R Connections

BONNIE MACDOUGALL COTTRELL BECK ’68 of Hamilton, Missouri, died Oct. 19, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. She also received a degree in education from Loyola University Chicago. She worked for 17 years as a Chicago public school teacher while simultaneously managing multiple real estate properties for her parents. She then bought and operated a family-oriented campground in Turney, Missouri, with her second husband, Oren D. Beck. In Missouri, she continued her career in education as a school librarian in the Breckenridge and Mirabile School Districts. Bonnie devoted her life to children as a mother and grandmother, a teacher and a Girl Scout leader. Survivors include two daughters; and two unofficially adopted sons.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

RUDOLF A. VON WATZDORF ’65 of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, died Sept. 22, 2020. At Ripon, he majored in history, economics and German, participated in WRPN Radio and athletics, and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His Army awards include the Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, The Purple Heart, Air Medal, Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters and National Defense Service Medal. He retired in 2000 as vice president of the former Chase Manhattan Bank, now JPMorgan Bank, after 35 years. He was a Knight of the Order of St. John. Survivors include his wife, Annette; and three daughters.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JAMES A. SEMRAD ’65 of Greenfield, Wisconsin, died Nov. 14, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in psychology, was a member of Merriman/Phi Kappa Pi and the undefeated 1963 football team, and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife, CHARLOTTE TINKER SEMRAD ’67; three children, including ANDREW SEMRAD ’93; a brother, JEROME SEMRAD ’61; a sister-in-law, CAROL TINKER BAINBRIDGE ’69; and a niece, KRISTIN SEMRAD LIEBERMAN ’90.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

DAVID C. MEISSNER ’65 of Alfred Station, New York, died July 22, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in psychology and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a master’s degree in psychology and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Maine. He entered the Army and taught psychological operations to Vietnamese officers. He was honorably discharged as a captain in 1971, at which time he joined the psychology department faculty at Alfred University.

He enjoyed gardening, photography and collecting antique toys, rocks and minerals. Survivors include one daughter; and his former wife, AROLANA “LANA” JOHNSON MEISSNER ’65.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

BARBARA CARLSON WATTMAN ’64 of Wichita, Kansas, died May 28, 2020. At Ripon, she studied art. She also studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, earned a degree in art history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and studied at Wichita State University. She taught at Wichita State and the Wichita Art Association. She was active in the Oz Bicycle Club; and was a member of the Scandinavian Society, researched her Swedish heritage and traveled to Sweden four times. Later in life, she earned a master’s degree in gerontology and worked in the memory care unit at Catholic Care Center. She was active in the Adoration group at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Survivors include one son and two daughters.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JAMES S. KLEINHANS ’64 of Whitewater, Wisconsin, died Sept. 1, 2021. At Ripon, he played basketball under KERMIT “DOC” WEISKE ’50, who had been his coach at Fort Atkinson High School. He also was a member of Sigma Chi. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He had a 40-year career in journalism, printing and publication, serving as editor at newspapers in Ripon, Minocqua, Arcadia and Menomonie. He also was senior associate editor at J.J. Keller and Associates in Neenah and an administration officer in the Bureau of Information/Education with the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He was active in environmental issues and sports activities at local, county and state levels throughout his life. Survivors include his wife, Penny; one son, TODD KLEINHANS ’86; and two daughters.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

WILLIAM J. BEYER ’64 of Greenleaf, Wisconsin, died July 24, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in chemistry, participated in Theta Chi and was commissioned through ROTC. He had worked in healthcare. Survivors include his wife, CAROL HABERKORN BEYER ’66; and children, including ELISABETH BEYER NOLEN ’86.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

HENRY B. “HANK” MATHEWS ’63 of San Diego, California, died Feb. 22, 2020. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics and was a member of Delta Upsilon. He received an MBA in marketing from Loyola University Chicago.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

KAREN GOEPFERT JOHNSON ’63 of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, died Aug. 7, 2021. At Ripon, she participated in Alpha Phi Sorority and became a lifetime member. In 1960, she joined her parents in Brussels, Belgium, and later lived in Germany while her husband served in the Army. They settled in Burlington, Wisconsin, where she worked in various administrative and clerical roles at Burlington Memorial Hospital for more than 25 years. She retired to Sturgeon Bay in 2002 and was involved with Birch Creek Music Theater, Crossroads at Big Creek, Friends of White Fish Dunes State Park, Miller Art Museum, Bay View Lutheran Church, and Learning in Retirement. She enjoyed painting, creating collages, attending concerts, knitting and participating in book clubs. Survivors include two sons.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

