People

Reverend Ruth E. Van Demark died on June 9, 2012 at Northwestern Memorial Medical Center in Chicago Illinois. She died from metastatic breast cancer.

Ruth was born on May 16, 1944 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her parents were Dr. Robert and Bertie Van Demark. She grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1962. Ruth graduated from Vassar College in 1966 and from Harvard Divinity School in 1969. She graduated from University of Connecticut Law School in 1976.

Ruth married Leland Wilkinson on June 23, 1967. They had two daughters, Amie and Caroline.

She joined the Chicago law firm of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon—now Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP—as one of the firm's first female associates in 1976. She subsequently became an equity partner and headed the firm's appellate group. She served as president of the Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois and sat on the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee from 1996 to 2002. She argued numerous appeals to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Ruth left her accomplished legal career to become a Lutheran minister. After studying at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and interning at Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park, Ruth became the pastor of Wicker Park Lutheran Church in Chicago in 2001. Under her leadership, the church launched successful efforts to build the congregation, raise funds for the church's physical rehabilitation, and connect the church to the community.

Robert Allan Watts, 75, of Champaign, passed away on June 25, in Holland, Mich. Mr. Watts was a long-time summer resident of the Lakeshore.

Mr. Watts was born in Adrian on July 4, 1936, to Richard Prosser Watts and Florence Hooker Watts.

After his mother died in 1942, he went to live with his aunt and uncle, Margaret and Anthony Janata of Urbana, Ill. The Janatas were also long-time summer residents and retirees on the Lakeshore.

He married Emily Stipes on Aug. 31, 1958, in Champaign. She survives.

Also surviving are his three sons, Benjamin Hooker Watts (Judith Argentieri) of Champaign, Edward Stipes Watts (Stephanie Wengert Watts) of East Lansing and Thomas Janata Watts of Saugatuck; four grandchildren, Anton and Alexander Watts of East Lansing and Olivia and Samuel Watts of Champaign, Ill.; his sister, Sally Watts Dawson (Robert Dawson) of Richmond, Va.; a sister-in-law, Joan Watts of Atlanta; and seven nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the Janatas, his brother Richard and his half-brother Christopher.

Howard T. Goffen, a pro bono attorney at LAF (Legal Assistance Foundation), will receive the prestigious American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico award for his work on behalf of low income individuals across Cook County. Goffen is one of only five winners throughout the country who will be honored on August 6, 2012 during the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago.

For more than seven years since his retirement from the private sector, Goffen has devoted more than 7,000 hours of pro bono legal services to his clients at LAF. He has been primary counsel or co-counseled more than 120 cases and has helped his clients in numerous, life-altering ways. He has prevented the loss of client’s homes through loan modification, prevented the termination of Social Security benefits, defended hospital collections lawsuits and garnered unemployment benefits.

“Howard’s impact on LAF’s clients is enormous and he is more deserving of this award than any  other attorney that I have come across in my career,” said Diana C. White, Executive Director of LAF. “He comes in early, stays late and readily gives up his day off if need be. His dedication, tenacity, compassion and humility make him the gold standard for pro bono attorneys.”

Charles “Charlie” Moynihan Evans, age 35, passed away in his Chicago home on July 6, 2012 after a bold and arduous two year battle with cancer. Charlie was born in Champaign, Illinois on July 28, 1976 to Mr. And Mrs. Charles Victor and Ruth Ann Evans, and he spent his childhood in Belleville and Champaign.

During his youth Charlie was very active at Indian Acres Swim Club in Champaign as a beloved coach, life guard, and seasoned member of the swim team. He was also a member of the St. Matthew’s Youth Group. Charlie is a 1994 graduate of Central High School, where he led the swim team, and the experiences and friendships he formed in Champaign enriched his life.

Charlie graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1998 with a degree in Economics, and after spending time in Taiwan teaching English, he returned to the University of Illinois College of Law, where he graduated in 2003 summa cum laude and was an Articles Editor of the school’s Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.

Charlie enjoyed his legal career, especially his clerkships with the Honorable James F. Holderman of the Northern District of Illinois and the Honorable Michael S. Kanne of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He proudly ended his career as an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission.

Charlie met his wife Tiana Nell Evans in law school in 2002. They married in Evanston on December 20, 2008. The couple has two precious sons, Charles John “Jack” Evans, age 2, and Patrick Moynihan Evans, age 1. They were Charlie’s proudest accomplishments and will be his lasting legacy.