Doug McArthur ’53
1929–2023
Doug McArthur was nearly everywhere on the Tacoma sports scene. For decades, he seemed to be involved in every sporting event in and around Tacoma and at Puget Sound. Golf? Basketball? Baseball? Figure skating? “Doug was a man for all sports,” Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Marc Blau ’73 says of McArthur, who died Dec. 6, 2023, at age 94.
The list of McArthur’s accomplishments dates back to the 1950s, when he served as sports director at a local radio station. He went on to supervise athletics at Tacoma Public Schools, helped secure the bond approval that led to the construction of the Tacoma Dome, co-founded an LPGA golf tournament in the city, directed the 1987 U.S. Figure Skating National Championships, coached golf, softball, baseball, and basketball at Puget Sound … and on the list goes.
One of the highlights of McArthur’s career included serving as University of Puget Sound’s athletic director from 1969–78. In 1976, Puget Sound’s men’s basketball team stunned the nation when they won the 1976 NCAA Division II national championship, and McArthur made sure that the university never forgot that piece of history, or any other. He helped organize reunions of that team and passed on his knowledge to a new generation of athletes and alums.
“He would find those really wonderful moments and celebrations of individuals and teams and what they did,” says current athletic director Amy Hackett, who viewed McArthur as a mentor. “And I think in his own way, that was a bridging of the generations. He always wanted everybody to find that spirit and joy in sports that he found.”
His legacy will live on in many ways, including through the Doug McArthur Classic basketball tournament at the university, and the Doug McArthur Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Tacoma Athletic Commission.
“The number of people whose lives he touched is phenomenal,” Blau says. “There’s lots of people that get involved in supporting one particular program, or one particular sport. But with Doug, he was involved in so many different aspects.”
—Michael Weinreb
Jerrill “Jerry” Kerrick
1938–2023
Jerry Kerrick P’86, P’95, who came to the university in 1973 to begin a program in Computer Science and served on the faculty for 30 years, died Dec. 2, 2023, at his home in Olympia, Wash. He was 85. Kerrick earned a Ph.D. in mathematics at Oregon State University; there, he met Ron VanEnkevort, who later joined the Puget Sound faculty and encouraged Kerrick to come to the university as well. When Kerrick arrived, the university had a single, large, mainframe computer (see image); over the years that followed, Kerrick oversaw the installation of many computer systems that supported both academics and administration. Under Kerrick’s leadership, the university began offering a minor, then a major, in computer science.
Kerrick was known for his love of teaching and his love of coffee. He was a regular at the faculty lounge on the fourth floor of Thompson, where a coffee pot was going all day long. He once taught in a classroom across from Bob Matthews, professor of math and computer science, who maintained a coffee grinder and a pot of hot coffee in his office; when Kerrick needed a refill, he was known to say to his class, “I think I hear the president calling,” and hop over to Matthews’ office. President Phil Phibbs eventually heard about this, and one day Phibbs went to Matthews’ office, borrowed the coffee pot, and interrupted Kerrick’s class to offer a refill.
Kerrick is survived by his wife, Judy, and sons Craig ’86 and Chris ’95. He will be celebrated in June during Summer Reunion Weekend, as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of computer science at Puget Sound.
—Alison Paradise ’82
Violet L. Hessey Bruno ’48 of Fircrest, Wash., died Sept. 27, 2022. She was 96. She had worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” on airplanes for Boeing during World War II; later she spent 20 years as secretary to the ROTC Adjutant General.
Dorothy M. Kostenbader ’48 of Antelope, Calif., died Oct. 16, 2023, at the age of 97. At Puget Sound she was an English major and was involved in Spurs, Alpha Phi, and The Trail.
Sara J. Mather Lyon ’48, P’77 of Tumwater, Wash., died Sept. 17, 2023, at the age of 97. An accomplished musician, she served as church organist and pianist, and also taught Sunday School. She had varied interests, including painting, teaching piano, and collecting postcards, puppeteering, ham radio, and geneaolgy. Her son, Mark Lyon ’77, is also a Logger.
We received word in October 2023 of the death of Willard D. Norman ’49 of Eugene, Ore. He was a literature major at Puget Sound and was involved in Adelphians and Sigma Nu.
We learned in October 2023 of the death of Lenore Secord Blum ’50 of Gregory, Mich. She had a degree in occupational therapy from Puget Sound.
Benjamin W. Judd ’50 of Fox Island, Wash., died May 28, 2023. He was 96. He served briefly in the Army in World War II and was retired from Puget Sound National Bank, now Key Bank.
Robert V. Lynch ’50 died July 31, 2023, at age 95. At Puget Sound he majored in business administration and started working in the vending business with a friend; the two continued the business after graduation. Lynch lived in Tacoma.
Robert Henry Peterson ’50, a lifetime resident of Tacoma, died Oct. 12, 2023. He was 95. At Puget Sound, he majored in political science, played saxophone in the stage band, and was a member of Sigma Chi. He practiced law for 25 years and served 12 years on Pierce County Superior Court. Among his survivors is his wife, Mary C. Dobbs Peterson ’52.
We learned in October 2023 of the death of Bonnie J. Trefren Norman ’51 of Eugene, Ore. She was a religion major at Puget Sound and was involved in Adelphians.
Raymond H. Price Jr. ’52 died in Palm Springs, Calif., in November 2023 at age 94. As a student, he was a member of Sigma Chi.
Anna Krilich Joers ’54, of West Hills, Calif., died May 13, 2022, at age 89. She was an education major at Puget Sound.
Susan Rausch Misner ’54, ’55 died Nov. 4, 2023. She was 92 and lived in Hallowell, Maine. She was a pianist, teacher, tutor, and choir director. She and her late husband, Peter ’55, supported the construction of McIntyre Hall’s Rausch Auditorium, honoring her father. The Misner Room in Collins Memorial Library is named for the couple.
Shannon King Sedergren ’54, 90, of Clarkston, Wash., died June 7, 2023. At Puget Sound she majored in education and was in the band.
Shirley E. Skinner Spear ’54 died Oct. 17, 2023, 10 days shy of her 91st birthday. She was a history major at Puget Sound and was in Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Anna Mae Morris Jennings ’55 died Sept. 3, 2022. She earned an education degree at Puget Sound and was an elementary school teacher and longtime Camp Fire leader. She was 89 and lived in Des Moines, Wash.
Evelyn Dodge Joneson ’56, ’57 of Seattle died Aug. 22, 2023, at age 89. She majored in occupational therapy at Puget Sound and was involved in Alpha Phi. After graduation she worked as an occupational therapist.
Violet May Eckert Kind ’56 died March 9, 2022, at age 90. A music major at Puget Sound, she later was a piano teacher. She lived in Vancouver, Wash.
James C. Carlisle ’57, 87, of Puyallup, Wash., died July 4, 2023. He owned J.C. Carlisle Consultants, helping small business owners form commercial banks in their local communities. He aided in the formation of more than 25 community commercial banks during his career.
Janice Thompson Schmitt Dietrich ’60, P’91 died Sept. 11, 2023, at age 85. She earned an education degree from Puget Sound and spent more than 30 years as an elementary school teacher. She lived in Normandy Park, Wash. Among her survivors is a son, Kier Schmitt ’91.
We learned in October 2023 of the death of Nita J. Church Cameron ’61 of Tacoma. An education major at Puget Sound, she was active in band, orchestra, and drama. She was a retired teacher.
Laurie Bachman Prosser ’61 of University Place, Wash., was an English major at Puget Sound. In 1955 she and her husband founded Prosser Piano & Organ Co. in Tacoma, a family business that thrived for decades. She died Nov. 12, 2023, at age 91.
Rena Bott Merithew ’62, 83, of Olympia, Wash., died October 10, 2023. A social worker in the Tacoma and Olympia communities, she started the Social Services Department at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, where she served for 26 years. She also spearheaded the creation of Sunshine House, on-site housing for families of children receiving cancer treatment. Her husband, Robyn Merithew ’64, predeceased her.
Dave Charles Temby ’62 died Oct. 20, 2023. He was 83 and lived in Kent, Wash. He served as a King County sheriff’s deputy, then spent most of his career as a construction electrician in the Seattle area; he worked on projects for Boeing, Sound Transit, and Renton Water Treatment Facilities, among others.
Carol Nance Evans ’63 of Tacoma died Oct. 25, 2023, at age 82. After studying sociology at Puget Sound, she spent a career at Goodwill Industries, training clients and helping them acquire job skills and confidence for entering the workforce.
We received word in December 2023 of the death of Dallas M. Purnell ’63 of Blaine, Wash. He was a chemistry major at Puget Sound.
Jean Hallwyler Shaw ’63, ’65 of Fort Worth, Texas, died Aug. 16, 2023, at age 81. She spent many years as an elementary school educator, primarily throughout Washington state and the Micronesia American public school systems.
Tom E. Riley ’64 earned a business administration degree from Puget Sound, then worked for Weyerhaeuser Company at several mills and traveled extensively for Weyerhaeuser in the Far East. Riley, who retired in 2003, died July 31, 2023, in University Place, Wash., at age 82.
James Vadheim ’64 died Nov. 20, 2023, at age 81. At Puget Sound he majored in biology and was active in Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He was a teacher in the Lakewood, Wash., area; he and a colleague kicked off High Country Northwest, a program modeled after Outward Bound. He lived in Fircrest, Wash.
We learned in October 2023 of the death of Frank E. Ward III ’64 of Bellingham, Wash.
Clare C. Roetcisoender DeVine ’65, a longtime resident of Fircrest, Wash., died Oct. 7, 2023, at the age of 94. She had worked in nursing and as a nursing instructor for many years.
Keith C. Jangard ’65 of Tacoma died Sept. 3, 2023. He was 83. At Puget Sound, he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity; after graduating, he traveled across the globe maintaining planes for Boeing, then worked in real estate and property management. Later he established a general contractor business, building and remodeling homes in the Tacoma area.
Peter K. Skarbo ’65 of Westport, Mass., died Nov. 27, 2023, at age 81. A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was an instructor at the Trident Nuclear Submarine Great Lakes Training Center. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as a programmer for Alaska Option Services Corporation in Anchorage; started his own electronic services company, E*T, Inc.; and worked as an IT consultant supporting ATM and point-of-sale systems in the U.S. and other countries.
We received word in August 2023 of the death of John G. Finch ’67 of Seattle. He was a biology major at Puget Sound.
Jerry V. Ramsey ’67 of Gig Harbor, Wash., a longtime teacher and historian, died April 11, 2023. He was 82. He had master’s and doctoral degrees and taught at all levels, from elementary school to graduate school, for 30 years. He also authored a book about local history called Stealing Puget Sound.
Oscar Franklin Chambers Sr. ’69 of Tacoma died Nov. 17, 2023, at age 92. He was an educator for 30 years, as well as a member, elder, and pastor of Central Church of Christ.
Paula McMakin Franklin ’69 died Oct. 30, 2023. She was 76 and lived in Steilacoom, Wash. She taught at numerous schools over the course of her career, retiring in 2021.
Margaret Sellers Stroh ’69 died Sept. 15, 2023. She earned a degree in education (along with her mother, Louise Sellers ’69) and taught in elementary schools until her retirement in 2006. She was 77 and lived in Lakewood, Wash.
Thomas F. Kneeshaw ’70 of Colfax, Wash., died Nov. 19, 2023, at age 75. He had a varied career, including work in retail with Lucky Stores, farming and ranching, selling Apple computers, and economic development and grant writing. Among his survivors is wife Brenda Bodmer Kneeshaw ’70.
We learned in October 2023 of the death of William E. Smith ’72 of Olympia, Wash. He had a degree in political science from Puget Sound.
Kathryn C. Foxfreitas Butzerin MPA’74 of Seattle died Oct. 22, 2023, at the age of 85. She was a teacher, administrator, and master gardener.
Randy C. Hinds ’74 died Aug. 29, 2023. He was 74 and lived in Marietta, Ga. He spent his career in the Army, serving in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart, and retiring with the rank of colonel after 31 years. He then spent 18 years in administration at Kennesaw State University.
We learned in August 2023 of the death of Evelyn L. Masley ’74, MPA’75, of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Susan Jane Hume Dymock ’76 died Nov. 2, 2023. She was 69 and lived in Hamilton, New Zealand. She was a recognized specialist in literacy and dyslexia; she founded and directed the Hamilton Children’s Reading Centre, where more than 500 students learned to read at no cost.
We learned in November of the death of Aileen M. MacCormack ’77 of Bellevue, Wash. She was a psychology major at Puget Sound.
Ruth M. Caswell ’77, MEd’80 of Chehalis, Wash., died Aug. 7, 2023. She was 88. She taught education at Western Illinois University and Texas Woman’s University. She also was a musician, as well as a philatelist and co-founder of the Seattle Philatelic Exhibition, or SEAPEX.
Glenn V. Bandy ’79 of Ellensburg, Wash., died Nov. 21, 2023, at age 67. He was a ski instructor with the Junior Nordic Program at Snoqualmie Pass for 32 years and served as president of the Ellensburg Cross Country Ski Club.
Martin G. Boyesen MBA’80 of Sioux Falls, S.Dak., died Aug. 13, 2023. He was 77. He served in the Army and later worked at D.A.Y. in New York City and Tektronix in Oregon.
Mary E. Gustafson ’82 died Nov. 24, 2022, at age 62. She lived in Mission, Texas, and was a bird guide and field biologist in the Rio Grande Valley.
Dena L. Weisgerber Ochs ’82 died Oct. 20, 2023. She was 64 and lived in Sarasota, Fla. She was a human resource personnel specialist for 36 years, serving at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard; at Fort Ord, Calif.; and for the Federal Aviation Administration in Seattle; among other locations.
We learned in November 2023 of the death of David M. Danielson MBA’83 of Lake Forest Park, Wash.
We learned in December 2023 of the death of Teri A. Patterson ’84 of Allyn, Wash. She was a business administration graduate of Puget Sound.
Suzanne M. Shepherd ’85 of Glen Burnie, Md., died Aug. 23, 2023. She was 60. She spent her career with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and its successor, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, working in Portland, Ore.; Atlanta; the training academy near Brunswick, Ga.; and the agency headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Shanda Leone Lowery-Sachs ’94 died of cancer at the age of 51 on Nov. 14, 2023. A music major at Puget Sound, she won positions in both the Virginia Symphony and the Rochester (N.Y.) Philharmonic, then found her home in the viola section of the Detroit Symphony. She also worked with young violists in the Detroit area schools and taught privately.
Allison Weiss ’00 died of cancer Oct. 21, 2023, in Turnerville, Wyo. She was 47. She had a bachelor’s in music from Puget Sound and two master’s degrees; she worked for Episcopalian, Catholic, and Methodist nonprofit organizations, two educational institutions, and four technology companies.
Stephanie Deliganis ’02 earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Puget Sound and went on to get a master’s; she was working on a doctorate when she fell ill. She worked in preschools and with young children when her health allowed. She died of cancer June 20, 2023, in Shoreline, Wash., at age 43. Among her survivors are two Loggers: her father, Sam Deliganis ’75, P’98, P’02, and sister, Zoe Deliganis ’98.
Cesare Bigolin ’19 of Bassano del Grappa, Italy, died in a motorcycle accident near Santorso, Italy, on Nov. 24, 2023. He was 27. At Puget Sound, he was a history major and worked as a peer advisor; after graduation he worked as a legal consultant.
Faculty, Staff, and Friends
Ellen Carruth, director of the Master of Education program from 2019–22, died in August 2023. She helped shepherd the MEd program toward accreditation and is remembered for the mentoring she offered students.
Cal McConnell, a Methodist bishop who served on the Puget Sound Board of Trustees from 1988–96, died Nov. 28 in Portland, Ore., at age 94. He was a strong voice for LGBTQ inclusion in the Methodist Church and leaves a legacy of “joyful ministry,” according to a news release.
Melvin G. Talbert, the first Methodist bishop to officiate a same-sex wedding in the church, died Aug. 3, 2023, in Nashville. He was known for his work on racial justice and LGBTQ advocacy. He had a law degree from Puget Sound and was a former university trustee. He was 89.