Class of 1947

David A. Wente ’47, of Reston, Va.; Dec. 14, of a heart attack. He had a 30-year career in the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1973. He flew helicopters in Korea and was later assigned to posts in California. He commanded a 120-helicopter squadron during the Vietnam War and was responsible for 52 sea rescues. In 1968, he transferred to the Pentagon and worked on operations planning. During his last two years with the Navy, he was assigned to the Naval Air Systems command in charge of helicopter procurement. He received many decorations, including the Navy Commendation Medal. After retiring from military service, he operated the family business, the Suntan Shop. He is survived by his wife, Helen; two daughters; two sons; and five grandchildren. 

Joanne Elliott ’47, of Princeton, N.J.; Mar. 5. She was professor of mathematics at Rutgers University from 1965 until her retirement in 1991. During her tenure, she supervised five PhD theses. Previously, she taught at Mount Holyoke College, where she wrote the 1956 paper “Stochastic Processes Connected with Harmonic Functions.” She also taught at Barnard College and Columbia University. She supported the arts and enjoyed birdwatching. After retiring from Rutgers, she volunteered for many years interpreting mathematical texts at Reading for the Blind (now Learning Ally). She is survived by a niece and a cousin. 

Anna Templeton-Cotill ’47, of Middletown, R.I.; Nov. 28. She was involved in the World Federalist Movement in the late 1940s, working in Paris. She returned to the U.S. in 1998. A lifelong sailor, she was secretary to the International Tempest Class Association and traveled to regattas worldwide. She is survived by two sons and their spouses, six grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. 

Benjamin Gitlow ’47, of Bethesda; Dec. 6. He worked at United Technologies Corp., United Rubber, Sikorsky Aircraft, and Combustion Engineering before retiring in 1981. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He enjoyed woodworking, reading, tennis, and playing the piano. He is survived by his wife, Joan; a daughter; and two granddaughters. 

Richard B. Edgar ’47, of Redmond, Wash.; Jan. 11. He retired from Aerospace after 30 years and from the Navy Reserves after 39 years of service. He is survived by two sons, including Tom ’87; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Irene Margolis Backalenick ’47, of Westport, Conn.; Dec. 16. After graduation, she moved to New York City and worked as an editor and writer for various publishers and magazines. In 1947, she married, moved to Boston, and started a family. After several years her husband accepted a position in New York and they moved to Westport. In Westport she wrote for the local newspaper, the Westport Town Crier, covering the Circuit Court, and eventually expanded her writing to include features and articles for the Bridgeport Post, the Westport News and the New York Times. She was awarded a prestigious publisher’s award from the New York Times for outstanding feature writing. While raising four children, she returned to college and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Bridgeport. In her 60s, she went on to get a PhD in theater history from the City College of New York and became a full-time theater critic writing reviews for Connecticut papers, TheaterWeek, and Backstage magazine. In 1990, she was one of the founders of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She was also a member of the Outer Critics Circle. After a distinguished 30-year career as a critic, she retired in the early 2000s and became a published poet and playwright. Throughout her life she continued to learn. She enrolled one summer at Oxford University to study theater. She studied Spanish and traveled to Mexico. She was interested in art and cultures and enjoyed traveling to England, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Israel, Russia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, the Caribbean, Egypt, and France. She was active in the League of Women Voters and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She is survived by three children, including son Paul ’72, and three grandchildren. 

Ethel Thornton Smith ’47, of Providence, R.I.; Nov. 6. She was a social worker for the State of Rhode Island for many years and volunteered at the East Providence Senior Center. She was an avid reader and enjoyed good jokes and hearing about the adventures and travels of her grandchildren. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a son and his fiance, four grandchildren, and a half-sister.

John D. Hunt ’47, of Worcester, Mass.; July 6. He joined Worcester County National Bank in 1952 and was named president of the bank in 1978. From 1982 through 1987 he was CEO and was named chairman of the bank’s executive committee from 1982 until his retirement in 1990. He was involved in the Worcester business and civic community, having served on countless boards with leadership responsibilities, including the American Red Cross and the Massachusetts Bankers Association. He was chairman of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Worcester Business Development Corporation. He was instrumental in the strategic development of Worcester Biotech Park. He was a trustee at Assumption College and chaired the United Way annual fund drive in 1972. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War and achieved the rank of lieutenant commander. In addition, he was a lifetime member of Worcester Country Club and a long-time member of Oyster Harbors Club on Cape Cod. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, four grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

Robert J. Hay ’47, of Hilton Head Island, S.C., formerly of Portsmouth, R.I.; July 1. His studies were interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After he was honorably discharged, he returned to Brown and was a member of the men’s hockey team. He overcame two strokes in his 30s and eventually became CEO and chairman of a manufacturing firm he founded. He retired in 1992. He enjoyed playing sports and board games with his children and granddaughters. He is survived by daughter Margaret Hay ’81; sons Robert Jr. ’75 and Michael ’78; two daughters-in-law; and four granddaughters, including Catherine Callas ’15.

Robert F. Gartner ’47, of Eden Prairie, Minn.; Apr. 26. He was an engineer at Honeywell and served a term on the Eden Prairie school board. He enjoyed playing bridge and ice-out Boundary Waters fishing. He is survived by his wife, Bette; six children; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Thomas F. McCormick ’47, of New London, N.H., formerly of New Canaan, Conn.; Feb. 10. He was a claims adjuster for Liberty Mutual for five years post graduation. In 1952, he was hired by IBM to be a door-to-door electric typewriter salesman, which began a 33-year career with IBM traveling the world working in the Office Products Division and ultimately at IBM corporate headquarters in New York. He was an active member of several organizations, including director of the USAlliance Federal Credit Union, cofounder and president of the Licu Corporate Federal Credit Union, director of the New Hampshire Golf Association, and director/treasurer of the Granite State Taxpayers Association. He also served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives for two years. While at Brown, he was president of Delta Kappa Epsilon and played football and baseball. He once had a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Later in life he was involved in youth baseball as a coach and created a Pony League, which had not existed at the time in his hometown of New Canaan. He is survived by four children and nine grandchildren.

Elizabeth Van Egmond Husung ’47, of Rush, N.Y.; Mar. 12. She was a Latin teacher and a librarian. She retired from Rochester Public Library in 1995. She was active in her church and enjoyed traveling, camping, and spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by three children and their spouses, and five grandchildren.

Joan Kunkel Tanner ’47, of Issaquah, Wash.; Dec. 2, from complications of COVID. After raising a family, she was a physician for the Portland State University Center for Student Health and subsequently opened a family practice clinic in Portland. She was president of the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians and participated in Oregon Medical Association committees. She was an avid reader and and well informed about world affairs and local politics. She also obtained her private pilot license and enjoyed traveling. She is survived by four children and a brother.

Gerald F. Tucci ’47, of Port Washington, N.Y.; Oct. 2, after a short illness. His attendance at Brown was interrupted by service in the Navy; after graduating, he attended Harvard Business School and graduated with an MBA. His career included work for the American Can Company, the Artcraft Hosiery Company, and Leach and Garner before he transitioned to being an entrepreneur in 1963, starting Micro Contacts. During the course of his career he obtained several patents and bought/founded other companies. After the passing of his wife, his son joined Micro Contacts and all the other companies morphed into Microtechnologies. He was well known and remained friendly with many university, neighborhood, and club friends over his lifetime. He is survived by his longtime companion, Hilda Ostheimer; three children and their spouses, including son Francis ’91 and daughter Amy Tucci ’00; and eight grandchildren. 

Doris “Dolly” Fisher ’47, of Worcester, Mass.; Oct. 11. She was a real estate executive with Fisher Properties and Dorel Realty in Worcester for many years. She was also a founding member of Beth Israel Synagogue and its sisterhood and a member of the Genesis Club of Worcester, and the Worcester Chapter of Hadassah. She enjoyed playing bridge, golf, tennis, swimming, and traveling. 

John B. Lawlor ’47, of East Greenwich, R.I., formerly of Rumford, R.I.; Aug. 15. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, and upon completion of his active duty he began his medical residency in urology at Rhode Island Hospital. He completed his surgical residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and returned to Rhode Island to join the staff at Rhode Island Hospital. In 1976, he was named chair of the department of urology, overseeing the urological training of Brown University medical residents, and he established Urological Associates (now Brown Urology). He took pride in teaching the next generation of physicians. He volunteered with his parish, participated in medical missions to Romania, and helped those new to the U.S. learn English. He was a lifelong learner, taking computer classes in his 80s so he could email his grandkids and learning to Zoom with family and watch movies on Netflix while isolated during the pandemic. He never stopped reading and enjoyed sailing. He is survived by four daughters, including Elizabeth Lawlor ’82; a son; a son-in-law; seven grandchildren; and six great-granddaughters. 

