Obituaries

Dan E. Caldwell, FAC, of Pacific Palisades, Calif.; Jan. 8, after a four-year battle with cancer.He earned his bachelor’s degree at Stanford University and upon graduation, he entered active duty in the U.S. Navy, where he was a staff assistant in the Office of Emergency Preparedness, Executive Office of the President, in Washington, D.C. He was later assigned to teach national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He received a master’s in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and returned to Stanford, where he earned a master’s and PhD in political science before beginning his career at Pepperdine in 1978. While at Pepperdine, he twice served as president of the Seaver College faculty and played significant roles in growing the political science program and launching the international studies program. He was integral in establishing the Scholarship Initiatives Office on campus, and was an advocate for Pepperdine’s student-veterans. He founded the Pepperdine Committee on Student-Veterans, which led to the creation of the Office of Student-Veteran Affairs in 2020. He had visiting appointments at UCLA, the University of Southern California, and Brown, where he helped to establish the Center for Foreign Policy Development (now the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs). He was also a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations and, for many years, the chair of its academic outreach initiative. He received many teaching awards. He was active in Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church and enjoyed hiking, skiing, boating, and playing tennis. He is survived by his wife, Lora; two daughters; a son and daughter-in-law; a son-in-law; and two grandchildren.  

Alfred Toselli, of Providence, formerly of Jamestown, R.I.; Sept. 18. He completed medical school at the University of Bologna and subsequent residencies at St. Joseph Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital before founding Pediatric Associates, Inc. in Rhode Island. He served as chief of pediatrics at St. Joseph Hospital for 10 years and was on staff at Rhode Island Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, and Pawtucket Memorial Hospital. He received numerous awards during his 45-year career that included being appointed clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at Warren Alpert Medical School and president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics from 1986 to 1988. He was active in Italian-American medical affairs and was awarded the Order of the Star of Italy with the rank of cavaliere by the president of Italy in 1974. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Linda B. Miller, of South Wellfleet, Mass.; Jan. 19. After graduating from Radcliffe College and Columbia University, she taught political science at Wellesley College for more than 30 years. She later joined the faculty of Brown and taught at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs for more than 15 years. More recently, she taught an adult class at the Wellfleet Public Library. She is survived by her sister Devra M. Breslow ’54 and several cousins and friends. 

Mathew R. Graci, of Milford, Mass.; Feb. 7. He was a PhD chemistry student. He graduated from Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in 2012 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged in 2021. Subsequently, he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Clark University in 2024 and began at Brown this past fall to pursue his doctorate in chemistry. He enjoyed reading, gardening, and cooking. He is survived by many relatives including his wife, Kate,  two children, and his parents. 

Christopher M. Collins ’12 MPP, of Stamford, Conn.; Jan. 29, unexpectedly, in the American Airlines Washington, D.C., plane crash. After earning his bachelor of science in education degree from UMass Dartmouth, he taught middle school in North Attleboro, Mass. With a passion to influence education policy at a broader scale, he earned his master’s in public policy at Brown, then worked at New York City’s Office of Management and Budget. He then worked as an analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, focusing on how public money could be used to support higher education. He eventually became a senior analyst and vice president. He enjoyed the outdoors and had a lifelong affection for animals. He especially enjoyed walking the dogs at Lucky Dog Refuge in Stamford, Conn. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Thomas; his parents; a brother; a niece and nephew; his mother and father-in-law; and aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Steven M. Strang ’71 AM, ’81 PhD, of Medford, Mass.; Dec. 29. He began his career as a journalist and columnist at Bangor Daily News in Maine before becoming a teacher whose career spanned more than 51 years. He taught writing at MIT for 40 years and in 1981 founded and directed MIT’s Writing and Communications Center. He was the author of Writing Exploratory Essays. His fiction, poems, literary criticism, and pedagogical articles were published in many journals. He is survived by his wife, Ayni; a daughter; a son and daughter-in-law; and four grandchildren. 

Robert J. Schultz ’71 PhD, of Ocean Pines, Md.; Dec. 4. After completing post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan, he made significant contributions as a synthetic medicinal chemist for Starks Associates, a contractor for the National Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. He was transferred to Gaithersburg, Md., where he continued to work in drug synthesis. He retired from the National Cancer Institute in April 2006 as the project officer for the drug synthesis and chemistry branch of the developmental therapeutics program. He enjoyed cruising with his wife, fishing, and spending time with family. He is survived by his wife, Karen; a daughter; a son; two stepchildren; eight grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. 

Kathleen Lebois Schwartz ’68 MAT, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Dec. 9. She was a math teacher in Sharon, Mass,. and at Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut. She is survived by her daughter Karyn Schwartz ’98; a son-in-law; a son and daughter-in-law; and three grandchildren. 

James W. Mills ’68 PhD of Durango, Colo.; Jan. 28, from pulmonary disease. He taught for four years at Drew University before moving to Durango in 1973 to be a professor of chemistry at Fort Lewis College for 32 years. While there, he was department chair, State Board of Agriculture representative, faculty liaison for construction of a new chemistry hall, and the recipient of the Alice Admire Teaching Award. He built a solar home and cofounded the Durango Friends Meeting community center. He is survived by his wife, Nadean; a daughter; a son and daughter-in-law; a granddaughter; a sister; a brother; and a sister-in-law. 

Edward J. Gallagher ’67 AM, ’72 PhD, of Providence; Dec. 31. He was emeritus professor of French studies at Wheaton College. He previously taught at Rosemont College (Pa.) and Washington University of St. Louis. He published four books ranging from medieval romance to novels of the twentieth century. 

Lois S. Stein ’65 AM, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Dec. 5, of Alzheimer’s disease. She taught Spanish language and literature for 10 years at Cornell College and initiated a variety of campus activities encompassing the language that included a Spanish Club, an annual Spanish theatrical production, and student trips to Mexico. She then taught at URI from 1966 to 1968 and at Assumption College during the summers of 1964 and 1965. She joined the faculty at the University of Chicago in 1987 and served as dean of students in the graduate division of the social sciences. She retired in 2006. She is survived by her husband, Harvey; two sons and daughters-in-law; a granddaughter; a sister; a brother and sister-in-law; and 10 nieces and nephews. 

William W. Smith Jr. ’65 AM, of Milwaukee; Dec. 16. He had an engineering career that moved him several times before he settled in Wisconsin. In retirement, he served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Masters Games, where he helped to coordinate sporting events. He is survived by three children, 11 grandchildren, two great-grandsons, three sisters, and a brother.

Kay Engelmann Raymond ’64 AM, of Huntsville, Tex.; Nov. 26, after a short illness. She graduated from Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study at Harvard, then received her master’s degree from Brown and a doctorate from Indiana University. She had faculty appointments at Indiana University, Emporia State University, the University of Alabama, and Sam Houston State University, from which she retired in 2014. In addition to teaching, she enjoyed mentoring and helping first-generation Hispanic students. She was the recipient of many leadership and advising awards, including a 2009 Educator of the Year Award from the League of United Latin American Citizens. She is survived by a daughter, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter.

Edwin L. Cooper ’63 PhD, of Los Angeles; Jan. 9. He joined UCLA’s department of anatomy in 1964 and became a full professor in 1973. He also served as vice chairman from 1989 to 1993. During his tenure, he played an important role chairing the first histology course for medical students and teaching immunology to the inaugural dental class. He enjoyed traveling. He is survived by his wife, Helene; a daughter; a son and daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. 

Cynthia Collin Stong ’62 AM, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; Nov. 14. After earning a degree in zoology from Wellesley College and attending a marine biology summer program at Woods Hole, she graduated from Brown with a master’s in biology and moved to Ohio, where she became an instructor in the biological sciences department of Bowling Green State University. She developed marine biology courses and led an annual undergraduate trip to the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (Miss.) to collect marine specimens to bring back to the lab at BGSU. In 1984, she was a guest researcher at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. During her tenure at BGSU she was honored with a Master Teacher Award and a Distinguished Educator Award. In the late 1980s, she was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to develop an ocean-focused curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school teachers. In collaboration with her honors students, she produced a children’s ocean activity book titled Sea Sense and Fun Sense. Nearly a decade after her retirement, BGSU awarded her a 2005 honorary doctorate in marine science education for her “dedication to students and teaching, leadership in marine biology education, service to BGSU, and a lifetime of achievements in her field.” She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, a sister and brother-in-law, and a brother and sister-in-law.

Phyllis Toal Dircks ’60 AM, of Huntington, N.Y.; Jan. 16. She began her teaching career as a professor of English literature at St. John’s, where she met her future husband, then taught at C.W. Post College of Long Island University for more than 50 years. During the course of her career, she was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Danforth Foundation Teacher Fellowship, the National Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, and the Long Island University David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching. A specialist in contemporary American drama, she was a national expert on the works of playwrights Eugene O’Neil and Edward Albee. She authored several books and many scholarly articles. She was a member of the board of directors of Theatre Library Association and served the American Society for Theatre Research for many years as newsletter editor and archivist. She is survived by five children and 19 grandchildren. 

Richard F. Woodcock ’55 PhD, of Woodstock, Conn.; Dec. 12. He joined the research division of American Optical Co. in Southbridge, Mass., as an optical physicist and became a leader in their research and development department and a liaison for government sponsored research projects. He was involved in groundbreaking work related to fiber optics, lasers, and photochromic materials, securing 33 patents and writing more than 30 scientific papers. He was a member of the American Physical Society, Optical Society of America, the American Society of Testing and Materials, and Sigma Xi, as well as serving as a member of numerous Woodstock committees and organizations. He enjoyed camping, outdoor sports, woodworking, and jewelry making. He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren.

Joseph M. Proud ’55 ScM, ’58 PhD, of Sudbury, Mass.; Dec. 6, following a brief illness. After earning his degree, he conducted experiments on nuclear explosions in Nevada before settling with his family in Waltham, where he had a 20-year career at GTE Sylvania. He was an internationally recognized physicist specializing in lighting. He retired in 1983 and enjoyed gardening, woodworking, painting, and playing the clarinet and saxophone. He is survived by a daughter, a daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two sisters, and a brother. 

Laurence T. Brennan ’55 ScM, of Woodcliff Lake, N.J.; Dec. 28. He began his career as an actuary and later was a managing partner at Kwasha Lipton in Ft. Lee, N.J. Among his many career accomplishments, he helped to develop the cash balance defined benefit pension plan.His love for his autistic son led him to advocate for the neurodivergent and handicapped serving on nonprofit boards ranging from the national to the local: Autism Speaks, Eden Autism and the Opportunity Center. He was an artist, a musician, and a gardener/landscaper. He enjoyed yoga, reading, and swimming. He is survived by seven children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. 

Sheree-Monique S. Watson ’00, of Rosedale, N.Y.; Nov. 27, of cancer. After Brown, she obtained an MD from Columbia University and did her residency in pediatrics at the combined program of Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center. She worked as a pediatrician. At the time of her death, she was months shy of completing her fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Recently, she worked for LiveOnNY, NYC’s organ procurement organization. Being an organ recipient herself, organ donation was a cause dear to her heart. She was a track athlete in high school and college and ran multiple half marathons. She enjoyed participating in many shows, including various Shakespeare in the Park plays. She also enjoyed rock climbing, mountain biking, and white-water rafting. In addition to athletics, she enjoyed traveling, visiting museums, listening to music, and playing word games. She is survived by her husband, Juan Puyo; her mother; a brother, sister, and sister-in-law; a niece and nephew; and many aunts and uncles.

James J. McArdle ’96, of Alexandria Township, N.J.; Jan. 13. He worked as a tutor and also as a bartender at Grace in Lower Manhattan. For nearly five years he volunteered with the Hunterdon Helpline, where he helped senior citizens by shopping for them. He was active in A.A. in Flemington, N.J. He enjoyed cooking, reading and arguing politics. He is survived by his mother, a sister, an aunt, and cousins. 

Sasha J. Carr ’91, of Burlington, Vt., formerly of Norwalk, Conn.; Dec. 28. She was a sleep expert while in Norwalk dedicated to helping babies, children, and families get the rest they needed. She was also on the faculty of Family Sleep Institute. She published a children’s book, Putting Bungee to Bed. She also published The Caregiver’s Essential Handbook: More than 1,200 Tips to Help You Care for and Comfort the Seniors in Your Life. She enjoyed traveling and acting as a travel agent for kid-oriented vacations. She is survived by a son, her mother and stepfather, her father, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Michael L. Cowell ’81, of Berkley, Mass.; Nov. 21. During his time at Brown he studied business management while an athlete on the football team and an active fraternity member. A successful business career followed and culminated in his role as CEO of Precision Arrow Gear Group. He is survived by his wife, Heidi; two children; three grandchildren; seven siblings and their spouses; and many nieces and nephews. 

Mark L. Travis ’79, of Canterbury, N.H.; Nov. 2, following a rapidly progressive infection. Years earlier he was diagnosed with leukemia, undergoing chemotherapy and ultimately a bone marrow transplant. After college, he was a reporter at the Concord Monitor, working part-time and covering Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Shortly afterward, he moved to Lebanon (N.H.) to work as a reporter and regional editor for the Valley News. In 1983, he and his wife moved to Florida, where he worked at the St. Petersburg Times, first as a reporter and then as a bureau chief. In 1986, he returned to the Concord Monitor as a reporter, editor, and mentor for young reporters and launched several new publications, including the Concord Insider. He was awarded a journalism fellowship with the Nieman Foundation in 2002 and moved to Cambridge, where he spent an academic year at Harvard. In 2008, he became publisher of the Valley News and was diagnosed, but continued to serve as publisher until 2013, when he was named publisher of the Concord Monitor. A year later, he moved on from daily newspapers and joined an Upper Valley-based tech startup bringing local news into the digital age. He spent five years with the startup and in 2019 became a ghostwriter at Scribe Media. He retired in June of 2023. He was a member of the Canterbury Town History Book Committee and edited the town newsletter. He was also an active member of the Canterbury United Community Church, a volunteer at the annual Canterbury town fair, and a Canterbury cemetery keeper. He is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughter Leanna Travis ’22 MD; a son and daughter-in-law; and two grandchildren. 

Juan H. Hinojosa ’79, of Laredo, Tex.; Dec. 23, of cancer. After earning his master’s and doctorate in geophysics at Johns Hopkins University, he began researching and publishing papers before accepting a teaching position at the University of Texas at El Paso. He was invited to present his research on gravity and topography of Mars at Laredo State University and an offer to teach followed. He taught at Texas A&M International University for more than 36 years. His passion for research, discovery, and education earned him respect in his field, as well as several nominations and awards, including 2020 Distinguished Teacher of the Year. He is survived by two sons; Patricia Hinojosa, mother of his children; five siblings, including Jose Luis Hinojosa ’80 and Martha B. Hinojosa ’84; and many nieces and nephews.

Recia Kott Blumenkranz ’76, of Portola Valley, Calif.; Nov. 22, of cancer. After graduating from Brown and completing her medical training at Stanford and the University of Miami, she maintained a private dermatology practice in Menlo Park, Calif., for more than 30 years. When not working, she enjoyed gardening, literature, music, and traveling. She is survived by her husband, Mark ’72, ’75 MD, ’76 MMSc; three children, including Carla Blumenkranz ’05 and Scott ’08; five grandchildren; her mother; and a brother.

Frank Bellis Jr. ’75, of Wrightstown, N.J.; Nov. 3, of pancreatic cancer. He was the cofounder and principal of The Pharos Group. Before The Pharos Group, he worked in multiple roles that ranged from president and CEO to chief compliance officer and associate general counsel at the Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. He had also been corporate counsel and secretary at Inductotherm Industries (N.J.) and deputy attorney general for the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. He served as vice chairman of Caring Inc. from 2003 to 2024. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; three sons; and two grandchildren. 

Raymond J. Dever Jr. ’72, of Tampa; Jan. 9. After Brown, he earned engineering master’s degrees from Caltech and Princeton and went on to have a 40-year career focused on environmental engineering that included environmental assessment, waste management, and wastewater treatment projects across the eastern U.S. He directed a regional profit center for a national engineering consulting firm for more than 10 years and served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Florida Training, Research, and Education of Environmental Occupations Center. He moved to Tampa in 1990, married, started a family, and earned a master’s in theology. He was deeply engaged with liturgical ministries, faith formation, and social justice and on Oct. 3, 2009, he was ordained a permanent Catholic Deacon for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He served the community for 13 years. His perspective as a Catholic deacon was unique and as a father to a transgender daughter, he discovered a passion for ministry to the LGBTQ+ community and their families. He retired from engineering in 2013 and continued ministry work into his retirement with the support of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., where he was incardinated in early 2024. He provided training and consultation on transgender issues to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and numerous Catholic dioceses and institutions. Striving to build awareness and compassion, he published articles in U.S. Catholic Magazine and America Media’s Outreach and regularly contributed to Bondings 2.0 blog with New Ways Ministry. In October 2024, he and his wife joined a group of LGBTQ+ Catholics for a private audience with His Holiness Pope Francis. He continued to advocate for greater acceptance of transgender people within the Church. He is survived by his wife, Laurie; three daughters; a son-in-law; and a sister and brother-in-law. 

John M. Manchester ’74, of Lewisburg, W.Va.; Jan. 17, of pancreatic cancer. After college he hitchhiked 23,000 miles across the U.S. and Canada, and later described his experience at a TEDxLewisburg event titled “Everything I Know About Public Service I Learned Hitchhiking.” He joined the solar energy division of the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he taught energy conservation and led solar energy projects. Following his return to West Virginia, he ran a sawmill, built his own house, edited the Mountain Messenger newspaper, served 16 years as the communications director of West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and was elected to the Lewisburg City Council in 2001. He successfully ran for mayor of Lewisburg in 2003 and subsequently served until 2019, obtaining the title of the longest serving mayor in Lewisburg history to date. During his tenure he completed many long needed public improvements and Lewisburg achieved a 2011 designation as “America’s Coolest Small Town.” He received numerous awards, including the 2018 Distinguished Mountaineer Award from the State of West Virginia. He enjoyed writing, storytelling, hiking, and traveling, and visited all 50 states. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, two granddaughters, two sisters, a sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. 

Francis R. Porter ’73, of Winchester, Mass.; Jan. 17. He graduated from Boston University Medical School and practiced medicine at Winchester Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital for more than 30 years. He was an avid birder, enjoyed reading and photography, and was a fan of Boston sports. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; a daughter and son-in-law; two sons, including Matthew ’03; two daughters-in-law; and seven grandchildren.

George E. Dixon ’73, of Foster, R.I.; Nov. 29. While at Brown, he developed an interest in woodworking and apprenticed with master furniture maker Tage Frid at RISD. After graduation, he opened a woodshop with his twin brother in the South End of Boston, Dixon Brothers Woodworking, where he developed an interest in building custom staircases. After marrying in 1984, he moved to a farm in Foster and opened North Road Stair Builders, which designed and installed custom winding staircases across the Northeast. He developed a reputation as a master of the craft, and in 1996, he began giving woodworking lectures across the country. His teaching remains available on ThisIsCarpentry.com’s website and YouTube. On his farm, in addition to small farm animals, he kept bees, tended orchards, pressed cider with an antique press he restored, tapped maple trees, and repaired carts, tractors, and motorcycles. He also read a book every week. He is survived by his wife, Helen; sister Candis H. Dixon ’76; a brother; three children; and two grandchildren. 

Brookes M. Morin ’72, of Helena, Mont.; May 22, while fly-fishing the Missouri River. After graduation, he headed to Jackson, Wyo. After several years in Jackson, where he met his former wife, he moved to Missoula, Mont., and obtained an MBA. In 1979, he moved to Helena with his family and worked for the Legislative Auditor’s office, then for the City of Helena as assistant city manager. Later, he managed the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds and then worked at Fox Ridge Golf Course. Always an athlete, he excelled at alpine ski racing, tennis, golf, and soccer, achieving a hat trick on the Brown team and earning All-New England honors. He began fly-fishing at age 6, but his passion blossomed while in Jackson, where he was referred to as “the trout whisperer.” He also was a longtime birder. In retirement he traveled to New Zealand to fly-fish for months at a time. He enjoyed coaching and volunteering and managing Helena Industries, which provided jobs to neurodivergent employees. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a son and daughter-in-law, five grandchildren, a brother and sister-in-law, and two nieces.

Eric T. Reenstierna ’71, of Newton, Mass.; Feb. 5, after a two-decade battle with cancer. He had a long career as a commercial real estate appraiser but also worked at times as a lumber salesman, a photographer, a teacher, and a short order cook. Committed to protecting the environment, he served as president of the land trust for Newton and president of the Newton Conservators. He also served on the city’s Conservation Commission and its Community Preservation Committee. He was instrumental in saving a large tract of open space at Kesseler Woods. He volunteered at the Pine Street Inn working with the homeless and wrote six novels. He is survived by his wife, Anne; a daughter; a son; and six grandchildren. 

James E. Van Epp Jr. ’70, of Warren, R.I.; Nov. 7. He earned his PhD at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and completed a post doctorate degree at MIT. In addition to his academic accomplishments, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant. His taste in music spanned classical to early rock and roll, he enjoyed going to the theater and reading, and he was proud to be a member of the Boston Chapter of the Sherlock Holmes Society. He is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, a brother, a niece, and two nephews.

