HERB MCGREW, M.D., a physician and vintner, died Dec. 13, 2014, at age 83. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi and received his degree with honors. After receiving his medical degree from McGill University, he served in the U.S. Public Service and U.S. Coast Guard. In 1970 he moved to California and became involved in wine-making in the Napa Valley. His wife, Linda Grimes McGrew, survives, as do two nieces and their mother.
JOHN E. HUTTON JR., M.D., a former White House physician, died Dec. 19, 2014. He was 83. A member of Eclectic, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation and served as a helicopter pilot. He then studied medicine at George Washington University and entered the U.S. Army Medical Corps after his 1963 graduation. In Vietnam he was on the battlefield and later published many articles in medical journals, as he was considered an authority on bullet wounds and the management of wartime casualties. He later became chief of surgery at Walter Reed Hospital and then joined the White House staff, where he served as White House physician during President Ronald Reagan’s second term. He retired from the military with the rank of brigadier general, and from 1993 to 2010 he taught surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Among his other interests, he enjoyed photography. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Joyce Hutton, four children, eight grandchildren, and his sister.
EDWIN HIGGINS, 84, an investment manager and benefits consultant, died Nov. 12, 2014. A member of Psi Upsilon, he received his bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and a master’s degree from Boston University. He served in the U.S. Army, after which he founded Higgins Associates, which he led for 40 years. Survivors include his wife, Connie Higgins, five children, 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two stepdaughters.
The first to respond, almost instantly, to my request for news was Rev. Ed White, who after successful heart surgery two years ago, is involved in the Interfaith Conference in D.C.—a coalition of 11 faith communities—with a goal to unite in healing our planet: “There is no Planet B.” As a great-grandfather, he tracks the adventures of five married children and 12 grandchildren. One grandson, who mastered Mandarin in high school, is a WSJ reporter in Hong Kong. Ed’s concern about out legacy is stated partially as “Godless predatory capitalism is destroying a once great nation.”
After agreeing to put up with Ann Arbor, Mich., winters, rather than move to Florida, Grace and George Bacon “are doing fine (for senior citizens)” while still spending summer months at their “up north” Torch Lake cottage. In the retirement community of The Marshes of Skidaway Island, Savannah, Homer Eckerson and Sally, his wife of 63 years, are playing golf and bridge and are active on the residential council. They are blessed with three sons, their wives, and nine grandchildren. Homer expects George Anderson and his wife to move to The Marshes from their residence on the Island.
Nice to learn that others remain active in our ninth decade, such as Steve Friedland and Anne, who travel once a year from their home in Poughkeepsie to Seattle to visit their son and family. Their two daughters’ families live locally. Steve serves as a docent at the Hyde Park FDR Museum and continues to chair the hospital’s Ethics Committee. Jerry Patrick remains a “devoted and active sailor” with bareboat skippered trips in Penobscot Bay, Maine, and the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Since twice spending a month in Rome in recent years, he plans for May in France. His volume of short fiction, Voices and Other Stories, is published and available on Amazon. He is in frequent contact with one of our published authors, Cope Murray. A lengthy response from Milton “Snuffy” Smith indicates diverse activities, such as working five to eight hours weekly with live serpents and raptors at the Amicalola Fall State Park, Ga., allowing visitors to get close and to learn about local snakes and birds. He serves on the academy candidate screening committee of his local U.S. representative. Last August he and Gail celebrated their 60th anniversary at Pawley’s Island, S.C., with four daughters and five grandchildren among those present.
After University of Pennsylvania Medical School and naval service, Bill Rack and his wife, Barbara, moved in 1965 to Santa Barbara, Calif., where he practiced neurology. Out of private practice the last 14 years, Bill has done Locum Tenens around the country and consulted with Social Security in California. As parents of three married children, each with three children, scattered around the states, they remain “busy enough with music, church, golf, and dancing.”
Walt Cutler finds that in D.C. “instead of retiring, one talks of being in transition.” With his Middle East experience, he is a trustee or member of several organizations dealing with foreign affairs. With his wife of 33 years, Didi, they had recent trips to Chile’s Atacama desert, Europe, and, in January, Cuba. He is well and on the tennis courts. Walt stays in touch with his roommate, Steve May, who lives nearby.
Our class president, David Lee Nixon, died Nov. 1, 2014, in Manchester, N.H., following a long fight with cancer. An economics major and Chi Psi, Dave was a three-sport letterman and may be best remembered as a quarterback. He served as president of his fraternity and of the Board of House presidents. As a leader throughout his life, Dave was president of his Michigan Law School class, of numerous bar organizations, and was elected to the NH State House and Senate. At the three-hour funeral, fraternity brother Richard “Mouse” Levinson “delivered a eulogy, which was laced with Wesleyan and our classmates named.” As a fellow trial attorney, Richard spoke regularly with Dave and summed up his life with these words, “If you wanted to get something done, call Dave.” Also attending the funeral were Bob Lavin, Kim Zachos ’52, Bob Backus ’61, Bill Kordas ’70, and Paul DiSanto ’81 (from the Alumni Office) to say goodbye to “an exceptional human being”.
Dr. Herbert E. McGrew died Dec. 13, 2014, of prostate cancer. Herb, an Alpha Delt, was a biology-chemistry major earning a medical degree from McGill University. After naval service and practice in New York City, he and his wife moved about 1970 to the Napa Valley, Calif., where they have lived since.
In Boston Edwin “Mel” Higgins Jr. passed away Nov. 12, 2014. He was a Psi U and left at the end of sophomore year. He received a BA from Tufts in 1953 and an MS from Boston University in 1957. After military service and bank experience he started Higgins Associates, an employee benefits and investing company, which he lead for 40 years until retirement. See longer obituaries at magazine.wesleyan.edu.
Notification was received of the Dec. 2013, death of Donald P. Moffet, an Alpha Delt, who left at the end of freshman year. He received a BA and MBA in 1954 from the University of Minnesota. He retired as CEO, US Travel, and lived in San Diego.
Those who read my e-mail request are up to date with my activities. For those without e-mail, please write.
JOHN W. MILLER | Jwalmiller@aol.com
306 Autumn Court, Bartlesville, OK 74006 918/335-0081
In the last issue Jim Griffis’ family was enlarged by my misreading his note. Jim has not four children, but only one son, who we remember being born during our junior year. His son is the one with four children (all adults). Now living in Texas, Jim says that his attempts to contact fraternity brother Herb Kelleher have been unsuccessful.
Distinguished Alumnus Awardee, Trustee Emeritus, and New England gentleman David Jenkins passed away peacefully June 17, 2014. An English major, Dave was president of Eclectic, an end on the football team and member of Mystical Seven. Our sympathy is with his family, especially his wife, Shirley Muirhead Jenkins, who loyally cared for Dave during his final years.
Federal Judge James R. Miller Jr., died June 25, 2014, in Easton, Md. Jim was a history major, an Alpha Delt, and member of the track team. In November 1970, at age 39 when sworn in, he became the youngest federal judge in the country. He retired from the bench in 1986. Jim remained in private practice until 2006. An avid sailor, he spent much of his last years traveling and being with family. Condolences are extended to his four children and their families. For further details see online obituaries at magazine.wesleyan.edu.
JOHN W. MILLER | Jwalmiller@aol.com
306 Autumn Court, Bartlesville, OK 74006 918/335-0081
JAMES R. MILLER JR., an attorney and former Maryland legislator, who spent 15 years as a federal district judge in Baltimore, died June 25, 2014. He was 83. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he received a law degree from Georgetown University and joined his father and stepmother in private practice. While a member of that firm, Miller, Miller & Canby, he began his long career of public service, which included time as president of the Rockville (Md.) Chamber of Commerce, president of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, and a member of the Governor’s Commission on Reorganization of the Government of the State of Maryland. He also chaired the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee and he served a four-year term in the Maryland House of Delegates. In 1970 he was sworn in as a federal judge and in 1991 rejoined his firm as a counselor and adviser. He also remained active as an arbitrator and mediator on the national level. His first wife, Jo Anne Trice Miller, died in 2006. Survivors include two sons and two daughters, including Katherine T.M. Goldberg ’89; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother; and Patricia L. Chapman, his companion of more than seven years.
DAVID B. JENKINS, 83, the former chairman, president and CEO of Shaw’s Supermarkets and a Wesleyan Trustee Emeritus, died June 17, 2014. He was the son-in-law of Wandell McM. Mooney of the class of 1918. A member of Eclectic, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in English, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving an MBA from Harvard Business School he served in the U.S. Navy and then joined his family’s firm, a maker of fiber-based materials. He then transitioned to the grocery business, which he learned from the ground up. Among his accomplishments at Shaw’s was the creation of the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) model, a revolutionary inventory management method that became a standard in the grocery industry. He served as chairman of the Food Marketing Institute from 1990 to 1992 and also chaired FMI’s ECR committee, and he received the Sidney Rabb Award for his commitment to the industry. He served on numerous boards of directors, both for corporations and for non-profit organizations, and took on leadership roles for several institutions. As a Wesleyan Trustee, he chaired the Alumni Fund as well as the Campus Affairs Committee. He received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Wesleyan, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus Award. His wife, Joy Mooney Jenkins, predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Muirhead Jenkins; two children, including Susan Jenkins Warren ’83; five grandchildren, including Hannah Jenkins ’15; a brother, George O. Jenkins ’56; several nephews, including Stephen E. Mooney ’80 and John B. Mooney ’82; several nieces, including Gail J. Farris ’84 and grandnieces Kimberley B. Farris ’14 and Jennifer G. Farris ’16; and several stepchildren, including Susan M. Bates ’78 and Judith Kiplinger ’81.
Northeast U.S. was home to a majority of our freshman class. Within a few years of graduation members of the class began to move—west and south—as demanded by job and family. This continues with retirement and aging. Relocating in January to The Woodlands, Texas, from his long-term home in Chagrin Falls, Ohio (Chagrin origin?, probably corruption of the French surname Seguin), Jim Griffis enjoys “a large 8th (top) floor corner apartment with wraparound balcony” overlooking a small lake outside Houston. Two of his four children, his daughter and his retired son (one of three), live in the area. He left a great-granddaughter and great-grandson in Cleveland. Always being the “oldest guy in his Cleveland circles,” he now finds himself among “old people—many older and more active.” Not an unusual occurrence for many of us. Welcome to the Southwest, Jim!
Not enough news? As spring brings forth new life and winter hibernation ends, share your activities (planned or completed) with classmates with a note or call to me. Thanks to all who have contributed to the Wesleyan Fund.
JOHN W. MILLER | Jwalmiller@aol.com
306 Autumn Court, Bartlesville, OK 74006 918/335-0081
STUART GOLDSMITH, 82, a corporate executive and international businessman, died July 23, 2013. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he received his degree with honors and with high distinction in history and literature. After serving in U.S. Navy Intelligence, he received an MBA from Harvard Business School and began his career in international business. His wife, Ann Crombie, predeceased him.
Richard “Dixie” Sanger ’52 offers these reflections on his friend:
I have the sad duty of reporting the death of Stuart Goldsmith on July 23, 2013, at his home in Bellport, NY.
Chip had been in declining health for years, but as recently as last March, when Maggie and I visited him at his winter home in Florida, had seemed to have staged another of his remarkable recoveries. We had a lovely time dining with him and, of course wining with him (although you will be glad to know I abstained) and enjoyed the company of a couple of his lady friends, being careful never to acknowledge the existence of the one in the presence of the other.
Chip was in good spirits, moving around without too much discomfort, and still driving, although not well. (Nothing new in that; he was always a better guide than driver.) Shortly after returning to Long Island for the summer, however, he fell ill again. From a distance, our best diagnosis is that his much-repaired heart finally gave out; this time there were no more medical miracles to performed. Chip had enjoyed nearly 25 years of borrowed time; his first heart attack, which hit as he was hustling to board a plane at what was then Washington National Airport, would have killed him had it not taken place with skilled help (and a defibrillator) right at hand.
Last Friday he was taken off all life-support devices save an oxygen inhalator, and sent home from Stony Brook Medical Center. The doctors told him he might live two more hours, or two more weeks. He called a few friends, including Maggie and me, to say goodbye. I was able to tell him I loved him and that I would pray for him, whether he liked it or not.
As you may know, Chip had little use for organized religion; he acknowledged that there might be some cosmic Power beyond his understanding, but would never accept the idea of what he called “an interventionist God.” Ironically, he was the kid with the religious upbringing; I came from an essentially pagan home. In his teens he was an acolyte at Wilmington’s Trinity Church, where in 1953 he would be invited to be best man at my marriage to Margaret Marvel. (Delayed by problems on the Pennsylvania Railroad’s main line north of Wilmington, he arrived — in his officers’ training sailor suit — just in time to see Maggie and me emerge from the church.)
Chip was my oldest friend. We met when he was eight and I had just turned nine. Our fathers — both mechanical engineers — worked together building paper-making machines at the Pusey & Jones Corp. on Wilmington’s riverfront. My brother Frank, 13 years older than I, was at the Naval Academy at the time and had gotten tickets to the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia. The Frank Sangers and the Phil Goldsmiths were going up from Wilmington together. The families assembled at the Goldsmiths’ home in Wawaset, where I first met their son (an only child), Chip. Oddly, the first home Maggie and I owned — a couple of decades later — was the other half of this semi-detached house on Macdonough Road.
Many will remember Stuart as a serious student who graduated with high distinction from Wesleyan. What many of you may not realize, however, is that in an earlier incarnation he was an equally serious jock who showed little promise as a scholar. At Wilmington Friends School, he was the shortstop who backed me up — and first gave me the nickname “Dixie” — when I was on the mound pitching. Sent off to Macdonough, a military school in Baltimore, for an infraction that was never fully disclosed, he went on to play quarterback in a league where Friends School’s Quakers could never have held their own.
I might never have been a Wesleyan Alpha Delt but for Chip, and Chip might never have been one but for me. Chip’s cousin, Ann Hamm, was dating Brother Bob Ludlum in 1948, when I was recruited to go to Wesleyan. Through Chip and his family, I met Bob and actually got to know him and some of the other brothers — Carl Wright, Jack Easton, Gigs Gamon — when I visited them with my friend Mark Attix at a lakeside resort where they were working. Ludlum saw to it that I pledged Alpha Delt, and a year later I did the same for Chip when he followed along to Wesleyan.
After that, it was OCS and a lengthy, if mysterious, career as a Cold Warrior, first in Naval Intelligence and, after Harvard Business School, in what he said was simply international business. Whatever it was, he and Ann traveled the world, in and out of London and Tokyo like commuters and coming to roost in hot spots like Nairobi and Cairo. Along the way, he earned the respect of many for his business acumen and the admiration of others for his cosmopolitan lifestyle. He loved the theater and the opera. He collected fine art as he journeyed around the world. He followed current events with considerable passion, and gave generously in support of his principles. He even ran for the local school board, won, and served until the “teachers’ union,” one of the objects of his sometimes vitriolic scorn, rose up and unseated him.
Stuart leaves no immediate survivors. His beloved Ann died three years ago; his own death occurred on what would have been their 53rd wedding anniversary. As he wished, there will be no funeral. His remains will go where he wanted — with Ann’s, on the waters of the Great South Bay.
ALAN J. ZINSER, 74, a banker and professor emeritus of business at Mattatuck (now Naugatuck Valley) Community College in Connecticut, died June 18, 2006. A member of Phi Sigma Kappa, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in history, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After serving in the U.S. Navy he received an M.B.A/ from Harvard. He won a number of marketing awards while at Waterbury National Bank and developed an innovative marketing program for students at the college. Among those who survive are his wife, Betty Fillers-Simons Zinser; three sons, including Marc A. Zinser ’79, M.D.; and seven grandchildren.
