CLASS NOTES WINTER 2022
1950s
Dr. Robert L. Bashore ‘59 (Forest, VA) retired from Central Virginia Community College after 31 years, the last 20 as Dean of Student Services.
1970s
Daniel K. Christopher ‘79 (Pleasant Gap, PA) was honored by the Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association with its 2022 Distinguished Member Award. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Business Administration/Health Information at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Stewart S. Olewiler, III ‘73 (Dover, PA) was awarded the Cross States Credit Union Association’s Calvin H. Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award for “Outstanding Contribution and Devotion to the Philosophy and Ideals of the Credit Union Movement” on May 23, 2022. He has served on the credit union’s board of directors for 33 years, including 30 years as Chairperson.
1980s
Dr. Treva A. Clark ‘83 (Lancaster, PA) has been named the Eugene C. Fish Distinguished Chair of Business at Lebanon Valley College. She is Chair of Accounting, Business, and Economics; International Business; and Director of Graduate Programs in Business. She has an MBA from Loyola University (MD) and her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.
1990s
Jimmy Alvarez ‘99 (Oceanport, NJ) is the Superintendent of Belmar Elementary in Belmar, NJ. He was named Superintendent in January of 2022.
Karyn A. (Grossi) Book ‘97 (Newtown, PA) was named the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Chief Nursing Officer.
Steven J. Cunningham ‘93 (Lancaster, PA) has been named Senior Vice President, Director of Small Business Administration Sales with WSFS Bank. He has nearly 30 years of banking and financial services experience.
Dr. Christopher J. Freet ‘98 (Lancaster, PA) has published a book, A New Look at Hospitality as a Key to Missions. He is the Pastor of Discipleship and Missions at Pequea Church in Lancaster, PA.
Dr. Treva A. Clark ‘83
Sean A. Grim ‘89 (Waxhaw, NC) has been included in Marquis Who’s Who®. He is currently the Senior Director of Information Technology Business Services for Utz Brands, Inc.
Dr. Karen (Beese) Parenti ‘83 (West Chester, PA) is CEO/ Executive Director at Special Friends Foundation.
Kenneth V. Schott ‘85 (Schenectady, NY) is the new Sports Editor for The Daily Gazette. He has been with the Gazette since August 1990.
Jennifer D. Strang ‘99 (Seattle, WA) is the Media Relations Manager for Seattle City Light, serving as the spokesperson and main media contact for the public utility. She has been with Seattle City Light since November 2021.
2000s
Meghan M. (Sadlack) Byrne ‘02 (Abington, MA) has been appointed Interim Director of Student Services for Canton Public Schools District (MA). She was previously the Assistant Director of Student Services.
Officer Jason B. Francart ‘03 (Avondale, PA) was promoted to Corporal with the West Chester (PA) Police Department.
Lindsey C. (Meyer) Pope ‘06 (Havre de Grace, MD) published her first children’s picture book, Sheldon’s Time, in August 2022. Sheldon is a crab who has the dream day planned for any introvert, until his friends want to play. Sheldon finds himself trapped between wanting to make his friends happy and catering to his own needs.
Geoffrey A. Schenker ‘07 (New York, NY) has been appointed Coordinator of English Language Learners/World Language K-12 for Greenwich Public Schools in Greenwich, CT.
Robert W. Shearer ‘03 (Sparta, NJ) is the new Police Chief for Morris Township (NJ). He also coaches wrestling and youth lacrosse.
Jonathan T. Vogt ‘01 (Lancaster, PA) has been promoted from Chief Operating Officer to President of Mammoth Restoration in Pleasant Gap, PA. He has been with the company since 2020.
David P. Zellers Jr. ‘05 (Collegeville, PA) is the Director of Commerce for Montgomery (PA) County.
2010s
Gabriel H. Clarke ‘18 (Gettysburg, PA) had his spray paint artwork Sprayscapes featured in the reception hall and gallery at the Adams County Arts Council’s Arts Education Center in Gettysburg, PA, during October 2022 with a First Friday opening reception.
Keighla M. (Blaney) Fetty ‘12 (Mechanicsburg, PA) has been named Director of Catering of The Yorktowne Hotel. She was previously the Catering Manager for Hershey Gardens and Hershey Country Club.
Lauren L. (Bupp) Gorbey ‘19 (York, PA) has joined PRworks in Harrisburg, PA, as a coordinator and designer.
Desvan L. Moody ‘12 (Baltimore, MD) has accepted the inaugural Associate Director of KIPP Forward position at KIPP Baltimore. He also recently received his master’s degree in Education from Loyola University Maryland in May 2022. He was inducted into Chi Sigma Iota, the International School Counseling Honor Society, and Alpha Sigma Nu, the International Jesuit Honor Society at Loyola.
Richard L. Ward ‘15 (Macon, GA) is a lecturer in the Department of English at Middle Georgia State (MGA). He also has a master’s degree from Michigan Technological University and is working on completing a Ph.D.
2020s
Trinity Benedict ‘22 (York, PA) is a part-time staff accountant with Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz in Lancaster, PA. She interned with the company in the spring of 2022.
Trinity Benedict ‘22
CLASS NOTES WINTER 2022
Dejay S. Meredith ‘22 (Windsor, PA) will serve as the Director of Summer and Enrichment Programs at York Country Day School.
Donovan P. Oakes ‘21 (Camp Hill, PA) passed the CPA exam in September 2022 and is employed by KPMG, an accounting services firm. He also earned a master’s degree from Villanova University in July 2022.
Weddings and Engagements
Kyle L. Brooten ‘09 (New York, NY) married Lauren Tschiya on February 15, 2020.
Daniel P. deRitis ‘08 (Philadelphia, PA) married Tammy J. McMullin on July 11, 2021, at Renault Winery Resort in Egg Harbor City, NJ.
Kelsey J. Graver ‘16 married Zachary Lucas on February 21, 2021. The couple resides in South Dakota.
Sarah E. Harthan ‘22 (Willow Street, PA) married Josh Mellinger on August 28, 2022.
Jocelyn M. (Valentine) Hess ‘00 (Harrisburg, PA) married Brian Curtis on August 20, 2022, at The Manor in Mountain View in Harrisburg.
Rachel M. Hirsch ‘12 (Mount Carmel, PA) and Kevin T. Knowles ‘13 (Toms River, NJ) were married on September 24, 2022, in Hershey, PA. Rachel and Kevin were both Orientation Leaders when they were students at the College. They now reside in Austin, TX.
Brittany K. Laskey ‘13 (Rehoboth, DE) married Andrew Upman on September 11, 2021, at the Dunes Manor in Ocean City, MD.
Teresa A. Lewis ‘03 (Dallastown, PA) married Jeffrey Moyer on September 17, 2021.
Courtney E. Martin ‘18 (Willow Street, PA) and Zachary J. Hossler ‘18 (Jefferson, MD) were married on October 8, 2021, at Wyndridge Farm in Dallastown, PA. The couple resides in Frederick, MD.
Melissa A. Rechter ‘18 (Belle Mead, NJ) and James T. “Jim” Sharkey ‘18 (Havertown, PA) became engaged on September 30, 2022.
Michael C. Dixon ‘09 and Anthony J. Schneider ‘15, both of York, PA, were married in May 2022.
Kristen E. Gawenus ‘15 (Andover, NJ) married Kyle Roughgarden at Crossed Keys Estate in Andover on June 26, 2022.
Kimberly E. Horst ‘20 (Red Lion, PA) married Noah Parker on October 8, 2022, at Mount Hope Estate and Winery in Manheim, PA.
Deanna L. Reich ‘99 (Lancaster, PA) married Chad T. Loercher on July 3, 2021.
Jeremy R. Russell ‘04 (Mount Dora, FL) married Siona Walsh on May 30, 2021.
Dr. Jamie C. Tyson ‘12 (York Haven, PA) married Luke Noerpel on June 25, 2022.
The deRitis Wedding Hirsch Knowles Wedding Rechter Sharkey EngagementVincent J. Vicchiariello ‘09 (Nutley, NJ) married Sue Quigley on July 18, 2022.
Ashley L. Wolf ‘19 and Anthony C. Digneo ‘19 of Frederick, MD, were married on October 9, 2022, at the Historic London Town & Gardens in Edgewater, MD.
Deceased
ALUMNI
Peter O.G. Bruenen ‘70 (Allentown, PA and Winter Haven, FL), September 26, 2022. Born and raised in Germany, he moved to York in 1962. He also served in the U.S. Army and was one of the best jacquard (weaving) designers in the U.S. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sheena, their two children, and four grandchildren.
Nichole L. “Nicki” (Mummert) Brown ‘96 (Denver, PA), July 26, 2022. She worked at Lancaster General Hospital and Reamstown Elementary School. She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Kurt, and their three children.
Suzette M. (Smeltzer) Cover ‘98 (Wrightsville, PA), March 28, 2022. She was a proud small business owner. She is survived by her husband of almost 40 years, Mark, a daughter and son, and four grandchildren.
John L. Dehoff ‘50 (Tucson, AZ), October 16, 2021. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was buried in Pennsylvania with military honors.
Barbara B. (Buchart) Elliott ‘57 (York, PA and Littleton, CO), December 10, 2021. She also attended Penn State University. She worked in various capacities for many nonprofit organizations and served in the Junior League. She was preceded in death by her two children.
Claudia A. Fridinger ‘75 (Pawcatuck, CT), August 14, 2022. She also earned a master’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Sixth Year Professional Diploma from Southern Connecticut State University. She was a dedicated educator for 29 years for Groton Public Schools and was inducted into the Groton Educators Hall of Fame on August 9, 2022. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Tim, two sons, and a granddaughter.
Charles A. Gentzler ‘48 (York, PA), October 17, 2022. He was a graduate of York Junior College and Gettysburg College, and also served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy, and is survived by a son and several nieces and nephews.
Lila Borden Goldworm ‘77 (Boynton Beach, FL), November 17, 2020. She earned her degree in Psychology from the College after returning to school in her fifties, then worked as a social worker at a nursing home and a halfway house for women in York. She is survived by her daughter and daughter-in-law, five children, and seven greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, and her son.
Jeffrey L. Haase ‘69 (York, PA), November 26, 2021. He worked for the Bradley Academy of Visual Arts and Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon.
Elise C. (Nicolaysen) Harris ‘87 (York and Allentown, PA) October 30, 2022. She taught in York City and Harrisburg school districts. She is survived by her mother and two sisters.
Joseph G. “Joe” Heffron Jr. ‘85 (New Oxford, PA), October 7, 2022. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Saratoga and the USS Kitty Hawk. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy, a son and daughter, and five grandchildren.
Joseph E. Heltzel ‘87 (Gettysburg, PA), August 7, 2022. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving two tours during the Vietnam War. He worked as a Program Manager at the Mechanicsburg Naval Depot for 32 years. He is survived by his wife, Grace, to whom he was married for 47 years.
Dennis C. Henry ‘77 (Dallastown, PA), December 10, 2021. He was a CPA, retiring from King & Associates in 2011. He was also an elder and deacon with Faith Presbyterian Church in Fawn Grove, PA. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, to whom he was married for 54 years, their two daughters, and a grandson.
Joseph A. House Sr. ‘53 (Cuyahoga Falls, OH), February 20, 2022. He was Principal of Redeemer Lutheran School for 31 years. He volunteered at Western Reserve Hospital for 25 years and served for 29 years on the executive board of Mohican School in the Out of Doors. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Marie. He is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
J. Robert Ippolito ‘72 (Tallahassee, FL), January 15, 2022. He also earned master’s and doctoral degrees in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University. He retired from Xerox Corp. as a General Manager for Marketing. He previously served as Director of Florida’s Department of General Services, Division of EDP. He was also an adjunct faculty member at Tallahassee Community College. He is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Mildred, their four children, and seven grandchildren.
Robert K. Lopp ‘65 (Winder, GA), July 11, 2022. He served as a funeral director for over 20 years and was a member of Hamilton Mill Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Donna, two children, and two grandchildren.
Dorothy M. (Sneeringer) Lutz ‘43 (York, PA), November 2, 2022. She was a graduate of York Junior College. She was preceded in death by her husband, George. She volunteered with many community organizations, including the YMCA, American Red Cross, and the Junior League of York. She is survived by her two children, five grandchildren, and 10 greatgrandchildren.
