Author: David Wilkerson

Kathy Vandewater ~ Class of 1977

Departed ~ 03/06/2017 ~ Cancer

Crister Garrett ~ Class of 1980

Departed ~ 3/6/2019

Leipzig University mourns Crister Garrett (56)”
The longtime director of the Leipzig Institute of American Studies, Professor Crister Garrett, passed away on Wednesday evening at the age of 56. The LVZ learned from family circles. Garrett was a sought-after and valued expert on transatlantic relations throughout Germany.

Professor Crister Garrett in Leipzig. Source:  Andre Kempner Leipzig The University of Leipzig mourns the longtime director of the Institute of American Studies , Professor Dr. med. Crister Garrett . The widely known and respected professor of American culture and history died at the age of 56 on Wednesday night in the presence of his family suffering from cancer. His wife Claudia and his two daughters were with him until the end. “We will miss him so much,” said the LVZ widow.

University deeply affected: Rector Schücking : Lost too soon one of our most popular and well-known professors “The university is deeply affected,” said its rector Professor. Beate Schücking . ” Far too soon , with Crister Garrett, we lose one of our most popular and well-known professors. Personally, I have greatly appreciated him, both his professional and his human qualities. My sympathy goes to his family, especially his wife and daughters, “said the rector. The University of Leipzig owe a lot to Professor Garrett , “he was in many ways our ambassador who tirelessly campaigned for international friendship and mutual understanding on both sides of the Atlantic , which is more important today than ever. We will miss him very much! “

Even US Consul General Timothy Eydelnantmourns:  Crister was a warmhearted man and brilliant mind. The Leipzig US Consul General Timothy Eydelnant also told LVZ that the death of Crister Garrett hit him and his colleagues deeply. ” Cristerwas a warm-hearted person, a brilliant mind and a close ally in the drive for a strong transatlantic relationship. He leaves a big gap. We are in the thoughts of his family and wish her much strength for this difficult time. “Source: Andre Kempner

Garrett came to Leipzig in 2003 as a professor:
At the age of 41, New York born Crister Garrett came to the University of Wisconsin in 2003 as a visiting professor for international and European studies at the Leipzig Alma mater. “A great Chair occupation”, already enthused the then Consul General of the USA in Leipzig , Fletcher M. Burton , and was pleased that Garrett strongly began to improving transatlantic relations. Already his inaugural lecture on December 11, 2003 dealt with this topic.

Wife in Leipzig:  Crister met his wife seven years earlier, while working for a year as a lecturer at the University of Leipzig, he met not only the university, but also his wife Claudia, who studied communication science. With the Leipzig girl he has two daughters, who grew up bilingually; They spoke German with their mother and English with their father. At grammar school, both still learn the French language.

Mother Swedish, father American:  Garrett’s mother moved in 1959 from Sweden to the United States , his father is from Colorado . Crister Garrett studied political science and history at the California University in Los Angeles and then lived in various parts of Europe , including Sweden , France and Belgium .

American Space Leipzig pushed ahead:  Garrett has achieved much in German-American cooperation. Not least of all testifies to the American Space Leipzig , a joint project of US Embassy, US Consulate General and the University, which he has significantly advanced. The Center for German-American Dialogue at the local level, which opened on 3 December 2013, is the only one of its kind in central Germany . Garrett was one of the most sought after experts at the university. He was always available as a conversation partner, if he could set it up somehow, “says the press secretary of the University of Leipzig, Carsten Heckmann .

Mourning also at the faculty: “We mourn the death of Professor Dr. Crister Garrett, “says the homepage of the Faculty of Philology:” Mr. Garrett was Vice Dean of our Faculty and played a major role in shaping the Faculty of Philology. His optimism, his energy and not least his friendly and cheerful nature made him a respected and popular colleague throughout the faculty “, write Dean, Professor Beat Siebenhaar , and many colleagues.
By Anita Kecke

Michael Bongo Jepsen ~  1970

Departed ~ July 23, 2018

Michael Andrew Jepsen, age 66, passed away at his home in Boise, Idaho, on 23 July 2018. He was born 6 July 1952 in Beirut, Lebanon, the youngest of six children of Darwin Howard Jepsen and Lola Erma Christensen.

Mike loved to be seated at his drum set, with a pair of drumsticks in his hands – that’s when he came alive. In casual conversation, he would often pick up on something a person said and immediately relate it to a song. He had a love affair with music throughout his life, playing with various groups, working a few years with Bonneville Productions as a recording engineer, and general partner with Light Productions in Salt Lake City.

In the years after his graduation from the International School of Bangkok in Thailand, he attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; and, Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. His passport served him well as he lived in Lebanon, Ethiopia, Panama, and Thailand.

He married Jan Bowman in 1976, and they later divorced. He then married Anita Lindberg, and stepped in to be a father figure to the Fierro children Emily, Chris, Jesse, and John. Emily said of him, “Mike came into our family’s life right when we needed him the most. Not only was he an incredible step-dad, but he was also a very proud father, grandfather, talented musician, deep thinker and a truly genuine friend. His memory will be sustained by so many of his friends and family who loved him deeply.”

He and Anita produced the love of his life, daughter Alexandra Michel Jepsen, and he experienced the thrill of watching her grow, marry Josh Ellerman, and have children of their own, Winnie and Wolfie. After he and Anita divorced, he moved to Maryland where he reconnected with and married a life-long friend and fellow musician Terry Rogers. He found joy in helping with her boys Jay and Alex, and enjoyed many years working with them in the Boy Scouts of America. He and Terry loved getting together with old friends at the ISB (International School Bangkok) reunions.

In 2010 he moved to Boise, where he lived with his mother and assisted in her care until she passed away. He will be missed by his siblings: Terry Nelson (Zane), Kerry Butler (David), Darwin Lee Jepsen (Sally), Keith Jepsen (Janet), Karl Jepsen (Ann). He is survived by his daughter Alex and spouse Josh Ellerman and their children, step-children, and friends he made over the years.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tara Brumpton of Boise Family Medicine; she truly cared about him as she helped him deal with various health challenges.

A family graveside service will be held 4 August 2018 in Wendell, Idaho, where he will be buried close to his parents and extended family members.

William D. “Bill” Corpron ~ Class of 1970

Departed ~ 2/10/2019

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 Paul W. Fuelling ~ Class of 1973

Departed 12/21/2017

Paul was born on Valentine’s Day 1955 and left us all too soon on the Winter Solstice, 2017. Paul was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan and lived in several states and countries while his father served in the US Air Force. He spent his teenage years in Bangkok, Thailand, and attended the International School of Bangkok where he made many life long friends. After returning to the United States, Paul joined the Navy in 1974. While stationed in San Diego aboard the USS Constellation, he met his wife Sue, and they married in 1980. They settled in La Mesa, California and lived there while Paul attended San Diego State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Combining his fascination with computers and his marketing skills, he worked as a salesman in the younger years of the technology industry, and was a top sales representative for Sun Microsystems from 1990 to 1995. Paul and Sue relocated to Santa Cruz, where he decided to make a change in his life by becoming a small business owner. In 1997, he purchased “A Sign ASAP” in Scotts Valley. He loved the creative aspect of making signs and enjoyed meeting other business owners. Paul’s quick wit and sense of humor helped him to connect with people throughout his life. Paul enjoyed playing golf and was frequently seen at the Pajaro Valley Golf Club. He was also a talented musician. His tender voice blended beautifully with his guitar. He loved nature and animals, and was devoted to the pets he raised with his wife, Sue. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

Paul is survived by his wife, Sue Dunn, his mother, Caroline Fuelling, and his sisters, Lynda Fuelling and Christine Johnson, and his dog, Babe. A memorial service celebrating Paul’s life will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Aptos, CA on February 10, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Hospice of Santa Cruz.

Larry Gennette ~ Class of 1970

Departed ~2/9/2017 ~ Congestive Heart Failure

Larry Gennette passed away February 9th, 2017 of cardiac arrest due to congestive heart failure. He was 65 and living in Elk Grove, California. He attended ISB from 1967 and graduated in 1970. Larry recently retired from his position as Staff Analyst for the Secretary of State of California.

I received this information from his sister Marie Gennette. Debby Stinemetz Caulfield

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Karl Ackerman ~ 1973

Arrived ~ July 27, 1955

Departed ~ October 24, 2016

Karl David Ackerman passed away on the evening of Monday, October 24, 2016, at the age of 61, after a long struggle with cancer.

Born on July 27, 1955, in Washington, D.C., he spent his childhood abroad in Norway, Thailand, and Taipei, as part of a Foreign Service family.

He attended Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland, the University of Maryland, and Boston College, where he earned a B.A. in political science. His deep love of books and reading led him to a job at Barnes and Noble when it first opened in Boston, and then to the Savile Bookshop in Washington, D.C., where he met Jennifer Gorham. They married in 1980 and lived together in New Haven, New York, Washington, D.C., Cabin John, Maryland, and Lewes, Delaware, where Karl wrote his first novel, The Patron Saint of Unmarried Women.

The couple moved to Charlottesville in 1992. A second novel, Dear Will, was published soon after. Writing fiction was Karl’s passion throughout his life. For the past 15 years, he also worked in business with his brother John. Renowned for his dedication to public engagement, Karl spent many hours laboring on behalf of the Charlottesville Public Schools, the Woolen Mills Neighborhood, and the City of Charlottesville.

He served for several years on Charlottesville’s Sister City Commission and on the Woolen Mills Neighborhood Association Board. Karl loved telling stories, planting trees, observing birds, making bread, walking along the Rivanna River, playing basketball, watching soccer, “dot” painting in the spirit of Aboriginal art, and loving his family deep and well.

As his close friend and fellow novelist Lisa Howorth wrote, “He was kind, generous, honest, sensitive, handsome, very smart and perceptive, a good writer, and hilariously funny, and he cared deeply about all people.”

Karl is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jenny Ackerman, and his two daughters, Zoe Claire Ackerman, 24, and Elinor (“Nelle”) Kathryn Ackerman, 21.

We give heartfelt thanks to the many friends, family, and caregivers who helped Karl through his difficult illness and created such a powerful net of love and support for us all. A celebration of Karl’s life will be held at The Haven Sanctuary on Saturday, November 19, 2016,at 10:30 a.m. The address is 112 West Market Street, Charlottesville.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Karl’s name to the Hospice of the Piedmont or The Haven.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

 Irving Christopher Chris Hudlin Jr. ~ Class of 1972

Departed ~ May 22, 2016 ~ Cause unknown

The Hudlins lived in Rishi Court, Soi 15 in apartment 1b. They were good friends of my parents. When my dad did not hear from Mrs Hudlin at Christmas a google search revealed that Chris passed away this past year. He was class of ’72 and he was good friends with my brother Kurt. His sisters Sharon and Colleen were in elementary school in 1970. Debby Stinemetz Caulfield

Obituary Irving Christopher Hudlin Jr.
November 18, 1954 – May 22, 2016

An extraordinary soul left us Sunday May 22. Chris passed away surrounded by the immense love and support of his wife, his children and three closest friends.

Chris was born November 18 1954 to Irving and Thelma Hudlin in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. As a military brat Chris was afforded the opportunity to experience many parts of the world, Okinawa Japan and Bangkok Thailand to name a few. These experiences instilled in him a sense of adventure and curiosity that he carried with him his entire life.

As an undergraduate Chris attended Michigan State University obtaining a degree in Biochemistry. He then received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Washington University School of Medicine in 1980. Chris completed his General Surgery residency at David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base. He received the Air Force Achievement Medal. Chris then joined the medical staff at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in 1988. He also obtained privileges at three other local hospitals.
Widely known as a skilled surgeon and clinician, Chris is remembered by his friends and colleagues as a kind, deeply caring and generous man with a driving passion for helping others by delivering outstanding patient care. Chris loved working with the residents at San Joaquin General Hospital. He took a special interest in each and every one of them. He was a long serving Chief of General Surgery at SJMC and was the Chief of Surgery for the Sutter Gould Medical Group which he joined in 2007. Chris was instrumental in the expansion of SGM in Stockton and a key visionary in the creation of the multispecialty presence. Chris served on countless committees and boards. He spearheaded the Philanthropy initiative for Sutter as well as the Sutter Breast Cancer Support Group.

Everyone that came in contact with Chris knew they were special. He was a man of many talents and gifts who loved life and knew how to live it to the fullest. His positive attitude, sense of humor, beautiful smile and unique laugh were intoxicating. He loved time at home, sipping a fine wine from his cellar and cooking his favorite grilled veggie dish. Chris took every opportunity he could to play golf or tennis, two sports he was passionate about. His last, best adventure was a trip to Italy last fall with his wife and close friends.

Chris is survived by his wife Carol, his children Ryan, Marisa and Brittany, his mother Thelma and his sisters Colleen and Sharon (Pierre). Also by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. He is predeceased by his father Irving.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Chris on Thursday June 2 at 2 pm, Quail Lakes Baptist Church, 1904 Quail Lakes Drive. The officiant will be Chris’ friend, Pastor Glenn R. Shields.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help support disadvantaged youth seeking careers in the medical field: Dr. Christopher Hudlin Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1329 Spanos Court Ste. C-2, Modesto, CA 95355.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com