Alums In Memoriam
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
2000s
1930s
ELSIE CHANNON DETLING (AB, Education and Credential, ’33) died June 24, 2007, at the age of 96. She taught at elementary schools in Butte County and Walla Walla, Washington, before retiring in 1970. Detling loved to travel, garden, and collect stamps. She was predeceased by her husband and is survived by daughters Linda and Hazelee, a granddaughter, and three great-grandchildren.
RITA STEFFEN KIRKOVICS (AB, Elementary Education, ’37) died Nov. 26, 2007. She taught religious education for 17 years at St. Bartholomew’s in San Mateo. She was predeceased by husband Joseph and is survived by children Bernard, Katherine, and Timothy, and two grandchildren.
LETTIE ANDERSON (attended fall ’35–spring ’38) died Aug. 8, 2007, at the age of 89. Anderson loved tennis and played on the Chico Normal School tennis team. She was also an artist and an avid bingo player. She was predeceased by husband Alvin and is survived by children Shirley, Terri, and David; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
1940s JERRY SHELLY GRAY (AB, Commerce, ’40) died Oct. 25, 2007, at the age of 91. Gray attended school in Chico from kindergarten through college. He was in the Army Air Force. He was also a grocer and a property investor. He was predeceased by wife Lorna Fae Gray and is survived by children Judy, Jerry, Theresa, and Ken; grandchildren; and companion Fern Godfelty.
MARSHALL JOHN CLEWETT (attended fall ’41 and spring ’42) died on Sept. 29, 2007, at the age of 83. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. In 1961 he formed his own business, M&M Appliance & Engineers in Westwood. He later worked in Vietnam maintaining military installations. He is survived by wife, Modina; children John, Kathleen, and Mary; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
ANNA MARIE GUTHMILLER (AB, Education and Credential, ’42) died Aug. 30, 2007, at the age of 88. She taught primary grades at Lodi Unified School District for 38 years. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and enjoyed bingo, ceramics, and Sunday drives. She was predeceased by husband Fred.
KIRK ERROL CARTER (AB, Education and Industrial Arts Credential, ’47) died on Aug. 9, 2007, at the age of 89. He flew cargo planes between India and China for the Army Air Force during World War II. Then he returned to Chico to finish his degree and begin a career in farming. In 1965, Carter started teaching at Bidwell Junior High School, retiring in 1978. He is survived by wife Nanette, daughters Gale and Jan, seven grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
1950s MARY FORTINO MATULICH (AB, Education and Credential, ’53) died Aug. 12, 2007, at the age of 88. She was born in Donnici, Italy, and moved to the United States when she was 4. Matulich worked for the Chico Unified School District for 33 years. She is survived by children Paul and Jenni, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
MARY JEAN FRANKLIN NICHOLS (AB, Education and Credential, ’58) died on Sept. 5, 2007, at the age of 71. Nichols was a teacher for the ABC Unified School District in Cerritos from 1971 until 2002. Her favorite subject to study and teach was science. She is survived by children Shirley, Janet, and Gerald, and four grandchildren.
WILLIAM WURZBURG (AB, Education and Credential, ’58) died in November 2007. He served in the Air Force before attending college. He received a master’s degree from Stanford and a graduate degree of educational specialization in schoolhouse design. He was a principal of various Petaluma schools and spent 15 years as a volunteer deputy Fish and Game warden. Wurzburg is survived by wife Hildy, daughters Michelle and Heidi, and four grandchildren.
1960s
THOMAS C. HELZER (AB, Physical Education, ’60) died on July 15, 2007, at the age of 69. He began his 35-year career in education with the Anderson High School District. In 1992, he was inducted into the Chico State Hall of Fame and was awarded Educator of the Year by the Anderson Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by daughter Jennifer, and two grandchildren.
ALLAN BROWN (BA, Education and Credential, ’61) died Oct. 18, 2007, at the age of 77. He served 21 years in public education. He also served in various capacities for the Trinity Broadcasting Network for 25 years. Brown is survived by wife Ruth; children Debra, Elisabeth, and Douglas; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
L. DUANE BROWN (BS, Business, ’61) died on Oct. 4, 2007. He was a member of the Marine Corps prior to attending Chico State. While studying for his degree, Brown was president of the Delta Psi Delta fraternity. One of his passions was playing golf with friends. He is survived by children Greg, Steve, and Lori.
MARY JO JOHNSON (BA, Education and Credential, ’66) died on March 16, 2007, at the age of 76. After receiving her degree, she taught at the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, for 10 years. Johnson resided in Alaska for close to 30 years before moving to Medford, Oregon. She was predeceased by husband Ron Moore and is survived by children Michael, Joanna, and Helen.
1970s DENISE GARETY RUSKIN (BA, English, ’71) died Nov. 13, 2007, at the age of 59. She worked as a reporter for the Marin Independent Journal, medical secretary at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco, legal secretary for several firms including the California State Bar Association, and certified paralegal. She was also a private investigator and partner in the private investigative agency Garety and Rogers in San Rafael. She is survived by husband Jay and son Zack.
ADELA MENDOZA GUERRA (BA, Spanish, ’72) died June 11, 2007, at the age of 78. She taught at the Guadalupe Union School District for 20 years. After retirement, she studied and taught ceramics in adult classes for the City of Santa Maria. She is survived by husband Marcial, daughter Renée, and six grandchildren.
WAYNE S. HARDER (BS, Business Administration, ’72) died Nov. 27, 2007, at the age of 62. He was in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1969. Harder worked in real estate for 31 years in Chico and was a state director for the Chico Association of Realtors. He is survived by wife Terri and daughter Megan.
LOLA HAWKINS SUTER (attended fall ’59, fall ’71–spring ’72) died on Sept. 12, 2007, at the age of 91. She worked at North American Aviation during World War II. She got her BA in journalism from USC and was editor in chief of the Daily Trojan. She loved fiber arts stitchery and did various gallery shows throughout Northern California. She was predeceased by husband Bo and is survived by daughter Patricia.
GEORGE VALDEZ (BA, Psychology, ’73) died on July 28, 2007, at the age of 66. Before attending Chico State, Valdez traveled the world as a merchant marine. After receiving his degree, he became part of management in the California agriculture and food canning industry. His hobbies included horticulture and playing cribbage. He is survived by sons Matthew and Gregory, one granddaughter, and his fiancée Janice.
SUZANNE C. HENRION (BA, Psychology, ’74; MA, Psychology, ’79) died on Nov. 16, 2007, at the age of 76. After obtaining her master’s degree, Henrion opened a private marriage and family therapy practice in Chico. She loved art and traveling and lived an active lifestyle hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and even hang gliding in her 60s. She was predeceased by former husband Hovald “Marsh” Jensen and is survived by husband William Clark; children Sarah, Jennifer, Lisa, and Karl; and three grandchildren.
DONALD “DON” BOWEN JR. (BA, Sociology, ’75) died on Oct. 1, 2007, at the age of 59. After graduating from high school, he served two terms for the U.S. Army in Vietnam. After his time in Chico, Bowen moved to Corvallis, where he began working at the Children’s Farm Home. He was also a licensed machinist, and spent the rest of his days working for Hewlett-Packard. He is survived by wife Annie and children Sam, Becky, and Cassie.
ALETTE JOHNSON NELSON (BA, Child Development, ’75; Credential, ’80) died Dec. 3, 2007, at the age of 56. She taught the elementary grades in the Durham Unified School District for 26 years. She loved horses and rode regularly until several months before her death. She also participated in numerous community service projects. Nelson is survived by husband Tom and daughters Elyse and Rose.
MARVIN STIGERS (attended fall ’74–spring ’76) died Nov. 26, 2007, at the age of 55. He lived in Chico, where he had a sculpture studio. Stigers is survived by sons Robert and James.
1980s
MEHDI HATEFI ALAVI (attended fall ’79–spring ’80) died on Oct. 10, 2007, at the age of 54. He earned a degree in civil engineering while studying in London, England, and immigrated to the United States from Teheran, Iran, in 1979. Alavi began his career making signs in the Bay Area, but in 1988 he started his own company, Acryline, in Chico. He is survived by son Benjamin, sister Simin, and mother Mansoureh.
THOMAS MARSHALL DALLAS (BA, Microbiology and Chemistry, ’80) died Oct. 16, 2007, at the age of 51. He was a medical technologist who advanced throughout his career to become the laboratory director of several large hospitals. He lived in Coos Bay, Oregon, with his family. Dallas is survived by wife Elaine and daughters Cassie and Calie.
PATRICIA M. WAGGONER (attended between fall ’57 and fall ’80) died Nov. 25, 2007, at the age of 82. She received a graduate degree in physical therapy from Stanford and treated children with polio before spending 32 years teaching at Willows Unified School District and doing physical therapy at Glenn General Hospital during her summer breaks. She was predeceased by husband Winston and is survived by children Barbara and Doug, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
JANIECE BERNADETTE McLAIN (attended fall ’50–spring ’51, spring ’59, and spring ’81) died on Nov. 11, 2007. McLain came from a family of Chico pioneers and one of the founding rice growers in Northern California, and she was very involved in taking care of the family’s land. She is survived by children Craig and Lynne and four grandchildren.
STEVE HARRISON (BA, Anthropology, ’82) died at the age of 56. He was the first employee of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and worked there for over 27 years. He later became vice president and for the past two years had been going into retirement. He was an avid cyclist, going on rides throughout the North Valley as well as on several trips to places such as Italy. He is survived by wife Linda.
PAULA CHRISTI (BA, Religious Studies, ’83) died on Sept. 10, 2007, at the age of 74. She grew up in Oroville. She was an aspiring actress in her 20s, appearing in episodes of Perry Mason and the Twilight Zone. She was also a member of a folk band in the 1960s. She is survived by children Neil and Trina, three grandsons, and two great-grandchildren.
