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• Andrianna (Sawyer) Massena, ’23, and Bryan Massena, ’25, in Antioch, Calif., on May 29, 2022
• Bianca (Tolan) Hagele, ’15, and Matthew Hagele, att. ’09, in February 2021
• Karsen Torres and Trae Torres sons of Krista (Ballew) Torres, ’13, and Anthony Torres, were born on March 3, 2020 and August 8, 2022, respectively
• Zoe Laru Belnap, daughter of Nicole (Pidoux) Belnap, ’10, and Zach Belnap, ’10, was born in Durango, Colo., on March 25, 2022
• Gabriel David Navarro, son of Ashlee Jones-Navarro, ’12 and Gabriel Navarro, ’12, was born in Angwin, Calif., on August 15, 2022

We are proud of the achievements of our alumni family and we encourage you to share yours! Simply submit an update to have yours added to the list.

1970

Brenda, ’74, and Stan, ’74, Muth, lost their Paradise, California, home to the fast-moving flames of the “Camp Fire” in northern California in 2018. Theirs was one of more than 6,700 homes and structures burned by the gigantic conflagration! The planning and rebuilding of a new home took more than a year of frustration and hard work, but the Muths are now living in their new residence. Brenda is again at her aid and registrar work in the Paradise Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School, while Stan continues to be an avid car collector.

The people of northern California’s Siskiyou County lost an invaluable medical treasure when Steven L. Nelson, ’75, retired from the practice of medicine on December 31, 2022. For just shy of 39 years, Steve provided general surgical services from his Yreka, California, office and at the community’s Fairchild Medical Center. “It has been a rewarding career,” writes Steve, “and I have made many friends in the area.”  His wife, Janice Letcher, Att. ‘70s, continues to work as the secretary/registrar of the Yreka Seventh-day Adventist Church School. Janice and Steve are the parents of three children, and three grandchildren, all of whom live in the Yreka area.

Firth, Nebraska, is the retirement community in which Bernie, ’75, and Carolyn, ’77, Rieke now reside. They spend big blocks of their time watching their four grandchildren grow up; having fun traveling also commands many hours of their retirement time. Bernie is retired from a position at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Carolyn from medical duties at the Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln. 

Suni Nelson-Keller, ’76, still rightly recalls the thrill of placing 5th in the Senior Worlds of Water-skiing competition in France in late 2022, she earlier having placed #10 among the world’s top 20 waterskiers to qualify for the event. Suni was supported at the event by her daughter, Alexis Keller, ’20, ’21, who accompanied her to France. Suni has two businesses, health coaching and legal nurse consulting. “Besides playing violin for two symphonies, I travel the world when I am not otherwise busy,” writes Suni.

It’s something of a record when a person teaches for 30 years in the same school, and that’s what Denise Curnutt, ’79, has done in the Ruth Murdoch Elementary School in Berrien Springs, Michigan, a teaching venue from which she has just retired. Before setting that record, Denise taught for seven years at the Seventh-day Adventist elementary school in Tillamook, Oregon. During her Michigan teaching years, Denise served for five years on the Adventists’ North American Division Kindergarten Steering Committee as the developer and writer for a new kindergarten curriculum.

Like many others in the area, Richard, ’79, and Zetta, ’08, Gore, could only watch as their home in Paradise, California, was destroyed by the horrific 164,000-acre “Camp” wildland fire in 2018. “But God has restored our lost home and belongings completely, and then some,” they write. Richard used his construction degree from Pacific Union College to rebuild their new home, and now, in retirement, he is still working at miscellaneous jobs requested by family and friends. Zetta, with her BSN degree from PUC, is working as an RN at a surgery center in Chico, California, that is until her retirement in April (2023) when she’ll have more time to enjoy being with her four “wonderful” granddaughters. “The Gore family,” the Gores write, “will be forever grateful to PUC for the education we all received there, including our sons, Levi Gore, ’08, and Zack Gore, ’09. We believe God’s gift of Seventh-day Adventist Christian education is one of the most valuable blessings that He has bestowed on His children.”

1980

Richard (Rick) Barnett, Jr., ’83, ’84, was in November 2022 named chairman of the Board of Directors of SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation, Denver, Colorado, a publicly traded medical technology company that provides medical devices to prevent respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, and many other health issues that can result in a dangerous cytokine storm. Before joining SeaStar, Rick was president and chief executive officer of Satellite Healthcare, Inc., San Jose, California, for seven years. He presently serves on the Board of Cutis Care, Inc., and is chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Kidney Foundation – California, Nevada & Pacific Northwest Region.

1990

On May 1, 2023, Matthew Hopkins, ’99, retired from 22 years of active military service in the U.S. Navy. A navy fighter aircraft pilot, Matthew retired with the rank of Commander after having participated in four deployments through the years; flying missions over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria doing arrested aircraft landings on eight U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, and having amassed over 2,500 flight hours in various naval aircraft. “My second career, after my navy service, starts as a defense contractor with the Tactical Air Solutions company,” notes Matthew.

2000

In mid-2022, Marlene Rodriguez, ’05, was ordained to the gospel ministry by leaders of the Northern California and Pacific Union Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists.  Marlene, the associate pastor of the Gracepoint Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rocklin, California, is the first Hispanic female pastor ordained by the Northern California Conference.  She is the wife of Marc Woodson, president of the Northern California Conference.

Enoc Garcia, ’08, was one of 12 pastors ordained to the gospel ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist church on November 5, 2022, in the Keene (Texas) Adventist church, by vote of the Texas Conference of Adventists. Garcia is currently serving as associate pastor of the Dallas (Texas) First Seventh-day Adventist Church. “It is wonderful to see so many being ordained and ready to continue sharing the love of Jesus with others,” said Elton DeMoraes, president of the Texas Conference, of the ministers who were ordained. 

Ordination as a Lutheran church pastor came to Sierra B. (Szutz) Ward, ’06, during a special religious service on April 30, 2022. Sierra currently serves as associate pastor of the Shepherd of the Hills Church in Lead, South Dakota, where she lives with her husband and son.

2010

In early February 2023, the Boston business journal Bizwomen featured the current work of Erin Ann Truex, ’12, under the headline, “Former women’s pro football player works to tackle immigration.”  Giving truth to the headline, Erin is currently the director of development and communication for the Mabel Center for Immigrant Justice in Boston, and in 2016 she was an offensive linewoman for the Boston Renegades football team.  But of her current fund-raising work, she says, “I’m not tackling any funders if they don’t give enough money.” A social work major at PUC, Erin moved to Boston in 2013 to pursue a master’s degree at Boston University.

Board, Faculty, and Staff

The 701 Press publishing house recently released a book of memories by Tom Seibold, Staff ’86-’88, titled The Soundproof Cab and the Electric Chair. According to Tom, “The book is a remembrance of my childhood in North Dakota and features memories of my time at Pacific Union College. It is also a meditation on the rich heritage of Seventh-day Adventism . . .”  Tom, who has spent most of his career in technology marketing, is the 34-year marriage partner of Sheri McCulley, ’86, who is the mother of their two children.

We remember our lost brothers and sisters in Christ and pray for the day we are all reunited with our Heavenly Father.

Former Faculty and Staff

Evan Kirk Avery, Former Faculty, died on August 5, 2022. He was born on January 12, 1944, in Utica, New York. Evan taught business courses at Pacific Union College. During his educational career, he was the dean of Business Services at Lake Tahoe Community College; superintendent/president of Palo Verde College; president of Cypress College; and president of Monterey Peninsula College. He retired in 2005. Evan is survived by his wife, Caroline; by his sons, Cory and Brett; by his granddaughter Caleena; and by his sister, Lynn Avery.

Colin A. Erickson, Former PUC Technology Department Faculty, died on October 12, 2022, near Napa, California. He was born on April 7, 1939. After his retirement from teaching at PUC, Colin remained in Angwin, where he owned and operated the Erickson Electric business. Colin is survived by his wife, Mable; and by his son Benjamin. 

Patricia A. (Murray) Hust, Att., Staff, died on January 16, 2023, in Angwin, California. She was born on January 2, 1928. She is survived by her daughter, Raelena; by one grandchild, and by two great-grandchildren.

Richard Everett Stephens, former PUC faculty, died on November 6, 2022, in Pope Valley, California.  He was born in 1934.  For 50 years, Richard was a teacher at Modesto Adventist Academy, Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, Redwood Adventist Academy, Guam Adventist Academy, and Pacific Union College.  He was director of PUC’s Learning Resource Center, a learning facility he “grew” to academic excellence from one computer to a modern learning center full of computers loaded with academic programs for every discipline on campus.

Helen van Boer, Former Faculty, died on January 26, 2023, in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  She was born on February 8, 1926, in Ft. Sheridan, Illinois.  A poet, scientist, artist, teacher, counselor, mother, and wife, Helen taught marine biology and English at Pacific Union College in the 1960s.  She was also a teacher in Santa Rosa and Napa, California.  She served on  the board of the Truckee-Tahoe (Calif.) Unified School District, the Library, and Cemetery, as well at teaching at Sierra Nevada College in Incline, Nevada.  She was a founding member of the Seasoned Poets of the Blue Ridge and a teacher at Blue Ridge College in Hendersonville.  Helen is survived by her three sons, Bertil Jr., Eric, and Kenton; by her two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Alumni

Ralph M. Anderson, Att. ‘50s, died on October 6, 2022.  He was born on April 13, 1935.  

Bert Beverly Beach, ’48, a statesman on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist church, died in Silver Spring, Maryland, on December 14, 2022. He was born in Gland, Switzerland, in 1928. A theologian, university teacher, author, and philanthropist, Bert began his service to the church as an elementary school principal in Northern California. This was followed by being the principal of the Italian Junior College in Florence until 1958. He then studied at the University of Paris at the Sorbonne and earned a Ph.D. degree. Bert’s church administrative assignments included serving as Education and Sabbath School director of the Northern Europe-West Africa Division of Adventists; secretary of the Trans-European Division; and director of the Religious Liberty and Public Affairs department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, from which he retired in 1995. Throughout his career, Bert sought to bring a positive understanding of his Adventist faith to those of a broad range of faith-related 
organizations, such as the World Council of Churches, the Christian Peace Conference, and Worldwide Christian Communities. Fluent in six languages, he was a keynote speaker worldwide in that effort. Bert was the author of several books that helped define and strengthen the Adventist relationship to ecumenism. Bert is survived by his wife, Eliane M. Beach; by his daughters, Danielle and Michele; and by his four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Linden Beardsley, Att. ‘70s, died on June 13, 2022.  He was born on July 12, 1951, in Watervliet, Michigan.  Linden was a long-time member of the Pacific Union College Seventh-day Adventist Church.  As a volunteer, he created backdrop pieces for the church’s Children’s department and Vacation Bible School.  Linden is survived by his wife, Sally; by his daughter, Cyndee; by his son, Joe; and by his sister, Kimber Beardsley.

Sharon Keszler Blaufus, Att. ‘60s, a legal secretary, died on February 18, 2023, in Lodi, California.  She was born on January 22, 1944, in Lodi.  Sharon worked for the City of Lodi for 38 years, retiring in 2001 as a legal secretary in the Public Works Department.  An active person, she held many leadership positions at Soroptimist, an organization that encourages women’s empowerment.  Sharon’s son, Michael John Blaufus, predeceased her.  She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Denise Blaufus; by her grandsons, Kapulani Chong, and Dylan Blaufus; by her great-granddaughters Phoebe and Daphne Chong; and by her brother, Bruce Keszler.

Paul Kevin Bork, ’77, a hospital staff member, world traveler, and unusually gifted friend-maker, died in Loma Linda California on December 18, 2022.  The son of former Pacific Union College faculty members Paul F. and Norma K. Bork, Paul worked as a staff member at the St. Helena Hospital while he was a student at PUC.  For a brief period of time he also served on the staff of U.S. Senator Alan Cranston in Washington, D.C.  Paul lived in Angwin, California, from 1965 until 1978 when he joined the staff of the Loma Linda University Medical Center.  He served that medical facility until his retirement in September 2015.  In 1988, Paul married Susan Ruffcorn, the daughter of a hospital administrator, and thereafter the couple enjoyed traveling to numerous places abroad.  The couple were members of the Mission Road Seventh-day Adventist Church in Redlands, California, for more than 30 years.  He served as head deacon of the church for most of that time.  Paul’s late wife, Susan, died in 2020.  Paul is survived by his mother, Norma K. Bork, and by his brother, Judge Terry A. Bork, 82.

Anne Neergaard-Caviness, ’43, ’71, a 101-year-old retired teacher, died on February 13, 2023, in Loma Linda, California.  She was born in Loma Linda in 1921. Anne taught kindergarten-through-grade-12 education classes in midwestern and eastern U.S. cities before teaching in Northern California while she was married to Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Toni Neergaard.  After his death, she taught at PUC Preparatory School and taught English as a Second Language in the Pacific Union College English Department.  She married psychiatrist Dr. Harold Caviness who predeceased her in 2006.  Anne is survived by two of her children and four grandchildren.

Brandon A. Currier, ’04, an advocate for U.S. military veteran programs, died February 3, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington. He was born on May 22, 1981, in Ensenada, Mexico. After he graduated from Pacific Union College, Brandon earned a Master of Arts degree in forensic psychology from Argosy University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2009 and saw active duty until 2016 when he entered a three-year contract in the military reserve. In returning to civilian life, he became an enthusiastic advocate for veteran programs such as “Hiring Our Heroes.” Brandon was preceded in death by his mother, Jeane Kawilarang, by his younger sister, Jessica Joy, and by his older brother, Carlin Timothy Currier. He is survived by his wife, Amanda (Shallenberger) Currier; by his children, Alaric, Bjorn, and Freya; by his younger brother, Adrian Currier; and by his father, Randall Currier. He is also survived by his stepmother, Kris Currier; by his stepbrothers, Stephen Cobb and Morgan White; and by several other family members. 

Lloyd Dayes, ’55, a noted neurosurgeon, died on December 4, 2022, in Loma Linda, California.  He was born on February 15, 1929, in Jamaica.  During his 64 years in the practice of medicine, Lloyd held five degrees: a medical degree, a Doctor of Philosophy, a master’s degree in business administration, a doctorate in ministry, and an honorary law degree.  He was honored as an “Alumnus of the Year” by Loma Linda University and received an “Honored Alumnus” award from Pacific Union College.  Lloyd retired at age 78 as a full professor of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine and belonged to 20 societies and fellowships.
In addition to his professional work, writing, and studying for degrees, he conducted a Bible class at the Redlands (Calif.) Seventh-day Adventist Church for 37 years.  Lloyd is survived by his wife, Thelma; and by two grandchildren.  

Shirley (Utt) Downing, ’68, a nurse, died on May 28, 2022, in Ketchikan, Alaska. She was born in Alameda, California, on August 21, 1945. Shirley spent her career as a nurse at Glendale (Calif.) Adventist Hospital, and as a nurse manager for the Pioneers Home, Sitka, Alaska. The daughter of widely known Pacific Union College professor Walter C. Utt ’42, and wife Martha Utt ’68, Shirley is survived by Kenneth Utt ’73, ’74, and wife Donetta Utt ’75, and nieces Heather and Amy Utt ’01. 

Glenn Forrest Engen, Att. ‘40s, died on November 2, 2022, in College Place, Washington.  He was born on April 26, 1925, in Battle Creek, Michigan.  Glenn is survived by his wife, Bona (Whipps) Engen; by his daughters, Trudy Schmitt and Dorothy Anderson; by his sons, Glen and Dale; by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.   

David Finley, Att., a court reporter, died on March 6, 2023, in Angwin, California. A veteran of service in the U.S. Army, David was a resident of Angwin for 38 years and a free-lance court reporter in the San Francisco Bay Area for 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Julie Finley; his son, Donnie; his grandson, Rowen; his sister, Deborah Knox; and his brother, DeWitt Reid. 

Terrence M. Finney, Att. ‘50s, a judge of California’s judicial system, died on November 7, 2018, in El Dorado County, California.  He was born in 1934.  After serving as the District Attorney of El Dorado County, Terry was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown as judge of the Superior Court of the county, a judicial position he held for 20 years.  During his time on the bench, Terry judged numerous high-profile cases, the most noted of which was one assigned to him by the California Supreme Court.  It was a years-long trial of supporters of California’s Mono Lake against the Los Angeles (California) Department of Water and Power (LADWP).  In it the LADWP sought to divert the water from several of the lake’s feeder streams to Los Angeles County use.  Ultimately the lake’s supporters prevailed, thus assuring that Mono Lake would continue to be the natural treasure it has always been.

Vernon W. Gomes, ’53, a retired city planner for the Town of Los Altos, California, died on February 10, 2023, in Mountain View, California. He was born on February 25, 1929, in Oakland, California. Vernon’s work career began in the late 1950s as a building inspector for Los Altos and continued until the 1980s when he retired as the city planner for the town. He was predeceased in 2017 by his wife, Velma L. Gomes, ’54. Vernon is survived by his daughters, Vicki Driver, ’77, and Valerie Minder, ’81; and by two grandchildren.   

Timothy Lynn Harlan, ’79, a businessman, died on December 30, 2022, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He was born in San Jose, California. An entrepreneur, Tim started his own first resale company while he was a student at Pacific Union College. Throughout his business career, he ran several businesses, including Answering Specialists Inc. and Harlan Mountain Farms. Tim is survived by his wife, Becca; and by their children, Steven, Jenna, Christopher, and Deryk.

Dean O. Harr, 78, died on April 21, 2022.  He was born on May 17, 1959.  Dean is survived by his mother, Helen Harr; by his children, Dillon Harr and Lauren Cox; by three grandchildren; by his sister, Delayne Rulo; and by his brother, Dwight Harr. 

Steven Ellis Hodgkin, ’85, a physician, died on December 31, 2022, in Loma Linda, California. Steven was a highly respected and beloved physician for 32 years in the Redlands and Victorville communities. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Hodgkin; by his four children, Savannah, Sophia, Alex, and Summer; by his mother and father, Georgia and John Hodgkin; by his sisters, Kathryn Glendrange, Carolyn Bakland, and Jamie Hodgkin; and by his brother, Jonathan Hodgkin.

Lori (Adams) Jackson, Att. ‘80s, an employee of the Sacramento (Calif.) Bee newspaper, died on February 17, 2023, in Carmichael, California.  She was born on January 27, 1963, in Sacramento.  Her work career included employment at the Garment Factory and IMaginum women’s apparel before her 28-year career with the Sacramento Bee.  Lori is survived by her husband, Robert; her daughter, Lauren; her son, Brandon; and her mother, Charlene Adams.

Rozella Jean (Butka) Krohne, ’46, ’53, a nurse, died on November 9, 2022, in Loma Linda, California.  She was born on October 28, 1927, in Los Angeles, California.  Rozella is survived by her children, Ted Ray, Dave Edward, Julie Rozanne, and Scott Alan. 

Verna (Walker) Lee, ’71, ’72, died on November 14, 2022, in Highland, California.  She was born on February 14, 1950, in Deer Park, California.  Verna is survived by her husband, Jerry; by her daughter, Valinda; and by one grandchild. 

Connie Joan (Sherman) Lewis, ’62, died on February 26, 2022.  She was born on February 4, 1949.  Connie is survived by her daughters, Debbie Christensen and Karen Yost; and by her five grandchildren.  Connie’s husband, Ed, died five days after her death.  She and Ed were active team members of the Granite Bay Hilltop church.

 Edward Lewis, ’61, died on March 2, 2022.  He was born on August 2, 1939.  Ed is survived by his daughters, Debbie Christensen and Karen Yost; and by five grandchildren.  Ed, and his wife Connie, who died just five days before his death, were dedicated to serving others through church ministries throughout their 60 years of marriage.

Esther McCluskey, Att. ‘40s, died on September 21, 2022, in Loveland, Colorado.  She was born on September 2, 1923, in Boise, Idaho.  She is survived by her daughters, Robin McCluskey and Kathy Mosher; and by her sons, Glen and Dale.  

Shirley Ann Fulcher Miller, ’63, died on January 17, 2023.  She was born on July 2, 1938.

Art R. Mirasol, ’85, died on January 3, 2023, in Joshua Tree National Park, California.  He was born on February 20, 1961, at Cavite, the Philippines. Art is survived by his wife, Karen; by his sons, Aaron, and Daniel; by siblings Rose Mirasol and Mike Mirasol; and by his parents Tommy and Connie Mirasol. 

Sally Eun Hee Nam, ‘00, died on January 10, 2023.  She was born on December 18, 1977.   

Stephen Newton, ’74, a clinical psychologist, died on February 23, 2023, in Los Altos, California. He was born in Los Altos on July 25, 1952. Stephen was a teacher at Redwood Adventist Academy in Santa Rosa, California, and afterward taught at Mountain View (Calif.) Adventist Academy. He changed his career course by training and becoming a psychologist. He then practiced as a clinical psychologist for 20 years. Stephen is survived by his two daughters, Kim and Lisa; and his grandchildren, Bella, Lily, Nate, and Drew.

Ronald Lee Nicholson, ’63, died on April 6, 2021. 

James Ming Phang, ’59, a scientist emeritus of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, died in Kensington, Maryland, on January 29, 2023. He was born in Wuhan, China, on May 27, 1938. James was president of his PUC graduating class and an honored alumnus of both PUC and the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He was one of our country’s leading scientists. During his 50-year career at the National Cancer Institute, he did pioneering studies of the amino acid proline. These studies gained him an international reputation and provided seminal insights into oncogenesis and the development of cancer. His contributions included studies of tumor reprogramming, metabolic epigenetics, and novel strategies for cancer treatment. Although he was a PUC physics major under Professor Ivan Nielsen, James also pursued literary interests, which are reflected in his clear and cogent scientific writing. He was the literary editor of the Diogenes Lantern yearbook and wrote a column titled “Potpourri” for the Campus Chronicle newspaper. He studied poetry with Professor Paul Stauffer and “The Enlightenment” with Professor Walter C. Utt. He treasured his PUC experience, which he said prepared him well for a scientific career and nourished lifelong friendships. James’ late wife, Ruth Ann Van Dyke Phang, died from cancer in 2014. He is survived by his daughters, Sara Elise Phang, Laura Justine Regenbogen, and Elizabeth Ann Waite; by his four grandchildren; by his brother, Robert Phang; and by his companion Arleen Cheston. 

Gail Orr, ’72, died on September 29, 2022, in Savannah, Georgia.  She was born on June 10, 1950.  Gail was an employee of the Seventh-day Adventist church, serving as a teacher, guidance counselor, and educational vice principal in California and Washington.  She is survived by her sisters, Joyce Orr and Linda Orr DeLoach; and by many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Kay Yvonne Priebe, ’64, died November 21, 2022, in Lodi, California.  She was born on April 13, 1942, in Sacramento, California.  During the last 36 years of her life, Kay traveled with her family, holding revival seminars for the Amazing Facts ministry.  Kay is survived by her husband, Dennis, and by her son, Matthew. 

Jolon Sabo, Att., died on January 30, 2023, in Redlands, California.  He was born on June 7, 1967, in Angwin, California.  He is survived by his wife, Jessica; by his daughter, Ella; by his son, Owen; by his sibling Melissa Gheen; and by his parents, Victor and Linda Sabo.

Ronald R. Scott, Att. ‘30s, a physician, died at age 106 on November 9, 2022, in Rocklin, California.  He was born on December 27, 1916, in College Place, Washington.  Ronald is survived by his children, Karyn Neal, Ronna Witzel, and Bill Scott; by seven grandchildren, by ten great-grandchildren; and by his sister, Norma Momb.

Linda C. Seager, ’66, was born on June 6, 1944.  She died on July 22, 2020.  Linda worked for the California Department of Social Services during much of her adult life.

Stewart W. Shankel, 53, a physician, medical educator, and administrator, died on September 29, 2002, in Loma Linda, California.  He was born on October 3, 1931, in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada.  A nephrologist, Stewart was a leader in the initiation and growth of the treatment of kidney diseases at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine.  He also educated physicians in the treatment of these diseases at the University of Nevada, the Jerry L. Pettis Veterans Administration Hospital in Loma Linda, the Saigon (Vietnam) Adventist Hospital, and at the University of California Riverside.  Because of his outstanding medical-care leadership, Stewart received a large number of medical and educational awards. Preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, Stewart is survived by his wife Joy Shankel; by his daughter, Marti Ward; by his sons, Stewart and Jeffery; by his daughter-in-law Tamara M. Shankel; and by his six grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Kenneth Robert Smith, ’56, died on April 26, 2022, in Alameda, California.  He was born on July 14, 1930, in Salem, Oregon.  Kenneth was retired from the California Department of Public Health & Safety Office of the department’s Richmond (Calif.) laboratory.  He is survived by his wife Jean Rushold Smith, ’57; by his sister, Shirley Tsagris; and by his sister-in-law Naomi Magdanz.

Ruth Long-Stickney, ’72, died on August 8, 2022. She was born on March 6, 1929, in College Place, Washington. During her life, Ruth’s work experience included that of academy dean, homemaker, babysitter, home economics teacher, typing teacher, choir director, hospital food service manager, conference librarian, bookkeeper, health-van director, seamstress, and event coordinator. Ruth is survived by five children, 15 grandchildren, and by 18 great-grandchildren.

Charlyne F. Wertz-Warner, ’63, a retired chaplain’s secretary, died on January 8, 2023, in Calimesa, California.  She was born on July 8, 1922, in Tacoma, Washington.  Charlyne served as a chaplain secretary in the Paradise Valley (Calif.) Hospital for 16 years.  After her retirement, she was a part-time secretary for the Yucaipa (Calif.) Seventh-day Adventist Church for 24 more years.  Charlyne is survived by her children, Joyce Harrington, Suzie Corydon, and Larry Wertz; by nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; and by her sister, DeNelda Schwartz.  

Ronald Ashton White, Att. ‘40s, died on September 6, 2022.  He was born on August 7, 1935.  Ronald was a deacon and volunteer at the Paradise (Calif.) Seventh-day Adventist Church.  He is survived by his wife, Kay; and his brother-in-law John.

Ernest Sui Sung Zane, ’51, a distinguished physician and medical educator, was born on September 21, 1926, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He died on August 26, 2022, in Loma Linda, California. Ernest was a veteran of U.S. military service in New Caledonia in the mid-1940s before he attended Pacific Union College. In 1956, he graduated as a physician from the College of Medical Evangelists at Loma Linda. He began a 64-year career in medicine, most of it as an award-winning professor of ophthalmology at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He is credited with building the university’s Department of Ophthalmology as the “Center of Excellence” for eye care in the Inland Empire of California. Ernest was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Zane. He is survived by his children, Ryan, Alan, Steven, and Sandra; and by seven grandchildren.