|
[ Alumni ]
Class Notes
The following notes appeared in the second issue of FYI Magazine: Elmhurst College Alumni News that was published in August 2009. Any notes received from June 1, 2009 to December 1, 2009 will be published in the next issue of FYI, due out in February 2010.
Marriages
1990s
On September 20, 2008, Joe Malatia ’92 wed Kara Hanson at St. Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois. The couple has lived in Lombard for three years. Joe is a strategic office manager for Maron Structure Technologies, a technology consulting firm in Niles. His bride is a Project Manager for Philips in Elk Grove Village.
Dr. Stephen Michael Rudawski ’99 married Rachel Lynn Rademacher on Sept. 27, 2008 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville, Illinois. After graduating from Elmhurst with his bachelor of science degree, Michael went on to get his doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Chicago in 2003. The couple lives in Champaign, Illinois, where Michael is a family physician at Carle Clinic.
2000s
Cathy (Eck) Dykes ’01 married Tim Dykes in Hammerschmidt Chapel in August of 2008. Ruth (Martino) Gottman ’00 stood up in the wedding.
Alan Wojtowicz ’02 married the former Melisa Pratt ’02 on July 6, 2007 at Hammerschmidt Chapel on the campus of Elmhurst College. EC Chaplain Scott Matheney officiated the ceremony. Alumni in the wedding party included Lisa Schueler ’02, Kristin Panzarella ’03 and Christine Flowers ’03.
Mariane Lund-Mac Kinnon ’03 joined Daniel Thomas Mac Kinnon in marriage on November 28, 2008 in Des Plaines, Illinois. The bridal party included Evelyn Mazurczyk-Gaisor ’04. The couple currently lives in Des Plaines.
Add another couple to the Met and Married list! Annie (Matich) Horn ’07 and Dave Horn ’07 were married on August 9, 2008 at Meadows Baptist Church in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Elmhurst alumni in attendance were Nicole (Marski) Cox ’07, William Cox ’07, Vito Dastice ’08, Karie (Mather) Friedman ’06 and Tom Ryan ’06.
BACK TO TOP
Births
1990s
Gina (Fredericks-Wright) Swintek ’91 gave birth to twin boys, Michael Anthony and Matthew Cole, on October 6, 2008 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. Gina is a RB at the hospital where the boys were born and has been there since graduating from Elmhurst. She works in the OB/GYN department.
Elizabeth (Paldauf) Albandia ’95 and her husband, Mike, became parents to a son, Adrian James, on December 3, 2007. Elizabeth currently teaches fifth grade at Washington School in Schiller Park, Illinois.
Sandy (Escarpita) Romo ’96 and her husband, Dr. Genaro Romo welcomed their third child, Evan, on October 25, 2008. Evan joins sister Alyssa (4) and brother Nicholas (2).
Proud parents Kevin ’97 and Jennifer (Hoban) Johnson ’98 welcomed their first child, Jacob Jett Johnson, in November 2008. The couple teaches Physical Education at Lake Park High School in Roselle.
John Ruby ’98 and his wife Amy (Wendt) Ruby ’00 added a little girl to the family on July 30, 2008. Finley Katherine Bernice Ruby was welcomed by big brothers, Rykley and Schaler.
2000s
Vincent Rociola ‘00 recently welcomed his first child, Stella, with his fiancé Nancy Bongiorno. Stella was born on December 1, 2008.
Tracy (Reed) Jeffrey ’01 and her husband Matt became the proud parents of a son, Joshua Matthew on November 8, 2008. Proud grandparents are Keith (’74) and Denise Reed.
Proud parents Joseph Pontrelli ’04 and Jenelle (Schoenherr) Pontrelli ’03 welcomed their first child, a daughter, Antonella Renee on January 19, 2009. Godparents are EC alumni Carla Schoenherr ‘06 and David Wischmeyer ‘03.
Kay (Boston) Knutson ’04 was married in 2007 and has a new baby on the way. Kay was due in April 2009.
Susan (Neuhauser) Locke ’05 welcomes a son, Elliott Charles Locke.
Judi Van Erden ’05 and her husband, Mike McFaul, welcomed Phoebe Rose into their family on February 20, 2008. Phoebe was born on January 8, 2008 and was adopted by Mike and Judi in February. She already has an Elmhurst sweatshirt and is looking forward to her first campus tour.
BACK TO TOP
General Notes
1930s
Betty (Roefer) Haude ’36 writes “I enjoyed the photo of students on the steps of Irion Hall [featured in Spring 2009 Vol. 1, No. 1 FYI, pg. 12]. My husband (William) Bill Haude ’34 was in that class-the first to admit women.”
Carol M. (Long) Weise ’39 celebrated her 90th birthday on July 14, 2008. Mrs. Weise remains an active member of the Elmhurst Alumni community.
BACK TO TOP
1940s
Ruth (Marsh) Hamel ’42 tells FYI, “My husband and I moved to Regents Point in Irvine, California, in 1997. It was a good move as we’ve made wonderful friends, play a lot of bridge, take short trips and enjoy life. Over the years, I kept in touch with Betty (Whitaker) ’43 and Art McGovney ’42, Ann (Thompsen) ’42 and Robert ‘Bob’ Waite ’43, Judy (Cleland) Waite ’41 and Dorothy ‘Dottie’ (Davis) Dosier ’42. Two years ago, Betty, Art and Ann all died within the same two weeks.”
BACK TO TOP
1950s
After 54 years in the ministry, Rev. Albert W. Kovacs ’51 retired from the pastorate on July 31, 2008. A ceremony and dinner were held in Rev. Kovacs’ honor on June 14, 2008 at the Hungarian Reformed Church in Woodbridge, N.J. A fellow Elmhurst alumnus, Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig ’68, the Bishop of Calvin Synod, U.C.C., spoke at the ceremony honoring Rev. Kovacs, encouraging those present to “aim higher than merely sustaining the status quo.” Albert and his wife have since moved to the Hungarian Reformed retirement community in Steeler Nation in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
An Elmhurst mini-reunion took place in Montreat, North Carolina, last October, when Ralph Abele ’54 and Mary E. Pflug Abele ’60 of Concord, New Hampshire, caught up with Lynnea (Almquist) ‘58 and Donald Mayer '55, of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Richard Ellerbrake ’55 and his wife, Johann, from Lebanon, Illinois. “Dr. Ellerbrake was CEO of Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis, where we all lived while we were raising our children in the 1960s,” Mary told FYI recently. “After retiring as a United Church of Christ minister, Ralph is now a spiritual care volunteer for the Concord Visiting Nurse Association Hospice program, where he was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award in September. I retired from teaching at Boston University in 2001 and have worked as a communication specialist for those with neurological differences, such as Asperger’s syndrome.”
An Elmhurst native and alumnus, James (Jim) Hudson ’55 writes that he and his wife are retired and living in ‘God’s Country’ in Southwest Wisconsin. An unexpected stop in Richland Center, Wisconsin, in 1964 resulted in Jim buying a 320 acre dairy farm and starting a career in hospital administration. “We learned how to operate our own dairy farm, with the help of our neighbors, where our son and daughter grew up knowing a care-free and responsible life, working with the family farm. The children completed their college and university training in the UW systems and are now raising their families in Wisconsin and North Carolina.”
