Alumni News

Author: Wes Frahm

Giving Tuesday — December 1, 2020

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#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 and has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

How you can participate:

Support any area of campus
A gift to Michigan Tech or any specific area of campus will help us prepare students to create the future. Give now.

Help Michigan Tech students through scholarships and fellowships
Scholarship/fellowship funding is Michigan Tech’s top strategic priority. This is especially true now with the need created by COVID-19. Donor-funded scholarships/fellowships come through two sources—the Annual Scholarship/Fellowship Fund and the Endowed Scholarship/Fellowship Fund. Learn more.

Make a gift to the Husky Emergency Assistance Fund (HEAF)
The HEAF has been established to help provide financial relief for the Michigan Tech campus community (students and employees) who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of crises (including COVID-19). Donate to the HEAF.

Donate food or resources to the Husky Food Access Network
The on-campus food pantry has helped hundreds of students in their time of need. Make a financial donation or email huskyfan@mtu.edu to coordinate a food donation during social distancing protocol.

On the last GivingTuesday (December 3, 2019) the global giving day generated $2 billion in giving, just in the United States, and inspired millions of people worldwide to volunteer, perform countless acts of kindness, and donate their voices, time, money, and goods.

Join the movement! Make a gift to Michigan Tech on Tuesday, December 1!

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In Memoriam

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June 1, 2020 – September 30, 2020

Class Name Degrees
1942 Stanley F. Kramer Jr ’42 BS Mechanical Engineering
1943 Dr. Michael Lauriente ’43 BS Metallurgical Engineering, ’46 MS Metallurgical Engineering
1949 Lyle W. Barden 49 BS Forestry
1949 Thomas F. Hruby ’49 BS Mining Engineering
1949 Russell A. Johnson ’49 BS Forestry
1950 Franklin M. Eastland ’50 BS Electrical Engineering
1950 Lawrence H. Jacobson Jr ’50 BS Forestry
1950 George E. Jewell ’50 BS Forestry
1950 Donald L. Martindale ’50 BS Forestry
1951 Duaine K. Wenzel ’51 BS Forestry
1953 George W. Lizenby ’53 BS Forestry
1954 David P. Cicchi ’54 BS Mining Engineering
1954 Paul J. Gottwald ’54 BS Forestry
1954 Thomas E. Smith ’54 BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Forestry
1954 Jack C Watson ’54 BS Forestry
1955 Leonard J. Arasim ’55 BS Forestry
1955 Dr. John P. Daniels ’55 BS Forestry
1955 Clarence W. Hultman ’55BS Mechanical Engineering
1955 Auvo I. Kemppinen ’55 BS Metallurgical Engineering, ’56 MS Metallurgical Engineering
1955 David E. Ottoson ’55 BS Forestry
1956 George J. Krawchuk ’56 BS Forestry
1957 William O. Maki ’57 BS Forestry
1957 George H. Sheppard, Jr. ’57 BS Forestry
1958 John S. Budzinski ’58 BS Chemical Engineering
1958 Michael T. Kenney ’58 BS Mechanical Engineering
1958 Owen D. Marjama ’58 BS Metallurgical Engineering
1958 Richard L. Slocum ’58 BS Metallurgical Engineering
1959 Jack E. Horak ’59 BS Forestry
1959 Orville J. Vanderlin ’59 BS Forestry
1960 Ronald N Wallis ’60 BS Mechanical Engineering
1961 Raymond L. Anderson ’61 BS Civil Engineering
1961 Gary H. Gay ’61 BS Mechanical Engineering
1961 Dr. Raymond W. Kauppila, P.E. ’61 MS Engineering Mechanics
1961 Hugh M. McKee ’61 BS Mechanical Engineering
1962 Robert G. Artis ’62 BS Forestry
1962 William E. Morden ’62 BS Forestry
1963 Richard A. Greketis ’63 BS Metallurgical Engineering, ’65 BS Business Engineering Admin
1963 Peter M Tomlinson ’63 BS Forestry
1964 Cecilia J. Faw ’64 BS Chemistry
1964 Dr. Edward S. Neumann P.E. ’64 BS Civil Engineering
1966 John B. Mitchell ’66 BS Electrical Engineering
1968 George F. Blass ’68 BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering
1968 Robert C. Stohl ’68 BS Business Administration
1969 George W. Beeby ’69 BS Business Administration
1969 Daniel E. Bush P.E. ’69 BS Mechanical Engineering
1970 Larry R. Gifford ’70 BS Mechanical Engineering
1970 Michael W. Hill ’70 BS Business Administration
1970 Harry J. House ’70 AAS Forest Technology
1970 Raymond J. Rought ’70 BS Civil Engineering
1971 Joseph Mark Krcmarik ’71 BS Civil Engineering
1971 David E. Rakoniewski ’71 BS Medical Technology
1973 Dennis E. Fritcher ’73 BS Metallurgical Engineering
1974 Paul L. Just ’74 BS Chemical Engineering
1975 Thomas P. Wells ’75 BS Civil Engineering
1977 Robert S. Thayer ’77 BS Forestry
1979 Paul J. Trasti ’79 AAS Nursing Technology
1980 Richard J. Kemmer ’80 BS Business Administration
1981 Bertrand A. Cresswell ’81 BS Business Administration
1981 Ralf G. Grisard ’81 BS Forestry
1981 Martin L. Swim ’81 BS Electrical Engineering
1984 Patrick J. Prus ’84 BS Mining Engineering
1985 Paul F. Smith ’85 BS Electrical Engineering
1986 Dr. Shu-Zu Lu ’86 PHD Metallurgical Engineering
1986 Bruce M. Sartorelli ’86 AAS Electromechanical Eng Tech
1987 Katherine M. Foster ’87 BS Forestry
1987 Eugene F. Hammond ’87 BS Business Administration
1987 Joseph P. Periard ’87 BS Computer Science
1988 Richard C. Nelson ’88 BS Electrical Engineering
1989 Todd E. French ’89 BS Physics
1990 Darrell E. Reed ’90 BS Civil Engineering
1991 P. Steven Raeder ’91 BS Forestry
1992 Pauline Joy Easterling ’92 BS Business Administration
2002 Michael P. Chipman ’02 BS Mechanical Engineering
2004 Ryan P. Walega ’04 BS Computer Science
2014 Coleen E. Huling ’14 BS Civil Engineering
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Remembering Professors Filer, Julien, and Kieckhafer

