Obituaries | 1960-1969

WILLIAM H. GUSTAFSON, 62, William Howard Gustafson of Lubbock, Texas, a mathematician with an international reputation, died July 16, 2007 of cardiovascular disease in Lubbock. He was 62. He leaves two sisters, Judith Ann Gustafson Currier of North Falmouth, Massachusetts, and Nancy Gustafson Radoff of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. He also leaves a niece, Torie Kristina Radoff of Old Saybrook, Connecticut.Dr. Gustafson was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He was the son of the late Priscilla W. Gustafson and the late Howard I. Gustafson of Middletown, Connecticut. Dr. Gustafson attended public schools in Middletown, Connecticut and began his collegiate education at Wesleyan University in Middletown, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1966. He earned a masters degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1967 and a doctoral degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1970. He was a teaching fellow at the University of Illinois from 1966-1970. Dr. Gustafson was an assistant professor at Indiana University from 1970-1976, and a visiting assistant professor at Brandeis University from 1972-1973. He then joined the faculty of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Texas Tech University as an assistant professor in 1976. In 1980 he was promoted to associate professor and, in 1986, Dr. Gustafson was promoted to the rank of professor. He remained on the faculty until his retirement in 2003. Dr. Gustafson’s expertise was in ring theory and algebra, and he was knowledgeable about most of modern mathematics, according to his late colleague, Dr. Paul R. Halmos. Dr. Gustafson was one of many modern mathematicians who appeared in a collection of photographs compiled from Dr. Halmos’ private collection of snapshots and published in I Have a Photographic Memory, (American Mathematical Society, Providence, Rhode Island, 1987). He was invited by Dr. Halmos to contribute a chapter entitled, “On Products of Involutions” in Paul Halmos: Celebrating 50 Years of Mathematics, (Springer-Verlag, New York, in 1991). In addition, Dr. Gustafson was the author or co-author of over 40 published papers and he presented numerous invited addresses and colloquia throughout the country and in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Canada. He organized the department’s colloquium series for many years. In 1977, Dr. Gustafson was among the recipients of the Lester R. Ford Award, given annually by the Mathematical Association of America at the Summer Meeting of the association. The Lester R. Ford Awards were established in 1964 to recognize authors of articles of expository excellence published in The American Mathematical Monthly or Mathematics Magazine. Up to five of these awards are given annually. William P. Ziemer, William H. Wheeler, S.H. Moolgavkar, Paul R. Halmos, John H. Ewing and Dr. Gustafson were honored for “American mathematics from 1940 to the day before yesterday,” (American Mathematical Monthly 83 [1976], 503-516). In addition to his interest in mathematics, Dr. Gustafson enjoyed music, classical, jazz, and blues, and he played guitar from a young age. Dr. Gustafson became interested in amateur radio while visiting his brother-in-law, Richard E. Currier, an amateur radio operator (AA1FB). He studied for his license, eventually achieving the “Extra” license level. He had become interested in radio as a child when he and his father engaged in “SWL” (short wave listening). He often participated in field day with his father (KA1PPN), also an amateur radio operator, in Connecticut. He was a member of the Lubbock Amateur Radio Club for almost 20 years. He was considered to be one of the best CW (Morse code) operators in West Texas. Dr. Gustafson also served as a VE (volunteer examiner) certified to administer the test for new radio amateur operators. For many years, Dr. Gustafson traveled regularly all over the Southwest to amateur radio gatherings, swap-fests, and to meet and visit with his many radio friends. His key is now silent, KG5OV. Services will be held at a future date in North Falmouth, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dr. Gustafson’s name may be made to the Lubbock Amateur Radio Club (3801-68th Street, Lubbock, TX 79413) to support its emergency mobile communications van or to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, (Box 41042, Lubbock, TX 79409-1042) at Texas Tech University.

ALEXANDER “TOM” GALLOWAY, II ’63 died Friday, March 26, 2004, at his home following extended illness. He was 62.

Born in Orange, he lived most of his life in Mountain Lakes before moving to Denville six years ago. He graduated from Hill School, Pottstown, Pa., in 1959, received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in 1964, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and earned his law degree from Albany Law School of Union University in 1967. He began his law career as a principal law clerk in the Office for Local Government of the Executive Department of the State of New York (now the Division of Community Affairs of the Secretary of the State’s office); became associated with the law firm of Sykes, Galloway & Dikeman in New York City in 1967 where he became a partner in 1972; then a partner of Willkie Farr& Gallagher in 1976 when the two law firms merged. For most of that time he specialized in the practice of municipal securities law. In 2000, Mr. Galloway became senior counsel in the Public Finance Department of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP, where he was currently practicing.

He was a former member of the Board of Governors of the Lawyer’s Club in New York City and a former member of the Committee for Continuing Legal Education of the New York State Bar Association. He was past-chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Municipal Law Section of Superintendents and an associate member of the New York State Council of School Superintendents and the New York State Association of School Business Officials.

Mr. Galloway was a frequent speaker and panel member at forums, seminars, and functions sponsored by the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Association of Counties, the New York State Association of Towns, the New York State Conference of Mayors, the New York State Department of Audit and Control, and the New York State Association of County Treasurers.

In addition, Mr. Galloway was a member of the St. Andrews Society of the State of New York, the St. Nicholas Society, and the 1st New York Continental Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Rebecca (nee Brice); two sons, Alexander T. Galloway, III of Marietta, Ga., and Gordon S.M. Galloway of Selinsgrove, Pa.; two daughters, Heather G. Hunts of Pagosa Springs, Colo., and Meghan G. Richards of Mechanicsville, Va.; his twin brother, A. Neilson Galloway Jr. of Largo, Fla.; his sister, Jean G. Ward of Sea Girt, and four grandchildren, Samantha and John Hunts, Caitlin Galloway, and Lauren Richards.

