Class Notes
classnotes
Harry Evans ’65 is very active in his city/area Historical Society & Museum. Harry advises, “If you are looking for a worthwhile activity where you can give back, try looking up your local museum. They are always looking for volunteers and you will find that anything you can do is rewarding. Helps to pass our American history on to another generation. Enjoy.”
Richard McFaul, MD ’66 is a Pediatric Cardiologist and Mayo Clinic Fellow. He was Director and Pediatric Cardiologist, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, from 1989-94. He is the founder of the congenital heart program, Los Cabos, MX.
Jack Engelsen ’68 reports that after 39 years as a historical reenactor and professional storyteller known as “The Buffalo Man,” his final performance as a teller of tall tales (“okay; liar”) of the American Fur Trade, was held during a virtual event on September 26, 2020. So, as we ride off into the sunset…
Donald Robinson ’68 has published his novel, “Leaving Iowa.” As Donald 
describes it, “Set in 
1969, it is a story of the sustaining and healing power of human love in the midst of murder, war, racial hatred, and official corruption; from the jungles of Vietnam to a small Iowa town courtroom, this love wins out – or does it? In the words of Dr. Mark J. Volkmann ’69: ‘Leaving Iowa took me back to the time I went to college in the late 60s – it reminded me how it felt to view life from my sock-less, long hair perspective and to feel the injustice, anger, and fear associated with events of my youth.’”
Armel MacDonald ’69 has been elected to the 33rd degree in Scottish Rite Freemasonry.
Ellen Crocker ’72 moved to Sun City, AZ in August 2020 after having lived in Oregon for 8 years. Although she did not graduate from Iowa Wesleyan, she is looking forward to attending the 50th anniversary of her class year, and in particular seeing all of her Pi Phi sisters. She has not been back to Iowa for many, many years and says it will be wonderful to see the campus again.
Linda Coulter Claxton ’73 retired in 2013 from L3, a contractor for the U.S. Department of Labor in Kansas City, MO. Her husband of 42 years passed away on March 25, 2019. Linda downsized and moved to the neighboring town of Grain Valley, MO in 2017.
Eric L. Morin ’76 Major USAF (Retired) traveled to Bavaria. Among his stops was Hitler’s Eagles Nest in the Bavarian Alps at Berchtesgaden.
Charlie Dodson ’77 is in his 26th year as a public school teacher, teaching AP World History to 10th graders. He has fond memories of his friends at IWC; the weather, not so much.
Steve Smith ’78 retired last year from Federal Service after 33 years as a medical photographer at the Iowa City VA medical center, 21 of those years with DOD as a photographer/videographer. He is now enjoying time with his daughter and granddaughters.
Bob Temple ’78 retired on September 18, 2020 after a 42 year career in nursing at University of Iowa Health Care.
Michael McClure ’80 has been employed by Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, for 31 years as of August 2020, the last 21 years as Director of Academic Guidance at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities (www.bsu.edu/academy). He celebrated his 27th wedding anniversary last July (“yep, I got a late start!”), and is going to be a first-time grandpa in March 2021. “Retirement on the horizon at last!” says Michael.
Dawn Tish ’80 moved back to her hometown of Winterset, IA upon the death of her husband, Rev. Jon Egger in 2017. Residing with her is her daughter, Rebecca Tish. She is also working for Four Oaks as a counselor in the high school therapeutic classroom at the Winterset Community School District.
Tina Holland ’81 is working for Niagara Cerebral Palsy. She has four children and one grandson. She currently lives in Niagara Falls, NY. Tina plans to retire this year at the age of 62.
Barry Pence ’83 is Senior Director of Human Resources at Palmer College of Chiropractic.
Tom Arras ’84 retired from the Iowa Department of Corrections in June 2019 after a 35 year career working at the Iowa Medical & Classification Center in Coralville, IA. Tom began his career as a Correctional Officer in 1984, eventually being promoted to Correctional Counselor in 1998, a position he held until his retirement in 2019. Tom is enjoying his retirement; he works a part time job, and spends his free time with family and friends, traveling and attending music festivals.
Barbara Thompson ’86 moved from the Virginia Beach area back to Iowa in late 2014 to care for her parents in Letts. She cared for them for their last 5 years. They were both able to stay in their home where they lived most of their 65 years of marriage. Barbara is proud to serve as the Library Director at the Letts Public Library and she enjoys working as a Guest Teacher at L-M (her childhood school district). She is passionately serving her second term on the L-M School Board. She has been sewing and selling at the Muscatine Area Farmers Market for several summers.
Andrew Bentley ’87 celebrated 32 years of marriage with his college sweetheart, Rhonda, last September 28th. He has retired as an Activities Specialist II and hostage negotiator from the Iowa State Penitentiary, Ft. Madison, IA.
Jeff Reichman ’92 was elected to the Iowa Senate in District 42 during the November 2020 election. He will be retiring from the Marine Corps on April 1, 2021 as a Lt. Col. after 28 years of service.
Lori Vick ’92 is a Clinical Associate Professor and Course Coordinator of the Undergraduate Psychiatric Mental Health Program.University of South Carolina (Columbia). She had a manuscript accepted for publication: Vick, L.L. Potts, M., Jaskowiak, M.A., Gibson, R.W. (2020). Hydroxyurea adherence strategies for persons with sickle cell disease: A systematic review. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 31, (3); as well as a grant funded: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research Implementation of Medical Homes for Evidence Based Care of Adolescents and Adults with Sickle Cell Disease/Hydroxyurea Adherence Project. 5/2020 – 6/2022.
Jennifer Johnson McClenahan ’93 was married on July 29, 2018 to Craig McClenahan at Peace Lutheran Church in West Burlington. Jennifer, a MS-HS vocal music instructor at Highland Community Schools, was elected State President of the Iowa Choral Directors Association. She will serve 3 consecutive terms as president-elect, president, and then vice president. The Iowa Choral Directors serves roughly 1,000 choral and general music educators across the state.
Tamara Kern Andrews ’99 is teaching 3rd grade at Grand View Christian School in Des Moines, IA.
Travis Foell ’00 Is teaching middle school science at Earlham (IA) Community School District.
Robin Wendland ’01 is teaching middle school band in Fairfield, IA
Michael Sharp ’02 has been promoted to Corporate Security Supervisor with West Liberty Foods, LLC.
Dezirae Smith Fairchild ’03 Is teaching 5-8 band at Eddyville-Blakesburg.
Kim Topping Singer ’03 is teaching elementary art at Van Buren County Community School District in Douds, IA.
Dustie Dahlhauser ’10 is currently working as a Senior Consumer Affairs Specialist for the FDIC.
Hillary Dunnegan Freeberg ’11 married Cpt. Lance Freeberg on July 4, 2019 in Lake of The Ozarks, MO. They reside in Fort Polk, Louisiana. She is a License Coordinator on the Value Added Services team with Hancock Natural Resource Group.
Zach Cronkhite ’16 is proud to announce that he passed the Indiana Bar exam and is now a licensed, admitted attorney in the state of Indiana.
Alex Payne ’18 is attending the Kentucky College of Optometry to earn his Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree.
