Category: Family News

In Memory of Richard A. “Dick” Hoppin

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the update.I also wanted to pass along the news of my father, Richard A. “Dick” Hoppin, passing on January 6th.  You may already have seen the obituary but it is also noted in the Press-Citizen.

My best always.

Andy Hoppin

Here is his father’s obituary, offered as a tribute to a wonderful man:

Dick Hoppin

May 15, 1921- January 6, 2012

Richard (Dick) Hoppin, 90, died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2012 at the University of Iowa Hospital’s Palliative Care Center.

A gathering for family and friends will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 10, at the University of Iowa Athletic Club. A brief program will be held at 5:45 to honor Dick. Online condolences may be sent for Dick’s family through the web at www.gayandciha.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of Iowa Foundation directed to the Geosciences Field Research program, or to the charity of your choice.

Dick was born May 15, 1921, in Minneapolis, MN to Arthur and Florence Hoppin. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. with honors in Geology in 1943, he served in WWII as a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps (Meteorology and Air Observation) in North Africa, India and China. Following the war, he returned to the University of Minnesota to earn his M.A. in 1947. Before continuing his education, he married Margery June Evert on September 13, 1947 in Minneapolis and they moved to California where he completed his Ph. D. in 1951 at the California Institute of Technology. He was then recalled to duty by the Air Force Reserves for one year during the Korean Conflict before joining the Geology Department at the University of Iowa in 1952. He retired in 1991. During the next twenty years, he greatly enjoyed his weekly visits with faculty, students, and staff at the Geology Department, as he continued to pursue his passion in Geology.

While on the faculty at the University of Iowa, Dick taught a broad variety of classes and supervised many PhD and Masters Students. His specialties included Structural Geology, Geotectonics, and Remote Sensing. He was Director of the UI Summer Field Course in the Black Hills and Bighorns from 1954-1964, and was proud of the fact that he always reached the tops of mountains well before his energetic students. He served as Chairman of the Geology Department from 1974-1983. Throughout his tenure at the University, he served on numerous committees, including President of the Triangle Club and Sigma Xi Chapter, University Research Council, Faculty Senate, Executive Committee and Educational Policy Committee for College of Liberal Arts, Review Committees for Zoology, School of Music, Continuing Education, and the Department of Anthropology. Among the many projects he worked on, he was particularly fascinated with the NASA Skylab and ERTS research programs he initiated on the geology of Northern Wyoming.

Throughout his career he traveled to every continent but Antarctica, furthering not only his geological work, but also to pursue his curiosity in the diverse cultures of the world. His field work included visits to the East Africa Rift Zone, Denmark, the USSR, Australia, and Indonesia. He served as the Books Editor for the Geological Society of America from 1989-1995, President of the Geological Society of Iowa, and editor of Geology-Hydrology Chapter of Skylab/EREP. He also received a Distinguished Service Award from the Geological Survey of America in 1998, authored many scientific publications, and was an invited speaker at numerous colleges and universities.

Dick contributed in many ways to the Iowa City community he loved. He served as president of the Iowa City School Study Council in 1960, was a member of the Iowa City Riverfront Commission, and was well known as the Iowa City Noon Rotary Music Maker (aka “Fingers”) for over 40 years. While on the Riverfront Commission, he received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Iowa City Council in 1998.

His interests outside his professional field were as varied as those within his field. Dick enjoyed playing tennis, listening to jazz and classical music, and playing on his baby grand piano. An avid reader of magazines and books, he expanded his knowledge of the world around him which he enjoyed sharing with his family and friends. He particularly enjoyed tackling daily crossword puzzles and Jumbles. A passionate follower of Iowa sports, he was a season football ticket holder for well over 50 years and nearly that long for basketball. If not in attendance, he also faithfully followed wrestling, baseball and all the women’s sports teams with just as much interest. He also took great joy in spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dick was preceded in death by his father, Arthur, mother Florence, and son Arthur. He is survived by his wife Margery, sons Chuck (Bonnie) of Johns Creek, GA and Andy of Minneapolis, MN, daughter Jan Hensel (Paul) of Mendota Heights, MN, daughter-in-law Karla Presler of Decorah, IA, grandchildren Tim (Kate) Hoppin, Dan (Kandace Wernsing) Hoppin, Brian, Matt, Angela and Anna Hensel, and great-grandchildren Charlotte and Owen Hoppin.

Larry Lindell Update

Dave

Always enjoy your updates and work at keeping us all informed of the latest.  I thought I would update you a little as well.

Attached is a photo of my family during my oldest daughter’s wedding this last May.  My two younger daughters( Emilie and Meghan) are to my right and in front of me.  My wife(Gayle) of 32 years is to my left.  My mom and dad are to my far right.  To the left of the groom (Nic) are my two sons, Josh with his wife Michelle and their 3 and now 4 children, and Ben and his wife Hiliary. What a bunch!  They all live nearby which is an incredible blessing.

I’m still working at Broadlawns Medical Center as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist.  My photography business is starting to get some activity with selling prints, mostly for corporate wall decor.  Some day I hope to quit my day job and be a full time photographer.  Going out in the country and creating photographs of the beauty and wonder in the land has become my obsession.  Check out  my website: Larrylindellphotography.com when you get a chance.

Thanks again Dave for maintaining the Class of ’73 site.

Sincerely,

Larry Lindell

Larry Lindell and Family May 2011

Ruth (Jurgens) Noth Update

Hi Dave –

The last letter I sent out to family and relatives in December said that I was hoping I would have an injury/accident free 2012, and then New Year’s Day I stabbed myself with a new chef’s knife somehow. Resulted in 7 stitches, and eventually, due to severe pain which nearly made me pass out from time to time, a trip to a hand specialist.  I had called the medical facility where they stitched me up that day and they didn’t want me back until it was time to take out the stitches. I called my doctor’s office and the office staff decided I didn’t need to come in either.

I finally called the hand clinic at PCI here in Cedar Rapids this past Wednesday morning. I visited with a nurse and she got me an appointment for this past Thursday afternoon.  I just sensed that everyone else thought of me as a wuss with pain and just poo pooed my coming back in until it was time to take out the stitches. I knew something wasn’t right and persisted.

I saw Dr. Kuo and she was disgusted that no one would see me until her.  After several tests and yelps and near screams, she determined that two of the four topical stitches had either been put around a nerve, or through a nerve in my finger. They had to come out.  I never knew a person could YELL “oh my God” so many times in the 5-6 seconds it took to get each stitch out. I held my own wrist down so that I wouldn’t move my hand on her, and it’s all bruised today. I apologized to the folks in the waiting room when they sat me down for 20 minutes to get the color back into my face. I nearly passed out the pain was so severe for those 5 seconds for each stitch.

I’ll return this Thursday to have the remaining stitches out and for another nerve test. I failed it royally all down the inside of my pinky from that last joint to the tip of my finger. The outside of the finger is fine and I could tell she was poking me with one prong or two.  Some of the feeling in the tip of my finger has come back already, so I’m hoping I do better on Thursday with her test.  I was so grateful for the pain relief. Often I nearly passed out just getting dressed for work because of any movement in that finger at all. Now I can even type for a little while with it.

So, I’m just resting up this weekend from lots of lost sleep this past week. Got some vacuuming done and am working on a puzzle and enjoying the great weather here. No snow yet – just a couple of dustings of it but nothing measurable at all yet.  I don’t mind.

My mom will be having shoulder surgery on the 16th. I’ve got that day off from school and then took the 17th off as well to be with her and dad. She has to have the entire joint replaced, but at least they say it’s not as bad as rotator cuff surgery, of which I’ve had both of my shoulders done now.  I’m sure she’ll do OK.

I’ve learned to keep my wits about me totally with new knives now. Haven’t touched them actually since New Year’s Day, but eventually will start using them again and will be extremely careful!!!  Have a great year. Thanks, always, for passing along the class news.

Ruth

In Memory of Barbara M. Barnes

Dave,

As I just returned home and to my computer, I just now received this email. If you still wish, of course you may post the obituary.

Thanks for all that you do.

Bruce

Here is his mother’s obituary, offered as a tribute to a wonderful woman:

Barbara Barnes

January 16, 1929 – December 28, 2011

Barbara M. Barnes, 82, of rural Iowa City, died Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 2, 2012, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Visitation will be on Monday at the funeral home from 9:00 am until services. Following services a reception will be held for family and friends at the Moose Lodge in Iowa City. Graveside services will be held at 9:30 am Tuesday at Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Barbara’s memory to Iowa City Hospice or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com.

Barbara Mae Paulus was born January 16, 1929, in rural Johnson County, Iowa the daughter of Joseph and Gertrude (Carberry) Paulus. She attended schools in Iowa City graduating from City High School in 1947, going on to attend the State University of Iowa for two of years. She married Lawrence “Bud” Barnes on June 14, 1949, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. She and Bud made their home near Iowa City where they raised their family of five children.

Barbara was in the truest sense of the word “Mother and Wife” She lived to care for her family, and as grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, she was in her element, nothing brought her more joy than her family! She loved being there for her kids in anything that they were involved with, especially sports, and this carried on with her grandchildren, spanning over fifty-one years in the bleachers cheering them on. She and Bud loved to dance and fish, she enjoyed playing bridge and working the polls at election time, and much to her family distaste, she loved those New York Yankees!

Her family includes her husband, Bud; five children, Larry Barnes (Pam Calkins) of Iowa City; Steve Barnes of Iowa City; Bruce Barnes (Ellen) of Brighton, CO; Linda Barnes (Linda Mohrfeld) of Las Vegas, NV; and Tim Barnes (Rick Armstrong) of Oshawa, Canada; 8 grandchildren, J.R. Barnes, Todd (Rachel) Barnes, Ryan Barnes, Amanda (Chad) Nelson, Curt Barnes, Cassie (Dennis) Elchlinger, Brandon (Lacey) Barnes and Joey Barnes; 4 great-grandchildren, D.J. Elchlinger, Molly Mae Elchlinger, Grace Barnes, and Mya Nelson; sister, Joann Moss of Iowa City; brother, Rev. Richard Paulus (Ellyn) of West Branch; former daughter-in-law, Carla Barnes of Iowa City, and sister-in-law, Sonya Paulus of New York City, NY.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Robert Paulus.

Nancy (Masbruch) Olinger Update

Hi Dave:

News to share with the class. 2011 has ended on a sad note for our family. It’s probably easiest to paint a timeline of events: Dec. 12 we flew to Nashville to admit my husband’s brother (Bruce) to a Hospice care facility. On Dec. 13, while he was being admitted, my husband (Ron) suffered  a massive heart attack in their lobby. Quick action by the Hospice team, and close proximity to one of the best heart hospitals in the nation, had Ron in the ambulance and to the hospital within 8 minutes and into surgery within 20 minutes. A 100% blockage was opened with a stent and after 3 days in ICU, he was released from the hospital, but couldn’t travel for another few days. I wasn’t with him when it happened as I was back at his brother’s house gathering things he needed at the Hospice facility.

When I got the call, I had no transportation and didn’t have a clue where the hospital was or even if Ron would make it through the heart procedure. I’ve never felt more alone than at that moment. My daughter immediately hit the road and made the 11-hour drive to be with us. Fast-forward now as Ron is released to return to Iowa. We are home 2 days and our beloved wiener dog of nearly 15 years suffers a stroke and we have to have her put down at midnight – I picked up her ashes just a few days ago. Making daily calls to Ron’s brother, we knew when we left to return to Iowa that he would likely take a turn for the worse. Two days ago, last Friday, we got the call from Hospice – Bruce passed away at the Hospice facility. He had been up walking that morning and still talking……but the day before on the phone he had told us it would be the last time we’d talk. Guess he had that Divine Connection to know his fate, as that was the last time we spoke. This week Ron faces yet another heart procedure to have a second stent put it for another artery that is 80% blocked. We’re having to delay Bruce’s funeral a few days to give Ron time to recover so he can attend. Needless to say, prayers are appreciated.

I was suppose to start a new job this week, but that is delayed a week until all of this is behind us. I’m excited to start this new venture – Program Development Director for Camp Fire USA, Iowana Council – so at least there are some bright spots among this mess.

Nancy

Judy (Becker) Bryant Update

Dave:

We just got back from a quick trip to see my Dad and now are trying to get the boys geared up to get back to school (and finals) next week. The boys were disappointed that there was no snow in Iowa.  Wish we’d had time to look up some of our old friends.

Thanks for all your posts and for helping our class stay in touch.  Feel free to post the photo to the class site if you wish.Judy

2011 Holiday Greetings from The Bryant Family 

This was another interesting year for our family filled with adventures and challenges. Together we took another RV vacation piggybacking off a week at Scout camp in north Georgia in July. Along with Rommel the wonder dog, we visited Dave’s mother in NY before heading to Acadia National Park in Maine for a few days. We then visited Lexington and Concord before heading to Boston for a reunion with Judy’s family. We hiked the Freedom Trail on the day of the second highest temperature in the city’s history. Great fun seeing family, learning more American history, and visiting Plymouth Rock on the way home.

Sam celebrated his 15th birthday, which in Florida means he is now learning to drive. He is quite busy playing tuba with his high school marching band. They performed in Tampa’s Gasparilla parade as well as with the University of South Florida band at a football game, not to mention all the high school games and various marching band competitions. He just finished his second term as Senior Patrol Leader for the Scout Troop and earned a silver palm to go with his Eagle rank. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow (Scouting’s honor society) and served as a counselor for a week-long Cub Scout summer day camp.

Ben turned 12 and has taken up tuba for his middle school band. He got to play with Sam at one of the high school football games. Also following in Sam’s footsteps, Ben was recently elected to serve as Senior Patrol Leader by the Troop. He now has Star rank and finished several more merit badges at summer camp this year. He got braces in August which he adjusted to quite well. In school he was honored with 3rd place in the Regional Science Fair and was selected for the 4-student math team which won 4th place in the county-wide competition. Ben’s schedule is exceptionally busy now with soccer practice 2 nights a week and games every weekend.

Judy has completed 30 years at the University of South Florida’s Psychology Department. She serves on the School Advisory Councils for the boys’ schools, our neighborhood association, and as Chair for our Scout Troop Committee. She traveled to professional conferences in Montreal and Washington, DC, this year as well as to Iowa to visit her father.

Dave visited New York for his 35th high school reunion where he spent time with some old friends and helped his mother select a new car. He also took his father up for a Bryant family reunion which, schedules permitting, we all hope to attend next time. Last Spring he was hired to go to the island nation of Anguilla to handle a major criminal investigation that had significant economic implications. He was successful not only in catching the criminal, but in discovering a thief in an unrelated matter. In another case, he was able to establish the innocence of a man jailed for drug smuggling who faced 15 years in prison. Based entirely on Dave’s opinion and reputation, the State Attorney dropped the charge and released the suspect. Dave also continues as Scoutmaster for the Troop, but is actively trying to identify a replacement. No news regarding Saphira (our uromastyx) or Rommel (our Rottweiler).

Busy as we are, we enjoy visits from and visiting friends and family. Although this may be the only communication we get to have with many of you, we still like to hear from folks to stay up to date. If there is an opportunity to get together, do let us know. Best wishes to all of you for a Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Our scouting family ­ can you believe these giant boys? 

Becker/ Bryant 2010

Mark Ferguson Holiday Update

Our family is spreading out further away from Coralville.  Valerie, our middle daughter, and her fiancé, Alex are moving to Bozeman, MT (18 hours away by car).  Alex just took the Director of Strength Conditioning at Montana State.  He has been there since the week before Thanksgiving.  We will head over to Des Moines to help pack the truck on the Wednesday after Christmas.  We are a little sad, since she was the CLOSEST of the kids, and now will be the furthest away.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Mark Ferguson

In Memory of Cora “Clem” Alderman

Katie (Collins) Bretz wrote:

Barb Alderman Acker’s mom, Clem Alderman, passed away on Wednesday. I wanted to pass along the news for anyone that would like to send Barb a message or stop by the Elks Lodge on Sunday afternoon from 3-5 for a reception in her honor.

Katie also passed along the link to Mrs. Alderman’s obituary in the Press Citizen.

Here is Barb’s mother’s obituary, offered as a tribute to a wonderful woman:

Cora Alderman

Cora “Clem” Alderman, 85, longtime resident of Iowa City died Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 13, 2011, at the Elks Lodge on Foster Road in Iowa City. At 5p.m., Pastor Kyle Otterbein of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church will conduct a brief memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Iowa City Hospice, Holden Cancer Center or the UI College of Nursing. Online condolences for the family may be sent through the web at www.gayandciha.com.

She was born June 24, 1926, in Ft. Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Stephen Leroy Clem and Dora Marie (Hall) Clem. She graduated from Ft. Madison High School and from the University of Iowa with a degree in nursing. Clem married Robert Newton Alderman on December 30, 1947, in Davenport, Iowa. The couple were lifelong residents of Iowa City. She was employed at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she worked for Dr. Randall in OB-GYN. Clem was a member of Mercy Hospital Guild, P.E.O. Chapter KQ, and participated in her favorite bridge club for many years. She and her husband Bob enjoyed traveling, especially spending time at Lily Lake and Sanibel Island in Florida. Clem always cherished her friends, and was a very gracious hostess.

Her family was very important to her; especially her granddaughter, Mary Nell!Her family includes her son, John T. Alderman and his wife Stephanie Hamilton, and their daughter, Mary Nell, all of Iowa City; her daughters, Barbara Acker and her husband Mark, of Hailey, ID; and Catherine Marie and her husband Ken Norris, of Raleigh, NC; and her two sisters, Maymie Chamlee and Betty Baker, both of Ft. Madison.

Clem was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant daughter, Virginia Nell Alderman; and infant granddaughter, Rachel Lou Alderman.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Clem’s family and her services.

In Memory of Chuck Kent

Meg Eginton said:

Hi Dave,

Julie Kent’s father passed away on Sunday evening. He was a wonderful father and friend.  I spent many, many afternoons and evenings at their house and out on their pontoon boat learning to ski and laugh. He also went sledding with us on Richards St.

I am sure that many of our classmates will remember Chuck, because he took so many of our high school graduation pictures.  I thought you might like to get this into our newsletter.  He was a wonderful man.

Chuck Kent

Charles F. “Chuck” Kent, 86, of Iowa City, died Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Chuck chose to be cremated and a private burial will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City.

The family will greet friends Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at The Kirkwood Room at Governors Ridge, 515 Kirkwood Avenue in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, the Friends of the Animal Center Foundation or The Mercy Hospital Foundation.

Charles Frederick Kent was born April 7, 1925 in Iowa City, the son of F.W. and Clara (Hartman) Kent.

A lifelong Iowa City resident, he graduated from University High School and attended the University of Iowa.

He married Alice Mae Donham on April 3, 1947 in Iowa City. Alice died in 1991. On January 2, 1993, Chuck married Helen Taylor Keppler in Iowa City. Chuck was a professional portrait photographer (Kent Studio) from 1947 until his retirement in 1975. He was instrumental in establishing one of the first color photo processing labs in Iowa.

Chuck served in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, Phi Kappa Psi and served as president of the Professional Photographers of Iowa.

He very much enjoyed traveling the country in his RV, boating, playing bridge, golfing and dancing — all of which were shared with family and friends.

Chuck is survived by his wife Helen; children, Jane Kent of Iowa City, Ann (Mike) Hitchcock of Iowa City,Julie (John) Larson of Ames: step children, Kathy (Greg) Wunsch of Naperville, IL. And Karen (John) Bower of Stillwater, MN; grandchildren Jenny (Luke) Sutter, Tyler (Alina) Beck, Shawna Hitchcock, Corey Hitchcock, Sara Larson, Bryan Larson and step grandchildren Libby (Greg) Phillips, Katie Wunsch, Christopher Bower and Adam Bower and great granddaughter Samantha Kriz; brother Tom Kent, brother-in-law Charles Buckley, sister-in-law, Blanche Hartsock and many nieces and nephews.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Alice, brother Jim (Cloy) Kent, sister Barbara Buckley and sister-in-law Ann Kent.

On-line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com.