R Connections
Add My Story
Welcome to R Connections! This is your go-to place for information about your graduating class and to explore alumni news and sightings.
Tips for Exploring R Connections
- Select your class year from the dropdown below and click “Search” to see your class information, class agents, recent news and more!
- Use additional filters or enter a classmate’s name if you’re looking for something specific
Share Your Story
We’re always looking for alumni news and sightings! If you have exciting news to share or have recently gathered with Ripon College friends, let us know through the “Add My Story” button at the top. Be sure to include a photo when possible. We look forward to seeing what you’ve been up to!
In Memory of Sara Foudriat Eggert ’72
In Memory of Sara Foudriat Eggert ’72
Sara Eggert
SARA FOUDRIAT EGGERT ’72 of Greenville, South Carolina, died April 27, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and educational studies and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi/Pi Tau Pi. Her passion was raising her children and spoiling her grandchildren. She spent many hours riding her horse and also quilted extensively. She volunteered as an aide in public schools and taught Sunday school at her church. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe with her favorite trip being horseback riding in Sicily. Survivors include her husband, ALAN R. EGGERT ’71; two sons and one daughter; and a brother-in-law DAVID A. EGGERT ’77.
Full obituary: https://thomasmcafee.com/obituary/sara-eggert/
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Duane L. Koplien ’57
In Memory of Duane L. Koplien ’57
Duane Koplien
DUANE L. KOPLIEN ’57 of Weyauwega, Wisconsin, died May 14, 2023. At Ripon, he studied economics and participated in Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He also studied at the University of Hawaii and served in the U.S. Army. He and his wife, Patricia, lived in Milwaukee for 12 years, owning and operating Brasch’s Sunrise Eggs. They then operated Brasch’s House of Cheese, specialty store, bakery, restaurant and farm market in Fremont, Wisconsin, for 31 years. Farming was his occupation and his hobby, and he focused on the farm market arm of the business, growing, harvesting and procuring much of the produce himself. Survivors include three children.
Full obituary: https://waupacanow.com/2023/05/16/koplien-duane/
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Barbara Cress Grandy ’48
In Memory of Barbara Cress Grandy ’48
Barbara Grandy
BARBARA CRESS GRANDY ’48 of Chetek, Wisconsin, died May 10, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in chemistry and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi/Pi Tau Pi. She was a longtime member of the City of Chetek Planning Commission and also served on the board of directors for the Chetek Library. She was avid golfer and was active in several bridge groups. Survivors include two sons.
Full obituary: https://drydenwire.com/obituaries/barbara-c-grandy/
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Thomas F. Kuehl ’61
In Memory of Thomas F. Kuehl ’61
Thomas Kuehl
THOMAS F. KUEHL ’61 of Gulf Breeze, Florida, died March 19, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in economics, participated in athletics and was commissioned through ROTC. He was voted president of the chapter when his fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, received its charter as Phi Delta Theta, Wisconsin Gamma Chapter. He worked as a commodities broker, managing grain elevators and working for grain companies; was a member of the Kansas City Board of Trade and president of Far-Mar-Co.; and then an independent commodities broker in Pensacola Beach, Florida. He enjoyed tennis, hunting and fishing, and was a member of Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 and Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen; two daughters; two stepsons; and brothers, including WILLIAM KUEHL ’64 and RICHARD KUEHL ’67.
Full obituary: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/27532750/thomas-frank-kuehl
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Robert C. Procter Jr. ’59
In Memory of Robert C. Procter Jr. ’59
Robert Procter
ROBERT C. PROCTER JR. ’59 of Monona, Wisconsin, died April 27, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in economics, as well as politics and government, participated in Theta Chi/Alpha Omega Alpha and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army and worked at Procter Insurance Agency. Survivors include his wife, Stefania Moroni; three sons and one daughter.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/robert-procter-obituary?id=51828707
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Mark J. Wright ’75
In Memory of Mark J. Wright ’75
Mark Wright
MARK J. WRIGHT ’75 of Mankato, Minnesota, died March 26, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in history and participated in student government, Beta Sigma Pi and swimming. He was a conference champion in the 200 breaststroke. Additionally, he received a master’s degree in finance from Columbia University. He was a longtime member of the Ripon College Board of Trustees, serving on committees such as finance, infrastructure and investment. He also financially supported many initiatives and volunteered for reunion committees and recruitment efforts. Professionally, he was president and CEO of Acadia Windows & Doors; CFO for a radio partnership at Sandab Communications; principal of The Wright Consulting Group; and consultant/practitioner with the Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation. Survivors include his wife, MARCIA WILSON WAHOSKE ’75; and two sons. Marcia’s father was ROBERT WILSON ’42, a professor of physics at Ripon.
Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mark-wright-obituary?id=51567587
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Robert L. Taylor
In Memory of Robert L. Taylor
Robert Taylor
ROBERT L. TAYLOR of Markesan, Wisconsin, former director of computer services and assistant professor of computer science, died April 7, 2023. He worked at Ripon from 1967 until retiring in 1992 and created the Ripon College Computer Center, now called the Office of Information Technology. Other positions included assistant to the vice president for finance, development associate-federal programs, and coordinator of data processing. He studied at Rutgers University in New Jersey and received his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He served in the U.S. Army and worked in the insurance industry and at Control Data in Bloomington, Minnesota, before coming to Ripon. He was active in the Ripon community and with the Ripon Jaycees. After retirement, he went into business with partners at Ripon Data Services and Video Age Productions. He also started the vacation rental company Green Lake Vacations LLC. He was active in his church. Survivors include his wife, Kathro; and one son.
Full obituary: riponpress.com/obituaries/robert-bob-lee-taylor/article_c9aab150-dd58-11ed-8f5c-e3fdfa7ed355.html
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Ann Irwin Hines ’51
In Memory of Ann Irwin Hines ’51
Ann Hines
ANN IRWIN HINES ’51 of Georgetown, Texas, died April 16, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in English with a minor in philosophy and participated in Ver Adest, Kappa Delta/Delta Phi Sigma and Partners in the Legacy. She was the Homecoming Queen in 1950. She completed a post-graduate medical record librarian program in 1952 and in 1990 received a master of science in health professions from Southwest Texas State University. She enjoyed literature and reading, crossword puzzles, humor and pranks, and traveling, especially to Scotland, England and Ireland. Survivors include her children.
Full obituary: statesman.com/obituaries/paco0476245
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Jane Barber Emerson ’46
In Memory of Jane Barber Emerson ’46
Jane Emerson
JANE BARBER EMERSON ’46 of Jefferson City, Missouri, died April 16, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in chemistry and mathematics and participated in Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. Her father was WILLIAM HARLEY BARBER, a longtime professor of physics at Ripon. She taught chemistry to ROTC students at Ripon, and while in graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, she had a teaching assistantship in mathematics. She lived in Emporia, Kansas, for almost 60 years where her husband was a mathematics professor and department chair at Emporia State University. She taught Sunday school classes in her church and enjoyed reading, humor, genealogy, nature, being outdoors, gardening, playing the piano and cooking. Survivors include one son and one daughter; and a brother-in-law, RICHARD G. HALLOCK ’53.
Full obituary: riponpress.com/obituaries/jane-cornwell-barber-emerson/article_5ba5b91c-e08b-11ed-91df-5fb737916d21.html
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Robert L. Brandt ’49
In Memory of Robert L. Brandt ’49
Robert Brandt
ROBERT L. BRANDT ’49 of Peoria, Arizona, died March 25, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics, physics and chemistry. He studied at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of California, Berkeley, and later earned a master’s degree in chemistry. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He worked at Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, Washington; and as a software and systems engineer for General Electric and Honeywell in Arizona. He was active in the Phoenix Toastmasters and was an area Governor. He volunteered as Clerk of Session for 24 years at Northminster Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. He enjoyed wordplay, puns and music. Survivors include three sons and one daughter. His wife, SHIRLEY BARNARD BRANDT ’47, died in 2019.
Full obituary: heritagefuneralchapels.com/obituaries/Robert-Loyd-Brandt?obId=27656639#/obituaryInfo
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Paul B. Cors ’53
In Memory of Paul B. Cors ’53
Paul Cors
PAUL B. CORS ’53 of Laramie, Wyoming, died March 28, 2023. He grew up in Ripon and as a high school student wrote the “Fauna of the South Woods” chapter in The South Woods Park Anniversary Booklet, 1902-1947. At Ripon College, he majored in classics. He received a master’s degree in library science from Rutgers University. He worked with the New Mexico State University libraries in Las Cruces, as first director of the newly formed Centralized Processing Center at the Wyoming State Library in Cheyenne, and with the University of Wyoming in Laramie as chief acquisitions librarian, professor and head of Collection Development. He was an active member of the American Library Association, National Audubon Society and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. He held lifelong interests in railroads and the natural world.
Full obituary: montgomerystryker.com/paul-b-cors/
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Frances Landers Ferguson ’50
In Memory of Frances Landers Ferguson ’50
Frances Ferguson
FRANCES LANDERS FERGUSON ’50 of Ormond Beach, Florida, died April 8, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in history and participated in Alpha Chi Omega/Alpha Gamma Theta. She received a master’s degree in education from Stetson University. She moved to Florida in 1960 where her husband served as a rector in the Episcopal Church. She taught kindergarten in Titusville and Daytona Beach for more than 30 years. She and her husband then split time between Ormond Beach and Wolf Laurel, North Carolina. She enjoyed mining for gems, watching game shows, word puzzles and traveling, including visits to every state in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. Survivors include one son and one daughter. Her husband, WALTER SUMNER FERGUSON ’50, died in 2008.
Full obituary: news-journalonline.com/obituaries/pdtb0469104
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Michael J. Bender ’95
In Memory of Michael J. Bender ’95
Michael Bender
MICHAEL J. BENDER ’95 of North Freedom, Wisconsin, died March 30, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in history and participated in student government. He was a dog lover and will be especially missed by his four-legged companions, Hejamie and Buddy. Survivors include his mother, Sandra.
Full obituary: redlin-ertzfuneralhome.com/obituary-detail.php?obituary_id=10762764
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Mariann Thull Rush ’55
In Memory of Mariann Thull Rush ’55
Mariann Rush
MARIANN THULL RUSH ’55 of Madison, Wisconsin, died March 29, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and participated in Alpha Delta Pi/Pi Tau Pi. She lived in Alexandria, Virginia, and Madison, Wisconsin. She was the owner of Monroe Restorations, renovating homes built primarily from the year 1890-1910. She managed those properties and rented them out. She had a deep appreciation for nature and adventure and learned to fly.
Full obituary: channel3000.com/obituaries/mariann-thull-rush/article_c614291e-d0d2-11ed-a4e9-bf8f257c4546.html
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Philip Ayres Metcalf ’67
In Memory of Philip Ayres Metcalf ’67
Philip Metcalf
PHILIP AYRES METCALF ’67 of Bethel, Connecticut, died March 9, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in philosophy and participated in student theatre, music, government and Sigma Chi/Omega Sigma Chi. He also received a degree in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He started his career in publishing at Random House, later moving into telecommunications and voice recognition software. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, hiker and church choir member. He also enjoyed gardening, travel, cooking and fine dining, architecture and garden design, reading, listening to music, and reciting trivia. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.
