Remembering Professors Carr and Huang

Professor Emeritus Bernie Carr

Bernard Warren Carr (Bernie)–also known to some as Butch—died at Omega House in Houghton, MI on June 7, 2021. He was born April 22, 1943 in Munising, Mich., to Frank and Irma (Kumpu) Carr, and raised in Christmas, Mich. He graduated from Munising’s Mather High School in 1961. While working as a Forestry Aide in the Seney area he met the love of his life (Karen Ruth Ketola) in the fall of 1961. They were married on August 29, 1964 in Germfask, Mich.

During the summers while in college Bernie worked two summers for the US Forest Service, one summer for the Celotex Corporation, and while a student at MTU he worked as a rodman for Helmuth Steinhilb, a Forestry professor and land surveyor.

Bernie attended Northern Michigan University before finishing a BS degree in Forestry from Michigan Tech University, followed by an MS degree in Silviculture from the University of Maine.

He then accepted a teaching position in Michigan Tech’s newly created Forestry Technician Program within the School of Technology. Upon accepting the position he planned to stay for three to five years and ended up staying for 35 years. The joy and challenges of working with the students was what kept him teaching, especially in the early years. During the 35 year period, he served as the program coordinator and earned the rank of Professor. Upon retirement he was conferred with the title of Professor Emeritus.

Bernie was professionally active in the Society of American Foresters (SAF). He served as Chair of the Michigan SAF, and as the Michigan Society representative on the planning committee for an SAF Region Technical Conference held in Wisconsin. He was elected a SAF Fellow in 1987, and was an SAF Golden Member with more than 50 years of continues membership. He was appointed to the Michigan Forestry Licensing Board by then-Governor Engler. Bernie also served as the first elected chair for two years of the Council of Eastern Forest Technician Schools (CEFTS), and later as elected Secretary and newsletter editor for two years. He also chaired the committee that developed the CEFTS constitution and operating procedures.

Bernie also engaged in public service throughout his life. He was a member of the L’Anse Hockey Association (LHA). He coached, served on the LHA board of directors, and chaired the LHA committee that negotiated implementation of hockey in the L’Anse Township Schools in the 1980s. He was a member of the L’Anse Township Board of Education for eight years, and member of the Copper Country Intermediate School District Board of Education for 12 years. A past member of the Copper Country Building Committee, he participated in a number of home builds over the years. Bernie joined the L’Anse Lions Club in 1974 and transferred to the Houghton Lions in 1991, belonging to the Lions for 47 years. He also served a number of years on the Portage Township Planning Commission and the Board of Review.

Bernie was a member of Good Shepherd Luther Church of Houghton and past member of United Lutheran Church of L’Anse. At both congregations, he served on many committees over the years.

He was a member of the Portage Fitness Center and while there, he “joined” Club 43 which was initiated by Frank Taucher. Other members are John Lawton, Dick Prince, and Bob Haataja (all of whom were born in 1943). With his wife Karen, he received the Ken Hamar Award for exemplary and continuous support of the Michigan Tech Athletic Program through the Blue Line Club. He was also active in the Center Court Club of Women’s Basketball at Michigan Tech.

Preceding Bernie in death were his parents Frank and Irma Carr, and his brothers Richard and Kenneth.

Surviving are his wife Karen Ketola Carr; children Amy Carr (Michael Kirby) of Macomb, Ill., and Frank (Rosa) Carr of Elko, Nev.; sister-in-law Susan Carr, and grandchildren Rachelle Reymers, Savanna Carr, Alysia Carr and Brett Carr.

As a parting thought, Bernie “wished to thank my wife for always being my kindred spirit and supporting me. Also to all my friends and not so friends, please forgive me if I insulted you and hopefully remember the fun times we had.”


Professor Emeritus and Former Graduate School Dean Eugene Huang

Eugene Y. Huang died June 14, 2021, in New Hope, at age 103.

He was born in Changsha, China, in 1917. He was the son of historian Huang Shan and his wife Zhao Yiyun.

As a child, he was raised in a traditional home, and given a Chinese classical education, but was soon drawn as a young student to Western science and technology.

During WWII, he worked in the Chinese National Highway Administration, assigned to a team in southwest China that designed and built roads and bridges in support of the war effort against the Japanese.

He came to the United States for further education in 1948. In 1950, he began to obtain an M.S. in engineering at the University of Utah. In 1954, he was awarded a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Michigan. Eugene began teaching at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where he met and married his wife, Helen.

In 1963, he moved with his young family to Houghton. He was a professor of civil engineering at Michigan Technological University, and later a dean of the Graduate School. He retired in 1984.

Eugene and Helen were committed supporters of the arts at Houghton High School and Michigan Tech. His family worshipped at Trinity Episcopal Church.

After Eugene’s retirement the couple enjoyed visits to Europe and Asia. In 2009, he and Helen left their beloved Copper Country and relocated to Henderson, Nevada, where dear friends and a warm climate gave them a new lease on life. In 2018, they moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to family. He was a firm believer in lifelong education, and encouraged his children in all of their studies, research, and professional pursuits.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen.

He leaves behind six children, Martha (Andrew) Higgins, Pearl (J. Peter) Hobbs, William, Mary (Jim) Toga, Priscilla (Jonathan) Singer, and Stephen (Jeannie) Chu and 10 grandchildren.

Make a Difference with the Alumni Board!

Join a team of fellow alumni to make a difference at Michigan Tech!

The Michigan Tech Alumni Board of Directors is a group of volunteers elected from around the country to represent their fellow alumni. It sets priorities and works with the University to develop and support programs to connect alumni and support students.

Members of the Alumni Board of Directors participate in a cardboard boat race during Homecoming 2019.

Benefits of Service

  • Meet many amazing Huskies – engage with students, faculty, staff and fellow alumni and gain insight into the university’s vision for the future.
  • Find opportunities for your company to be more engaged on campus
  • Support and Inform students in your community who may be future Huskies.
  • Continue the tradition of “Huskies helping Huskies”
  • An excellent ‘excuse’ to get back to the Keweenaw twice per year.

Learn More or Nominate Someone (including yourself).

Members of the Alumni Board of Directors visited Michigan Tech’s student Mushing Club during Winter Carnival 2021.

In Memoriam

April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021

Pref Class Full Name Degrees
1938 Donald H. Krans BS Mechanical Engineering
1938 Robert G. Peets P.E. BS Geology, BS Mining Engineering
1942 Clifford B. Armstrong Jr BS Chemical Engineering
1942 Clyde B. Dobbie BS Electrical Engineering
1942 Kenneth J. Yonker BS Metallurgical Engineering
1943 Warren H. Lang BS Mining Engineering
1944 Lyon L. Brinsmade BS Mining Engineering
1948 Donald G. Mitchell BS Mechanical Engineering
1948 Clarke E. Pease Jr BS Electrical Engineering
1949 Wallace J. Benzie BS Civil Engineering
1949 James O. Frendewey, Sr. BS Mining Engineering
1949 Latham B. Gray Jr BS Mining Engineering
1951 Clayton L. Davidson P.E. BS Chemical Engineering
1951 Frederick J. Kneisler BS Mechanical Engineering
1953 Frank J. Brechting Jr BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Civil Engineering, MS Civil Engineering
1954 Lucille W. Bicknell BS Chemistry
1955 R. George McGinn BS Geological Engineering
1955 Edwin C. Riutta BS Mechanical Engineering
1956 Delano J. Harma BS Forestry
1956 Robert V. Roach BS Forestry
1957 Thomas A. Coleman BS Civil Engineering
1957 Raymond O. Lescelius BS Chemical Engineering
1958 Glenn S. Arendsen BS Chemical Engineering
1958 William J. Patzer BS Electrical Engineering
1959 Dr Darrell W Smith BS Metallurgical Engineering
1960 Onni J. Perala P.E. BS Civil Engineering
1961 Morton J. Cook BS Civil Engineering
1961 Leslie G. Harkins BS Electrical Engineering
1961 Anthony D. Heibel BS Geological Engineering
1961 Dale R. Jehnzen BS Business Administration
1961 Carl E. Lugviel BS Chemistry
1961 Ronald S. Michalak BS Metallurgical Engineering
1961 James M. Pearce BS Mechanical Engineering
1961 Lawrence P White P.E. BS Civil Engineering
1962 Donald P. Dix BS Civil Engineering
1962 Glenn L. Haglund BS Electrical Engineering
1962 Peter W. Jonas BS Physics
1962 David A. Maki BS Mechanical Engineering
1962 Gary L. Miller BS Business Administration
1962 Thomas A. Parker BS Metallurgical Engineering
1963 George M. Goodrich BS Metallurgical Engineering, MS Metallurgical Engineering
1963 Robert A. Hietikko BS Forestry
1963 Hugh L. McLean BS Mechanical Engineering
1963 William C. Toth BS Business Administration
1964 Thomas P. Garity BS Civil Engineering
1964 David G. Grimble BS Forestry
1964 Jean D. Juilland BS Geology, MS Geology
1964 Bruce L. Link BS Mechanical Engineering
1965 Dennis P. Hill BS Mechanical Engineering
1965 Jon E. Kleinhans BS Electrical Engineering
1965 Paul W. Konvalinka BS Chemical Engineering
1965 Jerry R. McKee BS Electrical Engineering
1966 Clifford A. Anderson BS Mathematics
1966 Prof. Bernard W. Carr BS Forestry
1966 Daniel E. Filley BS Mechanical Engineering
1966 Rodney L Wegner BS Mechanical Engineering
1967 Col. Noel M. Hanna BS Business Administration
1967 Russell R. McMaster BS Business Administration
1967 Michael Messner III BS Business Administration
1968 Robert K. Gates BS Mathematics
1968 Clifford B. Gordanier AAS Civil Engineering Technology
1968 Arthur N. Maupin BS Chemical Engineering
1968 Marilyn R. Rabideau BS Mathematics
1969 Dennis M. Havey MS Biological Sciences
1969 Warren T. Jivery BS Applied Physics
1970 Dennis H. Koski BS Forestry
1970 Vincent Lettieri BS Mechanical Engineering
1970 Ronald J. Lux BS Business Administration
1970 Ivan E. Martin BS Mechanical Engineering
1970 Joel R. Schlukebir BS Civil Engineering
1971 Dennis L. Adams BS Electrical Engineering
1971 Michael D. Ahlf AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)
1971 Alejandro Amaya BS Mining Engineering
1971 Allen S. Blackhall BS Business Administration
1971 Raymond C. Brainard Jr BS Mining Engineering
1971 Marvin A. Maes BS Business Administration
1971 Edward L. Stankus BS Biological Sciences
1972 Larry R. Grimes BS Business Administration
1972 Sandra K. Martin BS Medical Technology
1974 John M. Ubbes BS Mechanical Engineering
1976 L/Col.Mark D. Willey MS Business Administration
1983 Diana M. Heckel BS Business Administration
1987 Martin A. McGrath BS Business Administration
1989 Julie D. Walczak BS Business Administration
1991 Larry S. Jokinen BS Forestry
1999 Stacy A. Lybert BS Physics
1999 Steven E. Pesola BS Business Administration
2013 Abhishek Gupta BS Civil Engineering
2017 Richard L. Fowler BS Electrical Eng Tech

