ALUMNI
Michiko Jinguji Kiyokawa ’42, Hon’09 of Parkdale, Ore., died Nov. 21, 2025. On campus, she was a member of the all-star field hockey team. She was also one of the 36 Puget Sound students of Japanese ancestry who were removed from campus and incarcerated in internment camps during World War II. In 2009, those 36 Japanese- American students all received honorary degrees from Puget Sound. Her siblings — Masayoshi Jinguji ’42, Hon’09; Masaye (Esther) Jinguji ’42, Hon’09; Yoshiye Jinguji ’42, Hon’09; and Masaharu Jinguji ’52 — were also Loggers.
We learned in February of the death of Thomas Eckstrom ’50 of Indio, Calif.
John Larsen ’51 of Pullman, Wash., died Dec. 20, 2025. He was a member of Sigma Nu. His spouse, Nancy Bartles Larsen ’53, was also a Logger.
Dale Lien ’51, MED’51 of Federal Way, Wash., died Oct. 29, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and a Master of Education degree and was a member of Phi Delta Theta, Circle K, and drama. His spouse, Pauline Griffith Lien ’51, was also a Logger.
Sandy Mazzei ’52, MED’58 of Tacoma died Dec. 13, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science as well as a Master of Education degree. As a student, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and after graduation, he was a member of the alumni reunion committee. His spouse, Jean Williams Mazzei ’56, was also a Logger.
Richard Hohnbaum ’54 of Keizer, Ore., died Dec. 15, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. His first spouse, Marilynn Glee Callahan ’54, was also a Logger.
Larry Wetterhus ’54 of Puyallup, Wash., died Jan. 3, 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Bill Durkee ’57 of Tacoma died Dec. 16, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. His spouse, Gloria Leonard Durkee ’54, was also a Logger.
Evelyn Walkley ’57 of Pasco, Wash., died Jan. 2, 2026. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.
We learned in December of the death of John Damitio ’58 of Green Valley, Ariz. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. He was a member of Sigma Chi, Adelphians, and student government, where he served as ASUPS vice president.
Robert Cummings ’59, P’83 of Castle Rock, Wash., died Jan. 4, 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and was a member of Adelphians. Survivors include his spouse, Naomi Scruton Cummings ’58, P’83.
Murray Johnstone ’60 of Bainbridge Island, Wash., died April 11, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and was a member of the football team, Sigma Chi, and band. As a grad, he also served as a class reunion volunteer.
Frances Hanson Gipe ’61 of Lynnwood, Wash., died Feb. 5, 2026.
We learned in November of the death of Art Peterson ’61 of Lynnwood, Wash. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration.
Kenneth Wiley ’62 of Mill Creek, Wash., died Feb. 5, 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree and was involved in band and Phi Mu Alpha. Survivors include his brother, Richard Wiley ’67.
Dale Miller ’64 of Bellingham, Wash., died Dec. 27, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and French, and he was a member of the skiing team, the sailing club, and University Chorale.
Marcia Reynolds Olson ’64 of Thousand Oaks, Calif., died Aug 26, 2025. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and was a member of Tri Delta. Survivors include her spouse, Gary L. Olson ’62.
Fred Whitley ’64 of Sierra Vista, Ariz., died Dec. 11, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and theatre arts. On campus, he was a member of the tennis team, the forensics team, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Adelphians.
Ronald Lee ’65 of Liberty Lake, Wash., died Aug. 9, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and was a member of Sigma Chi. Survivors include his spouse, Kathy Santamaria Lee ’66.
Josette Cella Maddison ’63, P’92 of Springfield, Ore., died April 13, 2025. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Survivors include her spouse, David Maddison ’62, P’92.
Arlene Queen Palmer ’67 of Lacey, Wash., died Feb. 8, 2026. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in home economics.
Leona Puderbaugh Baker ’68 of Tacoma died Feb. 21, 2024. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and was a member of Tri Delta. Her spouse, Virgil Baker ’50, was also a Logger.
Marilyn Myers ’68, MED’73 of Gig Harbor, Wash., died Jan. 29, 2026. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education as well as a Master of Education degree. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
Peter Wolf MMUS’68 of Kirkland, Wash., died Jan. 12, 2023. He earned a Master of Music degree in composition and worked as a teaching assistant at the university. Survivors include his spouse, Katherine B. Gies Wolf ’69.
Richard Wilson ’69 of Ridgefield, Wash., died Oct. 5, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration.
Jason Fry ’70 of Grays Harbor, Wash., died Dec. 8, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
Gary Gallwas ’70 of Olympia, Wash., died Nov. 29, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
Sharon Kirksey Lundberg ’70 of Palm Desert, Calif., died Jan. 12, 2026. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.
Jay Hendrick ’71 of Portsmouth, Mass., died Nov. 28, 2025. He was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity.
Kaare Pedersen ’72 of Edgewood, Ky., died Jan. 24, 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration.
Bob Reider ’72 of Newport News, Va., died Feb. 8, 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and was a member of the baseball team and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Sandra S. Hom ’73 of Corvallis, Ore., died Nov. 26, 2025. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy and was a member of Ka ‘Ohana Me Ke Aloha (formerly Hui O Hawai’i). Survivors include her spouse, Donald Johnson MFA’73.
