Category: Winter 2021

1960

On September 27, 2019, Donald H. Sanborn was awarded the 2019 Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service by the Michigan Historical Society at the organization’s state conference in Ludington, Michigan. A World War II veteran and retiree of The Upjohn Company, Don was recognized for his 78 years of combined volunteer service to the Schoolcraft Historical Society and the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. Don, with other Schoolcraft citizens, organized the purchase, refurbishing and maintenance of the Underground Railroad House, which is on the National Historic Register and open to public tours. At the Air Zoo, Don has volunteered close to 10,000 hours as a docent, and served on the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame selection committee and the Science Hall of Fame selection committee, organizing and streamlining the selection process for those two committees. He has written dozens of research articles for the Air Zoo newsletter for volunteers. Don’s goal is to introduce Michigan citizens and Air Zoo visitors to Michigan history, and he continues to do just that.

1964

Gretchen (Cassel) Eick worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., for more than a decade as a foreign and military policy lobbyist before earning a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Kansas and becoming a professor of history. Her book on the civil rights movement, Dissent in Wichita: The Civil Rights Movement in the Midwest, 1954-1972 (University of Illinois Press, 2001/2008), won three awards: the Richard L. Wentworth award, issued to the best book in U.S. history published by the University of Illinois Press; the University of Kansas’ Hall Center Award for the best book by a Kansas author; and the William Rockhill Nelson award for the best nonfiction book by a Kansas or Missouri author. She received two Fulbright Scholar teaching awards (Latvia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) and a Fulbright Hays grant (South Africa). Since retiring from fulltime teaching, she has been writing books. Her novels include Maybe Crossings (2015), Finding Duncan (2015), The Hard Verge: Britain, 2025 (2019) and The Set Up, 1984: Classified until 2064 (2020). Her double-biography and history of Native American physician, activist and writer Charles Ohiyesa Eastman and his Anglo wife, Elaine Goodale Eastman, was published in 2020 by the University of Nevada Press, and is titled They Met at Wounded Knee: The Eastmans’ Story. She edited The Death Project: An Anthology for These Times, published in September 2020. She lives half the year in Bosnia and Herzegovina and half in Kansas, teaching and writing with her husband, the poet Michael Poage. Gretchen graduated from K in 1964 with a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to Northwestern University for grad school in history and African studies. She had been one of the five K students who were the first to study at Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Gretchen writes, “Productivity and creativity don’t disappear when you retire from full-time employment. They often expand, nourishing and blessing your life.”

Riverblindness in Africa: Taming the Lion’s Stare (Johns Hopkins University Press) tells the story of how a large public-private partnership worked to control and defeat riverblindness—a scourge which had devastated rural communities and impeded socioeconomic development throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa for generations. Riverblindness (onchocerciasis)—a pervasive neglected disease transmitted by the blackfly—is also known as “lion’s stare” in reference to the fixed, lifeless glare of the eyes blinded by the disease. In his book, Bruce Benton draws on twenty years of experience managing the riverblindness program for the World Bank, along with extensive research and interviews, to explore this epic effort and the importance of disease control in alleviating poverty and promoting development. Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine says, “The story of riverblindness control is one of the most important in all global public health. Bruce Benton was there from the beginning, and his insights provide important and timeless lessons for conquering illness and health disparities.”

1970

Linda (Schubert) Ryan writes, “I taught ESL at two- and four-year colleges, as well as several private schools for more than 30 years. After moving to the Buffalo area to be near my granddaughter, I started volunteering with the Buffalo literacy group. I had a private student for nine months and most recently taught a class of low-level second-language learners at a local library. I’ve enjoyed traveling to Thailand, Japan, Costa Rica and Europe since my children finished college. I hope to travel more soon. Right now, I am spending my time reading, Zooming, sewing and swimming.”

Lucinda (Hargrave) Bellairs says she is “retired from Hewlett Packard and busy with care for my grandchildren in Michigan and Massachusetts. I enjoy quilting, genealogy, hand bells and singing, book clubs, hiking and camping.”

1973

Fifty years after meeting as first-year students at K and helping to found the first outing club, a small group of class of ’73 members and their spouses shared memories while gathered on the Appalachian Trail near Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. From left to right: Jim Phelan, Kathy (Smith) Phelan, Al Hauck, Tanya Hauck, Sally Reynolds (spouse of John Deupree), Larry Banta and John Deupree. Many in this group, along with others from the class of ’73, have continued to share outdoor adventures over the years including Boundary Waters and Grand Canyon rafting. 

1975

MacroGenics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, announced the appointment of Stephen Eck, M.D., Ph.D., as senior vice president of clinical development and chief medical officer beginning July 1, 2020. Stephen most recently served as chief medical officer of Immatics US, a company focused on TCR-based immunotherapies, and as president and chief executive officer of Aravive Biologics. Before these roles, he was vice president and global head of oncology medical sciences at Astellas Pharma. He has also held leadership positions in drug development as vice president of translational medicine and pharmacogenomics at Eli Lilly and as head of clinical oncology at Pfizer. He began his professional career at Monsanto in cancer target discovery and later joined the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the Anne B. Young Assistant Professor of Cancer Research and the director of the cancer gene therapy program. Eck currently serves as a director for Luminex Corporation and Circulogene, and is on the boards of directors for the Personalized Medicine Coalition and the Central Pennsylvania Clinic. He is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. After graduating from Kalamazoo College, he earned an M.S. and a Ph.D. from Harvard University, and an M.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine with residency and fellowship training at the University of Michigan.

1983

Suzanne Kleinsmith Saganich was recognized for the 12th year in a row by Best Lawyers in the areas of banking and finance law, financial services regulation law and real estate law. Best Lawyers’ methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

1985

Rob Buchanan has been sworn in as the 86th president of the State Bar of Michigan. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack presided at the virtual ceremony on September 17. Rob is cofounder and managing member of Buchanan & Buchanan, PLC in Grand Rapids, and concentrates his practice on plaintiff medical malpractice, auto and truck accidents and commercial litigation. In addition to his service with the State Bar of Michigan, he has also served in various roles with the Michigan State Bar Foundation, Federal Bar Association, Grand Rapids Bar Association, Michigan Association for Justice and International Society of Primerus Law Firms. Rob has been involved in State Bar work for more than a decade and has served on many of its committees and groups. He has served on the SBM Board of Commissioners and as treasurer, secretary, vice president and president-elect. After graduating from K, Rob earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

1991

Famous Products Inc. announced the hiring of Paul Reppenhagen as president and CEO. Famous Products markets and sells various BBQ-related consumer packaged foods across the United States under the Famous Dave’s brand to the retail class of trade. Before this appointment, Paul founded Bold North Strategy Partners, LLC and was CMO and head of corporate strategy for post-consumer brands and MOM Brands in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He earned a B.A. in economics from Kalamazoo College and both an M.B.A. in strategic management and an M.B.A. in marketing from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

1993

Simona (Boata) King, CPA, M.B.A., joined Tmunity Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company, as chief financial officer. Tmunity noted that Simona will “leverage nearly two decades of work with Bristol-Myers Squibb, and strategic finance experience across all pharmaceutical business functions, including manufacturing, research and development from preclinical to late stage, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial product launches.” In her most recent role with Emergent BioSolutions, Simona led the financial management and long-term financial planning functions, and was heavily involved in external capital financing activities. After graduating from K with a degree in economics and a diploma in African studies from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, Simona earned her M.B.A. in finance from Columbia Business School.

Kyle Dell was named interim academic dean at Guilford College for the 2020-21 academic year. An associate professor of political science, Kyle is co-chair of environmental and sustainability studies and has more than 17 years of experience at Guilford. He has also served as associate academic dean, providing important leadership in implementing the Guilford Edge, and is a recipient of an American Council on Education fellowship. He is pictured with his wife, Erin Brownlee Dell ’93. 

1996

Josh Azriel, Ph.D., is professor of journalism and emerging media at Kennesaw State University in metro Atlanta. He is in his 15th year at the university. He just published a book, Restricting Los Angeles Paparazzi: California’s Legal Efforts Impacting Free Press Rights (Lexington Books, 2020). He would love to hear from his old classmates from K: josh.azriel@gmail.com.

