Greetings, Class of 2002!

Dear Class of 2002,

We hope you are making plans to join us at Alumni Weekend on June 23-26, 2022. We will have a class party at good ol’ Roadhouse on Saturday, June 25th in celebration of our 20th Class Reunion. See you there!

Other highlights of Alumni Weekend include opportunities to participate in other fun events:

• All-Class Gathering at Roadhouse Pizza – Thursday evening
• Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble at The Golf Courses of Lawsonia – Friday
• Lunch and Wine Tasting – Friday
• Campus Tours – Friday
• Faculty Talks – Friday
• Rally Walk/Run – Saturday morning
• Greek Socials – Saturday
• “That Was Then” Storytelling Session – Saturday
• Farewell Brunch – Sunday

More information and updates regarding Alumni Weekend can be found at alumni.ripon.edu/special-events/alumni-weekend.

Also, remember to mark your calendars for another #OneDayRally on April 27th! This would be a great day to consider making a contribution to our Class Gift, which we will present to the College during Alumni Weekend. Thank you to all of you who have supported the College in the past fiscal year. As a reminder, any gift that you make during this fiscal year will count toward our Class Gift.

Class Updates: 

Have something to share? Let us know at [email protected].

ANN MARIE IBIS KREITZER ’02 lives in Delafield with her family, husband Greg, daughters Elsa (eleven), Greta (nine), Hanna (six), and their pandemic puppy, Hank. She coaches basketball and soccer for her girls and is currently the Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Talent Development for Kohl’s. ANN MARIE is looking forward to connecting with friends, especially her AXO sisters at the 20th Reunion!

Our class is still looking for an additional Class Agent (or two!!). It is not a large amount of time commitment. I promise. It is a great way to connect with classmates and to support our Alma Mater! I would also love more help with planning our Reunion, which could simply include volunteering to encourage classmates to attend. Please contact me if you are interested and would like to find out more about being a Class Agent or about helping with our 20th Class Reunion.

Hope to see you this summer,

CORRYN SIEGEL GREENWOOD ’02
(502) 269-5577
[email protected]

Submitted by: Class Agent: Corryn Siegel Greenwood

Greetings, Class of 1997!

Hello, Class of 1997,

I hope 2022 has started off well for all of you. I want to start this letter with the BEST NEWS. The College is moving forward with plans for an in-person Alumni Weekend this year! While I cannot believe this year marks 25 years since we graduated, and I am wondering where the time has gone, I am also looking forward to celebrating this milestone with all of you. Please mark your calendars for June 23-26, 2022. Plans are still coming together, so keep an eye on the Alumni Weekend webpage (ripon.edu/alumni-weekend/) for additional details as they become available and information on how to register. At this time, I can share that we have the following planned:

• 1851 Awards Dinner and Program on Friday, June 24, 5:15 p.m. We have two classmates who will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame: MIKE MILBURN ’97 (tennis) and MIKE DIEDRICK ’97 (football). Congratulations to both of them for this accomplishment!
• Class boat cruise on Green Lake on Saturday, June 25, 2:30-4:30 p.m. The cruise departs from Green Lake Conference Center.
• Class dinner at Roadhouse Pizza on Saturday, June 25, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Dinner includes a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, pizza, beer, wine, and soda.

If you are interested in helping with additional planning, please let me know.

In other news, I am looking forward to interacting with you all during #OneDayRally on Wednesday, April 27. If you haven’t been part of it yet, jump in and engage via email, LinkedIn, Facebook, or whatever your favorite platform is to join in on the fun with the College. As a reminder, all gifts made to the College, whether on #OneDayRally or any time during this fiscal year, do count towards our special Class Gift that our class will present to the College during Alumni Weekend.

I frequently talk about how special our time at Ripon was and the benefits of an education at a small, liberal arts college. One of the greatest of those is connection to each other after all of these years. It is easy to stay connected to Ripon and to our class. Here are some suggestions:

Send any news or updates to your contact information to me anytime.

• Send any news or updates to your contact information to me anytime.
• Connect with our class on Facebook via the private group “Ripon College Class of 1997.”
• Attend one of our class’ virtual happy hours. They are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. CT. Link: ripon.zoom.us/j/98774717075.
• Subscribe to Ripon’s monthly eNewsletter. You may subscribe here: ripon.edu/alumni/monthly-newsletter/.
• Visit ripon.edu/news/ often to learn about what is happening at our Alma Mater.
• Go to class pages through alumni.ripon.edu/rconnections/ and see updates from alumni from around the world and from every class year.

Thank you for staying connected to Ripon and supporting our Alma Mater. I wish you and your families a wonderful year ahead, and I hope to see you in Ripon in June for our 25th Reunion!

Class Notes:
AMBER BERES ’97 of Indianapolis, Indiana, recently started a new job with Cyara as a Carrier Manager. Congratulations, AMBER!

AARON GOLDSTEIN ’97 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, was the keynote speaker at the virtual community prayer ceremony and award presentation in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 17 held at Marian University in Fond du Lac.

BRITTON KAUFFMAN ’97 of Davis, Illinois, and his wife, Katie, will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary this year. They have two children, Tyler (17) and Hannah (15). Tyler will be graduating this spring and plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University to study Secondary Education and join the ROTC program. Hannah is a sophomore and plays volleyball and softball and is about to get her driver’s license. This year marks BRITTON’s 21st year of teaching, and he continues to coach just about everything, from girls’ basketball to varsity baseball to football. In their spare time, he and his family enjoy boating and spending summers on the beach.

KRISTINE PETERSON ’97 of Madison, Wisconsin, is engaged to marry Jason Scott on November 26, 2022.

CAREY WITT-ROEBEN ’97 of Hannover, Germany, started a new role together with her partner helping internationals get settled in Germany. To add to our Instagram/Facebook presence, they launched a new website, www.expathelpsexpats.com in January 2022. CAREY also says, “If any of you come to Germany, please get in touch. We don’t have an alumni meeting (yet) in Hamburg.”

See you this summer at our 25th Reunion!

KRISTIN BAZZOLI PIOTROWSKI ’97
(414) 841-8577
Your 1997 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Kristin Bazzoli Piotrowski

Greetings, Class of 1992!

Hey, Class of 1992!

This is an important year for us…it’s our BIG 3 – 0 Reunion!! We need to get as many of us back on campus as possible because how fun would that be?? I don’t know about you, but I’m a little bit shocked that we’re old enough to be the 30th Reunion class because we just had our five-year a couple of years ago! …and those were the old people! LOL!

This is a reminder to mark your calendars…June 23-26, 2022…Alumni Weekend in Ripon. Please plan to join us. More details about Alumni Weekend will come from the College and registration for the weekend events opens April 1st, but here’s a preview of what is planned:

Friday, 24 June 2022

• Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble
• Lunch and Wine Tasting
• Campus Tour
• Faculty Talks
• 1851 Awards Dinner & Program – Friday – Congratulations to BRAD ALBERTS ’92 for being selected as a 2022 Distinguished Alumnus!

