Grove City College Robert A. Geer ’53 died March 3, 2015. He was a World War II Army veteran living in St. Petersburg, Fla. Surviving are his wife, Ruth, a stepson, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Robert J. Patrick ’53 died Nov. 28, 2013. He taught at Gowanda, N.Y.,’s Central School, then became their guidance counselor until retirement. He was an Army veteran. Surviving are five children, nine grandchildren, six greatgrandchildren and three siblings. Marilyn (Maddox) Salem ’53 died July 25, 2014. A nurse, she and her husband opened Enviro Paint and later Salem Realty in Whitehouse, N.J. They moved to Naples, Fla., and were founding members of their church. She was an avid knitter. Surviving are four children, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a brother. Dr. Kenneth J. Samara ’53 died Feb. 27, 2015. He had been the director of guidance and curriculum coordinator at Ephrata (Pa.) Area School District. He also taught at local colleges. He was a Mason and NEA member who enjoyed golfing and the beach. He served in the Army during the Korean War. Surviving are his wife, Carol, two sons and four grandchildren.
range and par-three golf course. The Navy veteran liked all things nautical and enjoyed music. Survivors include his wife, Marie, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, nephews and nieces. Jane (Dick) Mead ’54 died April 14, 2015. She worked for many years in U.S. Intelligence in Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Jacksonville, Fla. She was active in her church and traveled the U.S. and Europe with her husband, James. He survives, along with three children and seven grandchildren. R. Colleen Adams ’55 died Jan. 19, 2015. She taught Spanish and English for 30 years at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa. She traveled extensively and was an accomplished artist working in ceramics and porcelain. Most recently, she lived in North Port, Fla. Surviving are two siblings, nieces and nephews. F. Robert Coe Jr. ’55 died June 4, 2014. He had a lifelong career in data processing. He also was an accomplished photographer and a 50-year Mason. He lived in Delaware, Ohio. Survivors include his wife, Pat, and two sons.
Veterans Last Salute March.” He wrote music until the day he passed away. Survivors include a son. John R. Stowe Jr. ’57 died May 31, 2013. He lived in Altamonte Springs, Fla. William W. Baker ’58 died March 6, 2015. He lived in Fredonia, N.Y., where taught high school social studies from 1958 until retirement. He then worked in financial services. He held many positions at his church, including treasurer, and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Surviving are a son, daughter Julie (Baker ’89) Alley and three grandchildren.
Arthur A. Zarzeczny ’53 died Sept. 29, 2013. He was a World War II Air Force veteran and a retired employee of Carborundum Abrasive Co., Niagara Falls, N.Y. He lived in North Tonawanda. Survivors include his wife, Vickie, two children, five grandchildren and a brother.
G. Fredrick Beal ’56 died May 22, 2015. After an early career in engineering, he switched to teaching and taught science in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. e coached sports and chess throughout his career. He retired to Palm Bay, Fla., most recently living in Satellite Beach. Surviving are his wife, Alva, two sons, four grandchildren and two siblings.
Dr. Richard B. Bennett ’54 died March 5, 2015. He lived in Greenville, Pa., and was a professor of chemistry at Thiel College from 1964 until retirement. He was Thiel’s 1995 Professor of the Year. He was a church elder and an Air Force veteran. Surviving are two sons and three grandchildren.
The Rev. Richard B. Mowry ’56 died Feb. 1, 2015. He was a retired pastor who served Pittsburgh-area churches for 40 years. He also performed magic shows, played tennis and wrote poetry. Most recently, he lived in Chardon, Ohio. Survivors include two children, grandchildren and two brothers.
Harold “Bud” Wise Jr. ’55 and his wife Marjorie (Ritchey ’54) Wise died within days of each other in April. Harold died April 13, 2015, and Marjorie passed away April 30, 2015. The couple made their home in Cochranton, Pa. After Air Force service, Harold worked with General Electric, Atlantic Refining, H.L. Moore Co., GTI and Drafto. He enjoyed all types of sports as participant, coach and spectator. Marjorie worked at Cochranton First National Bank, becoming a vice president and manager. She was involved with her church and the Professional Women’s Club. Surviving are three children, including Bradley Wise ’89; eight grandchildren, including Amanda (McCurdy ’04) McCreadie; and seven greatgrandchildren. Harold leaves six siblings, and Marjorie is survived by a brother, Thomas Ritchey ’59.
Harry J. Johnston ’54 died Feb. 26, 2015. A resident of Beaver Falls, Pa., he worked at the National Bank of Beaver County, retiring in 1985 as president and CEO. He also owned a driving
Robert R. Rice ’56 died Jan. 14, 2015. A World War II Army veteran, he was a retired band, orchestra and choral director who lived in Lakewood, Ohio. He and his son composed “The American
James S. Blair ’59 died April 11, 2015. He worked for 23 years at PPG Industries, retiring from Amaya Glaze Company in Shelby, N.C. An Air Force veteran of the
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Korean War, he lived in Shelby, was active in his church and its soup kitchen. Surviving are his wife, Mary Lou, three children, two siblings and grandchildren. Edward L. Buxton ’59 died April 1, 2015. A Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, he was a manager at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He lived in Hopkinton, N.H., and was active in veteran service groups. Surviving are five children and four grandchildren. Cheri A. Crawford ’59 died March 1, 2015. She was a retired teacher, who also was an administrator for several nursing homes in Ohio. She was active in her church, where she was a choir member, youth adviser and elder. She lived in Falls Creek, Pa. Surviving are cousins. Karl F. Heurich ’59 died May 5, 2015. He lived in Frederick, Md. He was a Coast Guard veteran, a 50-year Mason and a 30-year Shriner. He also was active with the Boy Scouts. Surviving are his wife, Wanda (Umble ’60) Heurich, two children and six grandchildren. Francis J. Kreps ’59 died Dec. 24, 2013. He taught business education before working in the life insurance industry. He lived in the Warren, Ohio, area. Surviving are three stepsons and many grandchildren. Beth (Porter) Bates ’60 died Sept. 5, 2014. She worked as a teacher for Chaffee High School in Paget Parrish, Bermuda, receiving two Outstanding Teaching Awards. She later moved to Aiken, S.C. Survivors include her husband, George, a sister, nieces and a nephew. Mary Kaye (Steltzer) Jordan ’60 died May 18, 2015. She lived in Athens, Ohio, and was a longtime faculty member in Ohio University’s Program in Intensive English. She mentored hundreds of students, and enjoyed her literary club and church activities. Survivors include her husband, Don, three sons and seven grandchildren. James P. Kielczewski ’61 died March 29, 2015. A Marine veteran, he retired from the