Remembrances

Lloyd John Peterson ’65, ’69 MD, a long-time resident of Greensboro, N.C., passed away on Oct. 25th, 2021, at the age of 78. The beloved only child of second-generation Swedish immigrants, Lloyd Frederick and Lois Emma Peterson, he was born on July 15, 1943, in Oak Park, Ill.  In 1951 the family moved to Itasca, Ill.

Lloyd was salutatorian of his graduating class at Lake Park High School in Medinah, Ill. The first member of his family to attend college, Lloyd earned a BA in chemistry from Northwestern University, where he was a member of the Phi Lambda Upsilon Honorary Chemical Society and the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In 1969 he graduated “with distinction” from Northwestern University Medical School where was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Lloyd completed a fellowship in surgical pathology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., before he started as a surgical intern and junior resident in general surgery at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C. He finished his time at Duke as a urology resident and fellow. In addition to his clinical training, he was active in basic research. He published numerous articles, made multiple presentations, and received several research prizes.

From 1975 to 1977, Lloyd served as a major in the U.S. Army and was a staff urologist at Letterman Army Medical Center, The Presidio, San Francisco. He received The Army Commendation Medal.  Following his Army service, Lloyd became an assistant professor of urology at Washington University School of Medicine and performed research at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.  In 1979, Lloyd moved to Greensboro and joined the urological practice of Garvey and Hunt (which later merged with other practices to become Alliance Urology), but remained involved with clinical research throughout his entire career.  Lloyd served as chief of surgery, president of the medical board, and sat on the board of trustees for Moses Cone Health System. He also chaired numerous hospital committees at both Moses Cone and Wesley Long Hospitals in Greensboro.  Lloyd retired from practicing medicine in 2012.

During his years of medical practice Lloyd cared deeply about his patients, the nurses, and staff. With his wonderful sense of humor, he tried to keep things light even in the most serious situations. Many patients recall what he said to them to help them relax as they were about to undergo a procedure. His staff always valued his friendly, endearing demeanor and warm smile.

Lloyd also served as senior warden of the Vestry at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and was on the boards of the Greensboro Country Club, the Wellspring Life Care Community, and the Wellspring Foundation.

Lloyd and his wife, Jane Houston Peterson, met at Northwestern University as freshmen. They married in 1967 in Kansas City, Mo., and honeymooned in San Francisco following Lloyd’s second year of medical school.  Lloyd and Jane lived in Chicago for the remaining two years of medical school and then relocated to Durham for his internship and residency at Duke University, where their daughter, Kristin, and son, Kirk, were born.

Lloyd was first and foremost a gentleman and a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather.  He was proud of his children and grandchildren and loved participating in their activities, attending sporting events, getting to know their friends, babysitting, helping with schoolwork, running errands, cleaning, building and fixing things, mentoring and generally offering his loving service in any way he could.

Lloyd was a dedicated fan of the Northwestern Wildcats, Chicago Bears and Cubs and the Duke Blue Devils.  A love of golf was instilled by his father, and Lloyd cherished the camaraderie he found on the links throughout his life. Lloyd had several weekly golf groups at Greensboro Country Club with close friends. For 20 years, Lloyd and Jane traveled, dined and laughed endlessly with the couple’s golf group, the Easy Ryders.  He started taking his family on annual ski trips in the early 1980s which led them to Colorado, Utah, Vermont and Europe, often in the company other families. Lloyd loved to travel the world and found joy in taking pictures that he used to create photobooks which he shared with fellow travelers. While living in San Francisco, he caught the “jogging” bug while running across the Golden Gate Bridge and became an avid runner and competed in dozens of races including the New York City Marathon in 1985. Lloyd and Jane learned to sail together when they lived in San Francisco and being on the water was always one of Lloyd’s great joys. For many years he sailed and raced his yellow Lightning, Sneak A-Tack. He sailed with friends from Beaufort, N.C., to Bermuda.  Later he delighted in captaining their Scout outboard at Figure 8 Island, where he often pulled his kids and grandchildren on tubes and water-skis and was affectionately named Captain Lloyd.

He was an intellectual, a voracious reader, a jokester with a quick wit, a stylish dresser who could be found on the dancefloor at every party. He was known for his loving, humorous, and poetic rhyming toasts that he gave at birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. Lloyd belonged to the NNBC (No Name Book Club) for decades and appreciated the intellectual conversations they had trying to solve the world’s problems.  He adored walking and playing fetch with his black Labrador, Aiko, and his “grand-dogs” Stella, JoJo, Dixie and Maisie. Lloyd was a music aficionado, a collector of records, CDs and ultimately audio files.  He was thrilled to finally see The Rolling Stones and John Prine in concert with Jane in 2019.

Lloyd unexpectantly became ill in March of 2020 with a very rare, rapidly progressing form of Alzheimer’s and succumbed to the disease 19 months later.

Lloyd is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Jane; his daughter, Kristin Peterson Edwards; his son, Kirk Houston Peterson; a daughter-in-law, Kimberly Bolick Peterson; and five cherished grandchildren, Hayden, Lucie, and Gretchen Edwards, and Van and Louisa Peterson.

Barbara Kuhlmann ’88 MS, ’91 PhD leaves a legacy of fierce intelligence, only matched by her fierce loyalty and kindness to her loved ones. 

Barbara passed away Oct. 12 after a lifetime of adventure. Born and raised in Recklinghausen, Germany, Barbara grew up skiing in the Alps and swimming in the Black Sea. From the age of nine, Barbara took advantage of school vacations to volunteer to work on farms owned by family friends. She learned to plow, plant, and harvest. This love of helping farmers never left her and would eventually become an integral part of her life’s work.

In the late 1960s, Barbara immigrated to the United States, living with her Tante Lizzi and her family for several months until she left to make her mark on her new country.

Barbara worked hard to achieve an education and graduated with her doctorate in physical organic chemistry in 1991. She went to work for Exxon in their Research and Development Laboratories. Combining her love of chemistry and love of helping farmers, she spent much of her career developing oil-based pesticides. She worked directly with orchardists in the development and testing of products.  Along the way, Barbara co-authored many technical articles and was published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry. Barbara was also an inventor and is listed as a co-inventor on multiple patents.

Barbara never met a stray dog or cat she would not care for; taking many into her home for a life of care and love.  Her love of animals and nature resulted in her purchase of an expanse of land in Texas where she designed and created a beautiful home overlooking the hill country to achieve her dreams.  It was here she shared and nurtured the land with the animals on her beloved retreat.

For those of us who knew and loved her, we are forever grateful she was in our lives.

Richard (Rich) Kreisman, 64, died peacefully on October 7, 2021, at home in San Francisco after a courageous two-year battle with lymphoma. His loving partner, Jack Fahy, and their dog, Gemma, were by his side.

Rich spent his first ten years in Philadelphia and then moved to Rockville, Maryland, where he graduated from Robert E. Peary High School. After majoring in journalism at Northwestern, he worked as a reporter and editor. Rich then created a consulting business specializing in digital content licensing and content acquisition. He collaborated with Outsell, where he was VP and Practice Leader of Science, Technology and Healthcare. Outsell CEO Anthea Stratigos wrote, “Rich worked on an amazing number of projects, and never did he deliver one that didn’t meet or exceed the client’s expectations. That is who Rich was — caring and complete in whatever he did.”

Rich enjoyed tutoring adults who needed help with reading. He was also an exceptional advocate for his mother and others at the facility where she lived. Rich had many, many close friends who cherished him for his charm, wit and sense of humor. He was uniquely able to “dig in deep” and “get real,” allowing everyone to feel seen, heard and loved.

Rich is survived by his partner, Jack; his sister, Sandy Kreisman, her husband, Robert Buganski, and their son, Sam Buganski; his uncle, Harold Borushok, and his wife, Judy; and several cousins. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Renee and Irv Kreisman, and three dogs: Penny, Otto and Franny.

Shana Helen Stein ’12 MA passed away on Sept. 20, 2021, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was a therapist, artist, mother, sister, daughter, friend and partner who dedicated her life to building community, pushing people to be their best selves and welcoming new adventures in many forms.

Shana attended Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts - Boston (‘94), where she completed a BA in Child Development and BFA in Fine Art. A few years later, she completed her Masters of Fine Arts at Cranbrook Academy (‘00) outside of Detroit, where she studied Print Media and developed a series of psychology-informed interactive art installations. Shana then embarked on a period of art production and taught art at all levels, from preschool to university. Her students remembered her as a supportive yet critical teacher and a fierce advocate for their creative voices. After moving to Milwaukee, Shana ran the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), which paired first-generation college students with research faculty and co-taught the Research Seminar. 

As a lifelong learner with a deep interest in psychology, Shana transitioned careers from academia to mental health and attended Northwestern University, earning a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She loved working with individuals and couples (as a Gottman Certified Therapist) on various challenges, including communication and parenting. In recent years, she started and ran a bustling private practice called Chicago Relationship Counseling. 

Deeply committed to community, Shana helped establish the first dog park in Milwaukee, served as the president of The Parent Circle in Evanston, revived the Smith Park Neighbors Association, and co-formed a consultation group of local therapists. As an enthusiastic connector and networker, she helped new graduates and colleagues alike.

Shana loved to laugh. In facing her cancer diagnosis, Shana started a Facebook Group called Laughter is the Best Medicine, where friends and family could post jokes and memes. Throughout the pandemic, the levity offered by the group members raised Shana’s spirits and made the isolation more bearable for all. The group is still active.

A committed partner and mother, Shana leaves behind her spouse, Mathew J. Rappaport, and two daughters, Aviva and Liora, with whom she had many adventures. She was a devoted daughter of Carrie (Arthur) Stein and daughter-in-law of Shelley (Robert) Rappaport, dear sister of Juliana (Howard Wolosky) Stein and Benjamin (Nicole) Stein, and brother-in-law Andrew S. (Stacey) Rappaport.

I recently read an article from the Daily Northwestern about the passing of Gaspar Perricone ’50 in 2020 due to complications from COVID. He was a halfback and a valued member of the Wildcats’ Rose Bowl–winning team of 1949. Today, I read of the passing of one of Mr. Perricone’s teammates, Edward M. Tunnicliff ’50. I wanted to write to let you know that one of the team’s best linemen has also died: Rudolf “Rudy” Cernoch ’51. He was one of the men who opened the holes in opposing lines to allow both Mr. Perricone and Mr. Tunnicliff to run freely through opposing defenses.

Rudy was a friend of mine and we shared our Wildcat roots, his from 1951 and mine from 1973. He was a gentle, quiet man who loved his family, his friends and any dog that happened by, including mine. We lived two doors down from Rudy in a retirement village in Surprise, Ariz., and he wore the purple proudly until the day he died, including a ballcap I gave him from the Rose Bowl in 1996. I was there when the Cats lost to USC, and Rudy and I talked about that game, and the one in 1949, frequently.

He was a gentle giant and a good man.

Thanks for your attention.

Frank Joseph Fara '73

Dr. Jeffrey Anthony Jaeger, 41, passed away on Sept. 14, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family after his long and heroic battle with cancer. Jeffrey (Jeff) was born in Bismarck, N.D., to Cherie and Roger Jaeger. During his childhood his family lived in Miles City, Mont.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Fargo, N.D. Jeff had many fond memories of his childhood and all the places he lived, and he loved returning to visit and staying connected with family and friends. He was very close with his parents and sisters and had a deep commitment and love of family that carried throughout his life. Jeff had many interests and talents and enjoyed playing a variety of sports and being a part of show choir.

Jeff attended college at Northwestern University in Chicago and remained in Chicago for two years after graduating and then moved to Seattle to pursue his graduate studies. While at Northwestern, in addition to honors such as being on the Dean's List, Jeff co-founded the a cappella group, Freshman 15, which continues to this day. The group has touched the lives of many with the power of music and formed a brotherhood that has been deeply influential for past and current members. In college, Jeff was also a Residence Hall Coordinator, providing mentorship and support for fellow college students. He could understand and connect with anyone and those he interacted with felt welcomed and respected. These traits made him an incredible clinician-in-training and friend during his graduate studies. He graduated with his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Washington in 2010. Jeff met his wife, Briana, on his first day of graduate school. They were married six years later, on Oct. 16, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo.

After Seattle, Jeff continued to live in several different cities including San Diego; Durham, N.C.; Iowa City, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; and Atlanta. In every place he lived, Jeff had an incredible ability to develop friendships and connect with people in a meaningful way that left a lasting positive impression. Jeff was a gifted and dedicated clinician and educator, going above and beyond for his patients and supervisees. He could connect with anyone and had profound empathy for others, changing so many lives for the better. In 2013, Jeff and Briana welcomed their elder daughter, Ella, and in 2015 welcomed their younger daughter, Cora. Jeff was a loving and devoted husband and father. His girls were the light of his life and he took such pride and joy in being a dad. He made sure each day was filled with love, joy and adventure. From exploring nature, movie and game nights, building elaborate Lego sets, and making music, to traveling and building creative family traditions like pumpkin carving and making gingerbread houses, Jeff delighted in finding new and creative ways to show the girls the beauty and wonder in life. Jeff instilled a zest for life that exudes from his daughters. He was also a true partner in life with his wife, Briana, and a constant source of love, strength and support, even while he was struggling with the physical cruelties of cancer. Jeff always made sure those he loved were taken care of and did it with such whole-heartedness and generosity of spirit, giving of his full self. He lived life to the fullest, in the big and small moments, reflected through his many major achievements and the daily "little" things that have left a lasting impact felt across so many.

During the last year of his life, Jeff continued to live life with joy, love and deep generosity even when experiencing major physical challenges due to his numerous intensive cancer treatments. He kept seeing his patients until he could no longer muster the breath needed for full sessions and treated everyone with kindness even when in immense pain. Jeff lived his too-few years with such love, compassion, integrity, kindness, deep generosity and passion for life that would fill many lifetimes, and he gave this gift to his wife and daughters to sustain them as they miss him every day and in every way. He was preceded in death by his grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Briana Woods-Jaeger; daughters, Ella Vivienne Jaeger and Cora Elise Jaeger; parents Roger and Cherie Jaeger; sister Jennifer Muggli and her husband, Eric, and their children, Nathan and Jordyn; sister Michelle Schweitzer and her husband, Jon, and their children, Hunter and Harper; and his loving in-laws.

Roy Earl Howarth ’60 MA, ’71 PhD, Gilbert, Ariz., April 21, 2021, age 89.

Howarth was born in Dartmouth, Mass., to Roy and Elsie Howarth.

After high school, Roy enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Oriskany (Mighty “O”) during the Korean War.  Following his service, he gained inspiration from his wife, Lissette, to pursue a career in teaching while an undergraduate.

Roy became a dedicated educator at Maine East High School in Illinois. He taught courses at all levels of English literature and composition and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at Northwestern. He was an inspiring teacher and an encouraging mentor to faculty while chair of the English department at Maine East.

In his personal life, Roy’s favorite ways to pass the time included golfing, gardening, reading and travel.

Beloved by his family, he is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lissette Arnold Howarth; his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Richard King; and his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Barbara Howarth.