STAFF
For more than two decades, Peggy Carbone was a fixture of Puget Sound’s Catering Services. At the beginning of her career, she worked part-time as a cashier in The Diner and later as a cook. In 1997, she began working full time and became catering coordinator in 2006. Puget Sound Chaplain Dave Wright ‘96 said in a November email to the campus community that Peggy helped “ensure that thousands of campus events were well-supported and attendees were well-fed.” She died on Nov. 15, after a prolonged illness. A funeral was held for her on Nov. 20, and the Puget Sound community gathered in her memory in Rasmussen Rotunda six days later.
ALUMNI
Masaye Jinguji Fujita ’40, Hon.’40 died in Colorado on May 19. She was 100. A native of Tacoma, she attended Puget Sound and was a member of the Adelphian Concert Choir before she met and married Jonathan Fujita, a minister, in 1941. The two sailed to Japan just months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and were swept up in wartime efforts. Jonathan was drafted into the Japanese navy, and Masaye lived with his parents and endured much negative treatment for being an American citizen in Japan. Her obituary indicates “authorities and locals made life difficult.” All the while, she was oblivious to her family’s experiences back home in Tacoma. Jonathan and Masaye had four children, and the family moved to Denver, Colo., in 1959. Over the next 30 years, Jonathan served churches in California and Pennsylvania, and the family moved frequently. Masaye is remembered as a dedicated minister’s wife, church member, musician, hostess, and cook.
Sylvia Langdon ’43 died on April 30 at the age of 96. She attended Puget Sound and went on to become a social worker.
Betty Armour Thackrey ’45 passed away on July 19 at the age of 93. She grew up in Spanaway, Wash., and graduated from Lincoln High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Puget Sound. At the university, she worked for ASUPS and became a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Betty went on to earn a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Washington and worked for Boeing on the Boemarc and Gapa missile projects. She later taught junior-high and high school math in the Seattle area.
Rosemary Mansfield Gianelli ’45, a native of Portland, Ore., passed away on Sept. 24. She was 94. Rosemary graduated from Aquinas Academy (now part of Tacoma’s Bellarmine Preparatory School) and attended Puget Sound, where she was a member of the Alphi Phi sorority. She married Thomas Gianelli ’45 in 1944, and the couple moved with their children to California, where Thomas began a medical practice. They returned to the Northwest in 1963 and finished raising and educating their children. Thomas retired in 1983. Rosemary is preceded in death by Thomas and her daughter, Mary. She is survived by her other children and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Catharine Cooney Morgan ’47 died on Sept. 7 at the age of 94. Born in Pasco, Wash., Catharine grew up in Seattle and attended Puget Sound, where she was a member of the Adelphian Concert Choir. She went on to become a church musician and travel agent.
Konnie Espeland Keyes ’49 passed away in Bellevue, Wash., on Oct. 19. She was 91. Born and raised in Tacoma, she graduated from Stadium High School and attended Puget Sound, where she met Russell Keyes ’49. The two married and had four children. She and Russell celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary before Russell died in July 2009.
Rose Carbone Zelensky ’50, ’51 died on Aug. 16, six weeks after her 89th birthday. Born and raised in Tacoma, she earned two bachelor’s degrees from Puget Sound. She earned a degree in English in 1950 and a degree in teaching the following year. While at the university, she was also a founding member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Rose became a teacher and worked in the Tacoma, Yelm, and Seattle public school districts for more than 30 years.
Doris Lavorato Allmer ’50, ’51 passed away in her home in October after battling several chronic health issues for months. She earned bachelor’s degrees in home economics and education from Puget Sound and a Master of Arts degree from Central Washington University. She became an educator in the Rochester and Clover Park school districts in Washington. Doris is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Allmer ’57.
Joan Mooney Rowe ’50, a native of Lakewood, Wash., died on Aug. 10. She was 89. Joan earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Puget Sound, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, and became a primary-school teacher at Medina Elementary School in Bellevue, Wash. She traveled the world with her first husband, Jack Huston, and the couple had three sons. She returned to Washington in 1968 and began helping refugee students at Bellevue Senior High learn English. After 11 years, she began traveling again but returned to Washington in the 1980s. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Washington and worked as a librarian at Medina Elementary. She retired in 1989 and moved to San Juan Island.
Reed Sargent ‘51, a Tacoma native and U.S. Army veteran, passed away suddenly on Sept. 28. He was 88. Reed earned a bachelor’s degree in speech from Puget Sound and spent 32 years as a teacher in the Seattle school district.
Roger Covert ’52 died in Stanwood, Wash., on Oct. 9. He was 91. Born and raised in Everett, Wash., Roger graduated from Everett High School before joining the U.S. Navy and deploying in 1945 during World War II. He completed his service and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Puget Sound. He worked as a teacher, coach, and administrator for many years.
William Norton ’52 died on Oct. 31 after a fight against cancer. He was 88. Born and raised in Tacoma, William graduated from Stadium High School. He attended Puget Sound and the University of Washington before serving in the U.S. Air Force and being stationed in Germany. Upon returning stateside, he began a career with the Washington State Patrol and spent 11 years patrolling Snoqualmie Pass. He retired in 1984 and was later elected Island County Sheriff, which he served for four years.
Robert Rieflin ’52 passed away suddenly on Oct. 17 at the age of 88. Born and raised in Tacoma, Robert graduated from Stadium High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Puget Sound. He was a member of the Logger track and field team and Kappa Sigma fraternity. Six years after graduating, he married Olive Ann Alldredge and had four children.
Beverly Warner Rush ’52, P’77 died peacefully in her home on Sept. 16. She was 88. Beverly graduated from Tacoma’s Stadium High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Puget Sound, where she joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She met Ray Rush ’52 at the university, and the two married the year they graduated. Beverly became an authority on textile arts, an accomplished artist, and a published author of books and many articles in art periodicals. She is preceded in death by Ray and survived by her daughter and four grandsons.
Joanne Lowry Poage ’53, a Tacoma native and elementary school teacher, died on July 30 at 86. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Puget Sound, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, worked for ASUPS, and met Donald Poage ‘51, whom she would marry after graduating. Joanne taught kindergarten and first grade and traveled the country with Donald as he completed his service and medical training with the U.S. Public Health Service. She, Donald, and their three children eventually settled in Coos Bay, Wash. Joanne is survived by her husband, children, and seven grandchildren.
Beverly Nelson Kilkenny ’55 died on June 1 at the age of 85. Born and raised in Tacoma, she attended Puget Sound, where she joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She later moved to Kansas and was a founding member of the Church of the Nativity Parish in Leawood, Kan.
Jim Miller ’56 passed away on May 25 at the age of 86. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Puget Sound, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After graduating, Jim began working at Seafirst Corporation. He went on to work at Bank of America and retired from his position as senior vice president.
Marian Roberts Klosterhoff ’56 died on July 13. She was 83. Marian attended Puget Sound and was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
Vincent Schaefer ’56 passed away on July 24 in Medina, Minn. He was 86. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s University in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army before attending Puget Sound.
William Stavig ’56 died on Sept. 23 at the age of 87. Born and raised in Tacoma, William graduated from Lincoln High School before marrying Pat, his high school sweetheart, and being drafted into the U.S. Army. In 1952 he was stationed at Camp Roberts in California and served in New Mexico before returning home. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Puget Sound, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He and Pat moved to Richland, Wash., where he began a career as a nuclear engineer at General Electric. The couple had three children. William retired in 1993 and moved with his wife to Redmond, Wash.
Alfred Aube ’58 passed away on Sept. 29 at the age of 85. Born in Michigan, he moved with his family to the Northwest in the 1940s. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army during the post-Korean War era. Upon completing his service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Puget Sound and became a teacher in the Bethel School District. He taught for 26 years before opening a business—Aube’s Woodland Nursery and Landscaping—with his wife, Virginia.
Joan Carlson ’58 died last summer. Born in Oakland, Calif., she moved with her family to Tacoma at a young age. She graduated from Lincoln High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Puget Sound. She worked in laboratory management at St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia, Wash., and retired in 2004 from the Washington State Department of Health.
Geraldine Frick Oxley ’58 died on Aug. 21 in Illinois, one month after her 82nd birthday. She grew up in Japan and graduated from Tokyo American High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in education from Puget Sound. She became a teacher at Our Saviour Grade School in Jacksonville, Ill.
Jerry White ’61, M.Ed.’68, passed away on Sept. 10 from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 82. Jerry was born in Nebraska and moved to Tacoma with his family. He graduated from Lincoln High School and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his service, he moved back to Tacoma, graduated from Puget Sound with a bachelor’s degree in history, and married Diane Crippen ’61. Jerry taught at Cascade Middle School in Auburn, Wash., for nearly 40 years, taking a brief break from 1963 to 1965 to join the Peace Corps and teach in Tanzania.
Nicholas Johnson ’62 passed away at his home in Auburn, Wash., on Oct. 26. He was 78. The Tacoma native and longtime dentist attended Puget Sound, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, before earning his doctorate in dentistry from the University of Washington. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years before completing his orthodontic residency in Seattle. He is survived by Deette Slater Johnson ’63, his wife of 56 years.
Joanne Peterson Cook ’62, ’63, a lifelong Tacoma resident and Stadium High School graduate, died on Aug. 15. She earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Puget Sound, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and worked for The Trail and Tamanawas. She spent her occupational therapy career working with children in elementary schools. Joanne married Stuart Cook in 1963 and had two daughters.
Thomas Sobottka ’62, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and college administrator, died on Oct. 1. He was 79. A Seattle native, Thomas graduated from Franklin High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Puget Sound, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Air Force ROTC. He later earned a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington. Thomas served in the U.S. Air Force in Majorca, Spain, as a radar officer and navigator and, after leaving active duty, served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. In civilian life, he worked as an administrator at multiple community colleges in Washington.
Patricia Grubisa Johnson ’63 passed away on Aug. 3 at the age of 77. A Tacoma native, she graduated from Puget Sound with a bachelor’s degree in literature and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She also met Edward Johnson ’62, and the two married and had three children. Patricia became an English teacher and taught in Tacoma before moving to Cannon Beach, Ore., with her family. While there, she opened Framian, an art gallery featuring local artists and framing business. She moved to Portland in 1988 to pursue arts promotion work and became sales manager at the Heathman Hotel before opening A&E Tax Service.
Gail Bristol ’64 died in Florida on June 4. She was 76. Gail earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Puget Sound, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She became a teacher and retired from Yulee Middle School in Florida.
Robert Hofeditz ’64, a Tacoma native, died on Aug. 5. He was 80. Robert attended the University of Washington and was a member of the Huskies baseball team, which won the Pacific Coast Conference Northern Division title in 1959. The team also went on to be the first Huskies squad to qualify for the NCAA Baseball Regionals, falling just one game short of the College World Series. Robert later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Puget Sound and went on to work in business at Mar-Com International.
Nancy Cary Peloquin ’64 passed away on Aug. 18 at the age of 76. Born in Seattle, she grew up in Yakima, Wash., and returned to Western Washington for college. Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Puget Sound and became a business representative for numerous phone companies. In retirement, she enjoyed quilting and lived with her husband, Paul, in Vancouver, Wash.
Dale Langley ’66 passed away in Oregon on Sept. 12, five weeks after his 82nd birthday. Born in Spokane, Wash., Dale graduated from high school in Germany before earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Puget Sound. He coached and taught health and physical education at Binnsmead Middle School (now Harrison Park School) in Portland, Ore., for 26 years.
Nancy Emerson Holl ’67 died on Oct. 20 after an eight-year fight against ovarian cancer. She was 73. Born in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., Nancy attended Burlington-Edison High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Puget Sound, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She was an elementary school teacher in Merced, Calif., and Lynnwood, Wash., but moved back to Lake Samish, Wash., to raise her two sons with her husband, Michael, who preceded her in death.
Kenneth Lake ’67 died in California on Aug. 18. He was 94. A California native, Kenneth served in the U.S. Army for 22 years and was stationed throughout the South Pacific during World War II. He also performed intelligence and counterintelligence duties in Germany, Japan, and Vietnam before retiring in 1966. Following his service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Puget Sound and a master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California. He returned to federal government work for 21 years and retired again in 1988 as deputy director of information management for I Corps at what was then Fort Lewis.
Jack Ancich ’69 passed away in Tacoma on Aug. 12. He was 72. Born in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood, he graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory School and attended Puget Sound. He began his career in the automotive aftermarket as a manufacturer’s representative, and in 1983 he started his own business, Trans Western Marketing, which he developed into an international company. He enjoyed running it until his death.
Lillian Warnick ’69, M.Ed.’73, passed away on Oct. 21 at the age of 84. A child of Lithuanian Jewish immigrant parents, Lillian was raised in Bellingham, Wash., and graduated from Bellingham High School. She attended the University of Washington, where she met Jack Warnick. The two married during her sophomore year and started a family in Tacoma. Lillian restarted her studies at Puget Sound and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and theatre arts. She was an English teacher before returning to Puget Sound as part of a graduate program for women. She worked as an education administrator for Tacoma Public Schools and Tacoma Community College for 25 years. During that time, she also earned a doctorate in organizational leadership.
Lenora Newman Longfellow ‘72 passed away on Aug. 8 at the age of 88. A Texas native, she married Dale Longfellow, a member of the U.S. Air Force, in 1950. The couple moved to Tacoma with their two daughters after his retirement. She began working at the Tacoma Police Department and earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Puget Sound. She went on to work as a federal civil service employee of the U.S. Navy at the Bremerton Shipyard.
Gladys Campbell ’73 died on July 20 at the age of 85. She attended Puget Sound.
Glen Macy ’73 died in Oregon on Oct. 26. He was 67. Glen graduated from McMinnville High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Puget Sound, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Patricia Clifford ‘74 died on Aug. 18. She was 92. Patricia was born in Seattle and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Puget Sound.
David Turner ’74 died in Mukilteo, Wash., on Aug. 26. He was 66. David graduated from Cascade High School in Everett, Wash., in 1970, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Puget Sound, where he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After college, he held leadership positions at numerous banks, eventually retiring from First Heritage Bank as a construction loan manager.
Spencer Nelson ’76 passed away on Sept. 11 after a decades-long fight with multiple sclerosis. He was 71. Born and raised in Tacoma, Spencer served in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1969 before returning home and beginning a career with the King County police department. During that time, he earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Puget Sound. He worked for the department for many years and retired as a sergeant of detectives in the Homicide and Major Crimes Unit.
Sesinando Cantor M.B.A.’78 passed away on March 13 at the age of 79. Born in the Philippines, he was an attorney before immigrating to the United States in the 1970s. He earned his M.B.A. and CPA license and went on to work for Microsoft, ENI, and the city of Seattle before opening his own CPA practice.
June Milette M.B.A.’84 died on Oct. 22 after battling multiple sclerosis for many years. She was 88. Born in Aberdeen, Wash., June graduated from Annie Wright Schools and attended the University of Oregon and the University of Washington before earning her master’s degree in business administration from Puget Sound. She taught business classes at multiple Seattle high schools before retiring from Roosevelt High School.
PARENTS
During the 2018–19 football season, Loggers wore green-and-gold stickers on their helmets to commemorate Paul Wallrof P’80, a beloved legend within the Puget Sound football program. Paul, known to many as “Big Wally,” coached Loggers for nearly two decades between 1966 and 1985. The sport wasn’t just a passion of his; it quite literally saved him, he said in a 2005 Arches piece. Paul, a Seattle native, graduated from Seattle’s Cleveland High School, where he admits he underperformed on the football team and academically. He began a mind-numbing job at a furniture store and learned quickly that he wanted something better. He enrolled at Everett Junior College and joined the football team. The coach forced him to attend classes. He did well enough to transfer to the University of Washington, but not before being drafted by the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952. He continued playing football for Marine teams and completed his service months after the Korean War ended. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from UW in 1958 and taught and coached in Seattle public schools before coming to Puget Sound as an assistant football coach in 1966. The job was “a dream come true,” he said in the Arches piece. Seven years later, he became the program’s head coach and led the Loggers to a 31-18-1 record from 1973 to 1978. Paul was inducted into the Puget Sound Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005 and recognized for his teams’ winning records and his role as a mentor to his players. At the 2005 induction ceremony, former Puget Sound Director of Athletics Doug McArthur ’53 noted that no coach has been as cherished by his players as Paul was. “Wallrof was loved,” Doug said. During Homecoming and Family Weekend in September, more than 100 alumni and former Puget Sound football players from the four decades of the university’s Green-and-Gold era gathered in Rasmussen Rotunda to remember the legendary coach who many said profoundly affected their lives after graduation. Paul continued to coach youth football on Vashon Island well into his 70s. He died in August.