1963 – Spring 2021 Class Letter

Greetings, Class of 1963!

What a year it’s been. I believe we all feel sorry for today’s high school students, college kids and recent graduates – no doubt some are your grandchildren – whose education, job hunting and maybe even marriage plans have been turned upside down. I imagine, however, that Ripon students today are still managing to enjoy their college days for the same reasons we did; e.g., dormitory bull sessions, meeting new people, and most of all the friendly small school atmosphere. 
Good news regarding this year’s Alumni Weekend. Alumni Weekend 2021 will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen with two distinct summer weekends of Ripon alumni programming for us. No matter how you’d like to connect, virtually or in person, the Office of Constituent Engagement is developing a variety of activities to continue to follow CDC, Fond du Lac County and College guidelines in both June and August. Full schedules, lodging, and programming details will be posted soon to www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend.
JUNE 2021

• In honor of our June Alumni Weekend traditions, virtual alumni programming will be held Tuesday, June 22 through Saturday, June 26, and will include: an alumni town hall, R Connections webinars, affinity socials, a summer book club, and special recognition of the 2020 and 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees. 
• The only in-person event, the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble, will be held off-campus on Friday, June 25. 

AUGUST 2021
A combination of virtual and in-person Alumni Weekend programming will be held the first week of August. We will continue to evaluate the state of COVID-19. If circumstances change at the local and national level and we need to cancel in-person programming, that decision will be made and communicated by July 1, 2021.

• Virtual programming will be held Tuesday, August 3 through Saturday, August 7 and will include: a reunion-focused alumni town hall that also previews the new academic year, additional R Connections webinars, the summer book club capstone, and the traditional “That Was Then” storytelling session. 
• In-person, on-campus programming will be held Friday, August 6 through Sunday, August 8, and will focus on alumni awards recognition, 2020 and 2021 reunion celebrations, and other outdoor events such as Rally Run and prairie walk.
• Additionally, the Class of 2020 will officially be welcomed to our alumni community with a special commencement ceremony.

