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TRUSTEES
Joseph Regenstein Jr., a life trustee of the University,
died March 4 in Chicago. He was 75. As president of the family foundation
established by his father, Joseph Sr., and his mother, Helen, Regenstein
gave more than $100 million to Chicago zoos, museums, hospitals,
schools, and other institutions—including the U of C, where
the Regenstein Library bears the family name. Regenstein is survived
by his wife, Joan; a daughter; a son; two sisters; and six grandchildren.
FACULTY
Thomas W. Lester, SB’38, MD’41, a professor emeritus
of medicine, died November 20 in St. Joseph, MI, at age 83. A major
in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during WWII, Lester devoted much
of his career to researching and treating tuberculosis as chief
of staff at the Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Sanitarium, chief
of chest medicine at National Jewish Hospital in Denver, and professor
of medicine at the U of C, which he joined in 1981. He is survived
by his wife, Maurine Powell Lester, AM’41, his two sons,
and six grandchildren.
James D. McCawley, SM’58, the Andrew MacLeish distinguished
service professor in linguistics and in East Asian languages and
civilizations, died April 10 in Hyde Park of an apparent heart attack.
He was 61. An internationally renowned linguist, he developed the
theory of generative semantics, which revolutionized the field by
holding that the study of grammar entails the study of logic and
meaning. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, McCawley studied under Noam
Chomsky at MIT, where he received his Ph.D. in 1965. He wrote numerous
books and technical articles. In McCawley’s honor, the Linguistic
Society of America has established a scholarship fund for its annual
summer institute, at which McCawley often taught. He is survived
by two sisters.
Frank W. Newell, surgeon and professor of ophthalmology
at the University, died November 18 in Chicago. Newell served in
the Medical Corps during WWII, attaining the rank of major. Head
of the U of C’s ophthalmology department, he was editor in
chief of the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Surviving are his
wife, Marian; two sons, including Frank W. Newell Jr., MBA’87;
two daughters; a brother; and six grandchildren.
Rosalie Hankey Wax, PhD’51, an anthropologist, died
November 4 in St. Louis at age 87. During WWII, Wax worked with
a research team at the University of California, Berkeley, to investigate
Japanese-American interment camps. After teaching in the College
for ten years and winning the Quantrell Prize for teaching, she
taught at Washington University in St. Louis. Wax wrote books on
topics ranging from the education of Native Americans to Old Scandinavian
languages. She is survived by her husband, Martin, and two sisters.
1920s
Gertrude Vogdes Ham, PhB’23, died January 12 in Grand
Rapids, MI, at age 97. A former French teacher, Ham had volunteered
for the Girls Scouts, the American Association of University Women,
the Smithsonian Institution, and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
She also taught English to recent immigrants in Grand Rapids and
was active in church life. Surviving are a son, a daughter, six
grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth Boykin Wells, PhB’24, died July 14, 1998.
She was 95. A native Texan, she worked as a reporter and feature
writer for the New York Sun for 15 years. A contributor to national
magazines, her syndicated column appeared in more than 100 newspapers.
She also worked as assistant editor for Between the Lines, a news
service run by her husband, Charles. She is survived by her son,
Charles Jr., and five grandsons.
Babette Schoenberg Brody, PhB’28, a volunteer at Michael
Reese Hospital, the Chicago Hearing Society, and the Drexel Home
for the Aged, died December 5 in Hyde Park at age 91. In 1964, the
Alumni Association lauded her commitment to community service by
awarding her a public service citation, and in 1974, she was the
Drexel Home’s volunteer of the year. Surviving is her niece,
Julia Samartini.
Evelyn B. Oppenheimer, PhB’29,
died September 3 in Dallas at age 90. A literary agent, author,
mentor, and teacher, Oppenheimer reviewed books on local radio stations.
She spent more than 15 years at WRR-FM Dallas, producing her show
Book Talk. Oppenheimer also wrote 11 books, including an autobiography,
A Book Lover in Texas. She is survived by her friend Mallya Dean
Billingsley.
Paul H. Robinson, X’29, died December 23 in Hinsdale,
IL, at age 94. After playing football for the University of Illinois,
he transferred to the U of C and was active in Delta Kappa Epsilon.
Robinson joined Magnus Metal, where he worked for 27 years; he then
worked as a stockbroker for 10 years. He is survived by two sons,
a daughter, and five grandchildren.
1930s
Louise Conner Carlson, PhB’32, a homemaker, died September
9 at age 87. Survivors include her brother, James A. Conner,
SB’26; her son; and her daughter.
Ruth E. Warncke, AM’32, died November 25 in Chicago.
She was 88. Warncke served as deputy director of the American Library
Association from 1965 until her retirement in 1972. Earlier she
directed the Kent County (MI) library and taught library science
at Case Western Reserve University.
Madeline Kneberg Lewis, AB’33, AM’47, a registered
nurse and anthropologist, died July 4, 1996, in Winter Haven, FL,
at age 93. After directing the archaeology lab at the University
of Tennessee in Knoxville, she co-founded its physical-anthropology
department with her future husband, Thomas. Lewis is survived by
her stepdaughter, Nancy Ladd.
Robert A. Hall Jr., AM’35, died December 2, 1997,
in Ithaca, NY, at age 86. After teaching at the University of Puerto
Rico, Princeton, and Brown, he joined Cornell University as an associate
professor of linguistics in 1946, becoming a founding member of
its modern languages department. A scholar in general and romance
languages, Hall published more than 50 books. In 1978, he received
the Alumni Association’s professional achievement award. He
is survived by his wife, Alice Colby-Hall; a son, Philip A. Hall,
PhD’80; two daughters; and six grandchildren.
Oscar E. Shabat, AB’35, AM’36, the first chancellor
of Chicago City Colleges, died October 22 in Chicago. He was 86.
Shabat began his career as a social-science teacher in the Chicago
City Junior College, becoming dean in 1958. In 1966, Shabat became
the first chancellor of the Chicago City Colleges system. In his
17 years in the top post, he grew the system from two colleges to
nine, quadrupled its enrollment, and started its educational television
station. He is survived by his wife, Ethel; a son; and two grandsons.
Catherine Janssen Hughes, PhB’37, died on February
26, 1998, at the age of 85. Hughes was head librarian of Downers
Grove (IL) South Community High School. Survivors include her husband,
William; four children, including a daughter, Barbara S. Hughes,
AB’64, AM’68; a sister, Margaret Janssen King,
AB’40; and eight grandchildren.
A. Geraldine Whiting, SM’29, PhD’37, died November
11 at age 92. A botanist, Whiting conducted research at the U of
C, Smith College, Bryn Mawr, Mt. Holyoke, Northwestern, and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. While at Smith, Whiting helped students
from the Northwest earn scholarships. Survivors include her daughter,
Anne Nicholson, and three granddaughters.
Mary-Anna Patrick Askew, SB’38, died August 4, 1998,
in Downers Grove, IL. She was 81. Askew taught biology in Evanston
and in the Western suburbs for 18 years. A University aide and a
member of the Esoteric Club, she later chaired her 25th and 35th
class reunions. She is survived by her husband, Warren S. Askew,
PhB’34; a brother; two sons; one daughter; and six grandchildren.
Freeman E. Morgan Jr., X’39, died February 11. Morgan
published a family genealogy, dating from 1607, when James Morgan
lived in Connecticut. Among survivors are three sons and a sister,
Helen L. Morgan, AB’34, AM’36.
1940s
Hazel E. Heffren, SB’40, SM’43, a missionary,
died December 18 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She was 83. Inspired
by a missionary aunt, she organized churches and Sunday schools
in China. Placed under house arrest for a year by the Chinese government
in 1953, Heffren later continued her work in Canada. Survivors include
her sisters, Ramona Swanick and Nelda MacKay.
William C. Larkin, SB’40, died March 18, 1998. He
was 87. Larkin taught chemistry at St. Joseph High School in Michigan
until he retired in 1974. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy.
Charles A. Werner, SB’42, an internist and radiologist,
died November 20 at age 77 in Huntington, NY. After serving in WWII,
Werner was a researcher at the National Institutes of Health and
a professor at Cornell. He was a fellow of the American College
of Physicians and of the Explorers Club. He was also a member of
the 1001 Trust of the World Wildlife Association. He is survived
by his wife, Dorothy; two daughters; two sons; four stepchildren;
a sister, Catherine Werner Simonson, AM’69; and three
grandchildren.
Harry W. Fischer, SB’43, MD’45, died November 1,
in Frankfort, MI. While practicing medicine, Fischer was also a
professor of radiology at the University of Rochester. Surviving
are his wife, Ethel; three daughters; and one son.
Leonard M. Rieser Jr., SB’43, physicist, died December
17 in New Hampshire. He was 76. Assigned by the U.S. Army to the
Manhattan Project, Rieser witnessed the first atomic bomb explosion
while at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico. Later, as chairman
of the board of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, he provided information
to policymakers to help prevent nuclear war and was the keeper of
the Doomsday Clock. He also served as provost of Dartmouth University,
president and chairman of the board of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, and chairman of the fellows selection
committee for the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Survivors include his wife, Rosemary; a daughter; two sons, including
Leonard Rieser, JD’76; two brothers, including Lawrence
Rieser, PhB’47, AM’51; and three granddaughters.
Patricia James Eberlein, SB’44, one of the first female
computer scientists, died August 11, 1998, in Buffalo, NY. She was
75. After a stint flying planes from manufacturing plants to military
bases during WWII, Eberlein had a brief career as a fashion model
in New York City. From 1967 until her retirement in 1996, Eberlein
was a professor of computer science at the University of Buffalo,
where she did extensive research in numerical analysis. Survivors
include four daughters, three sons, a brother, and 12 grandchildren.
John F. Nims, PhD’45, a poet, translator, and author,
died January 19 in Chicago. He was 85. He wrote eight books of poetry
and was nominated for a National Book Award. He taught poetry at
various universities, including Notre Dame, Harvard, and the Universities
of Illinois at Urbana and Chicago. From 1978–1985, he edited
Poetry magazine. He was also editor of The Harper Anthology
of Poetry. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two daughters,
a son, and three grandchildren.
James A. Goldman, PhB’47, AM’50, a screenwriter,
novelist, and playwright, died October 28 at age 71 in New York
City. In 1968 he won an Academy Award for his adaptation of The
Lion in Winter. He wrote the book for the Stephen Sondheim musical
Follies, which won the New York Drama Critics Circle award as best
musical. The author of four novels, Goldman also adapted several
classics for television, including Oliver Twist and Anna Karenina.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his brother; a son; and a daughter.
1950s
Richard A. Jensen, AM’51, a school superintendent,
died November 27 in Menlo Park, CA, at age 70. An early supporter
of school integration programs, Jensen led California’s Las
Lomitas school district for 21 years. He is survived by his wife,
Magen Gong-Jensen; his mother; two sons; four daughters; and eight
grandchildren.
Bernard D. Brodsky, AM’52, died June 14, 1998, in
San Mateo, CA. He was 66. He taught at Harrison High School in Chicago
and began his career in writing and editing in 1961 at Harcourt
Brace Jovanovich in New York City, moving on to edit and freelance
for Addison-Wesley in Menlo Park, CA. He also wrote three books
of poetry.
Melville W. Beardsley, MBA’53, died November 26 in
Carmel, CA. He was 85. In 1935, Beardsley began his 23-year career
in the U.S. Air Force as a WWII flight instructor. He later worked
at the Air Research & Development Command and was then assigned
to the Pentagon and Andrews Air Force Base. After retiring from
the Air Force, he helped develop the Marines’ air-cushion amphibious-landing
craft. Surviving are his wife, Marie; a son; a daughter; and a brother.
