1996

March 18, 1996
Wyandotte Distinguished Graduate
Inductees

Bauer, Walter F. - 1941
Chimner, Nora Elizabeth - 1958
Evich, Walter E. - 1945
Miller, Linda Green - 1960

 

Walter F. Bauer - Class of 1941

 

Walter F. Bauer distinguished himself as a research digital computer engineer and founder of Informatics General Corporation.

During World War II, Walter served his country as a weather officer in the United States Air Force. Following his military tour of duty, Walter enrolled in the University of Michigan, and in 1951 earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics. Dr. Bauer established himself as a pioneer in the use of electronic computers.

In 1954, he joined the Ramo-Wooldrige Corporation where he became Director of the Computation and Data Reduction Center of T.R.W., Inc.

In 1962, Dr. Bauer founded Informatics General Corporation and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 1985. The I.G.C. was one of the world's largest independent computer software companies. Before the company was sold in 1985, its revenues were approximately $200 million dollars, with over 2,800 employees.

Dr. Bauer became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Delphi Information Systems in 1986 In the years that followed, he also served on the Board of Directors at Alpharel, A.A.C. Corporation, and Caelus. Until 1992, Dr. Bauer served as a director, officer or consultant to nine major computer/electronic companies.

Active in many professional and charitable organizations, Dr. Bauer serves as the founding Chairman of the Southern California Technology Executives Network. He was elected Chairman of the Charles Babbage Foundation, an organization dedicated to the history of computing, and has served on the Advisory Panel of the Institute of Computer Services and Technology of the National Bureau of Standards. Since 1975, Dr. Bauer has been an Underwriting Name at Lloyd's of London. In 1985, Dr. Bauer received the "Spirit of Life Award" from the City of Hope.

Dr. Bauer has published many papers on management and technical computer subjects, and has addressed numerous groups throughout the country. He was the keynote speaker at the Third World Computing Congress in Copenhagen in 1982 and the Japan Software Convention in Tokyo in 1983.

Dr. Walter F. Bauer lives with his wife, Donna, in Encino, California. They enjoy their three grown sons and their families.


Nora Elizabeth Chimner - Class of 1958

 

Nora Elizabeth Chimner's distinguished career as a health care professional has directly and indirectly benefitted thousands of people, improving their quality of life. With degrees from the University of Michigan (BSN) and Wayne State University (MSN), Ms. Chimner has specialized in rehabilitation. Currently, she is a nurse/manager of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in Detroit, and previously worked at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac as a clinical nurse specialist in Rehabilitation, Ortho-Neuro and General Medicine. In these positions, Nora is responsible for developing patient rehabilitation and staff education.

Included in her professional accomplishments are the development and implementation of a family conference process, a system for improved patient assessment and the coordination of the Spinal Injury Learning Series. Nora serves as a rehabilitation consultant to nine community hospitals and nursing homes, and has co-developed and participated (much of the time on a volunteer basis) in support groups for spinal cord injury, amputee, traumatic brain injury and stroke patients.

Ms. Chimner is an adjunct faculty member at Wayne State University, University of Detroit-Mercy, Oakland University and the University of Michigan. She has also co-authored several professional articles and books, including the recently published, The Case Manager's Guide; Acquiring the Skills for Success.

Ms. Chimner has been recognized for her accomplishments with memberships in Sigma Theta Tau, Lambda Chapter, and in MENSA. She is also active in the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, the American Business Woman's Association, the Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Association and the University of Michigan Nursing Alumni Association.

Ms. Chimner balances her professional life with a wide variety of leisure activities including art, needlework, piano, swimming, and photography. Ms. Chimner is a master Lego - yes, Lego builder and an ardent Detroit Piston fan.
 

Walter E. Evich - Class of 1945

 

Walter Evich distinguished himself as a classical musician, performing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 1952. Walter studied at the University of Michigan, and earned a Bachelors and Masters of Music in Violin, and a Bachelors and Masters of Music in Viola from 1950 - 1959.

Walter has had numerous performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and several European tours and festival engagements. While at the University of Michigan, Walter was concerto contest winner. He was presented the Oliver Ditson Award in 1951, and authored the Chordial Keymaster Music Dial in 1967. He was twice elected to Pi Kappa Lambda, a National Honorary Music Society. In 1990, he was featured in the Downriver Profile magazine and in 1992, was the recipient of the Downriver Council of Arts "Salute to Excellence."

Walter's achievements were not confined to the field of music. His accomplishments in the field of engineering include work on several major construction projects for Ford Motor Company, Metro Airport, Ford Auditorium, Enrico Fermi I, and various other buildings such as schools, churches, hospitals and apartments.

Walter never forgot his roots in Wyandotte, and gave of his time to work in the schools. In 1963, Walter directed the orchestra at Lincoln Junior High School, In 1979 he organized and conducted the Downriver Youth Symphony. To benefit Wyandotte citizens, in 1972 Walter chaired the Wyandotte Local Elected Officials Compensation Commission, and assisted in the development of the BASF Waterfront Park. Working with state legislators, Walter was instrumental in the development of Michigan's current odometer law.

Walter's interests are varied. He authored the Universal Civil Calendar on file in the United Nations, Vatican and World Council of Churches. His development of a universal monetary system earned an honorable mention in world-wide competition.

Walter and Mary Evich raised eight children, all graduates of Roosevelt High School. When not performing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Walter balances his leisure time with private music lessons and staying physically fit. He has won six gold medals in Downriver Senior Olympics swimming competition. 
 

Linda Green Miller - Class of 1960

 

Linda Green Miller, Ed.D., is a respected nurse educator. A 1960 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, Linda married and supported her husband through completion of his Ph.D. After the birth of their third child, Linda returned to school. Balancing the demands of home and school, Linda earned her LPN at Henry Ford Community College in 1973, her BSN at the University of South Carolina in 1981, and her MSN in 1984 and Ed.D. in 1990 from the University of Virginia.

Linda served as Director of Obstetrics at Barge Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. Primary responsibilities included staff development inservice and parent education. A pre-natal development clinic was organized under Linda's leadership. Linda joined the staff of Lynchburg General Hospital as Hospice Coordinator/Director. Linda developed and coordinated the Hospice volunteer training program to benefit the citizens of the City of Lynchburg. In 1982, Linda joined the faculty at Liberty University, and in 1986 became the founding chair of the BSN Nursing Program.

Throughout her career, Linda has served on various church and civic committees to promote life-long learning and wellness. Linda is an administrative board member of the South American Mission, and has traveled to Peru to assess health care of Indians. She is also past district president of the Virginia Nurses Association.

Linda has been the recipient of many honors, including the Akers Award for outstanding nursing. In 1993, Linda received the Most Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of South Carolina's School of Nursing. In 1994, the University of South Carolina presented Linda with the prestigious Founder's Day Service Award.

Linda and her husband, David, have three married children and three grandchildren. They reside in Jacksonville, Florida, where Linda teaches at Jacksonville University.