Category Archives: 1950s

Jun Uramatsu Smith ’54

Jun Smith, 88, a resident of Concord, Massachusetts since 1968, died at her son’s home, Timothy Smith, of Southborough, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, following an extended illness and recently sustained injuries as a passenger in an auto accident.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, on January 29, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Samitaro and Fuki (Wooyenaka) Uramatsu. Mrs. Smith received her primary education from The International School of The Sacred Heart in Tokyo, whose mission is to provide an education for women that prepares them for success in an ever-changing world. At seventeen, she came to the U.S. to attend The Williston Northampton School, graduating in 1954. Mrs. Smith received her bachelor of arts from Wellesley College in 1958. Professionally, she was an accredited Japanese-English translator. She worked at Wang Labs as a technical editor for 12 years and was an editor at Dun & Bradstreet Software.
Jun was a lifelong lover of music. She played the piano, guitar, soprano, treble, tenor, and bass recorders and was active in many choirs in Concord. Growing up, she was involved in sports and enjoyed figure skating, cycling, hiking, camping, and gardening.
She enjoyed a more than 40-year marriage with her late husband, Henry Clement Smith II, who passed away in 2002. She leaves her sons Jeffrey U. Smith of Block Island, R.I., and Timothy W. Smith of Southborough, MA.; two of three sisters, Kiyoko Uramatsu of Northwood, NH. and Kei Zehr ’61 of Tiburon, CA.; her three grandchildren, Scarlett Hovenstot, Gavin J. Smith and Jayden U. Smith, as well as many nieces, a nephew, and seven grandnieces.
A memorial service announcement will be made at a later date. If you want to be notified, please get in touch with: Tim Smith 6 Winter Street, Southborough, MA. 01772 Tsmithtennis@mac.com

Richard H. Wendin ’58

Richard Hale Wendin, 83, passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. He was born Sept. 18, 1939, in Detroit, to Sigurd R. Wendin and Martha C. (nee Rich) Wendin.
Dick attended Maire Elementary School and Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. He graduated from Yale University in 1962, and served in military intelligence with the U.S. Army in post-war Germany. Dick had a lifelong career with Heber, Fuger and Wendin and remained active as an investment advisor through July of this year.
The beloved “City Man” leaves many friends as a member of the Detroit Racquet Club and welcomed patron to local eastside haunts. He proudly served as commander of American Legion Post 372 for many years. Dick cherished his lifelong visits to the family’s Castle Park resort community in Holland, Mich.
His parents and his sister, Constance W. Sholem, predeceased him. He is survived by his brother, Sigurd Robert Wendin Jr. (Caesara) of Connecticut; nephews, Sigurd Robert Wendin III (Louise) and Michael Sholem (Sadie) of the United Kingdom and Theodore F. Wendin of New Jersey; and nieces, Caesara W. Brungraber (Griffin) of Oregon and Joanna Margaret Sholem of the U.K. He also leaves behind grandnieces and grandnephews, Sigurd R. Wendin IV, Sasha Wendin and Henrik Wendin, Bruce, Zoe and Chase Brungraber, and Florence, William and Reuben Sholem.
The family is most grateful for the great care Dick received, especially from the staff at Beechwood Manor in St. Clair Shores. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Clare D. Conover ’51

Clare Doverspike Conover, 91, longtime resident of Guilford, CT and most recently of Essex passed away at her home on August 16, 2023.

Clare was born in New Haven, CT on July 15, 1932, daughter of the late Charles Woolsey Conover and Anne (Rudolph) Conover. Beloved sister of Scott Conover and his wife Margaret of Guilford and Charles Woolsey Conover and his wife Bea of Holderness, NH. Also survived by nieces and nephews, Beth Berestecky and husband Mike of Madison; Christine Holland and her husband Mark of Needham, MA; Scott Conover, Jr and his wife Pam of Baltimore, MD; Professor Charles W. Conover, Jr. and his wife Sharon of Oakland, ME; Rev. Bill Conover and his wife Deb of Olympia, WA; and Grand nieces and nephews, Michael, Lauren and Reed Berestecky; Hap and Teddy Conover; Andrew and Will Holland; Beatrice and Arthur Conover; Emma Thakker and Nell Conover Crocket and Clare’s loving friend Mary Mather.

Clare is a 1951 graduate of Northampton School for Girls and a 1953 graduate of Colby Junior College. Before retirement she had for worked as a Medical Technologist / Medical Researcher for several Hospitals in CT; including Middlesex Hospital, which she retired from in 1997. She enjoyed reading, and her many outdoor activities of swimming, hiking, biking and kayaking.

Friends are invited to a Memorial services at the First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meeting House Lane, Madison on Saturday, September 16 at 1pm. Burial services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Audubon Guilford Salt Marsh Sanctuary, 4 Meadowlands, Guilford, CT 0643.

Lawrence Ball ’52

Lawrence “Larry” Ball was born August 10, 1933 in Albion, NY. He passed on August 10, 2023 in Grand Junction, CO, on his 90th birthday with his children at his side.

Larry attended Williston Academy, Antioch College, and The University of Ohio. Geophysical Engineering is the core field of his study and profession. Combining two of his loves, cave exploration and radio communications, he developed radio technology to communicate through the earth, especially to trapped miners.

As a pioneer in this field, he was called upon by a few world governments. He started working in his field for DECO/Westinghouse and eventually changed jobs to work for the Department of Energy.

After retiring from DOE in 1993, he became very busy with many activities, including the Colorado Head Injury Foundation, SCUBA diving/rescue, Ham radio/emergency communications, fishing, Ski Patrol, long-distance bicycle riding, Rotary Club, and many others.

Larry is survived by children, Daniel, Logan, and Stacey (Lucero), six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Caroline Ball, his youngest son Ryan ’87, and two granddaughters.

During this difficult time, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for the support and care we received, especially by the HopeWest Hospice care team. The departure of Dad has left a profound emptiness. Your kind words and presence mean a lot to our family as we live through this grief. We will never forget him for his love, wisdom, and the time we shared together. Thank you for being here for us.

Memorial Services are planned for 10 AM Saturday, August 19th, 2023, at the Patterson Road Church of Christ at 2893 Patterson Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81506.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”. – Revelation 21:4

Frederick S. Eaton ’52

Frederick Eaton, local retired lumberman (Eaton Lumber Company of Ludlow) died peacefully on July 13, 2022 after a long and full life. He will be greatly missed by his best friend and partner Sandra Bruschi, five daughters and sons-in-law, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was an avid golfer and longtime member of Ludlow Country Club. Fred was an active outdoorsman, nature lover, fisherman, athlete, retired lumber business manager, father and a kind and gentle man. Services are private.

Susan Gibson Schiller ’58

Susan Gibson Schiller, 83, passed away on June 9, 2023, at Blossom Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Salem, Ohio. She was born on Aug. 2, 1939, in Youngstown to the late William K. and Constance (Tice) Gibson. Susan graduated from the Northampton School for Girls before attending Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J., and Youngstown State University. She worked at the Salem Public Library for over 25 years and prior to that was a receptionist for Dr. Howard Moore. She was a charter member of the Board of AID and sat on the Century House board. Susan also volunteered for the Salem Historical Society and its museum for many years. Susan married the late Royal Schiller on Aug. 5, 1961, and they had one son, David A. Schiller. Susan will be remembered by her brother, William K. Gibson Jr. of Poland; sister, Jane Salter ’64 of Corvallis, Oregon; and five nieces. She is preceded in death by her husband, son, parents and one niece. Visitation will be from 4-5 p.m., Wednesday, June 14 at Stark Memorial. A memorial service will immediately follow at 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 14. Burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery. Memorial donations in Susan’s name, can be made to the Salem Public Library, 821 E. State St., Salem, Ohio 44460; or Salem Historical Society Museum, 208 S. Broadway, Salem, Ohio 44460. If unable to attend, join our complimentary “Hugs from Home” program at www.starkmemorial.com/hugs-from-home.

Howard ‘Marshall’ Benjamin ’58

April 19, 1939 – February 20, 2023

Marshall was born at the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles, California – growing to a tall, blonde, handsome man with a heck of a sense of humor. A “Valley” boy, he attended Birmingham High where he lettered in football and baseball, then spent two years at Williston Academy in Massachusetts, lettering in the same sports. In the third grade he met his life-long buddy, Pat Connelly, and a year later, Skip Townsend. It was the 1950s – a great time for kids to grow up in the San Fernando Valley. After two years in the Army National Guard, Marshall started classes at USC joining Phi Kappa Psi fraternity for a lot of fun, and a few beers at the “901 Club”. Then on April 1, 1977, Marshall met Judy Lusk at Casey’s Bar in Downtown Los Angeles. They married a year later. Marshall and Judy traveled a lot – all the states and many European countries, finally settling down in Carmel Valley, California. Here at Garland Park, Marshall walked his dogs on the trails, in the hills and along the river. But the best time of all for the Benjamins? …fall and football and USC! Marshall and Judy did not miss watching one USC game in almost 46 years. “Who’s calling those stinkin’ plays?” was heard every season. And so … Marshall leaves behind his wife, Judy; his son, Erik; sister, Susan Stone; Beezee; his pals at Hertz; old-friend, Tim Townsend, and oldest-friend, Pat Connelly. Marshall has “run the race.” He is in the Heavenly realm with Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. We’ll meet again, Marshall. We love you. We miss you. FIGHT ON!