Deaths: 1920s and 1930s

Esther Lundy Grim, X'23, died December 7, 1998, at age 93 in Michigan. Grim worked at a variety of jobs throughout her life, including stints as a secretary, clerk, phone operator, and cashier. A devout Methodist, she is survived by two sons, including Leslie D. Foster, AB'54, AM'60.

William Palmer Taylor, SB'23, a retired executive of Hamilton, OH, died November 2, 1998. He was 97. Taylor was the chief of chemistry research at Champion Papers from 1940 until his 1966 retirement. He published numerous professional articles on paper technology and raised prize orchids. Survivors include his brother, Sheldon A. Taylor, SB'37, and his sister, Elisabeth Taylor Grenata, PhB'29.

Edna P. Halperin, X'27, a former concert pianist, died March 13 in Sunnyvale, CA. She was 95. Halperin studied at the American Conservatory of Music and performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. After moving to California in 1942, she became an editor of staff manuscripts at Stanford's Hoover Institution. Survivors include two sons, Robert M. Halperin, PhB'47, and Warren R. Halperin, AB'51; a sister; and six grandchildren.

Tom D. Paul, SB'27, MD'32, a physician, died June 2 in Erie, PA. The WWII veteran was 94. Paul was a member of his church's vestry and its diocesan commission on the ministry. After his retirement, he pursued acting and volunteer work, bringing prayer services to retirement homes. Survivors include two daughters and seven grandchildren.

Roman L. Hruska, X'29, a former Republican U.S. senator from Nebraska, died April 25 in Omaha. He was 94. Hruska was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1952 and to the Senate in 1954. A conservative known for restoring the death penalty for certain federal crimes, Hruska was re--elected for three consecutive terms and was the ranking minority member of the Senate Judiciary Committee when he retired in 1976. Survivors include a daughter; two sons; a brother; two sisters; and five grandchildren.

Walter Perry Kincaid, PhB'29, a former teacher and administrator, died April 16 at age 91 in Walnut Creek, CA. Kincaid served as teacher, principal, and director of education in the Cleveland Heights--University Heights school system. Before retiring, he was the director of the Shaker Lakes Regional Nature Center. Survivors include two sons; a brother; a sister; and two grandchildren.

Mary Connors, PhB'30, a former teacher, died October 1, 1998, at age 89 in Winfield, IL. Connors earned two degrees at age 50 and began teaching at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church. She later served as principal at Sandridge School in Dolton, IL, and worked for more than 20 years in community service. At age 76, she organized a group called Friends of the Homebound and Elderly. Survivors include one daughter; three sons, including Chester L. Connors, MBA'67; a sister; and 20 grandchildren, including Timothy L. Connors, MBA'91.

William F. Zacharias, PhB'31, X'33, a former dean at the Chicago--Kent College of Law, died January 23 in Fort Meyers, FL. He was 93. Zacharias taught at Chicago--Kent before becoming assistant dean in the early 1950s. In 1956, he was named dean, overseeing improvements in the curriculum, faculty salaries, and facilities. He retired in 1973 as professor emeritus. Survivors include a daughter.

Ruth Halperin Melamed, PhB'32, a resident of Wayzata, MN, died April 25 at age 89. A longtime member of Temple Israel, Melamed was also a board member of the Mt. Sinai Hospital Mental Health Association, the Desert Museum, and the Eisenhower Medical Center. Survivors include her son, Robert; a sister; two granddaughters; and two grandsons.

Lawrence M. Perlman, PhB'32, an arts patron, died December 12, 1998, in West Palm Beach, FL. He was 89. Perlman co--founded the local Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and belonged to the Society of the Four Arts and the Poinciana Club. He is survived by his wife, Terese; his nephew; and his niece.

John S. Coulson, AB'36, advertising research expert and former president of the U of C Alumni Association, died June 11 in Billings, MT, at age 83. As vice president of research at Leo Burnett Company, Coulson refined ways of measuring the impact of TV advertising. He became a partner at Communications Workshop, specializing in marketing and advertising research, serving on the boards of several marketing journals, and holding office in professional and trade associations. From 1969 to 1973, Coulson was president of the Alumni Association and, in 1987, he received its Distinguished Alumni Service medal. Survivors include his wife, Jane Rinder Coulson, AB'38; four daughters, including Jane Coulson Sherry, AB'68, Nancy Coulson Hobor, AB'68, AM'70, PhD'73, and Ann Coulson Hubbard, AB'71; and eight grandchildren.

Josiah Foster Wearin Jr., AB'36, X'36, a farmer and cattle feeder, died May 27 at age 85 in Iowa. Wearin, known as "Sy," managed the Wearin Brothers Cattle Company. He served for 16 years as commissioner of the Mills County Soil Conservation District, and was a member of the Mills County planning and zoning commission and the Iowa State Extension Advisory Committee. Survivors include his wife, Mary Louise; three daughters; a son; and nine grandsons.

Mary Paul Rix Markham, AB'38, died December 22, 1998, in Hilton Head Island, SC. Markham was a member of Mortar Board. She is survived by her husband, James M. Markham, AB'36; a daughter; and four grandchildren.

Franklin F. Offner, PhD'38, an inventor and professor, died May 1. He was 88. Offner contributed to the development of new weapons during WWII, later teaching at Northwestern University and helping to develop the modern electrocardiograph. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and earned the U of C's 1991 Professional Achievement Citation. Survivors include his wife, Janine; two daughters; and two sons.

George E. Reedy, AB'38, a writer and press secretary to President Lyndon B. Johnson, died March 21 at age 81 in Milwaukee. A reporter for the Washington bureau of the United Press, Reedy worked for Johnson from 1951 to 1966, then served as dean of the journalism school at Marquette University. Survivors include his wife, Ruth, and two sons, including Michael A. Reedy, AB'70.

Marion L. Matics Jr., AB'39, a retired Episcopal priest, died November 21, 1998, at age 81 in New York. Matics served as rector and rector emeritus at Christ Church in Brooklyn, retiring in 1983. A teacher of Oriental philosophy at Columbia University and Brooklyn College, Matics also wrote two books, Entering the Path of Enlightenment and The Pilgrimage to Dharamsala. Survivors include his wife, Eleanor; a daughter; and a grandson.