David S. Beall

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of David Strickland Beall on the 19th of March in his Hunters Creek Village, TX home, surrounded by his two loving children. David was born on the 5th of April, 1939 in Washington D.C., where he spent his childhood. He graduated from St. Albans School in 1957 and from Princeton University in 1961 with a degree in physics, where he was a fencer and a member of Charter Club.

David conducted several years of research in experimental space physics at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. He changed his career focus to computers, earning a Master's degree of computer science at The University of Wisconsin in 1972. He designed mostly technical software applications, including orientation control for a lunar orbiter and graphics database systems for engineering design.
 
David married Dorothy Irrgang in 1974. They moved to Houston where he and Dorothy lovingly raised their two children. He is survived by his son Christopher Strickland Beall, daughter-in-law Erin Weled Beall and grandson, daughter Katherine Beall Kingsbury, brother Gordon Beall, niece Kirsten Beall, and nephew Jack Beall. He is predeceased by his father Jack Beall, mother Bonita Wilson Beall, brother Jack Beall Jr., brother Alan Beall, sister-in-law Rosemary Irrgang Beall, and his devoted wife Dorothy Irrgang Beall who passed away in January 2022.  
 
David was an avid learner, reader, critical thinker, and passionate news follower. One could always count on a lively discussion on topics such as politics, world affairs, or more casual topics like cars, or sports. (David was a lifelong Washington Redskins fan!) He also greatly enjoyed music of all kinds, but held a particular interest in operas and classical music. He created a sanctuary space for his music collection and enjoyed listening to music while poring over a crossword puzzle. He was an amateur astronomer for some time and also enjoyed sailing in his younger years. A talented painter of oil paintings, David took pride in his art and won awards in high school under the instruction of his beloved teacher, Dean Stambaugh. Taking delight in his long term relationships forged with St. Albans and Princeton classmates, David kept in close contact with many dear friends, keeping them in his thoughts and close to his heart at all times. He made several road trips from Houston to the Washington D.C. area, particularly in the 2000’s, to visit treasured friends and to relive his glory days. Those trips delighted him and he cherished those memories with enormous fondness.

We are better for having known him; he will be deeply missed by all those he touched and loved.   Chris and Katherine are grateful for the final care given to him by Vantage Hospice and At Your Side. We also embrace Kim Bunma, nearly a family member, for decades of faithful service in our home.

Posted 3/26/23

Thomas F. Powers

Tom was born December 14, 1939 in Morristown, New Jersey to Patrick and Marjorie Powers. He was a member of the National Guard.

Tom married Ruth Pinches in 1995 and they spent time in New Jersey and Manhattan. Tom and Ruth moved to the Vail region of Colorado—the area they loved most for outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking—after Ruth’s retirement. Tom was a stock broker for many years.

He earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering at Princeton, where he joined Charter Club. His roommates were MacNeil, Lopez, Cy Adams, Baker and Merrill Burton.

He earned a Master’s of Business administration at Harvard, and then went into investment banking.

Tom is preceded in death by his dear companion Ruth and his parents. He is survived by his daughter Jenny Powers, sister in law Kay Moore and brother in law Charles Pinches.

Posted 3/6/23

Lawrence J. Landwehr

Lawrence spent his preschool years in Dallas, Texas, as well as with his beloved maternal grandparents at their ranch in western Kansas. He attended schools in Garden City, Kan., graduating valedictorian of his high school class. He then attended Princeton University for two years (he joined Cannon Club), Tulane University for one year, and was next accepted into the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder.

Upon graduation he practiced law in Colorado Springs. He and his first wife, Ann, were instrumental in establishing the Head Start Program in Colorado. Lawrence later took a position with Rockwell International in Orange County, Calif. He led a team of negotiators. Rockwell provided many components of the spaceship which first landed on the moon while he worked there. He next earned a doctorate at USC in Political Science. He and his family, which included wife, Ann, his daughter, Elaine, and son, Mark, then moved to Neenah, Wis., where Lawrence taught at UW Oshkosh. He later was a member of the Winnebago County Board and practiced Law. He next worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Sauk County, Wis, finally retiring in 2007.

After being divorced for a number of years he married his current wife, Eileen, on Sept. 6, 1997. He leaves behind his wife, daughter and son, two stepchildren and four grandchildren. Those who knew him appreciated his fine character and wonderful sense of humor. Lawrence is greatly missed.

A memorial service was held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Posted 3/6/23

William S. Rukeyser

The OPC and OPC Foundation are deeply dismayed to report that William Rukeyser, who founded Money magazine and served as managing editor of Fortune, died Aug. 16 in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the age of 83. The cause was lung cancer, his wife of 58 years, Elisabeth, said.

Bill was a veteran on the OPC Foundation board, an OPC member, and was one of the primary architects of the foundation’s financial strategy. He created the structure for the reserved funds that allowed the foundation to grow and add more scholarships. He also was a generous donor and served as a liaison with the Princeton Press Club at Princeton University. At Princeton Bill was an English major, a member of Campus Club, wrote for PAW and the Prince, and was President of the Press Club. He remained active as a senior advisor to the Press Club to the end of his life.   In Knoxville, where he lived, he was a former chair of the board of directors of the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Joseph Landsman, President and CEO, described how Bill was known for his collaborative relationship between administrators and physicians and how he believed that nurturing and preserving a shared sense of purpose was the basis of the success of the medical center.

“Bill was such a major force on our board,” said OPC Foundation President William J. Holstein. “We last saw him at a cocktail party for our winners in May, but he declined to take part in an online meeting of the Foundation’s annual finance committee in July, citing medical issues. We never knew how seriously ill he was.”

His wife said Bill began complaining of breathing difficulties but he blamed those on back problems that had plagued him for years. So he delayed being examined for possible cancer. When he was finally tested, doctors found a tumor on his right lung and the cancer had spread to his liver and bones. “He didn’t know about it until five weeks before he died,” Elisabeth said. He had a nurse at home who helped drain the fluid from his lung, but he was exhausted. Doctors offered to perform an operation but Bill decided to decline any further procedures. He died while in hospice at a hospital.

The Rukeysers had two children, James and Lisa, both in their 50s, and four grandchildren.

There will be no funeral. Elisabeth said it was her intention to organize a celebration of Bill’s life in Knoxville and possibly one in New York as well. The OPC Foundation has offered to host such a celebration in New York. Updates and details will be shared here.

Posted 1/21/23