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Robert F. “Bob” Filer passed peacefully in the presence of his wife Debby on July 2, 2020, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease, at Canal View where he had been residing for a year. His wife visited with him twice daily until COVID struck and then she faithfully sent reassuring love letters each day, with photographs, to hold him close.

Born in Greenville Pennsylvania, raised by his loving parents Charlotte and Robert Filer, his childhood was idyllic. During high school he worked part-time at a Chevrolet Dealership and, when he graduated, he received the Class Physics Award. Bob earned a Five-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering at Gannon College and became licensed as a Profession Engineer in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  
Bob served in the US Army from 1964-1965, and then in the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, being Honorably Discharged from the US Air Force in 1974 as a 1st Lieutenant.  

He was employed by Pennsylvania Electric and McGraw-Edison in both Pennsylvania and in Ohio. Bob was then employed as a Project Engineer at Systems Control, in Iron Mountain Michigan. His professional experience greatly benefited his students, as a Professor in the Electrical Engineering Technology Program at Michigan Technological University, from 1975 to 2003, retiring as a Full Professor with Emeritus status. 

Bob married Marilyn (Smith) Filer, having children Mark, Kristan, and Anne. Later he married Barbara (Stover) Filer and, with her, had his fourth child Sarah. He and Debby (Bose) Filer met in 2002, married, then retired from Tech and created a loving and energetic life together. 

He was a member of the American Society for Engineering Education and the First United Methodist Church.  He supported Relay for Life many years.  Bob was an outdoor man and enjoyed tennis, scuba diving, bird-watching, white water canoeing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Bob also valued hiking in New Zealand where he, with Barbara and Sarah, spent a sabbatical year teaching at the Central Institute of Technology. He was also a runner and completed Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth. 

He and Debby added indoor “spinning” and rowing workouts to their activities. They also began to road bicycle together. Bob and Deb, with four of their children, rode Minnesota’s “Habitat 500” eight years, a 500 mile 7-day bicycle ride supporting Habitat for Humanity.  All of the funds they raised they contributed to their local Copper Country Chapter. He and Deb also relished traveling to visit their eight children and to hike National Parks.  Bob credited his wife Debby with postponing his illness and then delaying its progression by unfailingly encouraging their very active lifestyle and optimism.

He was preceded in death by his parents, friend Dale Walivaara, Barbara Filer, and his sister Mary Jane (Filer) Marx. Surviving are his loving wife Debby Bose Filer, blessed and privileged to marry her beloved and cherished husband; sister Nancy (Paul) Ceremuga of Pauline South Carolina; four children Mark (Gwen) Filer of Manitowoc Wisconsin, Kristan (David) Coleman of Irvine California, Anne (James) Walker of Oakland California, and Sarah (Beanie) Zollweg of Manhattan New York;  four step-children, Lydia (Fabian de Kok-Mercado) Gregg of Ellicott City Maryland, David (Kristina) Gregg of Portage Michigan, Dan Gregg of Ypsilanti Michigan, and Jane (Philip Hofer) Gregg of Seattle Washington; five grandchildren, Calvin, Amelia, Cody, Chloe, and Madison; five European High School exchange students; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

—Courtesy of O’Neill Dennis Funeral Home.

Larry Marlin Julien passed away August 27, 2020 at home in Houghton, Mi with family at his side after a 4 year battle with brain cancer and Parkinson’s.

Larry was born August 16, 1937 in Nora Springs, Iowa to George and Lorette (Swartwood) Julien. When he was 11 years old, he moved with his family to a farm near Fairchild, Wisc where he lived until he graduated from Fairchild High School in 1955. He then went to college at University of Wisc, Madison before enlisting into the Marine Corp from 1956 to 1958, leaving with the rank of Corporal to return to college.

He attended Univ of Wisc, River Falls, earning a BS in Chemistry and Math in 1962. He was Senior Class President; Captain of the Wrestling team, State Champion heavy weight wrestler 3 years and one year runner up, and National Champion wrestling runner up one year; Captain of the Football team and named All Conference Football team his final year. He was contacted by a pro football team inviting him to their team, but decided to continue his education. He was inducted into the first River Falls, Athletic Hall of Fame for both Wrestling and Football. During that time, Larry had 2 daughters, Sandra and Elizabeth from his marriage to Olga (Mazurak) Julien. He went on to grad school at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, where he received his Doctorate in Physical Chemistry in 1966.

After graduation, Larry knew he wanted to live and work in the northern Midwest, so he drew a line on a map between Minneapolis and Midland, Mich and applied to teach at 6 colleges that were located north of that line. He visited 5 of those campuses and was given job offers from all 5 of them. He chose Michigan Tech because he was so impressed with students all busy studying in the Student Union. He taught at MTU from 1966 until his retirement in 2000. Classes he taught included Physical Chemistry, Quantum Chem, Statistics, Advanced graduate P Chem, and Freshman Chem classes where he used lots of chemical demonstrations in his lectures. He developed and taught summers “Computers for the classroom” to High School Science Teachers from across the nation, (when many profs at Tech still did not use computers yet) and volunteered doing after-school science programs at local schools. He served 2 years as president of the University Faculty Senate, he was University Ombudsman, and was Marshal for the MTU graduation ceremonies.

Larry enjoyed fishing with all his kids as they grew up, and watching them all in sports, traveling to watch all their games and practices. He was a boy scout leader, a youth soccer and baseball coach, a softball player/coach, excellent bowler and played the NBA for years at Tech (noon basketball). He loved to watch his daughters in track, drill team, cheerleading, and figure skating practices and competitions. He loved to take week-long adventures in canoes to fish the remote rivers of Canada with his friends, and sons when they got old enough to join these trips. He liked living in the country, especially living on Lake Superior for 35 years in a house he and wife Connie built themselves at the end of a long road. Larry was a friend to all he met and was always willing to listen or help them in any way he could; and all his kids agree he was the best dad ever!

After retirement, Larry enjoyed 18 holes of golf every weekday morning in the summers and then chatting with friends every morning at downtown cafés in the winter. He and his wife Connie (Thompson) celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary on August 23rd.

Larry is survived by his wife, Connie, a brother, Randy (Jane) Julien of Fairchild, Wi and sister Janice Pierce in Menomonie, Wisc. Daughter Sandra (Chuck) in Woodbury, MN who have 3 children, Samantha, Patrick and Jeff Nordeen. Daughter Elizabeth (Dave) in Woodbury, MN who have one daughter, Kimberly Doerr (soon to be a Physician.)

Larry married Connie (Thompson) Julien in 1982 and they have two sons. Jason (Tara) who have 2 preschool children, Chase and his sister Charlie Julien in Waukesha, Wis. Jonathan (Jennifer) have 2 preschool girls, Esrey and Malone in Houghton.

—Courtesy of Memorial Chapel and Plowe Funeral Service.

Professor Roger Kieckhafer was an inventor, engineer, researcher, educator, veteran and valued faculty member of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He died on Friday, July 17, in a tragic vehicle-bicycle accident. He was 69.

The loss to the faculty and staff in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the College of Engineering is immense. We will not recover quickly from the shock of his death.

Roger received his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974 and earned his master’s and PhD in electrical engineering from Cornell University in 1982 and 1983, respectively. The years between were spent in service to the US Navy as a nuclear officer aboard the Trident missile submarine USS Abraham Lincoln. He also supervised the construction of the USS Indianapolis. His time in industry was also well spent, producing several patents that were licensed to Allied Signal, now Honeywell Corporation.

Roger was fond of classical music, particularly opera, and sang in the Copper Country Chorale, often accompanied by his daughter, Maggie, on organ. He also sang in the prestigious Pine Mountain Music Festival, including the premiere of the opera “Rockland,” based on the story of the 1906 miner strike in Rockland, Michigan.

Roger was instrumental in creating the computer engineering degree program at Michigan Tech. Working with Dr. Linda Ott in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Sciences and Arts, he bridged the gap between two departments in two separate colleges, crafting a program that educated hundreds — a new breed of engineer steeped in both worlds.

Even after the development of the computer engineering program, Roger’s collaboration with the Department of Computer Science continued. “We worked together on a strategic hiring initiative, multiple curricular issues, reorganization discussions and countless other issues,” said Ott, the chair of the Department of Computer Science. “Roger was always supportive. He clearly believed that we would have stronger programs working together rather than competing.”

Roger was a strong advocate for the ABET accreditation process in the ECE department. He led the initial ABET accreditation of the Computer Engineering program. The procedures and processes he set in place then are still in play nearly 20 years later, guiding the department’s subsequent accreditation for both its electrical engineering and computer engineering degrees.

In the words of computer engineering faculty member Kit Cischke, “For Roger, it always boiled down to what was best for our students. The content of our classes. The things our students needed to know to get good jobs. The assignments. The kinds of things they needed to do in the real world. Students were forever contacting Roger after graduation, saying, ‘Thanks for teaching me that. I’m using it every day in my job.’”

Over the past few days, Roger’s former students have reached out to express their grief and sadness. They have shared how much Roger meant to them during their time at Michigan Tech and how well he prepared them for the success they enjoy today. One of those students was Joseph Rabaut. In his words, “I can’t tell you how devastated I am. Dr. Kieckhafer was an amazing person and one of the best professors at Tech. He helped me a lot throughout the past few years, giving me advice and recommendations, and helping me understand computer engineering. I don’t really know what else to say, because words can’t really describe losing him.”

Roger cared deeply for his students, his family, and his profession. I think that may be the source we can draw upon to comfort our own sense of sadness and grief. The impact he had on hundreds of lives will shine on.

And, as we move forward, his legacy will live on. As suggested by several people, a scholarship fund will be set up in Roger’s memory.

—Written by Glen Archer, Interim Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Roger’s official obituary can be read here.

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Things I Learned at Michigan Tech

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A thread on Facebook allowed Michigan Tech Alumni to share nuggets of wisdom acquired in the Copper Country. Below are some of those responses. Add yours in the comments below!

Nerds rule … Numbers don’t lie … “Because research has proven it” is an acceptable answer … People with toolboxes have a lot of acquaintances … Make friends with the people with the keys … Euchre is an art form … Invest in quality jumper cables. 
—Jerry Myers

Snowbanks at the end of your driveway somehow become magnetic, and will suck cars into them … Hiking boots are always in fashion. So is flannel … It is possible to walk uphill, both ways, to school.
—Carla Martinek

Brooms are meant to be clipped, taped, and used on ice.
—Rebecca Miner

F=MA … Physics is fun … You can’t push a rope.
—Brian Hobbs

Chemistry says if you soak the rope and freeze it, you can push it just fine.
—James Learman

Keep a snow shovel in the car at all times.
—Megan Kreiger

“It depends” is a legitimate answer for many engineering questions (courtesy of Jim De Clerck).
—Ross Hogan

Anyone with a Michigan Tech sticker on their car is a friend I have not yet met … Pizza and a beer is always an acceptable dinner choice … Chili is good over rice.
—Caryn Turrel

Taco Bell tastes better when you drive 100 miles for it.
—David Wressell

“Pank” is a real word.
—Jim Desrochers

Floormats make great traction aid devices … Always supervise friends “borrowing” your garage and insist on the use of jackstands.
—Alicia Steele

Cafeteria trays are actually sleds.
—Robin Book

When shoveling, throw snow back as far as you can in the beginning of the season.
—Tanya Bedore

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Golden M Inductees

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Congratulations to our newest batch of Golden M alumni. The Class of 1970 celebrates its 50-year milestone in 2020. Here are the inductees into the 2020 Class of Golden Ms.

Maan S. Abdul-Baki
Arthur W. Abramson
Richard L. Acker
Anton Adam
Barry J. Adams
Donald L. Adams II
Donald J. Ahola
Richard C. Aiken
Michael A. Aimone P.E.
James C. Aittama
Thomas A. Ala
John T. Allen
William S. Allen
Carla J. Alspaugh
William C. Alward
Ronald C. Amadio
Dr. Joel E. Andersen
Andy M. Anderson
Keith W. Anderson
Michael A. Anderson
Terry L. Anderson P.E.
Dr. Charles A. Andrews
James W. Andrews
Stephen C. Andrews
Nicholas J. Antonopulos
Charles R. Apap
Keith N. Apelgren, M.D.
Dr. Judith C. Archibald, D.D.S.
Gerald E. Arndt
R. David Arndt
Tore Arnhoff
Gary D. Arnold
George A. Arnold Sr
Joseph E. Asiala
Kenneth R. Aulich
Edmond N. Avakian
Juan J. Avellan
William G. Babcock
Dr. Donald J. Baccus, M.D.
Glen E. Bahr
Michael P. Bahrman
Robert J. Baker
Robert F. Ball Jr
Dennis W. Barber
Steven A. Baril
Dr. Bruce A. Barna
Kathy E. Barnhart
Missak V. Barsoumian
Dr. Terry L. Bartel
James H. Basch
John C. Batchelder P.E.
Martin W. Bauer
Stephen R. Bearden
David M. Beauchaine
Kathleen J. Beauchamp
Dennis R. Bechard
John S. Beck
Paul T. Becker
Gordon Beckmann
David W. Beckner
Gary C. Bedord
Kenneth C. Behrendt
William D. Belden
John A. Benaglio
Norman D. Benedum
Robert A. Bennett
Andrew C. Berg
Raymond M. Berg
Ronald M. Bergeron P.E.
Michael S. Bergstrom
Daniel N. Berlin
Col. Louis R. Best
Jeri A. Betts
Jeanne K. Beville
Robert A. Bienkowski
Thomas F. Biernat
Paul R. Bilgen
Wallace B. Binder, Jr.
Thomas E. Bingham
Gary H. Binoniemi
Gary R. Bird
Carl E. Blaksley
Robert M. Blank
James R. Block
Richard M. Blood
John W. Bolton
Danny L. Booth
Stanley P. Borawski
William E. Boros
James E. Borro Jr
Michael L. Borta P.E.
R. Paul Bowen
Thomas C. Bowers
Herbert J. Boxer
Thomas L. Brayak
David A. Bredekamp
Marilyn A. Brissette
Leslie J. Broker
Larry A. Brown
Larry C. Brown
Thomas K. Bruin
Michael E. Brunet P.E.
Ann M. Bruttomesso
Frank A. Bruttomesso
John D. Bryant
Karen J. Bryant
Mark W. Buckley
Dennis M. Budzyn
David W. Buffenbarger
Timothy M. Bulera
LtCol. George H. Burger Ret.
Martin J. Burger
Janet C. Burkholder
William T. Burt
Walter C. Burville
Larry J. Bussone
Michele T. Bussone
Ronald N. Buswell
Dennis P. Buttleman
Kenneth W. Calder
Allan G. Camp
Robert G. Campbell
John W. Carless
James D. Carpenter
Oral W. Carper
Raymond L. Cassel
Lundy J. Castro
Don F. Cavaiani
John R. Chamberlain P.E.
Francis M Chan
Pak-Yan Chan
Thomas W Chandler
Chun-Tei Chang
William S. Chaplin
Roy D. Chapman
Paul W. Chappell
Walter W Chaput
James L. Chute
David W. Cima
Robert J. Cleereman
Dennis P. Cleland
William L. Cliffe
Daniel C. Clouser
Stephen C. Coburn
John F. Cole
William G. Collinson
Charles W. Condon
Dr. Michael T. Connor
Gene P. Contardi
Anthony L. Cooper II
Kenneth W. Copi
James L. Cornell
Rev. Stephen P. Cowen
James H. Cox
Howard W. Creswick Jr
James E. Croxall
John M. D’Amour
James E. Daniels
Maroun N. Daou
Charles B. Dashner
Kathleen D. Davies
Mary E. Davis
Philip E. Davis
Thomas L. Davis
Robert J. de Carle
Patrick N. DeGrand
Pierre C. Delago
Thomas J. Delaney
David G. Delforge
Dr. Edward J. DePuit
Kenneth F. Desjardine
James E. DeVault
David H. Dewar
Gerald P. Dion
Robert J. Dion
Thomas A. Doane P.E.
James C. Dobbins
Patrick J. Doherty
James F. Donaghue
Stephen P. Donner
Paul A. Dougovito
John J. Doyle P.E.
Robert A. Drake
Ronald R. Drenth
Thomas Leonard Drielick, PE
Richard L. Dubord
James F. Dudley
Paul J. DuPont PE
Gene M. Dworzanski
W. Thomas Easton
Mohammad Ebrahimzadeh
Frederick M. Eddy Jr P.E.
David W. Eldridge
Charles F. Emki
Clyde G. Engebos
Mary E. Engledow
Kathy L. Ennis
Terry O. Enslen
Dr. M. Eshaque
Floyd J. Evans
John R. Faber
Sami S. Fakhran