Ray Hernandez ’57 writes that he and his wife, Fern, took part in a mini Elmhurst College reunion on May 28, 2009 in Wisconsin Dells. The event was held at the time share of Bob ’56 and Delores (Bergdolt) ’59 Hedeman. Other alumni in attendance were Alan ’59 and Carol (Kosanke) Hedeman ’59, Jon ’59 and Rheda(Warming) Schultz ’58 , Larry ’60 and Marliane Becker. The party moved to the Moose Jaw Restaurant and celebrated the upcoming gold wedding anniversaries of Jon and Rheda and Al and Carol. Bob and Delores celebrated their 50 years together in 2008, while the Beckers and Hernandezes will have theirs in August 2012. Ray writes, “EC folk of the 50s were lovingly remembered and a good time was had by all.
Featured in a January 29 Tribune article, Robert Hyde ’57 has been creating miniature models of movie theatres since the age of 14. That first model, in addition to four others, are currently on display at the Theatre Historical Society of America in Elmhurst. Robert, who lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with his wife Laura Hyde ’71, taught history at York High School for years. In addition to the theatres themselves, Robert loves films in general. “I have 1,340 films. They’re all on VHS. Every night after dinner, my wife or I will choose a film to see.” Robert has already donated over 1,100 movies to Elmhurst College’s A.C. Buehler Library.
After returning home from her 50th reunion at Elmhurst in the fall of 2008, Ina Waidmann ’58 underwent open heart bypass surgery. Ina is home now and doing well, as she continues the long rehabilitation process.
Sylvia Watson Baxter ’59 of Quincy, Illinois, provided FYI with an update: “Larry Watson ’59 and I were married the same summer we graduated from Elmhurst. He enrolled at Eden Seminary and I taught school. In 1961, we had or first son David Scott. After graduation from Eden, Larry received a call from St. Johns UCC in Fort Madison, Iowa. He was the minister there for five years. During that time we had our second son Mark Gregory and adopted a third son Paul Arthur. We were young and adventuresome so we took groups skiing in Colorado, backpacking in the boundary waters in Minnesota, and family camp trips. From Iowa, we moved to Kirkwood, Missouri (1969). Larry carried on a very creative ministry, taking the youth on mission trips, musical production trips, and whatever he could think of. In 1977, we moved to Colorado where Larry became the Associate Conference Minister of the Mountain Conference. We had many interesting trips with Larry as he visited churches around Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. In 1980, we returned to our home town, Quincy, Illinois, where Larry became the Associate Administrator and a few years later the Administrator of the Good Samaritan Home UCC. In 1989, Larry was diagnosed with cancer and died in 1990. In 1982, I became the Director-Teacher of a preschool until 2001. In 2000, I met Ralph Baxter and we married in 2001. We still enjoy living in a log home that Larry and my sons and friends built in 1980. I have four grandchildren and three fine sons. Ralph has three children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Life is good!”
Patricia Holmes Schaaf ’59 of North Fort Myers, Florida writes, “I have been directing plays for the last ten years in the retirement community in which I live. We do full length plays from the professional licensing catalogues, with full set, lighting, sound, costumes, properties, etc. My casts consist of non-professional actors who are a minimum of sixth-five years old. Usually the cast members are in their mid-seventies and some in their mid-eighties. Most have never set foot on stage until they undertake this experience. We make no adjustments for the mental aspect of their participation; they commit all lines and blocking to memory. Their participation is enjoyed with verve and élan; we have no research grant.”
BACK TO TOP
1960s
Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein ’61, retired as the Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, and was recently presented the Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir with sash and morning star by Croatian President Stejpan Mesic. The award, which is named after the 11th century King of Croatia, is presented to “Croats or foreigners in peace or in war for achievements benefiting the Croatian people and the Republic of Croatia.” In his remarks, President Mesic said that the award was presented “to a man whose name shall be inseparably linked with the period when the Croatian state was established…and that you very much can take credit for the success of peaceful reintegration.”
A renowned local theatre director, Ron Koeppl ’61 is in his 49th year directing plays. Currently directing at St. Charles East High School (Illinois), Ron presented Beauty and the Beast in April. Ron taught English for 34 years, taking his first teaching assignment at Schaumburg Junior High in 1951. There he directed his first play, a one act production starring eighth grade student. Though he retired from teaching in 1994, Ron continues to shape the lives of young actors.
Eva (Augustin) Rumpf ’61 published a memoir about growing up in New Orleans, RECLAMATION: Memories from a New Orleans Girlhood, available at www.booklocker.com. Her autobiography is set in the 1940’s and 50’s and chronicles the joys and struggles of an adolescence spent in the lower-middle class. Eva shares her pains and joys of growing up in “the big easy”.
Dorothy ‘Dot’ (Bratton) Busby ’62 spent 10 years with the Regional Hospice in Ashland, Wisconsin, while her husband Ken Busby ’66 recently received the 10-year award as an EMT for Webb Lake/North Memorial Ambulance service near Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Several women from the class of 1963 celebrated 50 years of friendship, meeting in the French Quarter of New Orleans in April of 2009. Carol (Hostettler) Creech ’63, Jane (Radspieler) Batte ’63, Ellen (Rasche) Pecoul ’63 and Joann (Schneider) Oh ’63 met in South Hall their freshman year (1959) and graduated in 1963, each going their separate ways. The group always kept in touch via letters, Christmas cards and email, and reunited at campus events like Homecoming. They have eight children and five grandchildren between them and love to share their memories of college life and marriages to Elmhurst men (William Batte ’63, John Pecoul ’61 and Han Soo Oh ’62). Jane Batte writes “We all are very thankful for our Elmhurst College experience!”
Ted Essebaggers ’63 wrote in with his own bit of alumni news: “My wife and I, who have lived in Oslo, Norway since 1970, were in New York recently and took in ‘To Be or not to Be’, which was playing off-Broadway with David Rasche ’66 doing one of the lead parts. Really enjoyed it, and enjoyed meeting him afterwards and reminiscing a bit about Elmhurst.” Ted and his wife, Maja, were visiting Ted’s sisters Mary (Essebaggers) Morris and Margaret (Essebaggers) Dopiak ’57, ’59.
The prestigious COMISS Medal was awarded to William A. Nelson ’68, MDiv, PhD, by Dartmouth Medical School in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to the scholarship, teaching and advocacy for the importance of health care ethics in the Department of Veterans Affairs.” Dr. Nelson received the award at the organization’s annual forum held on January 4, 2009 in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization’s highest honor, the COMISS Medal has only been awarded five times since its inception in 1988. Currently, Dr. Nelson is an associate professor of Community and Family Medicine and Psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School. He has dedicated his career to developing organizational ethics programs that manage ethical challenges, subsequently enhancing the quality of health care.
Don Smarto ’68 accepted the Excellence in Media Award (Angel Award™) for his book Mended by God: The Tony Pack Story. The book, Don’s ninth, is an inspirational account of a nearly fatal car accident and the courage and faith Tony Pack’s family demonstrated as they went through the range of emotions associated with the tragedy. The Excellence in Media Award was established in 1980 and recognized family values and quality in movies, television, radio and print media. Don garnered the 2009 Silver Angel honor because of his book’s “…highest moral, ethical and social impact”. Past Angel award winners include Bill Cosby, George Burns, Tom Hanks, Roy Rogers, Michael Caine and Steve Martin.
BACK TO TOP
1970s
Elizabeth “Betty” Pearson ’70 is a 70-year Elmhurst resident who taught both second and third grade at Salt Creek School in Elmhurst. Betty has authored two books of Christian poetry, Points to Ponder and Kids Can Know, both of which are on the College and Elmhurst Library bookshelves. She is working on her third book now, and also writes frequent “Letters to the Editor” in the Daily Herald and other local newspapers.
Joni Davenport ’72 retired three years ago from the Chicago Public School system, where she worked as both a teacher and a principal. Joni served for 34 years in 12 different elementary schools of Chicago.