Saturday, 25 June 2022

• Greek Socials
• “That Was Then” Storytelling Session
• Class March and State of the College
• 1992 Class Reunion Celebration – Saturday in the MLK Lounge (Harwood Memorial Union)

To help you plan, room blocks are available at the Heidel House (Green Lake, 920-807-0300) and Cobblestone Suites (Ripon, 920-748-5500), but you have to call for the Alumni Weekend rate. Check out ripon.edu/lodging/ for other lodging options. On-campus lodging registration will be available April 1, 2022 at alumni.ripon.edu.

We want to hear from you! We love to hear what everyone is doing so please share all your exciting news with BONNI, ERIN, and myself (or send it on to the Office of Constituent Engagement…they’ll get us the information). Here are a few exciting updates we received:

BRAD ALBERTS ’92 of Dallas Texas was recently written about in D Magazine about his tenure as the CEO of the Dallas Stars. Read the article here.

TARA LACHAPELL ’92 is the Director of Enterprise Applications at St. Norbert College.

GEOFF GUEVARA-GEER ’92 of Ripon, Wisconsin, associate professor of Spanish at Ripon College, had an article published in the November 2021 issue of the journal Chasqui, meaning an Inca messenger, in Volume 50, Number 2.

There’s a lot of exciting stuff happening on campus. You can check it out at ripon.edu/news. There are posts about current students and faculty and even retired professors. Here’s an update from one of my favorites…Dr. Woolley P’92! He has a new book being published in March 2022, it details how he believes the modern U.S. Army was created. The book was inspired by one of the courses he taught at Ripon, American Military Instructions.

Before I wrap up this Class Letter, I want to thank everyone that has supported the College this past fiscal year, especially those who supported the Ripon Fund and the #OneDayRally. Let’s make this the best fundraising year for the Class of 1992 since we graduated! Please consider donating in honor of our 30-year Class Reunion, any amount makes a difference. Let’s make an impact! You will hear more about our Class Gift efforts from KATE BURRALL JUSTIC ’92 who has graciously agreed to help lead the Class Gift effort. (FYI – #OneDayRally 2022 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27.)

Here’s your to-do list:

• Make travel plans to be in Ripon for Alumni Weekend
• Share your updates
• Make a donation to Ripon in honor of our 30th Class Reunion

See you in June, Class of ’92!!

Sincerely,

JUDEE STOJSAVLJEVIC FISCHER ’92
(262) 332-0622

ERIN M. MCCORMACK ’92

BONNI DEMBROSKI FREDRICK ’92/P’23
(262) 617-7421

Your 1992 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: JuDee Stojsavljevic Fischer, Bonni Dembroski Fredrick, and Erin McCromack

Greetings, Class of 1987!

Hello, Class of ’87!

Hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. After more than two really weird years of a global pandemic and everything that came with it, we are so excited about our upcoming 35th (you read that right) Reunion scheduled for June 23-26. We are really hoping to see as many of you as possible! So, mark it on your calendar, make your reservations and reach out to your Ripon classmates and encourage everyone to come for the weekend! Our “official” party is on Saturday the 25th on campus at “The Spot” (we knew the area as “The Pub”).

We’re thrilled with our location and its proximity to the “The Dance” (the all alumni party) – there’s a rumor that there’s a trophy for the class that dominates the dance floor and it’s ours to win!

Also, the #OneDayRally fundraising drive is coming up on April 27th. It is a great day to get involved on social media to support the College and consider making a contribution to our Class Gift. Look for more updates on that too!

If you have any questions about the Class Reunion (or want to get involved in planning it) please reach out to either one of us at [email protected] or [email protected].

We have some sad news to report about our classmate, GWENDOLINE “GWEN” JONES ’87. GWEN died Aug. 29, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in history and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Her husband was THOMAS “TED” JONES, a professor of German at Ripon College from 1963 to 1995, who died in 2013.

Here are a few updates from our classmates that we noticed on social media.

• MAUREEN FARRY DOLAN ’87 and her husband, JAY DOLAN ’85, are on the move again, relocating from Northern Wisconsin to Southern, Illinois. Hope the move goes well!

• Longtime friends, RENEE PFEIFER-LUCKETT ’87 and CHRISTINE ELLIOTT ’87, managed to get together for a fun-filled weekend. We’re sure that a fabulous time was had by all.

• SHERRY THOMPSON ’87 and her husband, MARIO FRIEDEL ’86 are Songa, an acoustic duo performing folk, blues, and country jazz. They’re performing during our Reunion weekend at Vines and Rushes Winery in Ripon – Saturday afternoon from 2-5 p.m. Really, do you really need more reasons to come to our Reunion?

• LAURI GOEDEN ZOBRACK ’87 has some very cool news. LAURI writes, “I have been a Criminal Defense Investigator since 1987, shortly after graduation. My career started in Wisconsin where we owned and operated our own investigative agency for about ten years. Following that, I worked for the Wisconsin Public Defender’s Office in both Waukesha and Racine Counties and for the State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense. Never a dull moment in the world of criminal defense! I love my job and have never regretted my career path! I am now located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota with my husband and new puppy. We are recent empty-nesters, with one son in college at UW-Eau Claire and our youngest in the Air Force, stationed at Hurlburt Field in Florida.”

Can’t wait to see you all at the Reunion!

Your Class Agents,

DORRIE SMITH SCRANTON ’87
(860) 455-6108

CHRIS TEMPLETON ’87
(312) 402-6207

Your 1987 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Dorrie Smith Scranton & Chris Templeton

Greetings, Class of 1982!

Dear Classmates,

KRISTEN RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82 /P’20 and I (PETER HINTZ ’82/P’10) write to extend a personal invitation to you to attend our 40th Reunion at Ripon College the week of Thursday, June 23 – Sunday, June 26, 2022!

Time has certainly flown by. Forty years ago, we were engrossed in our social lives and studies in our last semester at Ripon, hoping it was going to be a good one, in nervous anticipation of what would follow after graduation. Despite the years that have passed, it is not very difficult to remember steak night in the Commons, football games, intramural sports, Homecoming, annual “Air Guitar” contests, Springfest, the almost weekly all-campus parties and events hosted by various living groups including Derby Days, Sigma Chi’s Mash Party, Frisbee Golf Tournaments, Merriman’s Toga Party, DU’s Road Rally, Friday night movie night in the Farr Hall pit (remember “Night of the Living Dead?”), standing in the dinner line at the Commons reading the newspaper, taking classes and hanging out with our favorite professors, the gravy lady at the Commons, the Bar Brigade, Jim’s Liberty Inn, reading the eye-opening “First Bite” articles in the Days, Schlitz pitchers for $1.25 at Benders, Swamp Water and the disco floor at The Spot, late nights at the Wayside and Red’s, STEVE SHEA ’82’s music reviews in the paper, ROTC, the freezing winter westward walk over the hill toward the Quads, the Friday and Saturday revelers coming back from the bars, the sometimes odd classes we took to fulfill our liberal arts requirements, jostling for the one phone for each living group, sharing a common tv, pledge weeks, the 100 Days Party at the Beckoning, the Student Senate, WRPN radio shows, as well as a host of other memories unique to each of us. Some of us, like me (PETER HINTZ ’82/P’10), even married our classmates. While the years have taken us all many miles and experiences hence, hopefully, you have some special memories of special bonds with some of your classmates. It would be great to reconnect and come together again for this very special weekend.

