Losses
Leading Light Pioneered the College’s Chemistry Studies
Faculty emeritus Burt Guttman remembers Fred Tabbutt as “one of the finest, a very bright, humble, rational man who was devoted to understanding the world rationally, scientifically, and to helping students acquire the same kind of love and understanding. Even after both of us had retired, I kept seeing Fred in one of the labs. He was always developing new experiments, new ways for students to gain insights into the chemical world he loved and understood so well.”
Tabbutt’s former colleague, former Provost Barbara Leigh Smith, lauds him for having “played a huge role in developing the strong science curriculum that has been an earmark of Evergreen for many years.”
Fred Tabbutt running an experiment with Darshi Bopegaddera’s Atoms, Molecules, and Reactions students in 2012.
Interim Provost Ken Tabbutt says he was fortunate to teach two year-long programs with his father. “He was exceptionally dedicated to his colleagues and his students. He constantly searched for innovative and creative ways of teaching chemistry in an interdisciplinary environment.”
Donations in Tabbutt’s memory may be made to the Tabbutt Family Scholarship Fund.
Beloved Faculty Left Lasting Legacy
Kaye V. Ladd, right, collaborating in a chemistry lab.
Faculty member emerita Kaye V. Ladd died October 27, 2016, at age 75. Ladd taught chemistry at Evergreen from 1975 until her retirement in 1996.
Prior to touching thousands of students’ lives at Evergreen, Ladd lived in Massachusetts. She worked as a scientist at Tyco International and the New England Aquarium, and as a chemistry instructor at Suffolk University.
Ladd remained physically active throughout her life and was named Silver Strider of the Year 2016 by the Silver Strider running group. She and her spouse, Karen Lichtenstein, ran races in every state in the U.S. and several in Europe.
Interim Provost Ken Tabbutt recalls: “Kaye V. was a fixture in the neighborhood, running and walking with Karen—rain or shine. She will be missed.”
Judy and John Cushing remember Ladd as “a great friend and wonderful colleague who shared generously of her materials, enthusiasm for science, and knowledge.”
A 1996 Evergreen resolution conferring emerita status to Ladd, based largely on comments from colleagues, describes her work as follows:
Ladd is survived by Lichtenstein; and her brother, Todd Smith of Tacoma.
Interim President Kept College on Solid Footing
Longtime faculty member Russell Lidman reflected, “It isn’t often that the administrative side of a higher education institution produces the leader, but Dick was the exception—and a quality exception he was. He successfully steered the college through a difficult transition and he made friends inside and outside the college during his tenure.”
Schwartz was born in Chicago in 1933. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in political science from the University of Michigan. After graduation, he built a distinguished career in higher education administration at several colleges. After retiring in 2007, Schwartz and his wife Janet relocated to Harlingen, Texas.
David Nicandri congratulates Richard Schwartz, right, during the college’s 40th anniversary party.
Schwartz worked at Evergreen for just five years, but as former Evergreen President Thomas L. (Les) Purce noted, “He always kept a strong interest in the progress of the college after he moved from the area.” Schwartz is survived by Janet, two daughters, one son, and four grandchildren.
In Memoriam
This list includes alumni, students, faculty, and staff deaths that occurred between January 1 and December 7, 2016. Please submit memorial announcements for future issues to alumni@evergreen.edu.
Anita Austin MPA ’00 died Oct. 21, 2016, age 71. She had recently retired from a 30-year career at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
Michael D. Blackaller ’74, May 1, 2016, age 65. Michael worked as a counselor for the Idaho Commission for the Blind where he taught life skills to the visually impaired for nearly 40 years.
Stanley V. Boysen ’05, April 15, 2016, age 60. Stan was a talented artist and a skilled fisherman and outdoorsman who worked at the Olympia Brewing Company for many years.
Howard C. Cannon III ’05, March 29, 2016, age 60. Howard was a leader of Greenpeace International and Skipper of the organization's Rainbow Warrior, as well as co-founder of the Ruckus Society.
