Elizabeth Brumback Beebe ’43

Elizabeth “Betsy” (Brumback) Beebe, 92, formerly of Ashfield and Shelburne Falls, MA, died Saturday, Dec. 16th, 2017, at The Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. Although in relatively good physical health, she struggled with the challenges of dementia over the last few years.

She was born October 28, 1925, in Van Wert, Ohio, the daughter of Willson P. and Rowena (Conn) Brumback. She attended grade school in Van Wert, and high school at the Columbus School for Girls in Columbus, Ohio, and the Northampton School for Girls where she graduated in 1943. After high school, she attended Smith College for a short time before moving to Boston, where she ultimately graduated from the Eliot Pearson School of Tufts University. It was during her time in Boston that she developed a love of teaching, which lead to a life-long career in education.

She taught all manner and ages of children at more than half a dozen public and private schools in both Massachusetts (The Bement School in Deerfield; Sanderson Academy in Ashfield; Rowe Elementary School in Rowe; Buckland-Shelburne Elementary in Shelburne Falls; and the Academy at Charlemont in Charlemont) and New York (she taught 3rd grade at what is now the Gardner-Dickinson School in the Wynantskill Union Free School District). She was most proud of the pinnacle of her own education – obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, at the age of 43, while she was a dorm parent at The Emma Willard School in Troy.

After retiring from teaching at age 65 she continued to work for many years, including at the Smith College Alumni Association, Singley Real Estate, and the Mohawk Trail Concert Association. She also volunteered her time at the Senior Center in Shelburne Falls, the Mary Lyon Foundation, and several other organizations in Western Massachusetts.

One of her life-long passions was the Brumback Library in Van Wert, which was built by her great-grandfather in 1899, and bears the distinction of being the first public county library in the United States. She was an avid traveler, both nationally and internationally, having visited England, France, and Italy, as well as Mexico and China. She spent her spare time knitting, weaving, and quilting, and continued to improve her command of the French language well into her 80’s. She thoroughly enjoyed reading; her bedside table and bookcases were always stacked high with books, and her coffee table littered with magazines and newspapers. She would often cut articles out of the newspapers and magazines and mail them to unsuspecting relatives and friends.

She is survived by two daughters, Sarah and husband John Peck of La Selva Beach, California, and Susan of Tucson, Arizona; three sons: Dwight of Northampton, Willson and wife Vickie of Midland, Texas, and Tyler and wife Brooke of Briar Cliff Manor, New York. She is also survived by several nieces, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her brother, Willson P. Brumback, Jr., predeceased her earlier this year. Her husband, William H. Beebe, predeceased her January 15, 1975.

Those who knew Betsy would not be surprised to learn that several years ago she crafted her own obituary: “Elizabeth (Brumback) Beebe, 101, died yesterday at home.” And in her instructions left with the funeral home, she also insisted, “No funeral, but the kids may decide to have a party or what-have-you”. Although she did not quite make it to 101, Betsy lived a rich and wonderful life, and always enjoyed sharing her life stories (and opinions) with students, friends, and family. She “never met a stranger”, and will be remembered fondly by all whose lives she touched. She will be deeply missed.

D.J. Harry Webb ’46

Atty. D.J. Harry Webb, 88, of New Britain, CT, husband of Sylvia “Winnie” (Engstrom) Webb, passed away Monday December 18, 2017 at Jerome Home in New Britain. Born and raised in Hamden, son of the late Daniel John Henry Webb and Olive (Sarles) Webb, he lived in New York City while attending graduate school, moving to New Britain in 1960. Harry graduated from Williston Northampton School, attended Wesleyan University and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in 1953, his Law Degree from UConn Law School in 1956, and received a Master Degree in Tax Law from New York University in 1958. Harry was a Partner in the Law Firm of Pease, Kozlosky & Webb in New Britain until 1963. He later formed the firm of Webb & Belkin and then the firm of Pudlin, Silver, Webb, Sweeney, Clebowicz and Griffen. He opened his own firm as he approached retirement. Harry was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church in New Britain; a former member of Shuttle Meadow Country Club; local, county and state bar associations, and many local organization including serving as president of the United Way and the New Britain Bar Association. He also served as pro bono legal council for the Jerome Home Arbor Rose, where a library is dedicated in his name. When he wasn’t cheering on his favorite UCONN Huskies, Harry loved diving into a WWII history novel, and expanding his knowledge through travel to many places including Alaska, Turkey, Normandy, the Baltics and South Africa. Being an avid outdoorsman, Harry enjoyed running, hiking, tennis and skiing into his 80’s. Harry had a wonderful gift of being able to engage in conversation with anyone about anything. Most of all, he cherished the time he spent with his beloved family. Besides his wife Sylvia, he leaves a son, Daniel A. Webb and his wife Laurie of Guilford and Bluffton, SC; three daughters, Linnea Hoyt and her husband Karl of Boston, MA; Alison Jahn and her husband Anders of Newburyport, MA; and Victoria Baughman and her husband Eric of Hanover, NH; 10 grandchildren Caroline, James, Sarah Webb; Mather, Josephine, Harry Hoyt; Annika, Tomas Jahn; and Charles, William Baughman. He also leaves his former wife, Laurine (Hoaglund) Webb of Newburyport, MA. He was predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth P. Brown and Frances M. Canfield.

R. Craig Campbell ’36

R. Craig Campbell, age 100 years, of Plymouth, MA, died at his home on Tuesday, April 10, 2017. He was the husband of the late Margaret “Margi” Campbell for 72 years, and the son of the late Robert Newton and Vivian (Zeal (Savini) Campbell. Born in East Providence, Rhode Island, Craig lived in Canandaiqua, New York for many years before moving to Plymouth in recent years. He had an extensive career in different businesses, retiring as CEO from the Welch’s Food Company. Craig volunteered to the Army Draft Program in 1940 at the rank of Private. During his time overseas during World War II in the South Pacific war zone, he was awarded an Officer’s Commission as a 2nd Lt retiring in 1945 at the rank of 1st Lt. He was a member of the American Legion Post #40, the American Management Association, the Rotary Club and the Union League Club of Chicago, Ill. Most important to Craig, was his family. He has touched many lives. He is survived by his children, Bruce Carter Campbell of Canandaiqua, NY, Scott Fletcher Campbell of Martha’s Vineyard, Glenn McLeod Campbell of Saratoga Springs, NY and Dausha Cherie Campbell of Plymouth, 17 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, his sisters Vivian Stoll and Barbara King and 4 nieces. He was the father of the late R. Craig Campbell II (’63)  and Colin Whipple Campbell (’65).

John P. S. Handy ’48

John Peter Stone Handy passed away on May 25, 2017. Beloved husband of the late Marcia Steiner Handy, dear father of Linda H. Morehead (Scott A.), John K. Handy (Cynthia S.), grandfather of Lauren C. Handy, Christopher S. Handy, Caroline F. Morehead, William K. Morehead, brother-in-law of Nancy S. Sheridan, dear friend of Mildred A. Moulder, and friend to all. After graduating from Bowdoin College, Jack served in the Korean War and received the National Defense Intelligence Service medal. After the war, he traveled extensively in Asia working for Monsanto. Upon returning home, Jack worked as a sales executive in the plastic industry for more than 50 years, eventually starting his own company. He loved spending time and traveling with his grandchildren.

Lewis C. Schlotterbeck ’43

Lewis Christian Schlotterbeck passed away at the age of 93 on October 26, 2017. He resided in Mt. Pleasant, SC, where he and his wife had moved in retirement.
His career was with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Most of it was spent at the southeast district office in Bournedale, but at the time of retirement, he was the Deputy Director in the state capital.
His military service was long and included the position of ball turret gunner in a plane that was shot down over China in WW II in 1945, making him eligible for the Caterpillar Club. He joined the USAF reserve in 1948. He was commissioned in 1957, and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the Selective Service division.
Being predeceased by his wife Elaine and daughter Martha Lanoue, he is survived by his daughter Anne Lee Schlotterbeck of Savannah, GA as well as three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The best years of his life were spent fishing, scalloping, and raising a family on Cape Cod in the town of Bourne.

Douglas E. Little ’67

Douglas Edward Little, 68, of Southbury, CT, died on Sunday, November 19, 2017 in Middlebury. He was husband of the late Deborah Little. He was born on May 9th, 1949 in New Britain to Edward and Jennie Little. Douglas attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA. He graduated from Syracuse University and obtained his Master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. While an undergraduate, he became a brother of the Lamda Chi fraternity and met his future wife Deborah White. After graduation, he worked dutifully for many years as an educator for the State Of Connecticut and Department Of Correction. Towards the end of his time there, he suffered a severe stroke that, by all medical accounts, should have killed him. Fearlessly refusing to let it quell his passion for life, he learned to walk again, and spent the rest of his life happily doing whatever he wanted despite his physical limitations. His days became rife with traveling, investing, screenwriting, filmmaking, entrepreneurship, art collecting, shooting, and even treasure hunting. Even as his health deteriorated more in his final years, he never stopped dreaming of what he could achieve in the future. While no one will ever forget Douglas as the eccentric, entertaining man who handed out glow sticks and payed for things with two dollar bills just to brighten a day for others, he’ll be forever remembered by those closest to him for his greatest achievements: his enduring resolve, and the endlessly selfless manner in which he conducted himself as a son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, educator, and American. He was a paragon of how to live with purpose for both yourself and others. Douglas is predeceased by his father Edward, mother Jennie, daughter Phoebe, and wife Deborah. He is survived by his sons Edward and Radley, as well as his brothers Alan and William.

Natalie Field ’53

Natalie Field, of Jackson, Michigan, died November 8, 2015. She is survived by her sister Harriet (Tat) Field Miller ’55 of Grand Rapids, MI and her Jackson family of friends: Lynne Loftis, Liz Wierzbicki, Judy Horn, Janeen Cargill and her extended family at Rex Terrace. She was born March 18, 1935 in Jackson to Leonard H. and Janet McGee Field. Natalie graduated from Smith College in 1957 with a degree in mathematics. After college she worked for General Electric with a team of engineers designing nuclear submarines, and then returned to Jackson where she was active in the Jackson Junior Welfare League, the Jackson County Republican Party and the Ella Sharp Museum. She loved reading, cats, train travel and everything connected with Elk Lake.