Obituaries | 1950-1959

KENNETH D. HUSZAR, a journalist and later senior vice president of the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller, died June 19, 2012. He was 75. A member of Chi Psi, he received his degree with honors and served in the U.S. Army.  He studied at Berlin University on a Fulbright Scholarship and in 1962 received a diploma from the Bologna campus of the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies. During his long career in journalism and public relations he was a reporter for The Plain Dealer and for the West German magazine Stern, a foreign correspondent for Newsweek, and an account manager at Burson-Marsteller, where he counseled, among other clients, the Reagan Administration and the Argentine government. In the course of his career, he traveled widely, was a speechwriter for David Rockefeller, interviewed Yassir Arafat, and accompanied New York City Mayor David Dinkins on a trip to Japan. His sister, Janet Thompkins, and several cousins, including Ted W. Hussar, survive.

ROBERT W. HUNT, a credit manager with Harvey Industries, died Aug. 2, 2009, at age 75. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was predeceased by his wife, Roberta Young Hunt. Survivors include three children, three grandchildren, and his sister.

JOHN H. HOBBS, a pioneer in the investment management industry, a philanthropist avid in his support of education and civil rights, and a former Wesleyan trustee, died Jan. 3, 2010, at age 73. A member of Eclectic and a U.S. Air Force veteran, he received his bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Harvard University. In 1969 he co-founded Jennison Associates, one of Wall Street’s first independent institutional investment management firms, and in 1976 was named president and CEO. In 1994 he became chairman of Jennison, which is now a subsidiary of Prudential Financial. He retired in 2003. After the death of his wife in 2008, he returned to work and was most recently the vice chairman of Madison Asset Management Group, LLC. A tireless supporter of education, he served on numerous boards and was also the chairman of the board of Common Cents, a non-profit organization that creates and manages service-learning programs for young people, one of whose divisions is Penny Harvest, the largest child philanthropy program in the U.S. He served on the Wesleyan Board of Trustees from 1992 to 2004 and was elected trustee emeritus. Predeceased by his wife, Elisabeth Atwater Hobbs, he is survived by three children, including Margaret M. Hobbs ’89, two sisters, and a large extended family.

FREEMAN R. HATHAWAY JR., a technical writer for Hewlett-Packard who combined his English major with electronics training he received in the U.S. Army Reserves, died May 17, 2011. He was 77. A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, he attended Harvard Business School. Among those who survive are his wife, Wynne Berckmueller Hathaway; two children, including Heather A. Hathaway ’86; two grandchildren; a sister; and two cousins, Charles G. Hill ’46, and John N. Hill ’85.

PHILIP H. HEDGES, 74, a retired partner at the New York law firm of White & Case, died Dec. 30, 2007. A member of Sigma Nu, he received his degree with honors. He received his law degree from the University of Chicago and specialized in corporate real estate. Survivors include his wife, Edith Nyman Hedges, three children, seven grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

BRUCE D. HALE, 73, who retired as vice president of the Rust Tractor Company in New Mexico, died Feb. 24, 2007. A member of Psi Upsilon, he received his degree with honors. Survivors include his wife, Connie Gunderson Hale, four children, and eight grandchildren.

JOHN M. GINN, who was associated with International Business Machines for 35 years, died Dec. 29, 2003, at age 73. A member of Eclectic, he was the son of William H. Ginn of the class of 1920. He served in U.S. Navy intelligence for three years. He also wrote for, and performed with, the Connecticut Playmakers. Among those who survive are his three children; a brother, Lt. Gen. William H. Ginn Jr. ’50 USAF, Ret.; and several nieces and nephews.

PETER S. GABEL ’52, who retired as vice president for communications at the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver, died July 1, 2012, at age 82. He was a member of Sigma Nu and the son of Cuthbert C. Gabel of the class of 1919. After receiving an MSW from the University of Denver and an EdD from the University of Colorado, he began a career with youth and the outdoors. Among those who survive are his wife, Thelma Stewart Gabel, two children, and four grandsons.

DANIEL S. GREGORY, 81, co-founder of the venture capital firm Greylock Partners, which helped launch companies that defined the business community in Boston and the Route 128 corridor, died Jan. 6, 2011. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and received a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University after serving in the U.S. Navy. A member of the Board of the National Venture Capital Association for seven years, he spent the last two years in top leadership roles. He also served for about a year as secretary of economic affairs under Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld. Known for finding talented people with good ideas, he taught that the process involved hard work as well as focus and dedication. Among those who survive are his wife of 58 years, Madeline Lee Gregory; three children, including Daniel S. Gregory Jr. ’78; eight grandchildren; and a brother and sister.

WILLIAM H. GINN JR., a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General who retired and became an international business consultant, died June 1, 2010, at age 81. A member of Eclectic, he received his bachelor’s from Florida State University and an MBA from Harvard. He was the son of William H. Ginn of the class of 1920 and the brother of the late John M. Ginn ’52. During his long career in the Air Force, he commanded U.S. forces in Turkey and Japan, and received numerous decorations and honors. His wife, Anita Besore Ginn, survives, as do three children and five grandchildren.