Passings

Richard Brewer '84, veteran biotech executive who served as CEO of Scios and chairman of Dendreon, has died from multiple myeloma. He was 61.
Brewer began his 35-year biotech career in 1984 at Genentech, where he worked his way up to senior vice president of U.S. marketing and senior vice president of Genentech Europe and Canada. Later, as the president and CEO of Scios, he oversaw the development and marketing of nesiritide (Natrecor), a new treatment for acute heart failure. Johnson & Johnson acquired the company in 2003 for $2.4 billion.
After selling Scios, Brewer became the chairman in 2004 of Dendreon, the developer of sipuleucel-T (Provenge) for advanced prostate cancer. Brewer stepped down as chairman of Dendreon in January 2013, although he remained on the board as a director. During his watch, the company won FDA approval of the first-of-its-kind cancer immunotherapy.

Marva Lavon (Facen) Berger '93 passed peacefully on Nov. 11, 2012. Born March 2, 1949, in Lake Providence, La., Marva completed her high school education at G.W. Griffin High School. She attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, and there married her husband, Percy Berger, in 1968. Over the next seven years, Marva began careers in social work at ACORN in Evanston, Ill., and philanthropy at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. Also during that time, she and Percy welcomed two sons, Lee and Steven. The family returned to Evanston from Cambridge in 1975, and Marva continued her education at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She graduated with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences in June 1980.
After graduation, the Bergers moved to São Paulo, Brazil, by way of San Francisco. In São Paulo, Marva was active in the American Society, São Paulo Athletic Club, and the American School, where their children were students. Before the Bergers returned to the States, a third son, William, was born.
Back in Evanston, Marva continued a real estate career begun in San Francisco, becoming a successful broker on the North Shore. After completing her MBA at Kellogg in 1993, she joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, where she remained until her retirement in 2009.
Marva cared deeply about the Evanston community, and she was very active in every aspect of her children's lives, especially in their education. She helped found the Children's Theatre to advance the performing arts for Evanston Children in 1980, and served as the foundation's first chairman. She also helped set the long-term agenda for education in the area through the Evanston District 202 Long Range Planning Committee. The Illinois State Board of Educators recognized her with an award for meritorious service in 2001.
Even though she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1995, Marva became a federal banker; welcomed two daughter-in-laws, a fiance and two granddaughters into her family; and worked tirelessly to serve her community. Her strong will to be with her family, her unwavering faith and the love and support of her husband buoyed her through nearly two decades of combating her illness. She will always be an inspiration to those who knew and loved her.
Marva is survived by her husband Percy, Sr., three sons Lee, Steven and William ("Will"); two granddaughters Emily and Kate; her mother Sarah Allen; three sisters Nancy Thompson, Lesa Cooke and Robbin Nadine Burnett; as well as many dear family and friends.

Ned Miles Rockwell EMP-20 died on Friday, May 17, 2013, at his home in Lake Bluff, Ill., after a brief battle with lung cancer.
Also a graduate of Purdue University and Illinois Institute of Technology, Ned's career in the chemical and healthcare industries led to executive vice president and COO at Pons Pharma Inc., where he focused on the needs of critically ill children.
Born November 29, 1956, Ned grew up in the Miller Beach area of Gary, Ind. He loved the outdoors, and was at his happiest when his children, Ben, John and Rachel (all of Lake Bluff), joined him in biking, backcountry hiking, climbing a mountain or skiing down one. With Amy (Hartzell), his wife of 29 years, Ned shared his love of music on date nights to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His family and friends enjoyed his cooking skills and his offbeat comic outlook.
A 27-year resident of Lake Bluff, Ned served on the Alliance for Excellence, Lake Bluff District 65, and as EMP-20 class representative. He was a past troop leader for Boy Scout Troop 42 and a member of the Order of the Arrow. Always an unofficial photographer for soccer, gymnastics and volleyball teams, he also took incredible photos of the many places he visited.
Ned is also survived by his mother Marcia (Taylor) Rockwell of Gary, Ind.; sister Beth (Michael) Skoglund of Dublin, Ohio; sister-in-law Arlene (Barclay) Rockwell of Newark, Del.; and nieces and nephews, Chris, Jeff, Kim and Brian. He is predeceased by his father, Richard and his brother, Allen.
A celebration of Ned's life is being planned for later this summer. Memorial contributions may be made to organizations or causes of your choice.

Also passed, and mentioned with their class years: John Peter Merenkov '71, Ken Dumais EMP-36, Pete Sesterhenn EMP-38, Nizar Jiwani EMP-46, Doug Witmer EMP-61, Jeremy Barkan KR-03.