Special Events
We, your Class Agents, as well as the rest of our Class Reunion committee, have been working hard to make our 40th Reunion memorable. We’ve arranged for a class social on Friday night outside at the lawn of Hughes House across from Bartlett Hall, and we would love to see you participate in the Class March at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the State of the College address, our class boat cruise on Green Lake on Saturday afternoon from 1:15-2:30 p.m. (we did this on our 35th Reunion and it was a blast), and our Reunion celebration on Saturday evening. We have secured the beautiful Great Hall for our Class Reunion dinner (quite a coup, I might add), and we will dine in style in this beautifully renovated space.

Our classmate, SUSAN BUNDOCK ’82, will be honored at the 1851 Awards Dinner and program on Friday evening as a 2022 Distinguished Alumna! Some may wish to attend that gathering.

Other Fun Alumni Weekend Events
Other highlights of the weekend include opportunities to participate in other fun events:

• All-Class Gathering at Roadhouse Pizza – Thursday evening
• Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble at The Golf Courses of Lawsonia – Friday
• Lunch and Wine Tasting – Friday
• Campus Tours – FridayFaculty Talks – Friday
• Rally Walk/Run – Saturday morning
• Class of 1982 Boat Cruise on Green Lake – Saturday
• Greek Socials – Saturday
• “That Was Then” Storytelling Session – Saturday
• Reunion Celebration – Saturday evening
• Farewell Brunch – Sunday

Accommodations
It is our goal to ensure we do not let another year pass without celebration! We all deserve this chance to get away and reconnect with old friends and possibly make some new ones! Please reserve June 23-26, 2022, and make reservations soon! There are accommodations in Ripon, Green Lake, and Oshkosh, as well as on-campus accommodations in the dorms, if you dare. Here are some of the numbers:

• Mapes Hotel (use code RCABJUNE online)
• Heidel House Hotel (Green Lake, 920.807.0300) and Cobblestone Suites (Ripon, 920.748.5500), but you must call for the Alumni Weekend rate.
• Other area lodging information can be found at www.ripon.edu/lodging.

Online registration for the Reunion and on-campus lodging will be available April 1 at alumni.ripon.edu. Now is a good time to reach out to your old roommates or friends to encourage them to join you on campus this summer! We are looking forward to welcoming back many old friends and perhaps some classmates who haven’t been back to campus in years, if ever. If you are one of the latter, please consider this a very warm invitation to come home for the weekend. You will experience nostalgia at its best and you are sure to feel 40 years younger, at least for a brief time!

Please feel free to contact us with questions and mark your calendars for this truly special reunion!

Memories: Class Special! 40th Reunion Memory Book to be Available in June. Please send us your photos and memories! We are working on a memory book for our class (digital and print), which will capture some great old and new photos and updates on our class. This is where you come in! We will be collecting photos (old memories and current photos), along with any information about yourself and your family or memories you would like to share. Participants will receive a complimentary copy of the Memory Book! Please submit any pictures and type in your updates here. Pictured above, Commencement 1982.

If you prefer to respond by mail, we would love to hear your thoughts on one or more of the topics below:

• Where were your favorite places to go, on campus and off, and why?
• How did you make your own fun at Ripon? Fond memories.
• What was your favorite music and why was it special? What songs remind you of Ripon days and why?
• What was your most memorable all-campus party and why?
• Who was your favorite professor and why?
• What was your favorite downtown hangout? What made it special or extra fun?
• What sort of impact did Ripon make on your life?
• What is your favorite memory of your roommate (be careful here!)?

Send your photos or thoughts to our Memory Book committee, KRISTIN KOHLES JANSSEN ’82, LAURA NORRIS ’82, or GREGG RIEDER ’82. In return, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book for your own special walk down memory lane. You won’t want to miss this chance to reminisce!

See you at our Class Reunion!

PETER HINTZ ’82/P’10
(920) 229-4399

KRISTEN RASMUSSEN OLSON ’82/P’20
(507) 279-1091

Your 1982 Class Agents

Submitted by: Class Agents: Peter Hintz and Kristen Rasmussen Olson

Greetings, Class of 1977!

Dear Classmates,

45 years ago, this spring, many of us were enjoying our final semester at Ripon College before graduating. Alumni Weekend, with the primary focus on June 25, will be our 45th Reunion gathering. Classes have special get-together gatherings every fifth year. This is a year for our class to come together. I hope you will consider joining us. As Class Agent, I have a role in this planning, but I really would like a committee to help me.

So far, helping me with our Alumni Weekend Reunion are MARYJO MACSWAIN ’77, JEANNIE BLACK ’77, and CONNIE JESS ZOLKOSKE ’77. Are you interested in also helping us?

#OneDayRally 2022 is on April 27. This is a one-day fundraising rally that began several years ago and has become popular. It has been an effective fundraiser, but it has also proven to be a bit of fun and a way to competitively rally alumni classes. It would be great if you would check in to the Ripon.edu website or on the College’s social media sites that day and join in! All money contributed by you, whether for the #OneDayRally or any other fundraising effort during the year, counts towards our “Class Gift” for the Alumni Weekend competition.

Here are notes about some of our classmates:

MARSHA TOLL ’77 of Saint Louis, Missouri, writes “I was fortunate enough to have a visit from SUE LEE BARTLETT ’77 and her husband BILL BARTLETT ’75 in November 2021. They made the trek from Berlin, Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri. I have never had guests/friends who bring their own tools to help me fix something, but they did! And Sue brought many wonderful gifts for my recovery from a broken foot. We had a great day at a bird sanctuary near St. Louis and were joined by GINGER NEWTON JACOBI ’77 and her husband Jan Jacobi for dinner. It was truly a special evening and weekend that was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year. And what’s more fun than knowing we met at 18 and are now discussing Bartlett and Jacobi grandchildren! I hope to make a trip north to see the Bartletts in 2022.”

MIKE MODL ’77 and PEG LITTLEFIELD-MODL ’77 of Brussels, Wisconsin, celebrated 50 years of knowing one another in September 2021 and 41 years of marriage. MIKE practiced law for 30+ years at Axley in Madison, focusing on federal court litigation in the areas of employment, constitutional, and intellectual property law. MIKE retired last year then he and PEG moved to Door County where they are enjoying sunsets, afternoon cocktails, and the sound of the waves.

