James E. Brandeberry
Founding Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science
James E. Brandeberry was an instrumental part of fundraising and designing the Russ Engineering Center and the Joshi Research Center at Wright State. His legacy lives on in the Brandeberry Career Development Center, named in his honor, which is housed in the Joshi Research Center.
Brandeberry died on Sept. 7, 2018, in his home. He was 78. His wife, three daughters, five grandchildren, one sister, one brother, and several nieces and nephews survive him. He and his wife were married for 56 years.
“We in the college are deeply saddened by the news of Dean Brandeberry’s passing. Directly or through the legacy of his work and contributions, he has had a profound impact on all of us within the college, the broader Wright State community, and the Dayton region,” said Brian Rigling, Ph.D., interim dean for the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “His presence changed the landscape of the fields of engineering and computer science in the Miami Valley, and the alumni of the college that he first led will be impacting communities around the globe for generations to come.”
In 1969, Brandeberry began a 36-year career at Wright State as a professor in the electrical engineering department. He helped launch the university’s computer science department, became its chair, left to work in the private sector, but returned a year later and was named the founding dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science in 1986. In retirement, he opened Brandeberry Winery and was affectionately known as the “Lil’ Olde Winemaker.” He continued his love for teaching by sharing his knowledge of wine and serving as a mentor to many. He was an avid gardener and loved spending time with his family.
Kelly Brandeberry, one of Jim’s three daughters, said her father’s “integrity and honesty in everything he did and with everyone he met caused people to have such a deep respect and love for him.”
“He had two wonderful careers that he loved. And in both he loved to teach. He was a teacher at heart. Whether he was teaching engineering at Wright State or winemaking at the winery, it’s what made him tick. He was an open book and loved to share his knowledge.”
Memorial contributions may be made to the James and Sharon Brandeberry Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Julián Gómez Cambronero
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Throughout his life, Julián Gómez Cambronero carried out extensive scientific work. He was the director of the hematology course and a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology. He conducted outstanding work in the fight against cancer, such as discovering a key protein that plays a critical role in the development of breast cancer tumors and the spread of disease to the nearby lungs.
Cambronero died on Nov. 12, 2018, in Dayton. He was 59. The mayor of his hometown, Manzanares, Spain, said that his passing is “an irreparable loss for the entire world,” and it will soon be recognizing Cambronero as a figure “who must always be present in our town.”
Born in Manzanares, Ciudad Real, Spain, Cambronero was fascinated with science and the physical universe, leading him to complete his Ph.D. in biochemistry and immunology at the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, in 1986. He immigrated with his wife Teresa and son David to the United States, having been granted a rare “Einstein Visa.”
Cambronero began work at Wright State in 1995 as a tenure-track assistant professorship in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. He was named an honorary professor at Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China, in 2012 and was awarded the title of Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research in 2013. Additionally, he received the Professional Achievement “Sembrador” Award from the City of Manzanares in 2004 and was named as the “Hijo Predilecto” in 2014.
Cambronero secured more than $6 million in research funding from National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and other agencies. He authored about 100 peer-reviewed publications, presented more than 60 abstracts at various conferences, and reviewed manuscripts for more than 20 scientific journals and for the NIH.
Cambronero’s legacy will continue to make science available to the general public with his “Walk through the Solar System,” a scale model of the solar system, where representations of the sun and the planets have been positioned along a path throughout a public park in Manzanares, Spain, which was inspired by his time spent helping his daughter, Julia, with her science homework.
Julia, named after her father, graduated summa cum laude from Wright State last spring with degrees in acting and Spanish. She said her father was the most brilliant man she will ever meet and always had a smile for everyone.
“My heart has been broken into as many pieces as there are stars in the cosmos,” she said. “I love you until the numbers stop, Dad. Say ‘hi’ to Carl Sagan for me.”
Barbara "Jean" Denney
Assistant Director of Disability Services
For 31 years, Barbara “Jean” Denney mentored and encouraged students in roles at Wright State as adapted recreation coordinator in disability services, director of campus recreation, and associate director of disability services. She was a devoted and passionate student advocate, impacting many students through the years. These students have gone on to become professionals in their fields.
Denney died on Oct. 6, 2018. She was 64. Throughout her life, she battled various forms of cancer and celebrated being a survivor of breast cancer for 25 years. She was an inspiration and a role model to all who fight the disease. She maintained a bright smile, a big heart, and a hearty laugh.
Born April 8, 1954, in Dayton, Denney graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in recreational leadership and health, physical education, and recreation. She received an M.A. in adapted physical education and student affairs in higher education from Wright State while working as a graduate teaching assistant and adjunct instructor.
Always the prankster, Denney traveled with a suitcase filled with silly props to elevate the level of fun for any occasion. She embraced life, never fearing it. She loved the Ohio State Buckeyes, travel, golfing, birding, camping, and time spent with her friends. Denney thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and taught backpacking classes at Kettering Adult School.
She has donated her body to the Anatomical Gift Program at Wright State.
Thomas A. Knapke
Dean, Lake Campus
Thomas A. Knapke was a strong supporter of Wright State’s Lake Campus since 1977. He served as dean from 1979 to 1983. Additionally, he taught business classes while also serving as the director of the Small Business Enterprise Center from 1983 to 2001. In 1995, Knapke became M.B.A. advisor and interim assistant dean as well as assistant dean for development until his retirement in 2006.
Knapke died on Oct. 4, 2018, at his home in St. Marys, Ohio. He was 76. After his retirement, he was the chair of the Capital Campaign Committee that spearheaded fundraising to renovate the Lake Campus in 2007, and was the driving force to create the campus’ first residential unit in 2010.
Born on October 23, 1941, in Coldwater, Ohio, Knapke was a firm believer in higher education and lifelong learning.
Knapke received his B.A. from the University of Dayton. He taught and coached at Marion Local Schools and earned his M.B.A. at Ball State in 1968. He was the athletic director and principal at Marion Local and became superintendent of Minster Schools and then Parkway Schools. He earned his Ph.D. in education administration from Bowling Green State University in 1981.
Throughout his life, Knapke was a tremendous force for leading positive change in his community. He was especially committed to ensuring future generations the opportunity to enjoy natural resources.
Memorials can be made to the Thomas A. and Ann K. Knapke Scholarship through the Western Ohio Educational Foundation at Wright State University–Lake Campus.
Randall S. Paul
Professor and Director of the School of Music
Randall S. Paul left a legacy of inspired teaching for hundreds of his beloved students. He was a kind, compassionate, and selfless colleague, and his leadership will serve as an inspiration for years to come.
Paul died on Aug. 19, 2018. He was 62. All who knew him will miss his sense of humor, his positive outlook, and most of all, his exuberant laughter. He was a renowned performer and performed all over the world, including the Virgin Islands, Canada, Korea, China, and Japan. He performed at numerous prestigious venues, including the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, and the Lincoln Center Bruno Walter Auditorium. His debut performance at Carnegie Hall received critical acclaim in The New York Times.
In 1988, Paul was promoted from adjunct to professor of clarinet and was appointed director of the Wright State School of Music in 2011.
Paul served as the Ohio chairperson for the International Clarinet Association and appeared frequently at the Ohio Music Educators’ Convention as a performer and clinician.
A renowned performer, he was soloist and conductor at the International Clarinet Association Convention, the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, the International Flute Association Convention, and the World Saxophone Congress, and performed on several nationally distributed recordings.
Memorials can be made to the Randall S. Paul Music Scholarship Fund, which will benefit students in the School of Music.
Scot G. Woolley
Professor of Theatre Arts
Scot Gregory Woolley passed away suddenly on January 26, 2019, at the age of 60. He was primarily known across the Miami Valley for his associations with the Human Race Theatre Company and Wright State University.
At the time of his death, Scot was serving in his seventh year as music director at Wright State. In addition to last fall’s Crazy for You, he also conducted Grand Hotel, Hot Mikado, Les Misérables, No, No, Nanette, and Fiddler on the Roof, among many others.
“Scot was one of the most influential and revered teachers in this department,” Joe Deer, chair of Wright State’s Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures, told the Dayton Daily News. “His mastery of every style of musical theatre and most popular music made him an invaluable aid to our students. His ability to conduct singers and musicians with precision and passion elevated every production he was involved with. He was a lover of theatre lore and all of show business, with wonderful stories and a joyful laugh at the most scandalous and risqué of them. He was a great friend, confidante, and one of the finest artists to walk these halls.”
He was also a great musical arranger, a vocal coach, and an adjunct instructor at the University of Cincinnati. He had worked on Broadway, played on the historic showboat Majestic, and was a five-year member of the Normal Luboff Choir.
Memorials can be made to the Scot Woolley Piano Fund.
FAREWELLS
2000s–2010s
- Lisa Evette Butler ’06
- Sheryl Anne Cantu ’02
- Jeffery Allen Casteel ’07
- Tamara Kay Dallenbach ’00, ’02
- Ryan A. Devilbiss ’08
- Michael S. Faucher ’05, ’07
- Victoria Diane Luna ’02
- Dr. Aimee Ann Racz ’05
- Simone Nicole Smith-Jones ’06
1990s
- Virginia Lee Barker ’91
- Shelly Ann Black ’90
- Dale Anthony Brookhart ’90
- James P. Cowell ’90
- Dr. Candice Beth Flaugher ’94
- Virginia Jo Havens ’92
- Alycia Eileen Lee ’96, ’02
- Susan Marceil Lightcap ’94
- Gregory Charles Nangle ’96
- Jerry Randall Neff ’90
- James Frank Parker ’90
- Buck Allen Truitt ’96
1980s
- Maria Bernadette Adams ’87, ’87
- Dr. John Benard Arbaugh ’89
- Feryl Virginia Ely ’85
- Madonna Jean Fischer ’89
- Gaylee M. Foley ’80
- Avril Margaret Garscadden ’86, ’88
- Raymond Thomas Griffin ’80
- Dr. Alan Eugene Herner ’80, ’80, ’11
- June E. Johnson ’80
- Donald Eugene Kinsler ’87
- Corina E. Merker ’81
- Daniel J. O’Kane ’81
- Anthony A. Pestona ’81
- Mary Lee Runyan ’82
- Dr. Ralph Joseph Smith ’83
- Dr. Nedra Soltow ’86
- Joyce Marie Thornberry ’87
- Mary Wilma Troxwell ’82
- Sheryl Lee Virts ’80
1970s
- Vernon F. Brannon, ’75
- Teresa Ann Buchanan ’79 ’86
- Geraldine N. Drefke ’72
- Patrick Carl Hershey ’70, ’84
- Mary Jane Huber ’74
- Garry Lee Johnson ’73, ’77
- David B. Lemming ’73
- Wayne O. Maurer ’73, ’74
- June Ellen Meitz ’72, ’74
- Harry L. Rudy ’77
- Amelia Joan Sanner ’79
- Jeff P. Schmitt ’76
- Shirley M. Shroer ’71
- Michael G. Scott ’74
- Robert H. Stamper ’76
- Jack R. Stroman ’75
- Kathleen M. Stroup-Kasper ’76
- Julie Ann Van Nuys ’73, ’84
1960s
- Susan Lynne Stiller ’68
Faculty and Staff
- James Whitman Agna
- Elli Bambakidis ’79, ’83
- James E. Brandeberry
- Cecile Cary
- Barbara “Jean” Denney ’02
- Mary Donahoe
- Carol Haskell Dowling
- John W. Ellison
- John F. Fleischauer
- R. Kent Goodin
- Julián Gómez Cambronero
- Paul R. Griffin ’73
- John Thomas Holm ’93
- Rena Kay
- Thomas A. Knapke
- Clyde Edward Mallory, Sr.
- Shirley Monnin
- Walter Morgan
- Barbara Lee (Brown) Musselman ’69
- Randall S. Paul
- Paul Schreibman
- Frances “Frankie” Spence
- JoAnn Topmiller
- Celesta Ann Warner
- Scot Woolley