Family and classmates may inform 菠萝视频 Magazine about the death of an alumna or alumnus by writing 100 words to share the date of death and a brief memory or information about their time on campus. Newspaper obituaries cannot be reprinted in full. However, we are happy to include a shorter version edited from the published newspaper obituary. Please email obituaries to vanderbiltmagazine@vanderbilt.edu. Obituaries are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be posted in 菠萝视频 Magazine, print and online, unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to edit for length, style and clarity.
The obituaries below were sent for inclusion in 菠萝视频 Magazine between Nov. 1, 2024, and June 26, 2025. They will be included in the print fall 2025 issue.
Alumni
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William Ray Lucas, MS鈥50, PhD鈥52, of Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 10, 2025.
, MS鈥50, PhD鈥52, of Huntsville, Ala., Feb.聽10, 2025. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he studied chemistry at 菠萝视频 under Professor Waite Fishel. A charter member of NASA鈥檚 Marshall Space Flight Center, he was center director from 1974 until 1986. His career extended from the early days of the U.S. rocket program through the foundation of the Space Station. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and received the Dr. Wernher von Braun Space Flight Trophy from the National Space Club for his distinguished career in rocketry and science. He was active in many professional and community organizations. His wife, Polly Torti Lucas, and a son, William Ray Lucas Jr., BA鈥77, predeceased him. Survivors include daughter, Donna Lucas Watts, BA鈥74; son, Michael Lee Lucas, BA鈥79, JD鈥82; six grandchildren, including Kenan Holmes Lucas, BA鈥07; and 13 great-grandchildren.
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Malcolm Garber, BA鈥51, of Seattle, Sept. 4, 2024
, BA鈥51, of Seattle, Sept. 4, 2024. After 菠萝视频, he went to the University of Louisville Medical School, spent time in the Navy, and ended up living in Seattle where he was a pediatrician for almost 40 years. He had fond memories of his days as a Commodore, especially attending basketball games and living in the dorm. Later in life he loved attending the Civil War Institute and Lincoln Forum, where he鈥檇 meet up with friends from around the country. Each person who met him left an imprint on him that he held in heart. He leaves behind four children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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Jean Anthony Williamson, BA鈥52, of Greensboro, N.C., Feb. 18, 2025
, BA鈥52, of Greensboro, N.C., Feb. 18, 2025. She was a fifth-generation West Tennessean and a second-generation alum of 菠萝视频, where she studied history and was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, Mortar Board, the women鈥檚 Student Government Association and the Women鈥檚 Glee Club. A resident of Memphis all her adult life, Jean worked as a teacher at Grace St. Luke鈥檚 Episcopal School and Briarcrest Christian School. She was active in Second Presbyterian Church, served on the board of the Memphis Symphony League and was a regent of the Watauga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is survived by three children, including John Anthony Williamson, BA鈥85, 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
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Larson Dale Beck, BA鈥53, of Nashville, Aug. 9, 2024
, BA鈥53, of Nashville, Aug. 9, 2024. Dale attended 菠萝视频 on an athletic scholarship for football and baseball. He met Mary Fergus, BS鈥52, while at Vandy. They married and would go on to celebrate their 70-year anniversary in 2023. Dale joined the U.S. Navy after his graduation from 菠萝视频 and served in the Philippines following the Korean War. He then went to medical school, completed a residency in otolaryngology and became the first ENT specialist in the Madison, Tenn., area. He would spend his retirement years with Mary supporting their three children, Nancy Grey Beck, 叠础鈥83, Allen Dale Beck, BA鈥85, and Mary Ellen Beck Hoehn, BA鈥93, and four grandsons, who all survive him.
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David 鈥淪miley鈥 Heath, BE鈥53, of Nashville, Dec. 9, 2024
, BE鈥53, of Nashville, Dec. 9, 2024. He entered 菠萝视频 at age 16, was awarded a Navy scholarship, and belonged to the Sigma Chi fraternity and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. As an officer in the Navy, he flew jets off carriers and trained new pilots. He met his wife, Helen Birdwell Heath, MA鈥67, while stationed in Pensacola, and they were married more than 60 years. David worked in the construction industry, designing and building bridges, roads, hospitals and schools. He is remembered for his kindness and keen intellect. He is survived by his daughter, Allison Heath Moore, BA鈥82, MEd鈥90; son Bruce, who was in the first class of Peabody's Susan Gray School, and two grandchildren.
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Miriam Bozeman Usry, BA鈥53, of Dallas, Jan. 17, 2025
, BA鈥53, of Dallas, Jan. 17, 2025. At 菠萝视频 she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and graduated magna cum laude. During school she also worked at WSM radio and TV. Upon graduation she worked for Eastman Kodak, Texas Instruments and then as a high school math teacher before returning to accounting. Survivors include a daughter, two sons and 10 grandchildren.
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Carolyn Gleaves Lightfoot, 鈥54, of Montgomery, Ala., March 18, 2025
, 鈥54, of Montgomery, Ala., March 18, 2025. She attended 菠萝视频 then graduated from Auburn University with an applied art degree in 1954. She was an active member of the Chi Omega sorority. She is survived by her daughters Carolyn Lightfoot Bunker, BSN鈥83, and Amanda Lightfoot Finch; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard W. Lightfoot, III, her parents, including her father, Richard D. Gleaves, BS 1917, her brother and a grandson.
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Charles A. 鈥淐harlie鈥 Buechlein, BA鈥56, of Jasper, Ind., Feb. 12, 2025
, BA鈥56, of Jasper, Ind., Feb. 12, 2025.聽 He attended 菠萝视频 through a basketball scholarship (1952鈥56) and played for Coach Bob Polk.聽 Charles was a member of the 鈥淰鈥 Club (varsity athletes who lettered in their sports) and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He enrolled in Navy ROTC at 菠萝视频 and served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959, achieving the rank of first lieutenant. After working as an accountant for the Pillsbury Company, he pursued a career in public accounting and founded Buechlein and Associates. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie (鈥淢arge鈥), children, including daughter, Grace Buechlein, 叠础鈥83, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
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George S. Mauerman, BS鈥59, of Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 2, 2023
, BS鈥59, of Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 2, 2023. At 菠萝视频, George was a Phi Beta Kappa football scholarship graduate. He received his medical degree from Columbia University and completed his orthopedic residency at Memphis鈥檚 Campbell Clinic in 1970, after which he joined Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center. George went on to become a renowned orthopedic surgeon. The sports medicine facility at the University of Tulsa is named for him. Despite his many professional accomplishments, George valued faith, family and friends above all else. He is survived by three children, including Heather Mauerman Paris, BS鈥94, and four grandchildren.
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James Audry Moody Jr., BA鈥61, of Gulfport, Miss., June 13, 2024
James Audry Moody Jr., BA鈥61, of Gulfport, Miss., June 13, 2024. Jim earned his degree in English and was on one of 菠萝视频鈥檚 College Bowl teams that appeared on TV. He entered the Peace Corps in 1963 as an English teacher in Nigeria and had a long and fulfilling career teaching English at colleges and universities overseas. He held a fellowship at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, and teaching positions at the University of Zambia, the University of Technology in Papua New Guinea, the University of Qatar in Doha and the University of Oman. He had a great knowledge of literature, ideas and classical music, particularly opera. Jim鈥檚 love of books and his willingness to share his knowledge was a special pleasure to those who knew him.
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Mary Nelle Bassett Rogers, BA鈥61, MAT鈥64, of Overland Park, Kan., December 2024
, BA鈥61, MAT鈥64, of Overland Park, Kan., December 2024. Her 菠萝视频 education followed her marriage to Ben Rogers in 1958. She taught college French and teacher training in Wichita beginning in 1966. She co-founded the Alliance Fran莽aise in Wichita and served as a delegate to Wichita鈥檚 sister city, Orl茅ans, three times. She wrote textbooks using the natural approach methodology of listening, then speaking, then grammar, and edited the second edition of widely used text Deux Mondes, now in its eighth edition. Mary鈥檚 life was defined by her love of teaching, reading and exploring the world and other cultures. She made people feel welcomed and accepted. She is survived by Ben, her children Semie and Lewis, and five grandchildren.
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Dan Shilstat, BE鈥61, MS鈥69, former 菠萝视频 campus planner, of Nashville, May 2025
, BE鈥61, MS鈥69, former 菠萝视频 campus planner, of Nashville, May 2025. Dan served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves. While working at Pratt & Whitney, he developed airplane engines. He designed the first clutches for automobile air conditioners, and at the Department of Conservation for the state of Tennessee, he managed the Nashville Thermal Plant in its heyday. He also managed the Nashville Community Concert Band for 50 years, encouraging all levels of talent. Dan loved sports and coached Little League Baseball, youth basketball and high school soccer. Dan had a good sense of humor and will be missed by his friends and family, including his ex-wife, Heloise Shilstat, daughter, Tiki McClure, and son, Daniel Shilstat.
