Charles Bimba ’66

Charles Bimba ’66 died Jan. 12, 2021, in Sarasota, Florida. He was 77. Chuck played baseball and studied business administration at Illinois Wesleyan. He went on to serve as president and chief executive officer of Bimba Manufacturing Co., in University Park, Illinois, a company founded by his father in 1957. In the 1990s, he became involved in business consulting and lay ministry work. Chuck was proud of his Luthuanian heritage and taught business classes at Vilnius University soon after the country gained its independence. Some of Chuck’s favorite days were spent fly-fishing in a trout stream, and some of his favorite evenings were spent at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. He was an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox and University of Illinois athletics. Chuck was known for his sense of humor and for being kind, ethical, humble and guided by faith. He is survived by his wife, four children, five grandchildren and two sisters.

Read the full obituary here.

Dennis Kleidon ’66 Exhibits Abstract Paintings

Dennis Kleidon ’66, Professor of Art Emeritus of the University of Akron and CEO of Kleidon & Associates, will show recent abstract paintings in a virtual solo exhibit at the Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York City. The show can be viewed on line at the gallery website here.  It includes twenty paintings and runs January 2 – February 8. As a virtual show, it can be seen by everyone without travel which includes international circulation.

 

Dennis Kleidon ’66

Dr. Jon Suzuki ’68 Appointed to FDA panel regarding COVID-19

Dr. Jon Suzuki ’68 was appointed to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Immunology Devices Panel and Medical Advisory Committee, which is evaluating COVID-19 vaccine applications, interpreting clinical trial data and ultimately, approving vaccines for use.

Dr. Suzuki holds clinical professorships at the University of Maryland, University of Washington and Nova Southeastern University. He is also on the faculty of the U.S. Navy Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and is currently providing seminars for the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force on COVID-19 immunology.  A faculty member of the Misch Implant Institute for over 20 years, Dr. Suzuki is a world renowned periodontist and immunologist. He also serves as chairman of the FDA’s Dental Products Advisory Panel.

Carol Zavatsky ’63

We regret to inform you that Carol Zavatsky ’63 passed away on April 20, 2019. She was born November 27, 1941 in Chicago.  She was a member of the Sassy Sisters Red Hat Society, volunteered often, and his survived by her son, stepchildren, and grandchildren. You can read her full obituary here.

Richard Greene Watrous ’61

Richard Greene Watrous ’61 passed away June 14,2020 from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. He loved his time at Illinois Wesleyan. He always gave the professors of the university credit for teaching him to think and to become a life long learner. He is survived by his wife, Christine.

Marybeth (Solberg) Stull ’64

Marybeth (Solberg) Stull ’64 of Minnetonka, Minnesota, died Jan. 4, 2021. She was 78.

Marybeth majored in music and English at Illinois Wesleyan, where she graduated cum laude. One of her greatest joys in life was playing the violin; she also studied violin performance at Indiana University. She played professionally as a soloist and in quartets in many Minneapolis-St. Paul area orchestras. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she gained many lifelong friendships. Throughout her professional career, she served in many administrative roles, with the Minnesota and St. Paul chamber orchestras, and most recently as a sales and marketing assistant for Wells Fargo International Trust. She also served as an interim instructor of Hardanger fiddle at St. Olaf College. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage, and she studied Norwegian language and the Hardanger fiddle for many years. Her faith, family and friends were always dear to her. She is survived by her husband, four children, three grandchildren, three siblings, and many nieces, nephew and friends.

You can read the full obituary here.

Rick King ’67

Rick King ’67 was recognized by the Florida State University College of Social Work among its 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients at a virtual event. Read more here.

Richard King is pictured on the far right.

David M. Diehl ’62

David M. Diehl ’62 of Decatur, Illinois, died Dec. 16, 2020. He was 84.

David studied accounting and business administration at Illinois Wesleyan, and he went on to earn his certified public accountant’s license in 1967. He practiced for 51 years, first with his father at Gaugher and Diehl accounting firm, and later started his own CPA practice. David was a U.S. Army veteran, having served before his time at IWU. He was a past commander of the Decatur Power Squadron, past president of the Decatur Noon Lions Club, and a lifelong member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and First United Methodist Church of Decatur. He is survived by his wife, two children and five grandchildren.

You can read the full obituary here.

Jean (Smith) Ward ’65

Jean (Smith) Ward ’65 of Creve Coeur, Mo, died October 20, 2020. She was 78. Jean earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and was active in Kappa Kappa Gamma at Illinois Wesleyan. She married her husband while attending IWU. The Wards relocated to Monroe, LA, shortly after Jean’s graduation. They had two children. Jean was a passionate educator . She spent the majority of her career as a teacher at Georgia Tucker Elementary in Monroe. Jean divorced in 1993. She began a new life as a retired, independent woman. She developed an incredible circle of friends, many from her church community at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Monroe. She is survived by her two children, three grandchildren and two nephews.

Your may access her obituary here.

V. Stephen King ’61

V. Stephen King passed away on Friday, November 20, 2020 at his home. He was 81.

He was a United States Army veteran, serving from 1960 to 1963. Steve worked in the banking industry from 1964 – 1993. After retiring from banking, he worked at On Hand Safety Supplies from 1994 – 2004 and he retired from Coldwell Banker Heart of America in 2014, after 10 years of employment. Surviving are his wife, Donna, three children, and seven grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, three nephews and two nieces.

You can read the full obituary here.