Achievements
Robert F. Layo retired after thirty-three years as president and chief executive officer of the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce on October 31, 2016.
Laura England ’83 began a new job as director of Bureau of Market Development for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on September 6, 2016.
Sean Lynch ’93, of Dickerson, Maryland, recently published his first children’s book, Little Robin: Flying South for the Winter. To read more, click here.
Engagements
Rachel Lawruk ’09 and Ryan Beasom, both of Altoona, are engaged to be married. A December 31 wedding is being planned at First United Methodist Church in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.
Adam Bettwy ’14 and Kaitlyn Lishinsky, both of Stafford, Virginia, are engaged to be married. A December 30, 2017, wedding is being planned at St.Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.
Future Alumni
Christine Walk ’09 is the proud new grandparent of Zoeigh Nichole Venturini.
In Memoriam
Irene Margaret (Layport) Bedekovich, Altoona—November 2, 2016—former Penn State Altoona student.
The Rev. Dean Earl Rupe ’51, Lewistown, Pennsylvania—October 19, 2016—retired pastor and U.S. Army and Air Force veteran.
Donald G. Haney ’54, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania—November 8, 2016—former owner and operator of Robert R. Haney, Inc.
Sue A. Reading ’55, Hermitage, Pennsylvania—October 29, 2016—retired social worker and former teacher.
Faber C. Weakland ’58, Duncansville, Pennsylvania—October 22, 2016—self-employed owner of Allegheny Supply & Maintenance Company, of Altoona, since 1972.
Thomas R. Klevan ’70g
Thomas R. Klevan, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, formerly of Altoona, passed away at The Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg on October 8, 2016, after a brief illness.
Tom was born in Altoona, son of the late Meyer “Mike” and Sara Frances (Coffey) Klevan. He married Shirley L. Foor on August 20, 1954.
Tom is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Shirley; a son, Thomas W. Klevan, and his wife, Amy, of Bethel Park; daughter Stephanie F. Miller and her husband, Herbert, of Altoona; and daughter Wendi L. Klevan and her husband, Mark Berger, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by a grandchild, Kelley Berger, and a sister, Mary Jane Rothrauff.
Tom was a 1952 graduate of Altoona Area High School and a 1956 graduate of Dickinson College. Tom received a master’s degree in education from Penn State in 1970.
Tom began his teaching career at Roosevelt Junior High School, before teaching English at Altoona Area High School, where he later served as head of the language arts department from 1972 until 1980. He later served as executive editor of the Altoona Mirror. In 1985, he left the Mirror to begin a new phase in his teaching career at Penn State Altoona as an instructor in English. Tom retired from Penn State Altoona in 2013. Throughout his teaching career, Tom also taught English to inmates at several Pennsylvania State prisons.
Tom was a member of Llyswen United Methodist Church. He was instrumental in establishing CONTACT Altoona, a telephone helpline service in the community. More recently, Tom served on the Board of Directors of Blair County Senior Services.
“Mr. Klevan was a teacher, mentor and inspiration for me when I was a student at Altoona High School. As someone who grew up in a blue collar neighborhood of Altoona, many of which no longer exist, Mr. Klevan taught me that it was ok to have big dreams. His influence had a significant impact on the success I’ve enjoyed in life and for that I will forever be grateful,” said former student, Bryant S. “Corky” Messner, of Denver, Colorado.
For information about gifts to Penn State Altoona in his memory, contact N. Susan Woodring, director of Development and Alumni Relations, at 814-949-5104.
Jean (Bergh) Camberg ’71, ’15g, of Brisbin, Pennsylvania, passed away on November 14, 2016.
A compassionate and caring person, she dedicated her life to helping others. Throughout her more than forty-year social work career, she touched countless lives.
Jean was a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist in private practice in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and an instructor in health and human development at Penn State Altoona.
Jean received her bachelor of science degree from Penn State in 1971 and her master’s degree in social work from Marywood University in 1984. In 2015, Jean earned her doctorate of education from Penn State.
Surviving are her husband of forty-five years, Harold “Howie” Camberg; her daughter Laura Pushcar, and her husband, Mark, of Pittsburgh; and a grandson, Pierce Pushcar.
Amy L. Smith ’88, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania—November 10, 2016—registered nurse.
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