Ron Stuart ’73 is now a published author, as his book A Parent’s Worst Nightmare –Rites of Passage: A Teacher’s Manual for Parents on Teaching Their Children to Drive, is being circulated by PublishAmerican and can be purchased on Amazon.com. Ron started writing the book in 2007 and it only took him two months to finish. He cultivated the idea of writing a book on how to educate parents on the right way to teach driving skills to teenagers while teaching driver’s education for more than 30 years at Hillcrest, Tinley Park and Oak Forest high schools in Bremen High School District 228. Ron is currently a substitute health and driver’s education teacher at Bremen High School in Midlothian, Illinois.
Rev. Bill Hoglund ’74 writes that he and his wife Rev. Laura (Sova) Hoglund ’74 hosted a “little unofficial gathering of ‘Met and Marrieds’ who (aside from the Hoglunds) never made it to the Met & Married event last spring at Elmhurst.” The gathering was on April 26 at the Hoglund’s residence in Downers Grove. The special group included: Deb (Sodaro) Freerksen ’74, Rev. Bob ’73 and Peggy (Laitas) Hatfield ’74, Stan ’74 and Verna (VanCamp) Sharas ’74 and Rev. John ‘73 and Cyndi (Cordes) Helt ’74.
Ryan Elliott ’75 finished his book The Secrets from Your Subconscious Mind and it is available to all who want it for free. Ryan describes the book as “containing numerous case histories where clients regained their power and changed their lives once the subconscious ‘secret’ was revealed to them.”
Gordon Leeks ’75 recently passed the PMP (Project Management Professional) exam. The PMP® credential recognized demonstrated knowledge and skill in leading and directing project teams and in delivering project results within the constraints of schedule, budget and resources. Gordon is a Project Manager at Health and Human Services Commission in the Austin, Texas area.
Pete Stendel ’77 is a freelance camera man for NBC Sports and lives in New Jersey with his wife, Barbara, and their two children, Kai and Cody. Pete is the famed photographer who captured the winning touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.
Kim (DeBruine) Tsuda ’79 wrote to FYI with news of an “EC girls reunion in Key West.” Besides Kim, the group included Annie (Christou) Cussick ’78, Mary (Konrad) Feller ’79, Paula (Sutton) Heaton ‘79, Pat (Shoults) Polsley ’79, Bertha Shock ’79, Sue (Calcagno) Skora ’79, Renata Spadafora ’79. The ladies will celebrate their 30-year graduation anniversary this year and hope to reunite in Elmhurst. Kim continues “we hadn’t all kept in very good contact, but Renata called Paula while on business in Texas last year. They got together and talked about the old days. Then they decided we should all get together, so they are the ones that came up with the idea and planned it.”
BACK TO TOP
1980s
Terry Clarke ’80 is in his 29th year as a teacher at York High School in Elmhurst. The current Department Chair of Health, Physical Education and Driver’s Education, Terry has also been coaching football and wrestling for the last 29 years, serving as the head wrestling coach since 1990. He is married to the former Joanne Ozello ’82.
Appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court as Presiding Judge of Pinal County, Judge Robert Carter Olson ’83 is now the chief judicial officer in Pinal County, Arizona.
Donna Kanak ’84 credits the nursing program and the ‘true sense of community’ at Elmhurst for her post-collegiate success. A Clinical Educator and Quality Management Specialist at Adventist Hospital in Hinsdale, Illinois, Donna completed her master’s work at Northern Illinois University, earning her MSN in 1991. Donna writes, “EC has an excellent nursing program. Also, I knew Elmhurst would use hospitals at which I might wish to work after graduation and it was a great way to preview them, as well as meet key people there.” Donna currently resides in Willowbrook, where she enjoys bicycling and is a singer and actor in community theatre.
Nancy Neil ’84 has served as the Director on the Board of Directors of the Chicagoland USBC Association (the governing body for bowling in the Chicago area) since 2000. In October 2007, Nancy was inducted into the Chicagoland USBC Association Hall of Fame for meritorious service to the association and the bowlers. In September 2008, Nancy was elected as the General Chairman of the Intersuburban Golf League, a 32-team ladies traveling league with teams in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois.
Jeffrey Hawkins ’85 serves as the Executive Director of the Christian Security Network, a national organization that provides security planning for Christian churches, ministries, schools and missionaries. A frequent speaker and media authority on the topic of security, Jeffrey was featured in a January 12, 2009 article on christiannewswire.com. He also authored the book “Introduction to Security and Emergency Planning for Faith-based Organizations”.
Guy Maniscalo ’87, the owner of CARSTAR Elmhurst, helped set a new Guinness World Record for the world's largest car wash. CARSTAR Elmhurst joined with more than 150 other participating CARSTAR stores to wash more than 4,000 cars during an eight-hour period on June 20, 2009. The event, dubbed Soaps It Up!, raised funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Make-a-Wish Foundation®, and the Ray Graham Association.
Kathleen (Toole) Bruno ’88, RN, BSN, CMSRN, was recently granted Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse status by the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. Currently, Bruno is the assistant manager of general surgery at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. According to the Medical Surgical Nursing Certification Board, facilities that have certified nurses on staff have shown that quality of care is optimized, meaning increased safety and improved outcomes. Bruno holds a bachelor of science in nursing from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Ill. She and her husband, Al, have three children.
Mark Venard ’88 graduated from the University of Illinois Executive MBA program in May of 2008. As a result of his class leadership, he was selected to give the commencement address to the combined MBA classes at the College of Business. Mark continues to remain involved and currently serves on the Universities’ Alumni steering committee. Additionally, he is the General Manager of Operations, Midwest and West coast for Maersk Logistics USA.
Rodney Stewart ’89 was promoted as the Director of Operations in the Psychiatry/Ophthalmics division of Pfizer Inc. Formerly, Rodney worked for Pratt Pharmaceuticals in Oak Park, Illinois.
BACK TO TOP
1990s
Lance Tawzer ’92 was hired in October 2008 as the Curator of Exhibits at the Elmhurst Historical Museum. Boasting an extensive background in exhibition and design work, Lance has worked on various high-end projects for a number of national institutions, including: Savannah College of Art and Design, National Park Service, Field Museum, Fort Pitt Museum, Indiana Pacers Conseco Fieldhouse, Texas History Museum and Chicago Academy of Sciences. Lance currently has several exhibits on display at the Elmhurst Historical Museum and his future projects for 2009 include creating a family-oriented comic book exhibit (summer) and developing an exhibit on local architecture (fall).
An Elmhurst legacy, along with his brother, sister and aunt, Ethan Lauer ’93 is an Assistant Parliamentarian in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ethan works in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Laura (Duffy) Petrando ’93, RN, BSN, CPON was recently granted Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON) standing by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. The CPON certification focuses on pediatric oncology care. Laura works in the Pediatric Outpatient Center at Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) in Winfield, Illinois. She and her husband, Dan, have three sons. Laura is active in her church and her children’s school and sports teams. An active volunteer with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Laura also coordinates the family oncology support group, the TLC Camp and the Pediatric Oncology Christmas party at CDH.
Jazz songstress Typhanie Monique Coller ’95 released her newest CD, Yuletide Groove (Tyme Records). She performed the songs of the holiday season at several shows throughout Chicago in December 2008. Typhanie’s recent record was covered in the Chicago Tribune by Howard Reich, a critic. Reich referred to Typhanie as “one of the city’s most promising vocalists”, stating that “her instrument is a bit throatier, her scat singing more polished, her ballad work more simple and direct…” than her last album. A newlywed, Typhanie married Josh Richter in June, who recorded, mixed and co-produced Yuletide Groove.
