Obituaries
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Ruth Ann Paterson, 67, Administrative Coordinator, Academic Affairs, Boonshoft School of Medicine
Ruth deeply loved animals, especially dogs. She rescued three basset hounds, whom she loved and cared for like children. She will forever be remembered for her caring nature, generous spirit, and hardworking disposition. Ruth died on October 15, 2026.
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Martha Sue Reagan, 92, Accounts Payable
A private family gathering was held on Friday, October 16, with a Celebration of Life to be held in the Spring of 2027. Martha passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026, in her daughter’s home surrounded by family.
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Thomas W. Keller, 85, Director of Budgets and Regents Reporting
Tom was a founding member of the Raider Club. His enthusiasm for Wright State athletics continued for decades into retirement, as he regularly attended men’s and women’s sporting events across a wide variety of sports, always cheering on the Raiders. He died on October 9, 2026.
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David Michael Kender, 85, Senior Lecturer, Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering
During the Vietnam War, Mike flew nearly 400 combat hours as an MC-130E Electronic Warfare Officer. In 1970, he was was a mission planner and aircrew member for the prisoner-of-war rescue attempt at Son Tay, North Vietnam. David and his crew were awarded the Silver Star. He died Sept. 21, 2026.
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Ann Frances Scudmore, 86, Department Support Supervisor, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, & Physiology
Ann lived a life by modeling love, faith, and kindness which will continue in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She died September 2, 2026.
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Travis Edward White Doom, 55, Professor and Associate Dean, Computer Science and Engineering
An internationally recognized educator and recipient of the IEEE-CS Undergraduate Teaching Award, Travis Doom’s teaching and research emphasized undergraduate engineering education, digital systems, and data science. He said he would not mind being remembered as someone who spent “too much” effort on his teaching. He died on August 28, 2026.
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Nancy Curtis Kern, 93, Fordham Health Sciences Library, Interlibrary Loan Department
Nancy spent her professional life as a librarian, a career well suited to her love of journaling, learning, and helping others. She remained positive and upbeat, living by the words, “It’s A Good Life,” and shortly before she died on August 19, 2026, she said, “I’m A Lucky Girl.”
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Stephen Paul Foster, 79, University Librarian and Associate Vice President for International Affairs
Everyone who met Stephen Foster was struck by his intellectual prowess and his insatiable curiosity about the world. He was sometimes hazy about practical details, but his memory for facts was nearly flawless. He died on August 18, 2026.
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Robert Allen Wood, 75, Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts
Bob earned an undergraduate and master’s degree from WSU, where he worked for 34 years. His love of softball, gardening, march madness, grilling, hosting annual beer tastings for family and friends, and all things hot peppers, was only surpassed by his love of his grandchildren. He died August 10, 2026.
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Anna D. Bellisari, 86, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
A long time professor of anthropology at Wright State University, Anna had a strong appreciation of different cultures and spent countless hours at the Columbus Zoo, working with the primates, in particular a Chimpanzee named “Sheba.” Sheba left her mark on many family members. She died July 25, 2026.
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Barbara Elaine Hull, 76, Professor of Biological Sciences
Barbara Hull enjoyed ocean cruises including many trips to Alaska and Antarctica. She spent numerous summers hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Always the teacher, she frequently spent weekends at dog agility training practices and competitions over the years. She died on July 24, 2026.
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Teresa Faye Wood, 71, Physical Plant Administration
Teresa Wood graduated from Wright State University, where she worked for 34 years until she retired in 2005. Her love of horses, crime shows, puzzles, baking desserts, margaritas, Mardi Gras and gardening in her fairy garden; was only surpassed by her love of her grandchildren. She died on July 13, 2026
Upcoming Events
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Midterms 2026: What just happened?
Join us to discuss the election results with Lee Hannah, Ph.D., on Thursday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m. in Room 157 of the Student Union.
See what’s coming up in our Events Calendar