Dr. Douglas M. “Doug” Astolfi, professor emeritus of history, passed away on June 14, 2018, at his home. He was 75 and had been ill with kidney cancer. He joined Saint Leo in 1997 as vice president of academic affairs, following a progression of administrative and teaching positions at other institutions.
He taught history courses at all levels and was a specialist in American history and modern Chinese history. At the end of April, the Saint Leo Board of Trustees awarded him the title of professor emeritus in recognition of his work elevating the stature of the university and enriching the lives of Saint Leo students.
Dr. Astolfi was known as a challenging but supportive teacher and mentor who kept in touch with many of his students.
December 31, 2017
Robert “Bob” Carr ’51
July 2, 2018
Ann (Callanen) Dulchinos ’53
December 31, 2017
Edward “Ted” Huff ’54
February 2, 2018
Andrew V. Spada ’57
April 10, 2017
Bruce D. Gordon ’59
September 26, 2017
Martha (Pike) Huizenga ’61
January 3, 2017
George (Tom) Menees ’62
April 27, 2018
Donna (Doughney) Mathisen ’68
June 7, 2015
Raenell (Accetta) Agnew ’69
February, 18, 2013
Peter J. Pedicini ’69
May 7, 2018
James E. Dangler ’71
January 2, 2005
Ken W. Hunnemeder ’72
May 18, 2018
Mark G. Chuhinko ’75
May 2, 2018
Floyd M. Byers ’77
January 26, 2015
Francis “Frank” Coleman ’78
December 12, 2017
William Mattis ’78
August 3, 2010
Mary K. McCoy ’78
July 18, 2016
Doris R. McNabb ’78
March 2, 2009
Billie N. Young ’78
October 12, 2004
Carl D. McNabb ’79
September 4, 2016
Donald J. Ryan ’79
May 8, 2017
Martin J. Brennan ’80
January 23, 2012
William J. Mayo ’80
March 14, 2017
Homer L. Wyatt ’80
March 16, 2016
Inge B. Freedman ’81
August 23, 2016
Earnest E. Lovings ’82
February 21, 2018
Tommie G. Mcarthur ’82
May 21, 2007
Eddie (Mac) McArthur ’82
February 3, 2016
Joseph E. Hagans ’83
September 16, 2015
Patricia A. Kosiba ’83
December 11, 2016
May 18, 2004
Willis L. Waddell ’83
November 16, 2016
Willie M. McDaniel ’86
November 8, 2013
Margaret R. King ’87
September 14, 2017
Daniel J. Sebastian ’87
April 4, 2012
Betty M. Fillbach ’88
September 1, 2016
Steven D. Holland ’88
November 13, 2017
Larry E. Hough ’89
February 20, 2013
Juan R. Moreno ’89
October 14, 2009
Patricia D. Burress ’91
April 17, 2014
Cheryl (Andrews) Philpott ’91
January 13, 2018
Florence C. Amato ’92
December 29, 2012
Nancy M. Gruber ’92
January 8, 2018
Thomas W. McShea ’92
May 14, 2016
Linda D. Harper ’94
May 28, 2014
Brigitte E. Dobbins ’95
February 26, 2016
Lois G. Klei ’95
December 4, 2015
Ella W. Perine ’95
March 11, 2018
Armando Hernandez ’98
August 17, 2016
Marianne J. Parker ’98
May 31, 2018
Agnes G. Clute ’99
March 11, 2012
Richard “Rick” Devlin ’00
January 3, 2018
William E. Paden ’02
April 5, 2017
Greg B. Fusco ’03
December 17, 2017
Elaine Williams ’04
January 26, 2018
Theodore J. Patton ’09
May 2, 2018
Heather (Buck) Kowal ’10
May 1, 2018
Colin C. Roopchand ’12
April 3, 2018
Evin B. Hartsell ’15
April 28, 2018
Denese M. Neide ’15
December 3, 2016
Marc Newberry, a University Campus rising junior who was majoring in management, passed away on April 28, following a boating accident near his home in Naples, FL. Marc was well known in his hometown for his talents as a high school football player. The Naples community remembers him as “the man with the hard hit and the big heart.” Regarding the accident, Marc’s father, John Newberry, explained, “He died doing what he loved to do, and that’s out and about having fun with his friends.”
Roberta Frazier Wright, a business administration student at the Savannah Education Center, passed away on March 23. She had been a Saint Leo student since summer 2015. Her daughter, Malaysha Hall, also is a Savannah Education Center student.
Alex “Pancho” Carrera, a junior at University Campus, passed away on September 11, 2016. A graduate of Fort Pierce Central High School, he was born in Guerrero, Mexico. Fellow students remember him for his “huge smile and contagious happiness.”
Brother Benedict Cooper of Saint Leo Abbey passed away on December 30, 2016. He lived on the Abbey grounds following the death of his wife, and he made his oblation in 2011. The monks of Saint Leo Abbey remember him for his smile and happy demeanor. He dutifully worked in the sacristy, keeping everything orderly and clean, and he prided himself on being a singer in the St. Petersburg cathedral choir.
Nicholas Cusson-Ducharme (aka Nickk Cusson) passed away on December 31, 2016 near his home in Winooski, VT. A senior majoring in accounting, Nickk took classes at University Campus and online. He was active in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
Clarence H. Johnson, an MBA student at the Tampa Education Center, passed away on October 31, 2016. He was a resident of Temple Terrace, FL. Before enrolling at Saint Leo, he earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Florida. An enthusiastic traveler, he found joy in music, food, and art.
Griffin Clark, 21, a sophomore criminal justice major and member of the men’s golf team, passed away on July 4. He was involved in a car accident near his home in Chesterfield County, VA. Griffin helped lead the golf team to its recent NCAA Division II National Championship, in Denver, CO, playing in the final match-play pairing against Chico State (CA) and winning by three strokes.
Frederick “Fred” William Colby Sr. ’84, registrar emeritus, passed away on July 7. A decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served from 1952 to 1979, including tours of duty in Singapore and Tokyo, as a Naval intelligence specialist. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo College and was a member of the Saint Leo staff for 24 years, retiring as registrar.
Dr. Diane Johnson passed away on May 10. She was an assistant director of the Center for Online Learning from 2005 to 2014. After retiring from that administrative role, she continued to teach as an online adjunct professor. She is remembered for being supportive of Saint Leo’s students and guiding them through their educational development.
On May 20, Dr. Kurt Van Wilt passed away at his home. A humble and devoted English professor, he dedicated his life to the education of Saint Leo University’s students, to their spiritual and intellectual growth and development. A respected poet, he was the master of the sonnet, a form that appeals to the kind of artisan who enjoys the rigor of structure, the triumphs achieved through simplicity. An expert in comparative mysticism and Native American literature, he authored three critically praised books for Millichap Books. He was also a co-founder of The Sandhill Review literary arts magazine, The Lightning Key Review electronic journal, and The Green Rabbit chapbook series.