Rev. William Brown ’62

Rev. William Brown ’62 of Richmond, Virginia, died Nov. 29, 2020. He was 80. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan, Bill earned a degree in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary in New York. He was a permanent deacon in the United Methodist Church. He served as minister of music at Trinity United Methodist Church in Henrico County, Virginia, for over 20 years. He also served congregations at Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana, and Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond. He was a former dean of the Richmond chapter of the American Guild of Organists and a former treasurer of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by two sons, six grandchildren, a brother, Donald Brown ’65, and many nieces and nephews. You can read more of his obituary here.

Richard Mund ’65

Richard Mund ’65 of Golden, Colorado, died June 24, 2021. He was 79. Dick majored in biology and was active in Student Senate at Illinois Wesleyan. He later earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Denver. He held roles as director of admissions, director of financial aid, and vice president of student affairs at Marshall University. He later moved on to Mobil Corporation, where he held multiple roles, including executive director of Mobil Foundation. He was elected chairman of the Conference Board of the Contribution Council, representing many of the country’s top companies. Dick and his wife Joan (Dennis) Mund ’65 retired to Golden in 2000, where they made many friends, as they did in all of the places they had lived previously. Dick was known for his dedication to education and philanthropy, his skills as a craftsman, and for being a proud husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren and a brother.

Ralph Sackett ’60

Ralph Sackett ’60 died Aug. 18, 2021. He was 83. Ralph was a talented athlete who was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school, but instead chose to attend Illinois Wesleyan thanks to encouragement from a benefactor, the late Dale McMackin ’36. He helped Ralph obtain a full scholarship, meal-work exchange and housing, allowing Ralph to become the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college. Ralph met his future wife Alicia (Westwood) Sackett ’60 during his time at IWU. After graduation, he coached the Bloomington Bobcats baseball team while earning a master’s degree in mathematics at Illinois State University. He later coached at four Illinois high schools and Washington University in St. Louis, but started a new career in 1975 with Bloomington Federal Savings & Loan. Ever versatile, he later added real estate development to his resume. Ralph enjoyed golfing, fishing and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals. He and Alicia loved spending time in Naples, Florida, and at their cabin in Lake Napowan, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Steve Vogel ’68 Is Still Writing!

Steve Vogel still spends time with his fingers on a non-musical keyboard, producing a written word now and then.

He is currently busy working on two books (have you read his other books?) to complement two other published works. He also produces a (free!) monthly newsletter of random thoughts on current events and media. Last month’s included an item about the New York Times best-seller by T.J. Newman, ’06. Steve’s latest newsletter can be found https://mailchi.mp/e58246573aa2/the-unforgiven-release-13425703?fbclid=IwAR1n4GPyGLaNu3O0jgRwNCl0JsK03Q64fvTAcp6CazIasiODiNAgNSSR8FM

Thomas Hageman ’64

Thomas Hageman ’64 passed away peacefully on June 30th 2021 at JourneyCare in Barrington, Illinois. A graduate of Danville High School, Tom went on to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at Illinois Wesleyan University. He began his teaching career in Wheeling-Buffalo Grove, School District 21 where he started a grade school orchestra program. He earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois while he continued to teach. You can view his full obituary here.

Robert Moore ’64

Robert Moore ’64 died June 29, 2021, in Modesto, California. He was 79. Bob became the first member of his family to earn a four-year college degree when he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan. He later served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving in an artillery division. He returned to his hometown of Streator, Illinois, and soon married his wife. Bob embarked on a career as a claims administrator with the Social Security Administration, and the Moores soon began a family in Helena, Montana, where they lived the majority of their adult lives. Bob loved bowling, golf, chess and card games with family and friends. He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, rarely missing important events in their lives. He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a sister, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. You can view his obituary here.

Barbara (Wood) Salter ’63

Barbara (Wood) Salter ’63 died June 15, 2021. She was 80. Barbara met her future husband Ronald Salter ’62 during her time at Illinois Wesleyan. They soon moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where Ron took a position with Fahlgren and Associates advertising agency. In 1980, Barbara and Ron established Salter and Associates, LLC, a marketing and advertising service. Barbara was active in her community, having served as a member of Kappa Kappa Society and two terms as president of the Junior League of Parkersburg. She was chair of the Parkersburg Area Municipal Planning Commission, a member of the Wood County Senior Citizens Board of Directors, and attended Wayside United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, two sons, a granddaughter, and many cousins and extended family members. 

You can find more information here .

Frances (Bennett) Smith ’67

We are saddened to share that Frances (Bennett) Smith ’67 of Hillsboro, Oregon, died June 6, 2021. Frances earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois before coming to Illinois Wesleyan to earn a Master’s Degree in biology. She taught science classes at Mascoutah High School, Mascoutah, IL before owning and operating The Sewing Nook on Mascoutah’s Main Street for over 25 years. You can read her full obituary https://www.wfiwradio.com/2021/06/10/frances-ann-smith/ .