Tom Mueller ’89 retired from HP in April 2023.

Submitted by: Office of Advancement

Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
– Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Ulysses

Dear Classmates,

After a summer of oppressive heat, cooler temperatures prevail. Sadly, I have no excuse to avoid weeding and trimming bushes! Now that fall is here, so is football. Those of you in Wisconsin would have had the opportunity to watch Ripon play Cornell College in the new Hopp Stadium on September 30, or attend the grand opening celebration on October 21 when the Red Hawks shut out Lake Forest College 12-0. I’m sure many of you have fond memories of walking to Ingalls Field on a Saturday afternoon to cheer our team to victory. Now students don’t have so far to walk!

Along with the new stadium there will be a renovation and expansion to the science center. The “F” is still there, but it is Franzen, not Farr! This expansion will enable Ripon to offer a new engineering program. But wait, there’s more! Next year the students majoring in exercise science will have the opportunity to pursue a Master’s Degree at Ripon College. All of these great enhancements have been made possible by generous donations. You, too, can have a named space on campus just by giving a huge contribution! But, seriously, any donation helps. It all adds up.

BILL NEILL ’67 pointed out that it’s been sixty years since we were naïve women and men embarking on a new adventure. How many of you remember the nickname assigned to you during orientation? Mine was Santa Claus! And who can forget the ubiquitous green beanies!

Speaking of green, this past summer, GREG ’68 and I visited Ireland for the first time. NANCY WADLEY KEOUGH ’67 and her husband, Jim, just returned from their umpteenth visit!. We spent the first three nights in Dromoland Castle. Fortunately, we had great weather – no rain! One of the highlights was visiting the home and dairy farm of a lovely local couple. They greeted us with an Irish coffee and delicious tarts served in their living room. We also learned how to make Irish soda bread and scones at the Ballyknocken House and School owned by Chef Catherine Fulvio. It was great fun!

Sorry to report that PHILIP METCALF ’67 of Bethel, Connecticut, died March 9, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in philosophy and participated in student theatre, music, government and Sigma Chi. He also received a degree in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He started his career in publishing at Random House, later moving into telecommunications and voice recognition software. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, hiker and church choir member. He also enjoyed gardening, travel, cooking and fine dining, architecture and garden design, reading, listening to music, and reciting trivia. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.

I, and other classmates, would enjoy hearing about your adventures. Or anything else you would like to let us know! Have a happy, healthy fall!

Kathy

Submitted by: Kathy Santimays Dunn '67

Hello Class of 2012!

So exciting to learn more about the Forever Ripon campaign and its goals to expand access through student affordability and innovative programs, enhancing the school’s facilities, and strengthening our institution through the Ripon Fund – be sure to check it out! It has been amazing watching the growth and positive changes on campus since we’ve graduated, and I know there are still so many things to look forward to. And I can’t believe Ripon will be celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2026. Even though I know it is years away, time sure has a way of flying by now!

CLASS UPDATES

We hope you’re all safe, healthy, and excited for the rest of the year! Without further ado, here are the life updates you’ve shared with us recently:

MATTHEW BREUER ’12 is continuing the Psychology Doctoral journey.

SHARON KLAPPERICH DOLL ’12 is starting the final phase of her second masters degree: the dissertation, and with any luck, will be completing it in April.

KATHARINE SHADLE GAILS ’12 and her husband, RYAN ’13, welcomed Quentin Gails into their family at the end of December and he is the happiest little man!

STACEY HAMILTON ’12 recently celebrated a five-year work anniversary as an Assistant Director in the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment at Cornell University. Stacey and her husband also celebrated seven years of marriage this past May and are dog parents to two pups, Zena and Zeus.

JESSICA BRUNGARDT LARSON ’12 is still working for the El Paso County Attorney’s Office handling our Family Treatment Drug Court docket, the Well-Baby Court docket, and the Adult Protection Services (APS) docket. Jessica has been asked to join a panel to present for the Colorado Bar Association on APS in November and has also been helping create a new approach to building collaboration and cooperation in our child protection cases. This pilot program should fully launch in October. Lastly, Jessica has been an Advisor for the Women In Leadership Program for UCCS this last year. All that being said, Jessica’s most important role is wife and mom/pet-mom to two amazing kids, two dogs, and two cats. Life is always buzzing around here.

