SHARON BYRNE MCGOWAN, an ironworker, died Oct. 23, 2014. She was 54. After starting a medical career, she decided to work outdoors and became an ironworker. She also enjoyed restoring VW diesels and doing fine woodworking, in addition to birding. Her father, Dr. Robert Byrne, survives, as do her husband, Philip McGowan, her brother, two aunts, and six nieces and nephews.
JOAN L. MARKMAN, an attorney and Philadelphia’s first Chief Integrity Officer, died Jan. 14, 2015. She was 54. After receiving her law degree from the University of Virginia, she was an assistant U.S. attorney for ten years and then Philadelphia’s first Chief Integrity Officer, beginning in 2008. She is survived by her husband, James M. Becker, two children, her brother, and a large extended family.
JEANNE DEMKO CHIANG, an actuary, died Oct. 7, 2014, at age 61. After receiving her degree in mathematics, she spent her entire career at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, Conn. She enjoyed music and traveling. Survivors include her husband, Jaf Chiang ’74, two children, and her brother.
HENRY C. WOOD JR., a software entrepreneur, died Sept. 3, 2014, at age 64. He was affiliated with the U.S. Army Security Agency and attended law school at Vanderbilt University. A founder of the software company, Villa Crespo, he developed one of the earliest software security programs. He was on the board of the Touchstone Theater in Chicago for ten years. Among those who survive are his wife, Ikuko “Coco” Wood, two brothers, and a large extended family.
MICHAEL Z. HEILPERN, the founder of a Web consulting company, died Feb. 15, 2014, at age 63. An innovative and accomplished musician, he studied at the Berklee School of Music and played several instruments before becoming a dedicated amateur jazz vibraphonist in recent years. The company that he and his wife founded serves membership organizations, public agencies, and local businesses. In 2004 he received an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management in Claremont, Calif., where he was an active conservationist in addition to serving on local boards. He also created several online communities, including LAjazz.com, a resource for jazz musicians and aficionados across southern California. His wife, Linda Weber Heilpern, survives, as do his daughter and a brother.
DAVID CROCKETT, who worked in finance overseas, died Nov. 24, 2014. He was 68. A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, his professional life started in Seattle and then brought him to Switzerland, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau. During his lifetime he visited more than 100 countries. In addition to traveling both for business and pleasure, he was an avid runner, golfer, and rower. At Wesleyan he rowed with the Founder’s crew. His first wife, Stephanie Crockett, predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, Kitty Crockett; two children; two stepchildren; two grandchildren; two step-grandsons; and his brother, John R. Crockett ’63.
STEPHEN A. HASS, a self-employed certified public accountant, died July 31, 2014, at age 72. He received accounting degrees from both Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania, and was active in professional organizations. Among those who survive are his wife, Jean Patterson Hass, four children, seven grandchildren, a great-grandson, and two siblings.
JOHN E. PETERSON, a business trial attorney, died Jan. 30, 2015, at age 73. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. After serving in the Peace Corps in Ghana, he received his law degree from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. He was the former president of the Fresno (Calif.) County Bar Association and later served on the Board of Directors of the California State Bar Association, in addition to serving for 14 years on the Board of Directors of the Fresno Art Museum. He is survived by his wife, Mary Randall Peterson, four children, three grandchildren, and three brothers.
RICHARD R. DONAT, the former general manager of Marshall Field & Co. in Chicago, died Oct. 29, 2014. He was 74. The grandson of A.E. Osborne of the class of 1896 and of Emma L. Reed of the class of 1899, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He began his career as a buyer with Marshall Field and later served as general manager for 14 years. Among those who survive are his wife, Charlotte B. Donat, four children, and two grandchildren.
WELDON J. SMITH, a finance attorney, died Aug. 5, 2014. He was 74. A member of Chi Psi, he received his law degree from the Washington and Lee University Law School and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He was self-employed. His wife, Nancy Bryan Rhodes Smith, predeceased him. Survivors include two children, his sister, and his brother-in-law.
