Alumni Obituaries: 1930's
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1931
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Lyndell Emma Smith Arsenault,
98, from Portland, Maine, on December 20, 2006. B.A. in English and a member
of Pi Beta Phi sorority and Der Deutsche Verein. She taught high school
English in Maine schools for five years before moving to Connecticut
following World War II. She taught for 20 years in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
She was a member of the National Retired Teachers’ Association, Connecticut
Retired Teachers’ Association, and the Women’s Literary Union of Portland.
She enjoyed reading, writing, storytelling, was proficient in Latin, French,
and German, and later in life learned Spanish. In 1973 she retired to
Cousins Island, Maine. She is survived by her son, John ’62; three
grandsons, and two great-grandchildren.
George “Smitty” Algernon Smith,
97, of Clearwater,
Florida, on February 8, 2005. B.S. in mechanical engineering and a member of
Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He worked for Gulf Oil Corporation for 40 years,
retiring as a supervisor of transportation. He was active in the University
of Maine Alumni Association. Survivors include three grandsons and several
great-grandchildren.
1932
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Mary Morton Soule Bateman,
97, of Woolwich, Maine, on August 15, 2007. Attended 1928 to 1930. She later
earned a degree from Emerson College and taught school for many years. She
began in Machias, and later taught at Cony High School in Augusta, and at
Gould Academy. She also taught in Texas, Connecticut, and Massachusetts,
retiring from Wellesley High School in 1969. She was a member of the
National Grange, Eastern Star in Bethel, Wiscasset American Legion, and a
founding member of the Woolwich Historical Society. Survivors include her
daughter, twin grandsons, and a great-granddaughter.
Eleanor “Nicky” Clark Meacham Jenks,
98, from Vernon, Connecticut, on October 21, 2007. B.A. in education and a
member of Chi Omega sorority, Maine Christian Association, Maine Outing
Club, Rifle Club, Maine Masque, the honor society Sigma Mu Sigma, played
freshman field hockey, and was the society editor for the Campus. She
was employed for many years as an executive secretary for Lever Brothers in
Boston and after retirement enjoyed reading, golf, traveling, and bowling.
She was past president of the Tolland Library Association, secretary of the
Tolland Historical Association, a charter member of the DAR, and sang as a
soloist and in the choir at the United Congregational Church of Tolland. She
is survived by four children, eight grandchildren, and two
great-grandchildren.
Charlene Wilhelmina Peterson Sandstrom McIntire,
90, of Presque Isle and Florida, on November 24, 2007. Honorary degree
recipient. She worked as an interior-decorator consultant at Sears and
Roebuck department store in Presque Isle for 32 years. She enjoyed
traveling, camping, and canoeing, having made the Allagash canoeing trip 10
times. She and her late husband, Smith ’32, ministered to many of the senior
citizen and nursing home groups, as she accompanied them on the piano or
accordion, and they sang hymns together. With Smith, she was a loyal
supporter of the University of Maine. Raised in New Sweden, she was proud of
her Swedish heritage, and belonged to the New Sweden Historical Society.
Survivors include her son, stepdaughter Nancy Todd ’64, ’98G, brother,
grandchildren, and step grandchildren.
1933
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Arthur Albert Francis Brown,
75, of Washington, D.C., on March 25, 1999. B.S. in mathematics and a member
of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was literary editor of the Prism,
played basketball, and participated in track and wrestling. He was the
University of Maine’s first Rhodes Scholar, studying math at Oxford, and
subsequently earned a doctorate from Princeton in 1940. From 1942 to 1952 he
worked in naval research. He joined Arthur D. Little Company and later
worked in industrial research and management consulting. He became manager
of the research project analysis section of General Electric’s appliance
services department.
Helen Berniece Osgood Ripple,
95, from West Hartford, Connecticut, on August 23, 2007. B.A. in speech and
a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She was employed with Traveler’s
Insurance Company before becoming a full-time homemaker. She enjoyed
needlework, gardening, music, and dancing. She is survived by three children
including Ezra ’69 and Linda Ripple Morin ’73, five grandchildren, and six
great-grandchildren.
Frank Warren Webb,
82, from Brunswick, Maine, on February 16, 1992. Attended from 1929 until
1931 and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He was the owner/operator of Mere
Point Boat Yard.
Freeman George Webb,
96, from Corinna, Maine, on November 1, 2007. B.S. in agricultural education
and a member of Theta Chi fraternity, track team, Sophomore Owls, and Senior
Skulls. He was captain of the 1933 track team, was the Maine Intercollegiate
Track & Field pole vault champion in 1931, 1932, and 1933, setting a record
each year. He also placed second all three years in the high jump. In 1932
he tied for third in the Olympic Trials for pole vaulting. He was a veteran
of World War II serving in the Army in Korea. He was employed as a manager
of Moosehead Woolen Mills and later when he moved to Florida, owned and
operated a small motel in St. Petersburg Beach. While in Florida he was
instrumental in organizing the St. Petersburg Alumni Club and served as its
vice president and president. He served as president of his class for many
years. In 1973 he received the Block “M” Award and in 1984 received the
Black Bear Award, both from the University of Maine Alumni Association for
his dedication to the university. He established the Freeman ’33 & Mary C.
Webb Track Scholarship Fund with the University of Maine Foundation. He
enjoyed fishing, golf, playing cards, and story telling. He was a member of
the Corinna United Methodist Church, Masons, Shrine, and the American
Legion. He is survived by one daughter, three grandchildren including
Elizabeth Satterfield Simcock ’94, and five great-grandchildren.
Eleanor “Babe” DeAlbra West Yerxa,
94, of Falmouth, Maine, on November 21, 2007. B.A. in economics
and sociology and a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, Spanish Club,
Sophomore Eagles, and All Maine Women. She played soccer, basketball, and
volleyball and was on the champion women’s field hockey team in 1933. She
was assistant executive director of the Kennebec Girl Scouts Council in
Southwestern Maine for 12 years. She lived in South Portland for many years,
moving to Falmouth in 1967. She received the Black Bear Award from the
University of Maine Alumni Association in 1978, was involved in the College
Club of Portland, Osewantha Garden Club, and was grand officer of the
Longfellow Chapter of the Eastern Star. Survivors include her children
Richard ’59, Dorothy Yerxa Woodbury ’63, and Joan Yerxa Patterson ’67, nine
grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, brother Clifford ’43, and sister
Leona Clukey ’36.
1934
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Burton Anderson,
96, of Gorham, Maine, on August 12, 2007. Attended in 1933 and graduated
from Gorham Normal School. He was employed at the Auburn Post Office for 38
years, retiring as assistant postmaster. He was affiliated with a number of
Masonic lodges, served as treasurer of the Buxton Lodge for 20 years, and
led Boy Scouts in the Lewiston and Auburn area for more than 20 years. He
enjoyed sports, gardening, reading, construction, and cribbage. Survivors
include his son, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Kenneth “Ken” Sharrock Cleaves,
95, from South Portland, Maine, on November 16, 2007. B.S. in civil
engineering and a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity and the Civil
Engineering Club. He began employment with the Army Corps of Engineers in
1935, building dams and air bases in New England. In 1947 he joined Warren
Brothers Roads Company as a survey engineer in the Portland area and
eventually became regional vice president of New England, New York, New
Jersey, and Delaware. He retired in 1978 and turned his energy to the
service of the poor and hungry. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels,
Literacy Volunteers at the Maine Youth Center, Project Feed, West End
Pantry, Hand to Hand, and the Portland West Neighborhood Planning Council.
In 1983 he founded St. Luke’s Soup Kitchen to provide weekend meals to those
in need. In 1992 he received the Jefferson Award from the American Institute
for Public Service for this work. He was a member of St. Luke’s Cathedral
for 48 years where he served as vestry member, senior warden, and also
served as trustee of the Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Maine. He is
survived by three children, eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and
two great-great-grandchildren.
Kenneth “Ken” Landmaid Parsons,
95, from Old Town, Maine,
on September 28, 2007. B.S. in electrical engineering, M.S. in electrical
engineering in 1959, and a member of Phi Eta Kappa fraternity, American
Institute of Electrical Engineers, Electrical Club, Rifle Team, and track
team. After graduating in 1934 he was employed with Penobscot Chemical Fibre
Company in Old Town and with Jordan Lumber Company selling caskets. At the
beginning of World War II he was asked to teach electronics at the
University of Maine and also at Harvard. He was offered a position at Los
Alamos but decided to return to Maine and resumed his teaching position.
While teaching, he also worked summers for AJ Harriman and later at Electric
Boat helping to develop their sonar program. He and a friend organized a
consulting firm which was located out of his son’s home. He was promoted to
associate professor of electrical engineering and later professor. He
retired in 1990 as professor emeritus. In the 1960s he experimented with
trying to cure elm trees suffering from Dutch elm disease. He is survived by
son Stuart ’62.
Eleanor Estes Grinnell Thomas,
95, from Garland, Maine, on September 18, 2007. B.A. in mathematics and a
member of Kappa Psi sorority, Math Club, and Rifle Team. She was a full-time
homemaker, raising six children. She had a large garden and her vegetables
were sold from Dexter to Rockwood, Maine. She was a member of the Dexter
Methodist Church, Garland Grange, and Garland Extension Group. She is
survived by five children including Allan ’80 and Priscilla Thomas Harding
’69, 10 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
1935
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Ira Joseph Packard,
97, from Searsmont, Maine, on November 17, 2007. B.S. in dairy husbandry and
a member of the honor society Alpha Zeta and the Rifle Team. For five years
after graduation he taught vocational agriculture at Machias High School
before owning and operating the dairy farm, Riverside Farm. He was a life
member of the Searsmont United Methodist Church and served as a trustee. He
was a 76-year member of the Masons, a 35-year member of the Dirigo Grange, a
35-year member and former chairman of the Agricultural Stabilization &
Conservation Service, former president of the Waldo County Extension
Service, and a 35-year member of the Country View Golf Club. He enjoyed
golf, fishing, gardening, and traveling. He is survived by nieces and
nephews.
1936
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James “Jim” Wilder Haggett,
93, from Mashpee, Massachusetts, on October 30, 2007. B.S. in engineering
and a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Rifle Team, Winter Sports Team,
Student Senate, Maine Outing Club, and served as advertising manager for the
Maine Masque and Maine Campus. He was co owner, with his brother, of
Haggett Engineering, a distributor of refrigeration equipment to grocery
stores throughout New England. He enjoyed golf, was a longtime member of the
Wellesley Country Club, and was a founding member of the Broomstones Curling
Club in Wayland. He also enjoyed fishing, sailing, and gardening and for
many years planted daffodils throughout Mashpee. He was a longtime member of
the Wellesley Congregational Church. He is survived by two children and two
grandchildren.
Glen Willard Torrey,
91, from Poland, Maine, on September 4, 2007. B.S. in dairy technology and a
member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Agricultural Club, Intramural Athletic
Association, and the honor society Alpha Zeta. After graduation he was
employed with H.P. Hood & Sons as a milk plant foreman for seven years in
various milk plants until he enlisted in the Navy. He was a veteran of World
War II serving in the Navy from 1945 until 1946. After the war he joined his
father in the family dairy and poultry business in Auburn, Maine. He was
active in many agricultural groups including the 4-H, Twin County Extension,
Maine Farm Bureau, and served many years with the Soil and Water
Conservation District. In 1974 he was elected to the Maine Legislature and
served three consecutive terms. He served many civic organizations including
the Poland Community Club and Poland Historical Society. He enjoyed
following sports events and traveling. He is survived by his wife of 66
years, four children including John ’72, 12 grandchildren, and seven
great-grandchildren.
1937
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Loomis Dudley Ashby,
93, from Presque Isle, Maine, on September 24, 2007. Attended from 1933
until 1934. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army and was
stationed in Panama. He was employed with the Maine Public Service Company
repairing engines on power dams. He was the first pilot for the Maine Forest
Fore Watch. He was an avid outdoorsman and worked as a guide. He enjoyed
reading, traveling, and spending time in the northern Maine woods. He is
survived by three generations of nieces and nephews.
Marjorie “Marge” MacKinnon DeWick,
93, from Woolwich, Maine, on December 1, 2007. B.A. in Latin and a member of
All Maine Women, Sophomore Eagles, and the honor societies Phi Beta Kappa
and Phi Kappa Phi. She was a full-time homemaker, raising three children.
She enjoyed traveling, was active in the Woolwich Historical Society, and
was a member of the Grace Episcopal Church of Bath. She enjoyed cookouts,
reading the New Yorker, and bird watching. She is survived by three
children including Stephen ’63, six grandchildren including Catherine DeWick
Johnson ’89 and Jonathan DeWick ’93, and six great-grandchildren.
Jerome Adolphus Emerson,
91, of Corinna, Maine, on August 21, 2007. Attended 1933-1935. He was a
self-employed poultry farmer for 36 years. He served as a selectman or
assessor for the town of Corinna from 1937 to 1956. He was a member of the
Parian Masonic Lodge for more than 55 years, and a member of Anah Shrine
since 1954. He began his legislative service in 1952. In 1978 he was elected
to the Maine Senate, where he served for the next 14 years. He joined the
Maine Farm Bureau in 1954 and served as president for 11 years. He served on
numerous other agricultural and civic boards, including the Page Farm and
Home Museum, where he received the Volunteer of the Year Award. He is
survived by his daughter.
Ruth Kimball Holmes Gray,
91, of Saco, Maine, on August 18, 2007. Attended 1933 to 1935 and was
captain of the women’s basketball team in 1935. She worked for many years as
an assistant dietitian at Webber Hospital in Biddeford, retiring in 1978.
She was an avid baseball fan, enjoyed lively political discussions, and was
fond of music and dancing. She enjoyed visiting her children and
grandchildren. Survivors include a son and three daughters, 24
grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and twin great-great-granddaughters.
Henry “Hen” True Lowell Jr.,
92, from Sun City, Arizona, on October 13, 2007. B.S. in electrical
engineering and a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers
and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where he served as house manager and
treasurer. Although he graduated in 1938 he wished to affiliate with the
Class of 1937. In 1938 he began employment with Westinghouse Electric in the
graduate student training program. He then worked in New York and Boston. In
1942 he joined Naval Intelligence and spent 14 months at the Navy Yard in
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He requested submarine duty which brought him to
Groton, Connecticut, where he deployed in 1943 for the southwest Pacific.
After tours of duty on the USS Angler and USS Gurnard he
returned to the States in 1945 and returned to Westinghouse. After 21 years
with Westinghouse he began employment with Sperry Products as sales manager,
directing all sales activities for the company’s railroad services and
manufactured products. In the late 1960s he moved to the Detroit, Michigan,
area and formed the distributing company, H. Lowell Company. He enjoyed
fishing, skiing, traveling, sailing, golf, lapidary, and volunteered at the
local hospital. He was the father of two children and grandfather of one.
George Seth Williams,
Jr., 92, from Falmouth, Maine, on October 30, 2007. B.S. in
mechanical engineering and a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After
graduation he was employed with Babcock & Wilcox in Ohio until he was called
into active duty. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army from
1942 until 1946, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1945 he was
awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Germany. After the war he was
employed with Fels Company as a mechanical engineer/contractor and later
became principal owner of the business, retiring in 1984. He enjoyed sailing
and building small wooden boats. He is survived by his wife of 64 years,
sons George ’70 and Thomas ’69, one grandson, and one great-granddaughter.
1938
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Marian “Mary Jane” Jane Moan Sanford,
90, from Branford, Connecticut, on October 3, 2007. B.S. in education, M.Ed.
in 1954. She graduated from Washington State Normal School in 1937 and spent
one year teaching seventh and eighth grades and coaching public speaking and
dramatics at Danforth High School. She then taught English and continued her
coaching at Brewer High School. In the early 1950s she was a supervising
teacher at Washington State Normal School and in 1954 moved to Connecticut
and became an elementary school principal in West Hartford. She retired from
Smith and Charter Oak Schools in 1977. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma
Honorary Society. She is survived by one son and two grandchildren.
1939
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Mary Bowler Engelbert,
88, from Rochester, Minnesota, on December 27, 2005. Attended from 1935
until 1937 and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.
Helen Virginia Twombly Severance,
81, from Kennebunkport, Maine, on March 23, 1998. Attended from 1935 until
1936. She was the owner/operator of the Seaside House, guest cottages and
private beach club, at Gooch’s Beach in Kennebunk. She is survived by her
son Michael ’65.
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