STEPHANIE ROWLAND DUNLAVY ’63 of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, died Dec. 6, 2021. At Ripon, she studied French and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona. She was a Marine Corps wife and ran several independent businesses, including the Jolly Greens Plant Business. Survivors include three sons and three daughters; a brother, STANLEY ROWLAND ’58 sister-in-law, ROSE MARY SYCK ROWLAND ’58; and nieces and nephews, APRIL DUNLAVY ’03, KIRBIANNE DUNLAVY ’14 and JOHN DUNLAVY ’07. Her husband, KENNETH DUNLAVY ’62, died in April 2021.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

ROBERT W. TYKAL ’61 of Davis, Illinois, died May 4, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in physics and mathematics, participated in student government and athletics, and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Chicago. He served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. He was an information systems executive at Motorola Inc. in Schaumburg, Illinois, for more than 30 years, retiring in 1996. He enjoyed time at Lake Summerset and his second home in Naples, Florida, fishing, golf, and singing in church choirs in Illinois and Florida and in the barbershop quartet Three Shots and a Chaser. Survivors include three sons and one daughter. His wife, MARILYNN DEPLEWSKI TYKAL ’60, died in 2014.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

DAVID M. “DAVE” OTTO ’60 of Green Bay, Wisconsin, died Nov. 26, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in politics and government and participated in College Days, Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Nu. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and served in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years. He was an award-winning reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette newspaper for 40 years, most of that time as a popular outdoors writer. He also did freelance writing and was co-founder and past president of the Wisconsin Outdoor Communications Association. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church for more than 50 years and volunteered to help fourth- and fifth-graders with reading and writing. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; one son and two daughters.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

INEZ WEBER STRELOW ’59 of Nokomis, Florida, died June 12, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in physical education and English and participated in Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. She taught in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Fort Worth, Texas, and Reston, Virginia, during her husband’s career with the Federal Department of Defense. They retired to Nokomis in 1999 and were active with Our Savior Lutheran Church and the Nokomis community. Survivors included her husband, Ronald Strelow, who died four days after her.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

STEVEN J. JOHNSON ’58 of Wayzata, Minnesota, a Ripon College Trustee from 1991-1995, died Nov. 6, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in economics and participated in student government, College Days and ROTC. He also served on the Alumni Board of Directors, Partners in the Legacy and several volunteer positions. He received an MBA in banking from Rutgers University. After serving as a commissioned Army officer, he was president and CEO of banks in Anchorage, Alaska, and Minneapolis. In Washington, D.C., he was policy advisor to the U.S. Economic Development Administration and senior lending officer of the National Cooperative Bank. After retiring from banking in 1990, he headed a financial advisory business for 30 years. He enjoyed camping, cross country skiing and socializing. Survivors include one stepson and two stepdaughters.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

CHARLES J.  “CHUCK” FISHER ’58 of Ellsworth, Maine, died Aug. 31, 2021. At Ripon, he studied chemistry, participated in athletics and Sigma Chi, and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army and worked in quality control at several major food distributors and supermarket chains. He was active in ASQC (now ASQ American Society for Quality), served on the Ogle County Board of Health for several years, was a member of the Byron Revitalization Committee and volunteered in woodworking at Byron Forest Preserve. He was a Master Gardener and enjoyed woodworking, building items such as furniture and sailboats. Survivors include his wife, Dawn; one son, one daughter, one stepson and one stepdaughter. His first wife, MARLENE MELNICK FISHER ’59, died in 1997.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

RICHARD “DICK” A. CHRISTENSEN ’58 of Reston, Virginia, died Nov. 8, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in history, participated in Ver Adest, theatre, music, forensics, College Days and Sigma Chi, and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a degree in law and diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Tufts University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army and later as a reservist. He was an economic officer with the U.S. Foreign Service for more than 20 years in Caracas, Venezuela; Bucharest, Romania; Zagreb, Yugoslavia; and Prague, Czechoslovakia. He then worked at Meridian International Center, introducing emerging international leaders to both official and unofficial America. He also was active in his local community. Survivors include two daughters. His wife, RHODA RODEGHIER CHRISTENSEN ’58, died in 2008.

See below for the full obituary text:

Richard (Dick) A. Christensen passed away peacefully on November 8, 2021 at the age of 85 in Reston, VA after a short bout with pneumonia. Dick passed in the presence of his loving daughters, Karen and Courtney. He was predeceased by Rhoda, his beloved wife of 49 years.

Dick was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, the son of George and Sylvia (Peshek) Christensen. He was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Horlick High School and held a lifelong interest in music, starting at the young age of 9 when he began playing the accordion. He toured with the Boy Scout Drum and Bugle Corps in his youth, which sparked his interest in travel and exploring new places.

