In 2023, Kalamazoo College students were offered a new study abroad opportunity, thanks to a competitive fellowship established by alumnus Robert Sherbin ’79.
The Jerry Sherbin Fellowship, named in honor of Robert Sherbin’s father, provides one K senior with a stipend to pursue an academic year post-graduation outside the United States, independently exploring a subject of deep personal interest.
Elle Waldron ’23—a women, gender and sexuality (WGS) major at K—was thrilled to be the first fellow selected from seven applicants in the fellowship’s inaugural year. Her proposal was to visit a variety of feminist and gender-equity organizations to witness the tools and strategies they use to execute their work and complete their goals. She also wanted her investigations to yield long-term relationships with people from around the world. The process would sharpen her critical-thinking skills so she could define feminism from a global perspective as it’s influenced by a variety of historical and cultural contexts.
Sherbin Fellow Elle Waldron ’23 spent a week in Cape Town during a nearly two-month stay in South Africa. In all, Waldron spent an academic year overseas, intending to visit feminist and gender-equity organizations to witness the tools and strategies they use to execute their work and complete their goals.
“Deciding how to define and use the word ‘feminism’ has always been difficult for me and a frequent question, but the word grounded me in my values and gave me a direction, even if it was quite flexible and vague,” Waldron said. “I thought my experiences abroad would provide a marker or a signal to like-minded people who might share my values.”
But as many K students and alumni discover in travels abroad, Waldron found that her plans and perspectives changed thanks to chance and a first-hand view of other cultures that shifted her philosophies. In fact, the word “feminism” proved to have limited power within the scope of her projects.
“I struggled because I found, especially in Australia and New Zealand, that the reality of the word is tied to whiteness and heteronormativity, meaning that it can’t be a definition for all people,” Waldron said. “I think feminism is a personal definition, and I can’t define it from a global perspective because it looks different in every cultural context. It’s impossible to apply one’s own definition of feminism to someone else.”
As a result, Waldron instead gained a deeper understanding of community development that will help build her career. She learned how people around the world develop supportive relationships in order to live and work together. And now that she’s returned to Michigan, her fellowship will conclude with a reflection provided to Sherbin from her travels, which took her from Australia to New Zealand, to South Africa, to Costa Rica and to Spain.
Queensland, Australia
Waldron focused on staying in one place as long as she could, knowing it could give her more of a local perspective rather than that of a tourist. The Sunshine Coast area of Queensland, Australia, was her first stop and turned out to be the longest time in one location.
She stayed with a family after connecting with one of their relatives in Michigan, leading to her first community-development work.
“When I arrived, they left me a spare key for when they weren’t home, and I kind of jumped into their lives,” Waldron said. “We spent a lot of time cooking dinner together and going to family events, and I spent a lot of the weekdays working at a local community center.”
At the community center, she volunteered at the reception desk; helped visitors connect with available support through local resources; made phone calls for the Pets for Life Program, which connected seniors with pet-care volunteers; and joined or set up space for weekly social clubs. She also worked on a project for the family support team—a group like Child and Protective Services in the U.S.—that showed how they believed their work reflected the organization’s new mission statement.
Waldron volunteered at a reception desk in Queensland, Australia, where she greeted community members and referred callers to local resources such as food banks, senior support services and wildlife hospitals.
For this report, Waldron conducted interviews, surveys and analysis, while offering suggestions for feminist framework.
The community center was where Waldron began to question her goal of defining feminism on a global scale.
“I found that community development is the way of asking how people are supporting each other, how they’re building intentional relationships and walking alongside one another,” Waldron said. “It was a method that I wanted to look at and follow on my journey because I found the vocabulary of feminism and the definition that I follow to be difficult to define.”
Auckland, New Zealand
Waldron’s visit to New Zealand included a visit to Tongariro National Park.
Waldron added a stop in New Zealand when she realized that much of South Africa shuts down for the holiday season in December. Despite finding no long-term volunteer positions, she found more opportunities to work in community development through business meetings—often called community development hui, which is a Mãori word for meeting—alongside her hosts. In places such as community centers, nongovernment organizations, and government organizations local to a particular area of the city, Waldron, as a guest, networked, brainstormed around current issues and celebrated recent accomplishments with community leaders.
She noted that places like community centers and neighborhood organizations “offer support to people who are struggling or looking for connection in their lives. That might be with housing, food assistance or building friendships and relationships while offering a common location. I found that to be a helpful space for me, so I jumped in when I got there.”
Being there in December, Waldron said she tried to volunteer in ways that would be representative of day-to-day life.
Waldron participated in community events in New Zealand such as a Santa Parade.
“I attended holiday parties and choir concerts,” she said. “I even volunteered in a Santa parade and dressed as a tui bird. I grew the most socially and built deep relationships in Australia and New Zealand.”
Cape Town, Johannesburg and Koloni, South Africa
Waldron’s global experiences then threw a curve ball with the country that challenged her yet taught her the most.
“I had spent a lot of time while I was in New Zealand facilitating a relationship with a professor in South Africa who was doing research that I was really interested in,” Waldron said. “I wanted to volunteer as a part of her project. We had video calls and spent some time navigating through what my role would look like, and she helped me connect with others to find housing in Stellenbosch, which is quite close to Cape Town.”
District Six Museum commemorates a community before apartheid.
However, with no explanation, the professor stopped answering Waldron’s emails about three weeks before she was set to arrive, forcing her at the last minute to figure out what her time there would involve. On top of that, Waldron’s contacts provided some scary warnings about what it was like to travel in South Africa, especially for a woman traveling alone.
Waldron connected with her hosts while staying in South Africa.
Thankfully, she had a strong support system of friends and family that reached out through WhatsApp and email, along with Akil Cornelius, a former K professor who lived in South Africa. As it turned out, many of the rumors she heard about South Africa’s safety were exaggerated. It all led to opportunities shadowing filmmakers, companies and nonprofits in Johannesburg, and work driven by storytelling and the advice she received abroad.
“I had a lot of conversations with women and strangers who became friends and a new support system,” Waldron said. “A lot of it was about tales of their regrets, successes and hopes in life. And one of the most profound pieces of advice was from a friend I met in New Zealand, who told me that the most important things I can learn while traveling solo will be from other women. She guided me to focus on these informal conversations I was having with other women and really listen to learn about their lives and what was important to them. That was a huge piece of my journey.”
San José, Costa Rica
Upon setting off to Costa Rica, Waldron remembered more advice she received from back home.
“The advice was to not be fearful about making mistakes in Spanish,” she said. “To allow myself to be bad at language because it’s the only way to improve.”
Waldron lived in San José, Costa Rica, for a while before moving to a rural area.
Waldron had taken Spanish at K, but it was during the COVID-19 pandemic when all her courses were online. She never learned how to speak Spanish well because she was afraid of making errors. She got to Costa Rica and couldn’t communicate in the grocery store line or even order her coffee. Yet, she immersed herself there, and it provided some big benefits.
