Obituaries | 1940-1949

ROBERT H. MELLEN, a physicist, died Jan. 11, 2003 at age 83. He was elected to Sigma Xi and received his degree with honors and with distinction in physics. A member of Sigma Chi, he received a doctorate from the University of Connecticut and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. In 1980 he retired from the Naval Underwater Systems Center and at the time of his death was a physicist with Kildare in New London, Conn. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Lockhart Mellen, two daughters, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a sister.

A. REESE MATTESON, M.D., a retired otolaryngologist who practiced in Danville, Ill., for almost 50 years, died Oct. 10, 2007, at age 87. After receiving his degree with honors, he received his medical degree from Yale University. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army. He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Dusenbury Matteson. Among those who survive are three children.

Rabbi JACOB LANTZ, 91, the spiritual leader emeritus of Temple Shalom in Norwalk, Conn., who was active in religious and community affairs, died Sept. 20, 2009. A member of the John Wesley Club, he served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He received an MHL and a doctorate of divinity, and was ordained at the Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion. Among other honors, he was a past president of the New England Region of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. His first wife, Dorothy Weiner Lantz, predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Jacob Lantz, five sons, five grandchildren, and his sister.

EDWIN C. JOHNSON JR., 85, a management consultant, died June 29, 2004. He was a member of Psi Upsilon and the brother of Paul Johnson ’45. He received his degree with high honors and distinction in goverment and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army from 1941-48 and was chief of the denazification of the military government of Bavaria. He received a certificate from the university in Aix-en-Provence and a J.D. from Yale Law School. He had a tour of duty with the State Department in Brazil before leaving government to be a management consultant for Booz, Allen & Hamilton. He then started his own firm, Edwin C. Johnson & Associates. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol “Tish” Johnson.

JOHN J. HYDE, 88, the founder and president of J.J. Hyde & Associates, real estate brokers in Fort Wayne, Ind., died Jan. 25, 2007. He was a member of Chi Psi and served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. Among those who survive are his wife, Margaret Berto Hyde, two daughters, two stepsons, and two brothers, including Charles F. Hyde Jr. ’43.

FRANCIS H. “PETE” HUNT, who retired as associate director for center operations at the U.S. Navy Underwater Sound Laboratory after a career of more than 30 years there, died Nov. 10, 2008. He was 89. Orphaned at age two, he received his degree with distinction in philosophy. He was a member of Delta Upsilon and was a decorated veteran of World War II. An active civic volunteer in many organizations, he led the East Lyme (Conn.) Zoning Board of Appeals for more than 50 years. His first wife, Kathleen McLean Hunt, predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, Mary A. Hunt; three children, including Deborah M. Hurd ’74 and Laurie J. Hunt ’77; and five grandchildren.

DAVID S. HIBBARD, a distinguished metallurgical engineer, died Dec. 28, 2003. He was 87. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he joined The American Brass Company and remained with the firm for more than 40 years. He held numerous patents for his work in heat distribution and corrosion analysis and prevention, and during World War II made significant contributions to the design and manufacture of aircraft brakes. Predeceased by his wife, Sylvia S. Hibbard, he is survived by a daughter; four grandsons; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Walter R. Hibbard Jr. ’39; and a nephew, Douglas T. Hibbard ’65.

FRED HERRIGEL III, 86, a retired attorney and former trustee of Drew University, died Feb. 25, 2005. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta and received a law degree from Rutgers University after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Predeceased by a son, he is survived by his wife, Margaret King Herrigel, two children, five grandchildren, and a brother and sister.

ROBERT D. HARVEY, 83, who had a distinguished career in university library services, and who was the father of Spencer G. Harvey ’82, died Jan. 12, 2003. He was a member of Sigma Nu and received a master’s degree in library science from Columbia University. During World War II he served in the U.S. Air Force. A pioneer in implementing computer-based card catalog systems, he was the head of libraries at Southwest Missouri State University for many years. He also held several international table tennis titles. His wife, Mary Jane Hatfield Harvey, predeceased him. Survivors include his son and a granddaughter.

THEODORE F. GOODCHILD, the retired president of Goodchild & Eidson, Inc., the Providence (R.I.) advertising agency, and class secretary since his undergraduate days, died Feb. 8, 2012. He was 92. He was 92. A member of Chi Psi, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B-29 commander during World War II. He began his advertising career as a copywriter in 1945 and was associated with several firms before founding his own firm in 1972. During his career and after retirement, he was active in many professional and community organizations, including service as a volunteer with the International Executive Service Corps. His wife, Marjorie Leete Goodchild, died Feb. 27, 2012 A son and a daughter survive.