News
Alumni Notes | September 2023
Publications & Celebrations
William H. Roushey, Jr. ‘80 ‘02 (Biology, B.S. & Management, M.S.) published the book “When the Dogs Bark: What My Dogs Taught Me about Relationships” available at Amazon.com and wherever else books are sold or visit www.billroushey.com.
Emily A. (Reber) Lazor ‘14 (Psychology) and her husband Nick Lazor welcomed their daughter Taytum Alice Lazor on August 5th, 2023.
Obituaries
Oldest Roberts Alumna, Ruth Morton Pappas, Dies at 105. Click here for the full story.
Burton Wayne Hamilton ‘59 (Religion-Philosophy), age 86, of Burlington ON, passed peacefully into God's care on August 24, 2023. He was born December 24, 1936, to Isaac and Gladys Hamilton of Sarnia ON.
Burt is survived by his wife Janet (of Bradford PA), son Mark, daughter Dr. Michelle Kathleen (Hamilton-Page), son and daughter-in-law Todd & Gillian (Ready), grandson Wyatt, and brother and sister-in-law Tom & Catherine.
During his long career, Burt served as a church pastor in Hamilton ON, Brockport NY, Ottawa ON, and Burlington ON. He also taught English and was a guidance counsellor at Burlington Central High School. For 17 years he was head of guidance at Streetsville Secondary School, from which he retired in 1998.
Burt founded Park Academy (Burlington ON) in 1975, where he acted as principal for several years. After retirement he returned as principal from 1998-2001.
Burt was a mentor to many and served on boards of directors of various churches and charitable Christian organisations.
Lisa Mary LaQuay ‘90 (Elementary Education), age 54, a lifetime resident of Western New York, was called home to be with her Lord on September 13, 2023. Born in Gowanda, NY on May 15, 1969, Lisa passed away after a brief illness in South Dayton, NY.
A Pine Valley Central School graduate, Lisa attended Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She furthered her education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, earning a Master of Library Science. The embodiment of a dedicated teacher and lifelong learner, Lisa served at Cattaraugus Little Valley Central Schools for 31 years as a Teacher and Librarian (Media Specialist). Just two of the many honors she received were the 2015 Excellence in Library Service Award from the Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC) and the 2016 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Southwestern Region of the NYS PTA.
Lisa was known for her love of family, care for community and passion for teaching her students. She loved the beauty of nature, spending hours watching the birds that came to her backyard feeders and enjoying her membership at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens. Lisa enjoyed making jams, crafts and other goodies to share with her friends. Above all was Lisa's unwavering Christian faith. She was a member of the Roberts Memorial Free Methodist Church and had served as Camp Director and Planning Chair for the Cattaraugus Christian Camp for many years.
Lisa is survived by her sister, Lori (Brian) Armen; brother, Daniel (Rose) LaQuay; and father, D. Bruce LaQuay. She leaves joyful memories with her nieces and nephews Joy LaQuay, Jonathan Armen, Luke LaQuay, and Stephen Armen, as well as her eight great-nieces and great-nephews. Lisa was predeceased by her mother, Nancy Lee Hills LaQuay.
Lisa loved Jesus and her life was a testament to serving others. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered by all who knew her.
Online condolences may be made at www.distasiofuneralhome.com.
Malcom “Mal” Emerson Perry ‘66 (English & English Education 7-12) 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 17, 2023.
Born on Aug. 6, 1941, he was the 7th of 11 children born to William Ray Perry and Phyllis Archer Perry. Shortly after his birth, the family moved from the Pittsburgh, Pa., area to a farm near Eldred, Pa. The Christian heritage of his family and his role in the hard work and joys of a family dairy farm formed the foundation of his beliefs, values, and choices throughout the remainder of his life.
Following high school, he earned an Associate Degree in Pre-Architecture with emphasis in construction technology from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, and then earned a Bachelor's Degree in English education from Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, N.Y. After graduation in 1966, Mal accepted a high school teaching position in Springville, N.Y., however a significant accident prevented him from following through. Then, relying on his associate degree, he accepted a position at Delco Products as an Industrial Engineer. He spent the bulk of his career with General Motors at Delco Products, but in later years, he began working in Health and Safety and became the Ergonomics Coordinator. He retired in 1999.
Mal was a man of many talents, and he developed a variety of interests over the years. He was well read and especially enjoyed reading about both our national and local area history. His sizable library included many important books about the Civil War, World War II, and the works of Arch Merrill and Carl Carmer. He was a farm boy at heart, and his collection of barn and tractor books were always nearby. He was a lover of "good" literature, especially poetry. He wrote poetry, sometimes just to privately express his thoughts and emotions and at other times to share at the Thanksgiving table or a Christmas gathering. Music, especially classical and sacred choral music, brought him great meaning and enjoyment throughout his life. He and 3 brothers sang in a quartet during his early years; he was a 4-year member of the Roberts Wesleyan College Chorale; and he was a long-time member of the Pearce Memorial Church choir.
Mal believed deeply in a sense of home. He and his wife, Charmy, brought an old farmhouse back to life, and created a beautiful home they enjoyed sharing with others. Life was good when he was outside working with his John Deere tractor or mowing perfectly straight lines on the 2-acre front lawn. He took great pride in planting a long row of maple trees, placed exactly 50 ft. apart on the east boundary of the property. When not outside, he could often be found in his "shop" working on a project – building or fixing something! He especially enjoyed repairing and restoring antiques for home or to sell in their antiques business. Antiquing adventures drew Mal and Charmy to the Lancaster Co. area of Pennsylvania where they eventually purchased a second home. For Mal, a drive through the Lancaster Co. farmland was pure pleasure.
He believed in serving his community and held membership on the Ogden Planning Board and was Chairman of the Ogden Republican Committee for several years. He then served as councilman on the Ogden Town Board from 2003 until his retirement in 2022.
Above all, he was a man of faith who valued his relationship to God, his family, and his country. He was actively involved in his church and in a men's prayer breakfast group for over 40 years, where he could be counted on for thoughtful reflections, and poignant questions. He was naturally outgoing, and he developed a wide circle of friends who were drawn to his wit and charm. He was a loving husband, father, stepfather and grandfather, and his example of a life well lived has made a difference for those who knew and loved him. He was a kind, compassionate man who valued honesty, truth, excellence, and hard work. It truly could be said that "He was a good man."
Mal is predeceased by his parents, William Ray Perry and Phyllis Archer Perry, his siblings, William Ray Perry Jr., James Perry, Phyllis Caryl Conable, David Perry, and Bruce Perry.
Mal is survived by and is deeply missed by his wife, Charmy, sons Andrew (Kim) Perry, David (Jodi) Perry; stepchildren Melanie (Adam) Klock, Jeffrey (Angie) Meyers, and Jonathan (Kirsten) Meyers; siblings Priscilla Yale, Faith Boyce, Melody Campbell, Lynton Perry, and Cynthia Smith; four grandchildren and 10 stepgrandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made either to Pearce Memorial Church or Roberts Wesleyan University.
M. Esther (Swauger) Palmer-Jones ‘55 (English), age 93, of Monroeville, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023. She was the daughter of Frank B. and Anna (Strawn) Swauger. She graduated from Roberts Weslyn College in North Chili, NY, graduating with a teaching degree. She had taught school in Virgil and Hamburg, N.Y., where she taught English, Literature, Drama and was an advisor in many school clubs. Esther moved to Niceville, FL., where she worked as a counselor for the Council on Aging. She was an avid quilter and seamstress and belonged to quilting groups in FL, and in Titusville and Monroeville, PA. She was very artistic, as she enjoyed sewing, painting, and loved to read. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and loved them dearly. She is survived by her sister, Miriam “Mim” Swauger of Monroeville, her brother Daniel (Carol) Swauger of Swain, NY, and her sister in-law (Margaret B.) Swauger of Grove City, Ohio; her sons; Michael F. Palmer, (Patty) of Lake Charles, LA, Nick (Colleen) Palmer of NY, and Scott (Sally) Palmer, of Michigan. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her late husbands, John F. Palmer of Florida and Philip Jones of Titusville, PA.; her son, Skip Palmer and her siblings, John M. (Sylvia) Swauger, Richard D. Swauger, Ted Swauger (Val Jean), and Margaret A. (Richard) Ugen. Arrangements were private.
Alden Edward Seifried Jr. ‘53 (Business Administration) December 8, 1928 - January 16, 2019 San Diego After 90 years of life filled with unconditional love for family, teaching and wisdom, Alden Edward Seifried Jr. passed away on Jan. 16, 2019. Born on Dec. 8, 1928, to parents, Alden E. Seifried Sr. and Gertrude Suthard, Alden Jr. grew up with late brothers, Richard and Edward Seifried, and is survived by sister, Marilyn Bahl. Alden has also been reunited with his late wife, Carol Marie Davis Seifried, who he enjoyed 51 years of marriage with. Alden also is survived by his children, Suzanne Vazzana and Alden E. Seifried III, as well as grandchildren, Matthew Vazzana, Jeff Vazzana, Crystal Bejarano, and John Seifried. While all share the unity of being in the same family, the six children and grandchildren also share another commonality being the recipients of Alden's affection, knowledge and infectious laughter. He made each relationship with his children and grandchildren unique in their own way, but all came with the love and devotion he had for his whole family.
After serving for four years in the Korean War as a member of the United States Navy, Alden carried his passion of enlightening others into his 30-year math teaching career at Monte Vista and Whittier High Schools. Being more than just a teacher, Alden is remembered for caring for each and every student and colleague throughout his impressive career. He also carried his schooling outside of the walls of the Whittier area, always teaching his grandchildren a lesson or two about life and the outdoors when they would head to Rock Creek one of Alden's favorite getaways. Alden's passion for the great outdoors is something he's passed on that the family he leaves behind is grateful for. When he wasn't enjoying fishing and camping in great outdoors or driving his Lexus convertible, Alden was using his math mastery in his hobbies when playing bridge at a very high level and poker at the local casino. And, of course, each day got started with the newspaper which held his daily reading and cartoon section. His fondness of the cartoon section was a reflection of the joy he brought to his family, and not just because he would read them the funnies whenever he had the chance. In every day life, his witty intelligence, love of humor and great laugh would brighten the mood in every room he was in. Alden was the nucleus of the Seifried family and an educator in every facet of his life. His love and enthusiasm will be dearly missed, but will also stick with the family in this time of mourning and beyond.