Welcome to R Connections!
Dive into the hub of all things alumni! Whether you’re curious about your graduating class or eager to catch up on the latest alumni happenings, this is the place to be.
In Memory of Mark Larson ’70
In Memory of Mark Larson ’70
Mark Larson
MARK A. LARSON ’70 of Bluffton, South Carolina, died May 21, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics, played football and participated in Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He received Ripon’s Distinguished Alumni Citation in 1995. He lived in numerous locations, including Switzerland and several in the United States. He worked in the wine industry until retiring in 2022. He played golf on six of the continents, with his wife sailed America’s Great Loop, circumnavigating the eastern half of the United States and part of Canada, and was involved with the United States Power Squadron (America’s Boating Club), serving leadership roles in the Hilton Head Squadron and South Carolina/Coastal Georgia Power Squadron District. He loved the Green Bay Packers. Survivors include his wife, LINDA WOHLSCHLAEGER LARSON ’70; one son and one daughter
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mark-larson-obituary?id=52052616
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of James A. Shannon ’55
In Memory of James A. Shannon ’55
James Shannon
JAMES A. SHANNON ’55 of Neenah, Wisconsin, died March 25, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in economics, participated in Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega, and was commissioned through ROTC. He then enlisted the U.S. Army Reserves and was honorably discharged. He worked for Associated Bank in Neenah for almost 50 years. He served as treasurer of the Neenah Rotary and was on the boards for the Neenah Park and Rec and the Red Cross. He enjoyed camping, boating, golfing, cross-country skiing, watching sports and traveling, leading travel groups around the world. Survivors include his wife, Beverly; one son and one daughter.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/james-shannon-obituary?id=51488031
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Joan C. Bennett ’71
In Memory of Joan C. Bennett ’71
Joan Bennett
JOAN C. BENNETT ’71 of Laurel, Maryland, died March 8, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in French and English. She taught English for a year in France. She then studied at the University of La Verne College of Law and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. She worked for the Port of Oakland in California, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and the State of California as an attorney. She transferred to the U.S. Navy Reserves and specialized in loading non-nuclear weapons, traveling to Panama, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and onboard the USS Anzio before reaching the rank of Commander and retiring in 1996. She operated her own immigration law practice in Conroe, Texas, retiring in 2017. She enjoyed church activities, cooking, audiobooks and gardening. Survivors include one daughter.
Full obituary: https://www.donaldsonlaurel.com/obituary/Joan-Bennett
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Charles “Chuck” Dolezal ’62
In Memory of Charles “Chuck” Dolezal ’62
Charles Dolezal
CHARLES “CHUCK” DOLEZAL ’62 of Roselle, Illinois, died Dec. 11, 2018. At Ripon, he participated in Phi Kappa Pi (Merriman). Survivors include his wife, Joyce; Chuck will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Joyce; and six children.
Full obituary: https://memorials.countrysidefuneralhomes.com/charles-dolezal/3674663/service-details.php
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Nancy A. Ramer ’81
In Memory of Nancy A. Ramer ’81
Nancy Ramer
NANCY A. RAMER ’81 of Clifton Park, New York, died Dec. 28, 2018. At Ripon, she majored in psychology and participated in the Crimson yearbook and Beta Sigma Pi. She worked for many years in the finance department of DeCrescente Distributing Co. in Mechanicville and retired in September 2017. She previously had been treasurer of her father’s company, Pillow-Tech International LTD, headquartered in Stoughton, Massachusetts. While living in California, she also owned and operated the jewelry company Mystic Mirage. She volunteered at the Animal Protective Foundation in Scotia and loved travel, cooking, Stephen King novels, movies, craft fairs, shopping at HomeGoods, and cookouts at camp. Survivors include her fiancé, Scott A. Westcott.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion-albany/name/nancy-ramer-obituary?id=5034260
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Dennis S. Pordon ’74
In Memory of Dennis S. Pordon ’74
Dennis Pordon
DENNIS S. PORDON ’74 of Delafield, Wisconsin, died July 10, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in economics and participated in football, baseball and Phi Delta Theta/Alpha Phi Omega. He worked for more than 40 years as an investment banking and business professional. He was devoted to his faith. He was a member of Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church for more than 30 years and was actively involved in the men’s ministry and Christian Athletic Scholarship Foundation. He enjoyed the outdoors and all things sports, particularly playing golf and pickleball. Survivors include one son and one daughter; and a sister-in-law JOAN UETZMANN LEROY ’74. His wife, JEAN UETZMANN PORDON ’77, died in 2017.
Full obituary: https://www.krausefuneralhome.com/obituary/dennis-s-pordon/
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Geraldine Schmidt Krumwiede ’53
In Memory of Geraldine Schmidt Krumwiede ’53
Geraldine Krumwiede
GERALDINE “GERRY” SCHMIDT KRUMWIEDE ’53 of Park Ridge, Illinois, died May 3, 2022, At Ripon, she majored in English and participated in Ver Adest and Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. She assisted at the family business, C-Line Products. She was an active member of Park Ridge United Methodist Church, the 20th Century Club and Park Ridge Junior Women’s Club. She was a benefactor of the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra and enjoyed golf, bridge, gardening and reading. Survivors include two sons and one daughter.
Full obituary: https://www.glhillsfuneralhome.com/obituary/geraldine-gerry-krumwiede
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of John M. Steenport ’57
In Memory of John M. Steenport ’57
John Steenport
JOHN M. STEENPORT ’57 of Chilton, Wisconsin, died Aug. 18, 2023. At Ripon, he studied economics. He received a master’s degree in finance from Indiana University Bloomington. He served in the U.S. Navy and was employed by American Electric Power.
Full obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/john-steenport-obituary?id=52833045
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Teresa “Terry” Hall Kuehlwein ’61
In Memory of Teresa “Terry” Hall Kuehlwein ’61
Teresa Kuehlwein
TERESA “TERRY” HALL KUEHLWEIN ’61 of Delaware died Aug. 16, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in art. She also attended the Kansas City Art Institute and worked for Hallmark cards. She also worked at a medical answering service, cared for an elderly neighbor, and did sales at Macy’s. Her husband had served in the U.S. Army and they lived in several places before settling in Wilmington, Delaware. Survivors include two sons and one daughter; a sister CATHERINE HALL GANT ’57; and a niece, STEPHANIE ADAMSKI HALL ’82. Her husband, ROBERT E. KUEHLWEIN ’58, died in 2002.
Full obituary: https://www.delawareonline.com/obituaries/pdov0560351
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Rosemary Middleton Molinari ’44
In Memory of Rosemary Middleton Molinari ’44
Rosemary Molinari
ROSEMARY MIDDLETON MOLINARI ’44 of Wilmette, Illinois, died Dec. 31, 2012. At Ripon, she majored in English and drama and participated in Alpha Phi/Kappa Sigma Chi. She enjoyed the written word, knitting, card games and all things sport. Survivors include one son and one daughter. Her husband MADEO “MOON” MOLINARI ’43, died in 2011.
Full obituary: https://www.donnellanfuneral.com/obituaries/Rosemary-Molinari?obId=7469139
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of James Carlson Spotts ’69
In Memory of James Carlson Spotts ’69
James Spotts
JAMES C. SPOTTS ’69 of Cape Coral, Florida, died Jan. 2, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in economics and participated in athletics and Sigma Nu/Theta Sigma Tau. He previously lived in Islamorada where he was a dive boat captain and dive instructor. He lived in the Keys from 1995 until his move to Cape Coral. Survivors include two sons.
Full obituary: https://www.fortmyersmemorial.com/obituaries/James-Spotts/#!/Obituary
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
J.C. Snead ’72 and Katrina Etter ’83 in Almont, Colorado
J.C. Snead ’72 and Katrina Etter ’83 in Almont, Colorado
Submitted by: J.C. Snead '72 and Katrina Etter '83
In Memory of Richard M. Kovarik ’64
In Memory of Richard M. Kovarik ’64
Richard Kovarik
RICHARD M. KOVARIK ’64 of Aurora, Illinois, died April 16, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in economics, participated in Sigma Nu/Theta Sigma Tau and was commissioned through ROTC. After serving for two years in the U.S. Army, he worked for the Comptroller of the Currency for 24 years, five years at Shawmut National Bank and on his own as a banking consultant. Survivors include his wife, JUDITH ELLICSON KOVARIK ’63; and two sons.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Thomas Jefferson Hamilton ’65
In Memory of Thomas Jefferson Hamilton ’65
Thomas Hamilton
THOMAS JEFFERSON HAMILTON ’65 of Washington, D.C., died July 19, 2023. At Ripon, he studied art. He received a master’s degree in urban studies from Roosevelt University and a degree in economics from Northwestern University. During the Vietnam era, he served in the U.S. Army as a clerk at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds from 1965-1967. He was a retired computer systems consultant. He worked in IT at the Bureau for Consumer Affairs until 1997 and then worked for a private company. He enjoyed painting, writing poetry and plays, and acting, and had been a director at Source Theatre Co. in Washington, D.C. He also served as a commissioner on the D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission and volunteered as an aide at a local primary school.
