Edward Halsey Foster, poet, publisher, and scholar, died peacefully on January 12, 2026, in the company of his family at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck, NY. He was 83.

Foster was born December 12, 1942 in Northampton, MA. The son of Edward Clark Foster and Edith Derosia Foster, he spent his early years in Williamsburg, MA, and attended Williston Academy, graduating in 1961. Eager to move to New York City and experience the literary scene of the 1960s, he attended Columbia University, receiving his BA in 1965 and his PhD in American Studies in 1970. While still in graduate school, Foster began teaching at Stevens Institute of Technology where he achieved the rank of full professor and taught for more than 50 years. While at Stevens, Foster served as Dean and created the College of Arts and Sciences.

With grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and NJ State Council on the Arts, he established a multiyear Festival of NJ Poets, welcoming Allen Ginsberg, Amiri Baraka, and John Ciardi among others.

He was a Fulbright professor at Haceteppe University in Ankara in 1978-79 and Istanbul University in 1985-86 and later a visiting lecturer at Beykent University, all in Turkey. He also pioneered faculty exchanges with universities in Turkey and Russia, and lectured widely on American Studies and poetry at universities around the world.

Foster authored more than 40 volumes of poetry and criticism. Eventually his passion for poetry led him to create Talisman: A Journal of Contemporary Poetry and Poetics. The journal ran from 1988 to 2014 in print and then continued online. Initially each issue was devoted to a single poet; Alice Notley was the first. Later volumes were more wide-ranging and inclusive, but always with the goal that each “poet could be read free of any single poetic tradition.”

He went on to found Talisman House Publishers, which published anthologies, poetry, criticism and selected works by various authors reflecting movements such as New York School, Beats, Black Mountain, San Francisco Renaissance, and Boston Occult, among others. Gay writers and international literature were also featured. Poets including William Bronk, Simon Pettet, Gustaf Sobin, Burt Kimmelman, Elinor Nauen, Joseph Donahue and Timothy Liu graced the covers. Foster was widely considered to be one of the most important independent publishers of avant-garde poetry.

On retirement from academia, Ed moved to Northfield, MA, where he enjoyed hiking, gardening, and hosting poets and artists at literary weekends. He founded the Pioneer Valley Poetry Project with a group of friends, organizing readings and continuing his commitment to contemporary poetry and poetics. Ed enjoyed international travel throughout his life, including trips to Iceland, Norway, and Sweden with his children and grandchildren, and many trips to Turkey with family and friends.

Foster is survived by his brother, Roy Foster of Fort Lauderdale, FL; his former wife, Elaine Dunphy Foster of Jersey City, NJ; his daughter, Katherine Hearn Foster, of NYC; his son, John Clark Foster (Johanna Hagelthorn) of Saugerties, NY; grandchildren Sophia (Taylor Foster) of Jersey City, NJ, Irene of Washington, D.C., Ian of Saugerties, NY.

A private service is planned for the family.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Nature Conservancy, The Poetry Project, or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Edward F. Pytka Jr., 71, of Charlestown, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2024.

Born on July 15, 1953, in Palmer, Ed grew up in Three Rivers, Massachusetts. He was the beloved son of the late Edward and Catherine (Sullivan) Pytka and shared a special bond with his sister, Ellen-Louise Pytka.

A proud member of Williston Academy Class of 1971, Ed excelled as an athlete in football and hockey and maintained a lifelong connection with his alumni community. He went on to attend Northeastern University and graduated from Western New England University in 1976, embarking on a distinguished career in finance.

Ed held prominent leadership roles throughout his illustrious career, including serving as CFO of Timex and Executive VP of Li & Fung. His professional journey led him to Simsbury, Connecticut, where he and his family created a home filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

Ed was known for his humor, warmth, and love for life. He cherished summers on Cape Cod, where he worked as a lifeguard and developed a lifelong love for the beach. An avid gardener, he found joy in cultivating plants and approached golf with enthusiasm and camaraderie, regardless of his skill level.

He was a devoted husband to his late wife, Susan Grandy Pytka, and a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his children and their families: Sarah (Ryan) Percival of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and their children Carson, Wesley, and Chase. Zachary (Anne) Pytka of North Stonington, Connecticut, and their children Sawyer and Bodie.Catherine (Kenny) Holtz of Big Sky, Montana, and their children Finley, Susan, and Hadley.

Above all, Ed was a loyal friend, a loving father, and proud grandfather. Ed will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, and all who were fortunate to share in his remarkable journey.

A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at a later date.

Charles A. Krohn, 88, died on January 8th, 2026 in Panama City Beach, Florida. The cause of death was cancer. He authored many articles about defense matters and wrote an acclaimed book about his experiences during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Krohn was born in Saginaw, Michigan on March 3, 1937, the fourth son of Raymond and Henrietta Krohn. Now in a state of urban decay, Saginaw boomed during the lumbering era of the late 1800s, and then received another boost when it became a manufacturing center, corresponding with the rise of the automobile industry in Michigan. The manufacturing boom of World War II survived until the early 1960s leaving behind an era of prosperity and optimism. The family owned and operated department stores.

Mr. Krohn was raised in Saginaw, leaving in 1953 to attend Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1959, followed by a brief stint at Stanford Law School.

From his early days, Mr. Krohn showed a knack for things military, even posting map pins reflecting the location of his oldest brother Jim, then an Army sergeant serving in Europe during World War II. During the Korean War Mr. Krohn sent food parcels overseas to soldiers at the front, many who responded with letters of appreciation, often at the basic level of literacy. These letters were saved among his most important papers.

Mr. Krohn served two years in the Army, 1961-63, fulfilling an ROTC obligation. Most of this time was spent in South Korea, where he commanded a small advisory detachment at an isolated site near Uijongbu, now a suburb of Seoul. He often said this was the most maturing experience of his life.

Still hoping to find a career as a military writer, after leaving the Army he worked for the Flint (MI) Journal and United Press International in Chicago. Disappointed that UPI was slow to send him to Vietnam as a reporter, he accepted an invitation in 1967 to return to the Army as the public affairs officer of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). After eight months he was unexpectedly invited to become the intelligence officer of an infantry battalion. His experiences with the infantry led to a book about the battalion’s exploits during Tet ’68.

The first version of the book, The Lost Battalion, was published to wide acclaim by Praeger in 1993, followed by an updated version published by the Naval Institute Press in 2008. A third version was published in 2009 by Simon & Schuster.

Being surrounded and escaping from a North Vietnam Army regiment influenced his decision to stay in the Army. Until his death, Mr. Krohn stayed bonded with those who shared his experiences in Vietnam.

Before returning to Vietnam in 1970 for a second tour, he married Jeannie (nee McLendon) whom he met at Fort Benning, Georgia while attending the Infantry Officers Advance Course. After Vietnam he served in various assignments in Germany and the United States, until his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 1984.

Mr. Krohn’s career suffered an apparent setback when he was relieved of his responsibilities in the Pentagon in 1980 for transmitting to Army newspapers worldwide a medical article about circumcision, then considered a “taboo” word, at least in the view of his superior. Somewhat dejected, he was offered a position as speechwriter to the Army’s deputy chief of staff for personnel, the legendary General Max Thurman, father of the “Be All You Can Be” campaign. Instead of stepping back one step, his career took a giant leap forward.

His last active duty assignment was special assistant to the late General Richard G. Stilwell, then deputy undersecretary of defense for policy. After their respective retirements, the two operated a business together. General Stilwell was closely connected to President Reagan, CIA director Casey and Defense Secretary Weinberger.

During the last few years of his post-Army life, Mr. Krohn was a defense consultant and wrote often on military affairs for various publications. When George W. Bush was elected President in 2000, he named Thomas E. White as Army Secretary. Mr. White invited Mr. Krohn to return to the Army as the deputy chief of public affairs. But when Mr. White was fired by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, Mr. Krohn realized he faced a dim future in the Pentagon. He volunteered to serve in Baghdad for a few months, at age 67 perhaps the oldest person then serving in the Green Zone.

After resigning his Army position, Mr. Krohn was invited by the University of Michigan to return to Ann Arbor as a visiting professor of journalism. After teaching for two semesters, he returned to the Washington, DC area and accepted a position with the American Battle Monuments Commission as deputy director for public affairs. His mission was to encourage more Americans to visit the nation’s 24 overseas military cemeteries.

Krohn often described himself as a cat fancier, smoker of fine cigars and consumer of good whiskey. His favorite hobby was reading history and watching Mrs. Krohn garden. He wished to be remembered, not as a retired soldier, but as a proponent of a strong national defense. While not rising to the highest echelons of responsibility, Mr. Krohn enjoyed the respect of his family and peers.

