1930s
Irvin Long '36, of Marlborough, Mass.; Oct. 24. He was the owner and operator of Long's Clothiers in Clinton, Mass., until his retirement in 1982. He served as a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy. In retirement, he spent winters in Bal Harbour, Fla., playing golf and attending horse races. He is survived by his wife, Grace; a daughter; a son; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Robert W. Brokaw '38, of Garden City, N.Y., formerly of Warwick, R.I.; Aug. 22, of cancer. He was a retired coordinator for the Gorham Mfg. Co. in Providence. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. He enjoyed golfing and skiing. He is survived by a son and a granddaughter.
James P. Butler Jr. '38, of Sandy Springs, Ga.; Nov. 6. He worked in the banking industry throughout the United States, retiring in 1983 as president and CEO of Warren Five Cents Savings Bank in Peabody, Mass. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by a daughter, a son, two grandchildren, and a brother.
Walter H. Covell '38, of Barrington, R.I.; Nov. 11. He had an extensive career in theater, radio, and television, which he began in productions at Sock and Buskin at Brown. After graduation he worked as an NBC page in New York City, then as an announcer for several radio stations in the Northeast and Midwest. In 1948 he narrated New England Notebook, a radio series on WEAN in Providence. After leaving radio to work for WJAR-TV in Providence, he was cast as the star of Backstage Stories, a one-man program that won him the TV Guide Gold Medal award for the Most Original TV Show of 1950. Under the title of Solo Drama, the program was also broadcast on ABC stations in New York, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. While continuing to appear on camera in The Wife and I, Riddle Skits, Tip Top Circus, and Walt's Time, he was a program manager at WJAR and WSBE in Providence until his retirement in 1978. He also appeared in primary roles with regional and local theater groups. He was cast as Colonel Mustard for the video version of Clue and Clue I. He was a member of the Barrington Town Council, the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Roger Williams Genealogical Society. He enjoyed crossword puzzles in the New York Times. He is survived by two sons, including Alex, 51 Stacey Cir., Windham, N.H. 03087; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Alan Fontaine '38, of Westport, Conn.; Nov. 9, of heart failure. He was a self-employed photographer and artist. He owned and operated three studios during his career in New York City and in Westport. He had numerous commercial accounts, including Harper's Bazaar, McCall's, Town & Country, Vogue, Parents Magazine, Food & Wine, Citibank, General Electric, American Airlines, Tiffany's, Waldenbooks, Seagram's V.O., and Bigelow Tea. He taught photography at Fairfield Univ. and at the School of Modern Photography in New York City, and lectured for Kodak. He supplied one of the photos for the Kodak panoramas at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. His photography, art, and collages have appeared in several New York City exhibitions, and at the B.E.L. Gallery in Westport, the Westport Arts Center, and the Bernhard Gallery in Southport, Conn. He is survived by a son, John, 315 Main St., Westport 06880, and a cousin.
Virginia Hirst Wood '38, of Rochester, Mass.; Nov. 18. She was employed with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. for 35 years. She was an avid sailor and golfer and held memberships at the Sandwich Yacht Club, the New Bedford Country Club, the Kittansett Golf Club, and the Acoaxet Golf Club (all in Mass.). She was active with the Old Dartmouth Historical Society and the Telephone Pioneers. She enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles.
Edward D. Bassi '39, of Houston; Oct. 3. He was a salesman for Frank W. Winne & Son in Houston until his retirement in 1990. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was an avid golfer. He is survived by a daughter; two sons, including David, 11950 Pebble Rock, Houston 77077; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a brother, Vincent '38.
Enrico Casinghino '39, of Suffield, Conn.; Nov. 3. He taught mathematics and chemistry in the Suffield school system and at King Philip Middle School in West Hartford, Conn., where he served as head of the math department. He was president of the Suffield Teachers' Club (1945–1946) and a member of the Connecticut Education Assoc. and the Assoc. of Teachers of Mathematics in New England. He earlier worked for Hamilton Standard as a supervisor in the engineering-records department. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Emma, two daughters, two sons, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Dorothy Hills Downes '39, of Stoneham, Mass.; Nov. 17. She was a homemaker and participant in local affairs for more than 50 years. She served on the town finance committee and on the board of the Fuller House of Stoneham retirement care facility. She was also a Girl Scout leader and a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. She is survived by a daughter, a son, and four grandsons.
Alvin H. Halpern '39, of Framingham, Mass.; Oct. 20, of heart failure. He was the retired owner of Westborough Package Store in Westborough, Mass. He is survived by a daughter, Susan Hirshfield, 15 Charles River Dr., Franklin, Mass. 01038; a son; and two grandchildren.
1940s
Lane W. Fuller '40, of Falmouth, Mass.; Nov. 27. He was a retired advertising account executive for Horton, Church & Goff Inc. in Providence. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1961 as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserves. He was a member of the Brown wrestling and football teams, as well as of Psi Upsilon. He was commodore of the Menauhant Yacht Club in East Falmouth, president of the Woods Hole (Mass.) Golf Club, chairman of the Wakefield (Mass.) School Committee, president of the Falmouth Visiting Nurses Assoc., and a board member of Grace Memorial Church in Menauhant. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, and sailing. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; two sons, including Winship '65 PhD; two stepdaughters; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister.
Robert E. Starr '40, of Centerville, Mass.; Nov. 5, of complications of multiple sclerosis. He was the owner and operator of Starr Bridge Club in Providence and on Cape Cod. At Brown he won the 1940 College Bridge Championship. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he became Rhode Island's first Life Master in 1951. He won numerous national, regional, and state tournaments, as well as the 1970 New England Open Pair Championship and 1974 Massachusetts Team Championship. He was past president of the Osterville (Mass.) Rotary Club and enjoyed writing poetry, following the stock market, antiquing, and attending horse and dog races. He is survived by his wife, Rhoda; a son; a daughter; five grandchildren; a sister, Beverly Starr Rosen '43; and a niece.
Clara Schwab Wisbach '40, of Winchester, Mass.; Oct. 30. She was a retired history and social studies teacher. She taught at Lincoln (R.I.) Middle School and Arlington (Mass.) Middle School. She also worked as a media specialist at Quincy (Mass.) Broad Meadows School. She served as president of the Duxbury (Mass.) Garden Club and founder of Friends of Plymouth Philharmonic. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Wellesley (Mass.), the Winton Club in Winchester (Mass.), the Pilgrim Church Women's Fellowship in Duxbury, the Boston Junior League, and the Duxbury Architectural Review Board. She is survived by a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Harold Detwiler '41, of Summerton, S.C.; Dec. 7. He was a magistrate and public defender for Summerton before retiring in 2000 after 50 years in private practice. He played on the Brown football team and earned All-American honors. He served in the U.S. Naval Air Corps and was a member of Summerton United Methodist Church and American Legion Post #35. He is survived by his wife, Helen, a daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Chelis Bursley Baukus '42, of Providence; Nov. 3. She was a retired employee of Walsh-Kaiser Shipyard in Providence. She was the first Rhode Island woman to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. She served in World War II, and upon her discharge worked as a registration officer for the office of vocational rehabilitation & education of the Veterans' Administration in Providence. She was a member of AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion. She is survived by a sister.
Doris E. Chambers '42, of Pinehurst, N.C.; Jan. 31, 2008. She was a retired orthopedic physician. She enjoyed playing tennis and golf.
Flora Carleton Arnold '43, of Jefferson, Me., formerly of Cumberland, R.I.; Nov. 1, following a fall and hip replacement. She was a retired teacher. She taught kindergarten in Cumberland and first grade in Lincoln, R.I., before becoming the director of guidance and testing at the Henry Barnard School at Rhode Island College. After moving to Maine, she taught adult education in Augusta, tutored private clients, and started her own business, Brain Gym, where she worked as an educational kinesiology practitioner. She was a member of the Arnold Mills Community House in Cumberland, the Arnold Mills Methodist Church, the Providence Urban League, and Phi Beta Kappa. She enjoyed camping, skiing, and sailing. She is survived by a son, two daughters, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Robert Broadwell '43, of Naples, Fla.; Nov. 8. He worked for Sears, Roebuck and Co., retiring as the Aurora, Ill., store manager in 1988. During World War II he served in the U.S. Naval Reserves. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Imperial Golf Club in Naples and a member of the Naples Boat Club and Tricycle Motor Club. He is survived by three sons, four grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
Warren S. Wooster '43, of Seattle; Oct. 29, of cancer. He was a retired professor of marine studies and fisheries at the Univ. of Washington. Prior to his time there, he spent 26 years at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California as a doctoral candidate, researcher, and professor. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. With the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), he helped establish schools and train oceanographers in Peru and France. In 1992, he was principal founder and first chairman of the North Pacific Marine Science Organization in British Columbia, a group that later established an award in his name. In 1954, he was appointed visiting research associate in the department of geological sciences at Brown. He published numerous papers in national professional journals on oceanography and was a member of several national professional and scientific organizations, including the Arctic Institute of North America, the American Meteorological Society, the American Chemical Society, and the American Assoc. of Limnology and Oceanography. He was the first U.S.-born president of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. He enjoyed photography and held several exhibits at the Univ. of Washington. He is survived by his wife, Clarissa, a son, two daughters, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a sister, Margaret Wooster Freeman '45.
F. William Lawton '44, of Hanover, Mass.; Dec. 1. He was employed with South Weymouth Savings Bank from 1951 until his retirement in 1984 as president and CEO. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot aboard the USS Bismarck Sea, which was sunk by Japanese pilots off Iwo Jima. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. He was a trustee of South Shore Hospital and a member of American Legion Post #401, the Wessagusset Lodge of Masons in Weymouth, the Scottish Rite in Boston, the Aleppo Temple in Boston, the Old South Union Church of S. Weymouth, and the First Congregational Church of Hanover, where he was an usher, deacon, and delegate to the finance committee. He enjoyed flying and driving his Mustang convertible. He is survived by a son, a daughter, and a granddaughter.