Jessica A. Kies ’97 is community relations manager for the Chicago Bears. “Seeing how professional athletes work with people in need and give back to the community is the best part of my job,” she says. “We focus our efforts on education, healthcare, and youth football.”
Antonie (Tony) Harvey ’98 proposed to Rabia Khan ’98 on New Year’s Day. The couple is engaged and will be married later this year. Rabia is currently the Assistant Director for Staff & Programs in the Department of Residence Life at Loyola University Chicago.
Mike Pagliaro ’98 was hired as the new head football coach at Wickenburg High School in Wickenburg, AZ, located about an hour northwest of Phoenix. Working in administration in the Waukegan, Illinois. school district for the last year, Mike has more than five years of high school head football coaching experience in the Chicago area. He served as the junior varsity head football coach at his alma mater, Ridgewood High School from 1996-2000, before sharing head varsity coaching duties with his brother Tom for three years. Along with his heat coaching responsibilities, Mike will also be teaching English.
Brian Newman ’98, ’07 was honored by the Joliet region Chamber of Commerce and Industry as one of 13 Joliet-area “Great Teachers” at a banquet on March 12. An English content specialist for seniors at Joliet West High School, Brian has worked with the district for nine years. He is married to Barbara, and the couple has one son.
BACK TO TOP
2000s
Featured in the Chicago Tribune’s February series profiling African-Americans who are shaping Chicago, Noah Cannon ’00 serves as a history teacher and head boys basketball coach at Leo High School. In 2003-04, his first season as head varsity coach, Noah led his team to the Class A state title. Demanding responsibility towards the game and schoolwork from the kids, all of whom are African-American and from some of the toughest South Side neighborhoods, Noah directs with a “team-first” approach. Leo High School is poised to make a run at the 3A state title this season, as well as the Catholic League North title.
In February, Vince Rociola ’00 was named the WGN Teacher and Coach of the month. Vince is currently the head football and track coach at Prosser High School in Chicago.
Natalie Cooper ’01 writes that she is currently working as a Senior Print & Textile Designer for Gap Design Studio in New York City. Natalie works specifically with the Gapbody division.
Michael Giannetti ’02 was recently named the Associate Vice President of Human Capital Management at the TriZetto Group. TriZetto is a healthcare technology company offering software and service that touch nearly half of the insured population in the U.S.
Continuing to make a name for himself in the Florida high school football coaching ranks, Pete Fominaya ’04 was recently named the new coach at Lehigh Senior High School in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Pete will take over coaching duties for the 2009 season. A Florida native, Pete was the defensive line coach and college recruiting coordinator at Naples High from 2005-2008. He’s had plenty of recent success, as the former Elmhurst defensive lineman was a guest lecturer at the Nike Coach of the Year clinic. Additionally, Pete’s team competed for the Florida state football title in 2008.
James Kryshak ’06 is on the fast track to stardom after a recent audition at the New York Metropolitan Opera. In January, the high-lyric tenor was selected as one of two singers from the Upper Midwest to move on to the semifinals of the Met’s National Council auditions. While at Elmhurst, James spent his junior year studying abroad in Vienna, Austria. It was there that he was urged to pursue his dreams of singing professionally. James earned a master of music degree in opera performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the spring of 2009.
Nicole Lapwing ’07, first-year music director at Queen of Peace High School, was awarded the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Heart of the School award in April 2009. Nicole joined the Peace staff in 2008-09 after working in the Chicago Public School System for a year, just after graduating with her undergrad in music education and intercultural studies from Elmhurst. In her short tenure at Peace, she reintroduced a music honor society, TRI-M, and is planning a spring break music trip to New York City. Currently, Nicole is working towards her master’s degree in vocal music education with a concentration in ethnomusicology at Vander Cook College of Music.
David Silva ’07 was voted as a 2009 inductee of the Dundee-Crown High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Silva will be honored during the school’s Hall of Fame weekend in September. David was an ’02 D-C graduate and still holds the wrestling program’s career record for wins. He won four straight conference titles and was a three-time regional champion and state qualifier. David placed sixth at State in 2002 and then went on to become a Division III all-American at Elmhurst.
Kyle Bjerga '08 and his wife Jackie departed the U.S. in July 2009, heading to Bogota Columbia to teach in a missions school for the year. Kyle taught at Wheaton-Warrenville South high school last year, where he coached golf and was the pitching coach for baseball. The couple is teaching at El Camino Academy, a school with 380 students, 30% of which are the children of missionaries. Kyle and Jackie are detailing their trip here.
Melissa Gosche ’08 was honored by Illinois Computing Educators as its 2009 Educator of the Year. A third-grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary School in Schiller Park, Illinois, she actively creates engaging projects that connect curriculum and technology. Gosche’s teaching arsenal includes animations that exhibit the digestion of food, podcasts that explain weekly classroom happening and digital stories for personal narratives in writer’s workshop.
BACK TO TOP
Deaths in the Family
1920s
Rudolf Hallmann ’20 of Stafford, Kansas, on April 1, 1974.
BACK TO TOP
1930s
Luella S. Rasche ’35 of Manassas, Virginia, on October 17, 2007.
Constance “Connie” M. (Trev) Lambarth ’37 of Aiken, South Carolina, on April 5, 2007. Connie was born in Ottawa, Illinois and was a retired school teacher, member of the United Church of Christ and the Town and Country Club at the time of her death. She was the wife of the late Rev. Arnold R. Lambarth ’36. Survivors include two sons, Douglas Don Lambarth and Daniel Trev Lambarth and three grandchildren.
Rev. George W. Knapp ’38 of La Grange Park, Illinois, on June 28, 2009. After graduating from Elmhurst with a degree in economics, George attended Eden Seminary in Missouri. He married his wife of 68 years, Virginia, in 1940. The following year, he was ordained a minister, and over the next few years, served as pastor of three small parishes in the St. Louis area. In 1944, Rev. Knapp joined the Army Chaplaincy Corps, 12th Infantry, 4th Division and served in the European theatre. He landed with troops on Utah Beach, during Normandy’s invasion on D-Day. As an army chaplain who participated in the D-Day invasion during World War II, George was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and more recently, the French Legion of Honor. Before retiring at age 65, Rev. Knapp was the pastor of St. John in Melrose Park, Illinois, for 17 years. He recently served as interim pastor and gave his last sermon on Father’s Day. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, daughters, Gayle, Joan and Cheryl; sons, Barry and Keith; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Ruth M. (Schmidt) Hose ’38 of Indianapolis, Indiana, formerly of Jacksonville, Florida, on May 4, 2009. Ruth’s class at Elmhurst was just the second to admit women. She moved in Kansas in 1946 where she worked as a home economics teacher and later became director of the school lunch program at Prairie Village Elementary School. Although she would not have called herself a feminist, Ruth demanded equal pay to that of her male counterparts. As the sole breadwinner of her household, she received equitable wages. At the age of 40, she pursued a Masters Degree in Institutional Food Service Management from Kansas State University. In 1970, Ruth was recruited by the Jacksonville-Duval Country School System, and accepted the position of Food Service Director. She lived in Jacksonville, FL for over 30 years. While there, she served as President of the Florida School Food Service Association, and was an elder at Arlington Presbyterian Church. In her retirement, she was an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Learn to Read. An avid traveler, Ruth visited nearly every state in the U.S., as well as numerous other countries. She is survived by her sister, Miriam Secrest; her two daughters, Martha Welti and Mary (Robert) Strange, one granddaughter, and other extended family.
Frances (La Vilge) DeLaittre ’39 of Hamilton, Ohio, on December 14, 1996.
Lora M. (Puscheck) Klemm ’39 of Lombard, Illinois, formerl of Hillside, in November 2008.
Helen M. (Vensel) Koeppel ’39 of Villa Park, Illinois, on March 10, 2009. Born March 22, 1918 in Butler, Illinois, Helen was a secretary for Sears Roebuck Co. in Chicago for five years before meeting her husband, the late Roy Koeppel ‘39, at Elmhurst College. The newlywed Helen continued working as a secretary, this time for the Texaco Co., until Roy was drafted in World War II. She joined her husband at the Aberdeen Proving Ground just outside Baltimore, Maryland, and again put her secretarial skills to use for the civilian head civil engineer. Helen's first two children, Barry and Diane, were born during the war while she and her husband were stationed in Maryland. In 1946, after the war had ended, Helen and Roy moved their family to Broadview, Illinois, before ending up in Villa Park, where their daughter, Darlene, was born. While raising her family, Helen worked at the discount store Benjamin Alan, was active at the grade school and was a co-chairman for the Girl Scout group. After her children were grown, she enjoyed working for six different market research companies. Helen became a widow in 1988; she never considered herself to be alone, however, as she always was surrounded by the people who loved her. Helen entertained her remaining family regularly with her vivid memories from childhood and shared many stories with her seven grandchildren, who she referred to as The Seven Wonders of the World. Helen is survived by her three children, Barry, Diane Madsen and Darlene Andresen.
Dorothy (Kross) Plassman ’39 on February, 13, 2009.
BACK TO TOP
1940s
Daniel Mabee ’40 of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, on December 2, 2008. He was born on June 24, 1917 in Noble, Illinois, raised in Villa Park and Elmhurst. Daniel was employed by Sears Roebuck and Co. for 37 years at the Chicago headquarters. He served in WWII, four years as a Captain and Pilot in the Army Air Force. A resident of Hot Springs Village since 1979, Daniel was a charter and life member of Village Community Foundation, Vice President of Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild, President of Hot Springs Village Board of Directors and Advisory Director of Village Regions Bank. He was a former member of Village Men's Golf Association and Village Tennis Association. Daniel was a member of Village United Methodist church. He served on various committees and was a teacher of Adult Bible Studies. He is survived by his wife and eight children. There are several grand and great-grandchildren.
Harvey Smith ’40 of Boyd, Texas, on November 4, 2008.
Dorothy M. (Hayes) Koch ’42 of Aurora, Illinois, on January 6, 2009. She was born August 20, 1920 in Elmhurst A loving mother, Dorothy is survived by her children, Kim Keierleber and Bill, Jr.; grandchildren Ben Peterson, Chris Peterson and Kelsea and Fisher Koch. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, Sr; and her parents, Edna and William Hayes. Dorothy attended York High School and Elmhurst College before marrying Bill on October 12, 1943. As a young war bride, she waited anxiously for news after his plane was reported shot down over Austria. Bill spent the remainder of the war as a POW, and following his release the couple made their home in Elmhurst before moving to Aurora in 1959. An accomplished seamstress, Dorothy worked for many years with Marshall Field's in Chicago, creating heirloom-quality Christening gowns. She finished her career in the personnel department at Barber-Greene Co. in Aurora. As an avid life-long reader, Dorothy was a frequent patron of the Aurora Public Library. She was also a die-hard Cubs fan and rarely missed a broadcast of their games.
Mildred Elizabeth Tonning ’42 of Savannah, Georgia, on February 21, 2009. She was a longtime resident of Memphis and moved to Savannah in 2005. Mildred was the widow of Dr. Wayland A. Tonning, Sr. Born in 1916 in Chicago, Mrs. Tonning was a member of 'The Greatest Generation' whose lives were tempered by extraordinary events including The Great Depression, WWII, and the Korean War. Her faith always provided her with optimism and comfort. The first woman in her family to attend college, Mildred was trained as a chemist and worked in that field during WWII. She met Wayland Tonning and married in 1940. Mrs. Tonning also taught school at Holy Cross Catholic School in Champaign, Illinois. The family moved to Memphis when Dr. Tonning left his teaching position at the University of Illinois and was recruited by Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) to create the first Sales Degree in the country. Dr. and Mrs. Tonning were founding members of Holy Rosary parish, where she was a daily communicant. Mildred was an active member of the Holy Rosary Altar Society, the St. Agnes Academy Study Club and Mother's Club, the Memphis Board of Realtors, the League of Women Voters, the Ladies of Charity, Madonna Circle, the U of M Faculty Wives Club and Windyke Country Club, where she enjoyed golf and bridge. In Savannah she was a member of First Friends and the Landlovers Antiques group. She was an adorer at the Perpetual Adoration chapel at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Lumen Christi chapel at St. James Catholic Church. She was a communicant of St. James. As the great-niece of Anna Othilie Tonning, the head of the Salvation Army in Norway who started the kettle drive there, Mildred was a strong supporter of the Salvation Army. Gifted with a keen intellect and an inquisitive mind, she was an avid student of many subjects and was involved in clubs and study groups that reflected her interests including: antiques, politics, nutrition, real estate, collectibles and travel. However, her true treasures were her faith and her family. A devout Catholic, Mrs. Tonning was committed to the Catholic education of her children and stressed family values and community service in their lives. She loved to travel and among her favorite trips were visits to shrines at Lourdes, France; Fatima, Portugal; Mexico City, Mexico; Paris; Rome; and the Holy Land. Mrs. Tonning leaves a son and three daughters: Wayland A. "Lanny" Tonning, Jr.; Jane Tonning; Joan Tonning Hug and Margaret "Mig" Tonning Williams. She leaves seven grandchildren: Sean Tonning, Marcy Smith, Meredith Smith Bryan, Dean Tonning, Elizabeth Tonning and Avery and Alexis Williams; three great-grandchildren: Shelby, Jeb and Bonnie Bryan, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Louis Sines ’43, of Clyde, Texas, on December 8, 2007. Born on June 11, 1921 in Chicago, Louis was an accomplished musician who formed his own dance band, playing in Colorado ski resorts and for various radio stations. After his days at Elmhurst, he graduated ITT with a degree in chemical engineering. On June 5, 1943, he married Lois Johnston, and they had four children. After a successful career in the U.S. Army, Louis and his family bought a farm in Mermet, Illinois where they farmed for 25 years. Upon retirement, Louis and Lois moved to Clyde, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Lois, his sons, Raymond and Richard, and his daughters Diane Harris and Linda Kimbrell. He is also survived by two sisters, Wanda (Sines) Hepler ’43 and Patricia (Sines) Burke ’55, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Janet (Glidden) Wernecke ’44 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on October 19, 2008. Before her passing, Janet taught elementary school for 25 years.
Catherine (Martin) Villwock ’45 of South Bend, Indiana on May 13, 2009. Catherine lived long enough to celebrate her 87th birthday and the birth of her first great-grandchild, a little girl.
Virginia (Rodgers) McClimans ’46 of Walnut Creek, Virginia, on November 25, 2008. A native of Dayton, Ohio, she lived in Walnut Creek for 10 years and was a former resident of Chula Vista, Calif. and Springfield, VA. Virginia was an English teacher at Oakton High School. From 1950-54, Virginia served as Area Director for the American Red Cross. She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, P.E.O. and volunteered at John Muir Medical Services and Sharp Hospital in Chula Vista, CA. Virginia enjoyed reading, attending plays and solving crossword puzzles. She was predeceased by her husband, Faran McClimans in 1993. Survivors include her daughter, Linda Fore; son, Todd McClimans; grandchildren, Edward and Stacy McClimans and Julie, Alicia and Mark Fore.
William H. Jahnke, Sr. ’48 of Cuba, New York, on February 25, 2006 after a long illness. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, William moved to Cuba in 1954 where he worked for Dresser-Clark Industries until his retirement in 1981. He enjoyed spending time with his family and watching the Buffalo Bills. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sarah Lee 'Sally' (Hill) Jahnke ’48; daughter and three sons.
Ida L. Orosz ’48 of Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 7, 2005.
Paul H. Dunteman Sr. ’49 of Phoenix, Arizona, on January 12, 2009. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Virginia, whom he married on July 29, 1950 and his brother Howard. Paul will be deeply missed by his five boys and their wives-Paul Jr., Michael, Rick, Dave and Joe. Also surviving him are thirteen grandchildren-Jason, Jeremy, Dan, Angie, Erica, Nick, Ron, Emma, Brad, Maddy, Alyssa, Ashley, Alexa and six great grandchildren.
Norman A. Frega ’49 of Marengo, Illinois, on March 12, 2009. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Norman attended York High School where he played basketball. He continued playing at EC and was nicknamed ‘Ace’ for his abilities on the court. Norman was a veteran of WWII where he served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received four overseas Service Bars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. On August 28, 1948, he married Joan DuPre in Villa Park, Illinois and lived there until 1966. They moved to Woodstock, where they lived for many years before moving to Marengo. Survivors include his wife, Joan; children, Linda Winn, Leslie Fiene, Fred Frega and Fran (Larry) Stolldorf; grandkids, Dale Winn, Shannon and Erin Fiene, Dan, Nick and Breanna Frega, and Cori and Andrew Stolldorf. He is also survived by a brother, Donald Frega in Florida; and several nieces and a nephew.
Clinton S. Hagemann ’49 on February 6, 1998.
BACK TO TOP
1950s
Edmund Wesolowski ’51 of Rockingham, New Hampshire, on January 18, 2001.
William Cotsakis ’52 of Palatine, Illinois, on April 10, 2008. William was a WWII veteran and also served as the Palatine Presbyterian Church choir director for many years. Survivors include his wife Patricia (Hering) ’75; children Frederick and Daniel; grandchildren, Leslie, Katheryn, Caroline, Camille and Danielle; and brother, Carl.
Diana Joan (Phillips) Firchau ’54 of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, on April 10, 2009. After graduating from Elmhurst, Diana attended St. Lukes School of Nursing in Chicago. Early in her nursing career, she worked at Elmhurst Hospital. Diana later worked for over 25 years in the newborn nursery at Central DuPage Hospital, where she cared for thousands of mothers and their new babies. In addition to her devotion to her family, career, church and pets, she was an avid reader and doll collector. Diane enjoyed traveling, especially to the North woods. She loved Chicago baseball, enjoying both the Cubs and the White Sox. In 1956, Diana married Robert Firchau; together they raised seven children, Bruce, Robin Franco, Lisa Wolancevich, Heidi Henry, Becky Beilfuss, David and Amy Kolodziej. Diane was also a loving grandmother to 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Alan S. McComb ’54 of Plainfield, Illinois, longtime resident of Villa Park, on June 10, 2008.
Rev. Dr. Edward W. Bergstraesser ’56 of Oak Park, Illinois, on February 25, 2009. Born in Milwaukee, Rev. Bergstraesser was the son of a minister. After receiving his undergraduate degree from EC, Ed went on to receive a Master of Divinity in 1960 from Union Theological Seminary. In 1969, he received a Doctor of Ministry from Oberlin School of Theology/Vanderbilt Divinity School. Ed also received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Elmhurst College in 1991. During and after his graduate studies, Ed served urban churches in Ohio and Chicago and suburban churches in Rhode Island, Elmhurst and Oak Park; in all, Ed spent five decades tackling a variety of social issues and fighting for civil rights. In the mid-1960s, Rev. Bergstraesser also worked in Cleveland alongside Dr. Martin Luther King to create a local chapter of Operation Breadbasket, and in more recent years he led missions to aid people in distressed situations around the world. In 1968, Rev. Bergstraesser moved with his family to Chicago to head Galewood Community Church on the West Side. That summer, he joined other area ministers to help ease tensions at demonstrations in Grant Park during the Democratic National Convention. He retired in 2000 after twenty years as senior pastor of First United Church of Oak Park. Ed and his wife, Carol, remained in Oak Park after retirement, volunteering with Advocate Heath Care System, the Community Renewal Society of Chicago and Lifelink Corporation in Bensenville. Ed was an active member of the Elmhurst College Alumni Association and the National Church Associates of the UCC. He participated in the search for our new President, Dr. S. Alan Ray and most recently, was actively engaged in providing input for the college’s strategic vision with regard to the relationship between Elmhurst College and the United Church of Christ. Survivors include Carol Bergstraesser and two sons, Edward and Paul; a sister, Betty Peters; and three grandchildren.
Ruth E. (Kolmer) Krueger ’56 of Elmhurst, Illinois, on July 31, 2002.
Arthur Block ’57 of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on January 16, 2007. Born on August 7, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois, Arthur was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served his country honorably during WWII. While in the service, he was awarded the American Theatre Service medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. He was also a retired NASA engineer. Arthur’s survivors include his wife of 25 years, Jean; son Ronald and daughter Marilyn (Block) Leek.
Mary L. (Irmis) Smith ’57 of Earlville, Illinois, on December 23, 2008.
Carole J. (Fetz) Stevens ’57 of Chesterfield, Missouri, on April 27, 2009.
Thomas S. Ferry, Sr. ’58 of Long Beach, Indiana on December 22, 2008. Thomas was a police officer with the City of Chicago from 1966-1992, retiring as a commander. He married Lynda Harris on November 27, 2004 in Michigan City, Indiana, and she survives. Thomas is also survived by his son, Thomas S. Ferry, Jr. ’85.
Kathryn “Kay” M. Kacena ’58 of Savannah, Georgia, on February 22, 2006. Kay was married to the late Roy Kacena for 58 years. In 1954, at the age of 40, she began her collegiate career at Elmhurst. She then taught fifth grade at Prospect Heights Grade School and went on to receive her master’s degree and became a special education teacher for blind children. Kay was then named the principal at Walt Whitman Elementary School in Wheeling, Illinois.
BACK TO TOP
1960s
Judith L. MacLeod Toigo Bernard ’60 of St. Charles, Illinois, on January 19, 2009. She was born July 29, 1937, in Aurora, the daughter and only child of the late Ian and Audrey MacLeod Pederson. Raised in the Unitarian Church in Geneva, she graduated from West Aurora High School and Elmhurst College where she made lifelong friends. After starting a career as a primary school teacher, like her mother, she met and married Harry Toigo, and they settled down in Aurora to raise a family. Despite the tragic losses of both her beloved father and her first husband to airplane crashes, she re-married and had two more sons. She raised three sons with deep convictions, and love, and instilled in them a strong sense of values. She appreciated; and was a keeper of family history. But at heart she was a fun-loving person and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She especially loved being with her three grandchildren. Judith loved music and was an avid traveler, traveling extensively all over the continent, and to Europe, Asia, and Australia as well. She cherished a lifelong dream of renting a house in France and living there part-time. She was always ready to get in the car and just drive. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her first husband. She is survived by her three sons, Lee Bernard, Jon Bernard and Harry Toigo II; as well as three grandchildren, Ian Andrew, Kelsey Anne MacLeod, and Oliver Talmage.
