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In Memory of Richard R. Gronert ’57
In Memory of Richard R. Gronert ’57
Richard Gronert
RICHARD R. GRONERT ’57 of Delavan, Wisconsin, died April 13, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in music and educational studies and was a member of Theta Chi/Alpha Omega Alpha and Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a Master of Music Education at Indiana University with a trombone emphasis, and taught high school band, orchestra and choir. After doctoral work in guidance and counseling at UW-Madison, he did elementary school counseling in the Janesville schools and was a Christian counselor at Janesville Psychiatric Clinic. He directed a church choir in Janesville, sang in the Southern Lakes Masterpiece Chorale in Elkhorn, volunteered for 30 years for the National Ski Patrol at Alpine Valley in East Troy, and led Bible studies at his church. He enjoyed sailing and boating. Survivors include his wife, Elaine; one son and one daughter.
Full obituary: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/27717475/richard-ralph-gronert
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Joseph Edward Bares ’71
In Memory of Joseph Edward Bares ’71
Joseph Bares
JOSEPH E. BARES ’71 of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, died April 9, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in chemistry and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Northwestern University. He was a research scientist for LORD Corp. in Erie, Pennsylvania, as a Mellon Institute Fellow at Carnegie Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh, and in Cary, North Carolina. He then was a research chemist for Phillips Petroleum and Conoco Phillips until retiring in 2017. He loved sports, participated in baseball, wrestling, bicycling, whitewater rafting, volleyball, running, racquetball and soccer, and coached various teams for more than 50 years. He enjoyed gardening, hiking, traveling and ushering at his church. Survivors include his wife, Floran; and two sons.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/joseph-bares-obituary?id=51658105
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Lyle L. Heide ’55
In Memory of Lyle L. Heide ’55
Lyle Heide
LYLE L. HEIDE ’55 of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, died June 18, 2023, At Ripon, he majored in biology and participated in Theta Chi/Alpha Omega Alpha and Partners in the Legacy. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. His studies at Ripon were interrupted by a recall to active duty during the Korean Conflict. He worked as field director with the American National Red Cross in its services to the Armed Forces Branch, traveling extensively throughout the world. He then served domestically in Detroit, Michigan, and as executive director of the Manitowoc County Red Cross, retiring in 1983. He was a life member of Disabled American Veterans and a member of the other veterans’ organizations, Elks Club and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed hiking and the outdoors.
Full obituary: https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/obituaries/wis395609
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of David P. Sinish ’69
In Memory of David P. Sinish ’69
David Sinish
DAVID P. SINISH ’69 of Collinsville, Connecticut, died June 14, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in psychology, participated in music, athletics and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega, and was captain of the ski team. He was an avid paddler, instructor, conservationist, advocate, speaker, writer and water quality monitor. He served on the board of the Farmington River Watershed Association, as founder of the Connecticut Canoe Racing Association, as an organizer of the Eastern Region U.S. Olympic Whitewater Kayak Trials and as a member of the Farmington River Coordinating Committee, Canton Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency, Board of Selectmen and Board of Assessment Appeals. He enjoyed gardening, playing his flute, and building kayaks and wood-strip canoes. Survivors include his wife, Carrie; one son and one daughter.
Full obituary: https://collinsvillepress.com/2023/07/david-p-sinish-76-canton/34196/
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Marilee Hoffmeyer Shore ’69
In Memory of Marilee Hoffmeyer Shore ’69
Marilee Shore
MARILEE HOFFMEYER SHORE ’69 of Maryville, Tennessee, and formerly of Hendersonville, North Carolina, died May 10, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in German and participated in athletics, student government, music, theatre and Kappa Delta/Delta Phi Sigma. She earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Michigan and worked in both public and private libraries primarily in Illinois and North Carolina. She and her husband, Bob, were active in the Little Theater in Hendersonville. She loved cats, who were named after opera characters. She was also active on the boards and committees in churches and other groups everywhere she lived. Survivors include three stepdaughters.
Full obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/alcoa-tn/marilee-shore-11285426
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Genevieve “Honey” Hipke Leibham ’54
In Memory of Genevieve “Honey” Hipke Leibham ’54
Genevieve Leibham
GENEVIEVE “HONEY” HIPKE LEIBHAM ’54 of New Holstein, Wisconsin, died July 1, 2023. She attended Ripon and graduated from Sheboygan Business College. She and her husband opened their home to foreign exchange students from Germany, Native American children from a Wisconsin reservation and several minor league baseball players from Australia. She traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and New Zealand. She played French horn in the New Holstein High School Band, Ripon College Band and Kiel Municipal Band. In the community, she worked with The Community Chest, American Cancer Society, New Holstein Historical Society and for more than 25 years as a volunteer for Salvatorian Mission. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge and cooking. Survivors include her husband, John; two sons and one daughter.
