In Memoriam Winter 2025

Robert Gustav Baumann, M.A. ’50 (Dec. 26, 2024, 98) served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves before a long career as a CPA and financial executive, holding posts with John I. Thompson Co., the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Potomac Research Inc. and Electronic Data Systems. He earned a master’s in accounting from GW after completing a bachelor’s at the University of North Carolina. A parishioner of St. Mary’s Parish and St. John Neumann Catholic Church, he was active in the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Patricia; seven children; 17 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Edward Shea Bumby, B.B.A. ’18 (Sept. 19, 2025, 60) was a regional vice president of client growth for Security Training Corp., where he mentored young entrepreneurs and helped them launch their businesses. After graduating from Ripon High School in Wisconsin, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, marketing and public policy from GW. A member and group leader at RiverGlen Christian Church in Waukesha, he was remembered for his dedication to faith and community. He also enjoyed traveling, target shooting, playing pickleball and spending time with his nieces and nephews. He is survived by his father, Jeff; sisters, Libby and Katie; their children; and extended family.

Olivia Cadaval, B.A. ’72, Ph.D. ’89 (April 8, 2025, 82) was a folklorist, scholar and community activist who spent decades at the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, where she curated programs highlighting Latino communities and mentored generations of students and cultural workers. After completing her Ph.D. in American studies and folklife at GW, she became known for championing “community scholars”—individuals recognized as experts in their own cultural traditions. She received the Américo Paredes Prize from the American Folklore Society in 2012 and was elected an AFS Fellow in 2018. She is remembered for her dedication to collaborative research, mentorship and cultural representation.

Casey Canevari, M.T.A. ’22 (May 1, 2025, 43) was director of global trade development (Canada) at Brand USA, where he cultivated key partnerships to strengthen international tourism to the United States. A passionate traveler and outdoorsman, he visited 30 countries, hiked Mount Washington five times and was working toward summiting all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks. Earlier in his career, he worked with Visit St. Pete Clearwater and Audley Travel, where he shared his enthusiasm for Africa. He is remembered for his joy, generosity and infectious laughter. He is survived by his wife, Christine; their children, Parker, Connor and Riley; his parents, Dawn and Arthur; and extended family and friends.

Norman L. Eule, J.D. ’74 (July 28, 2025, 78) was a skilled lawyer and professor of law remembered for his devotion to his family and students. He celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary in June with his wife and college sweetheart, Ellen. He is survived by his son, Alexander; daughter-in-law, Michelle; granddaughters, Madeline and Sylvie; and niece, Jenny.

Else Marie Nissen Hitt, M.A. ’78 (June 22, 2025, 70) was a lifelong educator and volunteer. Born in Stavanger, Norway, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Vernon College and a master’s from GW. She taught early childhood and special education in North Carolina, where the Mobile Pre-K Bus System she worked on received national recognition. Later, she taught English to refugees through Lutheran Services in Iowa and volunteered at Beit CURE International Hospital in Zambia, supporting children and families. She is survived by her husband, Steven; daughters, Jennifer and Ellen; grandchildren, Grant and Elizabeth; and brother, Bernt Nissen.

David Andrew Lewis, B.S. ’57 (Feb. 24, 2025, 90) was a mechanical engineer with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for 35 years, where he contributed to the design of engines used in aircraft, including the SR-71 spy plane, the B-52G bomber and the F-14, F-15 and F-16 fighter jets. He later worked on engines for the Space Shuttle program, including those used to launch satellites and moon missions. He published widely in engineering journals and held multiple patents. Outside of his career, he was a devoted father and avid builder whose projects ranged from model rockets to family dollhouses. He is survived by his companion of 13 years, Robyn Makaruk, and by his children, Matthew Karstan and Cristina Therese.

Harvey Katzen, M.D. ’75, RESD ’80 (July 29, 2025, 75) was a hematologist-oncologist in Maryland remembered for his compassion, dedication and devotion to his patients, colleagues and family. After earning his M.D. from the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, he completed his residency in internal medicine and later specialized in hematology and oncology, caring for patients in the Washington, D.C., area for decades. His family’s ties to GW span generations: his father, the late Dr. Bernard Katzen, A.A. ’34, M.D. ’38, practiced family and internal medicine; his mother, Mildred, A.A. ’45, B.A. ’46, was also an alumna; his son, Jason, M.D. ’06, RESD ’11, is a radiologist in the DMV; and his brother, Burton, a podiatrist, also attended GW before completing his degree elsewhere. Katzen is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Jason; daughter-in-law, Lori; brother, Burton; sister-in-law, Wendy; and grandson, Brady.

Mike Patrick, B.A. ’66 (April 20, 2025, 80) was a broadcaster who spent 36 years with ESPN, most memorably as the voice of “Sunday Night Football” from 1987 to 2005. Over his career, he also covered college basketball, baseball, women’s basketball and some of the biggest rivalries in college sports. He retired from ESPN in 2018. Remembered by colleagues as a consummate professional and generous friend, he was described by broadcast partner and former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann as “more than just a broadcast partner…one of my dearest friends.”

Cornelia Van Hook Potter, M.A. ’71 (June 20, 2025, 79) was a longtime staff member of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Advisory Board, where she worked for 35 years. She previously held positions at the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Dumbarton Oaks and the New England River Basins Commission. After earning a master’s degree in economics from GW, she went on to complete an M.B.A. at Boston University. Active in civic and cultural organizations, she served with the Boston Ward Five Democratic Committee, the Nichols House Museum and the Union Club of Boston. She is survived by her brother, two daughters, a stepson, six grandchildren, a great-grandson and extended family.