In Memoriam Summer 2026

Mary Jean Lindner, GWSB ’51 (May. 18, 2026, 100), a longtime philanthropist and recipient of one of the George Washington University’s inaugural Spirit of GW Awards, died May 18. She was 100. '

Her husband of 68 years, GW trustee emeritus Thaddeus A. Lindner, A.A. ’50, B.A. ’51, passed away in December 2020. In 2019, the couple were honored at the inaugural Spirit of GW Awards for their career achievements, service and philanthropic contributions. At the time, they had made 68 consecutive years of annual gifts to the university.

The couple supported GW across a range of areas, including an endowed scholarship fund and professorship. The Elliott School of International Affairs’ Lindner Family Commons is named in their honor.

Lindner, née Wellford, was a college graduate taking night courses at GW in 1951 when she met her husband-to-be. “Tad” Lindner, a World War II veteran attending GW on the G.I. Bill, was an outstanding undergraduate who served both as president of GW’s student government association and as captain of the university’s golf team.

While still a student, he launched Colonial Parking, Inc., with fellow student Sergius “Serge” Gambal, B.A. ’52. Mary Jean Lindner was Colonial Parking’s first cashier, and the enterprise would become the District of Columbia’s largest parking services company. The couple married in 1952, with Gambal serving as best man.

According to her obituary, Lindner was a fourth-generation Washingtonian whose earliest American ancestor was George Washington’s personal physician. She was hired by the nascent CIA shortly after graduating from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College), eventually rising from the position of typist to that of intelligence officer. She was a reader, artist, art collector and avid athlete, enjoying field hockey, swimming, softball, tennis and—like her husband—golf. Lindner also was a recipient of Randolph College’s Alumna Achievement Award.

The Lindners’ legacy at GW extends beyond volunteerism and philanthropic support: Several generations of family members also graduated from the university.

“It’s so appropriate that the room is called the ‘family’ commons, the Lindner Family Commons,” former GW trustee and Elliott School professor Edward “Skip” Gnehm Jr., B.A. ’66, M.A. ’68, said in a video produced for the 2019 Spirit of GW Awards. “Both [Tad] and Mary Jean and other members of the family have just contributed so much to this university.”

Cathy I. Bassett, M.A. ’84, Ed.S. ’86 (Dec. 19, 2025, 71) was a dedicated educator and community leader whose career centered on youth development and public service. A graduate of GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development, Bassett was known for her commitment to education, mentorship and civic engagement throughout her life. She is remembered for her devotion to strengthening communities through learning and service.

Judith Ann Madigan Burgess, M.B.A.’86 (Dec. 6, 2025, 90) was a business professional, artist and lifelong learner whose intellectual curiosity shaped both her career and personal life. After years as a Navy spouse and educator, she returned to school while working at Coopers & Lybrand, earning an associate degree from Montgomery College and later an M.B.A. from GW. Burgess spent much of her professional career with the accounting firm before retiring to Arizona, where she continued her studies and earned bachelor’s and master of fine arts degrees from the University of Arizona. Known for her love of travel, literature, art and needlework, she remained intellectually curious throughout her life. She is remembered for her warmth, adventurous spirit and devotion to family and lifelong learning.

Jules Isaac Cahan, M.D. ’53, B.S. ’49 (Sept. 11, 2025, 96) was a distinguished surgeon, educator and longtime member of the GW medical community. After earning his degrees from GW, he served in the U.S. Air Force and completed surgical residency training at GW, later helping to open the Department of Surgery at Holy Cross Hospital and serving as its chief. Cahan devoted decades to surgical education, mentoring generations of physicians and supporting GW’s physician assistant program. In 2014, the university established the Dr. Jules Cahan Distinguished Teaching Award in his honor. He is remembered for his devotion to patients, students and community.

Kelly Tain Crosby, B.A. ‘08 (Dec. 1, 2025) was a dedicated political professional and lifelong learner whose career spanned campaign leadership, consulting and advocacy across more than 30 states. A graduate of GW with dual bachelor’s degrees in international studies and economics and a master’s in political campaign management from the Elliott School of International Affairs, Crosby brought sharp intellect and boundless energy to her work in public service and political strategy. Known for her love of learning, commitment to service and warm spirit, she also enjoyed travel and culture. She is survived by her husband, Allen Crosby; her parents, Robert and Marsha Tain; her sisters, Dani and Bekki Tain; her niece; and extended family and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Virginia “Ginny” Carey DeSimone, B.A. ’69 (May 3, 2026, 95) was a congressional aide, civic leader and lifelong advocate for ethical public service whose career spanned politics, public policy and community leadership. After earning a history degree from GW, she worked for U.S. Sen. Paul Douglas, serving as a special assistant during his efforts on civil rights and consumer protection legislation, including the Truth in Lending Act. A dedicated civic organizer, DeSimone later held leadership roles with the League of Women Voters, the Committee of 100 in Arlington and the United Way of the National Capital Area. Known for her warmth, intellect and devotion to public service, she was also an avid reader and lifelong learner. She is remembered for her integrity, generosity and commitment to family and civic engagement.

Sam Victor Machotka II, Ph.D. ’95 (Nov. 16, 2025, 79) served as a clinical veterinarian and pathologist in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and later held senior roles at Hazleton Labs/Covance and Merck. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and the American Board of Toxicology, he authored numerous scientific publications. Outside his professional life, Machotka enjoyed racquetball, competitive pickleball and scuba diving as a PADI instructor. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; children Dara, Justin and Dee; two grandchildren; one brother; and four sisters.

Seymour Perlin, M.D. (Nov. 20, 2025, 100) was a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the George Washington University and a nationally recognized leader in suicidology. He joined the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences faculty in 1974 and later served as director of psychiatry residency training, where he developed a nationally respected program and mentored generations of physicians who went on to leadership roles in the field. A prolific scholar, Perlin authored more than 50 publications and co-edited two foundational texts on suicide and medical ethics. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to education and mentorship, the Perlin family established the Seymour and Ruth Perlin Professorship in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, honoring both Seymour and his wife, Ruth, and supporting faculty dedicated to resident education. He is remembered as a devoted clinician, teacher and advocate whose influence continues to shape psychiatric training at GW and beyond.

John Arthur Mack, B.A. ‘72 (March 10, 2026, 76) was a hospitality and finance executive whose international career reflected his lifelong interest in languages, travel and European culture. After attending GW and the Institut International de Glion in Switzerland, he worked for Hilton International in Montreal, Athens, Tel Aviv and Zurich before later serving as a managing director at Bear Stearns in New York and co-founding a Paris-based firm specializing in European institutional sales. A gifted skier and avid traveler, Mack maintained deep ties to Europe throughout his life while remaining proud of his Cincinnati roots. He is remembered for his intellectual curiosity, global perspective and devotion to family.

Bradley Anthony Mueller, B.B.A. ’16 (Sept. 24, 2025, 31) earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a double major in finance and international business from GW. He went on to build a successful career across the public and private sectors, including roles at PepsiCo, Google, Deloitte and Booz Allen Hamilton, where he served as a senior consultant and intelligence professional. Known for his warmth, intellect and generosity, Mueller was passionate about travel and deeply connected to friends and family. He is survived by his parents, Sophia and Bruce Mueller; stepsisters Margaret Pappas and Kristen Mueller; his grandmother; extended family; and many friends.

Chuluunbileg “Chuko” Orosoo, M.P.S. ’15 (Jan. 14, 2026) was a passionate advocate for democracy whose work focused on civic engagement, youth political leadership and anti-corruption efforts in Mongolia and beyond. A 2015 graduate of GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, he helped advance democratic participation through international collaboration and large-scale training programs. He is remembered for his commitment to empowering others and his contributions to global civic leadership.

Chei-Min M. Paik, D.B.A. ’64 (Dec. 16, 2025, 94) was a longtime professor of managerial accounting and controls at GW’s School of Business, where he joined the faculty in 1964 and taught for more than four decades. The first Korean to earn a Doctor of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, Paik was a respected scholar and mentor who later established the Chei-Min Paik Endowment Fund for Business Research. He is survived by his wife, Inja Kim Paik; three children; and seven grandchildren.

Edwin L. Phelps, J.D. ’68 (March 17, 2026, 87) was a business owner and investor in the education industry. One of his companies, ESI International, partnered with the GW School of Business for many years to offer highly successful professional development curricula in project management globally. Another, IPS Associates, presented courses in strategic execution in partnership with the Stanford University School of Engineering. Phelps served on the GW Law School board of advisors and on the board of trustees for GW Medical Faculty Associates. He is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Ed; and grandchildren, Isabel and Ian.

Richard Coleman Rhame, M.D. ’54 (Sept. 3, 2025, 96) earned his medical degree from GW after graduating from Princeton University. Following service as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy, he completed residencies in general and urological surgery at Yale Medical Center, where he also served as chief resident in urology and an instructor. Rhame later held leadership roles as chief of urology at Alexandria Hospital and at GW’s section of D.C. General Hospital, where he was also an assistant clinical professor. Known for his dedication to patients and contributions to urological surgery, he was also an avid and competitive sailor. He is survived by his five children and seven grandchildren.

Henry L. P. “Hank” Schmelzer, J.D. ’68 (Jan. 12, 2026, 82) earned his law degree from GW Law after completing undergraduate studies at the University of Maine. He later served as a captain in U.S. Army Military Intelligence during the Vietnam War, receiving a Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster and the Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry. Schmelzer went on to a distinguished legal and executive career, including leadership roles at New England Mutual Life Insurance Company and as president and CEO of New England Mutual Funds Group, before dedicating his later years to public service and philanthropy in Maine. He is remembered for his warmth, generosity and commitment to community.

Ron J. Twilegar, J.D. ’71 (March 5, 2026, 82) was an Idaho legislator, civic leader and attorney whose career reflected a lifelong commitment to public service and community development. After serving as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he worked as an aide to U.S. Sen. Jim McClure while earning his law degree at GW. Twilegar later became the first Democrat from Ada County elected to the Idaho Legislature in 38 years and went on to serve in the Idaho Senate and on the Boise City Council. A strong advocate for historic preservation and downtown revitalization, he helped shape the development of modern downtown Boise through his leadership with the Capital City Development Corporation. He is remembered for his perseverance, civic vision and dedication to public service.

Marilyn Benjamin Wassmann, M.A. ‘79 (Jan. 19, 2026, 77) was an artist, writer and longtime Library of Congress art cataloguer whose life reflected creativity, scholarship and resilience. After earning degrees from Drew University, Pratt Institute, GW and the University of Maryland, she devoted 35 years to the Library of Congress, where she worked as an art cataloguer. A gifted painter, poet and writer, Wassmann remained active in the arts throughout her life and published four books of poetry and children’s literature in retirement. She was also a member of the choir at Trinity Baptist Church in Hyattsville, Maryland. She is remembered for her intellectual curiosity, gentle wit and enduring appreciation for art and beauty.