HARRY QUINN ’77 and SUE LAMBERT QUINN ’79 currently live in Bel Air, Maryland. Along with HARRY’s 45th Ripon College graduation anniversary, he and SUE will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary later in 2022. HARRY is a Vice President for Science and Technology Corporation managing the company’s support to Department of Defense customers. SUE continues her support of education as a tutor and as a substitute teacher. They enjoy traveling and love going to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands where HARRY pursues his nature and underwater photography hobby. They have two children and three grandchildren. They plan to attend the Reunion.

PAT BAUER ’77 of Chicago, Illinois, writes “In 2021, after 42.5 years working as a copy editor and an editor at Encyclopedia Britannica, I retired to devote myself full-time to vacation. Well, and also to my grandchildren.”

She tells me she will miss us at the Reunion this summer but promises to join us in five years. PAT recalled her long employment history with Encyclopedia Britannica. I’m including it because it demonstrates some changes we’ve seen in the past 45 years.

When I started there, Encyclopedia Britannica was primarily the set, and only some portion of which got new articles every year. These articles were written by experts in their subjects. They sent in manuscripts, either typed or written longhand, which compositors then translated into printed galleys. As a copy editor, I proofread the galleys. After editing, copy editors then fact-checked and copy-edited each article. In later stages, we adjusted the text as needed to make it fit in its allotted space and appear pleasing to the eye. Copy editors were the last check at each stage. I worked on the Macropedia, the part of the set that had the long, in-depth articles, such as Angiosperms, as well as all the country articles. 

When we started publishing online as well, the online articles did not have the space constraints that print articles did. Each article was then in a computer file, with the text that was to appear online but not in print in a different color, and copy editors had to ensure that both versions were correct and coherent. 

Later, through a series of accidents, I became an editor of the Britannica Book of the Year. By this time the company was much smaller, and editors were increasingly responsible for writing as well as editing. I was responsible for a chronology of the important events of each year in every part of the world in politics, sports, arts, and business. I also kept track of major disasters and maintained movie and literary awards tables. I also wrote obituaries and biographies and an article about major anniversaries of each year. 

For several years that book was our only remaining print project, and eventually, it was discontinued. For the last few years, I was assigned to write articles on a wide variety of subjects and to update other articles, often with a focus on popular culture.

MARYJO MACSWAIN ’77 of Verona, Wisconsin, writes, “I have been spending a lot of time planning international travel and then canceling the trips because of COVID-19. Hope to make it overseas this summer. I am very active in Participatory Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO), a Madison organization that is a self-directed, volunteer-led, nonprofit organization that offers lifelong learning opportunities. Most of us are approaching or actively enjoying retirement. We share a passion for learning and a desire to stay engaged with the world and with others who share their interests. I take classes, do committee work and this spring am co-teaching a class. I encourage Madison area alumni to join in.”

JEANNIE BLACK ’77 of Inverness, Illinois, is helping with our Alumni Weekend Reunion, so we’ve exchanged some mail. We’re both busy, despite retirement. We both wonder how we ever worked and managed to get other stuff done. Summarizing an email from JEANNIE, she describes some of what keeps her busy:

“I haven’t been able to get as much done regarding Ripon as I have hoped. A few funerals, some health issues, plus pressing issues with my IATE (Illinois Association of Teachers of English) group and trying to get our conference organized in Decatur, Illinois. I am on the board – for many, many years and have been a past president, run a conference before, etc. Currently, I am the conference sites chair and am dealing with a new person on the board who is running the conference this year, so there is a lot to mentor and do. Both boards have pressing things to be done at the same time, it seems.”

ANDREW MARVEL, JR. ’77 of Weston, Massachusetts, died September 5, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in economics and participated in tennis and Phi Delta Theta. He also studied at the Boston Architectural Center. He operated Marvel Construction Co. for more than 40 years. He was an Eagle Scout, talented painter, master chef, competitive tennis player, pianist, shellfish connoisseur, amateur inventor, and lover of all activities involving the ocean and heavy winds. He also contributed to his community, serving on the Josiah Smith Tavern and Old Library Renovation Committee. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth “Beanie” Marvel; and three daughters.

NATALIE S. ADAMS ’77 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, wife of former Ripon College president Bernard S. Adams, died Feb. 13, 2022. In Ripon, she was a founding member of the Green Lake Festival of Music, board member and president of the Ripon South Woods Park Association and a choir member at First Congregational Church. She enjoyed tennis and for one year coached the Ripon College women’s tennis team, leading to a conference championship. After retiring in Colorado, she was a member of Broadmoor Community Church where she was a member of the choir, chair of the Arts Committee and a lay caregiver minister. She also served as president of the Symphony Guild and volunteered at Pikes Peak Hospice. Survivors include one son and one daughter.

I sent an email last May relaying a note I had received from GREGG PETERSEN ’78. He was telling me about one of his classmates, a guy many of us knew. “I’m reaching out on behalf of my classmate, former Class Agent, and friend ROB “TEX” MEYER ’78 who you may remember from his days at Ripon with his Stetson hat and his WRPN radio shows. In the last couple of months, ROB had procedures for throat cancer and some other very serious issues. In the last week, he was contacted by a nurse to discuss possible hospice options. He has some helpful neighbors, but no real family left beyond his Ripon “family.” He has fond memories of the classes of ’75, ’76, and ’77.” ROB and I corresponded a bit, and he apparently heard from some of you, too.

I was informed that ROB died on November 22, 2021, at age 65. GREGG tells me that our class contact with ROB really helped make a difference in his quality of life in his final months.

And, about myself. I retired in late 2020 to avoid working in an office during the peak of Wisconsin’s COVID-19 problem. I had intended to work a bit longer. Last year, without much planning, my wife and I decided to buy a house near Roanoke, Virginia, and move into it. Awkwardly, we really weren’t ready to move or to sell our Appleton, Wisconsin house, so we currently own both homes. We intend to make some improvements to the old home and get it emptied and sold this spring.

Please send news about yourself either to the College or to me to be shared in our next Class Letter. We’d love to hear from you!

As I’m sure you already know, one of the functions of alumni associations is to help raise money to keep their organizations alive and relevant. Ripon College is both, but always needs our money to keep doing it well. All money that you donate during our fiscal year, which ends June 30, counts in contests each class competes in. This includes the Ripon Fund (previously called the Annual Fund), the upcoming #OneDayRally coming April 27, special drives, and a final push before the Reunion. It all counts, and it is all appreciated.

More information will be sent to us in the coming months about our Reunion at Alumni Weekend, and the Class Gift that we will be presenting to the College. Please look for it.

Remember, also, to refer prospective students to Ripon College. That used to include our kids. Maybe you have grandchildren or other relatives thinking about college.

Ripon is a nice city to call home for a while. In fact, Ripon was recognized as having one of the “Seven Best Downtown Areas in Wisconsin!” And it was recognized as “One of the 10 Most Magical Christmas Towns” in Wisconsin. Come visit this June.

Always for Ripon,

ALAN N. LAWRENCE ’77
(920) 422-2347
Your 1977 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Alan Lawrence

Greetings, Class of 1972!

