News
Alumni Notes | April 2022
Career Updates
Matthew J. Thomas ‘15 (Communication) is a Content Management Production Associate - Aerospace Engineering Standards at SAE International.
Hannah M. Dale-Fuentes ‘13 (Business Administration) is now a Marketing Specialist at Capital One.
Heather D. Gallagher ‘07 (Communication) is now a Senior Global HRIS Analyst at The TJX Companies, Inc.
Stephanie (Wilson) Jackman ‘03 (Social Work, MS) is the Principal Owner at Stephanie Jackman LCSW PLLC. "As the owner of a behavioral health office our mission is to provide mental health therapy and consultation; program development, implementation and staff trainings to local and federal government agencies, high school and higher education institutions, faith based organizations, therapeutic milieus, correctional facilities, not-for profit and human services agencies. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-R and a behavioral health office we provide strength based individual and family therapy. Currently we have contracts within the Monroe, Orleans and Niagara Counties where we provide services for organizations that support youth and families experiencing life stressors. Provide psychoeducation to youth, families and communities related to the impact of mental illness on human growth and development on a micro, mezzo and macro level. Professional mission is to empower individuals and families to cope with life stressors through a mental, physical, and spiritual system of care; to build stronger and healthier communities.".
Jill R. (Sorenson) Johnson ‘82 (Nursing) is now an RN at Corry Memorial Hospital.
Christopher V. Larrow ‘20 (Business Administration) is now a Sales Advisor at Tesla.
Laurel D. (Munsell) Libby ‘03 (Nursing) is the the State Representative for the State of Maine and is running for her second term. She sits on the Judiciary Committee, and co-sponsored the Maine "Right to Food" constitutional amendment that was passed in 2021. www.laurellibby.com.
Joshua O. Misla ‘09 & ‘14 (Art-Studio & Strategic Marketing, MS) is now the Senior Manager of Marketing Technology at Asurion.
William T. Musengo ‘19 (Business Administration) is now the HR & Business Manager at Concepts Beyond.
Marriages
Lisa A.(Pogue) Angell ‘88 (Psychology) married Tim Angell.
Books
Steve R. Bierly ‘77 (Religion-Philosophy) has self-published a book about The What Four which might be of interest to anyone who was on campus 1973-1978 and remembers that rock-and-roll golden-oldies group. It can be ordered on Amazon.
Katherine R. Dale ‘09 (Business Administration) In But Deliver Me From Crazy: A Memoir, Dale chronicles her journey through two psychiatric hospitalizations while God met her in the middle of her mess and led her to recovery. She advocates for faith and mental health at KatieRDale.com.
Steven Schockow ‘78 (History) published a new book in October 2020 named Thirty Days of Presidents and can be ordered on Amazon.
Obituaries
Harry Babbitt ‘52 (Comprehensive Science) Of Springville, NY, September 3, 2005, husband of Mary A. Babbitt (nee Awald); father of Timothy J., Frederick T. (Victoria), Maria Anne (fiance, David Ammarell) Babbitt, Martha J. (Mario) Tonellato and the late Mary and Edmund Babbitt; brother of Mae (George) Babbitt and the late Rodney, Leah, Martha, Myrtle, Eunice and Ethel; also survived by 10 grandchildren.
Mary L. Beaney ‘51 (English Literature), age 86 of Bourbonnais, died at home on April 30, 2016. She was born Dec. 6, 1929 in Berwick, PA to Archie and Hazel (Smith) Ridall. She married William Beaney in July of 1954. He preceded her in death. Mary received her Master’s degree from Brockport State Teachers College in Brockport, NY. She taught Kindergarten for four years in Kendall, NY and three years in Carlisle PA. Mary was a first grade teacher for the Bourbonnais School District for 28 years. She was also a 55 year member of the College Church of the Nazarene. Mary enjoyed knitting, crocheting, crafts, reading, sewing, cooking and baking. She is survived by one son John Beaney of Bourbonnais, one daughter Carol Beaney of Crescent City and two sisters; Dorothy Ridall of Bourbonnais and Carol Jeanne Gillespie of Chambersburg, PA. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband and three brothers; Archie, Robert Clyde and Benjamin Ridall.
Jack L. Dearth ‘69 It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of the Reverend Dr. Jack L. Dearth, 82, of Ormond Beach, Florida, formerly of Mount Vernon, Ohio. He was a brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, minister, counselor, colleague and friend.
