Judy Voelker, BHS '70 (1952-2026)

Judy Christina Voelker 

May 19, 1952 - April 30, 2026

We just received the sad news that Judy Voelker, BHS '70, passed away this past April. Her sister, Jean Voelker Cavnar, BHS '71, said she was a Professor at the University of Northern Kentucky. Please keep Jean and the family in your prayers.

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Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy at NKU posted on May 4, 2026:

The department has some very sad news to share with our SAPiens family. Our beloved colleague and professor, Dr. Judy Voelker, passed suddenly on April 30, 2026. We are all processing this profound loss to NKU. Please see the letter from the provost below.

A few Comments from NKU Students and Colleagues...

Angela D. Deaton
Dr. Voelker was amazing and took me under her wing during my time at NKU. I assisted her in the museum, and had the pleasure of not only calling her a mentor, but a friend. She came to my wedding, my first child’s baby shower and we went to lunch frequently after I graduated. She will be missed. Condolences to her family and friends ❤️
Karen Reynolds
I met Judy and sold her her 1st house when she was a professor at NKU. She was very dedicated to her students and loved her job. Condolences to her family and friends.
Nova Kathryn Rice
she was one of my favorite professors at NKU. truly saddened to hear this. my thoughts are with her family and peers
Thaddeus Bissett
Judy was unique at NKU. Her loss will be keenly felt. She was an amazing colleague and I'm sorry that future students and faculty will not be able to benefit from her experience and scholarship.
Jeannine Otte Kreinbrink
I am so sorry to hear about Judy. Will you have a memorial service?
Jess Nuala
Sorry to hear about the loss of Dr. Voelker, condolences to her family.
Virgil Conn
I share in the mourning of this wonderful professor and mentor.
Dr Vanessa Hunn
I share in this deep sadness and mourning of my dear colleague, Dr. Judy Voelker.
Eleanor Grey
She was one of the best.
❤️
Rest in peace Judy.

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Douglas Hume posted on May 2, 2026

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the sudden passing of our friend and colleague, Dr. Judy Voelker. Many of you knew Judy as a dedicated professor, mentor, and as the longtime director of the NKU Anthropology Museum. Her passing is a profound loss for all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.

A few comments...

Lyndsey McNabb
So sorry to hear this. The last time I saw Dr. Voelker it was a few semesters after I graduated. But everything was still locked down due to Covid. She was so excited to see me and flagged me down from across a parking lot. We chatted for probably 20mins. I promised to stay in touch but time moves quickly. Sending my condolences.
Bronte Murrell
I am so sad to hear this. Douglas Hume can you share an update when a service or celebration is scheduled? I know a lot of us would like to attend if we can.
Abigail Paola
What a great professor! Such fun and delightful memories of her. I have a feeling she is exploring the cultures of the afterlife.
Matt Buttacavoli
I'm so sad to hear this. Judy was an amazing mentor. I don't know if I would be where I am without her. I use the skills she taught me everyday.
Kendra Hein
This is such sad news, as she was one of my favorites in the department. Thank you for sharing this with everyone and would greatly appreciate any info you might have on the service.
Melissa Tice Gorbandt
So sad to hear this. I enjoyed working Dr. Voelker and know she was a beloved professor to many. May she rest in peace.
Lindsy Sims
😔 Dr. Voelker was one of the first professors I ever had not only the Anthropology department but at NKU. A true gem of a person.
Ashley Taryt
I'm so sad to hear of her passing. May her soul be at peace. She was a wonderful teacher and I learned so much from her. She will be remembered.
Sue Ott Rowlands
She was a gem of a faculty member.
Tonya Krouse
This is such a loss to our entire campus.
Cecile Marczinski
My deepest sympathies to you and your department. I am thinking of all of you in this difficult time.
Chris Strobel
Just incredibly sad. Not even sure what else I can say right now. Just… sadness.
Holly Vasquez
So sad to hear this. Enjoyed talking with her about her travels, very passionate about her work. ♥️🙏
Devin Casey
So sorry to hear this! She was a great professor. She will be missed by so many.
Kristi Haik
She was a wonderful human being who was always great to be with. ❤️
Houston Weedn
She was an amazing teacher and an even better person. You will be missed
Brittany Lipscomb
Very sad to hear. She was a great person and teacher. I learned a lot from her.
Gayle Hilleke
So very sorry to hear this. Judy was a wonderful human being, teacher, and colleague. She will be missed.
Nigel Encalada
Condolences to her family, friends and NKU community.
Pam Hall
Rest easy Judy! You will be so missed as a neighbor.💔
Rees Storm
Oh no! This is very sad and unexpected! So so sorry to hear this news.
Kasey Ale-Sandra Grace Burton
Sorry to hear 😢
Cora Brianne AG
So sorry to hear this, Dr. Hume. Please share any arrangements.
Kreg Stamper
Dr V was such a great soul..she will be missed.
Molly Mulhern Blenk
I’m sorry to hear of Judy’s passing!!
Kristin Appleby
My daughter let me know. Heartbreaking.
Allison Parrott-Puffpaff
Oh no, she was always so kind
Anita Knochelmann Mink
So Sad. Sending my Condolences.
Daniel J Curtin
So sorry, she was a great one!
Louis Griffin
Sad news.
Jamie Gaskill
Great soul this one.
Antonio Novelo
RIP & RISE IN ETERNAL GLORY DR JUDY. CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY & FRIENDS
Jesse Hendricks
God bless you!
Herminio Novelo
RIP !
Anthony Leanhart
Adelle Bricking Sarah Morford
Eric Bates
😢❤️