Dear Classmates,

I trust that this letter finds you and your loved ones well. Daylight is getting longer each day, which could only mean that spring is fast approaching. As winters go, this one has been relatively mild here in New York City: although it can be in the 60s one day and 31 with snow the next… I find myself musing about the severe, snowy Wisconsin winters between 1968 and 1972. The last 50 years have gone all too quickly. I hope that many of you will return to campus to celebrate this milestone during Alumni Weekend, which is planned for June 23-26, 2022. I am sharing a picture from the All Alumni March during Alumni Weekend in 2002 to help the memories of fun times at past Reunions begin to flow! It would be great to have as many of you as possible attend.

There are so many strong bonds within our class and within surrounding classes. During the past year, I have heard from our Ripon College Family as far back as the Class of 1969 and as recent as the Class of 2010. It was great to see SHARON WALTON ’73 on her recent visit to New York. GARY LEDERER ’72 and JEAN KIRKPATRICK LEDERER ’73, hosted classmates LINDA BRASSINGTON DANIELS ’72, AL GASIOREK ’73 and LYNNE HORNE GASIOREK ’72 in Bonita Springs, Florida. GARY and JEAN also enjoyed dinner in late January with TOM ALTHOLZ ’72 and SUELLEN “SUDY” REIGLE ALTHOLZ ’73. I am sure that there have been several mini-reunions as we all start to travel more after COVID-19 distancing.

We are still asking for volunteers to join in the planning of our Class Reunion. The College has assigned staff to work with us to make Alumni Weekend a memorable event. If you are unable to serve on the committee, we ask you to let us know as soon as possible if you are likely to attend our Class Reunion on Saturday, June 25. Please encourage at least one other classmate that you would love to see to be there as well. Here is a link to the 50th Reunion Survey: alumni.ripon.edu/50threunion that you can fill out online, or enclosed in this Class Letter is a hard copy of the survey that you can fill out and return with the envelope provided. The information from this survey as well as any pictures received will be used to create our 50th Reunion Memory Book. You can also scan pictures and email them to [email protected]. Be sure to include a short description of the picture and write 50th Reunion Memory Book in the subject line of the email. All individuals who contribute to our Memory Book will receive a complimentary copy at our Class Reunion. The Memory Book will be sent to you if you cannot attend our Reunion in person and you submit information for it.

Trustee MARK FRANZEN ’83 is leading the entire Ripon community, along with the Presidential Search Firm Russell Reynolds in the search for our 14th President. The next President of Ripon College should be named in the next couple of months. In the meantime, Dr. Andrea Young continues to serve as Interim President.

I would like to thank all of you who have supported Ripon College in the past and ask that you make a contribution this year in celebration of our 50th Class Reunion. You will hear more about this from SUE MIJANOVICH KEY ’72 who has graciously agreed to lead the Class Gift effort.

Your Class Agent,

STEPHANIE GREENE ’72
Your 1972 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Stephanie Greene

Greetings, Class of 1967!

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is “What are you doing for others?” 
           – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy almost Spring!

Here in North Carolina, the weather has been like a ping pong ball. It was 70 and sunny yesterday, and cold and rainy today. Me thinks there is truth to climate change!

I imagine many of you continue to follow Marie Kondo’s decluttering advice. Donating your treasures is one way to help others in need. Another really good way to help others is by donating to the Ripon Fund. Over the years your generous contributions have enabled many students to graduate. As they pursue meaningful careers they in turn are able to contribute to others in many ways. And, so it goes on and on making our world a better place.

While perusing the internet, I discovered the city of Ripon has been a finalist for a “Great American Street.” There seems to be a resurgence of many new shops and restaurants. However, there were two that looked familiar – Red’s Bar and Miller’s Tavern. Dare I say many of you may have fond memories and pride of times spent in each one! You will have an opportunity to relive those memories during our 55th (whew!) Reunion June 23-26! Please mark your calendar and make your reservations. If you have any requests for activities or ideas, PLEASE let me know.

And now for some class notes from our fellow classmates:

BILL NEILL ’67 and JUDY WILKINSON NEILL ’67 of Ripon, Wisconsin, are looking forward to renewing old friendships. Depending on the weather they have offered to host a gathering during the weekend. As usual, they have joined the other snowbirds in Florida for the winter months.

Wanting permanently warm and sunny weather was the incentive for KAREN BRO STOPPS ’67 and her husband to move to Savannah, Georgia. Before moving they took a cross-country car trip stopping to see friends and family along the way.

Also living in the sunny Peach State is MIKE MILLER ’67 of Ringgold, Georgia. He has been married for 54 years and has two children living nearby along with a fifteen-year-old grandson. So many of us are fortunate to live fairly close to our children and grandchildren. Times spent with family is precious indeed.

TOPHER SMALL ’67 and COLLEEN DURKIN SMALL ’67 of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, had a five-day family reunion on the shores of Lake Michigan. They had a great time celebrating high school graduations and one daughter’s 50th birthday.

Those of you who may be Yellowstone fans should watch for Piper Perabo in the upcoming season. Rumor has it she kisses Kevin Costner!

Remember to put our 55th Reunion on your calendar: June 23-26, 2022.

Hope to see you!!

KATHY SANTIMAYS DUNN ’67
(704) 633-8999
Your 1967 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Kathy Santimays Dunn

1971 – Spring 2022 Class Letter

Class Agent:

JIM BEISNER ’71

(770) 570-7725 / [email protected]

Greetings, Class of 1971

It is hard to believe another school year has about passed by. One has to wonder where the time has gone. One thing I do know is Ripon is still providing the same quality education we experienced so many years ago. Our continued financial support of this vital mission will ensure incoming classes will experience the best quality education possible. And now, I share some class news that I have received.

SUSAN BARDEN WALKER ’71 of Chicago, Illinois, died July 16, 2021. At Ripon, she studied psychology and educational studies and participated in Alpha Chi Omega. She worked for 30 years at William Blair Co., Chicago, as the senior relationship manager for The Mabie Wealth Management Group and for Geneva Investments for eight years. She held a FINRA Series 7 License. She was a volunteer at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago for more than 25 years. She loved animals, photography, cross-stitch, and knitting.

As we look back at our experiences at Ripon, we can all see the benefits we derived from that special time. In some way, the Ripon Fund assisted all of us. It underwrites all aspects of yearly operations, including but not limited to laboratory supplies, technological innovations, library resources, faculty support, financial aid and scholarships, athletics, opportunities to study abroad, the arts, and facilities. I urge your consideration to increase this year’s gift in recognition of all we have accomplished because of Ripon College. 

Last year was such a special celebration of our 50th Class Reunion. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate, those who contributed to our Class Gift, and those who made a submission to our 50th Reunion Memory Book. So many of you contributed in various ways and I am grateful. Alumni Weekend this summer is June 23-26 and now that we are part of the Golden R Reunion celebration, we have a special gathering every year! Please feel free to contact me at any time during the year with your updates so that I can include more Class Notes in our future Class Letters. I enjoy staying connected with all of you.

