Author Archives: classnews

George Bull ’63

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George Bull ’63, 88 of Rockford, IL, passed away on July 3, 2024. He was born on December 16, 1935 to Della (Bogdonas) and Burton Bull. He married Darlene (Freese) on March 28, 1959, they shared two children and 63 years of marriage. George was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He was a faithful service member of the United States Army.

George graduated from West High School in Rockford. He made many lifelong friends there. He played football in high school and then again in college at Illinois Wesleyan. George had his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying out of Cottonwood Airport. He and Darlene loved to travel. George ultimately received his masters degree in education and taught for many years at East High School in Rockford.

He was a long time member at Second Congregational UCC/First Presbyterian Church. George was also a past member of the University Club, and enjoyed boating, skiing, biking, playing golf and bridge club. His kind heart and friendly attitude will be deeply missed. You can read George’s full obituary here.

 

Richard Berman ’66

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Richard Berman ’66 recently passed away Thursday, June 13, 2024, with his family by his side. Born in Chicago on May 14, 1944, he is the son of David and Josephine (DiGiacomo) Berman. He married Alice Sherfy in 1969. He graduated from Illinois  Wesleyan University in 1966. A 1974 graduate of Valparaiso University with a JD, he practiced workers’ compensation law at Williams McCarthy for 40 years. He was a past member of the Winnebago County, the Illinois, and the American Bar Associations. He lectured as a guest speaker and as a faculty member of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, The Illinois State Bar Association Law Ed series, and the National Business Institute. He was a past president of Janet Wattles Mental Health Center and served on their Foundation Board, was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and was proud to be a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery. Read Richard’s full obituary here.

Jim Kidder ’62

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Jim Kidder ’62, founder of Kidder Music in Peoria, Illinois, recently celebrated Kidder Music’s 50th year of serving Central Illinois music educators. He says, “It is very rewarding to have assisted in the musical journey of many thousands of students. Music education is alive and well!!!” Congratulations Jim!

Harlan Hogan ’68

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Harlan Hogan ’68 was featured in Chicago Magazine’s  “Everyone Tells Me I Have a Great Voice” by Tal Rosenberg, featuring Hogan’s journey in his career as a voice actor. You can read all about it here. Hogan was also interviewed on the WBEZ Podcast show that’s now available on their site or Apple Podcasts nationwide, where Hogan mentions IWU and Dr. Ficca.

William Powers ’64

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During the 1959-60 school year at IWU, bass-baritone, William Powers ’64 was given the opportunity to sing the title role in the Music School’s spring production of Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera, DON PASQUALE. It was his first ever appearance in a full opera and he was just 18-years-old.

Now, (130 operas later around the world) on Saturday evening, August 12th at 7:00 pm at the First Methodist Church of LaGrange, Powers will join the Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra and cast for a concert version of DON PASQUALE (in Italian with subtitles), once again in the title role — 63 years since singing it for the very first time! Click here to learn more about the performance! Congratulations William!

Dave Kindred ’63

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Dave Kindred ’63 has a new memoir, My Home Team: A Sportswriter’s Life and the Redemptive Power of Small-Town Girls Basketball, that will be published September 12. This memoir is about how journalism led Dave around the world, and how life brought him back to Illinois. You can read more about this new memoir here. Congratulations Dave!