To share a memory or let us know about a recently deceased Roosevelt University graduate, please email us at advancementservices@roosevelt.edu.

Chrisoula Efendaki (BA English, ’60) died December 10, 2020.

Karl Theodore Plinke Jr. (MA Education, ’61) died December 21, 2020.

Robert Spiewak (BS Chemistry ’61, MBA ’69) died December 24, 2020.

Paul Chilson (MM Music, ’62) died September 8, 2020.

Phyllis Afendulis (MA Education, ’63) died October 15, 2020.

Dan Lee (BSBA Marketing, ’64) died December 25, 2020.

Seymour Gerber (BS Psychology, ’64) died November 14, 2020.

Gerald Keller (BS Chemistry, ’64) died December 28, 2020.

Charles Bassford (MA Education, ’65) died January 9, 2020.

Dorothy Esters (MA Education, ’65) died September 22, 2020.

Roy Grundy (MBA ’65) died November 20, 2020.

Karl Brekke (BA History, ’66) died October 31, 2020.

James Byrd (BS Chemistry, ’66) died October 28, 2020.

Mildred (Kawanaga) Yamada (BA Art Education, ’66) died December 30, 2020.

Barbara Jean Cope (MA Psychology, ’67) died February 2, 2021.

Lawrence Field (BS Chemistry, ’67) died December 1, 2020.

Emery Babcock (MA Education, ’70) died January 19, 2021.

George Cekis (BS Chemistry, ’70) died September 13, 2020.

George Neumann Jr. (BS Chemistry, ’70) died January 29, 2021.

William James Bradow (BSBA Management, ’71) died August 17, 2020.

William Kenneth Smith (BA History, ’71) died September 9, 2020.

Joaquin Co (MS Accounting, ’72)

George Snurpus (MM Music, ’74) died October 9, 2020.

Jane Ruth Shadlen (BGS Sociology, ’75) died December 6, 2020.

Glenn Robert Johnson (MBA ’76) died September 4, 2020.

Herman Raford (BGS Business Institutions ’76, MS Accounting ’79)

Fred Fredriksen (BSBA Marketing, ’77)

The Honorable James William Palmer Jr. (MBA ’78)

Louis Poloni (MA Psychology, ’80) died January 28, 2021.

Jerry Bratcher (MPA ’81) died August 20, 2020.

Diane Joan Sykstus (BGS Computer Science ’81, Master of Information Systems ’90) died November 12, 2020.

Michael Kelly (MBA ’82) died September 27, 2020.

Dolores Wainauskis (BGS Public Administration, ’83)

Mary Ellen Telford (Non-Degree Program ’83, BGS Computer Science ’84) died October 4, 2020.

Dorothy Collins (MBA Finance Administration, ’85) died October 5, 2020.

Dorothy Kirksey (BSBA Management, ’86) died December 28, 2020.

Milly Lentz Van Valzah (MA Educational Administration, ’86) died August 17, 2020.

Dori Wilson (Honorary Degree, ’87) died February 1, 2021.

Jeanette Leigh Bryant (BSBA Personnel Administration, ’93) died November 21, 2020.

Linda Bennett (BA Sociology, ’95) died October 19, 2020.

Theresa Perrino (BGS Administrative Studies, ’95) died October 7, 2020.

Russell Charles Osantowski (MA Educational Administration, ’97)

Stephanie McLoughlin (BPS Computer Science, ’00) died October 4, 2020.

Timothy McNeil (BA Psychology, ’08) died November 1, 2020.

Jonathan Tupper (BA Psychology, ’19) died Jan 15, 2020. Jonathan was a graduate student in social work at Northeastern Illinois University where he was admired for his passion, kindness and intelligence. He also worked as a peer counselor at Trilogy Mental Health Clinic in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.

While at Roosevelt, Jonathan enjoyed participating in the Second Annual Autism Awareness talent show. He enjoyed entertaining his friends playing and singing songs by Ben Folds, Leonard Cohen and others on the guitar and piano. He also volunteered for several years at ONE Northside, a community organization in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.

Ella Major studied music and history at Roosevelt University in Chicago. She loved classical music of all sorts, and was particularly fond of Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Beethoven and Debussy. he had more friends than you could count.  She could often be found in the backyard with friends around a bonfire talking until 2 a.m., or engaging in Sunday afternoon rounds of D & D.

Sociology major Charles E. Jones III was a loving husband, father of five and community leader. Jones worked for First Defense Legal Aid, where he ran “Know Your Rights” workshops and provided free legal help to people that were arrested. He also worked in the violence prevention field through CeaseFire, currently called Cure Violence.

Dr. Carol Brown

Carol Brown, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management, passed away on December 17, 2020.

Carol was a beloved part of the Roosevelt community for 15 years as a faculty member in both the former College of Professional Studies and the Heller College of Business, helping to build and lead the Hospitality Management program to new heights. She was a strong, warm and compassionate soul whose smile and personality brought joy to all those who knew her.

Carol was an outstanding teacher and mentor to her students, whose lives she impacted deeply. She was also a prominent figure in the Chicago hospitality community, sitting on the boards of various industry associations to give back to the industry she was so passionate about.

The Honorable Blanche M. Manning

Roosevelt University alumna and former trustee Blanche Manning was the first African American woman elected to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court. She passed away September 20, 2020.

Manning graduated from Roosevelt with her master’s degree in urban studies in 1972. From 1979 until 1986, Manning served as an associate judge; in 1986, she became a circuit court judge in the Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County. On May 5, 1994, she was nominated by President Clinton to serve as a district court judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She assumed senior status in 2010 and retired in 2012.

Manning guided the University as a Roosevelt trustee from 2002 to 2018. As a talented jazz musician, Manning also played the bass saxophone and clarinet in several bands, including her own, Diversity.

James Mitchell III

Long-serving Roosevelt trustee James Mitchell passed away on December 25, 2020. He joined the Board of Trustees in 1993, leading the board as chair from 1997 to 2006.

Jim started his career at Northern Trust Bank as an assistant auditor and retired as worldwide president. His generosity was widespread and exceeded financial support. Whether it was sharing a network connection, making a phone call or sending a letter, he found joy as a patron in all avenues of life.

Robert L. Wieseneck

Bob Wieseneck (BA Accounting, ’58) passed away December 5, 2020.He had served on the Roosevelt University Board of Trustees since 1998 and the Auditorium Theatre Board of Trustees since 2008.

Bob’s combination of creativity, math and communication skills led to a successful and fulfilling 35-year career at Sears and Sears Payment Systems. In 1987, he became CEO of Sears Payment Systems. He took the company public (Paynet) in 1992.

Bob believed strongly in supporting education and equity initiatives. He made generous contributions to the Professional Mentoring Program (formerly the career readiness program) and was a lead contributor to the Wabash Redevelopment Fund.