Footnotes: In Memoriam

PATRICIA “PAT” BURRIS, wife of Professor Emeritus of Computer Science Charles Burris, died June 9, 2016, at the age of 71.

ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN, CC ’61, Professor Emeritus of Communication, died June 23, 2016, at the age of 79.

JESSE CASON ’40 died June 4, 2016, at the age of 100. Born in El Paso, Texas, he became an engineering major at Seattle Pacific University. A gifted singer, he toured the United States with a gospel acapella quartet. His wife, Lillian, sang with a gospel quartet on the radio. They met and chose to harmonize in marriage. The couple raised three children in Pasadena, California, then relocated to Galveston, Texas, where fishing and storytelling allowed Jesse to entertain both children and grandchildren. His favorite saying was, “We will do what happens.” A pressure design specialist for Brown and Root, Jesse was also a man of humor who loved all things British. When Lillian died in 1991, they had been married 50 years. Jesse’s 100th birthday party was held in Victoria, British Columbia, last Thanksgiving. He is survived by a son; a daughter; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

EDITH FASTE ’61 died April 28, 2016, at the age of 99. Gregarious, adventurous, and ever cheerful, at the age of 11 she and her mother accompanied her singing father and the Norwegian Singing Society of Brooklyn, New York, by ship to Norway for a choir tour. At 13, after her mother died of cancer, Edith managed the household duties of the family boarding house and became her father’s fill-in bridge partner. Graduating at the top of her high school class, she won a scholarship to the New Jersey College for Women. She graduated in the Depression and found a job selling books in a department store for $20 a week. But it was at that time that her artistic abilities surfaced and she enrolled in industrial design at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art. During World War II, Edith received a telegram proposal from a friend of her father’s inviting her to Seattle. She took the train west, was married in a roomful of strangers, and settled into a beach cottage on Vashon Island. In 1958, her husband died of cancer. By then a mother of three, she returned to school and earned her teaching credentials from SPU, then taught high school art in the Edmonds School District until several failed levees decimated the arts programs. She quit, took a class in making leaded glass windows, and perfected her glass blowing artistry at the famed Pilchuck Glass School. Her wire and glass creations earned her a personal exhibition called “Wired and Fired” at the age of 80. Her beautiful windows can be seen in St. Hilda St. Patrick Episcopal Church and the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church. The people at EUUC became her extended family and she served among them on several church committees. Edith is survived by a daughter; two grandsons; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter.

DOROTHEE “DOLLY” HAAKENSEN HAYMAN ’46 died March 23, 2016, at the age of 92. She lived most of her life in Bellevue and West Seattle, and first displayed skill in music when she started regularly playing the piano at the age of 4. By age 14, she was a substitute for pianists in her church. A music and education major at Seattle Pacific College, she blessed others in seven churches over the course of 60 years and was in demand for weddings and funerals. Her piano playing was also enjoyed for 20 years on the Free Methodist Church’s radio program, Light and Life Hour. An elementary school teacher with a master’s degree in education from the University of Washington, Dolly had classrooms in Bellevue, Seattle, and Shoreline school districts. She loved to introduce children to reading C.S. Lewis through The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Her own children received the gifts of reading, history, geography, and good vocabulary from their mother. Dolly is survived by two sons; three daughters; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

VERLE HELSEL ’55 died June 21, 2015, at the age of 82. A career Boeing engineer, Verle was known for a quick wit, keen intellect, big heart, and gracious spirit. A long-time member of Toastmasters, he was passionate about organizing and simplifying the organization’s educational materials, especially so new members did not get lost in a maze of manuals and projects. He created a chart called “Toastmasters Basic Competency” that was well received. Verle held a master’s degree from Antioch University and was faithful at Wenatchee Free Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Ingrid; two sons; a daughter; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

JUDY KERNS LARSON ’64 died September 5, 2014, at the age of 71. Born in Aberdeen, Washington, the mother of three took her education from SPU and became an elementary school teacher at Lea Hill Elementary School and Valley Christian School, and an assistant librarian at the Algona Public Library. Her creative spirit flowed from notes of encouragement that she enjoyed writing to others. John, her husband of 44 years, says, “Seattle Pacific was a cornerstone in her walk with the Lord and provided a Christian foundation for her teaching career.” Judy is survived by her husband; a son; a daughter; six grandchildren; and a sister.

JAMES “JIM” LEIERER ’52 died June 22, 2016, at the age of 92. After graduating high school in Enid, Oklahoma, he played football for the U.S. Navy, 1944–45, then was a linebacker for Tulane University. At Seattle Pacific College, he tackled his studies and met his true love, who became ILADEENE MCALLASTER LEIERER ’53. A year after graduation, he took charge of the Langley High School and South Whidbey High School football programs. It was the start of a 49-year career that encompassed the teaching of biology, math, physical education, and driver’s education, as well as coaching hundreds of high school athletes. His care and encouragement of students were legendary. Jim’s faith in God was at the forefront of everything he taught and modeled. Even his corny jokes found an appreciative audience because it was “Coach” who delivered the punch lines. In 1969, his South Whidbey football players went undefeated. In 1979, they earned the right to play in the Kingdome and finished second in the state in their division. Jim was active in church, taught Sunday school, held neighborhood Bible studies, served as a youth leader, and gave more than 25 years to the summer Bible camp program through the American Missionary Fellowship. Some say that his favorite day of the week was Wednesday, when at 6 a.m. he and several other Christian men conducted a prayer walk around the schools of South Whidbey Island. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years; a son; three daughters; and seven grandchildren.

GAGE THEARD ’13 died March 19, 2016, at the age of 24. Born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, he graduated with honors from Lake City High School in 2010. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowboarding, and woodworking, and was an avid soccer player and member of his high school football team. He served as vice president of the Cougar Creek Ranchers 4-H Club. As a member of Boy Scouts of America Venturing, a youth development program, he explored firefighting and his senior year became a reserve firefighter for Idaho’s Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SPU, where he was a member of the Centurions Christian service group and president of the Associated Undergraduate Students of Business and Economics. Following graduation, Gage joined the U.S. Navy, graduated from Officer Candidate School, and began Navy pilot training in Pensacola, Florida, where he learned how to pilot T-6 aircraft. He was known in all endeavors for his gentle spirit, work ethic, compassion, and integrity. Gage is survived by his parents; two brothers; two sisters; and three nephews.