofield was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force in 1966 after completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Maryland. He served as an intelligence officer deployed to Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star. He retired from military service in 1975 and went to work for Johnson & Johnson for 17 years as a pharmaceutical executive. After retiring, he lived in Park City, Utah, Destin, Fla., and Tucson, before returning home to Annapolis to be closer to his son and family. Schofield adopted two daughters, Kathy and the late Holly, from his marriage to Ann Ullman. In addition to Kathy and his son and daughter-in-law, Susan, Schofield is survived by five grandchildren and 12 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Nancy and Marilyn.
Margo G. Bailey ’65, a former mayor of Chestertown, Md., died Sept. 1 at age 76. She was born to Robert William Goggin and Marjorie Russell Goggin, raised in Florida and graduated from Coral Gables High School. She was married to the late Bill Nicholson, then the town manager. In 1982, Margo bought the Chestertown Newsstand. In 1991, Bailey followed her husband onto the town council after she gained political traction in the late 1980s fighting the RESCO incinerator plant proposal. She went on to serve five terms as mayor from 1994-2013, marked by her 10-year fight to prevent Walmart from opening a store in the community, helping to create Chestertown’s Green Team, passing a plastic bag ban and developing new parks; the largest is named Margo Bailey Park in her honor. Bailey was also honored as grand marshal of the 2015 Chestertown Tea Party Festival parade. Bailey was predeceased by her husband, Michael, in 2006. She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Nicholson Priest, Carrie Nicholson Parameswaran and Maren Nicholson; her son, Owen Bailey; brother, Robert Goggin Jr.; sister, Susan Goggin; stepsons, Joel, Eric, Keith and Colin; and four grandchildren.
Arnold A. Heggestad ’65 died after a brief illness Dec. 3 at the age of 77. He was born in Madison, Wisc., to Howard and Dolores Heggestad. He spent his young childhood in Greeneville, Tenn., and moved to College Park, Md., with his family in 1955. He attended the University of Maryland for his undergraduate degree and completed his Ph.D. in economics at Michigan State University. After graduation, Heggestad worked at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., before beginning his 35-year teaching career at the University of Florida in 1973. He considered founding the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation the capstone of his academic career. During retirement, he loved reading, UF sports, traveling with his family, and spending time at Crescent Beach. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Bonnie Heggestad. He is survived by his children, Arne, Kris and Lauren and three grandchildren, as well as his sister, Margot Hoffmeyer; brother, David Heggestad; and several cousins, nephews and extended family.
David D. Nardo ’64 died Nov. 27 in Barrington, Ill at age 76. He was born Oct. 11, 1942, in Bellaire, Ohio, to James Nardo and Jennie (Klosek) Nardo and graduated from St. John's High School in 1960. He attended UMD on a full football scholarship, graduating with high honors. In 1969, he received his law degree from Georgetown University and married Cathy Ilene Olsen. In 2008, Dave retired from Komatsu America as vice president, general counsel. He is survived by his wife; sons Joshua and Andy; daughter Kate Kasprzak; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Margaret Garrison.
Fred Wright Hopkins Jr. M.Ed. ’64, Ph.D. ’69, a longtime resident of Linthicum, Md., died Dec. 21 at Glen Burnie Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Staten Island, N.Y., on Nov. 19, 1935, to the late Fred W. Hopkins Sr. and Margaret Helena (Ullman) Hopkins. He graduated from Baltimore City College and Gettysburg College, then earned his master’s and Ph.D. at UMD. Hopkins taught English and Latin at Brooklyn Park, Severna Park and Arundel high schools, and he coached soccer, wrestling and lacrosse until 1970. He continued his teachings as a professor of history and was senior administrator for the University of Baltimore until his retirement in 2005. Hopkins was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, Nautical Archaeological Associates, Society for Historical Archaeology, North American Society for Oceanic History, Maritime Committee Maryland Historical Society and Walters Art Gallery Asian Society. He wrote three books. He loved swimming, sailing, reading and collecting Scottish, Asian and maritime miscellany. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Leverage) Hopkins; their two sons, Michael Hopkins and Timothy Hopkins; and three grandchildren.
Robert (Bob) Cummings ’63 died at his Hertford, N.C., home Nov. 5 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 82. Bob was born in Baltimore to Bill and Helen Henry Cummings and attended Patterson Park High School and UMD. There he played lacrosse and was an All-ACC member of three NCAA tournament soccer teams and also met his wife, Jo-An Finn. Cummings later received a master’s degree from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. from Southern Mississippi. He spent most of his career teaching exercise physiology and coaching at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., retiring as professor emeritus in 2003. In retirement, he and his significant other, Kristin Hagan, split time between Hertford and Glade Springs, W.Va. Cummings is survived by Hagan; his son, Robert J. Cummings; his daughter, Kortney J. Ramsey; and four grandchildren.
James F. Beck ’63 died Sept. 21 at age 80. He was born in Kyser, W.Va., a son of Charles and Beulah Beck. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in chemical engineering and began his professional career with DuPont in Belle, W.Va. He later went into sales of industrial instrumentation and retired from McJunkin Corporation. He was a past member of Parkersburg Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow and 69rs Investment Club. Beck was confirmed into the Lutheran church in March 1956. He was a member of First Lutheran church and attended Emmanuel Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and assisted his wife teaching Sunday School. After retiring, Beck volunteered with Habitat of Humanity and donated his time, talent and sense of humor to renovate and build projects for many area nonprofits with the “Wood Peckers” group, led by Jim Crews. He is survived by his wife, Ann W. Beck; two sons, Darrin F. Beck (Diana) and John Beck (Mary Beth); a stepdaughter, Andrea Layton (Rick); seven grandchildren; and one brother, Charles A. Beck. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Sally Hathaway.
