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School of Nursing alumna Joan Van Hoomissen O’Neill ’52, who passed away in September 2009, has left a $61,728 gift to the University through her estate. The gift is designated to the School of Nursing’s Harriet Jeckel Osburn Endowed Scholarship Fund. Joan’s gift will benefit deserving nursing majors, both undergraduate and graduate, especially those in teaching or leadership tracks. We are humbled and grateful for the generosity of Joan and her late husband, John O’Neill, and that of her family. Our prayers and condolences for their loss. 50 YEAR CLUB Dr. George Nicolas Corti ’41 passed away on September 3, 2010, in Milwaukie, Ore. He had recently suffered the loss of his wife Marie on April 12, 2010. Survivors include his daughters, Kathleen M. ’74 and Susan M.; and sons Tom ’77 and William. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be welcome to the Corti Family Scholarship established by Dr. Corti at the University of Portland. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Colleen Stupfel, wife of Frank J. Stupfel ’44, passed away on April 2, 2010, in Portland, Ore. Survivors include Frank, her husband of 63 years; children, Pat Zepp, John Stupfel, Anne Fernando, Jeffy Stupfel, Meg Griswold, Mark Stupfel, Irene Lavelle, and Matt Stupfel; brother, Jerry Heideman; 21 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many, many nieces and nephews. Our prayers and condolences to the family. We heard recently from Peter Van Hoomissen ’46, who wants to take a guess as to the identity of our autumn 2010 mystery faculty member: “This is not a ‘best guess’ but actually a fact that the man in the photo on page 40 is Paul Wack, Ph.D., Notre Dame. He certainly deserves the recognition for all his efforts on campus over the years. I should know as he is my brother-in-law.” Hmm, well, we didn’t say family were excluded, so yes, you’re right Peter, it’s Dr. Wack, and you’ll get no argument that he deserves the recognition. Thanks for writing. Robert Charters ’46 passed away on August 15, 2010. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; sister, Jean Van Hoomissen; brother, George Charters ’40;
children, Bill, Robin, Jean, John, and Chris; and 14 grandchildren. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Catherine M. O’Donnell O’Keefe ’48 passed away on August 2, 2010, in Fairview, Ore. She specialized in geriatric nursing throughout her life. Survivors include sons, Michael, Kevin, Terrence, Patrick, Daniel, and Eugene; daughter, Margaret; 17 grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren. Her husband Gene and daughter Teresa Anne predeceased her. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Lee Thomas “Tom” Witty ’49 passed away on September 9, 2010. Tom was a teacher for many years at Wilson High School. Survivors include his daughters, Sharan Lee Farley and Nancy Jean Brownlow. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Frank E. Taylor ’49 passed away on October 10, 2010, in Vancouver, Wash. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Michael W. Tichy ’50 passed away on October 31, 2010, in Portland, Ore. He was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers but had to forgo his dream to serve his country in World War II. In the 1950s he was hired by the University of Portland and served as director of health and physical education, and coached baseball and basketball. From 1952 to 1956, his men’s tennis team won a record 79 straight match wins. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Anna Mae ’54; daughters, Marie and Theresa Ann ’84; son, Paul; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His sons, Eugene and William, predeceased him. Our prayers and condolences to the family.
N O T E S Max Freshley ’51 writes: “There is no mystery here. Without a doubt, the mystery faculty photo for autumn 2010 is my physics professor, Dr. Paul Wack. I would like to wish him the best.” Thanks Max, that’s him for sure, and we’ll pass along your regards. James Thomas Hartford, M.D. ’51, passed away on August 10, 2010, at his home in Portland, Ore. Orphaned as a child, James excelled in academics and athletics through a succession of orphanages, and attended the University of Portland on a full football scholarship. After military service and medical school he began his 40-year career as a pediatrician in Beaverton and Tigard, Ore. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, the Rev. Christine Riley; children, Ruth, Joyce, John, Molly, Timothy, Ryan, Nathan, and Elizabeth; and siblings, Nadine, Howard, Daniel, Mary, Patrick, and Geri. Our prayers and condolences to all. John Becic ’52 reports that the 17th annual Croatians and Friends golf tournament—the legendary Adriatic Open—in July at Portland’s Broadmoor golf course raised some $10,000 for Saint Patrick’s Church in the city’s Slabtown neighborhood, from which so many University men came. Thanks, John. The Slabtown Boys, we observe with admiration, meet monthly for breakfast, often at the McMenamin’s tavern on 23rd Street. Call Doug Hansen at (503) 943-8008 in the University’s development office for information if you want to pop in. The more the merrier, say the Slabtown Boys, and they mean it. Keith Caldwell ’52 passed away on January 6, 2010, in Fremont, Calif. An accomplished poet, Keith had a long career as a teacher in Idaho and California. Survivors, all of whom deeply miss his unparalleled wit and bottomless stories, include his wife of 56 years, Joan; children, Lesli, Christopher, Mitch, Mark, Kevin, Lisa, and Laura; brother, Larry; and 19 grandchildren. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Kenneth T. Underdahl ’52 ’63 passed away on May 24, 2010, in Lake Oswego, Ore. His long career as an administrator included a stint on the staff of Governor Tom McCall in the 1970s; the committees he served included the Law Enforcement Council, the Governor’s Commission on Organized Crime, and the Governor’s Management Council. In 1974, he was appointed by McCall
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as the administrator for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, serving for five years. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Audrey; brother, Herbert; children, Sally, Dana, Louise, Gretchen, Randi, and Rees; and 17 grandchildren. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Forrest “Frosty” A. Siemroth ’54 passed away on August 17, 2010, in Coos Bay, Ore. After serving during the Korean War, he taught for 20 years in the Portland Public Schools system, and in the summers he would run a charter fishing business, Frosty’s Charters. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Rose; daughters Martha and Clare; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Our prayers and condolences to the family. We heard recently from Gil Frey ’54, who is 100 percent committed to preserving Portland’s Memorial Coliseum—a building erected as a veteran’s memorial, he points out, honoring those who have served and died for their country. Diane Schafer ’55 passed away on September 24, 2010. She worked as a nurse in Portland and then owned and operated a printing business in Seaside, Ore. Survivors include her husband Joe; daughter, Maureen; brothers, Ray and Paul; stepson, Joseph; and beloved cat, Duncan. Our prayers and condolences. Theodore Arnold Peterschmidt ’55 passed away on October 8, 2010 in Silverdale, Wash. He was the son of longtime University of Portland controller Arnold Peterschmidt. He was an Air Force fighter jet pilot from 1955 to his discharge in 1958, then worked for Keyport Naval Station until 1988. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Joanne (Welp) ’57; children, Arnold, Caroline, Teresa, Timothy, Mark, Alice, and Christopher; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters Ann Brooks and Mary Jo Levy; and big brother, William. Our prayers and condolences. Raymond John Arrigotti ’56 passed away on May 31, 2010, at his Portland home, surrounded by his family. Raymond served in the U.S. Air Force and reserves for 20 years, retiring as a major. He worked at the Bonneville Power Administration for 31 years, and was a Scoutmaster for 16 years. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Marylu; brother, Martin; son, George; daughters, Raemarie, Laureen, and Coralynn; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchil-