Tag Archives: Class of 1950

Marguerite Velte Hasbrouck ’50


October 30, 1933 (Lahore, Punjab) – June 4, 2023 (Newton, Mass., USA)

Marguerite Helen Velte Hasbrouck was born in Lahore, Punjab (today Pakistan), where her father was a professor of English at Forman Christian College. When she was three years old, her parents brought her back to the U.S. in search of better treatment for tuberculosis and osteomyelitis in her legs. A year later, she was told she should give up hope of walking unaided. “That’s what you think”, she told the doctor, sticking out her tongue at him. She cast off her leg braces and crutches not long afterward, became a strong walker, swimmer, and paddler, and delighted in defying anyone who underestimated her strength, endurance — or wit.

Due to her childhood illnesses, she didn’t start formal schooling until eighth grade, but she graduated from high school at sixteen and earned a degree in comparative government and religion at Barnard College. “I thought of being a lawyer”, she said decades later, “but I was timid, and law school wasn’t what women did.”

Marguerite raised three children – “each very different, and each of whom I helped to be their different selves”, she would say proudly – and worked at a variety of administrative, editorial, and legal jobs including at Wellesley College, where her role included representing the college to the Wellesley Chamber of Commerce, and later as editor of a computer industry trade journal. As co-chair of the Bates School PTA, Marguerite co-founded the Bates Pumpkin Festival, which became an annual town institution that has continued for more than fifty years. After getting involved in Wellesley town politics through the League of Women Voters, she served as an elected member of the Town Meeting and the School Committee and an appointed member of the Advisory Committee.

In 1987, as administrator of the Arlington Street Church in Boston, she testified at a Congressional hearing on break-ins at churches that offered sanctuary to refugees from U.S. wars in Central America. She spent the last decade before her retirement as a paralegal at the Nature Conservancy, where she took special joy in being able to help protect the place she felt most at home, Lake George in the Adirondacks. But she most wanted to be thought of as a writer and a musician. She played organ and piano, sang, and served on the board of the Old West Organ Society.

Marguerite was a member of the Wellesley Friends Meeting and a regular attender for almost thirty years of the Friends Meeting at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk, which she had helped organize in response to a request from one of the incarcerated men. She was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Policy Coalition, facilitated Alternatives to Violence Project workshops at prisons throughout New England, and received a lifetime achievement award from the Massachusetts Department of Correction for her volunteer work.

Marguerite was active in Quaker witness for peace and justice, including as clerk of several committees of the Wellesley Friends Meeting and the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, as a contributor to Peacework magazine and a volunteer at the New England office of the American Friends Service Committee, and as a member of AFSC’s national board of directors.

As a legal worker, Marguerite served on the board of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and worked as a volunteer with the NLG Military Law Task Force and the GI Rights Hotline.

Marguerite is survived by her partner of more than 30 years, Jim Casteris (P.O. Box 783, Winterport, ME 04496) and his family; son Robert Hasbrouck of Boxborough, MA; daughter Dorothy McDonald and son-in-law Bob McDonald of Sudbury, MA; son Edward Hasbrouck and daughter-in-law Ruth Radetsky of San Francisco, CA; grandson Kyle A. H. McDonald of Concord, NH; sister Lois Carstens of West Brandywine, PA; and many friends.

A concert and memorial meeting in the manner of Friends (Quakers) will be held under the care of the Wellesley Friends Meeting in hybrid format, in person in Wellesley and online, on Sunday, 5 November 2023. All are welcome.

Donations in Marguerite’s memory may be made to AFSC.

Duncan S. Cook ’50

Duncan passed away October 4, 2022 at the Weatherly Inn in Tacoma. After attending Williston Academy in Massachusetts, he graduated from Lehigh University and received a Master’s degree from USC. He entered the Army and served 28 years as a senior aviator and advisor. He was a loving husband to Joan for 66 years and father to Elizabeth (Betsy) Yohai, (Steve), Meredith Blackwell (Lyndon), and Peter Duncan Cook. He cherished his grandchildren, Rachael Yohai and Ryan Blackwell. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to LCOP or the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at Little Church on the Prairie on Oct. 21 at 2pm.

David W. Colton, Jr. ’50

David Winthrop Colton, Jr., age 90, longtime resident of Boerne, TX, passed away peacefully at home on March 29, 2022, with his wife and daughters by his side.

Dave was born in Sunbury, PA on November 18, 1931, to David Winthrop and May Belle (Smith) Colton. He grew up in the northeast and graduated from Williston Academy in Northhampton, MA. He attained his Business Degree from University of Omaha. Dave served as an Air Force Officer from 1952-1972. His deployments included multiple reconnaissance missions as a Master Navigator against North Korea and Vietnam. He was stationed overseas with his family at Ashiya, Japan, Tachikawa, Japan and Yokota, Japan. He participated in special operations missions from Kelly AFB, San Antonio. He also taught ROTC at Drake University for four years. After retiring from the Air Force, Dave began a new entrepreneurial career. He owned a peach orchard in Fredericksburg and a Baskin-Robbins franchise in Alamo Heights. Dave also ran three Texaco gas station franchises. He bought and sold real estate and managed his own investments.

He met the love of his life, Ina Claire “Dee” (nee Dixon), in San Antonio in February 1955. She was Miss Kelly AFB during Fiesta San Antonio in 1955. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married in Seguin on May 7, 1955. They have two daughters, Lynn Colton Hyvonen born in San Antonio, and Darleen Colton Carstarphen, born in Tokyo, Japan. Dave and Dee would have celebrated their 67th anniversary next month. Dave had a heart as big as Texas and was also very generous and giving. He was a long-time member of the Alamo Heights Optimist Club, a CASA volunteer, did taxes for the elderly, and delivered Meals on Wheels in San Antonio and Boerne, all reflective of his sincere wish to help the under privileged and underserved people and children of his community. First and foremost, he adored his wife and children and his example will live on in the hearts of those who follow.

In addition to his wife Dee, Dave is survived by his daughters, Lynn (Chris) Hyvonen of Boerne, and Darleen (Ed) Carstarphen of Houston. His grandchildren are Cole (Amber) Hyvonen, Alec (Casey) Hyvonen, Lucy Carstarphen (Mike) McCart, and Desi (Jeroen) Djikema. He also proudly has five great-grandchildren, all of whom he met and spent time with before his passing. They range in age from 14 years to 9 months: Ananya Brinton, Harper Hyvonen, Catherine McCart, Colton Hyvonen, and Danica Hyvonen. Dave is also survived by his sister, Betty Jane Wislar of Austell, GA; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Darleen and Bill Welty of Greensboro, GA; along with eight nieces and their families. His beloved golden retriever, Tessa, also survives him to watch over Dee and keep her company until she joins him in heaven. A special thank you to Lillia Almaguer who has become part of the family as helper, companion, and caregiver.

A memorial service will be held in his honor at the Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home on April 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to the charity of your choice.

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.

Elinor Frey Schaeffer ’50

Elinor Ann (Frey) Schaeffer was born on May 26, 1932 in Jackson Heights, New York to parents Herman Edgar Frey and Irmgard Afflerbach. She died at her home on November 5, 2021 in Plano, Texas. After graduating from Northampton School for Girls in Northampton, Massachusetts, Ellie attended Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts where she met the love of her life, Lew Schaeffer, at a co-ed dance between Simmons University and MIT. They were married on May 31, 1952. Ellie and Lew spent 66 happy years raising three wonderful children. Like her parents, Ellie was the consummate entrepreneur. As a young child she had a paper route and creatively sold pictures she and her sisters painted. While raising her family as a loving mother and wife, she had successful ventures in Sales and Real Estate. Her perseverance and independent spirit has been an inspiration for her children and grandchildren. Ellie was an enthusiastic supporter of nature and wildlife causes. She enjoyed traveling the world, working in various National Parks around the US, playing bridge, and participating in many civics events. Ellie is survived by her son Jeff (Phuong), daughter Cindy (Helen), son Greg (Michele); grandchildren Andrew and Alyssa Schaeffer, Emma, Ellie, Eli and Abigail Schaeffer; and her sisters Sandy Miedema and Judy LaFavor. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Edgar Laurence, and her husband, Lew. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:30am on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Allen Family Funeral Options. She will be laid to rest with her husband Lew at the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery. If desired, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place, McKinney, Texas 75069 heardmuseum.org

