DOUGLAS M. ROBINS, an administrator at the Franklin Institute, died Dec. 12, 2004. He was 89. The grandson of Joseph E. Robins of the class of 1868, the son of George D. Robins of the class of 1898, the son-in-law of Edmund W. Frain of the class of 1898, the cousin of Frank D. Robins ’34 and of J. Knox Robins ’52, he was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include a cousin, Douglas H. Robins ’66.
HERBERT W. OWEN, who was president and chairman of the board of the Chatfield Paper Company, died Aug. 27, 2011. He was 96. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In his early years he was known as a model airplane builder, and he pioneered the use of microfilm for model airplane wing construction. Predeceased by his wife, Alice Freyberg Owen, his sister and several nieces and nephews survive.
STEPHEN J. O’BRIEN, 90, an attorney and professor of law at Fairfield University, died June 2, 2005. He was a member of Alpha Chi Rho, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and received his degree with high honors and with high distinction in economics. After receiving a law degree from Yale, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II and remaining a member of the Reserves until 1961. He is survived by Virginia Lee O’Brien, their six children, and four grandchildren.
WILLYS M. MONROE, M.D., a retired pathologist and leader in the field of blood banking, died Mar. 18, 2005. He was 89. A member of Chi Psi, he received his medical degree from Yale University. He served in the U.S. Public Health Service for 15 years and later returned to active duty several times. As chairman of the department of pathology at Richmond (Va.) Memorial Hospital, he established a blood bank, trained laboratory technicians, and taught pathology at several universities. Active in educational and community organizations, he received a Service Award from Wesleyan in 1992. Predeceased by his first wife, Janet MacLean Monroe, he is survived by his wife, Dr. Louise Wilkes Robertson, two children, two grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren.
JAMES S. MACGREGOR JR., the retired owner of Mar-Mac Tools in Essex, Conn., died June 3, 2011. He was 98. A devoted alumnus of the university, he was a member of Eclectic and was the brother of the late Rob Roy Macgregor ’36, who died four months earlier (see obituary in this column). He was employed for many years by the Raybestos Manhattan Company before founding his own company. He was also an avid sailor and lover of the outdoors. His wife of 72 years, Emilie Waker Macgregor, survives, as do four children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
FRANK V. MCCONKEY JR., who was the historian of the York County, Penna., agricultural fair, the oldest fair in the United States, died Jan. 11, 2003 at age 87. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was an accountant. Among those who survive is his wife, Yvonne Harriau McConkey.
CHARLES G. LINCOLN II, an actuary who was a pioneer in computer programming, died Sept. 26, 2006 at age 91. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in math. He was elected to Sigma Xi and to Phi Beta Kappa. During World War II he taught in the U.S. Navy V-12 program at Wesleyan. After his retirement from the Travelers Insurance Company, he was an active community volunteer. Among those who survive are his wife, Barbara Waite Lincoln; three sons, including Jeffrey C. Lincoln ’68; seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
A. STEPHEN LASALA, 95, a real estate and construction executive, died Feb. 27, 2011. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and received his law degree from Fordham University. His wife, Helen Romagnoli LaSala, survives, as do three children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
STUART L. JOSLIN, M.D., a pediatrician who became a child psychiatrist, died Jan. 25, 2009, at age 92. He received his degree with honors and with distinction in biology, and was a member of Psi Upsilon. Elected to Sigma Xi and to Phi Beta Kappa, he received both a master’s and a medical degree from Yale University. He was the brother of the late Richard M. Joslin ’35. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. He was one of the founders of the Mid-Fairfield (Conn.) Child Guidance Center, as well as the founder and chairman of the Well Baby Clinic conducted by the Fairfield Visiting Nurses Association. Predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Dennett Joslin, and by a son, survivors include two daughters and five grandchildren
WARREN L. (“Rib”) HALL, 93, the founder and owner of Rib Hall’s Educational Service, died April 27, 2008. He was a member of Psi Upsilon. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was affiliated with John Ahlbin and Sons, and retired as vice president in 1966. After moving to Maine, he founded his educational services company and continued working until 2003, also serving with distinction on the board and the executive committee of the National School Supplies and Equipment Association. He also served Wesleyan as class secretary and agent, earning the Wesleyan University Service Award. Predeceased by his brother, Sibley A. Hall ’34; his first wife, Dorothy Catlin Hall; and his son, Carter Bailey “Toby” Hall; he is survived by his wife, Phyllis; two daughters; four grandchildren; and three stepsons.