In Memoriam — January 1, 2021 – March 31, 2021

Author and Alum – Michael Paddock (’87, ’88) to Present

Book cover

Join Michael Paddock, PE, PS (’87, ’88) on Tuesday, June 1 from 2-3:00 pm EST, as he presents his book Bridging Barriers: How a Community Changes Its Future with Help from Engineers Without Borders USA Volunteers.

Paddock brings to us a true story about “the trials, tributations and successes of the engineers and community members who gave new hope to Garrucha”. The book details the work that students from Milwaukee’s Marqutte University Engineers Without Borders (EWD) program used to contruct two life-changing projects, a bridge and a water project, for the rural community of La Garrucha, Guatemala.

Learn about what drives Paddock to focus on a life of service, lessons on community-building, and important insights as to what it takes for a project to be sustainable. The invaluable takeaways can be applied to everyone’s personal and professional lives.

Paddock’s service to others earned him the honor of being selected as the recipient of the 2020 Humanitarian Award by the Alumni Board of Directors.

You can learn more about Michael Paddock and his book, Bridging Barriers, here.

Tune in via ZOOM on Tueseday, June 1 at 2:00 pm EST for the live presentation and Q&A at https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/87289829499

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Heather Sander, Assistant Director – Alumni Programming at hesander@mtu.edu or 906-487-2466.

Scholarship Spotlight — West Michigan Chapter Scholarship

A group of Michigan Tech alumni has turned its social events into a significant benefit for Michigan Tech students. Members of the West Michigan Chapter of MTU Alumni, through events like pasty sales and pickled egg contests, are helping students complete their education through an endowed scholarship fund.

Kevin Grzelak has been involved with the West Michigan Chapter since 1997 and its president since 2003. He’s seen activity for the Chapter increase with the high number of Tech alumni living in the area. 

“We weren’t trying to raise money initially, but we started making a little money,” he said. “Then someone donated a fishing charter that we raffled off. It wasn’t long until we decided we should use the funds to start the scholarship.”