Full obituary: patch.com/connecticut/bethel/obituary-philip-ayres-metcalf-77-bethel
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Crista Staley Ellis ’69
In Memory of Crista Staley Ellis ’69
Crista Ellis
CRISTA STALEY ELLIS ’69 of Saratoga Springs, New York, died March 14, 2023. At Ripon, she studied philosophy and participated in College Days and Alpha Chi Omega/Alpha Gamma Theta. She also studied graphic design at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. She worked as a journalist at Lerner Newspaper and The Pioneer Press in Chicago, and retired as a graphic artist from Ayco Co. in Clifton Park, New York, in 1988. She was an accomplished painter and potter, showing in art exhibits. She also enjoyed knitting, dying and spinning her own fibers, nature, water, Crosby Stills and Nash, cooking, sewing, babies, barns and driving to Vermont to see the fall colors. Survivors include one son and one daughter.
Full obituary: gordoncemerickfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/1915/Crista-Ellis/obituary.html
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Linda Bogstad Tomaino ’81
In Memory of Linda Bogstad Tomaino ’81
Linda Bogstad
LINDA BOGSTAD TOMAINO ’81 of Arlington Heights, Illinois, died Dec. 30, 2012. At Ripon, she studied economics and politics and government and participated in basketball. Survivors at that time included her husband, GREGORY A. TOMAINO ’82. He died Dec. 18, 2022.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Gregory Tomaino ’82
In Memory of Gregory Tomaino ’82
Gregory Tomaino
GREGORY A. TOMAINO ’82 of Arlington Heights, Illinois, died Dec. 18, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in history. He was the devoted owner of several dogs and cats, including Gracie and Georgie. His wife, LINDA BOGSTAD TOMAINO ’81, died in 2012.
Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/gregory-tomaino-obituary?id=38435963
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Jon W. Weise ’61
In Memory of Jon W. Weise ’61
Jon Weise
JON W. WEISE ’61 of Murrieta, California, died Jan. 18, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in economics and speech communication and participated in debate, track, football and Phi Kappa Pi/Merriman, and as a 50th reunion committee volunteer. He earned a master’s degree in economics from Northwestern University. He had been managing director at J&R Consulting, doing market studies, retail location analysis and acquisitions, and retired in 2002. He enjoyed visiting Door County, Wisconsin, Inverness, Illinois, and Tucson, Arizona.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
1973 Spring ’23 Class Letter
1973 Spring ’23 Class Letter
Dear Classmates,
As I write this letter, the first month of 2023 has already flown by. That means our 50th Reunion is now only five months away. Your Reunion Committee has been working hard on putting together a busy and fun weekend. Detailed information will be coming out in the next few months. There is a golf outing on Friday, and we are putting together some sort of cocktail gathering that night. Our “Golden R” Ceremony is going to be on Saturday morning. That means the dinner on Saturday night will be more of a party than a ceremony.
I am hoping many of you will be in attendance. I have heard from a number of you like BRUCE CLAUTER ‘73, MICHAEL MIZEN JR ‘73, MARTY MORRIS ‘73, KATHY GRAUNKE ‘73, BRONNA WOLLMAN ‘73, KEITH KNESER ‘73, and others that they plan on being there. DEBBIE WILLIAMS ‘73, who was in a car accident where she was rear ended by a truck, has told me if she is out of her wheelchair by June she will be with us. We all need to be rooting for DEBBIE’s speedy recovery!!
As you know, on reunion years the Class tries to give the College a significant gift. For our 50th, we are hoping for at least 50% participation. If you have never given, or have not given for a long time, this is the perfect time to donate. “Participation number” is what we are going for, so please try and contribute something! All gifts need to be into the College by June 30th and any gift given this year will go towards our Class Gift. Thank you, for whatever donation you can make. Honorary Life Trustees DOREEN CONFORTI CHEMEROW ‘73 and BILL MACLEOD ‘73, our gift chairs, will be sending you a letter soon. Ripon has made a significant difference in many of our lives and continues to do the same for students who attend today.
If you have not made reservations in the Ripon area for the weekend, I suggest you do so sooner than later. There is some sort of regatta on Green Lake Reunion weekend so hotel rooms are going fast. The College also has room in the dorms and information regarding staying there will be in the packet about the weekend.
