C L A S S devoted his time to advocate for people with disabilities with the ARC of Southwest Washington, the state and national ARC, and PHAME Academy. Jim was active in his Catholic faith as a member of the Knights of Columbus and Eucharistic minister. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Judy; children, Joan (Dave), John ’87 (Tami), Jill ’89 (Tony), Jason, Joel ’02 (Kristen) and Joshua (Dawn); grandchildren, John Paul, Jordan, Brandon, Kelsie, Nico and Lorenzo; and great-grandchildren, Willson, Henry, and Joseph. He was kind and humble, and was always willing to offer help. Remembrances may be made to the ARC of Southwest Washington, PHAME, or Voices Unlimited. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Col. John C. “Jack” Hill ’59 died on December 28, 2015. Jack was born and grew up in Lake Oswego, Ore., and was a longtime resident of Tacoma, Wash., and Hailey, Idaho. He graduated from Central Catholic High School, University of Portland, and University of Oregon Medical School. See “Jack (John C.) Hill Remembered” on Facebook for more details on his life and passing. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Eugene “Gene” Wizer ’60 passed away on December 14, 2015. A longtime iconic Lake Oswego businessman, Gene was born into the grocery business, working alongside his father, Jim, at Wizers Fine Foods. He was not only a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, but also a man of great faith and devotion to his community. He was a member of the University of Portland Board of Regents since 1996, and in 2008, the University bestowed on him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree, in recognition of his business acumen as well as his lifelong devotion to Catholic education and community service. Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years, Janet; daughters, Sara Lamon, Suzanne Wizer, and Kim Wizer; and grandchildren, Madeline, Olivia, and Alex. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Gene Wizer to St. Vincent de Paul, Our Lady of the Lake, or the University of Portland. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Shirley Wizer ’64 passed away on Friday, February 5, 2016, in Portland, Ore. Shirley received her bachelor’s degree from Marylhurst University and later was awarded a master’s degree from the University of Portland. She was the sister of University of
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Portland regent Gene Wizer ’56 CP ’60, who died on December 15, 2015. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Oregon Symphony (921 SW Washington St. 200 Portland OR 97205), or to the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist (c/o Mother Marsha Ternes FSE P.O. Box 23 Bridal Veil OR 97010). Our prayers and condolences to the family. Ronald Schwerzler ’64 passed away on November 20, 2015. He attended Central Catholic High School, the University of Portland, and OHSU, completing his M.D. in 1968. In 1966,
N O T E S supports, has been selfless and remarkable. But we especially celebrate a man who has kept the University’s mission in his heart for his entire life. ‘To know, to love, and to serve,’ as he says himself — the essence of the University’s work, and the compass point, we hope, of every student and alumnus.” Katherine Kay Hooper ’64 passed away on January 1, 2016, in Oregon City, Ore. She attended first grade in Lewiston, Idaho, at St. Stanislaus School until mid-year, when both of her parents died unexpectedly, hours apart, of pneumonia.
In September fifteen members of the Salzburg 1967-68 group met for a mini-reunion in Salzburg, Austria. From left, lower row: Patricia Stupfel Zepp ’70, Kathy Kistner Moran ’70, Mary Kearney ’70, Judy Schilling ’70, Jacki Morton Cottrell ’69, and Laurie Ryan ’70. Back row, l-r: Bill MacDonald ’79, Bill Zepp ’69, Ben Miltner ’69, Barbara Harrington ’70, Judy Balzer Bell ’70, John McManamin ’70, Jim Connelly ’79, and Barbara Whidden Carey ’69. he married Linda Ford Schwerzler. Survivors include his wife; daughters, Angie Navarro (Jesús), Julie and Nancy Vezinet (Cedric); son, Geoff (Kate); and seven grandchildren. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Winning the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award: Joe Hollman, who was honored at this year’s State of UP event on March 1. Joe’s citation reads: “When we honor this year’s Distinguished Alumnus, we salute a man who served his country with honor in the Vietnam War, whose creativity and inventiveness changed the nature of the industry to which he has devoted his career, and whose generosity to the University of Portland, and to the three orphanages he
She and her three brothers then went to live in Grangeville, Idaho, with their maternal grandparents, who became their guardians. She spent 20 years teaching throughout Idaho and then 20 years in Portland Public Schools, retiring in 1986. She is survived by her brother Richard. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Donald Miller ’65 passed away on December 11, 2015, in his West Portland home, with immediate family members present. Don was a member of the University of Portland Pilots baseball team and was captain his senior year. He was also a founding member of Sigma Tau Omega fraternity. He began his career in the grocery industry as a
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checker at Kienow’s in Southeast Portland. After stints at Mayflower Dairy, United Grocers, and Gregg Foods, Don moved into the food brokerage business with Kelly-Clarke, Inc. Following a stint at Acosta Food Brokers, Don finished his career at Damon Worldwide, focusing on the private label division of Fred Meyer. Don was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2003, which was the major contributor to his early passing. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Elaine Miller ’67; his two sons Ric and Rodd ’89; his daughter in-law Kristen; and his grandchildren Peyton, Spencer, and Morgan. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the University of Portland Athletic Fund. Our prayers and condolences to the family. Charles “Chic” Colburn ’66 passed away on November 3, 2015, at the age of 71. Chic had his first drum lessons between his fifth and sixth grade years and didn’t put down his sticks for the next 55 years. He played with the Portland Youth Philharmonic Junior Symphony, All-Northwest Orchestra, and the band and orchestra at Jefferson High School, where he graduated in 1962. He studied music at the University of Portland and played show tunes at the Portland Civic Theater, including musicals “Bells Are Ringing” and “The Boyfriend.” He was a music teacher for many years, played Portland nightclubs, and was on the road with the Oregon Symphony, the Providence Band, and the Woody Hite Big Band. Survivors include his children, Steven Colburn and Emily Colburn Baginski (Micah); grandchildren, Isabella, Noah, Kai, and Judah Baginski; and sister, Roberta Colburn Kalibak (Bill). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oregon Symphony, where Chic bestowed his lifelong collection of drums and percussion instruments. Our prayers and condolences to the family. We heard recently from Tom Eder ’66, who writes: “This note is to inform the University that Donald J. Miller ’65 passed away in December. He was a four-year letterman in baseball and a founding member of Sigma Tau Omega fraternity. Don leaves a wife, Elaine Devlin Miller ’67, two sons, and three grandchildren.” Thank you for letting us know, Tom, and our prayers and condolences to Donald’s family and friends.