We learned in November of the death of John Knighton ’73 of Indianapolis, Ind. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and was a member of Kappa Sigma.
Franklin Johnson ’75, P’16 of Honolulu died Oct. 9, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. As a student, he was a member of Ka ‘Ohana Me Ke Aloha (formerly Hui O Hawai’i), and after graduation, he served as president of the alumni association. Survivors include his spouse, Laurie A. Rostad P’16; daughter Wailana Johnson ’16; and sister Edna Johnson Bowlby ’74.
Don Anderson MED’75 of Junction City, Ore., died Feb. 16, 2026. He earned a Master of Education degree.
Curtis Pederson ’75 of Everett, Wash., died Feb. 18, 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration. After graduation, he served as a volunteer on the alumni council and was a class agent.
Wayne G. Hansen MED’75 of Shelton, Wash., died Dec. 19, 2025. He earned a Master of Education degree.
Greg Beardsley ’76 of Scottsdale, Ariz., died Jan. 7, 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta.
Mark Hunt ’76 of Kent, Wash., died Jan. 21, 2026. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and was a member of the crew team.
Marcy Christiansen Hunter ’76 of Fresno, Calif., died Nov. 1, 2025.
Jon McKnight ’76 of Bend, Ore., died Oct. 22, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and was a member of Phi Delta Theta.
James Hovee ’77 of Canby, Ore., died Nov. 21, 2025.
Jan (JP) Polon Novic ’77 of Grass Valley, Calif., died Jan. 23, 2026. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy.
Albert Patterson JD’78 of Anchorage, Alaska, died Dec. 22, 2025. He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
Kathy Andrews ’79 of Fort Collins, Colo., died Dec. 9, 2025. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in nutrition and textiles and was a member of Alpha Phi.
Jo Anne Vance ’79 of Lynnwood, Wash., died Jan. 19, 2026. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration.
Moreita “Pat” Leslie MPA’80 of Olympia, Wash., died Oct. 27, 2025. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree.
Tena Hoke ’81 of Portland died Aug. 11, 2025.
Dawn Hannum JD’82 of Centralia, Wash., died Jan. 27, 2026. She earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
We learned in December of the death of Karlo Miller MBA’82 of Rancho Mirage, Calif. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree and was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and the Alpha Kappa Psi honor society.
John Hickey MBA’83, of Gig Harbor, Wash., died Nov. 4, 2025. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree and was a member of Puget Sound’s staff for 47 years. He had joined the Puget Sound campus in 1974 as director of Safety and Security and was promoted to director of Business Services in 1980. He is remembered for his kindness, his humor and good nature, his excellence as a mentor, and for being a caring and deeply committed part of the Puget Sound community. He retired from Puget Sound in 2021 as the executive director of community engagement and associate vice president for business services.
William Tri JD’84 of Lake Stevens, Wash., died Jan. 10, 2026. He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
Paul Rader ’85 of Minneapolis died Nov. 21, 2025. He was involved in the KUPS radio station.
Rob Pierson ’92 of Broomfield, Colo., died Nov. 22, 2025. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Residence Hall Association.
FACULTY, STAFF, AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY
Former Associate Athletics Director Beth Bricker of Tacoma died Jan. 7, 2026. She served as head coach for the women’s basketball team from 1989 to 1998, when she helped start Puget Sound’s women’s lacrosse team, which she coached until her retirement in 2006. During her tenure, she was named Pacific Northwest Conference Independent Regional Coach of the Year for the 1996–97 season. Throughout her time with Puget Sound, she served in a variety of significant roles, including fieldhouse coordinator and business manager for Athletics. She was also an active member of Staff Senate from 1993 until her retirement, and held various positions within the Staff Senate Executive Committee, including Staff Senate Chair. She is remembered for helping build the foundation of the Logger scholar-athlete experience and competitive success.
Professor emeritus William Breitenbach of Tacoma died Dec. 7, 2025. He started teaching early American history in the History department in 1980 and spent the next 40 years teaching his students to read closely, reason cogently, and write clearly. His painstaking review of student papers was legendary. Equally legendary was the respect he held for his students and the care and attention he devoted to their ideas as well as their writing. He was the university’s Regester Lecturer in 1997, received the President’s Excellent in Teaching Award in 2011, and received the Walter Lowrie Sustained Service Award in 2017, when he was also the faculty speaker at commencement. He is remembered for his kindness and decency, his lack of pretense or snobbery, and his ability to find humor and joy in simple things.
John Hickey MBA’83 - see alumni listing
Professor emeritus Robert Musser P’89 of Lakewood, Wash., died Feb. 7, 2026. He taught in the School of Music from 1971 until his retirement in 2005, serving as the director of bands, professor of oboe and saxophone, and chair of the Winds and Percussion Department. As performer, professor, and conductor, Musser held high standards and worked throughout his time at Puget Sound to elevate the stature of the programs and ensembles that he led. He also had a full life conducting and performing around the world, and founded the Tacoma Concert Band in 1981, creating a new tradition of exceptional music performed by local artists, rooted in his gift to provide expressive, artistic, and varied programming for the community. Survivors include a son, Clark Musser ’89.