DAVID L. FISHER, who in 1958 joined with four other freshmen at Wesleyan to form the Highwaymen, one of the most popular folk music groups of the early 1960s, died May 7, 2010, at age 69. A member of EQV, he was the son of the late Abraham A. Fisher ’34. The Highwaymen was formed when the five freshmen had to present an entertainment act for the fraternity in which they were initiates. Under his guidance they put together a folk music show. By the fall of 1961 the group had the No. 1 song in the county, “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore,” an African–American spiritual that was released under the shortened title, “Michael.” Although the group broke up in 1964, after eight albums, 10 singles, and three appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, he remained a musician, composing and arranging music for films and television and working as a studio singer and musician. In 1987, the group reunited and issued five more CDs, and he was acknowledged as their musical leader. His two previous marriages ended in divorce. Among those who survive are his wife, Dr. Elaine K. Haagen, two children from his second marriage, his stepson, and his sister.

PAUL D. FLEISCHAUER, who retired as principal scientist and director of the Aerospace Corporation after a 35-year career there, died Oct. 7, 2009, at age 67. He was a member of Chi Psi and received his PhD from the University of Southern California. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Awane Fleischauer, two children, and two nephews.

Julia Fischer ’91 writes: “My father loved Wesleyan, and I am a member of the class of 1991. I have attached my comments from the memorial, which was last Friday as well as a photo of him and of our family home, a geodesic dome, which he was most proud of and which is a magnificent house, the existence of which he is responsible for.”

Julia Fischer ’91 writes: “My father loved Wesleyan, and I am a member of the class of 1991. I have attached my comments from the memorial, which was last Friday as well as a photo of him and of our family home, a geodesic dome, which he was most proud of and which is a magnificent house, the existence of which he is responsible for.”

I am deeply grateful to have had Richard for a father. His immense equanimity, reason, intellect, dignity, and mischievousness served as the soil in which our family grew.

In reflecting with my friends who knew him I discovered that not only did he treat me as an equal all through my life, but he made us all feel that he was genuinely interested in our thoughts and opinions, fully respected them, and expected us to have thoughtful ideas. Inherent in the interactions with him was always a reverence and respect and I feel that it made each of us want to stand a little taller, be just that much more perceptive, imaginative or knowledgeable. He inspired us moment to moment to be better selves, and he did so non-judgmentally. One friend said that if he ever had to be judged by someone, he would want it to be Richard. My father was the embodiment of fairness and reason.

And then he had this saying that he repeated so often during my childhood – “Life is fair” he would say. It used to send me into fits of frustration, discussion & contemplation. Thinking about it now, it is much like a Zen koan. A koan is an unsolvable riddle used in Zen Buddhism to force an intuitive leap which carries the student beyond the rational plane to an enlightened state. He would always say “Life is fair” or a similar statement, with the corners of his moustache doing that thing, that barely perceptible thing, with that slight extra light shining from his eyes – so much fun and mischief. He knew full well how saying “Life is fair” made me feel, and I think he felt the exact same way. I feel that for someone so mental and logical, these moments of play reveal his understanding of the wider ultimate reality and his love and joy of being.

And his creativity! The dome and his writing, and his early efforts at character recognition, his political ideas and suggestions – he was kind of quiet about these things, plugging away at them for the joy of it, the interest of it. And he was dynamic, delightfully unpredictable – he might pull into an empty parking lot to do a few doughnuts while teaching me to drive, or he might run outside in the middle of a hot shower to roll in the snow. So full of life and adventure!

As much as I was close to him, I think I speak for everyone when I say I wish I’d known him even better. He was on his own path of self-discovery, and it is a tremendous inspiration to me to have seen the dedication and strides he made even over the last year. May his memory continue to inspire and teach each of us.

Thank you.

JOHN W. EVERITT II, 65, president of David Jeffrey Associates, a financial consulting firm he founded, died July 4, 2009. The son of Theodore T. Everitt ’21, he was a member of Psi Upsilon and received his MBA from Columbia University. Before founding his company he worked for Morgan Guaranty Trust. Just prior to his death he had been elected to the Bellport (N.Y.) village board. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Ashcraft Everitt, and two sons.

CHARLES S. EMERSON, 68, a mainframe computer software specialist at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and at Cigna Corporation, died Jan. 27, 2010. He was a member of the John Wesley Club, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford, and a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Among those who survive are his wife, Janice Coyle Emerson, his parents, two daughters, and three grandchildren.

JOHN W. ENGROFF JR., the executive director of the Franklin-Grand Isle (Vermont) Community Partnership and an educator, died July 4, 2008, at age 69. He was a member of the Commons Club, received a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He had also been associated with several educational and social service institutions in northern Vermont. Among those who survive are his wife, Audrey Reinehr Engroff, two children, a granddaughter, a brother, and a sister.

RICHARD E. DONLEY, the founder of Mountain High Alfalfa, which markets hay for farmers to dairymen and horse breeders throughout the U.S., died Aug. 4, 2006. He was 59. A member of Esse Quam Videre, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving his degree magna cum laude and with high honors from the College of Social Studies, he received an M.B.A. from Harvard. While an undergraduate, his research into the psychological motivation of presidential speeches received national attention and was published in Time magazine. Active in human rights organizations in Colorado, he also published two books. Among those who survive are his partner, Ron Mahka; his second mother, Jean Donley; a brother; and a nephew.