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Alumni Notes | November 2021

Kathryn (Kate) Bissinger ’13 (Organizational Management) has taken a position as the Director of Capital and Social Projects at Rochester Insitiute of Technology.

William (Bill) Dean ’82 (Religion-Philosophy) has taken a new position as Mobilization Coordinator for Kids Alive International.

Kelsey (Mustard) Eichel ’10 (Social Work) married Todd Eichel on September 19, 2021.

Kathryn (Hollowood) Jones ‘16 (Physics) Graduated in May 2021 with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is a Senior Data Scientist at Owlet Baby Care.

Elizabeth (Liz) McNeill ‘16 (Biochemistry) Graduated in May 2021 with a Masters in Public Health at NYU and is currently enrolled in PhD program at NYU for Health Policy & Management.

Benjamin C. Murphy ‘00 (Communication) Graduated with a Masters of Science in Nonprofit Management in August, 2021 at Columbia University in the City of New York. He is the Director of Program Development at Hillside Children's Center.

Frank Carter ‘67 passed peacefully at home September 28, 2021. He was the son of the late Willie Carter and Willie Lee (Boykin). Frank was predeceased by his wife, Lynda Carter. Father to Frank Carter, James Leverett, Michele (Hilary) Carter-Hillary, and Sheri Chance; also surviving are eight grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Carter was inducted into the Roberts Wesleyan College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986 for his exceptional basketball career. He holds a single-game scording record of 54 points. His teammates remember him as an exceptional athlete with a quiet confidence, respectful demeanor and humility on and off the court.

Harmon L. Houseknecht, Jr. ‘49, 91, of Auburndale, Florida entered his heavenly home and the presence of the Lord, peacefully, on October 1, 2021.

Lee was born at home during a snowstorm, on December 11, 1929 in the city of Batavia, New York. He was the son of the late Harmon Lee Sr and Louise Elizabeth Wright Houseknecht.

Lee graduated from Batavia High School in 1947 He continued his education at Roberts Wesleyan College with an Associates degree in 1949. He served proudly in the United States Navy for 2 years at Niagara Falls Naval Air Reserves Station; followed by 4 more years of reserve time. Lee also spent time driving back and forth to Buffalo, NY; 2 nights a week for 5 years while attending Buffalo State to obtain his teaching certificate. Lee taught auto mechanics in the Genesee County BOCES system for a year.

Lee was a lifelong businessman, as a partner in Houseknecht Motors, Inc. along with his father and brother. The business was sold in 1997. As a businessman, he was very active in Kiwanis Club in Batavia, NY. He served as the President in 1961-62. At that time, he was the youngest man to serve in that position. He finally retired when he and his wife moved from Batavia, NY to Auburndale, FL in 2005.

As a hobby, Lee loved to fly. He learned to fly at the young age of 16, soloing in a J-3 Cub aircraft. His practice time was on the grass strip at what is now known as Genesee County Airport. Lee flew every chance he got. He and his brother eventually purchased a 182 Cessena Skylane II aircraft, which brought him much joy. In 1991, while visiting Florida on one of his many trips; he found time to spend practicing and obtaining his seaplane rating, at John Brown's SeaPlane Base. In August 2005, Lee was awarded The Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award; a prestigious award presented by Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration, which recognizes his 50 plus years of safe flying and the contributions to the advancement of aviation. Several youngsters who recieved their first airplane rides from Lee are now pilots or training for careers in aviation. One of those youngsters is now a Colonel serving the USAF.

While living in Florida, he joined the Short Wing Piper Club in 2007 and served as the Vice President for a number of years. This group aids in organizing the volunteers to park the aircraft in the General Aviation Camping area of the Sun'N'Fun Air Show held annually at Lakeland Linder Airport.

He was a life long active member of Northgate Free Methodist Church. There he taught Sunday School, sang with the choir, was a trustee for the board and taught sixth grade CYC for 40 years. Now living in Florida he is once again very active in the Winter Haven Church of the Nazarene. He has served as a greeter; a member for the Prime Timers group; assisted with the teens; and enjoyed Bible study groups. His expertise in being able to fix anything, he was frequently called upon and joyfully responded to assist where ever he was.

Lee is predeceased by his parents, Harmon Lee Sr and Louise Wright Houseknecht; and a grandson, Steven Lee Houseknecht, Jr.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean Marie Houseknecht. They were married on October 12, 1973. Along with his wife of 48 years he is survived by children: Steven Lee Houseknecht, Sr of McKenzie, TN; Brenda G. Houseknecht of Flowery Branch, GA; Pamela (Thomas) Cooper of Ham Lake, MN; H. Suzanne (Frank) Piccolo of Clermont, FL; Scott W. (Riza) Houseknecht of Auburndale, FL; Stephen C (Kathy) Houseknecht of Maysville, MO; and Suzanne (Kevin) Smith of Batavia, NY; 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; a brother, Charles S (Carol) Houseknecht, of Batavia, NY; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Stephan L. Baker '97, age 41, of Wyoming, N.Y., passed away on Oct. 5, 2021.

He was born July 20, 1980, in Batavia, N.Y., son of David and Cindy Laude Baker of Bergen, N.Y. Steve was a graduate of Genesee Community College. He received his Bachelors degree in Education from Roberts Wesleyan College and his Master’s degree in Reading Literacy from Buffalo State College. He was employed as an elementary school teacher at Warsaw Central School for nineteen years. Throughout his time at the school, Steve was a major part of the athletic program, currently serving as the Junior Varsity volleyball coach. He had also served as the Varsity basketball coach as well as coaching the Junior Varsity and Modified basketball teams. He had also coached the Modified baseball team. Steve also ran the youth basketball program at the school. He will be deeply missed by his students and colleagues.

Steve was a vital part of his community, serving as the President of the Youth Baseball Board in Warsaw. He also was involved in coaching all of his children’s activities. Steve was an active participant in the Valley Chapel Free Methodist Church in Warsaw and was an avid Duke Blue Devils fan. As active as Steve was in his school and community, his family and friends will remember him as a loving and kind husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend.

Surviving along with his parents, are his wife of fourteen years, Janelle Traynor Baker; his children, Kinsley Baker, Delaney Baker and Lennon Baker, all at home; his siblings, Corissa (Jeffrey) Goodenbery of Bergen, Stacie (Gary) Gell of Hilton; nieces and nephews, Peyton, Cambria, Jack, Avery and Jaime; his father-in-law, Craig Traynor of Warsaw; brother-in-law, Todd (Michelle) Traynor of Perry; sister-in-law, Kristen (Kurt) Zeltwanger of Canisteo. He was the son-in-law of the late Jill Traynor. Online condolences may be made at www.robinsonandhackemer.com.

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