In Memoriam

Alumni

Austin College Board of Trustees

These generous and faithful members of the College’s Board of Trustees died during the past year. Find full obituaries on the College website.

Senior Trustee John Ed Withers III ’61 died May 23, 2023. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1987 to 2001 and remained a senior trustee until his death.

John Ed and his  life of nearly 62 years, Jean, are both members of the Class of 1961. He went on to earn his Master of Divinity degree from Austin Theological Seminary and dedicated his life to Presbyterian  ministry. John Ed and Jean’s daughters are also Austin College graduates—Rebecca Withers ’88 and Katherine Cobbs ’91. John Ed represented Austin College throughout several years of service  on the Texas Presbyterian Foundation Board and occasionally returned to campus for special events. He also served on Boards of Trustees for Presbyterian Hospital Oklahoma City, Mo Ranch Conference Center, and was active in leadership roles and on committees of the Indian Nations Presbytery. In 2000, he was awarded the Austin Seminary Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

Senior Trustee Phillip Edward “Ted” Hudson ’59, Ph.D. died August 9, 2023. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1989 to 2001, during which he chaired the Board’s Academic Affairs Committee. Ted remained a faithful supporter of the College throughout the years following his Board service. He was a recipient of Austin College’s Distinguished Alumnus award in 1975.

After graduating from Austin College, he earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Baylor University. Ted worked at Tracor before joining the founding team of the successful technical services and products company Radian International LLC which grew to have offices worldwide. He served the company with pride and dedication from its inception in 1969 until his retirement in 1995.

Senior Trustee Rev. Dr. Charles Hendricks ’61 died December 25, 2023. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2014. Following graduation from Austin College, Charles earned a Master of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1965, a Master of Theology degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1970, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1998. He was the founding pastor of Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church and served as its pastor for 23 years.

Charles and his wife, Peggy, met at Austin College Homecoming in 1964 and were married for 57 years. They share three sons, one of whom, Cary ’98, is also an alumnus.

Austin College Faculty

Catherine Joan Gilmore died May 25, 2023. Gilmore served as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration from 1995 until 2001. She spent her retirement years traveling, spending time with her extended family, and volunteering.

Friends We Will Miss

Dorothy “Scottie” Pryor Bartel, wife of Senior Trustee Harry Bartel, died March 25, 2023. She was a dedicated educator, lover of travel and music, and supporter of many community organizations.

Philip Hall, son of Professor Emeritus Dr. Clyde Hall ’46, died June 6, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois. A graduate of Georgetown University Law, he practiced law for two decades before working as a professor at the John Marshall Law School.

John Edwin Hunt Sr. died December 31, 2023. The seven years John spent as a patrolman for the Austin College Campus Police, between 1995 and 2002, were part of 23 years dedicated to law enforcement, which followed a highly decorated 22-year career in the U.S. Army.

Evelyn Low, widow of former faculty member Dr. Myron Low, died May 25, 2023. Evelyn worked as a traveling school counselor, serving several towns near Sherman, before settling into the Sherman Independent School District in 1973. She finished her career as a vice-principal of Sherman High School.

Patti Olmstead, widow of Senior Trustee Ellis Olmstead, died January 4, 2023, just four months after Ellis. Patti and Ellis had enjoyed 65 years of marriage, during which they took pleasure in watching horse races, fishing in Canada, and spending time at their ranch.

Charlene Rowland, wife of retired Vice President of Business Affairs George Rowland, died December 17, 2023. Charlene retired in 2013 from her position as Austin College’s Director of Financial Aid after more than 20 years of service.

Lois Elaine Tappa, the widow of Dr. Richard Tappa, died on April 5, 2023, in Sherman. Lois was an elementary school teacher and taught private music lessons in her home. She also played cello with the Sherman Symphony for many years.

Janita Wells died November 21, 2023. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas for 94 years, and served as president of the Dallas Chapter of Executive Women  International. Janita and her husband Rollin G. Wells both served as administrative staff at Austin College from 1948 until 1956.