The Western campus viewed from the air looking out towards the islands and Bellingham bay

Winter 2023 Class Notes

Class Notes include professional accomplishments, awards, retirements, weddings, obituaries and other news about Western Washington University alumni; they’re gathered from published reports and communication from alumni themselves.

If you have an update you’d like us to share in Class Notes, please email it to window@wwu.edu. Tell us what’s new with you, and we’ll publish it in the next edition and online.

These are the class notes for this issue. See all class notes here.

Class Note

Karsten Boysen - 1964

Karsten Boysen, B.A., art, and BAE, completed an 8-foot, bronze, abstract sculpture, “Lotus Blossom,” for a roundabout in Lakewood on Gravelly Lake Drive and Washington Blvd.

Barbara Luther - 1967

Barbara Luther, BAE, secondary vocational home ec, recently retired as the longtime director of Early World Montessori school in Mercer Island, with plans to move to the Big Island of Hawaii.

John A. Simpson - 1971

After graduating from Western, John A. Simpson, B.A., history, earned an M.A. at the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. at the University of Oregon. He retired from Kelso School District following a 33-year career in teaching. His sixth book, “All for the Union: The Saga of One Northern Family Fighting the Civil War,” released in April 2022 by Stackpole Books, is a non-fiction account based on 180 letters written by family members from a rural western New York community during the Civil War.

David Swanson - 1972

David Swanson, B.A., sociology, is an emeritus professor of sociology at U.C. Riverside and a population research associate at Portland State University. He and co-authors Jack Baker and Jeff Tayman recently received the E. Walter Terrie Award for State and Local Demography at the Southern Demographic Association conference. The study, “Boosted Regression Trees for Small Area Population Forecasting,” resulted in David’s third Terrie Award; the others were in 1999 and 2016.

Bob Gray - 1981

Bob Gray, B.Mus., music education, plans to retire after 41 years as a music teacher and band director in the Blaine School District. During his tenure, the district has grown the program from the pep band to add several grade-level bands as well as high school jazz and concert bands and a wind ensemble. Bob also traveled with band students to Japan five times during his career—and hopes to return in retirement.

Gary Thomas - 1984

Gary Thomas, B.A., English, is the author of several best-selling books about Christianity, faith, marriage, parenting, and intimacy. His 26 books, including “Sacred Marriage,” “Sacred Pathways,” and “Authentic Faith,” have sold a total of more than 2 million copies. Gary, who travels to speaking engagements all over the world, and his wife Lisa, ’90, B.A., English, are based in Colorado.

Dan Steelquist - 1987

Dan Steelquist, BAE, elementary education, plans to retire at the end of the school year from the Blaine School District, where he’s been coaching and teaching, mostly in the middle school, since graduation. He coached varsity soccer teams and led 26 groups of eighth-graders on trips to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Peter Bloch Garcia - 1990

Peter Bloch Garcia, BAE, English-secondary, is president and executive director of the Latino Community Fund of Washington State, which helps build leadership and capacity among non-profit organizations to improve the lives of the state’s Latine residents. Peter is also a force behind Progresso, which focuses on Latine voter registration and civic participation.

Lisa Thomas - 1990

Gary Thomas, '84, B.A., English, is the author of several best-selling books about Christianity, faith, marriage, parenting, and intimacy. His 26 books, including “Sacred Marriage,” “Sacred Pathways,” and “Authentic Faith,” have sold a total of more than 2 million copies. Gary, who travels to speaking engagements all over the world, and his wife Lisa Thomas, B.A., English, are based in Colorado.

Dann Mead Smith - 1990

Dann Mead Smith, B.A., political science, is a consultant on public policy issues and the co-leader of Project 42, a non-profit advocacy group that funds, launches and mentors organizations that prioritize free markets and personal liberty. Previously, Dann spent 20 years as president of the Washington Policy Center.

Mike Nagle - 1991

Mike Nagle, BAE, history-secondary education, and ’93, M.A., history, teaches history and political science at West Shore Community College in Scottville, Michigan. In fall 2022 his second book, “The Forgotten Iron King of the Great Lakes: Eber Brock Ward 1811-1875,” was published by Wayne State University Press. His first book, “Justus S. Stearns: Michigan Pine King and Kentucky Coal Baron, 1845-1933,” received the Kentucky History Award.  

Hiro Yamamoto - 1993

Hiro Yamamoto, B.S., chemistry, was recently inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame. Hiro was one of the founders of Soungarden and is a former bassist for the Grammy award-winning grunge band.

Sean Hackney - 1994

Sean Hackney, BAE, English-communication, is the broker/owner of NextHome Northwest in Bellingham. He’s a contributing author to “Next Level Your Life,” in which he shares how a football injury changed the trajectory of his life. The book was scheduled for late January from publisher Kyle Wilson.

Kena Brashear - 1995

Real estate brokers Kena Brashear, B.A., Fairhaven interdisciplinary concentration, and Peter Ahn, ’13, B.S., manufacturing engineering technology, recently bought their company, The Muljat Group, a residential real estate brokerage in Bellingham. Kena has worked for the company for 20 years, and Peter, a U.S. Air Force veteran, joined the company seven years ago.

Mike Ho - 1997

Mike Ho, M.Ed., student personnel administration, is manager of Student Life and Leadership at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix and is the 2022 recipient of the NASPA Region VI Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award.  

Darin Detwiler - 1997

Darin Detwiler, B.A., history, and ‘98, teaching certificate, was included in Quality Assurance and Food Safety magazine’s recent list of 21 people who have shaped the last 30 years of food safety. Darin, who was featured in the fall 2021 edition of Window, is a food safety expert and an associate teaching professor at Northeastern University.

Richard Shockey - 1997

Richard Shockey, BAE, history, elementary, plans to retire from the Blaine School District after 17 years in the Blaine High School career center, coaching golf teams and, more recently, working as a paraeducator at Blaine Middle School.

Nicole Gauthier - 1998

The Jefferson Transit Authority board recently appointed Nicole Gauthier, B.A., political science, as general manager of the transit agency that runs buses in and around Sequim, Poulsbo, Kingston, and east and west Jefferson County. Nicole had served as the interim general manager for several months.

Lindsey Salvestrin - 1999

Lindsey Salvestrin, B.A., business administration – human resources management, became the president/CEO at Columbia Credit Union, based in Clark County.

Karen Osborn - 1999

Karen Osborn, M.S., biology, is a researcher and curator of marine invertebrates at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. When she’s not in Washington, D.C., she’s often at sea studying critters that dwell in the deep, open ocean.

Braden Abraham - 1999

Seattle Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Braden Abraham, B.A., English – writing, is moving to Chicago to lead the Writers Theatre of Chicago. During his 20-year tenure at the Seattle Rep, Braden worked to stage early productions of “Come From Away,” which went on to be a hit Broadway musical, and “All the Way,” which won a Tony award.

Amy Vira - 1999

Amy Vira, B.A., German, was recently elected to be the San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney.

Michael Visser - 2000

Michael Visser, B.A., economics, recently became the interim dean of the Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics.

Anna Marie Adams - 2000

Anna Marie Adams, B.A., Fairhaven interdisciplinary concentration, opened Hela Provisions, a gourmet specialty store in Bellingham.

Travis Silvers - 2001

Travis Silvers, B.Mus., performance, is a fulltime, tenure track instructor of world music and guitar at Modesto Junior College in California.

Christen Mattix - 2001

Painter and fiber artist Christen Mattix, BFA., art, recently created “Root to Rise,” a large mural commissioned by the city in downtown Burlington, featuring Mexican ballet folklórico dancers.

Aren Giske - 2002

The Benton-Franklin Health District Board selected Aren Giske, B.A., general studies, as the new medical officer for both counties. Aren, who specializes in occupational medicine, completed his medical degree at the University of Vermont and most recently worked as medical director of MaineGeneral Workplace Health, the largest community occupational medicine program in Maine.

Amy Chaloupka - 2002

Amy Chaloupka, BFA, art, is curator of art at the Whatcom Museum, where she recently cocurated an exhibit about Japanese textile art, “Katazome Today,” with Art Professor Seiko A. Purdue.

