PETER D. NIXON, a retired manufacturer’s representative, died Dec. 13, 2009. He was 76. A member of Chi Psi, he received his MBA degree from Northeastern University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was also an enthusiastic basketball player and coach. He is survived by one son; his friend and companion, Alyce Carella; his former wife; his brother, David L. Nixon ’53; and many nieces and nephews.
The Rev. RICHARD S. McCONNELL ’55, a Presbyterian pastor, died Nov. 15, 2012, at age 79. He was a member of Eclectic. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, he received his degree with high honors and with high distinction in English. He also received a bachelor’s degree in divinity from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a doctorate of theology from the University of Basel (Switzerland). He served as pastor of the Clarence (N.Y.) Presbyterian Church for 16 years. His wife, Lynette Giffen McConnell; three children, including Timothy S. McConnell ’89; four grandchildren; and three siblings survive.
LEWIS H. MARKOWITZ, an attorney in York, Pa., for 40 years, died July 3, 2006. He was 72. A member of Delta Sigma, he received his degree with distinction in government and received a law degree from the University of Michigan. Survivors include his wife, Tobye Markowitz, three sons, three grandchildren, and a sister.
ROSARIO S. MANGIAFICO, 75, the retired president of Mangiafico Development Corp. of Wethersfield, Conn., died Apr. 1, 2008. He was a member of Chi Psi. Active in many professional organizations, he was a life director of the National Association of Homebuilders. Survivors include his wife, Victoria Carrozella Mangiafico, three children, five grandchildren, a brother and a sister.
RICHARD LANGERMAN, who was a partner in the Boston law firm of Goulston & Storrs, died July 1, 2003 at age 67. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi and received a law degree from the University of Chicago. A member of his law firm for more than 40 years, he was also active in civic and charitable endeavors. Among those who survive are two children, a sister, five grandchildren, and Tina Browne.
ROBERT G. LUCKIE JR. ’55, the former president of E.B. Meyrowitz, died Jan. 19, 2013. He was 81. A member of Alpha Chi Rho, he received his degree with high honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received an MBA from Harvard University before beginning his career. He was president of Brentano’s before joining E.B. Meyrowitz, the opticians in New York City. The University has no information about survivors.
JAY W. LOTSPEICH ’55, a business executive, died June 28, 2012, at age 79. The son of Bascom Bradshaw Lotspeich of the class of 1925, he was a member of Psi Upsilon and served in the U.S. Navy. He received an MBA from the University of Miami and joined his family’s contracting firm in Miami, Fla, now called Lotspeich Company. He rapidly expanded the scope of the business, established offices in other cities, and founded All Interior Supply. Among those who survive are his wife, Beth Pankey Lotspeich; three children, including Bradshaw T. Lotspeich ’79 and Kathryn Lotspeich Villano ’86; his son-in-law, Christopher J. Petricone ’82; six grandchildren; his sister; and a nephew, Christopher C. Lotspeich ’87.
FREDERICK M. KOHN, 72, a retired guidance counselor and accountant, died Feb. 26, 2006. He received a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia University. Among those who survive are his wife, Anita Schulman Kohn, two sons, four grandchildren, and a brother.
RUSSELL H. KNISEL, 76, the retired vice chairman of Shawmut/Fleet Bank and a Wesleyan trustee from 1973 to 1976, died Apr. 30, 2010. He was a member of Gamma Psi and began his career with Connecticut General Insurance before transitioning into the banking industry. A longtime chairman of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, he served on several community boards. Among those who survive are his wife, Diane Taylor Knisel, four children, and nine grandchildren.
EUGENE L. JACOBS, M.D. ,a psychiatrist in private practice in Manhattan, New York City, died Sept. 17, 2011, at age 78. A member of Delta Sigma, he received his degree with honors and with distinction in biology, and was elected to Sigma Xi. He received his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center and was also affiliated with Beth Israel Hospital. After retiring from practice, he pursued his lifelong interests in art and antiques. Among those who survive are his wife, Vera Vento; two daughters, Hilary Jacobs Hendel ’85 and Amanda Jacobs Wolf ’87; four grandchildren; and a niece, Makaela J. Kingsley ’98.
Obituary for Dr. Eugene Leslie Jacobs
Jacobs, Eugene Leslie, MD (Class of ’55) died September 17th after a long illness. He was 78 years old. A native New Yorker, he was raised in Forest Hills, Queens before moving permanently to Manhattan. An alumnus of Wesleyan University and Downstate Medical Center, he had a private practice in psychiatry and was affiliated with Beth Israel Hospital until his retirement in 1989. Since that time, he pursued his life-long interests in art and antiques. He loved to cook, paint, travel and most of all laugh with his beloved wife of 22 years, Vera Vento. In addition to his wife Vera, he is survived by his daughters, Hilary Jacobs Hendel (’85) and Amanda Jacobs Wolf (’87), and four grandchildren. He loved Wesleyan always.
