|
OBITUARIES: '56 GALS
Paula (Amoroso) McLeland, 48, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away on February 18, 1987. She moved to Arizona in 1947 from Detroit, Michigan, and married John McLeland (half-brother of Jim J. McLeland, class of ’57, deceased) after graduation from Camelback. They divorced 15 years later. She was a vice president of Koerper & Co. Advertising Agency. Survivors included her three daughters, Julie Welfen, Lauri, and Candi; and a sister.
Brenda Louise (Anderson) Goldberg, 70, of San Carlos, CA, passed away Oct. 24, 2009. She was born in Kansas City, MO, and grew up in El Paso, TX, then Phoenix, where she graduated from nearby Arizona State Univ. (ASU) in 1960. She loved racing & classic cars, parades & western style, and enjoyed adventure, international travel and skiing at Lake Tahoe. She also loved being surrounded by friends and family. Her talents included sewing, needlepoint, photography, and decorating. Brenda loved music, theater and sporting events, and was a season member of the San Francisco Ballet and Symphony. After ASU, she trained and worked as a medical technologist. She worked as a hospital lab supervisor before founding her own business in medical diagnostics. Later, Brenda worked as a Silicon Valley sales and marketing executive, and ran her own import/export business in the same field. By the time she retired, she had a strong reputation as a savvy businesswoman. Brenda was generous with her time and energy, including active membership in the Rotary Club of San Carlos, and volunteerism with Boy Scouts and the City of Belmont. Survivors included her husband, Samuel Goldberg; her sister, Donna; and her children: Kevin, Leslie and Batya, Guy, David, Roddy and Robert.
Betty Jean (Brodersen) Davis, 70, of Phoenix, passed away unexpectedly on November 12, 2008. Betty was born in Oklahoma City, attended grade schools in Phoenix, and in 1956 became a co-valedictorian of the first graduating class at Camelback High, also excelling in drama (impressive performance in Blythe Spirit). Betty received a B.A. degree in French from the Univ. of Calif. at Berkeley, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. A year of study at the Sorbonne was combined with a position as a teacher of English conversation and U. S. civilization at a secondary school in Paris. Later, she received an M.A., M. Phil., and Ph.D. in French from Columbia University and taught French and English as a second language at universities and colleges in and around New York City. Through her interest in fencing, Betty met her husband of 38 years, Albert Davis III. Throughout their marriage they traveled the world. She was preceded in death by her husband; an infant son; and her parents. Survivors included her children, Alexandra and Albert Davis IV; and her sisters: Martha Brodersen, Linda Tonn and Nan Jackson, all Camelback High graduates.
Kathrine Ann “Katy” (Brown) Powers, 73, of Mesa, died of pancreatic cancer on July 1, 2011. There reportedly was no service, but a get together was planned for family and friends to spread her ashes at the top of the Mogollon Rim later in the year. Katy was predeceased in 1998 by her husband William J. Powers. Survivors included sons William J. Powers Jr, and Richard L. Powers; and daughter Kimberly Louise Moreno.
Patricia Anne “Pat” (Brown) Greer, 72, of Phoenix, AZ, surrounded by her loved ones, passed away June 13, 2011, of a cerebral aneurism. Pat graduated from Camelback High in 1956, and became a successful business owner, hand-in-hand with beloved husband Gale L. Greer. Pat maintained a wonderful home environment for all of her surrounding family and friends. Survivors included husband Gale (also Camelback class of ’56); brother, Bob Brown (Camelback ’56); and daughters Tamara Lee Walker and Courtney Kendall Arones. Pat was predeceased by her daughter, Stephanie Anne Greer, who died in 2004.
Joyce Marie Burch, 67, presumed to be Joyce Marie Tackett, of Phoenix, born 6/1/1938, passed away December 11,2005. No other information or confirmation available.
Kathrin J. (Gill) Slaper, 50, of Phoenix, passed away on April 18, 1989. Survivors included sons Richard Stahl & Patrick Slaper; mother, Mary Jane Gill; and sisters Nancy Lowe & Jeannine Thomas, class of ‘59.
Sandra J. "Jo" (Gilmore) Kline, 49, of San Jose, CA, passed away on November 3, 1987. Survivors included her daughter, Marion Inez Brown; parents, Marion & Inez Gilmore, now dec'd; and a sister, Nadara Kaye (Gilmore) Bonillas (CBHS class of '60), now dec'd. She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Lee.
Myrna Lee (Gunder) Dinning, 71, of Glendale, passed away on December 28, 2008.
Julie (Landvatter) Walling-Dykes, 67, of Phoenix, died on April 19, 2005. Julie married Charles M. "Chuck" Walling '57 in 1960, and had 2 sons, Jeffrey and Michael. Chuck was a Fighter Pilot in the USAF and was listed as missing in action in Vietnam in 1966 (see Chuck Walling '57 obit). Julie met Don Dykes in 1975 and they wed in 1982. She was preceded in death by her sister Vicky and father Wes Landvatter. Survivors included her 2 sons, husband Don, brother Richard and mother Cleo.
Naomi Judith “Patti” (McFeeters) Murray, 68, of Phoenix, a former legal secretary, died from complications due to throat cancer August 25, 2006. She was born in Philadelphia. Survivors included her brother, James Craig McFeeters, who graduated from North High in 1951. She was predeceased by her twin, Ruth McFeeters, in 1998.
Ruth Margaret McFeeters, 59, of Scottsdale, AZ, a secretary in the banking industry, died of cancer June 1, 1998. She was born in Philadelphia. Survivors included her twin sister, Naomi “Patti” Murray (now dec’d); and a brother, James Craig McFeeters, who graduated from North High in 1951.
Darlene G. “Dody” (Midzor) Hill, 67, of Reno NV, passed away on December 5, 2005. She sang in Camelback High’s “Half-Notes” barber shop quartet. Survivors included her sister, Stephanie (class of 1958); brother Dennis; and children by former husband Robert Turner.
Gayle Miller passed away in California around 1957.
Joan (Monteith) Moore, 49, of Phoenix, a bookkeeper, died of cancer April 11, 1989. She was born in Canada and moved to Arizona in 1954. She was survived by her husband, Harry; a daughter, Dawn Frank (mother of Joan’s two granddaughters); a son, Robert (now deceased); her mother, Freda Monteith; and two sisters, Norma Bacon (now deceased) and Joyce Williamson, also Camelback class of '56. Joan was very proud of and involved with her two granddaughters' activities.
Janice (Moore) Whitehead, 34, of Dallas, Texas, passed away in September, 1972.
Joyce M. (Palmer) Falkner, 66, of Lewisville, TX, passed away on February 6, 2005. She had fought bravely against cancer, diabetes and a heart attack. Survivors included her husband, Curtis (Hall) Falkner; a sister, Elaine (class of '60); and a daughter in Texas.
Nancy A. (Rockwell) Smith, 61, of Phoenix, an accountant for the Osborn School District, passed away October 2, 1999, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Nancy was a native of Phoenix and loved the city. Her interests included reading, collecting precious moments, and crafts, especially cross-stitching. Survivors included a daughter, Kathleen Samuelson; a son, Stephen; a sister, Nina Jones; brothers, Michael, Jack & David Rockwell, and Dan & Larry Ashton; and 3 grandchildren.
Dorolee (Schaffer) Sanders, 53, of Phoenix, a homemaker, died of cancer March 12, 1992. She was born in Salt Lake City. Survivors included her husband, William; son, Steven Wayne; her mother; one sister; one brother; and one grandchild. Dorolee was preceded in death by a daughter, Kari Lynn Krumtum, from a prior marriage to Kenneth M. Krumtum (also deceased), Camelback class of ’56.
Betty J. "Jean" (Shough) McKenney, 62, of Phoenix, a Scottsdale travel consultant associate, passed away July 12, 2001. She was born on July 16, 1938 in Quemado, NM. Survivors included her sons, Dave and Dan Hosfield; sister, Joanne Walker; brother, Kenneth; mother, Hazel Shough; and 5 grandchildren.
Imogene (Smith) Rains, 71, of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, died peacefully on August 26, 2009, after a lengthy illness. Imogene was born in Bend, Oregon. Her family moved to Maverick, Arizona, in 1951, where she was raised until her senior year. She completed her senior year at Camelback High School in Phoenix and graduated in 1956. She then attended Phoenix College, where she obtained an Art Degree, and married Donal L. Rains back in Maverick in 1960. Imogene worked for Arizona Public Service for 30+ years. Her interests varied from being an avid league bowler and youth bowling coach to cake decorating, various crafts & gardening. She was one of the founding members of the Heart of The Umpqua Artists, a chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters. Survivors included a son, Eugene; two brothers, Lyle and Clair (class of 1959); and a sister, Joanne Hutton (class of 1960). She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle H. Smith and Rose Anna Smith, and a son, Stacy. (edited/excerpted from The Arizona Republic on 9/3/2009)
Carolyn J. (Staich) Spinos, 59, of Richland, Washington, a homemaker, died of cancer in November, 1997. Survivors included her husband, Charley; a son, Rick; a daughter Nancy; mother, Mary Staich; sisters, Joann Rehm and Mary Goettl; brothers, Stan, Ed, and Frank; and three grandchildren. Carolyn’s sister, Annette Haring, and younger brother, Robert, preceded her in death.
Dolores Trimmer, 17, of Phoenix, passed away in June, 1956, following an automobile accident near 26th St & Pinchot Ave. Survivors included her parents, John and Edith Trimmer. Her picture and a beautiful Memoriam poem by John Brugaletta, class of ’57, can be found in the Camelback 1957 Yearbook.
Judy Zdyb, 17, of Phoenix, passed away sometime during the year 1956, in an automobile accident at 40th St. and Indian School Road, according to Dick Voinov ’57. Her picture and a beautiful Memoriam poem by John Brugaletta, class of ’57, can be found in the Camelback 1957 Yearbook.
OBITUARIES: '56 GUYS
Phillip Albertson, 52, passed away on August 10, 1990.
Chester L. "Chet" Arnow, 64, of Cave Creek, AZ, died of complications due to pneumonia December 27, 2002. He was retired after 35 years as an airline pilot. He honorably served as a 1st Lt. in Vietnam and as a Captain with the USAF Reserves. He was survived by his wife, Liz; and daughter, Shaunda.
Galen P. “Pat” Bagley, 62, of Phoenix, died of lung cancer March 19, 2000. He was born in Hanford, CA, and moved to Arizona in 1953. He was in the Arizona National Guard, and was employed by the Arizona Biltmore Hotel/Resort and Reynolds Tobacco Co. He was survived by his wife, the former Jean McCullough (class of ’60); 2 children, Lori and Deean; and son-in-law, Troy.
James D. Barton, 46, of Phoenix, died of pneumonia while under treatment for leukemia in Feb., 1983.
Ronald A. Beauchamp, 51, of Creve Coeur, Missouri, passed away on April 13, 1990, after a short illness. He graduated from Arizona State University in 1960. After serving in the Army, he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford in 1967, then joined Boise Cascade. In 1968, he became VP and CEO of Packaging Resources Inc. in Creve Coeur. In 1989, he became board chairman and CEO of Graphic Arts Center Inc. there. He served on the boards of DePaul Health Center and Junior Achievement, and was a member of the President’s Council of St. Louis University. Survivors included his wife, Carol; a son, Stephen; a daughter, Kathryn Beauchamp; and a brother, Thomas, Camelback class of ’59.
Richard F. Burkard, 49, of Phoenix, passed away in May, 1986. Survivors included his wife, Edna; son, Steve; and daughters, Jane Ann and Julie, per 3/26/2009 AZ Rep obit for Jane Ann.
Jack Chase, 52, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away of congestive heart failure in August, 2000, according to his brother Gary Chase, class of ‘58.
Howard J. Crandell is alleged by classmates to have passed away prior to 1966, but this has not been confirmed.
Gary Franklin Crisp, 68, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away Feb 22, 2007. Survivors included his wife Barbara. No other information was available, but it has been reported that Gary suffered from emphysema.
James Edward Diehl, Sr., 72, of Litchfield Park, AZ, passed away December 14, 2010. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved with his parents to Phoenix as a child. Survivors included his wife of 49 years, Audrey (Shafer) Diehl ‘60; brother, Larry; sister, Judy Wilson; and 4 children. He attended college until receiving a draft notice. He excelled in the Navy and treasured the 4 years of adventure as an independent duty Corpsman. He then held a variety of jobs such as fireman, policeman, and carpenter, before working nearly two decades in the paper production industry as a millwright. A career highlight occurred in 1962, while employed as a police officer at ASU, when he received a personal letter of gratitude from FBI Director, J Edgar Hoover, for helping apprehend a fugitive on the FBI's most wanted list. He was a contributor to many veteran and law enforcement organizations. His character was reflected in selfless acts as a husband, father, and grandfather.
Ted O. Eklund, 46, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away in July of 1983. Survivors included his wife, Mary Ann (Edwards) Eklund, Camelback class of ’59; a son, Phillip; his mother, Ruth; a brother, James; and a sister, Barbara (Eklund) Zwick, Camelback class of ’57, who passed away in 1997.
Richard E. “Dick” Fisher, 63, of Prescott, AZ, passed away in Scottsdale, AZ, on April 10, 2002. After graduating from Univ of AZ in 1960 with a degree in mechanical engineering, he served as construction superintendent for Ebasco Corp. and later mechanical engineering supervisor for Motorola. In 1977, he founded Piping Systems Engineering, Inc., serving clients internationally. Richard was known for solving difficult design problems while putting safety first. He built his log home in Prescott in 1991, served on the local fire department and water users association, and was a member of the Prescott Antique Car Club. Survivors included his wife of 31 years, Shirley; his mother Bess; brother Allen; and sisters Jane and Laura.
William McKee “Bill” Fulton, 72, passed away peacefully at home in Paradise Valley, AZ, October 5, 2010, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Bill was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and moved with his parents James and Margaret Fulton, and brother James III, to Phoenix in 1941. With a degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University, he worked for Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector for nearly 35 years. During his career, Bill held various managerial positions. In addition to his work with Motorola, Bill volunteered with the Town of Paradise Valley Planning and Zoning Commission and was elected to the Town Council. He later served on the Motorola/TruWest Credit Union Board of Directors for 14 years. He also enjoyed assisting with both sons' youth sports activities. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, the ASU Alumni Association, and, being an avid Sun Devil football fan, the Sun Angel Foundation. Aside from devotion to his family, his hobbies included photography, golf, genealogy, and travel. He had a witty sense of humor, positive spirit and charismatic personality. Survivors included his wife of 50 years, Marge; and sons, Bill Jr and Tom.
Richard I. “Rick” Green, 68, of Zionsville, IN, passed away on June 3, 2007, of Lewy-Body disease, an aggressive and severe form of dementia. Rick graduated from Arizona St. Univ. in 1961 in ROTC with a BS in Mech. Engrng, and acquired an MBA at the Univ. of New Mexico. He retired in Calif. as a NASA program manager in satellite communications, with the rank of Lt Col, USAF, and moved to Santa Maria, CA, around 1984 to start a second career in financial services. He was stricken with severe dementia in 2005 and was moved to a care home near Indianapolis, IN, near family. Rick was predeceased by his brother Don in 1973 and sister Lois in 2005. Survivors included his wife Sharon.
Gary P. Griffin, 55, of Phoenix, a Phoenix Police Department officer, passed away March 30, 1994. He was a Vietnam War veteran and commended 14 times during his police career for exceptional work and personal initiative. Survivors included his daughters, Fawn Nelson and Dore; son, Darrin; parents, Laura and A. Lynn Palmer; and sister, Cherie Pennington; not to be confused with ’56 classmate Gary W. Griffin of Ft Wayne, IN.
Gary W. Griffin, 67, of Fort Wayne Indiana, died May 15, 2005. He was owner/President of G. W. Griffin Demolition Co. Survivors included wife, Beverly Campbell Griffin; daughters, Michele Schlotterback & Suzanne Kern; son, Vincent; sisters Phyllis Seibold, Bonnie Durnell, Patty Shafer, Marilyn Burk & Donna Ashcraft.
Lawrence E. Hassig, 57, of Gresham, Oregon, passed away on November 20, 1995. Survivors included his brother, Dr. Fred Hassig, Camelback class of '57.
William “Bill” Hayes, 72, of Prescott AZ, passed away in March 2011. He had a history of heart problems, and had been on medications for years. For the past few years, Bill had been helping the homeless through a local church. Survivors included his brother Larry “Pat” Hayes ’61, of Tonto Basin AZ. No other information was available.
Robert G. Humes, 59, of Tucson, AZ, passed away of cancer on May 7, 1997. Survivors included his wife Martha; his sister Joyce, class of 1959; and a daughter, Melanie.
David Jacobs, 27, passed away in December of 1965. Camelback friend Larry Colquette’58 said he suffered critical injuries in an accident in San Diego, CA, while stunt-riding his motorcycle down a dry river wash.
David W. Kimball, 52, of Phoenix, died of cancer on October 22, 1991. He graduated in 1964 from Arizona State University (B.S. in Chemistry), and attended the Navy Officers Candidate School, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant J. G. He started the Bombay Bicycle Club on Stetson Drive in Scottsdale (later torn up for the Galleria). He was survived by his daughter Jessi; a son Blake; his mother Elsie Potter Kimball; two sisters, Susan Kimball and Gail Alexander; and a brother Jon.
Kenneth M. Krumtum, 33, of Phoenix, died in 1972. He and Dorolee Schaffer’56 (now deceased) married while seniors at Camelback, but divorced 3 yrs later with one child, Kari Lynn, also deceased. Ken married Tommie Lynn Hancock’60, then married again in 1968. He & 3rd wife Jenny died in 1972. Their children, Scott & Matt, were raised by Ken’s parents, James & Floy Belle Krumtum. Ken also left a surviving sister, Virginia Louise Perrin.
David Linville, 59, of Tucson, AZ, passed away on October, 12, 1996.
Robert Lowther, 53, of Del Rio, TX, passed away on November, 6, 1990.
George Max III, 71, of Salem, NH, died January 9, 2010, of pancreatic cancer. George was a popular person and sports figure in his only year (1954-55) at Camelback, but he enthusiastically attended the 1998 joint reunion of all four 1950s classes. George also attended Boston University, and served in the Marine Reserves. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed travel. Survivors included his wife, Melanie; his 2 daughters, Heather and Shauna; and a brother, Richard.
John A. “Jack” Munson, 64, of Phoenix, passed away June 26, 2003. John, born in Vincennes, Indiana, moved to Arizona in 1946. He served his country in the U. S. Air Force, was a member of the Moose Lodge, and was an avid golfer. Survivors included his son, Brose, of Spring Valley, CA; a sister, Randi Peart, of Citrus Heights, CA; and a brother, Dave, of Glendale, AZ.
Monte E. Myers, 54, of Waddell, AZ, a truck driver, died of a heart attack on March 10, 1993. He was born in Mantua, Ohio, and was an Air Force veteran. Survivors included his wife, Barbara; daughter, Stephanie Goodwin; sons, Danny, Ricky and Larry; parents, Eva and Lawrence; 11 stepchildren; one sister; three brothers; and four grandchildren. One brother, Joel, married Nancy Kier ’60, sister of Lorilee Kier ’56.
Edward E. Okvath, 50, of Colorado Springs, CO, died of cancer on April 15, 1988. A senior VP with Science Applications Inter’l, he had earned a BS degree from the Univ of Maryland, an MS from Texas Christian Univ and a PhD in math from Salzburg Univ, Austria. He had retired from the U. S. Army in 1981 as chief warrant officer, having earned medals for conduct and meritorious service. Having started skiing after age 40, he requested that family & friends spread his ashes over MACH-I, a nearby “black-diamond” ski slope, in order to achieve, symbolically, his yet unattained goal of making it down such a challenging slope. Survivors included his wife, Anne Marie (Piercey) Okvath, class of ’57; a son, Edward Jr.; three daughters, Terezia Edwards, Catherine & Adelia; two brothers, John & Louis; and a sister, Eleanor Jakowczyk.
Hunter B. Peyton, 39, passed away in January, 1976. Survivors included Camelback siblings Harold A. Peyton’56 (his twin), Nancy E. Peyton’57, and another brother, James L. Peyton’59.
Larry L. “Cotton” Pritchard, 61, of Cornville, AZ, passed away on January 13, 1999 in Mesa, AZ. He was retired from APS after 39 years. He was survived by his wife Ann; his mother, Thelma; daughters, Brenda and Amy Pritchard; sons, Larry Jr., Tom, Edward, Steve and Brian.
Francis W. “Frank” Reilly, 59, of Phoenix, died May 8, 1997. He served in the Air Force with an honorable discharge, and was married to Rebecca Beam 28 years until her death in 1993. He was a buyer at Motorola and Sperry, owned an air-conditioning business, and later owned a retail plant nursery and wholesale growing yard. Survivors included a daughter, Patti; a son Michal; and two sisters, Marion Holden & Judith Lifgren’58.
Richard Ripplinger, 55, was killed when his single-engine airplane crashed in a snowy field east of Denver on Dec. 30, 1992. He was flying in a dense fog. He had taken off from the Valley with his wife, the former Linda Sue Baughman (class of '57), and her son, James. All three were ejected from the plane and died at the scene. His daughter Mary Baker, from his previous marriage, indicated that Richard had flown for eight years. Richard and former wife Mary Beth owned/operated Desert Hills Water Co. for 20+ years. It served hundreds of customers in the New River and Desert Hills areas of north Phoenix. Their son, Rob Ripplinger, was killed in a head-on auto collision in 1991. Richard also left a daughter, Tamara Tanenbaum, from his first marriage.
Theodore Thomas Rosenbaum, 59, of Cave Creek, AZ, an auto-body repairman, passed away January 27, 1997. Survivors included his daughter, Marye Lynch; two sons, Michael & Marc; and a brother, Fred.
Michael J, Sourant, 74, of Queen Creek, AZ, died of a cardiac arrest on May 30, 2011. He was born of Russian immigrants in Bellville, MI. The family later moved to Arizona. Mike was a popular classmate at Camelback High, having served as class president in his junior year and student body president in his senior year. He married 1957 classmate Annie Robbins (died in 1977). His 2nd wife, Shirley Jeanne, passed away in 2010. Mike had his college degree, worked at Motorola, was very active in Boy Scouts, and was an active member of the LDS church. His life was devoted to service, fellowship and love. He was very happy in his recent marriage to Karen, and was active in a family granite operation. Survivors included his wife, Karen; children Richard, Clay, Charla & Lorilie; sister, Nina (Camelback ’65); and brothers Jim ’58, Vic ’56 & an elder brother Nick (grad. before AZ move).
Norman Talbot Stewart, 66, of Phoenix, AZ, died May 8, 2005.
William Ernest “Bill” Stockton is thought to be deceased, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Monroe John William “Bill” Strickler, 72, of Phoenix, passed away November 22, 2009. No other information was available.
David R. Vassar, 58, of Scottsdale, AZ, a self-employed commercial construction builder, died April 30, 1996. Survivors included former wife Melanie Vincent Vassar (Camelback class of '56), mother of their four children: Dalene Beckett, Dawn, Kim & Dave; and sisters Virginia Henderson, Dolores Ray & Rusty Dunham.
Robert L. Weil, 49, of Tempe, AZ, passed away in July 1988. No other information available
Manfred R Wetzel, 56, of Scottsdale, AZ, pres. of Nove Home Health Services, died December 23, 1994. He was born in St. Joseph, MI, and was a Vietnam War Air Force veteran. Survivors included his wife, Nancy; a daughter, Susan; two sons, Jonathan & Matthew; a sister, Rosalind Asbill (class of '58); and a brother, Paul.
Jack D. Witt, 63, of Colorado Springs, CO, passed away November 16, 2001. No other information available.
|