In Memoriam

Merle Lashey ’63 found purpose in helping others

Whether on the battlefield, in Marion or abroad, this Buckeye’s quiet generosity and optimism left a lasting impact.

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Merle Lashey smiles with closed lips, but not less enthusiasm than a big grin, in a classroom on the Marion campus. He is an older white man wearing a scarlet Ohio State golf shirt, and behind him is a white board with hand-drawn diagrams.

Remembering Ohio State alumni who have passed away

The following lists include updates reported by family members, newspapers and other sources. Each entry includes name, graduation year(s), city of residence and date of passing. 

News of the passing of Ohio State graduates may be shared with the university community by sending an email to bioupdate@osu.edu. 

Click here for a primer on the years used after alumni names.

Ohio State students at a candlelight vigil

2025

Spring

Summer

Fall

2024

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

2023

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

2022

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

 

2021

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

2020

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

2019

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

2018

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

2017

January–February

March–April

May–June

Fall

Winter

  • In an older black and white photo, Gene Millard instructs a young man who's holding a basketball as if he's ready to shoot a basket. The coach is either playing defense or correcting the young man's form. He is slightly crouched and has one hand higher in the air. Neither is grinning, but they both look as if they're enjoying themselves.

    He coached champions—and built character, too

    Gene Millard scored the first basket at St. John Arena and, as a coach, taught grit, grace and how to treat people like family.

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  • Connie Zehr, a white woman with short blond hair, oval glasses and a big smile, sits on a director's-style folding chair in front of photos of her works. They are all sand and they are mounded in different formations. They could be ancient or alien structures, or foot prints into mounded sand--they're abstract and so open to interpretation.

    Connie Zehr ’60 left a trail of red sand and wonder

    The artist’s sand installations and quiet innovation helped shape a movement—and left a legacy of beauty and meaning.

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  • As a young woman in this black and white photo, Ruth Klingler McPheron stands in front of a house and greenery wearing a white blouse and shin-length plaid skirt. She is a white woman with a pretty hairstyle, a soft smile and the looks of someone you'd want to tell stories to.

    Ruth McPheron ’48 made everyone feel seen and heard

    This beloved Buckeyes inspired generations with her intellect, kindness and curiosity—plus a few unforgettable travel tales.

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  • This portrait of Ben Espy shows a sophisticated Black man with a friendly smile. He wears glasses and a pin-striped suit and stands in front of shelves lined with law books.

    Ben Espy: Trailblazing lawyer and leader in Columbus

    Known in public for his standup ethics and championing the underdog, at home, his family says, he was the “ultimate girl dad.”

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  • In this portrait of Ernest Levert Jr., he poses with a friendly smile. His sweatshort says "Keep calm and play chess" and has a beard and thin dreads pulled back

    Ernest Levert Jr. used chess to teach kids about life

    The nonprofit started by the 2013 graduate relied on the game to share lessons about wisdom, wellness and community.

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  • A clean-cut young man, Ron O'Brien smiles for the camera. This is a black and white photo, and he as eyes wide open and wears and Ohio State T-shirt.

    Star coach cared more for athletes than accolades

    Diving coach Ron O’Brien ’59, ’61 MA, ’67 PhD helped athletes win more than 300 medals, including four for Greg Louganis.

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  • This portrait shows Bill Mitsch, a middle-age white man with a friendly smile. He's posing in front of the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, which has raised wooden walkways over wetlands grasses inside a ring of trees.

    Bill Mitsch brought wetlands know-how to the people

    The distinguished professor established the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park and was a leading researcher and academic.

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  • Carole Gerber rests her chin on her clasped hands and softly smiles in this portrait of her.

    Smile-inducing books were Carole Gerber’s forte

    The prolific author, who also had experience as a journalist, delighted children and never met a stranger, her daughter says.

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  • Dressed in a striped dress shirt, tie and dress pants, Moody smiles as he poses on the second floor of the student union

    Fearless faith: How Curt Moody ’73 built his dreams

    Humility and determination were a way of life for the renowned architect, who left an indelible mark on campus and beyond. 

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  • Sister Mary Faith Dargan, an older white lady, smiles as she poses for a portrait outdoors. She wears a plain white button-down that makes her blue eyes and smile stand out

    Sister inspired students with humor and kindness

    Mary Faith Dargan ’70 PhD was a beloved teacher and Dominican Sister of Peace, a Catholic congregation based in Columbus.

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  • Dr. Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy wears a headscarf wrapped around her head and glasses as she smiles for a portrait. At this time, she was undergoing cancer treatment and caring for patients. She looks liek someone you'd want to trust. A middle-age woman born in India, she wears a business suit, a stethoscope around her neck and turquoise necklace and bracelet. The background is a wall with a huge photograph of flowers.

    Oncologist with cancer was dedicated to her patients

    Dr. Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy ardently researched breast cancer and treated patients, even after developing cancer herself.

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  • An older man with a friendly smile poses with his hands in his pockets while on Bergsohn Innsbruck, while on a ski hill in Austria.

    From war refugee to polar pioneer: his brave journey

    Ohio State researcher Henry Brecher ’66 MS escaped the Nazis and was a favorite at Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center.

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  • David Harris poses for an American Airlines headshot in a suit and narrow tie and pilot’s hat. He is a Black man and his expression says he is serious yet open or trustworthy—like someone you’d trust to fly your plane.

    First Black pilot at a big U.S. airline? He was a Buckeye

    David E. Harris ’57 not only broke barriers, he was an all-around great guy—and credited those who came before him.

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  • George Acock, an older white man with pure white hair, sits with hands clasped and legs crossed, looking happy, confident and comfortable in a studio where canvasses line the wall and other available space.

    George W. Acock helped define the campus experience

    This architect and 1963 graduate redesigned Thompson Library and Pomerene Hall and designed several new residence halls.

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  • In a portrait showing her head and shoulders, Romaine Bayless smiles while wearing her lab coat, gold hoops earrings and a pair of gold necklaces. A black woman with close cropped hair, a pretty and wide smile, and eyes that crinkle as the corners, her expression says she is friendly and smart.

    Romaine Bayless: Trailblazer, doctor, mathematician …

    The veteran and 1978 alumna always had the courage to adventure forward, and helped develop in vitro fertilization at Yale.

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  • Coach Bobby Knight gestures with both hands as he yells at his team on the court. He looks focused and intense.

    Buckeye friends recall the magic of Bobby Knight

    The coaching legend honed his skills on a team that won multiple national championships and included future NBA players.

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  • In an older photo, a white man leans toward the camera while wearing his baseball uniform, glasses and a baseball cap. He looks focused and serious.

    Frank Howard, a gentle giant who hit epic home runs

    In his Ohio State days, the 6-foot-7 Howard was a 2-sport athlete and basketball star, whose rebound record still stands.

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  • Dressed in a pinstripe suit and wearing glasses, a Black man stands in front of Ohio Stadium, looking into the distance and smiling

    Dimitrious Stanley was a football star, cancer fighter

    The 2001 graduate made it his mission to help men guard against prostate cancer, which he was diagnosed with at age 45.

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  • Two white women, one with short blond hair and the other with long dark hair, lean into the photo as parade-watchers line the street behind them. The women’s smiles say they are happy and proud.

    Linda Schuler ’68 made Columbus more festive, inclusive

    The Buckeye chaired the Pride Parade for 22 years and spent three decades as a leader in the Recreation and Parks department.

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  • Bear Braumoeller sits in a chair as he speaks with three graduate students sitting around him. He has curling, graying hair and wears a cardigan and loafers, and his skin crinkles around his eyes as he smiles.

    Professor Bear F. Braumoeller: A true scholar and friend

    While his research focused on escalation and war, this professor was beloved for spreading encouragement and kindness.

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  • On the field in Ohio Stadium, an older white woman wearing a scarlet and gray argyle vest stands next to a younger black woman. She’s looking at her friend and they are both laughing.

    She made Ohio State a leader in women’s athletics

    With gusto, wit and charm, Phyllis Bailey was persistent in pushing to get women’s sports the respect they deserve.

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  • An older man wearing glasses and a checked button-down gestures while teaching a class in front of a white board.

    Bill Lowrie gave constantly, in ways big and small

    William G. Lowrie ’66 and his genuine support of Buckeyes earned him respect and appreciation wherever he went.

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