Penny Storm passed away August 27, 2026. Here we’ve included remembrances by several fellow Antiochian Work Project volunteers and an official announcement from Antioch College.
VWP Host (aka Roger Huff) ‘69: Penny Storm, Antioch 1965, another iconic stalwart of the Volunteer Work Project has gone. She died August 27, 2026, finally succumbing to pancreatic cancer. We know she lived well and fully as long as she could! She was never one to hesitate to express her opinions, and was unabashedly frank. She participated in a 2024 Reunion panel presentation on VWP* where you can see and hear her one more time. Breakfast at VWP work week will never be quite the same.
Penny was given a diagnosis and “time left” earlier this year, and prepared accordingly. A good friend and neighbor kept a close eye on her. As the end drew near, apparently Penny was quite annoyed that she didn’t depart this earth when she was ready to! However, her wish has now been granted, and she was able to go peacefully at home in her bed.
We will raise a glass to Penny when we gather in Yellow Springs for Fall 2026 VWP, October 18-23!
Tim Klass '‘71: I lift my glass now: Here's to Penny Storm, who faced us / and graced us / in our grit and grime / with her wit and rhyme (every time) / more than a pleasure / a treasure / beyond measure.
Robin Rice ‘64: It's impossible not to still feel Penny's presence. I fully expect to receive holiday greeting cards from her - sent from the expanded space she is now filling with poems, song and her inimitable laughter.
Antioch College: It is with deep sadness that we share with the Antioch community the passing of Penny Storm ’65.
Penny’s impact on Antioch College was both profound and enduring. Through her service on Antioch’s Board of Trustees, she provided thoughtful leadership, steady guidance, and a clear moral compass in support of the College’s long-term strength and vitality. Beyond the boardroom, her longtime involvement with the Volunteer Work Project reflected a deep and abiding commitment to experiential education, community engagement, and the principles that define Antioch.
Penny was also a regular contributor to The Antiochian, where she wrote with wit, thoughtfulness, and care about the College and its community. Through her visionary support and generosity, she helped create opportunities for students that will resonate for generations to come. Her belief in Antioch’s mission strengthened our foundation, inspired our community, and affirmed the values that make this institution unique.
Penny was also a longstanding and extraordinarily generous supporter of the College. Through the Edward D. and Mildred R. Storm Memorial Scholarship, she made a lasting impact on the lives of Antioch students. Her generosity helped financial assistance to deserving students who might not otherwise have had the means to pursue a college education—opening doors, empowering dreams, and helping shape the future of our community and beyond.
In May, Penny was awarded the President’s Medallion, the College’s highest honor, which recognizes individuals whose extraordinary commitment and transformative support advance Antioch’s mission.
The Board of Trustees was fortunate to have Penny among our members these last few years. She was a lifelong, dedicated supporter of Antioch College, and brought her creativity, style, energy and unabashed frankness to all her pursuits, which included not only the Board but 40 plus years as a stalwart of the Volunteer Work Project.
Fellow trustee and Antioch classmate of Penny’s, Larry Rubin, notes that “Penny embodied what is most valuable about Antioch. She helped people feel vital and validated. When you needed someone to help you think something through, you went to Penny. All her life, her passion, enthusiasm and openness helped people come together, and she brought out the best in all of us. It’s just unfair to the world that she’s gone.”We extend our deepest sympathies to Penny’s family, friends, and loved ones, and our enduring gratitude for all that she gave to Antioch College. Her generosity, leadership, and service are forever woven into the history of Antioch—and into its future.