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Charlotte Salverson Ewald ’48
In Memory of Charlotte Salverson Ewald ’48
Charlotte Ewald
CHARLOTTE SALVERSON EWALD ’48 of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, died Sept. 22, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in history and was a founder of Alpha Delta Pi/Pi Tau Pi. She received a master’s degree in library science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She taught at St. John’s, a military boarding school in Delafield, Wisconsin, and the Orthopedic School at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. She also served as an assistant librarian at Frank Allis Elementary School and then head librarian at Ray F. Sennett Middle School in Madison. She also served on the Book Selection Committee for the Madison school system. She enjoyed Elderhostel courses, traveling, crossword puzzles baking, antiquing and being active in numerous activities in her church. Survivors include two daughters.
Full obituary: https://www.gundersonfh.com/obituaries/Charlotte-Jean-Ewald?obId=29321201
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
In Memory of Jeffrey M. Kjos ’83
In Memory of Jeffrey M. Kjos ’83
Jeffrey Kjos
JEFFREY M. KJOS ’83 of Madison, Wisconsin, died June 4, 2021. At Ripon, he participated in basketball. He also studied at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Northern Arizona in Flagstaff before he earned his bachelor’s degree in geology and geophysics from UW-Madison. He also earned a certificate in environmental studies. He was an independent travelling painter. He enjoyed the outdoors, nature and wilderness, hiking, fishing, playing disc golf, kayaking, cross-country skiing, crossword puzzles, Scrabble and gardening, keeping the same community garden plot for more than 20 years. Survivors include his wife, Sara Andrea Arscott; and one son.
Full obituary: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/28673371/jeffrey-mark-kjos
Submitted by: Office of Constituent Engagement
1996 F’23 Class Letter
1996 F’23 Class Letter
Jason Wood
Happy Fall Class of 1996!
WOW – it is fall already. 2024 is right around the corner, which means most of us are hitting our milestone 50th birthday. Honestly, where did that time go? Because I sure don’t know! I do hope that everyone had a great summer filled with barbecues, picnics, beach time, and travels. I can tell you that I had another great summer keeping busy with personal and work trips throughout North America, getting some beach time here in New Jersey, and all while still plugging away with work.
As always, I want to thank all of you again for those who have supported Ripon College this past fiscal year, especially those who supported the Ripon Fund, as well as Ripon Rally Days. Even though it is not our reunion year, these donations are so integral for the college to sustain. If you have not done so already, I urge you to please do so.
Ripon College formally launched the Forever Ripon campaign, a $75 million effort to expand access through student affordability and innovative programs, enhance our facilities, and strengthen our institution through the Ripon Fund. This campaign will prepare Ripon for the celebration of our 175th anniversary in 2026, adapt to an evolving higher education landscape and ensure a Ripon College degree is relevant for generations to come. Please see ripon.edu/forever-ripon/ for more information.
CLASSMATE UPDATE
AMY TINCHER-DURIK ’96: “My husband, Jake, and I love to travel, so as soon as we were able to freely travel again, we hit the road! Our 2022 trips included: Boston (where we went to a Brewers game with KYRSTEN KOEBACH ’96 and her wife, who hosted us for a long weekend!), and a cruise along the California coast (so happy we were able to meet ELKE SPORSEEN BETONTE ’96 and her daughter for dinner!). We also spent two weeks in Vietnam to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We started 2023 with a cruise around South America and are planning our next adventures.”
Have a great next couple of months and hopefully winter won’t be too cold/snowy/gross. I will touch base with you in the spring (hopefully with a lot more photos from the next couple of months)!
Regards,
Jason ’96
201.747.7719
Submitted by: Jason Wood
1989 Fall ’23 Class Letter
1989 Fall ’23 Class Letter
Greetings!
We hope you are having a great 2023 and want to remind you to MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR 35TH REUNION . . . JUNE 20 – 23, 2024. This is not the traditional weekend, so please make note and be sure to plan ahead!
As for me, I was able to spend time with NIK and JT earlier this summer and played host to MARC HEALY ’89 and his son in New York City. I’m thankful that my place on Maui survived the fires and look forward to supporting the island through what will be many years of recovery. I encourage everyone to visit Maui, spend money, and support the recovery efforts. If you are looking for a place to stay, hit me up and I can share the link for my place. For those of you on my FB page, you can pretty much tell where I’m flying and what I’m eating at any given moment.
With 2023 heading towards a close (New Years is only a few months away), please keep us posted on all of your travels . . . We’d love to meet up with you for mini reunions. And, of course we will see you for our 35th Reunion Weekend! Currently we are planning to host a “drop in as you wish” night at Roadhouse Pizza on Friday, June 21 and a bowling night on Saturday, June 22. Stay tuned for more details.
