Ted Stirgwolt ’43
A whirlwind on campus, centenarian Ted Stirgwolt never stopped seizing the day. When he died at age 100, those who loved him recalled his enduring zest for life.
T. Urling “Tom” Walker ’57 took his engineering degree from Case Institute of Technology to New York Air Brake in far northern New York State and helped lift a city. He’s credited with breathing new energy into Watertown as a two-term mayor, teacher, civic planner, and philanthropist. Walker and his wife, Mabel, helped build the Walker Cancer Treatment Center at the city’s main hospital. His death on Jan. 3 at age 97 evoked grief and remembrances throughout northern New York.
Emeritus Professor Malcolm E. Kenny, PhD, was the first chemist many Case students met and was often the one they remembered forever. He arrived at Case Institute of Technology in 1956 and taught chemistry for the next 60 years, often to freshman, with zeal and curiosity. A groundbreaking researcher, Kenny attained 30 patents for inventions and innovations. He died at home in Cleveland Heights on Nov. 28, 2022, at age 94.
Emeritus Professor John Angus, PhD, led Case Institute of Technology as a scientist, educator, and administrator. He joined the newly revived Department of Chemical Engineering in 1963 and taught for 40 years, serving as department chair (twice) and interim dean. A pioneer in diamond research, John was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. He was long involved in the Ohio Scottish Games and for several years served as chairman of the games. He died in February at age 88.
Roger Brockett ’60, MS ’62, PhD ’64, earned three degrees from Case Institute of Technology on his way to renown as a pioneer in the field of control theory. The farmer’s son from Seville, Ohio, taught at Harvard for 42 years, founded the Harvard Robotics Laboratory, and co-authored the classic text Finite Dimensional Linear Systems. In 2012, Roger was awarded the Gold Medal by the Case Alumni Association. He died March 19 in Lexington, Mass., at age 84.
F. Thomas Krotine ’63, MS ’65, PhD ’68 directed labs at Gould and served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Research and Development at Sherwin-Williams Corp. while supporting his alma mater. Tom earned three metallurgy degrees from Case Institute of Technology, where he was a football standout. As an alumnus, he served on scholarship and audit committees and as president of the Case Alumni Association from 1986-87. He received the 1988 Meritorious Service Award. Tom was also a CWRU trustee and a member of the Case Advisory Board. He died November 28, 2022, at age 81.
John “Jack” Horner ’52 enjoyed an impactful career in the construction industry and shared his building and leadership expertise with Case. As president of the alumni-founded Sam Emerson Company, Jack supervised construction of the Olin and White buildings on Case Quad. His years of service to the Case Alumni Association included serving as president from 1998-99. In 2009, the CAA awarded him the Samuel Givelber ’23 Fellowship Award. He died November 13, 2022, at age 95.
Jim Biggar ’50 pioneered the frozen food industry while boosting Case and the city he loved. With a pair of engineering degrees from Case Institute of Technology, he joined his father-in-law’s company, Stouffer Corp., and built the fledgling frozen food division into an iconic brand. Jim became CEO and president of Stouffer’s and later CEO of its parent company, Nestle USA. Active in civic affairs, he helped build Jacobs Field and Gund Arena as Chairman of the Gateway Economic Development Corp. In 1988, he received the Gold Medal award from the Case Alumni Association. He died October 28, 2022, at age 94.
Henry “Hank” Haller ’57, MS ’60, played his way into the hearts of generations of polka fans after earning mechanical and aerospace engineering degrees from Case Institute of Technology. By day a rocket scientist for NASA and the U.S. Defense Department, he was busy nights and weekends as the indefatigable leader of the Hank Haller band. An accordionist and song writer, Hank played ethnic festivals, clubs, cruises and television shows for more than 60 years, sold an estimated 250,000 albums, and is enshrined in the National Cleveland-style Polka Hall of Fame. He died November 26, 2022, at age 87.
Rev. Gerald “Jerry” Cavanagh ’53, PhD, was a lifelong educator who pioneered the field of business ethics. “Father Jerry” earned an engineering degree at Case Institute of Technology and helped build aircraft landing gear before beginning his studies for the Catholic priesthood. In his four decades at Detroit Mercy University, the Jesuit priest served as professor, dean, provost and trustee. His classic textbook, American Business Values, remains required reading at business schools across the nation. He died Nov. 8, 2022, at age 91.
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