Deceased Crusaders

It’s always heartbreaking to lose a member of our BAHS family, but the bonds we forged and the memories we created together ensure they will never be forgotten. In their honor, we’ve created a space where we can come together to celebrate their lives and share the moments that made them so special to us.

This forum is a place for us to remember the laughter, the friendships, and the experiences that shaped our time at Bonn American High School. Whether it’s a funny story, a life-changing conversation, or simply a memory that still brings you joy, we invite you to share these cherished moments with the BAHS community. Together, we can keep their legacy alive in our hearts and continue to connect through the shared history that makes our alumni family so unique.

Let’s keep their spirits alive—because they will forever be part of who we are. Here´s a list of deceased alumni from Bonn American High School on the Rhein, organized by class: As of 2024

Students

Class of 1968

• Pamela Heinz Porter
  (Died: January 28, 2018)
  Years in Bonn: 1966–1969

Class of 1969

• Janet Gauthier
  Years in Bonn: 63-65
• Tim Berger
  Years in Bonn: before ’68
  graduated in Wiesbaden High because the school in Bonn only went to 10th grade at that time.

Class of 1970

• Dee Hurst
  Years in Bonn: 67-72
• Lynn Ellis
  Years in Bonn: 66-69

Class of 1971

• Mike Mayhew
  Years in Bonn: …
• Susie Hoefler
  Years in Bonn: 65-70

Class of 1972

• Dr. Rebecca J. Shoden
  (Died: September 19, 2021, in Albuquerque, New Mexico)
  Years in Bonn: TBD
• Nils Urmas
  (Died: October 14, 2021)
  Years in Bonn: TBD
• Charlie Bennett
  Years in Bonn: 70-72
• Mike Ellis
  Years in Bonn: 66-69
• Tom Krisher
  Years in Bonn: 71-72
• Karin Hahn
• Paul Leytem

Class of 1973

• Steve Taylor
  Years in Bonn 70-72?
  Died in December 2018
• Mike DeSanto
  Years in Bonn: 63-73
• Ronald “Rocky” Hughes
  Years in Bonn: 64-71
• Mike Lauderdale
  Years in Bonn: 72-73
• Leonard McConnell
  Years in Bonn: 71-73
• David Whaley
  Years in Bonn: 71-73

Class of 1974

• Karen Lantto
  (Died: May 31, 2016)
  Years in Bonn: 1971–1974
• Nan Cusick
  (Died: August 6, 2020)
  Years in Bonn: 1971–1973
• Janet Holimon
  Passed away in 2023

Class of 1975

• Assaf Ben Horin
  (Died: February 17, 2000, from a heart attack)
  Years in Bonn: 1973 – 1975
  He was a Psychiatrist and left a wife and 3 children.
• Christopher Wolsky
  Years in Bonn: 72-75
• Carter Allner
  Years in Bonn: 64-68
• Mark Joseph Eblan
  Years in Bonn: 65-67
• Karen (Goldberg) Dinkin
  Years in Bonn: 67-70
• Ronald Gutherie
  Years in Bonn: 73-75
• Laurie Striker
  Years in Bonn: 66-71
• Simon Ungers
  Years in Bonn: 74-75

Class of 1976

• Jim Sorah
  Passed away on the heels of a great reunion in 2024
  Years in  Bonn: 1972 to 1975
• Tami McGinnis
  Years in  Bonn: …-76
• Steve Forris Kimbrough
  November 7,1958 – January 5, 2010
  (Killed in a traffic accident)
  Years in Bonn: 74-76
• Diana Krisher
  Years in Bonn: circa 71-73 (Died in ’74 in high school.)
• Jeff McClelland
  Years in Bonn: 70-76
  (Jeff passed away in 1987)
• Eric Van Noy
  Years in Bonn: 65-74
• Jack Velte
  Years in Bonn: 64-68 and 74-76

Class of 1977

• Paul Harbecke
  Years in Bonn: 00-77
  Passed away on February 2. 2024
• Christoffer Geijer
  Years in Bonn: 74-75
• Suzanne Gutherie
  Years in Bonn: 73-76

Class of 1978

• Eugene Hunt
  He passed in June 10, 2024, Wellington Alabama.
  Yeass in Bonn 73-74
• Marty Lovik
  He died earlier 2021
  Years in Bonn …
• Glen Everett Cowan
  August 7, 1960 – + September 19, 2021
  Years in Bonn: 77-78
• Frank Bellan
  Years in Bonn: 66-71
• Sylvan Bennett
  Years in Bonn: 69-73 (Died in ’74 in high school.)
• Richard Sleppy
  Years in Bonn: 70-74
• Jim Webb
  Years in Bonn: 76-78

Class of 1979

• Russ Spencer
  In Bonn 77-78.
  Known as the “California Dude” through his time @ school. Loved being part of the BAHS community. Passed away in September 2022 after a long illness.
• Christopher Hilton
  Years in Bonn: 74-76
• Gregory Kiez
  Years in Bonn: 71-75
• Peter Maktenieks
  Years in Bonn: circa 70-79 
• John Turner
  Years in Bonn: 68-72 and 74-78

Class of 1980

• Rick Ehle
  Years in Bonn: 78-80
• Lynn Hamilton
  Years in Bonn: 71-74
• Darren Howard
  Years in Bonn: 78 – 80
• Chris McCann
  Years in Bonn: 79-80

Class of 1981

• Susan Carr 
  Years in Bonn 76-77.
• Johann Westerhorstmann
  Years in Bonn: 79-81

Class of 1983

• Donald Jones
  Years in Bonn: 77-79
• Curtis Marsh
  Years in Bonn: 75-78

Class of 1984

• Enrique Fernandes de Paredes
  Years in Bonn: 82-84

Class of 1985

• Bettina von den Steinen
  6/21/68 – 9/29/12
  Years in Bonn: …
• Kanako Mogi
  Years in Bonn: 77-80

Class of 1986

• Jody Stiely
  Years in Bonn: 79-81
• Neill Mooney
  Years in Bonn:
  passed away 19th January 2023

Class of 1987

• Sharon Knoll
  Years in Bonn: 1984–1987
• Drew Reardon
  Years in Bonn: 1985–1987
• Nick Scheer
  Years in Bonn: 1980–1984

Class of 1988

• Katie Hentschel
  Years in Bonn: 1985–1988

Class of 1989

• Katherine Terkun
  Years in Bonn: 1986–1989

Class of 1991

• Thomas Zilian
  Years in Bonn: ?–1991

Class of 1992

• Lisel Chernis
  Years in Bonn: 1991–1992

Deceased Faculty from Bonn American High School

• Harold “Bud” Huning
  Tennis coach. He passed away October 2024
• Gordon George Gartner
  (Died: July 16, 2024, in Fort Collins, age 91)
  Principal, 1972–1977
• Redick Horton
  (Died: October 2021)
  Long-time math teacher at BAHS
• Fred Carlton Evans
  (Died: January 29, 2021, age 83)
  English and Drama teacher, 1990–1997
• Jeffrey Edward Dye
  (Died: March 23, 2018, age 73)
  Biology, Computers, and Human Relations teacher
  Years in Bonn: Last destination was Guam-Okinawa
• Marcia Geyer
  (Died: September 28, 2017, in Melbourne, FL)
  English teacher
• Nancy Shemdin (formerly Nancy Downing)
  (Died: August 2024)
  Math and Home Economics teacher, 1980 until school closure
• James R. „Jim“ Manuel
  (Died: November 12, 2014, age 80)
  Math teacher
• Coach Bob Agnew
  PE teacher and Basketball coach
  Years in Bonn: Early 1970s–1990s
• Mr. Ron Armetta
  Math and Computer Science teacher
  Years in Bonn: 1980s until school closure
• Sarah Ann Butterbaugh
  (Died: February 16, 2024, age 87)
  Elementary School teacher
  Years in Bonn: 1973–1995
• Mr. Mike Butterbaugh
  (Died: 1998)
  High School Guidance Counselor
  Years in Bonn: 1973–1995
• Mr. Wayne Dahlgren
  Principal
  Years in Bonn: 1964–1971
• Mrs. Mary Anne Feldmann
  Elementary School teacher
  Years in Bonn: 20 years
• Mr. Bob Freed
  Middle School Science teacher, Track, Cross Country, and Wrestling coach
  Years in Bonn: 1989 until school closure
• Coach Bob Gaittens
  Basketball coach
  Years in Bonn: 1966–1969
• Dr. Lowell Jackson
  Principal
  Years in Bonn: TBD
• Coach Stan Kosciolek
  Youth Soccer, Baseball, and Basketball coach
  Years in Bonn: 1977–1979
• Mrs. Claudia Meadows
  English teacher and Cheerleading coach
  Years in Bonn: 1978–1981
• Miss Virginia Olsen
  Librarian
  Years in Bonn: 1960s and 1970s
• Miss Carmen Olson
  Elementary School teacher
  Years in Bonn: TBD
• Mrs. Lelia (Cowles) Smalley
  Music teacher
  Years in Bonn: 1988 until school closure
• Frau Hilda Stolz
  German teacher
  Years in Bonn: 1960s and 1970s
• Miss Lavonne Tawney
  Principal
  Years in Bonn: 1990s
• Mr. Mel Thake
  English teacher and Football coach
  Years in Bonn: 1972–1977
• Mr. Dan Thompson
  Elementary School teacher, German and French
  Years in Bonn: 1990s
• Miss Liz Tillery
  5th Grade teacher
  Years in Bonn: 1970s
• Mrs. Sandra Trotter
  English teacher
  Years in Bonn: 1990s
• Mr. Sydney van der Hoeven
  Supply Officer
  Years in Bonn: 1966–1995
• Mr. Calvin Oscar Williams
  6th Grade teacher
  Years in Bonn: 1970s (including 1973–1974)