Janice Armstrong ’94-’04, of Sault Ste. Marie, passed away on January 2.
Patricia Austin ’84, of Manitowoc, passed away April 11, 2020. She grew up in Flushing, MI where Pat attended school. After high school Pat attended Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, graduating with a degree in Medical Technology which became her life’s vocation.
Gary Brainerd ’71, of Harbor Springs, passed away on September 18. Gary graduated from Harbor Springs High School in 1966, married his high school sweetheart Donna Wilson in 1968 and went on to Lake Superior State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. After college, Gary returned home and started Brainerd Lawn Care, which he ran until he passed away.
Gary Chartrand, of Sturgis, passed away on May 31, 2020. He was a graduate of St. Clair High School and continued his education at Lake Superior State University. Gary was an environmental engineer for Lear Corporation, Mendon, retiring in 2007 after 25 years of service.
William “Bill” Copeland ’65, of Douglas, passed away on May 31. He graduated from West Branch (Michigan) High School in 1960 and then attended Michigan College of Mining and Technology branch in Sault Ste. Marie, graduating from the main campus in Houghton in 1965 with a degree in forestry.
Jeanette Damer ’93, of Gaylord, passed away on September 4, 2020. Jeanette received her Bachelor of Science degree from Lake Superior State University and her Master of Counseling degree from Spring Arbor University. She was proud to open her own practice, “Healing Thoughts” as it enabled her to help so many.
Robert Ellis ’58, of Sault Ste. Marie passed away on January 24, 2020. He was a member and sat on the board of several organizations including the Sault Ste. Marie Planning Commission and Chippewa County Credit Union.
Donald Gerrie, Sault Ste Marie, passed away on July 18. Don began teaching part-time at Lake Superior College in 1965, became full-time faculty in 1969, and assumed chairperson of the Business and Economic Department in 1970. In 1980, he became V.P. of Administration and in 1985 the Director of the MBA Program. Don retired from Lake Superior State University in 1995.
Roger Gilbert ’68, of Richland, passed away on May 26th, 2020. He graduated from Cadillac Senior High School and went on to attend Lake Superior State College and Ferris State University. Roger worked as a Journeyman printer at the Cadillac Evening News in Cadillac and at the Petoskey News Review in Petoskey.
Steven Glezen ’86, of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, passed away on February 25.
William Green ’52, of Katy, TX, passed away June 30, 2020. He graduated from Gladstone High School in 1948 followed by two years at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology at the Sault Ste Marie Branch in Northern Michigan. He completed his mechanical engineering degree at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich., in 1952.
Charles Guy ’59, of Blackfoot, ID, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020 . Chuck Chuck graduated from Sault High School with the class of 1955. After high school, he moved to Houghton, Michigan, to attend Michigan Technological University, where he earned his bachelors degree in Geological Engineering. He then joined the US Army and served in Virginia and Greenland. His commission was extended due to the Berlin Crisis and the Cuban Crisis. After discharge, Chuck returned to Tech to work on his master’s degree.
Professor Emeritus William L. Haag, passed away on June 19, 2020. Bill is an alumnus of St. Luke’s High School, Plain, Wis. He received his Bachelor of Science degree at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, and his Master’s and Doctorate in biochemistry at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He was a professor of chemistry at Lincoln, Neb., Appalachian State in Boone, N.C., Lake Superior State, in Sault St. Marie, Mich., where he received “Teacher of the Year” award, and most recently UW-Eau Claire.
Jean Hafner ’72, formerly of Rudyard, passed away on February 26, 2020.
Eileen Hendrickson ’66, of Cheboygan, passed away on May 11, 2020. She grew up in the Soo and attended school at Loretto High School, and at Lake Superior State where she obtained her nursing license.
William “Bill/Lumpy” Isaacson, of Escanaba, Michigan, passed away on October 3, 2020. He graduated from high school and continued on to earn an Associates Degree from Lake Superior State University. He went to work for the Plumber and PipeFitters Local 111 where we worked until retirement.
Gary Kay ’68, of Sault Ste. Marie, passed away on May 29, 2020. He graduated from Sault Area High School in 1962, and went on to graduate from Lake State College. He proudly served his country from 1968 to 1977, defending our freedom in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal as well as the Meritorious Service Medal. Gary began his work career at Neville’s Superette his Senior year of High School and was later a partner of Prescription Oxygen. He was employed with the Social Security Administration, where he retired after 30 years of service. He then continued working as a realtor for Century 21 until his untimely death. Gary was a member of the Lake Superior State University Alumni Board (President Emeritus), life member of Ducks Unlimited, American Legion, Elks Lodge #552, and National Association of Realtors.
Victoria Johndrow ’87, of Sault Ste. Marie, passed away on February 22.
Dr. Julianne S. Kirkham ’86, of Marquette, passed away on June 28, 2020. She graduated from Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, OH in 1966. She went on to receive her undergraduate degree from Lake Superior State University. She earned both her Master’s degree and her PhD from Wayne State University, and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan Hospitals.
Dr. Hellmuth Kornmueller, LSSU Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, passed away on Friday, August 21. He received his PhD from the Pontifical Institute of Philosophy in Salzburg, Austria in 1953. In 1955, he left his native Austria to begin a teaching career in the United States. Dr. Kornmueller was an assistant professor in the Philosophy Department of the University of Detroit before moving to Sault Ste. Marie with his wife Gabrielle (who passed away in May 2020) to begin his life-long career at Lake Superior State University.
Kim Kowalewski ’77, passed away October 25th, 2020. Kim was amongst seven Class of 1977 Buddies that have gathered together the past seven years celebrating their friendship developed at LSSC: Paul Iott, Mark Hales, Charlie Weber, Ben Bolser, Jim Bearman, and Steve Lien.
Douglass Krienke ’72, of Menominee, passed away February 17, 2020. Doug moved to the UP with his family when he was young, he attended school in Menominee graduating in 1970. He attended Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste Marie studying Criminal Justice, returning home to take over ownership of Marinette Lumber Yard, running the business successfully for 40 years until retiring in 2012.
Tracey (Lawson) MacQuarrie ’88, of Rhinelander, WI passed away on September 26, 2020. She graduated from Sault High School with the class of 1982. She continued her education at Lake Superior State University where she earned her Masters in Business Administration. She worked at LSSU as an Administrative Assistant and Adjunct Instructor until 2014. She then moved to Rhinelander and worked at Nicolet College as an Administrative Professional and Office Technology Instructor.
Constance Marshall, of Pellston passed away on August 10, 2020. Connie graduated from North Central Michigan College with an Associate’s Degree and from Lake Superior State College with a Bachelor’s Degree. She went on to have a wonderful career as a social worker and later as the Director of Indian Education at Petoskey High School and Charlevoix High School from 1994 to retiring in 2009.
Richard McDowell ’90, of Cottage Park, died on August 20, 2020. Rick graduated with the Rudyard High School class of 1970. In 1972 he was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served from 1972 until 1974 in Germany. He served an additional six years in the reserves. Rick worked at Rudyard Area Schools as a custodian while attending Lake Superior State College to accomplish the dream of completing a college degree. Rick graduated from LSSC with a BS in Accounting.
John “Jack” Mitchell ’66, of Engadine, died on September 26, 2019. He was a 1961 graduate of Gwinn High School, earned a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan Tech in 1966 and earned a Master’s degree from Marquette University in 1973. Jack worked his entire career as an electrical engineer. He also wrote a book on AC Drives in 1988.
Melva Payment (nee LaPoint), of Sault Ste. Marie, passed away on July 14, 2020. She was a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Melva worked at Lake Superior State University for 25 years in both the food service department and custodial services.
Ronald Pearce ’46, of Sault Ste. Marie, passed away on July 16, 2020. He was part of the inaugural class of what became Lake Superior State University and graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an added emphasis on Civil Engineering courses. Early years of his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers included a tour of duty rebuilding infrastructure in Korea, and extensive work surveying the northern international US boundary.
William “Bill” Porath ’72, of Escanaba, passed away on October 5, 2020. William was a lifelong resident of Escanaba and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1968. He went on to attend Lake Superior State University. Bill served during Vietnam in the United States Army from 1969-1971. He was honored with the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars Combat Infantryman Badge; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Purple Heart Expert (Rifle M-14); Marksman (Rifle M-16); and Expert (M-60 MG).
Robert Power ’62, of East Lansing, passed away on December 27, 2019.
Dennis Salo ’62-’64, of Liberty Twp., OH, passed away on February 24. Dennis attended what was Sault Branch from 1962-1964. He transferred to WMU to earn his BBA and also received an MBA from the University of New Mexico. He leaves his wife of 53 years, Trudy, son Scott (Mary Alice), daughter Carrie, and two grandchildren, Dennis and Dawn Salo. He was an avid hockey player while growing up in Sault Ste. Marie.
Dennis Smith ’77, of Gaylord, passed away on August 7, 2020. Dennis graduated from Laura Osborn High School in Detroit in 1964. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1965 and served 18 months in Vietnam’s Demilitarized Zone. He was honorably discharged and soon after attended Lake Superior State University on a G.I. Bill. He earned degrees in sociology and psychology. Dennis later attended Michigan State University where he attained a master’s degree, with honors, in social work.
Joyce Styer ’72, of Gwinn, passed away on May 31, 2020. She was a 1966 graduate of Loretto Catholic Central High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Lake Superior State University in 1972.Joyce was employed as a custodian and in food service at Gwinn Public Schools for 24 years and as a night manager at Hardees for ten and a half years.
William “Bill” Thornley, of Rogers City, passed away on May 22, 2020. Bill was born and raised in Rogers City, Michigan, graduating from Rogers City High School in 1949. In his late teens, he worked as a deck hand on a freighter, sailing the Great Lakes during the summers. He became a lifelong, genuine boat nerd, able to identify many freighters from a distance by their smokestacks and colors. While working toward a bachelors degree at the Sault Branch of Michigan College of Mining and Technology, he met the love of his life, Ruth Rhind, while attending services at the First Presbyterian Church of Sault Ste. Marie.
Lindsey Toupin ’07, Madison, WI, passed away on May 26, 2020. After graduating from Calumet High School in 2001, she attended Lake Superior State University where she earned a double major in Criminal Justice and Chemical Forensics. She worked for several large pharmaceutical companies and worked her way up to the position of Senior Scientist and Lead Quality Investigator. Most recently, she was employed by Scientific Protein Laboratories as a Documentation and Training Administrator and had nothing but good things to say about her employment there.
Richard Tyner ’85, of Baxter, MN, passed away on February 23.
Ron Wallis ’60, of Navarre, Florida (native of Sault Ste. Marie), passed away on June 20, 2020. Ron graduated from Michigan Technical University as a Mechanical Engineer in 1960. He began his career in Jackson, MI and was commissioned in the Air Force to serve as an Engineering Officer.
James “Jim” Wilson ’96, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on June 27, 2020. Jim grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and graduated from Sault Ste. Marie High School with the class of 1995, where he played football and hockey. After high school, he attended Lake Superior State University and had a summer job at Upward Bound where he met the love of his life, Catherine Plont. Jim was employed at War Memorial for 20 years in Radiology/Information Technology.
Karl Zechmeister ’83, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 1, 2020. He leaves behind his loving family who cherished his time here on earth. He attended Carrollton Public Schools and continued his education at Lake Superior State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronical Engineering. Soon after graduating, he began his career at TRW Steering Systems in the Detroit area.