he Truman Alumni Association - Alumni - Truman State University

Sandra Marie (Siefer) Purdy (’64), of
Elmcroft, Penn., died May 21, 2009. She was
a teacher of middle school and high school
chemistry, physics and science for 30 years,
retiring in 1999 from Hatboro Horsham
School District, Montgomery County.
Thomas Joseph Rosa (’68), of Venice, Fla.,
died March 28, 2009. He was a computer
analyst and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
He was a volunteer with the Senior
Friendship Centers in Venice.
Eileen (Gentry) Smith (’65), of Louisiana,
Mo., died June 5, 2009. She taught in oneroom
school houses in the Wright, Allison
and Ramsey schools. She was an educator
for over 40 years, both in the class room
and administration in Paynesville, Eolia,
Clopton and Louisiana, retiring as principal
of the Louisiana Primary School.
Robert N. Stevenson (’68), of Quincy, Ill.,
died June 14, 2009. He began his teaching
career in 1962 at Mendon Junior High
School. In 1964 he began teaching with the
Quincy Public Schools and taught sixth grade
at Washington School until his retirement in
1984. He later worked at Con Agra Frozen
Foods in Macon, Mo., until his retirement in
2001.
Cathy Ann (Johann) Sudholt (’67), of
Richmond, Texas, died March 12, 2010. She
enjoyed traveling the globe, gardening,
swimming, decorating, reading, participating
in book clubs and serving in her church and
community.
Melva C. (Wolf) Trager (’64), of Bella
Vista, Ark., died June 4, 2009. She was a
biology teacher, homemaker and nurse. She
served as a hospice volunteer for 15 years.
Richard Harland Tucker (’61), of Rushville,
Ill., died March 6, 2010. He taught at
Abingdon Junior High School, Abingdon,
1959-1960; Maryland High School, Maryland,
Mo. 1960-1963; Lombard High School and
Costa High School, Galesburg, 1963-1969;
Greenfield High School, Greenfield, 1971-
1977; and Rushville High School, Rushville,
1977-2001 when he retired.
1970s
Raymond Keith Allen (’70), of Donnellson,
Iowa, died March 19, 2010. As a student at
the University, he was a four-year athletic
letter winner in both track and cross
country, competing in three national cross
country meets and one national track meet.
He taught school in Illinois, Missouri and
Iowa for 34 years, retiring from Fort
Madison High School after 28 years of
teaching industrial technology, best known
University Presents Award to
Preferred Family Healthcare
Established in 2006, the Distinguished
Corporation/Foundation Award
recognizes corporations, foundations,
and organizations for exemplary support to
the University and its students. Examples of
collaborative efforts include recruitment of
interns and graduates, participation in lectures
and seminars, intellectual exchanges, research
alliances and financial support. The University
presented this year’s Distinguished
Corporation/Foundation Award to Preferred
Family Healthcare at the annual Foundation
Banquet held on campus April 10.
Preferred Family Healthcare, a not-forprofit
agency that provides mental health and
substance abuse treatment and prevention
services, has demonstrated its support for
Truman students and programs in a number
of ways.
Over the last decade, Preferred Family
Healthcare has made major investments in a
variety of programs at Truman including
football, cheerleading, and the Kohlenberg
Lyceum Series. In addition, numerous
students have benefited from the Preferred
Family Healthcare Scholarship which was
established in 2004.
Preferred Family Healthcare also helps
students prepare for successful careers by
providing valuable internship opportunities in
the areas of psychology, communication,
nursing, justice systems, and health science. In
addition, the company is an active participant
in the University’s annual Career Expos, and
nearly 50 Truman alumni are employed by
the company.
Michael Schwend, the president and chief
for his auto mechanics classes. He also
coached basketball, track and cross country
during his years of teaching.
Nellie Glendine (Hudson) Baldwin (’72)
died Sept 24, 2009. She had been a resident
of Nixa, Mo., for six years. She began her
teaching career in Moberly, Mo., retiring
from the Hollister school system. She was
the first woman to teach special education
and behavioral development within the State
of Missouri Correctional Facilities.
Michael James Battani (’76), of Johnston,
Iowa, died Aug. 11, 2009. He retired from
Simplex-Grinnell.
Prior to retiring in May, University
President Darrell W. Krueger presented
Truman’s Distinguished Corporation/Foundation
Award to Truman
alumnus Michael Schwend at the
Foundation Banquet on April 10. Schwend,
who is president and chief executive officer
of Preferred Family Healthcare, accepted
the award on behalf of the company.
executive officer of the company, earned two
degrees from Truman―a bachelor of science
in social science (psychology) in 1983 and a
master of arts in counseling and guidance in
1990. He also received a master of business
administration from William Woods
University in 1997. As a former member of
Truman’s Board of Governors, he has devoted
his time, talents, and resources to help
advance the mission of the University.
Preferred Family Healthcare is a comprehensive
behavioral health non-profit organization
established in 1979. The company is
headquartered in Kirksville but serves clients
from 31 locations throughout Missouri, as
well as Texas and Kansas.
Etta Marie (Nissly) Buckingham (’72), of
Ottumwa, Iowa, died July 20, 2009. She
taught in Delta, Iowa, for several years. In
1957 she began teaching science and biology
at Evans Junior High in Ottumwa and later
transferred to Ottumwa Senior High. She
taught biology and physiology there until
retiring in 1986.
Katheryn (Sloan) Campbell-Lay (’75), of
Centerville, Iowa, died Aug. 15, 2009. She
was a special education teacher for the
Ottumwa Schools in Ottumwa for more than
16 years. She would teach piano lessons in
her home for more than 30 years.
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