TCAA (Triton College Annuitants Association)

To our first time visitors to this page, WELCOME!

TCAA is the official chapter of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) serving Triton College retirees at the local level and representing the group at the state level.

Guided by SUAA’s mission, our purpose is to protect and enhance the retirement benefits of retirees and survivors in SURS (State Universities Retirement System).

Our condolences to family and friends of Dr. David Kozlowski on his passing. David was the husband of Sharon, father of four boys and grandfather of 4. He was first an associate VP then an instructor in the math department.

He passed on August 8, 2024 at the age of 81 and spent 25 years in retirement. He will be missed.

Our sincere condolence to family and friends of Joanna DeSanto. JoAnna worked in the Business Department and passed on November 20, 2022. She will be dearly missed.

Our sincere condolence to family and friends of Lorraine Schoerger. Lorraine was a clinical instructor in the ADN program. Lorraine passed on November 28, 2022. She will be dearly missed.

Our sincere condolence to family and friends of Tommy Schloderback. Tommy worked full time in the maintenance department and passed on November 6, 2022. He will be dearly missed.

Our sincere condolence to family and friends of Frank Hodalski who recently passed. Frank was full time faculty in the Music Department. He will be dearly missed.

Michael Gong passed on Thursday, August 25, 2022 following a battle with cancer. Michael retired from Triton College in 2002 and served as the President Elect of TCAA from 2014-2016, and then as President from 2016-2018. When we decided we needed a brochure that described who we are and why Triton employees might like to join our group, Michael designed the brochure that we still use today. Michael will be greatly missed.

Dennis Fornoff passed away on May 6, 2022. Dennis was faculty in the Graphics Department and was owner and operator of a handyman service. He leaves behind 4 children and 1 grandchild. Dennis was a resident of Des Plaines, was 76 and a member since 2009. We send condolences to family and friends.

Our condolences to the family of Edward Fashing who passed away on May 5, 2022 at the age of 86. Among the many paths he took in his life, Ed was an instructor in the Physical Sciences Department. He last resided in Sturgeon, MO and leaves behind 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Ed was a member

Gloria Hillert passed away on March 4, 2022 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Surviving her are 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Gloria was a faculty member for 25 years in the Science Department. She was a long time member of TCAA and will be missed.

Gloria’s funeral service was live streamed (on June 4) and can be viewed online at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Illinois.

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Willie Battle who passed away in October, 2021. Willie was manager of the custodial staff for many years. He was also a long-time member of TCAA. He will be missed.

We are saddened to share with you that former Police Chief, Ronald Dietz passed away in November, 2021. Our thoughts and prayers to family and friends and his dear friends from Triton. Ron was a long-time member of TCAA. Rest In Peace.

Our sincere condolences to family and the many friends of Sal Marchionna who passed away October, 2021. Sal was faculty in the business department and department chairman. He leaves his wife Marsha, his children Anna and Joseph and 3 grandchildren. Sal will be missed. Rest in Peace.

Our sympathy to the family and friends of William (Bill) Tyrrell, who passed away on July 4^th, 2021 at the age of 85. After being a police officer in Hillside, he became faculty and coordinator of the Criminal Justice Administration program until the

mid 1990’s. Survivors include his wife, four children, four stepsons, 13 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He had been a resident of Dubuque, IA.

His final resting place is in Stickney, IL. Bill was a TCAA member for many years and will be dearly missed.

Our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Earl Cismesia who passed away on August 25, 2021. He was Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds beginning in the mid 1960’s. Earl served in the Marines from 1945 – 1946 until he was on the wrong side of a grenade explosion and took mortar fragments to both legs. Earl’s best days were being with his wife and 6 sons as well as 13 grandchildren. He was a life-long resident of Hillside and long time member of TCAA. He was 95. Earl will be missed.

It is with heavy hearts we share with you the passing of Judy Moroni on July 7, 2021. Judy leaves behind her husband Stephen, 2 children and 7 grandchildren. Judy lived in Franklin Park while working at Triton in the Human Resources Department and upon retirement, moved to Huntley.

The family requests donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Judy’s name. Anyone desiring to share a memory may do so on the Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home & Crematorium website. Judy was a TCAA member for many years. She will be dearly missed.

We are saddened to inform you of the passing in July, 2021 of Dr. George Jorndt, former full time faculty member and former president. Our thoughts and prayers to his wife, children and grandchildren and the many dear and lasting friends he had at Triton. He will be missed, but not forgotten. George last resided in Florida.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Herman Dittrich who passed away on July 22, 2020. Herman supervised students and volunteers at the floral shop. He also taught the artistic and business aspects of floral design and worked for Johnson Seed Company as a researcher, agronomist, horticulturist and grower. All of Herman’s life was directed to the plants and grasses and trees that grew within his realm. “His advice to all was to look around for the beauty of this world, tomorrow it will change and give you a different view”. Herman last lived in Enid, OK, was 96 years old and a TCAA member since 2008.

Marilee Culhane, RN, passed away on April 1, 2021. For 25 years she was Director of Continuing Education as well as a health educator to many groups, including hospitals and municipalities. Our thoughts and prayers to her husband, Patrick, children, Jim and Molly, and grandchildren, as well as her many friends. Marilee was 82 and will be dearly missed.

Our condolences to Annette Potamitis and her daughter Carolyn on the death of Annette’s husband, John, on November 26, 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at the difficult time.

Dr. Charlotte Lee, 90, passed away on October 12, 2020. She was a faculty member and Chairperson of the Science Department. Charlotte retired in 1995 and was a TCAA member since 2002. Our thoughts and prayers to her husband of 61 years and her 4 children. Charlotte will be dearly missed.

Our condolences to Executive Board Member Connie Allekian on the passing of her husband on October 2, 2020. We send our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. C K Patel on June 20, 2020. C K was full-time faculty teaching Psychology for almost 30 years. In addition to teaching, he was a dear friend to many, and was generous in giving advice and support to friends and colleagues. C K was a TCAA member for 20+ years since his retirement. Per the family, a donation to a food bank of your choice would be appreciated or to “Doctors Without Borders’”.

Our condolences to his wife, two children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He last resided in Florida.

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Marvin Schilchting who passed away July, 2020. Marvin was a full time faculty member in the Math Department from 1967 to 1996 and authored two Algebra textbooks during his tenure. He most recently lived in Willow Springs, Illinois. Marvin was 92 and will be sincerely missed!

Our sincere condolences to family and friends of Alma LoGolbo who passed away in December, 2019. She worked at Triton in the Registration and Records department and lived in Franklin Park. She was a member of TCAA since 2002. She will be missed.

Our sincere condolences to family and friends of Gerald Bartuch who passed away in June 2020. Gerald was the lead custodial person of grounds for many years. Many of us will remember him as a friendly colleague who did a great job beautifying and providing safety to the open spaces on campus. He will be missed.

Rita Lawless passed away on January 27, 2020 at the age of 91. Rita was a dedicated nurse and the retired Director of Health Services at Triton, where she served for many years. She had been a TCAA member for 18 years.

Retired faculty member Jean Hornewer passed away in September 2019 at the age of 86. Jean had been a member of the Triton Court Reporting faculty and later became Coordinator of the Court Reporting Program.

Retired faculty member Stephen Branz passed away in August 2019 at the age of 79. Steve had taught in the Business department and had also been a counselor before retiring from Triton in 1997.

Retired Triton professor, Annette Jajko, passed away in May, 2019, at the age of 67. During her 20+ years in the Business Department, she earned several outstanding awards.

Retired Triton employee, Donald Stuffelbeam, passed away in March 2019 at the age of 85. Stuff had been a long time Triton administrator, handling building contracts and construction projects, among many other things. Don was also a Korean war veteran in his younger days. Don's late wife Louise had also been a long time Triton employee. Before her passing in early 2017, Lou and Don had been married for 63 years.

Retired Triton employee Florence Weese passed away in February 2019 at the age of 97. Florence had for many years been the head reference librarian at Triton and was also Triton's archivist. Florence also had a leadership role in the Oak Park-River Forest Historical Society and several other organizations.

Norm Wiegel, retired long time Chairman of the Triton Fine Arts Department, passed away in January 2019 at the age of 82.

Our condolences to Maggie Hahn-Wade on the passing of her husband Mark Wade in early July, 2018. Maggie and Mark had been married for 50 years. Maggie is a retired Triton faculty member and former president of the Triton College Faculty Association.

Retired Triton employee Beverly Seaton passed away in June 2018, at the age of 68. In her 25 years at Triton, Bev had worked in the Information Systems Dept and later as the secretary to the Dean of Arts & Sciences.

Retired employee Julia Kovall passed away in June 2018. Julia had been a secretary in the HIA program (Hospitality Industry) in the 70s and 80s.

Retired Triton faculty member Dan Bourbulas passed away in March, 2018, at the age of 86. In his 27 years at Triton, Dan had been a professor and Chairman of the Social Sciences Dept. Prior to that, he had been a teacher and dean at Argo High School for 10 years.

Retired Triton faculty member Robert Witherspoon passed away in Feb. 2018 at the age of 76. Bob had been the Dean of Business at Triton, and had also been an instructor in Marketing and Accounting. Bob had been a former president of the Triton College Annuitants Association (2010-12) and had also served on the Board of that organization for many years. Bob was also a US Air Force veteran.

Joseph Patricelli passed away in Feb. 2018, at the age of 89. Joseph was the father of Triton College President Mary Rita Moore, and the husband of retired Triton employee Venus Patricelli. Joseph was retired after 41 years as a school principal in Addison School District. He was also a former Grand Knight of the Holy Ghost Knights of Columbus, and was a founder of the Eisenhower Public Library in Harwood Heights.

Ray Oviyach, retired faculty member of the Triton Automotive Dept, passed away in Jan. 2018, after a fall on ice. He was 87 and had been living in Kingwood,TX. Ray had been in the US Air Force from 1950-54 and had served in the Korean War. He retired from Triton in 1998 and later served as the President of the Triton College Annuitants Association.

Triton employee Melissa (Missy) Cabrera passed away at the age of 51. Missy was a secretary in the Science Dept, and had been a secretary of the Cook County Teachers Union.

Former Triton College Trustee and Board Chairman Merrill Becker, Jr. passed away in Jan. 2018. Mr. Becker was also a US Army veteran who had risen to the rank of Colonel.

Retired Triton employee Gene Westphal passed away in Jan. 2018, at the age of 90. Gene had been the Head Librarian at Triton from 1967-1991.

Retired Triton employee Mary Patock passed away on Dec. 31, 2017, at the age of 90. In her 25 years at Triton, Mary was the Admission Records Evaluator for the Nursing Programs, and before that, secretary to the VP of Human Resources.

Retired Triton employee Jim Thomas passed away on Dec. 18, 2017. Jim worked as an electrician in the Triton Maintenance Dept.

Triton employee John Sorce passed away on Dec. 21, 2017. John ran the Triton cafeteria for 12 years.

Shirley Lehman of the Triton ADN faculty passed away in July, 2017. She had originally been a member of the LPN faculty, later earned a Master's degree, and became a member of the ADN faculty.

Joan Bondi, wife of retired Triton faculty member Tom Bondi, passed away in June, 2017, at the age of 80.

Retired Triton employee Lou (Louise) Stuffelbeam passed away on Feb, 18, 2017, at the age of 84. Lou worked at Triton for many years in the Admissions Department, and later was in charge of scheduling. She retired in 2002. Her husband Don is also a retired Tritonite. They were married for 64 years.

Former Triton Faculty member Arnold Wolfe passed away in Jan, 2017, at the age of 69. He had taught Communications and Journalism at Triton, and was the adviser for the Trident newspaper. He later also taught at Ill. State University.

John Varga, husband of Pat Varga, passed away in late Dec. 2016, at the age of 73.

Jerome Drosos of the Hospitality Industry Administration program passed away in December 2016, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 63. Jerome was a former Triton student in the Hospitality Program in the 1970's, who went on to eventually become the Coordinator of the HIA program and a full time faculty member in that program.

Triton retiree Robert Mazurek passed away in December, 2016. He was the father of Steve Mazurek, lead person from Maintenance.

John Kuhns, retired Triton Chief Stationary Engineer, passed away on November 7, 2016.

Kay Silva, wife of retired Triton faculty John Silva, passed away on Nov, 16, 2016, in Tucson AZ, after a lengthy illness. John plans to hold a "Celebration of Life" in the Midwest in the summer of 2017. For those who like to give a memorial gift, consider the Catherine and John Silva Liver Transplant and Research Fund at the University of Iowa Foundation. For more info about this gift, contact: allison-ingman@uiowa.edu

Barbara Hodalski, wife of retired Triton faculty Frank Hodalski, passed away on Sept. 1, 2016. They were living in Sarasota, FL. Four days earlier, Frank's youngest son passed away of a terminal illness. A service will be held in Sarasota on Sept 30, 2016. For more info, call 941-552-7546.

James Gray, a full-time Automotive faculty member at Triton, passed away in July, 2016.

Retired Triton employee Janet Jaback passed away in Feb. 2015, at the age of 69. Janet had taught in the Hospitality Program at Triton, and later was the Cooperative Education coordinator. Janet retired in early 2014.

Retired Triton faculty member Robert Hlavin died in July 2015, at the age of 83, in Rockford, IL. Bob had been a Professor of English at Triton from when the college opened in 1964 until his retirement in 1992. He had also been a playwright and an independent Hemingway scholar. Bob had served in the US Army from 1953-55, and received a military burial in Sturgis, SD.

Retired Triton English instructor Thomas Meehan passed away in June, 2015. Tom had been a cross country coach in the early years of Triton, and had formerly been an English teacher and Hall of Fame Track Coach at DePaul. He was an also an avid bicycle rider.

Retired Triton employee Jean Powell passed away in Dec. 2014, at the age of 85. Jean had been an Academic Advisor at Triton and was a resident of Oak Park.

Retired faculty member Alan Wade passed away in Nov. 2014. Alan had formerly been the Chairperson of the Triton Science dept. After his retirement, Alan and his wife Jan moved to Kuttawa, Kentucky.

Retired Triton employee Margaret Bruzas passed away in July, 2014. She was 94 and had worked as a secretary in the Triton Athletic Department until her retirement. In 1991, she moved to Grand Rapids, MI, to live near her daughter.

Hilda Virgien Clark passed away on December 13, 2013. Virg, as she was known, was a long time member of the A.D. Nursing Faculty. She was dedicated to the students with whom she worked and provided excellent instruction in critical care nursing. She was highly respected by the Nursing Faculty.

Martin Ptacek passed away on Aug 13, 2014 at the age of 91. Martin had been a photo offset instructor at Triton and was a long-time resident of Elmhurst. He was also a WW2 veteran, a dedicated and ranked chess player, and a lifelong camera enthusiast.

Retired Triton faculty member Jeff Austin passed away on Aug. 1, 2014, at the age of 81. Jeff had been in the P.E. Dept at Triton, and was living in Ludington, MI. His wife Susan passed away the following day. Jeff had for many years been the Director of the Triton Trouper Circus, and had been President of the United States Trampoline Association.

Retired Triton employee John Rosenbrock passed away on July 16, 2014, of cancer at the age of 61. John had worked for Triton for 30 years, including being the Director of Media Services. John was also a Vietnam War veteran. His wife Diana is also a retired Triton employee.

Retired Triton employee Bev Curry passed away in April, 2014, at the age of 77. Beverly was the coordinator of the Continuing Education for Health Careers Department at Triton, and also had worked at Oakton Community College.

Retired Triton faculty member Martha Duchon passed away on January 12, 2014 at the age of 91. She retired from the A.D. Nursing program in 1988 after a long career in Nursing which included serving in the U.S. Army as a nurse during WWII in China, Burma and India. Martha was a highly regarded faculty member in the A.D. Nursing Department and was well liked by her students.

Retired faculty member Raymond McNamee passed away on May 21, 2014, at the age of 82. He was a former chairman of the Mathematics Dept., and had also been a Korean War veteran.

Professor Emeritus John Wager passed away in May, 2013. At Triton, he taught Philosophy and in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. Dr. Wager had a PhD in Philosophy from Northwestern University. John was also a US Army Vietnam veteran and the author of "Quiet Year at War."

A retired member of the Triton Nursing Careers Department, Vivien C. Wagner, died on April 11, 2013. She was an R.N. and worked as the supervisor of the Nursing Lab at Triton College for many years. She was 79 at the time of her death.

Dr. Alex Lane passed away in early February, 2013. Dr. Lane was a faculty member in the Triton Science Dept. for 34 years until his retirement in 1999. Alex was born on a rural farm in Georgia, and from those beginnings rose to a full time faculty position at Triton College with a PhD in human anatomy from the U. of Illinois. Alex was one of the original Triton faculty members personally interviewed and hired by Triton’s founding president, Dr. Herbert Zeitlin, when the brand new community college was getting started in 1965. Alex taught anatomy, zoology, and biology and was the author of several books and papers in his field. He was voted Triton Faculty member of the year in 1995 by students and faculty.

The following memories about Alex Lane were submitted by retired faculty member Bob Hlavin:
Alex Lane in my mind remains the perfect gentleman and scholar. In his humble fashion, Alex kept me abreast of scholarly achievements over the years, all of which reflected considerable credit on Triton College and his peers. His invitation and participation in a seminar at Heidelberg, Germany was especially noteworthy. On a personal note, Alex came to my office and asked to borrow an English dictionary. Having more than one, I handed Alex an American Heritage edition. As my retirement neared, Bob Anthony of the Science Department offered me an American Heritage dictionary found in the science department area. "Your name is printed on the cover. Robert Hlavin." I was pleased to note that the dictionary showed wear... well spent.

Till we meet again, Alex. - Bob Hlavin

Gordon Simonsen passed away in early Feb. 2012, in Huntley, IL, at the age of 89. Mr. Simonsen was one of the founding members of Triton College in the 1960’s, and served as Executive Vice-President until his retirement in 1979. Mr. Simonsen also served in the US Army in WW2, including the 10^th Armored Division during the Battle of the Bulge.

Retired Triton administrator John Trebbe passed away in August, 2011, in Galesburg, IL, at the age of 87. Known as “Jack” Trebbe, he was the Dean of Continuing Education at Triton College from 1963 until his retirement in 1984. Earlier in his life, Jack served in the US Navy during WWII and the Korean War, and later was a Lt. Commander in the US Naval Reserve.

Retired faculty member Russell Bruce passed away on July, 26, 2011, at the age of 78. Russell was the first Automotive Technology instructor at the newly formed Triton College in the 1960's. Later in his career, he served in the Business Dept. until his retirement from Triton.

Retired faculty member Dorothy Libner passed away on Oct. 10, 2011, at the age of 85. Dorothy taught in the Business Department at Triton for 23 years, and was a former chair of the Secretarial Dept.

Triton Webmaster Alan Dudak passed away on Aug. 25, 2010, of a brain tumor. Alan was 39 years old and was employed in Triton's Information Systems Department.

Retired faculty member Algis Turner passed away in early April 2010. Al was hired in 1968 and was a full-time faculty member at Triton for 30 years, teaching primarily Tech Physics, until his retirement in the late 1990s.

Dr. Herbert Zeitlin passed away on March 2, 2010, in Woodland Hills, Calif., at the age of 91. Dr. Zeitlin was the founding president of Triton College, hired in 1964 by the original board of trustees to organize and start up the first community college in the area. Dr. Zeitlin personally interviewed and hired many of the college's original faculty and administrators. Triton held its first classes in the fall of 1965 on the campus of West Leyden High School. Eventually land for a new permanent campus was acquired, and the college moved to its present River Grove location in 1968, adding buildings over the years. Under Dr. Zeitlin's leadership, Triton was named one of the country's outstanding community colleges by Time magazine in 1973. Dr. Zeitlin was Triton's president for 12 years until 1976, at which time he returned to California and served as a college president in that state. After his retirement, he continued to work in education as a consultant and author.

Elmore Boeger, one of the original board members of Triton College, passed away in 2009 at the age of 95. When Triton College was being organized in 1964, many names were being considered for the brand new community college, but it was Mr. Boeger who suggested the name Triton College, a reflection of the three townships that the college district encompassed. Mr. Boeger will be remembered as "the man who named Triton College."

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