A. Frederick Wood ’55

Dr. Albert Frederick (Fred) Wood passed away at his home in Larkspur at the age of 87, surrounded by his loving family.

Fred was born on June 7, 1938, in Amherst, Massachusetts. He attended Williston Academy, Amherst College, and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, where he met and married the love of his life, Carolyn, an operating room nurse.

After graduating from medical school in 1963, Fred completed his internship in the U.S. Air Force at Travis Air Force Base. His service then took him to San Antonio and Abilene, Texas, for flight surgeon training. During the Vietnam War, Fred was stationed at Takhli Air Force Base in Thailand, where he cared for fellow service members as well as members of the local community through a clinic established by base physicians. His time in the Air Force–and especially in Thailand–sparked a lifelong love of adventure and travel.

Following his military service, Fred completed a residency in urology at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco. While at UCSF, he fell in love with Marin County, particularly Larkspur. In 1971, after completing his residency, Fred joined a private urology practice in San Francisco. Alongside a busy general practice, he helped establish the Davies Rehabilitation Center, specializing in urologic care for patients with spinal cord injuries. Fred served on the medical staff of several Bay Area hospitals, including Davies and St. Mary’s, and retired in 1998 after 27 years of dedicated practice.

In retirement, Fred embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. He enjoyed tennis, golf, and taking countless classes at the local community college. He and Carolyn spent much time at their home in Maui and delighted in “grandparent trips” with their grandchildren. An avid traveler married to a birdwatcher, Fred explored Europe, Africa, Central and South America, New Zealand, and Alaska. Among his most cherished adventures were trips to Kenya and Tanzania with his brother Roger, a turtle paleontologist, including a memorable stay at Richard Leakey’s research camp. Fred and Carolyn also participated in numerous surgical missions to Antigua, Guatemala, where they formed a lasting connection with a local orphanage they generously supported alongside many others in the Marin community.

A lifelong learner, Fred approached everything he did with energy and curiosity. He found joy in camping, backpacking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, and coaching his children’s soccer teams. Known for his warmth, humor, and zest for life, Fred will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Carolyn; his daughter Jennifer Synold and son-in-law Tim, and their daughters Taylor, Kelly, and Jessica; his daughter Angela and grandson Spencer; his son Tim and daughter-in-law Mindy, and their sons Cameron, Lucas, and Tyler; his brother Roger ’58 and his wife Gary; and his brother Dan ’65 and his wife Toni.

A celebration of life will be held at Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley on April 11th at 1:00 pm. RSVP tfw@gsienv.com.

Memorial contributions can be made to Case de Angeles Orphanage: https://casaangeles.org

George A. Shaler ’80

George A. Shaler, 63, passed away after a stroke on March 21, 2026, at a Portland Hospital, with his family at his side. George was born on July 18, 1962, in Northampton, Mass., of the late Janet (James) and George Shaler Sr.

George’s childhood was unconventional and exploratory – a prelude to a life spent bucking conventions and seeking to learn more about the world and the people in it. George’s dad, Al, was a teacher at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts. When George’s mom, Janet, passed away far too young, his school community helped Al raise him along with siblings Jim and Elizabeth. His summers in the woods on Kelm Lake and time on campus and at Hamilton College – including communal meals, ultimate frisbee games, a never-ending parade of interesting people, and Grateful Dead shows – were formative influences. A committed introvert, after college he solo hiked the entire Appalachian trail, particularly relishing the 100-Mile Wilderness for its steady supply of swimming holes. He fittingly chose “Curious George” as his trail name.

George carried that curiosity with him for the rest of his life. He asked excellent questions and prided himself on deep listening and remembering details about people. He didn’t particularly want to talk about himself, but he’d talk all day long about you, your family, your pets, sports trades, and local elections. And he remained literally and figuratively a trail blazer — carving his own path, enjoying nature to its fullest whether on foot, bike or cross-country skis, and painting trail markers as a volunteer trail maintainer. He brought quiet commitment and leadership to issues he cared about deeply, including justice policy and public health. Among his professional passions, he guided efforts to implement school-based health centers while at the Catherine Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy at the University of Southern Maine and in various roles in West Virginia. He had a knack for connecting with children and mentoring young adults. He served as a board member and president at both the Justice Information Research Network and The Children’s Center, where he served on the board for more than 20 years.

George gave endless gifts of service and encouragement (and dad jokes) to his spouse, children and cats. Jill was his equal partner in all things – travel, outdoor adventures, and family decisions. Jill knew from their first date that he would loyally care for her, challenge her, and be an ally as they navigated life. He had never-ending pride in Jonna and Shay, whose academic, athletic, service, travel, and social endeavors brought him joy and fulfillment. He was an avid reader, trivia sage, music lover, devil’s advocate, and sports fan, particularly the UNC Tar Heels from his graduate school alma mater and all Boston teams. His comfort in his own skin served as a model and inspiration. He leaves us far too soon.

George is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Jill Rosenthal; children, Jonna and Shay Rosenthal; siblings and in-laws, James ’81 and his wife Ann Shaler, Elizabeth Shaler dos Santos ’84, Cheryl Rosenthal and her husband Ed Blum, and Dan and his wife Julie Rosenthal; nieces and nephews, Olwen and Griff Shaler, Wallace dos Santos, and Ben and Anna Rosenthal, and other extended family members.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Congregation Bet Ha’am, 81 Westbrook St., South Portland, ME 04106. Arrangements are under the direction of Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center, 300 Allen Ave. Portland, ME.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in George’s memory to The Children’s Center, 721 Stevens Avenue Portland, Maine 04103; Maine Women’s Lobby, 1 Weston Court Suite 203A, Augusta, Maine 04330; or the Eastern Trail Alliance, PO Box 250, Saco, ME 04072.

Kendall M. Johnson-Smith ’99

Kendall M. Johnson-Smith of South Hadley, MA and Brooklyn, NY passed away on March 3, 2026. Receiving her education from Williston Northampton School, DePaul and Fordham Universities, Kendall was a clinical psychotherapist and mental health consultant.

She leaves her parents, Teena Wilson and Preston Smith II, their spouses, Ric Wilson and Lynda Pickbourn, her two brothers, Nii Kwei Smith and Eris Johnson-Smith ’98, a sister-in-law Coco Killingsworth and a nephew and niece, Ehze and Asali Johnson-Smith.

There will be a memorial service on August 8, 2026 in New York City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kendall M. Johnson-Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund.

You can read more about Kendall’s accomplishments and hear her remarks at the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

David H. Thorne ’61

With heavy hearts, we announce that David Henry Thorne, 83, of Easton, CT, passed away on March 16, 2026.

A man nearly impossible to categorize, David was a “master of fun.” A rare blend of romance, comedy, physical agility, and strength, he possessed a room engulfing energy that persisted until his final hours. He was steadfast in shunning negativity and encouraging happiness, a “lost art” that defined his character. To know David was to share laughter, nature, Looney Tunes cartoons, mischievous behavior, and a genuine love for life.

As a resident of Easton CT, a graduate of Williston Academy, and Rutgers University, he excelled as a standout athlete and a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta. His athletic talent led him to be drafted to the Atlanta Braves organization. Following his time on the diamond, David transitioned into a successful career in sales, ultimately spending decades as a dedicated mortgage broker with Independent Mortgage in Fairfield, CT.

David was a proud family man who deeply cherished his parents, Fredrick Thorne and Martha Helen Stull, and his sister Connie Whitbeck ’56, who predeceased him. He is survived by his brother, Fred Thorne ’55 of West Hartford.

David’s legacy lives on through his children, Duke, Greg, and Brian, born of his 17-year marriage to Nancy Wall Thorne. “Papa T” will be forever missed by his grandchildren, Jeremy, Morgan, and Keira.

In the second half of his life, David found love again with Patricia Orr of Westport, CT. For nearly 40 years, he enjoyed life with Pat and her children Alicia, Adriane, Caroline, and David, and their eight granddaughters who knew him affectionately as “Big Dave.”

David passed away following complications of Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. Even as his health declined, he remained aware of and grateful for the people around him. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Johnson Assante, who provided exceptional care and companionship to his “King” during his final years.

To honor David’s love of nature, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Connecticut Audubon Society: ctaudubon.org/donate.

As predetermined, David will be laid to rest alongside his parents at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, CT. Funeral and burial services will be private. The Thorne and Orr families will organize a Celebration of Life as a final send off. For information regarding the date and time of the memorial gathering, please email daddix@gmail.com

William P. Childs ’54

When Bill Childs stood to leave a restaurant after a laughter-filled meal with his family or friends, he would turn to the nearest table and say, “I’m leaving you in charge now.” William Prescott Childs, 90, of Dorset, Vermont left the rest of us in charge on March 10, 2026.

Bill was born in Berlin, Germany in 1935 to Roberta Lewis Childs and Prescott Childs while Prescott was stationed at the U.S. Consulate there. Bill’s early years, side-by-side with his older brother David, included posts in Barbados, Rio de Janeiro, Wellington, Havana, and Washington, D.C., which provided Bill with a great collection of stories to share with his children and grandchildren. In school and during summers, he was introduced to a variety of sports, including football, field hockey, cricket, tennis, skiing, swimming, and diving. Sports and games would factor prominently in Bill’s life, as would a taste for interesting excursions and global cuisine. Following his high school years at The Westminster School and Williston Academy, Bill attended Washington and Lee University for a year, which included R.O.T.C, then signed on for a four-year stint in the Navy. He joined Aerography training, where he learned “everything about the weather except how to control it.” Following his enlistment as an Aerographer’s Mate, he attended and graduated from Yale in 1963.

In that same year, Bill married Sheila Hoyt Scranton, and they embarked on 63 years of adventures together. Some included working at the Eaglebrook School, owning and operating the 1811 House inn in Manchester, Vermont, and refurbishing a mid-conversion carriage house when they settled outside Baltimore in 1980. They eagerly supported the cultural offerings wherever they lived, and they traveled extensively with family and friends. Their most significant collaborative project was raising three daughters, Tina, Elizabeth, and Jennifer, cheering them on at their various artistic, sporting, and life events, then doing the same for their seven grandchildren.

Bill had many hobbies, but number one was racquet sports, with an eventual focus on platform (paddle) tennis. He and his brother David, in their 50s and 60s, won the National Championships in their age group eleven times in fourteen years. In 2005, they were both inducted into the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame, where they were celebrated for being “gentlemen,” who possessed “competitiveness…combined with unquestionable sportsmanship, and unwavering friendliness, both on and off the court.” Having lived and traveled all over the world, it was small town life that might have suited Bill most.

When he retired from his job as an executive recruiter in 2000, he and Sheila returned to Dorset, Vermont, where he lived out the rest of his 26 years in their ideal spot overlooking the village green. Friends and neighbors have referred to him as “a wonderful, kind man,” “a true gentleman,” and “a great friend for many, many years.” We will miss Bill every day and always remember his wit, kindness, humility, and appreciation of life’s small pleasures.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother David Childs and great-granddaughter Charlotte Gunning, and is survived by his wife Sheila, daughters Christina Cutler (Greg), Elizabeth Childs, and Jennifer Pelletier (Steve), his grandchildren Paige (Kaitlyn Litten) and Alexander Gunning (Katie), Carson Cutler, Mollie and Eli Caguin, and Madeleine and Henry Pelletier, and his great-grandchildren Erin and Hazel Gunning. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in Dorset, Vermont in late spring.

Raymond N. Jenness ’51

Ray Jenness, 93, of Rockport, MA, died March 12, 2026 surrounded by his children. Ray taught English and theater at Brattleboro High School for many years. He founded the Vermont Theatre Company and acted and directed in productions all around Brattleboro for many years.

He grew up in Hatfield, MA. and graduated from Williston Academy, Brown University, and the University of Connecticut.

Eileen M. Maher ’74

Eileen Mary Maher, 69, of Natchez, Mississippi, died Sunday, August 31, 2025 after a brutal battle with peritoneal cancer. She was born January 28, 1956 in Holyoke, Massachusetts to Mary and Richard Maher. Mary was a board-certified registered nurse; Richard was an Internist. 

Eileen was predeceased by her husband, G. Mark LaFrancis, her parents and her younger brother, Christopher Maher. 

She is survived by her children, Mark LaFrancis and his wife Kriss, and Mary LaFrancis Symes, her husband Josh, and their daughter, Grace Harper Symes, born July 7, 2024. 

Eileen also leaves behind her sister, Maureen Maher Cotter, and her husband, Mike Cotter; her godchild Laura Cotter O’Brien, and her husband Shaun, and daughters, Abby and Caitlin; Christopher and Leah Cotter and their daughter, Elizabeth Barsalou and her husband Brian and Carolyn St. Lawerence her husband, Pat, and their daughters Kierston, Quin, and Julia. 

Eileen was a lifelong learner. She graduated from Boston College in 1978 with degrees in English and Philosophy. She earned a Master’s Degree in American History from Boston College in 1978. In 1987 she received a Master’s of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language from the Elms College. In 1995, she graduated from Western New England University with a Juris Doctorate degree. In 2014 she graduated from Alcorn University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing. In 2017 she graduated from University of Mississippi School of Nursing with a Master’s of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. 

Eileen’s work career closely paralleled her academic progress. She started her teaching career in 1978 and took a job teaching children with learning disabilities English as a Second Language. In 1995 Eileen started her career as an attorney in both family and criminal law. She would later go on to become a Justice Court Judge for the Southern district of Adams County from 2017 to 2024. 

One of Eileen’s favorite memories was when she scored a hole-in-one on September 6, 2010. 

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friday September 05, 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Daniel O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Natchez Adams County Humane Society.

Steven M. David ’57


Steven Matthew David was the man who put the Top of the Hill on the map.

A ubiquitous presence on TV and the radio during the 60s, 70s and 80s, David founded the first store in the San Francisco Bay Area to sell discount electronics. During its 25 years in business, Matthews approached retail uniquely: the store often had lines around the block while customers waited to be escorted around the store by a salesperson. In addition to campaigns featuring everyone from Davy Jones to Jerry Rice, Matthews became known for offering champagne and popcorn to customers as they waited.

David’s legendary bicycle promotion-offering a free bike with the purchase of almost any product costing $150-became part of local lore and his tag line “Top of the Hill, Daly City” still remains known today. Matthews became the largest single store retailer of home electronics in the country and David among the first business owners to personally appear in his own ads.

A high school valedictorian who scored an 800 on his math SAT, David attended Harvard College, where he graduated magna cum laude. Though accepted at Harvard Business School, he opted instead to start and grow Matthews.

After a long illness, Steven Matthew David died peacefully on January 18, 2026. He is survived by his two children, Ned and Anna, brother Anthony David ’60, and sisters Barbara Dali and Linda Williams, as well as the many who remember him as an integral part of Bay Area history.