In Memoriam

’40s

Dr. Robert M. Bashore ’48 died on Oct. 25. He was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran. He received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, was certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Bashore was chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lancaster General Hospital.

Margaretta E. Bailey Albert ’49, of Lebanon, died on Nov. 7. She taught high school English for over 40 years in the Cornwall Lebanon School District. Albert was a lifelong Tabor United Methodist Church member, who taught Sunday School and directed plays.

Robert “Bob” McCoy ’49 died on Aug. 23 in Collingswood, N.J. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in England, France, and Germany during WWII. McCoy started the music program in Calvert County, Md., then taught music in the Moorestown Public Schools (N.J.) for 30 years, retiring in 1986. He was the mission chairman at First United Methodist Church.

’50s

Jack Snavely ’50, professor emeritus of clarinet and saxophone, University of Wisconsin, (UW) Milwaukee, died on Sept. 17. He served in the U.S. Army band in Washington, D.C., during the Korean War. He earned his master’s in woodwinds at the University of Michigan before joining UW as an instructor and rising to professor. Jack conducted the Symphonic Band and Marching Band and was a founding member of the faculty Woodwind Arts Quintet.

Lorraine Spangler Wert ’50 died on Jan. 4, 2024, in Ephrata. She received a master’s in education from Millersville State College and a school administrator certificate from Lehigh University. Wert taught 6th grade for 28 years at the Highland, Akron, and Fulton elementary schools in the Ephrata School District, retiring in 1989. She was an active Hope United Methodist Church member and the Woman’s Club of Ephrata. Rev. Edgar D. Wert Sr. ’50, her late husband of 63 years, predeceased her.

Jack J. Bryson ’51 died on Aug. 12 in Lancaster. A U.S. Army Korean War veteran, he earned his MBA at Fairleigh Dickinson University (N.J.). He retired after 35 years with Allied Signal. Bryson’s wife, Ruth Shumate Bryson ’52, predeceased him.

Rev. Roland E. Garvin ’51, of Dover Township, died on Nov. 12. He earned additional degrees from Shenandoah College (Va.) and the United Theological Seminary (Ohio). Garvin was pastor of the Newburg Evangelical United Brethren Charge (Newberg, Hopewell, and Otterbein Churches) and served as district superintendent of the Williamsport District, Susquehanna Conference.

Jeanne Edwards Tesnar ’51, of Manheim Township, died on Dec. 16. She earned her Reading Specialist Certificate at Millersville State College and worked as a reading specialist in the Lampeter-Strasburg School District. She and her late husband, Edward Tesnar ’52, owned and operated Little People Daycare in Palmyra for 21 years.

Mary Rosella “Rosie” Hollinger Sorrentino ’54, of Annville, died on July 13. She was a longtime active St. Paul the Apostle Church member and loyal alumna who played basketball and field hockey at The Valley. Rosie was predeceased by her husband, Lou Sorrentino ’54, a 50+ year LVC student-athlete, coach, and athletic director. Three children—Linda, Louis, and Jay—survive her, and five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

George Morgan Seyfert ’55, of Morehead City, N.C., died on Sept. 3. He earned his master’s from Columbia University (N.Y.) and studied at New York University, Peabody University, Dowling College, and CW Post College. Seyfert began as a teacher at Bellport High School, later becoming an associate professor in the CW Post Graduate Education Department at Dowling and Suffolk Community College.

Harold E. Bird ’56 died on Nov. 6. He retired from Aetna as a Florida West Coast underwriting department manager in Tampa. His wife Barbara E. Schwaghart Bird ’57 survives him.

James M. McCardle ’57, P’83, of Cheshire, Conn., died on May 27. His son Christopher McCardle ’83 survives him.

Rev. Charles Weicht Lightner ’58 died on Aug. 28. He served the United Methodist Church in Upper Strasburg while studying History at LVC. He soon earned a master’s from the United Methodist Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, becoming an Eckels Society member. Lightner served the Benevola and Mt. Lena United Methodist churches near Hagerstown, Md., then was assigned to a mission church, Good Shepherd in St. Charles. He spent the last 20 years of his ministry with the Bel Air United Methodist Church, retiring in 1999. His wife, Harriet Mickey Lightner ’58, survives him.

’60s

Edward J. Alexander ’60, of Lebanon, died on May 31. He taught in a oneroom schoolhouse before teaching in the ELCO School District for 35 years. Ed earned a master’s in history while teaching, completed an accounting degree, and started an accounting business he ran for four decades. His business grew, and he retired from teaching. His wife of 61 years, Jane Levine Alexander ’61, predeceased him.

Dr. Hunter March ’60, of Austin, Texas, died on Oct. 17. He taught middle school music education in New Jersey before earning his master’s and doctorate at the University of Michigan. March then taught at the University of Texas at Austin for 41 years.

Kenneth L. Peiffer ’61, of Palmyra, died on Dec. 30. He retired as an English and drama teacher from Central Dauphin High School in 2000 and was formerly a facilities manager at Hersheypark Arena and Stadium.

Warren Hunter Hoffman ’62, P’98, of Harrisburg, died on July 30. A Korean War veteran who spent 13 years in the Air National Guard, Hoffman was a volunteer firefighter for 20 years and wrote a history of the Progress Fire Company. He taught in Cambridge, Md., Lower Dauphin, and Susquehanna Township while being a tree surgeon for 40 summers. His wife, Cheryl Howell Hoffman ’02, P’98, and daughter, Amanda Hoffman ’98, survive him.

Gail “Gay” M. Riddle ’63, of Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada, died on Jan. 16. She and her husband of 61 years, Dr. Peter Riddle ’61, were dedicated foster parents. Riddle was an editor of and contributor to her husband’s writings, a volunteer at Valley Regional Hospital, and a volunteer with Kosovo refugees in Aldershot.

Terry R. Lenker ’64, P’86, of South Hanover Township, died on Oct. 23. He retired from Rankin Sales Company Inc. in 2006. His son, Steven Lenker ’86, survives him.

William C. Gingrich ’65, of Philadelphia, died on Sept. 2. He joined the Peace Corps after graduation and taught math for three years in Tanzania. Gingrich taught for 33 years at Ben Franklin, Central, and Kensington high schools. His mother, Phyllis Thumma Gingrich ’46, P’65, P’73, predeceased him. His sister, Jean Gingrich Weidler ’73, survives him.

Robert Paul Shoap ’65 died on Aug. 9. He attended Lehigh University and worked at Bell Aerospace Textron.

Jo Ann Marie Plymire Kreeger ’66, of Seven Valleys, died on Nov. 6. She taught Spanish at Dallastown High School, English as a Second Language at Lincoln Intermediate, and Spanish in the Southern York School District, retiring in 2002.

Karen Wagley ’66, of Prescott, Ariz., died on June 23. She earned numerous awards during her career with the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wagley and her husband were expert ballroom dancers who won U.S. and international competitions.

Terry Roy Weight ’67, of Newtown, died on June 15.

Charles J. DeHart III, Esq., ’68, of Hershey, died on Jan. 14, 2024. He joined the Caldwell & Kearns PC law firm in 1972 and was the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee in Bankruptcy for the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania until 2021. DeHart received his law degree from the Dickinson School of Law and a master’s in taxation from Temple University. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church (Hummelstown) and St. Paul Lutheran Church (Hershey) and received the Joseph A. Adlestein Professional Leadership Award in 2015.

William K. Watson ’68, of Annville, died on Sept. 1. He served in the U.S. Air Force before LVC, then earned a master’s in Japanese history at the University of Oregon. He was a historian at the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Philip Edward Kehr ’69 died on June 10. He worked in advertising for 25 years, winning a silver ADDY Award for Best Radio Campaign. Philip was a paralegal in his wife’s law firm for a decade and owned the Peace of Cake.

’70s

Virginia “Ginnie” Ellen Garatina ’72 died on Dec. 2. She earned a master’s in educational psychology from Montclair University, becoming an instrumental and vocal music teacher in Morris School District (N.J.) elementary schools for 33 years. Ginnie received the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award.

Mary Wiegel Whalen ’73 died on June 19. She was an accomplished organist, pianist, and vocalist, often sharing her talents at church and school.

Robert Dusel ’74 died on June 27. He played lacrosse and was a member of Kappa Lambda Sigma at LVC. Bob began his career in psychology at Shepherd Pratt Hospital before transitioning to data management, working at USF&G, Alex, Brown & Sons, and Leidos.

Dr. Francis T. Lichtner Jr. ’75, of Albuquerque, NM, died on Oct. 17. He earned his Ph.D. in plant physiology from Cornell University in 1980, then joined DuPont with technical roles in crop protection, product discovery and development, becoming a global technical product manager. Lichtner spent his later career as an independent consultant with several companies. He enjoyed hiking and live music.

’80s

Dr. Brian Henry Weaver ’80, of York, died on June 28. He graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and established a 35-year optometric practice in Shrewsbury.

Di-Ann Whitman Dilger ’89, of Lebanon, died on July 21. She spent the last 15 years of her career at Hollywood Casino in Grantville. Her sisters Jamie Whitman Fox ’73 and JoAnn Whitman Candelori ’63 survive her.

’90s

Jane H. Mark ’90, of Leola, died on Nov. 18. She was a Burning Hearts Community Church member.

Dolores A. Salem ’94 died on Dec. 2 in Lebanon. She began her academic career at St. Joseph’s Nursing School before earning her bachelor’s in Nursing from LVC. Salem retired as an RN supervisor at Good Samaritan Hospital and Spang Crest. She was a St. Cecilia’s Church member.

Joan Marsan Johnsen ’95 died on Nov. 12 in Sewickley. She was a zoning manager in Franklin, borough manager for Sugarcreek Borough, president of the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, and vice president of the York County SPCA.

Christopher K. Plummer ’97, of Ligonier, died on Jan. 9. He spent his career as an executive with Vail Resorts, which owns Seven Springs Mountain Resort and other Western Pennsylvania winter sports venues, and previously served as the general manager of Nemacolin Resort. He also worked at Caesars Casino in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Plummer played in a Pony League World Series as a youth. His wife, Eileen Rossman Plummer ’97, and cousins, Mark Orndorf, Esq., ’07 and Patrick Orndorf ’10, survive him.

’00s

Todd M. Fischer M’04, of Lancaster, died on Nov. 20. He spent most of his career in banking, most recently as vice president senior credit review officer at M&T Bank.

Alexander T. Poorman, Esq., ’07, of Lancaster, died on Aug. 22. He earned his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law and worked at Cipriani & Werner. His brother, Roger P. Poorman, Esq., ’04 survives him.

FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE

Michael E. Videtto Sr. P’04 died on Dec. 15. He had an inborn skill for technology that he used while working at the Magee Rehab Hospital in occupational therapy in Philadelphia. He also repaired laser printers for the Lowry Corporation from Michigan. He was a passionate Beatles fan who was particularly proud that his son hosted a Breakfast with the Beatles radio show at The Valley. Michael and his wife Pauline established The Michael E. Videtto Jr. ’04 Memorial Scholarship Fund at LVC in honor of their son, who died 20 years ago.

Gloria A. Wentling, of Annville, died on Dec. 29. She was the event coordinator for Kreiderheim on campus. She taught elementary school in the Annville-Cleona School District for 32 years.

Dr. Paul L. Wolf P’90

Dr. Paul L. Wolf P’90, Professor Emeritus of Biology, of Hershey, died on Dec. 24. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, rising to Sergeant in combat as an 81mm mortarman during the Korean War. Wolf received the United Nations Korean Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the National Defense Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit and Navy Presidential Unit citations.

Wolf then earned his bachelor’s from Elizabethtown College and master’s and doctorate from the University of Delaware. He was a beloved Professor of Biology at Lebanon Valley College for 42 years, including 30 as chair. During many summers, he taught Biology, Ecology, and Anatomy while researching with his students in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Md., and Sapelo Island, Ga.

“As a colleague and friend for over 55 years, I saw Paul as someone with an exterior as rigid as the exoskeleton of the fiddler crabs he studied,” said Dr. Allan Wolfe, Professor Emeritus of Biology. “But beneath that tough shell was a loving, caring heart. He wanted his students to succeed and achieve far above what they thought they could. That’s what made him a great professor and mentor.”

Several of his former students established The Paul L. Wolf Biology Research Fund in his honor to support student-faculty research.

Wolf, a longtime Spring Creek Church of the Brethren member, is survived by his wife, Martha Reese Wolf; daughter, Anne M.W. (Edward) Wirth ’90; son, Matthew R. Wolf; four grandchildren; and several generations of LVC students.