Greene, Kathleen Ann Kerger Greene

October 3, 1939—January 12, 2015

In a 1995 class reunion note, Kathleen Kerger Greene answered a question about her campus residences, “Who can remember?” However, one fact that Kathy did recall was that her love for anthropology and archeology was engendered at Grinnell as she worked toward her Sociology major and the B.A. she received in 1961.

After graduation from Grinnell, Kathy enrolled at the University of Colorado, Boulder; in 1964 she earned a Master’s Degree in Anthropology with a specialty in Archeology. In the meantime Kathy had met her future

husband, David L. Greene, also a graduate student in the department, and they married in 1962. After earning his PhD, David taught at the State University of New York, Buffalo, and the University of Wyoming, Laramie. The Greenes returned to Boulder in 1967 when David became a Professor of Anthropology. Kathy also worked as an instructor in the department, for a number of years as Field Director in Archeology for the Summer Institutes in Anthropology, and later developing and grading a number of Anthropology courses in the university’s Continuing Education Correspondence Course Programs. She had a reputation as an outstanding teacher.

While working toward her Master’s Degree, Kathy had experienced hands-on archaeology near Taos, New Mexico, and later at an excavation in an Anasazi prehistoric village at Yellow Jacket, Colorado. Kathy was also member of the University of Colorado Nubian Expedition during 1963-1964. She participated as a field archaeologist with her husband, one of the physical anthropologists on the team. They excavated numerous important archeological sites along the Nile Valley in Nubia, Sudan. Kathy co-authored several research papers on the latter work. Here is a photo of her in the field.

Andrew David Greene, Kathy and David’s son, was born in 1970. Kathy then began to work part time in her field in order to grant time to volunteering at her son’s school and Cub Scout troop. Kathy also devoted time to her widowed mother, who had moved to Boulder in the 1980’s. With her mother, Kathy joined the Boulder Garden Club; she served as president for several terms and remained active for many years.

Kathy is survived by her husband David, son Andrew, his wife Sarah, granddaughter Adilynn, step-sister Sarah, a brother and sister in-law, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Nancy Welch Barnby

 

Gover, Helen Sue (Robinson) (05/02/1939–05/13/1998). Helen Robinson attended Grinnell for her first year of college and lived in Main Hall. In 1961 she obtained a B.S. degree in Home Economics Education from Oklahoma’s Southeastern State College (n/k/a Southeastern Oklahoma State University). Helen also went to graduate school at Utah State University and Oklahoma’s Northeastern State College (n/k/a Northeastern State University), 1961-63.

She married Philip H. Gover on July 30, 1964, and they had two children.

She worked as a guidance counselor in Brigham City, Utah and was the Head of the Counseling Department at Leupp Boarding School in Leupp, Arizona.

 

Gilbert, Judith (Decker) (02/26/1940–06/09/1997). Judy Decker spent three active years at Grinnell (1957-60). She had roles in several campus dramatic productions and was a member of the local drama group (Grinnell Players) and the National Collegiate Players. Judy also found time for the Young Republicans, the women’s swimming club (White Caps) and campus journalism (Scarlet & Black newspaper and the Cyclone annual). She lived in James, Loose and Haines Halls. Years later she said that “the Grinnell influence extended far beyond the campus days. I’m ever grateful for the experience.”

Judy completed her undergraduate education at the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in 1961 and obtained an M.A. in 1986 from the University of Colorado. She was an English and drama teacher in schools in Colorado. Later she became an independent consultant to school districts on the teaching of English writing; that turned into her being hired by the State of Colorado’s Department of Education to be in charge of state-wide programs in this area.

In 1992 Judy was hired as the Curriculum Director for the Eagle Rock School in Estes Park, Colorado. Opening in 1993, the School is a residential, year-round, full-scholarship high school for students who have not been successful in traditional public high schools. Associated with the School is the Eagle Rock Professional Development Center that works with educators from around the country who wish to study how to re-engage, retain and graduate students; the Center provides consulting services at school sites and hosts educators who study and learn from Eagle Rock practices. Judy was instrumental in developing the School’s curriculum, assessments, and learning philosophy. She was still its Curriculum Director when she passed away, and her memorial service was held on campus. Eagle Rock has dedicated its art building, the One Room Schoolhouse, to Judy. (Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center, http://www.eaglerockschool.org/home/index.asp.)