John A. Harvey ’50

John Arthur Harvey, age 91, of Topsfield, MA, an accomplished businessman, tennis player, downhill skier, jazz aficionado, and storyteller, died peacefully on October 7th, 2021 in Harwich. Born in Boston on April 14, 1930 the youngest son of Roger Laighton Harvey and Aagot (Berg) Harvey. John attended Williston Northampton School, Boston University, and Monterey Language School. Later, he served in The U.S. Air Force during the Korean War in Germany. He married “his girl” Linda Gorham of Wellesley. He and Linda proudly raised their four children in Topsfield. There, they played hockey on the backyard pond, despite the thin ice, attended many Red Sox games, despite the Yankees, and hosted numerous Thanksgiving dinners despite the year the electricity went out. John’s business acumen led to his founding Harvey Tool Company, a business he started in the family living room became a leading machine tool company in North America, and is still thriving today as Harvey Performance Company in Rowley. John loved telling stories. Whether it was the one room schoolhouse he attended growing up in Ellsworth, Maine, his days skiing in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, his Club 92 tennis matches or trekking Tuckerman Ravine with lifelong friends, John never ran out of memories to share. As many friends have said, “John Harvey was one of a kind.” He found great joy in helping future generations and loved offering his business and financial advice to young people. He took great pride in watching his granddaughters Kristen and Katie succeed in their careers. Later in his life, he found special meaning mentoring two young men from East Africa and watching them flourish in their new lives in America. John and Linda enjoyed their retirement years with friends and family in Harwich Port, Sanibel, FL and Bridgton, ME. To say that he loved his summer place on Highland Lake in Bridgton would be an understatement. He spent his days puttering around Juniper Lodge and Plumed Thistle painting boards and repairing screens. He delighted in the cry of the loon, drinking his morning coffee on the dock, and paddling around the lake in his Old Town canoe. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Linda; and three daughters Julie and her husband David Carignan of Bradford, NH, Sally and her partner John Richardson of Barton, VT, and Elizabeth of South Portland, ME; as well as grandchildren Kristen and Katherine Doering. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who adored Uncle John. He was predeceased by his son John Jr., and his sisters Virginia Harvey Brett and Priscilla Harvey Churchill. A Celebration of his Life will be held at the Gould Barn, 1 Howlett St., Topsfield, MA on Thursday, October 21st at 12:00 p.m. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Lakes Environmental Association in Bridgton, Maine (https://mainelakes.org), or Southern Maine Community College Foundation in South Portland, Maine (https://my.smccme.edu/ICS/Online_Giving.jnz).

Ronald P. Rubin ’50

Professor Ronald P. Rubin passed on January 10, 2021. Beloved husband of the late Lois Speyer Rubin. Devoted father of Judith (Wayne) DeJarnette, Ellen (late Joseph) Rubin-Smith and Lawrence (Stephanie) Rubin. Loving grandfather of nine grandchildren. Brother of the late Martin Rubin ’53. Brother-in-Law of Donna Rubin. A private graveside service will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers those wishing may make donations in Professor Rubin’s memory to a charity of their choice.

Evelyn Lyman Smith ’50

Evelyn Lyman Smith of West Hartford, CT died on October 20, 2020. She was born in Hartford, CT, on June 13, 1932, to Louis Richard and Florence (Bradley) Lyman. She has been reunited with her husband of 59 years, G. Franklin “Frank” Smith. She leaves behind four daughters, Wendy Lyman Smith of West Hartford, CT, Kimberly Smith Pratt and her husband Terry of Oxford, CT, Brenda Smith Sanden and her husband David of Redding, CA, and Cheryl Smith Espinal and her husband Eduardo from West Hartford, CT. She was predeceased by her brother Louis Richard Lyman, Jr., and her sister Marilyn Lyman Hendsey. She leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Hunter Sigler, Cathain Pratt, Spencer Pratt, Audrey Pratt, Eric Sanden, Adam Sanden, Jennifer Espinal and Stephen Espinal. A lifelong resident of West Hartford, she attended both Sedgwick and Hall High school. She graduated from both Northampton School for Girls and Elmira College. She worked at the Traveler’s Insurance Company and dedicated many years to working at West Hartford’s Senior Center. She was an active, lifetime member of First Church of Christ Congregational where she served on numerous committees including the Head of the Flower committee and took great pride in the annual Christmas wreath hangings which later became a family tradition. She coordinated multiple fundraisers including the weekly sale of Marion Heath Greeting Cards to raise funds for the new church kitchen renovation plus the elevator campaign. Evelyn was known for the countless hours she spent in her beautiful backyard gardens on Sunrise Hill. She was a longtime member of the West Hartford Garden Club, very knowledgeable about all kinds of flowers and shrubs. Her cooking, baking, and overall creativity was to be admired. She was also an accomplished piano player, introducing all four daughters to the piano at an early age plus teaching several children from the neighborhood. Evelyn was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt and grandmother, delighted in being part of any family activities, especially when her children and grandchildren were involved. She will be greatly missed. Due to COVID, Services-calling hours be held privately by family.

Robert A. Alden ’50

Robert A. Alden, a Washington Post news and layout editor for 48 years who helped design the inside pages of the newspaper’s first section, died June 7, 2020 at his home in McLean, Va. He was 87.

The cause was complication from Alzheimer’s disease, his wife, Diane Alden, said.

Mr. Alden retired from The Post in 2000. His career included the design and layout of newspaper pages containing stories, photographs and headlines about happenings that ranged from routine procedures of local governing boards to airplane crashes, natural disasters and historic events including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon in 1974.

On busy nights, the page designs and layouts had to be changed several times to keep up with fast-breaking events.

Mr. Alden was also president of the National Press Club in 1976, and he was a co-founder of the National Press Foundation, which supports educational programs for journalists. He was among the early advocates of the admission of women to press-club membership, which came about in the 1970s.

Mr. Alden had lived in McLean since 1953 and saw it evolve from a rural community of dairy cows and farms into a bustling suburb of shops and expensive houses. He was a longtime civic activist who helped plan McLean’s downtown, including a park and community center. The 386-seat community theater is named in his honor.

Robert Ames Alden was born in Washington on Feb. 5, 1933, and he spent part of his childhood in Rocky River, Ohio. As a high school student, he worked part-time at the Cleveland Press from 1947 to 1951 as a writer and reporter.

Returning to Washington after high school, he was a statistician at the Office of Price Stabilization before joining The Post news staff in 1952.

While working at the paper, he attended George Washington University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1965 and a master’s degree in history in 1968.

In 1958, he married Diane Heidkamp. In addition to his wife, of McLean, survivors include four children, William Alden of Princeton, N.J., Thomas Alden of Manchester, Vt., Jennifer Alden of Chesterfield, Va., and Martha Alden of Reston, Va.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

John W. Sands ’50


John Woodbury Sands, of Hayward, CA, passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2019. He lived a long life full of generous service to his community and a passion for improving the lives of others.

John was born in Staten Island, NY and spent his early years in New Jersey. He graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA in 1950. After serving in the U.S. Marines, John earned a teaching credential from San Francisco State College, and began a 28-year career as a high school math teacher in Castro Valley, CA. A resident of Hayward since 1958, he was devoted to his community, serving as a member of the Human Relations and Human Services Commissions, as president of Hayward Neighborhood Alert and as site coordinator of Kids’ Breakfast Club at Longwood School. His service was recognized with awards from the City of Hayward, the Hayward Lions Club and the Hayward Area Democratic Club.

John is survived by his loving wife of sixty-six years, Marion; devoted children Amy Barakos (Dimitri) of Dripping Springs, TX, Peter Sands of Hayward, and Tim Sands (Laura) of Blacksburg, VA; grandchildren Jessica Barakos of Las Vegas, NV, Alex Barakos of Oakland, Amanda Schwab (Zack) of Chicago, IL, Kenneth “K.C.” Sands (Anna) of Chicago, IL, Kathryn Sands of Chicago, IL, and Haley Sands of Washington, D.C.; and great grandson, Owen Schwab of Chicago, IL.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019 from 3-5 PM at Sorensen Chapel, 1140 B Street in Hayward.