Clarence R. Thompson ‘57 died June 18, 2024 in his home in Richmond, Texas.  He was born in Rushville, Illinois on September 2, 1935.   He graduated from Rushville High School in 1953.  He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1957.  He was admitted to Law School to Loyola of Chicago in 1961.  He switched and received an MBA in International Finance.  He took extra courses toward his Doctorate.  He joined Sigma Chi Fraternity while at Illinois Wesleyan and remained a Life Loyal Sig.  He was a member of Mensa, the organization for people gifted with a high IQ.  He received a Black Belt in Karate in 1999.  He was a great listener and would talk and listen to anyone with interest and ranked number 1 in Houston selling Oil and Gasoline for a number of years.  He loved his family and reading philosophy and world history books, watching sports, entertainment and politics.  A very competitive man, finished the race well, and kept his faith.

William Richard “Dick” Hood ’62, Sr., age 83 of Spindale, died Friday, August 2, 2024, at Hospice House in Forest City. Dick as he was known to his family and friends was born on September 2, 1940, in Kingsport, Tennessee and was a son of the late Shelby Burton Hood and Lema Walker Hood.

Dick was a graduate of Carlisle Military Academy in Bamberg, South Carolina and attended Illinois Wesleyan College where he played Division III football and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Dick was honored to be recognized along with Mike Ditka as part of the 1960 Sigma Chi All American football team. Dick also served his country honorably in the United States Army.

He was President and owner of Hood Moving and Storage in Hickory for many years until his retirement. Following his retirement, he continued to work as a consultant for other moving and storage companies. He was known to leave the house at 6:00 am with a bag lunch and drive several hundred miles around North and South Carolina doing surveys and estimates only to return late in the evening. He put a LOT of miles on his car.

Moving to Rutherfordton in 1978, he and his wife Joyce joined the Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church where he was active in the church serving on various committees. In 2006, Dick became a Lay Minister in the Presbyterian church and served for three and a half years as the pastor at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Shelby and was currently serving as the pastor at Brittain Presbyterian Church.

Dick was an avid golfer and participated in many local golf tournaments. He also qualified to play in multiple North Carolina and National Senior Games golf tournaments. Dick shot his first and only hole in one on the 4th hole at the West Kilbride Golf Club championship links course in Ayrshire, Scotland. Dick also enjoyed civic activities and was a longtime and active member of the Rutherfordton Lions Club having served in the club’s offices, including as its President. He enjoyed organizing the annual Rutherfordton Lions Club Golf Tournament each year, including this year’s tournament in May, to raise money for the Rutherfordton Lions Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Alex Hood and half-brother Shelby Hood, Jr. as well as a half-sister. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce White Hood of Spindale, North Carolina, his sons, Rick Hood and wife Heather of Westfield, Indiana, Eric Hood and wife Christina of Marietta, Georgia, and Stephen Hood and wife Marcia of Rutherfordton, North Carolina. He has four grandchildren, David Hood, William Hood, Lucas Hood, and Isabelle Hood and several nieces and nephews.

Read Dick’s full obituary here.

William Wayne Turner ’64, age 82, of Atlanta, passed away on Saturday,
July 6, 2024, at Copper Creek Cottages in Lincoln.

William Wayne Turner was born on March 18, 1942, the son of William
Harold and Mildred Lucille Demling Turner. He was united in marriage to
Connie Jo Brooks on June 9, 1963. She survives.

Also surviving are his children: Janice (Tom) Garriott and Michael (Gwen)
Turner; grandchildren: Alicia (David) Settle, Missy (Adam) Baker, Lauren
(Ryan) Schulz, Erin Turner, Jordyn Turner, Kylie (Jake) Watkins, Kami
(Andy) Brown, Kameron (Ali) Carpenter, Sara (Benji) Hensen, and Aaron
(Ashley) Garriott; great-grandchildren: Jaxin, Madax, Eliah, Alexis,
Hezekiah, Izzy, Tyler, Norah, Hadassah, Millie, Mila, Saylor, Zoey, Ollie,
Quinley, and Lily; one sister, Jane Turner; and one brother, Dane Turner.
Wayne was preceded in death by one sister, Beverly Sue Johnson, and one
brother, Kent N. Turner.

Wayne was a 1960 graduate of Atlanta High School, a 1962 graduate of
Lincoln Junior College, and then a Illinois Wesleyan University graduate in 1964.
Wayne first worked for the family business as it evolved from Bill’s 66 into
Turner Oil Company. Wayne retired at the age of 71 from McLean County
government in the maintenance department at the Law & Justice Center.

He was a 69-year member of the Atlanta Christian Church where he served
as a Deacon and an Elder; a 60-year member of the Atlanta Masonic Lodge
A.F. & A.M. #165; Bloomington Consistory; Mohammed Shrine; and
Atlanta Rotary Club.

A racer, an avid outdoorsman, a sharp-minded (and sharp-tongued) businessman, and a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Gary Wayne Roubinek ’63, age 82, of Delaware, Ohio and Naples, Florida, passed peacefully in the company of his family on March 21, 2024.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on September 3, 1941 to parents Eugene and Dorothy
(affectionately known as Doll), Gary played baseball and football at Niles Township High
School in Skokie, Illinois before studying accounting at Illinois Wesleyan University where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He later earned his MBA at
Northwestern University.

Just before college, Gary began dating the love of his life, Shirley Ferguson. They married in June 1963 and welcomed three children – Brett, Stacy, and Craig. Together, they embarked on Gary’s career journey in public accounting at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co (later KPMG) where he soon made partner and forged lifelong friendships. His career moved their family to Omaha, Chicago, New York City, and Columbus and took Gary and Shirley around the world on business trips.

After settling in Columbus, Gary became part of the fabric of the business community
having at times served on the Board of Directors of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the
Executive Search Committee of the State Treasurer’s Office, and the Mayor’s Task Force to create and run the Columbus 500 – an IMSA race through the streets of downtown.

A renaissance man, Gary enjoyed working with his hands as much as he enjoyed the
intellectual challenges of accounting. A gentleman racer, Gary’s family – including his
father Gene – made memories at circuits across the country as Gary raced karts, moved into open wheel racing, and eventually owned Roubinek Motorsports operating NASCAR series entries in the northeast. He enjoyed hunting and competitive sport shooting, forging many lasting friendships through those endeavors. Most of all, Gary cherished his role as “Papa”/“Grandpa” sharing unique interests, thoughtful guidance, and often some pocket cash with each of his eight grandchildren.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling, Brian M. Roubinek. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Roubinek; their three children, Brett Roubinek (Kt) of Galena, Stacy Berglund (John) of Redding, CA, and Craig Roubinek (Linda) of Powell; and their adored and adoring grandchildren, Erin, Hannah, Abby, Justin, Megan, Hopa, River, and Fiadh.

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 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.

Dennis “Denny” Steele ’67 passed away in Bloomington, IL on October 18, 2023 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, sister, two children, and two grandchildren.

Read the full obituary here.

William Ray Van Plew ’66 passed away on December 6 at the age of 78. While at Illinois Wesleyan, William earned his bachelor’s degree in art (printmaking specialty) and was a member of TKE. One of William’s original prints was chosen and featured in a gallery show in Washington, D.C., while was he still in college.

You can read his full obituary here.

Dave Petrick ’67 passed away on December 2, 2022 after a long and fierce battle with lung cancer. Throughout his life, Dave shared his time, talent, and treasure with Illinois Wesleyan University, most recently with the planning and development of The Petrick IDEA Center. As a lifelong entrepreneur himself, Dave was passionate about sharing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship with future Titans. Once built, The Petrick IDEA Center will serve as the epicenter of IWU innovation, as well as a lasting legacy to Dave’s creativity and generosity. He will be greatly missed by the campus community and by all who knew him. 

Jim Joyce ’63 passed away on October 4th, 2022 at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. After service in the U.S. Army, Jim worked in Des Moines, Iowa and Lincoln as a journalist and later as a legislative and gubernatorial assistant. At IWU, he majored in English and was active in the early setting up of Acacia Fraternity.