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In Remembrance

Richard Charles Vari, former faculty member at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences, died at his home in Botetourt County, Virginia on June 12, 2022, after being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) one year before. He was 68. Rick lived a large life and was generous with his love and talent. He was […]

With deep regret, we announce the passing of Kristi Rae Swartz, Senior Instructional Designer at the Teaching Transformation and Development Academy (TTaDA). Kristi peacefully passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2022, surrounded by her family at home. She was 54. Kristi was employed at the University of North Dakota for the past 28 years in […]

Educator, author and musician, Wynona Marguerite Wilkins (née Huchette), died Dec. 23, 2021 at the age of 105 years. She taught French in the Languages Department from 1967 to her retirement in 1987. An extraordinary woman of myriad talents, Wynona pursued many interests, both professional and personal, traveled extensively and excelled at academic and artistic […]

Donna Boe, retired secretary in mathematics, passed away May 13, 2022, at Hatton Prairie Village in Hatton, N.D. She was 80. Donna Marie Boe was born April 2, 1942, in Beaver, Iowa, to Ledu “Jack” H. Larson and Isla Hitchcock Holman Larson. She grew up and graduated from Hatton High School. She attended Mayville State […]

Dallas Ray Kopp, former athletics equipment manager, Grand Forks, died on Thursday, May 12, at his home. He was 86. Dallas was born on Nov. 9, 1935, in Englevale, North Dakota to Leonard and Elsie (Kulsrud) Kopp. He graduated high school from Lisbon, N.D. On Nov. 23, 1954, Dallas married Beth Coit in Aberdeen, S.D. […]

Larry Lee Smiley, former faculty member, passed away on May 6, 2022, at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning, Calif. He was 85. Larry was born Jan. 14, 1937, in Lebanon, IN, to Charles and Ruth (Hillock) Smiley. He was a graduate of Zionsville High School and earned a B.A. from DePauw University and a […]

Roger Melvold, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Microbiology & Immunology, died May 6, 2022. He was born March 21, 1946, in Wadena, Minn., to Sam Reder Melvold and Palma (Ronning) Melvold. He grew up in Henning, Minn., and graduated from Henning High School in 1964. Roger enrolled at Moorhead State University in 1964, graduating […]

The Rev. William “Bill” Sherman, former lecturer in philosophy & religion and priest for the UND Newman Center, passed away May 4, 2022, at Valley Senior Living on Columbia in Grand Forks. He was 94. He was a priest of the Diocese of Fargo; former pastor of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, and […]

It is with regret that we announce the death of Jan Strinden. “Kathy and I were deeply saddened to learn the news of Jan Strinden’s recent passing,” said President Armacost. “She, along with her husband, Earl Strinden, longtime leader of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, holds a special legacy at UND and among the […]

The University of North Dakota community is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ahna Mehus on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Ahna was from Mayville, N.D., and was majoring in Public Health Education in the College of Education and Human Development. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ahna’s family, friends and classmates. They are […]

Clara B. Laughlin, retired administrative assistant at the UND Geological Survey, Grand Forks, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2022 in Valley Senior Living on Columbia, Grand Forks. She was 92. Clara Bergliot Knutson was born June 12, 1929 in Grand Forks to Gunder and Gunhild Knutson (Haugen). She was raised and educated in Grand Forks […]

Burt Michael Thorp, retired director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program and English instructor, scholar and educator, passed away this March. He was 74. Born in San Diego, Burt was a deep thinker and a spiritual person, who was profoundly transformed by his experiences with meditation and extensive world travel. He was an avid reader, a […]

Milton Winger, professor emeritus of Mathematics, Grand Forks, died Friday, April 8, in Northwood Deaconess Health Center. He was 90. Milton was born Aug. 28, 1931, in Mayville, N.D., to Ernest and Ida (Master) Winger. He grew up in Mayville where he graduated high school. He attended Mayville State University, the University of North Dakota […]

Richard Allen Roberts, retired Information Technology staff member, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. He was 66 Richard was born March 13, 1955, in Elmira, New York, the son of Richard and Barbara (Shay) Roberts. He grew up and attended school in Elmira, graduating from Southside High School in 1973. In June 1973, Richard joined the […]

Eugene Morrissette, retired maintenance worker, died peacefully on Feb. 17, 2022, at Alex Assisted Living Center in Alexandria, Minn. Gene was born on May 7, 1925, in Grand Forks to Francis and Mary (Bjerkelein) Morrissette. Eugene and his two siblings, sister Madonna (Chambers) and brother Floyd were raised in East Grand Forks. Eugene married Dorothy […]