In Memory

When a member of our lifelong learning institute leaves us, we grieve together. If there is an OLLI member you would like to see remembered to the community, please contact OLLI: olli@humboldt.edu or 707-826-5880.

In memory of Edward Buzz Webb

Edward Buzz Webb (1939-2024) was Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus at Humboldt State University, having served at the university from 1976-1999. He was a longtime volunteer for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal Poly Humboldt, serving on the OLLI Finance & Fundraising Committee, and was a major OLLI donor, while recruiting many others to donate to the OLLI program. He also cheerfully volunteered to drive a bus full of OLLI members in fieldtrip classes around the county.

Before he died, Buzz wrote this about the joy in his life: "I am 86 years old and under Hospice care because of a terminal lung disease and house bound with 24-hour oxygen dependency. It might seem counterintuitive to submit this as joyous.

"Donald Hall, the New Hampshire poet and essayist wrote Out the Window from his family farmhouse. He, too, was house bound, but took pleasure in looking out his window watching the seasons change and the birds arrive and leave. Now I, too, am looking out my window watching nature. Reading is also a pleasure.

"The joy comes from looking back with few regrets at a full life: a satisfying career, back packing in the Sierra, traveling after retirement, watching my children and granddaughters grow and mature. But most of all being married for 64 years to the same person I met in high school.

"As we get older one gives up gracefully the activities we can no longer do — and we find new ones that better fit our capabilities. I guess that is where I am — with joy and contentment."

In Memory of Evelyn "Evie" Fuller

Evie Fuller, a retired teacher, was an active member of OLLI at Cal Poly Humboldt, taking many history, art, and nature classes. She was also a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, a supporter of local theater, an artist, a storyteller, a caregiver, and an accomplished home cook. See her full obituary in the Mad River Union.

In Memory of John Calloway

John Calloway was an OLLI member who quietly supported lifelong learning through taking classes and joining Friends of OLLI. His generosity has allowed OLLI to offer scholarships to other OLLI members, so the gift of lifelong learning with remain his legacy for years to come. He was a member of the OLLI Presidents' Club in the Friends of OLLI.

In Memory of JeDon & Patricia Emenhiser

JeDon Emenhiser retired as Professor Emeritus in 2009 from Cal Poly Humboldt, and taught for OLLI at Humboldt for several years. OLLI Friends Jae and Patricia are very missed. See their obituary.

In Memory of Terry Hofstra

OLLI at Humboldt lost a friend and faculty member in summer 2014. Terry Hofstra worked at Redwood National Park for 30 years as Chief of Resource Management and Science.

After he retired, Terry shared his expertise through teaching OLLI classes and offering true “behind the scenes” field trips to the National Park. OLLI members who attended his Mountain Lions and Bears courses learned more than they probably wanted to know about scat; however, they consistently listed that among the favorite aspects of the experience.

At the end of the course, as OLLI members loaded back on the vans to return to town, Terry presented each participant with a casting of a mountain lion or bear paw print he had personally created.

Terry is remembered as a mountain of a man with a beaming smile, an endless sense of humor and graceful giving heart.

In Memory of Dr. Joanna Marcuz

Dr. Joanna Marcuz filled the community with her thoughtfulness, laughter and generosity. She was a member of the OLLI Presidents' Club in the Friends of OLLI. OLLI at Humboldt is forever grateful for her donation of the loop system for the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center and other gathering spaces throughout our community. Dr. Marcuz's legacy will live on forever in the many lives she touched and the joy she shared. See her obituary.

In Memory of Maclyn McClary

Mac McClary taught journalism at Humboldt for 45 years. He was a major force in the development of journalism education in Northwestern California. Mac officially retired in 2002, but taught in the OLLI program since its inception. He and his wife Ann were active and involved OLLI members. Mac’s media classes were very popular, extending his reputation nearly 60 years, as one of Humboldt’s favorite instructors.

Full Obituary -- MACLYN HOWARD McCLARY: Mac died October 31, 2015. He was 78. "Professor Mac," as he liked to be known, taught journalism at Humboldt for 45 years. He was a major force in the development of journalism education in Northwestern California. He joined the department when it had only a few majors and helped build it into a nationally recognized program. He was a supporter of an independent student newspaper, the department magazine, paid internships, and a new broadcast news curriculum. He was active in faculty governance. McClary was born in Oakland, CA on Nov. 29, 1936. He graduated from Pomona College with a degree in government and from UCLA with a master's in journalism. He was a daily newspaper reporter and news editor in Los Angeles before coming to Humboldt in 1967. Mac was recognized in 1984 as California Outstanding Journalism Professor of the year by the CNPA. He was also named to the Northern California Journalism and Broadcasting Hall of Fame and was honored by the Humboldt Disabled Students program, the Humboldt Library, and the General Faculty. He published widely and presented papers internationally, particularly as part of the University of South Carolina's First-Year Experience program. He was the author of the text, "Issues in Journalism." He was proud of his teaching evaluations, reflecting his reputation as one of Humboldt's favorite instructors. Mac officially retired in 2002 but continued to teach part-time and in the Humboldt OLLI program. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann Parker Chamberlain who was his college sweetheart, two sons, Howard and his wife Lori, John and his partner Jackie, grandsons Tucker and Maxwell and his wife Lindsey, his brothers, Michael and Louis, and others. Mac ran 21 marathons between l979 and l990, including officially finishing Boston. He was a member of the Six Rivers Running Club and the Six Rivers Masonic Lodge, which honored him in 2013 for 50 years as a Mason.

In Memory of Sue MacConnie

Sue served as a longtime and beloved member of the OLLI Curriculum Committee, and was a dedicated Friend of OLLI. She will be deeply missed by her community, family, and friends. See her obituary here.

In Memory of Nancy McQuillen

Nancy McQuillen taught storytelling classes in the OLLI program for three years before moving out of the area. Many OLLI at Humboldt members will remember the OLLI Tellabration event Nancy organized in 2012. Nancy was an active member of the Chamber Readers and the owner of Surrey on the Fringe in Ferndale.

Theodore "Ted" Van Duzer

Ted was a dedicated Friend of OLLI. See his obituary here.