Mary Miller - 2003

Mary Miller, B.A., recreation, was promoted to communications lead for the Public Works Board at the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Luke Ande - 2004

Luke Ande, BAE, physical education and health, became the athletic director for Bainbridge Island School District.

Zoe Fraley - 2005

Zoe Fraley, B.A., journalism, became the director of Communications and Marketing at Bellingham Technical College. Previously, Zoe was the social media coordinator at Western and wrote several stories for Window magazine.

Ryan Pemberton - 2006

Ryan Pemberton, B.A., psychology, became the assistant director of the Center for Faithful Business at Seattle Pacific University. Previously, he was the communications and marketing manager at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.

Adam Lincoln - 2006

Adam Lincoln, B.A., political science, became the interim city manager of Pasco. He has been Pasco’s deputy city manager since 2020.

Matthew Nixon - 2008

Matthew Nixon, B.A., Fairhaven upside-down program, recently became a broker at The Muljat Group of Bellingham. Matthew, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, also coaches football and basketball at Bellingham High School.

Kelly Bjork - 2008

The J. Rinehart Gallery in Seattle recently held “Swimming Naked,” a solo exhibition featuring the work of illustrator Kelly Bjork, B.A., art-drawing and ’09, BFA, art.

Jesse Raymond - 2008

Jesse Raymond, B.A., design, a game and software designer and developer specializing in user experience and user interface, was recently promoted to Technical UI Design director for Fortnite at Epic Games.

Amy Harder - 2008

Amy Harder, B.A., journalism, was named the 2022 Energy Writer of the Year by the American Energy Society. Amy is the executive editor of Cipher, a weekly newsletter supported by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy that focuses on technological innovations that address climate change.

Aliza Hauser - 2009

Aliza Hauser, M.A., rehabilitation counseling, is the Return to Work manager for the Puget Sound Educational Service District.

Zachary E. Davison - 2009

Zachary E. Davison, B.A., accounting, was promoted to partner at the international law firm Perkins Coie. Based in the Seattle office, Zachary is an attorney in the firm’s Business Litigation practice, focusing on real estate, securities and corporate governance disputes.

Jane Gershovich - 2009

Jane Gershovich, B.A. international business, is a professional photographer in Seattle whose specialties include sports photography— she has been photographing Seattle’s OL Reign FC since the team began. Jane has also shot photos for the Seattle Sounders, Amazon, the National Football League, Brooks Running, Nike and the Seattle Seahawks.

Alexandra Lockhart - 2010

Cumulus, led by Alexandra Lockhart, B.A., communication, recently released its third album, “Something Brighter,” whose songs carry a theme of “gratitude and the bittersweetness of learning from the past,” according to the band’s website.

Peter Ahn - 2013

Real estate brokers Kena Brashear, '95, B.A., Fairhaven interdisciplinary concentration, and Peter Ahn, B.S., manufacturing engineering technology, recently bought their company, The Muljat Group, a residential real estate brokerage in Bellingham. Kena has worked for the company for 20 years, and Peter, a U.S. Air Force veteran, joined the company seven years ago.

Savannah LeCornu - 2014

Savannah LeCornu, B.A., theatre, is the production manager for Western’s Department of Theatre and Dance, and the lighting designer/manager for Mount Baker Theatre. She’s also a visual artist whose work is drawn from her multi-tribal background of Tsimshian, Haida and Nimiipuu (Nez Perce). Savannah’s painting, “Still Here” WWU Variant, hangs in Parks Hall. She was also accepted into her first artist residency as the Spring Native American Fellow for the Visual Arts at Wyoming’s Ucross Foundation.

Debbi Kenote - 2014

Debbi Kenote, BFA, studio art, completed her MFA in 2016 from Brooklyn College and is a contemporary artist based in New York. Her paintings were included in several exhibitions in 2022 in Beijing, Montreal, Seattle, Oakland and Connecticut.

Jen Monnier - 2015

Jen Monnier, B.A., philosophy, completed a master’s degree in journalism at New York University and is now a freelance writer based in Seattle, specializing in the sciences, business, arts and entertainment, and profiles. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Bloomberg, Medscape and the Los Angeles Times. She is also a book fact-checker.

