WILLIAM G. HOPKINS, professor emeritus of plant physiology at the University of Western Ontario, died Nov. 30, 2014. He was 74. A member of Delta Sigma, he was elected to Sigma Xi. After received his PhD in plant physiology at Indiana University he was a post-doctoral fellow at Brookhaven National Laboratory before joining the faculty at Western Ontario. Among those who survive are his wife, Karen Olsen, and two children.
ELIECER E.F. MENDIA, an automobile executive, died Nov. 12, 2014, at age 77. He was a member of Sigma Nu and received his degree with distinction. After starting his career with Chrysler International in Havana, he eventually owned and managed several businesses in the automotive and hydraulic sectors. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Garcia Mendia, three sons, six grandchildren, and his brother and sister.
JON E. OCKSRIDER, a retired realtor, died Feb. 2, 2015. He was 79. A member of Sigma Chi, he served in the U.S. Army and was in sales until his retirement. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Morrill Ocksrider, his daughter, two grandchildren, and his brother.
JOHN T. CORRODI JR., a real estate agent and philanthropist, died Jan. 24, 2015. He was 79. He was a member of Psi Upsilon and received his MBA from Harvard University. A longtime real estate agent in Malibu, Calif., he and his wife began to care for foster children and adopt underprivileged children in 1972. At one point they had 16 children in their home. In addition to his wife, Kay Vanice Corrodi and several stepchildren, his adoptees and others survive, including his brother, James A. Corrodi ’60.
JAMES K.L. HARRAGAN, an advertising executive and executive recruiter, died Oct. 28, 2014. He was 80. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he was the son of Edwin J. Harragan of the class of 1926. He served in counter-intelligence in the U.S. Army. An advertising executive and more recently an executive recruiter, he was also an arbitrator for FINRA. His wife, Winifred DeNunzio, survives, as does his daughter and his extended family.
HARVEY T. CLEW, a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer, died Nov. 19, 2014. He was 80. The nephew of Lester P. Gallivan of the class of 1928, he was a member of Sigma Chi and served in counter-intelligence in the U.S. Army after his graduation. Prior to his 30-year career as a diplomat, he was a reporter for The Washington Star, covering events such as the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy Jr. As a diplomat he served in numerous posts around the world. He was involved in community organizations and politics, and he was an environmentalist who worked to protect open spaces in Connecticut. Survivors include his wife, Joy Lee Clew; two children, including Timothy W. Clew ’93; five grandchildren; his twin sister; his brother; and another sister. He was also the uncle of Sarah K. Britton ’96 and of Lindsey Fitzgibbons ’98, and the cousin of Dorothea D. Nelson ’00 and of Emily P. Gallivan ’08.
WILLIAM VOGEL, 81, a clinical and research psychologist, died Aug. 29, 2014. He was a member of the John Wesley Club and received his degree with high distinction. After receiving both master’s and PhD degrees from Clark University, he served for three years in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps and then returned to work at Worcester (Mass.) State Hospital, where he remained for more than 20 years in a variety of positions. In addition to his wide range of professional interests, he also had a private practice in psychotherapy for more than 50 years. He was also active in the ACLU. He is survived by his wife, Susan Raymond Vogel, two children, two grandchildren, and his sister.
NORMAN KAPLAN, M.D., a psychiatrist, died Nov. 14, 2014, at age 81. A member of Delta Upsilon, he received his degree with high honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and to Sigma Xi. He received his medical degree from Columbia University. Among those who survive are his wife, Suzanne Kaplan; three daughters, including Lauren Kaplan-Sagal ’84; his son-in-law, Rabbi Douglas B. Sagal ’84; seven grandchildren; and a stepson.
DAVID NIXON, 82, an attorney and former president of the New Hampshire State Senate, died Nov. 1, 2014. The brother of the late Peter D. Nixon ’55, he was a member of Chi Psi. After receiving his degree with honors, he served in the U.S. Army and then attended the University of Michigan Law School, from which he graduated with honors. He began his law career in 1958. Invited to practice with former New Hampshire Governor John W. King, he continued the practice during the Governor’s term. In 1993 he founded his own law firm, now known as Nixon, Vogelman, Barry, Slawsky & Simoneau, P.A. During his career he received many awards, in addition to serving as president of the New Hampshire Bar Association and as co-founder and first president of the New England Bar Association. He successfully initiated the effort to create a unified Bar Association, which required all attorneys to participate in its educational, disciplinary, and public service efforts. In 1969 he began his legislative career, which extended until 1974 and again from 2009 to 2010. During that time he initiated new programs to foster better communication between legislators and the public. His legislative career consistently involved leadership for programs to support the elderly and poor, to increase the minimum wage, to set ethical standards for legislators, and other social justice initiatives. One daughter and one grandson predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, Patricia D. Nixon, five children, seven grandchildren, and his stepchildren.
HERB MCGREW, M.D., a physician and vintner, died Dec. 13, 2014, at age 83. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi and received his degree with honors. After receiving his medical degree from McGill University, he served in the U.S. Public Service and U.S. Coast Guard. In 1970 he moved to California and became involved in wine-making in the Napa Valley. His wife, Linda Grimes McGrew, survives, as do two nieces and their mother.
