Pernell Roberts Was at Tech Before the Ponderosa Pernell Roberts, Cls 50, who more than a decade before setting foot on the Ponderosa as Adam Cartwright on the television series Bonanza walked across the Tech Tower lawn on his way to class, died of pancreatic cancer Jan. 24 at his home in Malibu, Calif. At 81 years old, he was the last surviving member of the popular Western's original cast. Born in Waycross, Ga., Pernell Elven Roberts Jr., a member of the 1946 freshman class, enlisted in the Marines in 1948. He attended the University of Maryland on the GI Bill but left his studies to join the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. He later moved to New York, where he found work on and off Broadway and in 1956 won the Drama Desk Award for playing the title role in a production of Macbeth. Mr. Roberts set out for Hollywood in 1957, soon landing parts in television and film, including the 1959 Western Ride Lonesome, which starred another Georgia
include his son Robert B. "Brad" VanTassel Jr., ChE 77. Arthur B. Ward III, EE 57, of Tallahassee, Fla., on Dec. 23. Mr. Ward retired from the state of Florida as an electrical engineer in computer program design. He received a master's degree from Rutgers University and was a member of the Gulf Winds Track Club and the Economics Club of Florida.
Terrell H. "Ted" Yon Jr., AE 52, IE 56, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Jan. 24. Mr. Yon worked with Plantation Pipe Line, Lockheed Aircraft, Avco Aerospace, North American Rockwell and RCA Aerospace. A member of the Experimental Aircraft Association for more than 50 years and an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, he designed and constructed experimental aircraft in retirement.
Tech alumnus, Randolph Scott, Cls 23. He joined Bonanza as big brother to Hoss and Little Joe in 1959. Disappointed in the scarcity of nonwhite actors in the
chemist in the industrial and biochemical division of DuPont before becoming associated with the chemistry department of the University of Delaware. He wrote many scientific articles and held numerous patents. J o h n R o b e r t C a n a d a , PhD IE 66, a resident of Wilmington, N.C., on Jan. 20. Dr. Canada began his career at North Carolina State University in 1965, serving as a professor of industrial engineering and associate dean of engineering before retiring in 1992 and working as a labor and commercial arbitrator. Dr. Canada was the author or co-author of eight engineering textbooks and served as regional vice president and fellow of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Virginia Tech and served in the Army and the Army Reserve.
Charles Edward "Chuck" Cooper Jr.,
1960s Richard Kirven Brantley, PhD Chem 63, of Wilmington, Del., on Dec. 21. Also a graduate of the University of Virginia and Emory University, Dr. Brantley was a senior research
AE 63, MS AE 66, of Huntsville, Ala., on Dec. 2. Mr. Cooper retired from the Space and Missile Defense Command in 1991. He enjoyed woodworking, sports and NASCAR. J a m e s M. "Jim" D a v i s , EE 60, of Car-
cast, unchallenging scripts and lack of character development, he left the television show at the close of its sixth season in 1965 while it was at the height of its popularity. In 1963, Mr. Roberts told The Washington Post, "Isn't it just a bit silly for three adult males to get Father's permission for everything they do? I haven't grown at all since the series began four years ago. I have an impotent role. Everywhere I turn, there's the father image." Mr. Roberts' role was written out of the show, which ran until 1973. For the next couple of decades, he appeared on television in a slew of guest roles on such series as Gunsmoke, Hazoaii Five-O, Night Gallery and The Odd Couple before landing the lead role in the TV medical drama Trapper John, M.D., based on a character from the film and television versions of M*A*S*H, The show aired from 1979 to 1986.
rollton, Texas, on Dec. 8. He worked as an electrical engineer for his father's company before deciding to go to seminary in the 1970s to become a Presbyterian minister. He served as a pastor at churches in Texas and Louisiana and retired after working as a funeral director. Before attending Tech, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, he earned a bachelor of arts degree from Rhodes College. Carl Bernard D r e e s Jr., ChE 65, MS ChE 71, PhD ChE 72, of San Rafael, Calif., on Nov. 26. A member of Chi Psi, he moved to California to join Chevron Overseas Petroleum. Dr. Drees worked for Chevron for 30 years, most recently in international human resources. David V. F e t t e r s , IM 65, of San Francisco, on Oct. 28. He retired from the Navy. A participant in the co-op program at Tech, Dr. Fetters received a doctor of medicine degree from Emory University in 1969. R a y m o n d Earl Fulghum, EE 66, of Houston, on Jan. 7. Also a graduate of the University of Houston, he worked for many years for Houston Lighting & Power Corp., MD Anderson Cancer Center and The Home Depot.
March/April 2010
Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine
81