Joseph E. Jones ’47, of Millcreek, Utah; Aug. 10. His career encompassed a variety of positions, including working for the FBI and serving as director of security/chief of police at the University of Utah, working as a financial advisor and realtor, and serving as regional representative for the American Cancer Society. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served as high councilor and sang in the choir. At Brown he was a member of the men’s soccer team and he was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy. In retirement he enjoyed gardening. He is survived by his wife, Donna; 10 children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren. 

Stanley Blacher ’47, of Providence; Aug. 7, after a brief illness. He was president of Blacher Brothers, Inc., which was comprised of manufacturing and real estate businesses. He was active in his community and served as a member of the Capital Center Commission, chairman for the Providence Redevelopment Agency for almost 20 years, treasurer and trustee of the Miriam Hospital Foundation, a member of the Corporation of Rhode Island Hospital, trustee of the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine in Denver, and a member of the board of Fleet National Bank. He proudly represented his class as class marshal at his 70th class reunion and enjoyed playing golf at Ledgemont Country Club, which was cofounded by his father. He is survived by his wife, Marcia Cohan Blacher ’49, and two sons, including Richard ’73. 

Albert T. Owens ’47, of Albuquerque; Apr. 7. He served as an officer in the Navy for 11 years on destroyers. Following the Navy, he received a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California. He joined Hughes Aircraft as a telemetry engineer and eventually became program manager of communication satellites in the company’s space systems division. He retired in 1988. He is survived by a son, a sister, and several nieces and nephews.

Ayres Holmes Stockly ’47, of Falmouth, Me.; Jan. 9, of congestive heart failure. During his time at Brown, he spent the first two years in the NROTC. He was a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Architecture, Art and Planning in 1953 and was then drafted back into the Navy for two years, serving in the Pentagon in Naval Intelligence. Following his military service, he moved to New York City and worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson when the Seagram Building was their principal project. In 1958, he and his wife traveled abroad to study architecture in Japan, Cambodia, India, and Italy, subsequently moving to Falmouth in 1966, where he established his architectural practice, Stockly Associates Architects, in Portland, which continued until his retirement in 1990. He was a supporter of Greater Portland landmarks and contributed to the rehabilitation of City Hall Auditorium, now Merrill Auditorium. He enjoyed spending time with his family on Vinalhaven Island (Me.). He is survived by his wife, Didi; three children, including daughter Mariana Stockly Tupper ’83; and five grandchildren.

Burton Bellow ’47, of Rockville Centre, N.Y.; Jan. 25. After graduating, he worked as an applied physicist for the U.S. Navy’s Underwater Sound Laboratory in New London, Conn., and then for several companies, including Pratt & Whitney, Kaman Aircraft, and General Applied Science Laboratory. In the mid 1960s he turned his attention to teaching, serving as an instructor at Adelphi University and Nassau Community College, and finally as a professor of physics at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., from which he retired in 1999. He enjoyed traveling, book clubs, playing piano, bridge and chess, and spending time with his family. He was a lifelong fan of Boston sports teams, especially the Red Sox. He is survived by his two sons, a sister, and nieces and nephews.

Frederick J. Schachinger ’47, of Wayne, Pa.; Jan. 8. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked for Sears, Roebuck and Co. in New York City. He retired to Wayne after 35 years and enjoyed the outdoors, sailing, and building and repairing. He is survived by his wife, Mary; five children and their spouses; 10 grandchildren; a sister; and several nieces and nephews.

Irving B. Lees ’47, of North Palm Beach, Fla.; Nov. 26. He was an ob-gyn in Palm Beach for more than 40 years, serving at Good Samaritan, St. Mary’s, and Palm Beach Gardens Hospitals. He served in the U.S. Navy and spent weekends and summers with the family sailing out of the Sailfish Club, receiving awards as skipper and navigator for the Southern Ocean Racing Conference and Block Island races. He taught judo and played the drums. He is survived by four children and their spouses, including son Madison ’79 and daughter-in-law Susan Lesueur Lees ’79; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Gustav Getter ’47, of New Rochelle, N.Y.; Oct. 18. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended Brown for officer training. He also earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from Polytechnic Institute. Upon return to civil life, he worked as an engineer prior to founding his own firm. His engineering firm­—which through a variety of partners and mergers always bore his name—created internationally recognized and award-winning designs, specifically the Hush House, which continues to be in use by the U.S. Navy and other armed forces in several locations to this date. The Hush House is a building in which a jet can be parked and turned on in order to test it, while keeping the outside quiet and clean from exhaust. Despite selling his firm—Getter, Segner, and Gironda—to Sverdrup Corporation and retiring, he remained available to answer questions from those who continued to seek his advice. He was awarded the Department of the Navy’s Naval Facilities Engineering Command Certificate of Commendation and the American Council of Engineering’s Engineering Excellence Award. He authored chapters on highways, bridges, pavements, and harbor engineering in Civil Engineering Data Book, a standard reference work. Gus sponsored two foster children located in Manila and visited them on multiple occasions. He volunteered with the United Way of Westchester County, was a member of Temple Israel Brotherhood, and enjoyed skiing into his 80s and ballroom dancing with his wife Ruth, who died just three days before he did. He is survived by daughter Elizabeth Getter ’81; son Chip ’76; a son-in-law; and two step-grandchildren.

Elizabeth Reilly Socha ’47, of East Providence, R.I.; Oct. 7. She was employed for many years as chief clinical psychologist for the State of Rhode Island. A long-time member of the American Psychological Association, she was a vocal advocate for those with intellectual and emotional challenges. She was an active member of the Pembroke Club of Providence for more than 70 years, serving in many positions, including past president and hospitality chairperson. She was also a member of St. Martha’s Rose and Altar and the East Providence Historical Society. Elizabeth was a master quahogger and instructed many generations in its finer points. She is survived by two daughters; three sons, including Stephen ’76; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

James C. Sisco ’47, of Smithfield, R.I.; Dec. 17. He worked in the insurance industry for Mutual of New York. He also worked as an accountant for many years before retiring. He was an active member of AARP and the Sons of Italy and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He is survived by a daughter, a daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Raymond S. Barnstone ’47, of Framingham, Mass.; June 17. After Brown, he went on to graduate from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. He had a long and successful career in financial management at Raytheon, Booz Allen, Honeywell, and Codex. He was also a part-time professor of finance for more than 40 years at Northeastern’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business. He was a member of Temple Beth Am in Framingham for more than 50 years and was active in its Brotherhood. In retirement he enjoyed photography and traveling with his wife Helen, exploring New England, California, Europe, and Japan. He is survived by four children, including son Wayne Barnstone ’77; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Stanley E. Sugarman ’47, of Baltimore; May 7, of cancer. He was a retired landlord and real estate business owner. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduating from Brown, he moved to Washington, D.C., and began teaching science at John Philip Sousa Junior High School. He married and settled in Baltimore and became a co-partner of Homewood Realty for many decades. Disturbed by the fact that African American soldiers who returned from fighting in the Korean War were being denied housing, he provided high-quality and affordable housing to low-income people in Baltimore. He was twice the president of the Property Owners Association and taught landlords about the principles of providing high-quality property management. He eventually had two real estate firms, Homewood Realty and Sugarcorn Realty, and managed a portfolio of 500 rental units. He was an avid cyclist and a member of the Baltimore Cycle Club. He is survived by his partner, Phyllis Posner; a daughter; and five grandchildren.

Phyllis Markoff Homonoff ’47, of Shrewsbury, Mass., formerly of Warwick, R.I.; Feb. 7. She worked at Jewish Family Services before marrying and founding Harold’s Furniture in Rhode Island, which she and her husband operated for 50 years. She supported several Rhode Island civic organizations and charities and particularly enjoyed coffee ice cream. She is survived by three children and their spouses, including son Marvin ’71; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

John L. Dixon ’47, of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Feb. 28. He worked at Downingtown Ironworks in Exton, Pa., for 10 years before moving to Tuscaloosa to open Southern Heat Exchanger, Inc., which is now one of the largest designers and manufacturers of heat exchangers in the world. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner. After retiring from Southern Heat, he studied photography at the University of Alabama and earned a bachelor of fine arts degree. He chaired several committees within his church and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He was also a docent at the former Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art. He enjoyed sailing, gardening, and traveling. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy aboard a minesweeper. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; three children and their spouses; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

William P. Sayer ’47, of Dayton, Ohio; Jan. 2, after a brief illness. He worked as an accountant at Standard Register and SCM Allied Egry Business Systems. He enjoyed singing in his church choir for many years, painting, sailing, and playing tennis. He is survived by seven children, 15 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

George Deckey ’47, of Eastchester, N.Y.; Jan. 10. He was a professor of chemistry at RISD from 1947 to 1966 and at Rhode Island College from 1966 to 1987. For several years he was a member of the admissions committee at RISD. He volunteered at Save the Bay, the American Chemical Society, and the Arabic Education Foundation. In 1993 he was awarded the Esther B. Small Award for Volunteer of the Year at Save the Bay. He enjoyed carpentry and restoring antique furniture. He is survived by his wife, Gloria; son George ’84 and his spouse; son Robert ’85 and his spouse; daughter Chantal Simon ’86 and her spouse; son Jeff ’88 and his spouse; 11 grandchildren, including David Deckey ’15, Ben Deckey ’20, and Isabella Deckey ’22; a brother-in-law; a niece; and four nephews.

Domenic C. Canna ’47, of Bristol, R.I.; Oct. 7. He was retired after a 40-year career as senior agent for Allstate Insurance Company. He was active in his community and enjoyed the outdoors and traveling. He is survived by three children, 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Charles T. Hutchinson ’47, of East Greenwich, R.I.; July 1. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he worked at American Thread Company for 27 years. He worked his way up the corporate ladder from editor of the company newspaper to vice president of human resources. In 1984 he joined CVS as a senior vice president of human resources and retired in 1990. He spent the next 18 years doing pro bono human resources work for several local nonprofit organizations, including Tides Family Services. He enjoyed sailing, golfing with his grandson, playing tennis, summers on the Cape and traveling the world with his wife, Lillian, who survives him. He is also survived by a daughter, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
 

Marghretta Gilbane Hogan ’47, of East Providence, R.I.; May 15. She worked as a manager at the former Gladdings Department Store in Providence and as a senior analyst at WSBE Channel 36 Public Television in Rhode Island. She served as corporator of Women & Infants Hospital and was secretary of the Manhattanville Club of Rhode Island, and treasurer of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Pawtucket Medical Association. She is survived by two daughters, two sons, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Joan Van Raalte Hellinger ’47, of Beverly Hills, May 26. She worked as a reporter and editor in New York City before marrying and moving to Beverly Hills. She continued to learn, earning a master’s in counseling at age 52 and at age 64 completing a doctorate in psychology and psychoanalytic training at the California Graduate Institute, where she spent more than 20 years as a teacher and training analyst. She enjoyed helping family and friends and is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, two grandchildren, a brother, and a niece.

Richard Morris ’47, of Cumberland, R.I.; Dec. 14. He entered the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Mass., in the fall of 1947 and received his Master’s of Divinity in 1950. He served at All Saints Episcopal Church until 1952, when he became the first rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in North Syracuse, N.Y. In 1965 he accepted the position of rector at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lakewood, Ohio, where he remained for 20 years. In 1985 he retired from parish ministry and moved to Pittsboro, N.C., and was interim rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh. In his retirement he also became a liturgical consultant to churches. He returned to New England in 1999 and became an active member of Church of the Advent in Medfield, Mass. Working with the church’s vestry, he oversaw the construction of a columbarium to honor the ministry of the parish’s founding rector, his grandfather, Rev. Guy Wilbur Miner. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; six children, including Jonathan ’78; 20 grandchildren, including Margaret Thorsen ’15, ’19 MD; eight great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Harry B. French ’47, of Gladwyne, Pa.; Dec. 7. He worked as an investment banker in Philadelphia. During that time, he discovered a struggling company that developed a handheld searchlight. The company became Streamlight Inc., founded in 1973 and now in its 46th year. In 1994 he was made chairman of the company. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and enjoyed boating, skiing, Dixieland jazz music, and watching sports. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; four children; and seven grandchildren.

Jean Hansen Biggs ’47, of Oak Park, Ill., formerly of Kingsville, Tex.; Jan. 16. She was a retired library director. She held professional positions in Dartmouth College Library, North Carolina Law Library, the Presbyterian Pan American School of Kingsville, and the First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown. She enjoyed reading and is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, and two granddaughters.

Sybil Tanenbaum Zeftel ’47, of Wilmington, Del.; Dec. 5. She was a high school math teacher in Wilmington for many years. She was active in community and political life, serving in leadership roles in the National Council of Jewish Women, League of Women Voters, and Jewish Family Service. In retirement she volunteered with supportive services for domestic violence victims and the homeless and served on the board of Sojourners’ Place. She enjoyed playing bridge, solving crossword puzzles, the opera, and travel. She is survived by three children, including Mona Zeftel ’74 and Peter ’78; six grandchildren; sisters Leslie Puner ’48 and Lynne Switzky ’64; and a brother.

John H. Fooks ’47, of Canonsburg, Pa.; Nov. 30. He was employed at Westinghouse Electric Corp. for 46 years and served as vice president and director of productivity and quality control. He was a member of Delta Upsilon. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie; four children; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Irving A. Berstein ’47, of Indian River Shores, Fla.; Oct. 26. He was the founder, chairman, and CEO of Hygeia Sciences Inc. Hygeia developed and sold First Response brand over-the-counter pregnancy tests and ovulation predictor tests. Hygeia was then acquired by Tambrands, Inc., maker of Tampax brand products. Previously he served as CEO of Controls for Radiation, and later he was on the founding team that led research development at Harvard-MIT health sciences and technology division. He was a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, the World Presidents’ Organization, and the Chief Executives Organization. He enjoyed playing tennis and is survived by his wife, Sue; two sons and their spouses; and three grandchildren.

Henry A. Wilkins ’47, ’49 ScM, of Leesburg, Va.; Aug. 21, of cancer. He was an electrical engineer for Westinghouse Electric Corp .(Md.) and retired in 1994 from Asea Brown Boveri Inc. (Md.) as an account executive. He served in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean War and was a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the Institute of Radio Engineers, and Phi Gamma Delta. He is survived by four daughters; two sons; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Wilson J. Remick ’47, of Rochester, N.Y.; Sept. 1. He was employed as an engineer in the General Electric Company’s aerospace division for 35 years. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and Delta Upsilon and is survived by a daughter; a son; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Arthur W. Eade ’47, of North Adams, Mass.; Aug. 25, after a brief illness. He taught math at Hamden High School (Conn.) and later became head of the math department. He co-authored a series of high school math textbooks published as part of the Prentice Hall Modern Mathematics series. After moving to Massachusetts, he taught at Northfield Mt. Hermon for a year and then joined North Adams State College (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts) math faculty, where he became an associate professor. During his tenure at MCLA, he helped found the computer science department. He suffered a stroke in 1983 and retired the following year. An avid ham radio operator, he was also a talented photographer, a World War II Navy veteran, and a member of the American Federation of Teachers. He enjoyed jazz and opera music and playing chess. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; a daughter; three sons; a grandson; a niece and two nephews.
 
 

Elliot T. Bugbee Jr. ’47, of Longmont, Colo.; July 29. He worked at Triangle Publications as an advertising sales representative and in 1958 was appointed to the national advertising staff of TV Guide magazine. Possessing a baritone voice, he was in the New York company of Oklahoma! and was a member of Actors Equity and the American Theatre Wing. Additionally, he was a soloist at several New York City churches. He was also a member of the Advertising Club of Greater Boston and the former Lantern Club. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed hiking in New England mountains, canoe trips on northern Maine lakes, and, after retirement in 1988, took pleasure in woodcarving. He is survived by his wife, Anne; two sons; a daughter-in-law; two grandchildren; and a brother.

Mary Hodnett Hay ’47, of Hilton Head, S.C., formerly of Portsmouth, R.I.; July 6. She was a school teacher in the Providence and Portsmouth school systems before becoming a homemaker. She resumed teaching once her children began attending school. She volunteered in the Bluffton (S.C.) library and enjoyed reading and playing golf. She is survived by her husband, Robert ’47; sons Robert Jr. ’75 and Michael ’78; daughter, Margaret Hay ’81; four granddaughters, including Catherine Hay ’15; and sisters Jane Hodnett ’48 and Barbara Hodnett ’52.

Richard H. Bube ’47, of Santa Clara, Calif.; June 9. He was professor emeritus at Stanford Univ. Between 1948 and 1962 he was a member of the research staff at the RCA David Sarnoff Research Laboratories in Princeton, N.J. In 1962 he joined the faculty of Stanford, where he served as a professor in the departments of materials science and electrical engineering. From 1975 to 1986 he was chairman of the department of materials science. He was the author of six scientific books and more than 300 research publications. As both a Christian and a scientist, he wrote seven books and more than 100 articles on issues in science and Christianity, striving to help scientists understand Christianity and Christians understand science. He was also a faculty sponsor for the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Stanford and taught an undergraduate seminar on the interaction between science and Christianity for 25 years. He taught adult education classes at several churches and was a member of the American Scientific Affiliation, as well as editor of its journal for 25 years. He was also a member of the American Physical Society, the Optical Society of America, and Sigma Xi. He is survived by four children and their spouses and five grandchildren.

Julian M. Brownstein ’47, of New Britain, Conn.; June 6. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II he had a career in radio sales. He later established Julian Associates in Newington, Conn., and began a career as an executive recruiter. He is survived by his wife, Joan; six children; and grandchildren.

William E. Stone ’47, of Philadelphia, Pa.; May 7. He was a retired pastor who had served in several locations, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. He was a member of the 112th Field Artillery Assoc., the Military Chaplains Assoc., and the Retired Officers Assoc. of Philadelphia. He is survived by three children, three grandchildren, a great grandchild, and a brother.

Ralph E. Heinzerling ’47, of Port Washington, N.Y.; Jan. 25. He was a freelance commercial artist and an accomplished sailor who won countless races; crewed on sailboat races to Hawaii, Buenos Aires, and Bermuda; and was the 1942 Snipe World Champion with his brother. He ran marathons and half marathons for more than 30 years into his early 80s. He also enjoyed playing golf, fishing, gardening, reading, and classical music. He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and member of Kappa Delta Rho. He is survived by three children and their spouses, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Fred L. Corey ’47, of Woonsocket, R.I.; Feb. 16. He started a career in the construction business, working for 10 years at the Dimeo Construction Co. in Providence. In 1959 he was appointed Public Works Director for the City of Woonsocket, where he served until 1966. In 1970 he founded the Corey Construction Co., from which he retired in 1991. He additionally served as Public Safety Director for the City of Woonsocket and was president of the Municipal Public Works Assoc. He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and a communicant of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church. He enjoyed playing golf. He is survived by a daughter, a son, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
 

Mary Keating Coogan ’47, of Boonton, N.J.; Dec. 20. She was a real estate agent with Mountain Lakes Realty in New Jersey and cofounder of The Barn Theater in Montville, N.J., sitting on its board of directors for many years. She enjoyed tennis, skiing, golf, and cheering for the New York Giants. She is survived by three daughters, a son, 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Eileen Cummings Heaton ’47, of Providence; Nov. 10. She was a secretary at Brown and a substitute teacher at St. Pius V School and a volunteer at Fatima Hospital, both in Providence, and a member of the Garden Club. She is survived by a daughter, two sons, and three grandchildren.

Peter A. Neidecker ’47, of Buena Vista, Colo.; Aug. 28, after struggling with heart issues and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy. He later worked as a consultant in New York City then as a plant manager and director of Dominion Chain Co. in Toronto, Canada. In 1959, he founded National Wire in Denver. He served as president of the United Way of Niagara County, Canada, was on the board of trustees of the Kent Denver School, and was a member of the Rotary Club in Englewood, Colo. Delta Kappa Epsilon. He enjoyed sailing, skiing, fly-fishing, and playing tennis. He is survived by his wife, Dody; three children; eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Drusilla Johnson Spraitzar ’47, of Newark, N.J.; June 2. She was a homemaker and enjoyed baking, poetry, and solving the New York Times crossword puzzles. She is survived by a daughter, a son, five grandchildren, and four great-grandsons.

Philip Wilson ’47, of Portsmouth, R.I.; Sept. 22. At Brown he earned the Foster Prize in French and was a Francis Wayland scholar and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After Brown he entered the Portsmouth Priory, now the Portsmouth Abbey. In 1951 he took his vows to become a monk, continued his theological studies in Oxford, England, and was ordained a priest in 1953. His first mass was said at St. John’s Church in Warren, R.I. He lived a life of service to both the monastery and the school.

Nancy Joy Eaton Zang ’47, of Nashville; Jan. 9, 2017. She was a retired realtor. She is survived by a son.