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Welcome to R Connections! This is your go-to place for information about your graduating class and to explore alumni news and sightings.

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In Memory of Robert Bednarek ’49
Truro, MA
Obituary

In Memory of Robert Bednarek ’49

Robert Bednarek
Class of 0
Truro, MA
Obituary

Robert J. Bednarek ’49 of Truro died December 7, 2019 at Seashore Point Wellness Center in Provincetown MA. He was 91.

Born November 24, 1928 in Berlin, Wisconsin, he was the son of Bernard and Mary (Butler) Bednarek. He was raised on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin. Robert was proud of his rural upbringing and his education from local schools including a one room school house in Green Lake County and later Berlin High School.

In 1946 he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan. He served our country while preforming his duties at the Far East Command in Tokyo primarily by typing copies of investigation reports and legal files of war crime evidence. Robert later mentioned he worked for a General because unlike most others they told him he listened well and typed quickly. While in Japan he became interested in their architecture which pointed him in that direction professionally. After his Honorable Discharge from the US Army he formally pursued his interest in architecture by attending Ripon College in Wisconsin. After his initial undergraduate studies at Ripon he participated in an exchange program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MIT he continued his studies of drafting, design and architecture and after completing his formal education he worked on numerous residential and commercial design projects from his office in Cambridge and later Truro.

In 1957 Robert moved to Truro, with his partner Dr. Charles Davidson where he lived until his death. He loved the “backshore” of the Cape with its unforested hills covered with bearberry and its salt marshes. Until a few years ago he rode his bicycle or hiked to the shore every day, combing the sands for treasures, always with binoculars around his neck. He was an avid bird watcher, naturalist, preservationist, collector of local history and a common sight beachcombing the sands and surf.

Robert was a long-time member of the Truro Conservation Trust where he held positions as Secretary and Trustee Emeritus. He enjoyed the services and company of the Truro Council on Aging Senior Center, attended the Christian Union Church and was a member of the First Congregational Parish, established in 1709, both in Truro.

Robert’s comment about his beloved community was that “In Truro people go off in little houses in the woods and come out when they feel like it. That was the attraction for writers, artists, theater people between jobs – they could be alone and not be bothered.”

A kind, proud, observant, knowledgeable man, “Uncle Bobby” will be terribly missed by his nieces and nephews; Amy Stocklein, Brian (Jamie) Bednarek of Custer WI, Andrew (Amy) Bednarek of Rancho Palos Verdes CA, Mira (Dain) Trafton of Livingston MT and Jonas (Carrie) Bednarek of Verona WI and their families. He was preceded by his partner Dr. Charles Davidson of Truro, his brother Donald Bednarek of Madison WI, and his parents.

Family and friends will be invited to a celebration of Bobby’s life in the spring, at a time and date to be announced.

 

Obituary can be viewed here.

In Memory of Ione (Radke-Hoehne) Harris
Niagara, WI
Obituary

In Memory of Ione (Radke-Hoehne) Harris

Ione Hoehne-Harris
Class of 0
Niagara, WI
Obituary

NIAGARA, Wis. — Ione (Radke-Hoehne) Harris, 92, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Maryhill Manor in Niagara where she had been a resident since July 2012. Ione was loved by all who cared for her, and staff will miss her feisty sense of humor.

Ione, Onie to her friends and family, was born on April 24, 1927, in Ripon, Wis. She was a child of The Depression and fondly remembered selling home-grown vegetables door-to-door in a little red wagon. Her father let her keep a penny for every nickel’s worth of vegetables she sold.

That work ethic remained with her throughout her life. She and her family eventually moved from town to the family farm on Rush Lake; a place she loved and that became a fond memory for all of her children. Onie loved nature, animals, classical music, and reading.

She did well in high school and graduated from business college in Oshkosh, Wis., in an era that saw few educated young women. Her first job was as a secretary to the president of Oshkosh Teacher’s College – now the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She proudly recalled getting hired because she had spelled every word correctly on the transcription/typing test she was given as part of the interview.

She met her first husband who was a student at the college. They were married for five years when he died tragically, leaving her with four young children to raise.

Ione moved her young family back to Ripon and raised them close to her parents and the family farm. She was hired by Ripon College as a secretary in the Dean of Students Office, where she worked for 29 years until her retirement on April 30, 1987.

Upon her retirement, the college newspaper wrote that she was actually the “Person who ran the College,” and that “No one would deny that she had been a significant individual to generations of Ripon College students.”

Onie loved her job and spent her evening hours typing term papers for students and dissertations for professors to earn extra money.

She was a strong believer in the importance of education for all of her children and raised them surrounded by the atmosphere and influence of Ripon College. Growing up, her children all had summer jobs, but their only job during the school year was their homework. All went on to graduate from college and to embody her work ethic in their own lives.

Later in life, Ione was reunited with Doyle Harris, a former high school sweetheart. They were married only 18 months before he passed away. For the remainder of her life, she dedicated herself to her children and grandchildren.

Ione was preceded in death by her first husband, Arthur R. Hoehne; her second husband, Doyle Harris; her parents, Oscar Radke Sr. and Gertrude (Kloehn) Radke; a brother, Oscar Radke Jr.; and a sister, Violet (Radke) Merck.