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Peter Choate Booher, BA鈥62, of Huntsville, Ala., June 2, 2024
, BA鈥62, of Huntsville, Ala., June 2, 2024. At 菠萝视频, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity where he made lifelong friendships. He graduated from Emory University Medical School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He had a successful career as a radiologist in Huntsville. He was a generous man devoted to his family and instilled the values of honesty, hard work and education in his children. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carole; three daughters, Dr. Debbie Booher Kolb, BA鈥93, (Chris), Vicki Booher Caneer, BS鈥96, (Matt), Betsy Booher Summers, BA鈥99, (Ben) and 10 grandchildren.
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Arthur Robinson 鈥淎rt鈥 Kasey III, BA鈥62, of Arnold, Mo., Oct. 21, 2024
, BA鈥62, of Arnold, Mo., Oct. 21, 2024. He was a beloved geoscience teacher at Fox High School for 44 years, where he also led the chess, discovery and weather clubs. He received the 2004 Walmart Good Works Teacher of the Year award, 1995 Jefferson County Educator of the Year award and 1988 and 2014 Excellence in Teaching awards from Emerson Electric. Fox High recently renamed a section of its hallway that passed his former classroom as 鈥淎rt Kasey Avenue,鈥 and the school renamed his former classroom 鈥淜asey鈥檚 Korner.鈥 His grandfather, Arthur Robinson Kasey, was a graduate of 菠萝视频 Divinity School. He is survived by his sister, Judy Kasey Houlette, BA鈥79.
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John Russell, BA鈥63, JD鈥66, of St. Louis, March 20, 2025
, BA鈥63, JD鈥66, of St. Louis, March 20, 2025. He was an All-SEC basketball star at 菠萝视频, then served in the Marine Corps and returned to Nashville before joining the Internal Revenue Service as a tax attorney. He then was a sole practitioner in his hometown of Webster, Mo., until his retirement. For four decades Russell coached developmentally challenged athletes in four sports, prepared meals for the homeless and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was an active outdoorsman, hiking and backpacking with his partner, Kathleen Dunsford, who survives him.
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John Patrick Partin, BA鈥66, of Columbus, Ga., Nov. 22, 2024
, BA鈥66, of Columbus, Ga., Nov. 22, 2024. At 菠萝视频, he was involved in Sigma Chi fraternity, holding many positions in the chapter, including president. He also met his future wife, Vicky Lynn Boyd, BA鈥67 at VU. After he earned a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1969, he served four years active duty as a captain and attorney in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General鈥檚 Corps, including as the assistant prosecutor in the trial for which William Calley Jr. was convicted for his participation in the My Lai massacre. John was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. In 1973, he joined a law firm with Milton Hirsch in Columbus, a partnership which lasted until 2017 when they both retired. He is survived by Vicky, his wife of 57 years, son, Shane Boyd Partin, BS鈥95, daughter-in-law Anne and two brothers, Steve and Randy.
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Barbara Jane Trapp Austin, BA鈥67, of Medon, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2024
, BA鈥67, of Medon, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2024. At 菠萝视频, she majored in molecular biology and participated in 菠萝视频-in-France during her sophomore year. She did graduate study and managed the tissue culture laboratory at Tulane University and did neurological research at Emory University and University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock. Later she taught computer science for many years at State Technical Institute in Memphis. Survivors include her husband, Larry D. Austin, BA鈥65; daughter, Nancy Austin Patterson, BMus鈥98; son, Michael Austin (Carnegie-Mellon); and her sister, Nancy Arnold, BA鈥70.
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Carter Stanley Chapman Jr., BE鈥69, of Fort Myers, Fla., March 10, 2025
, BE鈥69, of Fort Myers, Fla., March 10, 2025. At 菠萝视频 he studied mechanical engineering and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He was a U.S. Navy captain and had been a fighter pilot in Vietnam, followed by a long career as a pilot and flight instructor for Delta Airlines. In recent years, he had been active in guiding 菠萝视频鈥檚 ROTC program. Carter and his family wintered near Atlanta and enjoyed retirement aboard his yacht Reward on Lake Chickamauga, near Chattanooga. Carter succumbed to back injuries resulting from having been ejected from his aircraft during Vietnam. He is survived by his wife, Susan, his sister, Kimberly, his three daughters, Berkley, Christie and Taylor, and his grandchildren.