The Walters Family Foundation welcomed Libby Levy as the organization’s new director. Libby joined the foundation in June 2019, bringing more than 18 years of experience in community development, philanthropy and urban planning. She has held positions at organizations including ProSeeds, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Jefferson East Business Association. She also was an urban planning lecturer at University of Michigan. As director, Libby will focus on building relationships statewide with organizations that successfully pursue objectives reflecting the priorities of the Walters Family Foundation. 

Jennifer Mrozowski, APR, has joined the Education-Trust-Midwest to serve as director of communications, recently leaving her role as executive communications lead writer for the CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. In her new role at the education policy and advocacy organization, Jennifer, a former education journalist, is proud to join a team of fierce advocates working toward the high academic achievement of all Michigan’s students, but particularly children of color and students in poverty. Additionally, in partnership with the Detroit Women’s Leadership Network and Detour Detroit, Jennifer recently teamed up with a group of women leaders to launch a digital magazine, The Blend, to help women find inspiration, advice and resources while connecting to an inclusive community dedicated to supporting each other. Jennifer also serves as a co-chair of the APR committee for the Public Relations Society of America-Detroit Chapter and strategic content editor for the Detroit Women’s Leadership Network. She is a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughters’ troop. 

1999

Hadley Moore’s short story collection, Not Dead Yet and Other Stories, studies the uncertainties of loss, turning a gaze toward the often-silenced voices of the infirm, elderly and adolescent. Rich in humor and honesty, Hadley’s debut collection presents a contemporary set of narratives from a lush cast of characters. Not Dead Yet won Autumn House Press’s 2018 fiction contest; was longlisted for the 2020 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection; won the 2020 Eric Hoffer Book Award’s short story/anthology category, as well as a First Horizon Award for debut books, and was on the short list for the grand prize; and was also shortlisted in the short stories category for the Rubery Book Award. Her work has appeared in Newsweek, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Witness, Amazon’s Day One, Alaska Quarterly Review, December, Indiana Review, Anomaly, Quarter After Eight, Confrontation, The Drum, Sequestrum, Ascent, Midwestern Gothic, Redux, Knee-Jerk Magazine and other publications. She is at work on a novel and another collection, and is an alum of the M.F.A. Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.

2005

Brett Blaauw landed a coveted spot on the Fruit and Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of 2020, announced by Fruit Growers News. Brett, an assistant professor and cooperative extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, holds a joint appointment in Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. Brett’s research and extension programs focus on addressing grower needs through a combination of laboratory studies, research farm trials, on-farm research and collaboration with colleagues and county extension personnel. Currently, his primary initiative zeroes in on reducing the burden caused by the No. 1 pest concern for peach growers in Georgia, San Jose scale. After majoring in biology at K, Brett earned a master’s degree in science from Western Michigan University and a doctorate from Michigan State University.

2008

Danielle Badra has been named the winner of the 2021 Etel Adnan Poetry Prize for her collection Like We Still Speak, which will be published by the University of Arkansas Press in fall 2021. Each year, the Etel Adnan Poetry Prize awards publication to a first or second book of poetry by a writer of Arab heritage. Danielle, who is of Syrian and Lebanese heritage, was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and currently resides in Virginia. An alumna of the M.F.A. program at George Mason University, she is a management analyst and technical writer. Her poetry has been published in Mizna, the Greensboro Review, Bad Pony, Rabbit Catastrophe Review, Duende, Split This Rock, Beltway Poetry Quarterly and Outlook Springs. Series editors Hayan Charara and Fady Joudah said of Danielle’s collection: “Danielle Badra’s poems strive to make sense of that most present yet often elusive condition—being human—and she does so with insight, grace and originality. Her attention to grief is polyphonic. The voices of those lost to her become voices we embrace. We’re thrilled to help her bring this book into the world.”

Emily Dayton has commenced a two-year Master of Business Administration at the University of California San Diego Rady School of Management. She is the recipient of two fellowship awards from the Rady School: the Dean’s Foster Chair Fellowship as well as one of the inaugural Rady Staff Scholarships.