Steven C. Lackey ’63, an early computer programmer, died Nov. 9 in Vermont. He was born on July 5, 1941, in Carlisle, Pa., the son of Mildred and Joel Lackey. Upon graduating from UMD with a degree in business administration, Lackey began seven years of service with the U.S. Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, finishing at the rank of captain. He supervised the development of the Air Force’s computer system in the early days of programming. IBM Burlington hired Lackey right out of the Air Force, where he served for almost 30 years writing code that controlled the automated systems that produced the microchips. A quiet, easygoing and resourceful man, Lackey was passionate about his family, his friends and golf. He took great delight in teaching others how to play. An avid sports fan, Lackey loved to attend his sons’ and then grandchildren’s games. He taught or shared knowledge in a patient and gentle way. For his friends and family, there remain cherished memories of the summers spent at Long Point, fishing lessons, his skill at the grill and boat rides. Pebble Beach and Hawkins Bay were treasured family boating destinations. Lackey is survived by his wife, Susan (Johns) Lackey; his sons, Steven Perkins, Doug Perkins, Craig Lackey and Darren Perkins; his brother, Joel Lee Lackey; brother-in-law, Dr. Walter Johns; brother-in-law, Dr. Peter Johns; seven grandchildren; a great-grandson; and many friends. Lackey was predeceased by his parents; sons Christopher Lackey and Michael Lackey; and a grandson, David Perkins.
Kenneth E. Peltzer M.S. ’63, Ph.D. ’68 died Sept. 20 at age 87. He was born on Sept. 19, 1933, in Baltimore to the late Blanche and James Peltzer. He graduated from John Hopkins University with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering in 1955. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University, he served for two years in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, followed by six years in the U.S. Army Reserve. In the early 1960s, Peltzer worked for Litton Industries, where he invented or co-invented five patents in the fields of microwave recording and reconnaissance techniques. At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, he was part of the team that culminated in Apollo 11’s landing the first man on the moon in 1969. Peltzer later changed careers and earned his M.A.I. from the Appraisal Institute in 1982, and started his own commercial real estate counseling and appraisal firm where he practiced for over two decades. Peltzer is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Legg; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his brother, Franklin Peltzer; and former wife and friend, Virginia Peltzer. In addition to his parents, Peltzer was preceded in death by his brother, James Howard Peltzer Jr., and his only son, Steven Douglas Peltzer.
Anne C. Chambers ’62, M.Ed. ’70 died Oct. 12 at age 80. She was born in Baltimore to Virginia and Tracy Coleman. She was raised in Colesville, Md. After graduating from Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, Md., she earned a bachelor’s degree from UMD and began teaching in Prince George’s County public schools. In 1973, Chambers received a gift of land from her parents, and with her brother, Tracy Coleman Jr., and colleague Becky Randolph, established Indian Creek School in Crownsville, Md. It opened in 1973 with 33 students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade. Four years later, Chambers opened a middle school, then added an upper school in 2006. Chambers was known in the world of education for her human development curriculum that recognized and met children’s specific needs, and for stressing civil discourse. A longtime singer with the Annapolis Chorale, Chambers incorporated her love of the arts into an educational component of her school. She stepped down as head of school in 2010, and spent her final year in the classroom teaching human development. She is survived by a son, Kenny Chambers; her brother, Tracy “Punky” Coleman Jr.; her daughter-in-law, Donna Moore; and three grandchildren. A marriage to Bill Chambers ended in divorce.
Norma L. Reeves ’62 died Nov. 27 at her Street, Md., home. She was 81. Born in Forest Hill, Md., to Norman Phillip and Catherine Charlotte (Clark) Robinson of Bel Air, she attended Bel Air High School and UMD, where she received a degree in clothing and textiles. She began her career teaching home economics in Harford County Public Schools. Reeves also sat on the tax appeals boards for Harford County and the state of Maryland. In 1979, she and sister-in-law Mary Ellen Reeves opened the Whip Stitch, a ladies' boutique, in Bel Air. A second location followed in Rehoboth Beach, Del., and a third store, The Breeze, opened next door in that community. She had an affinity for genealogy and Harford County history. Reeves and her husband of 44 years, James, enjoyed traveling and especially cherished the summers spent in Rehoboth and Bethany Beach. Norma and James were named Harford County Living Treasures in 2011. She is survived by her son, James B. Reeves Jr.; daughter, Jane Reeves Kilby; and six grandchildren.
John C. Hoffsommer M.S. ’60, a chemist, pianist and longtime resident of Montgomery County, Md., died Nov. 25. He was 88. The son of Ruth Andrews Hoffsommer and Harold Charles Hoffsommer, he graduated from McKinley Technology High School and received a full scholarship to pursue chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honors in 1954. Hoffsommer married Rebekah Morris Heraty in 1956, while he served in the Army Chemical Corps from 1955-57. They started a family while Hoffsommer received his master's degree in chemistry from UMD and his doctorate from George Washington University. He worked as a research chemist at the Naval Surface Weapons Center in White Oak until his retirement in 1987. Hoffsommer's research team developed products that were used in NASA's Apollo Series Space Program, and he authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications and registered two technical patents. After retirement, he spent 10 years teaching organic chemistry at Montgomery College. In addition, Hoffsommer was an accomplished pianist, giving concerts and accompanying the children's choir at the Silver Spring United Presbyterian Church, where he was an active member for 50 years. Hoffsommer had recently become an active member of the Colesville Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Bartl; his daughters, Cynthia Leigh Theoharis and Heather Jean Bouslog; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nephews and a niece.
