In memoriam

Frank Benz, who served as RIT vice president of business and finance from 1959-70, died May 20, 2003. Mr. Benz began his career at RIT in 1955, and was instrumental in building the Henrietta campus and in bringing NTID to RIT. He is survived by his wife, Jackie, a daughter, Dr. Nicolle Benz, and a son, F. Paul Benz III. . .

Donald Hoppe, who worked at RIT from 1952 until his retirement in 1987, died Aug. 29, 2003, in a boating accident. The retired RIT registrar was 79. A World War II veteran, Mr. Hoppe lived in the Rochester area . . .

Shirley Panara, wife of NTID professor emeritus Robert Panara and a long-time supporter of the college and its programs, passed away July 16, 2003, at age 80. Mrs. Panara was a librarian at the Library of Congress and the Rochester School for the Deaf. She was founder and president of Eastern Deaf Women’s Bowling Association. Donations may be made in her name to the NTID Performing Arts Fund . . .

Wendy Wyland VanDerWoude, who was beginning her first season as the men’s and women’s swimming coach, died Sept. 27. She was 38. An Olympic bronze medalist diver in the 1984 Los Angeles Games and a 1982 world champion, Ms. VanDerWoude earned many awards and honors during her career as an athlete and was named one of People magazine’s 50 most beautiful people in 1990. She served as the diving coach last year and was the pool manager for RIT. A native of the Rochester area, Mrs. VanDerWoude is survived by her husband, David Wyland, her daughter, Abigayle, and stepdaughter, Carley; her mother and father, Beth and Vernon R. Wyland; a brother and two sisters.