“When I was at K, I decided that I wanted to go into nonprofit work, and in Michigan, it’s helpful to have Spanish-speaking skills, so I thought this would be a great opportunity,” Waldron said. “My month in San José was almost entirely focused on learning Spanish because I needed it to move forward with my reflection project and learn more about community support. But it was also a good spot because a lot of the teachers at the Spanish school I attended spoke English and were having conversations with me about Costa Rican history, about the welfare state and community support. That was helpful, and they were a great resource for me in making connections. They connected me with a family I could rent a room from, and they agreed to help me find an internship or volunteering role.”
Demonstrators participate in an International Women’s Day rally in San José, Costa Rica.
Ultimately, Waldron learned she appreciated rural life more than big cities while staying in Costa Rica. As a result, a connection at the Spanish school, the Institute for Central American Development Studies (ICADS), pointed her toward another family who lived about an hour south of the Nicaraguan border. Waldron moved there for her second month in Costa Rica because she was interested in Asociaciòn de Productores de Cacao de Agro Ambientalistas de Guatuso, an organization partly led by women who supported cacao farmers while offering what she called a unique form of support.
“I got an opportunity to integrate more into Costa Rican life,” she said. “I did a lot of cooking with the family, and I basically shadowed one of the family’s daughters for a month. She was going into meetings in town, hanging out with friends and spending time with family. I continued to practice my Spanish, and I would say that I grew the most intellectually in Costa Rica because I was immersed in families and situations that didn’t offer translation. It was a different type of learning than what I had in South Africa or Australia and New Zealand.”
Spain
In Spain, Waldron visited Merida, a city that dates back to the Roman Empire.
By the time Waldron arrived in Spain, she had done enough shadowing in nonprofits to conclude that her Spanish skills were lacking for nonprofit work. She decided community-based work might be a better fit for her, an idea she confirmed upon using K’s alumni directory to contact Heide Taylor ’10, who lives in Spain. The connection helped Waldron search for and find her next role.
“I was interested in exploring other avenues, and I found a creative arts center in a tiny southern Spanish town,” Waldron said. “I volunteered with gardening and cleaning. It helped me secure accommodations, and it still allowed me to be in that space to have conversations.”
The arts center brought in resident artists from all over the world while hosting other volunteers and Ukrainian refugees. It allowed Waldron to build friendships with women from Argentina, Ukraine and Spain while having conversations with the center’s directors to learn about their work.
In Ubeda, Spain, Waldron volunteered at an arts center that brought in resident artists from all over the world while hosting other volunteers and Ukrainian refugees.
Global Wrap-up
Waldron admitted that by the time that her work in Spain concluded her fellowship adventure, she was mentally exhausted from planning on the fly so often.
“I think part of the amazing thing about this fellowship is that it’s really adaptable,” she said. “I added New Zealand because I found a logistical error, and when my volunteering role fell through in South Africa, I pivoted quickly to a different way of learning without repercussions from the donor or the College. And that’s incredibly special. But it also means that I was trying to be present in moments that were completely new to me while fully processing experiences.”
At the end of her trip, she extended her time abroad at her own expense to meet contacts in Turkey, England, Scotland and Luxembourg.
“It had been something I planned a few months previously, so I was prepared for it,” Waldron said. “I was feeling exhausted and simultaneously trying to be appreciative that I’d had the privileges of seeing so many places and continuing to travel.”
A few months after returning to the States, Waldron shared highlights from her fellowship with the K community in a presentation on campus during Homecoming. She described the challenges and joys she experienced in her months abroad and how her conversations with women around the world helped her refine the original objective of her journey.
“You might be wondering how all this comes together as ‘feminist methods,’ especially as I consider my own necessity, or lack thereof, to use that word,” Waldron said to the crowd. “But for me, this is what it looks like to center actions, thought processes and relationships formed with the intention of recognizing the way gender and sexuality structure society and culture, and interact with other systems of oppression.
“For my version of feminism, community support is central and paramount in creating new systems and worlds, although it is important to acknowledge that this idea is not unique to me and my experiences. I have gathered it from this journey and from the incredible research and writing taught in courses at this college, particularly by feminists of color, about community support.
Waldron with a host during her stay in South Africa.
“And the overarching answer to that question I asked, ‘What feminist methods and processes outside of state institutions are feminists using today? How are they supporting and connecting people?’ Through my travels, volunteering and conversations, I have found women who have offered vulnerability and support through telling stories to other women about their lives. They bestowed me with tales of their regrets, successes and hopes. Their tales combined pain and incredible hope to imagine a world in which we have support systems and unimaginable and diverse examples of success. Despite my inability to offer roots in their neighborhoods, families and friendships, they offered me such support and love and demonstrated that successful, joyous lives are constantly evolving and filled with millions of satisfying and astounding options and versions. They were family, neighbors and friends to me.
“This is the feminist strategy I was seeking, and this is how people are being supported. Conversations between women offer vulnerability, compassion, community and comaraderie to other women through storytelling and dialogue.”
Nic Helmstetter, M.D., ’10 has been honored twice in the past two years by the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Physicians (MI-ACP) for being a face of compassion and professional excellence in Kalamazoo.
Most recently, the Kalamazoo College alumnus—a dual-boarded internal medicine and pediatric physician at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine—received the MI-ACP Fostering Diversity Award in October. It’s a high honor reserved for medical professionals who have outstanding accomplishments in advancing diversity in clinical medicine or research while providing access to care in relation to diverse populations.
“It was humbling, and I’m exceedingly grateful,” Helmstetter said. “Had you talked to me 10 years ago, I never would’ve guessed I’d be doing this work. It was very exciting and just unexpected.”
And in 2023, he received the Dr. Jan Rival Early Career Physician Award from MI-ACP, an honor bestowed to a physician who shows significant professional achievement in patient care, research and/or medical education, and a promising career as a physician. It recognized his work as an assistant professor at WMed, where he lectures to students, generally during their clinical rotations, while also bringing an addiction-medicine curriculum to campus through a statewide grant from the Michigan Collaborative Addiction Resources and Education System (MI-CARES). He was promoted to associate professor in January 2025.
“I quickly figured out during my residency training at the University of Michigan that when I finished, I wanted not just to see patients, which is great, but do more,” Helmstetter said. “I enjoyed interacting with medical students as a resident physician, and I wanted to continue that opportunity to teach.”
Nic Helmstetter, M.D., ’10 is the associate program director for Street Medicine Kalamazoo (SMKzoo). When delivering care, he and his colleagues often travel in a Ford transit van outfitted with two exam rooms and supplies while visiting places where the unhoused commonly congregate.
The idea that a K alumnus is receiving such recognition for great contributions to medicine is not surprising, although one of the primary drivers behind his diversity work is unique. Helmstetter is the associate program director for Street Medicine Kalamazoo (SMKzoo), an effort he joined through WMed in 2021. Through it, he has taken great pride in establishing a special model of care for unhoused and unsheltered people of Kalamazoo. It means he and his colleagues provide health care away from traditional doctors’ offices, hospitals and clinics to underserved populations, who otherwise might have no access to care.
“It’s certainly grown to be one of the favorite aspects of my work, and it’s one of the most important things I do,” Helmstetter said. “Not to minimize teaching our medical students, supervising and teaching our resident physicians, or some of the research I do. And being a husband and a parent is my No. 1 job. But I’m so happy to be doing this. I used to tell people that being a doctor is awesome, because I generally go to bed every night knowing that I did something good throughout the day, and that’s not always the case for every career. But adding street medicine, and having it be a growing part of my job, is indescribable.”
Helmstetter, who spent his high school years in Flushing, Michigan, said the practice allows him to take much of what he learned at K and apply it to his work life as a physician.
“I was signed up for the College of LSA (Literature, Science and the Arts) at the University of Michigan when a K recruiter came to our high school for football,” he said. “I had never contemplated the chance to play football in Division III, especially the historic MIAA. When I read more about K, I realized it was without a doubt the best college I had a hope of attending. I couldn’t pass up that opportunity for a great education and a chance to keep playing football. I don’t know what my life would look like if that recruiter hadn’t come to Flushing High School. I don’t know if I would have even become a doctor and street medicine physician if I’d gone anywhere else I was accepted. My experiences at K helped me know the basic sciences, but I also had time to take economics courses, philosophy courses, Spanish courses and study abroad in Madrid. I wouldn’t have had the habits, the work ethic, the world view or even the empathy to do this work. K got me ready for a lot of things, and it certainly made me ready to be an empathic and compassionate physician.”
Helmstetter and his wife, K alumna Elizabeth Haworth-Hoeppner ’10, both are physicians in Kalamazoo.
Helmstetter also met his wife, Elizabeth Haworth-Hoeppner ’10—now a physician and pediatric hospitalist at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo—at K during their first year and they got to know each other better in their sophomore year.
“I reserved a seat next to me in Spanish class and would artfully guide other folks away from it just for the chance to sit next to her and get to know her better,” he said. “We started studying together a lot, and it grew from there. Our relationship is founded in mutual respect and admiration for what we both do. Her father told me at some point before we married that we should strive to live for the other person and in doing so we should work to help and support them in any way we can. We try to stick to that motto every day.”
Meeting patients where they are
Out in the field, Helmstetter uses a street medicine technique called hotspotting to go places where the unhoused congregate—typically places where they can gather resources or where they will not be judged or asked to leave.
He and his colleagues travel in a Ford transit van outfitted with two exam rooms, exam and testing supplies and other items medical personnel commonly would need in a clinic. “The main goal of street medicine isn’t necessarily taking care of folks at shelters,” Helmstetter said, though the team does that as well. “It’s going out and seeing folks in the streets, in the woods where they’re camping, seeing the unsheltered unhoused, or in other words, the people that are sleeping rough. It can be really difficult to keep tabs on where folks are camping; we’re always having to figure out where folks are living and change up our rounding plans.”
The team hotspots on Mondays. On Wednesdays, Helmstetter and SMKzoo visit Ministry with Community and run a shelter clinic.
“We see patients throughout the afternoon until the shelter closes,” Helmstetter said. “Then, during the rest of the week, we have a phone triage line where our patients can text us and call us when they have access to a phone, and we’ll triage their concerns.”
The medical professionals use telemedicine and, based on the availability of clinicians and resident physicians, try some home visits and can arrange higher acuity of care such as emergency department visits or hospitalizations, if necessary, where SMKzoo also can be involved along this continuum of care.
“Some of our patients do get housed, but they still might have significant barriers to accessing care,” Helmstetter said. “They might not be on a bus line, or their apartment might be way out of town. They might not have a car, or they don’t want to go to a brick-and-mortar clinic or hospital due to past traumas. When they’re ill enough to need hospitalization, we admit them to our WMed Health inpatient teams at Ascension Borgess Hospital and Bronson Methodist Hospital, so they see some familiar faces. And I and my colleagues will communicate with the inpatient teams as well to do a warm handoff and transition that care if we’re not working inpatient ourselves that week.”
Helmstetter and his colleagues out on street rounds.
At its inception in 2021, SMKzoo relied on volunteer doctors. Program Director Sravani Alluri, M.D., M.S., began visiting an encampment in town near Riverview Drive and Gull Road because she noticed unhoused folks she treated in the hospital were missing follow-up clinic appointments.
“She started chatting with them and figured out where they were staying while building relationships, and the program grew from there,” Helmstetter said. “WMed fully supports the 30% of my time that is dedicated to taking care of SMKzoo patients, as well as a portion of my two other colleagues’ time. Outside of that salary support, the rest is funded through donations and grants. At this time, we are scaling up rather quickly. There’s just a huge need.”
Substance-use disorders are sometimes found within the populations he serves.
“A lot of folks may end up using substances because they’re available when prescription medicines aren’t,” Helmstetter said. “It might be to treat a symptom of an undiagnosed condition. Using a substance may make them feel better or at least more able to cope with the stress from living outdoors. I think folks that are housed assume the unsheltered unhoused are in the situation they’re in because of substance use and/or low mental health. You show me one patient like that, and I can easily find another whose symptoms are a direct result of living outside. We at SMKzoo believe that housing is healthcare and, like the United Nations (article 25), is a basic and universal human right.”
Helmstetter pointed out that Kalamazoo is a microcosm of the growing addiction crisis that faces the nation, particularly as stimulants like methamphetamines, and to a lesser extent, cocaine, mix with opioids. A New York Times article on the opioid crisis in November 2023 looked at encampments and treatment clinics in West Michigan to illustrate the treatment challenges clinicians face in an age where users often take multiple illicit substances, consciously or unconsciously. SMKzoo’s work was featured in the article.
Through practicing street medicine, Helmstetter knows every patient’s story is different and access to care is one of the best things SMKzoo can provide.
“Researchers are working on finding effective treatments. There are some in the pipeline, but right now there are only small studies for medications that can help folks. However, we have great medicines like buprenorphine or methadone for opioid-use disorder,” Helmstetter said. “Unfortunately, our drug supply is getting more dangerous. There are contaminants that can be just as life threatening as the substances themselves, like xylazine, also known as Tranq. Furthermore, sometimes folks think they’re using one substance, say a stimulant like cocaine, and it’s contaminated with an opioid like fentanyl. If their body is opioid naïve, they immediately overdose, often resulting in death, which we’re all too familiar with from the opioid epidemic headlines. This was unfortunately the case in Kalamazoo in 2023 leading to tens of fatal and nonfatal overdoses.”
Regardless, every patient’s story is different and access to care is one of the best things SMKzoo can provide.
“Most of our patients have Medicaid insurance as they have no income, although it can be difficult to keep them enrolled as many don’t have addresses, cell phones or identification of any kind,” he said. “It’s a matter of helping them maintain their enrollment or getting enrolled. There’s more to this work than just making diagnoses and prescribing treatments. We have so many ways that we want to grow. We’re always looking for more grants and support so we can better serve our patients.”
