In Memoriam

’40s

Phyllis Snyder Boyer ’46, P’75 died on March 10 in Elysburg. She taught English, Latin, and French for 31 years. After retiring, she substitute taught for 10 years. Boyer was predeceased by her son, Robert “Bob” Boyer ’75, who was married to Sue Schucker Boyer ’76.

Janet Dietz Spann ’46 died on March 22, 2022. A Trinity United Methodist Church member, she served as the Sunday School pianist, a children’s Sunday School teacher, and children’s choir director. Spann taught private piano lessons for over 70 years.

Peter Gamber Jr. ’48, of Lebanon, died on Jan. 27. He played football, basketball, and tennis at LVC. Gamber taught science and math for 37 years at Lebanon and Annville-Cleona high schools and the Hershey Township School District. He was also the first football coach at Annville-Cleona High School.

Anne Gilbert Means ’49, of Lebanon, died on April 20. She loved volunteering, especially at Good Samaritan Hospital. Means was a Lebanon Country Club member who played golf and tennis. She also enjoyed spending time with her family at their Seaside Park, N.J., summer home.

’50s

Dorothy Witmer Hoak ’52 died on March 5 in Hills, Iowa. As a three-step, half-court women’s basketball player in high school and college, she was affectionately called “Hoops” by her friends. Hoak was The Valley’s May Queen, graduating with a Music degree. She worked in the Philadelphia school system to support her husband, Dr. John “Jack” Hoak ’51, through medical school. They were lifelong members of the College’s Vickroy Society. She was active in the local historical organizations.

Nancy Zimmerman ’53 died at home in Hershey on May 1. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard “Dick” Zimmerman H’92, former chairman and CEO of The Hershey Company.

Zimmerman graduated with a Music Education degree from The Valley and had a lifetime passion for music and art but was proudest of her affiliation with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra (HSO). She served as HSO president, vice president of artistic policy, chair of Pops Concerts, and vice president of marketing.

She further displayed her talent and love of music through her association with LVC and the First United Methodist Church of Hershey. Zimmerman served on the College’s Board of Trustees and was honored with the Founders Day Award in 1991. She and Dick’s generosity established the Zimmerman Recital Hall on campus. At First United, she served faithfully for many years as junior choir director, kindergarten superintendent, and on the Staff Parish Relations Committee.

Zimmerman and her husband also supported The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of Penn State University, where she served as a member of the Institutional Review Board for 16 years and as past chair of the university’s gift shop.

She and Dick were members of LVC’s Lifetime Vickroy Society ($100,000+ lifetime giving) and Miles Rigor Society (those who consider LVC in their estate planning).

Zimmerman is survived by daughters Linda Billmyer and Jan (Tom) Tulli; grandchildren Hillary (Fred) Marotta, Adrienne (Danny) Drago, Allyson Billmyer, Nicholas Tulli, and Matthew Tulli; and three great-grandchildren.

Dr. Robert “Bob” Boyd ’54, of Hockessin, Del., died on April 3. He was a research chemist at DuPont for 34 years. After retiring, he taught as an adjunct professor at DelTech and the University of Delaware’s Academy of Lifelong Learning, where he developed and taught a course on using the Internet. His wife, Dorothy Grabau Boyd ’56, survives Boyd.

Lynette Waller ’55, of Hershey, died on June 13. She was a music teacher at Milton Hershey School for 42 years and a member of and organist for Hershey Chapter #509 of the Order of the Eastern Star for 32 years. Her sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne Waller ’45 and Richard Hoerner ’44, predeceased Waller. Lynette and Jeanne’s music legacy continues through their LVC scholarship fund for students majoring in music, The Jeanne Waller Hoerner ’45 and Lynette E. Waller ’55 Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Sylvia Rosenberry Gittleman ’56, of Pottsville, died on April 7. She was a special education and piano teacher who co-founded Hawk Mountain Labs, an independent testing laboratory, with her late husband, David Gittleman ’56, in 1985. Gittleman, a devoted mother and grandmother, was a fan of the arts.

Willard Light ’57 died on April 19 in Lititz. He was a history teacher in the Red Lion School District. He was a Frieden’s Lutheran Church member in Myerstown and loved his pets, traveling, and the arts.