Judy also was very active in CLAS (the Colorado Language Arts Society), and a fellowship was established in her name to “perpetuate [her] spirit of leadership and professionalism.” (Judith Gilbert Fellowship for CLAS Leaders, http://clastalk.ning.com/page/gilbert-fellowship.)

In 1960 Judy married John Gilbert, and they had three children– Cindy (Gilbert) Olson (Grinnell, 1984), John Gilbert and Christine (Gilbert) Cox. In 1992 Judy and John were divorced. Judy was survived by her three children and six grandchildren.

Cindy says the only regret she ever heard her mother voice was that she didn’t graduate from Grinnell. Cindy grew up listening to Judy’s stories of Grinnell and is so very glad she ended up at the College.

Cindy recalls, “Mom was so proud at my Grinnell graduation. She felt I had completed what she had started.”

 

Gilliat, Mary Jane (Watts) October 26, 1939—February 17, 2021

Mary Jane (Watts) Gilliat died Feb. 17, 2021, at her home in Gaithersburg, Md. Her death was peaceful with her daughter Carrie and husband Bob at her side. She was 81 and would have been 82 in October.

Mary Jane was born Oct. 26, 1939, in Denver, Colo., where she was raised by her mother Ruth Winn. She considered the Boyds, friends from church, her second family and enjoyed being with them during weeks when her mother’s job became too demanding for her to devote her full attention to her young daughter. An only child, Mary Jane claimed the three Boyd sons as her older brothers.

After graduating from Denver East High School in June 1957,

Mary Jane boarded the Rock Island Rocket that fall and headed for Grinnell, where she found her home in newly renovated Mears Cottage / Hall. She appreciated Grinnell for many reasons, among which were its diverse student body; high academic standards; and a challenging, supportive faculty. With a major (and later degree) in English-journalism, she was proof editor of the Scarlet and Black and vice president of Theta Sigma Phi / Women in Communications. Preparing to become a teacher, she was also a member of the Student – Iowa State Education Association. Mary Jane’s summer vacation experiences were a continuation of her academic interests in journalism and education. She was a counselor at Snow Hill Camp in the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains (1959), and she attended the Theta Sigma Phi national conventions in both 1960 and 1961.

Mary Jane began her professional career in 1961 at Cherry Creek High School in suburban Denver, where she taught English and journalism and was the adviser to the student yearbook staff. In 1962 she was awarded a fellowship from The Wall Street Journal to attend a summer Newspaper Fund Seminar at the University of Minnesota — an interesting experience with other teachers from various parts of the country.

In 1965 Mary Jane moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked in the Programming Office of the Latin American Division of the Agency for International Development. Soon after she moved to the D.C. area, she met her future husband Bob, an assistant general counsel in the Department of Defense, whom she married Dec. 17, 1967. When her first child Mark was born in 1969, Mary Jane moved her career to her home, recognizing the importance of raising him and three years later, also his sister Carrie. She continued to volunteer in her church and community — at the preschool in an inner city D.C. church, at a retirement community, and as a GRASP volunteer for Grinnell (1998-2011). She was also active in the League of Women Voters.

Mary Jane’s daughter Carrie described her mother as “always there for her children, husband, and friends. She genuinely cared for others, and she was always there for everyone else.” I can attest to that with many examples but one specific example here. One year when I took my student editors to D.C. for the National Scholastic Press Association convention, we arrived a day early to take advantage of Mary Jane’s offer of a D.C. tour. It was an excellent tour, one that we all enjoyed. The next day, however, one of my editors was sick with a virus, not able to manage a day at the convention. Mary Jane stayed with her all day so that I could be with the others at the convention sessions. “Always there for everyone else.”

