• 1920-1950
• 1951-1970
• 1971-1990
• 1991-1999

’23
Lucy Gibson Raup, Sister Bay, WI, died Aug. 22, 1998. The author of several papers on botanical research, she also published Campers’ Cookbook, a book about camping in the Canadian Arctic. A son, grandson and a great-grandson survive. Her husband, Hugh M. Raup, ’23, ’68H, preceded her in death.

’24
Augusta L. Garlough, Springfield, OH, died Oct. 12, 1998. A retired teacher with 42 years service in the Springfield school system, she was an active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Surviving are two sisters-in-law, including Wilma Smallwood Garlough, ’37, and several nieces and nephews, including Marissa Mattern Frick, ’89, and Kurt C. Mattern, ’93. Her brother, Preston P. Garlough, ’32, ’46MA, predeceased her.

’27
Lorin L. Spenny, ’30S, a retired Lutheran pastor, died Feb. 18, 1998, in Dayton, OH. During his career, he served several churches in Kentucky and Ohio. After his retirement in 1971, he assisted at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dayton. He had also been a member of the boards of Wittenberg and Oesterlen Services for Youth and director of Lutheran Social Services. Survivors include his wife, a daughter, Maralyn Spenny Flinner, ’54, son-in-law, Jack L. Flinner, ’54, two sons, Edward A. Spenny, ’57, and David L. Spenny, ’65, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his sister, Lena Spenny Keyser, ’30, and brother-in-law, Philip L. Keyser, ’33.

’29
Lorin H. Oaklief, formerly of Newcomerstown, OH, died June 11, 1998, in Medina, OH. He retired as vice president and general manager of the Haserot Wholesale Grocery Co., Cleveland, OH, after 42 years service. Surviving are his wife, three sons, a daughter, several cousins and their spouses, including Henry G., ’49, and Judith Grube Portz, ’50, Arthur G. Portz, ’38, Susan Oaklief Mandator, ’65, Matthew H. Portz, ’46, Ann Strawn Stafford, ’70, James R., ’73, and Barbara Wasson Strawn, ’73, Scott G., ’76, and Carol Pfeifer Strawn, ’75, Holly Portz Koiro, ’67, and Alison Portz Conrad, ’81. Preceding him in death were several aunts and uncles, Clarence A. Portz, ’13, Francis M., ’09, and Helen Greer Portz, ’09, and Harvey O., ’13, and Hallie Wright Portz, ’35, and cousins, Robert M. Portz, ’43, Lois Portz Strawn, ’42, and R. Greer Portz, ’49, and his spouse, Nancy Alexander Portz, ’52.

’30
M. Gladys Denlinger, Enon, OH, died Nov. 20, 1998. A teacher for 44 years and a former “Teacher of the Year” with the Fairborn school system, she was a member of the Enon United Methodist Church. She is survived by a sister, Alma Denlinger Gheen, ’31, and several nieces and nephews. A brother, William W. Denlinger Jr., ’36, preceded her in death.

’32
Bernice P. Cain, Sidney, OH, died Jan. 13, 1998. During World War II, she served in the British Army Staff Office, Washington, D.C. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Piqua, OH. A retired teacher, she taught at Lena-Conover, Brown Local and the Emerson School. There are no known survivors.

Theodora K. Neudoerffer, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, died July 20, 1998. She served in India for 40 years as a missionary nurse with the Lutheran Church in America. Her father, Ernest Neudoerffer, ’30H, and a sister, Ernestine Neudoerffer, ’31, preceded her in death.

Paul Stefanik, ’82H, Brooklyn, OH, died Oct. 27, 1998. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Navy as an inspection officer for British supplies in the United Kingdom. A long-time Mobil Oil Co. employee, he retired as manager of world sales of special products. Wittenberg honored his exceptional dedication to the University’s ideals with the Class of 1914 Award in 1982 and an Alumni Association Citation in 1978. He is survived by his wife, a son, four grandchildren, a great-grandchild, a sister, a niece, Karen Collins Stefanik, ’69, and a nephew, Evan F. Stefanik, ’97.

Ruth Zelenka Sutton, Wadsworth, OH, died May 5, 1998. She taught school in Mansfield, Norton and Wadsworth before retiring to Colorado and Florida. An active member of Trinity United Church of Christ, she is survived by her husband, two daughters, a son and five grandchildren.

’33
Howard L. Kany, Poland Spring, ME, died Nov. 4, 1998. A journalist, he worked briefly at the Springfield News-Sun before serving with the Associated Press and CBS in Washington, D.C. and New York, NY. He ended his career as a community reporter for the Lewiston, Maine, Sun-Journal. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, six grandchildren and two brothers.

’34
Fred E. Buescher, Cleveland, OH, died Sept. 26, 1998. During World War II, he served as a military police officer with the U.S. Army. He retired in 1977 as corporate secretary and personnel director with Parker Hannifin Corp. after 37 years of service. An active member of the community and Our Savior Lutheran Church, Mayfield Heights, he is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, Carol Buescher Santoro, ’72, and two granddaughters.

Everett H. Hopkins, ’58H, a psychology instructor and assistant personnel director at Wittenberg in the 1930s, died Nov. 21, 1998 in Durham, NC. A former vice president for institutional advancement and assistant provost at Duke University, he retired in 1981 as professor of higher education. A Naval Reserve lieutenant commander during World War II, he served as director of personnel at the U.S. Navy Training Center, Farragut, ID. Wittenberg presented him an honorary doctorate degree in 1958. He is survived by his wife, three sons and several grandchildren, including Christopher E. Hopkins, ’97. Preceding him in death were two brothers, Walter C. Hopkins, ’35, ’38MA, and Earl F. Hopkins, ’31, a sister, Elsie Hopkins Weikert, ’32, and her husband, Wilson V. Weikert, ’32.

’35
Howard A. Alsdorf, ’38S, Bainbridge Island, WA, died Oct. 3, 1998. During his career as a Lutheran pastor, he served as a missionary in Japan, on the staff of Andhra Christian College in India and with the Japan Lutheran Church and various parishes in Kentucky. His wife, four sons, five grandsons, including Johan E. Alsdorf, ’92, and two granddaughters survive. Preceding him in death were a sister, Lois Alsdorf McIlvaine, ’28, a cousin, Charles E. Miller, ’40, an aunt, Alta Miller Scharf, ’21, and her husband, Edward P. Scharf, ’10.

Virginia Milner Imhoff, Springfield, OH, died Oct. 29, 1998. She taught at Catawba and Fulton elementary schools. She was active in Lutheran ministries in Louisville, KY, for many years and was a member of First Lutheran Church. Surviving are four sons, including Roger G. Imhoff Jr., ’60, ’64S, Charles M. Imhoff, ’63, and David E. Imhoff, ’91H, a daughter, 13 grandchildren and nephew, John M. Bishop, ’57. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger G. Imhoff Sr., ’33, ’36S, and a brother and sister-in-law, Walter, ’27, and Ruby Weaver Milner, ’38.

William J. Jr., and Rebecca Rogers Allison, ’40, live in Springfield, OH. William, a volunteer for Elderly United C.A.R.E. for 11 years, received a finalist award for exemplary community service from Medical Mutual of Ohio.

’39
Henry K. Schofer, Clearwater, FL, died Nov. 18, 1998. He was a retired teacher/administrator with 27 years of overseas service in DOD Schools in Japan, Korea, Germany and at Clark Air Base, the Philippines. Survivors include his wife, a stepson, a brother, John G. Schofer, ’26, a sister, Anna Schofer Bright, ’28, a niece and her husband, Mary Schofer Nichols, ’60, and James H. Nichols, ’61S, and three sisters-in-law, Margarette Hawk Schofer, ’35, Laura Parker Schofer, ’38, and Betty Weisner Schofer, ’42. Three brothers, Karl F. Schofer, ’31, ’34S, Paul J. Schofer, ’36, and Martin L. Schofer, ’42, preceded him in death.

Richard H. Thomas, formerly of Kettering, OH, died Sept. 3, 1998, in Yardley, PA. A 44-year employee of National Cash Register, he served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the European Theater during World War II. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, a grandson, a brother, Charles A. Thomas, ’36, ’47MA, and three nephews, including Stephen H. Thomas, ’64. A brother, Joe D. Thomas, ’35, preceded him in death.