Dr. John Frederic Oswalt ’60 of Battle Creek, Michigan, on March 26, 2006. Dr. Oswalt was born on Octover 7, 1937 in Clinton, Indiana and graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois. Fred received his Doctor of Dental Science degree from Loyola School of Dentistry (Chicago) in 1963. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and was a Captain of dental surgery at Fort Custer. He married Lois in 1961. He was a benefactor for many in dental need. He is survived by his mother, Madeline Oswalt; his former wife, Lois; son, Michael; grandchildren, Megan, David and Nicholas; sister, Nancy Olds; nieces, Rebecca Edmonds and Caroline Holden; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Fred was an avid fly fisherman and one of the founders of B.O.J.C. Michigan Fly Fishing Chapter. He was a member of Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly fisherman. He also enjoyed photography, oil painting and was a published author.
Rev. Richard W. Sather ’60 of Waverly, Ohio, on January 30, 2009. He was born April 10, 1938 in Elmhurst, the son of the late Norman and Ruth (Fredrick) Sather. On June 20, 1959, Richard was married to Judy Ann (Decker) Sather ’60 who survives. Other survivors include children: Stephanie Ledbetter, Rev. Daniel Sather and Sheryl Wilkey and ten grandchildren. Richard attended Eden Theological Seminary, graduating in 1964, after his time at Elmhurst. From 1964 to 2003, Richard was an ordained pastor who served congregations from all four predecessor denominations of the United Church of Christ throughout the Midwest and in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was a Rotarian for 30 years, and a life-long Chicago Cubs fan.
Rev. Vencil L. Shively ’60 of Eckley, Colorado, on March 30, 2008. He was 69 years old.
John W. Zapfel ’60 of Hacienda Heights, California, on August 4, 2008.
Robert L. Livesey ’61 of Spring Valley, Illinois, formerly of Chicago, on January 28, 2009. Robert married Margaret Preisinger in 1960 in Wooddale, Illinois. He owned and operated Liberty Press in Chicago until retirement.
Glen Pomrehn ’64 of Cypress, California, on February 27, 2009. Glen was a member of the Bluejay football team and was inducted in the Bluejay Backer Hall of Fame in 1981.
Arthur C. Rock Jr. ’65 of Newhall, California, on April 24, 2006. Arthur was born in Berwyn, Illinois in 1943 and went on to serve in the U.S Air Force. He then joined Dow Jones & Company, Inc. in June 1971 where he served as the Associate District Manager in the Chicago office before being promoted to the District Manager of the Detroit Field and Phone Sales Division. In 1993, Arthur took a job with Stone & Youngberg, a limited liability company located in California, Arthur enjoyed gardening, mountain bike riding and visiting with his neighbors. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Rock of Newhall; brothers, James Rock ’85 of Wheaton, and Andrea Rock of Geneva. He is also survived by 21 nieces and nephews.
John M. Brennan ’69 of Burlington, Wisconsin, on March 21, 2009. Born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania on September 25, 1946, he moved to the Chicago area as a young child where he received his education. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in history and education, Jack taught 5th and 6th grade in Zion, Illinois. On June 26, 1976, he married Lois Cotton at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Kenosha. For many years he was a salesman for various businesses in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Since 1996, he has been partner/co-owner of Southport RV Rental in Kenosha. Jack attended Bristol United Methodist Church, was a pilot and lifelong member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), was a member of the Wilmot Ski School, and will be remembered as a great cook. Survivors include his wife, Lois of Burlington; two brothers-in-law, John Cotton and Austin Cotton; two nephews, David and Jonathan; three nieces, Cari, Christy, and Kathy; four great nephews; and two great nieces.
Gertrude Fetcher ’69 of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on September 3, 2008. Gertrude was found regularly on the cross-country ski trail, volunteering for Hospice, as a contributing member of the Whiteman School Board, as an advocate for Strings in the Mountains, and lighting up rooms with her smile at numerous social and community events. Despite her health challenges, until the past few weeks Gertrude continued her active life of volunteering, Pilates, water aerobics, attendance at Strings in the Mountains, book club, social functions, and management of her condominium association. Throughout Routt County, she has served as a role model for many Her unassuming nature, generosity, warmth, quiet and sharp intelligence, energy, strength and emotional presence setting an example for all. Gertrude grew up in Munich, Germany, until the age of 18, when she immigrated to Chicago with her parents in 1939. She traveled to Steamboat Springs with her husband, Stanton Fetcher, his brother, John Fetcher, and her sister-in-law, Criss Fetcher, in 1949 to help establish the Fetcher Ranch in Clark. Thereafter she gave many years of service as a teacher and accountant at the Lowell Whiteman School. Through her inspiring manner, Gertrude earned a place in the hearts of countless friends and relatives who will long remember her. Gertrude is survived by her sons, Lincoln and Fred and her brother, Franz.
Richard W. Stranberg ’69 of Denver, Colorado, on March 12, 2007.
BACK TO TOP
1970s
Dr. William P. Smotherman ’70 of Westborough, Massachusetts, on December 10, 2008. Born in Elmhurst, Ill., William was the son of the late William and Margaret Gerdes Smotherman. He was educated in Elmhurst schools and went on to earn a doctorate at Northern Illinois University and a postdoctoral degree at Stanford University. William was a professor, mentor and bio-medical researcher at Oregon State University and at the State University of New York Binghampton. He was distinguished in the field of developmental psychobiology and acted as editor-in-chief of the Developmental Psychobiology Journal. William retired at the age of 56 and spent his days with his wife. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Worcester Country Club and had a passion for fantasy sports. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Zachary L. Smotherman of Boston and Jordan L. Smotherman of Chicago.
Susan (Fonda) Farrell ‘72 of Lake Zurich, Illinois, on October 12, 2007. Born January 25, 1950 in Chicago, Susan had been a resident of Lake Zurich since 1986. Survivors include her mother, Phyllis Fondakowski; sisters, Pamela (Fonda) Fritz ‘72 and Denise (Fonda) Scalzo ‘74; and nephews, Erich, Mark, Matthew and Nicholas.
Richard E. Thompson ’72 of Des Plaines, Illinois, on March 10, 2009. Richard was a lifelong resident of Des Plaines and retired from General Telephone Company. He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and was married to the former Carol Mehlhop for 49 years. Richard was the father to Susan Campbell and Andrea Thompson ’85; grandfather of Todd and Amanda; brother of Glenn ’75 and Kenneth Thompson ’70 and Barbara Feenstra.
Harry E. Fassl '74 of Oak Park, IL, on October 12, 2008. Harry received his Masters degree from Northwestern University in 1976. In his career as a computer programmer, he was part of the ongoing changes in the computing industry from the days of punch cards to open-source programming. His real passions were photography, music, drawing, ceramics and reading, especially mathematics and philosophy. His surreal and fantastic images appeared on many book covers and in fantasy/horror magazines including Deathrealm, Grue, Nocturne, Not One of Us, The Silver Web and Tales of the Unanticipated. Harry was interviewed in Issue # 11 (Spring/Summer 1994) of The Silver Web. While at Elmhurst, he began taking classes in karate with Shihan Miyuki Miura. He continued training and teaching for many years at Shihan Miura's dojo in Oak Park, and achieved the rank of third degree black belt. Harry is survived by his life partner Diana Gallardo '74, sisters Lynne (Fassl) Erbach '77 and Sheila (Fassl) Giambalvo '81, brother-in-laws Bob Erbach and Darryl J. Giambalvo '79, his father, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother.
