In Memoriam 2016 – 2018
James Michael Booth
Jim Booth, who served the University for 18 years as the vice president for finance until his retirement in 2014, passed away on May 4. Booth made a significant and long lasting contribution to the University. He worked for three presidents, Dr. Joseph McFadden, Fr. Michael Miller, CSB, and Dr. Robert Ivany. He was loved and well respected by those in the UST and Houston community.
Charles Burnett III
Long-time supporter of the University, Charles Burnett III, died in a tragic helicopter accident on Jan. 17, 2018, along with four other individuals. Burnett established the Burnett Family Distinguished Chair in Leadership in honor of his parents. He also generously provided scholarship support to many students over the years as well as funded a series of distinguished speakers, which included Roy Bennett, opposition leader from Zimbabwe, who also perished with his wife in the accident. We will forever be grateful for Burnett’s generosity and friendship to the University.
Fr. Robert William Crooker, CSB
Rev. Robert William Crooker, CSB, peacefully passed away in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2018. Fr. Crooker taught at the University of St. Thomas from 1980-1987, and again from 1992 until his final retirement to Toronto in 2013. He was dean of the School of Theology and vice president of finance. His interim postings were in Sugar Land and to the Diocese of Las Cruces, N.M. He served on the Board of Directors at UST for many years and received an honorary doctorate in 2012. Fr. Crooker had a great impact on UST and will be greatly missed.
William J. Cunningham
Associate Professor Emeritus and Former Director of the Center for International Studies (1982–1992) William Cunningham died on March 16, 2018, shortly after the passing of his wife Patricia. Professor Cunningham pioneered international education in Houston and, for more than 25 years after his retirement, continued to mentor international studies faculty and students. With the support of the Cunninghams, the Center launched the Distinguished Diplomat Program in 2013. We celebrate his friendship, legacy of service and dedication to generations of UST and CIS students.
Carol Peavy
Carol Peavy, best known at UST for her love and support of the nursing program died on Feb. 9, 2017, at the age of 82. A former nurse and UST nursing school faculty member, Peavy, along with her husband, Odis Peavy, were instrumental in the reopening of the nursing school in 2012. The Peavys contributed the first multi-million gift to start the school, which was officially named in their honor. Their gifts over the years have provided critical support for UST and for an endowment that will benefit the nursing program in perpetuity, ensuring that Peavy’s legacy, vision and personal dedication lives on at UST. Hill/Holcombe Family
Hill/Holcombe Family
The UST community extends condolences to alumna Catherine “Bud” Chanoine Todd ’09 on the loss of several family members (the Hill/Holcombe family) who were victims of the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2017.
2018
James Michael Booth 5/4/2018
Albert Thomas “Tom” Fanning 4/2018
William Cunningham 3/16/18
Frances Buentello 3/9/18
Patricia Cunningham 3/2018
Paul Krystofiak 3/2018
Shirley Ann Barloon 2/15/18
Sue Young 2/2/18
Sammy Phillip Ditta 1/30/18
Theodore Dinerstein 1/23/18
Charles Burnett III 1/17/18
Rev. Robert Crooker 1/6/18
2017
Dr. Louie Galloway 12/29/17
Eugenia Torres 12/19/17
Marianne Nowicki 11/25/17
Hill/Holcombe Family 11/17
Soledad Romo 10/23/17
Dr. Robert Rodriguez 10/17/17
Harry Butler 10/14/17
Myungja Yoo 10/11/17
Chih-Chun Su 10/3/17
Patricia Bourgal Faubert 8/15/17
Jack Thornton 8/13/17
Rita Wolff 8/13/17
Dr. Anna Dewald 8/11/17
Dr. Paul Knopp 8/10/17
Dr. Margaret Hutchinson 7/24/17
William H. Fell 6/4/17
Rennie Gray 6/2017
Marion Bell 2/14/17
Daniel James Hennessy 2/13/17
Stella Cottrell 2/12/17
Margarita Palacio Velez de
Torres 2/9/17
Carol Peavy 2/9/17
Matthew Goodstein 2/2017
Mary Signorello 1/26/17
Searcy Wade McCormack 1/13/17
Rita Winter 1/12/17
Dr. John Deely 1/7/17
Raul Humberto Cardenas 1/2/17
2016
Rev. George Hosko 12/25/16
Steve Mandry 12/22/16
Victoria Ann Seger 12/20/16
Patti Spain 12/11/16
Mary Muegge 12/8/16