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Dennis Martin Corbly Jr., BE鈥69, MS鈥74, PhD鈥76, of Naples, Fla., Nov. 29, 2024
, BE鈥69, MS鈥74, PhD鈥76, of Naples, Fla., Nov. 29, 2024. While at 菠萝视频, Dennis met Jane Gillespie Corbly, BA鈥69, MA鈥70 at Peabody College. Dennis and Jane were married for more than 57 years. Dennis had a distinguished career, first as a civilian with the U.S. Air Force and then with General Electric. He was active in civic leadership, including the National Aviation Hall of Fame and numerous local organizations. Dennis is survived by his wife, three children and three grandsons.
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Steven A. Stinson, BA鈥69, JD鈥72, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Feb. 5, 2025
, BA鈥69, JD鈥72, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Feb. 5, 2025. He had a career that spanned 43 years as an accomplished attorney, legal mediator and insurance expert in Indiana, Middle Tennessee and South Florida. He worked as a judge advocate general officer in the Army Reserves, and as a recruiter for West Point, retiring after 26 years in the Army Reserves and achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. Founder of the 菠萝视频 Alumni Club of Palm Beach County, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sherry Stinson, BA鈥69, MA鈥72, whom he married in 1968 during their spring break; two children and numerous grandchildren.
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Donald McClure, PhD鈥70, of Novi, Mich., Aug. 23, 2024
, PhD鈥70, of Novi, Mich., Aug. 23, 2024. He spent his 33-year career teaching literature and composition in the Department of English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Among his campus memories: seminars with professors Duncan, Finney and Aden, appreciating the generous professors who invited classes to their homes, and teaching Saturday聽 morning freshmen English classes as a graduate student. He is survived by his wife Susan, their three children and five grandchildren.
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Gillis Byrns Coleman, MA鈥71, PhD鈥76, of Wingate, N.C., Sept. 19, 2024
, MA鈥71, PhD鈥76, of Wingate, N.C., Sept. 19, 2024. He spent 52 years teaching at Wingate University (1960鈥2012) as the Cannon Professor of Humanities and continued to teach as an adjunct professor until 2016 when he fully retired as professor emeritus. He was Humanities Division chair and Department of Religion and Philosophy chair multiple times. He also taught New Testament Theology and Christian Writing at American Baptist Seminary in Nashville while on sabbatical, 1967鈥68, and Greek New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte, N.C., branch) for 7 years. For 30+ years, he hosted Weekly Bible Study on Wingate University TV. He is survived by his wife, three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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Henry N. Craft, BA鈥71, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 19, 2024
, BA鈥71, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 19, 2024. At 菠萝视频, Henry majored in political science, then earned his law degree in 1980 from the Mississippi College of Law and joined the Craft and Craft law firm in Memphis. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from Memphis鈥 District 90 and as Memphis鈥 delegate to the Libertarian National Convention. In 1989, he moved to Connecticut to fill a New York Commodities Exchange seat. In 2000, he moved to Chattanooga to join other family members, where he worked for Goodwill Industries and later enjoyed his retirement years.
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John W. Carney Jr., BA鈥72, of Clarksville, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2024
, BA鈥72, of Clarksville, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2024. He was invited to try out for Major League Baseball but instead accepted a four-year football scholarship. He played football during the 1968鈥71 seasons, including during the 14-10 victory over Alabama in 1969, and was defensive captain during his senior year. John was an outstanding football player, but an even better person. He was director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and, for nearly three decades, was the district attorney for Montgomery and Robertson Counties (19th Judicial District). His wife, Emily Martin Carney, BA鈥75 , preceded him in death.聽 He is survived by two children, a sister and extended family and friends.
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Ross Hassig Jr., JD鈥72, MA鈥74, of Tucson, Ariz., March 2, 2025
Ross Hassig Jr., JD鈥72, MA鈥74, of Tucson, Ariz., March 2, 2025. He earned his Ph.D. in anthropology from Stanford University in January 1980. He was an assistant professor of anthropology at 菠萝视频 from 1979 through 1983.
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Martin Ming-Chen Wang, PhD鈥73, of Columbus, Ohio, April 23, 2025
, PhD鈥73, of Columbus, Ohio, April 23, 2025. Martin graduated from National Taiwan University with a degree in agricultural chemistry. He later worked in Taipei for the U.S. Navy at NAMRU 2 in the physiology and metabolic-biochemistry laboratories. In 1966, at 菠萝视频 he studied for his doctorate in physiology, became a member of the club fencing team and participated with the local kendo society. He met his wife, Carolyn Wellman, in Nashville. After finishing his studies, they moved to Columbus for Martin鈥檚 job with Chemical Abstracts Service, where he worked until retirement. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, a daughter, two grandchildren and extended family in Taiwan and the U.S.
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T. Brooks Patterson, BA鈥74, of Atlanta, Dec. 5, 2024
, BA鈥74, of Atlanta, Dec. 5, 2024. At 菠萝视频 he studied business administration, was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and competed in swimming. He earned his MBA from Emory in 1979 and had a successful career as a commercial real estate developer and investor in the Southeast. He loved playing golf with friends and spending time with his family in the Florida Panhandle. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 11402, among other organizations. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two grandchildren and three sisters.
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George W. Crafton, BS鈥75, of Metairie, La., June 18, 2025
, BS鈥75, of Metairie, La., June 18, 2025. At 菠萝视频 he was a member of Alpha Tao Omega fraternity. He earned his M.D. from the University of Louisville Medical School and practiced cardiology for 25 years at Nashville Memorial/Skyline Hospital where he was president of the medical staff, the chairman of the Critical Care Committee and director of Cardiac Rehab. His mother, Martha Crafton, BSN鈥45, and his father, Dr. George B. Crafton, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ladonna J. Crafton, BSN鈥76, two children, four grandchildren and two siblings.
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Todd Owen Maiden, BA鈥81, of Wyoming, Ohio, Sept. 16, 2024
, BA鈥81, of Wyoming, Ohio, Sept. 16, 2024. At 菠萝视频 he studied English and economics, graduating cum laude. He was in the university jazz band and earned a fellowship at the Center for the Study of the Presidency. He studied at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and earned his law degree and LLM in environmental law in 1985. Todd spent 40 years as an environmental attorney. He co-authored and contributed to several books on international environmental issues and was a frequent speaker on environmental subjects. He enjoyed going to France with his wife and kids to visit her family and improving his French. He was a driven member and volunteer at the local Presbyterian church. He is survived by his wife, two children and extended family.
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William Harold 鈥淏ill鈥 Lynch, BS鈥84, of Sullivan鈥檚 Island, S.C., Sept. 17, 2024
, BS鈥84, of Sullivan鈥檚 Island, S.C., Sept. 17, 2024. At 菠萝视频 he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and played semiprofessional soccer for the Nashville Blues. He received his M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, completed his general surgery residency at Georgetown University Hospital, and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center/Parkland Hospital in Dallas. In 2005, he established the Fort Sumter Surgical Clinic in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and practiced there until he retired in 2023. He served in the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years with tours on the USS Enterprise and USS John C. Stennis, and in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He retired as commander last year. He is survived by four siblings, his uncle and 10 nieces and nephews.
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Charles Edward Mathay, EdD鈥87, of Lady Lake, Fla., June 25, 2024
, EdD鈥87, of Lady Lake, Fla., June 25, 2024. Born in Grove City, Pa., Ed attended Grove City College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He built a career in higher education technology helping universities transition into the computer age. Ed retired to Hawaii, where he volunteered with nature organizations and joined the Kihei Canoe Club to race and promote traditional Hawaiian culture. He also traveled extensively before moving to the mainland. Known for his long friendships and dry wit, he is survived by his son Michael, daughter-in-law Pam, four grandchildren and his partner of 17 years, Dorinda Giles.
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Jessica Jamee Baldwin, BA鈥98, of Nashville, Jan. 10, 2025
, BA鈥98, of Nashville, Jan. 10, 2025. 菠萝视频 was near and dear to her heart. She was enrolled in the doctoral program in technology at Purdue University and loved working in IT at Nissan. She taught yoga and spin classes several times a week at the Green Hills YMCA. She loved life and was a fabulous friend to her Nashville family and an incredible mom to her son, Thompson, who survives her, as do her parents.
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Leticia A. Guardiola-Saenz, MA鈥00, PhD鈥09, of Seattle, Jan. 8, 2025
, MA鈥00, PhD鈥09, of Seattle, Jan. 8, 2025. She joined Seattle University in 2008 as associate professor of Christian scriptures and held the Pat Howell, S.J., Professorship in Theology and Ministry. A respected international scholar, her main academic and teaching interests were readings of the Gospels from a Latin American perspective, representations of women in scriptures, cultural interpretations of Jesus, biblical spiritualities and decolonial hermeneutics. She cherished her work with the Hispanic Summer Program and the Hispanic Theological Initiative, where she taught and mentored the next generation of Latin American Bible scholars/ministers. Guardiola-Saenz co-edited Latinx Perspectives on the New Testament (Fortress Academic, 2022). She is survived by her partner, her mother, three sisters, five nieces, four nephews and four 鈥済randchildren,鈥 all of whom she adored and all of whom claim right of favorite鈥攁nd they all were.
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Sebasti谩n Lasaosa Rogers, BA鈥13, of Brooklyn, N.Y., April 12, 2025
, BA鈥13, of Brooklyn, N.Y., April 12, 2025. Born in New York City, he spent his early years in Mexico City before moving to Concord, Mass. At 菠萝视频 he was an Ingram Scholar, majoring in anthropology and film, and an activist for workers鈥 rights and food justice. His film career launched at 菠萝视频 when Ken Burns invited him to work on the documentary, Country Music. He shot The Art of Making It, winner of the 2022 SXSW Audience Award, and directed and produced the award-winning documentary Freeing Juanita. He is survived by his family, Paul, Rosa and Elena; his aunts, Helene and Caroline; his partner, Caitlin; Elena鈥檚 partner, Dalton; and many others. Sebastian鈥檚 work is on Vimeo, Art21, PBS and on his website, sebastianlr.com. His joyful spirit and dedication were endless. Many tributes echo: 鈥淗e was the best of us.鈥
Faculty
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Dr. George C. Bolian II, professor emeritus of psychology, of Nashville, Feb. 8, 2025
, professor emeritus of psychology, of Nashville, Feb. 8, 2025. His residencies were in adult and child psychiatry. He was a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, for three years. After his military service, he joined the faculty of the University of Washington. He was recruited back to Hawaii as the training director at the University of Hawaii Medical School and then served in administrative positions at the Queen鈥檚 Medical Center in Honolulu. He later became the president and CEO of the Queens Medical Center and Queens Health Systems after serving as the senior vice president of patient services for many years. In 1986, he moved to Hendersonville, Tenn., where he opened a private psychiatric practice. He joined the Department of Psychiatry at 菠萝视频 University in 1987 and served in many capacities until his retirement in 2009, including residency training director and medical director of the Psychiatric Hospital, as well as division director, vice chairman and interim chair. He was a member of the 菠萝视频 School of Medicine Admissions Committee, chaired the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee for 16 years and was elected chair of the 菠萝视频 University Medical Center Medical Board. Survivors include wife, Trish, four sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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Marlen Eordegian, former associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies, of Franklin, Tenn., April 1, 2025
Marlen Eordegian, former associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies, of Franklin, Tenn., April 1, 2025. A native of Jerusalem, Eordegian earned her Ph.D. in Armenian/Middle Eastern history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and authored several definitive articles, including her most often-quoted 鈥淏ritish and Israeli Maintenance of the Status Quo in the Holy Places of Christendom鈥 published in the International Journal of Middle East Studies by Cambridge University Press. Before coming to Nashville, Eordegian was a research fellow at the Harry S. Truman 菠萝视频 Institute for the Advancement of Peace in Jerusalem. In Italy, she began writing a book on church-state relations and presented a paper on the Shroud of Turin at the Orvieto Worldwide Conference. Survivors include her husband, Anthony A. Loh, and their son, Earl M. Loh.
