Category Archives: Class of 1946

Kenneth Langbehn ’46

Ken LangbehnKenneth Peter Langbehn, Jr. died at home August 18, 2013 at the age of 85, in the arms of his wife of 35 years, Veleria Richmond Langbehn.

Kenneth was born at home in Vero Beach, FL on Sept. 13, 1927, to Kenneth P. Langbehn, Sr. and Barbara De Kold.

He was married to Patricia Laub Langbehn Nelson (dec.) and they had five children, Sharon (Art) Noriega, Vero Beach, Leonissa (Tom) Abraham-Dean, NH, Wayne (Wendy) Hopkins-Langbehn, CT., Cynthia (Robert) Gruber, Vero Beach, Georgenna (Michael) Biganzoli, Ocala. Kenneth had one sister, Mary Jo Mancini (dec.), four grand-children, one great grandchild, two nieces, and 3 cousins.

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Lynn Sherwood Salvador ’46

SalvadorLynn Sherwood Salvador of Austin, Texas died on June 30, 2014. She was born in Beatrice, Nebraska on July 28, 1928.

She attended Vassar College and Stanford University, where she met geology doctoral student, Amos Salvador. She graduated and married Amos in June 1950. Together they had three children and were married for 57 years. Lynn was an avid reader with many interests. She became fluent in Spanish, a talent that greatly enhanced her life in Venezuelan oil camps and, later, regular trips to Spain with her husband.

Lynn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Christiane Salvador; her daughter and son-in-law, Rosario and Paul Blakely; sister Marian Weston; five grandchildren, Solomon Salvador, Leo Salvador, Lucas Salvador, Carla Salvador, and Claire Blakely; and 7 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Amos; her son, Michael; sister Katharine Mills; brother Robert Sherwood; and half-sister Rosanna Freeman.

Robert A. Sears ’46

Robert Sears '46Robert Allen Sears, a long-time resident of Longmeadow and Westport, MA, passed away on July 6th at the Charlton Hospital in Fall River, after a fall and brief illness at age 86. He was born in Torrington, CT and grew up in Ware, MA.  After graduating from Williston Academy class of 1946, he attended Tufts University both as an undergraduate and medical student. He later practiced medicine in Western Mass for thirty-four years as a specialist in internal medicine and endocrinology before his retirement in 1995.

Dr. Sears maintained a strong interest throughout his life in the outdoors, camping, and community service.  As a Boy Scout, he reached the rank of Eagle Scout. He twice traveled with his family across the country in a camper trailer visiting old battlegrounds and national parks in 46 different states. In later years, he visited all seven continents pursuing an interest in natural history, geography, and human cultures.  He was a member of the World Affairs Council of Western Mass, and remained a devoted alumnus. He served on the Tufts University Alumni Council and as president of the Tufts University Alumni Association. During retirement, he was instrumental in establishing the Tufts Institute for Learning in Retirement and received the Tufts Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award. He was formerly a member of the Field Club, Colony Club, and Longmeadow Country Club.

Dr. Sears leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Norma W. Sears; and sons, Robert Allen Sears Jr. of Los Angeles, James Andrew Sears II of London, England, Stuart Donaldson Sears of Sharon, and David Denison Sears of Arlington; and daughter Martha Wiley Sears Baker of Westwood, in addition to eleven grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert A. and Norma W. Sears Scholarship Fund, Williston Northampton School, 
19 Payson Avenue
, Easthampton, MA 01027.

Joseph P. Petruzelo ’46

Joseph Peter Petruzelo of Meriden, much beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother-in law, and uncle, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at home surrounded by family.

He was born in Meriden on April 29, 1928, and attended local primary schools, graduating from Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, in 1946. He was predeceased by his parents, Rose and Peter Petruzelo; and his two sisters, Anne Mesite and Lucille Lewis.

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Monell Treleaven Beurmann ’46

Monell T. Beurmann, 85, died on March 1, 2013. She was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. She worked for Siemer and Hand Travel for 40 years, and also at DeRose Travel. Monell was preceded in death by her father Peter C. Treleaven, mother Helen Monell J. Treleaven and her brother Peter J. Treleaven. She is survived by her sister-in-law Beatrice, nephew Peter L. (Terri) Treleaven, nieces Monell Grondine and Judith Treleaven, as well as many cousins. A private memorial is to be held in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Published in San Francisco Chronicle on March 19, 2013

Waldemar Van Cott II ’46

Van Cott II, Waldemar, born May 14, 1924 in NYC. Moved CA in 1930. At 16, he attended Williston Academy in Mass. Navy 1943-1945. Back to prep school one year then at Purdue University; he was collegiate wrestling champ and acted in plays, was elected into Who’s Who in American Colleges 1949, then small parts in 20 movies.

Employed at Douglas Aircraft 37 years; taught evening classes at OCC & LBCC; on the Huntington Bch. Personnel Commission for 21 years. He and his wife Louise met and married in Fort Walton Bch., FL where Douglas worked on missile tests at Eglin AFB. The family moved to Santa Monica, CA in 1963; then Hunt. Bch., CA in 1965.

Gregarious and well loved to the end, Wally passed away July 12, 2012. He was predeceased by his father, Daire Van Cott; brother, Peter Van Cott; and mother, Bard Heywood Letts. Survived by his wife, Louise; son, Waldemar Van Cott III; daughter, Ann, her husband Steve; grandson, Cole Gnadt; and niece, Schuyler Field. A private “Celebration of Life” will be held at Sherman Gardens.

Please support the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org in lieu of flowers.