Room Blocks:
- Mapes Hotel (Ripon) – Book online (access code: riponcollege101)
- Heidel House (Green Lake) – Book online
- Cobblestone Suites (Ripon) – Book by calling 920.748.5500
We also encourage you to book your stay early . . . There are plenty of Airbnb places if you don’t want to relive your experiences on campus!
Cheers,
Submitted by: Mitch Rosin and Nikki Zens Lindberg
1960 Fall ’23 Class Letter
1960 Fall ’23 Class Letter
Dear Class of 1960,
I hope that more of you will drop an email to me and tell me what you are doing now even if it is just sitting in your backyard with a beer. As for myself, other than a trip to San Diego to escape the heat in Scottsdale, I have just been simmering in the sun.
CLASS NEWS
KARL PIOTROWSKI ’60 safely lives on Oahu but has business on Maui. Several of his employees had houses burned and one had a house and boat destroyed. Karl and his company do inspection work in Lahaina. There should be a lot to do. Karl will be celebrating his 85th birthday in Chicago with his family at a Packers-Bears football game.
KEN LUBER ’60’s latest play, “Esperanza,” was produced in April in California. Ken wrote the lyrics and music. Check his website for more news.
SAD NEWS
HARRY “SPIKE” SNYDER ’60 of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, died February 23, 2023. Among many roles, he was a Wisconsin State Representative, Circuit Court Judge of Waukesha Count, and Judge for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. For more information, view Harry’s full obituary here.
MARVIN “BUDD” HUMPHREY ’60 of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, died June 23, 2023. He worked at Inland Mine Boat Company and then for Stuart Tank Sales in Elkhart as salesman, business partner and president. For more information, view Marvin’s full obituary here.
Your Class Agent,
Submitted by: Deb Johnson Van Slyke
1971 Fall ’23 Class Letter
1971 Fall ’23 Class Letter
Class of 1971,
Here’s to another great year!
It is hard to believe we were starting our freshman year fifty-five long years ago just as the Class of 2027 is doing now. Where did the time go? I remember very well my first few weeks of getting acclimated to classes and the campus as if it was just yesterday. Although there is a large time gap between our start and theirs, the quality of education has not changed in all those years. Through the support of our time, talents and treasures, Ripon College has maintained a superb educational experience.
OBITUARIES:
JOSEPH E. BARES ’71 of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, died April 9, 2023. At Ripon, he majored in chemistry and was commissioned through ROTC. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Northwestern University. He was a research scientist for LORD Corp. in Erie, Pennsylvania, as a Mellon Institute Fellow at Carnegie Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh, and in Cary, North Carolina. He then was a research chemist for Phillips Petroleum and Conoco Phillips until retiring in 2017. He loved sports, participated in baseball, wrestling, bicycling, whitewater rafting, volleyball, running, racquetball and soccer, and coached various teams for more than 50 years. He enjoyed gardening, hiking, traveling and ushering at his church. Survivors include his wife, Floran; and two sons.
JOAN C. BENNETT ’71 of Laurel, Maryland, died March 8, 2023. At Ripon, she majored in French and English. She taught English for a year in France. She then studied at the University of La Verne College of Law and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. She worked for the Port of Oakland in California, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, and the State of California as an attorney. She transferred to the U.S. Navy Reserves and specialized in loading non-nuclear weapons, traveling to Panama, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and onboard the USS Anzio before reaching the rank of Commander and retiring in 1996. She operated her own immigration law practice in Conroe, Texas, retiring in 2017. She enjoyed church activities, cooking, audiobooks, and gardening. Survivors include one daughter.
COLLEGE NEWS
ALUMNI WEEKEND 2024
Alumni Weekend 2024 is scheduled for June 20-23, 2023.
FOREVER RIPON CAMPAIGN
Ripon College celebrated its second largest fundraising year ever in fiscal year 2023 with almost $19 million in new gifts and commitments. This contributed to Ripon’s “Forever Ripon” campaign reaching more than $61 million — more than 80% of its $75 million goal — by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, with two years still remaining in the campaign.
As we look back at our experiences at Ripon, we can all see the benefits we derived from that special time. In some way, the Annual Fund (now the Ripon fund) assisted all of us. It underwrites all aspects of yearly operations, including but not limited to laboratory supplies, technological innovations, library resources, faculty support, financial aid and scholarships, athletics, opportunities to study abroad, the arts and facilities.
I urge your consideration to increase this year’s gift in recognition of all we have accomplished because of Ripon College. If you gave below the Heritage Society level, consider giving at that level. If you give at one of the society levels, think about increasing your gift annually to eventually elevating to the next highest society.
Submitted by: Jim Beisner
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 […]
Share Your Story!
Got some exciting news or a recent meetup with Ripon College friends? We want to hear all about it! Just click the “Add My Story” button at the top to share your adventures—don’t forget to include a photo! We can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to!
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: