Remembrances

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.

Christine Victoria Shim Harden ’97
Oct. 17, 1975 – Jan. 24, 2021

With heavy hearts, the Shim and Harden families regret to announce the passing of our beloved Christine Victoria Shim Harden. Her generosity and kindness will be deeply missed.

Christine was a dear wife, daughter, sister, mentor and friend. She was eternally thoughtful, never failing to send a birthday or anniversary card to those she loved. She was loyal and supportive and loved bringing people together.

Christine attended high school at Phillips Exeter Academy (class of 1993), where she had continued to be an active alumna, serving as a class correspondent. She graduated cum laude from Northwestern University  (class of 1997), where she was a member of the sorority Alphi Phi. She went to the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (class of 2004), where she most recently served as a class agent.

Christine enjoyed running, and completed numerous marathons in Chicago, Boston, New York City, London and Bermuda. She also competed in triathlons and loved downhill skiing. She was an accomplished pianist, having trained at the Juilliard pre-college program in NYC.

Christine will be forever remembered and loved by her husband, Greg Harden, her parents, Cynthia and John Shim, and her sisters, Margaret Shim Perra and Jean Shim Yun. She leaves behind five nephews and one niece. She also leaves behind countless friends and will truly be missed by all who had the fortune to have her in their lives.

James A. Kohlstedt ’71, 71, of La Grange, Ill., born June 1, 1949, in Evanston; died peacefully Oct. 10, 2020, surrounded by family.

Jim grew up in Evanston and attended Evanston Township High School. Jim’s father, August Kohlstedt, was the lead maintenance engineer in Northwestern’s Technical Institute building in the 1950s. That experience exposed Jim to the school and handiwork at a young age. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern, where he was president of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He received his JD and MBA from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he met and married Pat, his wife of 43 years. 

Jim loved traveling (all seven continents!), practicing law, hiking, skiing in Colorado and Canada as “Jake” and “Hans,” telling jokes, and spending time with family and friends. He was skilled in helping others and making space for the occasional joke while practicing commercial real estate, transaction and estate planning law. He was a mentor and friend to many, and a proud third-generation school board member for 20 years at Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Ill. Jim took exceptional pride in his three children and two children-in-law who received degrees from Northwestern, though it may have just been an excuse to attend more Wildcat football games and tailgates as a longtime season ticket holder. Jim’s greatest joy in life was his grandchildren, whose lives he enriched immensely.

He is survived by his wife Pat; children Katie Kohlstedt '01 (and Francisco), Matt Kohlstedt '02 (and Sarah), Lindsey Kohlstedt Meyer (and Devin Meyer '13 MBA) and Kevin Kohlstedt '17 MBA, '17 MS (and Karly); grandchildren Kai and Teo Portillo Kohlstedt, Benjamin and Zoe Kohlstedt, William, Luke and Emily Meyer, and Avery Kohlstedt; and ski chairlift jokes awaiting punchlines.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Deloris Weichelt Kohlstedt.

Jim tried his best and encouraged others to do the same. 

A GREAT BROADCASTER, A TRUE FRIEND AND A FOUR-TIME “WORLD SERIES” CHAMP

Jamie Samuelsen ’93 was a popular sports radio show host in Detroit who died Aug. 1 of colon cancer at age 48. Raised in California, Jamie adopted the Motor City as his hometown. And from the moment he publicly announced his diagnosis on his morning-drive talk show to the day he passed, the outpouring of love and admiration for Jamie in the Detroit market was remarkable. The president of the Detroit Lions called his morning talk show. The Detroit Tigers had a moment of silence for him before a game. Everyone remarked on how tragic it was to lose such a genuine, kind and funny person — especially at such a young age, and with a beloved wife and three beautiful kids.

Jamie made it his mission to encourage everyone age 45 or older to get a colonoscopy. He wanted something good to come out of his misfortune.

During his time at Northwestern, Jamie was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. The loss is hitting his fellow Fiji’s hard, but they are glad for all the times they were able to see Jamie after leaving Northwestern. Jamie was good about that — he kept up with his college friends and visited campus almost every year. He loved to end conversations with Coach Fitzgerald’s catch phrase: “Go ’Cats!”

With another group of college friends, Jamie got together for a weekend to watch ‘Cats football and play a card tournament every year. It was an excuse to get together, laugh and remember those great college years — something that Jamie’s passing should remind all of us to make a point of doing. The card game — little known outside Wisconsin and parts of Germany — is called Sheepshead. And with tongue in cheek these six NU grads called their closed-door tournament the World Series of Sheepshead. Jamie was a four-time champ. Despite the wins he racked up, Jamie’s friends liked to rib him, saying that he wasn’t much of a card player, he was just lucky. 

It’s true. Jamie Samuelson was lucky in all things except one. His friends — in California and Detroit, as well as the Northwestern community — were luckier still.

Photo: From left, Max Heerman ’93, ’96 JD; Ameet Sachdev ’93; Joe Curry ’93; Scott Dummler ’93; Craig Wagner ’93; and Jamie Samuelsen ’93