Class Notes
Class Notes are displayed in the order that they are received. You may also view notes by decade, or by class year – simply click on the decade or click on the + symbol to expand the decade and display by year. If a given class year does not appear, notes do not exist for that particular year.
Henry Kramer '65
(4/23/24)
Henry E. “Woody” Kramer died on December 12, 2023, at the age of 82. He was a partner in the Brainard, Bower & Kramer law firm in Charleston, Illinois, and practiced law there for nearly 50 years.
John Greanias '67
(1/24/24)
John Greanias has been awarded a research grant to develop a curriculum for academic study of the evolution of moral and ethical principles of United States law. The grant was awarded by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Greanias is presently a lecturer at Santa Clara University School of Law and a member of the faculty of Stanford Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop. He previously served as an Illinois Circuit Court Judge (1987- 2008).
Thomas J. Gordon '67
(11/19/23)
Thomas J. Gordon, 82, of Champaign passed away Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Vicksburg, Miss.
James Streicker '69
(9/20/23)
James “Jim” Streicker passed away on September 10, 2023.
David Schulman '62
(9/19/23)
David B. Schulman passed away on December 21, 2022, at the age of 83.
Ronald Link '65
(4/20/23)
Ronald C. Link passed away on April 9, 2023, in Chapel Hill, NC.
Steve Maragides '65
(4/20/23)
Steve Achilles Maragides died December 13, 2022, at age 85.
James Jurgens '67
(4/20/23)
James Byron Jurgens, 81, of Arthur, IL, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2023.
James Feldman '68
(12/20/22)
Jenner & Block Of Counsel Jim Feldman has been named the recipient of the 2023 Samuel S. Berger Award by the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. This award is presented to an Illinois attorney or judge who, like the late Judge Berger, “exemplifies the highest standards of integrity, courtesy, knowledge of family law and demonstrates an extraordinary ability to solve human problems.”
David Nissen '61
(10/21/22)
Former federal prosecutor, David Nissen is having his book, "Perversion of the Pentagon Papers Trial," posthumously published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. The book recounts the political backdrop against which the original crimes were committed then takes readers into the courtroom for a virtual front row seat throughout the trial.
William Allison '65
(7/18/22)
William A. Allison passed away on June 10, 2022, at Carle BroMenn in Normal, Ill.
William Bales Fisch '60
(4/20/22)
William Bales Fisch passed away on July 7, 2021, after a prolonged struggle with heart disease.
Richard O'Leary '63
(4/19/22)
Richard Edwin "Dick" O'Leary, age 87, passed away on April 4, 2022, at his home in Naples, FL.
Jon David "JD" Epstein '67
(1/28/22)
Jon David (“JD”) Epstein passed away peacefully in his Galveston,TX home on January 9, 2022.
Fletcher Baldwin '62
(1/18/22)
Fletcher Baldwin passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2020, in Gainesville, FL.
Dave Murray '60
(8/19/21)
David E. Murray was inducted into the Whiteside County Airport Hall of Fame on July 15, 2021. During Murray's tenure, he advised the airport board through changes in rules, regulations, and leases. He and the board worked successfully with many officials of the state of Illinois and the Federal Aviation Administration on airport improvement projects. Dave himself is a pilot and has been flying for 50 years with no accident.
Ole Bly Pace III '66
(8/19/21)
Ole Bly Pace III died on June 2, 2020 in Geneva, IL.
Vernon Dale Ashmore '63
(8/5/21)
Vernon Dale Ashmore, 83, of Gibson City, IL peacefully passed away at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
George Michael Oros '65
(6/10/21)
George Michael "Mickey" Oros passed away Saturday, May 15, 2021 in Evansville, IN.
Gregory Read '67
(4/6/21)
Gregory Read, BA '64, JD '67, grew up in Champaign. In 1965 he married his college sweetheart, Mary Beth (MB) Bartulis, BS '65. After law school he served for three years as a Navy JAGC officer in Norfolk Virginia. In 1971 the Reads moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and Greg joined the law firm of Sedgwick LLP where he had a 47-year career as a defense product liability attorney. After retiring in 2019, Greg self-published his memoir, Pieces of a Life: My Journey So Far.
Gary Mowder '65
(3/15/21)
Gary L. Mowder, 80, of Highland Beach, Florida passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 at his home in Illinois surrounded by family. Gary was a partner at Schiff Hardin LLP in Chicago, IL where he practiced law for 55 years until his retirement. Gary concentrated his practice in corporate, banking and sports law. In the 1970's he represented Bill Veeck when he owned the Chicago White Sox and continued to work for the team until it was sold. During his illustrious career he received numerous honors as an Illinois Leading Lawyer and voted by his peers to The Best Lawyers in America publication.
Paul Uhlenhop '61
(2/3/21)
Paul Buscher Uhlenhop, 84, a Senior Partner of the Chicago law firm Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop, LLC, and prominent legal expert in financial services compliance and regulation law, passed away on January 30, 2021, surrounded by his devoted family.
Larry Lieberman '63
(1/27/21)
Larry Lieberman (BS 1960, LAW 1963) announced his retirement from the practice of law after practicing continuously from 1963 to December 31, 2020.
Jay Heath '65
(11/11/20)
Jay Heath passed away on November 6, 2020 in Rockford, IL.
William Snively '60
(11/11/20)
William Snively passed away on November 4, 2020 in Rockford, IL.
Robert B. Vlach '65
(10/30/20)
Robert B. Vlach, of Dallas, TX, passed away on October 20, 2020.
William L. Hulse '63
(10/16/20)
William L. Hulse, passed away August 23, 2020. He practiced family law for 40 years in Santa Monica, California.
Robert J. Peters '67
(10/14/20)
Robert J. Peters, 78, attorney at law and 46-year resident of Riverside, IL, died Oct. 10, 2020.
Forrest Serblin '66
(8/25/20)
Forrest D. Serblin, 79, of Peoria, IL, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.
Medley "Med" Tornow '65
(8/25/20)
Medley Arden “Med” Tornow, 80, died Friday, August 21, 2020, at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL.
Peter S. Gilster '65
(8/25/20)
Peter Stuart Gilster, a 50-year Kirkwood, Missouri resident, passed away May 19, 2019 after an extended illness.
Glenn K. Seidenfeld '69
(8/28/20)
Glenn K. Seidenfeld passed away on February 14, 2020.
Angelo P. Bruscato '64
(8/25/20)
Angelo P. Bruscato passed away on April 17, 2020.
John T. Phipps '65
(8/17/20)
John T. Phipps of Champaign, IL passed away on Aug. 11, 2020.
Phillip L. Turner II '62
(8/13/20)
Philip L. Turner II, 84, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 12:16 p.m. Sunday, August 9, 2020 at St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur, IL.
Jon Gordon Carlson '67
(7/14/20)
Jon Gordon Carlson passed away on 6/18/2020.
Mervyn Loya '67
(2/11/20)
Mervyn "Merv" Heimo Loya died peacefully on January 22, 2020 surrounded by family after battling Alzheimer's. Merv was born and raised in Monmouth, Illinois, where his father, Heimo, ran the Monmouth College music department. Merv received his B.A. from Monmouth College (majoring in music), an M.A. in Political Science from Columbia University (Scandinavian Studies/Finnish), and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. He worked at Legal Aid in Portland and Eugene, a private law firm in Eugene, and retired from the University of Oregon School of Law where he worked as an assistant dean and director of career services for 22 years.
T. Donald Henson '67
(1/8/20)
LaSalle attorney T. Donald Henson passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital after a long and brave battle with Lewy body dementia.
James Joseph Gende '62
(12/16/19)
Lt. Col. James (Jim) Joseph Gende, USMC Ret., passed away December 13, 2019, in Moline. He served ably and honorably as an officer in the Korean War, and ultimately entered the USMC Reserves, serving for a time as Commanding Officer of the local USMC Reserve Company. Jim practiced law for 35 years and started his own firm, helped create Hungry Hobo, and was one of the start-up owners of SnowStar, the Quad Cities only ski area. He was deeply committed to helping others in his community, serving on many boards, and was a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress in 1973.
Harold Jensen '63
(11/11/19)
Harold Leonard Jensen, 85, of Urbana passed away on November 4, 2019 at home surrounded by family. A retired circuit court judge of Champaign County (1975-1996, presiding 1988-1996), Harold Jensen served as a Lt. j.g. in the U.S. Navy on an LST (1955-57) in San Diego. He earned his law degree from the University of Illinois in 1963 and practiced law with the firm of Hatch, Corazza, Baker and Jensen from 1963-1975.
J. David Andrews '60
(11/11/19)
J. David Andrews died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, October 25, 2019. He was 86 years old. Dave joined Perkins Coie in 1960, and over the next 59 years he played a major role in the growth of the firm and the leadership of the Labor & Employment practice.
Rex Arney '68
(10/9/19)
The Wyoming State Bar is pleased to announce that Sheridan attorney Rex O. Arney is this year’s recipient of its Gerald R. Mason Professionalism Award. The award was presented at the Bar’s annual meeting and judicial conference, which took place last week in Jackson. The Professionalism Award is given to a Wyoming lawyer who represents the highest standards of ethics and dedication to the law but also recognizes someone who contributes their time and energy to making the Wyoming Bar and its lawyers the best people they can be.
James Day '63
(8/26/19)
Circuit Judge James W. Day announced that he will not seek retention to the bench when his current term of office as the presiding circuit judge in Greene County expires December 2020. Day will mark 30 years on the bench in 2020.
Larry Lee Spears '62
(8/21/19)
Larry Lee Spears of Key West, Florida, formerly of Monmouth, Illinois, died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Monmouth.
John Greanias '67
(7/11/19)
Judge John Greanias (Ret.) has completed four years of service as Chair of the City of Mountain View, California, Mediation Program, providing free dispute resolution services for the community. Judge Greanias is continuing to serve as an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University School of Law, and a member of the faculty teaching the Trial Advocacy Workshop at Stanford Law School.
Donald Aldeen '62
(6/20/19)
Donald Robert Aldeen passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 21, 2019, at 6 p.m.
John Weinman '64
(10/12/18)
John Weinman of Decatur passed away in May, 2017. He was an accomplished lawyer and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Illinois.
Lawrence E. "Larry" Maus '64
(10/5/18)
Larry Maus, age 77, died September 12, 2018 in Austin, MN. He graduated from the University of Illinois Law School. He began work for the Baulder Law firm following graduation and began his practice in Spring Valley. He returned to Austin as a litigation attorney for the firm where he worked until his death.
Gordon R. Broom '69
(9/11/18)
The 2019 edition of Best Lawyers in America named 15 attorneys from the Midwest defense firm HeplerBroom, including Gordon R. Broom. He practices in class action defense and mass tort litigation in the Edwardsville office.
Leslie Gene Lemon '64
(8/27/18)
Gene Lemon passed away peacefully on June 30, 2018. In his final months, he enjoyed playing golf with friends and traveling to the beach in North Carolina which he loved. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cathie Lanier Lemon, his daughters Catherine Lemon Confer and Jennie Lemon Kitz, and his grandchildren Cathie Lanier Confer and Sebastian McIntire Kitz; his brother John Rodney Lemon, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
J.D. Epstein '67
(8/15/18)
J.D. Epstein has been included in the 25th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Epstein is of counsel at Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP in Galveston, Texas.
Dave Downey '66 and Jane Hays '79
(5/17/18)
The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois has selected Dave Downey and Jane Hays to receive the Kyle and Phyllis Robeson Philanthropy Award.
Jay B. Ross '67
(4/20/18)
Jay B. Ross died of a heart attack at age 76 on Thursday, March 1. He specialized in trademark litigation, licensing, and contract law, and as conditions in the entertainment business evolved, he stayed up-to-date on sampling, streaming, and the use of music and voice talent in video games. His career touched some of the most important people and movements in Chicago's musical history. He was recently profiled on chicagoreader.com.
Larry Liberman '63
(3/7/18)
Congratulations to Larry Lieberman, who received a Special Award of Merit from the State Bar of Arizona at its annual convention in 2017 commemorating 50 years of practicing law in Arizona.
Larry Lieberman '63
(8/25/17)
Larry Lieberman was honored by the State Bar of Arizona for 50 years of service to the profession and to the State Bar.
John Greanias '67
(8/24/17)
Judge John Greanias (Ret.) '67 is a Lecturer in Law at Santa Clara University School of Law. He teaches Advocacy for 2L students, and Introduction to U. S. Law for International LLM students. He also continues to serve on the faculty of the Trial Advocacy program for 2L and 3L students at Stanford Law School.
Richard Joy '69
(7/13/17)
Richard Marks Joy, 73, of Champaign passed away peacefully in the company of family and friends on Monday July 3, 2017 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL after complications from pancreatic cancer. Richard was a committed volunteer in the Law Competitions Program for 20 years.
Thomas Watts Johnston '61
(6/14/2017)
Thomas Watts Johnston, 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 7th, 2017, surrounded by his family. His obituary was featured in the Chicago Tribune.
Peter Huizenga '63
(6/12/2017)
Peter and Heidi Huizenga have made a generous gift to further oncology research and to honor Kathy Albain, MD, FACP, FASCO at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
Clarence Redman '66
(3/3/2017)
Clarence O. Redman passed away on January 30, 2017.
Willis Tribler '60
(12/16/2016)
Willis R. (“Bill”) Tribler, a founding member and senior partner of the law firm of Tribler Orpett & Meyer, died early Saturday, December 3, after a brief hospitalization.