Alumni Obituaries: 1940's
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Robert Tristram Coffin,
90, from Brunswick, Maine, on January 12, 2007. B.A. in economics and a
member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was a veteran of World War II
serving in the Army from 1941 until 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star and
a Purple Heart for wounds received in France. After the war he graduated
from Boston University with a law degree. He practiced law in Brunswick for
50 years and in the 1970s served as attorney for Cumberland County. He was a
member of the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and Brunswick
Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, four children, and
many grandchildren.
Alvah “Pang” Edward Pangburn,
92, of Caribou, Maine, on November 21, 2007. B.S. in agronomy and a member
of Phi Eta Kappa fraternity. He played football and intramural sports, was a
member of Alpha Zeta honor society, “M” Club, and Pale Blue Key. He and his
wife lived in New York for a brief period before returning to Caribou. He
became a self-employed potato farmer and also worked at the Farmers Home
Administration for 23 years. He belonged to Gray Memorial United Methodist
Church and served as a Cub Scout leader. Active in his community, he
operated the local skating rink and the ski tow for many years. He was a
57-year member of the Caribou Rotary Club, where he had perfect attendance
for 50 years, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He enjoyed fishing, square
dancing, the Red Sox, and golf. Survivors include his three sons Garry ’66,
Alan ’72, and Paul ’71, eight grandchildren including Scott ’97, six
great-grandchildren, four great-step grandchildren, and sister.
Richard Miles Sawyer,
90, from Silver Spring, Maryland, and Little Diamond Island, Maine, on
September 3, 2007. B.S. in mechanical engineering and a member of Phi Mu
Delta fraternity, the honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi, and
played intramural sports. He began employment with the Department of the
Navy as an ordnance engineer during World War II designing guns and gun
mounts. He retired in 1974 as the technical director of the armament
division of the Naval Air Systems Command. After retirement he taught math
in evening classes for people obtaining their high school degree. He was a
member of the Woodfords Congregational Church in Portland and the Christ
Congregational Church in Maryland where he served as deacon, steward, and
Sunday school teacher. He enjoyed photography, boating, classical music, and
cabinet making. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, three daughters, and
three grandchildren.
1941
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Walter “Goose” Wadsworth Gosline,
88, of Fort Myers, Florida, and Gardiner on August 9, 2007. B.A. in business
administration and a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, French Club,
Intramural Athletic Association treasurer, and played football. He worked
in the insurance industry and founded Gosline-Murchie Insurance Agency of
Gardiner. He was an agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. He served
as trustee for Gardiner Savings Bank for 33 years, 17 years as chairman of
the board. He was president of the Gardiner Rotary and served on boards of
Vestry Christ Church Episcopal, Gardiner General Hospital, Gardiner school
board, and the United Way. He enjoyed golf and reading. Survivors include
his two sons, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two
great-great-grandsons, and four siblings including Norman ’57.
Miriam “Mim” Goodwin Hamilton,
88, from Bridgton, Maine, on November 23, 2006. B.S. in education and a
member of Maine Masque. After graduation she taught dramatics and English at
House in the Pines Junior College in Norton, Massachusetts. In 1942 she was
appointed to the English, speech, and drama department at Wheaton College in
Norton, Massachusetts. In the early 1950s she was director of properties and
programs at Marblehead Playhouse and in the mid 1950s was self-employed as a
real estate agent in Bridgton, Maine. In 1954 she began a free ski school in
Bridgton where children from three towns came to learn to ski. She
volunteered in an art gallery, golf pro shop, and at Bridgton Library. After
retirement she spent winters in Punta Gorda, Florida, and summers in
Bridgton. She was the mother of two children and grandmother of five.
Walter “Hooky” Allan Hook,
90, from Middletown, New Jersey, on June 16, 2007. B.S. in civil engineering
and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Civil Club, played intramural sports,
tennis, and ran track his freshman year. He was a veteran of World War II
serving in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1943 until 1946 and participated
in the Normandy Invasion, Omaha Beach; and battles in northern France,
Rhineland, and Ardennes. While in England he designed decoy planes used to
confuse the Germans as to where the actual invasions were to take place. In
1999 he was presented a medal from the French government for his
participation in the liberation of France. After the war he was employed
with Medcalf & Eddy in Boston as a civil engineer, working on the ice cap in
Greenland and later worked as a senior engineer for Western Electric. In
1984 he retired from Bell Telephone as a structural engineer. He was scout
master with the Boy Scouts for many years, and a member of the Fair Haven
Lions Club, Beacon Hill Country Club, and Christian Science Church. He
enjoyed golf, bird watching, reading historical novels, traveling, and
church work. He is survived by his wife, three children including Allan ’76,
13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three step daughters.
Robert “Bob” E. Johnston,
87, of Melbourne, Florida, and Gouverneur, New York, on July 25, 2007. B.S.
in agricultural economics and farm management and a member of Phi Eta Kappa
fraternity, Agriculture Club, played football and baseball, and was on the
Prism board. Although he graduated in 1947 he wished to affiliate
with the Class of 1941. During World War II he was employed from 1941 until
1944 in an aircraft plant. He taught and coached at the high school in
Mapleton, Maine, for 17 years before relocating to Gouverneur, New York,
where he led the agriculture and industrial arts departments at that high
school for 19 years. He belonged to civic and fraternal organizations in
both Mapleton and Gouverneur and the First United Methodist Church. He
enjoyed choral music, and sang with a quartet and choruses in New York and
Florida. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, two children including
Timothy ’71, two siblings including Edward ’53, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren.
William Frederick Mussenden,
85, of Topsham, Maine, on November 13, 2004. Attended 1937-1939 and a member
of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He worked in finance at Bath Iron Works, and
served on the Maine Republican Finance Committee. He was the father of three
sons including Edward ’70.
Donald “Don” Ralph Sprague,
90, from Avon, Connecticut, on August 11, 2007. B.S. in education, M.Ed. in
1950, and a member of the Education Club. He was a veteran of World War II
serving in the Army Air Force, spending most of his time in England and
France. After the war he began his teaching career in Solon, Maine, where he
was teacher, principal, and head varsity basketball coach. He then became a
guidance counselor and head baseball and basketball coach at Thomaston High
School. In 1948 he moved to Connecticut and began a 26-year career in the
Farmington school system as a teacher, guidance counselor, and guidance
director. He was a skilled carpenter working on the building of both his
home and retirement home and constructed in-ground pools at both locations.
After retirement he operated a tree farm on his property and helped friends
and neighbors with carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and other home
maintenance problems. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, two sons, four
grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
1942
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Virginia “Ginny” Weston Bradford,
89, from Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, on August 31, 2007. B.S. in French and a
member of Women’s Athletic Association, “M” Club, Home Economics Club, Le
Cercle Francais, chorus, and played basketball, field hockey, and volleyball
all four years, serving as basketball captain her sophomore year. After
graduation she taught in South Paris and Orono, Maine. She raised three
children and was a part-time teacher in Dover-Foxcroft. She retired from
teaching at Foxcroft Academy in 1982. She was a member of the Maine Retired
Teachers Association, Foxcroft Academy band boosters, co-chaired the Maine
All-State Music Festival, was a founder and charter member of the Junior
Cosmopolitan Club, and played organ at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic
Church. She enjoyed traveling the coast of Maine, bird watching, rose
gardening, and going to the horse races. She is survived by her husband of
62 years, three children, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Dorothy “Dot” Lois Warren Crane,
87, from Milbridge, Maine, on September 13, 2007. B.A. in American
literature and history and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, Sophomore
Eagles, and the YWCA. During World War II she worked at Eastern Maine
Medical Center and taught at Washington Academy. She later was employed as a
bank teller at Union Trust Bank in Milbridge. She was a 4-H leader and
enjoyed teaching girls to sew and knit. She is survived by two daughters
including Betsey Crane ’78, five grandchildren, and four
great-grandchildren.
Howard “Howie” Clifford DeShon,
87, from Perry, Maine, on September 12, 2007.
B.S.
in electrical engineering and a member of Phi Eta Kappa fraternity, tennis
team, Tennis Club, “M” Club, band, orchestra, Radio Club, American Institute
of Electrical Engineers, and worked on the Maine Campus. He obtained
his M.S. in math/physics in 1957 from Northeastern University. He was
employed in design and processing of semiconductors with Westinghouse,
Raytheon, General Instrument, and Teledyne, retiring in 1982. He was a
member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the
American Physical Society, Old South Congregational Church, Pequossette
Lodge, and the University of Maine Alumni Association. He enjoyed tennis,
golf, fishing, and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Muriel McLellan
DeShon ’55G.
Edward Anson Henderson,
86, of Beverly Hills, Florida, on August 10, 2007. B.S. in civil engineering
and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He served as a radar officer on a Navy
destroyer during World War II and remained in the Naval Reserves until 1965.
In 1947 he earned a M.S. from Purdue University. He worked for the Army
Corps of Engineers and New Jersey Highway Department. He was a partner and
vice president of Goodkind and O’Dea Consulting Engineers, and his work took
him to Jamaica, Costa Rica, Bolivia, and other places. Upon retirement, he
enjoyed fishing and playing cards. Survivors include his wife of 65 years,
two daughters, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
1943
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Albert Robert Blacky,
87, from Waterford, Connecticut, on September 13, 2006. Attended from 1939
until 1940.
Howard “Howie” Alvah Crosby,
86, from Hermon and Bangor, Maine, on August 25, 2007. B.S. in electrical
engineering, M.S. in electrical engineering in 1959, and a member of Theta
Chi fraternity and the Glee Club. He was a veteran of World War II serving
in the Army. He was employed at the University of Maine as a professor of
electrical engineering for 34 years, retiring as a professor emeritus in
1980. He and his wife also owned and operated Hermon Motor Court. After
retirement they founded Crosby Gardens and Arboretum, practicing
environmentally friendly gardening and land preservation techniques. In 2001
they donated their home and 91 acres to ECOTAT Trust, enabling the public to
enjoy the beauty of the many gardens, trails, and wildlife habitat located
on the land. The 11-room home includes the Mary Blethen Memorial Library. He
and his wife enjoyed 20 years of square dancing, and made many friends
through the Maine and American rock garden societies, the American Iris
Society, and the Bangor Nature Club. He was an active member and past
president of the Maine Society of Professional Engineers. He is survived by
five children: Herbert ’69, Lewis ’75, Thomas ’75, Janet Crosby Carey ’74,
’78G, and Carol Crosby Varney ’77, and six grandchildren including Heidi
Crosby Becker ’03 and Amy Crosby ’06.
William Bert Gorham,
83, from Manor, Texas, on February 18, 2004. Attended from 1939 until 1941
and a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was a veteran of World War
II serving in the Navy from 1942 until 1945. After the war he was employed
with Prudential Insurance as a life insurance agent and later with General
Dynamics as a design engineer. He was the father of two children.
Robert “Jenk” Dunlap Jenkins,
86, from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 2007. B.S. in chemical
engineering and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Maine Outing Club, Pack &
Pine, Scabbard & Blade, “M” Club, indoor and outdoor track teams, the honor
societies Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi, and Alpha Chi Sigma, and served as
section editor of the Prism junior year. He was a veteran of World
War II serving in the Army from 1943 until 1946. In 1948 he received his
M.S. from M.I.T. He began employment with Proctor & Gamble, moving from
Boston to Cincinnati in 1950 and settling in Terrace Park, Ohio, for 35
years. He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ohio. In 1985 he
retired to Tenants Harbor, Maine, and was a member of the Episcopal Church
of St. John Baptist in Thomaston. When his wife’s health began to fail they
moved to Pennsylvania. He volunteered with the Scouts, Habitat for Humanity,
Cambodian family resettlement, and the fire department. He is survived by
three children and five grandchildren.
Henry “Bud” Grant Leonard, Jr.,
88, from Norway, Maine, on October 6, 2007. B.S. in forestry and a member of
Phi Mu Delta fraternity, Forestry Club, Maine Outing Club, Maine Christian
Association, Maine Day Committee, Scabbard & Blade, was the editor of
Maine Forester, a cheerleader, and played baseball and intramural
sports. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army from 1943 until
1946. He was awarded three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star and was a
prisoner of war. He was owner/operator of Ayers & Seely coal and lumber
business in New Jersey and later Motor Coach Touring Company in
Pennsylvania. He served as New Jersey bridge commissioner and served three
terms as mayor in Andover Township, New Jersey. He enjoyed traveling,
collecting and restoring antique buses, refinishing furniture, and was a
member of the American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and Masons.
He is survived by his wife, four children, three granddaughters, and sister
Kate Leonard Attwill ’43.
Barbara “Barbie” Bean Strohmeyer,
83, from Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 2004. B.S. in home economics
and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, Maine Masque, Radio Guild, Glee
Club, Arts Club, YWCA, Prism staff, Home Economics Club, French Club,
the honor society Neai Mathelar, and played field hockey, basketball, and
volleyball. She was employed as a secretary with Electrodyne Research
Corporation in Pennsylvania and as a teacher in the Antietam school
district. She volunteered with the Brownies and Girl Scouts, the United Way,
and in her local hospital and library. She was the mother of three children.
Mary Jane Dempsey Wendle,
83, from Wilmington, Delaware, on April 19, 2006. Attended from 1939 until
1940. She lived in Virginia, Washington, and Alaska with her husband who was
in the military in the 1950s. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, baking pies,
and volunteering with Meals on Wheels and at the local school. She is
survived by her husband of 54 years, three children, and eight
grandchildren.
1944
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Frances Ann Sheehy Brown,
85, from Hyde Park, Ohio, on November 2, 2007. Attended from 1940 until 1943
and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She was a full-time homemaker,
raising three children. She later worked in television and radio doing
voice-overs and commercials. She was active with the American Cancer
Society, Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center, and the Cincinnati Art Museum.
In 2005 she was honored at the University of Maine at the Minsky Recital
Hall for her support of the music program. She donated the money to
refurbish the university’s largest concert piano, buy a new upright piano
for rehearsals, and create a piano fund endowment. She enjoyed reading,
traveling, playing bridge, and volunteering. She is survived by her husband,
three children, three grandsons, and one great-granddaughter.
Josiah “Joe” Edward Colcord, Jr.,
85, from Seattle, Washington, on October 21, 2007. B.S. in civil engineering
and a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Scabbard & Blade, Civil Club,
the honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon, served as tennis manager,
editor of the Prism in 1944, and was on the track and cross-country
teams. Although he graduated in 1947, he wished to affiliate with the Class
of 1944. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army from 1943
until 1946. He saw action on the European Front including the Battle of the
Bulge. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Silver Star. Great
Britain awarded him the Military Cross for actions of gallantry. In 1949 he
received his M.S. in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota and
in 1949 he began employment as a professor of civil engineering at the
University of Washington. He served in that capacity for over 40 years,
retiring as professor emeritus. During this time he served as a
distinguished lecturer for the American Society of Civil Engineers and was
instrumental in founding the Geometronics Institute under the National
Science Foundation sponsorship. In 1998 he was awarded the History and
Heritage Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. He enjoyed
traveling, photography, and bird watching. He is survived by his wife of 59
years Hazel Calvert Colcord ’48 and one daughter.
Paul “Huck” Jean Eastman,
87, from Hallowell and Wells, Maine, on August 24, 2007. B.S. in agronomy
and a member of Phi Eta Kappa fraternity, Agricultural Club, and the honor
societies Alpha Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi. Although he graduated in 1946 he
wished to affiliate with the Class of 1944. He was a veteran of World War II
serving in the Army Air Force as a radar navigator bombardier with the 20th
Air Force 6th bomb group in the South Pacific. He flew 32 combat
missions over Tokyo. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air
Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. After the war he returned to Maine,
finished his undergraduate degree, and in 1959 received his M.S. in botany
and plant pathology. In 1949 he began employment with the state of Maine in
agriculture and retired in 1978 as director of plant industry. Under his
leadership the Maine Potato Seed Board farm began production of top quality
seed potatoes. After retirement he was employed as a seed potato consultant
for McCain Foods. In 2000 his life was profiled in the Northern Maine
Journal telling of his family’s 24-day, 300-mile journey in a covered
wagon from Danville, Vermont, to Oxbow Plantation, Maine at the dawn of the
Depression. He is survived by three children including John ’87, five
grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
1945
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Annette “Toni” Elizabeth Steele Ewers,
84, from Boulder City, Nevada, on September 26, 2007. Attended from 1941
until 1942. She was a civil servant from 1942 until 1945 serving as a clerk
typist for the Air Force. She moved to California and became a full-time
homemaker and volunteered with many organizations including the Camp Fire
Girls. After raising a family, she was employed as a secretary for an
automotive shop, retiring in 1976. After retirement she moved to Nevada and
enjoyed fishing, rock hounding, camping, and family. She was a member of the
California Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Las Vegas Boat & Ski Club,
DAR, and the Boulder Gem Club. She is survived by her husband of 61 years,
two children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Charles “Pat”
Kirkpatrick Foster,
83, from Ellsworth, Maine, on December 2, 2007. Attended from 1941 until
1943 and a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He was a veteran of World
War II serving in the Merchant Marines in the Pacific and later as a member
of the Naval Reserves. After the war he began employment at the family’s
business, C.K. Foster Plumbing and Heating in Ellsworth, retiring in 2006.
He was a major stockholder and president of Morrison Chevrolet in Ellsworth.
He was very active in his community serving on the Ellsworth city council
and was a founding member of the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, serving on
its board from 1947 until 1991. He was a member of Lodge No. 40, Anah Temple
Shrine, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, past president of the Senior Alumni
Association at the University of Maine, and served as chairman of the board
for Liberty National Bank, Depositors Trust, and Key Bank of Maine. He is
survived by four children including Jacquelyn Dearborn ’74, Charles ’01, two
grandchildren, and sister Augusta Foster Law ’44.
Effie “Brick” Susanne Ellis Hendrickson,
84, from Brewer, Maine, died on September 3, 2007, due to complications from
diabetes. B.A. in liberal arts and nursing and a member of Phi Mu sorority,
Maine Christian Association, French Club, Art Club, and played basketball,
tennis, badminton, ping pong, and taught dancing. She was employed at Maine
Medical Center in Portland for three years, for 17 years in East Millinocket
as a nurse at the local mill, and a substitute teacher. She was involved in
scouting and church activities. In 1967 she moved to Presque Isle where she
worked as a nursing instructor at Northern Maine Vocational Technical
Institute until her retirement in 1983. She enjoyed spending winters in
Florida and summers at Springy Pond in Clifton, Maine. She is survived by
her husband of 62 years, Edward ’58; children Ellen Hendrickson ’77 and Eric
’73, and two grandchildren including Melissa Hendrickson ’04.
1946
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John “Brookie” Wilmot Brookings,
DMD, 83, from Bangor, Maine, on December 3, 2007. B.A. in zoology and a
member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and played freshman football and
basketball. Although he graduated in 1949 he wished to affiliate with the
Class of 1946. In 1937, at age 13, he became the youngest Eagle Scout in
America. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army from 1942
until 1946 in the Philippines and Asiatic/Pacific Theater. He was awarded
the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Asiatic/Pacific Theater ribbon with one
battle star, Combat Infantryman’s badge, and three Bronze Star Medals. In
1953 he graduated from Tufts Dental School and established a dental practice
in Bangor where he practiced for 40 years, retiring in 1993. He was an
active member of the Maine Dental Association and served as its president
from 1979 until 1980. He was a member of the Rotary and the Bangor school
board where he helped establish the Southern Penobscot Vocational School. He
is survived by his wife of 59 years Barbara Wood Brookings ’50, seven
children including Linda Brookings Hull ’72, Barbara Brookings Prentiss ’76,
and Robert ’88, 25 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
1947
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Lewis Jonathan Birt,
88, from Bangor, Maine, on October 16, 2007. B.S. in education. He attended
Aroostook State Normal School from 1939 until 1941 and was a veteran of
World War II serving in the Army from 1942 until 1945 as a cryptanalyst. He
reenlisted and served during the Korean War. He was very active in the
Masons and was recognized in 2002 for his 55-year membership at the
Nollesemic Lodge in Millinocket, Maine. He is survived by many nephews and
nieces including Arthur Birt ’74, Randi Reed Birt ’71, and Diane Birt Brown
’74.
Ralph Daniel Blanchard,
80, from Auburn, Maine, died on October 8, 2007, from cancer. Two-year
agricultural certificate. In 1948 he took over his father’s dairy farm,
Blanchard’s Farm, and in 1950 his farm was named the Outstanding
Conservation Farm. He and his wife ran the farm until they sold the business
in 1966. After the sale of the farm he was employed at Pioneer Plastics and
H.E. Sargent. He also worked for the state as a USDA inspector at various
poultry plants and he retired from the Auburn School Department in 1989. He
was an active member in the community and was a faithful member of the
Turner Village Church, a former member of the L/A Milk Producers, and the
East Auburn Grange. He is survived by one daughter, two grandchildren, and
six great-grandchildren.
Jane Elizabeth Longfellow Cullen,
81, from Waterville, Maine, on October 16, 2007. B.A. in English and a
member of Chi Omega sorority, Maine Christian Association, Women’s Student
Government Association, and the honor society Sigma Mu Sigma. She was
employed in various positions in the Waterville schools including teaching
adult education, substitute teaching, and in the Waterville High School
library. She volunteered at the Waterville Public Library, Maine Children’s
Home for Little Wanderers, Waterville Women’s Club, and the Salvation Army.
She enjoyed bridge and reading. She is survived by her husband of 59 years,
William ’44, three children, four grandchildren, and one
great-granddaughter.
Marguerite “Peggy” Raymond Googins Dowe,
83, from Turner, Maine, on December 2, 2007. B.A. in psychology and a
member of Phi Mu sorority, French Club, Maine Christian Association, Maine
Masque, and the honor society Sigma Mu Sigma. After her children were grown
she began teaching elementary school in the Turner school system where she
remained for 20 years, retiring in 1984. She volunteered with the Turner
Library and at a local preschool. She enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting,
home decorating, traveling, cross-country skiing, hiking, and had a
life-long love of the piano. She is survived by three children, including
Paul ’72 and Ann Dowe Fairchild ’79, five grandchildren, and two
great-grandchildren.
Robert “Bob” Haley Parmenter,
79, from Tucson, Arizona, on June 3, 2005. B.S. in engineering physics and a
member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Physics Club, freshman football manager, and
the honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi. He was a veteran of World War
II serving in the Navy from1944 until 1946. In 1952 he received his Ph.D. in
physic from MIT and took a position as a theoretical physicist at RCA
Research Labs in New Jersey. In 1966 he moved to Tucson to become a
professor in the physics department at the University of Arizona. He served
as chair from 1977 until 1983 and retired in 1996. He is survived by his
wife of 53 years, two sons, two grandchildren, and brother Thomas ’44.
John Coggin Wellington,
87, from Manset, Maine, died on November 19, 2007, from prostate cancer.
B.A. in speech and a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was a veteran
of World War II serving in the Army Air Corps as a flight radio operator in
the China/Burma Theater. After the war he began employment as an announcer
and news director for WLBZ radio in Bangor. He became the host of one of the
first talk shows in Maine, Let’s Talk it Over, and was on the air for many
years. He retired from WLBZ in 1974 after 28 years with WLBZ. He enjoyed
golf and tennis and volunteered over 5,000 hours as the unofficial greeter
and purveyor of the joke-of-the-day plan at Southwest Harbor Medical Clinic.
He is survived by two children, two stepchildren, four grandchildren, and
three great-grandchildren.
1948
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Percy “Joe” Harmon Coombs,
85, from Boothbay Harbor, Maine, on November 26, 2007. B.S. in civil
engineering, a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity and Sophomore Owls, and
played baseball four years. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the
Army Air Corps. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak
leaf clusters, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Air Medal with four
oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Unit Badge. Although he graduated
in 1952 he wished to affiliate with the Class of 1948. He was employed for
38 years with the Maine Central Railroad, most of those years as a track
supervisor. He coached Little League and umpired local baseball games. He
was a member of the Woodfords Congregational Church and the Cornerstone
Masonic Lodge where he was recently honored for 50 years of membership. He
enjoyed golf. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, four children
including Jim ’83, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Gloria “Mac” Jean MacKenzie Ferland,
80, of Millinocket, Maine, on August 15, 2007. B.A. in English and a member
of Delta Zeta sorority, Maine Christian Association, Maine Outing Club, and
worked for the Campus. She later earned a M.Ed. at Boston University.
She served as director of reading in the Millinocket school department for
25 years. She wrote the class column for the University of Maine Alumni
Association’s Maine Alumnus magazine in the 1980s. She also served on
the school board for several years. She was Millinocket’s 1986 Citizen of
the Year. Upon retirement, she opened The Read-In, a consulting and
instructional business that assisted people improve reading and study skills
and attain their G.E.D. She is survived by one son and two grandchildren.
Miriam “Mim” Hepburn Mosley,
81, from Standish, Maine, died on October 9, 2007, from cancer. B.A. in
romance languages and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and the honor
society Phi Beta Kappa. After being a full-time homemaker she began her
teaching career at George E. Jack School in 1962 and then taught at Johnson
Junior High School in Sebago Lake Station. After a few years she became the
teaching principal at Steep Falls Elementary School where she finished her
career, retiring in 1987 after a 25-year career in SAD 6. She enjoyed
bridge, bowling, reading, traveling, singing with Sweet Adelines, and
summering at Damariscotta Lake. She is survived by her husband of 62 years,
Howard ’49, three children, eight grandchildren, and one
great-granddaughter.
1949
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Morton “Pete” Covell Bartlett,
79, of Lindenhurst, Illinois, on November 21, 2007.
B.S.
in chemical engineering and a member of Phi Eta Kappa fraternity, Glee Club,
“M” Club, Chemical Engineering Club, and track and cross-country teams.
After graduation he was employed with the Maine Institute of Potato Starch
Manufacturing as a chemical engineer and was drafted into the Army Chemical
Corps in January 1951, serving until 1953. In 1958 he obtained his Ph.D. in
bacteriology from the University of Michigan and began working for Abbott
Laboratories in Illinois as a group leader in biological development. He
remained at Abbott until his retirement in 1986. He helped develop Dipel, a
bacterial insecticide, and Urokinase, a “clot buster” for heart attack
victims. He served six years on the local school board, coached boys’
softball teams for 14 years, served as president of his church board, and
enjoyed traveling and reading. His favorite college memory was, “running in
the New England championship cross-country meet.” He is survived by his wife
of 55 years, four children, and six grandchildren.
Richard “Dick” Jordan Denison,
84, from Norway, Maine, on September 20, 2007. B.A. in business
administration and a member of Maine Christian Association. He was a
veteran of the Navy serving from 1943 until 1946. After graduation he was
employed with the Norway National Bank as an assistant cashier, remaining
with the bank when it merged with Canal National Bank and later with Key
Bank. He retired after 40 years as vice president and trust officer for Key
Bank. He spent many years as trustee of Norway Memorial Library and was a
longtime treasurer and trustee of Norway’s Higgins Crooker Charity Fund. He
was actively involved in the establishment of Stephens Memorial Hospital,
was a founding member of the Norway Historical Society, and was a longtime
member of the Masons. He enjoyed gardening, collecting old bottles, and
classic automobiles. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, three children
including Susan Denison ’75, and one grandson.
Janice “Jan” Elaine Crockett Fuller,
80, from Orono and Ellsworth, Maine, on September 29, 2007. B.S. in nursing,
M.Ed. in 1977, and a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, Women’s Athletic
Association, Glee Club, Campus Reporter, Maine Outing Club, Maine
Christian Association, and Square Dance Club. Although she graduated in 1950
she chose to affiliate with the Class of 1949. She was employed as a
registered nurse at Eastern Maine Medical Center for many years and later as
a nursing instructor in the degree program at Eastern Maine Medical Center’s
School of Nursing. She retired in 1986 to Branch Lake in Ellsworth and
enjoyed gardening, bird watching, quilting, knitting, and traveling. She
volunteered for nature projects in Florida and at Eastern Maine Medical
Center gift shop. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Sam ’46; three
children including Sam ’77, ’80G and David ’78, and three grandchildren.
Ella “El” Dorothy Lehrman Garber,
77 of Marblehead, Massachusetts, on April 22, 2007. B.A. in English and a
member of Maine Christian Association, Maine Outing Club, and Hillel where
she served as vice president. She worked for the Jewish Social Service
Agency shortly after graduation. She then raised four children, and was an
active member of the Jewish Community of the North Shore. She helped revive
the women’s division of the Jewish Federation and planned and traveled on
many Federation trips to Israel. She loved the Jewish holidays and
traditions, and was an avid golfer. Survivors include her husband, Irving
’48, four children, and 10 grandchildren.
Malcolm “Mal” Scollay Hayden,
80, from Harpswell, Maine, on October 4, 2007. B.S. in education and a
member of the Pale Blue Key, Agricultural Club, Education Club, “M” Club,
the honor society Kappa Phi Kappa, and played football. He taught and
coached at Mattanawcook Academy, Maine; the St. James School in Maryland,
and Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. He then spent 15 years in
publishing starting as an editor with Allyn & Bacon in Boston and later as
vice president and editor-in-chief for Charles Merrill in Ohio. In 1970 he
began a new career when he became director of development for Grant Hospital
in Ohio. He was a member of the Mayflower Descendents Society, was a mentor
and sponsor for underprivileged children, and was a founding member of the
Columbus Area Hockey Association. He enjoyed sports, coaching baseball,
football, hockey, and tennis: reading, history, and spending time on Seavey
Island in Muscongus Bay, Maine. He is survived by his wife of 50 years,
three children, and four grandchildren.
Elizabeth Ann Johnston Ostroff,
80, from Sudbury, Massachusetts, on December 2, 2007. B.A. in music. In 1951
she received a master’s in music from the New England Conservatory of Music
in Boston and later attended the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors. She
was a flutist and played with the Bangor Symphony. She enjoyed gardening and
was a long-time member of the Sudbury Garden Club and the Massachusetts
Camellia Society. She is survived by her husband, four children including
Susan Ostroff ’74, and three grandchildren.
Paul “Prad” Alfred Praderio,
79, from Clinton, Massachusetts, on November 29, 2007. B.S. in civil
engineering and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Newman Club, and
the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was a veteran of the Korean War
serving in the Army Signal Corps and helped build the Alaska communications
systems. He was employed with Perini Construction from 1964 until his
retirement in 1989. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, the
American Society of Professional Engineers, and Clinton Turn Verein. He
enjoyed golf, vacationing in Maine, traveling, and the Red Sox. He is
survived by his wife of 54 years, six children including William ’77, Paul
’83, Jean Praderio George ’80, Lisa Praderio Nolet ’86, and Laura Praderio
Lynn ’84, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Carleton Adrian Ranks,
85, of Bangor, Maine, and Melbourne, Florida, on August 6, 2007. Attended in
1946-1947, studying engineering. He was a veteran of World War II serving in
the Army from 1942 until 1946. He worked for several road construction
companies, retiring as vice president in charge of major highway contracts.
His career took him throughout New England and the mid Atlantic states,
where his positions ranged from supervisor to project manager. He is
survived by his wife and son.
Norma “Dum-dum” Jean Drummond Rothwell,
78, from Saugus, Massachusetts, on August 14, 2007. B.A. in speech and a
member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, Maine Masque, Radio Guild, Campus
reporter and women’s sports editor, Prism women’s sports editor, and
the honor society Phi Kappa Phi. In 1954 she obtained her M.Ed. from Boston
University. In the 1950s she was employed at the Worcester Rehabilitation
Center as a speech therapist and later was a speech and hearing therapist at
elementary and private schools in Saugus. She was a member of the Saugus
League of Women Voters, the Saugus American Little League, and the former
Cliftondale Methodist Church. She enjoyed antiques and flea markets and had
shops in Byfield and Rowley, Massachusetts, and York, Maine. She is survived
by four children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Charles Augustine Simonds,
82, of Falmouth, on August 13, 2007. Attended 1946-1948. He served in the
Navy as a signal corpsman in the North Atlantic in World War II. He joined
his father’s construction business, Simonds Construction, and became
president and general manager. He specialized in the construction of service
stations and bulk plants from Boston to Aroostook, and also built a variety
of commercial structures. He is survived by seven children including Deborah
Simonds Colbert ’83, 17 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
John William Steves,
82, of Hampstead, North
Carolina, on October 28, 2007. B.S. in electrical engineering and a member
of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and
played intramural sports. He served as a radio technician in the U.S. Navy
during World War II. After graduation he worked as a field engineer with
Sperry Rand Corporation and later became the firm’s director of marketing.
He joined Scope Electronics and later Dalm Victor, a division of Bell
Aerospace Textron, where he worked until his retirement in 1986. His working
career focused mainly on the design and development of electronic equipment
for the military beginning with the bombing and navigation systems for the
B-36 through the electronic equipment for F-15 fighters. In retirement, he
enjoyed golf and bowling, belonged to the Pender Watch and Conservancy, and
was a life member of the Old Crows. He is survived by his wife of 60 years
Virginia Dolan Steves ’50, three children, and six grandchildren. |
