Alma Rattini Vanek ’27, Berkeley, Calif., June 14, 2006. Alma grew up in western Colorado. While studying at Colorado College, she worked in the dining room. After Colorado College, she earned a master’s degree at Washington University. She is survived by her children, Mary Smith and John, and was predeceased by her husband Edward.
Willis Armstrong ’37, Colorado Springs, Nov. 27, 2006. At Colorado College, “Bill” joined Phi Gamma Delta, played football, and met his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Adams Armstrong ’40. He earned a master’s degree in physics at Northwestern University, and after WWII, joined his father and brother at Colorado Springs National Bank, retiring as executive vice president. Bill also started the Pikes Peak Ski Corporation and was its president and general manager. Bill supported numerous civic groups and was devoted to the college, serving as class representative and president of the Alumni Association and Fifty Year Club. Bill and Betty received the Lloyd E. Worner Award for service to the college and were members of the Woman’s Educational Society. Bill is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters Ann Armstrong Scarboro ’63 and husband James ’63, Jean Caggiano, Roberta Armstrong, Fran Armstrong Kruse ’75, and Kathy Armstrong; and his sister, Jean Armstrong Jones ’44. Bill was preceded in death by parents Willis (for whom Armstrong Hall is named) and Dell Heizer Armstrong 1899; siblings David Armstrong ’29, Frances Ruth Armstrong ’31, and Suzanne Armstrong Starr M.A. ’46, and sister-in-law Roberta “Bobby” Adams Otis ’41.
Gene May Winston Felton ’37, Mesa, Ariz., May 21, 2006. She graduated cum laude from Colorado College, became a teacher, and was a member of the Woman’s Educational Society. She is survived by her son, Bill Felton, and her sister, Martha. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Willard Abe-Ross Madison ’43.
Louis Henke Jr. ’38, Denver, Sept. 24, 2006. A member of Kappa Sigma at Colorado College, Louis earned a B.S. in civil engineering at the University of Nebraska and served in the Korean War and the Naval Reserve. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his son, Louis Henke III ’70; he was preceded in death by his sister, Harriett H. Ford ’36.
Beatrice Snider Livingston ’39, M.A. ’41, Santa Barbara, Calif., Jan. 5, 2007. She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority at Colorado College. Beatrice was a volunteer for Samson Clinic and the Santa Barbara Art Museum. She is survived by three daughters, Beatrice Livingston Jones ’67, Catherine Livingston ’70, and Annette Hays; her brother, Gordon Snider ’40; as well as two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her husband, George ’39, M.A. ’41, and brother-in-law Robert Livingston ’38.
Jack Howard ’40, Colorado Springs, Jan. 8, 2007. A member of Phi Delta Theta at Colorado College, Jack later helped build one of the first ski tows in Colorado, on Pikes Peak, and was issued number 199 on the National Ski Patrol. He worked in banking for much of his career, and ended his career as assistant business manager for student loans at Colorado College. After retirement from Colorado College, he fulfilled three dreams: to fly ultralight aircraft, travel to Hawaii (many times), and join the Breckenridge ski program, which allowed him to ski again — something he hadn’t done since contracting polio in 1950. Jack is survived by his wife, Kay; his son, Jack; and three grandsons.
Patrick Fitzgerald ’41, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 2, 2006. Patrick played baseball and basketball at Colorado College, was a member of Kappa Sigma, and served as president of the student body. He enlisted in the Army during WWII and was wounded in Italy, but returned safely. The friendships he made at Colorado College lasted throughout his life. He is survived by a son, Patrick Jr. ’69; two daughters, Ann Larrabee and Jenelle VanBrunt; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley.
Dottie Goodman Fox ’42, Aspen, Colo., Sept. 11, 2006. A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, Dottie was one of the three “Maroon Belles” who pored over maps and fought for expansion of areas to be declared roadless after the Wilderness Act of 1964. She and the other two Belles founded the Aspen Wilderness Workshop and worked to double the size of the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area and obtain that designation for parts of the Hunter-Fryingpan, Collegiate Peaks, Raggeds, and West Elk area. She is survived by her four children: Jackie Chandler, Cici Kinney, Randy, and Mark.
Albert Balows ’42, Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 23, 2006. A Lowell scholar at Colorado College, Albert served in the medical corps of Patton’s 3rd Army, then became a microbiologist, working at the forefront of research into AIDS, toxic shock syndrome, Legionnaire’s disease, and the Ebola virus, among other public health problems. He was director of the bacteriology division at the Center for Disease Control, active in planning for and prevention of bioterrorism attacks on the U.S., and founding editor of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Among his many professional awards, he received Colorado College’s Benezet Award for distinguished alumni in 1988. He is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Eve Ellen Barbage, and his son Daniel.
Kathleen Louise Pearce Lewis ’43, Tel Aviv, Israel, Nov. 25, 2006. After earning a B.A. in French at Colorado College, Kathleen worked for the Armed Forces Security Agency, earned a master’s degree in linguistics at Georgetown University, and continued her career at the Center for Applied Linguistics. She was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a published poet, a singer, and a birdwatcher. She moved to Israel at the age of 83. She is survived by two daughters, Ann and Susan Lewis Hadash, and one grandson.
Fred Minuth ’44, Kailua, Hawaii, June 23, 2006. A chemistry undergraduate at Colorado College who stayed to earn a master’s in physics, “Fritz” was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He played baseball and football for the college and was inducted into Colorado College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. After graduating, he served in the Navy, became an Episcopal priest, and served as football coach at Punahou School, chaplain and athletic director at Iolani School, and headmaster at St. Andrew’s Priory. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Reed ’71 and Eric ’75; daughter, Dorsey Gibson; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Reed Sleight ’48.
John Ross ’46, Colorado Springs, Jan. 14, 2007. “Chick” was one of several Canadians recruited to play ice hockey for Colorado College’s brand-new hockey team in 1938. He interrupted his study of physics to join the Army, marching with General Patton’s forces across Europe, then returned to Colorado College in 1945 to finish his degree. He continued to play and coach ice hockey, and was manager of the Broadmoor Ice Palace 1947-1961. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy. He is survived by four daughters, Lynda Rood Adams ’64, Diana Stallwood, Barbara Rood Hyman ’68, and Elizabeth Fredrickson, as well as nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Eldon Schnuelle ’47, Roseburg, Ore., Sept. 18, 2004. Eldon earned a B.A. and M.A. in history at Colorado College, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. He was a high school teacher and counselor in California’s San Gabriel Valley, east of Los Angeles, and moved to Oregon after retirement. He loved fishing and camping, international travel, and coin collecting, which he turned into a vocation as well. Eldon is survived by his wife, Ernestine, and his daughter, Kim.
Charlotte Duncan Polzin ’48, Pueblo, Colo., Oct. 30, 2006. Charlotte was a social worker and active in the Cañon City community. She is survived by three children: Frank and his wife Emma (Diane) Polzin-Shaul ’84, James, and Cindy Day; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William.
Clarence Raines ’50, Alameda, Calif., Nov. 22, 2006. A first-generation student at Colorado College, “C.T.” was a member of Phi Delta Theta and served on the honor council. After graduation, he served in the Navy and was later a pharmaceutical representative for several manufacturers in the San Francisco Bay area. He is survived by sons Mark and Dan, three grandchildren, and his sisters Joan Williams and Joyce Raines Ornelas ’51, and her husband Richard Ornelas ’50. He was predeceased by his wife, Carol Harris Raines ’52.
Patricia Jeanne Harrington ’52, Denver, Dec. 25, 2006. A member of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Colorado College, Patti lived in Denver, where she was the longest-serving executive director of the Denver Foundation (1976-1989), and a community leader active in the Junior League and the Women’s Forum. She managed the Martin J. and Mary Anne O’Fallon Trust, which supported the building of the Worner Center, the campus library, and the Worner Distinguished Service Professorship. She served the college as president of the National Alumni Council and trustee 1979-81, as well as through membership on many committees. At her 50th reunion, she established a charitable gift annuity with Colorado College. She is survived by nieces and nephews including Martin ’69; she was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Pete, sisters Maryanne Purcell and Margaret Carey, and her brother, Martin.
Andrew Spielman ’52, Boston, Dec. 20, 2006. Andy was an international authority on vector-borne infections. While working on his bachelor’s degree in zoology at Colorado College, he also studied music and history, and credited those pursuits for his holistic approach to scientific investigation. He also participated in the Mountain Club, where he developed a lifelong love for adventure and the outdoors. After obtaining his Ph.D. in patho-biology from Johns Hopkins, he worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Navy before joining the faculty at Harvard University School of Public Health, where he embarked on a far-flung career in the investigation and prevention of tropical disease, published more than 300 scientific papers, and co-wrote a book, “Mosquito: A Natural History of Our Most Persistent and Deadly Foe” (see July 2002 Bulletin.) He received the Benezet Award in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Judith; his children, David, Deborah, and Sue; and seven grandchildren.
Edward Butterworth ’56, Denver, Dec. 18, 2006. Edward came to Colorado College after serving in the armed forces; he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He sold insurance in Denver. Edward is survived by his wife, Sue Boynton Butterworth ’58; and three children, Cindy, Steve, and Edward.
William Bentley ’63, Claremont, Calif., Sept. 16, 2006. At Colorado College, Bill was the president of Beta Theta Pi. After graduation, he worked in banking, then became the third-generation owner of Bentley’s Market in Claremont. He later sponsored the first Claremont farmers’ market, and was an active community volunteer. Bill is survived by his wife, Sharron Lee Rogers, and his daughter, Susan.
John Bluck ’63, Paget, Bermuda, Sept. 1, 2006. “Jay” was president of the Independent Men’s Association at Colorado College, which later became the Crown and Lance. He was also an avid chess and bridge player — he once played a game in the Hub of the Rastall Center that went on for a week. After graduation, he returned to his beloved Bermuda with his then-wife Barbara Wadell ’63 and opened a retail business specializing in antiques, gifts, and picture framing. He contributed significantly to Bermudan life, rallying people (including marine architect Colorado College roommate Rob Pittaway ’63) to help establish the Bermuda Maritime Museum, and obtaining climate control technology for the Bermuda National Art Gallery.
He had served as mayor of Hamilton, Bermuda, since May. Jay is survived by sons John and Gregory and four grandchildren; his wife, Audrey; three stepchildren and five stepgrandchildren.
Stanley Tabor ’69, Chapel Hill, N.C., Jan. 12, 2007. Stan played football and rugby at Colorado College. He earned a J.D. from the University of Denver, then practiced law in El Paso County, Colo., Honolulu, and Seattle. He entered the business sector in Seattle, negotiating contracts for major corporations, then moved to Chapel Hill and worked in health care, eventually opening 12 medical practices for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He was an active community volunteer in many areas. Stan is survived by his wife of 28 years, Anna Manis Tabor; three children, Elizabeth Tess, Julianna, and John; his sister, Lisa Troy Davis Emery ’67, and brother James; mother, Troy Tabor Bourret; and nieces and nephews including Malia Francoise Davis ’92. He was preceded in death by his father, James.
Thomas Reichert ’71, Pueblo, Colo., Dec. 26, 2006. Tom played basketball at Colorado College and went on to earn his M.D. at the University of Colorado. He practiced family medicine for 31 years in Pueblo, where he was also an active citizen. Tom is survived by his wife, Chris; two sons, Bryan and Brent; and his half-brother, Alan.
Kurt Bucholz ’73, Upper North Platte River Valley, Wyo., Dec. 5, 2006. A squash player at Colorado College, Kurt became a veterinarian in 1979. He returned to the family ranch, the XH, in 1982, and was a stockgrower and rancher the rest of his life. He was active in community organizations, especially the regional water users’ association, and served a term in the Wyoming House. Kurt was survived by his late wife, Laura, and his children, Bessie and John.
Mary Ellen Wiedemann ’75, Asheville, N.C., Nov. 6, 2006. A retired computer programmer-analyst, Mary was also a competitive swimmer, expert caber tosser, and artist who enjoyed working with colorful, large-scale creations. She is survived by her husband, Jim Bagley; her brother and sister-in-law, Bill ’73 and Karen Serafini Wiedemann ’74; and her stepdaughters, Sandra Bagley and Bonnie Jackson.
FRIENDS
Van Shaw, Colorado Springs, Nov. 3, 2006. Van was the first Ph.D. sociologist in Colorado College’s sociology/anthropology department, which until his 1952 arrival was made up of social workers, according to Professor Margi Duncombe. He earned his Ph.D. in 1951 from the University of Missouri, did post-doc work at Northwestern University, and published extensively on criminology, racism, and race-related issues, including a 1981 study of minority graduates of Colorado College. His most recent scholarship was on issues of sexuality. Van and his wife Jane were Danforth associates at Colorado College in the 1970s, working to enhance the quality of interpersonal relations on campus. Van was a handball and bridge enthusiast, and an avid gardener and singer. He is survived by his son, Benson ’72. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, and a daughter, Mary.
