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In Memoriam

Albert C. Buehler Jr.

Albert C. Buehler Jr., 81, Northbrook, Ill., Aug. 16.

A philanthropist known for his sunny disposition, Mr. Buehler was chair of the Buehler Family Foundation.

Mr. Buehler and his wife of 50 years, Patricia Holmes Buehler (C53), were co-chairs and creators of the Feinberg School of Medicine's Buehler Center on Aging. The foundation also established and endowed the Buehler Sports Medicine Center at Ryan Field. Mr. Buehler served on the Campaign Northwestern steering committee.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Buehler is survived by his two sons, Albert C. Buehler III (KSM80) and John Buehler (KSM90), two daughters-in-law, Nancy Pollock and Katherine Mahalick Buehler (WCAS84, KSM90), and eight grandchildren.

Susan Thompson Buffett

Susan Thompson Buffett (C54), 72, San Francisco, July 29. Ms. Buffett, a humanitarian and social justice advocate for disadvantaged women, was president of the Buffett Foundation. She was the wife of financier Warren Buffett, the second-richest man in the United States.

The couple, both from Omaha, met in 1951 through Roberta Buffett Bialek (WCAS54), Mr. Buffett's sister and Ms. Buffett's Northwestern roommate. They married one year later but had lived separately since 1977 when Ms. Buffett moved to California to pursue a singing career. They remained married and traveled together.

In addition to her husband, Ms. Buffett is survived by their children, Howard, Peter and Susan. Her grandson, Howard Buffett, is a School of Communication junior.

John H. Perkins

John H. Perkins (WCAS43), 83, Winnetka, Ill., Sept. 21. A civic-minded businessman and active alumni leader, Mr. Perkins was elected to Northwestern's Board of Trustees in 1971 and became a Life Trustee in 1992. He served as chair of the John Evans Club and the Alumni Regents and as president of the NU Club of Chicago. The Northwestern Alumni Association recognized Mr. Perkins with a Service Award in 1970 and a Merit Award in 1977.

Mr. Perkins' distinguished business career included a stint as president of Chicago's largest bank in the 1970s.

Mr. Perkins is survived by his wife, Frances "Len" Welborn Perkins (WCAS45); their three sons, Robert Perkins (L82), John H. Perkins Jr. and Reed Perkins (GMu85); and two grandchildren.

Daniel Petrie

Daniel Petrie (C48), 83, Los Angeles, Aug. 22. The director of A Raisin in the Sun and Ft. Apache, The Bronx, Mr. Petrie directed more than 10 feature films as well as episodes of television series, movies-of-the-week and specials. He explored issues from alcoholism in My Name Is Bill W., about the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, to women in the workforce with The Dollmaker, starring Jane Fonda. His autobiographical film The Bay Boy won six Genie Awards (Canada's equivalent to the Oscars).

He won three Emmy awards during his career, including one in 1992 for producing Mark Twain and Me, a film about Dorothy Quick's friendship with Twain.

Mr. Petrie is survived by his wife, Dorothea, sons Daniel Jr. and Donald and daughters Mary and June.

Barbara Laffoon Sizemore

Barbara A. Laffoon Sizemore (WCAS47, SESP54), 76, Chicago, July 24. A 25-year veteran of the Chicago Public Schools, Ms. Sizemore became the first African American woman to run a major school system when she was appointed superintendent of the Washington, D.C., district in 1973.

An advocate for community-controlled schools, Ms. Sizemore argued that all children could learn if teachers provided the right skills.

Ms. Sizemore taught at the University of Pittsburgh for 15 years until returning to Chicago in 1992 to serve as DePaul University 's dean of the School of Education.

Survivors include a son, Furman, a daughter, Kymara, two stepsons, DuBois and Momar, two stepdaughters, Beatena and Marimba, and seven grandchildren.

Shinichiro Torii

Shinichiro Shin Torii (EB60), 66, Hyogo, Japan, July 5. The former president of Suntory Ltd., Mr. Torii was an international businessman and a Northwestern trustee.

In 1967 he joined Suntory Ltd., a business founded by his grandfather in 1901. He spent 11 years as president and previously oversaw the company's overseas operations.

In 1983 Mr. Torii founded the NU Club of Japan, which boasts more than 700 members. A member of the N Club, Mr. Torii was a two-time tennis letter winner, and in 1995 he was nominated for Big Ten Athletes of the Century. He was a generous supporter of Northwestern athletics and the Kellogg School of Management.

Mr. Torii is survived by his wife, Ayako, and two children, Nobuhiro and Mikiko.

James Treacy

James W. Treacy (WCAS49), 77, Palm Desert, Calif., Sept. 8. A dedicated alumnus, Mr. Treacy founded the NU Club of Coachella Valley and the NU Club of Indianapolis. He also served as regional director of the Northwestern Alumni Association board.

Mr. Treacy practiced law for 40 years. He was one of 15 lawyers and judges to represent the United States on a People-to-People mission to Russia and China. In 1997 he moved to Palm Desert, where he taught business law at College of the Desert and volunteered with the local drug court to help recovering addicts earn their GEDs.

Mr. Treacy is survived by his wife, Jane, daughters Kathleen and Mara, sons Kevin and Michael, six grandchildren and a sister, Marilyn.

Thomas Willis

Thomas Willis (Mu49, GMu66), 76, Wilmette, Ill., Sept. 23. An organist, pianist, choral conductor, voice teacher and accompanist, Mr. Willis had a long career as music and arts critic and editor at the Chicago Tribune. He later taught music history, managed Pick-Staiger Concert Hall and served as executive assistant to the dean at the School of Music.

Mr. Willis began at Northwestern as a part-time visiting lecturer in 1967 and became a full-time faculty member in 1977 after a 20-year career at the Tribune. He retired in 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Bramon Willis (Mu65, GMu68), a son, Christopher, two daughters, Deborah and Claire, two stepsons, Christian and Erik, and his former wife, Mildred Drefs Willis (Mu49).