Categories Class Notes | 1940sPosted on

CLASS OF 1942 | 2014 | ISSUE 3

Word has arrived that Edgar Allen “Ted” Jones died on May 10, 2013. Ted was that good-looking guy who distinguished himself in many campus activities. He was editor of the Argus, member of Mystical Seven, stalwart of the Senate and manager of varsity basketball.

He was known for enthusiastic participation in international relations studies and served as treasurer of the Neuman Club.

His life career burgeoned in remarkable ways. He excelled in law, starred in the TV productions Day in Court, Traffic Court, and Accused. He authored two books, Mr. Arbitrator and Break a Leg, Professor. 

The Class extends sympathy to Ted’s wife, Helen, of 68 years, 11 children, 23 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

GEORGE P. MORRILL
167 Thayer Road, Higganum, CT 06441 |860/345-2673

Categories Class Notes, Class Notes | 1930sPosted on

CLASS OF 1938 | 2014 | ISSUE 3

In the last issue you may remember that the interview with President Michael Roth ’78 (by editor Bill Holder ’75) about the importance of a liberal arts education came directly before Class Notes. I thought it was quite appropriate that the interview ended with a three-part question asking if Wesleyan teaches its students to be masters of complexity? President Roth answered that Wesleyan teaches them to have the courage to be what they want to be. Another line really stood out for me: “You are learning how to adapt and thrive in a context of change.” His final lines in the interview were: “So many alumni, whatever they’re doing, are united in their gratitude and respect for Wesleyan because it’s an institution that prepares students to act on their best selves. As students and alumni alike, we can act on our best selves if we are relentless, creative, and courageous.” And then, if you were like me, you turned the page and saw the news from the Class of ’38.

To me, President Roth’s last line speaks directly about this class. Over the 13 years I have served as class secretary, the comments from the gentlemen of ’38 have always shown them to be people who have acted relentlessly, creatively, and courageously. For most of this class, their courage was truly tested during World War II. Most of these fellows had to be extremely creative during the Great Depression. Talking with my father’s classmates about their success, I learned that it came from being relentless—at their jobs, at keeping themselves healthy, and in building stronger communities. It is true that my notes come from only three or four guys these days, but they represent a perseverance few folks get close to these days. It’s been a true treasure getting to know my father’s classmates of ’38. And on that note, here’s the latest:

Art Kingsbury and his wife, Diane, welcomed two more great-grandchildren to the family. Their total is now up to 10. Their first great-granddaughter is a freshman at Bates College. That got me thinking: If Daddy were still alive, he’d be welcoming his first great-grandchild this November. Art and Diane are in good health. He still golfs weekly, more if the weather is on his side, and walks daily. They enjoyed a lovely visit from one of their grandsons and his family over the summer. Thinking about what President Roth said about adaptability, Art and I reflected on the tremendous changes in technology and how amazing it is, watching all of these generations communicating via so many styles. They wish all safe and happy holidays.

I was so glad to hear Bob Porter has stayed healthy, keeping the pneumonia at bay. He had visits from his children and they have helped him and Doris “reduce the clutter.”

Bob told me about inheriting some old Civil War paper money and some rare coins from his folks, including some gold coins from China. He and Doris decided it was time to pass that all along to their children. How cool is that going to be for a great-grandchild to have a paper bill from the late 1800s? Doris did spend some time in the hospital in late summer but she is back and holding steady. Bob is dealing with macular degeneration, so that is making things a bit more difficult. He misses catching his football games on TV. It’s back to the radio for the play-by-play reports these days. Of course he has to share the air space with Doris and her love of the baseball games. Like Art, Bob wishes everyone well. We wish you, Bob, a very happy 99th birthday in November and Doris a very happy 97th in October.

I had a little scare when I first tried to reach Curt Smith. He had temporarily moved rooms to receive treatment for some muscular pain. I tried back a few weeks later and was delighted when he answered his old number. He had spent three weeks in therapy dealing with back pain and muscle spasms. He is feeling much better but he did say he was laying low because of the back issue.

When I spoke with Curt, his daughter Susanna was visiting from Seattle. His other daughter, Maggie, had also been out to visit. And of course son Phil lives in the same city so he sees him regularly. Curt will be celebrating his 97th birthday at the end of October.

He is very grateful for his loving and helpful children. Next time I will get more news about the music he has gone to hear, or the theater he has seen. I didn’t want to keep him from visiting with his daughter. Have a wonderful birthday, Curt.

For some reason, I have the hardest time connecting with Len Weinstein. I am sure that as this goes to print, Len will call me with some news! One of the times I tried, I did speak with his wife, Suzanne, but she told me Len was resting. I said I would call back but she warned me that he might be out at his card game! Then I missed a call from him. Well, I hope all is well with you Len. I trust that one of these days we will have an actual conversation. Enjoy your 98th birthday in December.

I think often of the fellows who have left this earth and are “out of my range.” I wish I could share with Bill Heisler how beautiful my dahlias got this year. Or tell Mac Dowds how long the tomatoes lasted this season. Joe Masselli, you’d give me a “thumbs up” on my sausage and peppers. John Baird, I know your strong voice and powerful ideas are being shared somewhere. You see, they, along with these men in these notes and another 125 or so men, learned 76 years ago how to act on their best selves. I saw it in my father. I learned it from my father. Thanks, Wesleyan, for helping these men tap into their greatness.

Have a wonderful holiday season. Here’s to good health and future stories from the Class of ’38. Have a very happy New Year.

GRACE BENNETT
daughter of the late Walter Bennett ’38
8104 39th Avenue, S.W., Seattle, WA 98136

Categories Obituaries | FacultyPosted on

JOHN FRAZER

JOHN FRAZER, 82, Wesleyan professor of art, emeritus, who was a teacher, artist, and scholar in painting, drawing, and film, died July 7, 2014. Originally from Texas, he graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and subsequently continued his studies at the Yale School of Art and Architecture where he earned a Master of Fine Arts. He began his career at Wesleyan in 1959, where he was regarded as a gifted teacher. He retired in 2001 after more than 40 years of service. In his creative work, he was primarily a painter. His paintings found audiences at more than 40 exhibitions throughout the country, with venues ranging from the Yale University Gallery and the Kaufman Gallery in New York, to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Kawasaki Gallery in Osaka, Japan. He directed eight documentary films, including Balasaraswati, a study of the South Indian dancer Tanjore Balasaraswati. In addition to his creative work he was a respected scholar, publishing in the area of film studies and art with articles about, among others, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, documentary filmmaking, and the early years of cinema. He was instrumental in establishing Wesleyan’s Program in Film Studies and was commissioned to direct a documentary for the college’s sesquicentennial in the early 1970s. Aside from his professional life, he was an active member of the Middletown community, serving on the Middletown Commission on the Arts and Committee for Design and Preservation. Susan MAT ’62, his wife of many years, who taught French at Wesleyan, predeceased him in 1992. He is survived by his spouse, Will Hall, his daughter, Katherine Frazer Thayer, and her husband, Scott Thayer.

Categories Obituaries | 1990-1999Posted on

ELENA M. RUSNAK MALS’93

ELENA M. RUSNAK MALS’93, 68, dance chair at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts and founder of the Dance Department at Naugatuck Valley Community College, died Aug. 9, 2014. She graduated from the University of Connecticut and received a master’s degree in English before receiving an MALS from Wesleyan. A performer, teacher, and choreographer, she was a pioneer for dance education in Connecticut. One of her main achievements was the award to NVCC for the Formal Pathways to Dance Certification K-12 by the State Board of Education. She founded and directed the Terpsichorean Dance Ensemble, created at NVCC and most recently, in retirement, acted as the artistic director of the newly formed ATTAK dance company. Among those who survive are her husband, Joseph N. Rusnak, two children, a grandson, a sister, and two brothers.

