Obituaries
-
Nicholas Piediscalzi, 95, Professor of Religion
Nick Piediscalzi founded and was the first chair of the Department of Religious Studies. He had a distinguished teaching career that included directing the Master of Humanity Program and creating the Public Education Religious Studies Center. He died on July 1, 2026.
-
William Feld, 81, Professor of Chemistry
Bill supervised more than 85 master’s theses. He kept in touch with numerous students all over the world. He held six patents for his battery research and continued consulting, even after his retirement. He died on May 3, 2026.
-
Simegnish Hunegnaw, 82, Data Control Technician, CaTS
Simegnish Hunegnaw was the heart of the Ethiopian community and a source of strength for so many others. She loved deeply, cooked beautifully, cherished her injera, and will remain in our hearts forever. She died on April 28, 2026.
-
Alyce Earl Jenkins, 90, Associate Professor of Education
A history maker and highly decorated leader in the field of rehabilitation counseling and education, Alyce served on numerous local, state, and national organizations, including the Governor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities, Clark State Board of Trustees, Ohio Counselors and Social Workers Board, and the National Rehabilitation Counselor Association. She died on April 17, 2026.
-
Jean McConville Payne, 70, Data Collection Specialist, Fels Longitudinal Study
Jean was a long-time volunteer for the local Yellow Springs Cable Access channel 5 and active member of the Yellow Springs Historical Society, contributing to YS Historical Society with artwork and cataloging their collections. She died on April 1, 2026.
-
Bonnie J. Grooms, 85, Community Health Advocate, Center for Healthy Communities
Bonnie’s love and devotion to her family, her wonderful sense of humor, and generosity will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She died on March 22, 2026.
-
Luisa Lang Owen, 90, Associate Professor of Art Education
Luisa was a storyteller, a creative powerhouse and fearless in her convictions, able to see beyond politics and brilliant in understanding and expressing nuance. Her memoir as a girl in the death camp. Casualty of War, a Childhood Remembered, was published in the early 2000s. She died March 3, 2026.
-
Paul Demitro Pushkar, 89, Professor, Geological Sciences
Paul led many BULL MOOSE geologic expeditions, field work, mapping, visiting mines and geologic sites across USA, Canada and Mexico, as well as volcanic sampling in the Caribbean. He died on February 12, 2026.
-
Wetona Elaine “Toni” Walchner, 76, Business Manager, Research and Sponsored Programs
Toni worked in business administration at Wright State for 19 years. Toni was known for her love of family, her infectious laugh, and devotion to her dogs and grandpups. She died on December 24, 2025.
-
Glorial J. Sickles, 78, Executive Secretary, Food Service
She dedicated many years of service to Wright State University, where she was named she was named Employee of the Year. She died on December 22, 2025.
-
Michael Ondrasek, 82, Instructor, Computer Sciences
Col. Ondrasek served his nation with honor in the US Air Force for 28 years, including service during Vietnam and Desert Storm. His exceptional service earned him multiple military decorations. He died on Dec. 4, 2025.
-
Barbara Murphy, 86, Professor of Nursing
Barbara was a world traveler with her stepdaughter Sean. She also enjoyed travel closer to home and in Europe with friends and family; attending music performances; watching OSU football, and was an animal lover. She died on November 12, 2025.
Upcoming Events
-
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