Obituaries | 1940-1949

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.

JOHN A. ROBINSON, the retired president of the eastern division of the Longview Fibre Box Company, died June 11, 2013. He was 88 and was the brother of the late William C. Robinson of the class of 1944. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he was elected to Wesleyan’s Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the only undefeated and untied football team. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and was part of the V-12 program. After receiving his degree from Wesleyan, he attended the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University Business School. He started with Longview as a factory worker and rose through sales to management. An avid athlete and volunteer tennis coach, his retirement project was the establishment of Flyway Farm, raising and racing harness horses. His wife, Dorothy Spencer Robinson, survives, as do six children; 17 grandchildren, including Anna N. Watson ’00; three great-grandchildren; his sister; and many nieces and nephews.

WILLIAM G. COMISKEY, an attorney and former Connecticut State Representative, died Dec. 26, 2011. He was 86. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, after receiving his degree with honors and with distinction in psychology, he received his law degree from the University of Connecticut. In addition to practicing law for 39 years, he served as corporation counsel for the city of Meriden, Conn. Among those who survive are his stepson and grandson.

JAMES E. MALONE, 90, a restaurateur, died May 6, 2013. He was a member of Alpha Chi Rho and received his degree in 1947 after serving in the U.S. Army Marine Corps during World War II. Predeceased by one son, survivors include his wife, Kathryn Ahearn Malone, a son, and one grandson.

H. BOYD EDWARDS JR., a retired investment banker, died June 7, 2011. He was 88. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and returned to Wesleyan, where he received his degree in 1947. His four children and five grandchildren survive.

ROY L. WENTZ JR., 90, who owned the Wentz Pharmacy in Bexley, Ohio, died June 28, 2012. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received his degree from the Ohio State University. Predeceased by his first wife, Jane Weathers Wentz, he is survived by his wife, Mary M. Wentz, two children, three stepchildren, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

ALBERT E. PELS JR., a retired training consultant for the American Can Company, died June 28, 2013, at age 91. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. An enthusiastic skier, he was an active member of the National Ski Patrol for 62 years, serving for a time as a national board member. His wife, Elizabeth Voorhees Pels, predeceased him. Three children and five grandchildren survive.

EDWARD G. BARKER, a structural engineer, died Sept. 11, 2011. He was 89. A member of Sigma Nu, he was the grandson of Forrest E. Barker of the class of 1874 and the son of Stanley G. Barker of the class of 1909. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and then attended Iowa State College, where he received a degree in architectural engineering. He worked on a number of projects in the Boston, Mass., area before starting his own company, Metric Construction. He also received a master’s degree in urban development from Northeastern University and an honorary doctorate from Wentworth College, where he taught. He was a beekeeper, environmentalist, and active in the peace movement. Predeceased by one son, survivors include his wife, Louise Hunn Barker, six children, 15 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

CHARLES SCHWANDA, who had been executive vice president and treasurer of the Stafford (Conn.) Savings Bank, died Mar. 20 2013, at age 92. A member of Delta Upsilon, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a Boy Scout executive and partner of the former B. Schwanda & Sons button company, which closed in 1967. He then started to work for the Stafford Savings Bank where he had been a Trustee and retired as Trustee Emeritus in 1992. He was also a Trustee Emeritus of Johnson Memorial Hospital, having served the hospital in many capacities, including as President, and he was one of the founders of the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of Stafford. His wife, Jean Cooley Schwanda, predeceased him. He is survived by five children, 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.