We are saddened to report the passing of Mary Ellen Wernsing ‘63. Mary passed away on Saturday, May 23. Here is her full obituary.
Mary Ellen Wernsing ‘63
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Karla (Dickinson) Barry ’69
Karla Barry ’69 Successfully defended her dissertation and earned a PhD. in organization learning, performance and change from Colorado State University on December 13, 2019. She Previously earned a master’s of applied communications degree from the University of Denver, where she has been an adjunct professor for several years. Karla currently consults with organizations on employee improvement interventions.
Ruth Monsell ’68 to Publish Novel
Ruth Monsell ’68 authored Frances Perkins: Champion of American Workers. Her novel was scheduled for publication on May 5, 2020 but the date has been delayed because of COVID-19. Her work was inspired by her visit to the Frances Perkins homestead in Newcastle, ME near Ruth’s home. Published by Islandport Press, Monsell’s novel is “an inspirational young adult biography of a little-known architect of the New Deal and the first female Cabinet Member.” Perkins served as the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945.
Gary Nickels ’68
Congratulations to Gary Nickels ’68, who was named Midwest Scout of the Year by the MLB in December 2019. Gary was previously inducted into the Midwest Scouts Association Hall of Fame and the Mid Atlantic Scouts Association Hall of Fame in 2009. He has been a baseball talent evaluator for 48 years, having served in the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres and the L.A. Dodgers organizations.
Gordon Williamson ‘61
We regret to inform you of the passing of Gordon Williamson ‘61. Gordon Williamson ’61 passed away on May 10, 2020, in Peoria, Arizona. He was 81. Gordon was active in Sigma Chi and met his future wife Della (Nelson) Williamson ’62 at Illinois Wesleyan. He went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Loyola University Chicago College of Dental Surgery. He served two years as a dental officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. After his service, Gordon and Della moved to Pontiac, Illinois, where he opened his dental practice. He was active in the community as an elder at Pontiac Bible Church and served in the Kiwanis Club and the local school board. In 1980, the Williamsons moved to Phoenix, where he purchased the practice of a retiring dentist in Sun City, Arizona. He sold the practice in 2006 but continued working in other dentists’ offices until his 75th birthday. He was also active in his Arizona community, at Northwest Community Church, Christ’s Church of the Valley, and the Kiwanis Club. Gordon loved golf, snow skiing, travel and sports. He was a season ticket holder for the Phoenix Suns and Diamondbacks, and he was in the stands when the Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001. Gordon is survived by his wife, three children, six grandchildren, brother Richard “Dick” Williamson ’56, and many nieces and nephews.
Lyman Carpenter ’61
Lyman Carpenter ’61 of Manteca, California, died Aug. 9, 2019. He was 84. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-56 before attending Illinois Wesleyan. He later earned a master’s degree from Arizona State University. Lyman spent the majority of his career as a social worker. He was an avid genealogist and had traced his lineage back to his ancestors’ arrival in the United States. He is survived by his son, two granddaughters and two nephews.
Steven Adams ’68
Steven Adams ’68 passed away in Bloomington, Illinois on May 8th at the age of 73. He was born in Bloomington in 1946 and married Sandra Platta in 1977. He is survived by Sandra, his daughters and grandchildren.
Read the full obituary here.
James Proctor Brown ’62
James Proctor Brown, III, class of 1962, was recently interviewed concerning his Peace Corps experience to become a part of a national archive of interviews of ex-PCV’s. Mr. Brown also gave a lecture on the Peace Corps and Nigeria to the Southampton Roads Torch Club. In February he gave a lecture on African Art to 38 docents from the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk and provided them with a tour of the African Art Museum at Norfolk State University, which he helped to establish.
James Dohren ’66
James Dohren ’66 authored his second book, Windy City Stories, a collection of 20 stories about Chicago, published by Sunbury Press under its Posey Press mark. The stories contained within the collection vary from the humorous to the terrifying, but all are factual and fascinating. Even lifelong Chicagoans will learn facts they didn’t know before. Jim is a retired public school teacher who taught history and government for 32 years in Downers Grove, Illinois. Windy City Stories is available on Amazon here.
A Letter from Allen ‘Andy’ Anderson ’67 and wife Shari
Dear friends,
Just a little note to let you know what we’re doing.
We’re good and trying to stay safe. We’re staying at home and going out only for walks around the neighborhood, grocery stops, and take out at fast food restaurants.
We’re not wearing gloves, but we take masks with us when we need to go inside a store or talk to non-family members. We’ve been using video chats to meet with friends. I also had a teleconference with my doctor yesterday. That worked well.
All our in-person social activities have stopped. Again, we’ve been using video chats to practice Zumba and tai chi. We try to take at least two 1-hour walks each day. Our dining expenses have gone down drastically. All our weed shops remain open. We’re watching a lot of TV and movies on Netflix.
Unfortunately, we’re told the coronavirus won’t peak in central Oregon until mid-June. So, I’m afraid we’ll remain in this lifestyle for a while.
Love and best wishes to all of you.
Allen (Andy) Anderson & Shari