Ever since his teen years, Edward Plonka ’78 had a soft spot for the elderly and volunteered at local nursing homes. Naturally, he became a doctor specializing in geriatrics and was known for his kindness and compassionate approach to aging. He also taught a biology of aging course for many years at SCU and after […]

Born and raised in Watsonville, Calif., Judith Signorino MBA ’78 spent most of her life there before traveling around the world as a controller for tech companies. During her time living in England, she loved taking trips across Europe, especially to Germany. After a 40-year career, she retired as director of finance from Cypress Semiconductors. […]

Paul E. Hardy, Jr. ’78, a gifted musician, avid fly-fisherman, celebrated baseball player, loving father, brother and son died on December 31, 2023 after a lifelong battle with Crohn’s Disease. He is survived by his mother, Lois O’Meara Hardy, and siblings including Monica Whaley ’82.

At a young age, Sally Ostini ’78 became interested in special education. By high school, she volunteered to provide such services along the Central Coast with the Tri-Counties Regional Center. Sally went on to spend 40 years as a beloved special education teacher in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. She was an active member of […]

It was love at first sight when Debbie Virga and Michael G. Virga ’78 J.D. ’81 met. Although they attended the same high school, it wasn’t until they were in college until they started their 40-year-journey together. In 1994, Michael was elevated to the Sacramento County Superior Court, filling his father’s seat. He then served as […]

George Charles Heeg ’55 MS ’78 died peacefully at home on January 20th at the age of 87. Born in San Francisco, George was a proud alumnus of St. Cecilia Elementary School, St. Ignatius High School, and Santa Clara University. George was heavily involved with the Mission Santa Clara 10 a.m. Community from 1981 until […]

After earning his bachelor’s in music at SCU, Donald Hutchinson ’78 went on to earn masters’ degrees in both composition and arts management. But a high-tech recruiter who sought musicians for their analytical, logical, and methodical aptitude put him on his career in computers. Don and his wife, Margaret Hutchinson ’84, raised their son in the […]

Mike Gurley ’78 was born November 10, 1956, a few minutes ahead of his twin brother, Steve. He grew up in the East San Jose foothills and was involved in 4H, remaining friends with some members for all his life. Mike graduated from James Lick High School and was among the 5% of his graduating class […]

After retiring from the corporate world, Winston Wood MBA ’78 was a founding member of Slow Food Marin County along with his wife Gail Ohlendorf. He also played golf, tennis, and pickleball, and volunteers throughout the Novato community. He is survived by Gail, his sons from his first marriage, and his grandchildren.

When Matthew R. Nachtwey ’78 traveled to Vienna as a third-year study abroad student, he found a city and language he loved, developed a passion for history and travel, and meet Maria the woman he’d marry in Budapest in 1987 and share an American-born daughter, Claire Marie. Matthew went on to pursue a Clinical Counseling […]

Michael Brian ’78, MBA ’82 died June 14, 2020 in Walnut Creek. He had attended De la Salle High School in Concord and studied abroad in Vienna in 1976, during his time at Santa Clara. His siblings and nieces and nephews survive him.

Therese Caveney M.A. ’78 died peacefully on March 21, 2018, and was preceded in death by her husband, Robert David Caveney ’57, M.S. ’68. She is survived by sons Robert, Timothy, Michael, James, David, and John; sisters Marie Straw and Anne Severs, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Jeanine Diane (Owen) Tucker ’78, J.D. ’81 was born on Nov. 2, 1956, in Reno, Nevada, to her loving parents, Orville Owen and Lois Elaine Owen (Shields) of Santa Clara, CA. Jeanine grew up in Santa Clara, in the heart of Silicon Valley, and graduated “Outstanding Scholar of the Year” from Buchser High School in 1974. […]

It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Peter Kay Wheadon ’78 was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and passed away at the age of 82 on July 17, 2019. He was loved and cherished by many people, including his wife, Sydney H. Wheadon (Dyal); his children, Robert Wheadon, Bruce Wheadon (Jennie), Bret […]

Harriet Holles ’78 was born in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, on March 23, 1933, the daughter of Harry and Agnes Fandel Holles. She entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary congregation on Sept. 8, 1953, from St. Walter Parish, Roselle, Illinois, professing her first vows on March 19, 1956, and final vows on July 16, 1961. As […]

Robert L. Trouard MBA ’78 was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 24, 1936. Bob graduated from Tulane University with a B.S. in engineering and went on to receive a master’s in engineering from Stanford and an MBA from SCU. In addition to being a loving husband and wonderful father, he enjoyed a 32-year […]

Gene R. Wilson ’78 was born on May 18, 1928, in Charleston, West Virginia, to Luther Lee and Hilda (Lawson) Wilson. The family later moved to Cleveland, where he was raised. He entered the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in 1950. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and was […]

Kathryn “Kati” Lindbloom Renner M.A. ’75, MBA ’78 was born on Oct. 15, 1941, in Chicago to Arthur and Dorothy Lindbloom. Kati attended schools in Chicago, graduating from Morgan Park High School. She attended colleges in Southern Illinois and Santa Clara University, earning a B.A. in geography, M.A. in communication, and an MBA. While on […]

Born in Portland, Oregon, Terry Michael McCoy J.D. ’78 was a 1970 graduate of Washington High School in Fremont, where he met his future wife, Sharon (Satterlee Bumala). He earned his B.A. in political science at UC Santa Barbara in 1974 and his J.D. from SCU in 1978, becoming a licensed attorney in California and […]

Susan Alexandra Raffo ’78 was born in Lawton, Oklahoma. In her youth, she lived in Japan, Virginia, and in her beloved Dallas, Texas. She attended Ursuline Academy of Dallas, where she was a proud member of the class of 1974. Following graduation, she attended Santa Clara University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in business, followed by […]