Obituaries | 1950-1959

GEORGE D. BRODIGAN, an attorney who specialized in mediation and arbitration, died Sept. 14, 2010, at age 83. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, he received his degree from Wesleyan and then re-entered the Marine Corps as an officer during the Korean War. He established his own law firm after working in the law department at the Travelers Insurance Company, and he was a Supreme Court Judge on an interim basis from 1985 to 1986. From 1991 to recent years he represented various companies in the field of mediation and arbitration. One son, Christopher C. Brodigan ’80, predeceased him, as did one brother, Francis F. Brodigan Jr. ’51. He is survived by his former wife, Shirley Walker Brodigan, two children, four grandchildren, and his brother, Charles T. Brodigan ’54.

CHARLES D. BECK JR., 83, an educator who was the Colorado facilitator for the National Diffusion Network and president of the Education Diffusion Group, died June 3, 2010. He was a member of Sigma Nu and received master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Denver. Among those who survive are his wife, Barbara Kennedy Beck, three children, five grandchildren, and his former wife, Carol Beck Nanney.

EDWIN P. BROWN, a retired advertising executive, died Sept. 6, 2006. He was 77. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he served in the US Army during the Korean War. Among those who survive are his wife of many years, Alice Brown Elgin, three children, two grandsons, and a brother.

CHARLES E. BILLINGS, an internationally recognized expert in aviation medicine and human factors engineering, died Aug. 30, 2010. He was 81. He was a member of the John Wesley Club and received his medical degree from New York University. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, where he attended the School of Aviation Medicine, he studied aviation and occupational medicine at Ohio State University, from which he received a master’s degree. He taught at OSU for 15 years and then joined NASA, retiring as a Fellow and Chief Scientist at the NASA Ames Research Center. He returned to OSU as Emeritus Professor and until the time of his death worked in cognitive systems engineering and human factors research. His wife, Lillian Wilson Billings, predeceased him. Among those who survive are his daughter, two grandsons, two great-grandsons, and his brother.

RALPH M. BEMIS, a retired insurance broker, died Dec. 19, 2007. He was 82. A member of Chi Psi, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He was active in community organizations. His wife, Jane Savard Bemis, predeceased him. Among those who survive are four children, eight grandchildren, and his brother.

JOHN R. BELLOBUONO, M.D., 79, a retired physician, died May 10, 2008. A member of Eclectic, he received his medical degree from the University of Liège (Belgium) Medical School. After practicing medicine in Middletown, Conn., he moved to Sierra Vista, Ariz., where he continued his private practice and also worked at the Fort Huachuca Army Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Annette Chapelier Bellobuono, two children, four grandchildren, and his sister.

ROBERT C. BURNS, M.D., 75, a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice who practiced medicine in Akron, Ohio, for more than 30 years, died Mar. 17, 2011. A member of Eclectic, he received his medical degree from Albany Medical College and served in the U.S. Public Health Service. At Wesleyan he was class president and co-captain of the football team. Predeceased by a son, he is survived by his wife, Sonda D. Burns, three children, seven grandchildren, and his brother.

JOSEPH A. BOUGHTON, the purchasing manager at Lord Corporation (formerly Hughson Chemicals), died May 18, 2010. He was 76. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. He was a devotee of jazz music and produced more than 25 CDs with various musicians. Survivors include his wife, Emily Richardson Boughton, four children, and eight grandchildren.

The Rev. Canon FRANCIS S. BANCROFT III, 77, an Episcopal priest, died June 3, 2012. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta and received his divinity degree from the General Theological Seminary. After a 40-year career serving St. James Episcopal Church in Ridgefield, N.J., where he was also an active community volunteer, he retired to Wellfleet, Mass., where he continued to volunteer in the community. His wife, Janet Currey Bancroft, predeceased him. Survivors include his son, two grandchildren, his sister, and several nieces and nephews.

ROBERT M. BURRILL, 75, who taught geography at the University of Georgia, died Apr. 5, 2009. He was a member of the John Wesley Club and served in the U.S. Army. He received his master’s degree from the University of Chicago and his PhD from the University of Kansas. At the University of Georgia, he received an outstanding professor award from the Honors Program. Survivors include his wife, Terry Oshita Burrill, his sister, his mother–in–law, and his extended family.