Obituaries

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.

Susan W. Caine, recently retired executive director of development communications at Washington University in St. Louis, died Feb. 2, 2020, following a lengthy struggle against brain cancer. She was 68.

Barbara G. Pickard, professor emerita of biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died Dec. 6, 2019, in St. Louis from complications related to hip surgery. She was 83.

Richard A. “Red” Watson, professor emeritus of philosophy in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died Sept. 18, 2019, in Wellesley, Mass. He was 88. 

Taevin Symone Lewis, a recent graduate of the Program in Occupational Therapy at the School of Medicine, died Jan. 1 in a motor vehicle accident in St. Louis. She was 26. A funeral service will take place Saturday, Jan. 11, in Memphis, Tenn.

William Kwang-Yeh Tao, an emeritus trustee of Washington University, died Dec. 17, 2019, in Franklin, Tenn. He was 102. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, in Graham Chapel.

A memorial service and celebration of life honoring Bernard Adolphus “Dolph” Bridgewater Jr. will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 in Washington University’s Graham Chapel. Bridgewater, an emeritus trustee of the university, died Oct. 31, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. He was 85.