Ione is survived by her four children and their families. Children include: Suzanne (Patrick) Killian of Niagara, Thomas Hoehne of Kingsford, Ted (Karen) Hoehne of Libertyville, Ill., and Vicki (Loren) Mathias of Palmdale, Calif. Grandchildren include: Timothy (Eliza) Killian of Green Bay, Wis., Robert (Melissa) Killian of Eagan, Minn., Kristina (Mike) Smoley of Wilmette, Ill., and Alyssa Hoehne, also of Wilmette. Great-grandchildren include: Gabriel, Oliver and Desmond Killian of Green Bay and Kevin and Natalie Wood of Eagan.

Onie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will always be remembered for her sense of humor and fun-loving spirit, her intense loyalty to her family, her generous nature, her work ethic, and her belief in education.

A small, private graveside ceremony will be held in the spring at the Waukau Cemetery near Ripon.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Obituary can be viewed here.

In Memory of Diann Waterbury Graeber ’68
1968
Bonita Springs, FL
Obituary

In Memory of Diann Waterbury Graeber ’68

Diann Graeber
Class of 1968
Bonita Springs, FL
Obituary

06/08/1946 – 10/17/2019

Diann revered the written word, from Shakespeare to the Bible, the poetry of Billy Collins to the barroom wit of Billy Joel. She rooted for the underdog, except on Derby Day. She believed in speaking truth to power and standing up to bullies big and small. And she was also unafraid to address the unspeakable, whether that meant helping a dear friend navigate a fresh diagnosis or bravely healing a horrifying local tragedy through a gaspingly forthright editorial in the community paper. Diann worked hard as an educator, a manager, an advocate, supporter and volunteer. She was the family grammarian and the keeper of manners and formalities, not because they were fancy, but because she believed they gave our lives grace and continuity. And she was smart, a born debater with skills that left many of us wondering why she’d walked away from her acceptance to law school. But then Diann was often difficult to figure: an intensely sensitive soul who projected confidence and toughness, an intensely private woman who deeply felt the solitary nature of existence but could connect with anyone in a grocery store or soup kitchen. We watched Diann shy away from the sort of social gatherings others find easy and fun, but walk calmly into the difficult stuff most of us fear and avoid, to help a person she’d just met through a crisis of sickness or despair.

She delighted in nature, but greeted the prospect of “camping” with a long silent stare that dared you to ask twice. She loved jokes but struggled adorably and quite literally for years, to master one through to the punchline. She was a deeply spiritual, in the sense of remembering to fill the birdfeeder, just in case her father came back to visit as a cardinal, which he definitely would, every day. And despite being deeply invested in the importance of maintaining the family history for the next generation, stuffing the family bible with immaculate cursive notes on 17th century immigrant namesakes and homesteading Iowan ancestors, Revolutionary War surgeon grandpeople and her dad’s early life in New Orleans and various family farms between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, Diann felt that her own life history somehow didn’t count.

On her death, her family was instructed to skip the usual list of accomplishments and memberships and who begat whoms, announce that “Diann was here, and she left,” and leave it at that. And while we honor her memory, we cannot honor that request. The truth was vitally, essentially, stubbornly important to Diann, but she often didn’t give that truth to herself, and sometimes at great personal expense. And what’s true is that the contradictions are part of our memory, and part of what made her beloved to so many around the country, from her native Iowa to her longtime Connecticut home, from those who once gathered in her hydrangea garden on Nantucket to her newer neighbors in Southwest Florida. Those contradictions also happen to make Diann especially difficult to summarize in an obituary.

Now those contradictions will be puzzled over by those she leaves behind: the handsome motorcycle riding boy whose pet name for Diann was “Iowan”, and the man who, after 51 years of marriage, still does, Dr. Charles W. Graeber; her sons Charlie and Matthew and their spouses Gabrielle Allen and Jana Graeber; her grandchild Thomas, to whom she was “Baba”; her sister Jane and husband George Maciel, her aunt Anne Gillespie, and a gaggle of beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and admirers. We will remember a woman who could be fierce in her love, and whom we fiercely loved. We also remember that Diann taught us how to correctly use the word “whom”. She will be missed mightily. The morning that Diann left us, the morning papers reported that a rare bird had been spotted nearby, a yellow cardinal, one in a million. We will keep our feeders stocked with black oil seed and milk duds, and watch the skies.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 at Christ Church in Harwich Port, MA. Details, as well as an invitation to add remembrance and celebration will be posted on www.morrisoconnorblute.com. Diann beat cancer, and knew firsthand the importance of research and great patient care, so in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute www.dana-farber.org/gift.

 

At Ripon College, Diann studied English.

 

Read Diann’s obituary here.

In Memory of Constance Smith Linde ’54
1954
Sheboygan, WI
Obituary

In Memory of Constance Smith Linde ’54

Constance Linde
Class of 1954
Sheboygan, WI
Obituary

Connie Smith Linde ’54 finished her journey home on December 24, 2019. Her travels began in Chicago on September 29th, 1932. Her parents, Elmer and Ruth Smith gave Connie a strong happy beginning. Her Aunt Ruby Smith gave her colorful inspiration. She was the “little mom” to her younger brothers Lee (Cindy) and Robert (Connie) Smith.

Connie’s journey crossed tracks with her future husband Richard in a Milwaukee railroad station when they were both headed back to Ripon College after Christmas break. They married on June 6, 1953 and were partners and traveling companions for life.