Allen McConnell '44, of Glen Head, N.Y.; Dec. 1, from a brain tumor. He was a history professor at Queens College in New York City until his retirement in 1991. In 1952 he was appointed as an instructor in the department of political science at Brown, where he taught courses in Russian dictatorship and international organization. He wrote biographies of Tsar Alexander I and Alexander Radischev. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Force. In retirement he continued his research in the Rockefeller Library while spending time in Rhode Island. He is survived by his wife, Brigitte, and three children, including Roderick '87.
John F. Ulen '44, of Washington, D.C.; Nov. 20, from a heart attack. He was the publications director for the National Assoc. of Home Builders in Washington, D.C., until his retirement in 1979. He worked as an editor for the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the American Red Cross from 1948 to 1959 and then as a publications director at UC Berkeley. During World War II he served in U.S. Army intelligence.
Edson M. Chick '45, of Proctorsville, Vt.; Nov. 16. He was a professor of German at several universities, including Wesleyan, UC Riverside, Binghamton, Dartmouth, and Williams, where he taught from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. In retirement he served on the Plymouth (Vt.) School Board and volunteered teaching German and Latin at the Plymouth Elementary School and Okemo Mountain School. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. At Brown he worked for the Brown Daily Herald and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, two sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and a sister.
Jean Duba Kilpatrick '45, of Coral Gables, Fla., formerly of Washington, D.C.; Nov. 14. She was a retired nurse and homemaker. Before moving to Coral Gables to raise a family, she worked at George Washington Hospital as a registered nurse. She is survived by two sons, two daughters, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a brother.
Clifford R. Noll Jr. '45, of Eastford, Conn.; Nov. 9, after a long illness. He was a professor in the department of science at Greater Hartford Community College until his retirement in 1993. He served in the U.S. Navy. He served on the Eastford Board of Education, and was a member of the Inland-Wetlands and Planning Commission, the Democratic Town Committee, the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, the Woodstock Academy, the American Chemical Society, and the American Assoc. of Univ. Professors. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Phi Lambda Upsilon. He is survived by his wife, Dagmar; a daughter, Rebecca Busby '73; two sons; and four grandchildren.
Betty Ruth Horenstein Pickett '45, '47 ScM, '49 PhD, of Ellsworth, Me.; Aug. 22, after a long illness. She held several positions with the National Institutes of Health, retiring in 1988 as the director of the division of research resources. In 1976 she was awarded the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare's Distinguished Service Award, the highest recognition given to an employee, for her dedication to promoting and improving the quality of mental health research programs. She worked at Brown as an assistant in the department of psychology from 1946 to 1947 and as a fellow from 1947 to 1949. She was a member of the American Psychology Assoc., the Eastern Psychology Assoc., Sigma Xi, and Phi Beta Kappa. She was an accomplished musician and enjoyed playing the harpsichord in schools and nursing homes. She is survived by her brother, Simon Horenstein '45, 15137 Chamisal Dr., Chesterfield, Mo. 63006.
Joseph C. Cicchelli '46, of Cranston, R.I.; Oct. 30, after a long illness. He was a retired architect. He was co-owner of Cicchelli-Howell Associates in Providence and later was employed for 25 years with the Robinson Green Beretta Corp. of Providence. Some of his more notable projects included the athlete housing at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics and the Providence Citizens Plaza. He taught evening classes at Roger Williams Univ. in Bristol, R.I., and was a stage designer for Bright Lights Theatre. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Brown Faculty Club, the Barrington Symphony Orchestra, and Holy Apostles Church in Cranston. He enjoyed spending time teaching his grandchildren how to play cribbage and do jumbles. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, a daughter, four grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and three brothers.
Robert L. Jira '46, of Parma, Ohio; Sept. 30, of pancreatic cancer. He was a sales manager for Feco Engineered Systems Inc. in Cleveland until his retirement in 1992. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and taking photographs. He is survived by his wife, Myrtle, four sons, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two sisters.
Eugene R. Clark Jr. '47, of Littleton, N.H.; Nov. 30. He was the executive director of the North Country YMCA and director of YMCA Camp Belknap in Littleton until his retirement in 1988. He was the 1977 Littleton Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He was a member and past president of the Littleton Rotary Club, chairman of the Littleton School Board, a 25-year volunteer for Littleton Hospital, and a member of All Saints Church and the Red Cross. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, and jogging. He was also a volunteer coach. He is survived by his wife, Peg, a son, two daughters, and three grandchildren.
Thomas F. O'Connor '47, of Norwalk, Conn.; Nov. 10, after a long illness. He was the owner and president of the Daniel J. Farrell Agency, a local insurance firm. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. He was active on many civic boards and charitable campaigns and was past president of the Norwalk Assoc. of Insurance Agents, past director of the Independent Insurance Agents of Conn., director and chairman of the Merchants Bank and Trust Co., commissioner and chairman of the Norwalk Parking Authority, past president of the Norwalk Kiwanis Club, and former director of the Norwalk Public Library. In 1992 Pope John Paul II bestowed upon him the honor of Knight of St. Gregory. He was a member of St. Philip Church, the Catholic Club of Norwalk, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. An avid golfer and member of Shorehaven Golf Club for 40 years, he served on several of the club's committees and was past president of the Junior-Senior Golfing Society of Conn. He is survived by his wife, Muriel, a son, three daughters, a granddaughter, two sisters, and a brother.
Barbara Baker Johnson '48, of Mendham, N.J.; Nov. 23, of accumulated illnesses. She worked for several years as a research assistant at Lehigh Univ. and Johns Hopkins Univ. She was active in several community organizations, including the League of Women Voters, local parent-teacher organizations, and the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, N.J. In 1989 she received a MALS degree from Kean Univ. and was elected to Phi Kappa Phi. She enjoyed gardening, interior decorating, and the opera. She is survived by her husband, Donald, 10 Pembroke Dr., Mendham 07945, as well as two sons, a granddaughter, a brother, and a sister.
Robert L. Wiseman '48, of Sykesville, Md.; Nov. 5, 2007. He was a retired employee of the Consolidated Gas, Electric Light & Power Co. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. He is survived by a son, two daughters, and two grandchildren.
Thelma Chun-Hoon Zen '48, of Honolulu; July 22. She was the former director and treasurer of Chun-Hoon Properties Ltd and president of Zen, Lau & Chun-Hoon Inc. in Honolulu. She was a trustee of various nonprofit organizations, including the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Queen Emma Foundation, Queen's Medical Center, and Kuan Yin Temple. She was an avid fund-raiser and recruiter for Brown. In memory of her father, she, along with her brother Harry Chun-Hoon '52 and her son Erik Zen '73, established the Chun-Hoon Memorial Scholarship at Brown for students from the Pacific Islands. At Brown she was president of her freshman and sophomore classes, as well as president of the dormitory council. She is survived by three sons, a daughter, and three grandchildren.
Robert R. Duguay '49, of Shelton, Conn.; Oct. 12, of heart disease. He worked at AVCO Lycoming Corp. in Stratford, Conn., until his retirement in 1986. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Force, in which he attained the rank of second lieutenant and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a member of the Mill River Country Club in Stratford. He is survived by a son, four daughters, fifteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a sister.
G. Rex Kilbourn Jr. '49, of Neavitt, Md.; Oct. 20. He was a contracts administrator for the Budd Co. in Philadelphia before starting Kilbourn Inc., a home security company. In 1986 his company was purchased by the Philadelphia Contributionship and in 1992 became the company now known as Vector. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served aboard the USS Cony during the ship's around-the-world deployment and support of the Korean War. He enjoyed sports and was a member of the Brown basketball team. He is survived by his wife, Carol.
Alexander F. Lippitt '49, of Oconomowoc, Wisc.; Oct. 23. His banking career spanned 33 years at First Wisconsin National Bank in Milwaukee. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was a member of the finance committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, a vestry member of the Church of St. John Chrysostom, and chairman of the central branch of the Milwaukee YMCA. He enjoyed playing tennis, hiking, biking, sailing, and kayaking. He is survived by his wife, Helen, a son, three stepsons, 13 grandchildren, a sister, a brother, and several nieces and nephews, including Roger Lippitt '71.
Edmund F. Pawlina '49, of Simsbury, Conn.; Dec. 7. He was a mechanical and design engineer at Chandler Evans in West Hartford, Conn., for many years, and in retirement did contract work for the Goodrich Corp. During the Korean War he served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Mary's Church, Simsbury. He is survived by his wife, Edna, a daughter, three sons, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Allan W. Sydney '49, of Miami, formerly of Providence; Oct. 16, after a long illness. He was the president and owner of Sydney Supply Co. of Providence, a heating and plumbing supply company founded by his father in the 1920s and sold in 1996 to Bells/Simons Supply. He served in the U.S. Navy. He was an avid fund-raiser for Brown and a supporter of athletic programs, having run track for the Bears. He helped raise funds for a new track around Brown stadium. He attended numerous Olympic events and was a lifelong tennis player. He supported several charities and was the recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce in 1980. He was an active member of the Redwood Masonic Lodge, B'nai B'rith International, Temple Emanu-El, the Jewish Federation, the Hebrew Free Loan Society, Providence Hebrew Day School, and the Jewish Community Center. He was also a member of the Crestwood Country Club, the Aurora Club, the Rhode Island Home Builders, and the Turks Head Club. He is survived by his wife, Sydelle, two daughters, six grandchildren, a sister, and a brother.