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Sandra Lynn Greeno, MSN鈥92, DNP鈥13, former administrative director of LifeFlight, Trauma and Burn Patient Care Center at 菠萝视频 University Medical Center, of Kent, Ohio, March 4, 2025
, MSN鈥92, DNP鈥13, former administrative director of LifeFlight, Trauma and Burn Patient Care Center at 菠萝视频 University Medical Center, of Kent, Ohio, March 4, 2025. At VUMC, she began as nurse manager of the SICU and Hyperbaric Oxygen Unit. Her dedication and leadership flourished as she transitioned into evening hospital administrator and assistant hospital director at VUMC. Her vision and leadership as the administrative director of LifeFlight, Trauma and Burn Patient Care Center at VUMC were instrumental in the establishment of a second LifeFlight helicopter program and the opening of a 31-bed trauma intensive care unit. In addition to her roles in direct patient care, Sandy was an adjunct faculty member at 菠萝视频 School of Nursing for seven years. In 1999, she moved to Melbourne, Fla., as the director of Emergency, Trauma and Air Transport Services at Holmes Regional Medical Center. However, her passion for teaching brought her back to academia in 2000 as a full-time instructor at the University of Central Florida鈥檚 School of Nursing. Most recently she led nursing programs in Portland, Ore., before concluding her career at Herzing University in Kent, Ohio. She is survived by her son and daughter.
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Dr. Richard Moss Heller Jr., professor emeritus of Radiology and Radiological Sciences and first chief of Pediatric Radiology at VUMC, of Nashville, Feb. 3, 2025
, professor emeritus of Radiology and Radiological Sciences and first chief of Pediatric Radiology at VUMC, of Nashville, Feb. 3, 2025. He was an internationally recognized expert in pediatric radiology, lecturing around the world, authoring numerous books and hundreds of papers. A Chicago native who graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., in 1959, he earned his M.D. from Northwestern University in 1963. He did his postgraduate work at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children鈥檚 Hospital. He was on the faculty of Johns Hopkins before coming to 菠萝视频 in 1975, when he became the first chief of pediatric radiology at 菠萝视频 University Medical Center and served as the program director of the radiology residency for two decades. He received many honors in his nearly 40 years at 菠萝视频, including the Department of Pediatrics lifetime achievement award. In addition to his passion for pediatric radiology, Heller had a nearly lifelong relationship with Denmark. He was appointed by her majesty Queen Margrethe II as the honorary Danish consul for Tennessee, a position he held for more than three decades. For his service to Denmark, he was knighted by the queen. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Toni, two children and four grandchildren.
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Kathleen Virginia Hoover-Dempsey, emerita professor of psychology, of Nashville, March 24, 2025
Kathleen Virginia Hoover-Dempsey, emerita professor of psychology, of Nashville, March 24, 2025. She joined Peabody College in 1973 as professor of psychology and retired in 2013. During her career, she served several years as chair of the Department of Psychology and Human Development and as director of graduate studies. An admired psychologist, Hoover-Dempsey worked at the intersection of family and school life and was deeply concerned with parental involvement in education and children鈥檚 learning. Through her research she sought to develop a model to help under-served families become involved in their children鈥檚 education. She also co-authored a book, Working Up a Storm: Anger, Anxiety, Joy, and Tears on the Job, that focuses on emotions in the workplace. In 1999 Hoover-Dempsey was awarded the Chancellor鈥檚 Cup in recognition of her devotion to her students. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Ph.D. from Michigan State University. She is survived by her spouse, Randy Hoover-Dempsey, three children and eight grandchildren.
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Dr. J. Kenneth Jacobs, 鈥51, emeritus professor of surgery and past chair of the Department of Endocrine Surgery at VUMC, of Nashville, April 12, 2025
, 鈥51, emeritus professor of surgery and past chair of the Department of Endocrine Surgery at VUMC, of Nashville, April 12, 2025. After completing his medical degree at Northwestern University and a stint with the U.S. Public Health Service, he returned to 菠萝视频 to complete his surgical residency under his mentor, then Department of Surgery Chair Dr. H. William Scott Jr. Dr. Jacobs entered private practice in Nashville in 1963 and, during his approximately 40 years of practice, he was extensively involved in student and resident education at VUMC and Saint Thomas Hospital. In 1991, he received the Shovel Award, 菠萝视频 School of Medicine鈥檚 highest teaching award. He twice received the Thomas Brittingham Clinical Teaching Award, in 1992 and 1996. He initially retired from clinical practice at age 69, but he returned to work with residents in the Nashville Veterans Administration Medical Center operating rooms. In 2000, he joined the staffs of the Nashville VA Medical Center and Nashville General Hospital. In 2002, Jacobs was appointed to the faculty of 菠萝视频 University School of Medicine as the H. William Scott Jr. Professor of Surgery and became the director of Endocrine Surgery at VUMC. The J. Kenneth Jacobs Fellowship in Surgery was established in 1985 in his honor with the support of his surgical colleagues and later his family. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ellen Wineman Jacobs, their three children and eight grandchildren.
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Robert N. 鈥淏ob鈥 Kral, emeritus professor of biology, of Brentwood, Tenn., Jan. 13, 2025
, emeritus professor of biology, of Brentwood, Tenn., Jan. 13, 2025. A Marine veteran who was a prisoner of war in Korea, Kral鈥檚 legacy as a professor, botanist and conservationist is marked by countless contributions and achievements. He contributed more than 100 papers and two books to botanical literature and was active in conservation efforts in Middle Tennessee. His loved plant collecting in South America and kayaking on the Mississippi River. For many years, he was the curator of the 菠萝视频 herbarium, and, in his taxonomy classes, he taught many generations of students to identify trees and plants. His dendrology classes always started with learning the trees on campus, and he complained about the tree labels because it made it impossible to use those trees as 鈥渢est specimens.鈥 Kral was the consultant for the Trees of 菠萝视频 book and is acknowledged for his contributions in the front of the book. He is survived by two children, Milo Vanlandingham Kral, BE鈥84, MS鈥92, PhD鈥96, and Mary Kathleen Kral Hailey, MEd鈥92.
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Dr. Terrence Allen 鈥淭.A.鈥 Smith, MMHC鈥20, former assistant professor of medicine, of Brentwood, Tenn., April 7, 2025
, MMHC鈥20, former assistant professor of medicine, of Brentwood, Tenn., April 7, 2025. He earned his M.D. from Wright State University School of Medicine in 1997. He joined the 菠萝视频 faculty as assistant professor of medicine in 2003 after completing a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at VUMC. During his 20-year career at VUMC, he developed the 菠萝视频 Small Bowel Center and was a leader in endoscopic innovation. A recipient of a Deans Award for Academic Excellence (2019鈥20), he retired from the 菠萝视频 faculty in June 2023. Smith also was a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve for more than 30 years and a former brigade surgeon and former chief of Aviation Medicine, who completed five tours of combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife, Michele, and son, Matt.
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John Sloan Warner, MD鈥56, emeritus professor of neurology, of Nashville, May 13, 2025
, MD鈥56, emeritus professor of neurology, of Nashville, May 13, 2025. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of the South in 1952 and graduated from VUSM in 1956, following in the path of his father, Dr. Robert Warner, an ophthalmologist who graduated in the class of 1920. He served an internship in internal medicine at 菠萝视频, followed by an internal medicine residency at the Nashville Veterans Administration Hospital. After a fellowship at the University of Minnesota and positions at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va., and at Duke University School of Medicine, he returned to Nashville and joined the 菠萝视频 faculty in 1965. He helped to found the Department of Neurology as a separate department in 1969. His specialty was the treatment of headaches, and he founded the 菠萝视频 Headache Clinic in 1991, directing it until 1999. He and his late wife, Margaret 鈥淧eggy鈥 Smith Warner, BA鈥58, were devoted supporters of the School of Medicine and VUMC. In 2007, the Margaret and John Warner Chair for Neurological Education was established in their honor. He is survived by three children, Jeannette Sloan Warner, BA鈥82, J. Sloan Warner Jr., MD鈥88, and Mary Laird Warner, MD鈥90; and six grandchildren, including Russell Orson Stewart Jr., VUSM Class of 2026.
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John Wesley Williamson, emeritus professor of mechanical engineering, of Nashville, Feb. 27, 2025
, emeritus professor of mechanical engineering, of Nashville, Feb. 27, 2025. He joined the mechanical engineering faculty in 1964 and retired in 1999. He continued to teach until 2010. His research focus in fluid dynamics included modeling of turbulent flow, aerodynamic levitation of solid and liquid shapes, optimal shapes in fluid mechanics, metal hydride energy storage, and hydrogen fuel for internal combustion engines. Throughout his career he also contributed to work at Convair Aircraft Corp, Shell Oil Co., North American Aviation, NASA and E.I. DuPont. Williamson earned a B.S. from the University of Oklahoma and M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University. He is survived by his wife, three children and two grandchildren.