Always for Ripon, 

JIM BEISNER ’71

A Note from Your Friends in Smith Hall:

Save the date for #OneDayRally, Ripon’s fifth annual day of giving, April 27! Follow Ripon College’s social media and watch for emails to find out more about how you can support Ripon College on this day.

Submitted by: Class Agent: Jim Beisner

1991 – Fall 2021 Class Letter

Co-Class Agents:

SAMANTHA BAILEY FAST ’91

(612) 978-4124 / [email protected]

TRACY MAHER ’91

[email protected]

Dear Class of 1991,

I hope this letter finds you happy and healthy (and hopefully without a new COVID variant to worry about). 

Alumni and guests from 29 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, were on campus August 6-8 representing the classes of 1961 to 2023, for the first-ever August Alumni Weekend after COVID-19 put a pause on campus events over the past 18 months. Save the date for Alumni Weekend 2022, which will go back to our traditional end of June date: June 23-26, 2022.

A smattering of folks from our class made it to campus to mark our 30th Class Reunion. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative for easy outdoor socializing. It was wonderful to see BRIAN FREY ’91 and LORI STICH OBLUDA ’91 when they were honored with the Distinguished Alumni Citation for their professional achievements and support of the College. 

BECKY HUSTAD ’91, BRIAN FREY ’91, DEAN POLSTER ’91, and LORI STITCH OBLUDA ’91 with our Class of 1991 donation.

On August 10, the College arranged for us to have an online Class Reunion via Zoom and several of us had a great time catching up, despite some technical glitches that resulted in some folks from the Class of ’81 joining us!

Class of ’91 30th Digital Reunion attendees

Campus Updates

Previous Fiscal Year Update:

A record-breaking 2,087 donors from all around the world supported Ripon’s fourth annual giving day on April 28, known as #OneDayRally, reminding us all that, regardless of the circumstances, Red Hawks come together. 

Thank you to the over 3,600 donors who supported the College this past fiscal year through the Ripon Fund and other initiatives.

Endowment: 

Our endowment recently hit an all-time high and as of Thursday, August 19, 2021, it was at $112 million.

Campus Upgrades:

The McCullough Family Lounge in Farr Hall of Science – a favorite location of students for studying and collaborative work – recently received an extreme makeover with the intent of making the space more contemporary and technologically friendly. The renovations were made possible by a lead gift from Trustee PHILIP MCCULLOUGH ’69/P’04, and his wife, Pat. Also, a new Data Visualization Lab was installed in Todd Wehr Hall, which will be a great asset for the math and computer science departments. 

Start of the Academic Year:

Classes started on Monday, August 30 and the academic year is in full swing with in-person classes. The College is continuing to follow CDC and Fond du Lac County Health Department guidelines regarding COVID-19 safety protocols. COVID-19 response and current procedures: ripon.edu/coronavirus-information/.

More News: 

• News stories published by the College: ripon.edu/news/ 
• Latest Ripon Magazine, which includes features of alumni and faculty: ripon.edu/about-ripon/publications/

Class Notes:

SAMANTHA BAILEY FAST ’91 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, writes, “In June, I started a new job as Director of User-Centered Innovation at Surescripts. If you’ve had a prescription filled recently, it probably flowed from prescriber to pharmacist on the Surescripts network, as one of the 1.91 billion E-Prescriptions Surescripts processed in 2020. In my new role, I’ll be building a user experience design practice to help make our network and the e-prescribing interfaces used by doctors and pharmacists less frustrating to use and safer for patients.”

TIM FINNEGAN ’91 of Hope, Rhode Island, writes, “Timmy, Kristen, and I were able to travel a bit this summer after staying close to home for 15 months. We visited Disney in Orlando in June and stayed in a beachfront rental in Westerly, Rhode Island. Timmy spent third grade in school every day with no distance learning for him. We have our fingers crossed that this will remain for the upcoming fourth grade. I continue to work as a school counselor at LaSalle Academy in Providence. This past March, I bumped into PERRY ROBINSON ’79 in the breakout room at The Midwest College Showcase Zoom. I spoke with MADDIE VANDENHOUTEN MCCOY ’17 from Ripon’s admission office. She and LYN ROSENBERG MCCARTHY ’83 even sent me a Ripon t-shirt to wear at my high school. 

TIM FINNEGAN ’91 and son Timmy

BRIAN FREY ’91 and BECKY HUSTAD ’91 of Madison, Wisconsin, writes, “We returned to Ripon for Reunion weekend to celebrate BRIAN’s receipt of the Distinguished Alumni Award. It was fun to see fellow awardee, LORI STICH OBLUDA ’91 and classmates SAMANTHA BAILEY FAST ’91, HEIDI ZWART HEALY ’91, and DEAN POLSTER ’91. We hope for an opportunity to see more of you at the next shindig!

“As of this Class Letter we are not quite empty nesters. Our youngest was delivered to UW Madison on his 18th birthday. The oldest graduated in the spring and is working for Epic Systems, but living with us on the west side of Madison until she finds a place and purchases a car. We like having her around and she’s only declared me (BECKY) annoying once since June (out loud that is). BRIAN continues his chemistry research and grant writing for the UW from home due to some unanticipated remodeling snafus with his building. I’m sometimes back in the office at Greenleaf Media and excited to meet with elementary students in the school garden next week at our neighborhood school.”

CHARLIE MERWIN ’91/P’16 of Rose Valley, Pennsylvania, writes, “We are still living in the Philadelphia suburbs. After 25 years I have retired from my former corporate life in financial services. I highly recommend retirement! For the time being, I am writing, which I have learned is a lot harder than it looks! My focus is on leadership and the importance of well-defined values for both people and organizations. Ellen P’16 and I just celebrated our 29th anniversary and we love being close to our grandson, Guy, now ten months old. Guy is the son of two proud Ripon alums himself, so there is at least one Ripon College tee-shirt (or onesie) being worn in Pennsylvania most days. We are eager to meet other Ripon alums in the Philadelphia area – our house has two bars in it so plenty of room to entertain!”

Please stay in touch

You don’t need to wait to send an update—send one anytime (like today, as soon as you’re done reading this) and I’ll be sure to include it in the next letter. Or, send an update to the College at [email protected], and they’ll pass it along. 

Do you need to update your email address on file?

Please be sure to update your email address (and other contact information) at: www.ripon.edu/update-contact-info/

We have a Facebook group

If you’re on Facebook, please ask to join our Class of ’91 group for updates and Ripon news. Alternatively, send your email address to [email protected] or text me at 612-978-4124 and I can add you to the group that way. 

Warmly,           

SAMANTHA BAILEY FAST ’91 and TRACY MAHER ’91

Submitted by: Class Agents: Samantha Bailey Fast & Tracy Maher

MICHAEL PAUL ’89 of Portage, Wisconsin, died Jan. 25, 2022. At Ripon, he played football. He led the A&W Drive-In in Portage. He also was active in the community, serving as an alderman for the City of Portage and on the Board of Zoning Appeals; coaching Portage Youth Football; and serving in various ways at Grace Bible Church. Survivors include his wife, Ronda; three sons and two daughters.

