Norval Lee “Pete” Pielstick, 91, a former faculty member in the Psychology Department, on Feb. 7, 2017, in Mesa, Arizona.
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.
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Obituaries
Norval Lee “Pete” Pielstick - FAC
Theodore Robert Perry - ST
Theodore Robert Perry, 91, a World War II veteran who worked in WWU Central Stores from 1971 to 1988, on Dec. 18, 2017, in Bellingham.
William Joseph Perigo - ST
William Joseph Perigo, 67, a retired custodian, on Feb. 1, 2018.
Gloria Anne McDonald - ST
Gloria Anne McDonald, 80, a former administrative assistant at Western, on Feb. 1, 2018, in Ferndale.
Jim Johnson - FAC
Jim Johnson, 75, a 35-year faculty member and former chair of Western’s Computer Science Department, on Feb. 14, 2018, in Bellingham. Dr. Johnson, who had been with the department since it began, published two books on computer science and consulted for the National Security Agency.
Peter J. Elich - FAC
Peter J. Elich, 85, retired dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and former chair of the Psychology Department, on April 10, 2018. The Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching Award was named in his honor.
Kevin T. Dargan - ST
Kevin T. Dargan, 57, who worked as a custodian at WWU, had degrees in criminal justice and psychology from Northern Illinois University, and served as a youth soccer and wrestling coach, on April 2, 2018.
Nita Clothier - FAC
Nita Clothier, 91, a 1951 graduate of Western and assistant professor emeritus of liberal studies, on Oct. 20, 2017. During her time at Western, she took many students to Greece to learn about its history, art and culture.
Paul Chalmers “Chal” Beisenherz - FAC
Paul Chalmers “Chal” Beisenherz, 78, who taught science education for Western in Everett for 10 years, on Oct. 16, 2017, in Seattle. Previously, Dr. Beisenherz had taught at the University of New Orleans for 28 years.
Jeanne Armstrong - FAC
Jeanne Armstrong, 71, a member of the Western Libraries faculty for 20 years, on Nov. 17, 2018, in Bellingham. Dr. Armstrong was also an accomplished editor, writer and researcher whose most recent work was in genocide theory.
Al Cornett - 1952
Al Cornett, 91, a World War II veteran, WWU Athletic Hall of Fame honoree, and retired teacher and coach in the Anacortes School District, on July 12, 2018. Memorials may be sent to the Charles Lappenbusch Athletic Scholarship with the Western Foundation.
Arlene Eleanor Niegemann - 1949
Arlene Eleanor Niegemann, 89, a former teacher who lived and volunteered in Mukilteo for many years, on April 17, 2018.
Margaret Rose O’Neill - 1945
Sister Margaret Rose O’Neill, who taught in Catholic schools and colleges and helped launch the Jubilee Women’s Center transitional housing program in Seattle, on June 8, 2018, at St. Mary-on-the-Lake in Bellevue.
Bernice Vossbeck - 1944
Bernice Vossbeck, 95, a long-time teacher and the first woman principal in the Lynden School District, on May 12, 2018, in Lynden. Lynden’s Vossbeck Elementary School was named in her honor.
Thomas C. Graham - 1976
Thomas C. Graham, 65, a longtime accountant in Marysville, on March 2, 2019.
Patricia Pilik - 1975
Patricia Pilik, 65, on Oct. 19, 2018, in Mount Vernon.
Margaret Louise “Peggy” Rock - 1973
Margaret Louise “Peggy” Rock, 67, who retired from working in the federal government and Tacoma Public Schools, on June 11, 2018, in Tacoma.
Kurt Othberg - 1973
Kurt Othberg, 74, a geologist and former director of the Idaho Geological Survey, on Feb. 10, 2019, in Walla Walla.
David K. Thompson - 1971
David K. Thompson, 69, a longtime science teacher at Centralia Middle School, on July 30, 2018.
Juanita C. Bravard - 1969
Juanita C. Bravard, 93, a re-tired teacher and world traveler, on March 26, 2018.