Margaret J. “Maggie” Cisar ’59 of Sabillasville, Md., died Nov. 13 at age 83 of Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in 1937 to Margaret Mathis and Paul Mathis. Cisar graduated from the Margaret Brent School in Mechanicsville, Md., in 1955. She taught at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, Md., and at Brunswick High School, in Brunswick, Md. While at Brunswick, Cisar taught agriculture and horticulture, and advised the Brunswick Chapter of the Future Farmers of America. She then became a research assistant in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, where she was part of a team that published original research on ovarian cancer. Cisar also volunteered to protect the Chesapeake Bay from pollution and at the Renfrew Museum and Park in Waynesboro, Pa., and served on the board of the Antietam Watershed Association. She was a member of the "Catoctin Crones," a group of female Democrats in Frederick County. She married Clayton Cisar in 1960, and is survived by four children: Paul Cisar, Bessie Cisar, Alphie Cisar and Nina Cisar; nine grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
Donna J. Brown ’59, a retired music teacher and resident of Severna Park, Md., died Nov. 25 at age 84. Brown was born in Mayville, Mich., studied at Wheaton College and completed her degree at the University of Maryland. She settled in Baltimore, where she taught music at a Baltimore city school. Brown was committed to the environment and supported the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Commission and Oyster Recovery Partnership, to name a few. She is survived by her sister, Lois Robertson; her sons, Therron and Rafe; and five grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Torrey C. Brown.
Donald Armstrong Newbery ’58 died Sept. 9 at age 90 in Richmond, Va. Born in Newark, N.J., he was the first student at Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, N.J., to earn varsity letters for football, basketball and baseball in the same school year. Newbery was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Kentucky. He was a proud Army veteran and a member of the military police in the Korean War. After the war, Newbery earned a degree in education from UMD and a master's degree in education from New York University. At the beginning of his professional career, he was the athletic director at the University of Baltimore, coaching championship teams in basketball and baseball. He then went on to New York University, where he was the head coach of baseball, assistant coach of basketball and director of recruiting for the basketball, baseball and track teams. After his coaching years, Newbery had a successful career as a radio sportscaster and a physical education teacher in Montgomery County, Md. Many of Newbery's interviews are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, National Baseball Hall of Fame, Basketball Hall of Fame, Boxing Hall of Fame and the Virginia State Athletic Hall of Fame. In the late ’80s, Newbery became a TV personality on WRIC-12 in Richmond, Va., with his segments about seniors called "55 Plus," and as the host for the Virginia Lottery drawings. At the same time, he was a senior print model, a background actor in more than 50 movies and a featured guest speaker for civic organizations, coaches’ organizations and corporations. He was inducted into the National Broadcaster's Hall of Fame, the Elizabeth, N.J., Athletic Hall of Fame, the Newark, N.J., Athletic Hall of Fame and the University of Baltimore Athletic Hall of Fame. Newbery is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances Dede Newbery; daughters, Donna Llewellyn and Ellen Papa; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Robert W. Bouder ’58 of Winchester, Va., died Nov. 3 at age 86. He was born to the late William Skiles and Alice Ruth (Ault) Bouder and spent his early years in Baltimore. Bouder earned his B.A. degree in history from UMD and a B.D., M.Div. and honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His first pastorate was the First Baptist Church in Milton, Pa. He was then appointed to be the initial pastor of a new church in Lancaster, Pa., where the church grew from 18 to 250 members, later named Westgate Baptist Church. He then was called to be senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Bethlehem, Pa. Bouder held leadership roles in the national, regional and associational levels of the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. In Lancaster and Bethlehem, he was a leader with Meals On Wheels, for which he received the PA State's Benjamin Rush Award for Community Leadership. Throughout his retirement years, Bouder continued his leadership as president of the First Baptist Church Nursery School Board. He enjoyed fishing, stained glass and woodworking, as well as a hands-on ministry to people in need. In addition to his loving wife, Sandra, Bouder is survived by his children, T. Glen Bouder and Wendelyn D. Weaver; six grandchildren; siblings, Gladys Belcher, Patricia Seydlitz and John J. Bouder; and extended family and friends.
Ann Gibson Sloan ’58 of Charleston, S.C., died Oct. 30 at age 84. Born in Cumberland, Md., she loved story time with her grandfather, as well as dancing. At UMD, Sloan majored in home economics, continued dancing, was active in Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and was known for her funny political cartoons. She married Alexander “Sandy” Sloan on graduation day, where she earned high honors. They spent most of their 47 years of marriage living on James Island in Charleston, although they also lived in Togus, Maine, and Mt. Pleasant, S.C. She was proud of the fact that she saw or met 11 U.S. presidents in person. Sloan was a talented seamstress who made her own silk wedding gown and once repaired Kermit the Frog’s eye for Jim Henson ’60, who was her lab partner at Maryland. Later in life, she trained with New York’s Metropolitan Opera Company to become an opera prompter, completing her program with “La Bohème.” She was a voracious reader, adored animals and cared for many pets. Sloan is survived by four daughters: Susie Sloan, Ellen Nietert, Alexa Ballzigler and Carol Sloan; and three grandchildren.
Dr. Joseph A. Nizolek Jr. ’58 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Nov. 21 from head injuries due to a fall. He was 82. He was born to Joseph A. Sr. and Sophie Nizolek. He studied at UMD, then completed medical school and an anesthesiology residency at the University of Iowa. He practiced at Mercy and St. Luke's hospitals in Cedar Rapids. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include his wife, Janet; sons, Joel and Jonathan; and one grandson.
Charles Brosius Thomas ’57 died Dec. 7 at York Hospital in Pennsylvania. He was 85. Born in Frederick, Md., Thomas graduated from Frederick High School, then from UMD, where he studied marketing. He spent two years with the U.S. Army Artillery as a champion marksman and head of the artillery center, earning the rank of sergeant. He was called back to serve for another year in 1961. Thomas returned to school and graduated from George Washington University in 1971 with a master of marketing degree. Four years later, he and his wife, Sally, and his brother, George Leicester Thomas III, and wife, Maureen, bought Lilypons Water Gardens. Charles was president of the company until the end of 1998. In retirement, he moved to Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. Two years later, Thomas began substitute teaching at Waynesboro Area School District, where he did not miss a day of teaching for 18 years and was voted teacher of the year by students. He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Sally; his daughters, Margaret, Virginia, Victoria and Elizabeth; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
John M. Uzick ’57 died Nov. 12 at age 86, in Pottsville, Pa. Born in New Jersey on Sept. 4, 1934, Uzick was the son of the late Michael and Elizabeth (née Shulla) Uzick. A 1952 graduate of Tamaqua High School, he graduated from the University of Maryland and Villanova University, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering. A licensed professional engineer, Uzick worked for the Atlas Powder Co. for 37 years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. In 1999, Uzick was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame as a football player. He was a Lutheran. In addition to his wife of 63 years, Gloria, John is survived by a daughter, Elaine Woodland (Chip); sister, Dorothy Stafiniak; two nephews; and a niece.
