ALUMNI & FRIENDS UPDATES
FRIENDS WE LOST
DECEASED ALUMNI FROM OCTOBER 2020-AUGUST 2021 :
Dr . Thomas Klapp of Ann Arbor , Class of 1979 , passed away December 14 , 2020 . He was 66 . Dr . Klapp served on the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations ( ChiroCongress ) Board of
Directors from 1993-2003 and led as President between 2000-2002 . He was voted in as an Honorary Member in 2004 and continued his service and support of ChiroCongress for nearly 30 years . He helped shape ChiroCongress ’ 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2019 and the Future of Chiropractic Forum where the strategic plan project was launched . As a champion of this effort , he joined the Strategic Plan Committee in 2020 and diligently worked to ensure a transparent and inclusive process . His love for the profession , his family and his colleagues was evident in all his endeavors .
In addition to Dr . Klapp ’ s tireless work with ChiroCongress , he was at the forefront of Michigan ’ s chiropractic scene since his graduation from Life University in 1979 . He was a former President of the Michigan Chiropractic Association , and in 1993 , 2006 and 2007 , Dr . Klapp was named Chiropractor of the Year for his outstanding commitment and leadership in the advancement of Chiropractic .
Dr . Klapp was also a Board member of the Michigan Chiropractic Foundation , served as a Trustee for Life University and served on The Chiropractic Summit since its inception on behalf of Life U and was a Board member of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress . Dr . Klapp was a founding member of OneChiropractic , a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting drugless Chiropractic .
He is survived by his wife Kim and daughter Tori . He showered his family and friends with love and support and lived his life to the fullest . He will be missed .
Steven Watts , Class of 1981 — Dr . Steven R . Watts died quickly and peacefully at home in Maryville , Tennessee on January 7 , 2021 . He was preceded by his parents , Don & Grace Watts ; his brothers , Kurt and Dan ; and special cousin , Maxine . He is survived by his wife , partner , soul mate and best friend of more than 39 years , Linda Christensen . He is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Barbara Watts , Bill and Jeanine Christensen and Cathy and Jim Schoonover , six nieces and nephews and six great nieces and nephews . Dr . Watts was a chiropractor for 39 years , 33 years in Maryville . He loved his profession — taking care of patients and their families ( many three and four generations ), spending time with other chiropractors and getting adjusted . He loved his patients like family and appreciated the trust and faith they put in his care . He will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor , as well as his love of life , education , learning , nature , photography , travel and adventure . And now he is on his ultimate adventure .
Denis Duncan , Class of 1986 — Dr . Denis G . Duncan , Sr ., D . C ., age 64 , of Griffin , Georgia , passed away on Saturday , March 20 , 2021 at Kennestone Wellstar Hospital . He was born in Portsmouth ,
Virginia on October 10 , 1956 . He was a veteran of the United States Navy having served on the USS Harold E . Holt as ETR2 . He started his career in Chiropractic in 1986 in Forest Park , later having his own office in Griffin and most recently in
Dr . Klapp ’ s impact on Life University students , faculty , staff and administration was immeasurable . The Dr . Tom Klapp Memorial Scholarship has been created in his memory as a long-standing tribute to his work for Chiropractic and Life University .
For those who wish to make a donation in Dr . Klapp ’ s memory , please visit Alumni . life . edu / drtomklappscholarship .
McDonough . He loved caring for all his patients . He was a member of the Georgia Chiropractic Association and attended the Pinecrest Baptist Church in McDonough . He also enjoyed traveling , spending time with family and sharing his love of Jesus with others . Survivors include “ your loving pumpkin ”, Kim ; son and daughter-in-law , Denis and Kara Duncan , Jr .; granddaughter , Olivia ( Livvy ) Duncan ; his mother , Latricia Strickland ; brother and sister-in-law , Jim and Terri Duncan ; father in-law and motherin-law , Charles and Toni Cox ; brother-in-law and sister-in-law , Michael and Fran Cox ; several nieces , nephews , cousins ; and his beloved critters .
Dennis Budaj , Class of 1986 — Dennis J . Budaj , 73 , of Cadyville , New York , passed away Saturday , October 10 , 2020 , at his home with his loving family by his side . He was born in Baltimore , Maryland , on October 9 , 1947 , the son of Stanlaus and Christina ( Bochenek ) Budaj . Dennis was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force having served eight years during the Vietnam Era . He later graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic from Life University in 1985 . Dennis enjoyed classic cars , anything electronic , as well as science fiction , horror movies and documentaries . He was a lover of animals and creepy crawlers . His family would describe him as a great man , hero and “ Mighty Spider Slayer .” He was described as very humble , as he wanted to always put others ’ needs , especially those of his family , before his own . Although a smile from him was rare , he could always light up any room with his humor and sarcasm . Dennis was a loving husband , amazing father and friend . He was predeceased by his parents and his brother , Ronald .
He is survived by his wife of 25 years , Wanda Merrifield ; his children Monica Budaj- Busque , Dr . Allison Budaj , Lauren ( Brian ) Ermlich , Jill ( David ) Souliere , Lynne Everson and Edward ( Stephanie ) Howes ; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren ; his sister-in-law Lynn ( John Olson ) Frenia ; and several cousins , nieces and nephews .
Alumni . LIFE . edu | 2021
87