Arthur “Chris” C. DeGraff ’51
Arthur “Chris” C. DeGraff ’51 passed away on October 3, 2025. A full obituary can be found here.
Tag: 1951
CLASS OF 1951 | 2025 | FALL ISSUE
Reliable correspondent Charlie Selig shared, “I continue my good life here at Boca West, Boca Raton, Florida, with Madalyn, my significant other for 14 years—[she] is a very special person [and] I’m so lucky to have her in my life.” Charlie said that his great-granddaughter visited in June, and “my family is here quite often as well.” He now stays in Florida full time as it’s “too much to travel to New York anymore. Best to all Wes friends, Charlie.”
On a sad note, Bill Mitchell passed away on February 21, 2025. Bill was a biology major at Wes, and he spent many years employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He also served in the Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel. Bill’s obituary said, “He led a life marked by dedication to his family, country, and community.”
We also received news of the death of Leon Protass on August 15, 2025. After graduation from Wesleyan with honors, he went to medical school at John Hopkins and became board certified in internal medicine and neurology, a specialty he practiced for close to 70 years. His son Harlan wrote, “Medicine and science were my father’s passion. He was widely respected for his diagnostic skills, intellectual approach to the practice of medicine, and bedside manner. Even though he largely worked in urban areas, he always practiced medicine as if he were a small-town doctor.”
Our condolences to the families of both Bill and Leon.
We have email addresses for more than a dozen of our remaining classmates, so let us hear from you! And if you are reading this and don’t receive our emails, send a note to me or to the Class Notes Editor, Liz Taylor ’87, at classnotes@wesleyan.edu to let us know that you’re still here. Thank you.
Leon M. Protass ’51
Leon M. Protass ’51 passed away on August 15, 2025. His son, Harlan, wrote:
I write to report the death of my father, Leon M. Protass, at age 95, on August 15, 2025. He graduated from Wesleyan University with honors in 1951. Upon graduation, he attended the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, from which he graduated in 1955. He was board certified in both Internal Medicine and Neurology and practiced in the field of neurology for close to 70 years. He was affiliated with both the Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for approximately five decades and was on the Staff of New Rochelle Hospital (now a part of the Montefiore Medical Group) for roughly two decades. He also maintained a private practice in New Rochelle, NY, where he lived for more than 60 years.
Medicine and science were my father’s passion. He was widely respected for his diagnostic skills, intellectual approach to the practice of medicine and bedside manner. Even though he largely worked in urban areas, he always practiced medicine as if he were a small-town doctor in New Britain, Connecticut, where he was born on October 11, 1929 and raised by his parents, Benjamin and Beatrice Protass, alongside his sister, Judith Poliner, who predeceased him by 12 years.
He is survived by his wife of 60-plus years, Barbara Protass, his son, Harlan Protass, and his partner Charity Scribner; his son, Joshua Protass, and his wife, Julie Selsberg; four grandchildren (Sydney, Cole, Simon, and Meret), as well numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was beloved by all.
William S. Mitchell Jr. ’51
William S. Mitchell Jr. ’51 passed away on February 21, 2025. A full obituary can be found here.
Charles “Chuck” E. Exley Jr. ’51, Hon. ’91
Charles “Chuck” E. Exley Jr. ’51, Hon. ’91, P’83, GP’00, ’15 passed away on April 17, 2025. An obituary can be found here.
CLASS OF 1951 | 2025 | SPRING ISSUE
Chuck Exley shares: “Hello! I recently celebrated my 95th birthday surrounded by friends and family. I moved to Naples, Florida, earlier this year from Sarasota. I am attaching a recent photo from one of the endless, sunny Florida days—out for a visit to a botanical garden with my daughter, Eve. I am not driving cars any longer but love to zoom around in these scooters whenever I can! Sending my best to my classmates.”
I wish everyone the best in this new year. And, please, send news.
Richard De Gennaro ’51, MALS ’60
Richard De Gennaro ’51, MALS ’60 passed away on October 11, 2024. An obituary will be posted when it becomes available.
CLASS OF 1951 | 2024 | FALL ISSUE
Charlie Selig shares: “I am still here at Boca West, Boca Raton, Florida, with my wonderful significant other, Madalyn Lehman. She has made my life worth living. Been together 13 years since my wife passed away. . . . Still swim laps regularly, work with my fitness man once a week, and play bridge online or at the club five days a week. . . . Wes is way back, but they were special days. Be well, Biff, and thanks to all that we are still living a decent life, even at 95. Regards to all Wesleyan men from the Class of 1951.”
Theodore “Ted” S. Bartolotta ’51, MAT ’56
Theodore “Ted” S. Bartolotta ’51, MAT ’56 passed away on July 16, 2024. A full obituary can be read here.
CLASS OF 1951 | 2024 | SUMMER ISSUE
Good correspondence with Francis Baudry who had come, at age 16, from Lyon, France, by way of New York City, to breeze through all the science programs to become a doctor and noted psychiatrist. He now lives on Cape Cod with his family. He sees a few patients, is active, and happy. Good news.
A great letter from Chuck Exley who also had a very successful post-Wesleyan career:
“Hello Biff:
“I am writing from sunny Sarasota, Florida, where I have lived with my wife, Carol, for well over 15 years. By chance, I just hosted a family reunion here over Easter weekend and was joined by my son, Yates Exley ’83, my nephew, Brian Walker ’00, and granddaughter, Sara Guernsey ’15, in addition to my two daughters and three great-granddaughters. I haven’t had the opportunity to catch up with any classmates of late but always look forward to the write-ups in the Wesleyan Magazine.
“Sending my best, Chuck”
Like Chuck, we would all like to hear from you.
Biff