News
Alumni Notes | October 2023
Publications & Celebrations
Grove Armstrong ’53 (English) has made the 3rd edition of his book MEETING JESUS CHRIST, The Theology and Practice of Private Personal Worship digitally available for mobile devices for 99 cents. Go to Amazon.com and search for “MEETING JESUS CHRIST, The Theology and Practice.”
Kristey Simmons ’13 (Contemporary Ministries) is now Lead Administrative Coordinator at Bethesda Christian School.
Obituaries
Andrew Kreis Cramer ’03 (Art Education) passed away peacefully, in the presence of his wife, Janice, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Pittsburgh, after a long and tenacious fight against cancer. He was 42 years old. Andy was born April 11, 1980, in Farmington, Conn., to John and Karen Cramer. Early on, he discovered his love of music and design. After graduating from Hempfield High School in Greensburg, he went on to Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, N.Y., where he earned a bachelor's in graphic design and art education in 2003. Andy then pursued a Master of Design degree at Carnegie Mellon University with a focus on interaction design and design research. He became passionate about making positive change through interaction design and teaching. Andy launched his design career in New York City and contributed to the development of intuitive software for social workers at Case Commons as well as to other large-scale systems for corporations and nonprofits. All the while, Andy found opportunities to teach, including at New York University and Pratt Institute. Andy met and fell in love with Janice Ahn in 2013. They were married at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in 2015, and settled in the Greenwich Village neighborhood. Their marriage was blessed with two little boys, Owen and Hugo. Andy loved to host, and he loved to be with friends. He delighted in music, enjoyed all things Mod (early 1960s), and loved to travel. Andy and Janice's adventures took them to Ithaca, New Orleans, the Grenadines, and Copenhagen. Andy's excitement when talking about a topic or idea of interest was as palpable as it was contagious. Andy always dreamed of concluding his design career with teaching as a full-time design professor, particularly at a small Christian liberal arts college, such as the one he attended. In January of 2022, he began serving as associate professor of interaction design at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Calif. In his brief time there, he daily pushed through his illness to create curriculum and help establish a new interaction design offering within the art and design department. Andy was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in March of 2020, when Janice was seven months pregnant with their second son and at the start of the pandemic. Andy's last years were full of challenge, pain, long suffering, and instability, with joy, hope, and gratitude in the midst of it. In his last months, being God's child was Andy's source of comfort. Andy knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and received His grace and mercy, referring to Psalm 4:8: "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." Andy is survived by his wife, Janice; sons, Owen (4) and Hugo (2); parents, John and Karen; brother, Benjamin (wife Christy and children Henry, Julia, and Cole); and uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Paul Philip Theobald Geibel ’63 (Psychology), better known as Phil, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2023, at the age of 86 at his home in New Port Richey, Florida. Phil was born in Hornell, New York on January 12, 1937 to Paul and Dillistine Geibel (predeceased), and joined his sister Gretchen (predeceased).
He was raised in Rochester, New York. After high school Phil attended Alfred Technical College where he met Mrs. Elvira DeWitt, a devote Christian who led him to Christ. He returned to Rochester and began attending Brighton Community Church (now Browncroft Community Church) where he grew in his faith. He also began his studies at Roberts Wesleyan College (RWC) in social work and psychology. His studies were interrupted for a short time when he was drafted into the army and joined the Army National Guard. After basic training, he returned to RWC and graduated in 1963. At RWC he met his love, Carole Root. and they were married in 1964.
After graduation Phil worked with teens at Hillside Childrens’ Center, Monroe County Family Court, and incarcerated juveniles at Industry, NY.
In 1968 Phil and Carole moved to Washington, D.C for Phil to attend Howard University. He graduated with a Masters in Social work in 1971. Returning to Rochester he worked at Hillside Children’s Center, then as Assistant Director for the Monroe County Mental Health Dept.
In the late 70’s he was called into the ministry to become the Director of Monroe County Youth for Christ (YFC). After leaving YFC, he opened a Christian practice for individual, marriage and family counseling. He also became an Adjunct Associate Professor at RWC where he taught psychology and counseling courses.
In 1994, Phil and Carole moved to New Port Richey, Florida to extend their passion for sailing year round. They bought a home on the water where their sailboat could be docked. During the next 10 years, Phil worked for Hernando/Pasco Hospice as a social worker and grief counselor.
After retiring in 2006 Phil and Carole enjoyed cruising the Gulf of Mexico, flying to Seattle to spend time with sons and their families, visiting U.S NATIONAL PARKS in the West, and making wonderful new friends while touring 28 different countries.
At his church, First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs, Phil help start a grief share ministry and a Life Coach counseling service. He was the devotional leader and heart of the Thursday Morning Men’s Breakfast for several years. He and Carole also led a ministry for the seniors where his humor and wit brought laughter and love to all.
In 2010 Phil began experiencing short-term memory loss and was later diagnosed as having the onset of Alzheimer’s. He was able to continue his active life of church activities, sailing and traveling until about 2 years ago. His humor and wit never left him, although it became more difficult to talk. You could tell what he was thinking behind that smile. Phil remained sweet and loving throughout his illness.
Phil and Carole’s last mission field was in their home during his illness until he passed. Everyone who entered expressed that they felt the love of God, peace and joy, and witness the undying love between a man and wife. Phil took his last breaths with Carole’s arms around him.
Phil touched many lives serving God with his God given gifts of love for other, counseling and humor.
He is survived by his loving wife and “sailor girl” Carole of 59 years; 3 children – Jason (Genevieve) ,Aaron (Jan), Pam; 4 Grandchildren, Hanna, Madison, Liam, Dylan.
M. Esther (Swauger) Palmer-Jones ’55 (English), 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.
Kenneth W Stewart ’56, 89 of Jacksonville, Florida formerly of Maplecrest, NY passed away peacefully on August 30, 2023. Ken was predeceased by his parents Kenneth L Stewart, step mother, Marion (Hutchinson) and Viola Stewart (Vining) his mother, the love of his life Irene (Kinzelmann) Stewart and his first wife, Shirley Brandt. Ken was born September 18,1934 in Maplecrest, NY. He attended Windham-Ashland-Jewett CS and Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, NY. He and his first wife Shirley had one child, Laura Chase of Hensonville NY. Ken married Irene in 1973 and enjoyed a wonderful marriage for 48 years. They went on to nurture 12 children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ken was a man with many friends, golf buddies and customers as owner of Stewarts GMC for 50+ years. He served as President of the Windham Country Club and was a serious and competitive golfer. Everyone that knew Ken realized he was a man of great faith in Jesus Christ. Sharing his testimony and serving as elder in several churches during his lifetime. Ken and Irene retired and spent winters in Naples, Florida living as close to the greens as possible at Foxfire Country Club. Ken is survived by many family members, daughters, Laura L Chase(Kevin), and Kristine(Calvin) Ortiz, son Kenneth(Gretchen) Stewart, Kathleen(Michael) Chiappetta, Karen(Robert) O’Connell, Laura(David) Ryan, Susan(Thom) Murko, Gerard Kinzelmann, John(Gail) Kinzelmann, Lisa(Rich) Toellner, Amy(Dale) Baker, Lynette(Wayne) Bunce.
Lois E. Wolfgang ’63 (Nursing), age 77 of Nashville, TN went to be with her Lord on May, 21, 2019. She is survived by husband of 56 years, Robert, son Bradley, daughter Amy, sister Darlene (Larry) Mefford, brother Joseph (Hope) Taylor and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.R. and Esther Taylor.
Miss Lois was a faculty member of Trevecca Nazarene University for over 30 years.