R Connections

HARALD M. NESS JR., who taught at Ripon College in 1998-1999, died Sept. 28, 2021. He served his country in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of captain. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wisconsin State College in Superior, Wisconsin, received graduate meteorology training in the University of Wisconsin-Madison in conjunction with his Air Force service, and obtained a Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University. After his Air Force service, he taught mathematics at high schools in Hayward and Kohler, Wisconsin, and at the University of Wisconsin Center-Fond Du Lac, and was the mathematics department chairman for the University of Wisconsin Center System. After his retirement, he taught at UW-Fond du Lac, Marian College and Ripon College, among other institutions.

Full obituary: zacherlfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Harald-M.-Ness,-Jr.?obId=22542435#/celebrationWall

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

ROBERT D. SCHIELER ’56 of Warrenville, Illinois, died July 20, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in philosophy and participated in Ver Adest, athletics, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He received a master of divinity from Eden Theological Seminary and his doctorate of ministry from Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston. He first served as a young parish minister with his father in Ripon, Wisconsin, the chaplain and professor at Elmhurst College for 13 years and senior minister of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Downers Grove, Illinois, for more than 17 years. He wrote the book Revive Your Mainline Congregation. He enjoyed sports, outdoor activities, music, singing and dance. Survivors include one son and one daughter. His wife, CHARMAINE WEYER SCHIELER ’56, died in 2013.

Full obituary: adamswinterfieldsullivan.com/obituaries/Rev-Dr-Robert-D-Schieler?obId=21853463#/obituaryInfo

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

KEVIN O. HERNANDEZ GODOY ’14 of San Antonio, Texas, died Sept. 10, 2021. At Ripon, he studied kinesiology and played football. He graduated from Texas A&M San Antonio in 2018, then earned his Master’s Degree in special education from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2020. He was a long time member of Extreme Youth Leadership then worked for nearly four years at Reagan High as a special education teacher, PALS sponsor, and assistant football coach. His faith was very important to him and he regularly attended Maranatha Church in San Antonio.

Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/kevin-hernandez-godoy-obituary?id=29422317

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

CONSTANCE “CONNIE” HOMUTH NEWMAN ’60 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, died Oct. 27, 2021. She attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota and Sacramento State before earning a degree in English from Ripon College. She worked on the Fond du Lac Public Library Bookmobile for many years. She had been a volunteer at Act Two and Just Fare. She was an active member of Church of Our Saviour, where she had served as a lector and was a member of Tabitha Circle. She was also a member of Light House Investors. Survivors include two sons.

Full obituary: zacherlfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Constance-Connie-G.-Newman?obId=22792994#/celebrationWall

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

JAMES F. PYLE ’63 of Whitehall, Michigan, died Dec. 2, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in biology and participated in football and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He also studied business administration at Michigan State University. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a pattern maker for Pyle Pattern and Manufacturing for 30 years until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the White Lake Eagles and AMVETS. He enjoyed fishing on Lake Michigan, captaining the PYLOT, snowmobiling- both competitively and recreationally, and spending time at the “farm” and at his cabin on the Little Manistee River. Survivors include his wife, LINDA BULGRIN PYLE ’66; one son and two daughters.

Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/muskegon/name/james-pyle-obituary?id=31751964

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

BARBARA ANN “BARB” HODSDON ROGUSKE ’65 of New London, Minnesota, died July 29, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in history and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta/Kappa Theta. She lived in Atlanta, Georgia, and Burnsville, Willmar and on the Crow River near New London in Minnesota. She was an insurance service representative for Rogers’ Benefit Group. She was a Sunday school teacher for 40 years, led Brownie and Girl Scout troops, and sponsored many children at Agua Viva Children’s Home in Guatemala. After retirement, she volunteered as a reading tutor to second-graders. She traveled to more than 70 countries for pleasure and mission work and was a passionate fan of baseball. Survivors include her husband, FREDERICK R. ROGUSKE ’64; one son and one daughter; and a sister-in-law, CAROLYN ROGUSKE MACKLEM ’71.

Full obituary: wctrib.com/obituaries/obits/barbara-barb-ann-roguske-5d23ea5d0dfeca44dbd8523a-62e808a72dc004149834d40f

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

GREG DRYANSKI ’74 of Norman, Oklahoma, died July 7, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in biology and participated in wrestling and Beta Sigma Pi. He studied medicine in Poland before completing his doctor of medicine degree at the American University of the Caribbean on the island of Montserrat. He had medical practices in Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Norman, Oklahoma, where he worked at a Veterans Administration Hospital. He enjoyed history, fine-scale models, table-top gaming and visiting museums. In retirement, he lectured on topics of military history, particularly the struggles of Poland and its people in the 19th and 20th centuries. Survivors include his wife, Eva; one son and two daughters.

Full obituary: dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/norman-ok/greg-dryanski-10839145

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

Pearl M. Terbilcox, age 72, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at Markesan Resident Home in Markesan, WI. Pearl was born on October 14, 1949 in Norway, MI, the daughter of Howard James and Lucille Wolfgram. On November 14, 2008 she married William Terbilcox in Oshkosh, WI. He passed away on April 4, 2010. Pearl worked as a cashier at Ripon College for many years. She loved to crochet, solve cross-word puzzles, elephants, and anything Betty Boop. Most of all she cherished time with her family, especially her grandchildren.Pearl is survived by her children, Jason (Bonnie) Miller of Oshkosh, WI, Jeremy Miller of Ripon, WI, and Kelly (fiancé Brandon) Witak of Ripon, WI; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a half-sibling. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard James and Lucille Wolfgram; husband, William Terbilcox; and several brothers and sisters.

Full obituary: riponpress.com/obituaries/pearl-m-terbilcox/article_e0dcb6ea-06bf-11ed-8d51-5f946de26cc9.html

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

KENT W. “ROCKY” ROBINSON ’74 of Houston, Texas, a former member of the Ripon College Board of Trustees, died July 9, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in economics and politics and government and participated in football and Phi Kappa Pi (Merriman). He received a law degree from Southern Methodist University and a master of business administration from Cox Business School. He began his legal career in 1978 at Andrews, Kurth, Campbell and Jones, now Hunton Andrews Kurth, where he remained until retiring as a partner in 2018. He belonged to numerous professional organizations and served on several local and state boards. He enjoyed coaching his children’s soccer, softball and baseball teams. Survivors include his wife, Deborah; one son and two daughters; a brother PERRY ROBINSON ’79; a sister-in-law, SARAH HEMSTOCK ROBINSON ’89; and a cousin, ROBINSON BUTZ ’73.

Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/kent-robinson-obituary?id=35905758

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

ELLEN DUNPHY ’09 of Redwood City, California, died July 4, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in theatre with a minor in communication and participated in WRPN, theatre productions and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. She spent time in the Milwaukee and Chicago theatre communities before settling into the San Francisco scene for the past seven years. She was a company member of the Left Coast Theatre Company. She performed with many theatre companies and advocated for gastric cancer research during the pandemic and her own illness. She also wrote and performed her solo show, “Imaginary Endings,” about the intersection of her disease and her role as a patient. She was an avid traveler, visiting 10 countries and many national parks. Survivors include her husband, Andrew Clinnin.

Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/ellen-dunphy-obituary?id=35653890

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

MICHAEL G. MULLEN ’62 of Appleton, Wisconsin, died July 4, 2022. He played basketball for one season at Marquette University before transferring to Ripon. He majored in physical education, participated in basketball, baseball and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega, and was commissioned through ROTC. He was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1962-1964, then taught physical education and coached for two years in Reeseville, Wisconsin, and 28 years in Seymour, Wisconsin. He also played BABA basketball, semi-pro baseball with the Watertown Cardinals, and slo-pitch softball with The Gallery and The Hotel. He enjoyed Wisconsin professional and school sports teams, card games and golfing. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; one son and two daughters.

Full obituary: tributearchive.com/obituaries/25296422/michael-mullen

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

JANET NELSON GRANT ’57 of Richfield, Minnesota, died Nov. 3, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in economics and participated in Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. She also studied education at Chicago State University. She had taught at various high schools in Chicago and then worked from AT&T. Survivors include her husband, James L. Grant; and one son, DAVID L. GRANT ’85.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

ALLEN M. PETERS ’59 of Reedsville, Wisconsin, died June 16, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in physical education and biology, participated in basketball and Phi Kappa Pi-Merriman and was commissioned through ROTC. He taught biology and physical education and coached for three years at Bowler High School and for more than 30 years at Reedsville High School. At Reedsville, he was head boys basketball coach for 16 years, assistant football coach for 31 years and athletic director for 32 years. He received many coaching honors, including being inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987. Al retired from teaching and coaching in 1998. He enjoyed spending time with grandchildren, traveling to Door County and golf. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; two sons and three daughters.

Full obituary: greenbaypressgazette.com/obituaries/wis362880

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

ANINA RADDANT BEARROOD ’61, of Altoona, Wisconsin, died June 5, 2022. At Ripon, she was a member of Pi Tau Pi sorority. She earned a degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She and her husband lived in several places, including California, Minnesota, Arkansas and Arizona, retiring in Wisconsin to be closer to family. She worked for the State of Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for more than 30 years, retiring as director of accounting. She enjoyed international travel, downhill skiing, golf, various crafts and needlework, reading and jigsaw puzzles. Survivors include her husband, Sheldon; two sons; and a brother, ROBERT RADDANT ’66.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

JODI MISSAK FULTON ’00 of Tampa, Florida, died May 16, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in French and educational studies and participated in athletics and Alpha Delta Pi/Pi Tau Pi. She was a teacher, a Peloton enthusiast, an animal lover and an accomplished equestrian who loved driving her horse, Topper. Survivors include her husband, Brian; a stepdaughter; a brother, MICHAEL MISSAK ’01; and a sister-in-law, APRIL RYDZ MISSAK ’02.

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

SHIRLEY BEHRENS POINTER ’49 of Madison, Wisconsin, and Naples, Florida, died July 30, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in chemistry and participated in Ver Adest and Delta Phi Sigma. She worked as an intern at Madison General Hospital, where she became a certified medical technologist. She worked for the Quisling Clinic in Madison and then again at Madison General Hospital until her retirement. She moved to Naples, Florida, in 1986 and was active in the community there for 30 years. She enjoyed craft making and volunteering. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Survivors include three sons. Her husband, JACK D. POINTER ’51, died in 2015.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

MARY E. BRANDT ’80 of Surprise, Arizona, died July 24, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and educational studies. She also studied special education at the University of St. Thomas. She taught in Watertown and New Richmond, Wisconsin, before moving to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1984. She spent the past 37 years in the Washington Elementary School District. For many years, she was a reading interventionist and Title I coordinator. After joining the coaching team at the district’s Administrative Center, she mentored reading teachers from the district’s 32 schools, coordinated the intergenerational volunteer program and helped facilitate the Washington Education Foundation’s mini-grant program. She was a Lamp of Learning recipient in 2002, the district’s highest honor.

Full obituary:

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

SHARON REJMAN OGLE ’84 of Green Lake, Wisconsin, died June 5, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in biology, participated in student government and was a resident assistant in Tri-Dorms. She received a master’s degree in speech therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She was a Wisconsin-registered speech-language pathologist and worked for the Berlin/Green Lake school district in its special needs program. Survivors include her husband, CHRISTOPHOR OGLE ’80, vice president and dean of students.

Full Obituary: www.jsonline.com/obituaries/mjs063984

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

WILLIAM J. JENSEN ’54 of Altoona, Florida, died Feb. 24, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics, participated in Sigma Nu/Theta Sigma Tau and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in Germany as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army for two years and was honorably discharged as a 1st lieutenant from the Reserves in 1962. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and spent his career as a sales engineer in industrial refrigeration. After retiring, he traveled around the world. He enjoyed golf, crafts and woodworking, gardening, and playing cards and board games. He volunteered at church, ushered at theaters, and worked at golf tournaments, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Survivors include his wife, Roberta; and two daughters.

Full Obituary: https://obituaries.nationalcremation.com/obituaries/the-villages-fl/william-jensen-10603929

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement

MICHAEL H. ZEHFUS ’76 of Spearfish, South Dakota, died May 4, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in chemistry and participated in swimming, Beta Sigma Pi and Phi Beta Kappa. He received a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Chicago and a doctorate in physical biochemistry from Oregon State University. He held postdoctoral positions at the University of Pennsylvania and in Madison, Wisconsin; and taught at Ohio State University, Ohio Northern University and for more than 20 years at Black Hills State University. He retired in 2019. He played saxophone in the Northern Hills Community Band, Belle Fourche Cowboy Band and the university’s Concert Band; sang in his church choir; and was an avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout. Survivors include his wife, Betty; and two children, including TORIN ZEHFUS ’10.

Full Obituary: www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/obituary/michael-zehfus

Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement