Alumni News from Reed Magazine, September ’13

The solstice is upon us and summer has officially arrived. The long days provide lots of time for reading and catching up with the September 2013 issue of the Reed magazine

Pink Shoes, Blue Glow (p. 5) profiled Melinda Krahenbuhl, the director of Reed’s research reactor. Melinda, who arrived at Reed in 2011, has become the first woman to chair the National Organization of Test, Research, and Training Reactors (TRTR). And another reactor-related ‘first’: according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Reed licenses more female reactor operators than any other research reactor in the nation … the Eliot Circular (“Chem Major Nabs Class of ’21 Award,” p. 8) reported on the 2013 winner of the Class of ’21 Award, Danielle Draper ’13, her thesis research project conducted with atmospheric chemist, Prof. Julie Fry, and her amazing acrobatic skills … Last Lectures (p. 10) saluted the teaching and research career of Prof. Pat McDougal [1990-2013]. “Coach Pat” migrated from his teaching office in the Chem building to the Dean of the Faculty office in Eliot during his final two years at Reed, but word has it that he can be seen back in Chem building happily working on new research projects in a small, first-floor lab … and What Is A Reedie, Anyway (p. 29) profiled a fresh batch of Reed graduates, among them, chemistry-physics interdisciplinary major, musician and juggler, Cole Perkinson ’13.

Class Notes tracked down Jeff Kovac ’70 who had recently been honored by the U. Tennessee for his contributions to STEM education … Steven Montner ’72 reported that he is a “recent survivor of lymphoma” and is continuing his career as associate professor of radiology at U. Chicago … and we celebrated with new several sets of Reed parents: Kristel Halter ’99 and Silas Cook ’99 (Marlo Alexander, born on Oct. 6, 2012 in Bloomington, Indiana, is their second child and first son), and Ann Erickson ’03 and Tommer Wizansky (their daughter, Sivan Erickson Wizansky was born on March 21, 2013 in Tel Aviv), and Avery Larson Hoppa ’03 and Michael Hoppa ’03 (daughter Dagny was born in January 2013) who decided to name chemist Jamie Ford ’03 as Dagny’s “god(less)father.”

The passing of two chemists was reported in the In Memoriam section of the magazine.

  • Daniel Morton Bachman ’49 (deceased November 9, 2012 in Portland) attended Reed only to have his studies interrupted by WWII. He returned to the college after the war with the aid of the G.I. Bill and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in chemistry. After graduation he earned an MD from the U. Oregon Medical School and began a long-running medical practice that took him to several states before bringing him back to Oregon. He taught medicine at the U. Oregon Medical School [1956-68], practiced internal medicine and rheumatology for 17 years in Portland, and then worked as a physician specialist in Pendleton [1988-2008]. Daniel enjoyed traveling, flying light aircraft, reading, and playing the piano. He is survived by his wife, Judith Gold MAT ’71, and three children, sons Tovey ’78 and Nathaniel (Reed, 1979-80), and daughter Elizabeth.
  • Richard Elmer Nelson ’50 (deceased March 18, 2013 in Anacortes, Washington) served in the 16th Weather Squadron of the Army Air Corps during WWII. He studied at Reed for two years and then completed a BA in chemistry at Oregon State College in 1949. That same year, he married Joyce L. Holen ’50. Dick worked as a resin chemist with American Marietta and also for Georgia Pacific and U.S. Plywood. At the time of his retirement in 1987, he was vice president of operations and manager of the Catawba Hardboard plant in Catawba, South Carolina. Dick and Joyce returned to the Northwest, enjoying scenic views of the San Juans and Puget Sound from their home in Anacortes, and spending time with family at a remote cabin in British Columbia. He is survived by wife Joyce, daughter Janis, son Craig, and four grandchildren.
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