Kusa Panyarachun, aged 103, of Bangkok, Thailand, passed away on May 25, 2022. Mr. Panyarachun set up World Travel Service in 1949, then the first tour operator based in Thailand. Survivors include his son, Krid Panyarachun ’70.
Kusa Panyarachun ’40
Tag Archives: Class of 1940
Christian Murray-Allen Gerhard ’40
Christian Gerhard, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1924, died at home in Bethesda on October 10, 2021. The daughter of Christine and John Murray-Allen, late of Cambridge, England and Mombassa, Kenya. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Hans Gerhard; daughters Lynn Gerhard of Spring, TX, Suzanne with husband Allen Tubis of Annapolis, MD; and son John with Berit Holthe of Jaerna, Sweden; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Christian came to the United States at the outset of WWII, and after graduation from Radcliffe College served as a coder in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. After the war she continued her studies in musicology, earning a Master’s degree, and playing cello and piano in university orchestras. Dedicated to raising her three children, Christian paused her professional career until they had outgrown the home. She then changed direction to devote most of her professional work to education, specializing in reading. She taught that subject at local high schools, and, after earning a doctoral degree, at George Washington University. Her book on the subject (Making Sense) was published by the International Reading Association in 1975, and she lectured at professional conferences at home and abroad. Christian’s professional work reflected her deep commitment to social and political causes. Private service scheduled for a later date
Samuel Ansell ’40
Cartoonist, ad man and business man Samuel Ansell, 99, of Waltham, died on August 1st, 2021. Sam Ansell’s career changed course many times but cartooning was always part of it. Mr Ansell grew up in Newton and attended Newton High school where his humorous essays filled the pages of the Newtonian magazine. His love of George Herriman’s Krazy Kat drew him to cartooning and his style and humor saw him published in numerous magazines of the 40s, such as “Colliers”, “Look”, and the “Harvard Lampoon”. Mr. Ansell attended Harvard as an undergrad in English Literature at a time when quotas for Jews made that a rare occurrence. His writing and cartooning made him a perfect candidate for the editorial board of the reinvigorated humor magazine “Harvard Lampoon”. Upon graduation in 1944, he enlisted and served in the Pacific as an ensign in the US Navy. After the war, he went on to receive an MA from Columbia University’s School of Journalism. It was while in college that his cartooning career blossomed. His cartoons and humor columns were regular features in the “Harvard Lampoon” and the “Columbia Jester”. Through syndication, other college humor magazines across the country picked up his cartoons as well. After Columbia, Mr. Ansell stayed in New York and turned his writing talents to public relations, landing a job as a PR man for the New York Metropolitan Opera, a stint that was cut short after the wife of the featured tenor insisted he be fired for neglecting to bring her the coffee she demanded. He then spent the remainder of the fifties and early sixties on Madison Ave as a copywriter and illustrator, continuing to employ his cartooning skills in many of the ads he created. It was during this time that Mr. Ansell met and married Na’ama Lubin with whom he remained for the next sixty-nine years until his death. As TV ramped up, the downturn in print advertising forced his next career move, a return to the Boston area to lead the sales and marketing effort for the family business, S. H. Ansell & Son, a South Boston-based wholesale container company founded by his grandfather Solomon Ansell in 1888. Those driving in Boston in the 70’s and 80’s were likely to have seen bright yellow trucks with “Someone’s getting bottles Fast from Ansell” on the side. His cartooning skills again became a fixture in the marketing pieces he created. A voracious reader and prolific writer, Mr. Ansell was also an avid outdoorsman. He skied, biked, canoed and somehow found time to hike all forty-eight 4,000 foot or higher mountains in New England earning entry into the exclusive Appalachian Mountain Club Four Thousand Footer Club. After retiring, the Ansells moved to a small mountain town in Umbria, Italy where his interests in opera, wine, hiking, great food and medieval architecture were well indulged and rewarded. They returned to live in Waltham when travel became difficult. In his last decade, Mr. Ansell continued his lifetime of education by attending Brandeis’s adult learning center and contributing cartoons to the program’s publication the “Bolli Banner”. Mr. Ansell leaves his wife Na’ama, daughter Aliza Ansell and son-in-law Ric Nudell, son Seth Ansell, son Gideon Ansell and daughter-in-law Mary Rutkowski and grandchildren, Adeline Ansell and wife Ashley Mallon, Ivan Rukowki-Ansell and Leya Ansell. Those wishing to read more about Mr. Ansell’s life can visit his memorial page at https://memories.net/timeline/samuel-ansell-99484. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of his favorite charities: Doctors Without Borders or the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Irving Budd Callman ’40
Irving Budd Callman, Jr., 99, passed away at Mennonite Home while under Hospice care on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Born in Bronxville, NY, he was the son of the late Irving and Rita Spiro Callman, Sr. He was married to Connie Crum Callman for 23 years. He was previously married to the late Martha Hunt who passed away in 1994.
