Bradley Hilltopics Online

Faculty and Administration

DR. MARTIN G. “JERRY” ABEGG ’47 HON ’93, Bradley president from 1970 to 1992, died on April 21 in Dallas. He was an engineering instructor, became chairman of the department, and was then named dean of the College of Engineering in 1963. He held a master’s degree from the University of Colorado and a doctorate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was a World War II Navy veteran.

He and his wife BARBARA CHAMBERLAIN ABEGG ’48 retired to a log home he built in Door County, Wis., and recently moved to Dallas. She survives, along with sons MARTIN ABEGG JR. ’72 and ROBERT ABEGG ’74, and five grandchildren.

A related story appears in features.

1930s

RUTH BURROUGHS COX DAHLSTROM ’33, Jan. 25, Galva. She taught for two years at Hopedale Country School and was a homemaker. Ruth was a member of the DAR. Two children survive, along with several grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

MARY JENKINS ’39, Jan. 30, Eureka. Mary had been a teacher in Eureka. She was 102.

1940s

ROBERT DERSCH ’40, March 23, Royal Oak, Mich. He worked for Great Lakes Gas Transmission Co. for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. In Detroit he had served as president of Toastmasters, as well as the Institute of Internal Auditors.

MARY LEE GUTH RIDER ’40, March 10, Washington. She was active in the choirs at her church for many years. Mary Lee was a 4-H leader and had been president of the Washington Women’s Club. Surviving are five children including SHERWOOD RIDER ’64, MARY RIDER MEISCHNER ’71, and STEPHEN RIDER ’76, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

EVELYN STRASSBURGER VOSS ’42, Feb. 16, Peoria. She was an accompanist at Manual High School and later taught piano. Active in the community, she was a board member of Lakeview Museum. Evelyn was a member of Sigma Kappa at Bradley. Surviving are five children including MARILYN VOSS LEYLAND ’67, SUSAN VOSS READ ’70, and EUGENE VOSS II ’73; her brother ROBERT STRASSBURGER ’47, 19 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

ROBERT WELK ’42, Feb. 1, McLean, Va. He worked for the CIA from 1946 to 1974, and was deputy comptroller and director of management and supervisory training. A graduate of the law school at Georgetown University, he was an expert in parliamentary procedure. He was a member of Sigma Phi. A World War II Army veteran, he was awarded a Bronze Star. Three children and eight grandchildren survive.

VICKI MICHEL McCORD ’43, March 3, Peoria. She and her late husband Bob received the President’s Award from Bradley in 1995. Vicki served on the board of Illinois Mutual from 1972 to 2007. An active volunteer and member of PEO, she was honored by Junior League as sustainer of the year in 2003. Three children, eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren survive. Her son Michel is a Bradley Trustee.

SHIRLEY MORAN RIDGELY ’43, Feb. 18, Peoria. She was a member of Chi Omega. Surviving are three children including DIANE RIDGELY DANILIUK ’81, two grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

MARGARET EDWARDS FRANCIS ’45, Feb. 27, Knoxville, Tenn. She was employed by the U.S. Office of Mine Safety for 19 years. Earlier she worked for Caterpillar and as a stewardess for American Airlines. Survivors include six children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

JAMES GRIFFY ’47, Dec. 23, 2009, Olney. He owned and operated Griffy’s Jewelry in Newton and Olney for 62 years. A World War II Navy veteran, he was active in the community and in Masonic work. Survivors include his wife Helen, two sons, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

GLENN JONES ’48 MA ’50, March 24, Peoria. He worked in payroll at Keystone Steel & Wire Co. for 19 years, and previously taught elementary school. Glenn was village clerk of Bartonville for 11 years. A World War II Navy veteran, he enjoyed golf and baseball. He was a pitcher at Bradley. His two sons and two grandchildren survive.

WILLIAM MACDONALD ’49, April 2, Peoria. He worked in management at Caterpillar for 37 years in Peoria; Memphis, Tenn.; and York, Pa. He was a World War II and Korean War Navy veteran. When his father was developing the whooping cough vaccine in 1933, Bill and his brothers were test subjects and later received national media attention. He is survived by his wife Ester and one brother.

1950s

ELI “GENE” HARTMAN ’50, Feb. 13, Pekin. He was a chemist for Hiram Walker & Sons for 40 years in Peoria and Fort Smith, Ark. Gene was an active member of Second Reformed Church. Three children, three grandsons, and two great-grandsons survive.

DEAN MURPHY ’50 MS ’52, March 16, 2009, Greenwood, Ind. He retired in 1977 as principal of the high school in Herscher, Ill. Previously he worked at Illinois schools in New Boston, Orion, and Marshall. Dean was a World War II Navy veteran. Surviving are three children, seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

WILLIAM REGAN ’50, Jan. 21, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Bill worked for Joan of Arc Canning Co. for many years and in 1978 became executive vice president in Peoria. He also served as president of the National Canners Association. Bill was active in his church and was president of the school board in Hoopeston, Ill. Survivors include his wife Sue, three children, and six grandchildren.

CARROLL GREEN ’51, March 8, East Peoria. He was a band and choral director at the grade school and high school levels. He also taught private organ and piano lessons, and was an instructor in Bradley’s OLLI program. A church organist for 46 years, Carroll held a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He was an Air National Guard veteran. His daughter and three grandchildren survive.

WILLIAM R. “BUD” HULL ’51, Feb. 17, Sun City West, Ariz. He retired in 1990 after a 36-year career at Caterpillar. Bill was a World War II Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife Nancy, two sons, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

LOUISE ROGERS WARGO ’51, June 12, 2009, Joliet. She was a speech therapist in Peoria schools and then at the United Cerebral Palsy Center of Will County. Louise was active in her church and enjoyed presenting book reviews. Her husband George and two children survive.

JOHN REINHARDT ’53, Dec. 24, 2009, Waukegan. An Army veteran, he taught at Manual High School before moving to Waukegan to teach. He also directed student plays at the high school, retiring in 1992. John acted professionally in Chicago and served on the boards of several theaters. His wife Ellen survives.

DAVID YOUNGMAN ’53, March 29, Peoria. He was a contractor specializing in metal buildings. A Korean War Army veteran, he was involved in Masonic work. Survivors include his wife Sally, three sons, and five grandchildren.

ELDON THOMASON ’55, Aug. 6, 2009, Los Altos, Calif. Eldon retired from the Aluminum Company of America. At Bradley he was president of Theta Chi. Survivors include his wife Linda, two children, and two grandsons.

JOHN R. PHELPS ’56, Oct. 31, 2009, Groveland. An Army veteran, he worked at Caterpillar for 35 years. John was interested in genealogy. Survivors include his partner Stephen C. Wilson and his sister.

MARVIN LIKES ’57, Jan. 22, Barry. He was a jeweler for four years and then became a professional land surveyor. He was an Army veteran. His wife Pat, two daughters, and four grandchildren survive.

JANET WHITE COTTER ’59, Feb. 11, Lancaster, Ohio. She was an active volunteer with the Fairfield Heritage Association and the local hospital. Two sons and her granddaughter survive.

RALPH HENSON ’59, Feb. 11, Bunkie, La. A member of numerous engineering organizations, Ralph was a design engineer for the Caterpillar 3500 engine built in Lafayette, Ind. He retired from Cat after 23 years of service. Ralph also was a pilot and enjoyed flying. His wife Maida and their daughter survive.

1960s

MARVIN KELLER ’60, March 9, Warrenville. He was an insurance agent. Survivors include his wife Rebecca and his daughter.

LAWRENCE PELINI ’60, Feb. 1, Litchfield. A self-employed commercial artist, he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators in 1973. He worked for Diamond Toy Co., Caterpillar, and State Farm. Larry was a member of Sigma Nu at Bradley. Surviving are his daughter, three grandchildren, a sister, and four brothers including LOUIS PELINI ’60.

LEROY EDWARDS ’62, Feb. 14, Waterloo, Ill. He had been an administrator at Washington High School. Earlier he taught and coached in Melvin. Lee played basketball and baseball at Bradley. Survivors include his wife Dorothy Jean, two daughters, and three grandchildren.

DAVID JACOBS ’63, March 17, Naperville. He retired from the corporate office of Jewel Foods in 1999 after 33 years of service. Dave was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha at Bradley. His wife Sandra and two children survive.

ELLEN ANSORGE FRIESEN SCHMIDT ’63, Feb. 18, St. Louis. A speech pathologist, Ellen owned and operated Professional Rehabilitation Center, and specialized in geriatric rehabilitation. Previously she worked in schools in Denver; Portland, Ore.; and St. Louis. Ellen held a master’s degree from Fontbonne University. She was active in her church. Survivors include her husband Ed, three children, six grandchildren, a brother, and her sister JOYCE ANSORGE STUBER ’61.

SAMUEL WRIGLEY ’63 ’65, Feb. 22, Pekin. He was a safety engineer at Komatsu Mining Systems for 13 years, retiring in 2003. An avid golfer, he was a member of Sigma Nu. Survivors include his wife Phyllis, one son, and several stepgrandchildren.

LEONE LUKENS ’65, Jan. 7, Davenport, Iowa. She was a teacher at Norwood Grade School in Peoria County. Survivors include her husband Donald, three children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

JEFFREY HAWKINSON ’68 MA ’71, Feb. 26, Peoria. He worked in radio before joining WEEK-TV in 1975. From 1986 to 2002, Jeff worked in public relations for Caterpillar. He was the pronouncer for the local spelling bee for 24 years. Jeff founded the student news program, TV-10, at Illinois State University. Jeff was honored by the United Way and the Salvation Army. He was president of the Student Senate at Bradley. His wife Cathi, four children, and four grandchildren survive.

LYLE GILBERT, MEA ’69, Jan. 15, Lima, Ohio. He was director of sales and marketing for MetoKote Corp. for 26 years, retiring in 2000. He was active in the Electrocoat Association, as well as his community. Survivors include his wife Judy, six children, and 11 grandchildren.

BARBARA MARIE LINK ’69, March 19, La Crosse, Wis. Sister Barbara Marie was a high school teacher in Normal and Peoria for 29 years. She became a campus minister at the Newman Foundation at the University of Illinois, and last worked as a hospice chaplain in Brookfield, Wis. Her mother, two brothers, and two sisters survive.

F. MICHAEL STANIS JR. ’69, Oct. 8, 2009, Louisville, Ky. He worked for Tube Turns and was the manager of Kohl’s Department Store. His wife Betsy, three children, his parents, and four grandchildren survive.

DEAN ULLMANN ’69, Feb. 3, Pinetop, Ariz. He was a real estate broker and later became a home builder and an auto broker. Dean was active with the Oldsmobile Club of America. He was a Vietnam War Air Force veteran. Surviving are his wife Lynnette, two children, a stepson, and a grandson.

MARY ELLEN VAN ACKER ’69, Jan. 18, East Peoria. She retired from teaching in 2006 after 37 years at Norwood Primary School, but continued to work at the school as a reading assistant. Survivors include her brother and her caregiver Gail Jacobs.

1970s

JOHN C. GIBSON ’70 MSEE ’72, April 6, Boerne, Texas. A pioneer in developing long distance switching systems at Bell Laboratories, John was an engineering fellow and represented AG Communications and Lucent Technologies. An Army veteran, he held a doctorate from Ohio State. Surviving are his wife JULIE WATT GIBSON ’70, two daughters, and a granddaughter. Also surviving are his sister and brothers TERRY GIBSON ’65 and BILL GIBSON ’72.

JAMES SKOVRON ’70, May 2, 2009, Exeter, N.H. Jim played baseball and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Bradley. He was retired. His wife Hilary and two daughters survive.

PHYLLIS FINFGELD, MA ’71, Feb. 1, Henry. She taught music and first grade in Henry for 25 years. Later she worked at M&D Printing. An active member of First Presbyterian Church, Phyllis sang in the choir for 30-plus years. Her husband Richard, two daughters, and two grandchildren survive.

DAVID CHRISTENSON ’73, Aug. 12, 2009, Geneva. He operated a wood and metal patternmaking business. He enjoyed woodworking and his Harley, and was active in his church. David was a veteran. Survivors include his wife Barb, his mother, two children, a stepdaughter, and a grandson.

THOMAS MORGAN, MA ’74, March 21, Rockford. A teacher in Rockford and Milwaukee, Tom became executive director of the Illinois Education Association from 1986 to 2007. In 2007 he took on the same role with MTEA, the teachers’ union in Milwaukee. Tom was very active in Rockford organizations and boards. His wife Jacki, two sons, and five grandchildren survive.

DIANE MOWBRAY RANDOLPH ’74, Dec. 12, 2009, Royal Oak, Mich. Diane was an accountant.

TIMOTHY HARRIS ’78, April 14, 2009, Western Springs. He was president of Nonni’s Food Co. A member of Theta Xi and the BU swim team, Tim had been inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame. Surviving are his wife Sara and four children.

1980s

DIANE ENGELS RAY ’86, March 19, Sumter, S.C. She was the manager of the All South Federal Credit Union. Diane served on the Parish Council. Her husband Michael and two sons survive.

MARC GIBSON ’87, Feb. 6, Greenville, S.C. Marc was employed by Intrinergy LLC and held two patents. Survivors include his wife Lori and two sons.

“In Memory” Guidelines: In Memory is written from newspaper clippings, as well as published obituaries supplied by friends and family. Bradley Hilltopics attempts to identify spouses, parents, children, and siblings who are also Bradley alumni. Submit an obituary by mailing a newspaper clipping or memory card from the funeral home to Bradley Hilltopics, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625.