Obituaries

William Ray Lucas, MS’50, PhD’52, of Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 10, 2025. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he studied chemistry at Vanderbilt under Professor Waite Fishel. A charter member of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, he was center director from 1974 until 1986. His career extended from the early days of the U.S. rocket program through the foundation of the Space Station. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and received the Dr. Wernher von Braun Space Flight Trophy from the National Space Club for his distinguished career in rocketry and science. He was active in many professional and community organizations. His wife, Polly Torti Lucas, and a son, William Ray Lucas Jr., BA’77, predeceased him. Survivors include daughter, Donna Lucas Watts, BA’74; son, Michael Lee Lucas, BA’79, JD’82; six grandchildren, including Kenan Holmes Lucas, BA’07; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Malcolm Garber, BA’51, of Seattle, Sept. 4, 2024. After Vanderbilt, he went to the University of Louisville Medical School, spent time in the Navy, and ended up living in Seattle where he was a pediatrician for almost 40 years. He had fond memories of his days as a Commodore, especially attending basketball games and living in the dorm. Later in life he loved attending the Civil War Institute and Lincoln Forum, where he’d meet up with friends from around the country. Each person who met him left an imprint on him that he held in heart. He leaves behind four children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Jean Anthony Williamson, BA’52, of Greensboro, N.C., Feb. 18, 2025. She was a fifth-generation West Tennessean and a second-generation alum of Vanderbilt, where she studied history and was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, Mortar Board, the women’s Student Government Association and the Women’s Glee Club. A resident of Memphis all her adult life, Jean worked as a teacher at Grace St. Luke’s Episcopal School and Briarcrest Christian School. She was active in Second Presbyterian Church, served on the board of the Memphis Symphony League and was a regent of the Watauga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is survived by three children, including John Anthony Williamson, BA’85, 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Larson Dale Beck, BA’53, of Nashville, Aug. 9, 2024. Dale attended Vanderbilt on an athletic scholarship for football and baseball. He met Mary Fergus, BS’52, while at Vandy. They married and would go on to celebrate their 70-year anniversary in 2023. Dale joined the U.S. Navy after his graduation from Vanderbilt and served in the Philippines following the Korean War. He then went to medical school, completed a residency in otolaryngology and became the first ENT specialist in the Madison, Tenn., area. He would spend his retirement years with Mary supporting their three children, Nancy Grey Beck, BA’83, Allen Dale Beck, BA’85, and Mary Ellen Beck Hoehn, BA’93, and four grandsons, who all survive him.

David “Smiley” Heath, BE’53, of Nashville, Dec. 9, 2024. He entered Vanderbilt at age 16, was awarded a Navy scholarship, and belonged to the Sigma Chi fraternity and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. As an officer in the Navy, he flew jets off carriers and trained new pilots. He met his wife, Helen Birdwell Heath, MA’67, while stationed in Pensacola, and they were married more than 60 years. David worked in the construction industry, designing and building bridges, roads, hospitals and schools. He is remembered for his kindness and keen intellect. He is survived by his daughter, Allison Heath Moore, BA’82, MEd’90; son Bruce, who was in the first class of Peabody's Susan Gray School, and two grandchildren.

Miriam Bozeman Usry, BA’53, of Dallas, Jan. 17, 2025. At Vanderbilt she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and graduated magna cum laude. During school she also worked at WSM radio and TV. Upon graduation she worked for Eastman Kodak, Texas Instruments and then as a high school math teacher before returning to accounting. Survivors include a daughter, two sons and 10 grandchildren.

Carolyn Gleaves Lightfoot, ’54, of Montgomery, Ala., March 18, 2025. She attended Vanderbilt then graduated from Auburn University with an applied art degree in 1954. She was an active member of the Chi Omega sorority. She is survived by her daughters Carolyn Lightfoot Bunker, BSN’83, and Amanda Lightfoot Finch; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard W. Lightfoot, III, her parents, including her father, Richard D. Gleaves, BS 1917, her brother and a grandson.

