Alumni Updates

Jim Hervey

, Speech Communication, 1977

Jim Hervey, Speech Communication, 1977, passed in January 2019. He often said "Every day is a gift". While at HSU, Jim met his wife, Linda Upson. Over a decade later after earning his MBA at the University of San Diego he proposed on Valentine's Day. They lived in Sunnyvale and Menlo Park prior to his return to San Diego. He then studied to become a tax accountant. As an IRS registered tax preparer he used his skills at the Ward & Thorn Law Firm. Jim was an avid body surfer, swimmer, and outdoors enthusiast. Those skills served him well as a leader in Boy Scouts of America Troop 500. He remained active in Troop 500 even after his only child, David, went off to college.

Bob Freeman

Biological Sciences, 1977

Bob is still retired from his career as a Public Health Laboratory Director and is moving forward with the fun stuff.

The fifth book in his space opera series, H2LiftShips, has been published, and he is working on developing the project for TV/Film. Trying to figure out FinalPro for screenwriting takes him back to 1970's software.

In the meantime, Beyond the Now, and Time travel, but not like that, have been published in all the usual vendors. 

Check out the websites for more:

https://www.h2liftship.com

https://imdb.com/name/nm16970808

Raymond ("Jay") Joseph Bogiatto II

Wildlife, 1977

Jay died of brain cancer July 4th. He was so proud of his HSU experience and education. Here are links to the obituary and a write-up by CSU, Chico.

https://today.csuchico.edu/fond-farewell-jay-bogiatto/

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicoer/name/raymond-bogiatto-obit…

Tim Hamaker

Fisheries Biology, 1977

Has been on an assignment to Southern California since March, 2010 acting as the Environmental Compliance Manager for a 1+ billion dollar wind energy project near Tehachapi-Mojave.

Rick Williams

Wildlife, 1977

Ricky retired in 2022 after a 45-year career as a wildlife biologist that began with waterfowl research for CDFG and USFWS, including a memorable stint chasing then-endangered Aleutian Canada Geese across their California wintering grounds. From 1980-2022, he worked as a terrestrial biologist and program manager in the private sector, primarily focused on water and energy projects in California and other western states. He credits the late Humboldt professors, Drs. Stan (Doc) Harris and Charles F. (Chuck) Yocum for guiding him into career-long service with The Wildlife Society-Western Section, including terms as President and Representative to the TWS National Council.

Raymond J. Bogiatto

Wildlife, 1977

Raymond J. Bogiatto, 1977 Wildlife, received his Master of Science in Biology from California State University, Chico in 1986. Bogiatto then worked at Eagle Lake Station as a station manager from 1989-2009. Bogiatto has been serving as a faculty member teaching biology at CSU Chico since 1987 to present day.

Gene Blankenbaker

Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1977

Gene Blankenbaker, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1977, is retiring in January 2019 after over 41 years of service with the federal government. He spent approximately 2 years with the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resource Division as a groundwater hydrologist, and over 39 years with the U.S. Forest Service in a variety of locations in California, Washington D.C., Arizona, Wisconsin and New Mexico, in positions that included hydrologist, forester, district ranger, forest supervisor, deputy regional forester, and deputy director of human resources for the agency.

Craig Chase

Fisheries Biology, Masters in Computer Information Systems - University of Denver, 1977

Craig Chase, Fisheries Biology, 1977, retired from Lockheed Martin Space Systems in 2015.

Patty Carlon Kushner

Elementary Education (Liberal Studies), 1977: Environmental Ed + Education Grad courses, 1976 (Teaching Credential)

Retired in '06 from 25 years teaching elementary school. Now work seasonally for the US Forest Service in El Dorado National Forest (for the last 5 years.)

Ronald C. Holcomb

Journalism, Special Major - Journalism, Natural Resources & Biology, 1976

After a 40-year career working for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Washington State Department of Ecology, Ron Holcomb ('76, Journalism, Natural Resources, Biology) wrote a book about his role in protecting the environment. "Constant Chaos - The Daily Battle to Protect the Environment" describes the life of a spill responder that at times is chaotic, difficult, and dangerous, and documents some of the most significant environmental disasters in Washington state. The book is available at: Constant Chaos by Author Ron Holcomb | Gorham Printing