Class Notes:
STEVE ASTMANN ’63 of Scotia, New York, ([email protected]) is a featured alumnus in the 2021 winter edition of the Ripon Magazine. The article relates how the Ripon College experience turned his academic life around, to include his earning a Ph.D. in higher education and in 2015 establishing the Juventus Endowed scholarship at Ripon for students who display skills and strengths but who have not excelled academically.
JUDY ELLICSON KOVARIK ’63 of Aurora, Illinois, ([email protected]) writes, “DICK KOVARIK ’64 and I are at our condo in rainy Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Seems like at least an inch each day, and flood warnings are out for all the rivers in the area. But, it is much better than all the snow and freezing temperatures back in Illinois.  
We have been fortunate to get our two Pfizer shots already, now just waiting for the arms to feel normal again. It is quite different here than at home, restaurants are open as are just about all other services. Mask wearing, although required, is not totally followed. 
The biggest disappointment of 2020 was the lack of family get-togethers. With youngsters and college-age grandchildren, we have been very careful, mostly for us, but for them also. Hopefully, we will be able to hug all of them soon.” 
JOHN NEUBAUER ’63 of Solona Beach, California, ([email protected]) writes, “Ripon has always occupied a space in my life after I chose to not attend Albion College in Michigan. It was a great school but Ripon was in my future. I love Ripon and now attribute that to Dr. Messitte. What an incredible college president! 
I had the perspective of returning to Ripon after a year spent in Madrid where I learned a life-long love of the Spanish language and the Europeans’ love and respect for the United States. Friends I made there continue today. President Zach Messitte had the exact same experience in his foreign studies. 
Like all, I have found that COVID-19 changed my life. I choose to currently work, managing a global business in 43 countries that require my language abilities. Do I wish I retired 15 years ago? Of course, but my solace is in that I have made hundreds of friends around the world of different races, religious beliefs, and political choices and see that all have the same desires we have: family. The U.S. is not the center of the universe but is an example of a country that promotes individual growth and exceptionalism as compared to their home countries. They seek my counsel as I run their sites. People of the world are amazingly the same. We love holidays, family, traditions, and the “hope” of things getting better. And there is always much to improve. 
Personally, I have learned to live alone after my wife’s passing, and with memories, go on to whatever my life is becoming. It is uncharted territory for me but one I wholeheartedly embrace. My Ripon community is helping me in this next stage of life. I am beyond grateful.
My twin, DAVID NEUBAUER ’63, our family historian, keeps me aware of our classmates and shares with me his visits.” 
MEREDITH RAPPRICH SPEERS ‘63 of Santa Fe, New Mexico, (m.spears @att.net) writes, “I have been living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the City Different, since 2007 and have never regretted leaving the East Coast or the Midwest. My 51-year-old identical twin sons from my first marriage are both living in the East and we hope to get together when it is safe to travel. New Mexico’s governor has managed the Pandemic very well in my opinion, especially considering the difficulty of dealing with the lack of health care resources in the state’s numerous Native Pueblos and Tribal Lands. It is difficult to “wash your hands” all the time when you don’t have running water where you live. All the stores around here require masks and a limited number of people in the store at a time. Bars and restaurants have been closed until recently when in some counties limited indoor dining is allowed. In our area, I have not seen people refusing to wear masks, but there are some southern parts of the state where it has been an issue and some businesses have refused to close or require face coverings. Cowboys For Trump will ride their horses and carry their long guns where they want to, when they want to, and don’t believe that COVID-19 is anything but a hoax invented by Democrats. 
My partner, Séamus, and I had to cancel a long-planned six-week trip to Spain, Portugal, France, Wales, and Ireland last spring. We thought at the time we would just reschedule it for the spring of 2021, but as time went by we realized that was not feasible. There are many great things about living in Santa Fe other than the amazing scenery and wonderful weather. One of those is the availability of a variety of music. I have been a season’s ticket holder at the Santa Fe Opera since 2007. We were really looking forward to having picnic dinners beforehand in the opera parking lot and then seeing five great operas in July and August 2020. Everything was canceled, as it should have been. The Chamber Music Concerts were canceled in July and August. The special performances that were scheduled throughout the season were canceled. The twice a month year around Jazz Concerts we so enjoy were canceled.  
Instead of going out, we found our entertainment in the house and surrounding area. When the weather was good, we hiked with our standard poodle dame, Cleo. We both read a great deal. We watched lots and lots of sports (I almost understand the game called Football by the rest of the world but still called Soccer here). Our music library got a chance to shine. We were amazed at what we had gathered over the years. And we watched old movies on DVD. I have always loved Jimmy Stewart’s 1950 film Harvey, so we watched it this week. If you have not seen it ever, or not for years, it really is worthwhile taking another look.  
After giving up cruising sailboats in the early 2000s because my second husband was ill, we switched to motor homes. After he died in 2013, I bought a small travel trailer and the pup and three kitties and I traveled back and forth to the East Coast several times a year. Séamus and I upgraded that trailer to a slightly larger, 22 feet, little Airstream trailer a couple of years ago. In early August we felt that the NE corner of New Mexico, which has very few people living there, seemed to be a safe place to visit. We found an open private RV campground (state campgrounds were closed) near the Capulin Volcano National Monument in the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. We put the pup and kitties in the Jeep, hooked up the trailer, and off we went. Both of us learned a great deal about that part of the state, and were able to stay away from everyone for the five-day trip. It was nice to get out and about. 
In early September, we waved goodbye to the animals and a house sitter and headed off for a four-week road trip. This trip’s ultimate goal was to reach Yellowstone NP before the winter snows started flying and celebrate Séamus’s 80th birthday. We stopped in Moab, Utah, visited Arches NP, then headed north toward Yellowstone. A strong blizzard had come roaring down the Rocky Mountains and had caused some of the roads I had wanted to take near the west side of the Tetons to be closed, so we changed our route a bit to get to West Yellowstone. We spent seven days there. The west coast, Oregon and Washington, was on fire at this time and we had a couple of days where the visibility was less than great, so we visited parts of Yellowstone that did not require being able to see for miles. From there we headed to the south entrance/exit of Yellowstone and into Jackson Hole for four days. As we drove toward the town of Jackson, the Teton range was to the west of us, our right. I pointed the mountains out to Séamus but he could not see them. The smoke was way too bad. Two days later the smoke lifted and there were the Tetons, just where I had promised him they were! What a spectacular sight. We left the Jackson area and headed to Boise, Idaho to see friends, and then started slowly working our way back to Santa Fe. We felt safe during our travels. All but two meals were in our trailer, and the two meals “out” were served on patios at restaurants. I saw no one without a mask at fuel stops or grocery stores. Restrooms were closed at all the campgrounds we visited, but that was fine because we have our own in the trailer. I was able to do laundry at a couple of campgrounds by making a reservation and having the entire place to myself.  
Till the next time Wayne asks for information: Get your COVID-19 vaccine. Wear your Mask. Wash your hands. Stay Safe.  
CLIF RANNEY ’63 of Dallas, Texas, ([email protected]) writes, “Thanks for sharing the passing of JOHN KIRCHGEORG ’63. Really nothing to report from the Ranney household. Travel was seriously curtailed in 2020, after a very busy year of travel and photography in 2019. Wishes for good health and happiness for all.”
ARTHUR SCHARFF ’63 of St. Louis, Missouri, ([email protected]) writes, “My family and I are well. COVID-19 has taught me new ways to be happy, including lots of new cooking recipes, guitar, Master Class (an incredible educational website), and Noom (you may have seen their ads on TV) for a 30 pounds weight loss and more exercise miles logged in six years of keeping track. Not bad for an old fart! I am planning on going to Florida for a couple of weeks in April and a Tauck Tour by riverboat in October, COVID-19 willing. Life is good.”
DAN SCHULTZ ’63 of Silver Spring, Maryland, ([email protected]) writes, “My wife and I have just received our second COVID-19 vaccine shots and we are looking forward to venturing out a bit again with friends to an outdoor restaurant or two here in Palm Beach Gardens where we stay for the winter months. Feel badly for all of those who still have to wait for their vaccine shots, including some of our children, and our hope is that by summertime we will be able to have our children and grands visit us at our lake place in Wisconsin.  
I have been spending a good amount of time these past two years as the curator of the artwork of my deceased sister, DIERDRE SCHULTZ LUZWICK ’67, archiving all of her artwork for long time preservation and attempting to promote her drawings and gain her a wider audience and reputation. If anyone would care to see examples of her artwork, you can visit her website (luzwickart.com) or her Facebook page which I monitor and where I post her drawings on a bi-weekly basis (currently we have over 1,100 followers). A labor of love as they say, but hopefully at some point she will gain the recognition she deserves as one of our country’s most talented artists in modern times. I came within a few strokes of shooting my age in golf earlier this month. Stay safe and well.”  
ROGER WHEELER ’63 of Southbury, Connecticut, ([email protected]) writes, “I just want to say that living through this COVID-19 pandemic was a unique experience for me especially seeing the lockdown in New York, a city that I grew up in and went to school by riding the subways in the 1950s.” 
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Classmates We’ve Lost: 
PATRICIA DRABANT ’63 of Davenport, Florida, died Oct. 23, 2020. She attended Ripon College and studied business administration at Nova Southeastern University. She worked for Dow Chemical in Colorado. She and her husband, Evert Bancker, enjoyed traveling and lived in the south of France throughout the 1960s and 1970s before settling in Florida. She worked in the legal department of Walt Disney World for 20 years and was a key player in managing Disney’s real estate, expansion, infrastructure, and the launch of ESPN Wide World of Sports. Speaking fluent French, she also helped translate and provide guidance for the launch of DisneyLand in Paris, France in 1992. She retired in 2010.
JOHN KIRCHGEORG ’63 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died Jan. 13, 2021. At Ripon he majored in philosophy and participated in student government and Delta Upsilon. He later was a charter member of Partners in the Legacy. He was president and founder of LIFE Corp. in Milwaukee, where he held six patents and trademarks on medical equipment. He also worked in the banking industry. He was a member of several professional organizations and was appointed to the governor’s Wisconsin International Trade Council and the Wisconsin Export Management Company Task Force. He enjoyed classical music, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet, and boating. (I was a roommate of John’s in our Junior year and considered him a good friend — he will be missed.) 
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In closing, I’d like to acknowledge the classmates who have donated to the Ripon Fund and/or to the #OneDayRally. Our class donated a total of $37,425 this last fiscal year. The College thanks you. Please keep Ripon at or near the top of your ever-growing stack of donation requests.
Just think, in two short years in 2023 we will be celebrating our 60th Reunion….By then COVID-19 will be just a bad memory and, hopefully, a lot of us will join our classmates for a big celebration!  
Stay Safe Everyone! 
WAYNE WOLFGRAM ’63
(313) 550-5094 / [email protected] 
Your 1963 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Wayne Wolfgram

1964 – Spring 2021 Class Letter

Greetings, Class of 1964!

Things are opening up slowly here at Stoneridge Creek. Vaccines have been given to 99% of our residents and 85% of our employees. My dear friend, Cleve Beck, whom I met here six years ago died suddenly on March 1. I miss him very much but I am grateful for the time we spent together. We enjoyed four Road Scholar trips, a Crystal Cruise, and a Lewis & Clark Paddleboat trip on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. In 2020 we had to cancel a Mississippi River trip from New Orleans to Memphis and a Bourbon Trail trip in Kentucky because of COVID-19. We did enjoy Bourbon on our own – I make excellent Manhattans and Old Fashioneds. Cleve and I usually enjoyed the cocktail of the day before watching the news. I credit my chemistry for becoming a mixologist in my old age. 
Did you read the Ripon Magazine for Winter 2020? I was sad to see an obituary notice for BARBARA BLANK LUECK ’64. The back cover of the Ripon Magazine includes a photo entitled “FlashBack 1962.” My husband, JIM KOHNEN ’64, is playing pick-up football with his Theta Chi brothers. On February 28, I hosted a Zoom visit with three of my Alpha Delta Pi sisters: CAROL RUMMEL DINGMAN ’64 who lives in Texas, JUDY GRUBER SCHRADER ’63 who lives in Illinois, and ELLIE RADER ALCOCK ’63 who lives in Minnesota. Judy was my big sister and Ellie was Carol’s big sister. Both Theta Chi and Alpha Delta Pi still are active at Ripon College.
I explored alumni information on the Ripon website. Do you remember graduation on June 6, 1964? The commencement theme was Shakespeare and the speaker was James G. McManaway, editor of Shakespeare Quarterly. I have enjoyed six trips to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival in Oregon with friends from Stoneridge Creek. There were 127 graduates in our class. I think I remember that our Freshman class was 200 students. Even though HARRISON FORD ’64 did not graduate he has had a wonderful career.
I continue to be grateful for the education I received at Ripon. I sometimes surprise people when I tell them that I have a BA with a major in Chemistry (rather than a BS). The liberal arts classes I took have been valuable to me. At my most recent visit with my financial advisor I designated a donation to Ripon College from my IRA Required Minimum Distribution. I do not pay any taxes on such a donation. Jim and I used to enjoy dining in Green Lake when he had a car our senior year. Do you remember the Heidel House and Ryans? Jim and I honeymooned in Green Lake. 
If any of you participate in Facebook consider asking to be my friend. I have discovered several Alpha Delta Pi sisters on Facebook. Also, I am always interested in hearing your updates to share with classmates so do not hesitate to share those with me at any time. 
I have good news to share regarding this year’s Alumni Weekend. Alumni Weekend 2021 will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen with two distinct summer weekends of Ripon alumni programming for us. No matter how you’d like to connect, virtually or in person, the Office of Constituent Engagement is developing a variety of activities to continue to follow CDC, Fond du Lac County and College guidelines in both June and August. Full schedules, lodging, and programming details will be posted soon to www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend.
JUNE 2021

• In honor of our June Alumni Weekend traditions, virtual alumni programming will be held Tuesday, June 22 through Saturday, June 26, and will include: an alumni town hall, R Connections webinars, affinity socials, a summer book club, and special recognition of the 2020 and 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees. 
• The only in-person event, the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble, will be held off-campus on Friday, June 25. 

AUGUST 2021
A combination of virtual and in-person Alumni Weekend programming will be held the first week of August. We will continue to evaluate the state of COVID-19. If circumstances change at the local and national level and we need to cancel in-person programming, that decision will be made and communicated by July 1, 2021.

• Virtual programming will be held Tuesday, August 3 through Saturday, August 7 and will include: a reunion-focused alumni town hall that also previews the new academic year, additional R Connections webinars, the summer book club capstone, and the traditional “That Was Then” storytelling session. 
• In-person, on-campus programming will be held Friday, August 6 through Sunday, August 8, and will focus on alumni awards recognition, 2020 and 2021 reunion celebrations including our Golden R Reunion, and other outdoor events such as Rally Run and prairie walk.
• Additionally, the Class of 2020 will officially be welcomed to our alumni community with a special commencement ceremony.

