In Memoriam
Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community

John P. S. Handy ’48

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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.

Posted in: 1940s

Lewis C. Schlotterbeck ’43

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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.

Posted in: 1940s

Douglas E. Little ’67

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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.

Posted in: 1960s

Natalie Field ’53

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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.

Posted in: 1950s

Jonathan R. Dudeck ’09

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It is with great sadness that the parents of Jonathan Ryan Peter Dudeck announce his passing on October 19, 2017 at the age of 27 years. Jon was the victim of random violence resulting in his untimely passing. He was also struggling courageously with substance addiction which may have contributed to being in harm’s way. His departure from this world however will never erase his legacy as a force for good and a positive difference-maker to others. Jon would not have wanted the disease of addiction or the way he passed on to define his life. The majority of Jon’s time on Earth was filled with laughter, learning, wonderful relationships with friends and family and spiritual meaning. His deep faith guided him, and even in the toughest times, Jon never lost hope and neither did his family and friends. Jon continued to battle the disease of addiction one day at a time, mostly successfully. Jon graduated from St. Nicholas School in Los Altos in 2004. He also attended St. Francis High School in Los Altos and graduated from Williston Northampton High School in Easthampton, Massachusetts. In addition to excelling academically at Williston, Jon became New England Champion in the discus event, shattering a 26-year-old school record and leading to a national ranking as a high school athlete. He was recruited by numerous Division I universities as a result of his proficiency in Track and Field. Jon chose to attend the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he enjoyed being a student athlete, building lifelong friendships and doing well in school. He graduated in 2013 with a B.A. in Human and Organizational Development and Sports Management. After graduation, Jon earned the two top national certifications in Personal Training and worked to develop his craft and client list at several Bay Area fitness centers. He then moved to Austin, Texas in 2015 and worked as a top-ranked Sales professional for technology and retail companies. When describing Jon, his many friends and relatives always emphasize his big heart. His smile lit up a room and his charisma and genuine warmth were magnets for building trust with others. Despite his 6’3″ athletic frame, Jon was a gentle soul. He made friends easily and was deeply committed to helping others. Animals flocked to him as they knew intuitively that he was their friend. Jon loved to work out, setting and achieving many personal fitness goals. Even as a child, he was disciplined and persistent until he achieved the goals he set. For instance, he taught himself how to play the guitar to an advanced level, juggle five balls at once and master leading-edge nutrition and athletic training. Jon also enjoyed writing and performing music and lyrics. Even though he knew his singing voice was not great, he had no qualms belting out his original songs for the pure joy of it, his love for music and life radiating throughout his performances. We miss Jon every single second of every day… being enveloped in his big bear hugs, laughing with him, being delighted by a thoughtful note or message. This principle-centered, kind young man will also be missed by his many friends and relatives. Rest in Heaven Jonathan. Jon is survived by his parents, John and Diane Dudeck, of Los Altos and by his aunts, uncle and cousins in the Midwest.

Posted in: 2000s

Alan W. Waite, Jr. ’48

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Alan Whittlesey Waite, 91, passed away on November 21, 2017 at his home in West Hartford, CT. He was born the son of Alan Whittlesey Waite Sr. and Marjorie Osborn Waite. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Sara Johnson Waite, and sister Ruth Waite Jordan. He is survived by a son, Peter Whittlesey Waite, daughter- in-law Donna Stewart Waite and two beloved grandchildren, Dylan Whittlesey Waite and Courtney Stewart Waite. Alan was born and raised in West Hartford, attended Sedgwick Middle school, Williston Academy, and graduated with a B.S. from the University of Connecticut. Alan and his family moved to Rochester, New York, where he was employed by Aetna Life & Casualty as a senior liability and bond claims adjuster. They remained there for over forty years, participating in community activities and making many friends. Over the course of his life, Alan was dedicated to public service. Beginning in World War II when he did his part with the US Navy during World War II, to being a volunteer fireman, boy scout leader, a certified EMT, active in his Church, and finally, an enthusiastic member of a Habitat for Humanity team. After retiring from Aetna, Alan and Sara returned to West Hartford where they were able to reunite with family, revive old relationships, but most of all, be part in their grandchildren’s lives. While Alan should be remembered for his community service, it was in his roles as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, as a reliable coworker, and loyal friend that those close to him will hold dearest. The family would like to extend gratitude to Gail Porter for taking such good care of Alan in his final weeks.