Charles A. “Charlie” Buechlein, BA’56, of Jasper, Ind., Feb. 12, 2025.  He attended Vanderbilt through a basketball scholarship (1952–56) and played for Coach Bob Polk.  Charles was a member of the “V” Club (varsity athletes who lettered in their sports) and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He enrolled in Navy ROTC at Vanderbilt and served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959, achieving the rank of first lieutenant. After working as an accountant for the Pillsbury Company, he pursued a career in public accounting and founded Buechlein and Associates. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie (“Marge”), children, including daughter, Grace Buechlein, BA’83, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

George S. Mauerman, BS’59, of Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 2, 2023. At Vanderbilt, George was a Phi Beta Kappa football scholarship graduate. He received his medical degree from Columbia University and completed his orthopedic residency at Memphis’s Campbell Clinic in 1970, after which he joined Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center. George went on to become a renowned orthopedic surgeon. The sports medicine facility at the University of Tulsa is named for him. Despite his many professional accomplishments, George valued faith, family and friends above all else. He is survived by three children, including Heather Mauerman Paris, BS’94, and four grandchildren.

James Audry Moody Jr., BA’61, of Gulfport, Miss., June 13, 2024. Jim earned his degree in English and was on one of Vanderbilt’s College Bowl teams that appeared on TV. He entered the Peace Corps in 1963 as an English teacher in Nigeria and had a long and fulfilling career teaching English at colleges and universities overseas. He held a fellowship at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, and teaching positions at the University of Zambia, the University of Technology in Papua New Guinea, the University of Qatar in Doha and the University of Oman. He had a great knowledge of literature, ideas and classical music, particularly opera. Jim’s love of books and his willingness to share his knowledge was a special pleasure to those who knew him.

Mary Nelle Bassett Rogers, BA’61, MAT’64, of Overland Park, Kan., December 2024. Her Vanderbilt education followed her marriage to Ben Rogers in 1958. She taught college French and teacher training in Wichita beginning in 1966. She co-founded the Alliance Française in Wichita and served as a delegate to Wichita’s sister city, Orléans, three times. She wrote textbooks using the natural approach methodology of listening, then speaking, then grammar, and edited the second edition of widely used text Deux Mondes, now in its eighth edition. Mary’s life was defined by her love of teaching, reading and exploring the world and other cultures. She made people feel welcomed and accepted. She is survived by Ben, her children Semie and Lewis, and five grandchildren.

Dan Shilstat, BE’61, MS’69, former Vanderbilt campus planner, of Nashville, May 2025. Dan served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves. While working at Pratt & Whitney, he developed airplane engines. He designed the first clutches for automobile air conditioners, and at the Department of Conservation for the state of Tennessee, he managed the Nashville Thermal Plant in its heyday. He also managed the Nashville Community Concert Band for 50 years, encouraging all levels of talent. Dan loved sports and coached Little League Baseball, youth basketball and high school soccer. Dan had a good sense of humor and will be missed by his friends and family, including his ex-wife, Heloise Shilstat, daughter, Tiki McClure, and son, Daniel Shilstat.

Peter Choate Booher, BA’62, of Huntsville, Ala., June 2, 2024. At Vanderbilt, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity where he made lifelong friendships. He graduated from Emory University Medical School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He had a successful career as a radiologist in Huntsville. He was a generous man devoted to his family and instilled the values of honesty, hard work and education in his children. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carole; three daughters, Dr. Debbie Booher Kolb, BA’93, (Chris), Vicki Booher Caneer, BS’96, (Matt), Betsy Booher Summers, BA’99, (Ben) and 10 grandchildren.

Arthur Robinson “Art” Kasey III, BA’62, of Arnold, Mo., Oct. 21, 2024. He was a beloved geoscience teacher at Fox High School for 44 years, where he also led the chess, discovery and weather clubs. He received the 2004 Walmart Good Works Teacher of the Year award, 1995 Jefferson County Educator of the Year award and 1988 and 2014 Excellence in Teaching awards from Emerson Electric. Fox High recently renamed a section of its hallway that passed his former classroom as “Art Kasey Avenue,” and the school renamed his former classroom “Kasey’s Korner.” His grandfather, Arthur Robinson Kasey, was a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School. He is survived by his sister, Judy Kasey Houlette, BA’79.

John Russell, BA’63, JD’66, of St. Louis, March 20, 2025. He was an All-SEC basketball star at Vanderbilt, then served in the Marine Corps and returned to Nashville before joining the Internal Revenue Service as a tax attorney. He then was a sole practitioner in his hometown of Webster, Mo., until his retirement. For four decades Russell coached developmentally challenged athletes in four sports, prepared meals for the homeless and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was an active outdoorsman, hiking and backpacking with his partner, Kathleen Dunsford, who survives him.

John Patrick Partin, BA’66, of Columbus, Ga., Nov. 22, 2024. At Vanderbilt, he was involved in Sigma Chi fraternity, holding many positions in the chapter, including president. He also met his future wife, Vicky Lynn Boyd, BA’67 at VU. After he earned a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1969, he served four years active duty as a captain and attorney in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, including as the assistant prosecutor in the trial for which William Calley Jr. was convicted for his participation in the My Lai massacre. John was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. In 1973, he joined a law firm with Milton Hirsch in Columbus, a partnership which lasted until 2017 when they both retired. He is survived by Vicky, his wife of 57 years, son, Shane Boyd Partin, BS’95, daughter-in-law Anne and two brothers, Steve and Randy.

Barbara Jane Trapp Austin, BA’67, of Medon, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2024. At Vanderbilt, she majored in molecular biology and participated in Vanderbilt-in-France during her sophomore year. She did graduate study and managed the tissue culture laboratory at Tulane University and did neurological research at Emory University and University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock. Later she taught computer science for many years at State Technical Institute in Memphis. Survivors include her husband, Larry D. Austin, BA’65; daughter, Nancy Austin Patterson, BMus’98; son, Michael Austin (Carnegie-Mellon); and her sister, Nancy Arnold, BA’70.

Carter Stanley Chapman Jr., BE’69, of Fort Myers, Fla., March 10, 2025. At Vanderbilt he studied mechanical engineering and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He was a U.S. Navy captain and had been a fighter pilot in Vietnam, followed by a long career as a pilot and flight instructor for Delta Airlines. In recent years, he had been active in guiding Vanderbilt’s ROTC program. Carter and his family wintered near Atlanta and enjoyed retirement aboard his yacht Reward on Lake Chickamauga, near Chattanooga. Carter succumbed to back injuries resulting from having been ejected from his aircraft during Vietnam. He is survived by his wife, Susan, his sister, Kimberly, his three daughters, Berkley, Christie and Taylor, and his grandchildren.

Dennis Martin Corbly Jr., BE’69, MS’74, PhD’76, of Naples, Fla., Nov. 29, 2024. While at Vanderbilt, Dennis met Jane Gillespie Corbly, BA’69, MA’70 at Peabody College. Dennis and Jane were married for more than 57 years. Dennis had a distinguished career, first as a civilian with the U.S. Air Force and then with General Electric. He was active in civic leadership, including the National Aviation Hall of Fame and numerous local organizations. Dennis is survived by his wife, three children and three grandsons.

Steven A. Stinson, BA’69, JD’72, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Feb. 5, 2025. He had a career that spanned 43 years as an accomplished attorney, legal mediator and insurance expert in Indiana, Middle Tennessee and South Florida. He worked as a judge advocate general officer in the Army Reserves, and as a recruiter for West Point, retiring after 26 years in the Army Reserves and achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. Founder of the Vanderbilt Alumni Club of Palm Beach County, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sherry Stinson, BA’69, MA’72, whom he married in 1968 during their spring break; two children and numerous grandchildren.

Donald McClure, PhD’70, of Novi, Mich., Aug. 23, 2024. He spent his 33-year career teaching literature and composition in the Department of English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Among his campus memories: seminars with professors Duncan, Finney and Aden, appreciating the generous professors who invited classes to their homes, and teaching Saturday  morning freshmen English classes as a graduate student. He is survived by his wife Susan, their three children and five grandchildren.

Gillis Byrns Coleman, MA’71, PhD’76, of Wingate, N.C., Sept. 19, 2024. He spent 52 years teaching at Wingate University (1960–2012) as the Cannon Professor of Humanities and continued to teach as an adjunct professor until 2016 when he fully retired as professor emeritus. He was Humanities Division chair and Department of Religion and Philosophy chair multiple times. He also taught New Testament Theology and Christian Writing at American Baptist Seminary in Nashville while on sabbatical, 1967–68, and Greek New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte, N.C., branch) for 7 years. For 30+ years, he hosted Weekly Bible Study on Wingate University TV. He is survived by his wife, three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Henry N. Craft, BA’71, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 19, 2024. At Vanderbilt, Henry majored in political science, then earned his law degree in 1980 from the Mississippi College of Law and joined the Craft and Craft law firm in Memphis. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from Memphis’ District 90 and as Memphis’ delegate to the Libertarian National Convention. In 1989, he moved to Connecticut to fill a New York Commodities Exchange seat. In 2000, he moved to Chattanooga to join other family members, where he worked for Goodwill Industries and later enjoyed his retirement years.

John W. Carney Jr., BA’72, of Clarksville, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2024. He was invited to try out for Major League Baseball but instead accepted a four-year football scholarship. He played football during the 1968–71 seasons, including during the 14-10 victory over Alabama in 1969, and was defensive captain during his senior year. John was an outstanding football player, but an even better person. He was director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and, for nearly three decades, was the district attorney for Montgomery and Robertson Counties (19th Judicial District). His wife, Emily Martin Carney, BA’75 , preceded him in death.  He is survived by two children, a sister and extended family and friends.

Ross Hassig Jr., JD’72, MA’74, of Tucson, Ariz., March 2, 2025. He earned his Ph.D. in anthropology from Stanford University in January 1980. He was an assistant professor of anthropology at Vanderbilt from 1979 through 1983.

Martin Ming-Chen Wang, PhD’73, of Columbus, Ohio, April 23, 2025. Martin graduated from National Taiwan University with a degree in agricultural chemistry. He later worked in Taipei for the U.S. Navy at NAMRU 2 in the physiology and metabolic-biochemistry laboratories. In 1966, at Vanderbilt he studied for his doctorate in physiology, became a member of the club fencing team and participated with the local kendo society. He met his wife, Carolyn Wellman, in Nashville. After finishing his studies, they moved to Columbus for Martin’s job with Chemical Abstracts Service, where he worked until retirement. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, a daughter, two grandchildren and extended family in Taiwan and the U.S.

T. Brooks Patterson, BA’74, of Atlanta, Dec. 5, 2024. At Vanderbilt he studied business administration, was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and competed in swimming. He earned his MBA from Emory in 1979 and had a successful career as a commercial real estate developer and investor in the Southeast. He loved playing golf with friends and spending time with his family in the Florida Panhandle. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 11402, among other organizations. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two grandchildren and three sisters.

George W. Crafton, BS’75, of Metairie, La., June 18, 2025. At Vanderbilt he was a member of Alpha Tao Omega fraternity. He earned his M.D. from the University of Louisville Medical School and practiced cardiology for 25 years at Nashville Memorial/Skyline Hospital where he was president of the medical staff, the chairman of the Critical Care Committee and director of Cardiac Rehab. His mother, Martha Crafton, BSN’45, and his father, Dr. George B. Crafton, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ladonna J. Crafton, BSN’76, two children, four grandchildren and two siblings.

Todd Owen Maiden, BA’81, of Wyoming, Ohio, Sept. 16, 2024. At Vanderbilt he studied English and economics, graduating cum laude. He was in the university jazz band and earned a fellowship at the Center for the Study of the Presidency. He studied at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and earned his law degree and LLM in environmental law in 1985. Todd spent 40 years as an environmental attorney. He co-authored and contributed to several books on international environmental issues and was a frequent speaker on environmental subjects. He enjoyed going to France with his wife and kids to visit her family and improving his French. He was a driven member and volunteer at the local Presbyterian church. He is survived by his wife, two children and extended family.

William Harold “Bill” Lynch, BS’84, of Sullivan’s Island, S.C., Sept. 17, 2024. At Vanderbilt he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and played semiprofessional soccer for the Nashville Blues. He received his M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, completed his general surgery residency at Georgetown University Hospital, and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center/Parkland Hospital in Dallas. In 2005, he established the Fort Sumter Surgical Clinic in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and practiced there until he retired in 2023. He served in the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years with tours on the USS Enterprise and USS John C. Stennis, and in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He retired as commander last year. He is survived by four siblings, his uncle and 10 nieces and nephews.

Charles Edward Mathay, EdD’87, of Lady Lake, Fla., June 25, 2024. Born in Grove City, Pa., Ed attended Grove City College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He built a career in higher education technology helping universities transition into the computer age. Ed retired to Hawaii, where he volunteered with nature organizations and joined the Kihei Canoe Club to race and promote traditional Hawaiian culture. He also traveled extensively before moving to the mainland. Known for his long friendships and dry wit, he is survived by his son Michael, daughter-in-law Pam, four grandchildren and his partner of 17 years, Dorinda Giles.

Jessica Jamee Baldwin, BA’98, of Nashville, Jan. 10, 2025. Vanderbilt was near and dear to her heart. She was enrolled in the doctoral program in technology at Purdue University and loved working in IT at Nissan. She taught yoga and spin classes several times a week at the Green Hills YMCA. She loved life and was a fabulous friend to her Nashville family and an incredible mom to her son, Thompson, who survives her, as do her parents.

Leticia A. Guardiola-Saenz, MA’00, PhD’09, of Seattle, Jan. 8, 2025. She joined Seattle University in 2008 as associate professor of Christian scriptures and held the Pat Howell, S.J., Professorship in Theology and Ministry. A respected international scholar, her main academic and teaching interests were readings of the Gospels from a Latin American perspective, representations of women in scriptures, cultural interpretations of Jesus, biblical spiritualities and decolonial hermeneutics. She cherished her work with the Hispanic Summer Program and the Hispanic Theological Initiative, where she taught and mentored the next generation of Latin American Bible scholars/ministers. Guardiola-Saenz co-edited Latinx Perspectives on the New Testament (Fortress Academic, 2022). She is survived by her partner, her mother, three sisters, five nieces, four nephews and four “grandchildren,” all of whom she adored and all of whom claim right of favorite—and they all were.

Sebastián Lasaosa Rogers, BA’13, of Brooklyn, N.Y., April 12, 2025. Born in New York City, he spent his early years in Mexico City before moving to Concord, Mass. At Vanderbilt he was an Ingram Scholar, majoring in anthropology and film, and an activist for workers’ rights and food justice. His film career launched at Vanderbilt when Ken Burns invited him to work on the documentary, Country Music. He shot The Art of Making It, winner of the 2022 SXSW Audience Award, and directed and produced the award-winning documentary Freeing Juanita. He is survived by his family, Paul, Rosa and Elena; his aunts, Helene and Caroline; his partner, Caitlin; Elena’s partner, Dalton; and many others. Sebastian’s work is on Vimeo, Art21, PBS and on his website, sebastianlr.com. His joyful spirit and dedication were endless. Many tributes echo: “He was the best of us.”