J. Carl Radcliffe ’57 died on March 11 in Parkersburg, W.Va. He and his late wife enjoyed traveling to Trinidad, Belize, and Bonaire to birdwatch and SCUBA dive. A nature enthusiast and outdoorsman, Radcliffe volunteered for 20 years at a wildlife refuge.

Peter P. McEvoy Jr., ’58, of Deptford, N.J., died on Feb. 18. He attended LVC on scholarship to play basketball and baseball. He and his father founded the Tall Pines Inn Golf Course in Gloucester County, N.J. In 1963, the course became the world’s first lighted regulation golf course.

Dr. Ned Duane Heindel ’59, H’85 died at home in Easton on June 27. He was the Howard S. Bunn Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and Distinguished Senior Research Scientist at Lehigh University and the beloved husband of Dr. Linda Heefner Heindel, to whom he was married for 63 years.

Heindel graduated from LVC with a Chemistry degree before earning his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Delaware and serving a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University. He held successive teaching appointments at the University of Delaware, Ohio University, Marshall University, and Lehigh University. From 1966 till 2018, he rose through the Lehigh ranks, completing 52 years of teaching/research service until retiring in 2018.

He held numerous distinguished roles during his academic career, including visiting professor of radiation oncology at Drexel University School of Medicine (formerly Hahnemann Medical School) in Philadelphia and visiting lecturer in nuclear medicine imaging at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. Heindel published more than 300 journal articles on organic and medicinal chemistry, obtained 20 patents, and graduated 40 doctoral students and 168 M.S. students.

Heindel served on the boards of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Council for Chemical Research, Science History Institute, and the Chemical Sciences Roundtable of the National Academy of Sciences, among others. He was president of the American Chemical Society in 1994. His honors included honorary doctorates from LVC and Albright College.

In 2020, Heindel and Linda donated the Hexenkopf Ridge, Hexenkopf Rock, and the surrounding 77 acres to Northampton County for a nature preserve. He and Linda were loyal supporters of their mutual undergraduate alma mater, including establishing the Ned D. Heindel ’59 and Linda H. Heindel ’59 Endowment for Ongoing Science Center Maintenance, creating student-faculty research opportunities through contributions to the Neidig Endowed Chemistry Research Fund, and including LVC in their estate planning.

Heindel (1971) and Linda (1991) received LVC Alumni Citations, and he received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1991.

In addition to Linda, Heindel is survived by numerous family members, including fellow LVC alumni Joan Colliflower ’58, Lorrie Dellinger ’77, Todd Dellinger ’85, M’95, and Wes Dellinger ’75, P’05.

’60s

Patricia Leader Farnell ’60 died on Feb. 7 in Morehead, Ky. She was a research chemist at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, where she developed rescue flares. She retired to Morehead, Ky., where she was active in Habitat for Humanity, the Morehead Women’s Club, and her church.

Charles F. Gerberich Sr. ’60, of Myerstown, died on April 6. After serving in the Korean War, he taught at the Lebanon County Vo-Tech for 21 years. He was also a teacher and plumber in the Lebanon School District. Gerberich was a member of Tall Cedars and Mount Lebanon Lodge. His granddaughter, Meghan Gerberich ’14, survives him.

Dr. Sydney “Sid” Magriney, D.D.S., ’60, of Hershey, died on Feb. 9, 2022. He graduated from Temple University’s School of Dentistry and opened a general dentistry practice in Hershey until retiring in 1999. Magriney had various hobbies, including photography, traveling, sailing, and spending time with family.

Carl “Tom” Mau ’60, of Audubon, died on April 18. After 20 years in insurance, he returned to his family roots by opening a commercial printing company. Mau revived the Delaware County Today Almanac, which his father originally published.

Dr. Douglas Alan Ross ’60 died on Feb. 5 in Sarasota, Fla. He earned his Ph.D. in psychology and embarked on a teaching career at Indiana University of PA. He retired to Sarasota, Fla., becoming active with the Institute for the Ages. His former wife, Dr. Nancy M. Fenstermacher ’61 survives him.

Ruth Maison Fullmer ’61, of the San Francisco Bay area, died on April 22. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from LVC, later receiving her MBA and a nurse practitioner’s degree. Fullmer served her community as a nurse, most recently as a nurse case manager for a hospice and homecare facility. She valued her close friendships with the women in her Bible study group and Thursday evening dinners with her family. Fullmer’s son, Paul “Chaps” Fullmer, served as LVC’s chaplain and director of service and volunteerism from 2005–17.

Carlin Richard “Dick” Rhine ’62, of Elizabethtown, died on April 21. He worked at Red Lion Senior High School, starting as a social studies teacher, and retiring as principal. Rhine played basketball and baseball at LVC, then coached and officiated high school basketball.

Guy Eugene “Gene” Stambach ’62, of York, died on April 3. He was a threesport athlete at The Valley. Devoted to helping young people, he retired as the guidance counselor of Red Lion Area Junior High School after 28 years. His wife, Marena Colgan Stambach ’64, survives him.

Russell Urey ’62 died on Jan. 13 in York. He played basketball at LVC. He taught chemistry, coached football and track, and was an assistant principal at Red Lion Area High School for 24 years.

William W. Focht ’63, of New Britain, died on Jan. 17. He taught in the Wissahickon School District, retiring after 31 years. Focht enjoyed investigating genealogy and history. He was a member of numerous local and national historical societies. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife. Focht and his father, Dr. William W. Focht ’33, were proud alumni, partnering with LVC to establish The Dr. William W. Focht ’33 and Ethel Leedom Focht Scholarship for students in a biology or pre-med field of study.

Ralph Lehman III ’63, of Elizabethtown, died on June 3. He was a professional bassoonist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, and high school instrumental music teacher and band director. Lehman was a member of the Allegro Chamber Orchestra and Franklin & Marshall College Woodwind Ensemble.

Gale M. Thompson ’67 of Pennsauken, N.J., died on March 18, 2021. Her brother, Jack Thompson, also attended LVC before being drafted to fight in Vietnam.

Pietro Giraff ’68, of Hanover, died on Jan. 25. He played football and baseball at LVC. Giraff retired after 35 years as a controller at Hanover Foods. He enjoyed bowling, football, and spending time at his beach house in Cape May, N.J. He was an active parishioner at his church in McSherrystown.

Rev. Dennis Ray Snovel ’69, P’06, died on April 25 in Mt. Joy. A member of the LVC basketball team, Rev. Snovel enrolled at LVC as a transfer student to major in Religion. After earning his master of divinity degree, he returned to the area and served 41.5 years in the ministry. He was president of the Lebanon Kiwanis Club, joined the Lions Club, and played in several YMCA church basketball leagues. His son, Todd Snovel ’06, an active member of the LVC community as a volunteer, adjunct instructor, and former employee, survives him.

’70s

David Leonard Stull ’72, of Middleburg, died on May 18. He taught general science, chemistry, and advanced biochemistry at West Snyder High School for 34 years. Stull coached the school’s golf team, earning the Tri-Valley Championship in 1977. He was an active church member and with the Jaycees and Kiwanis. David enjoyed spending time with his wife and family.

Phillip Vincent Bruenn II ’73 died on March 21 in Dunnellon, Fla. He spoke fondly of LVC and being a Philo brother. Bruenn was an Eagle Scout and a scoutmaster in Tarrytown, N.Y. He retired to Florida to retore and sell classic muscle cars.

Roberta Greening ’73 died on Jan. 1. She owned Summit Communications, a public relation and writing company. Greening earned an English degree from LVC and was a member of the Bergen County Poets Society in New Jersey.

Brian Allebach ’78, P’17, of East Greenville, died on May 1. He was the human resources director for the Upper Perkiomen School District until retiring. Allebach was an active musician, participating in the Lebanon Valley College Alumni Chorale and serving as choir director for numerous churches. His daughter, Elizabeth Allebach ’17, and son-in-law, John McHale ’17, survive him.

Michael “Mike” Setley, Esq., ’79, P’08 died on June 18 in Wyomissing. He graduated with a Music degree, intending to become a music teacher before discovering an interest in law after working as a probation officer. His legal career focused on bond and municipal law, where he provided expertise as a solicitor for various townships and municipal authorities. Setley treasured time with his family and called any time to tell a family member or friend that he loved them. His brother, Dr. David Setley, retired from LVC in 2020 as professor emeritus of business administration. Mike’s son, the Rev. Anthony Setley ’08 survives him.

’80s

Margaret “Peggy” Flood Mattox ’80, of Linwood, died on Jan. 11. She worked for Cigna Insurance, followed by the Hay Group. Mattox played clarinet for a high school alumni band and was an active member of Linwood Heights United Methodist Church and the Robert Morris Quaker City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served on the LVC Alumni Council and as an alumni ambassador.

Jeannette Ruth Browning Schroeder, R.N., ’80 died on June 12. After years working as an R.N., Schroeder attended LVC to earn her bachelor of science in nursing and worked as an administrator at Epworth Manor in Tyrone. She retired in 2000, moving to Decatur, Ga.

Barbara Wolfe Long ’85, of Lebanon, died on June 11. She worked at Sterling Drug, now Bayer Pharmaceutical, until retiring. Long was a Penn State Master Gardner. She also volunteered at the Lebanon County SPCA and WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital.

Dr. Arthur L. Peterson P’87, H’88, LVC’s 14th president (1984–87), died on March 23 in Sun City, Calif. He had distinguished academic, political, and military careers beginning by enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and receiving a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1947. Peterson earned his bachelor’s from Yale University, master’s from the University of Southern California, and doctorate from the University of Minnesota, and did postgraduate work at the University of Chicago.

Peterson embarked on a career as a professor, dean, and president for numerous institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Ohio Wesleyan, and the American Graduate School of International Management, and Eckerd College.

During his short tenure as president of LVC, Peterson’s “enthusiasm and friendliness endeared him to students,” according to the Rev. Dr. J. Dennis Williams H’90, College historian.

His second wife, Mary, and daughter, Ingrid B. Peterson ’87, among others, survive him.

’20s

Ben Siegfried ’22, M’23 died March 9 in Arlington, Texas. A Dutchmen football tackle, Ben was finishing his master’s degree in Athletic Training at a clinical training placement with the XFL Athletic Training Department. LVC awarded Ben his master’s degree In Memoriam during Commencement in May.

FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE

Robert “Bob” Blakeney Jr., of Santa Barbara, Calif., died on Oct. 20, 2022. He was a member of the 1952–53 basketball team that made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. Blakeney received his undergraduate degree from Fort Valley State University. He was the vice principal at Santa Barbara High School for 25 years.

Robert Harnish, manager emeritus of the College Store, died on Jan. 17 in Mt. Joy. He joined LVC after graduating from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was the heart and soul of the store for the next 40 years.

Harnish is fondly remembered by the countless alumni he advised, mentored, and befriended. He advised the College’s College Republicans and Alpha Phi Omega chapters and served as the College Choir’s business manager.

A dedicated Flying Dutchman Athletics fan, Harnish attended every men’s basketball game—home and away—during the team’s 1993–94 NCAA Championship year. In 1992, he was recognized with LVC’s Hot Dog Frank Athletic Service Award.

Judith Alice Morrett Hess P’69, the widow of the late Dr. Paul Hess, LVC professor emeritus of biology, died on April 26 in Harrisburg. The couple were married for 62 years. She enrolled in the Thomas Jefferson University School of Nursing through the Cadet Nursing Corps Program, graduating in 1947. She added a bachelor’s in nursing from Millersville University and was a certified School Nurse.

Hess was a delivery room nurse at the original Hershey Hospital, head nurse for the Student Health Center of the University of Delaware, and a school nurse in the Annville-Cleona School District. She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Hershey, where she and her husband sang in the church choir. She and their daughter, Dr. Paula K. Hess ’69, established the Dr. Paul W. Hess Memorial Scholarship in his honor.

Evelyn M. Gehman Kegerise, of Denver, died on May 20. She studied Music at LVC in the early 1950s. Kegerise was the choir director for multiple churches. She was a tour guide at the Ephrata Cloister and a member, and later director, of its chorus. She was a florist until retiring.

Bruce W. Kreider

Bruce W. Kreider, of Lebanon, passed away on Feb. 1. He attended LVC before graduating from Penn State University. The wife of Katherine J. Bishop, a member of the College’s Board of Trustees, Bruce had several artistic connections to Lebanon Valley.

He and his twin brother, Brian, formed PA Historic Dramas, which began with a dramatic play based on the local legend of the Blue Eyed Six that debuted at the old State Theatre in Lebanon. The brothers turned the play into a documentary film that garnered awards from the Culver City Film Festival in Los Angeles, Calif., and Black Bear Film Festival in the Poconos. Later, they wrote and directed “What Would Mr. Hershey Say,” a documentary that evolved into the stage musical “Here Comes Mr. Hershey.” Kreider appeared as Milton Hershey’s right-hand man, Lebbie Lebkicker, when the musical ran at the Hershey Area Playhouse and Gretna Timbers.

Kreider was a construction supervisor at the Housing Development Corporation of Lancaster before retiring and operating an independent construction company in Lebanon. He was widely traveled, having crossed the U.S. several times as a young man. In later life, he and Katherine journeyed far and wide to destinations as varied as Africa, India, and Vietnam.

In addition to his wife, Katherine, Kreider is survived by his sons Jesse Clayton Kreider and Nicholas Bruce Kreider, both of Los Angeles, Calif.; his brother Brian and his wife, Annie, of Hershey; his brother David and his wife, JoAnne, of Westminster, Md., and his brother James and his wife, Molly, of Camp Hill.

Bruce’s sense of humor, his wide-open heart and his generous spirit will be sorely missed by his family and friends and by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Kenneth F. Leedy P’92 died on March 30 in Lebanon. He was married to Linda F. Leahy Leedy for 56 years and had numerous family connections to The Valley. After graduating from Lebanon Catholic High School, Leedy worked at New Penn Motor Express for 43 years.

He began as a rate clerk at New Penn in 1960 and worked his way to president of New Penn Motor Express, retiring in 2003. There, he held almost every position.

Leedy served on the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee and was a trustee for the Teamsters Pension Fund of Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Lebanon Country Club, where he served two terms as board president.

As well as making anonymous donations to families in need and being generous with his family, Leedy made major donations to Lebanon Catholic School and Lebanon Valley College. The Leedy Theatre at Lebanon Valley College is named in his honor.

Leedy was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Elks Club Lodge. He truly had a gift for connecting with people and he placed a very high value on the relationships that he made.

In addition to Linda, Leedy is survived by sons Gregory Leedy ’92, P’20, P’23 and David Leedy P’23; daughters-in-law Kathleen Ryan Leedy ’90, P’20, P’23 and Rebecca Leedy; and granddaughters Claire M. Leedy ’20 and Elizabeth Rose Leedy ’23, M’24.

Mary Jane Sample, the loving wife of LVC’s 13th president, Frederick P. “Fred” Sample ’52, H’06 (1968–1983) for 71 years, died on March 11 in Elizabethtown. A homemaker, she was known to be a “domestic dynamo,” always keeping the house nothing less than immaculate. She graduated from East Donegal High School in 1947.

Sample was a devoted Christian who faithfully attended church at Sell Chapel, Masonic Village, in Elizabethtown. In the 1970s, she served as president of the Lebanon Valley College Ladies Auxiliary.

She enjoyed reading, painting, decorating, watching the Philadelphia Eagles, and bird feeding and watching. She had a love of plants, gardening, and flowers.

Sample and Fred remained dedicated to LVC long after his presidency. They are members of LVC’s Lifetime Vickroy Society ($100,000+ lifetime giving) and Miles Rigor Society (those who consider LVC in their estate planning).

In addition to Fred, Sample is survived by sons Jeffrey L. Sample and Roger L. Sample, daughter-in-law Cindy Sample, five grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

The Reverend Father Alexander Veronis H’94, of Lancaster, died on June 26. He was the pastor of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster for 62 years. Fr. Veronis was devoted to his family and parishioners but adored his wife of 62 years, Pearl. He strongly advocated for the oppressed and encouraged others to use their money, time, and talent to promote their faith and help those in need.