Douglas Morgan ’54, Essex, N.Y., Dec. 10. Douglas served in the Army Corps of Engineers as a map-maker, pursued graduate work in printing management. He assumed control of the family publishing business in 1967 and co-founded, with his brother, a printing and typography business. His extensive collection of 19th-century wood type letterforms helped start a graphic design revival. Douglas is survived by his wife Ruth; his children Jennifer ’77, Seth, Lael, Eric, Adele, and Willard; nine grandchildren, and his first wife, Maureen Magnuson ’54.
Jo Ann Johnson White ’57, Scottsdale, Ariz., July 30. She graduated in journalism from Northwestern, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She was a lifelong volunteer. When her husband Ken, her high school sweetheart, died in 1985, she began a new career teaching graphic design at Arizona State University and worked for Scottsdale Magazine. She is survived by two children, Wendy Ring and Kenneth, and two grandchildren.
Norman Spears ’57, Santa Barbara, Calif., Dec. 19. After studying chemistry at Colorado College and playing quarterback, Norman earned his D.D.S. and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Germany. He practiced dentistry for 30 years in Santa Monica, Calif., taught dentistry at the University of Southern California for 28 years, chaired the California Fluoridation Campaign, and provided free dental care to inner-city children. After he retired from practice, he became a real estate developer in Durango, Colo., primarily of low income housing, and pursued an interest in architectural history. He is survived by his daughter, Suzanne; and his brother, Richard.
Robert “Bob” Hite ’58, Denver, Dec. 4. After graduating from Colorado College, Bob earned his law degree from New York University and became a judge advocate general in the Navy, then general counsel for Mr. Steak restaurants. For almost 20 years, he headed Denver’s Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, considered one of the best in the nation. Bob is survived by his wife Sarah; daughters Katie Hite Wilkins ’85, Martha Turner, Amy Kubitschek, and Laura Hite-Hargrave ’91; a son, John ’88; 10 grandchildren; a brother, Whitney ’60; a cousin, David ’63; and a son-in-law, David Wilkins ’85.
Charles Street ’58, Wilmette, Ill., Sept. 15. After graduating from Colorado College, Charles served as a captain in the U.S. Army and the National Guard. Later, he worked in the financial services industry as a stockbroker. Survivors include a son, Steven; a daughter, Suzanne Keck; three grandchildren; his brother, James ’62, and his former wife, Margaret Coutchie Street ’60.
Ed Melville ’59, Calgary, Alberta, Oct. 18. Eddie helped the college’s hockey team win the 1957 national championship. After returning to Canada, he found a career in the oil industry. He later co-owned the Calgary Spurs and was president of the Calgary Royals junior team. Having attended Colorado College on an ice hockey scholarship, he stressed the importance of combining high levels of hockey and education, and assisted dozens of players in obtaining their own college hockey scholarships. Survivors include his sons, Ed and Billy.
John Rosales MAT ’60, Greeley, Colo., June 30. A Pueblo native and a former steelworker, John went on to earn a Ph.D. and taught at every level from preschool to doctoral students. He was active politically and in his church and sports. John was predeceased by his wife Patricia. He is survived by his children Virginia Guzman, Randi Pearl, Nonie Gomez, Pepi Oakman, Pat Chavez, Suzanne, Charles, and Darcy Rieck; 18 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Donald Gee ’62, Amarillo, Texas, Sept. 21. Don played ice hockey for Colorado College and later for the Amarillo Wranglers. He became a recreational therapist and retired from the city of Amarillo. He loved travel, inline skating, and sports. His survivors include daughters Tanya DeLeon and Christine Meyer; a stepdaughter, Erica McMahon; a brother, Wayne, and six grandchildren.
Allen Petersen ’62, Chicago, Oct. 28. After graduating from Colorado College, Allen served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, returning as a first lieutenant. He joined the family manufacturing firm and built it from a small business that made one product — the first locking pliers — to the $500-million American Tool Company. Since 2002, Allen has been involved in Draupnir, a holding and operating company, and the Lifeboat Foundation, which provide educational opportunities for at-risk youths. He is survived by a brother, Richard, and a sister, Anne Shields
Elizabeth Quint Mangerich ’63, Woodburn, Ore., Oct. 27. She was an elementary school teacher and counselor for 23 years, and held a master’s degree. She is survived by her husband Walter; daughters, Irene Barhyte and Amy Sturbelle; sister, Susan Martman; brother, Walter Quint; and five grandchildren.
James Furman ’63, Trumansburg, N.Y., Dec. 5. James taught English in Colorado and sold college textbooks in New York before discovering a talent in architectural stained glass. He enjoyed travel, music, family, and the life of the mind, and was an expert marksman and a Civil War enthusiast. He is survived by wife Anne Hoover Furman ’63; children Walter, Anne Emrich, and Simeon; a brother, Jonathan, and his father, David.
Abiodun Afonja ’64, Colorado Springs, Dec. 6. Abiodun was a Nigerian prince who, after graduating from Colorado College, earned a graduate degree in mathematics at Harvard. He returned to Nigeria and served in the legislature there until political unrest caused him to return to the U.S. He was a guest lecturer at Colorado College and later a teacher at a local charter school and Pikes Peak Community College. He was an elder in his church, and is credited with bringing Kwanzaa celebrations to Colorado Springs. He is survived by his wife Rachel and children Adebowale, Odunayo, Damola, Remi, Ayo, Dayo, and Adegun.
James Prohens M.A. ’65, Denver, Nov. 21. A native of the Spanish island of Majorca, James entered the priesthood early and helped found a branch of the Theatine order in Argentina. He served for 37 years — until his death — at St. Catejan Catholic Church, the first Hispanic parish in Denver, where he reached out to gay and divorced people, whom he did not want to feel marginalized from the church. He published three books of poetry written in the Majorcan language. He is survived by a sister, Micaela; he was preceded in death by a brother, Juan, and another sister, Maria.
John Kelley ’70, Denver, May 20. John started the Meals on Wheels program in Las Animas County, then worked for the Colorado Department of Human Services; he was an active hospice volunteer until he was admitted to hospice care himself. He loved opera, crossword puzzles, and golf. John was predeceased by his partner, Michael Rikard. He is survived by siblings Kathy Howell, Betty, and Jim.
Therese DeMasters Crumb Nicholson ’79, Colorado Springs, Oct. 14. She earned her Colorado College degree in her 40s, fulfilling a childhood dream. Therese loved to garden and travel. She is survived by two sons, Kenney and Larry Crumb; two daughters, Sharon Pearson and Nancy Deegan; a brother, Robert DeMasters; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Janet Tucker Dreifus ’79, Denver, June 15, 2006. She earned degrees in dance therapy and clothing design, renovated her home herself, took flying lessons, and had a deep concern for the environment. Janet is survived by her life partner, Marjorie Montrose; her brother, David, and sister, Lynne; and her birth mother, Louise Jensen.
George Allen ’81, Highlands Ranch, Colo., June 25. George is survived by his wife Janet; a son, Samuel; parents Mary and Hubert; and a brother, Hubert.
Julie Ann Gates ’84, St. Joseph, Wis., Oct. 14.
Anne Drummond Egberts ’86, Princeton, N.J., Oct. 6. At Colorado College, Anne was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Beta Kappa. She graduated from Stanford University Law School in 1989, worked in marketing, then became a registered nurse and specialized in maternity care at the University Medical Center at Princeton. She is survived by her sons, Pieter, Duncan, and Alexander, her father Robert; and a brother, Robert.
Matthew Slothower ’87, Colorado Springs, Sept. 5. Matthew was a photographer. He is survived by his mother Marianne.
FRIENDS
Robert Anderson, Aspen, Colo., Dec. 2. Discoverer of the Prudhoe Bay oil field and long-time chair of the Atlantic Richfield Company, Robert was also a rancher, environmentalist, diplomat, philanthropist, and civic leader. He received an honorary degree from Colorado College in 1965. His wife Barbara survives him, as well as seven children, 20 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two brothers, and one sister.
Bill Fischer, Boulder, Colo., Dec. 4. Bill was a professor emeritus of geology at Colorado College and co-founded the Southwest Studies Program at the college. He was also a prime mover in the establishment of the Florissant Fossil Beds in Divide, Colo. He is survived by his wife Eleanor and children Nancy Tomlinson Schwenker ’68, Judith Ledbetter ’70, Dennis ’73, and Susan ’77. Please look for an article in the Summer Bulletin titled “Bill Fischer’s Last Ride.”
Mario Valdes, Colorado Springs, Sept. 14. Mario, a former architectural designer, joined Colorado College’s campus radio station in 1979. He became KRColorado College’s manager and first paid employee in 1983, brought National Public Radio to the Pikes Peak Region, and worked at the station for 23 years. As a naturalized citizen born in Cuba, he enjoyed politics and treasured American freedoms and personal rights. He is survived by his son, Adam, and former wife, Donna Sheloski.
