In Memoriam
We are saddened to note the passing of emeriti who played essential roles in the development, growth, and evolution of their academic departments. Below we note their names as news of their passing reaches us. Please reach out to the Executive Board if you have updates to share. Links to obituaries are greatly appreciated.
Maria Hess died peacefully this morning (July 15, 2021). She was a Professor in the Psychology Department. She began her service at SSU on 22 January 1990, and retired on 28 May 2016. The following term she received the honorary title of Professor Emerita of Psychology. Maria was very active in the Academic Senate. Please see her obituary.
Marv taught Chemistry from 1967 (very early in the history of SSU) until his retirement in 1998. Thereafter he moved up to the Carson City area to be closer to his children and their families. He grew up in the Sierras and held a lifelong love for these mountains. In Carson City he wrote a regular column for the local newspaper, which focused on the mountains and their history. He was particularly interested in the Native American history of this region. More recently he moved into an assisted-living facility in Fresno. He died earlier this month after unsuccessful surgery for intestinal di...
Marylou McAthie R.N., Ed.D, was proud of being a nurse. She started her career at the Presbyterian School of Nursing associated with Loyola University in Chicago. During her career she served as an administrator, consultant, and teacher holding positions at Oak Park Hospital, Oak Park, IL; Sacramento State University; San Joaquin General Hospital; USPHS Department of Health and Human Services; and Sonoma State University.
Marylu Mattson, one of the first professors to teach in the Hutchins School of Liberal Studies at Sonoma State University, passed away on December 30, 2012. Admired by colleagues and students alike for her combination of rigor and creativity in teaching, she was also a dedicated researcher in the humanities and sciences.
We regret to report the death of Maurice Blaug last Wednesday (7 July 2021). Maurice came from Minnesota to Sonoma State in 1970 and taught in the Hutchins School until his retirement
Nancy Burrington served the University in several capacities in the Administration, particularly Academic Affairs. She died recently at the age of 83 of a sudden stroke, at home with her daughter Margaret and her partner Joel nearby. Since leaving SSU Nancy was quite active with the Sonoma County Chapter of the League of Women Voters, which she served in many roles over the years, including Chapter President. Active in Rohnert Park politics, she worked hard to make our community a better place. Her family will schedule a memorial when it is safe to do so.
Professor Emeritus, Philosophy
December 2019
We learned on December 19, 2019, that Phil died at age 95. His widow, Judy Temko, invited ERFSA members to attend the memorial service for Phil at Temple Ner Shalom, 85 La Plaza, Cotati, on Sunday, February 2, at 2PM.
November 25, 2017
Homero Yearwood, a retired faculty member from the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, passed away on November 25, 2017.
October 14, 2017
Joe Brumbaugh passed away at his son’s home in Santa Rosa on October 14, 2017. He was born in 1930 in Eldorado, Ohio to Robert and Catherine.
March 8, 2017
(The following is from Yvette Fallandy.)
A veteran SSU faculty member died last Wednesday, the 8th of March. Ray Lemieux, Professor of Foreign Languages emeritus, 1970-90, was not active in faculty affairs, but he was an exemplary professor of French—abidingly appreciated by both his students and colleagues (He married one of his students.)