Richard P. Cole ’70, of Providence, R.I.; Nov. 19. He went on to earn a master’s in clinical psychology from St. John’s University and worked for several years as a state psychologist for the R.I. Department of Children, Youth, and Families. He enjoyed coaching his daughter’s softball team and later playing golf and working in his yard. He is survived by a daughter; a sister; two brothers, including Bill ’67; two sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews; and his former wife, Jennifer Bell-Cole. 

 Patricia A. Barald ’70, ’70 AM, of Washington, D.C.; Dec. 29. She earned a law degree from Cornell Law School and became the first woman to hold a full-time faculty position at the school. She was editor of the Cornell Law Review and was recognized by the Order of the Coif in 1973. She practiced her entire legal career at Covington & Burling, focused on environmental law, eventually becoming partner—at the time, only the third woman to hold that title. She was known for her commitment to her clients, her understanding of complex legal issues, and her mentoring of young attorneys. She is survived by her husband, James Toupin; a son; a grandson; and a sister. 

Nicholas C. Litchfield ’69, of Reno, Nev., formerly of Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts; Oct. 6. After graduating from Brown, where he met his future wife, he taught French at Gould Academy. They were married in 1970 and both took a leave of absence from their jobs to refit a small cruising boat and sailed for four years aboard their Take Five. On returning, he worked as a yacht broker and began learning computer science at the University of New Hampshire and Columbia University. They moved to Connecticut and he taught at Greens Farms Academy. He retired from Greens Farms Academy and moved to Wayland, Mass., where he renovated their house and briefly did IT work for a trading firm out of Chicago. He retired to Reno in 2011 and enjoyed skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Jahn Litchfield ’70; two sons and their spouses; four grandchildren; two sisters; and a brother. 

James W. Culbreth ’69, of Lilburn, Ga.; Sept. 3, 2024, of osteomyelitis of the spine. He had been an attorney at McKenna Long & Aldridge before retiring in 2009. He is survived by his wife, Loretta, and a son. 

Darryl L. J. Fanelli ’68, of Houston; Jan. 9. After graduating from the University of Houston’s Bates College of Law, he worked independently and as managing partner of a law firm with Raymond M. Hill. His focus was in real estate, trust and probate, financial contracts, and oil and gas rights and leases. He later worked at T-Mobile building out its southeastern network. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling extensively throughout Europe with his wife, restoring historic homes, literature, and poetry. He is survived by his wife, Ludmila Saposhkov Fanelli ’68; a daughter; a stepson; and two step-grandchildren.

Roger True ’67, of Fairfield, Conn.; Oct. 18, from squamous cell carcinoma. After graduating from Brown, he had a long career with the Fairfield County independent schools teaching courses in science and mathematics, coaching hockey and baseball, and filling many administrative positions that included department head, athletic director, dean of faculty, and head of Upper School. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially times spent with his wife on their boat in Cape Cod. He developed an interest in oceanography, marine biology, and meteorology and he enjoyed swimming, fishing, reading, solving puzzles, and attending sports events, especially Cape Cod League baseball games. He is survived by his wife, Anita Northy True ’67, and a brother, Richard ’65. 

Peter M. Getz ’67, of Columbia, S.C.; Dec. 15. While at Brown, he was a member of the Air Force ROTC and volunteered for service in Vietnam. He concluded his service as a captain of the Strategic Air Command. Following his military service, he earned an MBA at Georgia State University and met his future wife. They settled in Columbia and he opened Getzby’s Deli, which he operated until 1990. He is survived by his wife, Libby; two sons; a daughter-in-law; two grandchildren; and two brothers. 

Frederick M. Bush III ’67, of New York City and Jackson, Miss.; Jan. 21. After Brown he attended the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he graduated first in his class, was editor-in-chief of the law journal, and was named outstanding law graduate by the faculty. Upon graduating from Ole Miss, he joined his father in practice at Mitchell, McNutt & Bush as an associate. He earned a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School in 1972, and two years later he was named a partner in Mitchell, McNutt & Bush and remained there for 15 years. In 1989, he joined Phelps Dunbar, where he spent the remaining 36 years of his career. He was the managing partner of the firm’s Tupelo office for 22 years before being asked to relocate to Jackson to head Phelps Dunbar’s business practice, where he remained active in the firm until his death. He enjoyed traveling, black-and-white photography, water skiing, and trout fishing. He also possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of the television comedy Cheers. He was an Eagle scout and veteran of the U.S. Navy. He is survived by two sons, a daughter-in-law, three granddaughters, brother Richard ’70, a sister-in-law, his former spouse Martha H. Adams ’69, and several nieces and nephews. 

Michael W. Dennis ’65, of Haymarket, Va.; Jan. 26. He was a neurosurgeon in Washington, D.C., and one of the surgeons that operated on a secret service detail for President Ronald Reagan following his attempted assassination, performing a complex procedure to remove an exploding bullet. He volunteered as a public health worker through the Earth Watch program providing medical care to local communities in Ghana, Bolivia, Poland, Russia, and Zimbabwe. After retiring, he earned an MBA from George Mason University and went on to be a consultant to corporations and an expert medical witness. He was involved with the Lifelong Learning Program and a frequent lecturer. He was active in his local community and served in leadership positions for many organizations. He is survived by his wife, Judy; three children; and five grandchildren. 

James Shortell ’64, of Greenfield, Mass.; Nov. 7. After Brown, he went on to earn a master’s and PhD in psychology at UMass Amherst. While completing his doctoral dissertation, he worked at the Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center in Norwalk (Conn.) and was then invited to become the staff psychologist of the East Spoke inpatient behavioral health unit at the Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, where he worked for the majority of his career, in addition to operating a private practice. He had a keen sense of humor and while working at East Spoke, he organized a humorous in-house newsletter called “The Loose Spoke” about and for his coworkers. He enjoyed designing holiday cards to make the recipients laugh. He spent time at his vacation home in Friendship, Me., where he enjoyed hiking and skiing. He is survived by his wife, Carol; three children; and two grandchildren. 

Jane Newhagen ’64, of Silver Spring, Md., formerly of Key West, Fla.; Jan. 20, of ALS. She taught elementary school at Palmer River Elementary School in Rehoboth, Mass., and at the International School of Paris in Paris, France. She was the author of three historical novels set in Key West, where she lived for 20 years: Sand Dollar, Pieces of Eight, and Chambered Nautilus. She is a coauthor of After Life, Images from the Key West Cemetery, and a contributor to the Key West Writers Guild anthologies. She served as archivist of the Key West City Cemetery for 14 years, creating the Cemetery Strolls that tell stories from Key West history and help fund cemetery restoration by the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. She served as archivist of the Key West City Cemetery from 2004 to 2018. She is survived by a daughter; son John ’89, ’01 PhD; and a brother. 

William J. Nathan ’64, of Slingerlands, N.Y.; Dec. 18. He was the owner of Nathan Office Interiors. He served as president of the Albany Rotary Club and as district governor of Rotary District 7190, and on several boards, including the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York. He was president of the Brotherhood at Congregation Beth Emeth. Before his wife’s passing, they were rarely seen apart and enjoyed traveling the world together. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a son, and two grandchildren. 

M. Anthony Gould ’64, of Washington, D.C.; Jan. 14, from complications of pneumonia. He was a founding partner of the commercial real estate firm Larson, Ball, Gould & Collins and had a 37-year career in real estate and banking. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his professional accomplishments and his commitment to community service. He enjoyed championing educational opportunities for young people. He worked to help students of color attend his high school alma mater and encouraged dozens of students to matriculate at Brown, viewing this advocacy as one of his most meaningful legacies. He served on the boards of Woodberry Forest School, the Brown University Sports Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington, and the Metropolitan Club of Washington. He is survived by daughter Margaret Gould Korn ’97 and her husband Adam Korn ’97; two grandsons; a sister; and a brother.  

Raymond M. Woller ’63, of Athens, Ga.; Nov. 30, of pneumonia. He taught philosophy at Kent State University and the University of Georgia. He had been a competitive swimmer both regionally and nationally. He suffered from aphasia in the last decade of his life, which in turn stole the love of language that had defined him. He is survived by his wife, Doris; a stepdaughter and her spouse; two stepsons and their wives; and three grandchildren. 

 Robert Kroin ’63, of Brookline, Mass.; Dec. 15, after suffering a heart attack. For 40 years he was the chief architect for the Boston Redevelopment Authority. He is survived by his wife, Judith; a son; two stepchildren; and six grandchildren. 

Walter E. Farnam Jr. ’63, of Newtown Square, Pa.; Jan. 22. He spent 22 years with Aetna Life and Casualty Co., where he became a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and spent the last five years of his tenure heading the national accounts operations. He moved to Pennsylvania to head General Accident Insurance Company as president and COO, then as chairman and CEO. Later he chaired the boards of CGU Insurance Company and Crozer-Keystone Health System, and sat on the board of Kingsway Financial Services, Inc. He enjoyed time with his family, especially during the family’s annual trip to Bermuda, where he spent a majority of the time on his moped. A long-term member of Aronimink Golf Club, he enjoyed golfing, swimming, scuba diving, and skiing. He was also an avid fan of Philadelphia’s sports teams. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a son and daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren. 

Farrell Fleming ’62, of British Columbia; Nov. 27. After Brown, where he was a drum major and student manager of the Brown Marching Band, he earned a master’s in philosophy at the University of Washington and began teaching at the University of Manitoba in the 1970s. In 1978 he made a career change and joined a pioneering initiative to enrich the lives of older adults by fostering active community involvement, which became the Creative Retirement Institute at Edmonds College. He led the Institute for more than two decades and was proud of his accomplishments, including the installation of a medical onsite clinic at the Edmonds Senior Centre and the establishing of a cold weather emergency shelter for the homeless. In 2020 he was honored to be the marshal of the Edmonds Parade. He is survived by his wife Delaine; a daughter-in-law; and two grandchildren.

Carolyn Dee Nash Bates ’62, of Tucson, Ariz.; Jan. 21. While attending Brown, she met her future husband, Avery Bates ’61, who predeceased her. Together, they raised a family in Massachusetts and enjoyed life adventures before retiring to Tucson. She was a talented artist and antiques dealer and a spirited conversationalist. She is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, and a brother.

Robert W. Schmid ’61, of Kingwood Twp., N.J.; Dec. 26. He worked at First National Bank of Central Jersey and then UltraBank, spending most of his career in the loan department before becoming head of marketing. He was later treasurer of Diehl’s Jewelers in Bernardsville, N.J., and the tax assessor for Franklin Twp. in Pittstown, N.J., where he also served on the township planning board. He volunteered at the Red Cross and was a member of the Somerville Rotary Club and the Jaycees, where he served as treasurer and president. He enjoyed time spent with his family as well as gardening, sports, traveling, and reading about history. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Marx Schmid; four sons and their spouses; three grandchildren; a niece; and a nephew.

Robert F. Lowe Jr. ’61, of Brewster, Mass.; Jan. 27. After Brown he earned an MBA from New York University and began a career in banking—first investment banking at Irving Trust and later, with Paine Webber and Prudential Securities, founding and managing a fundraising consultancy—followed by work at the Kennedy Collective in Connecticut. In 2004, he retired to Truro on Cape Cod, where he enjoyed sailing and volunteering his time to historic restoration projects. After visiting San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, he purchased a home there and split his time between San Miguel and Cape Cod. Ever true, he served as president of his class for most of his life and was instrumental with fundraising efforts for Brown’s track program. He is survived by three sons, two granddaughters, two great-grandchildren, and his former wife, Elizabeth Delima ’61. 

Charles R. Steinberg ’60, of New York City; Dec. 27, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He earned his medical degree from Cornell medical school and completed his residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, where he served as chief medical resident before going on to complete his fellowship in infectious diseases. He practiced internal medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital for more than 50 years. During the Vietnam War, he served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. In addition to his love of medicine, he enjoyed running, fishing, and family. He is survived by Judith Lambert; two daughters, including Carolyn Robb Steinberg ’87; two sons-in-law; and four grandchildren. 

Allan Soares ’60, of Sebring, Fla.; Feb. 6. At Brown, he played and coached hockey and golf. His passion for hockey continued after Brown as a player with various amateur teams, including the EHL’s New Haven Blades and AHL’s Providence Reds, and as a scout for the NHL’s St. Louis Blues. He coached the Roger Willliams hockey team and was player/coach of the Rhody Oldies Hockey Club. He also played golf and squash at Rhode Island Country Club, where he was a member of the Sunrise Athletic Group. He was a member of both the Cranston Schools Athletic Hall of Fame and Brown’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Aside from athletics, he worked in the financial services industry with New England Financial before starting his own firm, Benefit Development Group. He is survived by his wife, Karen; a daughter; and a son and daughter-in-law. 

Stephen A. Kramer ’60, of Billings, Mont.; Jan. 19. He was an otolaryngologist and surgeon. After Brown he attended medical school at Tufts University and a residency at Yale. In 1971, he and his wife moved to Billings and he worked at the Billings Clinic, from which he retired in 2015 as its longest serving physician. He believed in giving back to his community and provided medical assistance to underserved populations, including time visiting the Crow Indian Reservation and rural Montana. He volunteered with Planned Parenthood, Congregation Beth Aaron, Meals on Wheels, and the Friends of Pompeys Pillar. He was a Little League umpire even after his own children had grown and once received the honor of being asked to umpire in the Little League Western Regional Tournament. He and his wife traveled extensively and visited all seven continents. He enjoyed watching and playing sports, riding motorcycles, hiking, camping, skiing, and river rafting. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; a daughter and son and their spouses; three grandchildren; and a brother and sister-in-law. 

Alan R. Goldman ’60, ’71 PhD, of Fairfax, Va.; Jan. 10. He worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., for 28 years. He had enjoyed traveling with his wife prior to her passing. He is survived by two daughters, a son-in-law, and two granddaughters.

Alan Clayson II ’60, of Stamford, Vt.; Jan. 3. For several years he taught Latin/Greek at Berkshire School and Taft School. He owned and operated Berkshire Sports Wear and also worked at Eaton Paper as an art director. He volunteered with the Broadband Committee. He is survived by his partner, Michelle Shafto; a son and daughter-in-law; a granddaughter; and two sisters, including Nancy Anne Forster ’63 and her husband Alan Forster ’62.

Thomas A. Storrs ’59, of Southern Pines, N.C., formerly of Waitsfield, Vt.; Jan. 13. After serving in the Korean War and graduating from Brown, he managed one of the first Boston Whaler dealerships in the 1950s on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. He settled in Vermont and cofounded a construction company, then with another partner created the Blue Tooth, a ski bar. He followed that business with The Den, a gathering spot. Tired of Vermont winters, he moved to Southern Pines and enjoyed playing golf. He is survived by his wife, Janice, and a son. 

Lois A. Rappaport ’59, of New York City; Aug. 18, from cancer. She worked on Wall Street and in academia and then embarked on a decades-long career as a labor arbitrator and member of the National Academy of Arbitrators. Following her retirement, she was active as a tour guide for the Metropolitan Opera and served as a docent at the Museum of Natural History. She is survived by a stepdaughter, two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren.

Charles E. Mangan ’59, of Cherry Hill, N.J.; Dec. 25. After completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), he joined HUP’s faculty and conducted groundbreaking research into gynecologic oncology. He published numerous articles in medical journals and became an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He remained at HUP for 20 years and then moved his practice to Pennsylvania Hospital, where he retired as chief of gynecologic oncology. Several times he was listed as one of Philadelphia Magazine’s “Top Docs.” He was a U.S. Army veteran and an investor in real estate, and traveled extensively, spending summers at his home in Newport, R.I. He is survived by his wife, Selena; three children; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. 

Francis W. Kennedy Jr. ’59, of Hampton, N.H.; Jan. 24. He taught chemistry at Haverhill High School and at Andover High School, where he was also the assistant track and field coach. He also owned and operated Playland Arcade at Hampton Beach with his brother for more than 50 years. He is survived by a sister, a brother, a niece, and nephews. 

James D. Gardner ’59, of Rockingham, Va.; Jan. 22. He worked in the wholesale tire industry for 47 years, retiring from Michelin in 2017. Additionally, he earned a master’s in theology and religious studies in 2009 from Caldwell College and was involved in ministries for several parishes, most recently with Friendship House at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He coached at Parsippany Police Athletic League for 11 years. He enjoyed canoeing, hunting, fishing, archery, gardening, and reading. He is survived by his wife, Cathleen; two daughters; a son; two grandsons; three stepchildren; three step-grandchildren; two brothers; and many nieces and nephews. 

Jerry Davidson Dreyer ’59, of Boulder, Colo., and Naples, Fla.; Dec. 28. She was a homemaker and active community volunteer. She enjoyed traveling, reading, playing golf with her husband before his passing, and playing bridge and Mahjong. She is survived by three daughters, a son, two sons-in-law, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Dominic P. DiOrio ’59, of Tiverton, R.I.; Feb. 12. He worked at the Naval Underwater System Center for 34 years before retiring in 1996. From 1985 to 1987 he was a science adviser for the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Pacific Fleet and received a Superior Civilian Service award for his performance during this assignment. In 1979, he was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church and served as chaplain at nursing homes and the Veterans Home in Bristol. He was an assistant deacon at several East Providence Churches and a chaplain of the Bristol Chapter of the Daughters of Isabella. He is survived by his wife, Doris; a daughter and son-in-law; a son and daughter-in-law; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister; and a brother. 

Barbara A. Scott Page ’58, of Asheville, N.C., formerly of New York; Jan. 19, after a brief illness. She was an associate professor of sociology at SUNY College at New Paltz and a recipient of the president’s award for excellence in teaching. During her tenure she helped establish the school’s Women’s Studies program. She was also an advocate for environmental and social justice. She enjoyed classical music, jazz, modern dance, and traveling to New York City. She is survived by two sons, a grandson, and her former spouse Josiah B. Page ’58.

Ludlow Miller ’58, of Pleasanton, Calif., formerly of Philadelphia; Nov. 15. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy before becoming vice president at National Sugar Refining Company and then senior vice president at PNC Bank. In 2014 he relocated to California and enjoyed sailing, tennis, bocce, golf, and mountain climbing. While in Philadelphia, he served on numerous boards and committees. He is survived by his wife, Babbie; two daughters and sons-in-law; son Ludlow ’95 and his wife; seven grandchildren; a sister; and nieces and nephews. 

Richard C. Hatch ’58, of Nazareth, Pa., formerly of Northampton, Pa.; Oct. 28. After receiving his PhD from the University of New Hampshire, he joined the chemistry department at Muhlenberg College. During his more than 39 years at the college, he served in several positions that included professor of chemistry, chair of the chemistry department, and dean of the faculty, as well as serving on numerous faculty committees. In 1973 he received the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award, which is presented to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding teaching and for stimulating the intellectual development of students at Muhlenberg College. He enjoyed gardening and bird-watching and had a passion for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is survived by his wife, Deborah; a daughter; a son; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother. 

Albert P. Godreau ’58, of Arlington, Vt., formerly of Conn.; Nov. 30. He suffered from polio as a teen but overcame to play hockey at Kimball Union Academy and at Brown, where he lettered and played two seasons as goalie. He graduated and entered Naval Officers Training School and completed training as what today is referred to as a Navy Seal. A career in banking followed, then he worked in commercial real estate in New York City, Chicago, and Stamford, Conn. In 1993, he moved to Arlington and served as land use administrator and later as health officer for Arlington for more than 20 years. He enjoyed fly-fishing, birding, and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Mardi Crane-Godreau; four children; five grandchildren, and his former spouse, Nancy Godreau.

John P. Becker ’58, of Arlington, Va.; Feb. 11. He was a foreign service officer from 1961 to 2005. His diplomatic career took him and his family to various postings around the world and he concluded his career at the Department of State’s Office of World War II Reparations. He was an avid cross-country runner and finished the 1968 Boston Marathon in 3 hours and 37 minutes. In addition to running, he had a passion for music and sang with the Augustinerkirche Choir in Vienna, the Metropolitan Chorale, the Arlington Chorale, and a barbershop chorus in Arlington. He was also active with the Arlington Rotary and enjoyed gardening. He is survived by his wife, Priscilla; two daughters, including Alison Becker Weems ’89.5; and four grandchildren. 

Roger E. Stoddard ’57, of Concord, Mass.; Jan. 21. While a student at Brown, he cofounded Sibylline Books, selling books from his dorm room to support his studies. He served for four decades at Harvard’s Houghton Library, rising to senior curator of rare books and senior lecturer in the Department of English. He expanded Houghton’s collections and authored more than 200 works, from bibliographies to essays, including Marks in Books, Illustrated and Explained (1985). He was a member of several bibliophilic societies. In retirement he wrote numerous essays and completed A Bibliographical Description of Books and Pamphlets of American Verse Printed from 1610 through 1820. He and his wife enjoyed spending summers in Maine, where they cultivated a collection of Maine artwork. He is survived by his wife Helen Heckel Stoddard ’56; a daughter; a son; and four grandchildren.  

Barbara Toohey Smith ’57, of Rockville, Md.; Dec. 25. She was an active member of First Church of Christ, where she volunteered in various capacities for more than 50 years. Her passion for gardening led her to be a member of the Woodley Garden Club and she enjoyed walking her dogs and playing bridge. She is survived by three children and a grandson. 

Doris Finke Minsker ’57, of Scottsdale, Ariz., formerly of New York; Oct. 23. She was instrumental in the development of Knowledge Industry Publications with her husband, publishing books and magazines. They relocated to Scottsdale in 1995. She is survived by three children and four grandchildren. 

John F. Conner ’57, of East Hampton, N.Y.; Dec. 18. He was a national and internationally known runner. He ran for the New York Pioneer Club and the New York Athletic Club at Masters and World Veterans competitions. He finished in first place in numerous races and set world records; the Old Montauk Athletic Club’s Montauk Mile Cup is now known as the Montauk Mile John F. Conner Cup. His running career was sidetracked when he was hit by a truck from behind while cycling. Undaunted by a shattered hip, he went on to become a top age-group triathlete. After Brown he served in the U.S. Army, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. His career encompassed a variety of positions, including working for the New York State Thruway Authority, in the New York University admissions office, driving a New York City taxi, and working at the Manhattan Art and Antiques Center. He worked for Ed Pospisil Real Estate, served as director for the Head Start program in East Hampton, and founded the John Conner Real Estate and John Conner Construction firms, building affordable houses for East Hampton families. He also served on the board of Windmill Housing, which offered affordable housing for senior citizens. He was among the organizers for the annual East Hampton Artists and Writers Charity Softball games and organized numerous foot races for charity. He also performed in amateur theater for 25 years. He is survived by his wife, Henrika; a son-in-law; a granddaughter; and cousins. 

Joseph B. Palmer ’56, of Salem, N.H.; Nov. 5. He was the owner of Palmer Spring Company, which he ran for 70 years. He is survived by his wife, Clara; three daughters; two sons-in-law; three sons; a daughter-in-law; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. 

John E. Delhagen ’56, of Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Allentown, Pa.; Jan. 23. His career began in sales at Westinghouse in Pittsburgh before switching to a career as a stockbroker. He also taught personal finance at the Allentown Business School. In 1972, he moved to the Pocono Mountains to build and operate the Jim Thorpe KOA campground with his family. He had an entrepreneurial vision and partnered with Carbon County Tourism. He was an active member of several organizations, including the Brown Alumni Association and Mensa. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and he enjoyed playing poker, golfing, and fishing. He is survived by two daughters; son J. Edward III ’83; a daughter-in-law; a son-in-law; and three grandchildren. 

John A. Vivian ’55, of Standish, Me.; Oct. 18, after a long illness. After graduating from Brown, where he met his future wife, Dawn Ratcliffe Vivian ’55, who passed two months after him, he served as a naval officer for three years. Following his service, he became an officer in the banking sector, eventually becoming president of the Quincy Cooperative Bank. He enjoyed singing and was a devout Christian. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, three sons, a daughter-in-law, 10 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, brother Richard ’51, and a sister-in-law.

Dawn Ratcliffe Vivian ’55, of Standish, Me.; Dec. 11. In addition to being a kindergarten teacher, she was also a youth choir director and organist at several churches in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine. She enjoyed serving on the welcoming committee to newcomers at St. Ann’s Church in Windham, Me., and spending time with her children when they all could get together. While at Brown, she met her husband, John A. Vivian ’55, who passed away two months prior. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, three sons, a daughter-in-law, 10 grandchildren, and
several great-grandchildren. 

Susan Morgan Rolontz ’55, of New York City; Jan. 29. She was an editor, writer, and executive vice president at the Tobe Report, a New York-based fashion forecasting publication that published a weekly report predicting trends and styles for global retailers. She covered the fashion circuits of New York, London, Milan, and Paris, attending and photographing more than 100 runway shows each season. She is survived by daughter Lee A. Rolontz ’84; a son; a daughter-in-law; a son-in-law; and four grandchildren. 

Warren F. Ilchman ’55, of Bronxville, N.Y.; Nov. 21, from respiratory failure and pneumonia. He taught at Williams College and UC Berkeley and received a Fulbright to India. His career turned to university administration and he was made dean at Boston University, executive vice president of academic affairs at SUNY Albany, then president of Pratt Institute. He authored 17 books during his career. He was named Asia advisor to the Ford Foundation, director of the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, and founding director of the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans from 1998 to 2011. He was a member of the National Academy for Public Administration, the American Society for Public Administration, and proud president of his Brown class for many years. Phi Beta Kappa. He enjoyed traveling and gardening and is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a son and daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. 

Constance Payan Danforth ’55, of Portsmouth, R.I.; Jan. 16. While attending Brown, she met her future husband, John L. “Skip” Danforth ’52, who predeceased her in 2009. She was active in garden clubs in Barrington, R.I., and Montclair, N.J., and she and Skip volunteered with Tap-In, assisting the elderly with appointments. She enjoyed summers spent at Craigville, Mass., with extended family. She is survived by two daughters, two sons, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and seven grandchildren. 

William R. Corbus ’55, of Chipley, Fla.; Jan. 9. He was employed by a certified public accounting firm in Arlington before moving to St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1973, where he and his wife became owners and managers of the Panasea Motel, Treasure Island. After the sale of the motel, he became a deacon and custodian at Azalea Baptist Church in St. Petersburg. In 1999 he retired to McIntosh, Florida, and enjoyed fishing and being an active member of Orange Lake Baptist Church. He relocated to Chipley in 2010. He enjoyed reading, history trivia, game shows, and football. He is survived by his wife, Jean; two daughters; a son-in-law; a granddaughter; a niece; and four nephews. 

Sylvia Moscovitz Zigun ’54, of Hamden, Conn.; Jan. 10. After earning a master’s in nursing from Yale, she married and raised two sons. She later returned to school to pursue a master of science degree at the University of Bridgeport and completed her PhD in health psychology at the Union Institute, eventually becoming a psychotherapist. She served as chair of nursing services for the Southeastern Fairfield Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1974 to 1976. She was recognized as a noteworthy psychotherapist and health educator, earning an entry in Marquis Who’s Who. She also became a licensed ham radio operator. She was devoted to the Jewish community and served as vice president of Congregation Rodeph Sholom Synagogue and president of its Sisterhood. She was an active member of several medical professional organizations, Phi Beta Kappa, and Sigma Xi. She is survived by two sons and their spouses, seven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Brian B. Wallace ’54, of Centerville, Mass.; Jan. 7. He served two years in the U.S. Army after graduation, then taught in Boston-area school districts while working part-time at his aunt’s bar. He met his future wife there and eventually became a nightclub partner. Because of his success in business, he was able to retire early and enjoy gardening, boating, tennis, and reading. He is survived by his wife, Lorna Roderick; three daughters, including Brooke Wallace ’05 and Brittany Wallace ’07; a son-in-law; two grandchildren; and two sisters.

Rosamond “Roz” Waldron Wadsworth ’54, of Philadelphia; Nov. 5. For seven decades she enjoyed a musical career as an accomplished soprano soloist, voice teacher, choral director, and concert producer. She earned her master’s from Eastman College of Music and taught for several years in Kentucky before returning to Rhode Island in the late 1950s. She taught music in Providence public schools; voice, language, and diction at Barrington College; then developed a private teaching practice that she continued into her 80s. She assisted in organizing and producing for musical causes. She founded Concerts at the Point in Little Compton, which continue today. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a son, a former daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and seven nieces and nephews.

George D. Morrison ’54, of Naples, Me.; Jan. 5. After graduating from Brown, where he was a member of the football and baseball teams, he operated his own sales agency and stayed active in business well into his 70s. He is survived by three daughters, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a niece, and a nephew.

Joan P. Baxter Fogarty ’54, of Alexandria, Va.; Jan. 17. In addition to being a homemaker, she enjoyed working at Good Shepherd Catholic Church for 20+ years. She also enjoyed playing tennis and vacationing in Newport, R.I. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Fogarty; six children; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. 

Herbert S. Cohen ’54, of Boston; Dec. 11. He was the founder of the Cohen Law Group, which he owned and operated for 65 years while practicing law. He served as class vice president for many years and volunteered his time and legal expertise as general counsel for Freedom House. He is survived by daughter Kathryn Cohen ’04; a son; two grandchildren; brother Stafford ’56; a sister-in-law; and two nephews, including Matthew Cohen ’87. 

Clarence C. Barksdale ’54, of St. Louis, Mo.; Dec. 25. Following graduation from Brown and service in the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps, he joined First National Bank in St. Louis. He was named president 16 years later, the youngest person to hold the title at that time. He was instrumental in the renaming of the bank to Centerre Bancorporation before its buyout from Boatmen’s Bancshares. In 1989, he retired from banking and became vice chairman and a member of the board of trustees at Washington University, where he remained until 2004. During his career he served on numerous boards and was a trustee of Brown. He volunteered with many civic organizations that included the Missouri Botanical Society, the Boy Scouts of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis Zoo, and the Muny Opera. He was named one of TIME Magazine’s “Top 200 Young Leaders in the Country” in 1974 and St. Louis Globe-Democrat “Man of the Year” in 1982. He enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing tennis. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law; a son and daughter-in-law; three grandchildren, including Elizabeth C. Barksdale ’23; his brother Henry ’50; and many nieces and nephews.

Ronald “Ron” J. Abdow ’54 of Longmeadow, Mass.; Jan. 22. He excelled as a two-way end for Brown’s football team. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy for two years followed by work in his father’s scrap iron business in Worcester before becoming a Big Boy franchise owner in Massachusetts and Connecticut with his brother George. He remained in the restaurant business for nearly 50 years. He was known for his philanthropy, community leadership, involvement in Brown athletics, and his career as a Division 1 college football official. He officiated numerous perennial rivalries and in the 1988 Orange Bowl, which saw Miami beat Oklahoma for the national title. In 1997, he was recognized by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. He served as chair of several boards, trustee for Baystate Medical Center, and director for several regional banks. He also served as a member of the Brown Sports Foundation. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Gladys Abdow. He is survived by three children and their spouses, including Steven ’81 and David ’83, and five grandchildren.

Joanna Chiotinos Zauchenberger ’53, of Leawood, Kans.; Nov. 23. She continued her education at Yale, earning a master’s in education, and taught French in a local school. Her husband’s job saw them move to California and then to Kansas, where she continued to teach French at the Barstow School in Kansas City, Mo., for more than 25 years. During that time, she was also regional director for the American Institute for Foreign Study and enjoyed taking students abroad to learn. She and her husband were donors to the Lyric Opera and she volunteered as a guide at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on weekends. She is survived by two sons, a daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and a great-grandson.

Roger E. Marchand ’53, of the Villages, Fla., formerly of Webster, Mass.; Nov. 26. He owned and operated Marchand Insurance Agency with his wife, son, and daughter before retiring to Florida in 1999. As a representative of Travelers Insurance, he was awarded the Health Quality Award, was the 1973 and 1976 National Health Production leader, and for five years was the Northeast Regional Health Production Leader. He was a World War II Marine Corp veteran. He enjoyed camping, sports, and card games. He is survived by four daughters, three sons, a daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law, 13 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. 