Full obituary:

PORTAGE – Michael Paul, age 55, of Portage, passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at his home with his loving family by his side. After a three-month battle with cancer, he is completely healed in the presence of the Lord.

Michael was born on November 2, 1966, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, the son of Raymond and Lovice (Hamley) Paul. He attended Randolph High School where he discovered his passion for football, playing under Coach Pat Winch, whom he greatly respected. On defense, Mike played middle linebacker (ironically called the “mike linebacker”); on offense, right tackle. He worked hard at those positions and developed an attitude of “always give your best effort.” After graduation, Michael’s experience at Ripon College was highlighted by continuing his passion for playing football as a linebacker. In college, he built on his attitude of “always giving his best effort,” spending many hours in the weight room in preparation for being a leader on the football field. He appreciated the friendships that developed while working hard towards a similar goal with his teammates in both high school and college.

He married Ronda Roberts in March 1987, and they devoted their lives to serving others through hospitality at the A&W Drive-In, Portage. Michael had high expectations for all his employees, challenging them to “always give their best effort” and to make their customers’ day special. “Mr. Paul” was a “father figure” to many of the teens he employed, and a friend to the adults. He poured into his employees, teaching them how to selflessly serve others and modeling a strong work ethic.

Community was important to Michael. He served the City of Portage as an Alderman and was on the Board of Zoning Appeals. He also coached Portage Youth Football focusing on, not only technique and strategy, but also teaching some of the same life lessons he learned as an athlete. Michael also served in various ways at Grace Bible Church.

Michael’s children will remember dancing in the kitchen to “the oldies” with him, spontaneous wrestling matches in the living room, and listening to his imaginative bedtime stories. He graciously gave the gift of time to his children. When they encouraged, “Come play with me, Daddy,” the “castle men” would be arranged for battle with creative, valiant storylines, and tea parties would be served in child-sized tea cups. As much as Michael enjoyed watching his children play sports, it was playing catch in the front yard or basketball in the driveway with them that he treasured most.

His wife will remember his humor and compassion for others that first captured her heart, his willingness to love her unconditionally, his amazing ability to problem solve situations and fix anything that was broken, and his attitude of thankfulness, but it was their final dance together in the kitchen to Louis Armstrong’s “It’s a Wonderful World” that she will treasure most.

Michael was a gentleman. He loved the Lord, and he loved people. He delighted in engaging conversations and a competitive game of euchre. Time spent with God, family, and friends was precious to him.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Ronda; their children, Jensena (Tyler) Wishau, Ryan Paul, Claire (Lance) Barnett, Nolan (Lindsey) Paul, and Isaac Paul; grandchildren, Sophie, Caleb, and Luke Wishau; mother, Lovice Paul; sister, Lona (Scott) Alsum; brothers, Wayne (Sharon) Paul, and Darrell Paul; parents-in-law, Hugh and Jane Roberts; sister-in-law, Kim (Dennis) TeGrootenhuis; brothers-in-law, Hugh (Jana) Roberts and Paul (Becky) Roberts; many precious cousins, nieces/nephews, great-nieces/nephews, great-great nieces/nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Paul and his niece, Christine Wickizer-Tobin.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Grace Bible Church with Rev. Jeremy Edmondson officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. on February 5, 2022, at Randolph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022, and 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at the church. A livestream of the service will be available on the Grace Bible Church website (www.gbcportage.com).

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the SSM Health staff who compassionately cared for Michael and all those who uplifted the family with prayers, cards, text messages, food, and other gifts as they walked through this dark valley of cancer. The Paul family has been humbled and comforted in so many ways by the love they have received. They have seen God’s grace generously poured down on them. The void and the earthly sorrow that lingers in their hearts is wrapped in the eternal joy of knowing that Michael is face to face with Jesus. Thank you, Jesus!

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

A fun night in Bonita Springs, Florida. Old friends are such a joy! The following Ripon alumni met for plenty of good cheer on January 26, 2022: (from left to right in the featured photo) Gary Lederer ’72, Lynne Horne Gasiorek ’72, Linda Brassington Daniels ’72, Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer ’73, and Al Gasiorek ’73.

Submitted by: Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer

KEVIN R. NORRIS ’89 of Palatine, Illinois, died Jan. 2, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in business management and participated in student government, rugby and Beta Sigma Pi. Survivors include his wife, Linda Norris; and two daughters.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

HELENE ALTERGOTT HUVER ’52 of Minneapolis, Minnesota, died May 11, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in Spanish and English and participated in Ver Adest and Alpha Gamma Theta. She received a master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also attended Lawrence University, Yale University and the University of Minnesota. She taught at schools in Illinois, Connecticut and Minnesota, and she taught adults Spanish at the Community Education Evening Schools for many years. She coordinated Mexican stays with the Experiment in International Living and enjoyed living with a Spanish family in Madrid, with nuns in Puerto Rico, and in Santiago, Chile, and Puebla, Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Survivors include one daughter; and a brother, HARVEY ALTERGOTT ’56.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

CLAUDETTE BEALL LEE-ROSELAND ’60 of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, died Oct. 3, 2021. At Ripon, she studied philosophy and psychology and participated in student government and Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. She was a member of the 40^th reunion committee. She received a master’s degree in special education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. After a career as a teacher, she became a professional artist and exhibited around the state. She also volunteered at the Cedarburg Art Museum. Survivors include her husband, Dean Roseland.

More about her can be found here: https://linkuppuppies.com/claudette-lee-roseland-death-rip-claudette-lee-roseland-obituary-cause-of-death/

View her website here: http://www.claudetteleeroseland.com/

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JAMES F. COCHRANE ’52 of Plymouth, Minnesota, died Dec. 11, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in economics, lettered in basketball and participated in Ver Adest and Theta Sigma Tau. He strongly supported Ripon, both financially and in alumni activities. He had a 40-year career in management with Illinois Bell Telephone Co. and lived in Lake Bluff, Illinois, for nearly 50 years. He and his wife retired to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and then Plymouth, Minnesota, to be near family. Summers were spent at the family cottage on Gilbert Lake in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. He was active at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, Illinois, including organizing and leading high school mission trips for 45 years. Survivors include three sons and one daughter; and a brother DAVID COCHRANE ’54. His wife, JOANNE KLAWITER COCHRANE ’51, died in 2019.

The full obituary can be viewed here: https://m.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000414932/?fullname=james-f-cochrane

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

ANN WILSON WOOD ’54 of Santa Barbara, California, died Nov. 18, 2021. At Ripon, she participated in Ver Adest and Kappa Sigma Chi. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and earned a credential in early childhood education from the University of California Berkeley Extension. She was a nursery school teacher and director, then parent coordinator for the University Children’s Center at the University of California Santa Barbara until retiring in 1998. She advocated for the education of young children as a frequent speaker and membership in several related organizations. She sang in the Santa Barbara Chorale Society for many years, performed music at La Mesa Community Church, and enjoyed camping at Yosemite National Park with her family. Survivors include three sons and one daughter.

