Obituaries

ROBERT F. SCHUMANN, chairperson emeritus of the Schumann Center for Media and Democracy and owner of the Schumann-Van Atta Buick in Binghamton, N.Y., died Dec. 8, 2011, at age 90. He received an honorary doctor of humane letters from Wesleyan in 2004. The Robert F. Schumann Program Fund and the Robert F. Schumann Chair in Environmental Studies are named for him. A member of Chi Psi, he worked for United Airlines and later obtained his own Buick dealership in Binghamton, N.Y., where he lived for 50 years and served on many community boards. He spent every summer of his life and the last 10 years at his family’s home in Madison, Conn., where he served on the board of the Florence Griswold Museum and was involved in environmental causes. A passionate birder from childhood, he had been on the boards of the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. He served on the board and was president of the Schumann Foundation, which was created by his parents in 1962. It is now known as The Schumann Media Center. He received an honorary doctor of humane letters from Wesleyan in 2004. The Robert F. Schumann Program Fund and the Robert F. Schumann Chair in Environmental Studies are named for him. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Hotchkiss Schumann and their combined families, which include three sons, five daughters, seven grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, and his brother.

MORRIS RINGER, M.D., a retired physician who specialized in internal medicine, died Dec. 14, 2008. He was 85. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, he received his medical degree from Western Reserve University and served in the U.S. Navy. Among those who survive are his wife, Estelle Kaufman Ringer, three children, 10 grandchildren, and a sister.

CHARLES F. NICKENIG, who was associated with Newsweek magazine for 30 years, died Apr. 9, 2003 at age 82. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Joan Flynn Nickenig, two sons, two granddaughters, and a sister.

DURAND R. MILLER JR, 85, a retired insurance executive, died Feb. 20, 2008. A member of Chi Psi, he served in the U S. Marine Corps during World War II and again during the Korean War. Predeceased by his brother, Burton F. Miller ’46, among those who survive are two children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a sister, and his long-time companion, Renee Terpening.

WILLIAM C. MAXWELL, the retired head of the Spanish Department at Tabor Academy, died Aug. 11, 2009, at age 87. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. In addition to his love of sailing, he was also the organist at Tabor Academy and at the First Congregational Church in Marion, Mass., for more than 40 years. His wife, June Cook Maxwell, predeceased him. He is survived by two daughters, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

KENNETH D. KITTLESON, M.D., 86, who practiced internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for more than 35 years, died Oct. 28, 2009. He received his degree with honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his medical degree from Columbia University. A talented musician, he played violin in the Evanston (Ill.) Symphony Orchestra, as well as jazz piano, and after retirement volunteered at a free medical clinic in Chicago. Among those who survive are his wife, Shirley Kittleson, two children, and four grandchildren.

FRANK W. KILBURN JR., 84, an attorney with Kilburn, Casey, Gosinak & Coombs in Boston, died Dec. 27, 2004. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he received his law degree from Boston University and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Brenda O’Brien Kilburn, and two children.

STEPHEN A. KEZERIAN, former director of the Yale University News Bureau, died Mar. 9, 2009. He was 87. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he received his degree with honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, he received a master’s degree from Columbia University. In addition to his administrative work as the press and public information officer at Yale and as the science editor for the Yale alumni magazine, he taught creative writing at Yale. He was also active in a number of professional and civic organizations. His wife, Virginia Thomas Kezerian, predeceased him. Survivors include two daughters, including Amy Mosley, who was a special student at Wesleyan, and four grandchildren.

W. DAVID KEITH, 84, who practiced law in Manchester, Conn., for more than 50 years, died Mar. 16, 2006. He was the son of Warren I. Keith ’17, and the brother of Philip G. Keith ’48 and George G. Keith ’50, both deceased. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he received his law degree from the University of Connecticut. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army. His wife, Dorothy Straughan Keith, passed away on Mar. 31, 2006. He is survived by two children, including David C. Keith ’72, and three grandchildren.

ALBION U. JENKINS JR., who retired as a senior vice president of the Prudential Insurance Company, died May 4, 2003. He was 80. A member of Phi Sigma Kappa, he received his degree with honors. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Among those who survive are his wife, Marguerite Jenkins, and a son.