Robert E. “Robin” Farnell III ’56 of Vienna, Md., died Dec. 30 at Mallard Bay Care Center at age 86. He was born in Cambridge on July 20, 1934, to the late Robert E. Farnell Jr. and Isabel Messick Farnell. He graduated from Cambridge High School, then UMD and the University of Maryland Law School. In October 1958, he was admitted to practice and opened a law office in Cambridge. From 1967-71, he was an associate judge of the People's Court, and served as state's attorney from 1977-79 and deputy state's attorney from 1991-96, when he retired. He also served in the Maryland Army National Guard. He was a lifelong member of Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge, where he taught Sunday School and served on the Administrative Board. Farnell served as an instructor for the Easton District Lay Academy for over 20 years. In addition, he served as lay leader for the Peninsula Delaware Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was also an honorary member of Rescue Fire Company and associate professor at Chesapeake College for over 20 years. He is survived by his wife, the Rev. Mary Ann Farnell; sons Christopher R. Farnell and the Rev. Mark W. Farnell; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Eugene “Gene” L. Kibbe Jr. ’56 died in Towson, Md., Nov. 9 at age 87. Born in Philadelphia to Mary and Eugene L. Kibbe Sr., he attended Polytechnic Institute and graduated from Towson High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UMD. Kibbe served in Army intelligence from 1956-58 at Fort Holabird. In 1962, he established a Towson insurance agency that bore his name and which he operated until retiring in 1992. Kibbe served as president of the Southland Hills Improvement Association and was active in Republican circles. He ran for the Baltimore County Council’s Fourth District seat in 1970 and was defeated, then was elected four years later for one term. An avid boater, Kibbe joined the Baltimore Yacht Club in 1964 and was named its commodore in 1971. He was also a member of the Sue Island Power Squadron and the Kroger Cruising Group. He was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. In addition to his wife of 64 years, Thomasine, Kibbe is survived by children Linda, Eugene L. Kibbe III and Dawn; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Thornton “Bud” F.T. Frank Jr. ’55 died Dec. 25 in Ocean Pines, Md. He was 87. He was born March 26, 1933, in Stevenson, Md., as the only child to Thornton F.T. Frank Sr. and Mamie (Parks) Frank. He graduated from the University of Maryland with an engineering degree and soon after married Beatrice Batchelder Lemos. In 1955, Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent two years stationed in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. A talented musician, he joined the Army Band playing piano and trumpet and singing; he remained in the Army Reserve until 1962. In 1959, he started his 33-year career with General Motors as quality control engineer, eventually moving to GM Headquarters in Detroit. Frank became the automotive chairman for the American Society for Quality Control, during which he earned the McDermond Award and the Koth Award for his outstanding service. He loved to travel with his wife, Beatrice, seeing much of the world and all but one of the 50 states, and to golf, garden, fish and crab with his grandchildren. He was known as the “Music Man,” never losing his touch on the keyboard despite having dementia for several years. He is survived by daughters Denise Marianne Bondy and Jennifer Louise Burns; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his wife, Beatrice, and son, Thornton F.T. Frank III.
Jack F. Billig ’54, a Baltimore auctioneer, died Oct. 29 at age 88. The son of Sara and Abraham Billig, he was a graduate of Baltimore City College and earned degrees at UMD and the University of Maryland School of Law. In 1954, Billig married Janet Abell, whom he met at UMD. After working in his mother’s deli, he joined his father and became an auctioneer, appraiser and real estate broker. At A.J. Billig & Co., Auctioneers of Baltimore, Billig sold numerous Baltimore landmarks, including the old Emerson Hotel, the Pimlico Hotel, Chesapeake and Danny’s. He handled the sales of the Jefferson office building and the Penthouse condominium in Towson, the Trumpy Yacht Company in Annapolis and the equipment of the Baltimore Clippers hockey team. Billig was a member of the National Auctioneers Association, Auctioneers Association of Maryland and the Baltimore, Maryland and National Associations of Realtors. He was inducted into the Auctioneers Association of Maryland Hall of Fame in 1996. Billig was a volunteer for more than 50 years with The Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. He was awarded the Carol Sibel Outstanding Fundraising Achievement Award in 2019. He was a lifetime member of Beth Tfiloh Congregation. Billig enjoyed vacationing in Florida and international travel. In addition to his wife, Janet Abell, survivors include a son, Daniel; brother, Arnold Billig; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Two sons, Michael and Andrew Billig, died in 2016.
Betty Faye (Cornblatt) Fink ’54 died Dec. 17 at the age of 88. Fink received her master’s in teaching from Johns Hopkins University. She was a social worker for Social Security and dedicated teacher in Baltimore City schools for nearly 30 years and an active member of Baltimore Hebrew Congregations (BHC), including the Sisterhood. She was an enthusiastic volunteer for the American Red Cross, as well as coordinator of American Red Cross Blood Drive at BHC for several years. She cherished her long-standing friendships and loved her family, her travels and anything and everything chocolate. Her last years were spent at Symphony Manor, in Roland Park, surrounded by wonderful and compassionate staff and friends. She is survived by her children, Jonathan Fink and Saul Fink; brother, Sylvan Cornblatt; four grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Edwin Fink, and her parents, Solomon and Mildred Cornblatt.
