Read more about the lives of alumni and friends of SPU who have died.
WALTER BARHAM, former Seattle Pacific University board of trustees member, died November 20, 2018, at the age of 94. Born in Salem, Oregon, Walt served in Marine Corps Aviation for four years during World War II. He earned a degree in civil engineering from Oregon State University and then served as city manager in Coalinga, California, Coos Bay, Oregon, and Kelso, Washington. He came to Longview, Washington in 1968, as their first city manager. Walt was elected as a Port of Longview commissioner in November 1989, and served in that position from 1990 to 2008. He was president of the Association of Pacific Ports from 2001 to 2002, was a member of the Longview Free Methodist Church, Longview Noon Rotary, and served on the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments. Walt also served on the Cowlitz Public Facilities District. He was also a founding member of the Cowlitz Economic Council. Walter served on Seattle Pacific’s Board of Trustees from 1964 to 1971, and from 1972 to 1987. Preceded in death by his wife, Marie, he is survived by two sons, including BRUCE BARHAM ’75, five grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
KENT BISHOP ’67 died September 10, 2018, at the age of 79. Born in Yakima, Washington, Kent was an active participant in Seattle theater. He was academically honored by a Rockefeller scholarship though Seattle Pacific College with continued participation through the University of Washington, leading to a variety of experiences at Seattle Repertory Theatre and ACT. Kent was a producer of local SeaFair TV coverage, and he entertained countless fans as the Seattle Sonic’s Wheedle. He voiced and operated the puppet character, Norbert, on KOMO TV’s Boomerang, as well as Mr. Alligator on KING TV’s Let’s Make a Wish, Captain Baseline, a Baseline Print media image, and Mr. Tomato on KTW Talk. Kent retired as director of Telecommunication at Boeing. In retirement, Kent gardened and operated a workshop, both to exercise his green thumb and tech-craft skills. He thrived at the family cabin. Kent is survived by Jean, his wife of 56 years, two brothers, and his extended family and friends.
CANDACE SELTZER CARTER ’85 died May 24, 2018. The owner of Candace Carter Interior Design, she battled cancer off and on for over 18 years. She loved Jesus and is with her King right now in paradise. Candace was a servant of God and he impacted many lives through her life. Candace is survived by her husband, Philip, three children, four grandchildren, her parents, three siblings, and countless friends that she impacted for Christ.
JILL SCHUSSEL COYLE ’91 died October 17, 2018, at the age of 51. Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, Jill transferred into SPU, graduating with a degree in elementary education. A lifelong educator, Jill worked as a Title I teacher at Ledge Street Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire. She also often volunteered her time as a reading tutor. Jill was an active volunteer with the New England Brittany Rescue, a regional nonprofit dedicated to the adoption of Brittany spaniels. Jill is survived by her husband, Kevin, three children, parents, a sister and brother, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews.
DALE DIETZMAN ’64 died July 8, 2018, at the age of 76. Born in Illinois and raised in Seattle, Dale attended SPC, where he ran for the Falcon track team under coach Ken Foreman. He met CAROLYN DROSCHER ’65, at Seattle Pacific in a chemistry class and they married in 1965. Dale attended Baylor Medical School, earning his MD in 1968. After completing a general pediatric residency in Haiti, he developed a career-long interest in pediatric infectious diseases, even conducting research in virology at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1974, he joined Walla Walla Clinic in Washington, where he was a pediatrician until retiring in 2000. An avid runner, he ran the Seattle Marathon in 1981. He became a member of the First Congregational Church in Walla Walla in 1975. Dale is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 53 years, a son, two daughters, brother, JOHN DIETZMAN ’61, sister DONNA DIETZMAN ELMORE ’67, and five grandchildren.
RICHARD “DICK” JAMES ’62 died January 6, 2018, at the age of 78. Born in Willamina, Oregon, he graduated from Albany Union High School, where he played basketball and baseball, establishing a state record for stolen bases. While attending Seattle Pacific College to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he played varsity baseball all four years as a center fielder. After college, Dick served in the Oregon National Guard in Albany for 10 years. He worked with First Interstate Bank of Oregon (now Wells Fargo), retiring in 1994. Remembered for his strong faith in God, Dick is survived by his wife of 54 years, DONNA SAM JAMES ’62, two sons, two grandchildren, and a brother.
SUZANNA JOHNSON ’89 died March 31, 2018, at the age of 63. A longtime resident of Bothell, Washington, Suzanna worked for many years at Group Health on Capital Hill and Bellevue, Washington, as a nurse practitioner in the Anesthesia Clinic. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, William, and a daughter.
HEIDI KRAUSE ’05 died July 10, 2018, at the age of 35. After graduating from SPU, she earned her Colorado and Wyoming teaching certificates and taught in Colorado and Arizona. Diagnosed with brain cancer in January 2011, she accepted her situation for seven-and-a-half years with strength, humor, and dignity. Heidi is survived by her parents, a sister, a brother, two nephews, and her beloved dog, Piglet.
Donald Lansing ’50 died January 6, 2019, at the age of 94. Born in Colton, California, Donald lived in the Colton area for more than 45 years and in Santa Ynez Valley for more than 45 years. In addition to Seattle Pacific College, Donald attended California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. He was a flight engineer pilot for Trans World Airlines for 30 years, as well as a citrus grower, avid RVer, fisherman, and world traveler. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Winifred Ives Lansing ’50, and survived by five children, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Merritt Lawson Jr. ’62 died December 24, 2018, at the age of 83. Born in San Francisco, California, Merritt grew up on a dairy farm and ranch, and moved to Spokane, Washington, in 1954. While in high school, he was invited to attend church, where he heard the gospel for the first time. At age 17, he accepted Christ and felt called to become a minister. After being drafted, he joined the U.S. Marines and served for three years as part of the World Ward II occupation of Japan. After his discharge, he studied pastoral ministry, beginning his ministry with the American Sunday School Union. He attended Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary (FELS), earning master’s of divinity, master’s of theology, and doctor of ministry degrees. He became a professor of theology and was academic dean at FELS for more than 10 years. In 1985, he established Covenant Bible Fellowship Inc. and Covenant Bible Seminary in Lakewood, Washington, serving as its president and academic dean for 33 years. Merritt married Shirley Rizner in 1964, and they were married until her death in 1989. They had four children. He married Elaine Antilla in 1990, and she passed away in 1994. In 1997, he married Diana Wahl ’57, and they served at the seminary together for 21 years. Merritt is survived by his wife, Diana, four children, and many extended family members.
STEPHEN NOFZIGER ’69 died September 27, 2018, at the age of 72. Born in Archbold, Ohio, Stephen was the second son of six children born to the Rev. Dale and Mildred Nofziger. The Nofziger family moved from Ohio to Lynnwood, Washington, in 1963, where his father established the family business, A House of Clocks. Stephen attended Seattle Pacific College and went to work for the family business as the financial manager after graduation. Soon after graduation, he married JAN CANFIELD ’69, who had been “the girl next door” before they attended SPC together. Stephen’s gentle disposition contained a quick wit and deep wisdom and, a practiced handyman, he was always ready to help. Stephen is survived by Jan, a daughter, four grandchildren, five siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Suzanne “Sue” Wiganosky Record ’75 died December 21, 2018, at the age of 65. Born in Chicago, Sue graduated from Federal Way High School in Washington state, and attended SPU, graduating with a degree in education. A teacher for the Selah School District, Sue retired after 32 years in the classroom, and then continued as a substitute teacher until 2014. Passionate about her faith in God, Sue enjoyed spending time outside, training and enjoying her horses and dogs. Sue is survived by her husband of 25 years, John; stepson, mother, brother, three sisters, and many others in her extended family.
CARL ROSEVEARE, professor emeritus of education, passed away September 18, 2018. Carl had retired from the School of Education Learning Resources and had lived at Warm Beach Senior Community since 2012 with his wife, Arlene. Carl was with Seattle Pacific from 1973 to 1998. His career at SPU was multifaceted. He joined the School of Education in as an assistant professor and held positions in Computer and Information Systems. At SPU, Roseveare was known for three loves: God, others, and computers. He devoted a great deal of his life to the nurture of students. In spring 1998, he traveled to Peru to set up a Spanish-language computer system for a parachurch organization. He is survived by Arlene, three sons, and their families.
Don Sheneberger ’79 died January 7, 2019, at the age of 62 after a two-year battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Born in Yakima, Washington, Don grew up in the Yakima area and, after graduating from SPU with a degree in history, he received master’s degree in library science from the University of Washington. He became the librarian at Tillamook High School and also involved with the AFS exchange student program, hosting 14 exchange students over the years. Retiring after 33 years, Don then split his time between Tillamook and Las Vegas. He was an active member at Saint Albans Episcopal Church in Tillamook and All Saints Episcopal Church in Las Vegas. An avid traveler, he wrote three novels about the history of Mexico. Don is survived by his twin brother, a niece, nephew, and his exchange student sons from around the world.
Joi Solberg-Martin ’79 died October 24, 2018, at the age of 61. Born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Joi and her family moved to Whitstran, Washington, when she was 5 years old. She attended SPU and Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was an employee of the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years and a longtime member of Shoreline Free Methodist Church in Shoreline, Washington. Fluent in French, she had the opportunity to travel through Europe on three separate occasions. Joi was also gifted at drawing, painting, sculpting, and playing the piano and guitar. Joi is survived by a son and daughter.
Corinne “Corky” Peterson Tarr ’44 died January 6, 2019, at the age of 93. A native of Ferndale, Washington, Corky was a church music director. Predeceased by her husband Robert, she is survived by three sons, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Lyle Williams ’52 died January 30, 2019, at the age of 92. Born in a farmhouse near Page, Nebraska, Lyle was a World War II Navy veteran, serving aboard the USS Harwood. Married to Shirley Bosell in 1951, he received a master’s of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and was ordained in the Free Methodist church of North America. He was the editor of the adult Sunday school curriculum at the Free Methodist Publishing House for 31 years. Lyle is survived by his wife of 67 years, a son, two daughters, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a sister, and many nieces, and nephews.