Volunteers are one resource that helps SMKzoo carry out its mission, in particular students who are pre-med or want to be pre-med.
“We have a couple of K students that volunteer with us. They do some outreach and engage with the unhoused population at one of the local parks downtown,” Helmstetter said. “They foster relationships with unhoused folks and distributing basic necessities like water, clothes, toiletries and seasonal acoutrements. Their work with us is a win-win as WMed has a preferred admissions relationship with K, which encompasses the WMedStart Early Decision Program. There’s a great institution right in their backyard.”
For students considering going into the medical field, these types of experiences are valuable, he advises.
Helmstetter with Nicko Nickson ’21 on street rounds last summer. Helmstetter mentored Nickson in 2019 through the K football program’s “Building the Nest” initiative. Nickson is now in his fourth year at WMed and is pursuing residency training in pediatrics via the military medical match (Air Force).
“K prepares you for so many different things, and the health care field is certainly one of them,” Helmstetter said. “Seek opportunities to explore the field and make sure it’s for you. Volunteer at hospitals and clinics or with organizations like SMKzoo to make sure it’s a good fit. It’s important work but it can be challenging, especially with the changing landscape in health care. And there are so many different things you can do within medicine. You don’t want to go in thinking that you’re only going to be seeing patients or that there are only a couple of specialties and care settings like a hospital or clinic. Similar to study abroad, find an experience where you can immerse yourself and get all the information you need before you make a big commitment.”
Helmstetter also noted that more people are taking gap years to gain experience or do something different before they apply to medical school.
“There’s no wrong door and there’s no right time to go to medical school,” he said. “Life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon, so take your time. Smell the roses and gain other experiences. Medical school will always be there. It’s a life-changing experience to help deliver care, get to know patients and have their trust. It’s a huge responsibility and a privilege to share in their stories.”
We did it! Thanks to the generosity of so many, the Brighter Light Campaign was able to raise an astounding $203,236,489! This figure not only sets a new fundraising record for the College but also significantly exceeds our original goal of $150 million.
As I travel around the country, sharing the results of the campaign and expressing our overwhelming gratitude to alumni and friends of the College, I always share this exact figure. Why? Because every dollar counted in this effort. Every gift, big and small, is already making a difference in the lives of Kalamazoo College students, faculty and staff.
The numbers are impressive, to be sure: More than 16,000 individual donors. More than $89 million given to the endowment. More than $90 million raised for scholarships and financial aid. I invite you to visit our website (kzoo.edu/brighterlight) to learn more. Yet what is most impressive is how those dollars will help our students turn their aspirations into achievements. Thanks to your support, more students will be able to come to Kalamazoo College, take advantage of study abroad, expand their summer and senior research opportunities and participate in internships that prepare them for meaningful careers. Faculty will be able to develop new coursework, perform research with their students and present at prestigious conferences; staff can develop new programs to support and enrich student life. The College can modernize historic spaces, enhance athletics and arts experiences, enhance student success programming and develop plans to offer new residential living spaces for the first time since 1967!
This issue of LuxEsto will share some of the stories of K community members whose lives have already been positively impacted by the Brighter Light Campaign. I hope you find their stories as inspiring as I do. You’ll also find the story of Dr. Nic Helmstetter ’10 and his work with Street Medicine Kalamazoo. While Nic graduated long before the Brighter Light Campaign ever started, his story reminds us of the motivation behind the campaign: that when talented students are given the opportunity to come to K, whatever their calling may be, they go forth to create a brighter world.
Finally, while the Brighter Light Campaign has ended, the opportunities to support K continue. Upcoming events include Hornet Athletics Giving Day in February and the Day of Gracious Giving in May, which supports the Kalamazoo College Fund, providing immediate funds for financial aid, faculty and staff, and the College’s greatest needs and unforeseen challenges. These funds support the student experience directly, where and when it’s needed most.
On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, thank you to all who give of your time and treasures to K. It truly is, as the alma mater states, a “most hallowed place/where hope and joy renew.”
Frances Geraldine (Russell) Medlin’47 on August 26, 2024, just shy of her 100th birthday. Fran majored in English literature and played the clarinet with the college band at K. Her love of travel began with train trips with her college roommates to see New York and Boston. She dreamed of graduating and working in journalism, but when World War II intervened, she performed clerical work for Sibley Machine & Foundry. Following the war, Fran became a flight hostess with Braniff Airways and moved to Dallas, where she met Shirley Allen (Al) Medlin. Fran and Al married in 1948. Fran was a fine homemaker and a loving mother. She loved to travel, especially to historic places, read and do needlework. She decided to return to college, attending North Texas State University and completing her bachelor’s in English literature and a dual master’s in education and library science. She served as head librarian at Lake Highlands High School until she retired in 1983. She obtained membership in the Order of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the American Revolution and was interested in genealogy. Living in Garland, Texas, they were longtime members at Eastern Hills Country Club and Monica Park Christian Church, where Fran sang in the choir. Fran and Al enjoyed playing bridge and dominoes with friends and vacationing in the western U.S., the British Isles, Russia, the Mediterranean and the Holy Land. Later, Fran and Al were members of the First Baptist Church of Garland, and lived in Rowlett, Texas. Final years were spent at Atria Independent Living, in Plano, Texas. Fran was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 70 years. She is survived by three children; six grandchildren, including Sara Medlin ’06; and eight great-grandchildren.
Phillip Hawley Avery ’51 on September 5, 2024. Phil began his studies at Kalamazoo College. Two years later, he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and was honorably discharged from the Navy in June 1950. He completed a degree in paper technology and chemistry from Western Michigan University. He worked at the Parchment Paper Co. before moving to the Rochester Paper Co. in Rochester, Michigan, where he worked as a research chemist and administrator. After the company was sold, he moved his family to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and began working for the former Eaton Dikeman (now Ahlstrom Filtration) in Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, retiring in 1994 as president and general manager. Phil met Patsy Ann Bair at a dance hall during Phil’s summer break from college; they were married in 1953. They had three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Phil was very athletic. He loved fishing and swimming, and every summer vacationed with his family on the Canadian side of Lake Huron. After moving to Pennsylvania, Phil bought a farm in Newville and eventually had the barn and farmhouse listed in the Cumberland County list of historical landmarks. He was a master woodworker and loved to create furniture and other gifts for his friends and family. He and Pat loved to dance; listen to big band, jazz and country and western music; and travel and go on cruises. After Pat passed away in 2009, Phil stayed active in woodworking, model railroading and spending time with his family. Phil served as an elder and deacon at Dickinson Presbyterian Church in Carlisle. He was well known for his patience, love and distinctive laugh.
Dolores Charles’51 on March 6, 2024.
James Davis Corfield Jr. ’51 on February 27, 2024. Jim met his wife, Jane Ellenburg ’51, at Kalamazoo College. He attended medical school at the University of Michigan, did a residency in Denver, then moved to Coronado, California, and set sail for Okinawa in the Navy as a ship’s doctor. After his discharge from the Navy, Jim and Jane made their way to Los Altos, California, where he settled happily for 62 years. He joined the staff at El Camino Hospital in 1961, where he participated in the first operation performed there. He spent his career at El Camino Hospital as an anesthesiologist and served a term as chief of staff. Jim was an avid golfer, and he and Jane joined the Los Altos Golf and Country Club. Jim was happiest on the golf course and spent as much time as possible there. Jim and Jane made almost all of their lifelong friends at the club, where he was the longest active member. He served on the board of directors in 1998. In addition to golf, he enjoyed photography, tennis and traveling. He was always positive and upbeat and constantly humming and singing, even in the operating room. Jim was married to his college sweetheart for 62 years before Jane passed away in 2017. He is survived by his three children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Paul Lipschutz ’51 on April 17, 2023. Paul raised his family in Skokie, Illinois, was a respected manufacturer’s representative for General Wire Spring Co. for over 40 years, and served honorably in the U.S. Army in Germany during the post-WWII era. Paul had a wonderful sense of humor; he always left you with a joke and smile. He was most known for his devotion to his wife and family. Paul was the beloved husband for 68 years of Shirley (Mendelsohn) Lipschutz, loving father of a daughter and adored grandpa of a grandson.
Georgia Mae (Adler) Merchant ’51 on February 25, 2024, at Woodland Terrace in St. Joseph, Michigan. Georgia attended K before earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of Illinois. In 1951, Georgia married the love of her life, Howard Merchant ’52, in St. Joseph. The two were happily married for 61 years before his passing in 2012. She worked as a registered nurse from 1952 until her retirement in 1986. Georgia enjoyed tending to her rose garden, traveling with her family and attending social events. She was an active member in a variety of clubs through the First Congregational Church, as well as a proud member of the National Organization for Women. Georgia was a strong matriarch within her circle of family and friends, providing guidance to many throughout their lives. Her determination and strength of character helped ease others’ burdens and demonstrated the possibility of persevering though life’s challenges. Georgia was a three-time cancer survivor, two-time heart attack survivor and lived with a myriad of afflictions that only made her more determined in her journey and messaging to others right up until the end. Georgia was preceded in death by her husband, Howard. She is survived by her two sons, a daughter, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Marian (Hellmann) Panny ’51 on January 4, 2023, in South Holland, Illinois. Marian liked to play cards and go square dancing. She was a good cook. She loved to watch Jeopardy! She was loved and will be missed. She was married on May 30, 1955, to her beloved late husband, Joseph H. Panny. Marian and Joe had three children and three grandchildren.
Barbara Ann (Wren) Sulkowski ’52on October 29, 2023. Barbara was the beloved and devoted wife of Louis Truesdell. She is pre-deceased by her first husband, Edward Z. Sulkowski ’53. Barbara was the loving mother of two children, proud grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of two.
Robert Grant Nichols ’53on June 14, 2023.
Charles A. Van Zoeren ’53on June 1, 2024. Charles attended Kalamazoo College and graduated from Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he met his wife, Joan. They were married in 1954, while he was on a weekend pass from the U.S. Army. They began their lives together at Fort Bliss, Texas, settling in Kalamazoo in 1956. His entire career was with the family company Alvan Motor Freight Inc. When the company closed in 2008, he published a company history, It Was a Good Run. He was involved with the Kalamazoo Jaycees, Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce, Kalamazoo Rotary Club, boards including the YMCA and the Gilmore International Piano Festival, and Trinity Lutheran Church, singing in the choir for over 50 years. He and Jo enjoyed many winters in Florida. Among his activities were politics and government, tennis, biking, skiing, choral singing, local theatre, and writing delightful rhyming poems to recognize special occasions and holidays. Chuck and Jo traveled extensively throughout the United States and all seven continents. They volunteered for Rotary International projects in India and Haiti, and for Lutheran Church relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. For 30 years, he served as a trustee of Ripon College. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2018. Charles is survived by his three children and four grandchildren.
Marylyn (Eck) Morrell ’54 on May 14, 2023. She excelled at Kalamazoo College, where she met her husband, James “Jim” Morrell ’53, during her freshman orientation. College was interrupted when she joined him during his military service at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for two years, where she worked as a typist and assistant to the general. When Jim’s service requirement was over, they moved back to Kalamazoo, and Jim took a job at Saga Corp. while Marylyn completed college, carrying her first child on stage to receive her diploma. Marylyn went on to receive her master’s degree in psychology from Western Michigan University, where she stayed to teach. Jim’s work transfer to Saga headquarters in Menlo Park led Marylyn, Jim and their two children to Atherton, California, in 1966. Marylyn had an unwavering dedication to providing opportunities for women and promoting gender equality. In 1972, she was one of five founders of the Resource Center for Women. Marylyn loved literature and the arts, classical music, opera, ballet and the symphony. She read voraciously about anything and everything and remembered everything she read. She and Jim collected post-war modern art well before it was recognized as an important era in American art. Marylyn and Jim traveled extensively, both for enjoyment and to learn the history and culture of their destinations. Marylyn and Jim had an intense bond throughout their 64 years of marriage until his passing in 2017. She is survived by two children, her grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Marvin Schultz ’54 on September 25, 2023.
Kathleen (Lathers) Guernsey ’55on August 11, 2023, in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Daniel B. McFadden Sr. ’55 on July 17, 2023. Dan studied economics at K. He married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn A. Grimes, in Stetson Chapel in June 1954. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1955 and was drafted by the Army in 1956. Dan served in Germany, and Marilyn joined him there. He was honorably discharged in 1960, with the rank of sergeant. While in Germany, Dan and Marilyn welcomed the birth of their eldest son. After returning to the United States, Dan was employed by Michigan National Bank as a loan officer. When American National Bank was formed, Dan served as its city president and later returned to Michigan National. In 1983, Dan moved to Marshall, Michigan, to become a vice president for Michigan National and later served as its city president. He retired early in 1988, and started his own commercial real estate firm, McFadden Commercial Services, where he worked until 2022. Dan served as an elder at Westlake Presbyterian in Battle Creek and First Presbyterian of Marshall. He was active with the Boy Scouts (Troop 355) and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his service. Dan also served the business community as the president of the Jaycees and the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce and board member for Battle Creek Unlimited. He was a member of AMBUCS and Toastmasters International. Dan enjoyed evenings dancing with Marilyn and the Sundown Squares, travels with his family all over the U.S., and meetings with the Literary Guild. Dan was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother and uncle. He is survived by five children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Jean (Rogers) Morgan ’55on March 19, 2023, in South Glens Falls, New York. A retired nurse of over 40 years, Jean was passionate about quilting and displaying her work at local quilt shows. She loved travel, church and spending time with her dear friends and family. Her love and kindness will always be remembered. Jean was predeceased by her son. She is survived by two daughters.
Irma (Grissom) Sevin ’55on August 12, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Whitney Sevin ’53, in 2021.
