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Alumni Notes | September 2022

Career Updates

Giselle (Degre) Harrington ‘17 (Communication) is now the International Student Support Coordinator at Roberts Wesleyan College.

William (Bill) Lowery ‘79 (Religion-Philosophy) is now the Healthy Families - Father's Advocate at Pinnacle Community Services.

Obituaries

James P. Hallenbeck ‘15 (Biology) It is with greatest sorrow that we announce the sudden and tragic death of our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend, James Philip Hallenbeck, of Rochester, NY, on August 21, 2022. James was born October 3, 1992 in Rochester. He is survived by his parents, Stephen and Carol Hallenbeck; his brother, Zachary Hallenbeck; his maternal grandparents, Keith and Lois Snyder; his paternal grandparents, Frank and Sylvia Hallenbeck; his four aunts, three uncles, and nine cousins.

He is a graduate of Fairport High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Roberts Wesleyan College. He was a Fermentery and Marketing Manager at Small World Food for the past eight years and could often be found at the Rochester Public Market. Earlier this month he led a workshop on Basic Lacto-Fermented Vegetables at the FLX Fermentation Fest at Cummings Nature Center. In addition, for the past four years he handled construction, engineering, and maintenance in the renovation of a former oil refinery near his home.

His love was music. He wrote music and performed in several bands. He shined on keyboards and accordion, but contributed on other instruments as well. Recently, he wrote, produced, and performed an entire album, Enemy of the Rose.

He also loved the outdoors, camping, hiking, biking, and hanging out with his many friends around his firepit. He loved to experiment with recipes and desired to one day open his own vegan restaurant in the neighborhood where he lived and was eventually killed in a senseless act of violence.

He generously gave to those in need and was loved by everyone who knew him.

John J. Schofield Jr. ‘72 (Comprehensive Social Studies) 67 of Heritage Village, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Husband of Nancy; father of Scott (Jackie) Schofield and Stacy Adkins; grandfather of Paige Adkins and Samantha Schofield; brother of Cindy Gardecki and Linda Vecchi; nephew of Helen VanKirk.

Linda Jane (Culp) Webb ‘63 (English) 80, of Cornelius and formerly of Statesville, passed away November 15, 2021.  She was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on August 29, 1941, the daughter of Ernest and Catherine Culp.

Upon graduating from high school as valedictorian in 1959 she entered Spring Arbor Junior College to get an associate degree.  She graduated in 1961 again as a valedictorian.  That summer she wed fellow classmate, Clarence Webb. They moved to the campus of Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York. The plan was for to Linda to earn her four-year degree while Clarence worked full time and took classes part time.  The plan was working.  Linda graduated summa cum laude in 1963.  They then moved to Lansing, Michigan with Clarence enrolled at Michigan State University while Linda had a full-time job.

The plan continued to work briefly.  After a few months they learned that they were soon to become parents.  After the birth of their daughter, Linda went back to her job.  After about two weeks Clarence phoned her at her job.  On impulse, he asked if she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom.  She immediately said yes.  Clarence reverted to part-time status as a student.  However, his job as a programmer at MSU started his career path in Information Technologies.

Being at home became Linda’s true calling. Linda was multi-talented; now she could exert her efforts in many directions. She served her church in the music programs.  She played piano and could sing.  She would accompany congregational singing and soloists and assisted young people in preparing for music performances. She also would work with school classmates of her children.  They would come to her house to prepare for performances.

Linda retained her Latin skills from high school.  She got involved with Latin activities at her children’s high school. Biology was dear to her heart.  When each of her children had to prepare a leaf collection for tenth grade science class, Mom would drive them around to procure it.  She had learned the locations of the more difficult leaves. She enjoyed leading her grandchildren on hikes through fields and woods. She loved wildlife.  Clarence learned not to be surprised when he arrived home from work. Sometimes Linda might have some snakes and was enjoying them.  She nearly crossed the line when he was climbing the steps to enter their porch.  A rattling sound startled him. He looked at a five gallon bucket a few feet away from his face and a snake stared back at him over the rim.  It rattled.  Linda’s explanation was that she didn’t know if it was a rattlesnake and wanted to get it identified.  Thankfully, it was an imposter.

She loved to read.  Probably no one knew the Wheel of Times series better than she did. She marked the pages of the books and had copious notes about the plots. Of course, gardening was a defining activity in her life. Getting her hands in dirt, building compost piles, rototilling, planting vegetables and flowers and harvesting the results rounded out her life.  The family enjoyed eating the results of her labor.

Living a spiritual life in devotion to her Savior was the driving force of her life.  Her Bible was well used and well-marked.  Dear to Linda’s heart was serving Iredell Christian Ministries.  She was one of the founding members and served as secretary to the board for several years. Also, being involved with community prayer groups was important in her life. She helped organize National Day of Prayer activities for many years. She was an inspiration to her family and to those around her.

Eleven years ago, Alzheimer’s started its toll.  She had to withdraw from her activities and her husband gently steered her along that difficult course. She is missed. Her family is comforted to know she is where she was meant to be and the family wants to follow.

Survivors are her husband, Clarence; sons, David Webb (Lori) and Stephen Webb (Lynn); daughters, Lynette Rambo (Larry), Sarah Wolf (Matt), Cheryl Dunn (Tom), Lisa Derrick (Kevin), and Amy Polic (Zoran); daughter-in-law, Audrey Webb; brother, James Culp (Joan); sister, Joyce Hopkins (Ewald Lopata); and niece, Jodi Gratson (Scott).  Also surviving are ten grandchildren.

The family appreciates the loving and professional care of Hospice.

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