Donald Zentz Koons M.Ed. ’54, Ed.D.’63 of Gainesville, Fla. died Dec. 28. Born July 22, 1928, in Frederick, Md, he was the son of the late Clyde O. Koons and Beatrice (Koons) Kelly and was a resident of Frederick for 76 years. Koons received a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary. Except for serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he was employed by the Frederick County school system from 1949 until his retirement in 1990. He was the first educator to provide guidance and counseling services to junior high school students and he founded Personnel Services in the county school system. He served as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and central office administrator. He was a past president of the Frederick Jaycees and the Frederick Kiwanis Club, a past member of the Board of Directors of the Frederick Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the American Red Cross of Frederick County, Frederick County YMCA, Federated Charities of Frederick County, and the church council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frederick. For more than 30 years, he taught a variety of Sunday School classes for children and adults. For several years, he served as a member and chair of the Personnel Commission of Frederick City. He was a past president of the Maryland Negotiations Service and the American Association of School Personnel Administrators. Surviving are his wife, Kathleen Petty Koons; sons, Dr. Keith Petty Koons and Dr. Jay Clyde Koons; and grandchildren.
Nancy Gray Waller ’53, a retired Baltimore County Public Schools kindergarten teacher, died of COVID-19 on Dec. 8 at Bonnie Blink, the Maryland Masonic Home in Hunt Valley, according to The Baltimore Sun. She was 89. The daughter of Dr. James King Gray and Dalene Rogers Gray graduated from Thurmont High School, studied at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va., and transferred to UMD. She obtained a master’s degree in 1972 from what is now Towson University. Once her children entered school, she embarked in 1966 on a 20-year career as an elementary school teacher, first teaching in Baltimore at Winston Elementary School, then in Baltimore County, at Timonium, Pine Grove and Hillendale schools, among others. In 1954, she married U.S. Air Force Col. Alan M. Waller Sr. In addition to raising their three children at their Murray Hill home, they enjoyed spending summers at their second home in Bethany Beach, Del. Waller was an avid reader and gardener and was a member of the Heatherfield Garden Club. She was also a member of the Carter Braxton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Hopkins Club and the old Brown Memorial Woodbrook Presbyterian Church. Waller is survived by two sons, Alan M. Waller Jr. and James W. Waller; a daughter, Anne Waller McAvoy; a sister, Sarah G. Tateosian; and eight grandchildren.
Ann S. Ware ’53, a longtime resident of Colorado Springs and Chandler, Ariz., died Nov. 19 in Chandler. She was 89. Ann was born in Hagerstown, Md. She earned a home economics degree from UMD and taught high school for several years at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland. She was active in Delta Gamma Sorority and the Assistance League of Colorado Springs. She volunteered countless hours at the Bargain Box and with Operation School Bell in Colorado Springs. With her family, she loved camping, riding motorcycles, water skiing and traveling. She was skilled at sewing, cooking and playing piano. In her later years, she enjoyed playing bridge and golfing with friends and family in Arizona. Family was her top priority and she spent her life making sure they were happy, well fed and involved in many activities. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Walter Ware; children, Lynn, Steve and Barbie; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Edwin R. Burtner ’52 died Nov. 19 in Tampa, Fla., at age 92. Burtner was born and raised on the family farm in Keedysville, Md. At Hagerstown High School, he became the school's youngest class president, then attended the University of Maryland, where he served as president of Sigma Chi fraternity and in Army ROTC. He interrupted his studies by serving two years in the Navy as an electronics technician aboard the USS Rochester. After the Navy, he continued military service as a lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. Burtner returned to UMD to complete his accounting degree, then began his career with AT&T in Manhattan and later with various Bell System entities in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Richmond, Va. Early in his career, AT&T put him through the Harvard Executive MBA program. In 1973, Burtner and family transferred with C&P Telephone to Richmond, commuting from his home in Midlothian, Va., where his family lived for 43 years. He and his wife, Nancy, were members of Salisbury Presbyterian Church. He coached baseball, softball and soccer youth teams and was a member of the Midlothian Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary clubs, serving in leadership positions in each. He was a founding member of the Salisbury CC Senior Men's Association and a member of the Salisbury CC Senior Men's Golf Association and served on the boards of Salisbury Country Club and Westminster Canterbury in Richmond. He moved to Tampa in 2016 to be near his daughter. Burtner was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Nancy Ladd Burtner. He is survived by his sons, Ed Jr. and Tom; daughter, Judy Whitson; and seven grandchildren; a brother, Roger; 14 nieces and nephews; and many grandnieces, great-grandnieces and nephews.
John B. Evans ’52 of Owego, N.Y., died Nov. 26 at age 95. He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and was immediately drafted to serve his country in World War II, where he earned the Bronze Star. On his return, he went to UMD on the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. Evans then began a 37-year career at IBM, Endicott. Evans was an active parishioner of St. Patrick's Church and a 50-year member of the Christian Family Movement group; following his retirement, he earned a master’s degree in Old Testament theology from the Colgate Rochester Divinity School at age 67. In Owego, he and Ann fell in love as fellow actors in Ti-Ahwaga Players, and he coached Little League and served as the village historian for many years. He was active in several community organizations, including the Jaycees and the Knights of Columbus. Evans also enjoyed playing bridge, attending the opera and amassing an impressive book collection. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ann; his children, Jonathan, Emily Pazzaglini, Katharine Blevins, Sarah Evans, Elizabeth Robberechts and Ben Evans; and 10 grandchildren.