Events used to raise the funds include annual events like a Chapter Spring Dinner, a Vollwerth’s pasty sale, a golf outing, raffles for fishing charters, and a pickled egg contest.

Scholarship recipients are high school graduates from the counties of Allegan, Barry, Lake, Kent, Mason, Mecosta, Muskegan, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa on the lower peninsula’s west side. Priority is given to children of Michigan Tech alumni. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, and the scholarship is renewable for up to five years.

Over the last 10 years, 14 students have received scholarships to continue their education. Many more will be helped as the endowment balance approaches $100,000.

“The work of the chapter and putting on events is spread over a large group of alumni,” said Grzelak. “We split up the tasks. It’s a pretty active group with good camaraderie, and we’re happy to support our alma mater.”

Contribute to the West Michigan Alumni Chapter Scholarship or support the Annual Fund Scholarship for any student with need.

Remembering Olsson and Santeford

Professor Emeritus Milton Olsson Passes Away

by Mark Wilcox, University Marketing and Communications

An educator, composer and conductor who spent more than three decades leading choral and orchestral groups at Michigan Tech has died. Professor Emeritus Milton Olsson died Saturday at UP Health System – Portage hospital in Hancock from complications resulting from catastrophic injuries he sustained in October. He was 80.

Milt Olsson

Olsson came to Michigan Tech in 1976 as director of choral and orchestral activities. His establishment of the Michigan Tech Concert Choir and his work as director of the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra (KSO) quickly brought him to prominence in the arts and music scene not only in the Upper Peninsula but throughout the state. Under his guidance, the Michigan Tech Concert Choir grew from less than 20 to nearly 100 members. Olsson began the Concert Choir’s tradition of performing internationally.

In 1993 Olsson was appointed the first chair of Tech’s newly created Department of Fine Arts, now known as the Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). Olsson’s efforts and influence reached far beyond the MTU campus. He was a past president of the American Choral Directors Association of Michigan and was in high demand as a choral adjudicator and clinician.

Olsson earned degrees in music theory and composition from Wayne State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder in the literature and performance of choral music.

Olsson was widely respected as a composer and arranger and had several of his compositions performed by the KSO and other orchestras.

Among his highlights at Michigan Tech was the performance of his composition “MASS,” written to celebrate the opening of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in 2000.

According to his family, one of the most cherished memories of Olsson’s career was conducting the KSO with rock music legend Alan Parsons. The performances featured his son PJ Olsson, who is the Alan Parsons Project lead singer, and some of Olsson’s arrangements. They produced four sold-out shows.

In 2009 Olsson retired from Michigan Tech but remained active and vital in the music and fine arts community, and served as conductor of the Keweenaw Youth Symphony. 

Jared Anderson, chair of VPA, commented on Olsson’s legacy.

“Milt Olsson’s musical legacy will reverberate throughout the Michigan Tech community for generations. He was a gifted conductor, composer, teacher, mentor, administrator, visionary and friend. Joel Neves and I often joke that it took two of us to replace one Milt Olsson. He will be sorely missed in our lives and in the lives of so many students that he inspired over his long career at Michigan Tech, from 1976 to 2009.” 

Neves, the current conductor of the KSO, said the success of the orchestra is due in large part to the foundation laid by Olsson.

“Milt was a legend here in the Keweenaw: Everyone knew him, everyone loved him. I will be forever grateful for his personal mentorship and friendship, and of course his stunning musical mind,” said Neves. “Milt dreamed big and was hugely influential in the building of the Rozsa Center and taking the Concert Choir and Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra to greater heights. His artistic legacy is only matched by his humanity and kindness toward all. He was a great man, father, artist and colleague.”

Among Olsson’s survivors are his wife Trudy and their sons, Dave (Karyn), Stephan (Cathy) and PJ; and grandchildren, Cameron, Amelia, Ana, Kinzli, Bella and Sophia. He was preceded in death by his grandson Remi. 

There will be no funeral, but a memorial service is being considered for the future. The family is encouraging those who wish to, to give to the Milton Olsson Endowed Scholarship at Michigan Tech


Professor Emeritus Henry Santeford Remembered

by University Marketing and Communications

Michigan Tech professor emeritus Henry Santeford passed away peacefully at his Superior Location home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, Feb. 14, following a lengthy illness. Santeford, a Michigan Tech alumnus who spent more than two decades teaching at his alma mater, was 78.

A native of Chicago Heights, Ill., Santeford earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Michigan Tech and PhD from Colorado State University. In 1972, he joined the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences as a staff research hydrologist in Washington, D.C.

Santeford’s love of snow, ice and mountains made him the perfect candidate to head up the first National Weather Service/NOAA field station tasked with unraveling the mysteries of Alaska’s hydrology. His passion for teaching lured him back to academia at the University of Alaska, where he lectured at both the Anchorage and Fairbanks campuses. In 1974, he was the recipient of Michigan Tech’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

In 1980, Santeford joined the faculty of Michigan Tech teaching water resource engineering with a focus in cold regions hydrology in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Highly respected by his students, he received the Chi Epsilon Outstanding Faculty Award multiple times, was the faculty advisor for the MTU Ridge Roamers and the Four Wheelers Club and was an active board member of the John Wesley House. He retired as professor emeritus in June 2001.

Following his passing in February, several former students remembered Santeford on Facebook:

  • “Dr. Santeford was one of my favorite professors at Tech. And I use the things I learned from him in my career to this day. I’m grateful for the energy and passion he invested in his students!”
  • “One of my favorite professors at Tech! He was animated, funny and had passion for his position, students and community. I’ll never forget his State jokes and I learned a lot about hydrology!”
  • “He made an impression on all of us — he was so lively and fun with his course work. I loved our labs — we were always making something cool to observe how water flowed and moved in different scenarios.”
  • “Dr. Santeford’s last year teaching was during my senior year in 2001. He helped shape the course of my career with his classes in hydraulic structures and hydrology. I remember him and his lessons with great fondness.”

Santeford was a 35-year fixture in the holiday kitchens of Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly and, as the son of a carpenter, he constructed the large oak cross hanging in the sanctuary of Grace United Methodist Church in Houghton, where he was a member. Among his survivors are his wife of 52 years, Sally, and their daughter, Jodi Santeford of Chicago.

In Memoriam

January 1, 2021 – March 31, 2021
Class Full Name Degrees
1949 Roy M. Walkama BS Mechanical Engineering
1950 John P. Evans BS Physics
1950 Karl G. Fries BS Mechanical Engineering
1950 Arne A. Hanninen BS Forestry
1950 Robert H. Holgers BS Mining Engineering
1950 John D. Horner BS Chemical Engineering
1950 Georg L. John BS Civil Engineering
1950 George W. John Jr BS Chemical Engineering
1950 Joseph P. Kerkes BS Electrical Engineering
1950 Frederick W. Knepple BS Mechanical Engineering
1950 Tauno W. Korpela BS Electrical Engineering
1950 Charles K. McArthur BS Metallurgical Engineering
1950 Douglas S. Melvin BS Civil Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering
1950 Joseph J. Meola BS Mechanical Engineering
1950 Gerald C. Payant BS Civil Engineering
1950 James E. Peddicord BS Mechanical Engineering
1950 Robert W. Riedel BS Geological Engineering
1950 David Ritsema P.E. BS Civil Engineering
1950 David B. Sleeman BS Electrical Engineering
1950 Tauno M. Somppi BS Forestry
1950 Donald C. Teal BS Chemical Engineering
1950 James H. Tormala BS Mechanical Engineering
1950 Robert J. Will BS Civil Engineering
1951 Torgeir Karlsen BS Electrical Engineering, MS Electrical Engineering
1951 Eugene W. Knaebel BS Civil Engineering
1951 Charles D. McKereghan BS Electrical Engineering
1951 Robert Popovich BS Chemistry
1951 Harold D. Raymond BS Mining Engineering
1951 Keith D. Robinson BS Mechanical Engineering
1951 John F. Rutter BS Electrical Engineering
1951 William R. Saadeh MS Chemical Engineering
1951 John Stencel, Jr. BS Mechanical Engineering
1952 James J. Gallagher BS Chemical Engineering
1952 Ronald C. Harris BS Mechanical Engineering
1952 Roland K. Lindberg BS Civil Engineering
1952 Leslie E. Price BS Geological Engineering, BS Mining Engineering
1952 Arthur G. Reinhold BS Electrical Engineering
1952 Albert F. Sanborn III BS Civil Engineering
1952 Carl H. Van Domelen BS Electrical Engineering
1953 Douglas Glover BS Metallurgical Engineering
1953 Fred Lassila BS Electrical Engineering
1953 Robert M. Lemmen BS Electrical Engineering
1953 Donald L. Lutze BS Electrical Engineering
1953 Robert C. Taylor BS Mechanical Engineering
1953 Kenneth P. Van Ess BS Civil Engineering
1953 Robert W. Wade BS Mining Engineering
1954 Robert F. Dennett BS Chemical Engineering
1954 Stanley J. Friesen BS Metallurgical Engineering
1954 Lloyd B. Hansen BS Mining Engineering
1954 Robert J. Nankee BS Chemical Engineering
1954 Ray H. Pesola BS Electrical Engineering
1954 Harold J. Pratt BS Mechanical Engineering
1954 Dr. H. Hunter Shu BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering
1954 Andre J. Stromquist BS Mechanical Engineering
1954 Harry R. Swanson BS Civil Engineering
1954 Julio H. Thaler BS Mining Engineering
1954 Dr. Hal A. Williams, D.O. BS Forestry
1955 James C. Gilbo BS Civil Engineering
1955 George C. Griess BS Civil Engineering
1955 John H. Hansen BS Mechanical Engineering
1955 William F. Heinz BS Electrical Engineering
1955 Reuben Kurtti BS Mechanical Engineering
1955 Jerome Q. Peterson BS Civil Engineering
1955 John A. Radler Jr BS Metallurgical Engineering
1955 James J. Reinke BS Mechanical Engineering
1955 Kenneth J. Scott BS Electrical Engineering
1955 Ivan M. Thompson BS Chemistry
1956 Donald M. Haadsma BS Electrical Engineering
1956 John J. Lebenick BS Civil Engineering
1956 Richard A. Owen BS Electrical Engineering
1956 Daniel J. Scallen BS Civil Engineering
1956 John P. Smedman BS Mining Engineering
1956 David A. Stromquist BS Mechanical Engineering
1956 Donald E. Tomaszewski BS Electrical Engineering
1957 Thomas A. Gelb BS Forestry
1957 Alexander J. Marsh BS Chemical Engineering
1957 Frederic H. Meister BS Geological Engineering
1957 Ralph K. Oja BS Mining Engineering
1957 Howard A. Pearl BS Mechanical Engineering
1957 Fredrick A. Pittman BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Electrical Engineering
1957 William P. Schimmel BS Metallurgical Engineering
1957 Hubert A. Schmitt BS Mechanical Engineering
1957 Ronald G. Sonderhouse BS Chemistry
1957 Kiril Spiroff Jr BS Forestry
1957 Eugene G. Strenzel BS Civil Engineering
1957 Carl M. Superko Jr BS Electrical Engineering
1957 Richard A. Weirick BS Electrical Engineering
1958 Robert C. Johnson BS Civil Engineering
1958 Donald L. Kero BS Civil Engineering
1958 Stephen A. Kopish BS Mechanical Engineering
1958 Jack A. Menzies BS Business Administration
1958 David R. Mukavitz BS Metallurgical Engineering
1958 Norman E. Mutka BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Nuclear Engineering
1958 Charles R. Niver BS Forestry
1958 George I. Oinas BS Engineering Physics
1958 George A. Stams Jr BS Electrical Engineering
1958 Donald F. Swenski BS Mechanical Engineering
1958 Richard N. Turri BS Electrical Engineering
1958 John C. Venturino BS Business Administration
1958 Ronald W. Verville P.E./R.L.S. BS Civil Engineering
1958 Richard K Ward BS Civil Engineering
1958 Thomas B. Williams BS Civil Engineering
1959 James D. Bertucci BS Civil Engineering
1959 James E. Fisher BS Mechanical Engineering
1959 Jerome T. Kestner BS Business Administration
1959 James B. Large BS Business Administration
1959 Donald J. Loeher BS Electrical Engineering
1959 Roylance A. Mayry BS Electrical Engineering
1959 Roy A. McKeage BS Mechanical Engineering
1959 Nitidhan P. Patolia BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Chemical Engineering
1959 Mary Grace Shue BS Medical Technology
1959 Vernelle T Smith BS Civil Engineering
1959 Flave F. Stimpson BS Mechanical Engineering
1959 W. Douglas Stolen BS Civil Engineering
1959 Robert L. Stoner BS Mechanical Engineering
1959 Rolf I. Thorvaldson BS Civil Engineering
1959 Melvin J. Visser BS Chemical Engineering
1959 Robert W. Wade BS Business Administration
1959 Carl A Weed BS Mechanical Engineering
1959 Eugene M. Yedinak BS Metallurgical Engineering
1960 David L. Funston BS Electrical Engineering
1960 Hal H. Hewitt BS Mechanical Engineering
1960 Carl R. Hoerauf BS Mechanical Engineering
1960 James W. Josephson BS Civil Engineering
1960 Stanley C. Rajala BS Mechanical Engineering
1960 Charles N. Stibitz BS Metallurgical Engineering
1960 John C. Ullemeyer BS Chemical Engineering
1960 Daniel E. Walls BS Chemical Engineering
1960 James D. Woznick BS Mechanical Engineering
1961 Walter E. Blanksvard BS Civil Engineering
1961 Thomas E. Butler BS Civil Engineering
1961 David J. Cahoon BS Civil Engineering
1961 Richard J. Crosson BS Mechanical Engineering
1961 Richard E. Jensen BS Civil Engineering, ’64 BS Business Engineering Admin
1961 Marvin D. Oosterbaan P.E. BS Civil Engineering
1962 Dean I. Barnefiher BS Business Engineering Admin, BS Mechanical Engineering
1962 Robert F. Brisson BS Business Administration, BS Forestry
1962 William C. Coppernoll BS Physics
1962 David J. Frederick BS Civil Engineering, MS Civil Engineering
1963 Richard D. Anderson BS Electrical Engineering
1963 Russel P. Decker Jr BS Geological Engineering
1963 Dr. Gerald S. Dzakowic BS Mechanical Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering
1963 John J. Prusak BS Mechanical Engineering
1964 Paul A. Azzi BS Business Administration
1964 Peter G. Chamberlain BS Geophysical Engineeing
1964 David E. Gaylord BS Metallurgical Engineering
1964 Wayne N. Root BS Chemical Engineering
1964 Dr. Henry S. Santeford Jr BS Civil Engineering, ’66 MS Civil Engineering
1964 William H. Tyler BS Forestry
1964 James W. Whipple BS Forestry
1965 Dale A. Dams BS Mechanical Engineering
1965 Robert J. Fentz BS Mechanical Engineering
1965 Dr. Michael M. Shea BS Metallurgical Engineering, MS Metallurgical Engineering
1966 Kristine J. Antcliff BS Biological Sciences
1966 Donald C. Bolger BS Mechanical Engineering
1966 Alvin D. Hardman BS Civil Engineering
1968 Deward B. Beeler BS Forestry
1968 Peter A. DeGioia BS Metallurgical Engineering
1968 Michael G. Hellman BS Mechanical Engineering
1968 Gautam P. Shah BS Chemical Engineering
1969 David J. Sundberg BS Mechanical Engineering
1970 William C. Alward AAS Electrical Eng Tech (AAS)
1970 Howard W. Creswick Jr BS Electrical Engineering
1971 Judith C. Quinn BS Mathematics
1973 Timothy J. Palmer BS Chemistry
1973 Paul R. Steffens BS Mechanical Engineering
1975 Adolf J. Jonaitis BS Metallurgical Engineering, ’77 MS Business Administration
1976 Donald J. Matchinski BS Geology
1981 Nicholas J. Bukacek BS Civil Engineering
1982 Bruce A. Thoma BS Business Engineering Admin, Electrical Engineering
1989 Allen H. Stephens BS Mechanical Engineering
1996 Richard A. Fields MS Industrial Archaeology
2001 Andrea M. Dranberg BS Electrical Engineering
2002 Patrick C. Farrell BS Mining Engineering

In Memoriam — Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2020

Alumni Snow Statue Contest Results

Thanks to all the Michigan Tech alumni and employees who participated in our inaugural contest. Congratulations to our winners!

Multi-Day Snow Statue

Gold Medal

Multi-Day Snow Statue – Winner

Title: Paw Patrol Tackles Covid Boredom
Caption: “Ice or Snow We’re Ready to Go!”
Participants: Greg Mooren ’06, Molly Mooren ’06, Jana Fogarty ’05, Josh Fogarty ’03, Brian Mooren ’03, Mellisa Mooren ’02, Joe Mooren ’00, Sarah Mooren ’00, and children.
Location: Appleton, Wisconsin
Story: Doing a snow statue this year was particularly appealing to us as we seek creative ways to keep ourselves and our kids from going stir crazy, especially in the winter weather. Our kids love Paw Patrol and was great motivation to get out of the house and be active! The Paw Patrol’s motto is “No problem is too big, no pup is too small” which seems like a great thing to keep in mind as we face the challenges of COVID.


Silver Medal

Multi-Day Snow Statue – Second Place

Title: “Budd Torchorbit: Space Wrangler”
Participant: Max Dehtiar ’06
Location: Saginaw, Michigan
Statue Story: Galactic threats are ever present – especially the plots of evil emperor Gruz. But never fear – here comes interstellar space wrangler Budd Torchorbit! Now you can have your own Budd with this 1:8 scale action figure! Communicate with mission control, protect life forms with your laser, and fall with style with your amazing retractable wings! (Building bricks pictured not included).


Bronze Medal

Multi-Day Snow Statue – Third Place

Title: “Team TMNT/Looking back at our favorite childhood cartoons, we remember having many snowy cowabunga afternoons.”
Participants: Laurie Stark (’08/current employee), Ashley Ploetz (’08), Ryan Ploetz (’08), Susan Mattila (’08)
Location: Hancock, Michigan
Story: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon holds a special place in our hearts. The original cartoon was created in 1987 and was a 90’s classic. We remember watching Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael battle creatures, criminals, and invaders of all sorts before disappearing back down to the storm sewers to enjoy pizza in their lair! 
Our scene unfolds in that very lair where their pizza dinner has been interrupted by supervillain Shredder. Turtle Power! The ninja turtles quickly grab their weapons and pose for attack while their rat sensei, Splinter, looks on from behind, pleased at how much they have learned. Their weapons, made of ice, include throwing stars, nunchucks, a sword, and batons. Cowabunga! From the looks of it, they will soon defeat their enemy and be back to relaxing on the couch and eating pizza in no time!


24-Hour Snow Statue

24-Hour Snow Statue – Winner

Title: “I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THAT LEFT TURN AT SAINT IGNACE!”
Participants: Wendy (Goodhue) Peffers ’92 and Dave Peffers ’91
Location: Pella, Iowa
Story: Bugs Bunny is always making the wrong turn underground on his way to a new destination. He has emerged only to find himself closer to the End of Earth than Houghton, his destination for the exciting Winter Carnival at Michigan Technological University. Bugs is examining his map to find out where he went wrong. A two-by-four is used to support the main body of the sign. One-by-ones were used to support the arms on Bugs Bunny. His teeth and map are made from sheets of ice.


24-Hour Snow Statue – Second Place

Title: “Snowby Doo”
Participants: Susan Conradson ’94 ’96 and Erica Conradson (future alumna)
Location: Cadillac, Michigan
Story: Snowby Doo is on the case of “where is the missing Houghton snow” and the answer is “in Cadillac, Michigan”.  He decided he no longer needs his trusty side kicks of Fred, Velma and Daphine since they are too much work to handle in a 24-hour building period with just one alumni and her 12-year old apprentice.  This statue was chosen because well, Scooby Doo is the coolest (yes, pun intended) crime fighting cartoon dog around.  He sits around 5 feet tall, and as you can see from the photo, he has put on a few pounds..likely due to eating Snowby Snacks or drinking too many fishbowls and eating too many pasties?? and he says, he is okay with Huskies…just no poodles please.


Other Entries

Play Pagophone — Salve Regina video
Preview image for Pagophone — Salve Regina video

Pagophone — Salve Regina

Title: “Ice Music: Salve Regina”
Story: After working for years on the Ice Church for St. Albert the Great as a Tech student, I didn’t just leave that behind after graduation. This past summer, I did some research on instruments that could be made out of ice. I made this pagophone (from the Greek for “voice of ice”) by carefully shaving ice blocks with a chisel. Played here is the ancient church hymn “Salve Regina”.


Title: “Mumble dances his way to success”
Statue Story: Mumble is a baby emperor penguin that was born to dance, while all other emperor penguins naturally are born to sing. This makes Mumble an outsider amongst the other penguins. His dancing eventually wears on the other penguins and he gets kicked out of Emperor Land and winds up at Michigan Tech. Mumble feels right at home with the 200+ inches of snow and cold weather. He goes on to graduate from Tech with a double major in Performing Arts and Computer Science. He then finds his way back to Emperor Land where he opens his own dance club and virtual reality arcade. The dance club doesn’t get much interest, but the penguins are curious about the virtual reality. Mumble realizes this and writes some killer code that makes it seem like the penguins are great dancers in virtual reality. The penguins love how they look with their cool dance moves, suave clothing, and 80’s big hairstyles. They can’t get enough of it and are eventually inspired to learn how to dance for real.


Title: “Everest From the Paw Patrol, Made from Snow Sculpted by Trolls”
Story: Her name is Everest from the Paw Patrol. Our kids love Paw Patrol and thought Everest would be the perfect pup because she is a husky and loves the snow!