Class Notes:
MARY ANN SIMS TROMBETTA ’64 of East Setauket, New York, writes, “Retired from teaching English and ESL. Always grateful for the fine education I received at Ripon!”
DANIEL SICULAN ’64 of Columbia, South Carolina, writes, “Moved to Dallas metro late Sept. 2020. Leaving beautiful South Carolina to join children and grandkids in Dallas!”
BARBARA BLANK LUECK ’64 of Fort Collins, Colorado, died March 12, 2019. At Ripon, she majored in music and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She taught music in various locations, including the Virgin Islands; Monona Grove, Wisconsin; Fredonia, New York; Wooster, Ohio; Fullerton, California; and Fort Collins, Colorado. She taught individuals, school choirs and church choirs, directed musical theater productions and led student performance trips around the world. She retired from teaching in 2004. In October 2018, a group of former students arranged for an interview and tribute performance that aired on the national television program “Good Morning, America” from New York. It can be viewed here. She enjoyed planting roses and vegetables. Survivors include her husband, JOHN LUECK ’64; one son and one daughter. A feature was done by Ripon College that can be accessed here. 
Stay Safe,
PAT OSTROM KOHNEN ’64
(925) 201-7377 / [email protected]
Your 1964 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Pat Ostrom Kohnen

1968 – Spring 2021 Class Letter

Greetings, Class of 1968!

No matter where you are, I hope spring has found you and you are now contemplating what you will add to your garden or whether it’s safe to uncover the patio furniture or maybe you will just turn your face to the warm sun and take a deep breath. By the time you read this, it will be spring on the calendar and a spring following a difficult year.
College News:
This year’s Founders’ Day celebration on January 29, 2021, marked the 170th anniversary of Ripon College. This year, Ripon honored the Fond du Lac County Health Department with its Founders’ Day Award. The award recognizes their work with Ripon College and other educational groups, healthcare facilities and businesses throughout the county to ensure they were up to date on COVID-19 information and practices.
Ripon has been working hard through the Reunite Ripon plan and the Campus Community Pledge, to keep Ripon open and safe throughout these challenges to our public health.
The first semester at Ripon this year was accelerated and without a fall break, using both in-person and virtual classes. Student life outside of the classroom continued but in modified form to comply with safety guidelines. The fall semester taught a lot regarding policies and procedures. The capacity for testing members of the school community was increased. Overall, the school is pleased with how their plan worked.
The spring semester opened January 25th following campus-wide testing. Students and faculty continue learning and teaching in-person, online, and in hybrid forms. COVID-19 continues to make planning and hosting regular events difficult. Summer orientations will be virtual using the new virtual tour tool developed by the school.
There is good news. The Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble will go on as scheduled as it is an outside event where precautions can be taken. Additionally, The Midwest Conference announced that it will resume competition for many of the spring sports. Participation will be based upon local realities due to the pandemic.
Alumni Weekend:
Alumni Weekend 2021 will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen with two distinct summer weekends of Ripon alumni programming for us. No matter how you’d like to connect, virtually or in person, the Office of Constituent Engagement is developing a variety of activities to continue to follow CDC, Fond du Lac County and College guidelines in both June and August. Full schedules, lodging, and programming details will be posted soon to www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend.
JUNE 2021

• In honor of our June Alumni Weekend traditions, virtual alumni programming will be held Tuesday, June 22 through Saturday, June 26, and will include: an alumni town hall, R Connections webinars, affinity socials, a summer book club, and special recognition of the 2020 and 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees. 
• The only in-person event, the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble, will be held off-campus on Friday, June 25. 

AUGUST 2021
A combination of virtual and in-person Alumni Weekend programming will be held the first week of August. We will continue to evaluate the state of COVID-19. If circumstances change at the local and national level and we need to cancel in-person programming, that decision will be made and communicated by July 1, 2021.

• Virtual programming will be held Tuesday, August 3 through Saturday, August 7 and will include: a reunion-focused alumni town hall that also previews the new academic year, additional R Connections webinars, the summer book club capstone, and the traditional “That Was Then” storytelling session. 
• In-person, on-campus programming will be held Friday, August 6 through Sunday, August 8, and will focus on alumni awards recognition, 2020 and 2021 reunion celebrations, and other outdoor events such as Rally Run and prairie walk.
• Additionally, the Class of 2020 will officially be welcomed to our alumni community with a special commencement ceremony.

Support:
A big “Thank You” to all who supported the College this past year through the Ripon Fund and #OneDayRally. Our class was #7 in total giving and #2 in the number of donors. Well done!
#ONEDAYRALLY, 2021 – This year’s fundraising event will be held on Wednesday, April 28th. Please mark your calendars as it has become a big part of the school’s fundraising and adds some real juice to the fundraising totals. I hope we can continue to be one of the top classes in supporting the College.
The Center for Politics and the People: 
The Center for Politics and the People (CPP) at Ripon College sponsors and conducts online webinars on a variety of topics. If you have not logged on to one of these yet, I think you will find them to be highly informative. They also provide an opportunity to submit questions to the guests about that day’s topic. You can find out more about the CPP here: ripon.edu/cpp/.
Classmate News Notes:
VICKI GIESECKE BARBOUR ’68 of Erie, Colorado, writes, she and JIM BARBOUR II ’68 are enjoying their Arizona winter in Sun City Grand. Jim has been teaching “Abstract Photography Using a Cellphone” via Zoom. He also does a follow-up class where participants can show their photos. The classes have been well received.
SCOTT MATHOT ’68 of Loudon, Tennessee, writes, “Dealing with some lung issues which are being treated…successfully! Cannot wait ’til 2021!”
This issue of the Class Letter is short on classmate news. Fellow alumni have told the school they like hearing about fellow classmates so please let us hear from you. Since the last year has limited our ability to get together, we’ve come to rely on various other forms of communication. If you have had more frequent phone calls, Zoom, Facetime, or Skype calls, that, too, will be of interest. If you’ve taken up a new hobby or gone back to that musical instrument from earlier years, let us know. We’ve all looked for and I hope found, creative ways to get through this.
You can send any news, and of course photos, to me at my email ([email protected]) or to the College (JOLENE RUEDEN SCHATZINGER ’07, associate director of engagement, at [email protected]).
Finally, for those who have not been on campus for a while, you can now take a virtual tour by going to: https://tour.ripon.edu/.
While on the virtual tour you will see the familiar sculpture of Abraham Lincoln and, in these trying times, think of one thing he said, “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”
Best wishes,
PETER UHRIG ’68
(512) 762-1479 / [email protected]
Your 1968 Class Agent

Submitted by: Class Agent: Peter Uhrig

FRANCES H. HOCKENHULL RALFF ’49 of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, died May 11, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in biology and participated in Alpha Xi Delta/Kappa Theta. She earned a degree in medical technology in Madison. She worked as a medical technician in Madison before becoming a bookkeeper for her husband, Rudy’s, real estate business. She was active in her United Methodist Church and worked as a church secretary until she retired at the age of 85. She enjoyed reading, sewing, needlework, attending church, baking and calligraphy. Survivors include two children.
View the full obituary here: https://www.riponpress.com/obituaries/frances-h-hockenhull-ralff/article_1effbdc2-b4dd-11eb-b7ad-730b92bf1280.html

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

WILL ALDIS ’70, formerly known as William Porter, of Los Angeles, California, died Dec. 3, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in English and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He received a master’s degree in education from the Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He was an actor, screenwriter and director, best known for “Back to School” (1986) with Rodney Dangerfield, “Stealing Home” (1988) with Jody Foster and Mark Harmon, “Avenging Angelo” (2002) with Sylvester Stallone and Madeleine Stowe, “Black Cadillac” (2003) with Randy Quaid; and the cult classic “Clifford” (1994) with Martin Short. His novels include Lily Wyatt, The Rascal Prince and Owen Nobody. He taught screenwriting at the Art Institute of Santa Monica and was a passionate Chicago Cubs’ fan. Survivors include his wife, Miriam Flynn; one son and one daughter.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

NANCY E. CONNER ’58 of Carlsbad, California, formerly a longtime resident of Oceanside, California, died March 3, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and participated in Alpha Gamma Theta. She received a degree in psychology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She worked as a senior aide to the head of the Art Institute of Chicago, then with Charles F. Murphy, head of a leading Chicago architectural firm. In 1975, she relocated to Oceanside, just north of San Diego. She worked with the president and CEO of Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, one of the largest poinsettia producers worldwide. She finished her career with the North County Transit District. She enjoyed genealogy and travelling to learn about her Irish and French heritage.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

MATTHEW R. “NIGEL” KENNY ’07 of Orland Park, Illinois, died Jan. 29, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in politics and government and participated in Student Senate, football and as president of Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He worked at Xtra Lease in Chicago and was a White Sox fan. He enjoyed political debates, yard work and motorcycles. Survivors include his wife, Kate; one son and one daughter.
Full Obituary:
Matthew Reid Kenny, 35, of Orland Park passed away peacefully on January 29, 2021. Matt was born February 28, 1985 in Palos Heights, Illinois to John and Sandra Kenny. Matt was fondly called Mogie by his family and childhood friends and Nigel by his college friends.
Matthew is survived by his wife Kate, children Allison and Robert, his parents John and Sandy, brother Jeff and sister Julie. Brother Steve and wife Laura, niece Cara and nephew Ryan Kenny. He also leaves behind a faithful puggle, Goonie.
Matt graduated from St Laurence High School in 2003 where he was a three sport athlete while also working at Aurelio’s Pizza. He went on to attend Ripon College where he was a kicker on the football team and studied Political Science and Sociology. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he served as president and formed many lifelong friendships.
Upon graduation he moved back to Chicago where he met his wife Kate and started his career at Xtra Lease, where he worked until he passed. Matt and Kate had their first child Allison in 2016 and Matt immediately embraced being a “girl dad.” They had their second child in 2020, a son, Robert, who he loved dearly.
Matt was a loyal friend, family man and White Sox fan. He is best described as the friendliest person in the room and goodbyes typically took hours at parties. He finally won his fantasy football team shortly before his passing. Matt enjoyed long political debates and yard work. After he developed several heart issues in 2018 he started new hobbies including motorcycles and drinking non-alcoholic beer. He was an amazing father, son, brother and husband and will be dearly missed by anyone who ever met him.
Services will be private.  Arrangements entrusted to the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

ERIC R. PILSL ’93 of Wild Rose, Wisconsin, died Feb. 27, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in speech communication and played basketball. He received a master’s degree from Marquette University. He was employed as a pharmaceutical sales representative until his passion for working with youths lead him to his teaching career at Parkside Middle School in Wautoma. He taught math and was a track coach. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, cooking and playing golf. Survivors include his wife, Jennifer; and two stepsons.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fdlreporter/obituary.aspx?n=eric-r-pilsl&pid=197914607&fhid=19842

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

PATRICK J. TESTER ’81 of Texas died Jan. 29, 2021. He spent a year at Ripon and participated in Theta Sigma Tau. He then joined his family in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended Texas Christian University. He worked in education for more than 25 years in Austin, Denver and, primarily, the Dallas Independent School district, focusing on special education. After retiring from education in 2006, he worked as a Realtor. He was an active member of Lions Club International.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

STEPHEN C. SNYDER ’77 of Cameron, Wisconsin, died Jan. 31, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in biology, participated in the Wilder Field Station several times and began an interest in radio work. He received a degree in forestry from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He worked for more than 40 years as a forestry technician for Rusk County and as an announcer for WWIB Radio for 41 years. He enjoyed the outdoors and fishing, racquetball player, his faith, and performing as a keyboardist and singer.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

ROBERT M. MERRITT ’74 of Wilmington, Delaware, died Jan. 13, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in psychology and participated in athletics. He received master’s and Ph.D. degrees in applied social psychology from New York University. He retired from Independence Blue Cross of Philadelphia as a project manager. Survivors include his wife, Maria; and two sons.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JOHN G. WINKLEPLECK ’73 of Naples, Florida, died Feb. 20, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in economics and was a member of Theta Chi. He later was a member of the 1851 Club. He received a master of business administration degree in finance from Cleveland State University. He spent his entire career in banking in Cleveland, at Central National Bank, Ameritrust and Key Bank, from which he retired. He was an avid golfer and loved racket sports, especially tennis, squash and paddle tennis. He was a member of Tavern Club and Mayfield Country Club, serving a term as president. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; and one daughter.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

MELODY MOLAND KANTEN ’69 of Baldwin, Wisconsin, died Jan. 11, 2021. She received a degree in fine arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and was an advertising executive for Colle & McAvoy Advertising Agency in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She loved animals, living on a farm, downhill and cross country skiing, scuba diving, kayaking and flying. She also enjoyed riding horses, bicycling, walking and creating objects out of wood. Survivors include her husband, Tom.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

JAMES L. UNDEM ’63 of Savannah, Georgia, died April 24, 2018. At Ripon, he studied economics, was a member of Sigma Chi/Omega Sigma Chi, and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a master of business administration degree in marketing from Indiana University Bloomington. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army, stationed in South Korea. He worked for Nixdorf Computer in Chicago and Boston office, then for many years in Houston, Texas. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed golf, softball, camping, fishing and music. Survivors include his former wife, Jan; one son and one daughter.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

ANTHONY N. STEPHANIE ’63 died Aug. 27, 2019. At Ripon, he majored in economics, participated in Delta Upsilon and football, and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army, guarding missile sites during the Cold War. He then worked in the paint and wall coverings industry. He served as president of the National Decorating Products Association and Mid-American Decorating Stores. Survivors include his wife, Becky; one son and two daughters. His first wife, JULIE PAULSON STEPHANIE ’64, died in 1989.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

DAVID R. LIVES ’62 of Fairfield, Ohio, died Jan. 23, 2021. At Ripon, he studied politics and government and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a material manager at several hospitals until retiring in 2008. He was a longtime resident of Forest Park where he was on various boards and committees, including serving on city council from 2001 to 2007 and 2011 to 2015. Survivors include one son and two daughters.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

DAVID J. GROTHE ’62 of Hayward, Wisconsin, died Jan. 26, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in history, participated in Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was commissioned through ROTC. He joined the Army as a second lieutenant, where he received paratrooper training. He had a varied career, working as a fry cook, chef, purchasing agent for a hotel, tax consultant, bookkeeper, and manager of a flight kitchen for an airline. He enjoyed boating and was a co-owner and vice president of Marina Del Sol. He lived in numerous places, including Wisconsin Rapids, Fort Benning, Georgia, Las Vegas, Hilo, Hawaii, and Corpus Christi, Texas.
Full Obituary below:
https://www.bratley-nelsonchapels.com/obituary/David-Grothe
David Grothe, age 81, of Hayward, WI passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Water’s Edge Care Center in Hayward.
Dave was born June 7, 1939 in Milwaukee, WI the son of Oscar and Lois (Koehler) Grothe.  He graduated from high school in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.  He went on to graduate from Ripon College in Ripon, WI.  Dave also joined the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant where he received paratrooper training.
Dave had a varied career working as a fry cook, chef, purchasing agent for a hotel, tax consultant, managed a flight kitchen for an airline and was a bookkeeper.
His hobbies revolved mostly around boating, having a part interest in a chriscraft, owning several sailboats, becoming part owner and vice president of Marina Del Sol, culminating in building a 28’ wooden boat starting with a set of plans over 13 years.
Dave lived in a variety of places; Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Fort Benning, GA, Las Vegas, NV, Hilo, HI, Corpus Christi, TX and Hayward, WI.
His is survived by his brother, Daniel Grothe of Hayward, WI and three nephews and four nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lois Holt; and sister-in-law, Nancy Grothe.
A private committal service is planned for David at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI with Pastor Ed Anderson officiating.  Military honors will be accorded by the State of Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program.
In lieu of flowers please send a donation to First Lutheran Church 10680 Main St, Hayward, WI 54843

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

WILLIAM W. SOUTHERN ’61 of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, died June 12, 2020. At Ripon, he majored in psychology, participated in athletics and Merriman/Phi Kappa Pi, and was commissioned through ROTC.  He served in the Army and completed a master’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University. He enjoyed walking his dog, taking trips with his wife, and attending local basketball games, tennis matches, track and cross country meets, and school events. Survivors include his wife, Marie; two sons and one daughter.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

DANIEL L. BENKA ’61 of Prince George, Virginia, died Jan. 26, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in economics and participated in football and Phi Kappa Pi. He was commissioned through ROTC and received the ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate recognition. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1987, including tours in Vietnam, three years in France and two years in South Korea. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1978. While serving, he received his master’s degree in economics from the Florida Institute of Technology. He then worked with the Department of Defense and Dominion Energy. He was a member of several community groups and served numerous high-level posts with the Jaycees. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; one son and one daughter; and a brother, JOHN BENKA ’60.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement

GEORGENE KLANER KOBLENZ ’60 of Chicago, Illinois, died Dec. 5, 2020.  At Ripon she studied biology and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta. She later was a charter member of Partners in the Legacy. She had worked as a funeral director for more than 60 years and was a longtime employee of Household Finance Corp.

Submitted by: Associate Director of Engagement