Budd graduated from Williston Academy in 1940 and from Bowdoin College in 1944 where he was President of Zeta Psi Fraternity. He served in the Pacific theater with the United States Marine Corps as 1st Lieutenant from 1944-1945 and was honorably discharged in 1958 as Captain. Following his service to his country, he joined Armstrong Cork Company in 1947. He interrupted his employment with Armstrong in 1951 and, together with a friend, bought a WWII jeep and took ship for Lisbon, Portugal. From that point they traveled across Europe and the Middle East arriving in Baghdad. He returned in 1952, reinstated his employment with Armstrong, and met and married Martha Hunt. In 1954 he was transferred to Spain as Manager, South Spain for Armstrong’s Spanish subsidiary. From 1960-1970 he served as General Manager of the Spanish Company, and President of their Board of Directors from 1970-1972. In 1970, Armstrong transferred Budd to Dusseldorf Germany, as Assistant General Manager of their German Company and its European affiliates. In 1976 he returned to the Parent Company in Lancaster in International Operations, retiring in 1986 as Director, International & Subsidiary Compensation.
An active community leader, he served as President of the Charlotte Street Association and President of the Board of Trustees of the Fulton Opera House where he was named Trustee Emeritus. He was also active with United Way and was a member of the Lancaster Country Club and Trinity Lutheran Church. When not engaged in actively working for these organizations, he was an avid golfer who enjoyed nothing more than meeting his friends on the golf course, even when the ground was too frozen to drive a golf tee. He and Connie traveled frequently to his beloved Spain, and extensively throughout Europe, England, the Scandinavian countries, central America, and the Galapagos Islands. His wanderlust never abated from the time of his Middle East journey!
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a niece Nancy Henkes (Robert), a nephew Peter Thompson, great-nephews Jeffrey Henkes (Adrienne) and Alex Henkes (Caren), as well as sisters-in-law, Ann Broich and Elizabeth Crum. He is also survived by nieces and nephews-in-law Steven Broich, Sharon Morgan (Andrew), Michael Broich (Hannah), Mark Broich, (Kristin), Joy Weiler (Jason), and numerous great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie Thompson, and a very close 1st cousin whom he considered to be a brother, Charles Callman.
This is a synopsis of what Budd accomplished in his life, but the measure of a man is far greater than what he does! As Mary Baker Eddy wrote in 1895, “The man of integrity is one who makes it his constant rule to follow the road of duty, according as Truth and the voice of his conscience point it out to him. He is not guided merely by affections which may sometime give the color of virtue to a loose and unstable character. The upright man is guided by a fixed Principle, which destines him to do nothing but what is honorable, and to abhor whatever is base or unworthy; hence we find him ever the same,– at all times the trusted friend, the affectionate relative, the conscientious man of business, the pious worker, the public-spirited citizen. He assumes no borrowed appearance. He seeks no mask to cover him, for he acts no studied part; but he is indeed what he appears to be,– full of truth, candor, and humanity. In all his pursuits, he knows no path but the fair, open, and direct one, and would much rather fail of success than attain it by reproachable means. He never shows us a smiling countenance while he meditates evil against us in his heart We shall never find one part of his character at variance with another.”
Due to the temporary limitations of COVID, the family will hold a private interment at Conestoga Memorial Park and will hold a larger celebration of Budd’s magnificent life later in the spring of 2021.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Fulton Theater, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17602.
Thomas H. Buffinton ’40
Thomas H. Buffinton, age 99, of Plymouth, MA, formerly of Marion, died peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2020. He was the husband of the late Sally (Waring) Buffinton for 69 years. Born November 8, 1920 in Williamstown, MA to the late Professor Arthur H. Buffinton and Mary (Edwards) Buffinton. As a young student at Williamstown High School he was a class officer, Student Council member and Captain of the football team. He graduated from Williams College in the Class of 1944 and earned his Master’s degree from Trinity College in 1955. He served in the Pacific in the Navy, as a Lt (jg) Combat Information Officer. His destroyer, the USS Sutherland, was the first US war ship to enter Tokyo Bay at the conclusion of World War II. Proud to be an educator, his first assignment was at Suffield Academy in CT. In 1952 he moved to Marion and taught at Tabor Academy where he spent the remainder of his career as a History Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director, Dean of the Tabor Summer Camp and Chairman of the History Department. He received the Trustee’s Award for Distinguished Service and was inducted into the first class of the Tabor Athletic Hall of Fame. He also received a Fellow at the John Hay Summer Institute at Williams College; served as the Assistant Director of the John Hay Summer Institute at the University of Oregon; served as President of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC); was awarded the Rudolf Weyerhaeuser Driscoll Chair for History at Tabor and received the NEPSAC Distinguished Service Award. What was most important to him throughout his career, was his time teaching. He taught English, Math, European, Medieval & Ancient History and finally, his true passion, American History. He didn’t teach dates and places, he taught what, when, how and why. In the context of an historical event, he taught what happened, how it occurred and why it impacted life and history. Additionally, he taught his students how to write and to think critically. During retirement, his days continued to be full and he was happiest when spending time with his beloved family, sailing on Buzzards Bay, consuming history books, gardening and cheering for his favorite sports teams. He is survived by his son Thomas H. Buffinton, III and his wife Wendy of Plymouth, MA and his daughter Holly Buffinton Bove and her husband Vic of Essex, MA. Additionally, he leaves 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews. Due to current restrictions, a private service will be held and a celebration to honor his memory will be planned at a later date. To acknowledge the incredible care he received, the family has asked that contributions be made in his memory to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360.
Rebecca Grafton Ward Sparks ’40
Becky Sparks passed away on May 19, 2020 in Falmouth, Maine. She was born in Kyoto, Japan, December 29, 1921 to parents Eva and Homer Grafton, who were teachers with the YMCA. Her formative years were spent at her parents’ boys’ camp in Ontario in the summers, and a series of schools in the Midwest in the winters. She graduated from Bennington College where she majored in music, then attended Julliard School of Music after the war ended, where she met her first husband, Ken Ward. They moved to Chardon, Ohio where daughter Carol and son Craig were born.
In 1954 they moved to Colorado, settling in Aspen in 1955, where she taught piano. In 1968 after a divorce Becky moved to New England, taught physical education and music at Northfield Mount Hermon schools, and then got an M.A. in early childhood education. She married John Sparks in 1972 and they spent 10 happy years together on a gentleman’s farm in Virginia and then moved to Stuart, Florida.
After Jack’s death in 1987, Becky moved to Snowmass Village to be near her son, Craig, and rekindled friendships with many Aspenites. She attended Aspen Music Festival concerts, Anderson Ranch art and photography classes, worked for Snow Cubs, volunteered for cross country ski races, was a member of PEO (an educational organization), played tennis at the Snowmass Club, downhill and cross country skied. Her artwork flourished during these years. She moved to Whitcomb Terrace in 2008 and made many friends with residents and staff. Often she would take seniors to the Maroon Bells to paint the landscapes. She snowshoed around Whitcomb Terrace into her mid-90’s.
Becky leaves behind her children, Craig Ward and Carol Ward, stepdaughters Tania Clark and Lana Leonard, their spouses, seven grandsons, and 9 great-grandchildren. Her life will be celebrated at a family gathering in Aspen/Snowmass later this summer.
Barbara Dow Merrill ’40
Barbara Merrill, 96, of Solon, Maine, died at home, surrounded by family and friends the morning of April 2, 2019. Barbara was born Aug. 21, 1922, in Northampton, Mass., to the late Dr. Frank E. and Marion (Dole) Dow. She was the youngest of four children and is predeceased by siblings, Eleanor, Richard and Harriet.
Barbara graduated from Northampton School for Girls (Williston Northampton) and earned her undergraduate degree at Tufts University, Jackson division and then went on to Andover Newton Theological School–Newton Center for her master’s degree in religious education.
In February 1948, while working as the director of the Sunday school and supervisor of the young people’s groups at the Congregational Church in Brunswick, Barbara met John Merrill, who had volunteered to substitute teach a Sunday school class for one of his Bowdoin fraternity brothers. Three weeks after their first meeting, Barbara and John became engaged, and three months later, on June 5, they married.
After living two years in Boston, while John attended law school, the couple moved to Skowhegan in 1952 to raise their family. Barbara soon thereafter opened the Pied Piper 
Nursery School, which she ran for ten years out of the municipal building. She then became an elementary school teacher for S.A.D. 54 for 17 years. Barbara was also active in the Women’s Club, the D.A.R., women’s republican groups and the Women’s Circle at the Federated Church, where she also sang in the choir for many years and, more recently, was a member of the Bible study group. She joined Somerset Chapter #53, O.E.S., in Skowhegan in January of 1958.
Over the years she held many offices, including chaplain and Worthy Matron; her favorite Star Point office was Martha. When Barbara and John moved year-round to South Solon in 1978, they became active in Solon’s Keystone Chapter #78, O.E.S., and, again, Barbara served as Worthy Matron and multiple terms as Martha. She remained active with the Eastern Star through 2017.
Barbara is survived by her son, William (Carrie), daughter, Harriet (Glen) and son, Frank (Nancy); as well as her grandchildren, Reagan (Mike) Hovasse, Sean (Katie) Merrill and Alaena Merrill; and five great-grandchildren: Taylor, Lyric, Cameron, Phoenix and Lux.
The family would like to thank homecare givers, Sherry Bacon, Dawn Elizabeth Bersani and Cynthia Pine for their loving care of and friendship given to their mother. They would also like to thank the staffs of the Redington-Fairview Hospital and the Northern Lights Home Care & Hospice for the amazing care and compassion they extended to Barbara and her family during the last year of Barbara’s life. The work these dedicated professionals do is a gift and blessing to those they serve.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m., at the Federated Church in Skowhegan.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. Memorial contributions can be made to: Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, 50 Foden Rd., South Portland, ME 04106.
Nancy Traill Soderberg ’40
Nancy Soderberg, whose life was characterized by her devotion to her family; her commitment to service, especially to public libraries and to the Girl Scouts; and her enthusiasm for outdoor endeavors, particularly swimming, sailing, and picnicking, died on June 23, 2018 in Camden, Maine. She was 96 and had recently moved from her Camden home to the memory care unit at Quarry Hill, where she died. Nancy Traill Soderberg was born on March 16, 1922, to Mabel White Traill and Frederick Balcolm Traill in Spencer, Massachusetts, where she grew up and graduated from David Prouty High School. After a gap year at the Northampton School for Girls, she attended Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, graduating in 1944. She worked for two years at the Harvard Medical School and then joined the American Red Cross, serving that organization on the island of Okinawa (now part of Japan), South Korea and outside of Hartford, Connecticut. In 1950 she married Carl Richard (Dick) Soderberg, Jr., with whom she had five children. Her husband’s work took the family to many places, including, chronologically, Lincoln, Massachusetts; Old Greenwich, Connecticut; Houston, Texas; New Canaan, Connecticut; Lake Forest, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Concord, Massachusetts; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. With every move, Nancy, well served by her unfailingly positive spirit and keen managerial and organizational skills, energetically established the family, connected with the community, became an active member of the local Episcopal Church, and supported the Soderberg family’s love of sailing, on oceans and lakes across the Americas. When living in Minneapolis, Nancy, always eager to learn, earned a master’s degree in children’s literature at the University of Minnesota, which informed her future involvement with libraries and bookstores (and with her grandchildren). Drawn to Maine by the opportunity for great sailing in a beautiful seaside location as well as proximity to family, they moved from Brazil to South Brooksville, Maine when Dick retired in 1988, and to Camden in 2003. In both places Nancy relished welcoming her children and their families to yet another community she called home. Her survivors include her husband of 68 years as well as their five children: Lisa Soderberg (Richard Brown) of Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Carl R. Soderberg of Simsbury, Connecticut; Leif G. Soderberg (Jill) of Lake Forest, Illinois; Inga Soderberg-King (Jeff) of Gloucester, Massachusetts; Erik T. Soderberg of Bedford, New York. Ten grandchildren and one great granddaughter also survive her. She was predeceased by her brother Frederick Balcolm Traill. The family is grateful to the cadre of loving caregivers who attended Nancy in her final years.
Murray S. Silin ’40
Murray S. Silin, 94, of Acton, MA, formerly of Brookline and Newton, on Sunday, March 5, 2017. For 65 years, the devoted husband of Brenda (Ginsburg) Silin. Loving father of Diane Krasnick and her husband Marty, Joe Silin of Portland, OR, and Amy Silin Freas and her husband, Chris Freas of Seattle, WA. Cherished grandfather of Aaron and Benjamin Krasnick and Toby and Maile Silin Freas. Dear brother of Phyllis Sisson and the late Esther Levenson and Bernice Silin.
Dr. Roger Pierce Kellogg ’40
Dr. Roger Pierce Kellogg, 94, of Rockport, passed away peacefully at his home Monday, March 7, 2016, with his wife of 71 years by his side. He was the beloved husband of his high school sweetheart Norma (Fitts) Kellogg.
He was born Sept. 30, 1921, in Northampton, to Henry Clifton and Carrie (Pierce) Kellogg. Roger graduated from Northampton High School in 1939 and from Williston Academy in 1940. He received his bachlor’s degree from Wesleyan University Phi Beta Kappa. His membership in the Sigma Nu Fraternity was a source of pleasure and pride for him all his life. Roger went on to study dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania where he obtained his degree in 1952.