’40
Barbara Schumaker Noviss, Toledo, OH, died June 8, 1998. A fourth-grade teacher for 46 years, she taught at Coyle and Starr elementary schools, Oregon, OH, and retired in 1979. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church. Surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, two nephews and seven great-grandnieces and grandnephews.

Myron R. Williams, a retired officer and director of Farmers National Bank, died Aug. 13, 1998 in Canfield, OH. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and his community. During World War II, he served as a navigator with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He leaves his wife, three sons and seven grandchildren.

’41
John K. Gunsett, Yuba City, CA, died Nov. 30, 1998. During World War II, he served as a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army. A sales engineer and office manager before his retirement from Electrical Distribution and Control in Sacramento, CA, he recently volunteered with the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Corrigan Gunsett, ’43, a daughter, two sons, a sister, E. Rose Gunsett Riser, ’44, and a cousin, John W. Gunsett, ’53.

’42
Robert A. Wiegel, a foreman and aircraft manufacturer at Bell Helicopter before retiring in 1974, died Aug. 28, 1998 in Euless, TX. His wife, a son, a daughter, eight grandchildren and a brother survive him.

’44
Milton F.A. Arndt, St. Thomas, PA, has retired after serving 50 years as a Lutheran minister with the Lower Susquehanna Synod. He remains active with various volunteer commitments.

’45
Dorotha Kette Coster, a retired teacher, lives in Springmoor Retirement Community, Raleigh, NC.

’47
Fred C. Daubenspeck, Hot Springs, AR, died Sept. 7, 1998. He retired from Swift & Co. in 1980. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Feaster Daubenspeck, ’44, a son, three grandchildren and a great-nephew, Matthew M. McKinnon, ’98.

Willis A. Davis, Springfield, OH, died Nov. 12, 1998. He retired after 42 years in the banking industry as currency controller with the Cherry Creek National Bank, Denver, CO. A World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, he was a member of Maiden Lane Church of God. Survivors include a brother, two aunts and several cousins, including Janet E. McCrosky, ’54.

’48
o Richard L. Knisley, Springfield, OH, died Oct. 27, 1998. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Christian Union. Survivors include three daughters, two sons, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two brothers.

’49
Class Reunion June 18-20, 1999

R. Donald Cultice, Zanesville, OH, died Dec. 18, 1998. He was a pilot during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater. He had retired as a partner with the law firm, Kincaid, Cultice & Geyer. At the time of his death, he was a partner in the law firm of Cultice & Brown where he practiced with his son and daughter. His wife, two sons, a daughter, five grandchildren and a sister survive.

Joseph W. Pritchard, Springfield, OH, died Nov. 24, 1998. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific as a B-24 combat navigator. He retired from the 178th Tactical Fighter Group, Ohio Air National Guard, and from Wright Patterson Air Force Base following 30 years of service. A member of Asbury United Methodist Church, he held a 32nd degree Scottish Rite with the Free and Accepted Masons. Survivors include two sons, three grandchilden and a brother, Elwin A. Pritchard, ’51.

’50
Robert S. Bradbury, Huntsville, OH, died July 22, 1998. A pharmacist with Revco Drug Store, Huber Heights, OH, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Mensa. A son, a daughter and nine grandchildren survive.

Richard G. Chaney, Springfield, OH, died Nov. 24, 1998. A salesman with W.R. Hackett until his retirement, he had served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He had also played professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Farm Team, Bartlesville, OK, and was inducted into the Springfield Baseball Hall of Fame. Surviving are his wife, a son, two daughters, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

James H. Ripple has retired as chief executive officer with the Commonwealth Development Authority of the Northern Mariana Islands. He has moved to Aiea, HI.

Roger C. Sassen, Tarzana, CA, died Oct. 29, 1998. He was the plant manager of the Springfield Metallic Casket Co. for more than 25 years and was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife, four sons, two daughters, 14 grandchildren, two brothers, including Thomas A. Sassen, ’51, and a niece, Deborah Sassen Brugler, ’80, and her husband, James M. Brugler, ’79.

Vernon B. Yeich, a retired electrical engineer with the Westinghouse Electric Co., enjoys piloting his airplane, skiing, singing with three choral societies, and learning about radio broadcasting history. He lives in White Hall, MD.