In Memoriam

ACA Past President Sunny Hansen is remembered for her pioneering work on gender issues in career development, as well as decades spent as a counselor educator, mentor and friend to many in the counseling profession.

J. Barry Mascari, an ACA Fellow, counselor educator and visionary leader in the counseling profession, passed away in May from complications from COVID-19.

Vivian Victoria Lee, a longtime ACA member and wife of ACA Past President Courtland Lee, passed away in May 2020.

Pamela Pagliochini, a New York City career development counselor who helped hundreds of clients find their ideal job, passed away in November 2019. Using humor, compassion, and when needed, bluntness, she also helped clients identify destructive patterns and family-of-origin issues that interfered with improving career and quality of life goals.

Herschel Allan (Al) Dye, professor emeritus of Rollins College, passed away Nov. 27 at age 88. In addition to his exemplary contributions in the area of group work in counseling, Al also contributed significantly in the area of supervision.

Nancymarie Bride, a former president of the New Jersey Counseling Association and champion for mental health and the counseling profession in New Jersey, passed away this month at the age of 74.

Gender equity champion Dr. Bernice (Bunny) Sandler -- the "Godmother of Title IX" who held a doctorate in counseling -- passed away in January.

Longtime ACA member and counselor educator ​John Carl Dagley passed away this month at age 76.

Joseph R. Kandor, an ACA Fellow and former professor in the Department of Counselor Education at The College of Brockport, State University of New York, passed away in July.

Remembering Janet WindWalker Jones, a social justice advocate and active leader in the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Counselors for Social Justice, the Military and Government Counseling Association (formerly the Military Educators and Counselors Association) and the American Counseling Association.

Almost a year ago, ACA’s first president, Robert H. “Bob” Shaffer, passed away at the age of 101. Shaffer was professor emeritus in the schools of education and business at Indiana University, an institution at which he served for 40 years. A native of Delphi, Indiana, he earned his master’s degree in guidance counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, and his doctorate in higher education from New York University.

Bruce Shertzer, ACA's 22nd president (1973-74) and professor emeritus of Purdue University , passed away on Dec. 25, 2017 at age 89.

Jon Carlson, private practice counselor and psychologist, school counselor and school psychologist, film producer, author, journal editor, professor, supervisor, avid runner, wellness fanatic, friend, father and colleague, passed away on February 1 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dr. William Krieger, a past president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, died Feb. 10 at age 78.

Paul B. Pedersen passed away in Minneapolis on Jan. 11, 2017, surrounded by his wife, Doris Hsio Feng Chang, and his loving family.

After an active life and career as a counselor and university faculty member, Dr. Sandra (Sandi) Meggert died in Illinois in December 2016, shortly before her 75th birthday.

Garry R. Walz, the 20th president of the American Counseling Association, passed away in December after a battle with cancer. Counselors who worked with Walz throughout his many decades as a leader, researcher and educator in the profession remember him for being both a high-energy visionary and a caring professional who nurtured relationships and new ideas.

Don C. Locke, a longtime counselor educator and leader within the profession, died after a brief illness on June 8 in Asheville, North Carolina. A member of ACA's Governing Council, Locke was the author of several books on multicultural issues in counseling.

Robert L. “Bob” Gibson, a counseling professor at Indiana University, textbook author and leader and pioneer in the profession, passed away July 23, 2015 at age 95 after a long and illustrious career. In addition to his academic program leadership, Gibson is remembered by colleagues for his quick wit, high energy and strong sense of loyalty.

Dr. Edwin Herr, the 32nd president of the American Counseling Association, passed away April 23 at age 82. He is being remembered as a giant in the field — a scholar and leader who was an example and mentor to many in the profession.