Fellow wayfarers are her children Kim Linde, Shan Linde (Kevin Cooper), Jo (Bruce) Walker, and Mace (Amy) Linde; grand children Rick (Ibetliza), Mike (Stacey), Trevor, Carra, Holt (Emily), Grayson, Tate (Chelsea), Kelsey (Andrew), and Chuckles; and great grandchildren, Niko, Sophia, Matthew, Mia, Oliver, and River along with many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service for family and friends will be on December 30, 2019 at 4pm at First United Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, WI.

At Ripon College, Connie studied mathematics.

View full obituary here.

In Memory of James Thompson ’73
Submitted by: DevStudent
1973
Salem, OR
Obituary

In Memory of James Thompson ’73

James Thompson
Class of 1973
Salem, OR
Obituary

When James B. Thompson ’73 was growing up in Chicago in the 1960s he often hopped on the Illinois Central train and headed down to the Loop to spend the day hanging out at the Art Institute of Chicago, one of America’s great museums. What he saw there added to an eclectic list of influences on his own emergence as an artist. “I had the movies and I had TV, and both were important to me,” he said. “And I had books. And radio. Baseball cards. And then, the world of music. It’s a weird world. Forms of entertainment become dominant in our lives.”
As he grew and traveled and established his own distinguished career as an artist and teacher, other experiences and influences added to his broad vision of the world of art: medieval books of hours and their free-floating sense of space, the mysteries of Neolithic stone art, the techniques and possibilities of fused glassmaking, the game of golf, the act of mapping, geological shifts, the ways in which science and nature and human beings interact, the human impact on the changing landscape, the fading of traditional cultures in a modern world, the cultural and artistic implications of the fragmentation of the universe, the liberating breakup of Renaissance perspective in contemporary art.
Thompson died on October 27 at his home in Salem, Oregon, from effects of the cancer mesothelioma. He was surrounded by his loving and supportive family. He was 68. James Blair Thompson was born in Chicago in 1951. After earning his BA degree from Ripon College in Wisconsin and his MFA from Washington University in St. Louis, Thompson spent the bulk of his career in Oregon, where he was a member of the art department at Willamette University in Salem from 1986 until his death.
He began his teaching career at his alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis with a teaching fellowship during graduate school and subsequently taught as an Instructor of Art at Ripon College, and a Visiting Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Alaska, until he was offered his tenure-track position at Willamette University, where he became a Professor of Art and Curator. During his tenure at Willamette, he also taught as Resident Faculty Director in overseas programs in London, England (with ILACA/AHA) and Galway, Ireland, as well as serving a brief stint as a visiting Professor of Art at Oregon State University Cascades in its summer program.
At Willamette he taught a variety of studio art classes in painting, printmaking, drawing, and design, in addition to courses in art history, architecture, colloquia, seminars and independent study courses while curating a number of prominent exhibitions of nationally and internationally recognized artists at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, the Mary Stuart Rogers Center, the Willamette University Art Gallery, the Hatfield Library, and the Hallie Brown Ford Gallery of Art, where he served as Gallery Director and Curator for many years.
Throughout his career, Thompson was a gifted and dedicated professor who influenced a generation of students entering a variety of creative fields and who, in his words are engaged in “shaping cultural consciousness, contributing to the ongoing dialogue of contemporary visual culture and having an impact on global perceptions and thought about art and art-making through their own conceptual art and curatorial practices, teaching of art in higher education, and critical writing about contemporary art, architecture and design.”
As essential as his teaching career was, Thompson was best known as an artist, primarily as a painter and printmaker, and in the past decade also as a kiln-formed glass artist. Thompson’s art is in collections ranging from the Portland Art Museum and Salem’s Hallie Ford Museum of Art to the Hawaii State Art Museum, Alaska Museum, the Orkney Archaeological Society in Scotland; corporate collections in Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, and Seattle; and many private and university collections. He was selected for the Portland Art Museum’s 1999 Oregon Biennial, and won the Newcomer Award in the Bullseye Glass, “Emerge 2014” international juried art glass competition.
He often created series of works on a theme, sometimes in subsets of paintings, prints, drawings and, later, glass that were conceptually interlinked and might take a year or more to complete. In series such as 2009’s “The Vanishing Landscape” and 2018’s “Water Is Sacred: Water Is Life” he focused on the degradation of natural resources, creating a thematic kinship with several other leading Pacific Northwest artists. “Underneath the lovely abstract surfaces in his large acrylic paintings and smaller intaglio prints, mapping is very much on James B. Thompson’s mind: the transformation and disappearance of the landscape of the West as the region grows and develops. His response is a kind of considered improvisation of mapmaking – a stab at beauty, instead of destruction, through change,” Bob Hicks wrote in reviewing “The Vanishing Landscape” for The Oregonian. Reviewing “Water Is Sacred: Water Is Life” for Oregon ArtsWatch, Hicks wrote: “Thompson’s work never seems didactic. It is, rather, an exploration of the visual possibilities rising from a specific philosophical proposition, and it seems to lead him to surprises as he traverses its terrain.”
Such surprises were crucial to the way he made art. He approached a print or painting not as a fully planned project to be filled in but as a series of decisions leading to other decisions, exploring and discovering along the way. “I don’t know what I’m going to find sometimes. It’s a mystery. Which I like,” he said in an interview for the 2016 book “James B. Thompson: Fragments in Time,” published in conjunction with the 20-year retrospective exhibition of the same name at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art.
Curiosity and the process-oriented act of making in his art practice stayed with Thompson from the beginning to the end. Always, in his life, the hard work of creating was central. “I’m still making things,” he said in 2016, on the occasion of his retrospective at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art. “I am still using my hands and my mind. You have such a short time on this planet. You really want to try to figure out a few things before you go.” To that end, Thompson spent his last months working on a new series of artworks, “Tide Charts: Ebb and Flow” that is scheduled for exhibition at the Dan and Gail Cannon Gallery of Art at Western Oregon University in 2020 and at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art in spring of 2021.
Thompson is survived by his wife, Martha Schuyler Thompson and their son, William Loch Thompson.
A memorial will be held on November 5th, in Cone Chapel, Waller Hall at Willamette University at 4 pm. All are welcome to attend. The family asks that you support your local artist and/or make a donation to Willamette Valley Hospice for all the care they provide.

Submitted by: DevStudent

News Update from Captain Brandon Kasubaski ’12
Submitted by: DevStudent
2012
Colorado Springs, CO
News

News Update from Captain Brandon Kasubaski ’12

Brandon Kasubaski
Class of 2012
Colorado Springs, CO
News

Captain Brandon Kasubaski ’12, U.S. Army, has written an article for Small Wars Journal. He is a space operations officer serving as the lead planner for space control operations for U.S Army Space Missile Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He holds a BA in psychology from the Ripon College, Wisconsin and is studying for an MS in space studies from American Military University. Previously, he served in the 25th Sustainment Brigade and 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii. You can read the article here.

Submitted by: DevStudent

News Update from Jenny Pool Radway ’00
Submitted by: DevStudent
2000
Engelwood, CO
News

News Update from Jenny Pool Radway ’00

Jennifer Radway
Class of 2000
Engelwood, CO
News

Jenny Pool Radway ’00 has been named the new executive director of the Lower Columbia Hispanic Council, replacing Jorge Guttierez who resigned in July for another position in Washington State. Pool Radway comes to Astoria from Denver, Colorado where she founded and directed Diverse Communities LLC. Her company designed and implemented programs for international and national organizations to increase capacity for building and implementing diversity and inclusion strategies while addressing systemic and institutional inequity. She has in-depth experience working with immigrant communities while working in the mental health field as well as the 2020 Census preparation. Born and raised in Costa Rica, Pool Radway has degrees in Spanish and Political Science from Ripon College, a Master’s Degree in Human Services from Capella University and is currently a Master’s in Latin American Economics and Politics candidate from the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.  She has worked primarily in non-profits throughout her career.

Rocio Simmons, co-president of the board of directors for the Lower Columbia Hispanic Council said that Pool Radway stood out to the board “not only because of her ample experience working as a community leader, but also because she is bilingual and bicultural and possesses the necessary skills to manage a non profit dedicated to help the Latinx community.” The board brought Pool Radway to visit the area and the Latinx community prior to the offer of employment.  Community businesses, such as the Hotel Elliott, offered services gratis to Pool Radway during her visit in September to help the Council make the visit possible.

Pool Radway is excited about her new position and the move to the new community: “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve the Lower Columbia Hispanic Council. The Hispanic Council is poised to really develop its vision and build on the tremendous momentum of recent years.” Pool Radway added that she looks forward to “being a part of this effort, supporting and uplifting our members, and making a positive difference for the Latinx community of the Oregon coast.”

Maritza Romero, the Family Engagement Specialist for the Hispanic Council, served as the interim director after Gutierrez departed in July. Craig Hoppes, another board member of the Hispanic Council, emphasized how grateful the board is to her service during the interim. “We appreciate the dedication and work that Maritza Romero did during the hiring process for the new director.  Her work with her staff and the community has only made the Lower Columbia Hispanic Council stronger.”  Hoppes added the that the board looks forward to Maritza’s continued effort to support the Hispanic community.

Submitted by: DevStudent

In Memory of John McMahon ’57
Submitted by: DevStudent
1957
Sun Prarie, WI
Obituary

In Memory of John McMahon ’57

John McMahon
Class of 1957
Sun Prarie, WI
Obituary

Sun Prairie – John (Jack) Louis McMahon was born on February 28, 1933 to Ervine (E.P.) McMahon and Amanda (Setz) McMahon in Beaver Dam, WI.

Weighing in at over 10lbs, right from the start he was a force to be reckoned with. With his parents, and his brother Jim, they moved to Sun Prairie in 1935.

A gifted athlete, he lettered in all four sports, all four years of high school. After high school, he attended Ripon College, where he was the star of the football team. He married Nancy Jeane Chase on June 1st, 1957. Between E.P, Jim, and Jack, they ran E.P. McMahon and Sons Concrete for over 70 years, building a large portion of Sun Prairie.

He had a quirky sense of humor and loved to play pranks. First impression for most people was that he was fierce and scary. They didn’t know he always hid the last piece of a puzzle in the sugar bowl. He loved a good story, and often made up tall tales. Six-foot beavers, Sasquatch, and a lake haunted by a team of white oxen dragging a load of logs who fell through the ice were all part of Jack’s lore. He tried to have the image as someone who didn’t care, or who played hardball, but if someone ever really needed help, he was right there.

Jack loved his dogs, the Northwoods, and his family.

Jack’s purpose in life was to take care of his family. Everything he did was to provide for, and take care of, his wife, his children, his parents, his brother, and his nephews. He did a magnificent job.

After a long battle with Parkinson’s, Jack passed away peacefully at home on December 6, 2019 surrounded by the family he loved.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, E.P. and Amanda McMahon, and his brother James (Jim) McMahon. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Nancy Chase McMahon, sons Patrick McMahon and Daniel (Jeane) McMahon, daughters Amanda McMahon Helman, and Michelle (Kevin) Koessl. He is also survived by grandchildren John Shipp, Jason Shipp, Sean McMahon, Kodiak Koessl, Jackson McMahon and great-grandchildren Saraphin White and Ethan Shipp.

Jack taught his family what responsibility, commitment and caring meant. They will continue with what he wanted. And he will be sorely missed.

There will be no services for Jack but look for the party next spring.

Donations may be made to St. Alberts Catholic Church, 2420 St. Albert Drive, Sun Prairie, WI 53590.

Submitted by: DevStudent

News Update from Lawrence (Larry) Honaker ’11
Submitted by: Lawrence Honaker
2011
Stedman, UK
News

News Update from Lawrence (Larry) Honaker ’11

Lawrence Honaker
Class of 2011
Stedman, UK
News

In October 2019, Lawrence (Larry) Honaker ’11 successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis, “Liquid Metals and Liquid Crystals Subject to Flow: From Fundamental Physics to Functional Fibers”, at the University of Luxembourg in the Experimental Soft Matter Physics Group of Prof. Jan Lagerwall. He will remain at the University of Luxembourg through the end of March as a postdoctoral researcher to finish up some loose ends and last papers from his Ph.D. work while looking for the next opportunity, hopefully still in Europe.

Submitted by: Lawrence Honaker

In Memory of Stevan Zimmer ’73
Submitted by: DevStudent
1973
Roseville, MN
Obituary

In Memory of Stevan Zimmer ’73

Stevan Zimmer
Class of 1973
Roseville, MN
Obituary

Stevan Zimmer, age 65, of Minnetonka, passed away Feb. 1, 2017. Born Oct. 19, 1951, in Minneapolis to Edward D. “Pete” Zimmer (d. Feb 18, 2019) and Ruth Quarfot Zimmer (d. July 6, 1953). Graduated Alexander Ramsey High School, Roseville, Minn., 1969; Ripon College, Ripon, Wisc., 1973; and University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, 1981. Survived by mother Marjorie Zimmer; children Patrick, Molly (Thomas Rude), and Tommy; siblings Jon, Debra, William, and Peter; nephews Jon and Tom; aunt Ione Boettcher Schlipp; former wife Peggy Zimmer Pomije; and many cousins.

Memorial Service Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, 1 p.m., Cherrywood Pointe Community Room, 2680 Lexington Ave., Roseville, Minnesota. Memorials preferred to Lions Gift of Sight.

Submitted by: DevStudent

In Memory of Frank Wheeler ’67
Submitted by: DevStudent
1967
Traverse City, MI
Obituary

In Memory of Frank Wheeler ’67

Frank Wheeler
Class of 1967
Traverse City, MI
Obituary

Frank Merritt Wheeler, age 74, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on August 14th at Munson Hospice House surrounded by the love and care of his family. Frank was born on January 3rd, 1945 to Barbara (Merritt) and Grant Wheeler in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He earned a BA in History from Ripon College, where he was a member of the SAE fraternity. After earning an MBA from Western Michigan University, he enjoyed a varied career in business finance in Chicago, Illinois, Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, and Juneau, Alaska. Ultimately, his career led him to Traverse City where he and his wife Cheryl raised their two boys Dan and Jeff.

Frank and his family spent many years enjoying travel, downhill and cross-country skiing as well as fun bike trips. He also treasured time with his family boating, water skiing, and relaxing at the cottage in Northern Wisconsin. His friends and family were always amazed by his photographic memory and incredible sense of humor. He had a natural curiosity and could often be found reading about history and following stock market and automobile trends. He was a Deacon at the Presbyterian Church, and in his retirement volunteered as a patient escort at Munson Medical Center. He was active in the Parkinson’s Support Group, served on the Parkinson’s Network North Board of Directors and the Munson Volunteer Board.

Frank is survived by his wife of 46 years Cheryl (Geib), his sons Daniel (Peter) of Chicago, and Jeffrey of Chicago, brothers Grant (Nancy) of West Virginia, Kevin (Ann) of Michigan, and James of Michigan, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and Grant Wheeler.

A memorial service will be held at The Presbyterian Church of Traverse City at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 27th, with visitation at 10:00 A.M. and lunch following the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

Frank and his family are being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Spotted: Wedding of Sarah Anderson ’10 and Matthew Bush ’08
2010
St. Croix Falls, WI
Sightings

Spotted: Wedding of Sarah Anderson ’10 and Matthew Bush ’08

Sarah Anderson
Class of 2010
St. Croix Falls, WI
Sightings

Sarah Anderson ’10 and Matthew Bush ’08 write, “We wanted to share a photo from our wedding which occurred this past June 1st at Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls, WI. We had 28 Ripon Alumni in attendance spanning from my father-in-law Nathan Bush ’68 to Brittany Mangin ’15.  If the youngest legacy in the picture does attend Ripon, we will then span to 2041! Quite the gathering on a single day!”

News Update from Mike Maxwell ’03
Submitted by: DevStudent
2003
Chicago, IL
News

News Update from Mike Maxwell ’03

Mike Maxwell
Class of 2003
Chicago, IL
News

Mike Maxwell ’03 recently announced a 2020-21 Campus Tour. He writes,

 “I am a Chicago area comedian and formerly a NACA member. I am a regular at the Chicago Improv and tour nationally at clubs, colleges and corporate events. I’ve showcased at the Mid America conference before and I’m currently lining up my 2020-2021 calendar. I’ve performed at over 30 colleges, universities and prep schools. My stand up show is an upbeat, sarcastic and lightly customized show that would be PG-13 rated. I was one of three stand up comedians selected to the Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival too! Colleges have booked me for stand up, improv, late night shows, and emceeing. I’ve performed all over the US, London, Dublin and Montreal. It would be great to talk about how I can fit into the upcoming programming calendar.”

You can learn more here.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Kevin Wopat ’05 named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week
Submitted by: DevStudent
2005
Oshkosh, WI
News

Kevin Wopat ’05 named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week

Kevin Wopat
Class of 2005
Oshkosh, WI
News

The Packers have announced Kevin Wopat of Lourdes Academy High School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week. The program is presented by Jack Link’s Protein Snacks.

Wopat is now in his fourth year as the varsity head coach at Lourdes Academy. On Friday, Nov. 8, Lourdes Academy defeated Hilbert 14-7 in round three of the WIAA Division 7 Football Tournament. The Knights entered the tournament as a No. 2 seed after a perfect 9-0 regular season. The victory marks the first time in school history the Knights have had 12 wins in a season. Wopat knew his team was in for a tough game against the No. 1-seeded Wolves.

“It was a great game between two great high school teams,” said Wopat. “Hilbert is an outstanding program with two really nice running backs to lead their offense. They put up a lot of points this year. We thought we matched up well against them. We held the line of scrimmage like we anticipated, and we held them to under a point up until the last minute of the game, which is hard to do considering the success they’ve had this season. Offensively we’re pretty balanced, we can run and throw, we have a really talented quarterback and he forces you to defend the entire field. We had a couple big plays in the passing game and we had a 9-minute drive to start the fourth quarter, and that really put Hilbert in a tough position and allowed us to come away with the victory.”

As Wopat and the Knights advance to the semifinals for the first time in school history, the defending state champion Black Hawk/Warren now stands in the way of the team’s first ever trip to the state championship.

“If we want to have a chance to advance, we’re going to need to hold up up front,” Wopat said. “We’re going to need to hold the point of attack, and win the point of attack against a very good offense. They’re very diverse defensively which I think makes them very strong. We’re going to need to find our spots to attack. Our motto is ‘We’ll take what you give us.’ As the game moves along, just figuring that out, and putting ourselves in position to put points on the board, and give it everything we’ve got.”

Wopat grew up in Rio, Wisconsin, where he played football, basketball and baseball at Rio High School. On the football field, he played quarterback and outside linebacker for Coach Steve Boldt. Following high school he continued to play football at Ripon College under Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Ron Ernst. He graduated from Ripon in 2005, and began his coaching career as an assistant coach for Princeton High School in 2005. He moved on to coach at his high school alma mater, Rio, for one year in 2006, before accepting the head coaching position at Markesan High School, where he coached until 2012. Wopat joined the Knights at Lourdes Academy as an assistant coach in 2014, and was named the head coach in 2016.

Wopat sees the Coach of the Week Award as an award for the entire team.

“For the program, I think the award speaks volumes to what the kids have done throughout our coaching staff’s four years together,” Wopat said. “We have thirteen coaches total, and they all play an integral role in our program. I think it speaks to all of the coaches, kids, and their families. The parents are incredibly supportive of what the football program asks of their children. We’ve been fortunate this year, the first time Lourdes has ever had an unbeaten regular season, and the first time we’ve ever won a road playoff game or advanced to level four. But we want to keep accomplishing things that we’ve never done and we’ll look to do so again this Friday.”

Wopat and his staff oversee 35 players, with all 35 suiting up for varsity. Wopat’s assistant coaches include Nick Behnke, Tim Bromberek, Brendan Frion, Bryce Hilber, Marcus Hofmeister, Tom Murray, Dave Ruhl, Jake Ruhl, Drew Slade, Reed Tyriver, Andrew Wagner, and Nick Walters. Wopat also serves as the activities director for Lourdes Academy. Wopat and his wife, Kristin, have one son, Connor, and two daughters, Mady and Emma.

About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:

The Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week program, presented by Jack Link’s Protein Snacks, supports football outreach efforts by giving high school coaches the recognition they deserve. On a weekly basis, for ten weeks throughout the high school football season, the Packers will select one high school coach as the Coach of the Week. Each honoree will be awarded several items and privileges, including a $2,000 donation to the school’s football program from the Green Bay Packers, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks and the NFL. Winning coaches will also receive recognition on Packers.com, WisSports.net and Wifca.org, and will be mentioned in the Packers Gameday program.

Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Ryan Fencl, Football Outreach Specialist, at [email protected]. Please include the nominee’s name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award.

Submitted by: DevStudent

In Memory of Spencer Peterson ’70
Submitted by: DevStudent
1970
Minneapolis, MN
Obituary

In Memory of Spencer Peterson ’70

Spencer Peterson
Class of 1970
Minneapolis, MN
Obituary

Spencer Charles Peterson, a man with a Guitar and a Heart of Gold 71, Life-long Minneapolis resident and renowned local rocker, passed on October 25th, 2019, surrounded by family, friends and adoring fans. Spence was known for his straightforward personality, an uncanny ability to connect with strangers and his deep repertoire of songs and anecdotes. He was a natural entertainer on and off the stage. Born July 6th, 1948 to parents Sally and Cyrus, Spence grew up with two younger sisters he adored, Janet (Jajie) and Melissa (Missy). He attended Blake High School and Ripon College, making many life-long friends. Above all else was Bay Lake, where Spence spent summers at his grand-parents’ cabin. There, his grand-father, Papa, laid deep foundations in the young man’s heart and mind, teaching him the guitar and setting an example for the life well lived — working hard and playing hard. Spence dedicated himself to that credo, traversing many careers while raising four children, Nicholas, Nathan, Kelsey and Schuyler with his former wife, Tori. Countless summer days and nights filled with laughter echo off The Point. Whether cheering on the Gophers, casting a hook for crappies, walking the links or enjoying a cocktail cruise. Or the tough decision you needed help thinking through, the missteps, the hard times. He was with you all the way. He couldn’t pound a nail to save his life, but his fingers could walk the strings like an old country road he’d built himself. A little old-school in his ways, once he started singing, the room was helpless catching fire. It didn’t matter if it was family sing-a-longs with best buds Denny, Tony or Billy or the JR Spencer Band before a cheering crowd, we would all get lifted “higher and higher”. The family is especially grateful to Lucy Stringer, his partner the last six years. They shared a love that bridged our families and put a twinkle in his eye. Services will be announced for gatherings at Bay Lake and Madeline Island in the Spring. Spence, we thank you for all the love you gave, right to the last note.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Jon P. Wilcox ’58 Receives 2019 Resource Award Of Merit From The Wisconsin State Council Of Trout Unlimited
Submitted by: DevStudent
1958
Wautoma, WI
News

Jon P. Wilcox ’58 Receives 2019 Resource Award Of Merit From The Wisconsin State Council Of Trout Unlimited

Jon Wilcox
Class of 1958
Wautoma, WI
News

On Saturday, Oct. 26, Jon P. Wilcox ’58 received the 2019 Resource Award of Merit from the Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited in Madison.  Wilcox was recognized for his life-long support of Wisconsin Cold Water Resources.

Wilcox grew up in Wild Rose and received his undergraduate degree from Ripon College in 1958 and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1965. From 1959 to 1961 he served as an officer in the U.S. Army.  After serving his country, he started his own law practice in Wautoma and represented the 72nd Assembly district from 1969 to 1975.

On February 23, 1971 at a law office in Berlin, several men from Berlin, Wautoma, and Poy Sippi met in what was called an “organizational meeting.”  That was the start of the new Wisconsin Trout Unlimited chapter, which would be called the Central Wisconsin Chapter.  Wilcox was elected to serve on the board of directors for the chapter.

Wilcox fished in the local waters of Central Wisconsin  as well as beautiful streams in Idaho and Montana with his good friends, Dr. Tom Poulette, Russ Younglove, Arling Erickson, and others.

Wilcox developed a love of trout and their beautiful environs and realized their habitat needed to be protected.  As a state representative, Jon wrote and introduced Wisconsin to a bill in 1971 which proposed that Wisconsin fishing license holders who wanted to fish for trout pay an additional $1 for a trout stamp to fund trout habitat improvement.  The bill did not pass, as the Department of Natural Resources did not think separate funding was a good idea at the time.

But Wilcox persisted and continued to push the bill for the remaining tie he was in office.  He was then elected to the Wisconsin Conversation Congress from 1975-1980.  During that tie he continued to push for passage of his bill.  The trout stamp bill final passed and the first trout stamp came out in 1978 and sold for $2.50.

Jon Wilcox served as circuit court judge in Waushara County for 13 years and Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District.  He was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by Governor Tommy Thompson in 1992 and elected to a 10 year term in 1997.  His term expired in 2007 and he did not see reelection.

Throughout Judge Wilcox’s long career he remained a strong supporter and member of Trout Unlimited and its mission to improve trout habitat and protect our coldwater resources.  The trout stamp program continues to this day and the cost is now $10.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Mike Breckheimer ’01 named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week
Submitted by: DevStudent
2001
Green Bay, WI
News

Mike Breckheimer ’01 named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week

Mike Breckheimer
Class of 2001
Green Bay, WI
News

The Packers have announced that Mike Breckheimer ’01 of Hilbert High School in Hilbert, Wisconsin, has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week. The program is presented by Jack Link’s Protein Snacks.

Breckheimer is now in his 13th year as the varsity head coach at Hilbert. On Friday, Oct. 25, Hilbert defeated Rosholt 49-34 in round one of the WIAA Division 7 Football Tournament. The Wolves entered the tournament as a No. 1 seed after a perfect 9-0 regular season. The team looks to remain unbeaten as they welcome Catholic Central High School to their field in the second round of the playoffs on Friday, Nov. 1.

Breckheimer knew Rosholt would be a challenging matchup, but the defense made some big plays early to set the tone for the game.

“We actually played them in round one of the playoffs last year and they were very young,” said Breckheimer. “So they were more experienced and gave us some different looks and played us really well. Our first 14 points were on the defensive side of the ball. It took our offense a little bit to get rolling. We didn’t move the ball up and down the field slow and steady; a lot of [our points] were on big plays. We have a lot to improve on though. We struggled communicating on both sides of the ball on Friday against Rosholt, but again, credit to them because they played a really good game.”

Breckheimer and the Wolves now turn their focus to their level two matchup against Catholic Memorial.

“We’re going to have to be very disciplined especially on the defensive side of the ball,” Breckheimer said. “They’re very athletic and have a lot of skilled kids and a lot of athletes, even playing on their offensive and defensive line. They’re an option team, so we’re going to make sure everyone is accounted for at all times, because with the speed they have, if somebody gets free we’re not going to catch them and they’re going to score. So we have to keep them contained.”

Breckheimer grew up in Hilbert, where he played football and basketball. On the football field, Breckheimer played fullback and defensive tackle under Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Michael Moreau. Following high school, Breckheimer attended Ripon College, where he played fullback under WFCA Hall of Fame Coach Rob Ernst. Breckheimer graduated from Ripon and began his coaching career in 2000 at his high school alma mater as an assistant coach under Coach Moreau. In 2007, Breckheimer took over as the head coach at Hilbert.

For Breckheimer, the Coach of the Week Award is a reflection on the program as a whole.

“I think it’s a very neat award, and I think it’s for everybody that’s involved with our program,” said Breckheimer. “The way we do things here, for years, it’s been a team first mentality, and that we’re all a part of the pack. That’s something that we stress weekly in our meetings with the coaching staff and with the kids. It doesn’t matter what 11 kids are on the field or on the scout team in practice; we need everybody together. It’s a cool award for everybody, the coaches, the players, the community; it’s a neat recognition to have.”

Breckheimer and his staff oversee 41 players in their program, with all of them suiting up for the varsity games. Breckheimer’s assistant coaches include Jason Grenzer, Erik Stumo, Ben Krueger, Tony Sweere, Al Plate and Jason O’Leary. Breckheimer also serves as the elementary, middle and high school physical education teacher for the Hilbert School District. Breckheimer gives special thanks to his wife, Kelly, son, Reed, daughter, Gwen, and parents, Don and Mary, for all of their support.

About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:

The Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week program, presented by Jack Link’s Protein Snacks, supports football outreach efforts by giving high school coaches the recognition they deserve. On a weekly basis, for ten weeks throughout the high school football season, the Packers will select one high school coach as the Coach of the Week. Each honoree will be awarded several items and privileges, including a $2,000 donation to the school’s football program from the Green Bay Packers, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks and the NFL. Winning coaches will also receive recognition on Packers.com, WisSports.net and Wifca.org, and will be mentioned in the Packers Gameday program.

Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Ryan Fencl, Football Outreach Specialist, at [email protected]. Please include the nominee’s name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Bumps in the night? Ghostly sightings? RC students past & present share scares
Submitted by: DevStudent
2019
Ripon, WI
News

Bumps in the night? Ghostly sightings? RC students past & present share scares

Marc Eaton
Class of 2019
Ripon, WI
News

Does Ripon College have ghosts?

That’s difficult to confirm, noted Assistant Professor of Sociology Marc Eaton, who’s taught a course on “Sociology of the Paranormal.”

But over the years, stories have been told of such ghostly encounters.

“As far as my determination goes, I can’t say for certain whether it [the college] does or doesn’t; it certainly is rumored to have a lot of ghosts,” he said. “There’s a lot of folklore on campus about certain places being haunted and all that, but I can’t say for certain whether it is or is not a haunted location definitively.”

He added Ripon College is known for its connection with ghosts, pointing to an article several years ago listing Ripon College as the No. 2 most haunted college in the Midwest.

“I think it’s widely known among the students that there are stories, but I think that among paranormal enthusiasts, I guess you could call them, the college is pretty rumored to have ghosts,” Eaton said.

Read the full story, including many tales told by current and former students about ghostly experiences they had on the campus, in the Oct. 31, 2019 edition of the Ripon Commonwealth Press.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Spotted: Lori Stich Obluda and Bernard Obluda
1991
Colorado Springs, CO
Sightings

Spotted: Lori Stich Obluda and Bernard Obluda

Lori Obluda
Class of 1991
Colorado Springs, CO
Sightings

Lori Stich Obluda ’91 and husband, Bernard at a 4-day mini-break in St. Maarten for Bernie’s 55th birthday. Christmas week in Amsterdam, and most recently a flight to Paris to spend a day with Bernie during an airline layover and petting this moose when she strolled up as Lori was returning from Home Depot.

News Update from Linda ’71 and Doug Uselding ’71
Submitted by: DevStudent
1971
Ripon, WI
News

News Update from Linda ’71 and Doug Uselding ’71

Doug Uselding
Class of 1971
Ripon, WI
News

See the message below from Diedrich Jewelers:

All the way from Carmel, IN, these Ripon College alumni visited us with their original receipt from the engagement ring Bob sold him 50 years ago! Doug and Linda took a trip to Ripon to celebrate the anniversary of their engagement. Such great memories about meeting at The Spot, babysitting for professors’ families, and their time in Ripon. We especially love the receipt details.

Submitted by: DevStudent