1950s
John J. Birch '50, of Eastham, Mass.; Nov. 9, of cancer. He was an associate professor of mathematics at the Univ. of Iowa from 1964 until his retirement in 1988. He was on the faculty of the Univ. of Nebraska from 1960 to 1964. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy and was awarded the European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with two stars, the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of the American Institute of Physics, Sigma Xi, and Pi Mu Epsilon. He enjoyed woodworking and participated in many bazaars showcasing his work. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Mansfield Birch '49, two daughters, two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Lester E. Carpenter '50, of Middletown, R.I.; Nov. 23, after an illness. He had an extensive career in marketing and manufacturing with the Sunbeam Corp. in Chicago, Rockwell Mfg. in Pittsburgh, Callahan Mining Corp. in New York City, and American Tourister in Warren, R.I. He was awarded the Eastern Regional Sales Manager of Avica Corp., a division of Callahan Mining Corp., in 1962. He was a well-known musician in the Newport area where he produced an album called The Charm of Newport. He played piano with several society bands, dance bands, and jazz bands from Boston to New York City. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Wanumetonomy Golf and Country Club in Middletown and the Newport Historical Society. He was treasurer of the Newport Musicians Assoc. and former treasurer of Aquidneck Island Development Corp. in Middletown. He is survived by his wife, Laraine, a son, a daughter, four grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, and a sister.
Robert F. Fisher '50, of Guilford, Conn.; Nov. 1. He was a mechanical engineer and the founder of Advance Development and Manufacturing Corp. in Guilford, which continues to be run by his son. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army and saw combat during the Battle of the Bulge. He was an avid sailor. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, two daughters, three sons, ten grandchildren, two sisters, and a brother.
Roger W. Kaufman '50, of Harpswell, Me.; Nov. 15, as a result of an auto accident. He was the founder and president of Kaufman Associates, an advertising and public relations agency in Brunswick, Me. He was a lifelong sailor with an avid interest in wooden boats. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army. He earned his membership to the 4,000-Footer Club of the Appalachian Mountain Club after climbing the 47 highest peaks in the White Mountains. He also enjoyed photography. He is survived by his wife, Polly, a daughter, and a son, Roger '83.
J. Graham Michael '50, of West Chester, Pa., formerly of Savannah, Ga., and Wynnewood, Pa.; Sept. 7. He was the owner and president of Brown Wholesale Co., a business he started in his sophomore year with the help of his wife, Janice Peterson Michael '50 until moving the business to Philadelphia. He served in the U.S. Navy. He was inducted into the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977 for his contributions to Brown's wrestling program. He won the New England Varsity Wrestling Championship as a Brown freshman, captured the New England AAU Championship title in 1949, was captain of his senior wrestling team, and was a three-year letterman in soccer, for which he scored the winning goal in 1949 to end UConn's two-year undefeated streak. Until the age of 79 he bungee jumped, skied, and climbed mountains. He was a volunteer wrestling coach for various schools and taught a chess program, Life through Chess, to elementary school children in Savannah, and Ticonderoga, N.Y., and at the Northern Lake George Yacht Club in Hague, N.Y. He received many service awards from Northern Lake George Yacht Club, was a Savannah Home Town Hero recipient, and a JC Penney 1996 Golden Rule Award nominee for his Life through Chess program. He was an active member of the Brown Club of Philadelphia and the Ticonderoga Country Club, as well as the Northern Lake George Yacht Club. He is survived by daughters Deborah Lee Graham '73, Lindell Michael Graham '75, Susan Graham Michael Rogers '79; eight grandchildren; nephews David Michael '76, John Michael '78, Kirk Michael '83; niece Elise Michael Flamouropoulos '79 and her husband, Theodore Flamouropoulos '81; and sister-in-law, Margaret Conant Michael '51.
Franklin C. Reed '50, of Greenwood, S.C., formerly of Coventry, R.I.; Dec. 5. He was the retired owner of Countryside Furniture in Greenwood. He was a former member of the Coventry Democratic town and state committees, having served as president of the Coventry Town Council for four years. During World War II he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of the Small Business Assoc., the Rhode Island Assoc. of Realtors, the Rhode Island Construction Co., the Rotary Club of Coventry, and St. Mark United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Carmela, a daughter, a son, eight grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, and a sister.
Patricia Burt Teschner '50, of Stuart, Fla., and East Boothbay, Me.; Oct. 13. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, Arvin C. Teschner '50, 4313 SE Waterford Dr., Stuart 34997; as well as a daughter, four grandchildren, and a sister, Phyllis B. Morton '49.
Thomas A. Piggott '51, of Attleboro, Mass.; Oct. 7. He was the mayor of Attleboro from 1966 to 1971. Among his accomplishments were the completion of South Attleboro Junior High School, an addition to Attleboro High School, and a new city water tower. He was elected president of the Massachusetts Mayors Assoc. and was later a lobbyist for the League of Cities and Towns. He later established Precious Wire and Cable Corp. in North Attleboro, where he worked for 15 years. During World War II he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and for two years served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Providence. He was part of the first landing in the assault and capture of Iwo Jima and received several medals of honor, including the Zeal, Fidelity, and Obedience medals. He was a member of the South Attleboro American Legion Post #312, the Lions Club, and the City Retirees Assoc. He enjoyed singing and, along with his wife, performed and directed minstrel shows at nursing homes and for senior groups. He also wrote the lyrics for a Christmas song called "Best Time of the Year." He is survived by his wife, Jean, three daughters, two sons, twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and a sister.
Domina H. Surprenant '51, of New Bedford, Mass.; Aug. 21. He was the owner of Muffler and Brake Systems in Dartmouth, Mass. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family. He is survived by three daughters, five sons, 28 grandchildren, and two brothers, including Conrad Surprenant '50.
John A. DeSano '52, of Barrington, R.I.; Dec. 7. He was a Providence lawyer for more than 50 years. He was a Korean War veteran and a member of the Rhode Island Bar Assoc. and St. Alexander Parish in Warren, R.I., where he served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He is survived by his wife, Adelina, a son, three daughters, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a brother.
June Rittenhouse McClure '52, of Manteo, N.C.; Oct. 11, of a heart attack after successful lung-cancer surgery. She served in the U.S. Navy along with her husband. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, she started a career in computer programming. She enjoyed reading and learning and attended six colleges over her lifetime, including the Sorbonne in Paris. She is survived by a daughter, a granddaughter, two sisters, and a brother.
Glenne Arthur Plante '52, of Marblehead, Mass.; Aug. 28. She was a homemaker who enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Roger, a daughter, a son, four grandchildren, and two sisters.
J. Ray Topper '52, of Stuart, Fla.; formerly of Lancaster, Ohio; Dec. 2, of heart failure. He was the president and CEO of Anchor Hocking Corp. in Lancaster until his retirement in 1988. He was previously employed with General Electric Co. in various management positions. He served on the board of directors for Towle Mfg. Co., Huntington Bancshares Inc., and Shelby Insurance Co. He was chairman of the board of trustees for Lancaster-Fairfield Community Hospital, as well as past president of the Fairfield County Health Foundation. He was a member of the Mariner Sands Country Club (Stuart), Rockwell Springs Trout Club (Clyde, Ohio), and St. Christopher Catholic Church (Hobe Sound, Fla.). He is survived by his wife, Mary Bromage Topper '53, 5926 Oakmont Pl., Stuart 34997; two daughters, including Kathy Topper Walworth '76 and her husband, James Walworth '76; two sons; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister; and a brother.
Gerard O. Verboncoeur '52, of Virginia Beach, Va.; Aug. 9. He was a retired industrial-sales engineer for BIF Industries Inc. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Anna, two daughters, a son, nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Richard C. Dunham '53, of Lakeville, Conn.; Sept. 21, of cancer. He worked on Wall Street as a bond specialist and retired from Merrill Lynch in 1991. He served in the U.S. Navy and was active in his community. He was a member of the Congregational Church in Sharon, Conn., and was the first president of the Salisbury Housing Trust. He is survived by his wife, Inge; two daughters; two sons, including Timothy '86; a sister, Susan Coffey '63; and a brother, Robert '50.
Joan Flaherty Stott '53, of San Rafael, Calif.; Oct. 31, of cancer. She was a manager for American Airlines for 15 years. She enjoyed sports, doing the New York Times crossword puzzle, and reading mystery novels. She is survived by her husband, William, two daughters, and three grandchildren.
Roger C. Mitten '55, of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; Oct. 16, of prostate cancer. He was a partner and managing director of the law firm Mitten Goodwin & Raup in Phoenix. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was past president of the boards of the Salvation Army and the Valley of the Sun School Habilitation Center in Phoenix, as well as a member of the Paradise Valley Country Club, the West Side (N.Y.) Tennis Club, the Phoenix Country Club, and the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club (Calif.). He enjoyed sports as both a competitor and a spectator. He played tennis and golf, and cheered for the New York Yankees. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Hobart Mitten '54, a daughter, two sons, two granddaughters, and a sister.
Richard J. Aho '57, of W. Townsend, Mass.; Oct. 13, of cardiopulmonary arrest. He was an engineer with New England Business Service until his retirement in 1995. He enjoyed spending time with his family and is survived by his wife, Elaine, three stepsons, and a sister.
John D. Brandli Jr. '57, of Scotch Plains, N.J.; Nov. 3. He was a broker for the American Stock Exchange until his retirement in 1996. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, a daughter, two sons, and three grandchildren.
Walter E. Czuchra '59, of Old Saybrook, Conn., formerly of Lighthouse Pt., Fla.; after a long illness. He had a successful career in banking, having held several management positions in Florida. He was past president of the Miami chapter of the American Institute of Banking. He was a member of Delta Upsilon. He is survived by two daughters, a brother, and a sister.