HAYLEY MUELLER-MILNE ’12 is celebrating her daughter, Juniper, who is a year and a half now; she’s sweet and wild! Hayley and her husband are celebrating their one-year anniversary in October and finally taking their honeymoon.

MEGAN MCGEE NORRIS ’12 continues to be her own boss and serves as a GAL for Racine County, helping out with the attorney shortage up north. Megan was also just accepted to Loyola University of Chicago to get her LLM in Child & Family Law. Her kids just started 3k and 4k.

SARAH JACOBS RUSCH ’12 is currently in her tenth year teaching social studies at Chilton Middle School. Sarah and her husband have two daughters, Wren and Molly, and are currently expecting a surro-girl due this November!

ERIN SCHAICK ’12 just celebrated one year as Director of Events & Corporate Relations at Easter Seals New Hampshire, Vermont & Farnum. She’s looking forward to their groundbreaking event for their new Military & Veterans Campus next week!

BRANDON TAYLOR ’12 is a Senior Manager at LinkedIn on the HR Enablement team leading some of the largest internal tech initiatives at the company.

SARAH WEINBERG UNDERHILL ’12 finally graduated with an MLIS and is looking for a position as a Teen Librarian!

Thanks again to everyone for sharing!

Be well,

Brandon ’12

Erin ’12

Submitted by: Erin Schaick and Brandon Taylor

JILL ALEXANDER WILLIAMS ’69 of Snohomish, WA: “I feel very lucky my husband, Dick, and I are doing a lot of traveling this year. In February & March we spent 2 nights in Tahiti and then 16 days exploring New Zealand and our two daughters were able to join us. This summer we stayed at a VRBO on Guemes Island and also made a trip in our pop top camper to rustic Shaw Island which is our favorite of the San Juan Islands we’ve visited so far. The ferry rides are so fun. Nature preserves, hiking trails, interesting houses, few people. Living in Washington state there are so many beautiful places to explore. Now we are planning a late October trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

BOB “OTTO” WACHHOLTZ ’69 of Papillon, NE: “No significant changes from past years and still trying to adapt to retirement after five years. Still active in two sports though I notice that everyone seems to get faster. Once again “summering” in New Hampshire during September and maybe stay into October to watch the colors ‘pop’.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

SCOTT NYQUIST ’69 and CYNTHIA SANBORN NYQUIST ’69 of Naples, FL: “As I write this, Cynthia and I are just back from a trip to Freiburg, Germany, to visit our daughter, son-in-law and 12-year old granddaughter. Remarkably, our flights to and from were no hassle and on-time (some even early). Normally, Freiburg has pleasant summer weather in August: 80s during the day, 60s overnight. But this year we had extremes. The first ten days were mid to high 90s. Only about 10% of the buildings in Germany are air conditioned. Then the next eight days were chilly (highs in the 60s) and rainy. But we had a fabulous time. Hadn’t been there since 2019. We celebrated my 76th birthday while there by dining at a Michelin star restaurant. Fabulous food! But the dinners at the beer gardens had great food also. Cynthia got to take our granddaughter, Emma, shopping. They also spent lots of time drawing and painting together, something they both love. Cyn and I enjoyed shopping at local markets, riding the tram around the city. (Freiburg has about 300,000 people.) Prior to leaving for Germany, the weather here in Naples was HOT. Many daily high temp records were broken this year. Hurricane Idalia hit while we were in Germany. Fortunately, Naples experienced only minor weather difficulties and there was no damage to our home.I did visit Ripon for Alumni Weekend 2023 and had a great time. I saw ART SCARLETT ’69, FRANK ANDERS ’69 and BOBBI SUESS ANDERS ’69, plus many friends who are alums from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Attended the memorial service for Seale Doss, and listened to former students and faculty (including Spud Hannaford and Doug Northrop) recalling their experiences with him. Walked the campus and went into every building. Saw the new football field being built. I think the week after Alumni Weekend, construction started on the new Franzen Science Center. Ventured up and down Watson Street and was amazed at how vibrant the downtown area is. Dined at the Fox & Crow restaurant, a new Ripon eatery that has great food. I still participate in a weekly Zoom call with seven other Beta Sigma Pi fraternity brothers. We talk about everything from politics, to sports, to kids and grandkids and a lot of discussion about Ripon. In October, the eight of us will meet for our annual four nights in Siesta Key, FL.”JOHN RICCIARDI ’69 of Raleigh, NC: “Debbie and I have a great year so far. We have managed to stay healthy and out of the doctor’s office! We had a great spring traveling in Switzerland and Italy. Spent two weeks in Lugano where our grandson goes to boarding school and then had the unique opportunity to travel on to Venice with our son and daughter without their spouses or grandkids. It was so much fun getting the original family band back together again! Summer here in Raleigh with the entire family and then off to Saudi Arabia to spend Christmas and New Year’s with our daughter. I hope to make the 55th Reunion next June.”TOM SCHARBACH ’69 of Madison, WI: I spent a day at Ripon last spring. I was asked to record an interview by EMMA SAGARTZ ’23, a drama student who planned to use the interview as the basis for a one-act play she was writing about the experiences of a closeted gay Ripon student in the 1960’s. Emma distilled several hours of the interview into a script, which I’ve read, but I didn’t see the play she wrote. The script was well done and I hope Emma got a good grade. I drove over in the morning, spent an hour wandering around campus, and then headed to the grill in Harwood Memorial Union, where I met Emma. The grill, which used to be tiny, is now large. The food isn’t as good now as I remember it being then, but then, I’m not young and constantly hungry any more. The campus itself has changed a lot, particularly in the area where Dawes Cottage used to be and I had to stop and think for a few seconds to get my direction sorted more than once. Merriman House is gone, and I spent a while sitting on the site, remembering the house and the friends I made during those years. Emma introduced me to several students (bright, energetic and, well, young), including a few who were LGBT.  As I talked with them, I realized both how different things are now, and how much the same, as well.  Emma took the time after our interview to show me things that are new on campus, including the Rodman Center, which is remarkable. I’ve stopped by the campus a few times over the years when I drove through Ripon for one reason or another, but it was good to spend a day meeting students, and I’m glad I did it.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

PHIL MCCULLOUGH ’69 of Woodstock, IL: “Just started my 47th year at the med school at Northwestern. Also, will be having our 50th med school reunion this fall. Time flies. Trying to spend a lot of time with five grandchildren ages two through nine. As an old Farr Hall rat, I am very excited about the upcoming major renovations and science curricular expansions. See you in June at the Reunion.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

NANCY OLIVER LEIFHEIT ’69 of Sycamore, IL submitted:

“A Class Letter poem”
It is with reluctance I search for the words, similar words to the past,
And know full well, this request won’t be the last.
So,
I feel sure the Class of ‘69
Has spent the year pretty close to fine.
Searching for something new to impart
When Scott Nyquist emails and asks us to start
Thinking about what we did this past year.
Was there anything different, did we go far or stay near?
Are your hips, knees, and shoulders all old or some new?
Did your children or grandkids grow taller than you?
Looks like Farr Hall will be new and the football field, too,
But our memories of Chem Phys and Homecoming we still view
With our minds that are sharp, fully remembering it all,
Getting our credit cards ready when the new students call
To ask us to support our Alma Mater this year,
And we say, “Of course! While we were here,
We earned much more than just an education of knowledge
But gained friendships, camaraderie, and the value of college
Not to mention the era of freedom and exploring of the soul
The water tower, Greekers, the Spot and the Toilet Bowl.
So, Scott, until next year, this is my letter.
Perhaps next year with 2 new knees, I’ll think of something better!

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

DAVE LEE ’69 and SUE STEGER LEE ’69 of Appleton, WI: Sue and I are looking forward to Alumni Weekend 2024. Hard to believe that our class falls into the elders group, but if, like me, likely retaining at least some of the wild ass elements of our youth – who am I kidding? Sue and I are beginning to spot vision screen this year’s batch of school kids for our Lion’s Club – at the rate of 13,000 screenings per year, we expect to surpass 100,000 vision screenings by Fall 2024. Sue is a Lion’s zone chair and I am secretary of our past district governors group for Wisconsin. Also this year I am serving as the Lion’s state chair for childhood cancer, which is one of Lion’s five global focus areas – we have an initiative to get donations from all of the 600 Lion’s clubs in Wisconsin this September which is childhood cancer awareness month – those funds will be used to help families of need who are dealing with childhood cancer. Wishing all of our classmates the very best of health and happiness for the coming year and hoping to see a mega turnout of classmates for our 2024 Reunion.

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

DAVE LEACH ’69 of Chandler, AZ: “After my travels around the US last year and my December trip to Israel, France and England, I came home and started to date, and quickly marry a lady I have known for about five years. We are now Mr. and Mrs. David and Judy Leach. We honeymooned in the RV boondock camping in Northern Arizona and Utah, visiting Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. If anyone has never been there they are incredibly beautiful and wondrous to behold. Once we got back I moved to Judy’s house in Chandler, AZ (I don’t recommend moving in Arizona in July!). Now we are planning to take a few months on a working RV vacation to Judy’s home in southeastern WI, then north to the lake areas in Northern Wisconsin to the Upper peninsula and back into the lower states to New England for the fall foliage. We’ll visit friends and family along the way and then press on down the East Coast to D.C., Virginia and the Carolinas. We’ll try to see a bunch of sights and points of interest as we go. Then west to Knoxville and down to Atlanta to see more friends and family. Then west and back to Arizona possibly through mid-Texas to see more places and people. We figure to be on the road for two to three months. It should be a great time. We’ve also got a Northwest tour to do some time, but I’m not sure when.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

DEBBIE HAMELE KUKLA ’69 of Long Boat Key, FL: “In early June, my husband, TOM KUKLA ’70, and I met JAN KINGERY BEVERLY ’69 and her friend for lunch on Anna Maria Island. It was a very special reunion sharing past and present happenings. Jan and I were Ripon classmates and Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters.

Florida feels like home, especially because we see our three grandchildren (12, 14, and 15) and daughter often. Being on the Gulf has opened up so many new adventures from turtle hatchings to seeing manatee and dolphins to magnificent sunsets! In two weeks, Tom and I are headed back to Italy to three of our favorite places (Sorrento, Cinque Terre, and Lake Como), as well as a stop in London, then back to the beach!”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

FRED KIEKHAEFER ’69 of Castle Rock, CO: “I officially retired in 2012; I finally admitted it in 2023. After building a marine propulsion company (in seven years), selling it to Mercury Marine and, then, managing Mercury Racing for 22 years, I moved to Colorado from Wisconsin. I started a small consulting firm, K-Lab Design Works. My first major project was again in marine propulsion: I conceived a variable pitch surface drive for high-performance diesel-powered boats. From concept to design. From design to prototype. From prototype to design refinement. From refinement to second prototype. From second prototype to project termination. Working mostly alone, this took eight years. In those eight years, my target market moved to outboard engines. So, I quit. That was a hard decision. In the midst of this project, my wife, Carol, and I moved to Miami (for the water and boat testing). Then COVID hit. We moved back to Colorado for more space; less restriction. Carol went back to graduate school studying artificial intelligence and machine learning as applied to targeted medical therapeutics. She’s a critical care physician and research scientist, so that makes sense.

Now, I spend time differently. With charities. Since I have a few exotic cars, I donate race track time and show time to entertain and raise funds for Morgan Adams Foundation (childrens’ cancer research), Warrior’s Chariot and Wounded Warrior Project (for military vets, police and first responders), AeroAngels (donated pilots and private aircraft getting sick and damaged kids to specialized, far-away treatment) among others. To keep my creative skills functioning, I am designing and building unique outdoor furniture (like my ergonomic hammock). In other down time, I hang out with three cats and a dog – or go to a gym (typically six days a week). Although voted “least likely to return for a second ski trip” by my Ripon frat brothers, I’m still skiing. I haven’t missed a season in 55 years. Catch me if you can, snow bunnies!”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

PAUL GELB ’69 from Stirling Castle, Scotland: “I’ve been traveling for a year now. Highlights include three months in Lisbon, three months in London, a month in Italy and a month in Edinburgh, mainly attending the Fringe Festival which had been a long-term bucket list item. With all the International traveling I’ve had little time to play in bridge tournaments but have been playing a little in online tournaments and recently reached the level of Diamond Life Master.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

ALICE HALL HAYES ’69 of Washington, DC: “We have had a whirlwind spring & summer. The winter and spring were spent preparing for Ed’s and my 50th wedding anniversary, occurring on April 22, 2023. Our children organized a lovely family celebration to recognize the occasion.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

BILL GEBHARDT ’69 of Portage, WI: “SUE ’70 and I are both well and enjoying our home on Swan Lake in Portage. Our flowers are in full bloom. We’re currently having our kitchen in Fort Pierce, FL remodeled. Also adding a small kitchen area and bar in our home in Wisconsin. Both projects should be completed in a month or so. In July, we went to Illinois to see our granddaughters participate in a dance recital. They were really terrific.

I played in the 120th annual Pater Filius golf tournament at Midlothian Country Club with our two boys. It’s an alternate shot event. Our oldest son, Matt, and I won the Pro Division. He’s one of the pros at Naperville Country Club in Naperville, IL. Best to everyone. We plan to attend my 55th Reunion next summer. We live only one hour from Ripon!”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

BOB FERNBACH ’69 of Castle Pines, CO: “Not a lot to report, but Stacy and I got a new grandchild this week — 6 lb., 10 oz. boy, from Stacy’s older son here in Colorado! We went to the east coast to visit family and friends in April/May, and to Seattle and Portland in June to visit my daughter and other friends/relatives. Both enjoyable trips. We have a trip to SoCal planned in October to visit my son and friends, including BARRY MORTON ’69 and Jane Morton.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

DON CHESTER ’69 of West Palm Beach, FL: “Like almost everyone else I have been dealing with this summer’s extreme heat to the point where I got heat stroke a few weeks ago. I work out daily with a hand cycle ride around the neighborhood on Saturdays. It is important to note, because of my spinal cord injury, I do not sweat and my body does not accommodate the heat or cold. A couple weeks ago I was feeling great. If 6 miles is good, 8 miles is better. One hour and 12 minutes of exercise in extreme heat is not a good idea. Ended up spending a night in the hospital with a tube in my nose the size of a storm drain.  On June 23, I celebrated 50 years at St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital. Giving some thought to retiring when I get old.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

TERRY BROWN ’69 of Richmond, VA: “I did go on another trip this year, this one in May was to Egypt to see the monuments and antiquities. After a couple days around Cairo to see the museum and pyramids, we flew to Luxor to cruise around and see the temples. It was hot, in the 90s and 100s; but not as hot as some places in the US recently.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

MARK BAUER ’69 of Pewaukee, WI: “Life is a series of days and weeks, punctuated here and there by super occurrences or drab non-occurrences. But life is generally good. I have a body-wide collection of orthopedic surgical scars, gray hair and variety of arthritic joints, but still love the light of day and the darkness of sleep without interference of a working profession (paid my dues). Still raising/growing those rascally pitcher plants that help keep the backyard bee population to the barest minimal. I have two grandsons, one a sophomore at Concordia in Mequon, one a sophomore in high school, and both are active in basketball in each school. My delight is watching them compete. They are both just over 6’4” and very skilled. My only granddaughter is a 4-year old New Yorker and struts like a teenager already. Yes, still studying German. It fascinates me. I do look forward to a 55th Reunion. The 50th was entertaining. Isn’t it something how we all change, not only proportions, height and health, but also philosophic outlook and attitudes. I still marvel at how the years have whisked by. I thought it would take much longer to get old. Not much else is really newsy. Fill in the blanks for me.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

FRANK ANDERS ’69 and BOBBI SUESS ANDERS ’69 of Chesterfield, VA: “We happily announce the birth of our granddaughter, Cecilia Grace Anders, on July 25, 2023. She is the daughter of Frank and Kari Anders and joins their son, Leland Theodore, who was born December 22, 2021.”

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist