Avis Alcorn ’68, Brimley, passed away December 22, 2022. Avis previously attended Lake Superior State University and was a volunteer for the Brimley Ambulance Squad. For decades she filled many roles at the Brimley Area Schools, where she worked as a janitor, cafeteria staff, secretary, teacher’s aide, and bus driver.

Noel Alexander, Sault Ste Marie, passed away December 17, 2022. Noel graduated from Sault High before traveling around the US, then graduated from the University of Utah and UC Berkley. She used her degrees to teach at the University of Utah, Sault High, and Lake Superior State University.

Sandra “Sandy” (Rust) Borg ’78, Sault Ste Marie, passed away December 14, 2022. Sandy attended LSSU when it was known as the Michigan Tech Sault Branch to further her education, then graduated from Central Michigan University. After earning her degree, Sandy taught at Whitman Elementary, Vandenboom Elementary, Superior Hills Elementary, and within the EUP School District.

Therese Boucha ’93, Burton, passed away March 8, 2023 after fighting an incredible fight with cancer.  She was a 1980 graduate of Swartz Creek High School. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Lake Superior State University.

Dale Carlson ’66, Stalwart, passed away March 17, 2023. Dale attended Lake Superior State University before serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked at the Welcome Inn tavern until his retirement, then took over the family farm with his brother.

Gary Clow ’67, Sault Ste Marie, passed away January 23, 2023. Gary was a graduate of Lake Superior State University who worked for the Corps of Engineers until he retired as a Chief Lock Master following over forty years of service.

Mary Eames ’72, Traverse City, passed away January 6, 2023. Mary graduated from Lake Superior State University and was a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Thomas Gatti ’96, Honolulu, HI, passed away November 4, 2022. Thomas attended Lake Superior State University to further his education, then moved to Hawaii where he worked as an expert craftsman and contractor around Oahu.

Paul Jerrard ’87, Omaha, NE, passed away February 15, 2023. Paul played hockey at LSSU from 1983-1987, where he made many lifelong friends. He went on to play in the IHL and AHL, before a short stint in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars.  It was a natural progression into coaching for Paul, even having spent 4 years as an assistant coach at his alma mater between 1997-2002.  He coached multiple teams in the AHL and NHL including the Hershey Bears, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames.  At the time of his passing, he was an assistant coach with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Read more about Jerrard’s accomplishments.

Heather Kleiman ’03, Grand Ledge, passed away December 26, 2022. Heather graduated from Lake Superior State University, then went on to further her education at Michigan State University before working as an Athletic Trainer for Sparrow Health Systems and Grand Ledge High School.

Roland “Rollie” Arthur Lipponen, Brimley, passed away on April 18, 2023. Rollie was a member of the Laborer’s Union for over 50 years where he worked as a Pipe Layer and also put in underground gas lines.  His local contributions included his work on the Soo Locks and the LSSU campus construction as recognized in a plaque found in the Cisler Center.

Frances (Lee) Tadgerson Kokko-Fike ’81, passed away November 28, 2022. Frances was a member of the Sault Tribe who graduated from Lake Superior State University with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and Human Services, then went on to earn her Master’s at MSU. She began her career as a social worker employed by her tribe, and finished it working for Chippewa County Mental Health.

Dr. David Knowles, Sault Ste Marie, passed away on December 9, 2022. David served in both the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy after graduating high school. He was part of the first class of the Sault Branch of Michigan Tech, which would later become known as Lake Superior State University. David worked for Canadian Javelin Limited before earning his PhD from Columbia University. He went on to work at LSSU as an Associate Professor until his retirement as Professor Emeritus.

Joan Leach ’55, Cedarville, passed away January 17, 2023. Joan previously worked at Lake Superior State University as an Assistant Nursing Professor, Associate Professor, and PT Instructor.

Diedrie “DJ” Malloy ’77, Kincheloe, passed away January 25^, 2023. Diedrie attended Lake Superior State University to further her education, as well as Michigan State University. She was known for her civic leadership in her local community, as well as within the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Mark Meyer ’01, Sault Ste Marie, passed away February 1, 2023. Mark graduated from Lake Superior State University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology, then went on to work in Senior Services at Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency. He was also employed by the Sault Evening News as Manager of the Buyer’s Guide. Mark later moved on to work at War Memorial Hospital.

Irene Pigeon ’65, Newberry, passed away December 13, 2022. Irene earned her teaching degree by attending Sienna Heights College, U of M, Northern Michigan University, and LSSU back when it was known as Lake Superior State College. She taught at the Newberry State Hospital, then the Tahquamenon Area School District until her retirement.

David Quimby, Sheboygan, WI, passed away February 5, 2023. David served in the U.S. Navy for three years, and later worked at Lake Superior State College after earning a Master’s in Educational Administration at Michigan State University. Quimby was Assistant Dean of Admissions and Director of Student Activities from 1968 to 1980 before continuing his career at St. Norbert College where he retired.

Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Samson, Petoskey, passed away December 17, 2022. Jerry served in the U.S. Navy, then graduated from U of M and Texas A & M before starting his career as a professor. He worked at multiple schools, though the majority of his teaching career was spent at Lake Superior State University in the math department and retired Professor Emeritus.

Vern Soden ’53, Ann Arbor, passed away February 6, 2023. Vern attended LSSU in its early years as a branch of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology. He served with Army Security in Germany while in the U.S. Army, then worked in broadcasting first for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, then for the U.S. Army Center while in Hawaii before returning to U of M and Ann Arbor.

Marjorie Somes, Sault Ste Marie, passed away January 16, 2023. Marjorie was a longtime friend of Lake Superior State University, especially to Laker Hockey as her late husband Gil Somes worked with the team for many years.

Kelly Terwilliger, Florence, AL, passed away November 29, 2022. Kelly graduated from Pickford High School, then attended Lake Superior State to further her education. She worked for LSSU, Albert Heating & Cooling, and the University of North Alabama. She was the wife of former LSSU Professor, Mark Terwilliger.

Craig Therrian ’74, St. Ignace, passed away December 29, 2022. He graduated from Lake Superior State University and Michigan State University while studying Criminal Justice, then spent the majority of his career working at the St. Ignace post of the Michigan State Police. After retiring, he worked as a Zoning Administrator for Moran Twp.

Joann Weingarten, Houghton, passed away on March 7, 2023. After graduating Houghton High, she received a degree in nursing from Marquette University. After a stint in Albuquerque, NM, Warren and Joann returned to the UP, where Joann began teaching nursing at Lake Superior State College.

Jerome “Jerry” Weinrich ’69, West Branch, passed away March 22, 2023. Jerry graduated from LSSU with a Bachelor’s degree before working as a bird guide in Antarctica, then a Wildlife Habitat Biologist for the Michigan DNR before his retirement in 2003. He continued doing aerial surveys of eagle nestings after his retirement.

Glenn Wilcox ’71, Caro, passed away January 13, 2023. Glenn attended Lake Superior State University to further his education, and worked as a machine operator at Rochester Gear.

James “Jim” William ’71, Sault Ste Marie, ON, passed away November 21, 2022. Jim graduated from Lake Superior State University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration before working for Algoma Steel as a Senior Operations Analyst and Supervisor in Operations Technology. He also served in the Canadian military, retiring as a Deputy Commanding Officer.

Michael Worley ’83, Sault Ste Marie, passed away February 16, 2023. Michael graduated from LSSU and worked as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman and later for Sault Area Public Schools as an Intervention Specialist at Lincoln Elementary.