Edward F. Mues Jr. ’39
Edward F. Mues Jr. ’39 passed away on October 5, 2020, at the age of 103. A full obituary can be found here.
Obituaries | 1930-1939
David S. Biberman ’37
David S. Biberman ’37 passed away on Jan. 15, 2019. A full obituary can be found here.
Curtis W. Smith ’38
Curtis W. Smith, 100, a retired United Methodist minister, died Nov. 10, 2017. He was a member of Sigma Chi, received his degree with honors, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in divinity from the Chicago Theological Seminary, he began his career serving parishes in New England. In 1964 he moved with his family to the eastern shore of Maryland because he wanted to become more involved in the Civil Rights Movement. After retirement in 1985 they moved back to New Hampshire, where he remained active by filling in for other pastors in various roles. He retired completely at age 89. A lifelong pacifist, he always enjoyed working with youth. His wife, Rosemary Hirst Smith, predeceased him. Among those who survive are two daughters, one son, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Clarence K. Aldrich ’35
C. Knight Aldrich, M.D., a psychiatrist and author, died Nov. 3, 2017. He was 103. A member of Eclectic, he received his degree with honors and with high distinction in psychology. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and to Sigma Xi. After receiving his medical degree from Northwestern University, he served in the U.S. Public Health Service during World War II. Following the war, he was a faculty member of the medical schools at the universities of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and in 1955 became chairman of the newly formed Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago School of Medicine. He had an unwavering commitment to understanding mental health illness and to improving mental health care, particular in the community. An author of many articles and several books, he wrote about aspects of psychiatry as well as a book based on his great-grandfather’s Civil War letters. His wife, Julie Honore Aldrich, and two sons predeceased him. Survivors include a son; a daughter; eight grandchildren, including Adam B. Aldrich ’17; and three great-grandchildren.
FRANK P. CONANT ’39
Frank Priest Conant, 98, of Easthampton, died Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in his home.
He was born Oct. 28, 1917, in Littleton, the son of the late Harold W. and Dorothy Priest Conant. He was a graduate of Williston Academy class of 1935 and Wesleyan University class of 1939.
He was vice president of International Operations for the United Elastic Corporation retiring in 1969, then becoming a trust officer at the First National Bank of Northampton retiring in 1977.
Frank served in the army during World War II; a Massachusetts National Guard member federalized one day after Pearl Harbor. He served for the duration of the war, five years to the day, attaining the rank of major.
He was a member of Southampton Congregational Church, UCC serving as a church leader in various capacities. He was a trustee of Williston Academy and Williston-Northampton School in Easthampton, Ferrum College in Virginia, and Childs Park in Northampton. He served on numerous Southampton school and building committees and the cemetery commission. He was also a member of the American Legion, Franklin Harvest Club and Easthampton Rotary Club. He was the author of several local historical books including “God’s Steward” a history of Williston Academy.
Frank was predeceased by wife Jessie Phillips Conant who died in 1944 and by wife Ruby Bowlin Conant who died in 2002. He is survived by two sons, Dale B. Conant of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and John W. Conant (Sally) of South Deerfield, and two daughters, Ann C. Leatherman (Stephen) of Indianapolis, Indiana, and the Rev. Mary P. Conant (Robin) of Sunol, California; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth C. Cook and Lucy H. Conant.
A memorial service with military honors will be held Tuesday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at the Southampton Congregational Church. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Camp Fleur de Lis, 120 Howeville Road, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447, or Edwards Public Library, 30 East St., Southampton, MA 01073. www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com.
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ROBERT E. PORTER ’38
ROBERT E. PORTER, an attorney, died Feb. 4, 2016, at age 100. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he received his degree with honors and with high distinction in government. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war he returned to legal practice in Wayne, Penna., with the firm of Greenwell and Porter, later Greenwell, Porter, Smaltz, and Royal, until he retired in 1985. Active in his community as well as professional associations, he was an original trustee of Valley Forge Military Academy. His wife of 74 years, Doris Ray Porter, survives, as do two daughters, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his sister.
HAROLD C. DUNN ’39
HAROLD C. DUNN, 98, a partner in the Hatfield & Dunn insurance agency, died Apr. 25, 2015. A member of Psi Upsilon, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He was the son of Harold A. Dunn of the class of 1902 and the brother of Gordon C. Dunn of the class of 1936. His first wife, Edith Warner Dunn, and his two daughters predeceased him. Among those who survive are his wife, Natalie Schnare Dunn, one son, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his sister, and his brother, Donald G. Dunn ’48.
CHARLES H. LINDNER SR. ’35
CHARLES H. LINDNER SR., a former insurance executive, died Jan. 7, 2015. He was 101. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he received his CLU designation from the University of Connecticut. He worked for the Prudential Insurance Company for 36 years. His wife, Jeannette Lanning Lindner, predeceased him. Three children, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren survive.
JOHN H. WEITZ ’38
JOHN H. WEITZ, 97, a geologist and the former president and co-owner of the Independent Explosive Company, died Oct. 28, 2013. A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received a master’s degree from Lehigh University and a PhD from Pennsylvania State University. Intending to become an actuary, he became interested in geology after being inspired by Wesleyan geology professor Joe Webb Peoples. After graduate work, he joined the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Mines, mapping strategic metal ore deposits needed for the war effort during World War II. He then joined the Lehigh University geology faculty for five years and then moved back to Ohio, where he became the geologist and later vice president at the family business, Independent Explosive Company. Later, he became president and co-owner. An avid reader and a community volunteer, he used his geology knowledge to help his community. His wife, Anne Moore Weitz survives, as do three children, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his brother, Joseph J. Weitz ’44. One granddaughter predeceased him.
WILLIAM H. HEISLER III ’38
WILLIAM H. HEISLER III, the former CEO of Citizens Bank and an active community leader, died Jan. 9, 2013, at age 97. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. As a result of his service to the Rhode Island community as a volunteer leader of most of the prominent non-profits in the state during his long tenure as a resident and with Citizens Bank, The Rhode Island Foundation established the Heisler Leadership Fund in his memory. Among other accomplishments, long before it was a federal law, he initiated his own version of a Community Reinvestment Act in order to give access to diverse populations. Two wives predeceased him; two children are among those who survive.