In Memory
Honoring our classmates who are no longer with us.
If you know of a classmate who has passed and is not listed here, please add them by clicking the Add Memorial button.
[No pictures available for John Muelhaupt, Joe Porter, Steve Blank]
Alan Ackley
1941-07-02 2020-12-24
Alan K. Ackley, 79, loving husband, father and grandfather, died unexpectedly at his home on December 24, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa. Born July 2, 1941 in Des Moines, to Wayne and Karen Ackley, Alan attended Des Moines schools and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1959. He attended Drake University with Linda Lou Haney. The two married in September 1964.
Alan had an enthusiasm for mechanical things - especially Braille machines. It was when Alan began work at the Iowa Department for the Blind in 1974 that he found his calling. His orientation training (wearing sleep shades as blinders the first few weeks) triggered Alan's passion for Braille and his lifelong inte...
Julian Ferstenfeld
2013-02-01
Ferstenfeld, Julian E. M.D. 'Jay' Entered eternity on February 1, 2013, at the age of 71. He was a devoted and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and physician.
His passing marks the culmination of a life of untiring service to his family, country and the greater Milwaukee community. Jay is survived by his loving wife Sharon, children Megan (Jesus) Ferstenfeld-Torres and Adam (Annette) Ferstenfeld, grandchildren Quintin, Kylee, and Corbin, and sister Mindy (Robert) Licht. He is further survived by many other loving relatives and numerous friends.
Those who knew him well, are quick to recall his dry sense of humor and unwavering kindness to all who were for...
Susan Briggs (Anderson)
1941-08-01 2018-01-04
Susan Anderson Briggs, 76 of Winona, died Thursday, January 4, 2018 at her home with family and friends.
Susan was born on Staten Island, New York, to Joseph Donald and Helen (Humphrey) Anderson on August 1, 1941. She grew up in Des Moines, Iowa where she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1959. Susan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders in 1963 from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She worked as a Speech Pathologist in Connecticut and New York City before returning to Iowa where she earned her Masters of Science degree in 1966 in Speech Pathology at the University of Iowa. It was...
Sophie Pargas (Vlassis)
1941-05-29 2017-06-16
Sophie Pargas Vlassis was born on May 29, 1941 in Des Moines, Iowa to Harry and Stavroula (Bennos) Pargas. She passed away peacefully on June 16, 2017 at the age of 76.
She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1959, and continued her education at Drake University from 1959-1963 where she received a Bachelor's Degree in the College of Liberal Arts, in Psychology and Sociology, and a minor in Secondary Education. While at Drake, she was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority, served as Chairperson of Drake's Campus Appeals Committee, was a member of Angel Flight, and served on Drake's Council for International Understanding.
Upon graduating from Drake, Sophie was hir...
Arthur Boyer
1941-11-08 2023-05-31
Arthur Mitchell Boyer died May 31, 2023, peacefully in his sleep at home. He was born November 8, 1941, in Des Moines, IA and was 81. Services will be held at a later date.
Art was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. Art was married 60 years to the love of his life, Ruth “Pete” Boyer. His marriage to Pete was a love story from their first meeting at Methodist Hospital, where he was a patient and she was his nurse. They loved adventure and were committed to adventuring together.
Art and Pete traveled all over the world: island hopping to St. Lucia in their Cessna Skylane 182RG, SCUBA diving in the reefs near Palau, to...
Dave Glancy
2023-01-12I received an email from Dave's oldest son, Brian. He said, "I'm emailing with the sad news that my dad passed away on 1/12/23. He lived a full life full of love and is dearly missed."
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Helen Bishop
2023-01-02
HELEN BISHOP, 81, died January 2, 2023, after a short battle with bladder cancer.
After graduating from Grinnell College, Helen earned graduate degrees in microbiology -including a PhD., and moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where she worked in her chosen field until retirement.
Not one to attend TRHS Reunions or to keep in touch with many of our classmates, Helen, nevertheless, joined the Committee for the 30th Reunion, held in Washington. She not only attended the Reunion, but she stayed in touch with Committee members for regular get-togethers thereafter.
Helen loved to travel and she took trips to several foreign countries, as well as an Al...
Patricia Bengfort (Patton)
1941-06-22 2016-11-03
Reflections of Patricia Ann Patton Bengfort: June 22, 1941 – November 3, 2016
This is not an obituary, rather memories of a remarkable woman, my friend. It was 1954, 7th grade at Callanan Jr. High School. Her last name was Patton, mine was Peterson. That was how it began, a friendship of a lifetime. How could it not be? Pat had one of the most sweet, generous souls ever. But as teenagers, we were interested in fun, and fun we had. Callanan, and later Roosevelt were good schools, with good teachers, but, most of all, a great group of kids, the Rock n’ Roll generation. Pat liked everyone, I think, everyone liked Pat. She was one of those people that never met a person she didn’t...
Judith Smidt (Larsen)
1940-12-26 2017-02-06
Judith "Judy" Ann Smidt, 76, of Brentwood TX passed away on Monday Feb 6, 2017. She was at her winter home in Orange Beach, AL.
Judy was born on Dec 26, 1940 in Sioux City, IA to Jens Raymond and Arlene Larsen. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, and the University of Nebraska with a major in Art and Education.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Gary, her children Adam (Donna) and Kristin (Jeff Osborne); her grandchildren Davis, Harris, Clayton Larsen (Smidt) and Ali (Osborne).
Judy was an art teacher in Williamson County and Franklin Special School System for many years. Judy spent her retirement years enjoying the...
Thomas Holtz
1940-11-14 2017-01-30
THOMAS EDWARD HOLTZ
Thomas E. Holtz passed away on January 30, 2017 at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines, IA at the age of 76. Tom was born on November 14, 1940 to Earl and Marcella (Wolfkill) Holtz in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the oldest of 3 children. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School, class of 1959 where he played running back on the state winning football team. He went on to play football at Drake University where he also began to explore his love of art and design.
Tom married Sandra Hamilton and together they had 4 children. After four years in the United States Air Force based in Roswell, NM, Tom moved back to Des Moines and began his career wit...