Shannon L. Turley Cortner ’08, June 23, 2016, age 33. She was Area Director of Operations for Mercy Housing Northwest. She loved hiking, camping, and adventure. Shannon married John Cortner on Sept. 27, 2014 in Puyallup, Wash.
Rachel E. Curry, Sept. 10, 2016, age 20. Rachel, an Evergreen student, loved the outdoors and was passionate about the environment.
Frank D. Easterly, April 25, 2016, age 97. Frank supervised Evergreen’s power plant for 10 years. Prior to that, he worked for 22 years at Simpson Lee Paper Company in Everett.
Christiane J. Fara ’85, Aug. 18, 2016, age 76. Christiane had a long career as a mental health social worker, giving tirelessly to help those in need.
Betty Jewell Ferguson ’79, Oct. 12, 2016, age 88. Betty was an accomplished textile artist and quilting and fiber arts teacher. She and her artworks were featured in many publications, including Quilter's Newsletter.
Heather Fleagle ’89, Sept. 12, 2016, age 73. She worked at the United Methodist Church in Enterprise, Ore. as an administrative assistant and served as a lay leader and chair of the worship committee. Heather also did outpatient work for the disabled.
Martha H. Hannigan ’77, June 3, 2016, age 89. After graduating, she worked at Evergreen until she finished law school. Her first attorney job was with the Department of Social and Health Services, followed by an editor position with the Supreme Court, working in the office of Reporters of Judicial Decisions. She retired just last spring at the age of 87!
Richard J. Hendele ’75, April 27, 2016, age 64. He had a 35-year-long career at The Boeing Company. Over the past 10 years, both he and his wife became deeply involved with global organizations which rescue elephants.
Mary B. Higgins ’87, October 10, 2016, age 70. Mary earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Portland University. She was a retired dental hygienist.
Avery M. Johnson ’05, Sept. 9, 2016, age 37. Avery had a passion for selling and enjoyed success as a real agent in Boston. Most recently she was a sales agent at State Farm Insurance in South Portland, Maine. Avery was also an accomplished snowboarder and skier.
Edmond Lapine II ’08, Dec. 2, 2016, age 34. Edmond was among the 36 people who died in a fire at an Oakland, Calif. warehouse Dec. 2 during an underground music event. His family and community remember him as an ardent music lover, kind spirit, and friend to many.
Robin McClary ’96, Oct. 24, 2016, age 45. Robin was trained in computer technology at Morgan Stanley, Astra Zenica, and AXA Financial. After much of her New York City team was lost on September 11th, Robin stayed on for several months to work in the pit helping to identify remains. She later returned to Yakima to live with her mother and devoted the rest of her life to teaching children.
Alice “Allee” McCloud ’79, June 15, 2016 at the age of 72. One friend said in a tribute, “Allee gave her all to education, career counseling, and assistance programs. Her love for the young people and families made the Nisqually Tribe a better place to live.”
Paul A. Mendenhall ’78, March 13, 2016, age 62. A man of many talents, he moved from Longview, Wash. to New York earlier this year to collaborate as a lyricist with a composer.
Andrea L. Miller ’91, Oct. 19, 2016, age 49. She was the editor/publisher of Women's Work magazine from 1991 to 1998. Andrea also worked as features editor for Enterprise Newspapers from 1998 until 2010 when her cancer treatments began.
Kathleen Mae (Campbell) Minks, Evergreen Vancouver ’84, March 23, 2016, age 69. A proud member of the Columbia River High School's first class of 1965, Kathleen was active in her school reunion committee and kept up with many of her school friends. She attended New Heights Church in Vancouver, Wash.
James D. Park ’86, MES ’91, Jan. 5, 2016, age 54. After graduating, James worked for the Skokomish Indian Nation for nine years as a water resources program manager and director of natural resources. He went on to work for WSDOT as a hydrology program manager. James and his wife resided in Yelm on a 22-acre hobby farm.
Hoover Phillip “Johnie” Plair ’87, March 1, 2016, age 87. He retired from 31 years of active duty in the U.S. Army in 1976 and worked at Boeing before pursuing further education. He worked nine years as a civilian in the military and raised three children as a single parent.
