JOHN M. KEABLES, 81, a retired high school science teacher, died Oct. 5, 2011. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and his master’s from the University of Denver. Predeceased by his wife, Barbara Boettcher Keables, four children and nine grandchildren survive.
WILLIAM A. KUGLER, 82, a career economist with the CIA, whose work took him to the former Soviet Union and Germany, died July 9, 2011. A member of Sigma Chi, he received his degree with honors. He was the son of William A. Kugler of the class of 1922. After serving in the U.S. Army as a Russian language specialist, he received master’s degrees from both Columbia and Harvard universities and was a Fulbright scholar at the Free University, Berlin. He founded and led Kugler Tours, organizing trips for music lovers. Among those who survive are his wife, Joan Garside Kugler, four children, and five grandchildren.
JOHN P. KENNEDY, an insurance executive, died Dec. 6, 2004 at age 78. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. His long career in the insurance industry began with Aetna, and he retired as vice president of Fireman’s Fund in San Francisco, a position he held for 14 years. He was the director of the USO at San Francisco Airport for five years. Among those who survive are his wife, Clarita Steen Kennedy, four children, and six grandchildren.
BRADFORD S. KINGMAN ’56, who retired as a mathematics teacher and coach at Middlesex School, died Aug. 17, 2012. He was 78. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he served in the U.S. Navy after graduation and then joined the faculty at Middlesex, where he spent almost 40 years as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, administrator, assistant headmaster, and senior master. An avid golfer, the Independent School League’s golf championship Kingman Bowl was named in his honor. Survivors include his wife, Christine Jones Kingman, three children, three grandchildren, and two sisters.
FREDERICK M. KOHN, 72, a retired guidance counselor and accountant, died Feb. 26, 2006. He received a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia University. Among those who survive are his wife, Anita Schulman Kohn, two sons, four grandchildren, and a brother.
RUSSELL H. KNISEL, 76, the retired vice chairman of Shawmut/Fleet Bank and a Wesleyan trustee from 1973 to 1976, died Apr. 30, 2010. He was a member of Gamma Psi and began his career with Connecticut General Insurance before transitioning into the banking industry. A longtime chairman of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, he served on several community boards. Among those who survive are his wife, Diane Taylor Knisel, four children, and nine grandchildren.
JOHN K. KNIGHT, 72, a retired computer systems manager with Toyota Tsusho America, died June 6, 2006. He was a member of Sigma Nu and earned a master’s degree from Columbia. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He is survived by his wife, Caroline Maury Knight, three children, four grandchildren, and a sister.
LAWRENCE L. JONES III, 77, an attorney, land developer, and nationally recognized professional magician and performer, died Aug. 24, 2003. A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, he received a law degree from the University of Virginia. He retired as an attorney with Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs in Louisville, Ky. During the 1960s he performed on television shows and later opened a magic performance theater in Louisville. Among those who survive are his wife, Deede, six children, eight grandchildren, and a sister.
J. EVAN JENKINS II, a retired editor at the New York Times who was an authority on linguistic dilemmas, died Nov. 30, 2007. He was 72. A member of Eclectic, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in English. He was the grandson of John Evan Jenkins of the class of 1891 and of Katherine Jenkins Mitchell of the class of 1888, the nephew of Mitchell Jenkins of the class of 1918, the son of Hugh C. Jenkins of the class of 1920, and the brother of the late Hugh C. Jenkins Jr. ’50. After working at other newspapers, he joined theTimes in 1966 as a copy editor, retiring in 1991 as deputy news editor. He then became senior editor at the Racing Times and from 1997 to 2003 was editor-in-residence at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. At the time of his death he was the consulting editor for the Columbia Journalism Review, where he wrote a column that became the basis for his book, That or Which, and Why: A Usage Guide for Thoughtful Writers and Editors, which was published this year. Survivors include his wife, Diane Gauthey Jenkins; four children, including Anne Jenkins ’83; and six grandchildren.
EUGENE L. JACOBS, M.D. ,a psychiatrist in private practice in Manhattan, New York City, died Sept. 17, 2011, at age 78. A member of Delta Sigma, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in biology, and was elected to Sigma Xi. He received his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center and was also affiliated with Beth Israel Hospital. After retiring from practice, he pursued his lifelong interests in art and antiques. Among those who survive are his wife, Vera Vento; two daughters, Hilary Jacobs Hendel ’85 and Amanda Jacobs Wolf ’87; four grandchildren; and a niece, Makaela J. Kingsley ’98.
Obituary for Dr. Eugene Leslie Jacobs
Jacobs, Eugene Leslie, MD (Class of ’55) died September 17th after a long illness. He was 78 years old. A native New Yorker, he was raised in Forest Hills, Queens before moving permanently to Manhattan. An alumnus of Wesleyan University and Downstate Medical Center, he had a private practice in psychiatry and was affiliated with Beth Israel Hospital until his retirement in 1989. Since that time, he pursued his life-long interests in art and antiques. He loved to cook, paint, travel and most of all laugh with his beloved wife of 22 years, Vera Vento. In addition to his wife Vera, he is survived by his daughters, Hilary Jacobs Hendel (’85) and Amanda Jacobs Wolf (’87), and four grandchildren. He loved Wesleyan always.
