Obituaries 2009
William Morris Dickson
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| Dickson |
After graduating with a DVM he accepted a position with Washington State College Dept. of Vet. Medicine. Bill received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1956. He lived in Pullman from 1952-2006. Bill did large animal research and taught pharmacology and physiology. During his tenure he applied for research grants and published scientific papers.
Bill married Marion Cavanaugh in 1979. He retired in the late 1980's. Bill and Marion enjoyed traveling, tennis, sailing, golf and get togethers with faculty members. He is survived by daughters Joan Froude and Cynthia Dickson, step-daughters Kerry Zellers and Mary Fran Cavanaugh, and grandchildren Angela Sturman, Jessica Sturman, Scott Zellers, Mary Katherine Zellers, Eliot Sherman, and Alex Clever. Bill will be remembered for his positive attitude, easy smile, and his dedication to his beliefs.
Pauline was born July 4, 1929 to William and Stella Wilson of Detroit, Michigan. She attended high school in Detroit but spent much time at her grandmother's farm in Standish Michigan where she developed her great love of big sky and outdoors.
In 1949 Pauline married Robert Huff and had a daughter, Ursula. After their divorce, she met the man of her life, Gerald Lilje. Gerry, Pauline and Ursula left Wayne State and made the big move west where they did summer lookouts for the forest service and various other jobs to pay their way to University of Oregon.
Pauline earned a masters in fine arts from Eugene where she sculpted large pieces of art and was a woman before her time. In 1961, Pauline and Gerry had a son, Justin. The four of them made another move across the country ending in the Midwest where Gerry had accepted a job with the Philosophy Department at University of Illinois. Here Pauline got another masters degree in library science before they returned to the West.
In 1967 the Lilje family returned west where Pauline worked for the Washington State Library and Gerry at WSU Philosophy department. They grew to love the Palouse country and eventually bought and lived on a farm outside of Palouse Washington for many years. The wheat fields and western flavor inspired Pauline where she and Gerry began their artwork together. Pauline also became an accomplished succulent and cactus gardener.
In 1996, Pauline and Gerry retired to Portland, Oregon. Pauline's accomplishments were many: Fine beadwork artist with shows locally and at WSU, avid reader, gardener extraodinaire admired by all, walker of dog, Tookie, Mother, partner in rich marriage of over 50 years, and of course expert on all important things.
She is survived by her husband Gerry Lilje, son Justin Lilje, daughter Ursula and son-in-law Don McCabe. Joe and Mary Lilje of Carson City, Nevada as family share in the loss. She will also be greatly missed by her neighbors in the Overlook neighborhood of North Portland and many old friends across the country. Remembrances to our hearts, give a dog a treat, visit a museum, and plant a flower.
Juanita H. Wagner
Virginia Leinweber
Steve W. Spencer
Earl Muir
Earl was born Jan. 17, 1932, in Asotin, to Edgar and Tilda Guenkel Muir. He attended grade school in Asotin until age 12, then moved to Pullman. He graduated from Pullman High School in 1949.
Earl attended Washington State College, graduating in 1954 with a baccalaureate degree in architectural engineering. While in college, he was a member of Crimson Circle service honorary; Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Tau scholastic honoraries; and a charter member and president of Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity. He also was in the AFROTC program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1953. He served in the active U.S. Air Force Reserves until called into active duty in October 1954 as installation squadron supply officer at Larson Air Force Base at Moses Lake, Wash. He was discharged as a first lieutenant in October 1956.
On Aug. 8, 1954, Earl married Margery Rounds Muir in Pullman. They moved to Bellevue, Wash., in 1956, living there while he was employed at a private architect office in Seattle. He worked as a project architect for the 1962 Seattle Century 21 World's Fair and the later conversion of the fairgrounds to the Seattle Center. Other work included the State Library at the Capitol in Olympia, as well as various educational, commercial and church projects. In July 1967, Earl returned to Pullman with his family for a job at WSU in the Facilities Planning (now Development) department. He was the university's staff architect for the Fine Arts Building, and among his projects were the Webster Physical Sciences Building, Hulbert Hall, Martin Stadium renovation and site planning improvements throughout the Pullman campus. The last 10 years of his 30-year career at WSU were spent as campus development manager in charge of programming, site selection, environmental assessment, planning and Phase I construction of the WSU campus in Vancouver, Wash. Earl was presented the President's Outstanding Staff Award and the Dean's Service Medal for his dedication to the development of the Vancouver campus. He retired from WSU in July 1997 and remained in Pullman.