Lenya Friesner married her partner Chau Pham in Ludington, Michigan, on August 22, 2020. Lenya’s parents Scott Friesner (‘77) and Suzanne Friesner (‘78) were in attendance. The couple are wearing t-shirts designed by Lenya for the Kalamazoo College biology department, promoting the concept of unity within diversity.

2009

Will Dickson was named to DBusiness Magazine’s 30 in their Thirties list for 2020. The Detroit business journal notes that, as managing director of Finance Michigan and president of Marketplace Homes, Will was among leaders who “dug deep for an extra measure of fortitude to meet the outbreak of COVID-19 and, along the way, developed new products and services, sought out cutting-edge business models, and pivoted into unchartered waters.”

Correction:

In the Spring 2020 issue, the ZooBit picturing classmates Betsy (Jones) Starman, Pat (Laitner) DeGraaf and Diane (Looney) Zink should have indicated that Pat is also a member of the class of 1967.

Did you get married? Have a baby? Get a new job or move to a new city? Tell us about your recent travels, career developments, family updates, mini-reunions or anything else you want to share! Photos are welcome. Use the handy form at kzoo.edu/alumni/services/send-in-a-class-note/ or email us at info@kzoo.edu. If you email, please include your class year.

Eugene C. (Gene) Yehle ’41 passed away on Friday, August 7, 2020, at age 100, in Midland, Michigan. Gene is remembered by many for his humility; his faith; his caring for his late wife Millie during her decade-long battle with dementia; his service to the Midland community; and his employment at the Dow Chemical Company. As Gene finished high school, he was encouraged by his pastor to attend Kalamazoo College, where he studied economics and met his late wife Mildred Hoff ’43. Together they had three children and had a lifelong love affair with Michigan, which included stops in Ann Arbor and Midland. Gene always had a thirst for education and teaching. He earned four degrees, including a bachelor’s from K; a master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan; a master’s in meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); and a doctorate from U of M’s School of Business Administration. Gene and Millie began their 70-year marriage in Detroit on June 14, 1943. A cadet in the Army Air Force at the time, Gene was stationed in the Boston area, which became the couple’s first home. He attended MIT before being reassigned to the Air Force Weather Service at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. With the war concluded, Gene and Millie relocated to Ann Arbor to pursue his doctorate and assume a faculty position at Michigan’s Business School as associate professor of statistics. During a sabbatical, Gene began consulting with Dow Chemical. In 1957, Gene was recruited for a full-time position at Dow, which became a 30-year career. During and after his Dow years, nonprofit organizations, including Alma College and the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, benefitted from his leadership and financial knowledge. He had been a trustee of the Strosacker Foundation since 1977 and its board chairman from 1983-2011. Gene was a trustee emeritus of Alma College, from which he held an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, and he supported several other faith-based charitable and nonprofit organizations. In 2015 Gene was named “Sweetheart” of the year by Creative 360, a Great Lakes Bay Region arts advocate organization, for his significant contributions through exceptional vision, leadership and commitment to the arts. Surviving Gene are his three children, including Dick Yehle ’68, an Emeriti Trustee of the College, six grandchildren, including Susan Ritter ’97, and six great-grandchildren. Gene was predeceased by his wife, Millie, in 2014.

Phillip Mange ’49 of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on June 18, 2020. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1943 and served (non-combat) in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II in Alaska. He graduated from Kalamazoo College with a degree in physics and earned his Ph.D. in physics at Pennsylvania State University, where he engaged in space research. Subsequently he served on the staff of the International Geophysical Year from 1957-58 in Belgium and the United States. In 1959 he moved to the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, D.C., where he continued to do upper atmosphere (ionosphere) research, served on a committee choosing the first woman astronaut and administrated the department where the gold-plated camera was built that went to the moon. In retirement he tutored in physics and was employed at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in D.C. before returning to Kalamazoo in 2008. He was married to Hazel “Eloise” Quick ’50 on August 25, 1951, and they enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Phillip was preceded in death by his wife, their beloved son, Thomas, and Corrinne Cummins, his dear companion during his last years in Kalamazoo. He is survived by his daughter.

Elizabeth Osborn Childress ’50 of Three Rivers, Michigan, died peacefully at her home on Pleasant Lake on August 4, 2020. At K, Elizabeth majored in religion and minored in speech and philosophy. She was active in theatre productions on campus and at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. While in college, she attended the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo where she taught Sunday school. Upon graduation, she obtained a position at the Congregational Baptist Church in Northfield, Minnesota, as director of youth ministry with students from Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges. On June 16, 1951, Elizabeth was joined in marriage to Eugene L. Childress ’51 at Stetson Chapel. Elizabeth continued her affiliation with K by serving as a secretary of the Alumni Association and member of Emeritus Club Board of Directors. Following her marriage, she and Eugene moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where he was stationed during the Korean War. Elizabeth and Gene moved to Three Rivers in 1955, where Elizabeth was a member of the First Baptist Church. For many years she enjoyed the fellowship of the Three Rivers First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for over 20 years. In 1969 she received the Citation Award for her outstanding contributions to the religious life of the community, a recognition of her leadership as president of Church Women United. She also served as an officer of the state American Baptist Women’s Association. Elizabeth served as president of the Three Rivers Hospital Auxiliary where she volunteered for over 30 years, on the board of directors of the Substance Abuse Council of St. Joseph County, and as a charter member of the Three Rivers Community Players. She is survived by two daughters, two grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene. 

Charlie Stanski ’50 peacefully passed away on June 19, 2020, with Carole, his wife of 39 years, by his side. Charlie was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 2011 he was inducted into the Indiana Hall of Fame as the leader of the 1942-43 basketball state championship for Fort Wayne Central High School. Charlie also gained recognition as a hall of fame athlete in football and basketball at Kalamazoo College. Prior to attending college, Charlie joined the United States Army Air Forces, and was stationed stateside and on Guam. He was a Pacific All-Star in basketball during his two and a half years of service. Charlie cherished his many friendships and enjoyed his long-term career as a personnel director at Allied Paper and First of America. His greatest love was for family, and he and Carole adored and spoiled their 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Known for his easy smile and affection for people, Charlie’s quiet intelligence and love of humor were evident by the sparkle in his eyes. Charlie was preceded in death by his son, Mark. He is survived by his wife, Carole, five children and two stepchildren. 

Andrejs Broze ’53 passed away on October 24, 2019. Andrejs was born in Riga, Latvia. Due to the pending Soviet invasion, he fled with his family to Germany in 1944, staying in displaced persons camps, where he met his wife, Aina. In 1949, Andrejs and Aina emigrated to the United States. Andrejs received his bachelor’s in physics from K and a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the University of Michigan in 1955. During his successful and rewarding carrier as a professional civil structural engineer, Andrejs worked for consulting and manufacturing organizations in southeast Michigan. He retired in 1992. Throughout his life, Andrejs served his church and many Latvian organizations. He was devoted to his family and loyal to his beloved alma mater. His passions were his family, his friends, golf and University of Michigan football. Andrejs was preceded in death by his sons, Peter and Paul. He is survived by his wife, son and two granddaughters.

Dean L. Forhan ’54 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2020. Dean had fond memories of basketball at Cooley High School in Detroit and at Kalamazoo College. He was actively involved with his church family his entire life. Dean retired after 39 years as a senior vice president at Comerica Bank. In retirement he enjoyed travel with Joan, his sweetheart of 51 years, and found joy in family, friends and laughing at the little things in life. He was preceded in death by his wife. He is survived by his four children, nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Beverly Belle (Nunn) Price ’57 passed away Monday, July 6, 2020. She was the loving wife of the late Jack Price ’54, dear mother of Andrew Price ’83, Julie Price ’91, the late Edward Price and the late William Price; and the proud grandmother of five. Beverly worked to support her husband through medical school and went on to have a successful career in real estate in the Grand Blanc area. Her husband, Jack, served as an alumni trustee on the Kalamazoo College board of trustees and was an enthusiastic admission volunteer with prospective students.

Dr. John Peter Robertson (“Doc”) ’60 of Sturgis, Michigan, passed away August 20, 2020, at his home. John attended Fort Wayne School of Business for one year, then attended Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College and Wayne State School of Medicine. Doc served as chief of medicine at Denver Children’s Hospital. He was a captain in the National Guard. He also was a member of the ski patrol in Breckenridge, Colorado. Doc opened his private practice in Sturgis in 1974. He then practiced emergency medicine at Sturgis Hospital until 2011, then transitioned into family medicine at the Center for Health and Wellness until February 2020. Doc was the president of the St. Joseph County Medical Society and served as the medical examiner of St. Joseph County for many years. He was a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church of White Pigeon. Doc had an infectious zest for life and was drawn to adventure, but his true joy was connecting with others. He was a devoted physician who spent time getting to know each and every patient for whom he cared. He was an incredible teacher to his medical colleagues, and he was joyfully committed to introducing new experiences to many of his family members and friends. John married Marilyn Kay in 1956, which ended in divorce. He is survived by his loving wife, Debra, his seven children, 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, as well as his brother, Thomas Robertson ’72.

Catherine Ann (Anderson) Taylor ’62 passed peacefully at home on July 18, 2020, after a beautiful sunrise on a clear, warm summer morning. Her family was at her side, and she was comfortable and at peace. She lived every one of her 80 years to the fullest, including the six years she fought colon cancer. At Kalamazoo College she graduated cum laude with a zoology degree and was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta women’s honor society and Phi Beta Kappa. She received the S. R. Light Fellowship for study overseas, where she was in the pilot program for Kalamazoo College’s study abroad program. She went on to receive a master’s and doctorate in cell biology from the University of Illinois, and was a pioneer in the then-nascent field of molecular biochemistry. Ann studied pancreatic cancer and diabetes at Fels Research Institute under Dr. Peter Varandani; then she became the electron microscopist for Wright State Medical School where she stayed until her retirement in 2003. She was the treasurer and co-president of the Microscopy Society of the Ohio River Valley and is listed in Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. Ann loved learning and exploration; horses were her other true passion. She was happiest when she was ankle-deep in mud, working to communicate with an animal ten times her size. She loved music and the arts, plays, musicals and operas, and attending them with her friends was another lifelong passion. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Brendon and Bethany (Pagal) Taylor ’94.

Herbert Fredrick Taylor ’62 died peacefully at home in Northport, Michigan, on June 24, 2020. While Herb’s career evolved throughout many locations around the country, from Massachusetts to Maui, he and his family called Northport home since 1965. After attending Kalamazoo College, he entered officer candidate school to become an instructor navigator in the Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force. After three tours in Vietnam and ten years in his beloved airplane, the KC-135, he joined the FAA as an air traffic controller and data systems specialist. Herb retired as air traffic control tower chief in Traverse City, then worked at Traverse City Central Dispatch. In his older years, he continued to pursue his love of celestial navigation and astrophysics through reading Carl Sagan, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Donald Goldsmith, among others. Herb enjoyed running, swimming and playing classical and ragtime piano, and he delighted in slapstick comedy. Herb is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Anne, three children and two grandchildren.

Charles Robert Fehr ’63 of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on August 6, 2020. Charles attended Kalamazoo College from 1959-62, and he graduated from the University of Michigan in 1964 with his bachelor’s in electrical engineering. He got his first job with AT&T, and met his future wife, Mary Frances Carroll, in San Francisco, California. He and Mary married in Kansas City, Kansas, on August 12, 1967. Rather than being transferred back East, they moved to Kansas City, where he began a new career with North Electric. He was hired by CBM, Inc. in the mid-1970s. He worked there until his retirement in 2002 as a manufacturer’s representative. He spent his retirement days enjoying friends and family, golfing, fishing and laughing with his grandchildren. His was a life well lived. 

