Alumni News
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Former Faculty and Staff
Gordon Bietz 1971-1976 – Hope all continues to go well there at Rio. I continue to have fond memories of the time I spent there as chaplain and occasionally meet students who were there at the same time. I am still President of Southern Adventist University, given the way things go these days - still have one wife, still have twin daughters who have each delivered to us 3 grandchildren, amazingly each of the cousins is about the same age. So life is good!
Helen Brown (Rio Staff 1973-1987) – Helen Brown passed away unexpectedly August 18, 2007 in Tennessee from an abdominal infection. She taught piano at Rio from the fall of 1973-1987. She is survived by her husband Charlie and her daughters Debbie Brown Freeze (‘74) and Vikki Brown Jarrett (‘76). She was loved by her students during her 14 years at Rio Lindo.
Al & Marjorie Dye 1984-1990 – Al is 82 now and slowing down, but he still does our yard work. Marjorie (79) is coordinator for the Voice of Prophecy Bible school contacts in this area and is also busy with other church duties. We live near the Sacramento river trail that we walk often. We attend the Redding SDA church. Our granddaughter, Devon Dye, that went her freshman year at Rio, graduated from Chico State. Then she took the RN course at PUC. She works at Boise, ID Alfonso Hospital in surgery. She is getting married Sept. 15. That is our big news. We have gone on cruises to the Panama Canal, Mediterranean. Our son Leslie has moved back to our area after living abroad for about 12 years working as a pilot for airlines there.
Irmgard Hooper 1973-1977 – Since 2002, I have had a funeral for my husband of 60 good years of togetherness and for our son who was only 57. Also, two grandchildren got married. We have one great grandchild, Zoe Nicole James, and what a joy she is! She’s almost 3. Another grandson got his MA in English and is teaching in CA. One summer I took an exciting jetboat ride on the Salmon River in Idaho with the 50+ group. I enjoyed every minute of it! Another summer I went on a boat ride on the Snake River and through Hell’s Canyon with relatives from KS. That was “tame” compared to the Salmon River ride! My daughter, Jeanie Reed, and daughter-in-law, Carol Hooper, arranged a party on July 1, 2007, for my 90th birthday. It was great to hear from and see classmates, former co-workers, students as well as family and other friends. Very nice. I still drive my car, tend my roses and enjoy the fruits of my garden. The Lord has been wonderfully good to me and I’m thankful. God bless you all.
Elder William and Carole Hull 1965 -70 – We just celebrated Fifty-Five years of married life. We live in Hemet, CA. (Elder Hull) I retired from ministry in 1997. I was serving as Public Relations and Communications Director in the Idaho Conference. I started in ministry August 1, 1957 and retired after 40 years on August 1, 1997. Upon retiring, I finished developing and operating a television station in Boise, Idaho. Then in 2000 we moved to Hemet, CA. I developed and operated an FM radio station before retiring again. I now install satellite systems for the Adventist Television Network. The systems are purchased from 3ABN or Adventist Sat which is the outlet for the Hope Network. They present great programming. Loma Linda Broadcasting Network broadcasts the fantastic church services and programs from the Loma Linda University Church. If you don't have a system you should get one. (Carole) I still teach piano and help many boys and girls develop self-assurance and positive attitudes about life. We attend the Loma Linda University Church.
Vivian Doris (Lind) Johnson (Rio Staff 1970-86) – Vivian Johnson passed away Friday evening, August 17, just as the sun was setting. She died peacefully with her husband, Lynn, son Dan and his wife, Sylvia Johnson and daughter, Lynnette Clement at her side. She passed away seven weeks after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and seven days prior to their 60th wedding anniversary. The Johnson’s lived and worked at Rio Lindo from the fall of 1970 until 1986. They have been frequent visitors at Alumni Homecoming and Mrs. Johnson will be missed not only by her immediate family, but by their Rio family as well.
Wilmer & Janet Snyder 1973-82 & 93-95 – We have been enjoying retirement for the last year and a half. In April & May we took a cruise to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands and had a fantastic time. The first of June we went to our 50th class reunion from Adelphian Academy in MI. In August we are going back to CA to Leoni Meadows where we retired from, to help for a special weekend activity and continue on up the coast to OR & WA and across to Yellowstone, Tetons, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and wherever else we decide to stop. When we retired, we moved to GA and are enjoying our new home and the new culture.
George Erman Stearns Jr. (Math and Science teacher at Rio from 1963-1981) was born in Glendale California on 7/14/1921 His family lived in Somerton Arizona but his grandparents lived in a much cooler climate, Huntington Beach, California. His family moved to La Sierra Junior College in 1925. His father was the farm manager for 30 years and GE Stearns was educated in Adventist Schools. He joined the Navy in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor's attack. He served most of his time as a Pharmacist Mate in Hawaii. His continuing education was paid for by the GI Bill. He earned a BA in Math and Education and a Masters in Education. He taught at Fresno SDA Academy, San Pasqual Academy, Rio Lindo Academy, and Floral Crest Junior Academy in Georgia.
He spent his retirement being active with Maranatha and being one of the guides at the Historical Site of Wm Miller's Home in New York. He was married 37 years to his first wife, Martha M. Gibson and (after her death in 1978) 30 years to his 2nd wife Rhodafyrnn M Jefferson Helm.
He died 12/14/2009, after a decline in strength that stretched over a year, and an illness of about five days in December. He was with his wife and his oldest daughter Kay Dorchuck when he peacefully fell asleep. He is mourned by his wife Rhodafyrnn, his four daughters; Kay Dorchuck, B J Bannister, Mary Anne Dorchuck, and Nancy Weeks and his three sons; John Stearns, Wilton Helm & Lyle Helm, 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, many cousins, colleagues , students and friends. He was in-movable in his loyalty to his Savior, his church, his family, his students. He disciplined with out rancor. He smiled with out a trace of a sneer. He genuinely liked people. He was peacefully certain of his part in God's promises. (1/10)
Greg & Dana Zinke 2000 - 2006 – Jake is 4 and Makayla is 2. We are both 31 and still active. I am the youth leader in our church (125 attending members) and Dana is the Cradle Roll teacher. I am brokering truck loads and we are building a house which we hope to move into in October.
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