Richard J. Faleschini
Michael B. Fallat
Frederick M. Farrell
Theodore P. Feightner
Brian D. Ferguson
Theodore A. Finch, Jr. P.E.
Raymond A. Fischer
Paul S. Fisher
Oyvind Fjell
Robert D. Fleischmann
Dr. Michael F. Fleming
Dean G. Fletcher
H. David Fletcher
Timothy J. Flynn
David L. Formenti
Fred J. Fortman Jr
Harthan H. Foster
Jackson B. Fox Jr
William R. Freed
William J. French III
Charles R. Fricke III
Alan K. Fritz
Timothy D. Gales
Michael J. Gallagher
Steven L. Gallaway
Marilyn J. Gangwer
Gary D. Gardner
John B. Garland
David E. Gaun
H. Paul Gay
Marvin K. Gayfield, II
Robert B. Gemignani
Robert G. Gendzwill
Dr. Joel W. Gerdeen
Sandra L. Gersky
Ronald J. Giaier
John L. Gibbs
Larry R. Gifford
James F. Glova
Richard W. Good
Owen T. Goodman P.E.
Stephen G. Goranson
Gary J. Gorsalitz P.E.
John A. Gosler
Earl R. Graham
Gary M. Graham
James J. Graham
Phillip A. Grandmason
Glen L. Gray, PhD, CPA
Maj. Douglas J. Greening (Ret)
Dr. Thomas R. Greenlee
Donald J. Greiner P.E.
Lawrence E. Groff
Steven L. Groot
James L. Gruette
Eileen S. Guile PMP
Mary Jane Haapala
Robert A. Haapala
Dennis F. Hacker
Kathy A. Haglund
Joel D. Hamers
Thomas E. Hamilton
Robert W. Hamm
John G. Hanania
Donald L. Haney Jr
James E. Hanttula
Bruce A. Hardyniec
Eugene Harma
Thomas D. Harper
Patrick J. Harris
Robert A. Harsel
James B. Harvey
Dr. Abdolali Hashemi
Robert W. Haskins
Lawrence R. Hattan
L/Col.Kenneth L. Hawkins
Thomas G. Heck
Mohammad A. Hedayati-Nia
John M. Hedin Jr
Bernard P. Heethuis
Gordon R. Heidenga
Warren J. Heikkila
Harold H. Heikkinen
James J. Heirman
Dennis A. Helander
Michael J. Helmes
Robert A. Heltunen
Lawrence P. Hemming
William J. Hentgen
Michael S. Herman
Bruce A. Herr, Sr
H. William Herzog
James A. Hewett
William T. Hicks II, P.E.
Kenneth D. Hill
Michael W. Hill
Howard W. Hilshorst
Ronald A. Hiltunen
William J. Hindelang
Douglas G. Hinton
Diana S. Hockman
James H. Hoke
Robert D. Holben
Richard G. Holcomb
Charles E. Holwerda
Frederick J. Homburg Jr
Robert J. Hooper
Donald D. Horton III, P.E.
Steven M. Houghton P.E.
Harry J. House
Bill J. Howard
John Huang
James C. Hudson
Larry E. Hudson
Dr. Gordon J. Hughes Jr
John H. Hughes
Sajjad Hussain
Mark S. Hutchenreuther P.E.
Larry J. Hutchinson
Marvin L. Isles
John W. Isola
Thomas L. Ittner
Said Izadi
Lee W. Jackson
Dennis K. Jacobs
Jeffrey J. Jahnke
Richard L. Jauron
Stanley J. Jefferson
Adrian R. Jentoft
Richard H. Jewett
Dr. Mahesh C. Jha P.E.
Barbara T. Johnson
John E. Johnson
Paul F. Johnson Jr
Robert S. Johnson
Toby J. Johnson
W. Thomas Johnson
Walter L. Johnson
Donald A. Jones
Gerald R. Jones, Sr.
Harry P. Jones
John M. Jones
Richard E. Jones
James W. Juopperi
Walter J. Justice Jr.
Dennis A. Kachmarsky P.E.
Raymond B. Kaldor
Col. John J. Kalosis Jr
Stephen L. Kamykowski
Kenneth P. Kartje
Frederick S. Karwacki
Daniel G. Keane
Dennis R. Keating
Richard J. Kemmer
William B. Kemp
Gary E. Kent
Charles A. Keskimaki
Anthony D. Kiel
Michael R. King
Dale I. Kintgen
David G. Kissinger
Donald R. Kitson
Lorraine A. Klemm
Robert W. Klemm
Michael S. Kolky
Sidney A. Konell
Thomas L. Korntved
Gunnar J. Korpinen
Dennis H. Koski
Richard P. Koski
Michael V. Krenitsky Jr
Daniel W. Kretz
Craig E. Kreyger
Joseph A. Krismanick
Leonard A. Krumm P.E.
Gary W. Krupa
Dr. Hiroshi Kubo
Richard J. Kunec
Capt. Theodore Kuschel Jr
Kurt W. Kuure
Douglas G. Laakso
Lon P. LaBumbard
Douglas R. Laiho
Gary M. Laitinen
Jeffrey C. Lamb
Thomas S. Langdon
Gerald A. LaRoy
Michael C. Larrabee
Alan R. Larsen
Alton L. Larsen
David A. Larsen
Dr. Paul A. Larson
Richard B. Larson
George A. LaTendresse
I. Barbara LaTendresse
Philip J. Laux III
Mel K. Lawson

