Good friends will always be remembered.
Featured Remembrance:
John Ruskin Howe, Jr.’57, died November 5, 2022. John was born in Dayton, Ohio to the late Elizabeth Brewbaker Howe ’24 and John Ruskin Howe, Sr. ’21 the 13th president of Otterbein University 1939 to 1945. John graduated from Otterbein University where he met his wife Judith Jenkins Howe ’58. While attending Otterbein, John played tennis, was in the “O’ Club, student government/senate, and Pi Kappa Phi (Country Club) fraternity. John went on to get is masters and doctoral from Yale University. He also received an honorary degree of LHD-Doctor of Humane Letters from Otterbein in 1974. Read more about Howe’s impact here.
Alumni Obituaries
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Lee Peglow
Lee Peglow ‘65 died May 25, 2022. Lee was born November 13, 1943.Lee attended Otterbein and received his bachelors of science in mathematics. During his time at Otterbein, he was a part of Eta Phi Mu (Jonda) fraternity. After Otterbein, he attended Duquesne University, where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence. He then served as a district Judge.Lee is survived by his spouse Charlotte Peglow, children, Christine Byers, Kimberly Carlin, Stephanie Peglow, and Pamela Brady.
Susan Keiser White
Susan Keiser White ’71 died June 14, 2021. Susan was born October 15, 1948 to Richard and Gladys Keiser.Susan attended Otterbein University, where she received her bachelors of science in elementary education. During her time at Otterbein, she was in the Kappa Phi Omega (Onyx) sorority. Susan worked in Auglaize County government in Wapakoneta, Ohio.She is survived by her spouse Thomas W. White; her sister Judith Keiser; her children, Thomas R. White and Kathleen Beer (White); and her grandchildren, Allyson…
Jane Hurdiss Tolliver
Jane Hurdiss Tolliver ’78 died November 28, 2022. Jane was born in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Richard and Suzanne Hurdiss.Jane received her associates of science degree from Otterbein University, then in a 3-year program with Grant Hospital School of Nursing, she received her diploma of nursing and went on to Ohio University where she received her BSN degree.She retired in 2018 from Licking Memorial Hospital as a nurse after 33 years of service. She eventually was in charge of…
Jennifer Dearth
Jennifer Dearth ’86 died January 17, 2023. Jennifer was born June 1, 1964 to the late George and Marilyn Dearth.Jennifer was a 1982 graduate of Troy High School and attended Otterbein College where she received a bachelor’s degree in business. During her time at Otterbein, she was a part of band, choir, and Epsilon Kappa Tau (Arbutus) sorority. She worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank in Columbus.Jennifer is survived by brother, Jon Dearth; sister, Rebecca (Thomas) Confroy; niece, Katherine Confroy…
Robert Vance
Robert Vance '49, died November 23, 2022. Bob was born in Columbus, Ohio on May 12, 1926, to the late Floyd '16 and Ettie Vance.Following graduation from Westerville (Ohio) High School, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines during World War II. Upon discharge, he received a B.S. from Otterbein College, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois. While attending Otterbein, Bob was in the Pi Kappa Phi (Country Club) fraternity, band…
Barbara Cox Thompson
Barbara “Bobbi” Cox Thompson ‘58 died March 29, 2023. Bobbi was born on March 6, 1936 in Chillicothe, Ohio to the late Cecil and Margaret Cox. Bobbi attended Mt. Logan Schools where she graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1954. She later attended Otterbein University in 1958, where she received her Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration and where she was a proud member of Tau Delta sorority. Bobbi spent the next 30 plus years happily working in the Savings…
Barbara Parker-Davis
Barbara Parker-Davis ‘63 died December 3, 2022. Barbara was born August 31, 1941 to the late Paulyne Parker.She completed her bachelor’s degree in English and minor in theater from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. During her time at Otterbein, she was a proud member of Theta Alpha Phi and Epsilon Kappa Tau sorority. Barbara also received her master’s in education at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Barbara taught AP English, World Literature and Composition for 43 years. Most of that…
Nadine Rohal Spencer
Nadine Rohal Spencer ‘78 died September 8, 2022. Nadine was born on April 1, 1956 in Wooster, Ohio.Nadine graduated from Otterbein University with a B.A. degree in Outdoor Education. During her time at Otterbein, she was a dedicated member to both the Women’s Athletic Association as well as Epsilon Kappa Tau sorority. After her graduation and without hesitation she headed for Hawaii for a 2-year adventure to house sit for her uncle. This was where she did stints as a…
Barbara Fleshman Wickline
Barbara Fleshman Wickline ‘88 died July 29, 2022. Barbara was born May 25, 1931, to the late Harmon and Maude Neal.After high school, Barbara attended Otterbein University. She later went on to be a homemaker, who enjoyed embroidery and the Baptist faith.She is preceded in death by her husband, Lacy H. Wickline; her son Gary Wayne Wickline; 4 brothers Carlos Elbert, Jim, and Chester Neal; and 3 sisters Ivy, Madeline, and Marie.Survivors include four sons Richard Wickline (Lummie), Robert Wickline,…
Margaret Macrum Witt
Margaret Ann “Peg” Macrum Witt ’74 died January 24, 2023. Peg was born on April 16, 1928, to the late Samuel and Anna Belle Cramer Macrum.Peg was a graduate of Connellsville High School and earned a BA in Education from Otterbein College.Peg taught elementary school in both Westerville and Connellsville. She was a long-time member of Otterbein United Methodist Church where she was the church secretary for several years. Along with her parents, Peg was predeceased by her husband Elsley…
Robin Good Porte
Robin Good Porte ’73 died July 13, 2022. Robin was born December 15, 1951, to the late Neil and Patricia Good.After High school Robin attended Otterbein University where she was a part of the band. She then worked for over 20 years as a teacher's aide for Lexington Schools.Robin is survived by her husband Dan ‘73, children; Kara (Don) Wallis, Michael Porte, and her 7 grandchildren.
Charles David
Charles David ’63 died November 23, 2021. Charles was born June 28, 1938, to the late Charles Thomas David and Elsie Singleton.Charles attended Otterbein after high school. Charles then served in the National Guard for many years. As an active member of the Modern Maturity Center, he enjoyed creating custom furniture at Nagashima. He was a sales rep./application designer for Hilti Fastener Systems, and office/grounds manager at Public Storage. He enjoyed some black smithing at Mid-Atlantic Smith Association ,which he…
Marion Gannon Smith
Marion Gannon Smith ’49 died October 30, 2022. Marion was born June 21, 1927, to the late Grace and Marin Gannon in Cincinnati, Ohio. Marion graduated from Western Hills High School and moved on to Otterbein College where she received her Bachelors of Science in education. During her time at Otterbein, she was a proud member of Epsilon Kappa Tau sorority. Marion later used her degree and went on to become a kindergarten teacher. Marion was predeceased by husband, Donald…
Janet Schoppelrei Ardrey
Janet Schoppelrei Ardrey ‘62 died July 1, 2020. She was born April 2, 1941, to the late Joseph and Winifred Schoppelrei.Janet graduated from Whitehall Yearling High School and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Otterbein. During her time at Otterbein, she was also a part of Tau Delta (Deltas) sorority.As a young woman, she was an early education teacher. She was an accomplished seamstress and gifted quilter and crafter. She served in the…
John Kendall
John “Jack” Kendall ’68 died January 17, 2023. Jack was born October 30, 1946, in Hillsboro, OH to the late Mack and Frances Kendall.Jack grew up in the Mowrystown, OH area and graduated from Whiteoak High School in 1964, attended Otterbein College for 3 years, moved to Tucson, Arizona, and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1973. After college Jack worked for the University of Arizona until 1977. During that time, he was a computer processer on the NASA…