Category Archives: 1950s

Stephen K. Oberbeck ’56


Stephen Kitt Oberbeck ’56, of Sanibel, FL, passed away January 26, 2022. After receiving his diploma at Williston Academy, Steve attended Brown University and was awarded a fellowship at the Iowa Writers Workshop. From there he began a career of writing which included a decade as cultural editor at Newsweek where he wrote book, theater, art, music and film reviews.
He edited the Book & Arts page for the St Louis Post-Dispatch and wrote frequently on cultural subjects for the many publications including The New York Times, New York Post, Newsweek, Newsweek International, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and the Paris Herald Tribune. He published numerous poems, short stories and creative commentary in various national and international periodicals. In 1968 he was awarded an Alicia Patterson Foundation grant to live and travel in Europe and report on the intersection of art and technology.
As a marketing writer, coach and business analyst, he worked with many global companies including Fidelity Investments, Nomura Group, Saab, Chrysler, Exxon Mobil, PepsiCo, Price Waterhouse and Philip Morris, writing speeches for top-tier corporate executives, producing major marketing materials and conducting media & marketing seminars.
After moving to Sanibel Island, FL, Steve continued to share his craft by leading writing workshops on memoir, short story, and Great Themes film. There, he mentored many burgeoning Island authors to put in writing their first personal memoirs and works of creative fiction. Steve was a vigorous and passionate participant in weekly current events discussions at BIG Arts Center, a docent at The Shell Museum, and a regular at the Sanibel Recreation Complex where he enjoyed swimming countless laps in the pool.
Steve is survived by his daughter Sally, three grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and grandnephews.

Charles Pinnell ’59

Charles (Charlie) Pinnell II passed away peacefully in his home Thursday, February 24th, after a lengthy illness. He was born January 17th, 1940 to Kenneth and Marjorie (Knight) Pinnell in East Orange, NJ and raised in nearby Summit, NJ. Charlie prepped at Williston Academy in Easthampton MA, and graduated in 1959. Throughout his life, Williston held a truly special place in Charlie’s heart. It was there he developed into a fine student and where his academic curiosity and confidence were nurtured. He attended Tufts University, and graduated in Political Science in 1963, then attended Rutgers Law School, and graduated in 1966. While at Rutgers, Charlie met the love of his life, Joanne, and the two were married in September 1966. Immediately after their wedding, the couple left the east coast and moved to Washington State, settling in Bellevue where they raised their family. Charlie spent nearly his whole career with the US Attorney’s office in Seattle, representing the government in both criminal and civil cases. His friends and peers remember him as a highly capable attorney, friend, and mentor. He was a successful trial attorney who enjoyed the academic preparation for trial as much as the trial itself. He was also an excellent orator and writer, demonstrating and honing these skills throughout his career. After 30 years of service, he retired from the Department of Justice in 1998. In his retirement he pursued his love for the outdoors: skiing, fishing, and hiking with his family and friends whenever possible. Charlie was a lifelong learner and well informed. He was an avid Seahawks fan who held a season ticket for over 30 years. Amongst his strongest and most memorable traits were his sense of humor, his love for English Setters (not to mention all creatures, great and small), and sharing his genuine appreciation for the Pacific Northwest. Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joanne V. Pinnell. He is also survived by his sister Mary and her husband Tom Zabresky of PA, his daughter, Christan Pinnell Seitz and her husband Tristan, his son Kenneth N. Pinnell, and his son Charles M. Pinnell and his wife Carla. He is also survived by his granddaughter Mahri Seitz, grandsons Brandt Seitz, Kalum Pinnell, and Mika Pinnell. He is mourned by his family, many friends, and colleagues who remember him for his wit, intelligence, and ability to find the best in others. A celebration of Charlie’s life is scheduled for June at his home in Monroe, WA.

Edward M. Bosworth ’52

Ted (Edward) Markham Bosworth of Ithaca, New York passed away February 15th, 2022. He was born February 1, 1933 in Lima, Peru to parents Ruth (Holway) and Kenneth Bosworth.

Ted came to the US for school at Williston Academy in MA when he was 13 and then attended Oberlin College, receiving his BS degree in Botany in 1957. School vacations were spent with family in Ithaca as it was difficult to return to Peru for visits. Ted served in the US army in Hanau, Germany for two years where he met his wife, Charlotte. They moved to the US and married in 1961.

Ted received an MLS in Library Science from Drexel University in 1963, and worked at Temple University for 5 years before returning to Ithaca with Charlotte to raise their daughters, Monica and Jenifer. Ted worked for 27 years in the Cornell University Libraries, mostly as a Bibliographer at Mann.

Ted was a long time member of the First Congregational Church of Ithaca, where he enjoyed singing in the choir and playing handbells. After retirement he volunteered for many years at the TCPL. From a young age Ted enjoyed sports (soccer and downhill skiing), camping, singing, playing the harmonica, and sharing silly poetry. He enjoyed yard work, small carpentry projects, travel and sharing songs and stories of his youth with his family. Ted was known for his humor, good nature and generous spirit. He was a wonderful father & grandfather, a loving husband, a good friend and colleague and a profoundly decent human being.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Kenneth, brother Norman, and nephew Norman Ford. He is survived by his wife Charlotte, daughters Monica Bosworth Viscuso (Paul) and Jenifer Bosworth (Riccardo Casalini), his sister Peggy Bosworth Hall, and grandchildren Sophia and Francesca, Arianna and Leonardo, and Jeremy Gamble, nieces Alison Ford and Barbara Spiess.

A memorial ceremony in celebration of Ted’s life will take place at the First Congregational Church of Ithaca on Saturday May 14th at 2:00 pm. People are welcome to attend the service in person or via livestream at https://fccithaca.org/livestream/.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting either the FCC Ithaca Outreach Team or Sanctuary Ministries Team (www.fccithaca.org) or The Finger Lakes Independence Center at https://fliconline.org/FLIC/donate/

Dong Kingman Jr. ’55

It is with great sadness that the family of Dong Kingman shares news of his passing on February 4, 2022.
Since early retirement from Marsh & McLennan, he enjoyed lawn bowling in Central Park, restorative yoga and swimming at the JCC, vacations in Bermuda, art museum openings, concerts at Lincoln Center, Broadway plays, and all that NYC has to offer. He thought of his friends often.
His wife, Elaine, and children, Melissa and Jonathan, plan to inter Dong alongside his father at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin on West 46th Street in Manhattan. A small service will be held in the summer when the family can gather.
If you wish to celebrate Dong’s memory, please consider sending a donation to Studio in a School (www.studioinaschool.org/support); the Central Park Conservancy (www.centralparknyc.org/donate); or any charity or organization of your choice.

Stephanie Brown Fehm ’58

Stephanie Brown Fehm, a fifty-year resident of Davis, California died on January 26, 2022, after bravely living with cancer for over two years.

Stephanie was born in October 1940 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Barbara (Nath) and Chester Brown. She grew up in Kent, Connecticut and spent summers in Campton, New Hampshire at her beloved family home on Mad River. She attended St. Mary’s School for Girls in Peekskill, New York and later Northampton School for Girls, in Northampton, Massachusetts, from which she graduated in 1958.

After graduation, she entered the nursing program at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut from which she graduated in 1961. She continued to practice as a registered nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital. The family moved to Florence, Italy where her husband, Tony, worked on his Ph.D. in Art History. After returning to the United States, the family settled in Davis, California, and she always returned to New Hampshire for as many summers as possible.

In California Stephanie continued to practice nursing and later became a nurse practitioner. She was a member of one of the first classes to graduate from University of California, Davis, Nurse Practitioner Program when it was established in the 1970’s. Stephanie worked as a nurse practitioner in rural health clinics and in vulnerable communities during her clinical career. She went on to become a labor representative for the California Nurses Association until she retired in 2005. Through her hard work, along with all the dedicated people at CNA, nurses in California have safer working conditions, higher salaries, better benefits, and more secure retirements.

Stephanie was a life-long FDR Democrat and an ardent women’s rights advocate. Over the years she worked for numerous candidates both on the local and national level. She was passionate about her civic obligation to be an informed voter and an active participant in the democratic process.

In retirement she became deeply involved with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program in Davis. She served on a variety of committees and enjoyed a host of friends and courses. In one of her OLLI writing classes, she wrote: “I would want to be remembered as a good and loyal mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. I hope that I would be remembered as a fair person, one who tried to treat all people equally. It would please me if others would remember me for two absolute rules: never cross a picket line or buy art to match the furniture!”

Stephanie was also an active and devoted grandparent to her three granddaughters. When they were young, she picked them up from school, took care of them when they were sick, and attended every school function and athletic event. She was a powerful support and role model.

Stephanie was predeceased by her father, Chester; mother, Barbara; brother, Jonathan; and sister, Katharine. She is survived by her daughter, Gretchen (Ian) Blake, Sacramento, California; her granddaughters, Anna Blake, Portland, Oregon; Allison Blake, Berkeley, California; Elizabeth Blake, Santa Cruz, California; her sister, Susan Norris (Tim), Andover, New Hampshire; and her nephew, Matthew Norris, Seattle, Washington, along with many cousins.

Stephanie’s family could not have managed her final weeks without the loving care, professionalism, and unwavering support from Lisa Saephan, RN and Vihn Tran at Honest Living. We will be forever indebted. Her family would also like to express gratitude and thanks to Mercy Cancer Center, Sutter Home Health, Sutter Hospice and Sutter Davis Medical Group for their commitment and dedication to Stephanie’s care.

Stephanie was a woman of substance, determination, and kindness. She was greatly loved, will be hugely missed, and long remembered.

New Hampshire was always in her heart, and Stephanie’s hope was to get back again for a visit. There will be a summer family gathering and remembrance at Mad River Cemetery, Upper Road, Campton. For all her friends and family in the Davis area, there will be a celebration of her life at a later date. For more information, please email: Steph.Brown.Fehm.Celebration@gmail.com.

Robert S. Birch ’57

Robert Salisbury Birch, 83, died peacefully in Lake Wales, FL on February 7, 2022. He was born in Boonton, NJ on March 13, 1938 to Elizabeth and Foster F. Birch III. He grew up in Boonton and spent his summers in Cape Cod, MA where he was a wicked backyard croquet player and a crafty tennis competitor. He had a lifelong love for the stock market, even though his first investment, at age nine, was in a worthless penny stock sold by a slicker over the phone. His father made him follow through on the purchase because he had given his word, and he gained an enduring lesson. He started as a runner on Wall Street as a teenager, became an intern in his college years, and an analyst and broker before rising to Managing Director at Oppenheimer and Company in a career there that spanned 55 years. He attended Brown University, where as president of his fraternity, Sigma Chi, he is remembered for his ability to run it with a profit without cutting out the fun. After graduating with a degree in Political Science, he pursued an MBA from Cornell University and then moved to his first job at A.G. Becker in New York City. There, he learned the business, having the pioneering Jane Brett, one of the first female stock analysts in a world of men, and the legendary Bob Wilson, as mentors. Over the years, his colleagues laughed at his many pithy sayings (“The advice is free, but it could be very costly,” “Patience can be rewarded as long as you’re not sitting on stone eggs,” or “Buy straw hats in the winter”) which they enjoyed so much they eventually compiled and circulated in a little red booklet entitled, “The Sayings of Chairman Birch.” All the while, they celebrated his shrewd market wisdom and admired his daring and unconventional investment style. He loved his many friends and dogs, especially Berry, a gift one Christmas. And his friends loved him for his jovial nature, loyalty, and generous spirit. He was thoughtful, remembering birthdays, sending flowers for all occasions (but candies on sale to his wife on February 15th), delighting in Christmas caroling, and applauding others’ accomplishments far and wide. He was a tremendous father and grandfather, always present, loving, and patient. He enjoyed giving advice, loved bargains and auctions, and delighted in a good joke with a merry twinkle in his eye. He had a grand tradition of presenting house guests with hats, bags, or shirts – all adorned with his made-up family motto, “Melius suspendi est ut lupum quam ovem.” (Better be hung for a wolf than a sheep.) He was a generous and engaged member in the communities where he lived in New York and Cape Cod, serving on the boards of The Bridge Fund of New York, Dancing Classrooms NYC and the Bourne Conservation Trust. He was an Elder, Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, a Trustee, Brick Church, both in New York City and served on his coop board for years. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eugenie L. Birch, his children and their spouses: Foster (Aileen Kim), Rebecca (Mark Pankoff), and Victoria (Yves Vandeplas), and his seven grandchildren: Robert, Lawrence, and Elizabeth Birch; Hugo, Augusta, Phebe, and Fredericka Pankoff. A memorial will be held in the spring. Those wishing to celebrate his memory, please send donations to the Bourne Conservation Trust: (https://www.bourne conservationtrust.org/) or The Bridge Fund Inc of New York for Preventing Homelessness https://thebridgefund.org/

Arthur B. Locke ’54

Arthur Bailey Locke of West Granby, CT, passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. He was the son of Alice Bailey and William S. Locke. Born in Hartford in 1936, Art moved to West Hartford a few years later where he lived until moving to Bloomfield in 1961. A graduate of Williston Northampton School, Hobart College, and Harvard Law School, Art joined the law firm Murtha, Cullina (then Shephard, Murtha, and Merritt) in Hartford where he practiced law until his retirement in 1992. An outdoorsman at heart, Art enjoyed gardening, splitting wood, building stone walls, and making maple syrup. He liked walking around in the woods, especially after moving to West Granby in 1994 where he could walk in “his” woods.
Art is survived by his wife of 56 years, Aurelle Smoot Locke; three daughters, Alison Perchuk (Andrew) of Santa Monica, CA, Amanda Locke (Jonathan Chesler) of New Milford, CT, and Katharine Locke (Julian Wiggins) of Orono, ME; and his granddaughter, Hazel Bailey Wiggins.
Calling hours will be Sunday, February 6, 1:00 pm at Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby CT. A celebration of his life will follow at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Center for Northern Woodlands Education, PO Box 270, Lyme, NH 03768, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Paul W. Brown, Jr. ’51

Paul W. Brown, Jr., 89, of Westborough, MA, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 27, 2022.

Paul was born in Northampton on September 15, 1932 and was raised in Hadley where he attended Hopkins Academy. He graduated from Williston Academy in 1951 and from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1955 and then joined the Army where he was stationed in Germany. Paul was a civil engineer who started his own construction company, P. W. Brown, Inc. in Westborough. He took great pride in the construction projects that his company completed. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and adored grandfather. He got the most joy out of spending time with his family and friends. Paul will be remembered for his generosity and kindness to all.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Betty Brown, and their four children: Paul W. Brown III, Douglas Brown and his wife Robin, Susan Swirbalus and her husband Robert, Kristin Nyren and her husband Jeffrey. Paul leaves four grandchildren: Jessica Whittier and her husband Christopher, Justin Brown, Paige and Brooke Nyren. He leaves his brother, Raymond ’55 and wife Cathleen; sisters-in-law Grayce Jones and Betty Jane Carlson; nephew Steven Jones; and nieces Karen Golding ‘81 and Amy Brown ‘84. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Ruth Brown; sisters-in-law Logie Brown and Evelyn Carlson; brothers-in-law Robert Carlson, Calvin Jones, and John Carlson; and nephew Bradley Jones.

Family and friends are invited to gather for calling hours on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 4 PM to 7 PM at Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough. Paul’s Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 10 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 120 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Westborough. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s honor to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Clayton T. Hardon ’50

Clayton Thomas Hardon of Fox Chapel, PA, died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 11th, 2022, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife, Sally Flannery Hardon and son, Clay Jr. ’78 (Claire ’79), daughter, Meg, daughter, Kelly O’Leary (Frank), son, Chris ’81, son, Tony (Michele) and daughter, Sara Aros (Steve), plus his eight grandchildren, including Tommy (Donna), Michael (Ida), Kelley, William, Margot, Jack, Callie, and Addie. He was raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts by his mother, Elizabeth Coulter Hardon, an immigrant from Scotland. He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, and graduated from Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served as a navigator bombardier in the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force. Following his service in the Air Force, he came to Pittsburgh to start his career at Westinghouse Electric as an engineer in their nuclear division. It was in Pittsburgh that he met his beloved wife, Sally, and where they raised their six children. His entrepreneurial ventures started with a steel fabrication business that served the steel and electronics industries, followed by a commercial signage business. He was an active member of his many communities including Judge of Elections in Fox Chapel, Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Foxwall Emergency Medical Services, Fox Chapel Hackers golf group, and the Pittsburgh Field Club. As a lifelong athlete and competitor, Clay played ice hockey, football, squash, paddle tennis and had a lifetime enjoyment of golf. He passed his love of paddle and golf on to his kids and grandkids who enjoyed competing with him on the course and the court. Cover-to-cover reader of The New Yorker, faithful completer of the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle and jazz aficionado, he appreciated creativity, philosophy, and the arts. Clay approached life with an easy-going and unpretentious warmth. He will be remembered with love and fondness by his family and friends for his natty dress, dry wit, and grateful spirit. Friends will be received on Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. in the Atrium of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church followed by a Funeral Service at 2 p.m. in the Main Sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in memory of Clayton Hardon to Foxwall Emergency Medical Services, 749 Hemlock Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

Barbara Mitchell Scilipoti ’51

Barbara E. (Mitchell-Frieswick) Scilipoti, 87, passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 27, 2021. She was predeceased by her loving husband and companion, Sergio. She was the daughter of the late Edward L. and Mildred M. Mitchell of Mendon, MA. She was born in Milford, MA and raised her family in Milford and Upton, moving to Framingham, Marlborough and her final residence at Atria Draper Place in Hopedale. She is survived by her children, William Frieswick and his wife Kathleen of Haverhill, Nancy Phipps and her husband Wayne of Mendon, Renata Parsons and her husband Douglas of North Carolina, Robert Frieswick of Douglas and Daniel Frieswick of Dudley. She was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara of Parker, CO and brother Edward B. Mitchell. She was a loving aunt, nana and great-grandmother. Barbara graduated from Northampton School for Girls in 1951 and attended Michigan State College before returning home to marry William Frieswick of Milford and starting her family. Barbara loved serving the public and was President of the Upton PTA, Director of the Upton District Nurse’s Association and First Vice President of the Milford Hospital Ladies Aide. She also owned and operated the Upton Shuttle Service. Over her life she worked as an Employment Interviewer and Acting Personnel Director at the Milford Hospital, Commonwealth of MA Department of Public Health in Boston, Monster Board and Whitney Place in Natick. You often heard Barbara state that she loved being a mom and was blessed with 5 children by the age of 28. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and loved tap dancing as a child. She loved helping at her parents restaurant, Milly Mitchell’s where she handled the take out and hamburger/ hot dog window. When not working, she loved swimming in Lake Nipmuc. She was a woman of style, elegance and grace with a happy heart, delightful sense of humor and a warm and kind smile that made everyone that met her smile too. She will be deeply missed. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 31, 2021 from 9:30-11AM in the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress St., Milford, MA followed by a funeral service at 11AM in the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Barbara Scilipoti to the Fisher House Inc., 7323 West Highway 90, Suite 107, San Antonio, TX 78227. These donations will be made to the Lackland Air Force Base Chapter. The Fisher House provided housing/food for family during her daughter’s medical treatments. www.bumafuneralhome.com