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Professor uses knowledge from travels to share stories

Matt Spaulding, Contributing writer
October 10, 2013
The Northerner: Norseletter 
The independent student news organization of Northern Kentucky University

Professor uses knowledge from travels to share stories 

While on a leave of absence from one of her jobs at various firms on Wall Street, NKU Associate Professor of Anthropology Judy Voelker took an opportunity that would ultimately change her career path.

“When I lived in New York and when I was working on Wall Street, I was able to travel extensively and I hadn’t had that experience growing up,” Voelker said. “That actually changed my mind set. It was as if there was a world I didn’t know about.”

During these travels, she made her first visit to Asia and quickly discovered her fondness for the continent because of its architecture and unique cultural heritage.  Especially Thailand and Southeast Asia, which would become her anthropological specialty.

“It was so different than anything I’d seen,” said Voelker enthusiastically with a reminiscent glow in her eye beyond her black rimmed glasses.

Ban Thakhok
These various leave-of-absence trips inspired her to apply to graduate school in Buffalo, N.Y., and leave her Wall Street job. Voelker won a Fulbright Fellowship merit grant and got to live in Ban Thakhok, a small village in Northeast Thailand, for almost two years. She said the exposure to rural village living was an eye-opening experience after growing up in the suburbs.

“I was the only westerner in that village. Many at that time had never seen a white person,” Voelker  said. “Everyone in that village knew you, even if they didn’t know you.”
The residents of the village wanted to know what was going on. They wanted to touch her skin and look at her lightly colored hair.

She enjoyed the experience of living in a new place as an uncomfortable unknown and slowly becoming part of the community. When she left, Voelker took away a sense of belonging to a larger group than family.

Six@Six Lecture
Some of the information collected in her research of this village was presented in her recent Six@Six Lecture at the Behringer-Crawford Museum in late September. “The lecture was called Ceramic Traditions of Southeast Asia: People, Community, and Pottery.”

“Part of the tradition with this manufacturing process is that women pass on how to make the pottery to their daughters and their daughter’s daughters. It’s a long-term tradition,” Voelker said.

The pots produced are called earthenware pots because they are not high temperature fire pots, according to Voelker. They are used for cooking soups, storing, and water containers. The villagers have access to aluminum cookware and an array of modern dishes, but they prefer the earthenware pots because of the taste, said Voelker, which she described as very fragrant.

Students from her Museums in Contemporary Society class helped to display large 16-by-20 photographs, pots, wooden paddles, ceramic anvils, and labels for each of the items from both modern day and prehistory.

“We were putting this together from her study, which was different from other classes I had had her for,” said Andrea West, a senior anthropology major who helped with the display. “This was actually her study. It was neat to be able to work with that.”

The initial plan only involved a lecture, according to Collette Thompson, coordinator for the Scripps Howard  Center for Civic Engagement. Voelker offered to add the display. Thompson said the display added to the guests’ experience and the student’s learning experience.

