Obituaries

Leon E. Ashford, an early advocate for first-generation and Black students at Washington University in St. Louis, died March 28, 2020. He was 90. Ashford worked for the university for 39 years, retiring in 1995 as director of Student Educational Services, a precursor to The Learning Center. 

Momoko Oyama, a Washington University graduate on the verge of beginning her third year of medical school at the university, died Sunday, June 14, 2020, at her campus apartment in St. Louis. The cause of death is not yet known. Oyama, who had planned to become a neonatologist, was 24.

Denise Saim, a 27-year employee at the McKelvey School of Engineering, died suddenly May 26, 2020, at her home of an apparent heart attack. She was 64.

Paul J. Landgraf, a veteran employee of Washington University in St. Louis, died Tuesday, May 19, 2020. He had suffered a fall earlier in the month at his home. He was 73. Landgraf was known across campus for his warm personality, eagerness to lend a hand and commitment to the health and safety of all who worked or studied at and visited Washington University.

Barbara Geller, MD, an emerita professor of child psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, died Friday, May 8, 2020 in hospice in St. Louis after a brief illness. She was 81.

Helen (Trudi) Spigel Riesenberg, PhD ’69, a former director of student activities and later director of the Assembly Series at Washington University in St. Louis, died Monday, March 30, 2020, at her home in Harpswell, Maine. She was 93.

Anne Tao, a respected businesswoman, philanthropist, community leader and Washington University in St. Louis benefactor, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in Franklin, Tenn. She was 98.

Alec Becker, a first-year student in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died by suicide Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in his hometown of Dallas. He was 18. Becker only attended Washington University for the fall semester, but friends and faculty who had the opportunity to know Becker say he was thoughtful, warm and spirited. 

Miles W. Meyer, an adjunct instructor in University College at Washington University in St. Louis, died Feb. 7 in St. Louis. He was 69. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Kutis Funeral Home in Affton and from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at St. Lucas United Church of Christ in Sunset Hills.

Rick Larsen, Washington University in St. Louis’ head athletic trainer and former baseball coach, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, after a six-year battle with cancer. Larsen was 65. Visitation will take place from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Bopp Chapel in Kirkwood, and a celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, in Graham Chapel.