Ian M. Pounds ’84, Aug. 1, 2016, age 55. Ian ran a canvas works company in Sitka, Alaska, before working as a youth counselor and volunteer firefighter in Middlebury, Vermont. He spent many years participating in and coordinating the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference at Middlebury College. He later began volunteer-teaching English, drama, and music to orphans in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ian went on to teach at the Asian University for Women in Chittagong, Bangladesh, where he passed away due to ALS.
Randall E. “Randy” Ray ’76 MES ’91, June 13, 2106, age 64. Known for his leadership within the government relations community, Randy represented a broad array of clients during his lobbying career. A political science scholarship is being established in Randy’s name and his family welcomes your support of this lasting tribute. Contact Major Gifts Officer Javier Womeldorff at (360) 867-5609 or womeldoj@evergreen.edu for information.
Marjorie L. Regmund ’85, July 26, 2016, age 79. Marge worked as a fiscal program manager for the Washington State Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. She moved to Woodinville after she retired in 1999. An adventuresome traveler, Marge toured China by bicycle shortly after it opened to the West and visited Czechoslovakia before the fall of the Soviet Union.
Ralph Reid ’86, Jan. 14, 2016, age 78. Ralph retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years and made his home in Olympia. He worked for the Employment Security Department and served many community organizations, including the North Thurston Special Education Advisory Board.
David Reister ’90, May 20, 2016, age 59. David was an arts lover, wilderness adventurer, and an athlete. He was a national-class javelin thrower in college. David’s outdoor adventures included summiting Mt. Rainier, skydiving, and backcountry fishing.
Bert S. Savarese ’87, Sept. 21, 2016, age 64. After getting married, Bert traveled extensively, including to China, Japan, Thailand, Hawaii, and Alaska, and held many positions in the Officers Wives Clubs on various military bases around the world. She worked as a career counselor, helping service members transition to civilian life, most recently at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.
Megann J. Schmitt ’08, Aug. 2, 2016, age 35. Megann was pursuing a master’s degree in library science and information technology at the University of Wisconsin. Her life in Olympia was full of friends, adventures in the wilderness, and her career as a library associate for children's programs at the Timberland Library in Shelton, Wash.
Jon C. Sebaska ’74, July 30, 2016, age 70. Jon was a craftsman, sailor, boat builder, and fisherman. He made his home in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, but his heart was on the water, always with a trusty yellow lab at his side.
Allen D. Shanafelt MPA ’85, Sept. 10, 2016, age 66. Allen retired from a career with the State of Washington after 32 years in 2012. He had been an active member of the Olympia chapter of the Mountaineers and enjoyed camping, hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, and kayaking.
William A. “Alex” Sigman ’94, Sept. 20, 2016, age 45. Alex was a skilled soccer player who played for the Geoducks all through college and advanced to playing pro soccer for the Seattle Storm. Alex enjoyed sports, cars, and personal improvement pursuits, including running and motivational books.
Rose M. Swier MES ’05, May 26, 2016, age 58. A 25-year resident of Shelton, Wash., Rose worked as an environmental health specialist. She loved gardening, creating art, crocheting, and environmental activism.
Marian T. Vimont ’83, Jan. 5, 2016, age 86. Marian was very giving and loving, and her extended family held a special place in her heart. She worked in fabric sales, sewing, and caregiving. Marian’s family welcomes donations given in Marian’s name to support Evergreen scholarships at evergreen.edu/give.
J. M. Patrice “Patti” Walden ’83, Aug. 4, 2016, age 68. Patti, a woman of many interests, held many kinds of jobs and enjoyed the people she met in her travels. Among her hobbies were quilting, photography, and painting miniatures. She and her family hosted many Japanese exchange students, forging lasting friendships with families in Japan.
Charlie Wilson ’90, May 7, 2016, age 77. Charlie graduated from college in Oklahoma, where he was a star athlete, then earned a second bachelor's degree from Evergreen. He served in the military and fought in two wars. He never missed an opportunity to teach all who would listen about the importance of proper financial management.