THRICIA A. HAMM (BS, Agriculture, ’83) died Oct. 16, 2007, at the age of 47. She taught agriculture at Poway High School and middle school math and science with the Warner Springs Unified School District. She was a world traveler who loved hiking and adventuring. Hamm is survived by husband Jeffrey and children Nicholas and Katelyn.
JOAN POMEROY ISHAM (Special Education Credential, ’77; MA, Education, ’83) died on Aug. 26, 2007, at the age of 76. She was a mentor teacher in the San Juan Unified School District and a district resource specialist until she retired in 1993. She was active in many organizations, including Omega Nu and Stanford alumni associations. She is survived by husband Bill, children John and Carol, and two grandchildren.
WILLIAM DAY SANREGRET (BA, Business Administration, ’84) died Oct. 30, 2007, at the age of 48. He worked in lumber sales, for the past 12 years for Capital Lumber Co. in Healdsburg. Sanregret was a sports fan and loved fishing and golf. He is survived by wife Julie and children June and Henry.
DIANA KNOWLES (attended fall ’80–spring ’85) died on July 21, 2007, at the age of 49. Knowles was educated in Los Angeles, Colombia, and Indonesia before majoring in Spanish at CSU, Chico and becoming a translator for the Butte County court system. She was also an officer and manager for the family farming corporation.
SPENCER CLARK (BS, Business Administration, ’87) died on Aug. 25, 2007, at the age of 43. He earned his MBA at Golden Gate University and had worked at Intel Corporation for the past 19 years. He was survived by wife Patricia and children Derek, Kaciah, Kholten, and Zieren.
1990s MICHAEL SCOTT CAMPBELL (BA, Anthropology and French, ’90) died on Nov. 13, 2007, at the age of 40. He was a third-generation graduate from CSU, Chico. In 1994, Campbell moved to Missoula, Montana, and worked as a branch manager for a securities firm. He was fascinated with history, fluent in French, and had a black belt in jujitsu. He is survived by wife Denise and sons Connor and Thomas.
RACHEL PLOSSER LEDUC (BA, English, ’91; Credential, ’92) died on Sept. 9, 2007, at the age of 42. She taught English at Chico Junior High School for 14 years. She is survived by husband Mycol and son Jaxson.
RICHARD VERCRUYSSEN (BA, Economics, ’92) died on Aug. 29, 2007, at the age of 43. After graduating from Chico State, Vercruyssen worked as a sales executive for I.D.M. Marketing in Rocklin. He loved fishing, public radio, and rarely missed an Oakland A’s game on TV. He is survived by wife Bethel and children Joshua and Faith.
2000s
MICHAEL J. ANSOLABEHERE JR. (BA, Music, ’03) died in a traffic accident Nov. 23, 2005, at the age of 31. Ansolabehere played mandolin and sang for various bluegrass bands, including the Chico-based Greebo. He is survived by his parents and a sister.
ANGELA M. MARSH (attended fall ’04–spring ’07) died Sept. 9, 2007, at the age of 21. She was majoring in biology and planned to graduate in spring 2008. She loved all types of music, was a Giants fan, and loved playing poker.
Anna Harris and Jess Krager, Public Affairs and Publications
A Lifetime of Learning
MARY ELLEN MATON (AB, Education and General Education Credential, ’42) died Oct. 21, 2007, at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley. She was a school administrator working for Contra Costa County at the time of her retirement in 1981.
Maton grew up in Gridley. During high school, she was first violinist in the Tri-County Symphony Orchestra and student body president. She also wrote and acted in a number of school plays.
The value of education was important to Maton from early in her life, and she worked double shifts in a cannery during the summers to put herself through college. After earning her degree from then-Chico State College, she went on to Columbia University, receiving her MA in psychology in 1946. She did postgraduate work at Claremont College and the University of Hawaii.
Maton was director of pupil personnel for Contra Costa County schools from 1948 to 1965, and director of special education for the John Swett School District from 1965 until she retired. She was an active member of a number of professional organizations, including the California Association for the Mentally Retarded, the California Association for the Neurologically Handicapped, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Northern California Guidance Association, and the California Association of School Administrators.
Maton worked especially hard on behalf of handicapped children, establishing special education programs for the mentally and educationally challenged. Her co-workers remember her dedication to helping each child develop his or her full potential. Mary-Ellen Jones, Maton’s partner of 45 years, remembers her great compassion for children and for all other people: “She taught me to accept differences in thinking and behavior. She was the most prejudice-free person I have ever known.”
Maton loved traveling, camping, and reading—often all at the same time. “She loved to establish camp on the Oregon coast, settle down next to a warm fire and cord of wood, and read her way through New Yorker magazines and a carefully selected stack of books,” wrote Jones in Maton’s obituary.
Maton was a voracious learner, says Jones, waking up at five every morning to keep up with work-related reading, then studying the newspaper over breakfast to keep up with politics and world affairs. She also loved sports, following tennis, football, basketball, baseball, and golf.
Retirement gave Maton even more opportunity to explore and develop new interests. “She took a dozen or more courses in architectural history, art history, religions of the world, and world literature,” says Jones. “She never stopped learning.”
Anna Harris, Public Affairs and Publications |