James R. Machnicki ’74 of Scottsdale, Arizona, on July 23, 2006, after a three-and-a-half month battle of pancreatic and liver cancer. His legacy and memory will be remembered for years by his beautiful and dedicated wife and caregiver of 26 years, Cindy Machnicki, as well as his three devoted and sophisticated daughters, Melissa, Kate and Emil. He has touched many lived with his compassion, unselfishness and dignified attitude. His heritage will be carried on by his loving mother, Wanda Katzman and his three high-spirited sisters, Julie, Jane and Joy.
Robert 'Sobie' Sobczewski ’75 of Fox River Grove, Illinois, on April 22, 2009. Robert was a graduate of Gordon Tech High School and then Elmhurst College. He was a beloved youth basketball and baseball coach in Barrington for many years. He dearly loved the teams he coached and working with the parents. Robert was an avid Cubs, Bears and Bulls fan. His finest achievement was being a proud husband and father to his loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Rita, whom he married July 17, 1982; loving children, Christopher, Stefanie and Casey; parents Rita Sobczewski and Walter Sobczewski; dear siblings Gabriela, Sylvia and Eddie; nieces and nephews, Fred, Erick , Katie and Christy; and many loving friends.
William Farley ’76 on February 26, 2006.
Anthony 'Tony' Roy Montegna ’76 of San Diego, California, on March 31, 2009. Tony was born May 28, 1950 in Chicago and was the oldest son of Joseph and Helene (Bovard) Montegna; eldest bother to Joseph Anthony, Gregory Alan and Eric Thomas; father to Irvin, Tony, Salvatore Joseph and Victoria. Tony grew up in Hillside, IL and attended Hillside Grammar School (1964); St. Joseph High School (1968); Triton College and Elmhurst College. He moved to California in 1974 to attend law school, he settled in San Diego California and practiced law there for 30 years. He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose in Chula Vista, CA. He loved flying, world travel, fine wines, cigars, frivolous spending and other wild activities.
Norine R. (Rosanova) Young ’76 of Lombard, Illinois, on December 13, 2008. Norine was a 52-year resident of Lombard after receiving her associate’s degree from the College of DuPage and her B.A. in Education from the College. From 1966 to 1973, she worked as an administrative assistant at the DuPage County Health Department. After receiving her education degree, Norine worked at several elementary schools as a substitute teacher. Survivors include her husband Max, brother Robert Rosanova, sister Romona Accetta.
BACK TO TOP
1980s
Rebecca 'Becky' Wrede-Shook ’80 of Hinsdale, Illinois, formerly of Monticello, on April 7, 2009, after a four-year battle with breast cancer. Born March 30, 1953, she was the daughter of Robert and Joyce Long Wrede, who survive. She was a 1971 graduate of Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Illinois where she was very active in forensics, winning state championships during her junior and senior years. In 1970, she was elected governor of Girls State and president of Girls Nation. After earning her bachelor’s at Elmhurst, Becky went on to obtain a master's degree from both Loyola University-Chicago and Northern Illinois University. On June 3, 1978, she married David Shook in Bloomington, and he survives. Becky worked for various divisions of General Motors, but turned to being a full-time homemaker after her second daughter was born in 1986. She did volunteer work for Court Appointed Special Advocates CASA) and the Presbyterian Church, and belonged to various social clubs. Surviving with her husband and parents are two daughters, Heather Christman and Whitney Shook, both of Chicago; and four brothers, Rickey 'Skip' Wrede, Ted Wrede, Robert 'Bob' Wrede Jr. and Ken Wrede. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and legions of friends.
Rev. Brian C. Franklin Blackston ’83 of Savannah, Georgia, on February 14, 2001. Brian was a member of the Skidaway Island Baptist Church. He was a welder and pipefitter for Local Union #188, where he served as a vice president and as a welding apprentice instructor. Survivors include two daughters Brianna Blackston and Natalie Blackston; his brother, one niece and nephew.
Elaine L. O’Reilly ’86 of Elmhurst, Illinois, on May 13, 2008.
Kelly S. McHugh ’89 of Bartlett, Illinois, on June 11, 2008.
BACK TO TOP
1990s
Robert P. Hatch ’90 on July 12, 2007.
Carla J. (Nunez) Bruno ’91 of Antioch, Illinois, formerly of Franklin Park, on December 10, 2007. Carla was the beloved wife of Peter Bruno ’88; loving daughter of Michial Nunez and Charles Nunez; devoted sister of Cindy Johnson, Pam (Nunez) Trattner ’00 and Wayne Nunez; dear daughter-in-law of Lucy and the late Orlando Bruno; sister-in-law of Richard Bruno, Rosemary Bruno; fond aunt of Diana, Sara, John, Dana and Matthew.
Joseph Borysek ’92 of Westchester, Illinois on January 14, 2008. Joseph was the beloved husband of Vera Ann, loving father of John, devoted son of Marie and the late Jan, fond brother of Zdenek and son-in-law of Jolana and the late Samko Babiar. He was president of the United Moravian Societies and retired employee of the American National Can Company of Chicago.
Eileen Carol (Czajka) Monserrate ’92 of Charleston, South Carolina, on October 30, 2008, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born October 26, 1967, in Chicago, to Edward Czajka and Dorothy Martinek Czajka. Eileen graduated from Queen of Peace High School in 1985, and received her B.S in nursing science from Elmhurst College in 1992. On July 2, 1995 she was united in marriage to Dr. Ivan E. Monserrate at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston. Eileen had a special interest in caring for those afflicted with cancer and in 1991 she joined the MUSC Staff working on 8 West, and later at The Hollings Cancer Center. Then, following her motherly instinct and giving nature, Eileen became a fulltime mother. In this role, she raised four children. A devout Catholic, she was an active member of Nativity Church and School supporter. Eileen was also actively involved in her community being a softball coach, as well as with the Girl Scouts as a Brownie troop leader for 2 years. Eileen was a loving example of Christian living. Eileen is survived by her husband, Ivan, her four beautiful children Sydney, Audrey, Ivan, and David; her father Edward Czajka; her step father and mother, John and Dorothy Fisher; her brothers, Gregg, Keith and John Czajka. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
BACK TO TOP
Faculty & Staff
Alvin Hanke, retired wrestling coach of Gurnee, Illinois, on January 29, 2009. Alvin attended Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he was an all-American wrestler. He also won a National Doubles Championship in racquetball. Alvin was a veteran in the Navy, serving during WWII. He was a physical education teacher and coach for many years, starting at Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, then to Lake Forest College and finally at Elmhurst College, where he retired. Alvin is survived by his sons, Michael ’87 and Guy Hanke ’88. Gifts in Coach Hanke’s memory will support Elmhurst College wrestling.
Dr. Andrew “Andy” Karl Prinz, retired Director of Urban Studies of Oak Park, Illinois, on March 26, 2009. A master teacher, ebullient presence, and the director of urban studies at Elmhurst College for 36 years, died after a long illness at the age of 73. Dr. Prinz came to Elmhurst in the fall of 1969 to establish the Department of Urban Studies. It was part of a wave of such programs founded in an era when American cities were experiencing acute social problems. The professor passionately loved urban life, even at its lowest ebb, and he communicated his enthusiasm tirelessly to his students—not only in his classroom but also on the streets of Chicago, Sydney, Beijing, London, Moscow, Amsterdam, Toronto and other cities where he took his classes on journeys of celebration and discovery. An erstwhile politician (in 1973, he was elected Democratic Party Committeeman for Oak Park) and a born salesman, Dr. Prinz actively recruited fifteen to twenty students to his department in any given year. Dr. Prinz is survived by his wife, Carol, their children Kurt Prinz, Linda Hoffman, Diane Gardner, and Mark Prinz, his brother Edward Prinz, six grandchildren, and countless former students.
BACK TO TOP
|