Community involvement included scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 450 for 12 years. His leadership of the troop earned him the Silver Beaver Medal, the highest award for services to scouting by a volunteer. This award recognized his commitment to training, experiences, advancement, encouragement, skill activities, camping, wilderness backpack adventures, troop meetings and unfailing patience while working with the troop members, many of whom became Eagle Scouts, the highest scout award. He also served as a member of the Pullman Planning Commission and Kiwanis and was an active supporter of the WSU Athletic Foundation.
He is survived by his wife, Margery; their three children are Chris Muir and Ana Nevarez, Ruth and Mike Monahan, and Keith Muir and Christie Bailey. Grandchildren are Abby Muir, Cody Muir, Michael Muir, Sarah Monahan Hills and Meghan Monahan Lonneker; great-grandchildren are Emma and Jack Hills. He is also survived by a brother, Carl, of Liberty Lake, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ellsworth, Carroll and Howard; and sisters Margaret Agost, Maxine Coulter and Adellah Hyde.
A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at the Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Pullman. A family interment service will be at Pullman City Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the United Way in Pullman.
Eugene (Gene) Semingson
Semingson was born March 24, 1930, in Crosby, N.D., to Victor and Gladys Lawrence Semingson. As a teenager he moved with his mother to Pullman, where he graduated from Pullman High School and served as student body president.
Eugene was active in oratory competitions, winning a convertible at a state competition during his junior year of high school. He also was active in various theater productions, an interest that continued throughout his life.
Following high school graduation, Eugene attended Washington State University at Pullman, where he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees. He was a member of the Lamba Chi Fraternity while a student at WSU, serving as president for a time. Eugene served in the U.S. Army following the Korean War, where he was stationed in Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Pullman, where he began his career at WSU in the audio/visual department.
Through the years he also worked for R.A. Hanson Company as a sales manager.
One of his many accomplishments during his time at WSU was to lead the development of the film collection department. Eugene retired from the university after a 30-year career.
He married Elizabeth Allen, who was from Crosby, N.D., and together they had four children. They were later divorced.
In 1979, Eugene married Freda Jennings and they have always made Pullman their home.
Over the years, he pursued many interests. While working on his master's degree at WSU, he had a meat market in Trent Grocery on Grand Street. In conjunction with the meat business, he opened a cold storage plant on Stadium Way. He joined a flying club in early years and got his private pilot's license, later buying out the other owners of the aircraft. He entertained all over the Northwest with his mostly humorous cowboy poetry. His cattle business was a favorite occupation and he loved living out in the country near the Snake River breaks, which he did for 17 years.
He was a member of the Pullman Kiwanis Club and the Northwest Film Producers Association. Eugene is survived by his wife Freda at their Pullman home; two sons, Jon and Jeff Semingson of Pullman; and his sister, Coretta Chastain of Yakima. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Kathryn Semingson, his brother Chucky Congdon and also his infant daughter.
Memorials are suggested to the Family Home Care and Hospice, 1610 NE Eastgate Blvd., suite 850, Pullman, WA 99163; the Pullman Food Bank; or to the Gladish Community and Cultural Center. Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com.
Patricia (Pat) Startzel
Pat met the love-of- her-life; husband John Startzel, in the fall of 1955. They were married after a brief three month courtship on Dec. 27, 1955. Pat and John moved to Texas for his military obligation. After three years of service in the Air Force they returned to Washington where John taught and coached at Sumner High School. In 1963 the family, which by then consisted of four boys, moved to Pullman for John’s graduate work and employment at WSU.
Pat’s dream of having a daughter was fulfilled in1969 when the family adopted four year old Stacy. Pat and Stacy became each other’s best friends. After the children started school, Pat worked in the WSU intramural department for 15 years. After 23 years in Pullman the family moved to Richland, Wash., where John became director of Admissions at CBC. When Pat left WSU Pullman the university student newspaper published a full-page spread in which Pat was declared “Intramural Mom and the backbone of the department.”
In 1987 Pat was hired as the support person for the WSU Tri-Cities Advisory Committee, which had the responsibility of site selection and curriculum for the WSU branch campus. Once the branch campus was established, Pat served as director of student services and coordinator of the General Studies program. Pat was honored in 1992 as one of three university employees to receive the WSU Employee Excellence Award.
Pat loved working with students; during her career she developed lasting friendships with many students. The family hosted several International students, many of whom became part of the Startzel family. Pat was strongly committed to assisting students, particularly women who were returning to school as new enrollees. Pat was a firm believer in community service and volunteered her time to various charities and women’s organizations.
She was a talented seamstress, enjoyed needle work, loved decorating her home, and was an accomplished gardener. She created many beautiful stained glass projects for family and friends. Upon retirement Pat and John traveled in their fifth wheel throughout the U.S. and Mexico. They also visited Europe several times.
Surviving Pat is husband John, sons, David (Shauna), Jeff, Todd (Karol), Doug (Kevin), and Stacy (Chris); seven grandchildren: Danielle (Tod), Breanna, Scott, Brittany, Briley, Brian, Brock; two great grand children: Keaton and Addison; sister, Judy(Jim). She is further survived by cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. Pat was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend. (for women enrolled at WSU Tri-Cities branch campus)
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Pat Startzel Scholarship Program (for women enrolled at WSU Tri-Cities branch campus), 2710 University Drive, East 241, Richland, WA 99354, or to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance at 825 Eastlake Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98109. Thanks for sharing your life and love with us.
Bruce Harding
Hugh R. McDonald, who worked in the WSU Print Shop from 1955 until his retirement in the mid-1970s, passed away in Spokane on Nov 6, 2009 at the age of 92. After his wife, Genevieve, retired from her teaching position in the home economics department, they spent more than 30 years of retirement living on the Pend O'Reille River in northeast Washington. He is survived by children Ranald McDonald, Spokane; James R. McDonald, MD, Salem, Ore.; Kenneth H. McDonald, Aberdeen, Wash.; John S. McDonald, Oak Harbor, Wash.; and Jennifer A. McDonald-Smith, MD, Vancouver, Wash.Pettibone lost her battle with cancer, at her son's home near Colfax. She was 76. Ardith was born Jan. 26, 1933, in Spokane, Wash. She graduated from John R. Rogers High School in 1951, as the valedictorian and a member of the National Honor Society. She later attended Washington State University in Pullman where she graduated summa cum laude with degrees in computer science and mathematics. She took a position as a programmer/supervisor at Washington State University from 1966 to 1978, and then from 1979 to 1994 she was promoted to a systems analyst, analyst/planner position. In 1994 she worked as a project control coordinator. She retired March 1, 1998, and was enjoying her retirement in Battle Ground, Wash. She was a fantastic seamstress and enjoyed reading, rollerblading and puzzles.
Ardith is survived by her sister Carolyn Wattenburger, of West Richland, Wash.; a brother, Dwight Wilson, of Wimberley, Texas; and sister, Bonnie Landreth of Kittitas, Wash. She also is survived by her four children, Christina Pettibone of St. Louis, Mo., Teresa Kruger of Spokane, Wash., Bruce Mathison of Colfax, Wash., Jon Mathison of Moscow, Idaho, and her dearest friend that was instrumental in her loving care at the end, Cathy Elstad. Ardith has eight grandchildren, two great-grandsons and 10 nieces and nephews.
Ardith will be dearly missed by all that were blessed to have her in their lives.
The family suggests donations be made to the Family Homecare and Hospice Association.
And online guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com.
Arden E. Literal
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| Luedeking |
He was attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis when he met Leila Lindquist, also a grad student there. The couple married in Grand Rapids, Minn., on Aug. 17, 1952. Robert completed his doctorate in chemical engineering in 1956, and he and Leila moved to Pullman, Wash., that same year. He was a professor in the chemical engineering department at Washington State University for more than 25 years before retiring in 1981.
Robert was very active in the Pullman community. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and at one time sang in the church choir, a member of the Pullman Kiwanis and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He also played trombone for many years with the Pullman Community Band. Robert was very active in the Whitman County Historical Society and was responsible for many of the archived pictures that appeared in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Leila, at their Pullman home; five daughters, Karen Luedeking, Spokane, Christine Gray, Moscow, Barbara Crandall, Kenmore, Wash., Helen Thomas, Pullman, and Sylvia Luedeking, Broomfield, Colo.; four grandchildren, Celina Thomas, Jeff Gray, Natasha Mahoney and Natalie Crandall; one great-grandson, Marcus Mahoney; a brother, William Luedeking, of Seattle and a sister, Mary Hession, of Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ann Taylor. The family suggests memorials be made to the WSU Foundation, Department of Chemical Engineering, St. James Episcopal Church or the Whitman County Historical Society.
An online guest book is at www.kimballfh.com
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| Sain |
Kathy Sain, who worked in WSU Libraries Technical Services Division for the past 22 years, passed away on Aug. 4, 2009, at her Pullman home.
Sain was born Sept. 15, 1950, in Colorado Springs, Colo, to James & Maxine (Huff) Sain. She grew up and attended school in Colorado Springs, graduating from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 1968. She began her studies at the University of Colorado in Boulder where she received her bachelor of fine arts degree in 1976. Sain then received her master's degree in fine arts from the University of Puget Sound in 1979.
During her master's work, Sain spent a year in Kyoto, Japan, studying pottery as part of her master's program. Upon the completion of her studies, she worked as a teaching assistant, art instructor and graphic artist while living in Tacoma, WA.
In 1987 she moved to Pullman, Wash., where she began her career at Washington State University Libraries. Sain began as a Library Technician in the Technical Services Division. Her time in the libraries was all spent in the Technical Services Division where she diligently performed her work in serial record and preservation/binding. Kathleen also was a technical editor for graduate student thesis programs.
Sain attended the Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Pullman. She is survived by her sister Linda Sain of Ocala, Fla. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service for Kathleen Sain will begin 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at the United Church of Christ, 525 NE Campus St. All are welcome to attend this celebration of Kathy's life.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Whitman County Humane Society, 126 S. Grand Ave., Pullman, WA 99163
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-- Marlyn Miller, friend
She will be missed by all of us at SGI.
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| LeLoup |
LeLoup, a highly regarded observer of the state political scene, had most recently served as vice provost of international programs for the university.
In his four years at International Programs, external funding for development projects around the world has tripled, the number of WSU students studying abroad has increased by 50 percent, international student enrollment has increased, international partnerships have been strengthened and expanded, and the campus and curriculum have become more internationalized. Under his leadership, the Office of Global Studies was created and the number of global studies minors went from less than five to more than 100.
LeLoup came to WSU in1996 to serve as chair of the department of political science, a position he held until 2001. He also served as director of the Thomas Foley Institute from 1998-2001. Earlier this year, he was promoted to the rank of Regents Professor, the first faculty member from political science to achieve that rank.
In 2007, LeLoup received the Aaron Wildavsky Lifetime Achievement Award for Research on Public Budgeting. In accepting the award, LeLoup said: “A lifetime achievement award almost by definition forces one to go back and retrace the journey that led to this moment. It has been a journey of starts and stops, of insights and dead ends, a journey of passion and discovery.”
LeLoup earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Georgetown and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University. He worked as a legislative assistant to the minority leader of the Ohio State Senate before becoming a faculty member at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. After serving as a Fulbright Senior Scholar in Public Policy at Hungary’s Budapest University, LeLoup accepted the position of professor of political science at WSU in 1996.
“During my career, I have been easily distracted, not only by new research areas but by leadership opportunities, taking a total of six administrative positions over the past 30 years, including my current post as vice provost. But I have always considered myself a scholar first,” LeLoup said in accepting the Wildavsky award.
LeLoup’s in-depth knowledge of the political process, as well as his quick and ready wit, led to his being frequently quoted by reporters seeking insight into current political events in the state of Washington.
“Lance’s colleagues will remember him as a true friend, the first to celebrate the successes of others and to offer his support when things did not go well. Even as he accepted heavy administrative responsibilities he offered his time unselfishly to others, sharing his vast experience and knowledge with younger colleagues and graduate students,” said Cornell Clayton, a long-time colleague and friend who is the current director of the Foley Institute.
“In the past few days, I have received countless phone calls and e-mail messages from former students and colleagues from around the world, each with a story of how Lance had touched their lives or altered their careers. On Thursday the university community lost not only a respected scholar but an exceptional colleague and true friend who enriched the lives of all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He will be dearly missed,” Clayton said.
LeLoup died surrounded by family and friends. His wife Pam works for the WSU Foundation. Survivors also include his mother Jean, one daughter Molly and two step-daughters Jennifer and Rebecca, a brother Leif and two sisters Laurel and Lynn.
A small memorial service was held by family and friends on Whidbey Island. No further services are planned.
The family has asked that contributions in his honor be made to scholarship fund they have established through the WSU Foundation. Checks can be written to the WSU Foundation, Lance LeLoup Memorial and can be sent to WSU Foundation, Pullman, WA 99164-1927.
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| Simonsmeier |
Simonsmeier was a 1967 graduate of Drake University College of Pharmacy and the University of Denver College of Law in 1973. After practicing both pharmacy and law he embarked on a highly successful career as an academician at Washington State University.
Joining the faculty of the WSU College of Pharmacy as an assistant professor, he quickly rose through the professorial ranks to be professor of pharmacy law, associate dean, acting dean and dean. He also served WSU as executive director of the Office of Intellectual Property, director of the WSU Research and Technology Park, and president of the WSU Research Foundation. He continued his affiliation at WSU as professor emeritus until his passing.
Relocating to Portland in 1996, he served as a senior advisor for health technologies to the Portland Development Commission, as executive director of the Oregon Biotechnology Association and Foundation, and as a consultant to the vice chancellor for public affairs of the Oregon University System.
At the Oregon Health and Science University he served as policy advisor to the president and as assistant vice president for research administration and operations. Upon retirement in December 2007, he was awarded the title of assistant vice president emeritus for research administration.
For a quarter century he served as editor of the monthly newsletter of the American Society for Pharmacy Law and also served as president 1978-80. He was an editor of Pharmacy Law Digest, the most widely used pharmacy law text and reference in the U.S. For more than 20 years he authored a pharmacy law column in Pharmacy Times distributed to 50,000 pharmacies in the U.S. Each year in recognition of his contributions to the field of pharmacy law, the American Society for Pharmacy Law presents the Larry M. Simonsmeier Award to individuals who have made outstanding written contributions to the fields of pharmacy law, food and drug law, drug policy, or related areas.
As a public service contributor, Simonsmeier served as a support group leader for Parkinson's Resources of Oregon, as well as a member of the State Board of Directors. He also served nine years as a public member of the board for the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, and at the time of his death was serving as the public member of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Widely acknowledged as a skilled administrator and leader, Simonsmeier was one who worked most effectively behind the scenes, but it was as a teacher and mentor that Simonsmeier truly shone. He greatly enjoyed hearing from former students whose many and varied achievements continue to reflect great credit on his influence in their lives. Through them and their efforts on behalf of the patients they serve he continues to touch many lives and will for years to come. Simonsmeier was a man of many talents, a man of many friends. He was a member of Sunset Presbyterian Church in Portland, Ore. where a memorial service was held on Sept. 19, 2009.
Simonsmeier was preceded death by his mother and father, Marvin and Irene. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, two sons David of Newman Lake, Wash., and Stephen and wife Chris of Vancouver, Wash., two stepsons Scott Gerloff of Beaverton, Ore., and Mark and wife Lisa Gerloff of Birmingham, Alabama, two grand children and two step grandchildren, and brother, Robert and wife Kay of Spokane, Wash.
Memorial contributions to commemorate the life of this man can be directed to the Larry M. Simonsmeier Memorial Scholarship fund, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646510, Pullman, WA 99164-6510.
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| Foster |
"This is a profound loss and another tremendous shock to the faculty, staff and students in the College of Education who are still grieving over the June 26 passing of Dean Judy Mitchell,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd. “Our deepest sympathies are extended to Len’s family and friends, and to our colleagues in the College of Education.”
Foster joined the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling Psychology in 2003. He served as associate dean for three years, overseeing administration, research and graduate studies. He was a nationally known researcher whose interests included school principals, school reform, social-cultural influences in schools, higher education, and historically black colleges and universities.
Len received three degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno, including an Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Higher Education. He did advanced studies at Stanford University, where he was a William Coe Fellow in American History.
His many accomplishments included editing The Black College Review: Research, Policy and Practice. A former high school principal and curriculum coordinator, he was active in the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In 2007, he won the National Service Award from Division A (Administration, Organization, and Leadership) of the American Educational Research Association.
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| Mitchell |
Mitchell was the university’s longest-serving dean and a prominent leader on both state and national education issues. As dean, she oversaw the Department of Teaching & Learning, and Department of Educational Leadership & Teaching Psychology on all four WSU campuses.
“Judy Mitchell served Washington State University long and well. She was a leader with great intellectual energy and compassion. She made this university a better place and she will be missed by all those who knew and admired her,” said Elson S. Floyd, WSU president.
"Her love, dedication and devotion for Washington State University and the College of Education were unparalleled,” said Associate Dean Len Foster.
She is survived by her daughter, Amy Mitchell of Tucson; her son, Ian Mitchell of Chicago; and four grandchildren.
Colleagues described Mitchell as tireless. She spent up to 25 percent of her time traveling to raise awareness of and funding for the college, said Kim Holapa, director of development for the college.
“She was always willing to hear opinions, even when they differed from hers, and she embraced the different perspectives we all brought to discussions,” Holapa said. “Judy was a caring and attentive dean, putting the needs of the people first in all her decisions.”
Doctoral candidate Joan O’sa Oviawe, past president of the Education Graduate Organization (EGO), said Monday she was devastated by the news of Mitchell’s death.
“I just keep playing over and over in my head the conversation we had in May, she had been so full of praises for EGO and all our accomplishments as graduate students and we both laughed when she apologized for not been able to hug me because she had a cold,” Oviawe said.
During spring semester, the College of Education gained reaccreditation from three major agencies: the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.
“Each successful accreditation visit and subsequent glowing report gave her the opportunity to tout the work of the college and its faculty, staff and students,” said Foster.
Those working close to Mitchell said that her happiest roles were as ambassador for the College of Education, and as a WSU sports fan
Under Mitchell’s leadership, a number of undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Education grew in prominence, including statewide doctoral programs in educational leadership, teacher leadership and community college leadership. In 2005, the college dedicated an $11 million, 27,000 square-foot Education Addition, which was linked to existing college facilities in Cleveland Hall.
She frequently wrote about issues affecting education and her college. A selection of her columns can be found on her webpage at http://education.wsu.edu/overview/dean/ . Mitchell’s academic research focused on reading comprehension issues, but after becoming dean, she wrote frequently on university administrative and career issues.
From 2005-2007 she served as the president of the Council of Academic Deans from Research Education Institutions. From 2004-2006 she was president of the Washington Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. She was also a regular presenter to national conferences on administrative issues.
She was writing a book, Seasons of a Dean’s Life, with colleagues from the University of Iowa, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and the University of San Francisco.
When named to the deanship at WSU in 1998, Mitchell was serving as interim executive director of the Center for Excellence in Education at Northern Arizona University. At that time, she was on leave from a tenured faculty position she had held at the University of Arizona since 1976.
While at the University of Arizona, she chaired the University Commission on the Status of Women and served as a faculty associate in the provost’s office, where she coordinated the university’s first professional development program for department chairs.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and master’s and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University.
Messages of condolence to the family and College of Education can be sent to education@wsu.edu. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the “Dean’s Excellence Fund” through the WSU Foundation. To make a donation, click here, or contact Kim Holapa at holapa@wsu.edu.
The funeral Mass were celebrated July 3 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Jose Millan as celebrant. Burial will take place in Tucson, Ariz.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the College of Education "Dean's Excellence Fund" through the WSU Foundation. (Comments honoring Judy Mitchell can be submitted by clicking here.)
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- Xyanthe Neider, doctoral candidate in the College of Education
Dean Mitchell was a remarkable woman, administrator and mentor. I was blessed with the opportunity to work with her in my leadership of the Education Graduate Organization and was so impressed by her generosity to take the time to work with the group. Whenever I would see Dean Mitchell in the hall she always took a moment to ask how I was doing in my program whether it made her a little bit later or not, she took that moment. I feel we all benefitted and learned how to be better colleagues by her example and how to advocate for what we love and respect through her tireless work and love for our wellbeing in the college. She is already greatly and so fondly remembered.
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- Charles Pezeshki, WSU School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
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- Betty Lovett Donellan, friend, alumni
I was so sad to hear of Dean Mitchell's passing. We had an interesting introduction through Bill London, as he interviewed me for an article in the Hilltopics just after I was sworn in to the California State Bar. He suggested I meet Dean Mitchell, which I did when I returned for Homecoming.
Over the years, Dean Mitchell would always call me when she came to SoCal. One time, when she had thought we were going to meet for dinner, I surprised her and took her out in Newport Harbor for a cruise on the bay. Even more exciting was finding a yacht named "Cougars" and taking her picture in front of it as we passed by! Then, we retreated back to the "house on the bay" for turkey dinner.
I always looked forward to meeting with Dean Mitchell to discuss the status of the education department of the university. She was so full of enthusiasm for WSU and the opportunities presented for students.
We got together at the Holiday Bowl, as well as numerous other football game pre-functions, be it at Qwest field, or the USC or UCLA games, or Husky Stadium. She always set aside time to have dinner or lunch with me and for that, I am grateful as she had such a busy schedule.
She will be greatly missed as an extremely intelligent, compassionate, outgoing, friendly, and forward- thinking educator and friend to all who were fortunate to have met her. I only hope her predecessor will continue her great work and keep the contacts she created as a boost to the on-going faculty concept of reaching out to former alums for support and endearment.
Tull was born on Aug. 1, 1925, in St. Maries, Idaho. She was the youngest child of six, born to William Oscar and Edith Lenore Ross.
She grew up in Deer Park, Wash., and graduated from Deer Park High School in 1943. After high school, she lived and worked in Spokane, Wash., for a brief time. She moved to Pullman, Wash., and married Iwan Talford Trull on June 28, 1947. He preceded her in death in 1985.
She worked on the Washington State University campus for nearly 35 years in the Instructional Media Services Department. She was active in the local Business and Professional Women's Organization and deeply committed to improving working women's position in the business world. She and Iwan were also active in the Elks, Moose and Eagles fraternal organizations.
Jo also was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Thelma and Laura, and her brothers Clarence and Harold, all of Deer Park and Spokane. She is survived by her son, Michael John Trull, and daughter-in-law, Jayne, of Tucson, Ariz., sister Wilma Froman of Spokane, and step-daughter Elaine Pommarane of Pistol River, Ore. Additionally, she is survived by many nieces and nephews and many friends, very dear to her, including Gordon Bahnsemer of Orofino, Idaho.
Her family would like to thank Pullman Regional Hospital and Dr. Dennis Simpson, Bishop Place Senior Living and Family Care and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jo's memory are suggested to Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse at PO Box 37, Pullman, WA, 99163. Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com.
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| Nunamaker |
Nunamaker was born in Pendleton, Ore., in 1953 to Joseph and Marian Bollerud Nunamaker.
He graduated from Pendleton High School in 1971 and went on to attend Oregon State University at Corvallis, where he majored in business accounting. There he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and met his future wife, Renee Berg of Albany, Ore.
Tom and Renee married in 1975 just after their graduation from OSU and lived in Portland, Ore., for several years, where he worked as an auditor. Tom returned to school, attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he earned a master's in business administration and a Ph.D. in business accounting.
Their first child, Jeff, was born while Tom was in graduate school.
Tom and his family returned to the Pacific Northwest, moving to Pullman in 1982, where Tom accepted a position on the faculty of the WSU department of accounting. Tom loved teaching, and received many awards and recognition for his excellence in the classroom.
Tom and Renee had their second child, Matt, in 1985. Both their sons attended school in Pullman, since Tom and Renee chose to make Pullman their permanent home.
Tom was honored with a theorem named after him in 2002. Mervin Stone of the Royal Statistical Society, University College London, United Kingdom, developed Nunamaker's Theorem based on work Tom did for his dissertation at the University of Wisconsin. Tom traveled to London to be honored by the University College London.
Tom had a lifelong love for bowling and in addition to being an active league bowler, was part of a group of local families that dreamed, planned, built and operated Zeppoz. He, like the rest of the group, saw the need for family-oriented indoor activities in our community.
He also enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling and cooking.
Tom will be remembered by friends, students and family alike, including his mother, Marian of Pendleton; his brother, Richard Nunamaker of Boardman, Ore.; his sister, Carol Johnson of Pendleton; his wife, Renee; and sons, Jeff and Matt, along with their wives, Megan and Robin, all of Pullman.
His family and friends live in the reassurance of the peace and love that Tom knew would greet him when he temporarily left our side.
A memorial celebration of Tom's life will take place at Zeppoz in the near future.