Phyllis F. Herndon ’52 died Oct. 28 at Collington Life Plan Community following a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Phyllis was the only child of Milton and Harriet Fohrman of University Park, Md. She graduated from McKinley Technical High School in 1948 and majored in food and nutrition at UMD, where she met her husband, William. They resided in Arlington, Va., and Beltsville, Md., prior to moving to Bangkok, Thailand, in 1966. They returned to Beltsville and University Park, Md., and she worked for the Washington Gas Company in the 1950s. She was active in the P.E.O., holding several leadership positions including president of Chapter K. Herndon also served in leadership roles with the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was preceded in death by her husband, William, and is survived by two children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dr. Edwin W. Whiteford Jr. ’52, a retired primary care doctor and 37-year Air Force veteran, died Dec. 16 in Bel Air, Md., at age 89. He was born and raised at his family’s ancestral farm in Whiteford, Md., the seventh generation of a family that migrated to the area from Scotland in the early 17th century. He graduated from Slate Ridge High School in 1948 and graduated from UMD with a degree in zoology. He received his second lieutenant commission after completing Air Force ROTC at UMD, where he was an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and Scabbard and Blade National Honorary Military Society. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine magna cum laude. Whiteford then went on active duty with the USAF. He was assigned to Valley Forge Army Hospital for his internship, following which he attended the School of Aerospace Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base. After graduation, he was assigned to Air System Command as chief of aviation medicine and was involved with the early space program. After discharge from the Air Force, he established a family practice in Whiteford, Md. He remained in the Air Force reserve and later joined the District of Columbia National Guard. In January 1969, he was recalled to active duty and assigned to the 10th Casualty Staging Hospital at Andrews AFB, where he cared for Vietnam casualties upon their arrival. After release from active duty in 1972, he moved his family to Tempe, Ariz., where he started a primary care practice and was consulting medical director for Western Electric and Air Research Garrett Industries. He also taught courses to paramedics and local Native Americans. During this period he became an avid Gold Wing motorcyclist and a flight surgeon for the Arizona National Guard. In 1980, he moved his family back to Bel Air after accepting an offer from the Chessie System Railroad to establish a modern occupational medical program. In 1982 he took a position with Lockheed Martin to be the medical director, a position he retired from. During this period, he was elected president of the State Occupational Medical Association, a position he held for six years. In the Maryland Air National Guard, he became medical squadron commander, was promoted to colonel and later became state air surgeon, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. Whiteford tallied more than 10,000 flight hours during his 37-year tenure with the Air Force. Whiteford then spent another seven years as medical director for the Physician Assistant Program at Essex Community College. After retirement, Whiteford lived with his son and family, in an adjoining apartment in Bel Air, enjoying his grandchildren, pets and an extensive library of books. In 2018, he moved to Lorien Assisted Living, where he quickly became resident representative. He was predeceased by his wife, Regina Novak, who died in 1993 after 39 years of marriage. Whiteford leaves his son, John; daughter, Judi; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Mildred F. “Mitzi” Swan ’51, who participated in the historic 1948 desegregation of Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park tennis courts, died Sept. 12 at the Edenwald retirement community in Towson, according to The Baltimore Sun. She was 90. The former Mildred Freishtat, the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, was raised in a home across the street from the tennis courts. After graduating from Western High School, Swan went to UMD, where she joined the Young Progressives of Maryland. They decided to stage a peaceful protest in Druid Hill Park of the city Park Board’s policy forbidding matches between Black and white tennis players on segregated clay courts. On July 11, 1948, Swan joined Mary Coffee and Gloria Stewart, who were Black, and Jeanette Fino, who was white, in preparation for playing a mixed-race doubles match on the “whites only” courts. Before a crowd of more than 500 that had gathered, the park police asked the four women to stop the match. According to an account in The Sun, city police were called in and arrested 24 protesters. One of them was Charles Swan, a seaman whom Mildred met that night. They didn’t date immediately and married in 1951. It wasn’t until 1955 that the Board of Recreation and Parks voted to end segregation in city parks, in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled out segregation in any public facility in the country. Until her husband’s death in 1982, Swan was the bookkeeper for his business, Master Painting Co. She later volunteered for Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, and joined the work of New Directions for Women, now Maryland New Directions. She was named executive director of the former Maryland Conference of Social Concern, where she worked on aging and fair housing policy and law and other social activism issues. She vigorously opposed the Iraq War. In 1983, she moved to Cross Keys, where she lived for 30 years and studied painting. For more than 25 years, she participated in the Renaissance Institute at Notre Dame of Maryland University. Since 2010, Swan lived at Edenwald. She was predeceased by her husband and is survived by two daughters, Carol L. Swan and Margaret R. Swan; a brother, David Freishtat; and a grandson, nephew and four nieces.
John N. Connelly ’51 of Siesta Key, Fla., died at the age of 93 on Oct. 29. He was born in Braintree, Mass., to John and Eva Connelly. He served in the U.S. Navy stationed in Japan and worked for New England Bell. He was known for his love of music. He played saxophone in the University of Maryland band and went on to play in several dance bands. He then learned to play the organ and entertained his family and friends. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Anne. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy-Jo; sons, Mark, Jay and Paul; and brother, Fred. He has eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Paul.
Hillyer G. Norment ’51, Ph.D. ’56, an accomplished research scientist and genealogist, died Dec. 20 of pneumonia at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass. He was 92. Born in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 13, 1928, Norment was the son of the late Hillyer G. and Mary T. (Quisenberry) Norment. He graduated from Washington, D.C.'s Calvin Coolidge High School and received a bachelor of science in chemistry and a doctorate in physical chemistry from UMD. Norment's dissertation on X-ray analysis of crystals led to work for the Naval Research Laboratory with two scientists who ultimately won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for related work. His early career with D.C.-area firms focused on X-ray diffraction and crystallography, later transitioning to complex mathematical modeling of nuclear fallout patterns, cloud physics and other atmospheric effects on structures. Norment married Reva Lucille Shepherd in 1953, and together they had three sons. Several years after Reva died in 1969, his mother Mary came to live with them in Concord, where she remained until her death in 1984. After his father died in 1973, Norment took over his family's genealogical research, which became a passion thereafter. He published meticulous genealogy books on the Hillyer family and the Norment and Quisenberry families, copies of which he gifted to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the University of Virginia Library, the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, and to his extended family. In 1973, Norment married Jean Eleanor Porter, and they remained together until her 2012 death. They loved to travel, read and be with family and friends. Norment's later years were devoted to family, reading, crossword puzzles and the Boston Red Sox. He is survived by his brother, Albert; sons Eric, Jeffrey and Philip; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Norment was preceded in death by sisters Gavin Jean Norment DeVault and Mary Hillyer Norment Soscia.
George B. Springston Jr. ’51 died of complications from COVID-19 on Dec. 19 in Olney, Md. He was 93. Springston attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and Hargrave Military Academy, then immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces, and was stationed at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Miss. After being discharged in December 1946, Springston returned to Washington and earned an associate's degree at Montgomery Junior College. He went on to UMD, where he completed a bachelor's degree in physics. He also took graduate coursework there and at American University, then spent the bulk of his career as a civilian naval architect at the David Taylor Model Basin in Carderock, Md. He designed, built and tested models of various small boats and other watercraft. Springston took early retirement in 1975 so he and his wife, Alma, could spend more time at their second home on the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County, although he continued doing some consulting work. Springston loved to catch and eat Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, go boating, and play card games. He was an accomplished gardener and enjoyed traveling. Springston was active in the Burning Tree Civic Association, eventually becoming president. He was predeceased by his wife and by his sister, Elizabeth Wood. Survivors include several nephews and nieces.
Barbara A. Neumann ’50 of Smithsburg, Md., died peacefully at Elmcroft Assisted Living at age 97. Born in Toronto, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Frank Burgess and Mabel Black Tanner of Oberlin, Ohio. Following graduation from high school in Oberlin, Ohio, she attended Bowling Green State University, Ohio. During World War Il, she enlisted in the Navy W.A.V.E.S. and later was commissioned an ensign. She then continued her education at the University of Maryland, where she met her husband, Don, graduating with a degree in home economics. Later, she received a Master of Education degree in elementary education from Shippensburg University. She was a member of Delta Gamma women’s fraternity. She also had a private pilot’s license. While in Germany during her husband’s Air Force career, she taught kindergarten for many years. From Germany, the family came to the former Ft. Ritchie, where she taught at Cascade Elementary School until her retirement in 1983. She was active in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) presenting travel slide shows with her husband at local nursing homes. Together, the couple volunteered in several local county schools helping teachers and little ones in the computer labs. While wintering in Florida in 1993, Neumann was awarded a citation for outstanding volunteer service by Whispering Pines Elementary School in Miami. She was a member of the Western Maryland Hospital Center Auxiliary, serving on the Pastoral Care Team as a pastoral care volunteer. She was honored with the Millie Fiery Award for her dedication to serving in 2006. She most recently was a volunteer in the Department of Spiritual Services at Washington County Hospital and Meritus Medical Center. A communicant of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hagerstown, Md., she was a choir member, choir librarian, convention delegate, usher, lector and Stephen’s Minister. She finished her life as a member of Saint Peter’s Beards Lutheran Church. She is survived by two sons, Bruce Chase Neumann and his wife, The Rev. Becki Neumann, and Pastor M. Travis Neumann Jr. and his wife, Cindy; and one sister, Florence Linder. Also surviving her are six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Myrdon Travis Neumann; her sister, Virginia Bruce; two sons, Jeffrey Lockwood Neumann and Darrell Charles Neumann; and a grandson.
William Stuart Gaines ’50, of Auburn, Ala., died Dec. 12 from natural causes. He was 95. Gaines was born in Alexandria Va., to John Marshall Gaines and Virginia Stuart Watkins and attended Coolidge High School in D.C. and Fishburne Military School. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in the South Pacific theater during World War II as an armored car commander and held the rank of Staff Sergeant. Gaines earned a B.S. in business administration from UMD, then worked for General Motors for several years. He then took a position with the U.S. Department of Commerce in international trade promotion, where he traveled to many countries in Europe and the Middle East. He retired in 1988. Gaines was a master mason with the Temple Noyes Cathedral Lodge #32 and a shriner with the Almas Temple in Washington, D.C. He moved with his wife, Peggy, to Alabama in 2001 to live closer to his children and grandchild. He is predeceased in death by his father, mother, sister Betty Ernest and wife, Margaret Louise "Peggy" Gaines. He is survived by his son, Gary Stuart Gaines; daughter, Christina Louise Shinn; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Vernon H. Walker ’50, a retired Westinghouse Electric Corp. engineer and a World War II veteran, died Sept. 25 of cancer at Brightview Severna Park. The former longtime Catonsville resident was 94. The son of Robert Hamilton Walker and Doris Wagner Walker Clements, he was born in Baltimore and raised in Catonsville. A graduate of Catonsville High School, he served in the Navy during World War II, attaining the rank of seaman second class. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UMD and a master’s degree in engineering in 1958 from Johns Hopkins University. Walker began working at Westinghouse in 1955 as a program manager and later represented the company in numerous foreign countries. He retired in 1991. He served on PTAs and coached and managed Little League Baseball teams in Catonsville. His first wife, the former Jerry Ellison, died in 1985, and he married the former Carole Brown in 2001. He and his wife, who were members of Rolling Road Country Club and lived in Severna Park, enjoyed golfing and traveling. Walker was a communicant of St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Catonsville. In addition to his wife of 19 years and daughter, Leslie Ann Wilson, Walker is survived by his son, Craig Hamilton Walker; a stepson, Scott Jakovics; a stepdaughter, Tracey Kersley; two grandsons; and four step-grandchildren.
