Alumnotes [ 50s | 60s | 70s | 80s | 90s | 00s ]
1950s Top
DeForest Lamson ’50 and his wife, Kathleen,
are retired and living in Lacey’s Spring, Ala. DeForest keeps busy teaching
computer courses at the local senior center, teaching a Sabbath school class,
leading out in the community services department, and helping the church however
he can. He appreciates his WWC education “which allowed me to work as
an electrical engineer for 35 years, which I found enjoyable.” He credits
the staff—especially the Kretschmars—for taking a personal interest
in his life. DeForest and Kathleen have five children and 10 grandchildren.
William Moreno ’50 and his wife, Marjorie, make their home in Salem, Ore. William retired in 2002 after spending his career as a doctor in private practice. He remembers his time spent in the dormitories of both the army, and Sittner Hall Room 401. His roommates at WWC were Lawrence Claridge and Max Miracle. William and Marjorie have three children, William Jr. att., Marcia Culver ’77, and Lorna att.; and one granddaughter, Kristina att.
Donovan Reiner ’50 and his wife, Loreen, make their home in La Quinta, Calif. Since Donovan’s retirement as a general surgeon in 1995, he has enjoyed playing golf and traveling frequently in the U.S. and other countries. The couple has three children and three grandchildren. EMAIL
Bernadine (Johnson) Carr ’55 and her husband, Clifford att., make their home in Aloha, Ore. Bernadine is retired from working at Tualatin Valley Jr. Academy where she was a bus driver and librarian. She enjoys walking in the park with Cliff, visiting family in Florida, gardening, and being involved in church activities. The couple has three children, Deanna Hilliard ’84, Jeffrey ’85, and Jolene Riera ’86; and three granddaughters. EMAIL
Mona (Slaybaugh) LeDuc ’55 and her husband Ben are retired in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Mona and Ben came to Bella Vista Hospital in Mayaguez in 1965 for mission service. Mona helped in many areas of nursing, clinical teaching, and also continued her medical education while serving in Puerto Rico. Several teachers from her time at WWC hold fond memories including Professor Dortch and Dean Edna Mae who was a “real encouragement in the dorm.” The couple has two children, Lori LeDuc Cruz, and Ronald ’86; and six grandchildren. EMAIL
Melvin Johnson ’55 and ’62 is a retired pastor living in Aumsville, Ore., with his wife, Alma (Nelson) att. Since retirement Melvin has done some interim pastor work including a full year in Lawai, Hawaii. The couple just finished another volunteer stint in Hawaii, this time working at Kahili. They have two children, Doug att., and Lana Jones att.; and two grandsons including Nick Jones curr. att. EMAIL
Russell Staples ’55 and his wife, Phyllis, make their home in Berrien Springs, Mich. Russell is professor emeritus of world mission at Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, where he has been since 1971. Before Andrews he was a teacher and principal of Solusi College in Rhodesia for 10 years, and also taught in the Princeton Theological Seminary. From his time at WWC he remembers the “fellowship and travels with the Collegians singing group.” Russell and Phyllis have two children, Jillian, and Dianne Staples-Stafford. EMAIL
W.P. Turpel ’55 and his wife, Lois (Lampson) ’55, are retired and living in Loma Linda, Calif. Paul was vice president of WWC for eight years, and marketing manager of Pacific Press Publishing Association for 27 years. The couple has two children, Thomas ’94, and Lori. EMAIL
1960s Top
Paul Nystrom ’60 and his wife, JoAnn, reside
in Montrose, Colo. Paul writes that he is “trying to retire.” He
closed the Z-Bar Chuckwagon, a western music and supply business, but he continues
to play concerts for churches, the community, and private organizations. He
is currently building a rustic chapel on their property to further enhance
their ministry to the public. They do weddings, funerals, family reunions,
and other Christian services. EMAIL
Francis “Frank” Sargeant ’60 and his wife, Janet (Heubach) att., make their home in Puyallup, Wash. Francis is a retired lieutenant colonel from the Army Medical Corps. who enjoys traveling and being a private pilot. Some of the most recent trips Francis has been on include going to China to provide anesthesia service for a plastic surgeon, a European tour with Janet, and several cruises. The couple has one son, Kevin Sargeant ’83; and two granddaughters.
Kay Wadsworth ’60 and his wife, Tabita, make their home in Houston, Texas. Kay is a medical technician in a veteran’s hospital. The couple has three sons, Ray, Jim, and Kenneth; and three grandchildren.
Christine (Phillips) Walker ’60 and ’66 and her husband, Keith, are retired and living on an acre in the country near Boring, Ore. Christine taught school for 29 years and now enjoys more time for her favorite activities of gardening, reading, and attending the Hood View Seventh-day Adventist Church. From her time at WWC she remembers going to school while married with three children. Last year the couple celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. They have three children, Carol ’67, Keith ’68, and John; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Dorothea (Renschler) Amey ’65 and her husband, Eugene ’66, live in Moorpark, Calif. Dorothea is currently the associate director of education for the Pacific Union Conference. She has also worked as an associate superintendent in Michigan; however, she writes that her “true passion is teaching in elementary schools and working with our dedicated teachers.” Dorothea and Eugene spent six years as missionaries in Africa, which they credit as life-changing. They have two sons, Mark and Michael; and one granddaughter. EMAIL
Lila (Stewart) Fry ’65 and ’69 is retired and living in Milton-Freewater, Ore. Lila taught school for 31 years and now loves making quilts. She has two daughters, Gwen Smith ’64 and Joan Shumway att.; three grandchildren including Todd Smith ’96; and three great-grandchildren.
Glee (Canaday) Hartman ’65 is a homemaker and volunteer worker living in Jellico, Tenn., with her husband, Ronald. She enjoys gardening, sharing God’s word with others, and helping with the “Binding the Wounds Seminar” in her area. Among Glee’s memories from WWC are “the uplift of Paul Heubach’s sermons and Melvin West on the organ.” Glee and Ronald have three sons, Brian ’93, Michael, and Jerrold ’99; and three grandsons. EMAIL
Kenneth James ’65 and his wife, Janice (Payne) att., make their home in Camas, Wash. Kenneth has retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs and now works part-time teaching and doing medical research as professor of biostatistics at Oregon Health and Science University. In his free time he enjoys working with computers and traveling. Kenneth and Janice have two children, David, and Tamara att.; and two grandsons. EMAIL
1970s Top
Steve Dickerson ’70 and his wife, Barbie (Aitchison)
’02, make their home in College Place. From 1986 to 1996 they
served as missionaries in Thailand. Currently Steve is a city council member
in College Place and is part of a bluegrass gospel band called “Hand
Picked.” Barbie keeps busy in her job as a medical social worker at Walla
Walla General Hospital. The couple has two children, Christy and Matthew.
EMAIL
David Escobar ’70 and his wife, Helen, are retired in Waianae, Hawaii, “in a little house overlooking the tropical Pacific Ocean.” David served for nearly 40 years in the education system of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He writes, “WWC changed my life through a top-rate education department during the late 1960s.” The couple has two children, David att., and Cheryl Johnson.
Erwin Farnsworth ’70 and his wife, Ruth Ann (Woodruff) ’69, reside in Anchorage, Alaska. Erwin is an electronics technician for the Department of Corrections, Anchorage Jail. He has worked as a mission pilot in East Africa for nine years, a hospital maintenance director, and as maintenance director for the Correctional Center in Nome, Alaska. Ruth is currently teaching at Anchorage Junior Academy. The couple has three sons, Thomas ’97, Robert ’99, and Peter curr. att.
Gilbert Messenger ’70 and his wife, Penny (Bartel) att., make their home in Hillsboro, Ore. After working as a software electrical engineer for 12 years, Gilbert purchased and began managing Penny’s parents’ auto body shop. Now 21 years later, Auto Body Beautiful has expanded to two locations with 33 employees. Gilbert and Penny enjoy teaching water sports, including water-skiing and air-chair, one week each summer at youth camp. They have two children, Steve att., and Trisha Parker att.
Ivan Rouse ’70 and his wife, Beverly (Becker) att., make their home in Riverside, Calif. Ivan is professor of physics at La Sierra University. The couple has one son, Ryan. EMAIL
Mary Ellen (Weeks) Betz ’75 and her husband, Robert att., make their home in Walla Walla. Mary works part time in her husband’s medical office as an accounts payable representative. She writes “after a wonderful 25 years raising our three sons, Bob and I are adjusting to being empty nesters—it’s not so bad.” The couple enjoys biking, skiing, golfing, remodeling projects, and traveling. With two sons now on the East Coast they are looking forward to trips there to see them. “God richly blessed us with a loving family, great friends and our adventurous spirit.” Mary and Bob have three sons, Benjamin ’02, Joseph ’03, and Jonathan. EMAIL
Gene Daffern ’75 makes his home in Lewes, Del. He works as an anesthesiologist and has two sons, Judson and Jett. EMAIL
Jean (Cameron) Patterson ’75 lives in Grand Terrace, Calif. At the age of 65 she retired her teaching credentials and real estate brokers license, but has continued to work as the owner of a year-round allied tax service. She enjoys handcrafts, reading, traveling, and selling Nikken products for health and wellness. Jean has cruised to many spots around the world and recalls fondly her mission trip to Phi Phi Island, where she helped in some building projects for Chiang Mai Academy. Jean has three children, Robert, Cheryl, and Steve; and 10 grandchildren. EMAIL
Phyllis (Carlson) Wagner ’75 is retired and living in Walla Walla. Phyllis taught church school in Montana, Idaho, and Washington for 30 years. She now serves as the community services director at the Walla Walla City Church. Phyllis enjoys traveling, sewing quilts, and spending time with her family. She has two children, Thomas and Kathleen Purvis, att.; and three grandchildren. A memorable experience for Phyllis from her time at WWC was “finally graduating” after attending 13 summer sessions. EMAIL
1980s Top
Maxine (Mercer) Fischer ’80 and her husband,
Curtis att., reside in Battle Ground, Wash. Maxine
is a salesperson at the Carnelain Rose Tea Company, and Curtis works with
his dad operating Curt’s Greenhouse. Maxine has worked for the past six
years in tea-related businesses including operating and managing Blue Gables
Tea House in Vancouver, Wash. She has held several church offices, loves to
travel, read, and do needlework. The couple has two children Lori
att., and Eric curr. att. EMAIL
Leena (Laitinen) Haveri ’80 and ’97 makes her home in Nummela, Finland. Leena is the coordinator and project manager for the Finnish Red Cross. She is a world traveler and does volunteer work for the church, as well as the Red Cross. She is thankful for her time at WWC because she was able to rejoin the church, learn English, and “find my calling in social work through the master of social work program.” She has two sons, Mikael and Markus. EMAIL
Jeff Kinne ’80 and his wife, Wafia (Farag) ’81, make their home in Spokane, Wash. Jeff has been the pastor of Spokane Central Seventh-day Adventist Church since 1994. He enjoys snow skiing and mountain and road biking. Jeff and Wafia have three children, Evan curr. att., Nolan, and Elise. EMAIL
Steve Nicola ’80 and his wife, Karen, live in Healdsburg, Calif. Steve teaches religion and literature evangelism at Rio Lindo Adventist Academy. He is director for student publishing for the Northern California Conference and runs a team of students doing door-to-door literature evangelism. He writes that it is “exciting stuff to see our young people on fire for God.” Steve vividly recalls being “stranded at Camp MiVoden for two days after the eruption of Mount St. Helens!” The group made do and had the first ever Mount St. Helens talent program while they were stuck at camp. Steven and Karen have two children, Joanna curr. att., and Anton. EMAIL
Kelli (Wilson) Rigsby ’85 and her husband, Bob, make their home in Burien, Wash. Kelli is a homeschool teacher for her two children, Royce and Rachel. She enjoys taking Irish step-dance lessons with her children and is currently “working on painting the living room,” according to Royce, who helped his mom write their alumnote. An interview with Kelli was published in the Spring 2005 issue of Westwind. From Kelli’s time at WWC she remembers the beautiful scenery of the Blue Mountains and the “smell of College Place in the spring.” EMAIL
Patty (Kinzer) Rouse ’85 lives with her husband, Bill ’69, in La Quinta, Calif. Patty started at WWC in 1965 and was happy to “finally” finish in 1985. She currently works as a first and second-grade teacher at Desert Adventist Academy. She has also taught in the Oregon Conference for 20 years, and writes that a career highlight for her was receiving the Zapara Award for Teaching Excellence. When Patty has some free time she enjoys reading, hiking, and staying connected to friends and family. They have two daughters Lisa Springer att., and Shannon Mitchell ’96 and ’97. EMAIL
Terry Wigley ’85 and his wife, Lori (Hirschkorn) att., live in Pendleton, Ore. After finishing his residency in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery in 1996, he set up private practice in Pendleton. In 1997 he was board certified in otolaryngology. In his spare time, Terry enjoys golfing and snowmobiling. The couple has one daughter, Olivia. EMAIL
1990s Top
Stephen Hyland ’94 is a captain in the U.S.
Army and is currently working as a physician at Speicher Base Clinic near
Tikrit, Iraq. Stephen is completing his last year paying back the Army for
sponsoring him through Loma Linda Medical School.
Kurt Foster ’95 and his wife, Shawn (Watt) ’96, reside in Portland, Ore. Kurt is an outerwear merchandiser for Columbia Sportswear and has spent the last two years doing a lot of European travel for his job. Kurt and Shawn have bought a house on Mt. Tabor, and they love playing in a band, snowboarding, traveling, and mountain biking. “We are extremely lucky to be surrounded by great friends and family and be working doing the things we love.”
Francis (Armstrong) Garcia ’95 lives with her “soulmate husband Trevor” in San Antonio, Texas. Francis has enjoyed both her move from a cardiology nurse to a radiology one, as well as her move from Seattle to San Antonio. She loves dining with friends, playing games, being outdoors, and collecting ceramic teapots. Francis has many WWC memories that include “the library, the beautiful landscaping, the bubbling fountain, and the old Ad Building. What a wonderful time!!” EMAIL
Elta Jackson-Henry ’95, ’96 and her husband, Wayne att., make their home in Hamburg, Pa. Elta is a mental health specialist and is beginning the process of enrolling in the doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania. Wayne is working as a teacher at Blue Mountain Academy and Elta is learning to be “Mama Henry” to several boarding students. Some of her favorite memories from WWC include “serving as social vice president with Jeffery Rahming,” and “the heart to heart discussions/debates in the social work department.” EMAIL
Trina McCoon (Sprecher) ’95 and her husband, Scott ’96, make their home in Enterprise, Ore. Scott is currently an emergency room nurse at Wallowa County Hospital while he is working on a master’s of business administration degree. Trina has worked per diem in the float pool but mostly stays home to care for their three sons, James, Jared, and Justin.
Jim Nesbit ’95 and his wife, Jane, live in West Carrollton, Ohio. Jim is a financial planner for Life Plan Ltd., and has also worked as a network engineer for MCI, and as the MBA program director for Columbia Union College. For Jim marrying Jane was a “life-changing experience!!” EMAIL W