BG. Mitchell R. LeClaire Ret.
Col. William E. Lee Jr (Ret)
Michael J. Lefebvre, PE
Linda D. Lehtinen
Eugene M. Lehtola
Michael R. Leitzke
Daniel D. Lemke
L/Col.Robert F. Lemon Jr.
Robert A. LeMonds
Christopher A. Lenicheck
Samuel A. Leonard
Vincent Lettieri
James H. Lewis
J. Gordon Lewis
Gary W. Libby
Richard J. Liebmann
Joe H. Lindley
William E. Lindquist
Lt. Paul A. Lindstrom Jr
Jon W. Linnard
Gary W. Little
Thomas E. Littlefield
Casimir A. Litwinski
Julie K. Livas
Gary R. Lowe
Philip A. Luedtke
Gerald M. Lukach
Mark E. Lund
Paul R. Lundell
Capt. Roger C. Lundin
James L. Luttinen
Ronald J. Lux
Marlin L. Lystila
Michael D. Lytwynec
George S. Maalouf
Cdr. David B. MacFarland, Jr.
James A. Mahon
Dennis J. Maki
Forrest O. Maki
Richard W. Maki
Kundan L. Malik
Ronnie J. Mallory
Michael W. Malloy
Susan M. Malloy
G. William Mankinen
Joel D. Manns
A. Peter Marinis
Thomas L. Marino
Dale W. Mars
Dr. Edward T. Marsh
Paul H. Marshall
Thomas E. Martens
Gary V. Martin
Ivan E. Martin
Robert E. Martin, Sr.
Marvin A. Mashlan
Joseph B. Masterson Jr CSP
Abe W. Mathews Jr
Paul R. Mattinen
James A. Mattson
Thomas G. May
Donald M. Mazany
Timothy J. McClellan
James J. McFall
Michael J. McGovern
Patrick M. McGrain
Dr. Patrick J. McGrath
Lois J. McGunegle
John F. McKana, Jr.
Richard J. McMonagle
Ronald N. McNabb
Brian P. McNicholl
George R. McPherson
Gordon A. McRae
George G. Meadows
Douglas I. Mercer
Gordon F. Meuse
Duane R. Meyer P.E. C.C.E.
Marten W. Meyer
Gerald J. Miatech Jr
Phillip C. Micheau
Dennis L. Miller
Joseph S. Minier
Gregory L. Miron
Lawrence J. Mislinski
Ronald E. Mizia
Dr. Dennis P. Mlot
Linda D. Mlot
John C. Moden
Don T. Moore P.E.
Theodore B. Morrison P.E.
Myron H. Moss
Douglas J. Mouch
Henry E. Mouchahoir
Thomas C. Moyle
Thomas H. Mroz
Betty J. Mueller
David C. Mueller
William A. Mueller
Harry E. Munn
Capt. Roy E. Munzel
Donald L. Murray
Donald W. Murray
Rudolf R. Nahhas
Elwood A. Narhi
Dennis C. Nelson
Warren E. Nelson
Cheryl L. Neville
Richard James Newell P.E.
Dr. Gary E. Nichols
Jon L. Nichols
Robert A. Niemela
Sally Champine Niemi
Paul R. Niesen
Carol L. Niggemyer
Richard C. Nigh
Warren J. Noble
Alan L. Noga
James T. Nolan
Robert W. Nolingberg
Camilo Novoa
Matthew C. Nowak
Ronald E. Nowicki
Ralph R. Noyes
Michael P. O’Connell
Jerry E. O’Neill
Col. Thomas J. Oldenburg
Dr. Thomas E. Oldfield
Stephen A. Onisko
John A. Opitz
Robert K. Opland
Thomas J. Ortwein
Barry K. Osborn
Christopher A. Otis
Sadullah Ozturk
Eric J. Paavilainen
Stanley L. Pakula
Robert E. Palmer
Thomas M. Paniwozik
Thomas A. Partanen
Arthur V. Parzych
Vasantbhai K. Patel
James W. Paul
Robert L. Pawling
David F. Penkevich
Ronald E. Penpraze
David L. Perry
John M. Pessagno
Heikki O. Petaisto
Robert J. Peters
Wayne D. Peters Jr
Alexander J. Peterson P.E.
Eric G. Peterson
Michael W. Peterson C.P.A.
Gerald R. Phillips
Richard L. Pichiotino
Roy T. Pickler
Dr. Timothy R. Pinchback
Glen A. Pinnell
Stephen N. Pipkorn
Kenneth G. Piwarski
Eugene G. Plant
Arthur A. Plotkin
Dr. Thomas J. Pokora
Steve J. Polich
Michael J. Pond
Dale E. Popula
James L. Porth
David L. Postler
R. Lee Pratt
Edward A. Prebihalo
Alexander M. Prusi P.E.
Richard T. Pullum
Charles J. Pycha III
Gregory S. Pyke
Pamela J. Quayle
Orfan Rabbat
Michael R. Raehl
Timothy J. Raimer
Terry A. Rammacher
William N. Raplenovich
Paul D. Rauscher
Ronald G. Ray
Bruce J. Raymaker
Thomas C. Raysin
Stephen W. Reilly P.E.
David B. Repke
Gerald J. Richards
John A. Richards
Thomas J. Rinne
Ronald E. Rintamaki
Charles V. Roberts
Bruce W. Robertson
Jack D. Robinson
John L. Rodgers
Anthony C. Romero
Allan R. Roozee
David O. Ropponen
Raymond J. Rought
Joseph H. Rowe II
Gerald R. Ruotsala
Michael E. Ryan
Roger T. Saari
Rafik W. Salameh
Terrance S. Samolewski
Dr. L. Bogue Sandberg
Sally K. Santeford
Thomas W. Saur
William E. Savela
Barry V. Sawchuk
Afram M. Sawma
Sami A. Sayegh
Allan W. Scheive
Steven R. Schelling
John L. Schick
Donn J. Schlotec
Joel R. Schlukebir
Charles L. Schmidt
Alan J. Schneider
Dennis R. Schnotala
Arnold F. Schoeck
George P. Schubert P.E.
Eric F. Schulte
John R. Schultz
Leroy P. Schultz
William A. Schumacher
Keith J. Searl
Jon B. Sebba
Paula K. Seiter
Charles L. Selander
Edmund V Self Jr
Daniel J. Seppa
John M. Shabel
Timothy E. Shade
Bansilal N. Shah
Thomas H. Sharp
Daniel F. Shauger
Marvin D. Shepherd
Frank D. Sherman
William G. Shields
Edward I. Shillington P.E.
R. Scott Sickler
Steven D. Siedentopf
Thomas E. Silverblatt
R. Mark Simeoni
Donald H. Simmons
Serak A. Simon
Robert M. Simons
John G. Sims
Brien D. Sirola
J. Michael Skippen, P.E.
Kevin B. Slattery
David A. Sleeper
James F. Smith P.E.
Michael L. Smith P.E.
Richard W. Snyder
William W. Snyder
Thomas K. Song
Gary P. Sparrow
Thomas C. Spence
William L. Spietz
Douglas R. Sporte
Rev. Gregory M. Sprau
Daniel L. Spreitzer P.E.
William J. Sproule
Robert J. St. Pierre
Thomas J. Stafford
Paul W. Stark
Michael R. Sterk
John W. Stevens
Eilene S. Still
JoAnne R. Stimac
Eugene L. Stone
Thomas T. Stoner
Gary E. Storms
Terry A. Stoychoff
Gary A. Strack
Gary R. Strobel
Richard L Strohkirch
David D. Sturkol
Kim A. Sturm
Gary L. Sundin
Michael T. Sutkowi
Gary F. Swagart
Monte M. Swan
Jeffrey L Swanson
Kenneth O. Sweet
David R. Swetich
Stephen M. Szymanski
Raymond M. Tabar
Edwin D. Tafelski
David A. Talford
Michael A. Tasson P.E.
Frank W. Taylor
William G. Teer
Joyce J. Ten Haken C.P.A.
Richard E. Ten Haken
Joseph F. Tencza
Victor M. Tepedino
James F. Tercha
Lawrence R. Tetzlaff
Richard H. Thole
Ronald W. Thomas
Camiel E. Thorrez
Aykut Tolunay
Mark J. Toner
Donald K. Topliff
Frank P. Traczyk Jr
Terrence M. True
James T. Tulk
Alan D. Tuomisto
Stephen M. Turner
John V. Twork
Robert J. Ulaszek
Ronald J. Uutala
Paul B. Valenti
Dennis A. Van Liere
Dr. Ronald L. Van Wieren
Kenneth VanderHeide
Douglas L. VanDyke PE
Robert P. Veale
Ronald Vedova
James M. Vencato
Richard L. Verburg
Thomas C. Vicary
Patricio Villarroel
James A. Visintainer P.E.
Terry L. Vrable
Peter J. Wacker
Richard F. Wadleigh Jr
Karl F. Wagner
Lee P. Waibel
Roger L. Wakelam
Bruce J. Waldo
Steve Z. Walicki
John R. Walker
Martin J Walker
Michael F Walker
Wolfgang Walther
John E Ward Jr
Edward F. Watkins
David J. Watson P.E.
Stephen P. Watters
Brian A. Watts
Donald P. Weaver Jr
John M. Weber
Jerome B. Weeden
Jerome M. Weedman
Kenneth S Wells
Sandra L. Wells
Jon E. Wennerberg
James O Wester
Michael C. Wetzel
Franklin C. Wheatlake
Susan P. Wheatlake
Edward J. White
Robert R. White
Susan O’Neill White
Donald S. Whitens
John S. Wiegand
James C. Wiester Jr
William K. Wilke
Dr. Harold L. Wilkinson
Claude N. Williams Jr
David E. Williams
Michael F. Wilmers
Terrance C. Wilson
Gary K. Wiltse
Richard R. Windnagel
Lum R. Wing
Helmut Winter
Monte J. Withee
Dale M. Witt
Ted T. Wittig
Russell A. Wolf
James N. Wood
Stephen J. Wood
B. Thomas Woodroffe
Frances H. Worley
George E. Wright
Dennis J. Wyllie
Warren C. Yohe
Robert H. Yonker
Theodore J. Zanon
David A. Zawacki
James J. Zechlinski P.E.
Lcdr. Terrance W. Zline
James F. Zook
Christopher D. Zoppa
Jeffrey D. Zutler

2020 Golden M Inductees

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Pasty Recipe

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Michigan Tech Dining Services uses the following recipe for making Cornish Pasties. What is your recipe or variation that you like? Share in the comments below!

Pastry Ingredients:

  • 4 cups cold all-purpose flour (cold)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 8 ounces Crisco (cold)
  • 1 cup ice cold water

Filling Ingredients:

  • 1 # raw skirt steak, diced
  • 2 cups peeled, diced, red potatoes
  • 2 cups diced yellow onions
  • 2 cups shredded rutabaga
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 ¾ teaspoons black pepper
  • 4 knobs butter

Egg Wash:

  • 1 egg with a little water added, beaten well

Instructions:

1.       In a chilled bowl, thoroughly combine flour and salt. Once combined, gently rub the Crisco onto the flower to form large flasks for a flaky crust.

2.       Add water and mix until the dough just comes together. Form dough into 4 disks, individually wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until set.

3.       To make the pasty filling combine the onion, potatoes, and rutabaga in a bowl. Mix in the salt and pepper.

4.       On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into 4, 10” disks.

5.       Place ¼ of the filling mixture near the top of each 10” pastry round. Top with beef, place a knob of butter on the beef, and then add a pinch of flour and salt and pepper on top.

6.       Wet edge of pastry with a little water. Fold to seal. Crimp edges with a tool or fork, brush each pastry with egg wash, and bake 45-50 minutes at 400﮿F. 

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Emergency Fund Impact

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Thanks to donations from alumni and friends, 280 students have been helped through emergency funds. More than $117,000 has been distributed to help students suffering financial hardship because of COVID-19. Support for any of these funds will have an immediate impact on our students!

Husky Emergency Assistance Fund | Give Now
76 undergraduate students received $27,648
38 graduate students received $14,278.28
11 employees received $5,289

Graduate Emergency Assistance Fund | Give Now
70 graduate students received $35,000 (thanks to a $100,000 lead donation from Chang Park)

Betty Chavis Fund
38 undergraduate students received $15,385 
4 graduate students received $2,343

International Fund
52 graduate students received $21,917 
2 undergraduate students received $745

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Remembering Tom Hruby and Raymond Kauppila

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Thomas F. Hruby, 93, a longtime Houghton resident, died on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at Gardenview Assisted Living and Memory Care. He was born July, 13, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, a son of the late Alois and Lillian (Vevra) Hruby.

Tom was a WWII veteran of the United States Merchant Marines serving from 1944-46, completing numerous trans-Pacific voyages.

Following his discharge, Tom earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (Michigan Tech). His early post-college years were spent in Cleveland and Detroit as writer and editor for several industry publications.

Tom returned to Houghton and Michigan Tech in the late 1950’s-early 60’s and in his near 40 year tenure at the university held successively responsible positions in external and alumni relations.

Tom was a longtime and active member of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish of Hoighton, where he served as an usher and Eucharistic Minister for shut-ins. Tom was all about family. He volunteered for many of the parish’s special programs for communities of need in Houghton. He was very kind and generous to his church families in need, especially during the holidays often opening his home to folks. Although Tom wished to keep his donations to others anonymous, they were well appreciated.

Tom loved sailing on the blue waters and in the challenging winds of Lake Michigan, and reveled in the cross country skiing afforded by the Upper Peninsula’s long winters. Necessarily giving up sailing and skiing in his later years, he was a daily walker.

Tom is survived by his sister, Jane Hruby Hanlon and her husband Robert; as well as nine nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by brothers, Louis and Joseph; and a sister, Mary Louise.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at St. Ignatious Loyola Parish in Houghton, with Fr. John Martignon as celebrant. Arrangements are being handled by the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home of Hancock, Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.

Raymond William Kauppila, 91, most recently of 1600 Mill Creek Court, Marquette, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2020, while in the loving care of family and the Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice. He was formerly of 424 W. Ridge St., Marquette; and longtime Hancock resident.

Raymond was born in Iron Mountain, on February 17, 1929, son of the late Ida H. (Kuja) and Swan W. Kauppila.

Ray was a graduate of the Eben High School, Class of 1946. Ray Kauppila earned bachelor degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Michigan in 1951. He was first employed by Standard Oil in Whiting, Indiana, from 1951-1955 and then at Cliffs Dow in Marquette from 1955-1957. Ray then came to Tech as a teacher in 1957 and received an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1960. He left Michigan Tech briefly to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1968.

Kauppila served Michigan Tech as a teacher and researcher from 1957 until his retirement in 1988, other than a brief stint with P & H Crane in Escanaba from 1979-1980. He came to Tech after working in the industry for several years, bringing to the design curriculum an invaluable background, steeped in the realities of industrial design, yet firmly based on a foundation of mathematical and engineering science. His inquiring mind and his uncompromising quest for excellence left its mark on a generation of design students in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Few were unaffected by his intensity in the classroom and his insights in the design laboratory.

While at Michigan Tech he served a stint as chief engineer at the Keweenaw Research Center and maintained strong ties with the mining industry through his pioneering work in roof bolting. He was instrumental in the implementation of what is now called the Computer Aided Engineering Laboratory, and was a lead designer of the BAJA automobiles at Tech. Ray was never one to rest and after “retirement” worked as a consulting engineer at U.P. Fabricating from 1997-2012 and had also taught at NMU from 1991-1992.

He was a member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in Negaunee. Ray served on the Board of Review in Hancock, was a board member at AMCAB and had served numerous other boards and provided engineering expertise for many organizations, along with being a patent holder and enjoyed machine design.

Raymond is survived by three daughters, Susan (Gregory) Bovid of Midland, Audrey (William) Johnson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kandace (Tim) Reckinger, of Hartland, Wisconsin; a son, Rick (Pam) Kauppila of Negaunee; two brothers, Rolland W. (Linda) Kauppila of Dayton, Ohio and Rodney W. (Barbara) Kauppila of Rudyard; nine grandchildren, Adam (Britta) Kauppila, Janel Kauppila, Christopher (Karen) Bovid, Nicholas (Kristen) Bovid, Stanley (Jami) Bovid, Elena Davis, Jennifer (Jonathan) Walter, Lauren (William) Crowder and Aaron Reckinger; 13 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of brothers and sisters in faith.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, whom shared 65 years of marriage with, Irene E. (Besonen) Kauppila on Sept 24, 2017, and a brother, Wallace S. Kauppila who died in his childhood.

Graveside funeral services will be held at the Trout Creek Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2020 with Mike Peterson officiating.

Pallbearers will be Stan, Nick and Chris Bovid, Adam Kauppila., Aaron Reckinger and John Kauppila.

Ray’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

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