1960s Class News

John William “Bill” Locke ’60 of Chicago died Sept. 7, 2021. He was 83. Bill majored in sociology at Illinois Wesleyan and went on to earn a master’s degree in library science from the University of Chicago. He served as director of the Harold Washington College Library for 35 years, earning the college’s Distinguished Professor Award. Bill was also a volunteer leader for many groups, including the Chicago Chapter of the international nonprofit Society of Architectural Historians, the Caxton Club, Chicago Art Deco Society and Cliff Dwellers Club. Bill loved Chicago’s Newberry Library; he worked there briefly as a young man and returned in retirement as a volunteer. He is survived by his wife Judith (Rehnquist) Locke ’59, three sons and a grandson. You can read the full obituary here.

Richard Mund ’65 of Golden, Colorado, died June 24, 2021. He was 79. Dick majored in biology and was active in Student Senate at Illinois Wesleyan. He later earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Denver. He held roles as director of admissions, director of financial aid, and vice president of student affairs at Marshall University. He later moved on to Mobil Corporation, where he held multiple roles, including executive director of Mobil Foundation. He was elected chairman of the Conference Board of the Contribution Council, representing many of the country’s top companies. Dick and his wife Joan (Dennis) Mund ’65 retired to Golden in 2000, where they made many friends, as they did in all of the places they had lived previously. Dick was known for his dedication to education and philanthropy, his skills as a craftsman, and for being a proud husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren and a brother.

Ralph Sackett ’60 died Aug. 18, 2021. He was 83. Ralph was a talented athlete who was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school, but instead chose to attend Illinois Wesleyan thanks to encouragement from a benefactor, the late Dale McMackin ’36. He helped Ralph obtain a full scholarship, meal-work exchange and housing, allowing Ralph to become the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college. Ralph met his future wife Alicia (Westwood) Sackett ’60 during his time at IWU. After graduation, he coached the Bloomington Bobcats baseball team while earning a master’s degree in mathematics at Illinois State University. He later coached at four Illinois high schools and Washington University in St. Louis, but started a new career in 1975 with Bloomington Federal Savings & Loan. Ever versatile, he later added real estate development to his resume. Ralph enjoyed golfing, fishing and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals. He and Alicia loved spending time in Naples, Florida, and at their cabin in Lake Napowan, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Robert Moore ’64 died June 29, 2021, in Modesto, California. He was 79. Bob became the first member of his family to earn a four-year college degree when he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan. He later served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving in an artillery division. He returned to his hometown of Streator, Illinois, and soon married his wife. Bob embarked on a career as a claims administrator with the Social Security Administration, and the Moores soon began a family in Helena, Montana, where they lived the majority of their adult lives. Bob loved bowling, golf, chess and card games with family and friends. He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, rarely missing important events in their lives. He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a sister, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. You can view his obituary here.