1943 – Page 2 – Wesleyan Magazine Classnotes

Obituaries | 1940-19492014/12/18

F. EDWARD (“MUZZ’) MOLINA ’43

F. EDWARD (Muzz) MOLINA, the retired president of Edward Molina Designs, Inc., died Sept. 17, 2014. He was 93. A member of Psi Upsilon, he served in the U.S. Navy as a bi-lingual flight instructor during World War II. Later, he received an MBA from Dartmouth College and began a successful career in the textile industry. An avid athlete and traveler, he was also a loyal fan of Wesleyan football. In retirement, he became a community volunteer. His wife, Margaret Shippen Grubb Molina, predeceased him, as did a granddaughter. Among those who survive are three daughters; one son; nine grandchildren, including Dana E. Matthiessen ’09; and four great-grandchildren.

Class Notes | 1940s2014/07/032014/12/03

CLASS OF 1943 | 2014 | ISSUE 2

I’m glad to say that, as far as I know, we have had no new losses since my last report. I always thought that we were a sturdy bunch—keep up the good work!

Speaking of staying healthy and keeping active, I received a card from Muzz Molina describing his tour on the Crown Princess, visiting many interesting ports including Bermuda. Apparently the weather at Normandie was uncooperative.

I also received a “thank you” note from George Morrill ’42 in which he states, “Comes this pic of three eager old crocks plotting Wesleyan’s future. Ahh, they are canny old dogs. They know their ideas will elevate the college to new heights. Hey, it was great seeing you guys. Thanks for the framed photo. I look forward to linking with you next reunion.”

Gene Loveland sends a sad note: “Sorry about the stationery. Things are upside-down here right now and it’s all I could find. Joan passed away in February. It was a blessing and she went without pain and had a smile on her face. She was getting her wish to be with the Lord. I have such a large and wonderful family that things are going well, and I’m back in my routine of the monthly column in the house organ and running the putting tournaments.” Our thoughts and prayers are with Gene and his family at this time.

I received two messages from Jack Ritchie. One, a Christmas card in which he says: “My disappointment of 2013 was missing our 70th reunion in Middletown because of Lyme disease. Today I feel fine except for arthritis in my knee. My high school class back in Winnetka, Ill., now has just four survivors—three men and one woman.” The other message, in which he states: “Wife, Sue, was once the ‘scribe’ for her class at Mt. Holyoke with deadlines, so I feel sorry for your efforts to drag words out of your aging classmates. I could guess that your deadline was March 15—sorry. My only Wesleyan contact of late has been Jim Dresser ’63, a selectman here in town, and a dedicated community leader. I spend a lot of time reading. Right now I am on page 550 of The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I recommend it. Intriguing I thought was the frontispiece speaking of the condition of the country at that time, early 1900s: ‘The gap between rich and poor has never been wider—legislative stalemate paralyzes the country—corporations resist federal regulation—spectacular mergers produce giant companies—the influence of money in politics deepens’ and on. What goes around comes around. Maybe there is hope for this wayward and confused country. This year I promise I will really see you at the ritual of a Little Three football game, and new life in the prized institution.”

Frederick P. Appleton
100 O’Brien Court, Suffolk, VA 23434

Obituaries | 1940-19492013/10/23

ALBERT E. PELS JR. ’43

ALBERT E. PELS JR., a retired training consultant for the American Can Company, died June 28, 2013, at age 91. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. An enthusiastic skier, he was an active member of the National Ski Patrol for 62 years, serving for a time as a national board member. His wife, Elizabeth Voorhees Pels, predeceased him. Three children and five grandchildren survive.

Obituaries | 1940-19492013/10/23

EDWARD G. BARKER ’43

EDWARD G. BARKER, a structural engineer, died Sept. 11, 2011. He was 89. A member of Sigma Nu, he was the grandson of Forrest E. Barker of the class of 1874 and the son of Stanley G. Barker of the class of 1909. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and then attended Iowa State College, where he received a degree in architectural engineering. He worked on a number of projects in the Boston, Mass., area before starting his own company, Metric Construction. He also received a master’s degree in urban development from Northeastern University and an honorary doctorate from Wentworth College, where he taught. He was a beekeeper, environmentalist, and active in the peace movement. Predeceased by one son, survivors include his wife, Louise Hunn Barker, six children, 15 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Class Notes | 1940s2013/10/222014/12/03

Class of 1943 | 2014 | Issue 1

Unfortunately, we have lost two more of our classmates: Ed Barker died Sept. 11, 2011; and Al Pels died June 28, 2013. Ed was 89 and a member of Sigma Nu, while Al was 91 and a member of Beta Theta Pi. They will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time.

In this regard, I received a printout from Robert Mosca, Wesleyan senior development officer, dated July 31, 2013. It shows that of the 214 original 1943 classmates, 151 (71 percent) are deceased and 63 (29 percent) are still living. So good wishes to all of you and stay healthy! Due mainly to the fact that we were a wartime class, it also shows that 160 (75 percent) received Wesleyan degrees while 54 did not—most of these having earned degrees from other institutions.

Gene Loveland writes: “Nothing new since the spring letter and picture of the family reunion of 41 strong. Still writing my two-page column for the House Organ, and managing our four putting tournaments plus the twilight league. And mostly getting older by the minute with Joan keeping pace. Have a good year!”

From Dick Ferguson: “Wish there were more Wesmen around here—just Bob Foster ’47. We feel lucky to have our great-grandchildren around for so long. Gordy is in Hawaii. Kim is in Philadelphia and Rhode Island. They visit back and forth. Doug is in New York City. Best of all to you and yours!”

Muzz Molina writes: “I still remember the first day in school—Sept. 1, 1939. Hitler had just invaded Poland. Churchill was getting ready to make a speech—and Norm Daniels was getting ready to coach the ends at Wesleyan—which was about to have a great season (Little Three Champs)!”

FREDERICK P. APPLETON
100 O’Brien Court, Suffolk, VA 23434

Obituaries | 1940-19491943/10/252013/10/31

CLINTON B. YEOMANS ’43

CLINTON B. YEOMANS, who retired as a trust officer with the New Britain Bank and Trust Company, died Jan. 15, 2011, at age 90. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during World War II. He began his career with the Fiduciary Trust Company in New York and later moved to Connecticut where, following a one-year teaching position at Suffield Academy, he resumed his career as a trust officer in the Hartford area until he retired in 1980. His wife of 54 years, Joan Barrows Yeomans, died in 2007. Survivors include three daughters, five grandchildren, and a nephew, Benjamin C. Terry ’68.

Obituaries | 1940-19491943/10/232013/10/31

WILLIAM A. WINTTER ’43

WILLIAM A. WINTTER, who retired as co-owner of the Wintter and North Insurance Agency and who was class secretary for many years, died Sept. 22, 2005. He was 84. The son of Wilhelm A. Wintter of the class of 1909, he was a member of Psi Upsilon. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. Among those who survive are his wife, Nancy Corwin Wintter, two children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Obituaries | 1940-19491943/10/232013/10/31

ROBERT A. WARREN JR. ’43

ROBERT A. WARREN JR., 89, president of the Fisher-Churchill Oil Company in Dedham, Mass., died Mar. 26, 2010. He was a member of Alpha Chi Rho and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Newton Warren, four sons, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a sister, and many nieces and nephews.

Obituaries | 1940-19491943/10/222013/10/31

LIVINGSTON VAN DE WATER JR. ’43

LIVINGSTON VAN DE WATER JR., 85, a retired sales manager of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, died Aug. 2, 2006. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and served in the U.S. Navy as an aviator during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Chamberlain Van De Water, three children, seven grandchildren, and a sister.

Obituaries | 1940-19491943/10/202013/10/31

ALBERT W. THEURER ’43

ALBERT W. THEURER, D.D.S., died Oct. 16, 2003. He was 81. After receiving a dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later practiced dentistry in Roselle, N.J. He also served several terms as mayor of Scotch Plains, N.J. He is survived by his wife, Vivian, two children, and two sisters.