Full obituary:

Ann E. Wood, 89, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2021, in Santa Barbara. She was born Ann Elizabeth Wilson to Dr. J. Allen and Grace (Babka) Wilson on June 30, 1932, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ann attended Ripon College, then graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota in 1954 and married her college sweetheart, Roger Wood. The couple moved west to California, eventually bringing their young family to Santa Barbara in 1965, when Roger accepted a faculty position at UCSB. Their family grew to include four children: Jenny, David, John, and James.

Ann earned a credential in Early Childhood Education from UC Berkeley Extension and taught at St. Mark’s Nursery School in the 1970’s. She later moved to St. Michael’s Nursery School, where she served as Director from 1980 to 1988. After St. Michael’s was decommissioned, Ann served as Parent Coordinator for the newly-founded University Children’s Center at UCSB until she retired in 1998.

Ann was a tireless advocate for the education of young children throughout her career, serving as President of the Tri Counties Association for the Education of Young Children (TAEYC), President and Vice President of the Santa Barbara AEYC affiliate, as well as state and local AEYC positions. She was active in program accreditation, and served as a National AEYC Validator. Ann was a frequent speaker at Annual AEYC state and national meetings, focusing on children with special needs, literacy, and programmatic development.

Ann and Roger enjoyed a large circle of friends from many different arenas, and their gift of hospitality meant that their house was a center of activity and fellowship. Many of their children’s friends from high school or college choirs, sports teams, etc. have fond memories of being hosted at the Woods’. Ann was an accomplished musician, who passed her love of music to her children and many of her grandchildren. She sang in the Santa Barbara Chorale Society for many years, sang in the choir and played piano for productions at La Mesa Community Church, and enjoyed piano duet sessions with her dear friend, Carol. The entire family has fond memories of the dueling piano version of The Twelve Days of Christmas played by Ann and her son, Jim. Ann and Roger treasured summer camping trips in Yosemite, frequently in the company of their children, spouses, and dozen grandchildren, and though Ann had lasting effects from childhood polio, she hiked right along with the rest of the family. Roger called her “Leadfoot Annie”, and joked that the aerodynamic curves on her Ford Taurus station wagon were designed to evade radar detection. Ann mastered the space-time continuum to remain 29 years old, even while everyone else aged around her, proudly proclaimed through her email address [email protected].

Although a stroke robbed her of coherent speech for her last five years, Ann retained the radiant smile that charmed her caregivers and warmed the room. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Heritage House, Santa Barbara, for the loving care Ann received there.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents and by her beloved Roger in 2013. She is survived by her brother John Wilson (Jill), her four children: Jenny Hawkes (Ed Hawkes), David Wood (Jane Doughty), John Wood (Ruth), and James Wood (Jen), 12 grandchildren (Michael Hawkes, Stuart Hawkes, Erin Ayers, Sam Hawkes, Lyle Wood, Alex Wood-Doughty, Zach Wood-Doughty, Jim Wood, Marion Wood, Patrick Hawkes, Andrew Hawkes, and Levi Wood), and five great-grandchildren. An outdoor Celebration of Life is planned for Manning Park on April 30th at 1 pm, with a reception in the park to follow. All who have been touched by her life are welcome to attend. Contact [email protected] to RSVP, share memories, or ask questions about the service.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JOHN J. SCHIEBER of Portage, Wisconsin, a former instructor of ROTC at Ripon College, died June 17, 2021. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan in the post-World War II military government, NATO headquarters in Italy, Minneapolis, Korea on the inspector general’s staff, and Washington, D.C., as an instructor at the Defense Language School in the Naval Annex. He retired as a sergeant first class. After retiring in Wisconsin, he helped run Schieber’s Country Store in Montello and Briggsville and was human resources director for Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. In Portage, he was active in the arts community and many church and community organizations. Survivors include his wife, Florence; three sons and three daughters.

TONI HOLLENBACK, a secretary/technician at Ripon for 43 years, died Dec. 11, 2021. She retired in 2017. She was a lifelong member at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she currently chaired the Social Concerns and Beautification committees. She was a member of the Evangelism Committee, Woman of Grace, Eve Circle and Quilting, and for many years headed up the Thanksgiving Day dinner. She was instrumental in many fundraisers at Grace, including the Lasagna Take and Bake along with her husband. She and her husband enjoyed traveling to historic places, and she also enjoyed cooking and preparing food. Survivors include her husband; two sons, including DAVID HOLLENBACK ’00; a sister, PATTI WORM, retired director of student accounts at Ripon; and nieces, MELISSA ANDERSON ’02, former vice president of marketing and communications, and AUTUMN SENNER ’89.

Full obituary:

Toni Dana Hollenback, age 67, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at her home.

Toni was born January 25, 1954 in Fond du Lac, WI, the daughter of Vernon and Orline (Wiese) Dorsey. She graduated from Ripon High School and married Steven Roger Hollenback at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ripon in 1975. Toni worked for 43 years as a secretary/technician at Ripon College until her retirement in 2017. During which time she developed lasting relationships which remained until her passing.

She was also a lifelong member at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she currently chaired the Social Concerns and Beautification Committees. She was a member of Evangelism Committee, Woman of Grace, Eve Circle, Quilting and for many years headed up the Thanksgiving Day Dinner. She was instrumental in many fundraisers at Grace, including the Lasagna Take and Bake along with her husband.

She and Steve enjoyed traveling to historic places to learn and embrace the history. She enjoyed people and was always willing to help make any food event a good presentation and have everyone happy.

Along with her culinary skills, the important things in life were her and Steve’s two sons and the grandchildren. The grandchildren brought an exceptional amount of joy.

Survivors include her husband, Steven R. Hollenback of Ripon; sons, David A. (Ariane Stiegler) Hollenback of Ripon and Thomas J. (Kristin) Hollenback of Lamartine, WI; grandchildren, Ethan and Quinn Hollenback of Lamartine, WI; and sisters, Cherie (John) Anderson of Ripon, Terri (William) Drake of St. Pete Beach, FL and Patti Worm of Ripon. She is further survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews. Toni was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Orline Dorsey; and brothers, Ronald and James Dorsey.

A visitation for Toni will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 9 – 11:00 am at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 430 W. Griswold St., Ripon, WI 54971.

A funeral service for Toni will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 11:00 am at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church with Reverend Clay R. Salmela officiating. Interment will follow at Dartford Cemetery, Green Lake, WI. Memorials in her name may be directed to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 430 W. Griswold St., Ripon, WI 54971 or Muscular Dystrophy Association, 161 N. Clark, Suite 3550, Chicago, IL 60601.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

LUCILLE E. PRZBYL GLOYD, a former employee in Student Activities, died Oct. 14, 2021. In Ripon, she had worked at Ripon Knitting Works, Montgomery Wards and Braun’s Restaurant. She worked at Ripon College for more than 23 years, retiring in May 2002. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, puzzles, card games, traveling to see the countryside, and spending time with her family. Survivors include three daughters.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement