1935
Henry Christian Willumsen, Dec. 12, 2009, in St. Joseph, Iowa. Henry received a degree in chemistry from Colorado College and graduated from the University of Colorado Medical School. During his career in obstetrics and gynecology, Henry delivered 4,800 babies. He served during World War II as an Air Force flight surgeon. Survivors include daughter Ann Willumsen Lorson ’64, and her husband Edward Lorson ’65, son James, and two grandsons, Christian Lorson ’91 and Matthew Lorson ’95.
1938
Frances Allen Buchanan, May 28, 2010.
Cecil W. Cheney, Jan. 10, 2009, in Rio Rancho, N.M. He was the first personnel manager for the City of Rio Rancho after the city’s incorporation and retired from a career in personnel from the Sweda Corp. in 1979. Two daughters survive.
1940
Elizabeth “Betty” Adams Armstrong, Aug. 12, 2010, in Colorado Springs. At Colorado College, Betty was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, president of McGregor Hall, president of the Associated Women Students and the costume mistress for the acting troupe known as Koshare. A devoted alumna, Betty was a member of the President’s Council, an officer of the Fifty Year Club, and supported the Woman’s Educational Society. In 1997, Betty and her husband, Bill Armstrong, received the Lloyd E. Worner Award. Betty is survived by five daughters: Ann Scarboro ’63, Frances Kruse ’75, Jean Caggiano, Roberta Armstrong, and Katherine Armstrong; and 12 grandchildren. Her husband, Bill Armstrong ’37, preceded her in death; his parents both graduated from Colorado College in 1899. Sister-in-law Suzanne Starr ’46, also preceded her in death, and sister-in-law Jean Armstrong Jones ’44, survives.
1943
Eldon Paul Crissman, April 22, 2010. Survivors include son John S. Crissman ’68, his wife Kay Fields Crissman ’68, and William E. Crissman.
Louis Johnson, July 2, 2010. Survivors include his wife, Bernice; two children, Ellen Lipscomb and Gregory; and a brother, Marshall Johnson ’49.
Dorothy Goss Norris, Nov. 22, 2009. Survivors include her son John; cousin Beverly Goss Friedman ’52; nephew Les Paul Goss ’72 and his wife Melissa Jean Walker ’72; nephew John C. Goss ’73; sister-in-law Barbara Dwyer Goss ’45; deceased brother Leslie Arthur Goss Jr. ’44; and deceased brother-in-law Travis Sewell Whitsel Jr. ’49.
1944
Gloria Gossard, March 29, 2010, in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Though the years, Gloria supported many nonprofit entities in Steamboat Springs. In 1998, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation named her its Philanthropist of the Year. In 2008, the Steamboat Springs City Council chose her as the winner of the biennial Steamboat Springs Heritage Award. Part of the 120-acre parcel on Emerald Mountain is named Gloria Gossard Park.
1945
Harve Riley Varner, Jr., Oct. 26, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Harve practiced dentistry in Colorado Springs for nearly 50 years and provided dental services for the Colorado College hockey team in the 1970s. At Colorado College, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Survivors include his wife, Mary; daughter, Jennifer Martin ’75 and her husband James C. Martin ’74; his son, Greg Varner ’73, John Stuart, Susan Armstrong, Kent Varner, and nine grandchildren.
1946
Marian Mills Lutkins, July 2, 2010. She is survived by her son, Curtis.
1947
Elizabeth Lamb Pringle, July 16, 2010, in Castle Rock, Colo. Liz was a scholar of pre-Columbian art, a volunteer at the Denver Art Museum for more than 20 years, chair of the flower altar guild at Christ Episcopal Church in Denver, an active Kappa Kappa Gamma, and member of Colorado College’s Fifty Year Club. She is survived by her three children, Robert Pringle ’72, Jean Pringle Kortz, and Sandy Pringle Rogers ’79, her niece Nancy Lamb ’85, and 12 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Robert J. Pringle ’49.
William Guy “Hoppy” Hopkins, Aug. 8, 2010, in Pueblo, Colo. He completed pre-med at Colorado College, then earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado Medical School. He served two years in the Army-Air Force Medical Corps and returned to Pueblo to begin his medical practice with his father at the Pueblo Clinic. Survivors include daughters Sharon White and Gayle, son Gregory, and numerous grandchildren. His wife, Catherine Howland Hopkins, preceded him in death.
Albert Thomas Ferguson, May 21, 2010. Survivors include daughter Jennifer Wenzel ’87 and her husband Brian Wenzel ’87, daughters Mary and Claire Almond, son Tom Ferguson, nephew Gifford Van Eckhout Jr. ’81, and niece Kimberly Eckhout ’83.
Helen Reeds Miller, May 29, 2010, in Tulsa, Okla. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta at Colorado College and worked at Stanolind Oil Co. in Tulsa. She also worked at the U.S. court clerk’s office for 25 years and lived in Pagosa Springs, Colo., for nine years before returning to Tulsa. Surviving relatives include her cousin, John Newton Reeds ’50, three children, and two stepchildren.
Priscilla Wells Connell, July 7, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh ’47, and is survived by sons Mark, Doug, and Rob.
William Bruce Carroll, March 14, 2010. Survivors include daughters Jane, Catherine, and Margaret.
1948
William Farley Young, June 25, 2009. Survivors include his wife, Laura, and children Michael, Mark, Edith, Amy, and Carl.
James Roland Young, March 3, 2009. Survivors include his son Stanley.
1949
William “Bill” L. Pfeiffer, Sept. 24, 2008. A Colorado College cheerleader and member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, World War II interrupted Bill’s education, but he returned to Colorado College after serving in the Navy. He graduated cum laude and became a stockbroker, avid skier, golfer, and backpacker. In the mid-1960s, he joined four partners in managing the ski area on Pikes Peak. He is survived by four children, Jan Hiland of Gypsum, Colo.; Robert Pfeiffer of Parker, Colo.; Kristi Pfeiffer Peck of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Erich Pfeiffer of San Francisco. His wife of 55 years, Patricia Bridwell Pfeiffer ’49, passed away in March. He also is survived by two brothers, Richard Pfeiffer ’50 of Colorado Springs and Jack Pfeiffer ’51 of Castle Pines, Colo. Preceding him in death were his mother, Gladys Berta Pfeiffer ’20, sister Sue Pfeiffer Daniels ’55 and brother-in-law Eugene Daniels ’55, and brother Edward Christopher “Ned” Pfeiffer ’54.
Stanley L. Rice, July 23, 2010, in Denver. Stan served in the Marine Corps during World War II and in Korea. At Colorado College, he was active in Kappa Sigma, serving as vice president. He was also an honors scholar and a member of the Inter-fraternity Council for three years. After graduation, he worked in pharmaceuticals until he retired. He is survived by his wife, Liz, sons James and John, and daughter Elizabeth.
1950
Wallace F. Bischof, May 24, 2010, in Port Charlotte, Fla. Survivors include his wife, Marie and seven daughters: Ann Vaile, Jane Murphy, Lynn Mohan, Gail Grigsby, Julie Lindemann, Susan, and Marian.
Richard Nerad, June 26, 2010, in St. Charles, Ill. After completing undergraduate work at Colorado College, he received a master’s in business administration from the University of Denver, and then a CPA certificate. A retired Chicago-based Arthur Andersen & Co. executive, Richard started the Nerad Lung Cancer Research Fund through Loyola University Health System during the final 10 weeks of his eight-year battle with lung cancer. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; son Dean ’87; daughters Judith, and Rebecca Pearce; and seven grandchildren.
James Keith Gepford, June 23, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and four stepchildren, Rob and Mike Hall, Jeanne Benfatti, and Kendra Reilly.
1953
Donald “Don” M. Manzelli, June 16, 2010, in Woburn, Mass. Don was a sergeant in the Army and member of the Army Ground Forces Band in Washington, D.C. An active and generous Colorado College alumnus, Don served as a City Champion, a career volunteer, and on reunion committees for Colorado College. He was a member of the President’s Circle, the 1874 Society, and the Legacy Society. Don won numerous awards for structures his design and construction company built in Massachusetts. Don was a private pilot, extensive traveler, and an avid fan of jazz, classical, opera, and musical theater. He leaves his three adult children, Doug (and wife Lori); Marta ’79; and Jeff ’89; their mother, Janet; granddaughter, Alisa; and cousin Helen “Ditto” Reilly ’74.
Emily Howe Kooken, May 23, 2010, in Pasadena, Calif. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in economics from Colorado College, she earned a master’s in education from Stanford University. Emily became a member of Kappa Alpha Theta at Colorado College and continued to be involved in the alumni organization. Emily was a generous supporter of the college and was a member of the Legacy Society, the 1874 Society, and a charter member of the President’s Circle. Survivors include her daughters Diane Kooken Mechaley ’80, and Carolyn.