Michael E. Marks ‘63 (Apopka, FL), February 13, 2022. He was a graduate of York Junior College.
Gary R. Mitchell ‘96 (Stewartstown, PA), February 8, 2022.
William B. Mitten, III ‘72 (Dover, DE), March 9, 2022. He worked for Mitten Construction, becoming President in 1983. He was also appointed to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission as a commissioner. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Wendy, two daughters, and four grandchildren.
Debra L. “Debbie” (Sentz) Noel ‘96 (York, PA and Longmont, CO), November 7, 2022. She had a long career in community work and after retirement continued to volunteer and advocate for people with disabilities. She is survived by her two children and two grandchildren.
Sara I. (Worley) Reichley ‘48 (Providence, RI), July 4, 2021. She was a graduate of York Junior College. She worked for 18 years as a technical services librarian at The Providence Athenaeum and she and her husband made annual trips to Maui, Hawaii, for three decades. She was married to the late Robert Reichley for 70 years. She is survived by their four children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Rita A. (Dembowski) Redding ‘77 (Arlington, VA), March 8, 2022. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospital Record Room Administration from the College at age 42 while also raising four children. She worked at The Alexandria Hospital in Virginia and later managed two different physician practices until age 81. She is survived by her four children and two grandchildren.
Preston E. “Pret” Rohrbaugh ‘48 (Sinking Spring, PA), September 24, 2022. He was a graduate of York Junior College and Elizabethtown College, and was a member of St. John’s Reformed Church since 1956. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Leone. He is survived by his companion of 12 years, Helen Zellers, a daughter, three grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren.
Douglas A. Sheaffer ‘81 (York, PA), June 29, 2022. He worked for Schaedler Yesco for 35 years, retiring in 2019, and was a lifelong member and past President of the York Jaycees. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lorie, their two children, and two grandchildren.
James W. “Jim” Shubrooks ‘68 (Lancaster, PA), February 21, 2022. He was a graduate of York Junior College, then began his 47-year career in banking at Lancaster County Farmers National Bank, retiring from Northwest Savings Bank in 2017. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Debbie, their son, and two grandchildren.
Brandon I. “Bis” Soffer ‘74 (Annapolis, MD), August 8, 2022. He worked for Verizon for 20 years and also founded an ice cream catering company. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Marcia, two children, and two grandchildren.
Carol Ann Stauffer ‘78 (York, PA), January 12, 2022. She was a receptionist for York Optical, YWCA, and Audio Professional. She is survived by her companion of 47 years, Rose Campise.
Robert C. “Bob” Strickler ‘57 (Sterling, VA), August 9, 2020. He also attended Franklin & Marshall College. He moved to VA in 1966 for a position with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where he worked for more than 25 years. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Faye, a daughter, and two grandchildren.
Carla E. (Poff) Wilson ‘87 (Mount Wolf, PA), August 26, 2022. She passed away at MD Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston, TX, where she was a participant in a clinical trial for breast cancer. She is survived by her husband, Michael Bega, a daughter and son, two stepchildren, and many beloved family members.
Mark A. Yateman ‘00 (York, PA), September 6, 2022. He had a long career at BAE Systems in York, retiring in 2019. He had a lifelong love and passion for music. He was preceded in death by his wife of 23 years, Kathleen. He leaves behind his partner of 12 years, Jennifer Young, three children, and a granddaughter.
FRIENDS
Melissa A. Bowman (York, PA), September 29, 2022. She was a graduate of William Penn High School and worked for Eagle’s Snack, York Container, and the College. She is survived by her partner, Shawn Pangle, their three children, and six grandchildren.
Mary Catherine “Cass” (McAnally) Cusma (York, PA), November 16, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, John. She retired at age 73 after many years of dedicated service to the College. She is survived by her four children and 10 grandchildren.
Robert E. McCann (York, PA), October 11, 2022. He attended Millersville University, then served in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany. He also earned a master’s degree from Villanova University. He taught English for many years at William Penn High School in New Castle, DE, and also taught English at the College. He is survived by a son and two daughters, a granddaughter, and two great-granddaughters.
Lind S. Walter (Red Lion, PA), November 6, 2022. He served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Margaret. He is survived by his five children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.