Full obituary: https://www.postcrescent.com/obituaries/wis396497
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Michaei True ’76
In Memory of Michaei True ’76
Michaei True
MICHAEl TRUE ’76 of Neillsville, Wisconsin, died June 29, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in economics and participated in Phi Kappa Pi (Merriman). He had been self-employed. Survivors include two children; a brother, RODNEY TRUE ’74; and a sister, BARBARA TRUE BALKE ’79.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/michael-true-obituary?id=52356470
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Wayne Larson
In Memory of Wayne Larson
Wayne Larson
CARLTON WAYNE LARSON of Ripon, Wisconsin, a professor of mathematics and computer science at Ripon College from 1955 to 1989, died June 27, 2023. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Cornell College and earned his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was an instructor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering from 1950-1955.
At Ripon, he was chairman of the mathematics department, received the May Bumby Severy, Class of 1908, Award in 1966 and 1986, and was a charter member of Partners in the Legacy. He was a pioneer in the use of computers and introduced them to the classroom at very early stages of their development. Along with Edwin Comfort, professor emeritus of mathematics, he established the Edwin Comfort-Wayne Larson Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Fund.
He loved all card games, especially duplicate bridge, and had attained Life Master status. He also enjoyed reading, playing flute, piano and organ, and watching the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. He was a member of First Congregational Church of Ripon.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church of Ripon. Visitation and luncheon will follow the service. Interment will take place at a later date at Forest City Cemetery in Forest City, Iowa.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Ripon College Advancement Office or First Congregational Church of Ripon.
Full obituary: https://www.butzinmarchant.com/obituaries/carlton-wayne-larson
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Chad Butterfield ’98
In Memory of Chad Butterfield ’98
Chad Butterfield
CHAD BUTTERFIELD ’98 of Buckeye, Arizona, died Jan. 30, 2023. At Ripon, he participated in baseball and football.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of John O. Riemer ’56
In Memory of John O. Riemer ’56
John Riemer
JOHN O. RIEMER ’56 of Waukesha, Wisconsin, died Feb. 21, 2023. At Ripon, he participated in Sigma Chi/Omega Sigma Chi.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Willam G. Schrage ’55
In Memory of Willam G. Schrage ’55
Willam Schrage
WILLIAM G. SCHRAGE ’55 of McFarland, Wisconsin, who attended Ripon in the 1950s, died May 10, 2023. He also attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and UW-Madison. He held senior-level sales management positions, primarily in the decorative laminate industry. He was an avid turkey and deer hunter, fisherman and trap shooter, including hunting pheasants with his beloved English setters. He enjoyed many caribou and elk hunting trips in the United States, Canada and Newfoundland, and fishing trips to Alaska, Canada and Mexico. A skilled woodworker, he made many furniture pieces for friends and family. He enjoyed watching Badger men’s basketball and the Green Bay Packers. Survivors include his wife, Joann; one son and three daughters.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Alice “Mike” Hawley Neuschwanger ’63
In Memory of Alice “Mike” Hawley Neuschwanger ’63
Alice “Mike” Neuschwanger
ALICE “MIKE” HAWLEY NEUSCHWANGER ’63 of Mount Carroll, Illinois, who attended Ripon in the 1960s, died April 22, 2023. She attended Ripon for one year and graduated from Shimer College in Mount Carroll in 1963. She was active in the community and enjoyed attending theatre; volunteering at the theatre, Mayfest and holiday parades; creating crafts; and substitute teaching. She was an active member of Saints John and Catherine Catholic Church.
Survivors include three sons and two daughters.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Steven L. Beacom ’77
In Memory of Steven L. Beacom ’77
Steven Beacom
STEVEN L. BEACOM ’77 of Marshall, Wisconsin, died Feb. 13, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in physical education and participated in football, wrestling and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He taught and coached in Marshall for more than 30 years. He led teams to the state track title multiple years, taking the boys’ football team to state for the first time in Marshall’s history. He was elected to the track coaching Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Marshall Lion’s Club for many years. He enjoyed playing golf, gambling and watching John Wayne movies.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Marvin “Budd” Humphrey ’60
In Memory of Marvin “Budd” Humphrey ’60
Marvin Humphrey
MARVIN “BUDD” HUMPHREY ’60 of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, died June 23, 2023. At Ripon, he participated in football, baseball and track. He served in the U.S. Army on active duty and for five years in the Reserves. He was a platoon leader and his drill team won the base competition. He worked at Inland Marine Boat Co.; and then for Stuart Tank Sales in Elkhorn as a salesman, business partner and president. He retired in 2015 after 50 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and sailing on Lake Geneva, and traveling with Irene. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Survivors include his wife, Irene; and one son.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/lakegenevanews/name/marvin-humphrey-obituary?id=52339153
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Roger D. Venden ’59
In Memory of Roger D. Venden ’59
Roger Venden
ROGER D. VENDEN ’59 of Andover, Massachusetts, died June 7, 2023. At Ripon, he studied history and physical education, participated in football and student government, and was commissioned through ROTC. He also served as a class agent and 50th reunion volunteer, and was a member of Partners in the Legacy. He established the Roger D. Venden ’59 and Manon R. Venden Family Liberal Arts Scholarship. He received a master’s of business administration from the University of Utah. He retired as director of administration with Kean, Miller, Hawthorne, D’Armond, a business law firm in Plaquemine, Louisiana. He also had been president of Cypermort Point Inc., representing recreational homes and fishing camps, which was owned by his wife’s extended family. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Manon. They had a son and a daughter.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/roger-venden-obituary?id=52210475
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Jennifer Johnson Wild ’93
In Memory of Jennifer Johnson Wild ’93
Jennifer Wild
JENNIFER JOHNSON WILD ’93 of White Lake, Wisconsin, died June 24, 2023. At Ripon, she participated in volleyball and basketball. She earned a degree in accounting from St. Norbert College and received her CPA designation. She was the business administrator for the White Lake School District for many years and also worked for a local accounting firm and her own business in White Lake preparing taxes. Her faith was important to her. She was an avid Packers fan and skilled paddler, enjoyed traveling and learning to ski in Utah, and loved being on the Wolf River. Survivors include one son and one daughter.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/jennifer-wild-obituary?id=52326989
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Nancy J. Safeblad ’80
In Memory of Nancy J. Safeblad ’80
Nancy Safeblad
NANCY J. SAFEBLADE ’80 of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, died June 23, 2023. At Ripon, she studied politics and government. She worked as a nanny in France, in a kibbutz in Israel and as a nurse’s aide for many years. She enjoyed reading, swimming, sailing, hiking and camping. Survivors include her mother, Evelyn Safeblade; and siblings, including DAVID E. SAFEBLADE ’81.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/spooneradvocate/name/nancy-safeblade-obituary?id=52321499
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Robert L. Nelson ’63
In Memory of Robert L. Nelson ’63
Robert Nelson
ROBERT L. NELSON ’63 of Suring, Wisconsin, died June 13, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics and was commissioned through ROTC. He earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Northern Michigan University. He served in the U.S. Army until February 1966, then in the Army Reserves until 1972. He taught math in the Suring Public Schools for 33 years, retiring in 1999. He enjoyed golfing.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/robert-nelson-obituary?id=52236048
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of James M. Huffman ’70
In Memory of James M. Huffman ’70
James Huffman
JAMES M. HUFFMAN ’70 of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, died Nov. 13, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in chemistry, participated in intramural sports and was commissioned through ROTC. He served as a combat engineer in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He went to graduate school in chemistry at Northern Illinois University. He worked as a manufacturing chemist. While he worked for Lever Brothers, he spent a year in Liverpool, England. He was an avid Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals fan. He enjoyed golf, card games and alpine skiing in the western states and Europe. Survivors include a brother, LEE HUFFMAN ’73.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Daniel D. Harmon ’54
In Memory of Daniel D. Harmon ’54
Daniel Harmon
DANIEL D. HARMON III ’54 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, died June 6, 2023. At Ripon, he studied economics, participated in Ver Adest, athletics and Sigma Nu/Theta Sigma Tau, and was commissioned through ROTC. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Korea. He worked for the family insurance firm The Harmon Agency. In his younger years, he raced boats, was a multi-year golf champion at the Oshkosh Country Club and an avid fly fisherman. The Dan Harmon III Fly Fishing School is conducted yearly by the Central Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He also was a dedicated Packers fan and served on several community boards. Survivors include his wife, Judy; two sons and one daughter. His brother, JOHN HARMON, was Ripon’s honorary degree recipient in 2020.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/oshkoshherald/name/daniel-harmon-obituary?id=52191952
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement