Lt. Colonel. He began his law career in Alaska and settled in Enumclaw, Wash. He retired from the practice of law in 1999 after serving the community for 50 years. He was active in numerous city activities, including as City Attorney for many years. He also served as a member of the board of directors, treasurer, president and chairman of the board for Mutual of Enumclaw; the board and vice chairman of First National Bank of Enumclaw; and a member of the Green River Community College Board Foundation. He loved to travel. Survivors include two sons. Ann E. Ewing ’41 of Washington, D.C., died July 24, 2010. At Ripon, she studied physics and chemistry. She then studied at the University of Chicago before joining the Navy in 1942, serving overseas as a Navy journalist until 1946. After the war, she received a pilot’s license and enjoyed flying small planes as a hobby. As a journalist, she specialized in writing about science and is thought to be the first to report on so-called “black holes” in space. She wrote from the late 1940s to the late 1960s for Science News, a publication of the Society for Science and the Public. Her specialties included astronomy, physics and medicine. After leaving Science News, she became a free-lance reporter for medical trade newspapers. In 1972, she became one of the first female journalists admitted to the National Press Club. Previously, she was a member of the Women’s National Press Club and contributed to two cookbooks by club members. She was active with civil rights and veterans groups. Jean Kratz Olson ’41 of Santa Rosa, Calif., died Oct. 10, 2010. She was born Nov. 27, 1918, in Dayton Township, Waupaca County, Wis. She lived in Wittenberg, Schofield and Madison, Wis.; Galveston, Texas; New Orleans and Monroe, La. She and her husband traveled extensively, and she retained a deep fondness for Stratton Lake in Wisconsin on which her father had built a cottage that was the source of some of her happiest memories. She was a consummate seamstress, homemaker, lover of dogs, bridge player, sports enthusiast and volunteer with various medical societies. Survivors include one son, two daughters, and a brother, Howard Kratz ’38 of Hendersonville, N.C. Phyllis Teske Downey ’43 of Indianapolis, Ind., died Dec. 25, 2009. She was born Aug. 19, 1921, in Wayside, Wis. At Ripon, she studied music and German. Survivors include two sons and one daughter. Hazel Marie Esh Francisco ’43 of Macon, Ga., died April 13, 2010. She was born in Spring Grove, Ill. She had lived in Macon since 1996 and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Survivors include two sons. Letty Brooks Weingartner ’44 of Sonora, Calif., formerly of Green Lake, Wis., died Aug. 25, 2010. She was born Aug. 2, 1922, and was one of 17 students in the 1940 graduating class of Green Lake High School. She played trombone in the Green Lake marching band, and her love of band and orchestra music endured her entire life. Among her first jobs, along with her sisters Mary and Jane, was taking tickets and ushering at the Thrasher Opera House, still located on Mill Street in Green
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Lake. This theatre was owned by her uncle, Charlie Thrasher. She attended Ripon College for one year before transferring to the nursing program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. She was commissioned a second lieutenant with the Army Nurse Corps and served at the U.S. Army’s 61st Station Hospital, in Ardenza, just south of Livorno, Italy. She later worked in a veterans’ administration hospital in Chicago and moved with her husband, Clayton, to his hometown of Butte, Mont., where she worked as a nurse until her retirement in 1985. She moved back to Green Lake in 1992, then later to Soulsbyville, Calif. She enjoyed table games and gardening. Survivors include one son and two daughters. Robert John Zentner ’44 of Frederick, Md., died July 5, 2010. He was born Nov. 26, 1922, in Monticello, Wis. His studies at Ripon were interrupted in 1944 when he was called to active duty during World War II. He served in the European Theater with the 304th Infantry as a unit commander of troops in combat. After the war, he returned to Ripon College, graduating in 1946. He went on to receive his master’s of science degree from Case Institute of Technology in 1950 and continued his studies in physics at the University of Wisconsin from 1949 to 1951. Zentner was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve from 1942 to 1953. He was recalled to active duty in 1951, during which time he was stationed at Camp Detrick as a first lieutenant with the Chemical Corps. After his discharge from active duty in 1952, he made Frederick his home and continued employment at Detrick. He served as the assistant chief and chief of the Applied Research Office, chief of the Biophysical Research Branch, and chief of the Physical Sciences Division. Robert continued his civil service as chief of the Technology Branch, U.S. Army Material Development and Readiness Command, Alexandria, Va., retiring from government service in 1980. Robert then was employed with EIA Corp. and Eyler Research Corp. in Frederick until 1992. Robert lived his life in accordance with a quote he once made in The Frederick New-Post, “making a contribution to the community through volunteer work is a fundamental element of life.” He was a member (in many instances, an officer) of the Frederick Toastmasters, Frederick County Citizens Committee for Education, Friends for Neighborhood Progress, Frederick Organization for Rehabilitation Inc., Frederick County Human Relations Council, Frederick Community Action Agency, United Way, Frederick City Soup Kitchen, Housing Authority of the City of Frederick, Maryland Association of Community Action Agencies, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Frederick County Branch NAACP, League of Women Voters, United Democrats, Frederick County Human Relations Commission, Frederick Chapter Izaak Walton League of America, and the Korean War Veterans Association. He was active for many years with All Saints Episcopal Church in many roles from registrar to vestryman and as a member of the Over the Hill Gang. He was a member of Sigma XI and recipient of many awards and citations both from his military and civilian careers and from his community involvements. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Case Zentner ’45, 7401 Willow Road, Frederick, MD 21702; one son and
one daughter; and two nephews, Jeff Bumby ’65 and Ed Bumby ’73. Harriet Emigh Wallschleger ’47 of Elizabeth City, N.C., died July 19, 2010. She was born July 8, 1924, in West Allis, Wis. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Elizabeth City Chapter 44; and Church of the Redeemer Anglican in Camden, N.C. Survivors include her husband, William L. Wallschleger Sr., 401 Dances Bay Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909; two sons and one daughter. William L. Gross ’49 of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., died Nov. 26, 2010. He was born March 29, 1924, in Milwaukee. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942, earned his pilots wings, and was primarily responsible for training pilots for bombing runs during World War II. He was discharged in 1945, attaining the rank of lieutenant. Following his military service, he studied psychology at Ripon College. He worked for 30 years as a production scheduler at Consolidated Papers. He was also actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America serving as district commissioner. In 1974, Bill received the Silver Beaver award, as presented by Miss America, in recognition of his longtime volunteer service to the organization. He and his late wife, Sally Nissen Gross ’52, were members of the Packs and Paddles Canoe Club, serving as Tripmasters several times. They also enjoyed dancing. Survivors include two sons. Wilfred A. Pagel ’49 of Fond du Lac, Wis., died May 12, 2010. He was born May 30, 1924, in Fond du Lac. At Ripon, he studied engineering. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, first as a gunnery instructor in P-39s and P-38s, and later flew P-38s in combat with the 13th Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater. He worked at Giddings & Lewis; Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Mercury Marine until retiring in 1990. He was a member of Church of Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran. Survivors include his wife, Helen Pagel, 91 Heritage Court, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. William James Erdmann ’50 of Morristown, N.J., died July 31, 2010. He was born Oct. 18, 1926, in Milwaukee. Upon graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy Signal Corps where he served during World War II. At Ripon, he studied engineering. He went on to graduate from Union Theological Seminary in New York. His ministries included service in South Orange, Saranac Lake, N.Y., Minnesota and First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood. He was a parole officer with the State of New Jersey for 20 years before retiring in 1993. During his tenure as parole officer, he founded H.O.P.E., an organization which provides housing and employment for former offenders. He was also a member of the Presbytery of the Palisades, formed by many Presbyterian Churches in the area, the New Jersey chapter of the Over the Hill Gang and the National Ski Club. Survivors include his wife, Mary, 86 Constitution Way, Morristown, NJ 07960; and two daughters. Jeanie MacNeish Neuendorf ’50 of Quincy, Mich., died Sept. 8, 2010. She was born Aug. 7, 1928, in Chicago. After attending Ripon College, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin.