Obituaries
James Pursell, athlete and coach, 103
James Pursell (B.A., Physical Education, ’24), USC’s oldest surviving
football letterman, died Jan. 25. Although he weighed but 130 pounds,
Trojan Coach Elmer “Gloomy Gus” Henderson was impressed by his grit and
put him on the team. Pursell lettered for three seasons. A football and
track coach for 35 years, he coached a sprinter who won an Olympic gold
medal. Pursell drove his car and played golf until he turned 100.
Anita Ammerman Mason, teacher, swimmer and singer, 67
Anita Ammerman Mason (B.A., Religion and English, ’55) died on Feb. 20,
2004. Mason received two bachelors’ degrees from the College as well as
a teaching credential. She was a competitive swimmer and a singer.
Bernard Punsly, member of “Dead End Kids,” 80
The last surviving member of the “Dead End Kids,” Bernard Punsly
(B.A.,’43) died on January 19, 2004. Punsly starred in films in the
1930s and 40s and paved the way for the Bowery Boys. Later a doctor, he
served as chief of medicine at Little Company of Mary Hospital in
Torrance.
Maurice Deigh, mental health pioneer, 80
Maurice Deigh (Ph.D., Psychology, ’51) died on February 5, 2004. A
clinical psychologist and senior activist who pioneered mental health
programs in public health, Deigh served in the L.A. County Department
of Mental Health; founded the Southern California chapter of the Gray
Panthers, a senior citizens advocacy group, and was appointed to a term
on the L.A. commission on aging.
Albert Tillman, popularized scuba diving, 75
A pioneer in teaching and certifying scuba diving, Albert Tillman
(B.A., ’50), died on January 16, 2004. In 1953, he started L.A.
County’s first public classes in skin and scuba diving. While teaching
at Cal State Los Angeles, Tillman created the first university degree
program in recreation and leisure studies. He was one of the original
inductees into the Inter-national Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.
McArthur “Mac” Byrd, football player and avid horseman, 61
McArthur “Mac” Byrd (B.S., ’65) died on January 22, 2004. He was a
football player on the USC 1962 national championship team, the 1963
Rose Bowl team and professional player with the L.A. Rams and
Washington Redskins. Byrd also was the Executive Vice President of
American Pacific Securities.
Earl Harold Phillips, Woodrow Wilson fellow and historian, 77
A recipient of the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship while at USC College, Earl
Harold Phillips (Ph.D., History, ’66), died on January 23, 2004.
Professor Emeritus of History at Cal State Los Angeles, Phillips
established the department’s African studies program and co-founded the
university’s Korean-American studies program.
Richard C. “Dick” Dryer, world traveler and sportsman, 71
A keen golfer, hunter, fisherman and amateur photographer, Richard C.
“Dick” Dryer (B.A., ’54) died on January 13, 2004. Dryer retired as a
captain in the U.S. air force in 1969. He traveled the world
extensively and resided for long periods in Scotland and South Africa.
|
|
|