Barbara Reese Howard ’53, of Warren, N.J.; Dec. 30. She taught preschool at Plainfield’s YWCA and joined Head Start’s early education program. She became an advocate for inclusive special education and earned her master’s in special education from Rutgers University. Her passion for teaching was extended through tutoring. She was a member of the International Reading Association and Literacy Volunteers of America. After retirement, she established a library at a women’s shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. Seeing the need for Jewish education and social connections, she and her husband helped found the Mountain Jewish Community Center, which became Temple Har Shalom. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters and the National Organization for Women (NOW). She was one of “The Smart Chix,” a special friends community of retired Warren educators. She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling, attending events at Temple Har Shalom, exercising at Healthy Bones, attending yoga classes, and hosting women at Rosh Chodesh gatherings. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, two sons, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a sister, a niece, and nephews. 

Ulises Giberga ’53, of New York City; Dec. 1. He had a long career with Chase Manhattan Bank and Republic National Bank of New York. In retirement, he pursued his passion for acting with the St. Bart’s Players. He also enjoyed playing squash, tennis, and bridge. Phi Beta Kappa. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Jane; two daughters and sons-in-law; a son; and five grandchildren. 

James Y. Sweet ’52, of Rosman, N.C.; Jan. 14. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army and went on to work for the Army Security Agency, and later the National Security Agency, from which he retired as deputy chief in 1986. He was the recipient of the NSA 1967 Citizenship Award and the 1985 Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He enjoyed playing golf, sculpting clay, weaving Nantucket Lightship baskets, and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Caryl; six children; and 23 grandchildren. 

David R. Nichols ’52, of Princeton, Mass.; Jan. 13. After Brown, where he was a member of the cheerleading squad and active in Phi Gamma Delta, he earned a master’s degree in geology from Cornell University. His thesis helped map the bedrock geology of the coast of Rhode Island for the United States Geological Survey. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army Artillery Corps and was an instructor stationed at Fort Chaffee. Upon discharge, he began his career as an exploration geologist in Lowell, Vt. In 1961, he accepted an engineering position at Norton Company in Worcester, and he and his family settled in Princeton, where he had a 29-year career. He returned to Vermont frequently, having built a log cabin in Morristown. His interest in nature and the outdoors led him to join scouting, achieving the distinction of Eagle Scout, and working with many troops. He enjoyed photography, camping, sailing, hiking, cycling, and playing tennis and the piano. He was a member of the Princeton Library Renovation Committee, serving as geologist and fundraiser, and several local boards. He is survived by his wife, Christine; three children and their spouses; three grandchildren; four stepchildren and their spouses; seven step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. 

Gerald Berkelhammer ’52, of Montgomery Township, N.J.; Dec. 31. After receiving his PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Washington, he worked at American Cyanamid Company for 42 years, where he rose to be the executive director of chemical discovery. During his career he received 41 patents and authored 11 chemical journal papers. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Sigma Xi, and Phi Lambda Upsilon. He volunteered at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, now known as Learning Ally, and was a member and treasurer of Community Without Walls. For more than 70 years he was an avid tennis player and competed in the Mercer County Men’s Tennis League. He also enjoyed skiing, gardening, and camping. He is survived by his wife, Sheila; daughter Jill Zorn ’78; two sons, including Fred ’80; a daughter-in-law; a son-in-law; and five grandchildren. 

Robert A. “Bob” Fearon ’51, of New York City; Jun. 4, 2024. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force just before the end of World War II. Upon being honorably discharged as a sergeant he headed to Dartmouth College, but two days later he enrolled at Brown, where he made numerous lifelong friends, was a member of Sigma Chi, was head cheerleader his senior year, and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1975. His career began as a staff writer for General Electric, where he also met his future wife, Mary. He moved to Time Magazine and worked in both their New York and London offices before transitioning to advertising at IBM. He then cofounded Friedlich, Fearon, and Strohmeier before being recruited to join Doremus & Co., a firm focused on Wall Street. He served as president of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, and during that time he formed Fearon, O’Leary and Kaprielian. He concluded his career at his own firm, The Creative Zone. Additionally, he was an amateur photographer and while living in New Canaan, Conn., served on the board of the Silvermine Guild of Artists, during which time he created The Doors of Dublin, an internationally known award-winning poster. The images and rights were purchased by the Irish Tourism Board in Dublin. He was also a member of Mensa International. His true passion was writing and he spent the final years of his life penning novels. In 1983, he met Nancy Barnett Morse, with whom he formed a more than 40-year partnership; she survives him. In addition to Nancy, he is survived by daughter Jennifer Fearon ’77; son  Jeffrey ’75; two grandchildren; Nancy’s two sons, including  Richard Turits ’83; Nancy’s four grandchildren; and Mary, the mother of his children.

Dorothy Blair Sage ’51, of Peace Dale, R.I.; Sept. 17. She had been employed with MIT in their personnel department before marrying and moving to Peace Dale. She embraced her Rhode Island community and was involved in a local bowling league, was part of a play reading group, and enjoyed playing croquet, painting, and traveling. She also hosted international students and made lifelong friendships. She is survived by four stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.

Lewis R. Mills ’51, of St. Louis, Mo.; Dec. 8. He was awarded the Order of the Coif upon graduation from Washington University Law School and received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. After serving in the U.S. Army, he returned to St. Louis to practice law. He joined the faculty of Washington University Law School in 1964 and taught courses in corporate law, securities regulation, and legal history. He served as acting dean of the law school from 1972 to 1973, then returned to the practice of law at Peper, Martin, Jensen, Maichel & Hetlage. In 1997 he joined Thompson Coburn, where he worked until his retirement. He enjoyed reading, fishing, cooking, and traveling. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a son and daughter-in-law, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. 

George C. Petropoulos ’50, of Middletown, R.I.; Jan. 7. He obtained a law degree from Boston University and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following his military service, he worked briefly in private practice before joining Raytheon, where he had a successful 34-year career. A lifelong member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, he served on several committees and was past president of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. He is survived by his wife, Agnes; two daughters and their spouses; a grandson; nieces; and nephews. 

Carol Wentz Foulke ’50, of Fairfax, Va., formerly of Woodstown, N.J.; Jan. 2. She was a social worker before stopping work to raise a family. Once her children were grown, she returned to social work at the Salem County Health Department’s Office of Family Planning. She volunteered with CONTACT, a local crisis hotline, and was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She was also a member of AAUW, the Woodstown Women’s Club, and many choral groups, and was a 60-year member of the Bridge Club. After retiring, she enjoyed sailing and traveling with her husband, who predeceased her. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren. 

Madeline Rocchio Dee ’50, of East Greenwich, R.I.; Oct. 11, of cardiac arrest. While at Brown, she met her future husband, Robert K. Dee ’50. They were married for almost 62 years before his passing. She was an avid reader and a member of a book club for many years. She was a passionate Democrat and a lifelong globetrotter. Physically fit and active throughout her life, she enjoyed playing tennis, skiing, swimming, and walking. In her final decade, she took up tandem kayaking and cycling on a three-wheeled bike. She is survived by daughter Nancy Dee ’82; two sons; a son-in-law; two daughters-in-law; a grandson; sister Elena Rocchio ’52; and nieces and nephews, including Laurel Rocchio ’78.

Henry E. Dirks Jr. ’49, of Prospect Park, Pa.; Jan. 20. He had a 35-year career working for Dun & Bradstreet as an analytical reporter and later he worked with Colonial Penn Insurance. He was a veteran of the U.S. Naval Air Corps and was a lifelong fan of the Eagles and Phillies. He also enjoyed gardening, golf, and working on home projects. He is survived by his wife, Annamaria; a son and daughter-in-law; and three grandchildren. 

Dorcas Hamilton Cohen ’48, of Kennebunkport, Me., formerly of New York City and Westfield, N.J.; Jan. 20. While attending Brown, she met her future husband, Frederick J. Cofer ’48, who predeceased her. Due to Fred’s military service, they traveled to Europe and returned to settle in New York City, where Dorcas worked at Vogue. As Fred’s career advanced they moved several times, settling in Westfield. Dorcas returned to school, earning a PhD in clinical psychology from Rutgers. After her children were grown, she returned to NYC and worked at Beth Israel Hospital as the director of family therapy as well as maintaining a private practice. She married a second time to Solomon Cohen, and they enjoyed traveling before his passing. She retired to Maine and enjoyed watercolor painting, knitting, and tennis. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, a son and daughter-in-law, two stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

Margaret Poh Byrne ’47, of Devon, Pa.; Dec. 22. After Brown, she worked in communications for the Newark Evening News and for Babcock & Wilcox, where she met her future husband, who predeceased her in 1990. She was a talented oil painter and enjoyed decoupage work, braiding wool rugs, sewing her own clothes, gardening, cooking and baking, and welcoming rescue dogs and cats into her home. She is survived by two sons, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, many nieces, and a nephew. 

Eugene F. Mullin Jr. ’46, of Lewes, Del.; Nov. 9. He attended Brown through the Navy ROTC program and served in the U.S. Navy for two years and in the Naval Reserve until 1958. He began studies at Harvard Law School but due to family circumstances, transferred to George Washington Law School. He went on to become a lecturer at George Washington Law School and was a founding partner of Mullin and Connor. In addition to his professional career, he had a variety of interests that included scuba diving, reading, and literature. He is survived by five children, 10 grandchildren, and a great-grandson. 

Edward N. Clarke ’46, ’51 PhD, of Worcester, Mass.; Jan. 16. He matriculated at Brown through the Navy ROTC program, served in World War II, and was honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant. He remained in the Naval Reserves until 1957. He earned a graduate degree at Harvard and then returned to Brown to earn his PhD. He was among the earliest engineers and scientists helping create the semiconductor industry while working at Sylvania and Sperry Semiconductor, and he was one of the founders of National Semiconductor Corp. In 1965, he joined Worcester Polytechnic Institute as the associate dean of faculty, director of research, and professor of engineering and science. During his 30-year career at WPI he created the Solar Energy Center. He retired in 1995 but remained active in academics, continuing engagements with WPI, Brown, Nichols College, and the U.S. Naval War College Foundation in Newport, R.I., until age of 95. He was drawn to nature for relaxation, was an avid swimmer and downhill skier, and he also enjoyed hiking in the hills and mountains of the Northeast. He is survived by a daughter, three sons, three daughters-in-law, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, a sister and brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. 

Richard A. “Dick” Grout ’42, of Traverse City, Mich.; Dec. 19 at 104 years of age. He was a decorated World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army as part of the first wave during the D-Day landings on Omaha Beach, achieving the rank of captain. He later led engineering companies in critical operations. After living in Boston and Los Angeles, he and his wife relocated to Michigan and remained until her passing in 1985. He remarried and enjoyed traveling worldwide with his wife until her passing in 2014. He was involved with Suttons Bay Rotary Club and in 2022, at the age of 101, joined the Rotarians in a skydiving fundraiser. He was a founding member of the Traverse City International Affairs Forum. In January 2024, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for his role in liberating France during the war. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, two stepchildren, six grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Deborah McGill-Jackson ’76 of Newport News, Va., who died Sept. 25 from complications of a stroke, was an author, educator, and preacher. She was one of 14 women at Brown who chartered the Iota Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1974 and would go on to work at its corporate office, as well as pursuing legal studies at DePaul University Law School and Indiana University School of Law, before she answered the call to the ministry. She earned a master of divinity with distinction in worship and administration from the school of theology at Virginia Union University, becoming ordained in January, 1982. As a chaplain, she ministered in various settings that included seven universities, two seminaries, and the Women’s Correctional Center (Va.). She taught courses in history, the humanities, political science, sociology, English, and world religions. She was a noted author and preacher and was included in Those Preachin’ Women: Sermons by Black Women Preachers. In 2014, she was honored by Hampton University Ministers’ Conference (HUMC) as a woman in ministry founder. She was instrumental in forging the way for women participating in the conference when she was the first woman permitted to participate in a public capacity in 1981. The honor was bestowed on her by former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Dr. Suzanne Cook-Johnson, the first president of the HUMC. During the last year of her life she celebrated her 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha by attending Brown’s Black Alumni Weekend and at the Iota Alpha chapter’s chartering anniversary weekend, where she was given the distinction of being a golden soror and received her flowers for being a charter member of the chapter. Before retiring in 2019, she served as an assistant professor in the College of Education and Continuing Studies and as the assistant university chaplain of Memorial Church at Hampton University. McGill-Jackson served on the board of the Peninsula Head Start Program, Aberdeen Gardens Historic Foundation, and other academic and civic organizations. Additionally, she spent several years teaching religion and history at Norfolk State University and social science courses at Strayer University, and was affiliated with several churches. She is survived by a daughter, a son and daughter-in-law, four granddaughters, a sister and brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. 

Joseph A. Chazan FAC, of Providence, a leading doctor, professor, businessman, and supporter of local arts, died Jul. 26. After completing his training at the former Boston City Hospital, he was a renal fellow at New England Medical Center and Beth Israel Hospital and served as a doctor in the public health service in Birmingham, Ala., before joining the Brown faculty. He developed and initiated the kidney dialysis program at Rhode Island Hospital. For many years he was clinical professor of medicine at Brown and director of renal diseases at Miriam Hospital, Memorial Hospital, and Rhode Island Hospital. In 1973, he established the Artificial Kidney Center of Rhode Island, the state’s first free-standing dialysis clinic. He went on to open eight more R.I. clinics and two in Massachusetts and was the founder of Nephrology Associates Inc. A great supporter of the arts, through the years he donated much of his collection to more than 40 museums. All the dialysis clinics he was associated with were furnished with art by local artists. “I think it would be nice if there were many more professionals who adorn their offices with local art instead of posters and prints,” he would say. In 2008 he launched NetWorks Rhode Island, a visual arts project. His wealth of knowledge and experience were instrumental in shaping the WaterFire Arts Center and its programs. He was involved with the Steel Yard, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, AS220, Farm Fresh, and the Providence Public Library. In 1978, he and his wife Helene, who predeceased him, established a scholarship in their names at the Rhode Island Foundation for the benefit of the Wheeler School. In 1984, they endowed the Friends of Glass scholarship at RISD, and in 1985, they established a scholarship fund for University at Buffalo medical students. He was honored with the 2013 Pell Award for outstanding leadership in the arts, while the American Kidney Fund named him its national caregiver of the year. The RISD Museum presented a selection of objects donated by the Chazans in its 2005 exhibition “Chazans’ Choice,” and in 2019 presented him with the RISD president’s medal of honor. He was proud of his Jewish heritage and served as a member and supporter of Temple Beth-El for more than 60 years. He is survived by his partner Vicki Veh; two daughters and sons-in-law; a son and daughter-in-law; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 

Ezra F. Tawil ’92 AM, ’00 PhD, of New York City; Jan. 23, 2024, of melanoma. He was an English professor at the University of Rochester. Prior to joining that faculty in 2011, he taught in English departments at Wesleyan, Harvard, and Columbia universities. He authored two books, The Making of Racial Sentiment: Slavery and the Birth of the Frontier Romance and Literature, American Style; and The Originality of Imitation in the Early Republic. He also edited two books during his career. Eight of his essays and articles appeared in a variety of scholarly journals and publications. He is survived by his wife, Kirsten Lentz ’00 PhD; a son; and three sisters. 

Mojtaba Rajaee ’90 ScM, ’92 PhD, of Brookfield, Wisc.; Oct. 21, of metastatic squamous cell cancer to the lungs. After emigrating to the U.S. and earning an education, he worked as a mechanical engineer at Harley-Davidson. He also previously worked as an engineer at Zebra Corp. and Hewlett-Packard and taught as an adjunct professor at URI, UW-Milwaukee, and Marquette University. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He enjoyed bird watching, playing table tennis and chess, and listening to famous Iranian musician Mohammad-Reza Shjarian. He is survived by his wife, Zahra; daughter Sareh Rajaee ’11 MD; a son; and a granddaughter.  

Donna M. Piazza ’80 PhD, of Hampden, Mass.; Oct. 14. She was a clinical assistant professor of psychology in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She was also a member of the staff of McLean Hospital and had a long career in private practice. She is survived by her husband, John R. Muenster; a son; two sisters; three brothers; and several nieces and nephews. 

Peter B. Green ’80 AM, of Hamilton, Bermuda; Nov. 11. He was the head of a family of hospitality investors and a charitable donor and believer in Bermuda’s potential. The family owned Sonesta Beach resort property, the Hamilton Princess, Waterloo House, and Overbay, in addition to resorts in the Caribbean. After his wife died of breast cancer in 1990, he and his sons became supporters of the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre. He was an original supporter of the British research and care charity Breast Cancer Now. In 2007, the family established the Green Family Scholarship to allow ten Bermudians in financial need to study abroad. He also was involved with Prospect College in Jamaica, a fully funded boarding high school set up by his father-in-law. From 1997 to 2003 he served as a member of the Brown Corporation. He is survived by sons Alexander ’99 and Andrew ’01; a daughter-in-law; two grandchildren; and two brothers. 

Paul T. Carcieri ’80 AM, of North Providence, R.I.; Sept. 27. He worked for the state of Rhode Island in the department of the attorney general and then in the department of transportation, most recently as chief facilities management officer. He taught history in the evenings at local colleges, most recently as an adjunct professor at CCRI. He was a lector at Blessed Sacrament Church and enjoyed running, playing golf, camping in Maine, and going to New England Patriots games. He is survived by his wife, Dea; a son and daughter-in-law; and three granddaughters. 

Nancy D. Buchenauer ’80 PhD, of Severna Park, Md.; Oct. 1, as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage after a fall. She taught at St. John’s College, first on the Santa Fe, New Mexico, campus and then in Annapolis. She retired from teaching in 2013. She is survived by her husband, Frank Rowsome.

Alfred P. DeFonzo ’75 PhD, of Amherst, Mass.; Aug. 30. In 1976 he got married and moved to Washington, D.C., where he joined the Optical Division of the Naval Research Laboratory. In 1983, he left government service to join the faculty at the Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering at  UMass Amherst. He played a critical role in developing the Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) Engineering Research Center. He authored more than 50 research articles. He was a skilled sailor and enjoyed sailing with his family, hiking, and traveling. He had a passion for cooking and enjoyed creating intricate meals and sharing them with friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Adele, and a son. 

G.A. Adegboyega ’75 ScM, of Nigeria; Oct. 1. He was on the engineering faculty at Obafemi Awolowo University from 1979 until his retirement in 2018. He was a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics. He enjoyed fishing and farming.  

Ronald G. Fisher ’74 AM, ’77 PhD, of East Lansing, Mich.; Nov. 6, after a 13-year battle with cancer. He was a professor of economics at Michigan State University for 49 years. He served for more than a decade as dean of the MSU Honors College and was the recipient of 2014’s Steven D. Gold Award from the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. He authored State and Local Public Finance. He enjoyed playing the saxophone and performing in an adult jazz band. He was an avid sports fan and rarely missed an MSU football, hockey, or basketball game. He also enjoyed camping in the Adirondacks. He is survived by two sons, a daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, a sister, a brother and sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. 

Clifford Hickey ’69 AM, ’77 PhD, of Ladysmith, B.C.; Jan. 19, 2024, of Guillain-Barre syndrome. He had a long career in the anthropology department at the University of Alberta, rising to the rank of full professor. He specialized in the circumpolar region, supervising and training many graduate students in this field. He also served on the advisory board of the Boreal Institute until its dissolution, then founded the Canadian Circumpolar Institute to replace it. Later, he served on the board of the Sustainable Forestry Management Network of Excellence. He moved to Ladysmith in 2006 and enjoyed sailing, golf, visiting old students and colleagues, and travel. He is survived by his wife Lynn Mooney Hickey ’67, ’69 AM; two sons; and a brother. 

Daniel B. MacLeod ’67 MAT, of Charlestown, R.I.; Sept. 8. He taught at Cranston East High School (R.I.) and St. Luke’s School (Conn.). He spent seven years in Nova Scotia, where he was a guidance counselor at a vocational school. After moving back to Rhode Island, he spent many years on the Chariho school committee. He is survived by his wife, Judith; three daughters and their spouses; three granddaughters; and a sister. 

Roland Folter ’67 AM, ’69 PhD, of Larchmont, N.Y.; Aug. 30. He was a rare book cataloger at the Beinecke Library before becoming a professor of German at the University of Illinois. He was also a director of H.P. Kraus Rare Books in New York from 1977 to 2023. A former violinist in the Frankfurt Youth Symphony Orchestra, he published two books  and was a member of the Bibliographical Society of America, the International Association of Bibliophiles, and the Grolier Club. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kraus. 

Thomas D. Dudderar ’66 PhD, of Chatham, N.J.; Sept. 10. He was a research scientist and engineer at Bell Labs, later AT&T, for 40 years. He obtained several patents throughout his career. He collected Lionel model trains and railroad memorabilia and enjoyed reading, boating, traveling, and working in the yard and on house projects. He is survived by his wife, Betty; a daughter; and a son. 

Nancy E.L. Schulze ’65 AM, of Baltimore; Sept. 2. She received her JD from the University of Cincinnati and worked as an attorney for the law firm of Venable, Baejter & Howard in Baltimore for several years. She later was self-employed practicing health care law in Baltimore and consulting with the firm of Hanysworth Sinkler Boyd of Greenville, S.C. She donated her time and resources to numerous causes and was instrumental in the creation of the Red Devils, a Maryland based charity devoted to assisting families of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, hosting dinner parties for friends, gardening, reading, and traveling. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, a brother and sister-in-law, a niece, and a nephew. 

Susan Thierolf Jarosz ’65 MAT, of Liverpool, N.Y.; Sept. 9. She taught high school English for nearly 30 years  and was honored to have been voted one of Liverpool High School’s teachers of the year. After retiring, she worked with Literacy Volunteers and was an active member of the English Speaking Union’s Syracuse branch, where she served as secretary for 10 years and was cochair of the Shakespeare committee, which organized the branch’s annual Shakespeare competition for area high school students. She also enjoyed traveling all over the world with her husband Theodore Jarosz ’65 MAT, who survives her. She is also survived by a son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

Carl W. Smith ’63 ScM, ’66 PhD, of Albuquerque; Sept. 7, after suffering a stroke five years earlier that had left him in a wheelchair. He had worked at Sandia National Labs before retiring in 1996. In retirement, he and his wife traveled the world and he chronicled his life through photography that he published. Before his stroke, he enjoyed climbing mountains all over the world, running marathons, cycling with the New Mexico Touring Society, and skiing as a member of the New Mexico Cross Country Ski Club. He later enjoyed working on the Continental Divide Trail and joined the Friends of the Sandia Mountains, where he was a sawyer and could cut down 20-inch diameter trees. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; two sisters; and several nieces and nephews. 

 John “Jack” T. Stevenson ’60 AM, of Toronto, Canada; Sept. 9. He taught elementary school in Winnipeg before attending Brown and becoming a professor of philosophy, first at the University of Manitoba, then at the University of Toronto, where he remained for three decades. He was instrumental in creating a course in ethics for the applied science and engineering department. In 1987 he published the textbook Engineering Ethics: Practices and Principles. He won a teaching award in 1988 from the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations. He retired in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Shelagh; a daughter and son-in-law; two granddaughters; three sisters and brothers-in-law; a brother and sister-in-law; and 15 nieces and nephews. 

Diana I. Richardson ’05, of Rumford, R.I.; Nov. 22, a few days after giving birth. She spent more than 15 years at Brown in a variety of roles, beginning as an operations and event coordinator. In 2019 she joined the division of advancement, first as a program manager in regional engagement on the Alumni Relations team, before transitioning into a new role with biomed advancement in 2022. In July, she was promoted to assistant director of biomed engagement in recognition of her outstanding work. She had many talents that included being a writer, photographer, and visual artist. She was passionate about storytelling and was working on a novel at the time of her death. Originally from Bermuda, she enjoyed spending time with her loved ones there and with her family and friends here. She was a lover of music and enjoyed traveling. She is survived by her wife, Kirsten Mello Richardson; a son; her mother and stepfather; a sister; a stepsister and her husband; a stepbrother and his wife; her mother and father-in-law; a sister-in-law and her husband; a brother-in-law and his wife; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Chatchai Atsavapranee ’87, of Bangkok, Thailand; Nov. 25, 2023. After graduating, he spent five years in Paris, earning the Diplôme d’Etudes at the Université de Paris VII. He then studied history and international relations at the University of Sydney. He returned home and entered the Royal Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994, rising through the ranks and receiving appointments that included First Secretary Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations, New York. He resigned before his final year at the U.N. to return home to Bangkok and take care of his ailing mother. Following her death, he rejoined the Thai Foreign Ministry in 2006 in Bangkok, serving as a diplomat in various development and international affairs organizations. In 2010, he was appointed counselor and later minister counselor at the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris, France. He served in various director positions in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, and in the departments of ASEAN Affairs, European Affairs, and American and South Pacific Affairs. In his final post, he served as consul-general of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Xiamen, China. At the time of his death, he was to receive an ambassadorial appointment. He was the recipient of the Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand and the Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant. He is survived by two younger brothers, three nieces, and four nephews.

Jeffrey P. Gradinger ’83, of San Mateo, Calif.; Oct. 6. He is survived by his three children, his mother, three siblings, eight nieces and nephews, and his former wife, Mary Gradinger. 

Peter L. Brunelli ’80, of North Eastham, Mass., formerly of Franklin, Mass.; Sept. 8. He had a successful career in the insurance industry working for Liberty Mutual & New Hampshire Insurance before joining the Thomas F. Keefe Insurance Agency, eventually becoming a vice president and co-owner. He was actively involved with his community as a board member of the Franklin Housing Authority, president of the Fletcher Hospital Corporation, and member of the United Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Finance Council, Franklin Business Association, and founder and president of the Franklin Gridiron Club Alumni Association. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; three sons; two daughters-in-law; a granddaughter; and three siblings and their spouses. 

Thomas J. Curchin ’78, of East Montpelier, Vt.; Sept. 21.  He graduated from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1982 and completed a family medicine residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia before returning to Vermont to practice. In addition to life in East Montpelier, he lived two years in the territory of American Samoa, where he operated the emergency room. He enjoyed hiking, biking, Nordic skiing, gardening, and reading. He is survived by  his wife, Sarah Kinter; two daughters; two sons; a daughter-in-law; a son-in-law; two sisters and brothers-in-law; and a brother and sister-in-law. 

Steven P. Levine ’77, of Waban, Mass.; Sept. 18, of metastatic thyroid cancer. After Brown, he continued his education at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, graduating in 1980. He completed a residency in general practice at Albert Einstein Medical Center (Pa.), an anesthesia residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, and an endodontic residency at Nassau County Medical Center (N.Y.). He joined Limited to Endodontics in 1986 and practiced there until his retirement in 2019. He volunteered as a clinical instructor at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He took pride in his physical fitness and continued to work out and run marathons, including the Boston and New York marathons. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and Bruins fan. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Wennett; a son; a sister; brother Mark Levine ’70; and nieces and nephews. 

Mark M.G. Pendergast ’76, of Whitinsville, Mass.; Sept. 22, after a period of declining health. After graduating from Brown, where he played varsity football for four years, he began a career in the U.S. Army. He was a field artillery officer and Middle East foreign officer, was stationed at several posts in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, and was a recipient of the Bronze Star for action in the Gulf War, along with several other medals and commendations. After retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 2000, he served as dean of students at Northbridge High School. In 2006, he accepted a position in Afghanistan as a government contractor and spent the next eight years there, serving the Afghan Chief of Staff as his civilian advisor in Kabul. In 2010, he accepted a position as senior operations mentor to the Afghan National Army’s Special Operations Command. He retired in 2014. He loved all animals, especially his cats, and visiting the casinos, especially playing Keno. He kept in touch with a broad group of friends from all stages of his life. He is survived by his wife, Franceen Moran; four sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews. 

Robert L. Farnsworth ’76, of Greene, Me.; Nov. 11, of cancer and Alzheimer’s. He joined the faculty at Colby College in 1983 as a creative writing teacher. He taught at numerous institutions, spending the last 26 years of his career at Bates College, from which he retired in 2018. While at Bates, he received the Kroepsch excellence in teaching award on two separate occasions. He published three volumes of poetry, served as seven-year poetry editor of The American Scholar, was 2006 resident poet at the Frost Place in Franconia (N.H.) , and brought poetry to libraries, schools, jails, and hospitals. He enjoyed sailing, playing tennis, jazz, rock, folk, and classical music and sang in the Maine Music Society. He is survived by his wife, Georgia Nigro ’76; two sons; an aunt; and cousins.

Joanna K. Zawadzki ’75, of Bethesda; Feb. 10. She struggled with multiple chronic illnesses throughout her life. After completing her medical training to become an endocrinologist at Harvard and through an NIH-Georgetown University Fellowship, she worked in private practice and was later employed as a researcher at the FDA. She was a congregant and docent at Washington National Cathedral. She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law; a niece; and her former husband, James Everhart. 

Vincent R. Sghiatti ’75, of Los Angeles; Sept. 24. He was a family medicine physician for 44 years before retiring. He is survived by a daughter; son Vincent III ’13; a granddaughter; two great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law; and nieces and nephews. 

Matthew S. Lieber ’75, of Pittsboro, N.C., formerly of Weston, Mass.; Oct. 13, from glioblastoma. He began his career as a teacher and coach at the Chestnut Hill School in Chestnut Hill, Mass. He went on to become the assistant headmaster of the school and director of the Chestnut Hill Creative Arts Summer Program. He later changed his career path to banking and retired after 25 years in wealth management at Cambridge Trust Co., Boston. In Weston he was actively involved in community service, coaching, as commissioner of the Little League, a comaster of Northside Scouts, a member of the Weston Boosters Board, and served on academic review committees for Weston High School. He enjoyed tennis, kayaking, and being the head chef of the Lieber household. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Leyland ’75; two sons; a daughter-in-law; two grandsons; two sisters; brother Fritz ’70 and his husband; two sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law, including Stephen Barlow ’74; and several nieces and nephews. 

Denise M. Perreault ’73, of Cumberland, R.I.; Oct. 22. She worked as a writer/reporter for the Woonsocket Call (now Blackstone Valley’s Call & Times) for 24 years before retiring. She was an avid reader and member of the Red Hat Society. She is survived by three cousins. 

Steven H. Cramer ’72, of Denver; Sept. 12, after several years of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He continued his education to become a CPA and worked as a business and software consultant at JD Edwards, Arthur Andersen, and Metaphor. Later, he began his own company, Next Business Systems, which he operated for 10 years. He enjoyed the fact that living in Denver offered him the opportunity to ski in the mornings and golf in the afternoons. He was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos and enjoyed traveling and discussing politics and history. He is survived by his wife, Kathi; a son; a sister; two brother-in-laws; and 14 nieces and nephews.

Steve Morse ’70, of Cambridge, Mass.; Oct. 26, of lung cancer. After graduation, he taught high school for two years, then freelanced at the Warwick Beacon and Walpole Times, writing music reviews, until being hired at the Boston Globe in 1978, where he had a 28-year career. He covered major events that included Live Aid, Farm Aid, and Woodstock II and III. For two years after leaving the Globe in 2006, he had a weekly radio show, “Morse on Music,” on WBOS. He wrote and taught the online rock history course for Berklee College of Music for the last 12 years, teaching thousands of students all over the world. He served seven years on the nominating committee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and was, himself, inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame on Sept. 30, 2023. (See the BAM article “Live and In Person,” Beyond the Gates, Nov.-Dec.’24.) He was a proud advocate for his artist son, who has autism and survives him. Morse is additionally survived by his fiancée Jessa Piaia, a sister and brother-in-law, and two nephews.

John D. Rulon ’69, of Celina, Tex.; Sept. 11. He was an architect, whose buildings can be seen north of San Francisco in the Napa Valley area, and an inventor. He is survived by his wife, Laure Mandin; a daughter; a son; and two grandchildren.