Tag: 1971

DARYL G. NICKENS, a screenwriter, former vice president of the Writers Guild Foundation and the faculty chair of the screenwriting department at the American Film Institute, died July 10, 2006, at age 57. He also taught screenwriting in the graduate program at the University of Southern California and was perhaps best known for writing the first feature film written by an African-American to open number one at the box office: House Party 2. He produced and wrote for film and television, and his essays appeared in professional journals. He also served on the boards of professional writers’ organizations, including the Writers Guild of America, west, and the Writers Guild Foundation. His was nominated for numerous awards throughout his career. Survivors include his wife, Sally Travi, and two children.

CHARLES J. KREINER, 57, a consultant for social service and educational seminars, and a former dancer with Sonomama Improvisation Dance Theater, died Feb. 19, 2007. A College of Letters student who graduated with honors, he served as an assistant dean at Wesleyan and a faculty fellow at West College. He was also a gifted photographer.

WAYNE W. HOWARD, a comic book artist who later became a graphic artist, died Dec. 9, 2007, at age 58. He received his degree with honors and was known for Midnight Tales, a mystery comic book. Among those who survive are his wife, Carol Zavednak Howard, his mother-in-law, several brothers-in-law, and a large extended family,

JAMES K. HORTON, MD, a physician in Louisville, Ky., died Oct. 7, 2009. He was 60. He earned his medical degree from Howard University and had a practice in family medicine. Among those who survive are his wife, Jacqui Horton, two sons, a granddaughter, his mother, and four siblings.

EDWARD GROSSI, a financial adviser and consultant, died Mar. 31, 2008, at age 59. He was a member of Psi Upsilon and had also been in the music business for many years. He is survived by a daughter, his father, and a brother.

Dennis M. Dubin, a child advocate in the Philadelphia court system, died Nov. 12, 2008. He was 58. A College of Letters major at Wesleyan, he initially worked as an actor in New York and Hawaii after graduation. In the 1980s, he began his second career, earning a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988 and serving as a child advocate until his death. He had been undergoing treatment for bladder cancer. Survivors include a sister.

DANA ELIZABETH BRAMLETTE died of a heart attack Sept. 26, 2004, in Tuscon, Ariz. She was predeceased by her father in 1974, and is survived by her mother, Joan Docherty Bramlette Howell of Dallas, Texas; two sisters; and a brother.