Mr. Krohn is survived by his wife; four sons, Cyrus, Joshua, and twins Clay and Alex; a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Krohn; a partner, Jennifer Martindale and son Zander; five grandsons, Maxwell, Oliver, Tristan, Sawyer, and Holden; and a granddaughter, Marjorie.

Robert J. Samuelson, an economics columnist for Newsweek and The Washington Post died on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. He was 79.

His death, in a hospital, was caused by complications of Parkinson’s disease, his daughter, Ruth Samuelson, said.

Mr. Samuelson married Judy Herr in 1983. In addition to his wife and daughter, Ruth, he is survived by two sons, Michael and John; a brother, Richard; and two grandchildren.

To read Mr. Samuelson’s complete obituary, please visit the New York Times.

Gordon Eugene Cadwgan Jr, age 81, of Wilmington, DE, formerly of West Palm Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Gordon’s life was marked by service, scholarship, and a genuine appreciation for the world around him. He graduated from the Williston Northampton School and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He proudly served his country in Vietnam before completing his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts.

Gordon began his professional career at Union Carbide in West Virginia. In 1981, he joined the DuPont Company as a research chemist, where he continued to pursue his passion for scientific discovery. Beyond his career, he dedicated many years to the Alpha-1 Foundation, where he served as Chairman of the Board and worked tirelessly to support its mission.

An avid golfer, Gordon was a longtime member of Ibis Golf and Country Club. He had a deep love for animals and generously supported Big Dog Ranch in Wellington, FL, and Peggy Adams Animal Rescue in West Palm Beach, FL. Some of his happiest moments were spent at the family beach house, where he cherished summers surrounded by those he loved.

Gordon is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth Cadwgan; his daughters, Lois Slusser (Kevin), Kate Cadwgan (Dave), and Sally Bronson (Jason); his son, Larry Williams (Pam); his two cherished granddaughters, Samantha Walsh (TJ) and Mary Leverette (Jordan); and his four great-grandchildren, Timothy, Grayson, Liam, and Alana.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 7th at 1 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803.

Gordon will be fondly remembered for his kindness, intellect, and unwavering love for his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to alpha1.org/tribute-giving/

Robert “Bob” Shumway, a WWII veteran, real estate developer, and survivor of the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire, has died at 101. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1942, his life spanned over a century of American history. At 17, he was among the last survivors of the tragic Boston nightclub fire, and during WWII, trained as a pilot before serving in the U.S. Army’s 89th Infantry Division under General Patton, participating in the campaign across the Rhine into Germany.

Following the war, he built a successful career in real estate in Amherst, starting with Shumway’s Dairy Bar. He shared a loving life with his wife Eleanor, whose Italian heritage enriches their family traditions. An avid golfer, Bob enjoyed his time at local clubs in Amherst and Bears Paw Naples, Florida, where he relocated in retirement. He greatly cherished family, community, and life’s simple joys. Bob is survived by his daughter Jacalyn Sexton, son Curtis Shumway, grandchildren Jennifer Gallant and her husband Cliff Gallant, Jack Shumway and Meghan Shumway, along with great grandchildren Mia, Sophie and Cliff.

Services will be held privately with family. Donations can be made to your local Veteran’s Association.

Raymond Peter Boulanger passed away, surrounded by family while in hospice care, on November 3, 2025, after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 81.

Ray was born in Northampton, MA, on April 26, 1944, to Raymond Louis Boulanger and Georgette Bessette Boulanger. He attended Williston Northampton school, where he played baseball and football, but his focus was on academics. He graduated fourth in his class with highest honors. At a mixer during high school, he met Maureen Reardon, who would become his wife until she passed away in 2022. After high school, Ray attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT, majoring in Economics, ranking third in his class, and earning Phi Beta Kappa honors. He was also the backup catcher on the varsity baseball team. Ray earned his Masters in Economics from the University of Michigan, before applying to law school.

Ray and Maureen married on May 6, 1967 and later moved to New Haven, CT, where Ray attended Yale Law School through Army ROTC. Ray was a member of the Yale Law Journal. After law school, they moved to Alexandria, VA, where Ray served as a Captain in the Army and Judge Advocate General at the Pentagon. While in Alexandria, their son, Cort, was born in 1971. In 1973, the growing family moved to Arlington, MA, where daughter, Brittanny was born.

Ray’s legal career started in 1973 at Goodwin Procter, with a promotion to associate partner in 1978. At his 2016 retirement party, colleagues celebrated Ray’s contributions to building Goodwin Procter into a thriving national firm. At Goodwin, Ray’s clients included some of the nation’s largest financial services firms – including Fidelity and State Street – and his expert guidance helped grow Boston’s nascent mutual fund industry into a global powerhouse. He also taught advanced seminars in corporate law at Yale Law School and Boston University School of Law.

In 1975, the family moved to Winchester, which remained home for more than 40 years. Ray was an avid Red Sox fan whose fandom was best described as perpetual hope peppered with daily doomerism. While he did rejoice when the Sox finally broke the curse in 2004, neither that nor the three subsequent titles changed his outlook as a Red Sox fan. Ray lived out his own big league dreams at Red Sox fantasy camp in 2005. He relished participating in spring training in Florida, hobnobbing with Sox greats, but the highlight was the game at Fenway Park. With friends and family in the stands, Ray knocked a single to center and played solid defense behind the plate.

Ray traveled with Maureen to New Zealand, France, Scandinavia, Ireland, and more. An avid jogger, Ray transitioned to hiking in his 50s, with treks in the Andes, Alps, Himalayas, and other high-altitude locales. In the early 1990s, Maureen and Ray bought a vacation home in Scarborough, ME. The home became a haven for the entire family, creating lifetime memories for his grandchildren. After Maureen’s passing, Ray moved to Maine full-time, taking long walks on the beach and visiting the gym daily. Ray supported many philanthropies, including A Better Chance, Rosie’s Place, and Framingham State University, for which he served as a trustee.

Ray leaves two children, Cort Boulanger of Middlebury, VT and Dr. Brittanny Boulanger, who lives in Winchester with husband, Dr. Todd O’Brien. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Liam O’Brien, Niamh O’Brien, Callan Boulanger and Mac Boulanger. Ray is joined in eternal life with Maureen and their granddaughter, Tilly Boulanger, who passed away in a tragic accident in 2019. Ray is survived by his brother, Edward Boulanger; and sister, Avis Ashton; his in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

On November 21, at 10:00 a.m., Ray’s life will be celebrated with a Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Winchester, before a private Interment with military honors. A reception at the Winchester Country Club will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Tilly Boulanger Foundation, which celebrates the life of Ray’s beloved granddaughter – and their shared love of learning and the outdoors, tillyboulangerfoundation.org or consider supporting the Greater Boston Food Bank in this time of need, https://my.gbfb.org/give

Philip Stuart Fisher, 85, an extraordinary man whose life was a true performance, completed his final scene early Tuesday morning, November 4, 2025. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family in Houston, TX, after a life lived with profound purpose and an unwavering belief that there were no coincidences, only “God Winks” that guided every meaningful moment.

He was a celebrated wordsmith, passionate educator, accomplished actor, and beloved family man.

Born and raised in Worcester, MA, Philip harbored a lifelong passion for the dramatic arts that would define his remarkable career. A true poet from a young age, he published a book of poems at just 12 years of age, foreshadowing a life dedicated to the power and beauty of language. He honed his craft at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City (Class of 1962), earned his BA in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (Class of 1968), and achieved an MFA in Theatre from Boston University School of Fine and Applied Arts (Class of 1970).

Philip’s illustrious acting career saw him perform Off-Broadway in New York, appear in 20 featured television roles, and become a fixture in the vibrant Houston theater scene. He captivated audiences in over 44 roles at the Alley Theatre, as well as multiple productions at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) and Stages Repertory Theatre.

Beyond the stage, Philip was a devoted educator. He taught at the University of Houston (Downtown and Clear Lake), Houston Community College, North Harris County Community College, Rice University, and San Jacinto Community College. He earned multiple “Who’s Who in American Teachers” recognitions and left a profound impact on thousands of students—shaping not only their communication skills but also their confidence and worldview.

As a gifted communicator and consultant, Philip inspired individuals and organizations in public speaking, interpersonal skills, voice and diction, and acting. He coached speech teams to local, regional, and national awards. Even during a detour into insurance sales with Transamerica, he achieved Million Dollar Round Table membership, a testament to his innate ability to connect and persuade.

Philip, often affectionately known as Phil, Poppy, or Dr. Fisher, wore many hats and gave his whole self to each one. He was a performer in every sense—not just on stage, but in the everyday theater of life. He embodied a generous spirit, once featured in the Houston Chronicle for picking up random riders in the HOV lane, eager to share conversations and connect with diverse individuals on his journey downtown. He was renowned for his insightful acronyms, designed to make complex ideas memorable and practical.

A true dreamer, his life was a masterclass in communication, kindness, and connection.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, Julius B. Fisher and Rose Mandell Fisher, and his siblings, Lois Seder and Conrad Fisher.

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan Fisher; his cherished daughters, Kimberly Fisher Roth (David), Karen Lynne Fisher (Kim Cash), and Valerie Tinklepaugh Hairston (EJ Hairston); and his grandchildren, Julia Roth Castleberry (Robert), Spencer Harrison Roth, and Karli Rose Fisher.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the physicians and nursing staff at MD Anderson Hospital and At Your Side Caregivers for the compassionate care shown to Philip in his final days.

A celebration of Philip’s life will be held in the new year. All who wish to share a story, acronym, or pronunciation in Phil’s honor are warmly invited. If you have a great story or memory, please let us know so we can compile them for our family to have and hold.

So in his spirit, hug someone like you’re reminding them they matter, hold open the door — yes, literally for a stranger and metaphorically for joy — savor the dessert (especially ice cream) like it’s the last sweet word in a long poem, and say yes to the event you’ve been avoiding like it’s a chapter waiting to be written. Because as Phil would say, “Life is for living.” Let’s live each of our 525,600 minutes to the fullest.

Randall (“Lee”) Barnard of Bluffton, SC passed away peacefully at his home in Sun City on November 27, 2024, at age 76.

Lee is survived by his brothers Wayne (and Jackie) Barnard of Ellenton, Florida, and Chris (and Ellen) Barnard of Rock Hill, South Carolina, as well as his many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Lee was predeceased by his parents Robert and Frances Barnard of Summerville, South Carolina.

Lee was a one-of-a-kind, reliably independent person. Never married or a parent, he lived the traditional baby boomer life in reverse – traveling extensively first, then settling down to a working career.

Lee was born August 6, 1948 in Rochester, New York. After being raised in Connecticut, he graduated from Tulane University in 1970 with a degree in biochemistry. He then worked long hours at a factory in Fairfield, Connecticut in order to save enough money to start on what would become a decades long international exploration. From late 1971 to 1982, Lee traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and most of southeast Asia. He stayed in hostels, under the stars with fellow wanderers, and enjoyed a long two-continent tour in a used VW bus he bought in Europe.

In 1982, Lee had a 42 foot yacht built to his specifications in Taiwan. He then spent the next 14+ years sailing around the world – literally. He circumnavigated the globe twice, including two solo passages through the treacherous Straits of Magellan at the southern tip of South America. During this journey, he would at various times stop for months to earn some money – including at a water treatment plant in South Africa, at a sheep ranch in New Zealand, and at a tuna processing plant in Indonesia (he built housing for the factory workers). Not wanting to upset his mom Fran, he waited until his stateside return to share with his family his maritime experiences fending off icebergs, submerged shipping containers and Cambodian pirates.

Then, after 25 years, Lee decided that he had had enough of world travel and the seafaring life and so returned to the USA in 1996, settling in Beaufort, South Carolina (where his parents then lived). Shortly after his return, he put to use his college degree by joining the Hilton Head Public Service District (PSD) as a laboratory chemist. He worked for PSD for 24 years, retiring in 2022 as the Laboratory Manager.

Lee moved from Beaufort to Sun City in 2007. Although he was not a golfer or tennis player, Lee enjoyed Sun City and was always ready to help friends and neighbors (having owned a yacht for many years, Lee could repair any and all things). Being a single fellow, he would often volunteer to be on duty at the PSD on holidays, so his co-workers could spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with their families.

Some will say that it was a shame that Lee passed away alone at his home. But his family knows this is exactly how Lee wanted to move on to his next adventure – no fuss or bother. Lee died without ever owning a smartphone and with a 17 year old car sitting in his garage.

The family will arrange a memorial event in Lee’s honor at a future date.

Thomas Crosby of North Marshfield, MA, passed away unexpectedly, on July 22, 2025, at age 77. Tom is survived by his wife, Judy Crosby; and his daughters, Amy Remling and Kerri Bouchard. He will be deeply missed and forever loved by his family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday. Burial will be at a later date. Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to MGH and Clift Rodgers Library.