Obituaries

DONALD T. SANDERS, a geologist and later an editor and writer, and longtime class secretary, died Nov. 9, 2014, at age 84. He was a member of Delta Upsilon and served in the U.S. Army. After receiving his master’s degree from the University of Kansas, he worked for Conoco Oil Company doing fieldwork. He soon found that his true passion was writing and editing, and he moved to New York City, where he began working for Grolier Encyclopedia and Scholastic magazine before joining IBM as an editor and writer for their in-house publications, Perspectives in Computing and Research Magazine. He retired from IBM in 1991. With a co-author, he wrote two books, Volcanoes in Human History and Earthquakes in Human History. He was also secretary of the class of 1952 for more than 50 years. His former wife, Carol Flynn, predeceased him. Among those who survive are his daughter, two grandchildren, three nephews, his cousin, Nancy Gordon MAT’60, and his long-time companion, Joan Boutelle.

ROBERT E. NAGLE, an attorney who specialized in labor law, died Aug. 16, 2014. He was 84. A member of Sigma Nu, he received his degree with high distinction in history. After receiving his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and his LL.M. from Georgetown University, he served as a legal officer in the U.S. Navy. After leaving the Navy, he began a career in government service that spanned more than two decades. Most of his work targeted the protection of the rights, health, and safety of American workers. This included more than a decade at the U.S. Department of Labor. During the Kennedy administration he served as a special counsel to the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. He later was associate counsel to the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, where he was involved in developing and drafting the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) and the Coal Mine Safety Act of 1969. From 1971 to 1974 he was general counsel to the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, where he helped develop and draft the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). He was in private practice from 1974 to 1979. From 1979 to 1982 he was executive director of the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. From 1982 until his death, he served as an arbitrator and mediator in employee benefits and labor disputes, and from 1985 until his death he served as neutral trustee and chairman of two multi-employer pension and health benefit funds. His wife, Ronna Paolicchi Nagle, predeceased him. Survivors include three children, including Robert E. Nagle III ’81; three grandchildren; and two brothers.

FRANK C. HOHMEISTER JR., 89, an importer, died Jan. 24, 2015. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He imported French marine products and served on community boards. His wife, Joanne Davis Hohmeister survives, as do three sons, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

JOSEPH I. CARTA, a retired businessman, died Nov. 29, 2014. He was 85. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he served in the U.S. Army and worked in sales for several companies. Among those who survive are his wife, Florence D’Onofrio Carta, five children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

WILLIAM W.M. BERKMAN, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, died Nov. 12, 2014, at age 85. He was a member of Sigma Nu. During the Vietnam War he completed 148 combat missions. Later, he served at bases worldwide, retiring after 31 years as assistant director of Plans HQ NORAD/ASCCOM. He received numerous awards and medals. Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Hammond Berkman, four children, seven grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and his sister.

ROBERT J. BUTLER, a chemist, died July 20, 2014. He was 86. The nephew of Albert Q. Butler of the class of 1923, he was a member of the John Wesley Club, served in the U.S. Army, and received his MBA from Columbia University. He worked for three large chemical companies during the course of his career and had many hobbies. His wife, Janet Meekins Butler, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Sue Butler, six children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

RICHARD T. WALSH, 90, a group insurance and employee benefits executive, died July 5, 2014. A member of the John Wesley Club, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a navigator, and was aboard one of the lead aircraft sent to liberate France early on D-Day, 1944. After working for several corporations as an executive, he joined INSILCO Corp. as director of personnel, from which he retired in 1986. A collector of fine art and antique automobiles, he was also an accomplished inventor. His first wife, Ruth Morris Walsh, predeceased him, as did a son. Among those who survive are his wife, Betsy Olmsted Walsh, four children, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his brother, and a large extended family.

GENE E. NOBLE, the co-owner, general manager, and treasurer of the Rutland (Vt.) Daily Herald, died Dec. 2, 2013, at age 89. He was the son of Leroy B. Noble of the class of 1914. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he served in the U.S. Army with the 10^th Mountain Division during World War II. During his 40 years with the Daily Herald, he oversaw many innovations and acquired the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus. He was also active in his community. Predeceased by his wife, June Haseltine Noble, survivors include three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

DAVID L. WILLIAMS, the president of an insurance business, died Nov. 6, 2014. He was 92. A member of Psi Upsilon, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After receiving his degree from Wesleyan after the war, he served for the next 45 years as president of his own insurance business. He received numerous awards and honors in his field. Predeceased by his former wife, Fran Williams, he is survived by his wife, Nancy Young Williams; two daughters; three grandchildren; several stepchildren and their families; his brother, Charles R. Williams ’41; and his nephew, Jeffrey D. Williams ’84.

JOHN W. MAYNARD, an editor and journalist who specialized in educational journalism, died Dec. 10, 2014, at age 91. He was a member of Eclectic and received his degree with honors. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he received a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism. He was the great-grandson of Elliott J. Peck of the class of 1851, the grandson of John W. Maynard of the class of 1883 and of Susan M. Peck of the class of 1884, and the son of John P. Maynard of the class of 1913. After working as a reporter for The Providence Journal, he moved to Middletown to join the staff of Current Events and Weekly Reader, and became senior editor of the former. He received prizes for excellence in educational journalism. One of three founders of the Mattabeseck Audubon Society, he was an active volunteer in the Middletown community. His wife, Jean Finley Maynard MALS’80, CAS’96, survives, as do three sons, including John P. Maynard ’72, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his sister.