I have put a notice on the Class of 1974 Facebook page and written a note to JAN PETROVSKI MACLEOD ‘74 (Class Agent 1974) inviting them to attend any or all of our reunion events. I am hoping some from that Class will show up!
Even if you, a member of the Class of 1973, are not going to attend the reunion, I hope you will fill out the questionnaire for the Memory Book if you have not already done so. A copy of the survey is included with this letter. Please submit your responses by March 31st. Also, if you wish to submit any photos for inclusion in the memory book, whether from your time at Ripon or any time since, please mail them to [email protected].
Here is what I have heard from our classmates:
MARTY MARRIS ‘73: “New Year’s greetings to all my classmates. I’m looking forward to the reunion this Summer. In the meantime, I started a new hobby and got an amateur radio license. Something to do during the rainy Pacific Northwest Winter.”
MICHAEL MIZEN ‘73: “Looking forward to June. Younger daughter, Jennifer, works for the USGS out of Laurel MD. She applied and was accepted for full remote work and they are relocating to Lakewood. Closed on a home in late December. Sense of timing is important as they are expecting their second child in May 2023… We will ski in February. RV adventure towards western Canada next summer is the grand idea. Details still to be worked out.”
DAVID GROSSMAN ‘73: Bailey Marie Grossman was born on January 22, 2023, exactly 72 years after his grandfather, DAVID GROSSMAN was born. “Boy, what a present!, “ exclaimed DAVID. “No cards, no wrapped gifts. Those things can’t replace the gift of life.” Bailey Marie resides with her father, Benjamin (DAVID’s youngest son) and her mother, Brittany Ward, in Yarmouthport, MA.
JOE SANDRIN ‘73: “Good Day – Planning to attend the reunion with my wife, at least for the dinner, pending a look at the full itinerary for the weekend. On the personal front, I am retiring from full-time work on January 27. I may still take on small focused assignments. I have been with CH2M Hill, now part of Jacobs Solutions since May 2, 1988. Janice and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on December 23. Yes, we got married on winter break senior year. It has been an amazing adventure! We are planning our retirement now with trips planned this year to Kearney, NE in March for the Sandhill Crane Migration, Washington, D.C. in April for Cherry Blossoms, Madeline Island, WI in June where Janice will be in a quilting class and we will be staying in our RoadTrek Sprinter RV. Hopefully, Hawaii in September/October and a trip or two to visit our daughter in Colorado. All of that plus a lot of uncompleted tasks around the house after spending 12 years in Saudi Arabia and one year of health recovery. Looking forward to seeing a few people in June!”
I received this from MARK CONRAD ‘73 last September: “I offer a simple, but heartfelt, thank you for the hundreds (thousands?) of hours you’ve devoted to Ripon College, its students and graduates. I’m sort of a ‘72 and ’73 class individual, perhaps one reason why I haven’t been that active, nor well associated with other ’73 folks. Residing in Minneapolis with Jane. Forty-three years together. Had two oral surgeries during the summer. I’m left with a speech impediment, although if I speak slowly I can typically be understood. I’m fortunate that my position teaching political science courses online for UW-Eau Claire continues. Life events can be very humbling.”
CHRISTINE WOLK ‘73 provided a new email address: [email protected]
For other news check out www.ripon.edu/news.
GARY LEDERER ‘72 and I look forward to hosting a reception for College President Vickie Folse on February 16th in our home. If this letter arrives before then and you are in the area, we would be delighted to see you.
I was listening to Glen Campbell on the radio earlier today singing: “You can’t make old friends.” I am looking forward to seeing many old friends on campus June 22-25!
Cheers,
Jean ’73
P.S. There will be a special giving event in conjunction with inauguration weekend, Apr. 20-23, to celebrate Ripon’s 14th President, Victoria N. Folse, and the exciting momentum happening within our campus community. This event will be an extension of the #OneDayRally brand and experience. Stay tuned for more information. We look forward to your participation!
Submitted by: Class Agent: Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer