The University of Chicago Magazine

December 1997

DEATHS

1960-1970's

 

1960s

Frank R. Borchert, Jr., MBA'60, an administrator at Case Western Reserve University, died September 11 at age 61. Shortly before his death, Borchert was presented with the University Medal, CWRU's highest honor for service. He had worked as CWRU's director of planning, helping to design a financial plan to overcome budget problems in the late 1960s, and preparing a campus master plan in the late 1980s. Active in church and civic causes in Cleveland, Borchert is survived by his wife, Catherine; two sons, including Thomas A. Borchert, AM'97; a daughter; his mother; three grandchildren; and a brother.

Roland J. Barstow, MBA'61, of Alpine, CA, a former executive at Bell Federal Savings and Loan, died September 15 at the age of 78. He joined Bell Federal in 1939, was named president in 1970, and became chair and CEO in 1979. He is survived by two daughters, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Barton D. (Tittle) Eaton, AB'61, a trial attorney and writer in White Plains, NY, died March 21 at age 59. In the 1960s, Eaton, who entered the College with the Class of 1963, ghostwrote golf columns for several publications and worked for the Hertz Corporation before becoming an attorney. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army, and he lived in Ireland for three years during the 1970s, writing poetry that was published internationally. Survivors include his wife, Muriel; three daughters; three sons; two brothers; and six sisters. (This corrects information printed in the June/97 issue.-Ed.)

Claire M. Berg, SM'62, a professor of biology at the University of Connecticut, died June 29 at age 60. Berg's work in molecular genetics included research on genome organization, DNA replication, and the evolution of biosynthetic pathways. She served on the committees of the Genetics Society of America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her family and colleagues are endowing a genetics fellowship at the University of Connecticut in her memory.

John B. Mullen, MBA'62, a retired engineering consultant, died October 8 at age 81. In his 22 years on the Cuba Township board of trustees in Barrington, IL, he worked to maintain open space and forest preserves. Survivors include his wife, Jeanette; a son; two sisters; and two grandsons.

Nancy Pearman Sheehan, AM'68, a teacher and author, died April 12, 1996, at age 69. She taught adult education courses in Chicago and wrote many books, her last being one of the Nancy Drew mystery series, under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene. After retiring in 1992, she moved to Cedar, MI, her longtime summer home. Survivors include her husband, Michael; two children; a stepson; and four grandchildren.

Susan Greenbaum Soule, AM'69, died on March 21. She had recently retired from work as a reference librarian for the Calgary Public Library in Alberta, Canada. Soule performed with several early-music groups in Calgary. Survivors include her husband, Stephen P. Soule, SM'67, PhD'73; her mother; two sons; and a grandson.

1970s

Morris A. Sklansky, CLA'75, a psychoanalyst, writer, and professor, died September 17 at age 77. He served as a consultant on adolescence for the Scholarship and Guidance Association in Chicago. He is survived by his wife, Alice Reizen Sklansky, BSS'46, AM'49; a daughter; two sons; and a grandchild.

Arturo Vazquez, AM'78, an activist and leader in Chicago's Mexican-American community, died in September at the age of 62. In Chicago, he served as deputy commissioner of the mayor's commission on youth welfare; deputy commissioner of the city's department of economic development; director of the mayor's office of employment and training; and executive director of the Eighteenth Street Development Corporation. A resident of Albuquerque since 1994, he was an accomplished classical and jazz trumpet player. He is survived by two daughters, a son, two brothers, two sisters, and three grandchildren.

Gail E. Shea, AM'79, director of the advising center at Roosevelt University in Chicago, died of cancer September 30. She was 47. The former vista volunteer was also active in Mayor Harold Washington's program for adult literacy. At Roosevelt, Shea helped develop a system of support for students with academic or personal difficulties. Honored earlier this year with the university's Special Thanks for Excellent Services award, she is survived by her father, three sisters, and four brothers.


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