 

Posted in: 1940s

John F. Dignam ’47

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John F. Dignam of Ossining, New York, passed away Nov. 6, 2017, at the beautiful age of 92 with his family by his side.
John was born in Easthampton in 1925 to Vincent and Kunigunde (Kessler) Dignam. He attended Easthampton schools through to high school and attended a postgraduate year of school at the Williston Academy, where he was a star athlete. John left Easthampton and attended the Massachusetts School of Art in Boston.
After serving our nation in the Air Force, John played for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league baseball team for a time before moving to New York. He worked many years as a vice president of the J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency in New York City. John was a very gifted artist and was very successful with his own artwork and showings. He enjoyed drawing and painting portraits of everyday people and gave many a waiter and waitress their own portrait on the restaurant napkins.
John is survived by his loving wife, Marion (Rhinehart), and his sons Justin (Christine) of California and Peter (Lauren) of Colorado. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Taylor, Chandler, Jack, Cole and Sam, and his sister, Carolyn M. Croake of Easthampton. He also leaves five nieces and nephews and three stepdaughters and their families.
John was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Dignam of Easthampton.

Posted in: 1940s

Marshall R. Louis ’60

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Marshall Robert Louis, Jr., was born Jan. 26, 1943 and raised in Auburn, NY. He received his secondary education at Williston Academy, undergraduate at Yale, and graduate education at New York University.
Marshall served our nation in many roles, including at the US State Department as a Cultural Affairs Officer. After a distinguished career that included service in Zaire, Israel, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, and many other countries, he retired to central Maine.
He died after a brief battle with cancer on Nov. 11, 2017, in Bangor, Maine.
Marshall is survived by his three children, Rachel Barnett, Josh Louis, and Ana Gabriela Loius; and granddaughter, Olivia. He is also survived by his fiancée, Beth Zaccaro, and his much-loved dogs, Nor’easter, Klondike, Allegra, and Applejack. He is survived by three siblings, Tom (’62), Ken (’65), and Sue Louis. He had many friends in Milo and the Lake View Plantation area.
He was a man of many talents, a deep thinker, and had a positive impact on our nation’s international reputation. We love him, miss him, and will remember him.

Posted in: 1960s

James Bump ’64

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James Bump, of Putnam, CT, passed away in November 2017.

Jim was born in Springfield, MA, son of C. Kilbourne and Gertrude (Lapham) Bump.

He went to Williston Academy after attending Minnechaug High School. At Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, class of 1969, he majored in piano, after realizing that he could read music faster than text. There he began to build instruments, laying the foundation for several years of lute building and about 19 years at Old Sturbridge Village. At OSV, he demonstrated crafts and built replicas of furniture and tools, from plows to looms to a printing press, so that historical techniques could be shown without damaging the original antiques.

In the 1990’s, Jim worked as a church organist and accompanist to students, soloists and choruses. Trying a week of classes at Summer Keys, Lubec, ME, he was taken on as piano accompanist for adult amateur musicians. He fell in love with Lubec, and bought a 5 bedroom house, where he rented rooms to music students, making friends from around the world. After 10 years, he resigned from accompaniment and concentrated on hosting string quartets, in which he was always the viola.

In 2012, Jim helped to start the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra, which continues to meet in Ashford, CT and perform in several nearby towns.

Jim is survived by his brother Ben and sister-in-law Ellen Bump, cousins, and longtime companion Rachel Lewis and her family.

Posted in: 1960s

Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community