Pa., he returned to Ursinus College in 1947 and retired in 1985 as an Emeritus Professor of Health and Physical Education. His track team won two Middle Atlantic Championships and had four undefeated seasons. In one eight-year period they were 66-6 and won 30 straight meets. He guided the cross country team to a remarkable 103-22 record. Nine of his teams had winning seasons, two were undefeated and two captured Middle Atlantic Conference titles. In his later years, he was regarded as the ‘Dean of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Track Coaches.’ In 1981 he was selected as the honorary referee for the College Division of the Penn Relays. He was also inducted into the Chapel of the Four Chaplains. He is survived by his wife, Helen E. (Bosich) Gurzynski, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Professor Roger P. Staiger in 1969
Raymond V. Gurzynski 1939 Professor Emeritus Raymond V. Gurzynski, age 94, died April 22 in East Norriton, Pa., where he was a resident. In addition to teaching in the Department of Health and Physical Education, he coached football, cross country, and indoor and outdoor track at Ursinus. He received the Lindback Award for excellence in teaching, the Bruins Club Award for support of the Ursinus College athletic program, and was inducted into the Ursinus Hall of Fame for Athletes. Mr. Gurzynski graduated from Catasauqua High School and from Ursinus College in 1939 with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education. In 1944 he received a Master of Education degree from Temple University. After teaching in Norristown,
Roger P. Staiger 1943 Roger Powell Staiger, Professor Emeritus in Chemistry, died April 29, 2010 on Nevis, where he had lived in retirement with his wife of 65 years. The former Chair of the Chemistry Department was 89 years old. Dr. Staiger grew up near Trenton, N.J. After graduating from Ursinus, he was appointed an instructor in chemistry at Ursinus to teach Navy V12 students during World War II. He joined the Navy in August 1944 and was commissioned as an Ensign. He was the CIC Radar Officer and photographer on the Attack Personnel Destroyer Walter S. Gorka APD 114, and was eventually promoted to Lt. (jg) and Executive Officer. He returned to Ursinus as a chemistry instructor, and earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Staiger served as the Chair of the Chemistry Department from 1964 to 1988. In the early 1960s, he and his colleagues developed an integrated course in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, which was known as CMP. He received two National Science Foundation study grants for study at the University of North Carolina in 1957 and the Oak Ridge Institute for Nuclear Studies in 1960. Dr. Staiger was the 1962 recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. At various times during his career he performed consulting and research work for the Maumee Chemical Company, the Althouse Chemical Company, and the Pennsalt Chemical Company. His oil portrait by artist Ted Xaras hangs on the third floor of Pfahler Hall. Dr. Staiger retired from Ursinus in 1988. An active alumnus, he served as Executive Alumni Secretary at Ursinus from 1955 to 1959, and was editor of the alumni magazine during that time. Dr. Staiger and his wife, Margaret, retired to their to their summer home in Newcastle, Nevis, Leeward Islands, West Indies. They operated a 12-hole, par three golf course and welcomed Ursinus alumni to visit. Margaret, who was formerly the Ursinus Senior Assistant Librarian, died on April 25, 2009. Dr. Staiger is survived by a son, Roger Staiger Jr., and a grandson, Roger Staiger III. Burial was May 18 in Bath Village cemetery on the island of Nevis.
Who did UC at Alumni Events?
In May, Harold Smith 1955 and Matt and Terri Wiatrak 2000 co-hosted an exciting night for NYC Alumni at The Princeton Club in the heart of New York City. Great food and conversation highlighted the night’s events. A stellar evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres was held for Washington, D.C. alumni and co-hosted by Nancy Opalack 1971 and Jay Richards 2004 at B. Smith’s in Union Station. For more pictures from both events visit us at www.ursinus.edu/alumniphotos. Clockwise from top left: Jef Corson Interim President, Gillian Murray 1989, Hank Pfeiffer 1948 Trustee, Jeff Bruckner P ’13, Jay Richards 2004 and Nancy Opalack 1971 Trustee, Matthew Lebo 2006 and James Sproule 2008, Sarah Beatty 2000, Jessica Hychalk 2003, LaToya Brown 2009, Lisa Christy 2003
Are You A UC Ambassador?
Ursinus is looking for alumni to provide industry and career information as well as encouragement to current Ursinus students and fellow alumni. Alumni Career Ambassadors offer valuable assistance in one or more of the following areas: providing job search advice, speaking in classrooms or participating in career panels, inviting students to their work place for a shadowing or internship experience, or simply communicating via email to provide career advice and insight. Become a valuable resource to current students and fellow alumni. Sign up to be an Alumni Career Ambassador. If you would like to share your experience and knowledge in any of these ways, e-mail Carla Rinde, Director of Career Services at crinde@ursinus.edu PAGE 36 URSINUS MAGAZINE
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