in memoriam
Spring 2026

John W. Devereux, Jr. ’57 of Newport Beach, Calif., died Jan. 21, 2026. He was born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii. From his home, he saw black smoke rising over Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, when he was five years old. A Business Administration major, Devereux played both offense and defense for four years on the Pomona-Claremont football team. He won All-Conference and West Coast Small College honors. He was also recognized as CMC Co-athlete of the Year and is in the CMS Ted Ducey Hall of Fame. Devereux participated in ROTC and was honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate. After returning to Hawaii and a job at Gaspro, an industrial supply company, Devereux became a second lieutenant assigned to a Nike Missile Battery at Ft. Bliss, Texas. He was assigned as the supply and sports officer, and he joined the Army football team as a lineman. When health complications required X-rays to be taken, the Army discovered for the first time that he was born with only one kidney, and he was medically discharged in 1958. Returning to Oahu, he continued working for Gaspro, then moved on to the Whittaker Corporation in Los Angeles in the contracts division. He worked at jobs in Los Angeles and Phoenix before starting the John Devereux Company based in San Marino, Calif. Devereux earned his MBA at Claremont Graduate School in 1976. His specialty in the commercial real estate field was restaurant transactions, and he logged more than 170 successful deals, including 13 McDonalds. He married Dori in 1960, and they had three children. In 1978, he married his second wife, Norva Lee. A member of the Board of Directors of the CMC Alumni Association, Devereux was often on campus for anything involving athletics or Res Publica. He was a recipient of the Alumni Association’s Jack L. Stark ‘57 GP’11 Distinguished Service Award. Devereux and his wife owned “Flowers of Hawaii,” providing leis for CMC class reunions and other special events. He also set up a scholarship in memory of classmate Jon Timothy Green ’57, who died when his son, Michael, was only nine. Devereux is survived by Norva Lee, his two daughters, and two grandchildren.

John (Gary) G. Ryan ’59 of Newport Beach, Calif., died Nov. 1, 2025. Born Feb. 20, 1937, in Pasadena, Calif., he attended The Webb Schools in Claremont where he was Athlete of the Year. A Business Administration major at CMC, he served as captain of the football team and was an ROTC member. Ryan served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, stationed in Germany. He worked in real estate, first in property management and then real estate investment, before founding his own firm. He was deeply involved in his faith community and enjoyed golf, swimming, snow and water skiing, and trips to the family farm in Illinois. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Amy; his children, John Ryan, Jr. (Katie), James Ryan (Justin), and Katherine Zomerdyke (James); three grandchildren; and one step-grandchild.

Richard A. Stanberry ’59 of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, died Jan. 1, 2026. He was a Business Administration major and brother of Robert Stanberry ’61.

Phisit Pakkasem ’60 of Bangkok, Thailand, died Oct. 18, 2025. A Public Affairs major, he went on to earn an MPA in economics from Harvard in 1969 and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972. He served as secretary general of Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Board.

Sujit Sopon ’60 of Bangkok, Thailand, died Jan. 26, 2026. He was an International Relations major. Sopon returned to Claremont for his reunions and liked to recount the story of having to purchase the first pair of shoes in his life to get on the plane to fly to CMC.

Elton L. MacPherson ’65 of Ventura, Calif., died Nov. 12, 2025. He was born Oct. 1, 1942, in Helena, Mont. At CMC, he was an Economics major and met his first wife, Lucinda (Cindy) Reynolds, a Scripps student. They married in 1963 in Albuquerque, N.M., and had a daughter, Lori, a few years later. He began his career as business manager of the NBC Orchestra in Burbank. In 1969, he became a location auditor for Paramount Pictures and was sent to New York City for Love Story. In his 30-plus years in motion picture finance and production, MacPherson worked as an accountant, controller, and executive on more than 50 films, including The Firm, 10, and Anna and the King. In 1979, he bought a home in Topanga Canyon and joined Blake Edwards Entertainment, where he served as executive in charge of production, VP of post-production, and second-unit director until 1991. In 1988, MacPherson married Diane Gavran. After retiring, he and his wife moved to Ventura, where he became president of the Ventura County Rose Society and enjoyed football, opera, musical theater, movies, and TV. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Diane; daughter, Lori (Keith Rawlinson); and two grandsons.

Roger D. Maurer ’65 of Cherry Hills, Colo., died April 16, 2025. A Management-Engineering major, he also earned a master’s in economics and finance from the University of Denver in 1968. Maurer had a long career as an economist and financial advisor and enjoyed golf, skiing, and driving sports cars. Although he called Chicago his hometown, he was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Kurt W. Ritter ’65 of Leesburg, Va., died Oct. 21, 2025. Born June 18, 1944, in San Mateo, Calif., he grew up in Campbell. A History major, he met his wife, Ellen, at a college debate tournament. They married in 1966, the same year he earned an M.A. in speech communication from Indiana University, Bloomington. He then served four years as an education and training officer in the U.S. Air Force before returning to Indiana University where he completed his Ph.D. in 1974. He taught at the University of Illinois-Champaign and the University of Missouri prior to joining the faculty at Texas A&M University in 1982. Appointed in the English department, Ritter proposed and marshaled support for a new Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts, which was established in 1985. He served as department head from 1985 to 1990. Subsequently, he helped establish the department’s M.A. and Ph.D. degree programs. He retired as professor emeritus in 2009 after 27 years on the faculty. He and Ellen moved to Virginia to be near their daughter, Valerie, and granddaughter. He is survived by those family members and his brothers, Walter Ritter and John Ritter ’68.

Col. (Ret) Richard (Dick) E. Baumer ’67 of West Palm Beach, Fla., died Oct. 29, 2025. He was born on Dec. 3, 1944. An Economics major, Baumer participated in ROTC, played water polo and rugby, and was a member of the Knickerbockers club. He earned an M.A. from Webster College in 1976.

Raymond (Ray) C. Drummond ’68 of Teaneck, N.J., died Nov. 1, 2025. Born Nov. 23, 1946, in Brookline, Mass., he played trumpet and French horn before taking up bass at age 14. A Political Science major and the first Black ASCMC president, he pursued an MBA from Stanford University, where he performed with Bobby Hutcherson, Michael White, Tom Harrell, and Eddie Marshall, among others. He met the love of his life, Susan Paone, in San Francisco and they had a daughter, Maya. He decided to pursue a career in jazz, so they moved to New Jersey to be closer to New York. A first-call bassist, composer, and band leader, Drummond was known in the jazz world as “Bulldog.” He played on hundreds of albums as a sideman for some of the top jazz musicians and led his own groups, including Excursion, The Quartet, and The Drummonds with drummer Billy Drummond and pianist Renee Rosnes. He started teaching at Monterey Peninsula College; became assistant professor of jazz theory and practice at California State University in Monterey Bay; and taught clinics and master classes at numerous schools, including the Berklee College of Music, Stanford Jazz Workshop, and Finland’s Sibelius Academy of Music. He is survived by his daughter, Maya Reyes, and her husband, Mario.

Kenneth (Ken) R. Bilodeau ’69 of Palo Alto, Calif., died Sept. 28, 2025. He was born Nov. 5, 1947, in Riverside, Calif. A Management-Engineering major and a member of the volleyball team, he earned a B.A. in Economics at CMC and a B.S. in engineering from Stanford, where he also earned an MBA. He married Ann Lawson in 1969. Bilodeau worked in a number of high-tech startups and formed the investment management company, AKJ Asset Management. He was a woodworker and a private pilot and owned a two-passenger railcar. He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Katie (Jim Hart); and two granddaughters.

Col. (Ret) Richard (Dick) W. Griggs ’69 of Kapolei, Hawaii, died Dec. 7, 2024. He was born on April 2, 1947, in Minnesota. An Economics major, he participated in ROTC. Griggs earned an M.A. in social sciences from Pacific Lutheran University in 1979 and a communications degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He is survived by his wife, Milagros; daughter, Michelle (Gerard) Griggs-Peterson; son, Richard (Crystal Garcia); six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Gary S. LePage ’69 of Woodbury, Minn., died May 24, 2025. Born on June 6, 1947, in Madison, Wis., he grew up in California. He was a Political Science and History major and senior class president who later served on the CMCAA Board of Directors. After serving his country in Vietnam, LePage moved to Minnesota where he married his wife, Maureen. He earned his MBA from the University of Minnesota in 1984 while working as a defense contract auditor for the Department of Defense. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America, served on the Afton Alps ski patrol providing medical assistance, and worked as a volunteer tutor and mentor for young children in the Woodbury School District. He and his wife traveled to 32 countries across five continents. He is survived by his wife; children, Pete and Kate (Jesse) Garza; and four grandchildren.

Thomas (Tom) E. Livingston ’69 of Jenkintown, Pa., died Sept. 24, 2025. Born March 22, 1948, in Chicago, Ill., he moved with his family to Toledo, Ohio, and then to Los Angeles. A History major, he won an alumni award for student leadership. He married Jacqueline Bigar in 1970, and they had a son, Geoff, and a daughter, Joanne. After a divorce, he met Maxine Waber and they married in 1989. Livingston was an award-winning reporter for the Arcadia Tribune, managing editor of the Pasadena Star-News, and a former reporter, assistant city editor, and managing editor of the Daily News in Philadelphia. He left the Daily News in 1988 and established InterMedia Inc. to consult and advise media startups and other organizations. He was an executive editor for MetroKids magazine for a decade and retired in 2013. Livingston was a union leader, media consultant, and big-time baseball fan, who followed the Cubs as a kid in Chicago, the Dodgers as a teen in Los Angeles, and the Phillies after joining the Daily News. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by two grandchildren.

James Y. Yu ’70 of New York, N.Y., died in 2025. An Accounting and Economics major, he participated in track and field, lacrosse, and skiing.

Roger R. Brandon ’71 of Los Gatos, Calif., died Dec. 25, 2025. He was a Philosophy major and baseball player. In 1975, he earned a J.D. at Vanderbilt University. He was a volunteer for the CMC Alumni Association and enjoyed hosting new student parties.

Robert (Bob) G. Hayes ’71 of Golden, Colo., died Dec. 20, 2025. Born May 1, 1949, in Golden, he graduated from Golden High School and earned the Coors Scholarship to CMC. A Mathematics major, he played football, basketball, and baseball. During his senior year, Hayes was captain of the football team in their undefeated league championship season. In 1973, he earned an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado. He taught math and coached multiple sports at Golden High School for 40 years. Hayes earned the title Mr. Golden when the gym was named in his honor in 2010. He was inducted into the CMS Ted Ducey Hall of Fame in 2018. Hayes is survived by his wife, Loana-Amber, and their son, Augustus; his children, Becky Guy and Ryan; stepchildren, Amber English, Gavin, Dartanyan, and Maya Baker; and step grandchildren.

Ian L. Straus ’73 of San Antonio, Texas, died Dec. 9, 2025. Born on July 15, 1952, in Fargo, N.D., he spent most of his childhood in El Paso, Texas. A Political Science major, he participated in ROTC. At the age of 20, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1973 to 1981. In 1983, after earning an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, he settled in San Antonio. Straus married, started a family, and eventually worked for VIA as their market research analyst until his retirement in 2020. He participated in Toastmasters for nearly four decades and took on roles with the North East Bexar County Democrats and Lone Star Historical Miniatures Club. Straus was a member of the Alamo Muzzle Loading Gun Club and Company “K,” 6th Texas Infantry Regiment reenactors. He is survived by his wife, Donna (Larrison) Straus; daughters, Leslie Straus and Caitlin (Ian) McMath; and three grandchildren.

Donald (Curtis) C. Webster ’76 of Agoura Hills, Calif., died Oct. 22, 2025. An Economics and Philosophy major, he also earned a J.D. at Willamette University in 1979 and an M.Div. in theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary in 2003.

Robert K. Yih ’77 of Hong Kong died May 20, 2025. He was born July 14, 1954. Yih was an Economics major. He enjoyed the simple things: good meals and classic movies. His family said he was known for always looking out for people he cared about and encouraging the people around him to relax and enjoy the ride. Yih was awarded the 2004-05 CMC Alumni Association Volunteer of the Year award in recognition of his help promoting CMC in Hong Kong.

Steven J. Decker ’81 of Los Angeles, Calif., died Oct. 11, 2024. He was born in Seattle, Wash. An Economics major, his first job was at Security Pacific Bank as a real estate analyst, followed by work for other financial services firms in real estate. Then he set up his own real estate appraisal firm, founding what would become SJD Associates in 1991. Over his 36-year career, Decker became a leading independent real estate appraiser in L.A., with an MAI designation with the Appraisal Institute and ASA designation with the American Society of Appraisers (Business Valuation). In 1989, his only daughter, Leila Decker, was born. As a single parent, he coached her in public speaking and racket sports. In 2022, he married May Gao. He had a lifelong love of sport, particularly tennis, and enjoyed cooking seafood, watercolor painting, and option trading. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

W. S. (Scott) Baumhofer ’85 of Bend, Ore., died July 7, 2025. He was an Economics and Accounting major.

Alex Camacho ’91 of Temple City, Calif., died Sept. 5, 2025. He was an Economics and Accounting major and played soccer. He is survived by his wife, Grace; son, Cade; and daughter, Kira.

Kevin E. Huezo ’97 of Pasadena, Calif., died Nov. 26, 2025. He was born on May 30, 1975, in Pomona, Calif. An International Relations major, he treasured the friends he made at CMC and celebrated life with them at concerts, dinners, and while hunting for vinyl records. Huezo earned a master’s in political science at NYU in 2002 and worked at Lockton as a senior insurance analyst for 14 years. He was proud of his Salvadoran heritage and a fan of FC Barcelona. Family, and notably his soulmate, Angie Dillman, meant everything to him. He is survived by his wife, parents, and brothers.

John C. Hook ’03 of Fort Worth, Texas, died Nov. 9, 2024. He was born July 19, 1981, in Fort Worth. A History major, Hook played volleyball and lacrosse. After graduation, he launched into a succession of eclectic occupations, including night club bouncer, vacuum cleaner salesman, and waiter, before finding his true vocation as a petroleum landman. He studied painting and had an enthusiasm for language and linguistics. Hook was also a member of the Cactus and Succulent Society. He is survived by his parents and brother, Steven.