Alumni Updates – Winter 2026
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EmailUpdates from forestry alumni.
BILL SIEGEL | BS ‘54, MS '57
I've been fully retired for some time now after a career as a forest economist/attorney with the U.S. Forest Service in New Orleans and after that in a private law and consulting practice for many years. I still live in the New Orleans area and am active in church and charitable activities.
I still enjoy fishing, other outdoor activities, and traveling. I still serve on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Forestry Association. Jim Granskog and Rod Busby, both
of whom received PHDs in forest economics from MSU (much later than my time there) still live in the area after retiring from the Forest Service here.
DICK BARRY | BS ‘59
I graduated with a degree in Wood Processing and Technology under the mentoring of Dr. Aubrey E. Wiley. This degree leaned toward engineering in the field of wood products. My first job was assisting in building a sawmill in Golden, BC, Canada. After my four years as a navy officer, I worked for the United States Plywood Corp in their Shasta operations and later as a mill sales representative.
BOB WESTFALL | BS '67, PhD '72
My wife of 51 years, Sandy Fitzgerald Westfall, died of colon cancer in 2019. As I noted in my last report, I retired in 2020, along with my co-worker of 40 years, Connie Millar. We have emeritus appointments with the US Forest Service, so we continue to work. I had knee replacement surgery in 2019, but three years later we discovered that the implant had separated from the bone, so I had a total revision. Soon after that operation, I accidently ruptured my patellar tendon. The surgeon attached an artificial tendon, but that failed, so he transplanted an autologous tendon. I have so much metal associated with the tendon that I have had Staph infections twice. I have also dislocated my implant three times (I’m pretty active). After the last surgery, a week ago, the surgeon inserted a hinged joint. No infection this time. In spite of all of this, I enjoy work, reading, music (alternative country and rock), and do a little gardening.
SALLEH MOHD. NOR | MS ‘74, PHD '77
I am retired and enjoying my daily walks and the family.
GEORGIA PETERSON | PHD ‘00
After working in Michigan State University Extension for the past 26 years, I am now officially retired. My time serving as a Natural Resources Specialist, as well as working with the MDNR Forest Resources Division in forestry outreach and education, has been full of wonderful experiences with a variety of dedicated professionals and audiences. I've had the joy of working with colleagues from Detroit to Ironwood and beyond. Now it's time to take my turn as a volunteer, showing up for the Michigan Forest Association and other natural resource-based organizations in my own local community.
WREN ROJAS | BS '25
I recently finished my season as an Advanced Trail Maintenance Corps Member at Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and am moving on to the
Southeast Conservation Corps to work as a member of their Kentucky Fire & Recreation Crew at the Land Between the Lakes NRA for the spring. It's been amazing to have the opportunity to explore different parts of the country while doing work that I love with amazing and
supportive crewmates. I hope to be continuing to do conservation corps work after I finish my season with SECC in May.
IN MEMORIAM
Leo Baumgartner (1929-2025)
Leo Francis Baumgartner passed away April 18, 2025, at his home in Sweet Home, Oregon surrounded by family.