Anna Nakae - 2015

Anna Nakae, B.S., environmental science and certificate in global information systems, is the projects coordinator for the Eagle River Watershed Council in Gypsum, Colorado. She recently joined the Eagle Open Space and Recreational Advisory Committee.

Carly Roberts - 2015

Carly Roberts, B.A., political science, graduated in May 2022 from Gonzaga Law School, where she was a Thomas More public service scholar and editor-in-chief of the Gonzaga Law Review. Carly was sworn into the Washington State Bar in November and is completing a judicial clerkship in Seattle.

Jason Smith - 2016

Jason Smith, superintendent credential, is head of the International School of Arizona and was recently selected to attend an intensive, two-week Heads of School Program at the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership at Columbia University.

Kayla Adams - 2016

Kayla Adams, B.A., theatre, is a theatre artist based in Chicago who recently returned to campus to direct “what the Gods gave me,” written by Eryn Elyse McVay, ’18, B.A., theatre. Eryn is working toward an MFA in playwriting at Ohio University, where “what the Gods gave me” premiered last fall.

Nora Selander - 2017

Nora Selander, B.A., history and political science, is Western’s new director of Government Relations. She came from The Evergreen State College, where she served as Government Relations Director.

Zoë Fejeran - 2017

Zoë Fejeran, B.A., art history, is the Western Gallery’s new museum educator. Before returning to Western, Zoë completed a master’s degree in art education at the University of Texas at Austin.

Jacob Dodrill - 2018

Jacob Dodrill, B.A., Spanish, wrote “Poetry for Me,” a volume that includes poems influenced by Latin American poetry classes Jacob took at Western. It’s available from Dorrance Publishing Co.

Anna Marie Yanny - 2018

After spending four years conducting research at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, Anna Marie Yanny, B.S., behavioral neuroscience, is in graduate school at University of California, Santa Cruz, studying science communication.

Eryn Elyse McVay - 2018

Kayla Adams, '16, B.A., theatre, is a theatre artist based in Chicago who recently returned to campus to direct “what the Gods gave me,” written by Eryn Elyse McVay, B.A., theatre. Eryn is working toward an MFA in playwriting at Ohio University, where “what the Gods gave me” premiered last fall.

Zoe Ballering - 2019

The University of North Texas Press just published “There Is Only Us,” a short story collection by Zoe Ballering, MFA, creative writing, who won the university’s 2022 Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction. In 2021, Zoe’s short story, “Double or Nothing,” won the Rougarou Fabulism & Speculative Fiction Contest.

Daniel Hovander - 2019

Daniel Hovander, B.S., is in dental school at the University of Washington and will begin his residency this year at Neighborcare Health Dental Clinic at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

Karlee Foster - 2019

Karlee Foster, B.A., theatre, is an actor and theatre artist in the Los Angeles area and a member of the Wallis Studio Ensemble at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. She recently performed in the ensemble’s production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Karlee is also on the technical crew at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Colton Rasanen-Fryar - 2020

Colton Rasanen-Fryar, B.A., journalism-public relations, was promoted to assistant managing editor of the Wahpeton Daily News in North Dakota.

Isabel Vander Stoep - 2020

Isabel Vander Stoep, B.A., communication studies, was promoted to assistant editor of the Chronicle newspaper in Chehalis. Isabel began at the paper as an intern and was soon promoted to full-time reporter.

Irina Reinhardt - 2020

Irina Reinhardt, B.A., communication studies, became a business administrator for the solar energy company Unico Solar Investors.

Obituary

Doris M. Maxwell - 1949

Doris M. Maxwell, 93, a retired teacher of kindergarten through second grade, on June 21, 2021, in Olympia.

Bettyjane Evich - 1950

Bettyjane Evich, 94, a retired teacher and longtime artist, on July 14, 2022.

Norris McHeffey - 1951

Norris McHeffey, 95, a World War II veteran and retired superintendent of the Edmonds School District, on Sept. 14, 2022, in Texarkana, Texas.

Charles Lowell Aukland - 1953

Charles Lowell Aukland, 97, a World War II veteran and retired middle school science teacher for Seattle Public Schools, on Sept. 25, 2022.

John Preston Samples - 1953

John Preston Samples, 93, on Dec. 27, 2020.

George Cole - 1954

George Cole, 93, a Korean War veteran and retired elementary school teacher in Bellingham, on Sept. 19, 2022, in Seattle.

Alton John Gregor - 1954

Alton John Gregor, 94, a Korean War veteran and retired elementary school principal in the Lake Washington School District, on Oct. 27, 2022.

Charles David Northrup - 1956

Charles David Northrup, 88, a retired teacher, counselor and high school principal who worked in Cle Elum and Yakima, on Sept. 24, 2022.

Edward Morrow - 1956

Edward Morrow, 88, retired principal of five elementary schools and one middle school in the Everett School District who also served on the Everett City Council and Port of Everett Commission, on Nov. 25, 2022.

Maryalice Brockway - 1957

Maryalice Brockway, 87, who retired after 40 years teaching in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District in California, on Sept. 8, 2022.

Norman Foster Keck - 1957

Norman Foster Keck, 87, a retired teacher, principal and administrator in the Everett School District who toured Australia, Scotland and Germany with the Snohomish County Windjammers barbershop singing group, on May 4, 2022.

Clyde “Skip” Baker - 1958

Clyde “Skip” Baker, 86, a retired teacher and coach in Mount Vernon, on June 23, 2022. His wife (and classmate) Shirlene Ann Baker, 85, also a retired teacher in Skagit County, died Sept. 5, 2022.

Shirlene Ann Baker - 1958

Clyde “Skip” Baker, 86, a retired teacher and coach in Mount Vernon, on June 23, 2022. His wife (and classmate) Shirlene Ann Baker, 85, also a retired teacher in Skagit County, died Sept. 5, 2022.

Maureen Couplin - 1958

Maureen Couplin, 87, a retired kindergarten teacher in Anacortes, on Dec. 9, 2022.

Bud L. Holten - 1959

Bud L. Holten, 89, a longtime teacher and coach in Skamokawa and Cathlamet in Wahkiakum County, on Dec. 7, 2022.

Stanley Edward Moe - 1959

Stanley Edward Moe, 92, a retired math teacher at Puyallup High School, on June 5, 2021.

Marcella Ann Gossage - 1960

Marcella Ann Gossage, 86, a former high school teacher who owned Town and Country Apparel in Bellingham for 25 years, then ran a bed and breakfast on Lummi Island, on Nov. 8, 2022, in Bellevue.

John David Pakusich - 1960

John David Pakusich, 86, on Dec. 16, 2022, in Bellingham.

Theodore J. Waterhouse - 1960

Theodore J. Waterhouse, 89, a retired teacher and tennis coach in the Seattle School District and an avid skier, on Sept. 7, 2022.

Mozelle K. Workman - 1960

Mozelle K. Workman, 84, a Spokane resident, on April 4, 2022.

Kenneth D. Cline - 1961

Kenneth D. Cline, 83, a retired teacher and coach in Okanogan who later worked as a school district bus driver and cook at Camp Progress, on Sept. 26, 2020, in Wenatchee.

Mary Kudsk - 1961

Mary Kudsk, 83, who taught at Sumas Christian and Lynden Christian schools and owned and managed rental properties, on Oct. 15, 2022.

Lawrence Rayner - 1961

Lawrence Rayner, 79, a retired English teacher who coached baseball and cheerleading, on March 18, 2022.

Shirley Ann Tollefson - 1961

Shirley Ann Tollefson, 87, on Nov. 24, 2022, in Burlington.

Janet Nunamaker - 1962

Janet Nunamaker, 80, a retired teacher, on June 17, 2020.

Richard Soth - 1962

Richard Soth, 86, a retired teacher and coach in the Snohomish School District, on Dec. 13, 2022

Brian O’Neil - 1962

Brian O’Neil, 85, a retired teacher and coach in the Elma School District, on March 20, 2022.

Jim Freeman - 1964

Jim Freeman, 81, a WWU Athletics Hall-of-Fame inductee and longtime mathematics and science teacher at Mount Baker High School who coached cross country, track and field, and basketball, on Nov. 27, 2022. His students won a total of eight state titles, and he was inducted three times into the Washington High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Ann Hagerhjelm - 1965

Ann Hagerhjelm, 79, a Sunday school teacher and homemaker, on Oct. 26, 2022, in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Wayne Jensen - 1966

Wayne Jensen, 78, retired from WR Grace and Co., on Dec. 23, 2022.

Daniel W. Meins - 1968

Daniel W. Meins, 76, a veteran of the U.S. Army and gifted artist who painted in California and Washington, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Steven Allen Gordon - 1969

Steven Allen Gordon, 75, a retired restaurateur and caterer, on May 26, 2022.

Gale Waterland Scott - 1969

Gale Waterland Scott, 75, a musician and former music teacher who ran a financial advisory business with her husband in Florida, on June 11, 2022, in Tacoma.

Doris Sterling - 1969

Doris Sterling, 93, on June 23, 2022.

Susan L. Swan - 1969

Susan L. Swan, 79, a retired history professor at Washington State University, on Dec. 4, 2022, in Pullman.

James Carlson - 1969

James Carlson, 75, a retired professor of politics at Providence College, on Sept. 27, 2022.

Douglas E. Forrest - 1969

Douglas E. Forrest, 91, a retired school administrator in British Columbia, on Dec. 3, 2022, in Nanaimo.

Marvette Gwinner - 1970

Marvette Gwinner, 74, retired accountant for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department, on Sept. 13, 2022.

Edward Allen Lofdahl - 1970

Edward Allen Lofdahl, 76, a retired teacher at Tacoma Baptist Schools and Washington Baptist Teacher’s College, where he served as dean of students, and who had a second career in the fire protection industry, on Sept. 24, 2022.

Oleta Niderost - 1971

Oleta Niderost, 77, retired teacher at Cascade Middle School in Sedro-Woolley, on Jan. 26, 2022, in Corvallis, Oregon.

Francis McKee Adams - 1971

Francis McKee Adams, 94, a U.S. Navy veteran and pilot who later taught math and physics and established a Naval Junior ROTC program at Issaquah High School, on July 23, 2021.

Stephen Walter Irving - 1972

Stephen Walter Irving, 77, a former land steward with Whatcom Land Trust, on Dec. 5, 2022, in Bellingham.

Susan Irene (Tarr) Dunn - 1973

Susan Irene (Tarr) Dunn, 70, a retired teacher, on Oct. 11, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas.

Linda Jean Boyd - 1974

Linda Jean Boyd, 70, a retired special education teacher in Forks, on Sept. 1, 2022.

Glenn Hyatt - 1974

Glenn Hyatt, 77, a retired accountant for the federal government and a military historian, on Sept. 20, 2022.

Bonnie Smitch Rehberger - 1974

Bonnie Smitch Rehberger, 77, a retired case worker and juvenile probation officer for Whatcom County, as well as a secretary for the Washington State Juvenile Courtworkers Association, on Dec. 7, 2022.

Eugene Charles Arthur Wiggins - 1975

Eugene Charles Arthur Wiggins, 91, a retired teacher and counselor in the Everett School District, later a faculty member at Seattle Pacific University, Western Washington University and Nazarene Indian Bible College, on Sept. 7, 2022.

Jean Marie Arneson - 1976

Jean Marie Arneson, 69, on Sept. 13, 2022, in Anacortes.

Patricia Duggan - 1977

Patricia Duggan, 67, retired from Confluence Health, on Nov. 14, 2022.

Bette C. McDaniel - 1977

Bette C. McDaniel, 91, a retired educator who lived in Huntsville, Alabama, on Dec. 22, 2022.

Kay Eileen Roetcisoender - 1977

Kay Eileen Roetcisoender, 83, a retired teacher, athletic director and assistant high school principal, on Dec. 21, 2021.

William Raymond Ross - 1978

William Raymond Ross, 69, a retired nursery worker specializing in the cultivation of tree seedlings, on Nov. 11, 2022.

Marianne Louise Murphy - 1979

Marianne Louise Murphy, 65, a retired Christian missionary in Japan, on Oct. 6, 2022.

Gary Allen Feil - 1980

Gary Allen Feil, a U.S. Navy veteran and retired air traffic controller, on Feb. 24, 2022.

Kimberly Ann Ross-Potter-Rich - 1980

Kimberly Ann Ross-Potter-Rich, 65, a social worker, on May 21, 2022.

Benice Muller-Cody - 1981

Benice Muller-Cody, 78, a retired counselor at Naselle Youth Camp, on Sept. 7, 2022, in Pe Ell.

Lane Ashton DeLarme - 1982

Lane Ashton DeLarme, 67, who worked for government agencies largely in geographic information systems, on Oct. 11, 2022.

Tara Felder - 1982

Tara Felder, 63, a former teacher and accomplished back country horsewoman, on Aug. 25, 2022.

Anita S. Jackson - 1982

Anita S. Jackson, 86, retired director of Early Childhood Opportunities Northwest, who helped establish the Head Start Program in Whatcom County, on Oct. 25, 2022.

Diane Lynn (Slovberg) Schuh - 1982

Diane Lynn (Slovberg) Schuh, 62, who worked for Applied Digital Imaging in Bellingham, on Oct. 29, 2022.

Stephen McCombs - 1983

Stephen McCombs, 73, a retired teacher, volunteer fire fighter, and wildland fire dispatcher, on Nov. 11, 2022, in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Paul McKenna - 1985

Paul McKenna, 73, a decorated veteran who worked as an illustrator and in art therapy, on May 20, 2020, in Bellingham.

Norman Wayne Peters - 1985

Norman Wayne Peters, 71, on Nov. 1, 2021.

David T. Quitugua - 1985

David T. Quitugua, 62, who worked in security for Reed College, Emanuel Hospital and Home Depot, on July 8, 2022.

John M. McClenahan - 1986

John M. McClenahan, 66, on Nov. 19, 2022.

Lynn Rene Ohls - 1986

Lynn Rene Ohls, 58, a paralegal and legal assistant, on Oct. 31, 2021.

Loren Howard Reynolds - 1986

Loren Howard Reynolds, 72, on April 21, 2021.

Eric Jack Larson - 1988

Eric Jack Larson, 60, a former commercial fisher with a 20-year career in real estate, on July 16, 2022.

Pamela Sue Coshun - 1989

Pamela Sue Coshun, 65, a retired math teacher who taught in Minnesota and Wisconsin, on June 3, 2022.

Shannon Jane Wiggs - 1989

Shannon Jane Wiggs, 63, retired assistant superintendent of the Peninsula School District who in retirement taught at the Purdy Women’s Correctional Center, on Jan. 4, 2020.

John Erik Pabarcus - 1990

John Erik Pabarcus, 52, a human resources professional, on May 4, 2020.

Barbara Yeast Sandifer - 1990

Barbara Yeast Sandifer, 81, on Jan. 7, 2022, in Holly Lake Ranch, Texas.

Spencer Cearns - 2003

Spencer Cearns, 43, an attorney who worked for the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts, on Dec. 10, 2022.

Paul Winston Goddard - 2009

Paul Winston Goddard, 64, a pastor, teacher, writer and instructional systems designer, on March 18, 2019.

Myrl Beck - FAC

Myrl Beck, 89, professor emeritus of geology and a prolific researcher and mentor whose work led to the development of the Baja-BC hypothesis on the tectonic history of the North American Cordillera, on Jan. 4, 2023, in Bellingham.

Charlene Dolores Ambrose - FRND

Charlene Dolores Ambrose, 92, a retired nurse and supporter of the Chemistry Undergraduate Fellowship Fund, named in honor of her daughter, on Dec. 5, 2022. (Denice Ambrose Hougen, ‘85, B.A., and ’88, MBA, is the retired manager of the Chemistry Department.)

Charlene E. Knowlton - STFF

Charlene E. Knowlton, 91, retired secretary in the Physical Education Department, on Sept. 11, 2022, in Bellingham.

V. Earlene Poole - STFF

V. Earlene Poole, 86, who retired after 25 years working in administration, including assistant to the vice president of Business and Financial Affairs and as benefits manager, on Sept. 18, 2022.

Wedding

Jordyn Berg - 2016

Jordyn Berg, ’16, B.A., English-creative writing, and Andrew Reeves on Oct. 1, 2022, in Monroe.