Kenneth White Sonner ’48 died Dec. 9 at his home in Lometa, Texas. White was born to Kenneth Coover Sonner and Kathryn White Sonner in Delaware, Ohio, on May 18, 1926. He was proud to have attended Thomas Nelson Page Jr. High in San Antonio, and one year at Alamo Heights High School, before graduating from Glendale H.S. in Glendale, Calif. in 1942. Those formative Texas years were important to him. After attending Antioch College for a year in the entirely misguided major of chemistry, he entered the NROTC, also known as the V12 program, at Villanova College, then served as an ensign on the USS Rupertus, 1946-47. He married Roberta Maguire that same year of his UMD graduation. White had a fascinating career in packaged goods marketing, working for giants like Procter and Gamble, Johnson and Johnson, Bristol-Meyers, and Hueblein. He then became the VP of marketing for GRT Recorded Tapes in Sunnyvale, California. As a marketing consultant, he influenced companies large and small, and finally brought all of that experience to work with his wife, Paula, at Castle Bay Company. He's remembered for his columns called White's Side of It. White loved tennis and played until his 80's, when old football injuries slowed him down. Strategy had to substitute for speed in the annual Age vs. Beauty matches with his brothers, Andy, Alan and Steve, at Sonner family reunions. He played bridge all his life, making dear friends in retirement, and was an avid reader of fiction and a student of current events. There isn't a song lyric from the Great American Songbook that he couldn't sing, but that's to be expected from a boy who saw Frank Sinatra at the Palladium. White became a Catholic late in life and has been lovingly included in the church family of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Lometa, Texas, where he and Paula have resided since 2017. White is survived by his wife, Paula Melluzzo Sonner, whom he married in 1977; his children, Roberta Branin Sonner, Anthony White Sonner and David Matthew Sonner; one granddaughter and one great-grandson. He was predeceased by a son, Christopher.
Dr. Homer Lee Twigg Jr. ’47 of Twiggtown, died Nov. 24. Twigg was born in 1926 in Westminster to Homer L. Twigg Sr. and Henrietta (Roop) Twigg, and spent his childhood in nearby Hampstead. After graduating from Hampstead High School, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. Twigg graduated from the University of Maryland medical school. He entered the U.S. Public Health Service and served in Boston and American Samoa, where he decided to become a radiologist. Following the three-year residency, he was appointed chief of radiology at the Public Health Service Hospital in Grosse Pointe, Mich. Twigg then joined Georgetown University Hospital’s faculty and was named chair of the department of radiology in 1967, a position he held until 1981. Twigg oversaw the expansion of the faculty, the evolution of the residency into two separate disciplines—diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology—and the subspecialization of imaging. It was during his tenure that the world's first whole body computed tomography (CT) scanner was developed at Georgetown by Dr. Robert Ledley. Ledley and Twigg published the first study on its utility in the journal Science. When his successor retired, he served as interim chair from 1994 to 1996. In addition to his work at Georgetown, Twigg was a radiologist for the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Va., for more than 40 years. He was an avid reader and devoted opera lover. He enjoyed collecting rare pottery, playing bridge and spending time with his large clan at holiday gatherings. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bettyanne (Bethea) Twigg; and six sons, Homer Lee III, Theodore Walter, Robert Linden, John Alexander, Richard Damian and Michael Oliver; 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one grandson.
Doyle P. Royal M.A. ’43, M.Ed. ’53, a legendary UMD soccer and tennis coach and tennis player, died Sept. 29 at the age of 101. He was an accomplished junior tennis player before being recruited in 1939 by the University of Maryland, where he also played on the soccer team. During World War II, he was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s 90th Infantry Division. Prior to the Battle of the Bulge, he was wounded while single-handedly destroying a German tiger tank, for which he was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart. He also received a second Silver Star. He retired from the Army Reserve at the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war, he returned to UMD as the men’s head soccer and tennis coach. He was Maryland’s first men’s soccer coach, serving from 1946-73 and recording a .771 win percentage. He led Maryland to the 1968 national championship, tying Michigan State to share the title. Royal also was the college’s head tennis coach from 1954-80. His teams earned a record of 296-114-1. He led his teams to ACC championships in 1957 and 1964. He was inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. Royal also was Maryland’s assistant dean of men for 35 years. Besides coaching, Royal played competitive tennis throughout the country, competing in every age group for 85 years. He won a bronze medal at the World Olympic Senior Singles tournament when he was in his mid-sixties and continued competing well into his eighth decade. He joined the Edgemoor Club in Bethesda in 1946, where he was known as “Coach,” and became a life member in 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife, Loraine Bishop Royal, and his son, Doyle Jr., with whom he lived and traveled for many of the last 20 years. Royal is survived by daughter Lisa Butterfield and a granddaughter.
Glen E. Weston ’43, the S. Chesterfield Oppenheim Professor of Antitrust & Trade Regulation Law Emeritus at George Washington University, died July 26, five days after his 98th birthday, at his home in Naples, Fla. Raised on a small farm in Shawnee, Okla., Weston moved east to earn a B.S. in horticulture and participate in the Army ROTC program at UMD. There he met his future wife, Betty; they wed just after graduation. Weston served from 1944-46 under Gen. George S. Patton and earned a Silver Star for bravery and courage in the Battle of the Bulge. Westin then entered law school at GW, finishing in just two years, first in his class. He practiced law with McFarland & Sellers in Washington, D.C. (1948-49), then returned to the GW law school to teach and was promoted to full professor in 1958. He and a colleague, S. Chesterfield Oppenheim, co-wrote several books, and Weston led the effort to establish an endowed chair to honor Oppenheim. Weston was instrumental in expanding GW's intellectual property course offerings and spearheaded an initiative for additional law library funding. Upon retirement in 1989, he helped draft the charter for the World Intellectual Property Organization and was a founder and U.S. representative to the International Association for the Advancement of Teaching and Research in Intellectual Property, serving as president from 1987-89. The family spent many vacations in Naples, Fla., shelling, fishing, boating, water skiing and swimming in the Gulf. After retirement, he taught two fall semesters at the University of Jakarta; he and Betty traveled to six continents, including climbing Peru's Machu Picchu, visiting the Alps and seeing the Terracotta Warriors in China. The couple became full-time residents of Naples in 1993, and in 2009 moved to Lely Palms Retirement Community. Glen was predeceased by his wife of nearly 77 years, Elizabeth Gruver Weston; their daughter, Sherry Sue Thomas; and three brothers, Dale, Paul and William. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy W. Noel; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and a great-great niece and nephew.