Author: Randi Alexandra Plake

CARL F. SYRIALA, a aquaculture specialist, died Nov. 12, 2016. He was 78. He was a member of Chi Psi and received an MBA from the University of Chicago. After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and working at New England Merchants Bank, he returned to Cape Cod, where he was born, and founded Finn Farms in West Barnstable, digging steamers and quahogs, and raising oysters. He was also the treasurer of the West Barnstable Fire Department. Among those who survive are his brother, two nephews, and his close friend, Helen Ranta.

RICHARD H. HUDDLESTON, a former director of development at Wesleyan, and an executive in nonprofit educational institutions, died Jan. 5, 2017, at age 78. He was a member of Eclectic and received his degree with honors. An American Field Service Exchange student in Athens, Greece, he was also a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Florence, Italy, and an Italian History Research Scholar in Rome, Italy. He received master’s and PhD degrees in European history from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked at the University of North Carolina and at New College before returning to Wesleyan, where he directed annual giving and then development. Serving Wesleyan both as a volunteer and as an employee, he was secretary for his class for many years, co-class agent, and Reunion co-chair. In addition to his 22 years at Wesleyan, his professional career was solely in the nonprofit world, with service to such organizations as Winrock International, a Rockefeller international agricultural research and development foundation, as well as World Learning, and Save the Children. Survivors include his wife, Lindsey Hall Huddleston, and two children, including Michael A. Huddleston ’90.

HAROLD H. SHIVELY JR., M.D., a cardiologist, died Jan. 4, 2017, at age 79. He was the nephew of Kenneth E. Steele of the class of 1927. A member of Eclectic, he received his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and served in the U.S. Army. After 10 years of active military duty, he relocated to La Jolla, Calif., where he practiced cardiology at Scripps Memorial Hospital. He continued his military career in the Army reserves for 25 years, attaining the rank of Brigadier General. A private pilot and instructor, he also enjoyed playing baseball as well as the trumpet. Survivors include his wife, Carol Steele; three children; 12 grandchildren; and a niece, Anne Hege ’98.

DAVID G. DAVIS, a retired educator, died May 6, 2016, at age 79. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he received a master’s degree from the University of Washington. Among those who survive are five children.

DAVID W. RALSTON, an attorney, entrepreneur, and orchardist, died Jan. 10, 2017. He was 81. He was a member of Sigma Chi and received his degree with distinction in government. After receiving his law degree from Columbia University he worked for the Small Business Administration and then joined a private practice of law. In 1970 he formed Ralston and Mannion. For most of his married life, he lived in Reston, Va., where he was a community leader, serving for many years on the board of the Reston Community Association, and on the board of the Fellowship Square Foundation, a Reston nonprofit that owns and manages retirement communities in the Reston area. He was also an entrepreneur and was instrumental in founding a local bank and a savings and loan association. Additionally, he was a restaurateur, a real estate developer, and finally an orchardist, with an apple and peach orchard in West Virginia. His wife, Bridget Ryan Ralston, survives, as do three sons; four grandchildren; Diana Ralston, the mother of two of his grandchildren; his brother, Peter A. Ralston ’58; and a large extended family.

JOHN L. PEAKES, an actor who co-founded the BoarsHead Theater in Lansing, Mich., died Jan. 26, 2017. He was 83. A member of Alpha Tau Omega, he served in the U.S. Navy after graduation. On leave from the Navy, he attended a few plays in New York City and realized that the theater was his prime interest. After his discharge, he attended the Boston Conservatory while teaching at Plymouth Academy, but moved to New York City, where he worked in theater. He then went to Tufts University, where he acted in and directed many productions, and received a master’s degree. After a short time at the University of Iowa, he and several friends moved to Michigan and ran two small regional theaters. In 1976 they moved to the newly built BoarsHead Theater, where he remained until his retirement in 2003. In retirement, he moved to the Philadelphia area and continued to perform there. Predeceased by one son, among those who survive are his wife, Judith Peakes; his former wife, Constance Brown Peakes; one son; two grandsons; two stepchildren; his sister; and several nieces and nephews, including Eli U. Kendall ’11.

LARRY SHAPIRO, the retired head of American Paper & Supply Company, died Sept. 5, 2016, at age 81. He was the brother of P. Peter Sheppe of the class of 1953. A member of Eclectic, he served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator in London. He headed American Paper & Supply for more than 45 years. An avid sports fan, he was also a voracious reader. He is survived by his wife, Diana Richman Shapiro, two children, and one grandson.

RICHARD P. BURRAGE, a utilities executive, died Mar. 24, 2016. He was 82. A member of Delta Tau Delta, after graduation he joined the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, which later became Verizon, and spent his entire career there. In 1956 he was drafted and spent two years in the U.S. Army. Upon rejoining C&P, he became assistant vice president, engineering, for the mid-Atlantic region. He retired in 1990. A passionate reader, he spent much time volunteering for his local library, as well as for the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts, where he served in multiple capacities through the years. Survivors include his wife, Suzanne Fuller Burrage, two children, including Gregg R. Burrage ’82, and four grandchildren.

MARSHALL F. UMPLEBY, a retired educator and an author, died Oct. 16, 2016, at age 83. He was the son of Marshall L. Umpleby of the class of 1924 and the nephew of Arthur B. Umpleby of the class of 1926. A member of Chi Psi, he became a U.S. Navy aviator in 1953 and flew fighter jets from the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Kearsarge. He remained in the Naval Reserve for 20 years, retiring as Commander. After the Navy he remained in California, earned a secondary teaching certificate from San Francisco State University, and taught English at Burlingame High School for 27 years. He earned a master’s degree from Stanford University in 1969 and was twice voted Teacher of the Year. In 1987 he became the principal of Mills High School in Millbrae, Calif., where he remained until his retirement in 1993. Active in Rotary, he continued his involvement after he moved to southern Oregon, where he was also involved with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 2004 he realized a lifelong dream and published his first novel, On Falcon’s Wings. In 2007 he published a collection of short stories, Delayed Steal, inspired by his love of baseball. Survivors include his wife, Miriam Solomon Umpleby, and two daughters.

The Rev. JAMES B. SWAIN V, a United Methodist Church minister who served in India and the United States, died Nov. 28, 2016. He was 84. The son of Joseph R. Swain of the class of 1925 and the son-in-law of Carl L. Stearns, professor emeritus of mathematics and astronomy at Wesleyan, he was a member of the John Wesley Club. He received his degree with honors and with distinction in creative writing, and later received a degree in divinity from Yale University and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. An ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, he served in northern India for 13 years, where he taught graduate level English literature. He pastored churches in Connecticut and in northern Illinois. Passionate about community mental health services, in retirement he chaired the advisory board of River Valley Services in Middletown, Conn., for many years. He also enjoyed writing poetry, painting, singing and cooking. Among those who survive are his wife, Doris Stearns Swain, three children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.