Dick was educated at Ripon College, where he earned a BA in History and at The Fletcher School of Tufts University, where he received a MA in Law and Diplomacy. During summers in college, Dick worked at Lassen Volcanic National Park in California, an experience which almost led him to a career as a Park Ranger, and which he held dear throughout his life. He spent two years on active duty as an officer in the US Army and later as a reservist.

Inspired by a fascination with different cultures and a civic commitment to service, Dick joined the US Foreign Service where he served as an Economic Officer for over 20 years. He held postings in Caracas, Venezuela; Bucharest, Romania; Zagreb, Yugoslavia; and Prague, Czechoslovakia. His facility with languages and genuine interest in people opened many doors for him. After retiring from the Foreign Service, Dick worked at Meridian International Center, where he was known for putting together programs on short notice that introduced emerging international leaders to both official and unofficial America and helped build mutual understanding and practical solutions to our global challenges.

Dick will be remembered by the many whom he touched as a good, kind and generous man, deeply interested in others and in the world around him. He lived everyday Christian values, always giving generously to his family and community, and sparing others criticism and complaints. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings in his hometown, he developed a love of modern architecture which he passed on to his family. Always intellectually curious, Dick knew “something about everything” and remained proud of his appearance on Jeopardy in the 1960s.

He, and his late wife Rhoda, were among the early residents of Reston where Dick was active on the Inlet Cluster board throughout his 50 years in Reston. His later years were filled with volunteer activities to enrich his community — at Travelers Aid at Dulles Airport, as an active member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, a stream monitor, a regular blood donor, an usher at Arena Stage in Washington, DC and an election officer in his local precinct.

Dick is survived by his daughters Karen Christensen of Arlington, VA, and Courtney Christensen, and her husband Jay Michaud most recently of Lexington, MA as well as 5 grandchildren, Ian Christensen-Gibbons, Quinn Christensen-Gibbons, Greer Christensen-Gibbons, Caroline Michaud, Benjamin Michaud, and two step grandchildren, Claire Michaud Collins and husband, Dr. Richard Collins and Jack Michaud.

A service is being planned at St. Anne’s Episcopal church in Reston. In lieu of flowers, please honor Dick by making a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, The National Park Foundation, or to a charity that is important to you.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

NOEL B. TAYLOR ’57 of Rochester, Minnesota, died July 23, 2021. At Ripon, he studied physics and mathematics and participated in Sigma Chi and Partners in the Legacy. He was a longtime employee of IBM’s Mechanical Analysis Lab. He was involved in the Southeast Minnesota Flying Club, Rochester Astronomy Club and the Rochester Aero Model Society. He volunteered at Mayo Clinic by playing piano in the Ghonda Building Atrium. He enjoyed music and was a long-time sponsor of the Rochester Symphony. He also volunteered for more than 25 years at Lincoln K-8 and Sunset Terrace Schools. He was a private pilot with instrument and seaplane ratings. He served in the Army as a paratrooper from 1958-59.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

SUSAN KREUSER REDHED ’57 of Burien, Washington, died Aug. 10, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in French and participated in theatre, music, athletics and Alpha Gamma Theta. She was committed to her faith and enjoyed cooking from scratch and organic gardening. Her lifelong love of writing spanned fiction, non-fiction and a 35-year stint editing her church newsletter. She enjoyed family-related visits to France, Greece, Lebanon, the United Kingdom and Australia. She loved music, played instruments and piano and sang with choral groups. She also enjoyed painting. Survivors include three sons and five daughters; siblings, including brothers RICHARD KREUSER ’61 and THOMAS KREUSER ’67; sister-in-law NANCY ALLEN  KREUSER ’68; and cousin SUSAN KREUSER DAVIS ’66. Her husband, DAVID D. REDHED ’56, died in 2005.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

KAREN LEAMAN HENKEL ’57 of Madison, Wisconsin, died Nov. 9, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in English and participated in theatre and Alpha Gamma Theta. She taught English at East High School in Madison. She later worked at Woldenberg’s Apparel. She enjoyed reading and sports, particularly the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. Survivors include one son; and her brother JEFFRY M. LEAMAN ’71.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

ULYSSES S. DOSS ’57 of Missoula, Montana, died Aug. 8, 2021. At Ripon, he studied psychology and classics. He participated in track and field, basketball, football and Phi Kappa Pi and was commissioned through ROTC. He was elected to the Ripon College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He earned a bachelor of divinity degree from what is now the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in humanities from Union Graduate School in Cincinnati. During the 1960s, he led civil rights activities in Chicago and founded the Christian Action Ministry. In 1968, he founded the Black studies program at the University of Montana, just the second Black studies program west of the Mississippi River. The Ulysses S. Doss Scholarship was established in his honor. He also was a passionate golfer. Survivors include his wife, Jane, and four children.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement