Author: Cynthia Rockwell

EDGAR A. JONES JR., a retired professor of law at the University of California at Los Angeles, who played the part of a judge on television courtroom shows, died May 10, 2013, at age 92. The son of Edgar A. Jones of the class of 1912, he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. During World War II he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He joined the UCLA law school faculty in 1951 and taught torts, labor law, and labor arbitration there until his retirement in 1991. His television career began with a call from a producer who needed to cast someone knowledgeable about the law for the program Traffic Court. He was such a hit that he also was the judge on Day in Court and Accused. He worked without a script on the shows because he preferred the air of realism that came from letting the events unfold, and he became a star of the new genre in an era when fictional and quasi-real courtroom shows were becoming popular. Among those who survive are his wife, Helen Callaghan Jones, 11 children, 23 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

NORMAN M. THORNTON, 94, the retired business manager and chief financial officer of St. Andrews School in Middletown, Del., died Aug. 19, 2013. The brother of Robert D. Thornton of the class of 1939, he was a member of Chi Psi and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He received an MBA from Harvard University and, as an active community volunteer, offered his financial expertise to local organizations. His wife, Ruth Henderson Thornton, predeceased him. Survivors include a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren.

HARRY S. EDWARDS, a retired chemist and computer scientist, died July 11, 2013. He was 94. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in chemistry. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and to Sigma Xi. In 1943 he received a master’s from Wesleyan and in 1950 he received a PhD in physical chemistry from Northwestern University. His career focused on nuclear technology, including his employment at General Electric, where he worked on a project to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft. He then worked at Argonne National Laboratory from 1968 until his retirement in 1984. Predeceased by his brother, Austin M. Edwards ’37, he is survived by a niece and nephew, as well as their children and grandchildren.

HARRY S. EDWARDS, a retired chemist and computer scientist, died July 11, 2013. He was 94. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in chemistry. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and to Sigma Xi. In 1943 he received a master’s from Wesleyan and in 1950 he received a PhD in physical chemistry from Northwestern University. His career focused on nuclear technology, including his employment at General Electric, where he worked on a project to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft. He then worked at Argonne National Laboratory from 1968 until his retirement in 1984. Predeceased by his brother, Austin M. Edwards ’37, he is survived by a niece and nephew, as well as their children and grandchildren.

ROBERT C. BIRDSEY, a farmer and retired materials engineer for the State of Connecticut, died Nov. 27, 2013, at age 94. He lived his whole life in Middlefield, Conn., in the same house built by his grandfather on the farm that had been in the family for many generations. An avid musician, he was also well known for his collection of peonies, which numbered more than 200 varieties, and which have been the subject of feature articles over the years. He is survived by four children, eight grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

RUSSELL C. TUTTLE, 97, a retired educator and the longtime director of overseas personnel for the American Friends Service Committee, died Apr. 14, 2013. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he taught at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, before returning to the U.S., where he taught at Evansville College and at the University of Illinois before receiving a master’s degree in education at Springfield (Mass.) College. During World War II he registered as a conscientious objector and served in various civilian public service projects. His wife, Carol Richie Tuttle, died three weeks before him. Survivors include four children and his sister.

RALPH H. WINTERS, who was associated with World Wide Beverages for many years, died Feb. 14, 2011, at age 90. A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in history, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His wife and two sons predeceased him. Three children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren survive.

EDWARD B. WILSON II, a trustee emeritus of Wesleyan University, and a retired advertising executive who spent 30 years at J. Walter Thompson, starting in the mailroom in 1947 and retiring in 1977 as chairman of the board, died Feb. 20, 2008. He was 87. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. During his tenure at J. Walter Thompson, the company pioneered the use of computers for media planning and buying, and used television as a global medium. His responsibilities at the company spanned the entire country, where he was responsible for all advertising operations before becoming president and chief operating officer, and ultimately, chairman of the board. He is survived by his wife, Mary Cregier Wilson, three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

FRANK T. WATERS JR., a retired teacher and coach, died Dec. 19, 2003, of emphysema. He was 85 and was the brother of the late William W. Waters ’42. A member of Psi Upsilon, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and then returned after the war to finish his degree. He also worked as a personnel director. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Waters; two sons, including Frank T. Waters III ’70; a daughter; seven grandchildren, including Matthew Manseau ’02; and several nephews and nieces, including David Stearns ’57.