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In Memory of Elizabeth “Liza” Black Kramer ’62
In Memory of Elizabeth “Liza” Black Kramer ’62
Elizabeth Kramer
ELIZABETH “LIZA” BLACK KRAMER ’62 of Westerville, Ohio, died Nov. 3, 2021. At Ripon, she participated in Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. She received a nursing degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree from Marquette University. She worked as a nurse, nursing home administrator and home healthcare provider. Survivors include one son and one daughter.
Full Obituary: www.hillfuneral.com/westerville-funeral-home/obituaries-services/obits-photos/1097
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Bonnie Buck Barrett ’62
In Memory of Bonnie Buck Barrett ’62
Bonnie Barrett
BONNIE BUCK BARRETT ’62 of Raleigh, North Carolina, died Dec. 26, 2019. She attended Ripon from 1958-61, majoring in physical education and participating in sports and Alpha Xi Delta/Kappa Theta. She became a youth soccer coach when her children played and also enjoyed golf and tennis. At the age of 51, she completed her college degree at North Carolina State University, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in accounting and passing the entire CPA exam on her first attempt. She had a successful career as an accountant, retiring in 2006. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading and knitting. Survivors include one son and two daughters.
Full Obituary: www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/bonnie-barrett-obituary?pid=195415521
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Robert M. Laske ’49
In Memory of Robert M. Laske ’49
Robert Laske
ROBERT M. LASKE ’49 of Middletown, Rhode Island, died May 28, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in chemistry and participated in basketball and Sigma Alpha Epsilon/Delta Sigma Psi. He received a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University. He was a pilot in the Naval Air Corps, and assignments included patrolling the Soviet Union border from the Alaska Territory; serving in Japan during the Korean War and in Saigon, Vietnam; patrolling the Mediterranean in Morocco; and working as a communications officer for the USS Forrestal in Norfolk, Virginia, and editor of the Naval War College Review. He attained the rank of commander. He enjoyed traveling, wintering in Pensacola, Florida, and golf. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; one son and three daughters.
Full Obituary: www.newportri.com/obituaries/ppvp0227174
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Sharon Rejman Ogle ’84
In Memory of Sharon Rejman Ogle ’84
Sharon Ogle
SHARON REJMAN OGLE ’84 of Green Lake, Wisconsin, died June 5, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in biology, participated in student government and was a resident assistant in Tri-Dorms. She received a master’s degree in speech therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She was a Wisconsin-registered speech-language pathologist and worked for the Berlin/Green Lake school district in its special needs program. Survivors include her husband, CHRISTOPHOR OGLE ’80, vice president and dean of students.
Full Obituary: www.jsonline.com/obituaries/mjs063984
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Michael H. Zehfus ’76
In Memory of Michael H. Zehfus ’76
Michael Zehfus
MICHAEL H. ZEHFUS ’76 of Spearfish, South Dakota, died May 4, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in chemistry and participated in swimming, Beta Sigma Pi and Phi Beta Kappa. He received a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Chicago and a doctorate in physical biochemistry from Oregon State University. He held postdoctoral positions at the University of Pennsylvania and in Madison, Wisconsin; and taught at Ohio State University, Ohio Northern University and for more than 20 years at Black Hills State University. He retired in 2019. He played saxophone in the Northern Hills Community Band, Belle Fourche Cowboy Band and the university’s Concert Band; sang in his church choir; and was an avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout. Survivors include his wife, Betty; and two children, including TORIN ZEHFUS ’10.
Full Obituary: www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/obituary/michael-zehfus
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of William J. Jensen ’54
In Memory of William J. Jensen ’54
William Jensen
WILLIAM J. JENSEN ’54 of Altoona, Florida, died Feb. 24, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics, participated in Sigma Nu/Theta Sigma Tau and was commissioned through ROTC. He served in Germany as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army for two years and was honorably discharged as a 1st lieutenant from the Reserves in 1962. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and spent his career as a sales engineer in industrial refrigeration. After retiring, he traveled around the world. He enjoyed golf, crafts and woodworking, gardening, and playing cards and board games. He volunteered at church, ushered at theaters, and worked at golf tournaments, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Survivors include his wife, Roberta; and two daughters.
Full Obituary: https://obituaries.nationalcremation.com/obituaries/the-villages-fl/william-jensen-10603929
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Jodi Missak Fulton ’00
In Memory of Jodi Missak Fulton ’00
Jodi Fulton
JODI MISSAK FULTON ’00 of Tampa, Florida, died May 16, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in French and educational studies and participated in athletics and Alpha Delta Pi/Pi Tau Pi. She was a teacher, a Peloton enthusiast, an animal lover and an accomplished equestrian who loved driving her horse, Topper. Survivors include her husband, Brian; a stepdaughter; a brother, MICHAEL MISSAK ’01; and a sister-in-law, APRIL RYDZ MISSAK ’02.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Anina Raddant Bearrood ’61
In Memory of Anina Raddant Bearrood ’61
Anina Bearrood
ANINA RADDANT BEARROOD ’61, of Altoona, Wisconsin, died June 5, 2022. At Ripon, she was a member of Pi Tau Pi sorority. She earned a degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She and her husband lived in several places, including California, Minnesota, Arkansas and Arizona, retiring in Wisconsin to be closer to family. She worked for the State of Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for more than 30 years, retiring as director of accounting. She enjoyed international travel, downhill skiing, golf, various crafts and needlework, reading and jigsaw puzzles. Survivors include her husband, Sheldon; two sons; and a brother, ROBERT RADDANT ’66.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Allen M. Peters ’59
In Memory of Allen M. Peters ’59
Allen Peters
ALLEN M. PETERS ’59 of Reedsville, Wisconsin, died June 16, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in physical education and biology, participated in basketball and Phi Kappa Pi-Merriman and was commissioned through ROTC. He taught biology and physical education and coached for three years at Bowler High School and for more than 30 years at Reedsville High School. At Reedsville, he was head boys basketball coach for 16 years, assistant football coach for 31 years and athletic director for 32 years. He received many coaching honors, including being inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987. Al retired from teaching and coaching in 1998. He enjoyed spending time with grandchildren, traveling to Door County and golf. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; two sons and three daughters.
Full obituary: greenbaypressgazette.com/obituaries/wis362880
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Janet Nelson Grant ’57
In Memory of Janet Nelson Grant ’57
Janet Grant
JANET NELSON GRANT ’57 of Richfield, Minnesota, died Nov. 3, 2021. At Ripon, she majored in economics and participated in Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. She also studied education at Chicago State University. She had taught at various high schools in Chicago and then worked from AT&T. Survivors include her husband, James L. Grant; and one son, DAVID L. GRANT ’85.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Michael Mullen ’62
In Memory of Michael Mullen ’62
Michael Mullen
MICHAEL G. MULLEN ’62 of Appleton, Wisconsin, died July 4, 2022. He played basketball for one season at Marquette University before transferring to Ripon. He majored in physical education, participated in basketball, baseball and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega, and was commissioned through ROTC. He was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1962-1964, then taught physical education and coached for two years in Reeseville, Wisconsin, and 28 years in Seymour, Wisconsin. He also played BABA basketball, semi-pro baseball with the Watertown Cardinals, and slo-pitch softball with The Gallery and The Hotel. He enjoyed Wisconsin professional and school sports teams, card games and golfing. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; one son and two daughters.
Full obituary: tributearchive.com/obituaries/25296422/michael-mullen
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Ellen Dunphy ’09
In Memory of Ellen Dunphy ’09
Ellen Dunphy
ELLEN DUNPHY ’09 of Redwood City, California, died July 4, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in theatre with a minor in communication and participated in WRPN, theatre productions and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. She spent time in the Milwaukee and Chicago theatre communities before settling into the San Francisco scene for the past seven years. She was a company member of the Left Coast Theatre Company. She performed with many theatre companies and advocated for gastric cancer research during the pandemic and her own illness. She also wrote and performed her solo show, “Imaginary Endings,” about the intersection of her disease and her role as a patient. She was an avid traveler, visiting 10 countries and many national parks. Survivors include her husband, Andrew Clinnin.
Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/ellen-dunphy-obituary?id=35653890
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Kent “Rocky” Robinson ’74
In Memory of Kent “Rocky” Robinson ’74
Kent Robinson
KENT W. “ROCKY” ROBINSON ’74 of Houston, Texas, a former member of the Ripon College Board of Trustees, died July 9, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in economics and politics and government and participated in football and Phi Kappa Pi (Merriman). He received a law degree from Southern Methodist University and a master of business administration from Cox Business School. He began his legal career in 1978 at Andrews, Kurth, Campbell and Jones, now Hunton Andrews Kurth, where he remained until retiring as a partner in 2018. He belonged to numerous professional organizations and served on several local and state boards. He enjoyed coaching his children’s soccer, softball and baseball teams. Survivors include his wife, Deborah; one son and two daughters; a brother PERRY ROBINSON ’79; a sister-in-law, SARAH HEMSTOCK ROBINSON ’89; and a cousin, ROBINSON BUTZ ’73.
Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/kent-robinson-obituary?id=35905758
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Greg Dryanski ’74
In Memory of Greg Dryanski ’74
Greg Dryanski
GREG DRYANSKI ’74 of Norman, Oklahoma, died July 7, 2022. At Ripon, he majored in biology and participated in wrestling and Beta Sigma Pi. He studied medicine in Poland before completing his doctor of medicine degree at the American University of the Caribbean on the island of Montserrat. He had medical practices in Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Norman, Oklahoma, where he worked at a Veterans Administration Hospital. He enjoyed history, fine-scale models, table-top gaming and visiting museums. In retirement, he lectured on topics of military history, particularly the struggles of Poland and its people in the 19th and 20th centuries. Survivors include his wife, Eva; one son and two daughters.
Full obituary: dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/norman-ok/greg-dryanski-10839145
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Barbara Ann Hodson Roguske ’65
In Memory of Barbara Ann Hodson Roguske ’65
Barbara Roguske
BARBARA ANN “BARB” HODSDON ROGUSKE ’65 of New London, Minnesota, died July 29, 2022. At Ripon, she majored in history and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta/Kappa Theta. She lived in Atlanta, Georgia, and Burnsville, Willmar and on the Crow River near New London in Minnesota. She was an insurance service representative for Rogers’ Benefit Group. She was a Sunday school teacher for 40 years, led Brownie and Girl Scout troops, and sponsored many children at Agua Viva Children’s Home in Guatemala. After retirement, she volunteered as a reading tutor to second-graders. She traveled to more than 70 countries for pleasure and mission work and was a passionate fan of baseball. Survivors include her husband, FREDERICK R. ROGUSKE ’64; one son and one daughter; and a sister-in-law, CAROLYN ROGUSKE MACKLEM ’71.
Full obituary: wctrib.com/obituaries/obits/barbara-barb-ann-roguske-5d23ea5d0dfeca44dbd8523a-62e808a72dc004149834d40f
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of James F. Pyle ’63
In Memory of James F. Pyle ’63
James Pyle
JAMES F. PYLE ’63 of Whitehall, Michigan, died Dec. 2, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in biology and participated in football and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He also studied business administration at Michigan State University. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a pattern maker for Pyle Pattern and Manufacturing for 30 years until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the White Lake Eagles and AMVETS. He enjoyed fishing on Lake Michigan, captaining the PYLOT, snowmobiling- both competitively and recreationally, and spending time at the “farm” and at his cabin on the Little Manistee River. Survivors include his wife, LINDA BULGRIN PYLE ’66; one son and two daughters.
Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/muskegon/name/james-pyle-obituary?id=31751964
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Constance “Connie” Homuth Newman ’60
In Memory of Constance “Connie” Homuth Newman ’60
Connie Newman
CONSTANCE “CONNIE” HOMUTH NEWMAN ’60 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, died Oct. 27, 2021. She attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota and Sacramento State before earning a degree in English from Ripon College. She worked on the Fond du Lac Public Library Bookmobile for many years. She had been a volunteer at Act Two and Just Fare. She was an active member of Church of Our Saviour, where she had served as a lector and was a member of Tabitha Circle. She was also a member of Light House Investors. Survivors include two sons.
Full obituary: zacherlfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Constance-Connie-G.-Newman?obId=22792994#/celebrationWall
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Kevin O. Hernandez Godoy ’14
In Memory of Kevin O. Hernandez Godoy ’14
Kevin Hernandez Godoy
KEVIN O. HERNANDEZ GODOY ’14 of San Antonio, Texas, died Sept. 10, 2021. At Ripon, he studied kinesiology and played football. He graduated from Texas A&M San Antonio in 2018, then earned his Master’s Degree in special education from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2020. He was a long time member of Extreme Youth Leadership then worked for nearly four years at Reagan High as a special education teacher, PALS sponsor, and assistant football coach. His faith was very important to him and he regularly attended Maranatha Church in San Antonio.
Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/kevin-hernandez-godoy-obituary?id=29422317
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Robert D. Schieler ’56
In Memory of Robert D. Schieler ’56
Robert Schieler
ROBERT D. SCHIELER ’56 of Warrenville, Illinois, died July 20, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in philosophy and participated in Ver Adest, athletics, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He received a master of divinity from Eden Theological Seminary and his doctorate of ministry from Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston. He first served as a young parish minister with his father in Ripon, Wisconsin, the chaplain and professor at Elmhurst College for 13 years and senior minister of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Downers Grove, Illinois, for more than 17 years. He wrote the book Revive Your Mainline Congregation. He enjoyed sports, outdoor activities, music, singing and dance. Survivors include one son and one daughter. His wife, CHARMAINE WEYER SCHIELER ’56, died in 2013.
Full obituary: adamswinterfieldsullivan.com/obituaries/Rev-Dr-Robert-D-Schieler?obId=21853463#/obituaryInfo
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of David Bush ’70
In Memory of David Bush ’70
David Bush
DAVID A. BUSH ’70 of Edina, Minnesota, and Belleair, Florida, died July 1, 2021. He played football for one year at Ripon College, then worked at restaurants his father owned. He moved to Edina in 1977, was an active member of the Edina Hornet football staff for 41 years and an officer with the Edina Police Department from 1969-1980, and after retiring from law enforcement had a career in sales. Survivors include one son and one daughter.
Full obituary: legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/david-bush-obituary?id=6400250
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
Alicia Rytlewski ’10 to perform piano, voice recital April 26
Classical pianist and vocalist Alicia (Rhyner) Rytlewski ’10 will perform an alumna piano and voice recital in Demmer Recital Hall of Ripon College’s C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m. Rytlewski will be performing pieces mostly from her debut album of songs, “When We Were Bears,” released in late January. […]
Ripon College Rally Days 2025 exceeds goal
Ripon College surpassed its goal of achieving 1,000 gifts during the eighth annual spring giving event, Rally Days 2025, from April 2-4, with more than eight hours left of the event. At the end of Rally Days, the College received 1,091 gifts and raised $506,534.20. The theme this year was “Impact History.” Every contribution moved […]
Celebrating ‘National Puppy Day’ with Danielle Gunter ’06
Danielle Paiz Gunter ’06 is helping feed dogs and cats in no-kill shelters. As executive director of Puppy Food Bank, she spearheads efforts to collect donations that fuel the work of rescue organizations across the country. Since its founding in October 2022, Gunter has helped Puppy Food Bank distribute more than 500,000 pounds of dog […]
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Upcoming events
Physics and Engineering Seminar – Jared Zeman ’19
Jared Zeman ’19 will be presenting his Ph.D. research to our undergraduate students.
Alumna Recital: Alicia Rytlewski, piano
Pianist and vocalist Alicia (Rhyner) Rytlewski ’10 released her debut album of original works, “When We Were Bears,” in January of this year and is celebrating the release with a recital of works in Demmer Recital Hall. The Milwaukee-based composer, performer, and educator graduated summa cum laude from Ripon with a music major and minors […]
Milwaukee Brewers v. Chicago Cubs
Includes an all-inclusive ticket in the Associated Bank Power Alley. Featuring a private game experience with dinner buffet, non-alcoholic beverages, and 2 Molson Coors products per person. Register: