1943 – Page 2 – Wesleyan Magazine Classnotes

Obituaries | 1940-19492015/05/21

GEORGE F. MCFARLAND ’43

GEORGE F. MCFARLAND, 93, who retired as Craig Professor of English at St. Lawrence University, died Jan. 5, 2015. He received his degree in 1946 after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He later received a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. His scholarly interests centered on the poetry and thought of the late Romantic and early Victorian periods in England. He is survived by his wife, Janet Allen McFarland, three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Class Notes | 1940s2015/05/152015/09/15

CLASS OF 1943 | 2015 | ISSUE 1

Tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday and I’m wondering what more the media can cook up against Bill Belichick ’75, Tom Brady and the New England football team—Go Patriots! I hope you enjoyed the holiday season and were not adversely affected by the extreme weather experienced in various parts of the country, including New England. We’ve been fortunate here in Virginia—have yet to see our “Big Snow” of the year!

Dick Ferguson writes: “We’re glad that you had a great recovery. Can’t keep a good man down. Marge still seems not quite fully recovered. Some days it seems she is sleeping 23 hours a day. We were so glad to see your write-up. We are lucky to have the children and grandchildren able to drop in to see us on their way to visit their children or grandchildren. Wish that I’d see more of Wesleyan men.”

From Gene Loveland: “The news from the Deep South is: Where did the warm weather go? I’m fine and still doing my monthly column for the House Organ plus write-ups of our four putting tournaments that I manage. In the fall events, I won the Sadie Hawkins Tournament with the lady champion but lost the Hallmark Cup I’d won in the spring to a challenger. Lots of football and politics, plus I enjoy a new book every two months or so. Have a good year!”

I received a letter from Jack Ritchie, in which he states: “Keep up the good work; sorry to hear of your bout with cancer. I grasp for news. Mostly we seem to be aimed at making sure we have no news. I spoke with Muzz Molina last spring and we were planning to get together in some restaurant between Salisbury and New Milford, Conn., where he lives, when he returns from his summer in Vermont. And now he is dead. Who will be the last classmate left standing? News? We are glad that we are where we are. We live in a cottage at a senior continuing care place, Noble Horizons, now 35 years old. It is part of Church Homes, Inc., a senior community in Hartford. We pretty much take care of ourselves, but have the option for bring-in meals, falling back into more care at a nursing home and other. There are many outings, cocktail parties, concerts, etc., where we may choose. News? Come to beautiful and freezing Salisbury, Conn., for a week, starting February 6.”

Frederick P. Appleton
100 O’Brien Court, Suffolk, VA 23434

Class Notes | 1940s2014/12/212015/05/21

CLASS OF 1943 | 2014| ISSUE 3

With football in the air, it’s obvious that summer is just about over, and I hope that you had a good one!Speaking of football, I’m reminded of our freshman year of 1939, when Jack Blott’s team won the Little Three Championship and we tore down the goal posts at Amherst. Here’s hoping that Coach Mike Whelan ’83’s Cardinals can repeat last year’s outstanding season and win it again this year!Gene Loveland writes: “Good to hear from you. Forty days from my 94th birthday and feeling good. No more trips, though. I’ve had my fill of airlines. Still busy with my two-page biographical sketches of newcomers and my four putting tournaments. Two of our residents here have sons who were graduated from Wesleyan: last names are Ling and Clutterbuck.I received a nice letter from my old Montclair High buddy and Clark Hall “roomie,” Dick Ferguson, in which he says, “It’s always good to hear from you. Hope all is well with all of yours. Give Bob our best. Not so perfect with Marge. She had a fall on the stairs of Pals Cabin last January which brought on the issues of shingles and she still has an aftermath which we are hoping will end! The family is all well. Gordie has moved to Kiawah, S.C., and is running a dental clinic there. David is doing a great job taking care of my old office. Daughter Kim drops in to see us when going to and from their summer place in Rhode Island from Philadelphia. She is in the education field there. Doug is in New York, quite busy making kilts for many people in New York and London. It would make me happier if I could be out playing golf. I do get to ride my bike frequently.”Candy Molina Ferguson wrote, “My dad, F. Edward (“Muzz”) Molina passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, one week after meeting his hero, Coach Michael Whalen ’83. Dad was a retired businessman living in New Milford Conn.”Keep me posted on any news that’s of interest.Frederick P. Appleton
100 O’Brien Court, Suffolk, VA 23434

Obituaries | 1940-19492014/12/18

F. EDWARD (“MUZZ’) MOLINA ’43

F. EDWARD (Muzz) MOLINA, the retired president of Edward Molina Designs, Inc., died Sept. 17, 2014. He was 93. A member of Psi Upsilon, he served in the U.S. Navy as a bi-lingual flight instructor during World War II. Later, he received an MBA from Dartmouth College and began a successful career in the textile industry. An avid athlete and traveler, he was also a loyal fan of Wesleyan football. In retirement, he became a community volunteer. His wife, Margaret Shippen Grubb Molina, predeceased him, as did a granddaughter. Among those who survive are three daughters; one son; nine grandchildren, including Dana E. Matthiessen ’09; and four great-grandchildren.

Class Notes | 1940s2014/07/032014/12/03

CLASS OF 1943 | 2014 | ISSUE 2

I’m glad to say that, as far as I know, we have had no new losses since my last report. I always thought that we were a sturdy bunch—keep up the good work!

Speaking of staying healthy and keeping active, I received a card from Muzz Molina describing his tour on the Crown Princess, visiting many interesting ports including Bermuda. Apparently the weather at Normandie was uncooperative.

I also received a “thank you” note from George Morrill ’42 in which he states, “Comes this pic of three eager old crocks plotting Wesleyan’s future. Ahh, they are canny old dogs. They know their ideas will elevate the college to new heights. Hey, it was great seeing you guys. Thanks for the framed photo. I look forward to linking with you next reunion.”

Gene Loveland sends a sad note: “Sorry about the stationery. Things are upside-down here right now and it’s all I could find. Joan passed away in February. It was a blessing and she went without pain and had a smile on her face. She was getting her wish to be with the Lord. I have such a large and wonderful family that things are going well, and I’m back in my routine of the monthly column in the house organ and running the putting tournaments.” Our thoughts and prayers are with Gene and his family at this time.

I received two messages from Jack Ritchie. One, a Christmas card in which he says: “My disappointment of 2013 was missing our 70th reunion in Middletown because of Lyme disease. Today I feel fine except for arthritis in my knee. My high school class back in Winnetka, Ill., now has just four survivors—three men and one woman.” The other message, in which he states: “Wife, Sue, was once the ‘scribe’ for her class at Mt. Holyoke with deadlines, so I feel sorry for your efforts to drag words out of your aging classmates. I could guess that your deadline was March 15—sorry. My only Wesleyan contact of late has been Jim Dresser ’63, a selectman here in town, and a dedicated community leader. I spend a lot of time reading. Right now I am on page 550 of The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I recommend it. Intriguing I thought was the frontispiece speaking of the condition of the country at that time, early 1900s: ‘The gap between rich and poor has never been wider—legislative stalemate paralyzes the country—corporations resist federal regulation—spectacular mergers produce giant companies—the influence of money in politics deepens’ and on. What goes around comes around. Maybe there is hope for this wayward and confused country. This year I promise I will really see you at the ritual of a Little Three football game, and new life in the prized institution.”

Frederick P. Appleton
100 O’Brien Court, Suffolk, VA 23434

Obituaries | 1940-19492013/10/23

ALBERT E. PELS JR. ’43

ALBERT E. PELS JR., a retired training consultant for the American Can Company, died June 28, 2013, at age 91. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. An enthusiastic skier, he was an active member of the National Ski Patrol for 62 years, serving for a time as a national board member. His wife, Elizabeth Voorhees Pels, predeceased him. Three children and five grandchildren survive.

Obituaries | 1940-19492013/10/23

EDWARD G. BARKER ’43

EDWARD G. BARKER, a structural engineer, died Sept. 11, 2011. He was 89. A member of Sigma Nu, he was the grandson of Forrest E. Barker of the class of 1874 and the son of Stanley G. Barker of the class of 1909. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and then attended Iowa State College, where he received a degree in architectural engineering. He worked on a number of projects in the Boston, Mass., area before starting his own company, Metric Construction. He also received a master’s degree in urban development from Northeastern University and an honorary doctorate from Wentworth College, where he taught. He was a beekeeper, environmentalist, and active in the peace movement. Predeceased by one son, survivors include his wife, Louise Hunn Barker, six children, 15 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Class Notes | 1940s2013/10/222014/12/03

Class of 1943 | 2014 | Issue 1

Unfortunately, we have lost two more of our classmates: Ed Barker died Sept. 11, 2011; and Al Pels died June 28, 2013. Ed was 89 and a member of Sigma Nu, while Al was 91 and a member of Beta Theta Pi. They will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time.

In this regard, I received a printout from Robert Mosca, Wesleyan senior development officer, dated July 31, 2013. It shows that of the 214 original 1943 classmates, 151 (71 percent) are deceased and 63 (29 percent) are still living. So good wishes to all of you and stay healthy! Due mainly to the fact that we were a wartime class, it also shows that 160 (75 percent) received Wesleyan degrees while 54 did not—most of these having earned degrees from other institutions.

Gene Loveland writes: “Nothing new since the spring letter and picture of the family reunion of 41 strong. Still writing my two-page column for the House Organ, and managing our four putting tournaments plus the twilight league. And mostly getting older by the minute with Joan keeping pace. Have a good year!”

From Dick Ferguson: “Wish there were more Wesmen around here—just Bob Foster ’47. We feel lucky to have our great-grandchildren around for so long. Gordy is in Hawaii. Kim is in Philadelphia and Rhode Island. They visit back and forth. Doug is in New York City. Best of all to you and yours!”

Muzz Molina writes: “I still remember the first day in school—Sept. 1, 1939. Hitler had just invaded Poland. Churchill was getting ready to make a speech—and Norm Daniels was getting ready to coach the ends at Wesleyan—which was about to have a great season (Little Three Champs)!”

FREDERICK P. APPLETON
100 O’Brien Court, Suffolk, VA 23434

Obituaries | 1940-19491943/10/252013/10/31

CLINTON B. YEOMANS ’43

CLINTON B. YEOMANS, who retired as a trust officer with the New Britain Bank and Trust Company, died Jan. 15, 2011, at age 90. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II. He began his career with the Fiduciary Trust Company in New York and later moved to Connecticut where, following a one-year teaching position at Suffield Academy, he resumed his career as a trust officer in the Hartford area until he retired in 1980. His wife of 54 years, Joan Barrows Yeomans, died in 2007. Survivors include three daughters, five grandchildren, and a nephew, Benjamin C. Terry ’68.

Obituaries | 1940-19491943/10/232013/10/31

WILLIAM A. WINTTER ’43

WILLIAM A. WINTTER, who retired as co-owner of the Wintter and North Insurance Agency and who was class secretary for many years, died Sept. 22, 2005. He was 84. The son of Wilhelm A. Wintter of the class of 1909, he was a member of Psi Upsilon. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. Among those who survive are his wife, Nancy Corwin Wintter, two children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.