Obituaries

Susan Dale Eastman Allison, the first Poet Laureate of Middletown, Conn., died May 15, 2018. She was 56. An African Studies major at Wesleyan, she had spent a year of climbing and traveling in East Africa. After graduation she opened Ibis Books & Gallery in Middletown’s North End. A community visionary, Susan oversaw the transformation of her bookstore in 1991 into NEAR (North End Arts Rising), Inc. The Buttonwood tree, which became an arts hub and performance space, still thriving today and providing an important gathering place in this economically-depressed part of town.

Also a gardener and a poet, Susan could often be found nurturing flowers and all sorts of plants—and writing. She held “office hours” in a local coffee shop in the last year and, as Middletown’s Poet Laureate, declared by Mayor Dan Drew, wrote to celebrate the city that was her home and the people who were her community. Annie Dillard calls her second book of poetry, Down by the Riverside Ways, “…the work of a talented poet.” Rennie McQuilken, Connecticut’s Poet Laureate and publisher, says, “Susan Allison has done for Middletown, Conn., what Williams did for Paterson, N.J.: she has seen past its pedestrian surface to its mythical underpinnings. She has written a book whose passion, honesty, and visceral style make it an important contribution to the world of poetry.” Susan has two poetry books soon to be published by Ibis Books: Poet Laureate of Middletown Proclaimed and Provoked and Be Full.

Susan is survived by her husband of 30 years, Stephan, and son, John; father Warren Eastman; sister Cynthia Eastman, her husband Angelo Farenga and their children Christopher Willis, Annie Musso, and husband Anthony and son Luca; Justine Pilar and husband Adam and children Madeline and Aiden; and brother Richard Eastman; her brother-in-law Fredrick Allison, sisters-in-law Gretchen Shannon and husband Terrence and children Sarah, and Jesse and his wife Kara; and Anne Brown and husband Steuart and daughter Allie and husband Joshua. Susan was predeceased by her mother Patricia Russell Eastman. A public celebration of Susan’s life took place on June 16 at the Community Health Center in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Susan D. E. Allison Fund, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, 49 Main St., Middletown, CT 06457.

Please send remembrances to Wesleyan magazine editor Cynthia Rockwell at crockwell@wesleyan.edu to be shared with Stephan Allison, sent to class secretaries, and added here. Cynthia adds: “Susan was always a fierce advocate for all people in the community and a gentle soul. Middletown is much strengthened for having been the focus of Susan’s tender mercies.”

The Scott Whipple, of the Middletown Press, wrote about her passing: Middletown’s first poet laureate Susan Allison, a ‘visionary,’ dies at 56.  

The Middletown arts community lost a woman this week many consider a visionary poetess who was also loved by all who knew her.

The city’s first poet laureate, Susan Eastman Allison, died at 56 after a battle with cancer, according to her husband, Middletown’s retiring Arts & Culture office coordinator Stephan Allison.

Her longtime friend Marcella Trowbridge, artistic director of Artfarm, a nonprofit, professional theater organization based in Middletown, said Susan Allison “carved out a nook and a haven in the North End for all kinds of folks.”

Daoud A. Haroon died on Feb. 24, 2018. At Wesleyan, he majored in music and was an artist-in-residence in African American music. Since 1955, he performed and recorded as a jazz trombonist and African and Middle Eastern percussionist. He later earned a master’s degree in history from Texas Southern University. He had a career as an American history professor and later founded the Avicenna Library of The Islamic Education Center in Houston.

Stephen W. Kidd died on April 5, 2018. At Wesleyan, he majored in economics and later earned his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania. Steve was drafted and spent two years in the U.S. Army stationed at the Pentagon. He spent his career specializing in financial accounting systems for the federal government until he retired in 2010. He and wife Elizabeth moved from Washington, D.C. to Gilbert, A.Z., five years ago to be near their only child. They enjoyed the southwest by taking road trips and cruises. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Elizabeth, and their daughter Catherine Kniss. He was predeceased by his son, Kevin, his parents, and his only brother, David.

We thank the wife of Mr. Kidd for this information.

Richard A. Hochberg, a psychiatrist, died on Feb. 1, 2018. At Wesleyan, he majored in biology then graduated with his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University. He was a psychiatrist and had a private practice in New York before relocating to California and setting up a practice in Long Beach, Calif. Richard was a member of Congregation Lubavitch in Long Beach, where he worshiped for several decades. He was loved by the congregation and the community. He was an outspoken advocate and supporter of the local Hmong community and provided free counseling and therapy for many. He was noted for his extreme generosity and positive outlook on life. A large portion of his extensive library was donated to Congregation Lubavitch; they honored him with a memorial plaque.

We thank Donna Carty for this information.

Jan H. Westerman passed away on Sept. 4, 2017 in California. He owned his own paper and office supply company and loved to sail. He was divorced and left behind his ex-wife and his daughter.

We thank Bob Johnson ’61 for this information.