In 2007 Mary Jane and Bob moved from their Kensington, Md., home to Asbury Methodist Village, a large retirement home in Gaithersburg. During the 14 years she lived at Asbury, Mary Jane volunteered and participated in the many activities offered, the classes, and cultural events both on and off campus. Her daughter’s family lived close enough that she could spend more time with her granddaughters — baking, cooking, and doing a multitude of crafts with them.

Mary Jane is survived by her husband Robert L. Gilliat, who now lives in an assisted living home in Olney, Md.; her son Mark Gilliat, of Falls Church, Va.; her daughter and son-in-law Carrie and James Baker, and her granddaughters Hailey and Brooke Baker, of Gaithersburg, Md.

A memorial service for Mary Jane will be later this year at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., where Mary Jane and her family were longtime active members.

As Mary Jane and I were taught by our journalism professor Herbert Prescott, reporters end their stories with a “-30-“ as a sign of completion. Thus, I end this story with a “30” and a tear.

Marilyn Kelsey

 

Gindling, Lois Meela (Small) (October 2, 1939–November 8, 2015)

Lois Small came to the College in the Fall of 1957 from Norfolk, Virginia. She was active in the Choir and Glee Club through her junior year, but did not graduate with the class in 1961.

Lois resided for much of her adult life with her husband Paul and family in Geneva, New York, located in the scenic Finger Lakes Area. The Gindlings were longtime members of the town’s Trinity Episcopal Church and Country Club and the Seneca Yacht Club where she served on the race committee for 40 years.

In 2010, she retired from Yates County Community Services, a group that strives to tackle the various problems surrounding alcohol and substance abuse.

She died at her home in Geneva on November 8, 2015. Lois is survived by her husband, Paul; children, Liz (William) Dean of Geneva, NY and James (Cheryl) Gindling of Victor, NY; grandchildren, Sara (Pete Saloney) Dean, Laura Dean, William (Grace) Dean III, Erica Dean, Joseph Dean, Hannah Dean, and Nicole Gindling; and several nieces and nephews.

Duane W. Krohnke and Nancy Welch Barnby

 

Giersbach, Walter Fisk (August 8, 1939—January 22, 2021)

Walt Giersbach, born in Chicago, IL, but raised in Forest Grove, OR and Montclair, NJ, joined the Grinnell community in the fall of 1957 with most of us. For his first two years, he resided in Smith Hall, where a classmate (Ron Hutchins) introduced him to the Easy Street Bar in Chicago and the music of June Christie and other jazz greats as well as motorcycling that prompted Walt to buy an Indian Warrior cycle. For the last two years, Walt “escaped” to live off-campus at the Gannaway House. For at least his first year he was a member of the Air Force ROTC unit at the College. He majored in Comparative Literature with a focus on English-journalism and was elected to membership in Sigma Delta Chi, the national professional journalism fraternity for men, which fit with his desire for a career in that field.

Although he said for our 50th reunion that graduation from Grinnell “found me woefully without direction,” he had spent the summer of 1956 working in the Chicago suburbs as a news reporter” and immediately after graduation, he returned to his New Jersey home and found a job “writing new copy and editing for the Mobil Travel Guides.”

“But, the Army draft was sniffing at my heels,” and he spent the next three years (1961-64) as a security analyst with the U.S. National Security Agency with assignments in South Korea and Taiwan.

After only six months back from those deployments, Walt “realized I’d left the best part of me behind in Taiwan”–the love of his life (Judy Hsiu-Yen Ho)– and immediately returned to that country, where they were married. The two of them then came to the U.S. to li ve in New York City until their son, William, was nine and daughter, Lisa, was five, when they moved to Jackson, New Jersey. Soon thereafter, Judy’s family from Taiwan joined them to expand their family with Judy’s mother along with four nieces and nephews.

Professionally Walt pursued his dream of journalism with important positions in corporate communications for Western Electric, Studebaker-Worthington, R. H. Donnelley and Dun & Bradstreet until his retirement in 1999. As he said for our 50th reunion, he had “a three-decade career in corporate communications—PR, speech-writing, global publications, exhibits, media relations, and financial reporting.”

He also continued his passion for writing by “publishing two collections of short stories , (“Cruising the Green of Second Avenue” and “Cruising the Green, Vol. 2”), both of which

depicted daily life on New York City’s Lower East Side in the 1960’ s. Other writings included two-score short stories, half a dozen historical articles, a score of short humor pi eces, and numerous book reviews.” Walt is remembered for his writing and ever-present wit. He was quick with a joke, a funny story or a tall tale.

In addition, Walt in his active retirement helped publicize the Connecticut Film Festival, managed publicity programs for Western Connecticut State University Haas Library, and moderated a writing group at the library in Manchester, NJ. He also was a board member of the United Church of Christ-Toms River, NJ.

Walt and Judy enjoyed antiquing, hiking, landscaping and traveling, especially to National Parks.

Walt had many fond memories of Grinnell. For our 50th reunion, he said the College “was useful for providing me with a broad exposure to the humanities, language and social sciences—less useful for the hard sciences to which I’m still manifestly indifferent. In this, it fulfilled its charter of providing a liberal education that’s been a

foundation for my career, family life, and the greater circle of people I interact with around the world.” For an earlier reunion, Walt said, “A few Grinnell classes (in journalism, languages, logic and the ‘soft’ sciences) have been yardsticks in helping me measure facts and situation against a larger body of knowledge. The fact that it is a small school with small classes made the ‘take-aways’ more meaningful.” It also should be mentioned that he served as our Class Fund Director, 1978-2007 and as a member of our Class Committee, 2004-2010 and that his daughter “Lisa” is a Grinnell alumna (’91).

Walt is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, William and Andrea Tracey Giersbach; daughter, Lisa Giersbach, and son-in-law, Eric Kramer; and three grandchildren. Walt’s wife Judy died in 2014.

Duane W. Krohnke

 

Gearhart, Walter Kenneth (May 27, 1938–May 24, 2024)

Walter Gearhart, who was from the town of Grinnell and who had two years of active service in the U.S. Army Reserve, joined our class with most of us in the Fall of 1957 and received his Grinnell B.A. in political science in June 1961.

Walt then obtained a full fellowship at Pennsylvania State University, which granted him a Master of Public Administration degree in 1964.

With these academic degrees, Walt had a successful career for more than 40 years of local government management and budget administration. He was the first City Manager of Johnstown, PA for four years and the City Manager of Dubuque, IA for almost 13 years. He also served as Chief Administrative Officer of Davenport, IA; Finance Director of Sioux City, IA; Assistant Budget Director of Montgomery County, MD; and Budget Analyst for the City of Cincinnati, OH. In 1988 he was honored to receive the International City Manager Association Award for

Program Excellence, and in October 2006 he ended this marvelous career when he retired as the Executive Director of the East St. Lous Advisory Authority.

In 1966 he married Joyce E. Gotshall, and they had two sons, Frederick Kenneth (“Rick”) and William (“Bill”), all of whom survived Walter along with the sons’ spouses and their eight children and two of the latter’s spouses along with three great-grandchildren.

Walter died in San Antonio, Texas on May 24, 2024, and his wife Joyce unexpectedly joined him in death in San Antonio on September 15, 2024.

(Duane W, Krohnke, author)

 

FREEMAN, Donald John (November 9, 1939—November 21, 2017)

Donald Freeman was born in Des Moines, Iowa and finished high school in Mission, Kansas. He served on the staff of the College radio station, KGRW, and on the Informal Social Committee and was a member of the Young Democrats and the Math and Pre-Law clubs. For his first three years he was a resident of South Younker Hall and a member of its House Council. His senior year Donald moved to the new East Norris Hall as its President and thereby a member of the Council of House Presidents (CofHP). Don was awarded his B.A. degree with Honors in Biology, Phi Beta Kappa, in June 1961.

The next four years he was at Michigan State University (MSU), where he earned a M.A. degree in 1962 and pursued the Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. In 1965-66 he was an Instructor, Department of Educational Psychology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He then returned to Michigan State University to obtain the Ph.D. in 1967 and to serve as an Assistant and then Associate and full Professor in its College of Teacher Education until 1989. During those years he aided many students and colleagues as a Senior Researcher, Institute of Research on Teaching, as a classroom teacher and as a mentor of young professionals. Donald also started publishing books and articles in his field.

While at MSU, Donald also was active in the Big Brothers organization and developed a close friendship with his “brother” and his wife and kids. He also found time to supervise student teachers in England at the U.S. Air Force base in Lakenheath and to teach in Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

In 1989 Donald and family moved to Mesa, Arizona, where he became Associate Dean and Professor in the College of Education at Arizona State University. He was Co-Coordinator of the Apprentice Teacher Program and the Scales Professional Development School. Especially meaningful and rewarding for him was his work with the Dine College of the Navajo Nation. He retired from ASU in 2001.

In 1964 he married Kathleen Margaret Smith, and they had two sons, Michael Jon and Daniel James, the latter of whom is also a Grinnell graduate (’93). After a divorce, Donald married Cheryl Martin in 1977, and they also had a son, Scott Thomas.

Don loved to travel, work outdoors, build furniture and enjoy art and music. Dancing, singing and watching his kids play sports were other favorite activities. His family was very important and he always made time to attend family reunions.

Donald died after a 16-year struggle with dementia and is survived by his wife Cheryl, sons Michael (Pat), Daniel (Jill) and Scott (Cindy), seven grandchildren and many friends.

Duane W. Krohnke

 

Garcia, Susan Nona (Bertram) (10/14/39–11/11/09). Susan Bertram from Menasha, Wisconsin received her B.A. from Grinnell in June 1961 as a physical education major. She was active in the Women’s Recreation Association, the women’s swimming program (White Caps) and was a member of the women’s athletic honorary group (Women’s Honor G). She was a resident of James and Cleveland Halls.

After graduating from Grinnell, Susan taught for one year in Spokane, Washington, where she met and married Robert Garcia, Jr., an Air Force pilot. While Bob was in the Air Force, they were stationed in Washington, Texas, Hawaii, and Okinawa, and Susan enjoyed the opportunity to make friends around the world, to travel and to experience different cultures.

After Bob retired from the Air Force, they settled in Redlands, California. There she especially enjoyed working with the young people in the Athletic Department at California State University–San Bernardino. She volunteered for numerous organizations in Redlands and the other places where she lived, including the Red Cross, Family Services, Meals on Wheels, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and as a Eucharistic minister for Holy Name Catholic Church of Redlands. Susan greatly enjoyed travel, athletics, duplicate bridge, gardening and family gatherings. She exhibited great strength and courage while battling cancer.

Susan was survived by her husband, Bob Garcia, her daughters Carolyn Tuff and Marilyn Kott, her son Maj. John Garcia and eight grandchildren, as well as her sister Marilyn Jersild and her brother John Bertram.

 

Frank, Walter III (“Bud”) (05/13/1939–01/08/2001). “Bud” Frank from Highland Park, Illinois received a B.A. degree in economics from Grinnell in 1961. He was a letter-winning member of the men’s swimming team and its co-captain his senior year. (Bud’s passion for swimming lasted his entire life. For men over 60 in Illinois, he was the top-ranked butterfly-stroke swimmer.)

After attending graduate school at Northwestern University in 1962-63, Walter embarked on a 36-year career in sales for Chicago-area steel and siding companies.

More important for him was his community involvement. For 27 years he was a leader of a Boy Scout troop and was the personal mentor for many who became Eagle Scouts, including his two sons. Bud was a founding member of a YMCA in Palatine, Illinois and served on its board of directors. He was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church of Palatine. Over the last decade of his life he spent at least two weekends a month building homes for Habitat for Humanity.

On June 24, 1961, he married his Grinnell classmate, Cecilia Belgarbo. They had a wonderful marriage. As she said at his memorial service, “You were the best husband any woman could ever want, and a father that could not be surpassed. You were there for me morning, noon, and night. You leave your family with a wonderful legacy of how to do for others and how to stand firm and strong.”

Bud was survived by Cecilia, their two sons (Andrew and Brian), his mother, who subsequently passed away, a sister and five grandchildren.