Harris D. Hartzler, AB’53, SM’54, PhD’57,
died April 2, 1998, in Washington DC. He is survived by his wife,
Phyllis Butcher Hartzler, AB’53; his sister, Eleanor
Hartzler Knight, AB’42; his brother, Alfred J. Hartzler,
SB’43, SM’44, PhD’51; three children; and four grandsons.
Jack W. Meiland, AB’54, AB’56, AB’57, PhD’62,
died November 8 in Ann Arbor, MI. At the University of Michigan,
Meiland was a philosophy professor, director of the honors program,
and associate dean of the College of Literature, Science, and Arts.
He wrote four books and more than 30 papers in philosophy. Surviving
are his wife, Rosalie Rice Meiland, AM’63; two sons;
and daughter.
Charles T. Beeching Jr., JD’55, died December 6 in
Syracuse, NY. He was 68. Beeching began his career in law as a member
of the New York Board of Law Examiners. In 1960, he was appointed
assistant U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York. He
then worked for Justice Charles D. Breitel in the appellate division
of the New York Supreme Court. He was a member of the board of directors
of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and enjoyed flying his plane.
He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and two daughters.
Geoffrey W. Pitt, MBA’56, died January 4, 1998, in
England. He was 73. An instructor at Slough College of Technology,
he became head of the management studies department before retiring
in 1984. Pitt is survived by two sons, two grandsons, and three
brothers.
John M. Barbee, DB’58, a minister, died January 2 in
Evanston, IL. He was pastor of Ingelside Avenue Methodist Church,
First Methodist Church of Evergreen Park, and United Methodist Church
in Glencoe. Barbee joined the faculty of National-Louis University
in 1950 retiring as chair in 1997. Survivors include two daughters,
two sons, a brother, and six grandchildren.
John Hudson, AB’59, JD’62, a lawyer, died January
18 in Evanston, IL, at age 65. When working for Reuben and Proctor,
a former corporate litigation firm in Chicago, he helped negotiate
the Tribune Co.’s purchase of the Chicago Cubs and KTLA-TV
in Los Angeles. After his retirement, he traveled extensively in
Italy. He is survived by a sister, Kathryn Melanson.
1960s
Raymond E. Watson, MBA’61, an engineer, died December
10, 1997, in Hudson, OH, at age 77. Watson worked in the financial
division of Alltell Corporation and volunteered for the AARP’s
tax assistance program. During WWII, he served in the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. Survivors include his wife, Vonnie.
1970s
Lynn R. Sterman, JD’71, staff counsel to the American
Bar Association, died October 26 in Evanston, IL, of pancreatic
cancer. She was 52. Sterman led the ABA’s fight to save the
Legal Services Corporation, a federal agency that funds civil legal
services for the poor. Recognizing her encouragement of lawyers
to provide more pro bono services, Sterman recently received the
William Reece Smith Award from the National Association of Pro Bono
Coordinators. Survivors include her husband, Glenn Golden; a son;
a daughter; her mother; and a brother.
Wendell B. Anderson, AM’73, a pastor, died October
26 at age 72. During his career, Anderson served the Willowbrook
Church in Saskatchewan, the Norquay, Saskatchewan Covenant Church,
and the Mercer Island Covenant Church in Seattle, WA. He was president
of the Covenant Bible Institute for 34 years, and, in retirement,
the historian for the Covenant denomination. He is survived by his
wife, Bernice (“Birdie”); a son; three daughters; two
brothers; one sister; and grandchildren.
Gloria J. Cunningham, PhD’76, died on September 5 in
Chicago. Cunningham was professor emerita at Loyola’s School
of Social Work. Survivors include her nephew, Michael Ford.
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