Obituaries | 1960-1969

RICHARD H. HUDDLESTON, a former director of development at Wesleyan, and an executive in nonprofit educational institutions, died Jan. 5, 2017, at age 78. He was a member of Eclectic and received his degree with honors. An American Field Service Exchange student in Athens, Greece, he was also a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Florence, Italy, and an Italian History Research Scholar in Rome, Italy. He received master’s and PhD degrees in European history from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked at the University of North Carolina and at New College before returning to Wesleyan, where he directed annual giving and then development. Serving Wesleyan both as a volunteer and as an employee, he was secretary for his class for many years, co-class agent, and Reunion co-chair. In addition to his 22 years at Wesleyan, his professional career was solely in the nonprofit world, with service to such organizations as Winrock International, a Rockefeller international agricultural research and development foundation, as well as World Learning, and Save the Children. Survivors include his wife, Lindsey Hall Huddleston, and two children, including Michael A. Huddleston ’90.

MICHAEL BOTEIN, 71, a professor at New York Law School and the director and founder of the Media Center, died Aug. 3, 2016. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi. After receiving his J.D. degree from Cornell University in 1969, he received an L.L.M. in 1972 from Columbia University and a J.S.D., also from Columbia, in 1979. A scholar in telecommunications, cable television and regulation, he was the author of multiple treatises, casebooks and articles, and shared his expertise as a Fulbright Senior Scholar and a visiting professor in law schools around the world. His wife, Kris Fischer, survives, as do two children, including Elizabeth Botein Walker ’99; their spouses, including his son-in-law, Ike Walker ’99; and four grandchildren.

SPURGEON L. (Lee) ROBINETTE III, a journalist, public relations specialist, and drummer for Gary and the Wombats, died June 5, 2016, at age 73. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received his degree cum laude and with honors in English from the College of Letters. In 1967 he received an M.S. from Columbia University. During the middle and late 1960s he worked for several news and international trade organizations in New York City and Seattle. In 1969 he joined Weyerhaeuser Company’s communications department and worked at their Washington headquarters before transferring to Hot Springs, Ark., in 1980. He retired as the corporate communications director in the South for Weyerhaeuser in 2006. He was a lifelong, accomplished rock ‘n’ roll drummer who played several times each year with Gary and the Wombats, his college band. Preceded in death by his wife, Venda, he is survived by four sons and a loving and extended circle of family and friends.

DAVID G. ALLEN, M.D., 75, a retired oncologist, died May 23, 2016. He was a member of Eclectic and received his M.D. degree from Duke University in 1967. After an internship at Duke, he entered the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1969 to 1971. He then completed a fellowship in oncology at the University of Michigan and joined the Pinehurst Medical Clinic as the first board-certified oncologist in Moore County, N.C. In retirement he continued to make patient care visits and oversaw the clinic laboratory. In 1979 he co-founded, with a local clergyman, Sandhills Hospice, now FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care. For this, the governor of North Carolina awarded him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. In the last days of his life, he was served by the organization he founded and championed. Among those who survive are his wife, Kathleen Allen, a son, his sister, and many friends.

DIRCK E. WESTERVELT, 75, a retired social worker who worked for years counseling at-risk youth, died Mar. 18, 2016. A member of Delta Sigma, he received his degree with distinction in history and later received an MSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work. His social work career was prompted by his early commitment to civil rights and social justice, which started as a participant in a lunch counter sit-in in the South as a college student. He worked for more than two decades for New York State’s Office of Mental Health, specializing in the treatment of adolescents, including incarcerated youth and young adults. He also volunteered for years as a counselor for Vietnam veterans. He had a lifelong passion for the history, culture, art and architecture of the Middle East, and he attended the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. As part of that graduate program he moved his young family to Saudi Arabia for a year to study in an Islamic culture. He had a love of the outdoors as well. Survivors include his three children, four grandchildren, his sister, and his former spouse, Joanne Westervelt.

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Dirck E. Westervelt, a retired psychiatric social worker, who worked for years counseling at-risk youth, died March 18 in Brewster, MA. The cause was complications of congestive heart failure. He was 75.

Mr. Westervelt was born in Schenectady, NY and had been a longtime resident of New York’s Hudson River Valley before moving to Cape Cod in 2014. He worked for more than two decades for New York State’s Office of Mental Health, specializing in the treatment of adolescents, including incarcerated youth and young adults. He also volunteered for years as a counselor for Vietnam veterans.

A 1962 graduate of Wesleyan University with a B.A. in History, Dirck always encouraged intellectual and geographic exploration. He had a lifelong passion for the history, culture, art, and architecture of the Middle East, and attended the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

As part of that graduate program, he moved his young family to Saudi Arabia for a year to study in an Islamic culture. That was when goats still roamed the dusty streets of Riyadh, before the oil boom. He once hitchhiked to Rome to see the Pope installed, and traveled widely throughout his life, including to the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, Central America, and Europe.

Dirck later earned an MSW from Hunter College in New York and began his social work career. This interest grew out of his early commitment to civil rights and social justice which started as a participant in a lunch counter sit-in the Deep South as a college student.

Dirck grew up camping, canoeing and fishing in upstate New York, particularly the Adirondack Mountains. That instilled in him a love of the outdoors that he passed on to his three children. He rafted whitewater rivers in New England and across the West including the Grand Canyon. In addition to Cape Cod, his other passions included collecting Asian and Middle Eastern art, cabochons, and exotic knives; sailing; gourmet food and ice cream.

He is survived by his children: Lisa Westervelt of Provincetown, MA, Gerrit Westervelt of Denver, CO, Eric Westervelt of Berkeley, CA; his sister Deidre Westervelt of Savannah, GA; as well as grandchildren: Aidan, Evan, Olivia, Zuzu and former spouse Joanne Westervelt of Schenectady, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in any amount be made in his name to Doctors Without Borders donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/tribute.cfm or to the Sierra Club sierraclub.org/giving/commemorative-gifts

A private family burial will take place at Vale Cemetery in Schenectady, NY. A memorial celebration of his life is planned for early summer on Cape Cod.

Expressions of condolence for the family may be left in the guest book at gatelyfuneralservice.com.

WILLIAM N. SCHULTZ SR., an art and antiques appraiser, died Aug. 6, 2016. He was 76. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he studied at the University of Pennsylvania and was a teaching fellow in art history there, before becoming an appraiser of art and antiques in Philadelphia. He enjoyed reading, book collecting, art, the Philadelphia Eagles, jazz, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Serri Schultz; two sons, including Jared S. Schultz ’99; one grandson; three siblings; and many nieces and nephews, including Katherine N. Sadlon ’99.

Bruce W. Miller ’63, M.D. an ophthalmologist and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Medical School, died Dec. 6, 2014 at age 74.

Davidson Moss ’68 

I am sorry to inform the Wesleyan community of the passing of Dave Moss ’68, Gamma Psi, from a heart attack on December 28, 2015.

Dave completed his first two years at Wesleyan, after which he was drafted into the Army.  He served as a medic with the First Cavalry Division in combat actions in Vietnam including the Tet Offensive.  Known as “Doc” Moss, he provided initial treatment of wounded soldiers and started a medical program for Vietnamese villagers as part of his service.

Dave returned to Wesleyan in 1968, but moved to Oregon without completing his degree — a move he later attributed to a reaction to his recent combat experience.  He subsequently received a BA and MA in history from the University of Oregon.  His career included staff work in the Oregon State Legislature, chief of staff for the Oregon Speaker of the House, work for the Associated Industries of Oregon, and the renovation of dilapidated properties into rental houses for modest-income persons.

Dave was a leader in his community as a city councilor in Salem, Oregon and was appointed by the Governor to serve as chairman of the State Ethics Commission.  He was known for speaking his opinions on important public issues regardless of their popularity, including support of gay rights as a councilman in the early 1990’s during a period of opposition for such measures.  He was an active volunteer and served on several charitable boards, including the Willamette Valley Hospice where he initiated an endowment fund, now named in his honor.  Upon his passing, the Governor of Oregon issued a condolence letter citing, among other things, his significant community service.

Dave was an active skier, whitewater rafter, sailor, carpenter, and historian.  As part of his personal research, he developed a paper titled “The Myth of the Vietnam Veteran,” which used social statistics to contradict the Hollywood image of the veteran as a drug-using, homeless, poorly-educated, suicidal loser.  He presented this paper to numerous civic organizations, along with a paper on post-traumatic stress syndrome which he believed was an actual condition, but with more subtle effects than were popularly attributed to it.

Dave leaves his wife, Patricia Graves Moss MAT ’70, daughter, Kathryn Reynolds and her husband Cody, sisters, Helen Ogden and Vikki Guy, along with numerous family, friends, and a community which he served.  He stood up for things that he believed in regardless of public opinion and was respected by all, including political and business persons of different philosophies, for his critical thinking and honest opinions.

Sincerely, Robert Pease ’69

James C. “Jim” Workman, 73, Allouez, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016. The son of the late Donald and Florence (Emhardt) Workman was born on November 20, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. Jim graduated from Wesleyan University, B.A. in 1964 and Harvard Law School, J.D. in 1969. He later married Sue Palmer on September 6, 1983 in La Crosse. Jim and Sue were members of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.

Jim was an Attorney and also held a myriad of executive roles including general counsel and Chief Executive Officer at TRANE and American Standard Co. Following his retirement, Jim volunteered for many years as treasurer at the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac.

He cherished his time with friends, colleagues and family. He also loved to travel with his family. As a dedicated philanthropist, Jim devoted much of his time and energy to the United Way.

Survivors include his wife, Sue; children: Gillian (Jon) Stein, West Hartford, CT; James H. (Julie) Workman, La Grange, IL; and godson Patrick McDonough; grandchildren: Daniel Stein, Caroline Workman, Owen McDonough, Steven Stein, Avery Workman, Keegen McDonough, Maggie McDonough, Casey Workman; cousins, Bill McCook and Ned McCook.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his cousin, Alan McCook, and Sue’s parents, Francis and Mildred Palmer.

Family and friends may visit at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 347 Libal St, De Pere, on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00am. A memorial service for Jim will be celebrated at 11:00am with Fr. Eric Mills officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Jim to your local Autism Speaks Chapter.

Jim’s family would like to thank everyone that has called and expressed condolences through this tough time.

Thomas R. Patton III, died unexpectedly on April 1, 2015 while traveling with his wife Pam in Australia. He was a long-time resident of Chatham, and formerly lived in Sudbury, MA. He was 75 years old. Tom was born in Philadelphia, PA and was a graduate of Wesleyan University, in Middletown, CT. He served as an officer in the United States Navy and started his career as a registered representative at F.S. Moseley & Co. in Boston. After leaving F.S. Moseley, Tom joined a real estate development company and eventually formed his own real estate management company, The Alden Group, in Burlington, MA. Tom was a resident and engaged community member in Sudbury from 1969 to 1993. He was active in the Sudbury United Methodist Church, the Lincoln-Sudbury Boosters Club, the Greenwood Club, and in his spare time enjoyed running road races, coaching his childrens sports teams, and camping with family and friends. Seeking adventure and a change of pace, Tom and his family moved to Chatham in 1993 and opened the Carriage House Inn, which he and Pam sold in 1997. He was a Realtor with Kinlin Grover Real Estate until his retirement in 2014. He was active in community affairs, including the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, serving as President for several years, First Night Chatham, and Nauset Neighbors. He was a member of Chatham Platform Tennis Association, Monomoy Yacht Club, and Cranberry Valley Golf Club. Whether he was dressed up as a shark at the First Night road race or corralling volunteers at the Chatham town picture with his bullhorn, he brought energy and enthusiasm to life. Tom enjoyed his retirement with daily walks with his golden retriever Annie, reading, and visiting his grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling and had adventures with Pam in Alaska, Costa Rica, China and Africa. Tom continued to stay active by riding his bike and playing paddle tennis and golf. He was particularly proud of raising money for charity through the annual Sandwich to Provincetown Last Gasp Bike Ride. His 2015 ride would have been his 15th year. He leaves his wife, Pamela, his son Christopher and his wife Hylah, of Charlotte, VT and his daughter Kate Eliot and her husband Peter, of Ipswich, MA. He is also survived by his sister Elizabeth Beam of Sherrills Ford, NC, and her two children, Thomas Beam and Elizabeth Pirone. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Binney and William Patton and Sarah and Emma Eliot, and his beloved dog, Annie. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Chatham onMonday, April 13, 2015, at 1:00 pm. All family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cape Cod Charitable FunRaisers – capecodcharitablefunraisers.com/funraiser/lastgasp or mail to CCCF, Po.Box 362 Centerville, MA 02632.

Published in The Cape Codder from Apr. 7 to Apr. 14, 2015

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