Obituaries | 1950-1959

ROBERT C. BURNS, M.D., 75, a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice who practiced medicine in Akron, Ohio, for more than 30 years, died Mar. 17, 2011. A member of Eclectic, he received his medical degree from Albany Medical College and served in the U.S. Public Health Service. At Wesleyan he was class president and co-captain of the football team. Predeceased by a son, he is survived by his wife, Sonda D. Burns, three children, seven grandchildren, and his brother.

JOSEPH A. BOUGHTON, the purchasing manager at Lord Corporation (formerly Hughson Chemicals), died May 18, 2010. He was 76. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. He was a devotee of jazz music and produced more than 25 CDs with various musicians. Survivors include his wife, Emily Richardson Boughton, four children, and eight grandchildren.

The Rev. Canon FRANCIS S. BANCROFT III, 77, an Episcopal priest, died June 3, 2012. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta and received his divinity degree from the General Theological Seminary. After a 40-year career serving St. James Episcopal Church in Ridgefield, N.J., where he was also an active community volunteer, he retired to Wellfleet, Mass., where he continued to volunteer in the community. His wife, Janet Currey Bancroft, predeceased him. Survivors include his son, two grandchildren, his sister, and several nieces and nephews.

ROBERT M. BURRILL, 75, who taught geography at the University of Georgia, died Apr. 5, 2009. He was a member of the John Wesley Club and served in the U.S. Army. He received his master’s degree from the University of Chicago and his PhD from the University of Kansas. At the University of Georgia, he received an outstanding professor award from the Honors Program. Survivors include his wife, Terry Oshita Burrill, his sister, his mother–in–law, and his extended family.

ROBERT M. BURRER, an art instructor and graphic artist, died Jan. 3, 2011. He was 78. A member of Eclectic, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in creative art. He received a master’s degree from Wesleyan and then joined the English and studio art faculty at Deerfield Academy. In 1961 he joined the faculty at the Hotchkiss School, where he taught until a massive stroke in 1975 incapacitated him. He had also worked for Browning Associates, designing graphics and writing copy. Among those who survive are three nieces.

WILLIAM R. BAILEY, a retired labor economist with the U.S. Labor Department and the co–author of the Employment Cost Index, which is used by the Federal Reserve to set monetary policy, died June 14, 2008. He was 76. A member of Eclectic, he received his degree with high distinction in economics. After serving in the U.S. Army, he received master’s and doctoral degrees from George Washington University. Among those who survive are his wife, Mary Halpin Bailey, one son, and three granddaughters.

WILLIAM M. BUCK JR., a retired registered representative with the Lincoln Financial Group and a former human resources executive with the Peabody Coal Company, died July 29, 2010, at age 79. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and received an MBA from the University of Chicago. Predeceased by his wife of 32 years, Jacquelin Machin Buck, survivors include his wife, Marthann, two daughters, two grandchildren, two stepchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

WILLIAM M. BUCK JR., a retired registered representative with the Lincoln Financial Group and a former human resources executive with the Peabody Coal Company, died July 29, 2010, at age 79. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and received an MBA from the University of Chicago. Predeceased by his wife of 32 years, Jacquelin Machin Buck, survivors include his wife, Marthann, two daughters, two grandchildren, two stepchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

WALTER W. BUCKINGHAM, who retired as a manager of Sage-Allen department stores in Connecticut after a 30-year career with the company, died Oct. 24, 2011. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received his degree from Dickinson College. He was the son of the Rev. Harold C. Buckingham of the class of 1923. In addition to managing the stores in Wethersfield and at Westfarms Mall, he was very active in his community, sponsoring inmates from the state prison system, hosting exchange students, and sponsoring families immigrating to the U.S. He sang in his church choir for more than 50 years. Survivors include his wife, Anne Campbell Buckingham; four children; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Robert C. Buckingham ’49, M.D., and Harold C. Buckingham Jr. ’52; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special extended family.

CHARLES A. BARSTOW, 78, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, died Mar. 21, 2010. He was a member of Sigma Chi and received his bachelor’s from Springfield College, after which he began his 30–year career with the Marines. Among those who survive are his wife, Dolores Barstow, four children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his brother.