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DZINTRA K. INFANTE MALS’91

DZINTRA K. INFANTE MALS’91, a developmental cell biology researcher with her husband, Anthony Infante, Wesleyan professor of molecular biology and biochemistry, emeritus, died July 26, 2014. She was 77. Born in Latvia, she immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 9. She received a bachelor’s degree from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond and had a long productive professional life in industry and academia as a biochemical research assistant. Prior to joining the department at Wesleyan, where she received her MALS degree, she worked at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as in other academic laboratories in the U.S. and Europe. She was an active and longtime member of the Greater Middletown Chorale. Her husband, Professor Anthony Infante, survives, as do two daughters; two sons, including Niel Infante ’94; and five grandchildren.

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JONATHAN A. CZAR MALS’71

JONATHAN A. CZAR MALS’71, a retired natural sciences teacher at Green Mountain College, died July 18, 2013. He was 90. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, he graduated from the University of Connecticut. A journalist for several years, he later earned a master’s in botany at the University of Connecticut and an MALS at Wesleyan. Among those who survive are his wife, Ruth Woodman Czar; two children; and two grandchildren.

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HENRY W. MORRISON MA’54

HENRY W. MORRISON MA’54, a retired professor and director of graduate studies at the Stony Brook University of the State University of New York, died Oct. 8, 2013, at age 82. An alumnus of Haverford College, he received his master’s degree from Wesleyan and his PhD in psychology from the University of Michigan. He retired after 25 years at Stony Brook. Survivors include his wife, Rae, three sons, one grandson, four stepchildren, and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

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DOROTHY P. SMITH MA’49

DOROTHY P. SMITH MA’49, an inorganic chemist who retired as editor of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, died July 13, 2014. She was 88. After receiving her degree from Goucher College and her master’s from Wesleyan, she worked as a rubber analytical chemist with U.S. Rubber, later joining the U.S.D.A. as a project leader. After then teaching high school and college chemistry, she received her doctorate in inorganic chemistry from Georgetown University. While working at the American Chemical Society she initially brought the story about the destruction of the ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbons to the attention of the public. In 1980 she became an editor at the National Academy of Science, where she remained until her retirement in 1996. She was a member of several professional organizations and had been elected both to Phi Beta Kappa and to Sigma Xi. Predeceased by her husband, Harold E. Smith ’49, her daughter and two nieces survive.

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JERRY BRAUNSTEIN, MA’47

JERRY BRAUNSTEIN MA’47, a physical chemist who worked on the Manhattan Project and later at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, died Sept. 17, 2014. He was 91. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the City College of New York, where he was elected to Sigma Xi, he worked on the Manhattan Project at Columbia University. After World War II he received his master’s degree from Wesleyan and then his PhD from Northwestern University in Quantum Chemistry. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington and later served as a professor at the University of Maine at Orono for 12 years before transitioning to a research position in physical chemistry at Oak Ridge. His research focused on thermodynamics and electrochemistry of molten salts, work that led to two patents and 100 journal articles. He was co-editor of a series of books, “Advances in Molten Salt Chemistry.” An opera aficionado, he attended opera performances in many locations, both national and international. As well, he had been a supernumerary in more than a dozen opera productions in Knoxville, Tenn., and he taught courses on opera at the community college continuing learning program in Oak Ridge. Among those who survive are his wife, Catherine Vallet Braunstein; three sons; one daughter; his son-in-law, Jeffrey R. Woulfin ’01; and six grandchildren.

Categories Obituaries | 2000-2010Posted on

TOAN VU TRAN ’09

TOAN VU TRAN, a video blogger based in Hanoi, Vietnam, died July 23, 2014. He was 27. Known as Toan Shinoda to his followers, he returned to live and work in Vietnam after graduation from Wesleyan. His humorous video blogs covered various topics of modern social issues, and he was also know for music videos in which he sang, rapped, and covered famous bands. Fluent in English, he also posted videos on how to learn English effectively. His parents and family survive.