Remembering our friends
Brian Bell BA 01 died Aug. 31, 2001, in an apartment fire in downtown Anderson, Ind. He was from Flint, Mich., and had remained in Anderson, Ind., during the summer to finish up the last course required for his diploma. Among his survivors is his brother, Jeff Bell BA 93. Dr. James Edwards, AU president, presented Brians diploma to his family during an on-campus memorial service Sept. 6.
William A. Dicus died Aug. 22, 2001, in Clearwater, Fla. He was the husband of former AU trustee Dorothy (Morrison) Blevins-Dicus BA 43 who survives. He was a strong supporter of AU and enjoyed attending campus events. Graveside services were held at Curlew Memorial Gardens in Dunedin, Fla.
Ruth Falls, wife of former business professor Dr. R. Glenn Falls, died July 8, 2001, in Anderson, Ind. Along with her husband, she had been a great supporter of AU and was in attendance in April when the School of Business was named for Dr. Falls. She and Dr. Falls had been married 59 years. She is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Caldwell BS 64 and Barbara Schelstrate BA 67; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and one sister, Leona Asnicar. Funeral services were held at Park Place Church of God in Anderson.
Dr. W. Shirell Fox BA 50 died Sept. 7, 2001. Fox began his career in public relations in the United States Navy during World War II. Following the war, Fox came to AU as a student in 1946, supporting his family by working for The Times Tribune in Alexandria, Ind. In 1948 the university offered him a job as director of publicity for the institution. After graduation Fox was very content to stay at AU for the next 35 years. In the last 25 years of his time at AU, he served as assistant to the president for President Robert Reardon, retiring in 1985. Fox is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis; a son, Stephen Fox BA 71; a daughter, Beth Anne (Fox) Brown BA 74; grandchildren Traci Osborne BS 93, Krista May, Alissa Webber, Greg Stahly and Julie Stahly; a sister, Rose Marry Robbins; and one great-grandchild.
Dr. Cary Harbrecht 61 died June 20, 2001. He served in the United States Air Force and was a graduate of National Chiropractic College in Lombard, Ill. He opened his own chiropractic practice in Lebanon, Tenn., in 1970. He was involved in several community organizations during his lifetime, including the Jaycees, Kiwanis, Rotary Club and the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Hermitage Church of God. He is survived by his wife, Sandy (York) Harbrecht 60; a daughter, Robin (Harbrecht) Stetzel 84; a son, Todd Harbrecht; and two granddaughters, Toni and Traci Stetzel.
Maxine E. Loeber died May 29, 2001. She was a computer operator at AU until her retirement in 1980. She had resided in the Anderson, Ind., area for the last 34 years. She is survived by two sons, former AU computer professor Thomas Harbron 57 and Garrett Harbron BS 66; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Park Place Church of God in Anderson.
Fred Menchinger BS 53 died Aug. 4, 2001, in Goshen, Ind., following a heart attack. After college, he pursued a career in education that spanned nearly four decades. He served as a high school teacher, coach, counselor and athletic director. He was also an adjunct professor for Indiana University of South Bend. He had served on the AU Board of Trustees since 1985. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alma (Fisher) Menchinger 50, who died in 1998. He is survived by wife JoAnn; three daughters, Linda (Menchinger) Sirianni BA 74, Paula (Menchinger) Showalter 75, and Marta (Menchinger) Fetterman BA 81; two sons, Rick Menchinger BA 84 and Fritz Menchinger; 13 grandchildren; two sisters, Erilynne (Menchinger) Decker BS 62 and Marilyn Schroeder; and one brother, Leonard Menchinger.
Geraldine Jerry (Hurst) Reardon BA 67 died September 18, 2001. She was the wife of President Emeritus Robert Reardon. Reardon first came to Anderson University as a student in the late 1930s, where she captured the heart of AU student Robert Reardon. They were married Aug. 24, 1941. After their four children were grown, she went back to school and then taught English for 16 years in Anderson area schools. Besides her husband, she is survived by four children, Gene Reardon BA 71, Rebecca Reardon BA 65, Constance (Reardon) Hippensteel BA 67 and Kathleen (Reardon) Ramsey BA 69; a brother, Ray Hurst; a stepsister, Lucille Strawn BS 50; and three grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren and three great-stepgrandchildren.
Peter Tjart BA 49, professor emeritus, died July 3, 2001. He taught German at AU for 26 years, retiring in 1982. He resided in Anderson. Survivors include his wife, Kathryn; one son, John Tjart BA 80; one daughter, Joy Tjart 80; and one grandchild.
