In Memoriam

College of Arts & Science

Robert Stengel (CAS ’11)

Professor Yorke E. Rhodes (WSC ’85) passed away peacefully early Monday morning 10/10/22 at age 86 in Sussex, NJ. He is survived by his wife Mechthilde, his sons Yorke Rhodes III of NYC, Chris Rhodes of San Diego, Matthias Raabe of West Orange NJ, and Timothy Rhodes of South Orange, NJ. He joined the chemistry department of NYU in 1965 and developed research areas in SO2 solvent chemistry, electrocyclic reactions, small ring chemistry, and carbocations, especially neighboring group cyclopropane-assisted cation rearrangements. Professor Rhodes was co-founder and Director of the Dual Degree Program in Science & engineering at New York Univ and Stevens Institute of Technology.

Michael Lefkowitz (CAS '71) of Fairview, New Jersey, passed away on December 4, 2020.  After graduating with a B.A. degree from NYU in 1971, Michael attended Hofstra University School of Law and graduated with a J.D. degree in 1974.  He had a long, successful career working for the State of New York as an Administrative Law Judge in the Division of Social Services.

Karen Hudes-Spergel (WSC ’70)

Morris Orens (WSC ’69)

David Elias (CAS ’49) died on Oct. 14, 2019.

Leendert Drukker (WSC ’48)

Dentistry

Bentley Atwood Howe Merrick, D.M.D. (DEN ’93) beloved father, husband, son, brother, friend, and dentist, passed away on July 2 in Burlington, VT. He was 61-years-old. Ben was a 1983 graduate of Middlebury College, a 1988 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and a 1993 graduate of the New York University College of Dentistry Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics. Ben’s South Burlington, VT, practice – Vermont Prosthodontics – grew over the years to help many. Additionally, he became a Clinical Instructor at the University of Vermont Medical Center General Dental Practice Residency in 1997. He found tremendous meaning in working with the next generation of dentists.

Dr. Kenneth H. Knopf (DEN ’63) passed away on September 15th, 2020 in Florida. 

Dr. Mattis Fern (DEN ’59) passed away on July 7, 2022. He practiced dentistry in Manhattan and Roslyn, New York. He was a clinical professor of operative dentistry from 1959-1965. He was a lifetime member of ADA , member of Alpha Omega, and member of the First District Dental Society. He lectured in Hebrew at Tel Aviv University on full mouth rehabilitation as well as at local dental societies. He was an annual participant in the Greater New York Dental Meeting.

Gallatin School of Individualized Study

Michael Abraham (LS ’17, GAL ’17) passed away on February 5, 2023, with his legacy living on through his writing, family and friends. He inspired those around him with his kindness and love.

Tonya Ingram (LS ’11, GAL ’13) was a native Cincinnati poet who has been honored at the Getty Museum, Madison Square Garden, San Francisco Opera House, Nuyorican Poets Café, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lexus Verses and the Flow variety show, and The Price is Right. She wrote How to Survive Today, a collection of poems, prompts, and affirmations for those of us still finding our way.

Graduate School of Arts & Science

Beverly Moss Spatt (WAG ’70, GSAS ’76), a fierce defender of New York City’s aesthetic and cultural heritage who battled real estate and political interests to protect distinguished buildings and historic districts as chairwoman of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission in the 1970s, died on Friday, July 14, 2023 in Brooklyn. She was 99. Read more about Beverly's life and accomplishments. 

Nancy Anne Forbes (GSAS '76) passed away on January 16, 2021, in Reston, VA. She was a member of the University of Virginia's first coed class, receiving a BA, Magna Cum Laude, in Spanish in 1974. Although her first passion was literature, she later discovered her love of physics, and earned a BA and MA (1987) in that field from Columbia University. Ms. Forbes had a long career in government and intelligence, working in science and technology analysis and policy.  She received an Exceptional Performance Award during her time with the CIA.  At her death, she was employed by SAIC as Senior Principal Systems Engineer. Nancy was a longtime member of the Association for Women in Science, mentoring women in the earlier stages of their careers. 

Lynn “Bo” Sims (GSAS ’75) passed away on September 25, 2022. He was a grandson, son, cousin, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Alexander Charles Sutherland, II (GSAS ’68, ’78)

Louise McNulty (WSC ’67, GSAS ’72)

Grossman School of Medicine

Stephen Redmond MD, MPH (GSM ’69) passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023. He was Commissioner of Health for Dutchess county, Rockland County and Deputy Commissioner of Health for Monroe County all in New York state, alongside being Western Area Medical director for IBM in his later years. He is survived by his 4 sons and his wife Nancy.

Dr. Norman Harry Isaacson (GSM ’44) passed away on February 4, 2021 in Boca Raton, FL. Dr. Isaacson was born in New York City on April 9, 1922 and received his undergraduate and medical degrees from New York University in 1944. After starting a surgical residency in 1944 he joined the Army as a medical officer and served during and after World War II, retiring as a Captain. In 1947 he resumed his surgical residency at George Washington University under the direction of Dr.Brian Blades. He retired 47 years later as Professor Emeritus in Surgery. He continued to teach at the university and abroad until he was in his 80s. 

Honorary Degree

Judy Heumann (HON '22), an advocate for disability rights, passed away in early March of 2023, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and love. 

School of Law

Lawrence Slattery (LAW ’82) passed away on February 17, 2022. He was loved and admired by his extended family, friends, classmates, and colleagues for his good nature, constant optimism, unparalleled intellect, genuine warmth, unaffected charm, biting humor, and his ability to tell a really good story. In his own words, he "had lived poetry".

Donald P. Spencer, Esq. (LAW ’80)

John M. Callagy (LAW ’69) was a graduate of Georgetown University and the New York University School of Law. He was a preeminent trial lawyer and trusted counsellor to leading companies and institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Ralph Lauren, Foot Locker, and the Archdiocese of New York, among countless others. He leaves behind the rich legacy of a thriving firm and countless lawyers who admired him, learned from him, and follow his example of professionalism, devotion to clients, and charitable work. 

Donald King (LAW ’63) passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022. Don earned several advanced law degrees and was a law professor at St. Louis University for more than 25 years. During his career he had written 12 legal textbooks, published over 100 law journal articles, and he was the founder of the International Academy of Commercial and Consumer Law. Don loved to travel and was able to make 4 different trips around the world, accomplishing 6 Continents in 40 days which included several extensive experiences and many cutting-edge opportunities. Don was recognized around the world as an expert in commercial and consumer law.

Claudine Siegel (LAW ’59) of Longboat Key, Florida died on February 13, 2020. She was 84- years-old. Claudine was an attorney who dedicated her legal career to representing indigent clients as the statewide head of the Family Unit for Connecticut Legal Services. She leaves behind her husband Allen, with whom she enjoyed a loving 62-year marriage, children Jonathan Siegel and Tamra Lichtman, daughter-in-law Michelle Girvan, son-in-law Scott Lichtman, grandchildren Eli and Kayla Lichtman and Zara Siegel, and sister and brother-in-law Nadine and Manny Schultz. Claudine Siegel was born May 23, 1935 to Abraham and Irene Friedman in Antwerp, Belgium. Claudine and her family escaped the Holocaust, leaving the day the advancing German army reached Belgium, and ultimately resettling in Manhattan.

Alvin A. Kabot (LAW ’57, ’63)

Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development

Nancy M. Key (STEINHARDT ’87)

Barbara Cashetta Knieter (STEINHARDT ’53) died on February 19, 2022. At the time of her attendance at NYU, the School of Education gave out the prestigious “Arch Award” for outstanding service and she was president of the art education organization “Pen and Pallette.”

Irving Gerber (STEINHARDT ’51)

Stern School of Business

Walter Zeh (STERN ’80)

Vincent Paul Dole III (STERN ’71), an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, passed away on October 25, 2020.  He is survived by his wife Genevieve Dole, his son and daughter-in-law Alexandre and Renee, his sister Susan Dole, and his brother Bruce Dole.

Wilfred G. Mango, Jr. (STERN ’70)

Robert Mondschein (WSC ’57, STERN ’68)

Erwin Coyner (STERN ’55)

John N. Shofi (STERN ’54)

Robert Sayre Lewis (STERN ’40) was the star of NYU’s basketball team in the late 1930s and the subject of a play produced by Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2019. He passed away at 104-years-old on July 2, 2022. Bob was a key player in the storied NYU Violets’ 18-1 record in the 1938-39 season and was captain of the team the following year. He was inducted into the NYU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tandon School of Engineering

David L. Bakalar (TANDON ’51)

Tisch School of the Arts

Brian E. Kohn (TSOA ’13)

Mark Traub (TSOA ‘80) died at 64 on Dec. 6 2022 from leukemia after an illustrious career at NBC as senior stage manager and back-up director for TODAY for 35 years.  He credited NYU and his teachers and friendships there with his success. His laughter, professionalism, and kindness will be truly missed.

Christine Goik (TSOA ’76)

Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service

Kiranteja Chadalawada (WAG ’15)