Though we mourn our loss of this godly man, we also celebrate a wonderful life and ministry that touched many, many people. We take great solace in knowing he has received his final reward, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21)
Jack's journey with the Lord started when he was called into the ministry at age 15. After graduating from Continental (Ohio) High School, he attended and graduated from God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he met his partner in life and ministry, Carol Hazeltine. His first pastorate was at the New Lexington (Ohio) Free Methodist Church. He then continued his education at Roberts Wesleyan College, and received his Master's and PhD degrees from Ashland Theological Seminary. Over six decades, he pastored many congregations in Ohio, New York and Michigan. Jack also served as District Superintendent for the Maryland/Virginia Conference of the Free Methodist Church and District Superintendent for the United Methodist Church in Central Ohio.
Jack had a wonderful sense of humor, and true to his life calling, was a giving and caring soul to his entire community. He had many friends, colleagues and acquaintances in every corner of the country, but he mostly called Ohio his home. Jack would strike up conversations with strangers and discover, more often than not, they had mutual friends. He was active in many charitable organizations, including Kiwanis, and served in several city government positions, including the Bangor (Michigan) City Council and Chaplain of the Bangor Police Department. He and his wife loved to travel and visited all 50 states. Upon retirement he enjoyed snow-birding between Ohio and Florida. He loved nature.
He was married to his loving wife Carol Jean (Hazeltine) Dearth, for 61 years. Together they raised five children, Jack Jr. (Marilyn), Daytona Beach, FL; Timothy (Karin), Middletown, NJ; Stephen (Betty), Winnipeg, Manitoba; Dorothy, St Augustine, FL; and Phillip, Daytona Beach, FL. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Matthew (Anna), Katherine (Nathan) Buhler, and Joel Matthew Wolf, Karla (Ed) Braunesreither, Adam Braunesreither, Genny Braunesreither, Clifford (Sarah) Fejfar and three great-grandchildren, Caleb and Josiah Buhler, and Paige Fejfar.
Jack had a great love of sports, always rooting for Ohio State Buckeyes and experiencing the joy and agony of being a Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns fan. In his youth and then as a young pastor and even into his mid-sixties, he enjoyed church basketball, softball and bowling events. He had a lifelong passion for playing mediocre golf with his sons and many friends, while rescuing lost golf balls.
He was born in 1939 in Hardin County, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack M. and Alta, sister and brother-in-law Marie and Roger Spangler, and sister-in-law Faye Darr Dearth.
He is also survived by siblings Carolyn (James) Kindle, Bedford, OH; Gary (Shirley) Dearth, Cincinnati, OH; Dale Dearth, Continental, OH; Dennis Dearth, Defiance, OH; and Sandra (Darryl) Martin, Ft. Wayne, IN and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Cornelius M. Dilauro ‘50 age 90, of Sarasota, formerly of Lebanon, N.J. died Dec. 24, 2011. Services were private. Packer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Cornelius was a World War II Fighter Pilot, p-38 aircraft decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart, and European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with four battle stars. He is survived by his loving wife and family.
David Earnest Fisher ‘57 (English) age 85, of Wheaton, finished his work on Earth and moved to his heavenly home on September 22, 2021. He was born October 23, 1935 in Lakewood, OH to Ernest Albert and Dorothy Mary (Deeks) Fisher, and graduated from North Olmsted High School.
On June 23, 1956 he married Doris Jane Sholes, then earned a Bachelor’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY in 1957, followed by a degree in Missionary Technical Radio from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL in 1960. He gained practical experience as a radio engineer and announcer at WDAC in Lancaster, PA, where he met many listeners who became faithful supporters over the ensuing decades. In 1963 Dave and Doris joined Trans World Radio (now TWR) and served in Monaco (Europe) 1963-1973, Swaziland (Africa) 1973-1976 and Guam 1976-1978. He served in a technical capacity preparing broadcasts to be aired in dozens of dialects, so that people of many tribes and nations could hear the Good News of Jesus in their heart language. It was from hearing responses from listeners behind the Iron Curtain, who had been taught that science invalidated faith, that he was inspired to spend a few hours per week writing radio scripts that addressed their concerns and questions. In 1978 the family moved to Wheaton, so he could focus full-time on showing secular listeners the coherence between science and Christian faith, via interviews with notable scientists with a strong Christian faith, as well as exposés of synergies between science and the Bible. Over the years, from its start for Hungarian, then Russian and Mandarin-speaking listeners, the Truth in the Test Tube (TTT) program has been produced and broadcast by TWR in 13 languages, drawing responses from around the globe. He also served in the World by 2000 project at the US Center for World Mission in the late 90s. He marked 58 years of service with TWR in June 2021.