William N. Beverly III ’64 passed away Friday, May 22, 2020, in Kalamazoo. At Kalamazoo College, Bill studied in Muenster, West Germany. He met Martha Staples ’66 and they married in 1965. They celebrated their 55th anniversary in March. After graduating, he earned a master’s in audiovisual media, mostly photography, under mentor Dave Curl. Bill taught in the Kalamazoo Public Schools for 37 years—primarily German, but also English, Spanish, introduction to languages, social studies, history and photography. He was much loved by students and colleagues, and his teaching and mentoring was lifelong: recently he’d returned to teaching German at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Kalamazoo. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, teaching her to take pictures, photographing her soccer matches, playing board games and showing her around the Gilmore Car Museum. Bill and Martha were regulars at theatre events in Kalamazoo and Stratford, Ontario; they also enjoyed live music, especially the Gilmore Keyboard Festival, Fontana and Kalamazoo Symphony. As his sons played soccer, he coached and refereed. He kept a large garden and studied and cooked recipes from around the world. He began learning Morse code amateur radio in the 1980s and by the 1990s had raised a 64-foot antenna rig above the family garage so he could talk to ham radio operators around the world. He and his family traveled across North America; with Martha, he voyaged abroad with Road Scholar programs to Italy, Germany, Austria, China, Cuba, Spain, France and more. Since 1997 he and Martha sang and hosted Sacred Harp shape note music singings. When it came time for him to go, Bill declared that he was ready. Hold him in your heart and stay in touch. “Carry on,” as he would say. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a granddaughter.

David Filkin ’65 passed away after a short illness on May 31, 2020. He was a husband, father, grandfather, guide, teacher, mentor, friend and inspiration to people all over the world. He loved traveling, his family, nature and carving, but above all else he loved to make everyone laugh. He was gracious, kind, funny, loving and was able to make anyone smile. He had a sense of humor that was unexpected and all-knowing. His long and fulfilling life led him to many places all over the world, including Tibet, India, Nepal, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Iceland and all over the United States. From his youth in Kansas and Michigan, his college days in Kalamazoo, his Peace Corps time in Nepal, his adult life in Michigan working at Ford Motor Company, his retirement years in Cody, Wyoming, he brought joy and love to everyone he met. He was a wonderful man who filled so many people with love and laughter. Let him inspire us all to fill the world with love and laughter.

Michael D. Wade ’65 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on July 25, 2020. Mike was a scholar, an avid reader of the great classics and a true gentleman. He perhaps will be remembered best as a loving father, an extraordinary companion and a loyal friend. Mike earned a bachelor’s in philosophy from K and then entered the U.S. Army to serve his country in Vietnam. Following his service, he completed his M.B.A. in 1972 at Western Michigan University, and earned his J.D. in 1974 from the University of Toledo College of Law, where he was valedictorian and editor of Law Review from 1973 to 1974. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar Association in 1975 and completed his law career with Garan Lucow Miller, P.C. in Grand Rapids. Mike wrote several legal books for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, including The Michigan Law of Damages and Civil Procedure During Trial, as well as over 20 articles on damages, evidence, ethics and civility, published in various legal and law school journals. He also briefed and/or argued six Michigan Supreme Court cases and over 40 court of appeals cases during his legal career. He spoke at bar association and client seminars, taught trial techniques, and served as an adjunct professor at Cooley Law School. Hockey was Mike’s passion. He was a huge Red Wings fan and held front-row Griffins seats for years. Mike loved talk radio and his music choices ranged from Shostakovich to
AC/DC. T.S. Eliot and Russell Kirk were two of his favorites. Mike will be deeply missed by his two children and his long-time partner, Lynn Beatty.

John T. Million ’65 of Monticello, Indiana, passed away on May 28, 2020. After K, John earned his law degree from Indiana University. John set up his law practice in Monticello and practiced for over fifty years. He served as city attorney at the time of the Monticello tornado and was instrumental in rebuilding the city. He served as attorney for White County Memorial Hospital for many years. The Legal Services Program of Northern Indiana, Inc. Board of Directors recognized him for his years of volunteer service. He was named attorney of the year by the Indiana District of Pro Bono. He most recently served as the attorney for Twin Lakes School Corporation, served on the White County Merit Board, and served as attorney and adviser for Lighthouse Recovery; he served as court-appointed attorney for many years. John was the Democrat member on the White County election board and precinct committeeman. He was a member of Monticello Rotary Club and Junto Club and a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, where he sang in the choir, served on session and attended weekly bible study. For many years, he sang in the Bach Chorale. He married the former Constance “Connie” Kuchar-Walsh and she survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and five grandchildren, including Megan Walsh ’14, Emily Walsh ’16, Tim Walsh ’19 and Andrew Walsh ’22.

Douglas Sundstrom Faulkner ’71 of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, died December 18, 2018. A nature lover, music lover and biology major at K, Doug subsequently received master’s degrees in elementary school education (1975) and environmental education (2005). His careers included furniture refinishing, elementary school teaching and programming/analyst work. Doug described his experiences with the Kalamazoo College Choir (and Singing City Choir): “I remember the Kalamazoo College group of 65 who traveled to the Midwest, to sing in towns at American Baptist churches. Being together for a week period and singing each night gave us the opportunity to develop a single sound. I remember the four Poulenc motets that we sang over and over until the choir actually seemed to move and breathe as a single organism. The small Singing City group that went to Maine, Boston and New Hampshire for a four-day weekend matched the Kalamazoo College choir in a singular spirit. Such a choir must be heaven for the conductor, since on these occasions the choir knows the music completely and is sensitive to each subtle motion the director makes. The choir is unique and is something that can never be duplicated after the tour.” Doug is survived by Deb Foote Faulkner ’71, two children and two grandchildren. 

Kurt J. Leithauser ’73, of Florida, passed away on June 8, 2020.

Jennifer (Sumner) Hammett ’74 passed away on August 20, 2017, after facing serious illness for many years. At the time of her passing, Jennifer was an associate professor at San Francisco State University School of Cinema, where she was a scholar of American and international film history and criticism, whose work in feminist and post-modern theory was internationally admired. She developed the school’s “writing across the curriculum” course and spearheaded Cinema’s graduation writing assessment requirement program. Jennifer’s devotion to excellence in teaching was legendary among students, her colleagues and across the University. Jennifer was also a filmmaker. She produced (in collaboration with photographer Camille Seaman) Habits of Faith, an experimental documentary about an 86-year-old female print artist, as well as a short documentary on sexual assault in the military in association with the Veteran Documentary Corps.

FACULTY AND STAFF

David H. Curl of Kalamazoo passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at the age of 88. David was an alumnus of Ohio University and Indiana University, taught photography and graphic arts at Kalamazoo College, Western Michigan University and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and had been a photographer, media producer, author, editor and publisher. He retired as a colonel in the United States Air Force and served with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the National Park Service. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ardyce, his former wife Dorothy Goodwin, two children, three stepchildren, two grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Kathryn (Stratton) VanDis of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on February 18, 2020, at the age of 97. Kay was the beloved assistant to several Kalamazoo College presidents in her nearly 30-year career at the college. She joined the College in 1962, leaving her post briefly in 1988. In 1990, at the urging of Acting President Timothy Light, Kay agreed to return to assist in the transition of Dr. Lawrence Bryan as the College’s 15th president. During her tenure, Kay also worked with Presidents Weimer K. Hicks, George Rainsford and David Breneman, as well as with Acting President Wen Chao Chen. In 1993 she was a recipient of the Weimer K. Hicks Award, presented to a current or retired employee of the College who has provided long-term support to the College programs or activities beyond the call of duty, or who has provided excellent service in the performance of his or her job, making a significant contribution to the College. Kay is survived by her daughter. 

FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE

Preston Seiter “Pete” Parish of Hickory Corners, Michigan, passed away on July 1, 2020. Pete graduated from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in 1941. The week after graduation, he reported to the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, for training, and then served in the Marines during World War II in the Pacific campaign until returning to the U.S. in 1944. He received his discharge as a major from the Marines in 1946. In 1948, Pete married Suzanne Upjohn Delano. They lived at Gull Lake and had five children who survive him. Surviving also are 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His loving wife, Barbara, after 28 years of marriage, also survives. Pete had a distinguished career for 35 years at The Upjohn Company, retiring as vice chairman in 1984. He was elected as a director of the company in 1955 and served until retiring in 1991. Aviation played a prominent role in Pete’s life. He loved flying, and that love led to acquisition of Kal-Aero and co-founding the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. Pete was a wonderful community leader and benefactor. He volunteered, offering leadership, and serving many not-for-profit community and educational organizations. At the time of his death he remained trustee emeritus at Williams College, W.E. Upjohn Institute, Kalamazoo Air Zoo and Kalamazoo College. In 1997, Pete was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from K. As a trustee of the College, Pete served as chair of several committees and in 1998, he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award.