The campus community mourns the passing of Venetta G. Bilger, 94, who died on Saturday, July 15. Venetta worked in Facilities, retiring in 1985 after nearly 22 years of service. She was born on November 24, 1922 in Union County, a daughter of the late Elmer E. and Pearl M. (Wirth) Gotshall. On April 26, 1941, she married Kenneth Beaver Bilger, at Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lewisburg. Mr. Bilger passed away on February 24, 2001. During retirement, she and Ken spent many years traveling with the Lewisburg Ramblers Club, visiting several states on the East coast, the eastern provinces of […]

The campus community mourns the passing of Thomas A. “Tommy” Thompson ‘60, 78, who died on Sunday, June 25. Tommy spent 37 years at Bucknell University as an assistant coach or head coach for Men’s Basketball, Baseball and Golf until his retirement in 2001. Tommy was a son of the late Lloyd and Edith (Johnson) Thompson. On August 3, 1979, he married the former Robynn Jackson, the love of his life, who survives. Tommy was a 1956 graduate of Kane Area High School. Following graduation, Tommy went on to pitch professionally for the Detroit Tigers organization for three seasons until […]

The campus community mourns the passing of Terry Lee VanBuskirk Sr., 73, who died on Friday, June 23.  Terry worked at Bucknell as a Utilities Technician in Facilities, retiring in 2007 after 25 years of service. A native of Union County, Terry was born April 14, 1944, in Linntown, a son of the late Palmer Nervon and Wanda (Arner) VanBuskirk. He was married to the former Alice Brouse and together they just celebrated their 50th anniversary. Terry was a graduate of Lewisburg Area High School with the class of 1962. Upon graduation he served four years in the Air Force. He […]

The campus community mourns the passing of Richard Pauling Jr., 65, who died on Thursday, May 18.  Richard was employed as a Senior Classroom and Event Support Specialist in L&IT, retiring on May 1, 2017 after 29 years of service to the University. During his tenure, he especially enjoyed mentoring student employees. Richard was born April 16, 1952 in Williamsport, a son of the late Richard E. and Viola (King) Pauling. On April 3, 1976, he married the former Donna R. Honabach who survives him. Richard was a 1970 graduate of Williamsport High School and later received his associate degree […]

Dear Colleagues: The campus community mourns the passing of Mary Elizabeth (Bower) Gavitt, 54, who died on Tuesday, May 9. Mary was employed as an Animal Caretaker in the Animal Behavior Laboratory; specifically the primate, since 1991. Mary was born July 14, 1962, a daughter of the late Donald E. and A. Elizabeth (Gross) Bower and was raised in the country near Watsontown. Like her Grandmother Gross, Mary had a passion for animals and the family home housed a menagerie of pets. Mary was an accomplished equestrian, riding her Tennessee Walkers, Encore and Scout. Mary was a social member of […]

The campus community mourns the passing of Karl Patten, Jr., who died on Sunday, April 16, 2017.  After 41 years of service to the University, Karl retired as Professor Emeritus of English in 1997. Born February 28, 1927, in Beverly, Massachusetts, Karl was the son of the late Karl Watson and Elinor (Noble) Patten. He was married on December 31, 1947, to the former Isabelle Cameron, who predeceased him. Karl graduated from Salem High School and earned a B.A. from Williams College and a Ph.D. in English literature from Boston University. While at Bucknell, he taught courses on subjects as […]

Dear Colleagues: The campus community mourns the passing of Gene Bowman, who died on Thursday, April 6, 2017.  Gene served as custodian at Bucknell, beginning in 1968, and retired from the University. He was born in Sunbury on August 23, 1937, a son of the late Lloyd and Sara (Sanders) Bowman. He married the love of his life, Sandra L. Faust, on March 29, 1970, who passed away on May 30, 2010. Gene attended school in Sunbury, and served in the Army Reserves. He loved being with his wife (whom he missed dearly) and family. His life revolved around his […]

Dear Colleagues: The campus community mourns the passing of John “Jack” Wheatcroft ‘49, who died on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. After 44 years of service to the University, Jack retired as Professor Emeritus of English in 1996. Jack was born in Philadelphia on July 24, 1925, the son of the Rev. Allen S. and Laura Wheatcroft. At the age of 16, he received a Mayor’s Scholarship and enrolled at Temple University. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July of 1943 at the age of 17. Jack served for three years in the Pacific theater on the U.S.S. Wisconsin, seeing […]

Dear Colleagues, The campus community mourns the passing of Robert “Rob” Kaleta, 46, who died on Friday, March 10.  Rob joined Bucknell and the L&IT Enterprise Systems (ES) team in late 2013 as the administrator of our Banner Applications. He was quickly promoted to an Assistant Director role with expanded responsibility for the team that supports the daily operations of some of our most critical systems. Rob was born April 22, 1970, in Ashland, a son of Robert John and Diane (Shuey) Kaleta, of Ranshaw. On Sept. 10, 1994, in St. John’s United Church of Christ, Shamokin, he married the former Kelle […]

Dear Colleagues: The campus community mourns the passing of Doris Dysinger M’94, 70, who died on Thursday, March 9.  Doris served as the Curator of Special Collections in the Bucknell University Archives, retiring in 2008 after 24 years of service to the University. She was born April 22, 1946, in Williamsport, a daughter of the late Paul and Thelma (King) Geringer. On June 19, 1971, Doris married James A. Dysinger who survives. Doris graduated with honors from Muncy High School in 1964. She attended Lock Haven State College with a dual major in English and Theater, Class of 1968. Upon graduation […]