Eleanor Warren Gordon '59, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., formerly of Matawan, N.J.; Oct. 24, of renal failure. She was a technical writer for Bell Labs in Holmdel, N.J., until her retirement in 1991. She previously tutored students in calculus and physics at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J. She was chairman of the library committee at Temple Shalom and enjoyed reading. She is survived by son, Steven Gordon, 1111 Army Navy Dr. #432, Arlington, Va. 22202; a daughter; and two sisters.
1960s
Roger F. Cirone '61, of Williamstown, Mass.; Oct. 27. He was a retired teacher and principal. He began teaching at Drury High School in North Adams, Mass., in 1963, retiring as principal in 1999. He was the recipient of the 1998 Peacemaker Award for his efforts in helping Drury address diversity and tolerance within the school system. He coached Drury's junior-varsity baseball team, was head football coach, and received the WBEC Sports Caravan Coach of the Year award in 1970. He also coached Williamstown Little League and Babe Ruth baseball. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Brown football team and a key player in the 1959 victory over Harvard. He was a communicant of Saints Patrick and Raphael Catholic Church in Williamstown, a past member of St. Patrick's parish council, an advisory committee member for the James and Robert Hardman Fund for North Adams, a member of the Williamstown Municipal Scholarship committee, and a member of the Williams College Sideline Quarterback Club. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, three sons, six grandchildren, and a sister.
Richard D. Friend '61, of North Attleboro, Mass.; Oct. 29. He worked as a chief purchasing officer at Poly Metallurgical Corp., now Cookson America, until his retirement in 2001. He previously worked alongside his father at Cumberland Medical Laboratories on early tranquilizer research. He spoke several languages and enjoyed military, nautical, and medieval history. He is survived by a son, two sisters, and several nieces and nephews.
Fredric B. Garonzik '64, of New York City; Nov. 8. He was an account executive for Grey Advertising before joining Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1972, where he had a long, distinguished career in New York City and London. In 1984 he was named general partner, and in 1998 he retired as co-head of the fixed income currency and commodities division. As a Brown trustee, he served as head of the investment committee. He served on several other boards, including the Union Settlement Assoc., the American Federation for Aging Research, the Wharton School, and the Buckley School. He enjoyed all outdoor sports, especially golf. A memorial fund in his name has been established at Brown. He is survived by his wife, Anne, two sons, a brother, Neal '68, and nephews Mark Garonzik '09 and Ethan Garonzik '08.
1970s
Charles F. Colby '71, of Greenwood, S.C.; Aug. 1, from heart failure. He was a partner in the Upper Savannah Radiological Assoc., and a licensed private pilot and instructor. He was a member of the board of trustees of Self Memorial Hospital in Greenwood, a past president of the medical staff of Self, and a member of the American Medical Assoc., the American Radiological Society of North America, and the Greenwood County Medical Assoc. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, 1711 Old Abbeville Hwy., Greenwood 29649; two daughters; his mother; and two brothers.
James E. Barber Jr. '75, of Edgewater, Md.; Oct. 18, of cancer. He worked as a computer software engineer for several years and most recently as a project manager for Pyramid Builders in Annapolis. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed woodworking, billiards, snow skiing and water skiing. He is survived by his wife, Susan, two stepsons and three sisters.
Keith L. Burnett '76, of Cambridge, Mass.; Nov. 13, of complications of leukemia. He worked in the security field at Shiva Corp. in Bedford, Mass., which eventually merged with Intel. He was an accomplished musician and enjoyed traveling the world to learn more about the music of different cultures. He is survived by his father.
Nathaniel D. Chapman '79, of Alexandria, Va.; Nov. 9, of brain cancer. He was a former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officer. He worked for the New York City law firm of Walter, Constant, Alexander & Green before joining the CIA in 1988. His career took him all over the world, but he finished his last post in The Hague before returning to Alexandria. He received the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal and the Donovan Award. He was a member of the University Club of Washington, D.C., the Yale Club in New York City, and the Old Dominion Boat Club in Alexandria. He was an avid collector and accomplished linguist. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, a son, three daughters, his father, two brothers, and a sister.
2000s
Candace M. Batts '01, of Ames, Iowa; Nov. 26, in an automobile accident. She earned her master's degree in 2005 from the Univ. of Nevada and was working toward her doctorate in environmental science at Iowa State at the time of her death. She was involved with several religious, cultural, and athletic endeavors over the years and was a volunteer with the Special Olympics, a member of the Sierra Nevada Master Chorale, a trumpet player, a crew coxswain, and a dancer. She is survived by her parents, a sister, a niece, her grandmothers, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
G.S.
Neil R. Bartlett '39 AM, '41 PhD, of Tucson, Ariz.; Nov. 15. He was professor emeritus in the department of psychology at the Univ. of Arizona. He served on the faculties of Hobart and William Smith colleges, Johns Hopkins, and Brown. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. He published more than 60 articles and received local and national awards for his teaching and research, as well as for his work with the Southern Arizona Mental Health Assoc. He was the chairman of the policy and planning board of the American Psychological Assoc., president of its teaching division, and president of its history division. He is survived by his wife, Olive; three sons, including William '68; three stepchildren; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Betty Brown Vigour '41 ScM, of Charlottesville, Va., formerly of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Nov. 27. She taught biology at Skidmore College and later at Stuart Hall School in Staunton, Va. She was an active member of the American Assoc. of Univ. Women, the local chapter of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Circle Eight and Ridgerunners Western Square Dance Clubs, and St. John's Episcopal Church in Waynesboro, Va. She was an accomplished musician who played percussion and piano and sang soprano in church and community choirs. She enjoyed camping and traveling. She is survived by a daughter, three sons, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Betty Ruth Horenstein Pickett '47 ScM, '49 PhD (see '45).
William G. Lloyd '50 ScM, of Durham, N.C.; Nov. 12. He worked at Dow Chemical and Lummus Engineering before leaving to join the faculty at Western Kentucky Univ., Bowling Green, where he was a professor of organic chemistry and dean of the school of science and technology. He also taught at the Univ. of Kentucky and was associate director of its Institute of Mining and Minerals Research. In 1985 he was named Kentucky Scientist of the Year. He held several patents and has published in numerous journals. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Assoc. of the Advancement of Science, and Sigma Xi. He is survived by his wife, Anne, a daughter, two sons, and four grandchildren.
Irving Kanter '53 PhD, of Woodstock, Vt., formerly of Lexington, Mass.; Nov. 1. He was a retired engineer for Raytheon in Bedford, Mass. He had numerous patents and wrote several scientific articles. Following retirement from Raytheon, he was a math tutor. He served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by five daughters, eight grandchildren, and a sister.
Charles E. Griffin '72 ScM, of Fairfax, Va.; Dec. 7, of cancer. He was a retired AT&T corporate manager and high school teacher. He worked at Illinois Bell and AT&T in various management positions for more than 30 years, retiring in 2001. He then taught physics to high school students in the Fairfax County school system. He was an active member of Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax Station. He is survived by his wife, Caroline, two sons, a stepson, two grandchildren, his mother, a stepmother, two sisters, and a brother.
Priscilla J. Brewer '81 AM, '87 PhD, of Tampa; Oct. 6, of cancer. She was a professor of American Studies at the Univ. of South Florida. She published numerous articles, book reviews, and essays, and made several presentations at academic conferences. She was recognized by her peers in 1990 when she was presented with the USF Alumni Professor Award. She received the USF Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award four times and most recently was presented with the Distinguished Scholar Award by the Communal Studies Association. She was a member of several committees of USF's College of Arts and Sciences, and was an undergraduate advisor and a member of the faculty senate. She also served as chair of the department of humanities and American studies from 1999 to 2002. She is survived by her father, two brothers, an aunt, and several nieces and nephews.
Molly Mack '83 PhD, of Champaign, Ill.; Dec. 10, of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She was a professor in the department of linguistics at the Univ. of Illinois. Prior to working there, she held a postdoctoral position at Brown, taught psycholinguistics at Wellesley College, and served as a speech researcher at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory. She coedited Mind, Brain, and Language and authored many articles on psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics. She is survived by a brother.
Faculty
Thomas R. Adams, of Providence; Dec. 1. He was the librarian of the John Carter Brown Library from 1957 to 1983. He retired with an honorary degree in 1991. He was the author of several publications, including Defining Americana: The Evolution of the John Carter Brown Library, published in the winter 2008 issue of The Book Collector. He served on several committees and boards of various institutions, including the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Providence Athenaeum, RISD, and the Rhode Island Historical Society. He also was on the council of the Bibliographical Society of America from 1969 to 1980 and was acting president of the council from 1978 to 1980. He was the recipient of the JCB Medal in recognition of his service to the library. He was a 1963 Guggenheim Fellow, a 1971 NEH Senior Fellow and the recipient of numerous NEH and Mellon Foundation publication grants. His memberships included the American Antiquarian Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Club of Odd Volumes, the Grolier Club, and the Barnstable (Mass.) Yacht Club. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughters, Josephine Adams '80; Virginia Savignano '77, '85 AM; Eliza Easton '83 and her husband Thomas Easton '80; five grandchildren; and a brother.
David Gottlieb, of Providence; Dec. 6. He was a professor of applied mathematics. He arrived at Brown in 1985 to develop a program in numerical analysis and scientific computation for partial differential equations. He was previously an instructor at MIT and a faculty member at Tel Aviv Univ. He received many awards, including the NASA Group Achievement Award, and honorary doctorates from the Univ. of Paris and the Univ. of Uppsala. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and was designated as the John von Neumann lecturer by the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (2008). He authored more than 125 scientific articles and two books. He is survived by his wife, Ester; sons Leead '02 and Yitzchak '98; daughter, Sigal Moise '95 ScM, '96 PhD, and her husband, Leonard Moise '93, '02 PhD.
