In Memoriam | February 2025
Gloria G. Bender | BSBA ’78 | 2025 | Bender, of Orlando, Florida, passed on January 25. Born in Gainesville, Florida, on January 2, 1950, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida alongside her husband, Bruce. The couple remained in Gainesville until 1979 before relocating to Atlanta, where their son, Brian, was born.
After moving to Orlando in 1989, Gloria and Bruce spent over two decades working at Walt Disney World. Gloria was also passionate about miniature making and served as President of the Miniature World of Central Florida Club. In retirement, she and Bruce traveled extensively, exploring 45 of the lower 48 states.
Russell T. Kokal | BSBA ’82 | 2025 | Kokal, of Henderson, North Carolina, passed on January 27. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1982. During his time at UF, he built lifelong friendships as a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and met his devoted wife of 41 years, Linda. After graduation, he pursued a successful sales career in the information technology industry, using his expertise to support small businesses and loved ones.
Known for his generosity and infectious energy, Russ was a dedicated parent, coach, and mentor. In retirement, he embraced outdoor activities like hiking and biking while volunteering in the Hendersonville community. He especially loved being a grandparent, bringing joy with his playful spirit and storytelling.
William L. O’Steen | BSBA ’71 | 2025 | O’Steen, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed on January 30. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1971 and remained a proud Gator throughout his life. He built a successful career in banking, commercial real estate, and business ownership, leading Colt Development and Neighborhood Utilities in Jacksonville.
Beyond his professional life, Larry was an active member of the North Florida Corvette Club and a dedicated parishioner at Christ the King Catholic Church, where he served as an usher. He was known for his wit, wisdom, and deep devotion to family, friends, and all of God’s creatures, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him.
Helena B. Salvaggio | 2024 | Salvaggio, of Weston, Florida, passed on August 18. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Florida International University and had a successful career as a Private Banking Officer at Northern Trust Bank in Coral Gables. She was deeply involved in her church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Emmaus sister, and catechist at St. Bonaventure, where she also helped fundraise for the church’s construction.
Helena cherished family vacations, especially at Vanderbilt Beach in Naples and on Caribbean cruises. Her strong faith provided comfort throughout her battle with ALS, supported by her Catholic community. She is remembered for her devotion to family, faith, and service.
Sidney Kalishman | BSBA ’49 | 2024 | Kalishman, of Pensacola, Florida, passed on December 27. He attended the University of Florida after his service in World War II and the Korean War, earning a business degree and joining the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. A devoted Gator sports fan, he built a successful career spanning business, insurance, and community involvement in Pensacola.
Sid co-owned Putt-Putt Golf franchises in North Florida, South Alabama, and Mississippi before transitioning to managing the family grocery store and later excelling in the life insurance industry. A “Life Master” in bridge, he was a longtime president of the Pensacola Duplicate Bridge Club, admired for his strategic mind and sharp memory.
The Hon. Newman D. Brock | BSBA ’62 | 2025 | Brock, of Dothan, Alabama, passed on February 21. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida, where he was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. After serving in the U.S. Army and Reserves, he pursued law, earning his Juris Doctor from Cumberland Law School in 1969. He built a distinguished career in trial law, earning Board Certification in Civil Trial and receiving numerous accolades for his dedication to justice.
Newman later served as a Circuit Judge in Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit before retiring to farm life in North Florida. A devoted Gator fan, he spent weekends cheering for both his children’s soccer teams and UF football. He also shared his passion for law and history as a professor at Gulf Coast State College.
Keith E. Billy | BSBA ’74 | 2016 | Billy, of San Francisco, California, passed on November 20.
Richard S. Clarke | BSBA ’50 | 2024 | Clarke, of Tampa, Florida, passed on December 17. A Tampa native and great-great-grandson of pioneer Captain James McKay, he graduated from the University of Florida in 1950. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he later dedicated 67 years to his family business, Peninsular Paper Co., serving as president, CEO, and part owner until retiring at 89.
An active community leader, Clarke was involved in Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, The Tampa Yacht and Country Club, Kiwanis Club of Tampa, and numerous civic and charitable organizations. A proud Gator, he was a longtime season ticket holder and Bull Gator supporter.
Carl J. Davis Jr. | BSBA ’49 | 2021 | Davis, of Winter Park, Florida, passed on July 9.
Curtis S. Fry | BSBA ’60 | 2024 | Fry, of Moore Haven, Florida, passed on December 10. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1960 with a degree in business administration. A lifelong supporter of UF, Curtis sponsored the Fry Family Scholarship, offering financial assistance to students at the business school.
Returning to Clewiston after graduation, he expanded the family business, Fry Hardware, into three stores. Curtis was deeply involved in his community, serving as Clewiston’s mayor, a member of the City Commission, and on several boards, including the Hendry County School Board and the Clewiston Airport Authority. He was named Hendry County Citizen of the Year in 2001 for his community contributions.
Gail K. Giliberti | BSBA ’83| 2024 | Giliberti, of San Francisco, California, passed on November 20. Born in Lakeland, Florida, on December 30, 1961, she graduated from the University of Florida in 1983, majoring in Business with a focus on the Computer Industry. At UF, Gail was a core member of the Residence Hall Association and represented the university at multiple national and regional conferences, sharpening her leadership skills.
After graduation, she was one of the first women hired by Intel Corporation, where she led global teams for 38 years, supporting Fortune 500 partners. She and her husband, Jimmy, whom she met at UF, shared a love for travel, food, and music. Their 38-year marriage exemplified a deep partnership, and Gail’s dedication to her work and her relationships left a lasting impact on everyone she knew.
Thomas C. Hawkins | BSBA ’74 | 2020 | Hawkins, of Crawfordville, Florida, passed on August 7.
Charles W. Hendry | MBA ’62 | 2024 | Hendry, of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed on December 10. Born in Savannah, Georgia, on August 15, 1938, Charles graduated with his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in 1961. He later pursued his MBA at the University of Florida in 1962, where he further developed his skills and broadened his education.
Charles went on to establish a successful public accounting firm in Dalton, Georgia, where he worked with integrity until his retirement in 2008. His professional contributions were recognized with numerous accolades, including the Public Service Award from the Georgia Society of CPAs. A dedicated philanthropist and community leader, Charles was also deeply involved in his church and various local organizations, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both his profession and his family. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will continue to honor his memory.
John R. Hudson | MBA ’66 | 2024 | Hudson, of Peachtree City, Georgia, passed on December 17. A proud graduate of the University of Florida with an MBA and MHA, John’s education and career left a lasting impact on the healthcare industry. He started his administrative career at Grady Memorial Hospital and went on to become Vice President at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, where he developed several key programs, including the Heart Surgery Program and Hospice Program. He later served as the Chief Operating Officer at Southern Regional Medical Center, making positive changes during his tenure.
John was a passionate athlete and sports fan, captaining a North Carolina volleyball championship-winning team and staying active throughout his life. He also enjoyed extensive travel with his wife Carol and had a love for bridge, achieving Gold Life Master Status. John’s legacy will live on through his family, including his wife of 58 years, Carol, his daughter Lacey and grandchildren, and his many contributions to healthcare and his community.
Sheldon Gendzier | BSBA ’49 | 2024 | Gendzier, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed on December 20. A proud graduate of the University of Florida, Sheldon was deeply committed to his community, particularly the Jacksonville Jewish Center and River Garden, where he served for over 60 years. His leadership and dedication to the Jacksonville Jewish community were also evident in his work at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, where he helped establish the Jewish Day School and served as President.
In addition to his community contributions, Sheldon was a devoted family man, raising eight children and cherishing his 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is remembered for his warmth, pragmatism, and passion for history and classical music, as well as his love of bridge and crossword puzzles. Sheldon’s legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as through the many lives he touched in Jacksonville’s Jewish community.
Francis C. Hart III | BSBA ’75 | 2024 | Hart, of Tega Cay, South Carolina, passed on December 7. Born in Miami, Florida, on March 9, 1953, Francis graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Business and Finance. He spent 25 years at Universal Music Group, following his early days in the band “Erospace” and his work at Tropical Records and MCA Records. Throughout his career and personal life, Francis maintained a deep passion for music, exemplified by his final moments, listening to Jimi Hendrix.
Francis was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, leaving behind his wife Linda, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage, and their children, Brandon and Deirdre. He also adored his three grandchildren, Fletcher, Maeve, and Isla. A lifelong optimist, Francis filled his life with memorable moments—from his days at UF to his later years, including coaching his daughter’s softball teams and participating in community events like the Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Despite his long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, his family takes comfort knowing he is now reunited with loved ones, including his beloved dog, Tito.
Sharon C. Minter | 2024 | Minter, of Orlando, Florida, passed on November 25. A proud graduate of the University of Florida, Shari was a cherished member of Alpha Delta Pi. Her love for her alma mater and sorority remained a significant part of her life, often sharing stories of her time at UF. After college, Shari dedicated herself to her family, becoming a stay-at-home mother to her two daughters, Kristin and Lindsay, and later adoring her grandchildren.
Shari’s family was her world, and she loved nothing more than traveling and creating lasting memories with her loved ones. A lifelong resident of Orlando, she was also deeply connected to her community and her family’s business, R.C. Stevens. Shari is survived by her husband, L. Kipp Minter; daughters, Kristin Heaney and Lindsay Graham; and her five grandchildren, along with extended family.
Jack N. Rosenberg | BSBA ’73 | 2024 | Rosenberg, of Miami, Florida, passed on July 30.
Christopher P. Wadley | BSBA ’67 | 2024 | Wadley, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed on December 6. A graduate of the University of Florida in 1967, Chris spent his early years in Daytona Beach before enlisting in the US Navy, where he served as an Electronics Technician in Morocco. After earning his degree from UF, Chris worked for Ford Motor Company and later returned to Jacksonville, where he spent over five decades in the insurance and securities business, founding Pension Specialists, Inc. in 1976 and Key Financial Group in 1996.
Throughout his career, Chris made a lasting impact on his clients, many of whom remained with him for decades. In retirement, he continued to enjoy hobbies like motorcycle riding, boating, and fishing, while also maintaining his home and yard. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Chris will be remembered for his dedication to both his family and career, leaving behind a legacy of service and care for his clients.
Henry G. Ennis Jr. | BAA ’54 | 2024 | Ennis, of Tampa, Florida, passed on December 9. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Following college, Henry began a successful fifty-year career as a Certified Public Accountant, eventually managing the Tampa office of Touche Ross & Company (now Deloitte) and later practicing under Ennis CPA Associates. He also served as the Finance Director for the City of Tampa before retiring.
Throughout his life, Henry was deeply involved in his community, holding leadership roles in several organizations including the University of South Florida Foundation and Jesuit High School Foundation. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Tampa, he served as Deacon and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He is survived by his children, granddaughters, great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family members. Henry’s legacy of service, family, and his love for golf, bridge, and community will be cherished by all who knew him.
Robert L. Stefanelli Sr. | BSBA ’75 | 2024 | Stefanelli, of Gainesville, Florida, passed on December 8. After graduating from Bradford High School in Starke, Florida, Bob served in the Navy before attending the University of Florida, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with honors. He worked in electronics for Sperry Rand before transitioning to a successful career in insurance, eventually opening his own agency. He was a certified life underwriter (CLU) and an active member of the Exchange Club and Holy Faith Catholic Church.
Bob is survived by his daughters, Linda Stefanelli (Bill Juniper) and Mari Ann Stefanelli Perusek (Tim), as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty, and two sons, Robert and Randal. Bob’s legacy of hard work, community involvement, and devotion to his family will be remembered by all who knew him.
