DR. ROSS M. FRAKER, CLASS OF 1980
Dr. Ross McKee Fraker died on Aug. 24, 2019, surrounded by his family, from complications related to a fall. He was 76.
Dr. Fraker was born on Oct. 16, 1942 in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Ross D. and Helen McKee Fraker. His father was killed in an aircraft accident on Okinawa Island, Japan in 1945 while in the Army Air Corps. Mrs. Fraker, young Ross, and baby Leslie then returned to the family ranch. She later married Elvin Addison, and the family welcomed sister Merri. They moved to Greeley, Colo.
During his junior high years in Greeley, Dr. Fraker met Deanna Borden. They began dating in high school, from which they both graduated with high honors. He played trumpet and French horn in the school band, was a varsity wrestler, and rode bulls for the FFA team. He went to the University of Colorado (CU), initially to study engineering, then changed his focus to mathematics. In addition to receiving his bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in applied mathematics from CU, he was an NCAA letterman in wrestling.
The couple married on Aug. 25, 1963. Their daughter, Sarah, was born in April 1971 in Boulder. Two months later he completed his doctorate, and the family moved to Logan, Utah, where he was a mathematics professor at Utah State University. In August 1974 their son, Erik, was born. After five years of professorship, Dr. Fraker and his family moved to Seattle so he could attend the School of Dentistry. The family enjoyed sailing, clam digging, berry picking, camping, and Husky football.
In 1980 he began a 30-year career practicing general dentistry. He adored caring for his patients, and had a calm presence and a gentle and kind touch. He often commented that his favorite part of his practice was talking to people. Many patients considered him their friend. Community service was a foundation of his life, and he was highly engaged in organized dentistry, holding many leadership positions with the Seattle-King County Dental Society, Washington State Dental Association, and School of Dentistry Alumni Board.
As a practicing dentist with an engineering mindset, Dr. Fraker developed and patented The Amalgam Collector, an apparatus that removes heavy metal from dental waste. Considered an industry expert, he helped many water districts and dental societies across the country develop and implement regulations for dentists to trap waste metal in their offices and prevent pollution of the general water and sewer systems. When the federal government began drafting legislation on the topic, he testified before the EPA in Washington, D.C., fulfilling his mission of saving the environment one dental office at a time.
In another facet of his commitment to service, Dr. Fraker participated in several volunteer mission trips, helping communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas rebuild after devastating hurricanes and flooding. He was skilled at everything from electrical wiring to roof and drywall repair, and worked long, hard hours in hot, humid weather helping others get back on their feet.
The Frakers spent 56 years of marriage traveling the world, loving many dogs and cats, and making countless memories with their family, including: Sarah Fraker, DDS, and Jim Jensen (sons James and Grant); Erik and Margo Fraker (sons Charlie and Sam); and siblings, in-laws, cousins, parents, and numerous friends.
DR. ROSE M. HOMAN, DDS CLASS OF 1980
Dr. Rose M. Homan of Omaha, Neb., and formerly of Remsen, Iowa, died on Jan. 26, 2023 at The Heritage at Sterling Ridge. She was 75.
She was born on Jan. 23, 1948 in Le Mars, Iowa, to Gerald and Armella Homan.
She was raised on the Homan Jersey Farm in Remsen and received her education from Remsen St. Mary’s High School, graduating in 1966. She received her diploma from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, and her BSN and MA from the University of Iowa School of Nursing in Iowa City.
She was an instructor at the UW School of Nursing before attending the School of Dentistry. She completed her dental residency in New York City, followed by a career at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where she served as a faculty member, practitioner, and administrator.
Upon her retirement Dr. Homan moved to Omaha. She enjoyed traveling to many countries (notably Luxembourg), genealogy, planting flowers, the opera, and Broadway touring shows.
Dr. Homan is survived by her siblings, Sr. Jeanette Homan, OSF of Dubuque, Iowa, Richard (Betty) and David (RaNae) of Remsen, Donald (Laurie) of Cedar Rapids, Mary of Phoenix, Betty Klesitz and Susan (Tom) Gensichen of Omaha, Rita and Kathy of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Mark (Nina) of Gretna, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law Michael Klesitz.
DR. DAMON JEFFERY GUINN, CLASS OF 1980
Damon Jeffery Guinn was born Sept. 13, 1954 in Portland, Ore.; died July 13, 1999 in Snohomish County. Loving father of Lisa, David, and Brian Guinn; brother of Michele (Michael) Romeo and David (Cheryl) Guinn. Also survived by his grandmother, Rosalie Guinn, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Guinn was a 1972 graduate of Mercer Island High School, a graduate of the University of Washington and the University of Washington Dental School in the Class of 1980. He was an avid golfer and lived in Mill Creek for almost 20 years. Jeff was an incredible dentist dedicated to gently caring for his patients. He loved his patients and always put their welfare as his top priority. Above all, Jeff was a dear friend to so many people. He always had an open heart.
DR. RICK K. OUHL, CLASS OF 1980
Dr. Rick “Rickie” Kenneth Ouhl of Spanaway, Wash., passed away peacefully on June 30, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was 65.
Dr. Ouhl was born on Feb. 22, 1954 on Mare Island, Calif. His family moved to Parkland, Wash., when he was a toddler. He lived there most of his life. He graduated from Washington High School in 1972 and Pacific Lutheran University in 1976. His lifelong dream of being a dentist became a reality, and he opened his dental practice in Parkland.
His impact on the community though 39 years at his dental practice embodied his passion and commitment to helping others, and he always embraced and welcomed his patients as family. He loved his staff, and they were pivotal in helping to build a successful practice. He welcomed their opinions on patient care and the daily workings of the practice. He truly valued everyone who was a part of Team Ouhl.
Dr. Ouhl served as president of the Pierce County Dental Society and on the board of directors for the Washington State Dental Association. He loved snow skiing, golfing, gardening, and cheering on the Huskies, Seahawks, and Mariners. He spent his most cherished days with his wife, Amy, enjoying gourmet meals, traveling, and doting on his beloved dogs, all eight of them.
Dr. Ouhl is survived by his wife, Amy; and children Sydney, Tryce, Sara, and Andrew. (Tacoma News Tribune)
DR. MARK C. PAXTON, CLASS OF 1980, GPR CLASS OF 1981
Dr. Mark Christopher Paxton died on Feb. 8, 2018 in Spokane, Wash. He was 63. Dr. Paxton was a beloved husband, father, Papa, brother and friend. His life was packed to the brim with adventure, service, family and friends.
Dr. Paxton was born on Aug. 10, 1954 in Burbank, Calif., to Tom and Sue Paxton. He was the third of six children and grew up in Bellevue, Wash. He graduated from Washington State University and then attended the School of Dentistry. While at UW, he met Diane Stevens, followed her around, and persuaded her to marry him in 1980. After dental school, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he received his training as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
After leaving the Air Force, the Paxtons relocated to Spokane in 1995, where he started his oral surgery practice. Dr. Paxton had a special interest in cleft lip and palate surgery, and he touched the lives of many patients and their families through his compassionate and skilled work. He traveled to Colombia and Guatemala for 28 years with Hearts in Motion to perform surgeries for children who would have otherwise gone without any help. He mentored hundreds of surgical residents, dental students and WSU undergraduate students, and took them to Guatemala on these mission trips. He was also fundamental in building the Inland Dental Expanded Access Clinic in Spokane.
Dr. Paxton lived a full life and he touched many people. He loved adventures like traveling, hiking, biking, skiing, sailing, and especially flying. He was very loyal to his WSU Cougars. Mostly, he loved his family and friends, and cherished his last several months having his grandchildren, Quincy, Clara, and Edda, living in his home. He was a beloved Papa.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; son Chris (Mary Dorothy); daughter Lindsey; grandchildren Quincy, Clara, and Edda; siblings Anne (Jim Harvey) Paxton, Tim (Cathy), Matt (Kris), and Suzanne; parents-in-law Otto and Shirley Stevens; sisters and brothers-in-law Scott (Suzi) Stevens, Rich Stevens, Brian (Denise) Stevens, and Kristi (Rob) Rice; many nieces and nephews; and numerous special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Tom.(Spokane Spokesman-Review)
DR. BARBARA U. SIMPSON, DDS CLASS OF 1980
Dr. Barbara Uldene Simpson (née Robinson) died peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Nov. 17, 2022 in University Place, Wash., after living with ALS for six years. She was 68.
She was born on May 25, 1954 in Bismarck, N.D., to Donald and Margaret Robinson. In 1972, she graduated from London Central High School in High Wycombe, United Kingdom, while living with family in Farnham Commons, Buckinghamshire. She earned a degree in zoology from Iowa State University in 1976 and entered the School of Dentistry. She served as a U.S. Army dentist at Fort Lewis, Washington and Taegu, South Korea until June 1984.
The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Rayburn, pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church, introduced her to Michael Simpson and they were married on June 8, 1985. She loved being a full-time mother and, in addition to being active in the ministry of the church, she enjoyed knitting, sewing, playing the piano, cooking, gardening, and painting. When her four children got older, she returned to dentistry and worked as a hygienist at 6th Avenue Dental Care in Tacoma for 11 years. During her last years, while enduring the ravages of ALS, she graciously kept her eyes on the Lord and was an inspiration to many.
She was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tacoma and sacrificially devoted herself to serving her Lord, family, and Christian brothers and sisters.
Dr. Simpson is survived by her husband, Michael; children David (Katelyn) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jonathan, Elizabeth (Logan) Green, and Mary (Scott) Ligman, all of Tacoma, Wash.; siblings Marion (Duke) Vermazen of Reno, Nev., Elizabeth (Steven) Thompson of Memphis, Tenn., and Charles (Annie Robinson) of Seneca, S.C.; and cousins, nieces, and nephews. (Legacy.com)