1950 – Page 5 – Wesleyan Magazine Classnotes

Class Notes | 1950s2016/04/07

CLASS OF 1950 | 2015 | ISSUE 3

Hi, guys! I’m Bud Dorsey, and I was just asked to be the new Class Secretary, so I guess you could say I’m “the new kid on the block.” My wife, Margie, and I moved from New York to St. Simons Island 21 years ago, and we love it here… nice climate, slower pace, friendly people. I am retired from the investment business and now do quite a bit of volunteer community and church work.

I had a nice conversation with Bob Birney, who preceded me as Class Secretary, and he had just returned from playing 18 holes of golf at the tender age of 90. Not bad, eh? After graduating from Wesleyan, Bob received a PhD in psychology from the University of Michigan and taught at Amherst College from 1954–1968, and then helped create Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. He now lives in Williamsburg, Va.

We regret to report the death of Bill Anderson, who died on June 20, 2015. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, and co-captain of the golf team. We extend condolences to his family.

We also regret to inform you of the death of Peter Fernald. A brief account of his life and accomplishment follows: Distinguished Wesleyan alumnus and benefactor Peter Fernald died Sept. 25, 2015, at age 86. At Wesleyan, Peter was an Eclectic, fenced and played soccer. He was awarded the Thorndike Regional Scholarship, which forged his enduring desire to support financial aid at Wesleyan. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in English and extensive coursework in mathematics, Peter served in the U.S. Air Force. He then obtained an MA and MBA at Harvard and worked at Arthur D. Little. Peter was hired by the Chandler family, owners of the Los Angeles Times, to help them develop their affiliated businesses. He spent many years as the Times-Mirror Corp’s director of planning, overseeing strategic development and acquisitions. In 2009, Peter was interviewed and featured at length in the PBS documentary Inventing LA: the Chandlers and their Times, which highlighted the ways in which the growth of the Times-Mirror Company was tied to the development of modern Los Angeles. Peter never married, and he remained close to the Chandler family in his early retirement years, living in the hills of Pasadena, Calif.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend our 65th Reunion on Memorial Day weekend. Were any of you there? We would love to hear about it by phone, e-mail or “snail-mail.” (See addresses below.)

And, whether or not you were at the Reunion, if you are alive and kicking, we would like to hear from you…..where you are and what you are doing. So, keep in touch!

Bud Dorsey| margiedorsey5@gmail.com

161 Shore Rush Drive., St. Simons Island, GA, 31522 912/638-5616

Obituaries | 1950-19592015/05/21

ROBERT J. BUTLER ’50

ROBERT J. BUTLER, a chemist, died July 20, 2014. He was 86. The nephew of Albert Q. Butler of the class of 1923, he was a member of the John Wesley Club, served in the U.S. Army, and received his MBA from Columbia University. He worked for three large chemical companies during the course of his career and had many hobbies. His wife, Janet Meekins Butler, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Sue Butler, six children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Class Notes | 1950s2014/12/212015/05/21

CLASS OF 1950 | 2014 | ISSUE 3

Calling all gentlemen of the Class of 1950! Can you believe it—the 65th Reunion for this class! Save the dates: May 21–24, 2015. It’s sure to be a fantastic weekend—but only if you come! If you’d like to have input as we plan events, please e-mail Katie Tedford (ktedford@wesleyan.edu). And thanks to those already participating!

Obituaries | 1950-19592014/12/18

ANDREW F. WISSEMANN ’50

ANDREW F. WISSEMANN, the sixth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, died Aug. 20, 2014. He was 86. A member of Delta Tau Delta, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in German, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He studied at Union Theological Seminary and received his Bachelor of Sacred Theology and honorary Doctor of Divinity from General Theological Seminary. He served churches in Connecticut and Massachusetts before 1983, when he was elected bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, serving in that position until his retirement in 1992. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Whittemore Wissemann; four children, including Mary Wissemann ’82 and Martha Wissemann Burr MAL’95; and five grandchildren.

Obituaries | 1950-19592014/12/18

CARL G. MURANO JR. ’50

CARL G. MURANO JR., 87, a former FBI special investigator, died Aug. 23, 2013. He was a member of Chi Psi and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After a 28-year career with the FBI, he joined General Telephone as a special investigator. He was also an avid athlete. Predeceased by a son, his wife, Catherine Foote Murano, survives, as do five children, 12 grandchildren, and two sisters.

Class Notes | 1950s2014/07/032014/12/03

CLASS OF 1950 | 2014 | ISSUE 2

Gail and Dick Ahlers had a fine two-day reunion with Nick Swett at Nick’s lodgings in Boynton Beach, Fla., in February. Nick and Dick were originally class of ’48, but were interrupted into 1950 by a couple of years of “community” service. Nick’s wife, Janet, passed in June 2013 after over 60 years of marriage. One of their sons is a founder of the recently accredited SUNY Plattsburgh affiliate of the Alpha Delta Phi Society.

Please send updates to the editors.

Obituaries | 1950-19592014/02/242014/02/24

EDWARD CANNEL ’50

EDWARD CANNEL, a writer, reporter, and syndicated columnist, died July 17, 2013, at age 84. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he received his degree with high distinction in creative writing and received a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism. His reporting career took him around the world, and he received an Overseas Press Club prize for coverage of Africa. He was a syndicated columnist for the New York World Telegram and Sun. An on-camera essayist for several networks, he also authored four books, a play, an adult literacy program, and a program for the piano entitled “How to Play the Piano Despite Years of Lessons.” Predeceased by his wife, Elaine Applestein Cannel, he is survived by Doris Shulman Brenman, members of his family, and friends around the world.

Obituaries | 1950-19592014/02/242014/02/27

ANTHONY ALLEN AMENTA ’50

ANTHONY ALLEN AMENTA, 87, professor emeritus at California State University, Long Beach, died Feb. 16, 2013. A member of the Commons Club and of Sigma Chi, he received his degree with high distinction in creative writing and then earned a master’s degree from Wesleyan the following year. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. After working as a writer and an award-winning film director for a number of corporations, he joined the faculty at California State University, where he taught courses in film and scriptwriting while continuing to write for various publications and corporations. A musician, he played drums and piano semi-professionally and published a number of songs. Survivors include his wife, Mary Bonvino Amenta, three children, and a cousin, Peter S. Amenta Jr. ’50. He was the cousin of Louis O. LaBella, M.D., of the class of 1920, the nephew of Italo M Amenta of the class of 1932, and the cousin of A. Robert Gordon of the class of 1941.

Obituaries | 1950-19592013/11/042013/11/01

CHESTER J. DZIALO ’50

CHESTER J. DZIALO, a retired attorney and the co–founder of the Middletown, Conn., law firm of Dzialo, Pickett & Allen, P.C., died Mar. 16, 2010. He was 85. A member of Sigma Nu, he received his law degree from Catholic University of America. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army and landed on Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion on D–Day. He served on numerous boards in the Middletown area. Predeceased by both of his wives, Doris Griskhkat Dzialo and Barbara Jackson Dzialo, he is survived by eight nieces and nephews, two stepchildren, and several special friends.

Obituaries | 1950-19592013/11/01

HOWARD C. DYER JR. ’50

HOWARD C. DYER JR., the retired treasurer and general manager of the New Bedford (Mass.) Storage Warehouse, died Mar. 15, 2006, at age 77. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Among those who survive are his wife, Norma Dalzell Dyer, and a sister.