After 52 years of marriage, Doris was promoted to heaven in 2008. Eleanor Weiberg became his wife and ministry partner in 2011, celebrating his 50 years with TWR with him in 2013. They would have celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this November.
In 1985, he earned an M.A. in Intercultural Studies and Missions from Wheaton College. His print publications include co-authorship of Scientists Who Believe (Moody Press, 1984), translated into five languages and selling over 50,000 copies, chapter contributions to Ambassadors for Christ (Moody, 1994), numerous articles in Young Ambassador magazine, and frequent contributions to Chuck Colson’s BreakPoint broadcast. He served as co-editor of the newsletter of the American Scientific Affiliation for many years, and was elected as an ASA Fellow in 1995 in recognition of his contributions.
He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending lectures by visiting scientists, notably at Fermilab and Wheaton College, keeping fit, traveling to visit supporting churches in the Eastern US and to attend conferences, as well as playing board games and word games. And puns!! He prayed for his children and grandchildren every day.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor (Weiberg); three children, Louise (Scott) Palmer of Concord, NH, Joy (John) Hazucha of Edina, MN, and Paul (Nancy) Fisher of San Tan Valley, AZ; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and his three siblings, Faye (Richard) Durkee, Carol Vinton, and Allen (Ellen) Fisher. He was preceded in death by his wife Doris.
Dona C. Godfrey ‘53 (Secretarial Science) of Webster passed on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at age 84. Predeceased by her son, David. She leaves her husband of 63 years, John; son, Douglas (Shawn); grandchildren, Victoria, Christopher & Katharine.
Samuel Y. Kutchukian ‘64 (English) of Elmira - Age 84, passed away April 5, 2022 at home. Sam was born October 11, 1937 to Yervant and Elise (Melkonian) Kutchukian in Alexandria, Egypt, both of whom predeceased him. The youngest of three children, Sam is also predeceased by brother Armenak Kutchukian and survived by sister Sylvia Kutchukian. He attended The British Boys School, where his love for soccer and sports began. Sam graduated in 1955 and began studies at The American University in Beirut. He also attended Mission Commercial (1955-1956) and Haigazian College (1956-1958). Sam emigrated to the United States, by ship, arriving in California on September 15, 1958. He later recalled this as the "best day of his life… Free at last". In California, he continued his studies at Pepperdine University, which was "the only college at the time who accepted foreigners". Sam settled in Rochester, NY where he worked at Taylor Instruments and later graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College. His next stop was Elmira, NY where he began his teaching career in 1964 as a French teacher at Elmira Free Academy. This was also the year that he requested permission to introduce the sport of soccer to the young men at EFA. Over the course of 34 years, he compiled a 341-154-19 record as head coach. In 1976 he began coaching tennis, as well, compiling a 263-86 record.
Through the course of his teaching and coaching career, Sam touched the lives of countless students, players, families and friends. He led by example, leaving behind lessons of life and living with a good heart and sense of humor. Sam lived with integrity and kindness at the forefront. He was a deeply spiritual man who turned to the Bible as his "favorite book". Sam loved his family whole-heartedly and lived to enjoy his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He loved playing golf, following sports and enjoying the company of family and friends.
Sam is survived by his wife Margaret "Peg" Kutchukian; daughters, Anne (Tim Hartman) and Jane (Don Knolles); grandchildren, Alyssa (Jake Youngman), Meagan (Kim Davenport), Eric, Jake (Brooke Davenport), TJ, Molly, Bridget and Madison; great-grandchildren, Jane, Declan, Otto, Ainsley, Mia and Camden; niece Joy Walsh and nephews, Yervant and Peter Kutchukian.
JoAnne Johnson Priest ‘73 (English) Age 70, of Fulton, NY, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022 at Francis House, Syracuse, NY. Born in Fulton, NY to her late parents, Alice (Emerick) and Howard W. Johnson on April 18, 1951. She graduated in 1969 from J. C. Birdlebough High School, Phoenix, NY, and the Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY, with a bachelor’s degree. She later earned her degree in nursing and worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Syracuse, NY as an RN, retiring in 2017.
JoAnne loved being a grandmother, reading, working with stained glass, like music, taking day trips and being outdoors, and loved her dog Bo. Besides her parents , Howard in 1963, and Alice in 1992, she was predeceased by her brother David on Oct. 18, 2021. Surviving are her son Kevin Priest of Fulton; her daughter Liz Spencer of Baldwinsville; her grandson Jacob Spencer; her sisters and brothers, Elma J. Smith, Harold W. Johnson, and Leslie E. Johnson all of Fulton, NY, Carol A. Stanford, Elizabeth J. Stanford, and Susan L. Todd all of Daytona Beach, FL; several nieces and nephews.
Robert Lawrence Seeley ‘52 of Forest, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. He was born on March 6, 1931, and was raised in western New York. He was the son of the late Reverend Lawrence Seeley and the late Ethel Myer Seeley. His maternal grandparents were the late Reverend A. Willis and the late Amelia Louise “Emma” Myer.
As an outstanding athlete, Robert lettered in multiple sports at Akron High School in New York. At Roberts Wesleyan College, he played on the varsity basketball and baseball teams. He sang bass in the Basketeers quartet, a college singing group composed of basketball players. He served honorably in the special services division of the US Army during the Korean War, often entertaining troops in a variety of sports venues, one of which earned him the army’s light heavyweight boxing championship in France.
Bob lived most of his adult life in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he worked in farming, as a self-employed produce market owner, and later as a truck owner-operator. After his retirement at 80 years of age, he eventually moved to Forest, Virginia.
He was a dedicated and loving Christian example and served in various church capacities, including choir member; usher; handyman; trustee; and later as a bus driver, bringing retirement home residents to church services.
Robert is survived by his wife, Linda Joyce Evans Seeley and seven children with their spouses: Deborah Tomosovich and husband, David; Robert Seeley, Jr. and wife, Jacqueline; Jon Aaron Seeley and wife, Sonja; Melanie Seeley Larson, Eric Seeley and wife, Nicole; Kate Seeley Tvelia and husband, John; and Shannon Leedy and husband, Thomas.
Bob is the grandfather of fifteen grandchildren: Chad Tomosovich, Korri Schwartz and husband, Gabriel, Amanda Seeley; Zachary Seeley and wife, Jamie; Justin Mills; Trevor Mills; Ashlyn Seely Rios; Trace Seeley; Kristen Seeley; Meghan Seeley; Summer Seeley; Tyson Seeley; Anabelle Seeley; Taitum Barksdale; and Lennon Leedy. In addition, Robert was blessed with four great grandchildren: Samuel, Gabrielle, and Cole Schwartz; and Taytum Seeley.
Joan Champion Temple ‘43 Born Marjorie Joan Champion in Rochester, NY on April 14, 1926, Joan went through several changes in name and career during the course of 95 years of life. As Joan Champion, she was a shy only child, surviving a difficult childhood during the Great Depression, under the care of various relatives, and being sent to boarding school at a young age. Despite that, Joan became an extraordinary mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Joan married Leslie Stroebel in 1947, and they welcomed their 3 baby girls every couple of years thereafter. As Joan Stroebel, she and her daughters attended the wedding of Joan's biological parents, Betty and Bill Romig, finally reunited in love and united in marriage when she was 33 years old. Joan bucked the housewife tradition of the early 1960s, divorcing, and beginning her career while raising her girls.
Joan worked for the President of Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company in Rochester for 5 years, the beginning of an administrative career in law and government. As Joan Hall, she moved to Washington, DC in 1969, becoming administrative assistant to Charles Colson, Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon, during four years that eventually included the Watergate saga. Her daughters later teased that everyone usually learned within five minutes of meeting Joan that "I worked at the White House!" While Joan worked inside the White House, one daughter was protesting outside the building and another was campaigning for an opposing candidate, but a mother's love outweighed any political differences. She came to see the light in later years as a registered Independent after having seen close-up the "dirty tricks" of Watergate.
Joan Hall went on to work under U.S. Secretary of Labor Peter Brennan during Gerald Ford's administration, managing his personal staff and traveling extensively with the Secretary throughout the U.S. and some foreign countries. They remained close friends for many years after Brennan left his cabinet position in 1975. Her career path provided the opportunity to meet and greet U.S. and foreign dignitaries, entertainers and sports figures.
Retirement in 1988 brought Joan to Florida to be closer to two of her daughters and young grandchildren. She met Canadian "snowbird" Paul Temple at the Hickory BBQ, and they soon wed, dividing their time between Prince Edward Island, Canada, and Lee County, Florida, until Paul's passing in 2000. For the next 30 years she was pivotal in raising the next two generations, who knew they were loved unconditionally by their Gma/Owie/Bingo/GGma.
Joan is survived by her three daughters: Ellen Stroebel Stone (Tim) and Becky Stroebel, Fort Myers, FL; and Lori Stroebel, Hailey, Idaho.
Grandchildren: Zeban (Ashley) Stroebel-Haft and his children, Kyzer and Atticas; Ezzie (Emily) Stroebel-Haft and their son Ryland, all of Ketchum, Idaho; Keze Stroebel-Haft (Eli Yanush), San Francisco; Zoe Stroebel-Haft (Adrian Kottmann), Berlin, Germany; Lauren Knott Pritchett (Andy) and their sons, Hunter and Brooks, Fort Myers, FL; Ethan (Blaze) Knott, Atlanta, GA.
Canadian stepchildren: Fred Temple (Kim Doucette); Kathy Temple; James (Michelle) Temple and their daughters Kaylee and Lillian.
Four generations of Joan's family and dozens of friends attended her 90th birthday party in 2016, an event that rocked Whiskey Creek Country Club and remains a joyful memory for all who participated in the fun. When Joan made a friend, they became a friend for life … and sometimes even after their lives ended, as Joan stayed in touch with their families. She became a "Mom" to so many!
The family wishes to recognize the outstanding care that Joan received for over two years at Thrive at Beachwalk ALF, from her extraordinary aides with Cypress at Home, and under the watchful eye of Hope Hospice. We are so grateful for end-of-life visits by family and friends, especially after a year when so many people died alone during the Covid pandemic.
Joan passed peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, June 1, 2021, her daughters holding her hands, her friend Shakti gently massaging her body, and caregivers providing a circle of love as she quietly left us.
Joan's ashes will be interred at White Haven Memorial Park in Pittsford, NY at a later date.
Kenneth W. Traxler ‘53 (Religion-Philosophy) age 95, of Kalamazoo finished his work here on Earth, Monday, April 26, 2021 and was greeted by his Lord and Savior with a resounding "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Born on May 11, 1925 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to Howard and Verne Traxler. United in marriage on November 30, 1945 to the late Eleanor Storteboom.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents Howard (Verne) Traxler; wife of 60 years, Eleanor Traxler; daughter-in-law, Linda Traxler; granddaughter, Jodi Traxler; and brothers, Harold, Gerald, Arthur, and Bruce Traxler.
He is survived by his children, Terry N. Traxler of Johnstown, Ohio, Nancy (Andy) Huizenga of Kalamazoo, Patricia (Tom) New, Donald N. (Crickette) Traxler of Richwood, Ohio, David A. Traxler of Florida, and Douglas W. Traxler of Hilliard, Ohio; ten grandchildren; sixteen greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.
Douglas E. Tullar ‘48 (Biology) born August 30, 1929, in Yorkshire, New York, died peacefully on March 28, 2022, in Amarillo, Texas. He was living at The Ware, where he resided with his wife of 70 years, Janet Louise John Tullar. She preceded him in death. He grew up in Arcade, NY, the first son of Clifford Douglas Tullar and Clara Mattie Tilton Tullar.
Douglas was active in Future Farmers of America. He was an athlete, excelling in track, basketball, and baseball. He played basketball at Roberts Wesleyan College. That was where he first spotted Janet, his true love. Douglas transferred to Seattle Pacific College. Janet had transferred there a couple months prior. Douglas and Janet married on New Year's Eve of 1949, "for the tax savings and cheaper living expenses." Douglas graduated in May 1950 with a B.S. in Zoology. His first teaching job was science at Arcade Central School, his alma mater. He also taught at Newport High School and the Off-Campus Alternative School in Bellevue, WA.
To quote one of his students from that time, "From Doug (Biology) I learned about our precious natural environment. I will never forget the week he took a group of students to San Juan Island to study eagles…They were a great group of people dedicated to helping kids who didn't fit in the system. They helped us attain at least one piece of paper that would help us better our lives. But most of all they gave use real education about the realities of our world." Retirement brought with it teaching opportunities in Texas, Arizona, and just over the Mexican border for math and science tutoring.
Douglas was preceded in death by his parents Clifford Tullar, his mother, Clara Tilton Tullar, his brother, Dudley Tullar, and his beloved Janet John Tullar.
He is survived by his brother, David Tullar, of Wilmore, KY; and daughters, Linda Tullar Vesey (Lawrence) of Chesapeake, VA, and Brenda Tullar Wilkins of Amarillo, TX. He also leaves 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.