“When you have students outside the classroom working on material they are excited about and I’m passionate about, I think it provides a really excellent learning experience,” Voelker said.

T.A.P. and her students
Voelker has been working on the Thailand Archaeometallurgy Project (T.A.P.) since the early ‘90s, although the project was started in the early ‘80s. This project has been investigating the origins of metallurgy, a branch of science interested in the production of metals and their purification, in Southeast Asia and Thailand. She and other researchers have found thousands of artifacts, such as anvils, that date back as far as 2000 B.C. Students who work with her in Thailand work mostly on analyzing these artifacts and usually visit Ban Thakhok as well.

Students at NKU are currently working with her on analyzing the data for roughly 3,500 of these artifacts. They are double-checking, cleaning up the data, and nearing the final stages of analysis. Voelker said they will start writing soon. She hopes to publish at least two articles from this project, which students will get writing credit for depending upon their involvement.

“She is very dedicated to her work and study,” said West. “She is very dedicated to her job and she likes taking on new adventures.”

Voelker said she has always liked the involvement with students and those interested in her field.
“My father had a year or two of college and my mother didn’t go at all, so that parallels many of the experiences of students here at NKU. That may be why I identify with them so closely,” said Voelker.

Mike Humphrey, BHS '70 (1952-2026)

Michael Linn Humphrey

July 10, 1952 - June 16, 2026

Joyce Starleaf, BHS '70, posted this sad note on Facebook:

I’m sorry to inform you that Mike Humphrey passed away this morning. He had been on hospice due to melanoma cancer. He is survived by his brother Steve-BHS class of ‘71, his wife Linda and many nieces and nephews. He and Linda resided in central California.

Free Used BHS Band Uniforms

Mrs. Cavanaugh sent me this note and I offered to post it here:

“I’ve been the BHS Band director the last 6 years and I retired the old marching band uniforms. I’d like to be able to offer them to BHS marching band alumni before offering them anywhere else. Do you know of any places where I could post that we were giving away the old marching band uniforms?”

Please pass the word… here is her email address:
AnnieCavanaugh@burbankusd.org

Mike Modglin, BHS '63 (1945-2025) and Julie Naugle Modglin, BHS '64 (1946-2026)

Michael Bruce Modglin was born February 1945 and passed away in November 2025 after a long illness. Mike was married to his High School Sweetheart, Julie Naugle Modglin, for 60+ years. Mike graduated from Burbank High in 1963 and was a building contractor.

Mike loved fast cars, boats and motorcycles and he loved sharing outdoor activities and good times with his family (his wife and two daughters) and friends. Mike was an active member of his Burbank High School Class of 1963 Reunion Committee. He was very active in his church and was a role model and leader to many. His Memorial Service was held at Village Christian Church on February 7, 2026.

Mike was survived by his wife Julie, his daughter Debby Modglin Gasteiger, her husband and 2 sons, his daughter Wendy Modglin and a brother.

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Julia "Julie" Ann Naugle Modglin was born on May 29, 1946 and passed away on June 7, 2026 after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death 7 months prior by her High School Sweetheart and husband of 60+ years, Mike Modglin BHS '63.

Julie had been a well-known Real Estate Agent with Dilbeck Realty in Burbank for many years. She wore many hats as a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Friend and an active member of her Church, Several Senior Center Groups, Burbank High School Alumni Groups and much more.

Julie is survived by her daughter Debby Modglin Gasteiger and her husband and two sons and her daughter Wendy Modglin and also two brothers.

Julie loved a good joke and always had a smile on her face. She will certainly be missed by her many friends and all those who loved her.

Joyce Powers King, BHS '61 (1943-2026)

Joyce Powers King

July 9, 1943 — May 25, 2026

Joyce King Powers, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, on May 25, 2026, in St. Charles, Missouri. She left behind a legacy rich with love, faith, and creativity. Born on July 9, 1943, in Orange, Orange County, California, and raised in Burbank, Joyce’s life was a testament to warmth, devotion, and the bright spirit she shared with all who knew her.

Joyce was a dedicated stay-at-home mother and homemaker whose talents knew no bounds. She had a remarkable flair for decorating, blending creativity and care in every detail of her home. Whether transforming rooms or designing exquisite Christmas décor to share during the holiday season, her keen eye and artistic touch brought sunshine into the lives of her family and friends. Joyce was an exceptional seamstress and craftswoman. She sewed her own stunning wedding dress, and she took great joy in crocheting afghans for family and friends. Joyce also lovingly donated countless afghans to a cancer center in Illinois while she lived in Nauvoo for 20 years.

