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Alumni Notes | March 2022

Career Updates

Christina A. Adams ‘17 (Criminal Justice) is now a Psychologist at Buffalo Psychiatric Center.

Brenda L. Bierdeman ‘79 (Psychology) is now a Self-Employed Licensed Clinical Therapist.

Meghan M. (Sweeney) Bowman ‘08 (Business Administration) is now a Director of Finance at Highland Hospital.

Nathan C. Cronk ‘05 (Music & Religion-Philosophy) is now a Regional Sales Manager at Anthology Inc.

Samuel O. Halfman ‘10 (Master of Education) is now a Special Education Teacher at Bloomfield Central schools.

Christopher V. Larrow ‘20 (Business Administration) is now a Sales Advisor at Tesla.

Rya G. Lichtenstein ‘13 (Nursing) is now a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner at Rya George NTP.

Christopher A. Pridmore ‘99 (Organizational Management) is now a Sales Director at Government Scientific Source.

Jude W. Singh  ‘11 (Religion-Philosophy) is now a Adjunct Professor at Steston University.

Shaelise M. (Morton) Tor ‘13 (Psychology) is now a Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University.

Matthew Van Niekerk ‘17 (Physics & Mathematics) is now in a Silicon Photonics Design Co-Op at Nokia.

Obituaries

Harry E. Hutt ‘65 (English). Heaven changed forever on February 18, 2022, at 3:36 a.m. when Harry Hutt arrived and asked God, “Can I watch Sports Center here?”

Harry was born July 15, 1942, in Gloversville, NY to Rev. Herschel and Valentine Hutt. Sports always played a significant role in Harry’s life. He played basketball, baseball, soccer, and was an all-star shot putter in high school. For the next 30 years he continued his love for sports, holding coaching and front office executive positions in both college and professional athletics that included Spring Arbor University, Roberts Wesleyan College, University of Buffalo, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trailblazers and Tampa Bay Lightning. He did it all…coaching, marketing, ticket operations, broadcasting and media communications, corporate sales and digital media. Harry, was recently inducted into the Roberts Wesleyan Basketball Hall of Fame. He lived life big and squeezed every last drop out of every moment.

Perhaps even more impressive was his teaching experience. He always said, “Teaching and mentoring are the main hallmarks of my sports career.” He helped shape many young men and women’s lives, not only on how to have a successful career in sports but how to be successful in life. And he continued to mentor them wherever they lived or wherever they worked.

Everywhere you looked in Harry’s various homes across the US, there would be signed posters, basketballs, hockey sticks and really big shoes from the likes of Bill Walton, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer and Isiah Thomas. Harry never took off his Detroit Pistons championship ring. In fact, he had two (1988 and 1989) and would rotate wearing them. Even people in grocery stores would ask him about his ring and he was more than happy to tell them about the Bad Boys and their back-to-back wins. He never met a stranger.

Generosity was Harry’s middle name. You wanted tickets to a game or concert? Harry could set you up. He knew everyone! The friendships Harry made through the years continued right up until the end. His passion and enthusiasm for life were contagious, and he loved regaling friends and family with his stories, long and around the barn as they often were.

He married his beloved Peg in 2009. No doubt her love of sports might have had something to do with it. They often went to Rays baseball games, Lightning hockey games, spring training games and watched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers every Sunday during football season with Peg’s long time Bucs Group. Harry and Peg loved to entertain as well as participate in community and charitable events. They were active in church activities: Peg teaching Sunday School and Harry is charge of the Ushers. Harry was a loving stepfather to Peg’s two children (Heather Beaumont and Chad Beaumont) and amusing and kindhearted grandpa to Peg’s grandkids.

He loved his three daughters, Shawna Bright (Tom), Allyson Bonilla and Vicki Deur (Steve) as well as his 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. His legacy to them is that “home” was always open to anyone needing a place to belong. His house was your house. He was proud of their achievements, was their biggest advocate and loved visiting all of them in Michigan.

Harry will be remembered in our hearts forever.

Lee Edward Prong ‘77 (Social Work) age 69, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children, on January 19, 2022 at FF Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, N.Y.

A small, private service and burial will take place at the convenience of the family.

He was born to Charles and Helen Prong of East Rochester, N.Y. on December 12, 1952.

He is survived by his wife, Demaris; his brother, Robert (Johanna) Prong; his daughter, Rachel (Jonathan) Dorr, their sons, Caleb and Gideon; his son, Daniel (Cassandra) Prong and their sons, Benjamin, Joshua, and Andrew; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Lee was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Helen; and his brothers, Charles and Donald.

Ethel M. Beahm ‘50 (High Schoool Alumna) age 89, of Frederick, Md., formerly of Rochelle, Va., passed away peacefully on Friday, February 25, 2022, at Frederick Health. She was born on June 20, 1932, to the late Arthur Geyer and Edna Campbell Geyer. She was also preceded in death by her son, Douglas Beahm; her sister, Beverly Mazik; and one greatgrandchild. She is survived by her husband, Charles Beahm; daughter, Denise Ingraham; sons, Donald Beahm, David Beahm, and Dale Beahm; brother, Charles Geyer; sister, Karen Wollerton; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. 

Alan C. Bliss ‘71, age 74, passed away Wednesday evening, Feb. 23, 2022 at St. James Hospital following an extended illness. Native of Troupsburg, NY, he was the second of his siblings to be born in a hospital. Alan graduated from Troupsburg Central School in 1964, one of 17 in his senior class. Legend has it that 16 of his classmates were invited to a surprise birthday party by Alan for his 12th birthday. The surprise was on his mother who had not been made privy to his party plans. He simply arrived home from school with all of his classmates and informed his family that his friends were there for his birthday party. Alan’s mother rose to the challenge, enlisted some of his siblings and put on a party. Even more surprising is that Alan lived beyond his twelfth birthday. Alan went on to graduate from Alfred Tech in 1967 and Roberts Wesleyan College in 1971.

Throughout his life, Alan had a long and varied career including: air conditioning engineer, high school math teacher, farmer, banker, Farmer’s Home employee, insurance salesman, and Housing Specialist for Wyoming County Community Action. His calling, true passion and final role was as Pastor for the Hornell Free Methodist Church. Alan is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen whom he married on May 20, 1967 in Potterbrook, PA at the tender age of 19.

Alan is also survived by his children: son Scott Bliss of Penfield and daughter Michele Bliss (fiancé Steven Getman) of Montour Falls; grandchildren, Noah Bliss and Nolan Ormsbee; one brother, Melvin (Rose) Bliss of Mt. Joy, Pa; sisters, Audrey Stephanian of Jasper, Judy (Joseph) Ridgeway of Syracuse and Bonnie (Dennis) Cady of Montour Falls and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Alan was predeceased by five brothers, Larry, Earl, Roy, William and Arling Bliss and one sister Betty Wheaton.

Oliver W. Youngstrom ‘53 (Biology) Oliver went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma at the age of 94. Oliver William Youngstrom was born on August 31, 1927, in New York City, New York to Olaf and Lina (Emig) Youngstrom. He grew up in New Rochelle, New York. He went to Albert Leonard High School and graduated with the class of 1945. He joined the Marines on August 29, 1945, serving faithfully for four years and was honorably discharged on August 28, 1949.

He then went on to college at Roberts Wesleyan College as a vocational school in Rochester, New York for two years. He found the Lord Jesus Christ at Roberts Wesleyan in 1949 at a Sunday night service beginning the semester. Oliver then went on to Columbia University to the school of general studies in New York City graduating in June of 1953 a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology.

Oliver married Jessie Lee Johnson on June 12, 1953. They had their first son, John Oliver Youngstrom on January 15, 1957, their second son, David Phillip born on September 28, 1958, their third child and first daughter Rebecca Sussana born January 9, 1960, and finally their last child, Joy Louise was born March 9, 1961.

Oliver then studied at University of Cincinnati graduating with a master’s degree in Secondary Education in 1962. He taught school in Cincinnati from 1958-1962. He then went on teaching at Akron Public School from 1962-1964. Teaching at Jamestown Community College moving there from 1964-1968. He then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to teach at Oral Roberts University, teaching audio tutorial biology. Teaching for Tulsa Public Schools as a substitute between 1968-1970. Moving to Wharton Texas to teach at Wharton Junior College, teaching audio tutorial biology, general biology, and biology for disadvantaged students. He then lived in Sydney, Texas and taught at Zephyr Public School teaching biology, chemistry, physics, and general math. Teaching at Pottsville, Texas needed a chemistry, biology, and physics teacher. Moving to Muskogee in 1979, and then to Sapulpa, teaching High School at Kellyville for one year. He began working at the Creek County Health Department in 1980 as a Sanitarian or a Health Inspector and retiring from there in March of 1999.

Oliver cared for his wife faithfully as she went into a nursing home from December 2004 until July 1, 2009. They were married for fifty-six years until she passed.

Living children John Powers, David and Debbie Youngstrom, Rebecca and Mark Hyatt, Joy and Jon Blandin. Oliver has six grandchildren, Priscilla Joy Schowengerdt, William Seth Shingleton, Richard Lee Shingleton, Nicole Marie Blandin, Timothy Watson Blandin, Elizabeth Blandin and three great-grandchildren, Olivia Ann Shingleton, Erica Joy Schowengerdt, Alexander Lee Shingleton.

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