In Memoriam
HAROLD BEST ’38 died December 27, 2005, at the age of 90. Born in Redhouse, New York, Harold graduated from Sunnydale High School in Burien, Washington. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in music education from SPC, he went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Washington. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and, following the war, married LOIS WATSON ’56 in 1945.
Harold worked as a music teacher in Washington’s Renton School District and served for 18 years as superintendent of Washington’s Peninsula School District. A church choir director, he was also a member of many civic organizations, including the Lion’s Club. Preceded in death by his daughter, JUDITH BEST ENNES ’68, Harold is survived by Lois, one son, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Beloved Professor’s Legacy Continues Today
Mel Foreman |
C. Melvin “Mel” Foreman ’42, professor emeritus and longtime administrator at Seattle Pacific University, died November 13, 2006, at the age of 86. Born in Ohio and raised in
Hermon, California, Mel was also an alumnus of Seattle Pacific College, where he sang in the Victory Quartet, participated in clubs such as the Alexandrians, and played as a guard on the men’s basketball team.
After graduation from SPC, Mel entered the Biblical Seminary in New York City and earned a master’s degree in theology. He returned to Seattle Pacific to become dean of men and enrolled at the University of Washington, where he earned a master’s degree and doctorate in sociology.
From 1953 to 1985, Mel served as a popular sociology professor and dedicated administrator at Seattle Pacific. Among the many administrative titles he held during his years at SPU were dean of students, dean of instruction, chapel coordinator, and dean of academic affairs. In 1978, students honored him with the Distinguished Professor of the Year Award.
Says President Philip Eaton, “Mel not only touched the lives of hundreds of students as a professor, but greatly shaped the ongoing academic life of Seattle Pacific.” That legacy continues with the C. Melvin Foreman Endowed Scholarship, established in 1985 and awarded annually to “serious-minded and spiritually sensitive students in sociology and anthropology.”
Preceded in death by his first wife, Sylvia Ahnlund Foreman ’46, Mel lived with his second wife, Ivanelle Kirkpatrick Foreman ’60, in Wenatchee, Washington, for the past 14 years. Survivors include Ivanelle; two sons, Dale Foreman ’67 and Jerry Foreman ’74; one daughter, Jan Foreman Thun ’74; seven grandchildren, including Charles Foreman ’03, JEANELLE FOREMAN ’05, Adrienne Thun Meier ’04, and SPU junior ERIKA THUN; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, including retired Falcon track and field coach KEN FOREMAN.
BARBARA KEANE ’75 died June 14, 2006, after battling cancer. She was 54 years old. A Seattle native, Barbara received bachelor’s degrees from SPC and the University of Washington and a master’s degree in education from Antioch University. She spent the early part of her career in interior design, and later years teaching in the Marysville (Washington) School District. She volunteered at Warm Beach Camp and Royal Family Kids Camp as a counselor to at-risk youth. Barbara was an active member of the Warm Beach Free Methodist Church in Stanwood, Washington. She is survived by one daughter, her parents, and one brother.
IRIS SHARPE KROON ’70 died August 19, 2006, at the age of 88. Born and raised in Washington, Iris attended Simpson Bible Institute in the 1930s. She was married to Melvin Kroon for 53 years. From 1964 to 1972, the couple managed SPU’s Camp Casey, helping to start the outdoor education program there. At age 50 and after raising seven children, several of whom attended SPU, Iris herself returned to college. She then taught first and second grade in the Oak
Harbor (Washington) School District until she retired. Predeceased by her husband, Iris is survived by her children, including CAROLYN KROON ’73, THOMAS KROON ’72, MARJORIE KROON HOMAN ’69, DOUGLAS KROON ’71, and JEANETTE KROON OMAR ’74; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
LYDIA ANDREWS MCNICHOLS ’45 died December 13, 2006, in Stanwood, Washington. She was 93 years old. Born in Lyman County, South Dakota, Lydia was the daughter of a Free Methodist circuit preacher, and she eventually attended Wessington Springs College, a Free Methodist junior college. After she and her family moved to Wenatchee, Washington, she met DONALD MCNICHOLS, who would later become an SPU English and theology professor from 1955 to 1980. The couple married in 1940 and lived for
a time in Southern California, where Lydia taught mathematics and music at Los Angeles Pacific College. While Donald served during World War II, Lydia came to SPC to finish her degree. From 1957 to 1979, she
was a valued Seattle Pacific staff member, serving as secretary to
the president, assistant registrar,
associate registrar, and director of
registration and records. Lydia was granted emerita status by the Board
of Trustees when she retired. Soon after, she and her husband established the Donald and Lydia McNichols Humanities Scholarship at SPU. Lydia is survived by Donald; her son, MELVIN MCNICHOLS ’69; two grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
LARRY SCHEVE ’72 died July 16, 2006, from esophageal cancer. He was 56 years old. After graduating from SPC, Larry earned a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of California-Riverside. He then began teaching at California State University-Hayward (now California State University-East Bay), eventually becoming a full professor. He was active there until his death. Larry loved working with undergraduates, and he served on many departmental, college, and university committees. He was a tireless advocate for biochemistry, which became, said his departmental chair, “a very strong undergraduate program at CSUEB because of his leadership.” Larry authored the textbook Elements of Biochemistry in 1984, which is still used in Japan and Korea. He loved classical music, watching PBS, and hiking. Larry is survived by his wife, Gail, and his father.
EATHEL LOCKARD WARNER ’38 died June 27, 2006, at the age of 89. Eathel was the daughter of James Lockard, who was senior pastor of Seattle’s First Free Methodist Church from 1924 to 1927. As a child, Eathel attended Seattle Pacific High School and then SPC. She transferred to Greenville College in Illinois when her father was transferred to serve its college church. She completed graduate studies at the University of Redlands in California. From 1939 to 1980, Eathel taught at several elementary schools in Southern California. She eventually became an elementary school principal in the Upland (California) Unified School District. In 1964, she married Neil Warner, and the two were married for 27 years. In 1993, she moved to the Warm Beach Senior Community in Stanwood, Washington. Predeceased by her brother, FRISBY LOCKARD ’35, Eathel is survived by nephews STEVEN LOCKARD ’68 and WESLEY LOCKARD ’72 and grandnieces CHRISTINE LOCKARD MITCHELL ’97 and KATHARINE LOCKARD ’01.
K. JILL WIKSTROM-GAFFNEY ’81 died December 14, 2006. She was 47 years old. After Jill earned her nursing degree from SPU, she worked at hospitals in California for a short time before returning to Seattle. She was employed at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington, for many years until poor health forced her to resign in the summer of 2006. Jill met her husband, Eric Gaffney, at a summer camp in New England, where she was the camp nurse and he was the soccer coach. Jill loved to travel with her family, and she visited Europe, Boston, New York City, the Grand Canyon, and Hawaii. She is survived by Eric, one son, one daughter, her father, and one brother.
TALMAGE WILSON ’47 died September 24, 2006, at the age of 80. Born in Portland, Oregon, Talmage attended SPC and Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. In December 1951, he married his college sweetheart, DORIS HUNTER WILSON ’47, who had attended medical school at the University of Washington. In 1956, Talmage and Doris traveled to South Sudan, where they served as missionaries. In 1964, when the northern Sudanese government expelled all Christian missionaries, the Wilsons returned to SPC, where Talmage taught Bible and church history and Doris served as college doctor. They returned to the Sudan in 1974. After retirement, Talmage wrote about his experiences, and his last book, Golden Memories, was written after his and Doris’ golden wedding anniversary. Talmage is survived by Doris; three sons, including PHILIP
WILSON ’86; two daughters, including CAROL WILSON WHITSEL ’79; six granddaughters; and two grandsons.
NAOMI THORSEN ’50 died May 21, 2006, at the age of 81. Born and raised in Turlock, California, Naomi earned a nursing degree from Stanford University before attending SPC and Asbury Theological Seminary. She served as a Free Methodist missionary from 1952 to 1977 on the islands of Mindanao, Cebu, and Leyte in the Philippines. She returned to Washington state in 1975 and became active with the Arlington Free Methodist Church. Naomi is survived by her sister, ESTHER THORSEN PETERSON ’42.
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