Ivan J. Houston, BS 48

Influential leader, decorated veteran

Ivan J. HoustonIvan J. Houston, an insurance executive and WWII veteran, died on March 1 at age 94. Houston enlisted in 1943, becoming one of the famed Buffalo Soldiers, the only Black infantry division to fight for the U.S. in the war. He served until 1945, an experience he recounted in his 2009 memoir, Black Warriors: The Buffalo Soldiers of World War II.

Upon returning from service, Houston earned his BS from Haas, then joined the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Co., where he served as CEO from 1970 to 1990. During his tenure, he helped the company become one of the nation’s largest Black-owned businesses. He also served on numerous corporate and school boards, including for Haas, and provided leadership in civic affairs at the local, state, and national level. Houston was named one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans by Ebony magazine. In 2012, his infantry division was presented with a Congressional Gold Medal by President Obama.

In Memoriam

Hazel Fong, BS 46
Alice Galston-Eklund, BS 49
Masuto Fujii, BS 50
Neville Rich, BS 50
H Stoke, BS 50
Mahlon Harris, BS 51
Lois Manbert, BS 52
Charles Dresel, BS 53
Joan Lynn, BS 53
Donald Fernquest, BS 55
Keith Chun, BS 56
Willis Layton, BS 56
Donald Alschuler, BS 57
Robert Clarke, BS 57 & MBA 59
Sanford Berliner, BS 58
Doris McGuire, BS 58
Robert Goudy, BS 59
Raymond Stein, BS 60
Richard Rutledge, MBA 60
James Buchan, BS 61 & MBA 63
Norman H. Ray Jr., BS 62
Bradford Wait, BS 62
Joseph Madsen, MBA 62
Timothy Scofield, BS 63
William Hosmer, BS 66
Clarence Kellogg, BS 67
David Wheatley, MBA 67
Gerald Casimere, BS 68
James Chu, BS 71
Glen Kazahaya, BS 72
Allen Hesla, BS 75
Richard Russell, BS 75
Lindsay Nishiki, BS 78
Peter Gochis, MBA 82
Julian Anabo, Friend
Norma Chan, Friend
Helen Chun, Friend
Ari Gershman, Friend
Maynard Nelson, Friend
Paul Stone, Friend
Janet Towler, Friend
Ruth Turpin, Friend

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