Berchard Duane Arnold ’56on December 2, 2023, in Franklin, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kay (Jorgensen) Arnold; and his son; and son-in-law. He is survived by his daughter; daughter-in-law; two grandchildren; and siblings, including his brother, Keith Arnold ’59.
Phillip Welton Lewis ’56 on February 8, 2023. Phillip served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, worked for his father at Lewis Electric for a few years, then worked for and retired from Ford Motor Co. as an engineer. On September 23, 1957, he married Francis Marilyn Fogle, known as Marilyn. He enjoyed playing golf and assembling golf clubs, chartering sailboats and sailing the Caribbean Islands. He was preceded in death by Marilyn in 2020. He is survived by two children, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Robert Francis Skora ’56 on May 4, 2024, in his home with his family by his side. Robert received a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and retired as a biochemist for Kimberly Clark. He was predeceased by his wife, Sandra Ullom Skora, and a son, Kenneth Richard Skora. Left to cherish his memory are his son, William “Bill” Skora, and two grandchildren.
Carol J. (Miller) Holmes Layman ’58 on April 24, 2023. In 1957, she married Arthur “Mike” Holmes in Kalamazoo, a blessed union of 29 years until his passing in 1986. Carol attended Kalamazoo College and earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Alma College. She worked as a medical technologist for 40 years, retiring from Tolfree Memorial Hospital in West Branch, Michigan. Carol took pride in serving her communities. She was a past member and officer of Business and Professional Women of Michigan, worked with Hospice of Michigan and Isabella County Soup Kitchen, and served as a board member of the Gratiot County Democratic Party and the Pine River Super Fund Cleanup. She was a faithful and devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Alma, where she sang with the choir and was active with annual book sales to raise money for scholarships. A devoted mother, she enjoyed attending her children’s sporting events and helped with 4-H. She was a member of PTO and the PTA. She enjoyed knitting and was an avid reader. Carol was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by five children, including Timothy (Jan ’82) Holmes ’81; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
George Pixley ’58 on July 17, 2023. George earned a B.A. in history at K. In Kalamazoo, George joined the First Baptist Church Choir, where he met Janyce Babcock. They married in 1958. Chicago was home for five years while George was studying for his M.S. and Ph.D. in Biblical studies at the University of Chicago. Their daughter, Rebecca, was born in 1959, and their son, Kevin, was born in 1962. George and Janyce were active with the Woodlawn Baptist Church. In 1963, George was ordained by the Woodlawn Baptist Church, Chicago Baptist Association, and the family moved to Puerto Rico, where George served as professor of Old Testament at the Evangelical Seminary. Their son, Mark, was born in San Juan in 1967. In 1975, the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (ABFMS) appointed the Pixleys for missionary service in Mexico, where George served as professor and dean at the Theological Seminary in Mexico City. The Pixleys were assigned to Nicaragua in 1986, to serve at the Baptist Seminary in Managua. George served on the editorial boards for several theological journals and wrote textbooks and award-winning commentaries on Exodus and Job. George and Janyce retired from the ABFMS in 2002, and settled at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California. Both George and Janyce were members of the executive board of the First Baptist Church. George continued to write books and articles in Spanish and English. He also was involved with the Society of Biblical Literature. George was preceded in death by his wife, Janyce. He is survived by three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Victor Cummings ’59on August 6, 2023, at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A true jokester at heart, Victor had an uncanny ability to weave humor into every conversation. His penchant for sharing a well-timed joke, even in the most unexpected moments, endeared him to everyone he encountered. His love for fishing took him to tranquil waters, where he found solace and joy in the rhythm of the waves. Victor’s truest and deepest bond was with his beloved wife, Lara Cummings. Their extraordinary partnership spanned over 37 magical years, characterized by an unbreakable bond and an unwavering love that served as a guiding light to all who knew them. Victor and Lara’s home was always open to those in need; it was a haven of support and positivity for anyone seeking a friendly hand. Together, they created a life that exemplified the meaning of devotion. Victor considered St. Matthew Lutheran Church (Hawthorn Woods) and Immanuel Lutheran Church (Des Plaines) his forever homes. He was an integral member of the nonprofit Pegasus Children’s Airlift, which brought orphans from the former Soviet Union to America for medical procedures. Victor’s legacy extends through his two children and his treasured grandchildren.
Robert David Hagen ’59on June 20, 2023, at his home in Brandon, Mississippi. He was a strong and caring man who raised his family well. He was a businessman for over 35 years in the Jackson area and was the previous owner of AAA Printing & Graphics, a family business that continues today. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Jackson Country Club and the Rotary Club. He was a faithful husband and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna; three children; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Regan Granville Smith ’60 on May 9, 2024, at his home in Springfield, Illinois. Regan married Lillian Sanders Levine in 1968, in Battle Creek, Michigan. After earning his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he taught at the University of Wyoming, then became a founding professor at Sangamon State University. He participated in professor exchange programs in London and China, where he made lifelong friends. He retired from SSU as professor emeritus in 1993. An avid reader, his home was a treasure trove of books spanning a multitude of genres and subjects. He also had a particular affection for films of various genres. Regan was a vibrant member of the Springfield theatrical community. In his moments of solitude, Regan found solace in the art of gardening. His garden was a testament to his patience and attention to detail, with a variety of lilies planted in loving memory of his wife. The blooms stood as a symbol of his enduring love and the beauty they shared in life. A cherished soul known for his loving nature, sharp wit and keen intellect, Regan was a beacon of knowledge and joy to all who knew him. His wife, Lillian, preceded him in death in 2000. Regan is survived by his son and grandchildren.
Alfred G. Izzo ’62on August 20, 2024, from COVID-19 complications. He also suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Fred earned his D.D.S. at the University of Detroit. He served as a captain in the Army. He opened his practice in New Milford, Connecticut, as a general dentist and served the community for 52 years. He was an active member of the Danbury Dental Society and served as the president of the Connecticut Society of Dentistry for Children. Fred, Freddy, or Doc, as his friends called him, lived a life full of laughter and love. Fred loved skiing, playing tennis and golf, playing cribbage with his family, taking care of his garden, and chopping wood for his fireplace. Fred had and trained numerous Labrador dogs. He always had a dog by his side. Fred loved to cook and bake. What Fred loved most was certainly his wife, Barbara. In his last days, he wanted nothing more than to be close to her and tell her he loved her. Together they traveled the country and enjoyed their vacations with both immediate and extended family. Whether Fred traveled with family or friends, he was going to have the eggs, bacon, toast and coffee ready for them when they woke up. Fred gave his children many great memories and built them keepsakes that will be passed on for generations. Fred was not afraid to try new things. He helped all of his kids fix things around their homes or cars. Fred is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara; five children; and six grandchildren.
