1960s
1960s
William T. Herring, BS ’60, MD ’59, Aug. 16 in Carrollton, TX.
Anna L Waters Niederer, BBA ’60, passed away peacefully in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 31, 2020. She was born to Dr. Cooper (1936) and Mrs. Ann Waters on August 30, 1938 and was married to Dr. Ray Niederer (1960) for 50 years. She is survived by her children, Deborah N. Saxon (1987) and David Niederer (1990), their spouses, two grandchildren, and a beloved extended family.
Ruth Louise Parker, BM ’61, died on July 20, 2020, due to complications from diabetes. Ruth was born January 28, 1940, in Houston, Texas, to Reeves and Helen Jorden. Ruth spent her early years in Houston, Texas; Beeville, Texas; and Bellaire, Texas. She graduated from Bellaire High School in 1957. She then attended Baylor University, graduating in 1961. Ruth’s major at Baylor was in music, concentrating on sacred music. She was on the College Women’s Council; Alexander House Council president; Phi Beta Mu president; Mu Phi Epsilon secretary; Tau Beta Sigma vice president; and band. While at Baylor, she met Jim William Parker, whom she later married on June 3, 1961. On June 3, 2011, Ruth and Jim celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Ruth’s passion was caring for people and music. Her hands were rarely still, either in caring for others or playing the organ or piano for churches and special events. Ruth also gave private piano lessons at her home. Ruth’s working career included a local insurance company in Rosenberg, Joy Lutheran church in Richmond, the registrar at BF Terry High School, and the family business; Parker’s Rosenberg Cleaners until it was sold. Ruth's life was to be blessed by being a blessing to others with a giving Godly and serving spirit. Ruth’s favorite scripture was Joshua 24:15; . . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Ruth Parker was preceded in death by her husband Jim; by her parents O. Reeves Jorden and Helen G. Jorden; by her father-in-law and mother in-law; George B. and Mary Parker; and her daughter Jennifer Lynn Parker Holloway. Ruth is survived by her children Mike Parker, of Rosenberg, Texas; Tim Parker and wife, Lisa, of Ennis, Texas; and by her sister Valerie Evans and husband, Bob, of San Luis Obispo, California; and by her son-in-law Steve Holloway, of Wimberly, Texas; by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sylvia and Floyd Merryman; and by her sister-in-law, Susan Parker. Ruth is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchild: Eric Parker; Jason Parker; Susie Parker; Leon and Leah Fazzio IV; Great grandson, Noah Fazzio; nephews Randy Lane, Curtis Lane, and Curtis Olson; nieces Lenita and Madison Merryman. Memorial donations may be given in Ruth’s memory to American Diabetes Association, 7670 Woodway Drive, Unit 230, Houston, TX 77063, or online at www.diabetes.org/donate.
L. R. Chason, MA ’62, Sep. 23 in San Francisco, CA.
Dr. Robert Eldon Mastin, BS ’62, died Oct. 15, 2020, in Waco. Mastin was born May 17, 1940, in Harlingen, TX, to Harold and Tressie Mastin. His family moved to Corpus Christi, TX, where Robert met his sixth-grade teacher’s daughter, his future soul mate, Linda Forbes. Robert and Linda, BA ’61, attended Corpus Christi’s W.B. Ray High School, both graduating in 1958. The high school sweethearts married in 1960, when both were Baylor students. Robert earned a chemistry degree from Baylor and in 1966 graduated from Baylor College of Medicine, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. He started his medical career in the U.S. Navy, serving his internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Queens, NY, and his residency at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA. In 1971, he and Linda returned to Corpus Christi, where he served at the U.S. Naval Hospital until entering private medical practice in Corpus Christi in 1973. He delivered thousands of babies — often multiple generations of babies — and was dearly loved by his patients. Even after his 2011 retirement, Mastin continued to serve patients on mission trips to Uganda and Peru and in a free local clinic. Robert actively attended and served at First Baptist Church Corpus Christi as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, church trustee and Boy Scout Committee member. His faith and commitment to his church and his Lord inspired many and left a legacy of committed families still serving in the church. Baylor was another of Mastin’s passions, and many family traditions centered around Baylor festivities and traditions. As a result, Robert and Linda created quite a Baylor legacy. The couple and their children traveled to Waco for football games for decades. Once they retired to Salado, TX, they became regulars at men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball games, as well, along with other campus events. Robert and Linda were named 1990 Baylor Parents of the Year and 2018 Baylor Fans of the Year. All four of their children, two of their daughters-in-law and seven of their grandchildren attended Baylor, and the family’s Baylor legacy will definitely continue. Although he was a leader in his career and in his church, both paled in comparison to Mastin’s commitment to his family. As husband to one, Dad to four, Papaw to 11 and great-Papaw to one, loving and leading his family was Mastin’s highest priority. His constant and consistent love for his family, his patience and generosity for others and his commitment and uncompromising love for Linda served as an example to his family and established a strong family legacy. He especially felt the impact of his legacy each time his family gathered for Thanksgiving or Christmas. His family will be forever grateful for his loving example. Mastin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Linda Forbes Mastin; daughter Laura Gasiorowski, BBA ’85, and her husband Brian; daughter Lisa Love and her husband David; son Paul Mastin, BA ’91, PhD ’98, and his wife Kelly, BS ’92; son Mark Mastin, BS ’94, MS ’07, and his wife Regina, BS ’93; grandchildren Alyson (Ted), Drew, Katie, Evan, Jake, Elliot, Kirby, Kelsey, Zachary, Lindsay and Chloe; and great-granddaughter Luna.
Judith K. Jones, BA ’62, Aug. 4 in Clifton, VA.
Elizabeth G. Kelly, BA ’62, July 26 in Allen, TX.
Henry P. Bacot, BA ’63, Oct. 10 in Baton Rouge, LA.
James “Jim” Busby, BBA ’63, MBA ’73, of Woodway, TX, Oct. 16, 2019
John W. Cooke, BBA ’63, Aug. 19 in Carthage, TX.
Judy Lee Loehr, BM ’63, MS ’79, July 21 in Nashville, TN.
Billy S. Gullion, BBA ’64, Sep. 28 in McGregor, TX.
Milton R. Makowsky, BA ’65, Aug. 5 in Waco.
Kenneth C. Patton, BA ’65, of Pleasant Valley, NY, Sep. 28.
Robert Smoot Baldridge, BS ’66, died Aug. 28, 2020, at his home in Woodway, TX. Baldridge was born March 4, 1944, in Waco. He was the son of Drury Columbus Baldridge and Callie Angelina Smoot. He graduated from Temple [TX] High School in 1962. Baldridge earned an Associate in Arts at Temple Junior College before transferring to Baylor, where he earned a biology degree and met his future wife Cris Taylor, BA ’67, in a mythology class. He proposed in front of Judge Baylor’s statue, and they were married July 8, 1967. Baldridge earned a Master of Science and Ph.D. in entomology from Kansas State University. His studies of leaf hoppers and army ants earned him the nickname “The Bug Man.” Baldridge began his career as a college biology teacher at Schreiner College in Kerrville, TX. After five years in the Hill Country, he accepted a position at Baylor in 1978. He loved teaching and interacting with students and colleagues. Over the years, Baldridge received many letters from former students who went on to medical or graduate school, thanking him for teaching them to think critically. During his 41 years as a Baylor professor, he helped students learn to think on their feet. He was also a champion of Baylor faculty and academic causes, and he was selected by his colleagues to serve on the Baylor Faculty Senate for several terms. Baldridge was a man who always put his family first. He was adored by his sister Donna Kay, and they shared years of memories and a great love for their parents. Every year, they would compete to find the funniest birthday cards and delighted in their jokes. Baldridge had a great sense of humor and loved puns — a trait he passed to his daughter. He doted on his daughter Robyn, BA ’05, MA ’08, PhD ’12, and his son Ryan. Fishing at the lake was a favorite activity, and Baldridge loved to teach his kids how to “MacGyver” things that could be used to solve a problem. He was the best companion to have on a nature walk and could identify any animal or plant when asked — a superpower to his children. Every day before dropping off his kids at school, he would say, “Learn lots! Have fun!” Baldridge loved his wife Cris and always did his best to keep her and the rest of the family safe. Throughout his life, he cultivated and cherished many dear friendships, which were very important to him. He was a good and very ethical man who was not afraid to stand up for what he thought was right. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Cris Taylor Baldridge; sister Donna Kay Baldridge; daughter Robyn Baldridge Foster and her husband Malcolm; and son Ryan Baldridge (all of Waco). Other family members include Ray Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Ross Taylor, Doug and Betty Taylor, Ben and Susan Taylor, Stuart and Stephanie Gee, Gail Purks, Rebecca Gee, Jennifer Smith, Beth and Pat Musgrave, Jordan and Priscilla Musgrave, Taylor Musgrave, Travis Musgrave, Ruth Tilghman, and Halley Rae Taylor.
Jerry L. Beane, BA ’66, LLB ’67, July 31 in Hideaway, TX.
Aubrey S. Coyle, BBA ’66, July 23 in Waco.
Alfred Eugene “Gene” Leuschner, BS ’66, Aug. 6 in Affton, MO.
Charlotte K. Moody, BA ’67, Aug. 16 in Anderson, TX.
Sheryl R. Young, BA ’67, Sep. 22 in Dallas.
Barbara Y. Brewer, BA ’68, Sep. 18 in Crockett, TX.
Claudette L. Hinsley, BA ’68, Aug. 16 in Hewitt, TX.
Charles E. Schuerenberg, JD ’68, July 17 in Holly Lake Ranch, TX.
Lanny D. Smith, BA ’68, July 30 in Elizabethton, TN.
Harry Herbert Grant, BA ’69, Aug. 25 in Kerrville, TX.
Gary W. Harding, BBA ’69, Sep. 26 in Fort Worth.
Nancy L. Heinze, BA ’69, July 18 in Arlington, TX.
Michael F. Hildmann, BA ’69, MBA ’71, Aug. 3 in Quincy, IL.
Michael Jacobson, JD ’69, Oct. 16 in Atlantic City, NJ.
Thomas H. Korte, MHA ’69, Sep. 19 in San Antonio.