John Brownfield ’62 of Redlands, California, died April 28, 2020. He was 79. John studied art and was active in Theta Chi at Illinois Wesleyan. He subsequently earned a master’s degree at the School of Fine Arts of Chicago before a nearly 40-year teaching career at University of Redlands. He is survived by two daughters, three grandchildren and a sister, Margaret (Brownfield) Galivan ’65.
Robert Hix ’60 of Pine Grove, California, died June 5, 2020. He was 87. Bob’s college studies were interrupted by the Korean War as he served in the U.S. Army’s 36th Engineers Group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Illinois Wesleyan upon his return, and, later, a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Bob and his wife were teachers at an elementary school at Roanoke-Benson (Ill.) for 31 years. He served his community as a volunteer firefighter, a Boy Scouts scoutmaster, and in civil defense and emergency services. He was also a tenor in his church choir. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two grandchildren.
Dave Kindred ’63 will be featured on an upcoming segment of 60 Minutes. Read more here.
Listen to Dr. Suzuki’s webinar entitled:SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Reality and Expectations, by Jon Suzuki SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Reality and Expectations – February 11th, 2021.
Eldridge “Skip” Gilbert, Jr. ’67 is a candidate for Rockford’s 5th Ward alderman seat. Read the full article here.
Jim Dohren ’66 passed away on August 27, 2020. Read the full obituary here.
Ralph Sackett ’60 was the guest of honor at a surprise celebration organized by his former players on August 8, 2020, in Bloomington, Illinois.
Ralph coached at Illinois High Schools in Bloomington, Octavia, Reddick and Granite City, Washington (Mo.) University, and for Bloomington’s American Legion Post 56. Ralph left coaching at age 34 to embark on a successful career in banking and finance. But his impact left on student-athletes during his coaching tenure was evident at the surprise celebration, which was chronicled by Randy Kindred in The Pantagraph.
You can read the article here.
Carol Wiborg ’64 of Glenwood, Illinois, died Feb. 5, 2021. She was 78. Carol earned a bachelor’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan and a master’s degree at the University of Illinois. She spent the majority of her career with the Department of Defense, teaching in Japan and Germany. She also taught for four years in the Flossmoor (Ill.) school district. She enjoyed travel, music, photography, theatre and reading. She sang in choirs in Japan, Germany and suburban Chicago, including the chancel choir at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago Heights, where she was also in the hand bell choir, served as an elder, and participated in women’s organizations and other committees. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Read the full obituary here.
Dave Kindred ’63 was recently featured in an IWU article about the Memoir he wrote, Leave Out the Tragic Parts: A Grandfather’s Search for a Boy Lost to Addiction. Read more here.
Monday, February 8 is Thank-A-Giver Day at Illinois Wesleyan and we’re eager to celebrate generous Titans!
Thank-A-Giver (TAG) Day is the symbolic point during the academic year — about 70% of the way through — when tuition dollars are exhausted and Illinois Wesleyan relies on donor generosity to continue providing a world-class education and rewarding collegiate experiences.
Each and every year, every gift matters. Contributions benefit students and faculty, enhance academic excellence, and strengthen the IWU community.
Thank you to all who give back to move IWU forward. 