Tag: 1947

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.

WILLIAM B. MERVINE, former national sales manager for Kaiser Aluminum, died July 4, 2014. He was 93. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received an MBA from New York University. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces and was later awarded the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters as well as the Presidential Citation for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained bomber combat. After his retirement from Kaiser, he worked for Alcoa. His son, Richard Mervine ’75, predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, June Miller Mervine, and one daughter.

EDWARD L. STRATTON, 88, a manager who worked in sales, marketing, and education at IBM for 37 years, died June 29, 2013. A member of Sigma Nu, he received his degree with honors and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was also active in community organizations. Among those who survive are his wife, Anne (Nancy) Stratton, four children, 13 grandchildren, his sister, and a large extended family.

JOHN H. UNDERHILL JR., 84, who spent his career in the insurance industry, first with John Hancock and later with Deland Gibson Insurance Associates in Wellesley, Mass., died Apr. 22, 2010. A member of Eclectic, he was the son of John H. Underhill of the class of 1918 and the nephew of Frank T. Underhill of the class of 1917. Cousins included Frank H. Underhill and Donald P. Underhill of the classes of 1918 and 1921 respectively. He served both in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserves. Among those who survive are his wife, Rebecca Stout Underhill; two sons; two grandchildren; a niece, Carolyn Taylor Casey ’78; and a cousin, the Rev. William D. Underhill ’53.

GERALD TSAI, 79, a fund manager and financier who pioneered the creation of performance–oriented mutual funds, died July 9, 2008. After spending one semester at Wesleyan, he transferred to Boston University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics. He started Fidelity Investments’ first aggressive growth fund, and from that first success he established other funds, which he sold or out of which he created conglomerates. He was the chief executive of Primerica and was one of the founders of what eventually became Citigroup. Three children and five grandchildren survive.

SHELDON F. SMITH, who retired as director of social work at the Southbury (Conn.) Training School, died May 10, 2011. He was 87. He was 87 and received his master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut. He also consulted for Yale University and its Institute for the Aging. Predeceased by his wife, Barbara J. Smith, he is survived by four children, three grandchildren, his sister and brother, and a large extended family.