Obituaries

Thelma Proctor Matheson ’43

May 19, 2021, in Scarborough, Maine, at 99. A Waterville native, she played violin and attended music camp, where she learned to be a majorette. At Colby, she became the College’s first female drum majorette, leading Colby’s all-male marching band. She settled in Waterville after graduation and raised her children there. Later, she earned a master’s in library science and went on to a 17-year career in the media center at Waterville High School. Along with her husband, she hosted gatherings for alumni during Reunion Weekend and stayed closely connected to Colby. In retirement, she cared for the elderly, played duplicate bridge, and enjoyed reading, golfing, and crossword puzzles. She was a lifetime member of the Waterville Women’s Club. Predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Delbert Matheson ’43, she leaves three children, including Delbert Donald Matheson ’69, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Jane McCarthy Rodman Craigie ’44

Dec. 17, 2020, in Fairport, N.Y., at 98. She worked as a buyer for L. Bamberger in New Jersey for two years after she graduated from Colby. She married in 1946 and shifted her energies to being a mother and homemaker, roles she filled through her first marriage and into her second. Later in life, she began volunteering with the Depot, a women’s exchange in New Jersey. She also enjoyed playing bridge and indulged in frequent travels. She had four children with her first husband, Charles Rodman, and gained a stepdaughter when she married John Craigie in 1987.

Natalie Prétat Arnold ’48

March 26, 2021, in Foster, R.I., at 94. An officer’s wife, she spent the early years of her post-Colby life moving around the United States and Europe before settling in Foster, her hometown. There, she became a loan officer with Citizens Bank while staying engaged with her children and community. She served on the town’s Board of Canvassers and the Republican Town Committee, was a charter member of the Quonset-Davisville Yacht Club, and was involved with the garden club. She leaves four children, including Patricia Arnold Mills ’76, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Phyllis Harnden Combs ’48

April 13, 2021, in Mechanicsburg, Pa., at 94. She earned a master’s in education from Rutgers University, was a dedicated homemaker, and later was the owner-operator of Farm Fortune bed and breakfast in New Cumberland, Pa. She qualified for the Daughters of the American Revolution, held interests in antiques and early American history, and was active with the PEO Sisterhood. Predeceased by her brother Ernest F. Harnden Jr. ’51, she leaves another brother, three children, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth “Libby” Hall Cousins ’48

June 17, 2021, in Duxbury, Mass., at 94. She left Colby and transferred to Tufts University, where she earned a B.S. from the Bouvé School of Physical Therapy. She was an active tennis player, gardener, and boater who also volunteered for the town of Duxbury, where she had either summered or lived for 92 years. Predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Charles Cousins ’48, she leaves four sons, including Neal ’84, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Hattie White Hannigen ’48

Aug. 13, 2021, in Andover, Mass., at 95. A lifelong educator, she began her teaching career at Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine, teaching French and English for 10 years. Later, she taught English at Andover High School, coached public speaking, developed courses for the English Department, and, drawing on her Colby Powder and Wig experience, assisted with class plays. Along the way, she received an M.Ed. in reading and learning disabilities from Boston University. A loyal member of her church, she was also an avid reader and an adept pianist. She leaves two children, including Susan Hannigen Butler ’76, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

William B. Maurice ’48

Oct. 1, 2021, in New York City, N.Y., at 97. He served in the infantry with the U.S. Army during World War II, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He went on to establish a career as a global licensing expert, traveling and lecturing in Africa, Latin America, and Australia. He leaves his wife of 68 years, Geraldine, two daughters, including Wendy Maurice ’78, and a grandchild.

Elizabeth Coombs Corke Myers ’48

Dec. 10, 2021, in Upper St. Clair, Pa., at 95. A happy homemaker and mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she passed on her love of winter, skiing, nature, and adventure to her family. She was an active Colby supporter and was involved with her Presbyterian church. She leaves three children, eight grandchildren, including Lauren Corke ’10, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Paul Solomon ’48

March 12, 2021, in Worcester, Mass., at 94. Before entering Colby, he enlisted with the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the North Atlantic. After Colby, he attended Clark University, earning a master’s in 1951 and a doctorate in 1959, both in psychology. He worked as a school psychologist in the New Bedford, Mass., area in addition to having a private practice. In retirement, he volunteered for community organizations until he was 90. Two sons, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren survive him.

Mary “Meg” Gardiner Benton ’49

Sept. 18, 2021, in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, at 94. A mother and homemaker, she went out of her way to help children, volunteering with scout groups, teaching Sunday school, leading a church youth choir, and tutoring young students. She valued friendships, was dedicated to her church, enjoyed traveling and music, and savored summers at the family camp on Maine’s Eggemoggin Reach. Three children, seven grandchildren, and a great-grandson survive her.

John C. Chernauskas ’49

April 7, 2019, in Greensboro, Vt., at 92. He earned a law degree from Boston University in 1952 and practiced law in Connecticut until 1955. He moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, becoming an assistant general counsel. He leaves three children.

Alice Rogers Parker ’49

Oct. 20, 2021, in Dearborn, Mich., at 95. After having children, she earned a law degree from Wayne State University in 1959, passed the Michigan State Bar, and practiced law from her home, serving her local community. She was also active in a neighborhood improvement group and local politics, serving as a precinct delegate. In retirement, she was active with the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Her hobbies included reading, solving puzzles, swimming, and picnicking. She leaves two children, 13 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.

Nellie Macdougall Parks ’49

Sept. 16, 2021, in Bingham, Maine, at 94. For the first 20 years after she graduated from Colby, she established a career in secondary school administration, serving as dean of girls at Maine Central Institute and later as the first dean of girls and the first woman in administration at Gould Academy in Bethel, Maine. She also earned a master’s from Columbia University in 1958. She married in 1969, lived in Philadelphia for 15 years, and returned in 1984 to Bingham, where she lived out her life as an engaged and loving matriarch of her extended family. She leaves her husband, Warren, two siblings, and many nieces and nephews.

Burton S. Silberstein ’49

July 11, 2021, in Chestnut Hill, Mass., at 93. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, spending one year in Korea. In 1960 he established Colby Footwear, named after his alma mater, a business he owned and operated until it evolved into today’s Easy Street brand, now run by his son, Donald. He was known for his sense of humor and his ability to connect with people everywhere he went. He loved to golf and enjoyed spending winters in Florida. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Mades, two children, four stepchildren, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and extended family, including cousins Sumner Fox ’51 and Peter Lunder ’56.

David W. Armstrong ’50

April 6, 2021, in Helena, Mont., at 100. A veteran of World War II, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was assigned to Camp Rimini War Dog Reception and Training Center, where he led the training of more than 850 sled dogs. Later, he was transferred to a search-and-rescue unit to aid in the recovery of downed personnel and aircraft wreckage in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Baffin Island. He came to Colby after he was discharged, on the GI Bill, and also earned a master’s from New York University. He went on to work as executive director of the Boy’s Club of America and retired as an administrator for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division. He continued dog mushing and cofounded the Montana 500 Sled Dog Race, still running today as the Race to the Sky Dog Sled Race. He leaves three sons, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Charlotte Shoul Backman ’50

Feb. 28, 2021, in Dedham, Mass., at 91. She called herself a “perpetual student” and fulfilled her lifelong passion for learning by reading voraciously and frequently enrolling in courses at Boston College. She was also a tireless fundraiser for the Combined Jewish Philanthropies and B’nai B’rith. Two children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren survive her.

Mary Louise Kilkenny Borah ’50

Nov. 28, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla., at 92. She lived almost all of her adult life in the New York area, a dedicated mother and homemaker who was also engaged with significant charitable activities. She traveled much of the world, played tennis and golf, and enjoyed dancing and Jazzercize. She leaves her husband of 71 years, Richard T. Borah ’50, four children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Alice Jennings Castelli ’50

July 28, 2021, in North Branford, Conn., at 92. Her first stint after Colby was with the U.S. Navy, where she served in the Korean War as an ensign. She married and had children, then earned two master’s degrees, one in early childhood education and another in special education. She credited her disabled son, Peter, as the inspiration for her career. She worked for many years as director of admissions at the Madison Country Day School, and she was active with the SARAH Foundation, which helps individuals living with disabilities. A 50-year resident of Madison, Conn., who loved the beach, she found pleasure in gardening, music, literature, and travel. Predeceased by her husband, Rudolph Castelli ’50, and her sister Ann Jennings Taussig ’49, she is survived by her twin sister, Elisabeth “Betsy” Jennings Maley ’50, three children, four grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

Alfred “Bud” Gates ’50

Dec. 22, 2021, in Manchester, N.H., at 95. He enlisted with the U.S. Navy in 1944, right after high school, and served until 1946. After Colby, he started his career as a retail executive at Younker Brothers and then joined the specialty store B. Altman & Co., where he would work from 1951 until 1987. He worked his way up from selling men’s neckties to a section manager to an assistant buyer and ultimately to general merchandise manager for all of B. Altman’s stores. He developed expertise in imported sweaters and in sportswear and was committed to excellent customer service. In retirement, he consulted for Woolrich and Brooks Brothers and devoted time to civic issues. He was predeceased by his mother, Agnes Cameron Gates, Class of 1923, and his wife of 70 years, Mary Bauman Gates ’49. Survivors include seven children and many grandchildren, including Caitlin Gallagher McDonald ’07 and Kristen Gates ’10.

Kenneth Jacobson ’50

March 22, 2021, in New York, N.Y., at 91. A songwriter, composer, and activist, he started writing songs for theater shows as a Colby student. He went on to compose songs performed by singers such as Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie. Read his “Noted” obituary at the beginning of this section.

Patricia Clarke Johnson ’50

July 16, 2021, in Kennebunkport, Maine, at 93. An advocate for children and the advancement of learning, she was a lifelong educator and speech pathologist. She earned a master’s from Smith College in 1952, worked for Maine’s Baxter School for the Deaf, and then spent decades teaching in Portland Public Schools. She also fought for women’s rights and was active in ERA movements and with the service organization Zonta International. She was an avid reader and a lover of history, and she found joy in her cabin on Sebago Lake. Survivors include two sons, a grandson, and a great-grandson.

Nancy Bradbury McKenzie ’50

March 14, 2021, in Pocasset, Mass., at 92. She worked as a medical technologist in Maine for several years before raising four children and tending her home. Later, she was treasurer of Bradbury Marine, Inc., a company she owned and operated in Hyannis.

Barbara Hill Millett ’50

July 12, 2021, in Stoneham, Mass., at 93. Her life revolved around home and family; she was active, social, and enjoyed playing tennis and bridge. Born in Waterville into a Colby family, her father was Dr. Frederick Hill, Class of 1910, a local physician and benefactor of the College. All of her sisters attended Colby as well, two who predeceased her—Virginia Hill Field ’48 and Marjorie Hill Ashman ’54—and one who survives her, Joan Hill Martin ’52. She also leaves two daughters and three grandchildren.

Roger O. Prince ’50

Nov. 18, 2021, in Walpole, N.H., at 97. He served in World War II before coming to Colby; after he graduated, he earned a master’s in education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. He became a prolific and respected bronze sculptor, exhibiting throughout Maine, New England, and New York. His entry in the 1960 Whitney Museum of American Art Biennial was praised by a New York Times art critic as a “small, complicated, beautifully ordered bronze.” He also taught art at the Silvermine School of Art and later became a co-director of the Wooster Community Art Center in Danbury, Conn. In retirement, he bought and sold antiques. He leaves two children, three stepchildren, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

William H. Ashbaugh ’51

May 25, 2020, in Port Orange, Fla., at 90. He served in the U.S. military until 1953, after which he earned a master’s from the University of Maine and a doctorate in psychology from Penn State. He went on to teach, becoming a professor of behavioral sciences at York College of Pennsylvania. Together with his wife, he raised two children.

Frank J. Gavel ’51

Aug. 12, 2021, in Wilton, Conn., at 93. A baseball standout in high school and college, he played with the Boston Red Sox farm team after graduation. He also served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Back in the states, he played baseball for the Quantico Marines. In 1965, he earned a master’s in education from Springfield College. For the next 35 years, he worked in the Brookfield, Conn., school system, serving as physical education instructor, athletic director, and varsity coach before being named assistant high school principal in 1969, a position he held until 1990. He was a longtime member of the American Legion and was a voracious reader. He leaves his wife, Carol, five children, and five grandchildren.

Daniel M. Hall ’51

Nov. 22, 2021, in Duxbury, Mass., at 92. Following Colby, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Eritrea at a high-security communication base. Back in the U.S., he started a teaching career in high schools in Massachusetts interspersed with teaching stints in Africa. During the summers, he worked for the Boston Redevelopment Authority in the South End, helping bring METCO students to study at Lynnfield High School, where he taught from 1970 to 1993, retiring as head of the social studies department. In retirement, he worked as a counselor at a homeless shelter and as a case manager in a program for men in recovery. He also made trips to Uganda to aid in the growth of a school and orphanage there. For his deep engagement and passion for helping students and those less fortunate, he received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Obama and the Outstanding Educator Award from Colby. Together with his wife, Lorrie, he raised four children.

Priscilla Ford Haselton ’51

Oct. 23, 2021, in Framingham, Mass., at 92. A lover of adventure and life in general, she delighted in mothering her five sons and taking them on trips near—to Peases Point on Buzzards Bay, Mass.—and far, including a summer spent exploring Europe in a camper van. She married her college sweetheart in 1980, and together with him became a thought-leader and volunteer in communities in which they lived in South Carolina and New Hampshire. They also established at Colby a scholarship fund and a fund in support of the Geology Department. Survivors include her husband, George M. Haselton ’51, five sons, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Frances F. “Kim” Kimball ’51

July 15, 2021, in Farmington, Maine, at 92. She was a teacher in rural Maine schools for many years and then worked as an educational television and videotape consultant in the early days of New Hampshire public television. She was also a longtime counselor at Maine’s Camp Mudjekeewis, teaching girls “correct” paddling techniques while she herself became known for “gunwale bobbing,” propelling a canoe by standing on the stern and bouncing. She was an avid skier, founding a ski club at Maine’s Titcomb Mountain, and she engaged in crew rowing, rowing until late in life. She leaves a brother and extended family.

Ruth Leverett ’51

July 4, 2021, in Hackensack, N.J., at 90. She earned an M.S. from New York University in 1957 and then worked as a researcher for the State of New York until she retired. She was active with her church; participated in cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and golf; grew orchids and gardened; and served as her family’s historian. She leaves no survivors.

Mary Bracy Martin ’51

Nov. 19, 2021, in Blue Hill, Maine, at 94. An art major at Colby, after graduation she worked at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City until she married and started a family. Throughout her life, she painted, showed her artwork, taught art, and gave art lectures in the towns she resided in, including Rowayton, Conn., Sedgwick and Blue Hill, Maine, and Sandwich, Mass. She volunteered at art museums and was a loyal congregant within the Episcopal church. Martin had a deep connection to Colby: her great-great-great-grandfather, Reverend Daniel Merrill, was one of the five founders of the College. He’s referred to as the “Father of Colby” as he presented to the Massachusetts legislature the first petition to establish the College in 1812. Her connections continue into the present with her survivors: her son, C. Wesley Martin ’82, and his wife, Martha Merrifield Martin ’85, and two grandsons, Lucas Martin ’14 and Matthew Martin ’18.

Robert Peck ’51

June 6, 2021, in Newton, Mass., at 91. He served with the Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, and then he built a career in sales for IBM. He leaves his wife, Ann, three children, and seven grandchildren.

Janice “Sandy” Pearson Anderson ’52

March 19, 2021, in Middlebury, Vt., at 90. A homemaker and mother early on, she grew interested in teaching, earned a master’s from the University of Bridgeport, and taught elementary school for nearly 20 years. She enjoyed traveling, volunteered by reading to the blind and to schoolchildren, and played golf. As a Colby alumna, she served as class correspondent for many years. An original founder of the Colbyettes and an actor with Colby’s Powder and Wig, she returned to the stage later in life, appearing in 20 local theater productions on Cape Cod, where she spent her retirement years. Predeceased by her husband, Charles Anderson ’53, she leaves three children, including Scott Anderson ’76, five grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

John A. Briggs ’52

Feb. 23, 2021, in San Ramon, Calif., at 91. He left Colby in 1951 to join the Navy, where he served as a hospital corpsman, second class, for four years. He returned to Colby and graduated in 1956. He spent his entire career in the insurance business, focusing on employee benefits, retirement planning, and pension administration. In 1977 he started his own company, Independent Pension Services, in California’s Bay Area. A loyal alumnus, Briggs and his wife, Carol, donated funds for the new Nickerson Carillon in Lorimer Chapel, dedicated in 1992, after the original carillon failed beyond repair. His hobbies included playing the piano, reading, and restoring classic cars—he was a docent for many years at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum. He was a golfer, Rotary member and president, and member of the vestry at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. He leaves three children and five grandchildren.

Hugh F. Burgess Jr. ’52

July 2, 2021, in Towson, Md., at 91. He earned graduate degrees from the University of Massachusetts and Western Maryland College, one before serving as a U.S. Army radar technician during the Korean War, and one after. An English teacher, dean of faculty, and associate headmaster at McDonogh School in Maryland, he worked at the school for more than 30 years, influencing students, teachers, and the educational field alike. For his dedication and progressive leadership, he was honored with McDonogh’s Distinguished Service Award in 1999. He was a published poet, author of two histories about McDonogh School, a trumpeter in community bands, and a birder and kayaker. He owned a cabin at Sebec Lake, Maine, and was a devoted enthusiast of the Maine woods. Predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Anne Magee Burgess ’52, he leaves four sons, nine grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

Susan J. Campbell ’52

July 13, 2021, in Fullerton, Calif., at 90. She earned a certificate in medical technology from the Millard Fillmore Hospital in 1953 and went on to a career as a licensed clinical laboratory technologist. She never married and left no immediate survivors.

William W. Hays ’52

Dec. 27, 2021, in Plymouth, Mass., at 95. Before coming to Colby, he spent two years with the Red Sox’s minor league farm team followed by two years with the U.S. Air Force. He earned a master’s from Bridgewater State University and went on to become an elementary school principal, athletic director of the Scituate Youth Center, and, later, founder of Hays Marketing Associates, selling products for elementary education. He belonged to country clubs in Scituate and in Saint Lucie, Fla. He leaves two children and extended family.

Evelyn Walker Mack ’52

May 17, 2021, in Woburn, Mass., at 90. Her mathematics and physics coursework at Colby helped secure her first job in the Joint Computer Group at M.I.T., where her work in the Aeroelasticity Lab found her engaged in the design of modern jet aircraft and the development of re-entry vehicles. Later, she became an actuary for New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, eventually becoming a second vice president, retiring in 1993. She enjoyed traveling and had interests in genealogy and crossword puzzles. Predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Richard B. Mack ’51, she leaves behind nieces and nephews.

Caroline Wilkins McDonough ’52

July 15, 2021, in Palm City, Fla., at 90. While her husband’s career took her and their family all over the world, she stayed involved in the lives of her children, horseback riding, and the theater as an actress and director. She had a radio interview program in Mexico City called “Mexico City After Dark,” started or joined theater groups in every country she lived in, and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, where she acted with the prestigious Questers troupe, playing Volumnia in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. She held other starring roles in numerous plays and in 1983 became president of Cameo Theater in Old Greenwich, Conn. She was an active Colby alumna who earned a Colby Brick Award for her service to the College. She is survived by three children, including Elizabeth “Lisa” McDonough O’Neill ’80, and three grandsons.

Anne Plowman Stevens ’52

Oct. 1, 2021, in Shillington, Pa., at 90. She earned a master’s in elementary education from Syracuse University in 1953 and taught first and second graders for 10 years. Later, she worked in a large fabric store and then as a bank teller. A violinist, she played in the Bucks County Symphony for 25 years and with the Reading Symphony, Philharmonic Symphony, and Reading Pops Orchestra for another 20. She also worked at community libraries and was active with her church. She leaves four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

George W. Whitney ’52

Dec. 15, 2021, in Centennial, Colo., at 93. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea before coming to Colby and majoring in geology. After working briefly as a roughneck on an oil drilling rig and as an underground stope copper miner, both in Montana, he studied at the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Colorado, becoming an exploration geologist. For 31 years he worked in various capacities dealing with oil, gas, oil shale, and coal for Sinclair Oil and Gas, Atlantic Richfield, and Anaconda Copper Company. Later, he worked as an independent geologist in Denver. He was a member of the Porsche Club of America, Rocky Mountain Region, and drove in racetrack events. He was also an active hiker, bagging 26 of Colorado’s 14,000-footers. Predeceased by his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Randall Whitney ’53, he leaves a daughter, four grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

Malcolm E. Andrews ’53

June 9, 2021, in Southern Pines, N.C., at 90. He served in the Korean War, and then he earned a master’s in education from the University of Maine. He taught math for 35 years, first in northern Maine and later in Littleton, Mass., and North Smithfield, R.I. In 1989, he relocated and became a math instructor at Plymouth State University. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, was active with his church, and enjoyed golf, card games, and travel. Predeceased by his parents, Roland and Irma Sawyer Andrews, both Class of 1928, he is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patrice McIntire Andrews ’55, three children, five grandchildren, and a brand-new great-grandson, named for him.

J. Nelson Beveridge ’53

June 6, 2021, in Scituate, Mass., at 90. He enrolled in ROTC officer training while at Colby and enlisted with the U.S. Navy after he graduated, serving as a gunnery officer at the end of the Korean War. His career in business and sales found him first at Owen Corning Fiberglass and then at the construction supply company Kamco. He volunteered with local nonprofits that delivered food and clothing to the needy, as a board member of Etrusco, supplying free medical equipment, and at his Congregational church for 46 years. He was also a good neighbor, helping others with yard work or snow shoveling. He loved golf, sailing, and his ’69 convertible Beetle; had building projects always underway; and enjoyed traveling, skiing, and dancing. As a loyal alumnus, he served his Colby class as the class correspondent and as an anniversary agent. He leaves his wife, Evelyn, six children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Elaine Mark Goldsmith ’53

May 27, 2021, in Salem, Mass., at 89. A generous and loving mother, hostess, and neighbor, she was known for having an open door to family, friends, and those in need. Her welcoming nature extended to their family home in Marblehead, their ski house, and their sailboat, Hoolimar. She was active with the League of Women Voters, volunteered with transportation for immigrants settling in her area, and did office work for the family’s laundry business. Predeceased by her husband, Russell Goldsmith Jr. ’51, she leaves three children, including David ’80, and three grandchildren.

Ellen Hay Holway ’53

Nov. 8, 2021, in Yarmouth, Maine, at 89. A passionate mother and wife, she was an advocate for education, earning a master’s in education in 1974 from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She taught elementary school in Maynard, Mass., for more than 25 years and also led workshops and programs for her peers that promoted diversity, equality, and leadership. She held a groundbreaking, holistic view of education that emphasized immersion in art, music, science, and literature. Her volunteer efforts included spearheading the 250th-anniversary celebration of Acton, Mass., being a scout leader, serving as chair of the historical society, and being a charter member of the League of Women Voters. She savored the beauty of Casco Bay, Maine, and its many islands, and she especially loved the state’s lighthouses. Gardening and making music were some of her other passions. Survivors include six children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

R. Chase Lasbury ’53

Jan. 17, 2022, in Camden, Maine, at 91. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard and then established a career with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. He was also president of Chase Groves Inc., a family orange grove and real estate business. Favorite activities included tennis, golf, skiing, and boating. Predeceased his wife of 68 years, S. Nan Murray Lasbury ’53, he leaves three daughters, five grandchildren, and give great-grandchildren.

Ann Eilertson McDonough ’53

April 13, 2021, in Venice, Fla., at 87. With her Colby mathematics degree, she went on to a career in insurance, working primarily for Cigna Corporation, retiring as a senior manager in 1994. Throughout her life, she also gave back, largely through the Methodist church but also through other social programs. She was particularly involved with My Sister’s Keeper, a mentorship program in Maine that helps women transitioning from jail, and the 12-step program Families Anonymous. Survivors include her college sweetheart and husband, William McDonough Jr. ’53, whom she reunited with 49 years after they met; four children from her first marriage; three stepsons; nine grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Mildred Thornhill Reynolds ’53

July 4, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif., at 90. The summer after Colby, she attended the Middlebury Summer Language School and studied French. She married and had children starting in 1954, dedicating herself to home and family. She later became an accomplished Batik artist, creating unique pieces with subjects such as wildlife, Maine landscapes, and portraits that she exhibited in venues in California. Together with her late husband, James Reynolds ’51, she raised three daughters.

Harriet Sart Rudd ’53

May 29, 2021, in Gorham, Maine, at 89. A dedicated mother and housewife, she was also a recognized church musician, playing the organ and directing several choirs, and a liturgy and service leader in Congregational and Episcopalian churches in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Together with her husband, she trained and exhibited horses with the Arabian Horse Association, showing at a national level and winning multiple awards. She was also an accomplished seamstress. During her first week at Colby, she met her husband of 69 years, David Rudd ’53, who survives her, along with two daughters and four grandchildren.

Frederick G. Ashman ’54

June 7, 2021, at 90. Service in the U.S. Army took him to Germany after Colby. Returning to the U.S., he settled in New Jersey, where he taught English to middle and high schoolers. In 1968 he earned a master’s in English from Glassboro College while also working side jobs so he could take his family on vacations. Seeking connection with others and working for justice, he volunteered with several charities: rocking AIDS babies, answering phones for a crisis helpline, and helping others recovering from traumatic bypass surgeries as part of the Zipper Club. He satiated his thirst for knowledge by reading voraciously; he drew inspiration from music. Predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Marjorie Hill Ashman ’54, he leaves three siblings, three children, and six grandchildren.

Nancy Weller Brown ’54

May 22, 2021, in Appleton, Maine, at 88. A love of nature and the outdoors, and a talent for fine arts, defined her life. After Colby, she worked as a medical artist and photographer, with her work featured in medical journals and textbooks. When she moved to Appleton in 1961, she sold handmade holiday wreaths, painted still lifes and landscapes to benefit local organizations, and created bird- and flower-themed jewelry. She planted a large garden to feed her family of 10, was an accomplished baker, and annually staffed the Exhibition Hall or 4-H building at the Union Fair. She served as a volunteer librarian, was active with the Appleton Historical Society, taught home and camping skills through the Boy Scouts and 4-H, and offered her homestead as the distribution site for a community food co-op. She started an art program for the Appleton Village School and volunteered as an art teacher and kindergarten aide. For two decades, she was bookkeeper and rare-plant propagator at a nursery in Camden. She also served as a justice of the peace. Predeceased by her husband, Theodore Brown ’55, she leaves eight children, including Laurie Brown ’86, 14 grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

Karl E. Decker ’54

March 18, 2021, in Monroe, Conn., at 88. A teacher, writer, and photographer, he enjoyed distinguished careers in each medium. But first, he served in the U.S. Army for two years immediately following his Colby years. He earned an M.A. from Columbia Teacher’s College in 1959 and started teaching English at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., the following year. When he retired in 1999, he was the longest-serving faculty member at the school. Along with his wife, he founded and edited the Monroe Courier in 1960, and 40 years later, he worked with Vermont magazine, writing and photographing stories of life in small towns. He wrote dozens of short stories, earned two residencies at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and had begun working on a novel, Seeing Emily Home. He furthered his study of photography with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities; his documentary project resulted in the book The People of Townshend, Vermont, published in 2012. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Merrillyn Healey Decker ’54, three children, and seven grandchildren.

Diane Stowell Duce ’54

Nov. 7, 2021, in Northborough, Mass., at 89. She worked at a Wall Street firm before marrying and having children. For two years, her family lived in Sweden and then settled in Westborough, Mass. She worked various jobs, including parish secretary at her Episcopal church, in the guidance department at Westborough High School, and as a co-owner of a home pet-care business. In retirement, she volunteered with the school system. She was an avid reader, a member of the Worcester Art Museum, and a loyal Red Sox fan. She enjoyed sewing and knitting, and she loved animals. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Benjamin R. Duce ’54, whom she met in 1951 playing piano duets in the student union. She leaves three children, including Elizabeth Duce Sedlins ’80, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Georgia “Gig” Roy Eustis ’54

Nov. 6, 2021, in Burlington, Vt., at 89. Remembered as a spirited performer in Colby groups, including the Colbyettes, as an adult she was still known for her musical talent, imagination, and zest for life. In the Episcopalian church, she was a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and vestry woman. As a company wife in the 1960s, she excelled at entertaining, and she extended that energy into elaborate parties for her children’s birthdays. Later, she taught preschool, first in New York at a school attended by children of UN diplomats and then in Maine, where she moved after the early death of her husband. In 1968 she earned an M.A. in Japanese literature from Columbia, “for my own satisfaction,” and in 1982 she earned a B.S.N. from the University of Southern Maine. She started nursing at age 50, working in Maine and Florida until she retired 12 years later. In retirement, she taught practical nursing in Florida and in New Mexico until age 85. Predeceased by her husband, Arthur G. Eustis Jr. ’52, she leaves four children, two grandsons, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jon Eustis ’69 and Paula Joseph Eustis ’69.

Mary Pilon Obery ’54

Sept. 18, 2021, in Topsham, Maine, at 88. She was primarily a homemaker, but one who found multiple ways to engage with her community. She served as a school board member in Topsham, with the Cancer Crusade Capers fundraiser, and as a poll worker. And, together with her husband, she was a track and field official at local high schools and colleges. She played bridge, read voraciously, knitted, and solved crosswords in her free time. Predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Alfred Obery ’54, she leaves four sons, including Christopher ’82, seven grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

Diane Chamberlin Starcher ’54

Dec. 28, 2021, in Sarasota, Fla., at 89. A year after Colby, she earned a certificate from the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration and then worked in Boston for a year. She married and proceeded to spend most of her life in France, first while her husband served in the U.S. Army there and then for his career. They joined the Bahá’í Faith, and Diane became an engaged volunteer. She was a member of the faith’s administrative body in Chambéry, led discussion and study groups, and was a member of the European Bahá’í Business Forum, editing and translating their publications. She also spoke and wrote about women entrepreneurs. In 1994 she earned a master’s in adult education from the Vermont College of Norwich University. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, George, two sons, and her sister, Susan Chamberlin Trauger ’60.

Meredith Mitchell von Breitenfeld ’54

Nov. 19, 2021, in Los Gatos, Calif. at 88. Her life centered around family, and she leaves two children and three grandchildren.

Edward S. Webber ’54

Sept. 6, 2021, in New Hampshire at 88. Less than a year after graduating from Colby, he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a lieutenant commander aboard the USS General W.A. Mann in Korea and Japan. After an honorable discharge in 1958, he established a career in finance, insurance, and sales, working for companies in Maine and New Hampshire, including Digital Equipment Corp. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. He leaves his wife, Mary, two children, three stepchildren, and three step-grandchildren.

Theodore V. Summers Jr. ’55

Oct. 8, 2021, in Pittsford, N.Y., at 92. After working for National Sugar Refining on Long Island, he turned his focus to a career in the financial industry, selling stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Later, he worked for Lincoln First Bank in Pittsford, becoming supervisor of the dividend reinvestment department. He put his financial knowledge to work as a volunteer, serving as treasurer for the Boy Scout Troup 341, the Monroe County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and the Pittsford Fire Department, where he served for 50 years. He had a deep appreciation for classical music, a mind that could memorize maps, and an obsession with rollercoasters. He leaves two children and three grandchildren.

Edward John Farley Jr. ’56

May 20, 2020, in Wilmington, N.C., at 86. He proudly served in the Marine Corps, 1956-59, rising to the rank of captain. He then built a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, beginning as a sales rep and later becoming a senior director of client services. He earned an M.B.A. from Boston College, and in 1973, he cofounded Dugan Farley Communications Associates in New Jersey. He served as president and chief executive, specializing in healthcare accounts and retiring in 1991 when he sold the company. In retirement, he returned to his love of sports, especially golf, which was as much about people as the game. Survivors include six children, four siblings, and numerous grandchildren.

Karl Honsberger ’56

July 13, 2021, in East Lyme, Conn., at 86. After Colby, he immediately joined the Marine Corps, serving in active duty until 1960 and then remaining active in the reserves for 17 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. His business career began in marketing for Southern New England Telephone and then developed into a 30-year career with Allstate Insurance. Active in his community, he volunteered with the Human Rights Commission of Connecticut, the Chamber of Commerce in Amherst, N.H., and the American Cancer Society. He balanced his work with cycling, gardening, and golfing, and he was an accomplished sailor. Survivors include his wife, Pam, three children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Barbara Moore Parsons ’56

June 7, 2021, in Fort Edward, N.Y., at 86. For the first dozen years after she graduated from Colby, she was a mother and homemaker in Glen Falls, N.Y. In 1968 she started a career as a dental assistant, including working for her son for 14 years, retiring in 2004. She was an avid golfer and a member of the Glen Falls Country Club for many years, winning the Women’s Club Championship in 1981, 1985, and 1986. Later, she enjoyed a long golf “career” at the Queensbury Country Club, where she was affectionally known as the “Queen Bee,” offering advice and tips to friends. She leaves three sons, three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Carol A. Fisher ’57

Nov. 4, 2020, Frederick, Md., at 85. She worked for a period at C&P Telephone in Washington, D.C. She never married and leaves no survivors.

Diane Jensen Snow ’57

Oct. 31, 2021, in Moon Township, Pa., at 85. A housewife and mother, she also volunteered extensively in Sewickley, Pa., with the hospital’s women’s auxiliary, the woman’s club, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Sewickley Music Club, where she held various board positions. She loved planning family gatherings and vacations, and, later in life, she enjoyed traveling the world, often on cruises. She leaves her husband of 63 years, Robert, three children, and six grandsons.

Willard L. Spence ’57

May 10, 2021, in Framingham, Mass., at 86. He earned successive graduate degrees in botany after Colby: a master’s from the University of Iowa in 1959 and a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1963, focusing on plant systematics. He enjoyed a successful 35-year career as a professor at Framingham State University, retiring as professor emeritus in 1999. He continued to work part time in academic advising until 2015. He also worked as a consultant on wetland vegetation issues at the state and local levels. He kept immaculate flower and vegetable gardens, was a woodworker, and enjoyed chair caning. He was also active with his Congregational church. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Nancy Rollins Spence ’57, three children, including Sarah Spence Wells ’85, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a sister.

William R. Timken ’57

Sept. 27, 2021, in Lafayette, Calif., at 86. His career in investment banking began in Chicago and then took off in New York, where he was the third founding partner of Hambrecht & Quist. He built H&Q’s East Coast operations until 1974 when he relocated to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. He became vice chairman overseeing equity capital markets for H&Q, pricing more than 2,500 IPOs and helping to bring emerging firms public. Retiring in 1999, he turned to private investing, helping young entrepreneurs succeed. A graduate of Blair Academy, he served on its board and was chair from 2001 to 2006, was named alumnus of the year in 1995, and was honored when Blair named its brand-new library the Timken Library. At Colby, he was an active volunteer, especially with the San Francisco regional area effort for the Colby 2000 Campaign. Together with his wife, he established the Judith P. and William R. Timken Scholarship Fund; in 1997, they received a Colby Brick Award. He was an avid tennis player and car enthusiast who spent summers on Lake Tahoe. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Judith Prophett Timken ’57, three children, and five grandchildren.

Philip R. Dankert ’58

Sept. 23, 2021, in Cortland, N.Y., at 85. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1960 and then served in the reserves. He earned a master’s in library science from Simmons College in 1963 and went on to a 41-year career at Cornell University, where for 36 of those years he was the collections development librarian at the Industrial Labor Relations School. He served on countless boards for community organizations, many of them serving youth. And for 20 years, he was a volunteer firefighter for the Lansing Fire Department. In 1995, the village of Lansing dedicated a village park in his name. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Virginia “Ginny,” three children, and six grandchildren.

Myron L. Gantt ’58

May 7, 2021, in Lexington, S.C., at 86. Enrolled in the Air Force ROTC while at Colby, he went on to a distinguished career with the Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He served as a B-52H master navigator, an SR-71 reconnaissance systems officer, an EB-66 navigator, and a wing standardization navigator in chief. He flew 103 combat missions in Southeast Asia and received the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He earned a master’s in psychology from the University of New Hampshire in 1959 and later was a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College. He also attended and taught at the USAF Air War College. In retirement, he worked as a data technology specialist at Gilbert (S.C.) High School, taught Sunday school, and served as a scorekeeper for his granddaughter’s softball team. He also traveled the country in a motorhome. He leaves three sons and his granddaughter.

Ernest A. Gauer ’58

Nov. 8, 2021, in Waterville, Maine, at 85. He served as a captain with the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1961, stationed at length in Japan. He returned to Maine and became a respected teacher at Waterville Junior High School, teaching U.S. history for more than 25 years. In 1975 he earned a master’s in adult education from the University of Southern Maine. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, and traveling with his wife, Patricia McClay Gauer ’65, who predeceased him. Survivors include three children and four grandchildren.

Mary Adams Harrington ’58

Dec. 20, 2021, in Swanton, Md., at 88. After moving around a bit and working various jobs, her career path led her to the Experiment (now World Learning) in Brattleboro, Vt., where she worked for 28 years. In retirement, she found great satisfaction volunteering at the Windham County Humane Society, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and Holton Home. She also enjoyed gardening and listening to Red Sox games. She leaves two stepsons, three grandchildren, and a brother.

Rachel West Jones ’58

Aug. 20, 2021, in Boylston, Mass., at 85. She taught elementary school for two years before settling into a 200-year-old house in Boylston, where she developed a lifelong interest in antiques and anything “old.” She lovingly restored the house and collected antiques while raising her family. She served as president of the Boylston Garden Club, sang in the choir of the Congregational church, and loved skiing and traveling. Joy came from time spent with family, cooking family meals, and vacationing on Cape Cod. She leaves her husband of 62 years, Gerald Jones ’58, three sons, five grandchildren, and a brother.

William H. Orne ’58

June 13, 2021, in Sumter, S.C., at 85. He entered the Air Force following his Colby graduation, intent on fulfilling his five-year active-duty commitment. He ended up serving for 24 years in the Strategic Air Command in various positions using Atlas and Minuteman weapon systems, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He received an M.B.A. from Golden Gate University in 1984 and taught at Sumter Technical College. He was active with the churches he attended, serving as a warden, vestry member, and treasurer. A son, two grandsons, and a sister survive him.

Robert M. Saltz ’58

March 8, 2021, at 84. An entrepreneur, he cofounded Advanced Manufacturing Research, a private market analyst and consulting firm, in Boston in the 1980s. He enjoyed traveling, reading, mentoring, and spending time with his dogs. He leaves his wife, Lynne, three children, a grandson, and his sister.

Judith Hince Squire ’58

July 1, 2021, in New Haven, Conn., at 84. She was a language arts teacher to generations of middle schoolers in Waterville, having studied education at the University of Maine. She belonged to both the Maine and National Teachers Association, and she was a teaching assistant for a period at a Colby summer school, the “Human Side of Teaching.” She was an avid skier at Maine’s Saddleback ski area, and, along with her husband, started a hotel there in 1962, Le Chalet. Predeceased by her husband, Russell Squire Jr. ’55, she leaves two children and three grandchildren.

Cathryn Marcho Cootner ’59

Feb. 25, 2021, in Sonoma, Calif., at 83. She moved to Boston after Colby, working as a model and as a staffer for John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign. In 1971 she moved to Palo Alto with her son and husband, who died unexpectedly in 1978. She would build a career out of her passion for textiles and became a major figure in the art world. In 1981 she became curator of textiles at the Fine Art Museum of San Francisco, where she worked for 16 years and authored multiple books. Later, she became a collector, speaker, and dealer focusing on the world of tribal art, working into her 80s. She was a stylish, passionate, and vibrant woman who leaves her son, Joshua, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter. Her mother, Miriam Sanders Marcho ’30, predeceased her.

Marion Kimball Guth ’59

April 29, 2021, in Mooresville, N.C., at 83. For the first 22 years of her marriage, she moved frequently due to her husband’s work. She taught Sunday school, was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout troop leader, and enjoyed baking and sewing. Later, she was a tax preparer for H&R Block, becoming a manager at an office in Hightstown, N.J., and later a partner at an office in Beaufort, S.C. A native Mainer, she visited Maine every summer, indulging in lobster and ice cream. Survivors include her husband of nearly 62 years, Frank Guth ’58, three children, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.

Robert J. Jordan ’60

July 13, 2021, in Medford, Mass., at 82. He earned his law degree from Georgetown Law School in 1963 and established a private practice in Boston, where he worked for 50 years. He was also a partner with Serra, Jordan & Carbone, and he served as a public administrator for Suffolk County for 45 years. Also in 1963, he joined the Army Reserves National Guard, rising to become a lieutenant colonel and serving as JAGC for the 26th Infantry Division. When he retired in 1992, he was awarded the U.S. Army’s Meritorious Service Medal. He leaves his wife, Louise, and nephews and nieces.

Robert B. Levine ’60

Dec. 4, 2021, in Stuart, Fla., at 84. He earned a D.M.D. from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1965 while at the same time serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, working as a dentist. He established a successful dental practice in Boston, and he shared his talents as adjunct faculty at Harvard’s School of Dental Medicine, where he was named Teacher of the Year. In his spare time, he handcrafted magnificent scale-model ships, including the USS Constitution, several of which were homed in museums in Boston. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, golfing, and boating, and he was quick to lend a hand, especially to those restoring model ships. He leaves his wife, Barbara, three children, and their families.

Richard Norman McCracken ’60

June 11, 2021, in Orleans, Mass., at 84. He built a career in admissions and financial aid, working for Temple University’s Ambler campus and then as director of admissions at Simon’s Rock Early College in Great Barrington, Mass. He earned a master’s in student personnel and administration from SUNY Albany in 1971. Later, he grew interested in food service and innkeeping, eventually purchasing the Gaslight Restaurant in Egremont, Mass., and spending eight years as maître d’ at the Wequassett Inn in South Orleans. He leaves his wife of 60 years, Eleanor Reed McCracken ’60, a son, and three grandchildren.

Carol Shoemaker Rasmussen ’60

Sept. 27, 2019, in Skowhegan, Maine, at 81. She taught elementary education for 30 years in Connecticut and in Maine, earning a master’s in education from the University of Maine. She leaves three sons, two grandchildren, and her twin sister.

Ann “Amy” Eisentrager Birky ’61

July 10, 2020, in Lincoln, Neb., at 80. An educator for 35 years, she taught in U.S. public schools and in Saipan with a program preceding the Peace Corps. She taught children from migrant families and adult refugees at a community college. Along the way, she earned two master’s, one in elementary education and one in library science, working as a librarian later in life. She was active with regional and national education organizations, volunteered extensively in her community, was a patron of the arts, worked for social justice, was a voracious reader, and found fulfillment through the Unitarian Church. She leaves a daughter, two grandchildren, and four stepchildren.

William D. Hood ’61

July 15, 2021, in Delray Beach, Fla., at 85. A securities broker and a businessman, he started the first discount brokerage house in Boca Raton. Later, he started an auction house, Bill Hood and Sons Art and Antique Auction, in Delray Beach. His passion lay in tennis, both playing and coaching. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, six children, and 11 grandchildren.

Carol Davidson Jack ’61

April 24, 2021, in Topsham, Maine, at 81. She transferred from Colby and earned an M.T. degree from Boston University’s Hospital School of Medical Technology. After moving around with her military husband, she worked as a medical technologist in hospitals and doctor offices in New York’s Hudson Valley area, where they settled. In retirement in Topsham, she was active with her church and the area Audubon society. She leaves her husband, Richard, two children, four grandchildren, and a sister.

Francis J. Keough Jr. ’61

Nov. 29, 2020, Norwalk, Conn., at 86. Before he came to Colby, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He completed graduate work at the University of Connecticut and went on to become a professor at Central Connecticut State University. He also worked at the U.S. Post Office. Survivors include nieces and nephews.

Claire C. Lyons ’61

July 16, 2021, in Elkins, N.H., at 82. She worked for many years in Boston, and she later owned the Sword & Shield Restaurant in Beverly, Mass. She engaged in the arts, enjoyed eating out, and traveled extensively. She never married; survivors include extended family.

Bruce A. Young ’61

July 15, 2021, in Fort Belvoir, Va., at 82. Upon graduation, he reported to Naval Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 1962, beginning 27 years of honorable military service, retiring in 1989 as a captain. Heralded for his technical knowledge, critical seamanship skills, and charismatic leadership, he served as a river patrol boat officer in South Vietnam, became commanding officer of the USS Grasp and later of the USS Joan Ingram, and was appointed as director of the Sea Power Presentation Team for the chief of Naval Operations. His decorations included a Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Award, U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, and many others. After his military service, he worked for QuaDelta Inc., providing technical and analytical expertise. He was a longtime member of the Army-Navy Club in Washington, D.C. He also loved history and sports. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Rebecca, a son, four grandchildren, and a sister.

Gail Macomber Cheeseman ’62

Nov. 16, 2021, in Saratoga, Calif., at 82. She taught French at a high school in California for several years before establishing Cheeseman Ecology Safaris, a wildlife and photography tour company taking people on eco-tours around the world. Along with her husband and business partner, she shared her passion for exploring, protecting, and teaching about wildlife environments, often employing local naturalists. They also led whale watching tours and gave slide lectures for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society. She leaves her husband of 58 years, Doug, two children, two grandchildren, and three siblings.

Joanne Herbold Clarey ’62

Nov. 2, 2021, in Jackson, N.H., at 80. An activist, teacher, and writer, she spent the first 16 years after Colby as an English teacher. She earned a master’s in 1979 in guidance and counseling followed by a doctorate in 1981 in counseling psychology, both from the University of Maine, Orono. She taught for several years in Orono and then was appointed the first coordinator and director of the Women’s Studies Program at the University of Southern Maine. She spoke widely on women’s and LGBT rights and published articles on the subject. Later, she established a private practice in Portland. Her heart’s work was activism against racism, sexism, homophobia, and systematic discrimination. She was also the author of six cozy mysteries, two thrillers, poetry, short stories, and essays. Swimming, camping, gardening, and collecting stones were her favorite activities. She leaves her partner, Anne Garland, two children, a grandson, and four siblings.

Alan M. Frankel ’62

April 3, 2021, in Waterville, Maine, at 82. His love of Maine developed while a Colby student and continued throughout his life; he had a special fondness for his “camp.” He had a knack for numbers and names, and he was known for his sense of humor. He loved baseball, especially the Yankees, football, and traveling. He leaves his wife, Gisele Veilleux, and his son.

William H. Marks ’62

Oct. 16, 2021, in Greenville, S.C., at 81. He spent his 37-year career at North Branford (Conn.) schools, teaching U.S. history and contemporary issues at the high school, serving as department head, and coaching baseball. He was twice voted teacher of the year at the high school; in 2002, he was inducted to the North Haven High School Sports Hall of Fame for his prowess in baseball as a high schooler. Along the way, he earned three master’s, two from Southern Connecticut State University and one from Wesleyan. He leaves his wife, Priscilla, three daughters, and eight grandchildren.

Howard W. Shaw ’62

Nov. 1, 2021, in Brunswick, Maine, at 81. After Colby, he began a lifelong career in the food retail and hospitality industries. In 1969 he opened the grocery store Howie’s Market in Pocasset, Mass., and subsequent businesses included Grandma’s Restaurant and Pie Shop in Buzzards Bay and Shaw’s Fish and Lobster Wharf in New Harbor. His proudest achievement was the restoration of the New York Central 16 Tugboat, which he relocated to sit alongside Grandma’s Restaurant. He possessed a relentless work ethic as well as a deep-rooted passion for gardening and his dogs. Survivors include four children, five grandchildren, his sister, and his beloved Bernese mountain dog.

Richard P. Vacco ’62

Aug. 16, 2021, in China Village, Maine, at 80. He earned a J.D. in 1967 from Suffolk University Law School, returning there to teach for 43 years. He also established a private law practice in Londonderry, N.H. He belonged to the New Hampshire and Massachusetts bar associations; in 1980, he was sworn into the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. He volunteered locally with Little League, the Boy Scouts, the Rotary Club, and the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua, N.H. His interests included model trains, home and pool maintenance, karate, and the New England Patriots. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Marjeanne Banks Vacco ’62, two children, six grandchildren, and a brother.

David Asgard Gilbert ’63

Nov. 24, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich., at 83. Born in Waterville, he joined the Marines at 17 and worked in aerial photography and military intelligence. He enrolled at Colby as a sophomore and majored in English, which served him well as a writer and photographer for Massachusetts’ Worcester Telegram and Chelsea Record, where he served as editor. At the same time, he did freelance work for UPI and AP wire services, covering the Vietnam War and photographing presidents and other public figures. A second career involved teaching English, history, and anthropology; a third career found him a beta tester for Apple and establishing his own desktop publishing business. He leaves two siblings, two nieces, and a nephew.

Ingrid M. Muller ’63

May 2020 at 78. She earned an M.S.W. from Rutgers in 1967 and worked as a school social worker for the Kamehameha School in Honolulu, Hawaii, for 30 years. She was also a volunteer guardian through family court and served on a neighborhood justice court for her condominium’s board of directors.

William R. Nussbum ’63

June 28, 2021, in Westford, Mass., at 80. His business career began right after his Colby graduation when he went to work in his grandfather’s business, Martin Machine Company, selling dyes for machines. In 1965 he started his own sales agency, DieMar Inc., and represented manufacturers in the aerospace and aviation industry. Customers included Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, and General Electric. His community involvement included serving as vice chair and founding member of the Westford Economic Development Committee, corporator of Emerson Hospital, and coach of Chelmsford Youth Soccer. He was also an avid and competitive golfer and tennis player. He leaves his wife of 55 years, Eunice; two children, including Scott ’92; and five grandchildren, including Alexa Wilson ’24.

Peter Wadsworth ’63

April 14, 2021, in Framingham, Mass., at 79. He began a military career right after his Colby graduation, serving first at Forbes Air Force Base in Kansas and later in the Philippines, where he flew missions throughout Southeast Asia and qualified for a combat tour. He received the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross, and when he was honorably discharged in 1969, he had accrued more than 8,000 hours in a C-130. Next, he worked for 22 years as a commercial airline pilot, retiring in 1991 when Pan Am discontinued service. He then assumed ownership of his family’s funeral home in Framingham, which we ran until his final retirement in 2003. He was a member of Rotary, the Masons, Elks, American Legion, and VFW. He loved music, especially jazz, and was a talented self-taught pianist. He leaves his wife, Christine, a son, and two grandchildren.

Lawrence D. Schulze ’64

Nov. 6, 2021, in Southbury, Conn., at 79. He earned a bachelor’s in divinity in 1968 and a master’s in sacred theology in 1973, both from Andover Newton Theological School, and went on to become an American Baptist minister, serving churches in Monroe and Sanborn, N.Y. After he left active ministry, he continued to teach Bible study, play the organ, and occasionally preach. Later, he became a beloved school bus driver. Predeceased by his mother, Miriam Rice Schulze, Class of 1927, he leaves two children, four stepchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

William L. Vaughn ’64

April 2, 2021, in Auburn, Maine, at 79. A social worker and psychologist, he worked as a therapist with Tri-County Child and Family Services in Maine before starting a private practice. Later, in the 1990s, he began working as a school psychological examiner for schools in south-central Maine. His longtime battle with Hodgkin lymphoma compelled him to help other cancer patients, both in his practice and as chair of the Living with Cancer Conference for five years. He was active with a volunteer fire department, and later in life he developed an interest in cycling and running, completing three half-marathons. He enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles; wrote poetry and painted watercolors; and loved to cook. Survivors include three children and seven grandchildren.

William J. Anderson ’65

April 25, 2021, in Skowhegan, Maine, at 78. After Colby, he joined the Air Force, serving first in Indiana and then in Taiwan, working on the flight line. After his service, he moved to New Portland, Maine, where he built two different homes, gardened, worked in the old Kingfield Wood Products Mill, wrote a novel, and became a gifted cabinetmaker. He was an artisan, a raconteur, a lover of art, a frequent traveler, and someone who simply enjoyed kayaking around the pond and a cold beer on the deck. He leaves his partner, Susan Hellewell, two sons, and three grandchildren.

Richard W. Bankart ’65

July 25, 2021, in Westwood, N.J., at 78. He earned an M.B.A. in marketing from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in 1967 and spent the next 20 years working in marketing, sales, and product management for a variety of companies such as Lysol and Airwick. In 1987 he started his own private consultancy, R.W. Bankart & Associates, providing business planning and financial analysis in marketing. Bitten by wanderlust at an early age, he traveled extensively, seeking to visit every country in the world. He was deeply committed to his role as class correspondent for the Class of 1965, ending each of his columns in Colby Magazine with “Hail, Colby, Hail!” in honor of the college he loved. He leaves one brother.

Daniel C. Durgin ’65

July 11, 2021, in Scarborough, Maine, at 83. Originally with the Class of 1960, he left Colby in 1958, married, joined the military, and returned in 1964 to finish his coursework. He was a school administrator, serving first as a business manager and then as a superintendent in a four-town district in coastal New Hampshire from 1979 to 1994. He was a great collector of baseball cards, a loyal fan of Boston sports teams, and a serious poker player, a passion that took him regularly to Las Vegas. He leaves four children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a brother.

Bruce E. Hertz ’65

Oct. 30, 2021, in Bangor, Maine, at 78. He served in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps from 1965 to 1968 and then began a career in journalism. He started as a reporter for Maine’s Bangor Daily News and eventually became bureau chief for the town of Skowhegan. His passion for the theater, born at Colby, manifested itself through involvement with local theater groups, including the Cornville Players. Together with other thespians, he purchased Lakewood Theater in Madison, Maine, where he acted, directed, and produced more than 50 shows. Later, he acted and directed at Hallowell’s Gaslight Theater. He drew pleasure from reading, traveling, Broadway shows, dining out, movies, gardening, and watching birds. He leaves two children.

Grégoire R. Chabot ’66

April 26, 2021, in South Hampton, N.H., at 76. A Waterville-born Franco-American playwright, actor, and cultural advocate, he was an award-winning and prolific author of dozens of plays, essays, and short stories examining Franco-American life and language. He earned a master’s in French from the University of Maine, Orono, and was active with the university’s Franco-American Center while writing for its bilingual Farog Forum (Le Forum). He founded the theater company Du monde d’à côté (People Next Door) that performed his plays in France, Canada, New England, and Louisiana. He spoke at conventions and forums, helped new writers, and generally promoted New England Franco-Americans. He leaves two daughters and two granddaughters.

John “Skip” E. Harrington Jr. ’66

April 4, 2021, in Winterport, Maine, at 77. He earned his J.D. from the University of Maine Law School in 1969 and went on to a long and accomplished career in law. After working for a small firm in Southern Maine, he established his own practice in Bangor, serving his community and often taking pro bono cases. He served as president of the Winterport Historical Association for 10 years and also as board chair for Ohi, a disability services and support organization that helped his sister. He was also a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous, leading by example and helping others recover. He loved sailing on Maine’s Penobscot Bay, alpine skiing, horseback riding, and reading. Survivors include his partner, Judy Cuddy, two children, four granddaughters, a sister, and his former wife, Lydia Clark Hews ’66.

Francis “Frank” J. Carney ’67

May 23, 2021, in Lexington, Mass., at 75. He earned an M.B.A. from Columbia University in 1969, and after a short stint working for Xerox, he earned a master’s in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He moved his young family to Dublin, where he taught and conducted research at Trinity College, becoming a full professor and publishing articles on Irish economic history. Back in the U.S., he taught at Northeastern, then returned to business, working as a vice president for Moore Homes, developer of condominiums and homes, and eventually running the company until his retirement in 2010. He coached youth ice hockey, soccer, and Little League, loved running, and followed the stock market. He leaves his wife of 53 years, Patricia, two children, and seven grandchildren.

Roberta M. Kochi ’67

June 1, 2021, in Greenwich, Conn., at 75. Her career in banking spanned decades with positions in Chemical Bank, the Bank of New York, and Mellon Bank. She retired as a vice president for Putnam Bank in Greenwich, where she moved 20 years ago after previously living in her hometown of New York City. She played bridge and looked forward to the New York Times crossword puzzle. She leaves a brother and nieces and nephews.

George J. Markley ’67

Nov. 2, 2021, in Fairfield, Conn., at 75. A graduate of New York University Law School, he worked for a firm in Bridgeport for 20 years before starting his own practice in Fairfield, a community he loved and nurtured. His efforts to do good for others included volunteer work with Fairfield’s Rotary Club, Foundation for Education, high school PTA, and Holocaust Commemoration Committee. In Bridgeport, he mentored children in the public schools, was a leader in the Downtown Cabaret Theater, and was a board member of the Park City Hospital. Core to his being was his work for the Congregation B’nai Israel in Bridgeport, where he served as president. Later, he became regional president and North American board member for the Union for Reform Judaism. He also served as chair of the board at the URJ Eisner Camp. He leaves his wife of 51 years, Christine Nahabedian Markley ’70, a son, two grandchildren, and a brother.

E. Michael Caulfield ’68

Oct. 22, 2021, in Morristown, N.J., at 74. He entered the U.S. Army in 1969 and served as a first lieutenant for three years, earning a commendation medal for meritorious service. After earning an M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business in 1974, he went to work for Prudential Insurance Company, holding several executive positions and retiring in 2000 as executive vice president. Five years later, he became chief operating officer and president of Mercer Human Resource Consulting. A dedicated community volunteer, he served on the board of the Madison (N.J.) Area YMCA for many years and was instrumental in the planning, fundraising, and completion of several projects. At Colby, he was a member of the Board of Visitors followed by service on the Board of Trustees. In 1996, he was named trustee emeritus. A longtime parishioner of his church, he was also an avid reader and an active walker and jogger. Predeceased by his father, Thomas J. Caulfield ’28, he leaves his wife of 53 years, Helen, two sons, four grandchildren, and two sisters.

Susan Volpe Hely ’68

Aug. 14, 2021, in Needham, Mass., at 74. She earned an M.S.W. from Simmons Graduate School of Social Work and practiced as a clinical social worker for agencies such as Family Services of Greater Boston, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale, and the Clark House in Westwood. She devoted much of her life to caring for the elderly at these care homes, and she was an energetic and cheerful caretaker for her parents. She was active with her children’s schools, supported the local opera, was a booster of Needham’s Fourth of July celebrations, and was an enthusiastic participant in her book club. Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Charles Hely ’68, two children, and two brothers.

Robert L. Oldershaw ’69

Aug. 9, 2021, in Amherst, Mass., at 74. Following a brief stint in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to higher ed, earning degrees in chemistry and oceanography at the University of Washington, Seattle. He worked for several years at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, joining several ocean voyages. In 1976, he stumbled upon a possible successor to what he called “the ailing Big Bang cosmological paradigm” and put his energy toward exploring the theory of a self-similar universe, a niche field of astrophysics and cosmology. He lived purposefully, simply, and with gratitude, taking daily walks on local trails and picking up litter. He leaves his wife, Pat Wadsworth, two children, a grandson, and two brothers.

Lloyd C. Welken ’69

Oct. 5, 2021, in Easton, Pa., at 73. His decorated military career was born at Colby, where he was an ROTC cadet. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in 1969, completed pilot training, and flew the A-1 Skyraider in Southeast Asia 1971-72. He left active duty in 1978 and joined the Air Force reserves, flying numerous missions domestically and abroad. In 1997 he was honored to be part of an Air Force crew tasked with flying to Hanoi and repatriating the remains of fellow Vietnam veterans—the highlight of his military career, which ended in 2000 when he retired. His decorations include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, both with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He was also a flight engineer and first officer with Pan American Airlines as well as a DC-10 captain for World Airways. His wife, Joyce, a sister, and his beloved canine, Nelson, survive him.

Lee F. Doggett ’70

Sept. 9, 2021, in Boothbay, Maine, at 72. A marine biologist, she dedicated her career to the study and protection of the coast of Maine. In roles with the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Environmental Protection Agency, she influenced policy and science relating to Maine waters. In 1996 she was honored by the EPA for her “commitment and significant contribution to the environment” in regard to her work on the Casco Bay Estuary Project. She leaves extended family.

Elaine Treworgy Jacques ’70

April 3, 2021, in Auburn, Maine, at 72. She taught special education in the Waterford (Conn.) School District for many years before returning to Downeast Maine, where she grew up. In Machias, she and her then-husband were successful business owners of a pharmacy and home healthcare business. Later, she retired in Auburn. She leaves her only daughter, Jennifer Jacques, twin granddaughters, and two brothers.

Brenda Handelman Sidman ’70

June 12, 2021, in Scarborough, Maine, at 72. She worked primarily in payroll, first for Realvest in Vancouver, Wash., and then for TD Bank in Portland, Maine, retiring in 2019. She volunteered as a tutor for schools in Vancouver and Portland; she knitted, sewed, and baked; and she traveled when she could, most recently to the UK, Belgium, Spain, and Italy. Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Steven, three daughters, five grandchildren, and two brothers.

Andrea M. Solomon ’71

Aug. 10, 2021, in New York at 72. She earned a master’s in education from Columbia University’s Teachers College in 1975. She worked as a vocational training instructor, as a high school English teacher for special education students, and then as an educational consultant, all in New York City. She leaves her partner, Edmond Andreski.

David L. “Blinky” Melpignano ’72

July 20, 2021, in Groton, Mass., at 70. His first stop after Colby was the University of Bridgeport, where he earned an M.S. in educational media and technology in 1974. He went on to Boston University for a Ph.D. in the same field, finishing all but his dissertation. In 1984 he started a video production company, creating the country’s first large stock-footage library. He was also an educator, teaching Bridgewater State, Boston College, Boston University, and Worcester State. Described as having a creative intelligence, he had a passion for storytelling, was curious and mischievous, and taught others how to “think critically and approach every day like it was game day.” He also coached baseball and hockey. Two children and a grandson survive him.

Patricia R. Mustakangas ’72

May 28, 2021, in Syracuse, N.Y., at 71. With a concern for social justice and social programs, she spent her career as a case manager with the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services, retiring as a supervisor. She was also active in civic and church projects. A gifted musician who excelled in the French horn, she was a member of area orchestras and bands and even performed in local theater productions. Reading and traveling were sources of pleasure and culture. She leaves her companion and ex-husband, Ghulam Sabir, and extended family.

Randall G. Wieting ’72

April 13, 2021, in Kingston, Ontario, at 74. His Colby career was interrupted by the Vietnam War; he served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1970 and then returned to graduate from Colby. He became a renowned landscape designer and builder, working throughout New England and eastern Ontario. His award-winning gardens were featured in magazines and the focus of garden tours. He was also a regular exhibitor at the New England Flower & Garden Show. In 2011 he realized a dream when he opened a garden nursery and landscape business in Kingston; the dream was short-lived when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a disease that claimed his life. He leaves his wife, Loretta, and two children.

Margaret “Peggy” N. Barnes ’74

Jan. 2, 2022, in Charlottesville, Va., at 69. She earned an M.S.W. from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and also a specialist in aging certificate, working as a counselor, project manager, professor, and director at places such as Western Tidewater Health Center, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and the Center for Employment Training. She also owned MNB Consulting Firm, providing consulting to federal agencies such has HUD. She volunteered with community service organizations such as health fairs and voter registration, was active with political campaigns, and engaged deeply with her Episcopal church. Fluent in Spanish, she acted as her family’s Spanish interpreter. She leaves her mother and seven siblings, including Teresa Barnes ’75 and Rosa Barnes Bowe ’78.

Michelle Bernier Hatch ’75

May 15, 2021, in Littleton, Mass., at 68. For nearly 20 years, she worked in religious education, first as a coordinator at St. Anne Parish in Littleton and then as director at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Sudbury. She was a devout Catholic, a lover of history, and an avid reader; she enjoyed walking, swimming, canoeing, beachcombing, and camping; she embroidered and frequented museums. Predeceased by her parents, Albert L. ’50 and Shirley Fellows Bernier ’49, she leaves a large and loving family, the center of her life: her husband, Roger Hatch ’75; four children, including Rachel Hatch ’05; six siblings, including David Bernier ’79 and Margaret “Meg” Bernier Boyd ’81; and three grandchildren.

John H. Martis Jr. ’75

September 2021, in Florida at 68. He worked in management, first for LaVerdiere’s Drug Store and then for Sappi Fine Paper Company, both in Maine. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, received treatment, and, for a period, lived a life of adventure on his sailboat and RV. He leaves his wife, Sharon.

Bruce W. Rogers ’75

Oct. 14, 2021, in Phippsburg, Maine, at 68. An entrepreneur with drive and creativity, he founded Rogers Communications, an award-winning public relations firm, in 1988. Eleven years later, he founded Virtual, Inc., a professional services firm providing strategic advisory and execution services to technology consortia. Virtual was named three times to Inc. magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies. A standout athlete at Colby, he became an accomplished skier, swimmer, blackbelt, weightlifter, and golfer. He had a keen mind that his family reports remained strong even as he battled glioblastoma. Two sons and a sister survive him.

Mika Hornyak Hale ’77

July 6, 2021, in Newton, Mass. Passionate about art, classical music (violinist Isaac Stern was her maternal uncle), and travel, she put her studies in French and art to good use. She earned an M.B.A. at Northeastern University and worked as director of the corporate arts program at the deCordova Museum and as manager of product development for decorative arts and sculpture at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She cofounded Flatfile, an art consulting firm, and was also active with the Brookline Arts Center. She leaves a vast network of friends, including the Colby community, work colleagues, and others from time in London and France, where she had a vacation home. Predeceased in 2010 by her husband, Sterling, she leaves their son and a brother.

Mark J. Murphy ’78

July 20, 2021, in Port Clyde, Maine, at 65. He was co-owner of M & G Associates in Connecticut and later worked as general manager of H.M. Spencer in Holyoke, Mass. In 2019 he retired to Maine. He was a devoted dog lover known for his dry wit and acts of kindness. He leaves his wife, Susan, and three brothers.

Theanna Poulos Pateropoulos ’78

Sept. 11, 2021, in Scarborough, Maine, at 67. After Colby, she established a career in journalism in Maine, first as a reporter for the WGAN morning radio show and later as a reporter for WCSH 6. She took great pride in her 30-plus years of sobriety and in earning her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Alliant University in San Francisco at age 65. She completed her internship and residency at Veterans Affairs in Augusta, Maine, treating veterans with PTSD. Her career there was cut short when she was diagnosed with ALS. She leaves her daughter, Sarah Hinman Newcomb, and a brother.

Amy Page Oberg ’80

May 14, 2021, in Barrington, R.I., at 62. A lawyer by training—she earned a J.D. from New England School of Law in 1995—she practiced law in the Providence area for 15 years before her retirement. She was also a proud and happy mother who was involved with the Barrington School Committee and the Bayside YMCA, where she served as chair of the board. She devoted time to pro bono law work and volunteered in her community. Survivors include her husband, David, five children, 11 grandchildren, and two sisters.

Renee Ross Nadler ’81

Aug. 30, 2021, in Acton, Mass., at 62. A lover of travel, books, and tennis, she was known for her thoughtfulness and inner strength. After earning an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at NYU in 1987, she built a distinguished career in finance in New York and Boston. She retired in 2017 from Tufts University, where she spent 14 years helping grow the university’s endowment through her management and oversight. She found great satisfaction as a mentor to young associates and interns. She leaves her husband, Dave, their cherished parrot, Rupert, and a brother.

Lauren Hampton Rice ’81

Jan. 3, 2022, in North Yarmouth, Maine, at 62. Her involvement with Frontier Nursing Services while at Colby exposed her to poverty and lack of medical care, influencing her career in health care delivery and administration. She went on to work in senior management positions for Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services and at Martin’s Point Health Care. She also volunteered serving meals at Portland’s Preble Street and was a board member of Brunswick’s Oasis Free Clinics, a no-cost primary care and dental clinic. Sailing on Casco Bay brought her great joy, and she made nautical adventures the core of family activity. Her four-year battle with cancer did not weaken the embrace of family or friends nor did it smother her spirit. She leaves her parents, Richard and Eugenie Hahlbohm Hampton ’55; her husband, David; a son and granddaughter; and two brothers, including Peter Hampton ’80.

John S. Munsey ’83

July 3, 2021, in Burnt Hills, N.Y., at 60. After Colby, he went to Texas A&M University, where he earned a B.S. in geology followed by an M.S. in engineering geology. He became an environmental hydrogeologist with expertise in solid waste management. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Wright Munsey, and two children.

Brian A. James ’85

Feb. 12, 2021, in San Francisco, Calif., at 57. His career interests included marketing, corporate communications, finance, and public/investor relations, and he worked for firms in Maine, New York, Minnesota, and California. He was an advocate for mental health, LGBTQIA+ rights, and animal rescue while being open about his own addiction and recovery. He loved to read, discuss current topics, travel, and cook for friends. He leaves a sister, extended family, and three cats.

Nancy M. Munro ’88

Sept. 27, 2019, in Walpole, Mass., at 53. She earned an R.N. degree from the New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing and went on to work in orthopedic rehabilitation. She leaves a daughter, her mother, and several siblings.

William A. Siebert ’89

Aug. 1, 2020, in Teaticket, Mass., at 54. After Colby, he spent time in Europe, traveling to 10 countries. Back in the U.S., he worked as an environmental chemist for two years before finding employment at Cape Cod Healthcare, where staff witnessed and received his warmth and caring personality. He enjoyed walks and bike rides, loved reading and music, and was a faithful Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. His mother and two siblings survive him.

Patrick M. Mannix ’93

June 27, 2021, in Hanover, Md, at 50. His work life centered around improving the lives of disabled Americans, culminating in the role of chief of staff in the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor. Described as possessing an old-school patriotism and being proud of his Irish heritage, he loved the ocean and made Christmas special for his family every year. He was also a devoted Roman Catholic. He leaves his mother and three brothers.

Mary S. Bierwirth ’04

Sept. 16, 2021, in Portland, Ore., at 39. A geologist and educator, she worked in Portland as a soil instructor at an outdoor school and as a middle school instructor at an environmental school. She also taught math in Fairfax County, Va. In 2011 she earned a master’s in teaching from Lewis and Clark College. Family described her as an exuberant swimmer and dancer. She leaves her parents, a brother, a beloved grandmother, and two yellow labs.

Christina Andaya Ram ’05

Aug. 30, 2021, in Old Bridge, N.J., at 37. In the 15 years since she graduated from Colby, she established a career as a researcher in genetics, cancer treatment, and drug discovery and later shifted to environmental study and remediation. A published author of multiple papers, she most recently worked for Aptim’s Biotechnology Development and Applications Group. With a mission of making the world a better place, she’d say, “science never sleeps!” High on her list of passions was travel, including to destinations in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe. She passed away from cancer surrounded by loved ones. Survivors include her husband and soulmate, Arjun, her parents, a sister, and fur baby Mason.

Arya J. Mortazavi ’14

Aug. 18, 2021, in Potomac, Md., at 29. He worked various jobs in marketing and management consulting, most recently with the Althing Group. Survivors include his parents.

Sheila McCarthy

Jan. 11, 2022, in Ithaca, N.Y., at 79. An associate professor of Russian, emerita, she championed citizen diplomacy between Americans and Russians. She came to Colby in 1987 from Iowa’s Grinnell College, where she had taught Russian language and literature for 16 years, earning tenure there. A scholar of Russian literature and modernism with a near-fluent command of Russian, she was an exceptional teacher possessing a deep capacity to care for students. She played a key role in bringing Russian exchange students to Colby, and she was instrumental in establishing, in 1991, the Colby in St. Petersburg program. She built and sustained intercultural programs, including the Russian Sampler event for area middle schoolers and the Kotlas-Waterville Area Sister City Connection. She was predeceased by her husband, Clifford E. Reid, the Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics, Emeritus, who died just two months prior. Survivors include their son, Matthew Reid, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Clifford E. Reid

Nov. 6, 2021, in Waterville, Maine, at 76. Colby’s Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics, Emeritus, he came to Colby from Grinnell College in Iowa in 1987 and for 22 years had a profound impact on colleagues and students alike. His scholarship focused on discrimination in American life, particularly in housing, employment, and wages. He also studied voting behavior in the U.S. Congress and public finance. He authored numerous published papers, many of which focused on racial discrimination, refereed professional journals, and served on professional economic advisory panels. He also wrote multiple-choice questions for the economics section of the GRE. At Colby, he chaired the Economics Department from 1995 to 1997 and was a member of the Ralph J. Bunche Selection Committee. His wife, Sheila McCarthy, Colby’s associate professor of Russian studies, emerita, passed away two months after he did. Reid leaves their son, Matthew Reid, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Lawrence McQuade

Dec. 21, 2020, in Nantucket, Mass., at 93. He served on the Colby Board of Trustees from 1981 to 1989, when he was named a trustee emeritus. A lawyer, statesman, and businessman, he joined the Kennedy Administration, serving as assistant to then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Nitze, and the Johnson Administration, working as assistant secretary of commerce for domestic and international trade. He later became CEO of Procon, a builder of oil refineries around the world, vice chairman of Prudential Mutual Funds, and cofounder of River Capital International, a venture capital fund focused on investments in Russia. He leaves his wife, Margaret Osmer McQuade, a son, and a grandson.