William Kruggel ’62 on July 13, 2024, in Laramie, Wyoming. Bill graduated from K with chemistry and German majors. He earned a master’s in chemistry and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Wyoming. He furthered his education with post-doctoral positions at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Wyoming. He taught chemistry at the Kippenberg-Gymnasium, a private girls’ school in Bremen, Germany. After that, he traveled extensively in Europe. Bill was employed as a staff member at the University of Wyoming in the Department of Molecular Biology (biochemistry department) until his retirement in 1995. He did volunteer work in the pharmacy department at Ivinson Memorial Hospital and at the Albany County Public Library. He traveled extensively with the Heritage Club.
Terrell Blodgett ’63 on August 3, 2024. Terry graduated from K with a degree in economics. He married Mary Ellen in 1966. The couple moved to Texas, where Terry pursued his studies and taught at Southwest Texas State College. Terry led a life marked by dedication, service and love. He answered the call to serve his country, joining the Central Intelligence Agency in 1974. The family moved to Virginia for his career, which also took them to Mexico and the Philippines, where he served with distinction. His children remember him as a kind, gentle and patient father. He spent hours researching answers for questions his children brought him and loved nothing more than caring for his family. He gave the warmest, enveloping hugs and always made sure they knew they were loved. Terry was a sincere Catholic and he instilled his love of the church in his family. Terry is remembered for his life of service, but mostly for the unwavering love he had for his family. Terry leaves behind his beloved wife of almost 58 years, Mary Ellen; five children; and 11 grandchildren.
Mauri (Monihon) Formigoni ’63 on July 16, 2024, at Country Lane Memory Care in Riverton, Illinois. An artist and educator, Mauri completed postgraduate studies at the Art Institute of Chicago and received her M.A. from Sangamon State University, now University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). Mauri began her career in Chicago and later moved to Springfield to raise her family. Mauri was a highly accomplished artist, often working on large installations utilizing materials such as fire, burned trees, birds and mosaics. Her work has been featured internationally, including a Fulbright at the University of Belgrade in former Yugoslavia. Her work can still be seen in many public and private galleries and state and federal buildings. Her most recent show, A Career Retrospective, was held in 2023, at the Springfield Art Association. Mauri loved her time exhibiting and teaching. She had a unique ability to connect with her students as art professor at UIS for over 20 years. After retirement, she moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she lived independently for 20 years. Mauri dedicated much of her time in Mexico to saving dogs and volunteering with the local humane society. She is survived by three children and six grandchildren.
Ginnie (Phillips) Oliver ’63 on August 29, 2024, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Ginnie earned her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint. She was united in marriage toPhillip Oliver ’64 in 1970, in Kalamazoo. Ginnie spent many years imparting wisdom and knowledge as a teacher in Michigan. She also worked as a draftsperson for Trane Corp. and finished her career as an engineering specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. A woman of many talents, Ginnie found joy in quilting, knitting, rubber stamping and crafting. She was an avid reader, with Agatha Christie novels often in her hands. Her compassion showed in her hobby of knitting hats for children in the hospital and local schools. She loved her Saint Bernards and dedicated her time to dog obedience training. Ginnie enjoyed curling and was a member of the La Crosse Curling Club. She also enjoyed rocks and fossils and was a member of the Heart of Wisconsin Gem and Mineral Club. Ginnie is survived by her loving husband, Phillip, and their son.
Richard Eick ’64on August 19, 2024. Dick majored in mathematics at K and completed master’s degrees in divinity and urban studies at Yale Divinity School and Yale University. Later, he earned his Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Dick’s professional life as a minister of the United Church of Christ (UCC) was driven by his commitment to pastoral care and social justice. His decades of service took him from urban congregations in Maryland and Virginia, to a rural congregation in Iowa. His adaptability was rooted in his dedication to learning the needs of the people and communities he served and shaping his ministry to meet those needs. Upon retirement to Red Wing, Minnesota, he continued to serve the UCC. Dick raised two daughters with his first wife, GretchenCassel Eick ’64. With his marriage to Carol (Huenemann) Eick, he embarked upon a loving and devoted partnership of more than 30 years that brought stepchildren into his family. He found joy in his work with Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity (where he was a board member) and pride in being a member of Red Wing’s PFLAG chapter and a community advisor to a Red Wing City Council member. Dick’s curiosity about the world took him across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. At K, he was a member of the college’s first cohort of students to study abroad at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone. Dick always found time for pursuits that fostered his physical and mental well-being—tennis, swimming, cycling, live theatre and music, reading and writing, and supporting his favorite sports teams. Most of all, he relished spending time with family and friends. In addition to his wife, Carol, Dick is survived by his children and stepchildren, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Jon Philip Cowan ’65 on August 18, 2024. Jon attended the University of Michigan Medical School and Anesthesia Program. He served two years at the Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital, followed by a 37-year career at Blodgett Hospital. Jon always felt privileged to be partnered with exceptional anesthesiologists in a respected medical community. An important part of Jon’s life was his 25-year, short-term medical mission participation in Honduras. Upon retirement, Jon received the Distinguished Physician award from Spectrum Health. Jon enjoyed his many years at the family condo in Glen Arbor, Michigan, his Thursday morning Bible study group, reading, and the company of his four golden retrievers. His greatest joy, without a doubt, was time spent with family: his wife, Wanda; two daughters; and six grandchildren.
Jeffrey Henry Beusse ’66 on July 4, 2024. Jeff received his B.A. in English from K and spent a quarter at Wilhelm University in Münster, Germany. Jeff earned an M.A. in English literature from the University of Idaho and a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Washington, specializing in Victorian poetry. In 1978, Jeff received a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law, where he served as law review editor. At K, he met the love of his life, Margaret Porter ’67. They married and enjoyed 57 wonderful years together. Jeff served on the board of directors for Project Rehab, the East Grand Rapids Library Commission, and the Grand Rapids Round Table. He co-founded the West Michigan Warriors Hockey Association. Jeff served as chairman of the board of directors at Burke E. Porter Machinery Co., where he served as counsel and helped the company expand to international markets. He was a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Association and served on the 1994–95 selection committee for the public defender for Western Michigan. Jeff was a proud philanthropic supporter of many organizations, including the Griffins Youth Hockey Foundation and Crested Butte Land Conservancy. He established a scholarship in English at Kalamazoo College. Jeff was a dedicated father and grandfather and an avid sports fan. He spent summer weekends at the lake in Newaygo, reading in the den, and enjoying quality time with his family. Jeff had a special place in his heart for the Rocky Mountains, which he explored as an Eagle Scout in his youth, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. An avid reader, Jeff loved recommending books and articles until his final days. Jeff is survived by his wife, Margaret; two children; and five grandchildren.
W. Frederick Schwenk ’69on September 22, 2024. On his path to becoming a physician, Fritz attended Kalamazoo College and Stanford University. He attended medical school at McGill University, where he met and married Nina, his wife of 46 years. He practiced at the Mayo Clinic for his entire career as a pediatric endocrinologist. He was beloved by his patients and staff and well known for his iconic dad jokes. Fritz was a great collector of experiences. He loved to travel and visited over 100 countries on all seven continents. When he traveled, he adored geocaching, which often allowed him to explore off the beaten trail. He was a theatre lover and saw all 39 of Shakespeare’s plays performed on stage, particularly at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. He also watched every Cirque du Soleil show around the world. Equally as important as his career to Fritz was his involvement with Destination ImagiNation, an extracurricular program for students that develops teamwork, improvisation and creative problem-solving skills. He was a natural mentor to countless young people around the world who grew up participating in the program, including his own children. Fritz is survived by his wife, Nina; two children; and three grandchildren.
Marcia Jean (Buchmueller) Cameron ’70on June 3, 2024. At Kalamazoo College, in addition to studying abroad in France and making lifelong friends, she met James Cameron ’69. Marcia and James married on September 5, 1970, and had 54 amazing years together. They were partners in all aspects of their lives—traveling, working on book projects, solving whodunit TV mysteries, and most mornings sitting on the front porch having coffee and solving the world’s problems. They raised three children, whom they loved spending time with and fully supported in all their varied endeavors over the years. Marcia had many adventures in her lifetime, including traveling to visit her daughter, Kelsey, in South Africa and Ecuador, son, Dan, in China, and son, Kyle, in various places around the country. She obtained a master’s in gerontology from the University of Michigan and contributed her skills and empathy at colleges, nursing homes and associations. Marcia supported the community in many ways, including creating little free libraries, art around Saline, Michigan, election work and philanthropy. She enjoyed developing and sustaining meaningful relationships with her extended family and her strong networks of friends. She organized a multitude of family gatherings, including giant, multi-day affairs, international vacations, and midwestern getaways. Her last evening was spent with her husband and two sons in the backyard that she had created to be a flower and greenery wonderland. In addition to her husband, Jim, she is survived by her three children and two grandchildren.
William Kraut ’70on June 1, 2024.
Arnold Haskins Campbell ’72on June 21, 2024, in Venice, Florida. Arnie earned his B.A from K, where he met his future wife, Martha “Marti” Larzelere ’72, and they married in August 1972. He received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame in 1975. Arnie worked briefly as a lawyer before joining the U.S. Department of State in 1976 and becoming a foreign service officer (diplomat). His overseas postings included East Berlin; Paramaribo, Suriname (twice); Rotterdam, Netherlands; Majuro, Marshall Islands; and Budapest, Hungary. He was consul general in Amsterdam when 9/11 occurred, and was protected by armed Dutch bodyguards. After his retirement, the State Department called him back in for temporary assignments as charge d’affaires (acting ambassador) in Luxembourg, Malta, Samoa (where a deadly tsunami hit), Georgetown (Guyana) and Curaçao. His last temporary assignment was as acting consul general in Adana, Turkey, on the Syrian border, where he again had armed guards. He received numerous Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards over the course of his career. In 2012, after they retired, Arnie and Marti moved to Venice Golf and Country Club, where he played golf and tennis and worked out daily on an elliptical machine. He was active in the club, serving on the Master Association and as president of the Men’s Golf Association. He and Marti continued traveling often to Peru, China, Bulgaria, Botswana/South Africa, Russia, Ireland, Scotland/U.K., Hawaii, Bermuda, Portugal, Spain, Egypt/Jordan, Italy, many U.S. National Parks, Quebec, Australia/New Zealand, Greece, Galapagos, St. Lucia and worldwide ski trips. They recently returned from a Kalamazoo College alumni trip to Germany (where Arnie visited his K study abroad site of Münster) and a visit to friends in Prague, Czechia, and were about to leave for a week in Barbados. Arnie and Marti were class agents for many years and have been lifelong contributors to Kalamazoo College. Arnie is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Marti, and his sister, Andrea Campbell ’74, and her husband. Memorial contributions can be made to the Ambassador Martha Larzelere Campbell and Consul General Arnold Campbell Foreign Study Endowment, Kalamazoo College.
David Wise Bisbee ’73on September 2, 2024. While earning a degree in political science, he studied in Sweden and became fluent in Swedish. David earned a master’s degree from University of Michigan School of Urban Planning and worked as a city planner in Kentwood, Michigan, and as executive director of a redevelopment corporation in Oklahoma City before relocating to the East Coast. He acquired a second master’s degree at New York University in real estate finance, working at National Bank of New York City and Met Life. David’s first marriage ended in divorce. In 1996, he married Kathryn Stenstrom, a teacher in Pelham, New York. They purchased a cottage on Lake Oscawana in Putnam County, New York. David was an avid post card collector, acquiring hundreds of post cards, especially of places where he had lived. He enjoyed his position as president of the Lake Oscawana Civic Association. Retirement brought David and Kathryn back to David’s hometown of Reed City, Michigan. David spent six years as an elected Reed City Town Council member. He helped the town navigate the acquisition of a new library, a theatre and many other civic projects. David enjoyed lake life and helped supervise the construction and renovation of their Lake Michigan cottage in Pierport. Health dictated the last chapter for David as he settled into residence in Bonita Springs, Florida. Even with his Parkinson’s condition, he was still an avid reader and enjoyed family and friends visiting. A true optimist, David loved his large extended family, including the family of his brother, his sister (Cheryl Stewart ’77) and Kathryn’s extended family, and was generous in his support. David is survived by his wife of 27 years, Kathryn. Memorial gifts may be made to the Kalamazoo College Class of 1973 Endowment.
Kathleen Mary (Ward) Moore ’83on September 8, 2024. Kathleen earned her B.A. in economics from K. She spent a semester in Caen, France, and it ignited her love for travel. Kathleen married Kevin Moore at St. Joseph Catholic Church on June 18, 1983. She began her career as a marketing specialist for Bill Knapp’s Restaurants before joining her alma mater’s Center for Career and Professional Development. Kathleen dedicated a decade to fostering love inside their home, and after her children had entered school, she became the liturgy coordinator/bulletin editor/receptionist at St. Philip Catholic Church. In 2009, she joined Community Action as a human resource assistant. She found her true passion when she became a certified family coach and subsequently special projects coordinator for Calhoun Intermediate School District. From 2019–23, Kathleen was executive director for Battle Creek Shared Services Alliance. A member of St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish, Kathleen lived for her faith, her family and the outdoors. She was a fierce advocate for public education and a member of the Lakeview School District board of education since 2003, spending 16 years in leadership positions, including serving as president from 2008 to 2017. She served on the Michigan Association of School Boards board of directors and was president from July 2023 to July 2024. On August 19, 2024, she received MASB’s highest award for an individual board member, the President’s Award of Recognition. Kathleen was a lifelong learner, deeply compassionate and devoted to building her community. She loved campfires, reading to children, red wine and pizza, crocheting blankets, being submerged in Lake Michigan, and making rosaries and her famous chocolate and peanut butter chip cookies. Above all, Kathleen adored her family. Surviving are her husband, Kevin; seven children; and five grandchildren.
Emily (Swendson) Fey ’01 on June 16, 2024, unexpectedly. Emily studied political science, played tennis and studied abroad in Madrid during her time at K. She received her J.D. from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa, and lived in her hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
