Vern Bengtson, 78, professor of gerontology, social work and sociology
In a USC career that spanned over 50 years, Bengtson explored the roles of faith and family across generations.
Mike Scarpace, 74, earned All Pac-8 honors as a USC blocker
After a stint in the NFL, he went on to coaching positions at schools including UCLA, Glendale Community College and Long Beach Poly High.
Ron Fairly, 81, baseball star for USC, Dodgers and Angels
The home run and RBI leader on USC’s 1958 national championship team went on to a 21-year career in the big leagues.
Walt Peterson, 76, USC All-American pitcher who won 1963 College World Series final
The two-year letterman set school records for career strikeouts and career ERA.
Bill Fisk Jr., former USC All-American offensive guard, 75
The three-year letterman was a member of the Trojans’ undefeated 1962 national championship team.
Al Carmichael, star of USC’s victorious 1953 Rose Bowl team, 90
He went on to score the first touchdown in American Football League history and also set an NFL kickoff return record.
Frank Alfano, star of USC’s 1970 and 1971 NCAA champion baseball teams, 69
The three-year starting infielder made the All-College World Series team both years.
Oz Simmons, member of USC 1977 NCAA champion volleyball team, 62
After leaving USC, he went on to be a successful, longtime high school coach in Orange County.
Jim Hardy, 1945 Rose Bowl MVP and the oldest living USC football player, 96
The MVP of the 1945 Rose Bowl played seven seasons as a quarterback in the NFL.
Mike McGee, former USC athletic director, 80
During his tenure, more than 50 Trojan teams finished in the top 10 at their NCAA championships, including four that won NCAA titles.
Jim Marsh, team captain and former USC basketball record holder, 73
The USC and NBA player set the Trojan single-season field goal percentage record in both 1967 and 1968.
Jack Lovrich, member of USC’s NCAA Final Four and College World Series teams, 85
The multisport athlete was a three-year letterman center on the Trojan basketball team and a three-year letterman pitcher in baseball.
Michael Appleman, devoted teacher and celebrated biochemist, 85
The university mourns the distinguished author, researcher and professor who spent more than 35 years at USC Dornsife.
In memoriam: Robert R. Scales, former dean of the USC School of Dramatic Arts
An acclaimed designer, technical director and educator, he remained involved with the life of the university after his retirement, including serving as a leader with the Emeriti Center.
In memoriam: Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann, 89
The pioneering scientist who won the Nobel Prize in 1969 is known for his creative insights into the particles that comprise the universe.
In memoriam: Roy Irvin, MVP on 1954 men’s basketball Final Four team
The 6-foot-5 center still ranks in USC’s top 10 for both rebounds and rebounding average.
In memoriam: Ambrose Schindler, member of 1939 national championship team and Rose Bowl MVP
The former quarterback scored a touchdown and threw another to help USC beat Tennessee 14-0 in the 1940 Rose Bowl, the only points scored on the Volunteers all season.
In memoriam: Pete Adams, All-American tackle on USC’s 1972 national championship team
The three-year letterman adopted a stray dog named “Turd” who became an unofficial mascot for the dominant 1972 Trojan squad.
In memoriam: Yang Ho Cho, transportation executive and USC trustee
The successful businessman earned his MBA from USC and led a global conglomerate that spanned many industries.
In memoriam: Ralph Fertig, noted civil rights activist and social work professor
The USC professor was a prominent civil rights lawyer who protested segregated interstate bus terminals by participating in the 1961 Freedom Rides.
In memoriam: Art Mazmanian, 91, All-American on USC’s 1948 champion team
The second baseman played for six years with the Yankees organization, then returned to L.A.’s Dorsey High to coach baseball and football.
In memoriam: John Petruska, DNA expert and longtime USC biology professor
The popular professor of molecular and computational biology taught Trojans for more than 50 years.
In memoriam: Thomas Habinek, 65, longtime Department of Classics chair
The USC professor and author produced groundbreaking scholarship on Roman rhetoric, literature and philosophy.
In memoriam: Matt Gee, 49, former USC linebacker and tackle leader
The Trojans’ 1991 captain was a member of USC’s 1989 and 1990 Rose Bowl squads, and was also a javelin thrower on the university track and field team.