Music touched Joyce’s soul deeply. Known for her sweet voice and love of singing, she carried the joy of song from her youth. Joyce performed the leading roles in high school musicals at Burbank High School.

Above all, Joyce was a woman of profound faith. She devoted herself tirelessly to teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to her children, instilling in them a personal testimony rooted in scripture. Her children, shaped by faith and example, embraced the gospel fully. They hold dear the inspired words found in Alma: “They had been taught by their mother, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them...We doubt not our mother knew it.” This scripture speaks volumes of her guiding strength and spiritual wisdom. Joyce’s many hours spent in church service, coupled with her endless acts of kindness, reflected her unwavering commitment as a beloved member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Genealogy and family history were passions that allowed Joyce to bridge past and present. With tireless dedication, she brought ancestors’ stories to life, connecting generations through love and faith. She has surely been joyfully reunited with not only her late husband and son but also thousands of ancestors grateful for her efforts in linking them eternally within God’s family through temple work.

Joyce’s family was her greatest treasure. She is survived by her cherished children: Lance King (Melanie), Cynthia Gifford (Shaun), Wendy Bentley (Jon), and David Powers King (JoAnna). Her legacy continues through her beloved grandchildren—Samantha King Stuart (Cole), Patrick King (Ally), Brian King, Emily King, Matthew King, Miranda Gifford, Evan Bentley, David Bentley, Loria King, Ella Bentley, Kevin Gifford, Steven Bentley, and Evelyn King—and her precious great-grandchildren: Jane Stuart, Thomas Stuart, Marci Stuart, Emmett King, Lydia Stuart, and Elliot King. Joyce is also survived by loving nieces and nephews, countless friends, cousins Kathi and Tim Powers, and her wonderful King in-laws, all of whom were deeply touched by her generosity and radiant personality.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, David Foster King, and their son, Patrick Foster King, as well as her parents Wilbur and Fay Rene Powers and sister Clarice Tucker.

Joyce King was a beacon of light—sunshine personified—with a bright, loving, and inviting nature that made everyone feel at home. Her kindness, faith, artistry, and love nurtured not only her family but the countless lives she touched. As we remember her, we honor her strength to endure and to hope and a spirit that will forever inspire.

Family, friends, and loved ones will gather to celebrate Joyce’s life at Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California 90068, with visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM followed by the graveside service from 12:30 PM until 1:00 PM on June 20, 2026.

Though we say goodbye in this world, and look to the day when we will meet at Jesus' feet, her memory and love endure eternally in the hearts of those fortunate to know her.

Bill Seidel, BHS '71 (1953-2026)

 

William Robert "Bill" Seidel

June 23, 1953 - May 30, 2026

Rich Morrison, BHS '73, posted this sad message with photos today:

I learned this morning that my Frederic St. neighbor Bill Seidel BHS '71 passed away.  6/23/53 to 5/30/26 He was a member of the water polo and swim teams. He was co-captain of the 1970 water polo team along with Marc Kelly. He was senior class treasurer in 1970-71. His brother Gary was BHS '69 and Bill lived in Orem Utah. RIP!

Diane Gullion Dunlap, BHS '64 (1946-2024)

Dorothy Diane Gullion Dunlap

March 27, 1946 - September 29, 2024

We just learned that Diane Gullion Dunlap, BHS '64, passed away in 2024 in Colorado.

Her parents are Paul and Dorothy Gullion and her brother is Steve Gullion, BHS '66. 

Here are a couple of photos found on Facebook.

Diane and daughter Devon

Harry Stewart, BHS '63 (1945 -2026)

Harry Granville Stewart III 

July 3, 1945 - May 18, 2026

Harry Stewart of Burbank passed away last week at the age of 80.

George Colvin, BHS '65, sent the notification of Harry's passing and wrote, "He was an old neighbor that I went to visit about a month ago. I had not seen him in over 60+ years! After I graduated, I moved out of the house where I grew up. He lived a few houses up the street from me. He remembered me and we had a nice visit."

Harry, born in Arizona, was the son of Harry II and Katherine Stewart.