Author: Leslie Egbo

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.

NEWELL W. GILES JR., who was an internationally-recognized artist, died Dec. 22, 2004. He was 76. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he was a U.S. Army veteran. After working as an art director at several advertising agencies, he devoted his time to painting and teaching. He was best known for his oil and watercolor paintings of Greenwich, Conn., and of World War II aircraft scenes. His award-winning paintings are in many private and corporate collections. Survivors include his wife, Joan Seversen Giles, two sons, three grandchildren, and one brother.

WILLIAM M. GILMORE, 64, an attorney, musician, and avid cyclist, died May 5, 2012. He received both law and MBA degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to working for the Pew Charitable Trusts, he was committed to social justice and performed pro bono legal work, including the establishment of community credit unions in several states. He was a gifted musician and a member of the American Guild of Organists. Formerly Director of Music at Calvary United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, he was also director of Oracle, a choral and instrumental chamber ensemble. He was an avid cyclist, advocating for bicyclists’ rights. In recent years he worked as the primary caregiver for his disabled parents. Survivors include his mother, Emma Gilmore, one brother, and five cousins.

WILLIAM H. GUSTAFSON, 62, William Howard Gustafson of Lubbock, Texas, a mathematician with an international reputation, died July 16, 2007 of cardiovascular disease in Lubbock. He was 62. He leaves two sisters, Judith Ann Gustafson Currier of North Falmouth, Massachusetts, and Nancy Gustafson Radoff of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. He also leaves a niece, Torie Kristina Radoff of Old Saybrook, Connecticut.Dr. Gustafson was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He was the son of the late Priscilla W. Gustafson and the late Howard I. Gustafson of Middletown, Connecticut. Dr. Gustafson attended public schools in Middletown, Connecticut and began his collegiate education at Wesleyan University in Middletown, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1966. He earned a masters degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1967 and a doctoral degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1970. He was a teaching fellow at the University of Illinois from 1966-1970. Dr. Gustafson was an assistant professor at Indiana University from 1970-1976, and a visiting assistant professor at Brandeis University from 1972-1973. He then joined the faculty of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Texas Tech University as an assistant professor in 1976. In 1980 he was promoted to associate professor and, in 1986, Dr. Gustafson was promoted to the rank of professor. He remained on the faculty until his retirement in 2003. Dr. Gustafson’s expertise was in ring theory and algebra, and he was knowledgeable about most of modern mathematics, according to his late colleague, Dr. Paul R. Halmos. Dr. Gustafson was one of many modern mathematicians who appeared in a collection of photographs compiled from Dr. Halmos’ private collection of snapshots and published in I Have a Photographic Memory, (American Mathematical Society, Providence, Rhode Island, 1987). He was invited by Dr. Halmos to contribute a chapter entitled, “On Products of Involutions” in Paul Halmos: Celebrating 50 Years of Mathematics, (Springer-Verlag, New York, in 1991). In addition, Dr. Gustafson was the author or co-author of over 40 published papers and he presented numerous invited addresses and colloquia throughout the country and in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Canada. He organized the department’s colloquium series for many years. In 1977, Dr. Gustafson was among the recipients of the Lester R. Ford Award, given annually by the Mathematical Association of America at the Summer Meeting of the association. The Lester R. Ford Awards were established in 1964 to recognize authors of articles of expository excellence published in The American Mathematical Monthly or Mathematics Magazine. Up to five of these awards are given annually. William P. Ziemer, William H. Wheeler, S.H. Moolgavkar, Paul R. Halmos, John H. Ewing and Dr. Gustafson were honored for “American mathematics from 1940 to the day before yesterday,” (American Mathematical Monthly 83 [1976], 503-516). In addition to his interest in mathematics, Dr. Gustafson enjoyed music, classical, jazz, and blues, and he played guitar from a young age. Dr. Gustafson became interested in amateur radio while visiting his brother-in-law, Richard E. Currier, an amateur radio operator (AA1FB). He studied for his license, eventually achieving the “Extra” license level. He had become interested in radio as a child when he and his father engaged in “SWL” (short wave listening). He often participated in field day with his father (KA1PPN), also an amateur radio operator, in Connecticut. He was a member of the Lubbock Amateur Radio Club for almost 20 years. He was considered to be one of the best CW (Morse code) operators in West Texas. Dr. Gustafson also served as a VE (volunteer examiner) certified to administer the test for new radio amateur operators. For many years, Dr. Gustafson traveled regularly all over the Southwest to amateur radio gatherings, swap-fests, and to meet and visit with his many radio friends. His key is now silent, KG5OV. Services will be held at a future date in North Falmouth, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dr. Gustafson’s name may be made to the Lubbock Amateur Radio Club (3801-68th Street, Lubbock, TX 79413) to support its emergency mobile communications van or to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, (Box 41042, Lubbock, TX 79409-1042) at Texas Tech University.

RICHARD A. GRISCOM, a retired attorney, consultant, and dedicated public servant, died Jan. 12, 2011. He was 75. A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, he received his degree with honors. After receiving his law degree from Harvard University, he did community development work in Central and South America and joined the Peace Corps, serving in Jamaica, Bolivia, Venezuela, Paraguay, and El Salvador as deputy country director and director. He also coordinated Peace Corps training programs and worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Bolivia and Panama. He also worked with Haitian and Sudanese officials to develop refugee programs. In Papua New Guinea he developed training programs for government officials. After he stopped working overseas, he worked on a variety of issues in Galisteo, N.M., and served two stints as general counsel to the New Mexico Human Services Department. Among those who survive are his wife, Janice Felty Griscom; five children; five grandchildren; his brother, Dr. N. Thorne Griscom ’52; and his nephew, Matthew T. Griscom ’88.

ERNEST P. GOBEILLE JR., a retired manager with Travelers Insurance Company, died Jan. 2, 2012. He was 76. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he was a U.S. Army veteran. He spent 34 years with Travelers, after which he and his wife enjoyed camping, completing their goal of camping in every state except Hawaii. He also trained Australian Shepherds to be therapy dogs. Among those who survive are his wife, Janet Smith Gobeille, two daughters, four grandchildren, his sister and his stepbrothers.

ROBERT M. GIPSTEIN, M.D., a nephrologist who was an associate professor of clinical medicine at U.C.L.A., and who retired as chief of staff at Santa Monica Hospital, died Sept. 3, 2010, at age 75. A member of Gamma Psi, he majored in biology and received his degree with high honors and with distinction in creative writing after writing a novel for his honors thesis. He received his medical degree from Tufts University and served in the U.S. Army. Always devoted to ethical principles, he braved a potential court martial by refusing to execute a direct order to perform, on enlisted men, a particular experiment that he did not believe had been tested sufficiently. He published numerous research articles, and he lectured and presented at medical conferences worldwide. Divorced from Gwynne Zachs Gipstein, he is survived by his life partner, Joan L. Colwell, with whom he reunited at their 50th high school reunion, and one son, Jason Gipstein ’87.