Tag Archives: Williston Academy

Rodney H. Hawkins ’63

Rodney Hepburn Hawkins died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family and pets on June 22, 2022, in Williams Lake, British Columbia, after a two year battle with cancer.
Rod was born in Claremont, New Hampshire, on April 3, 1944. He attended Williston Academy, for five years. He always credited Williston with giving him an excellent education and many memorable times including playing soccer and performing as part of the choir. Some of the friendships he made there lasted a lifetime. He never forgot the opportunity afforded by Williston when he was selected as an exchange student to Germany in 1963. He lived a year with the Rau family and kept in contact with them over the years. A Rau grandson spent a year living with the Hawkins family in Williams Lake, as an exchange student in 1996-1997.
In 1964, when Rod was sailing to the United States, returning from his exchange, his ship made a stop in Galway Bay, Ireland. He met his beloved Sandra, when she boarded the ship. They were married in 1965.
Rod attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, from 1964-1968 and graduated with a degree in German literature. Just before graduation, he was surprised to be recruited by the CIA, but turned them down.
In 1969, Rod and Sandra moved to Canada and happily made it their home. They first lived in Vancouver, where Rod attended law school at the University of British Columbia. He was called to the Bar in 1974.
Rod and Sandra moved to Williams Lake, British Columbia, in 1975, where Rod opened and ran a Legal Aid Office for seventeen years. He then went on to work as Crown Counsel. He was appointed Administrative Crown and supervised prosecutions in Williams Lake and a vast area around it for twenty years. He reluctantly retired in 2012.
Benefits of retiring included daily walks with his beloved golden retrievers; planting even more trees and lilacs on his property; kayaking and other recreation the lake offers; trips to Scandinavia, Iceland, Germany, and the U.S.A.; time for reading the many books he collected in his library; researching and putting together an extensive family tree; and, most recently, bee keeping.
Volunteer work included serving on the Board of Directors of the Child Development Centre, serving as an advisor to the Williams Lake Community Council for Restorative Justice, teaching law courses in Elder College, and helping to get the community’s Indigenous Court up and running.
The family wishes to honor Rod’s memory by quietly spending time together, being grateful for the time they had with Rod. If you wish to honour Rod’s memory consider planting a lilac, giving a dog some special attention, and, perhaps, raising a glass of wine.

Robert D. Kalter ’63

Dr. Robert Kalter passed away from pancreatic cancer at White Plains Hospital. He was loved and respected by his family, friends, and colleagues.

He was raised on Long Island, the son of Henry Kalter, a doctor who had fled Nazi Germany as a young man, and Rose Dorrance Kalter, the principal of PS 133 in Queens for many years.

Bob graduated from Columbia University magna cum laude​​​ in 1967 and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1971. He interned at Pennsylvania Hospital and then served in the US Public Health Service as a commissioned officer. From 1974-1976, he completed an Anatomic Pathology residency at Cornell and then, from 1976 to 1978, a Clinical Pathology residency at Downstate.

His first full position was as Assistant Director with the New York Blood Center (1978-1981). He went on to become an esteemed and trusted pathologist, serving in a number of capacities, including as Chief of Clinical Pathology at NYU Winthrop Hospital (1981-1992), Chairman of Pathology at The Brooklyn Hospital Center (1992-2000), Director of the Blood Bank at NYU Lutheran Medical Center (2000-2015), and as a pathologist at Maimonides Medical Center (2000-2020)—first as Chief, then as Chairman, of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and finally as a Consulting Pathologist. After retirement, he continued to work as a per diem pathologist for Northwell Health Laboratories (2020-2022).

Bob’s colleagues knew him as an especially dedicated doctor. He was certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Blood Banking, and Immunopathology, and he voluntarily recertified with the American Board of Pathology in 1997 and 2008. A fellow medical professional recently described him as “the most complete pathologist I have ever known.” He was valued as a mentor to many young physicians, and in retirement, he volunteered to teach in medical school pathology labs.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Bob was known and loved for his passionate interest and deep knowledge in history, philosophy, science, and the arts. He was an avid reader of everything from ancient Roman history to the fiction of Marcel Proust. And friends and colleagues alike will remember his wit—what Ken Gibbs, President of Maimonides Hospital, called his “dry and playful sense of humor.”

Bob adored his family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, always present to debate, tease, and offer advice, and interested in everyone around him.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Glass, his children Jeffrey and Julie Kalter, his son-in-law Dave Turner, his grandchild Miles Turner, and his brother-in-law David Glass, as well as his sister Joanmarie Kalter, his nephew Gram Hill, and his niece Faith Hill.

Donations can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he was treated, or to Gilda’s Club of Westchester.

A funeral service will be held at Larchmont Temple (75 Larchmont Ave.) at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2022. Family and friends who are unable to attend the service in person may watch via livestream at: http://larchlink.pub/live

James W. Curran ’46

James W. Curran, a resident of Stamford, VT for 87 years died on May 29, 2022 at the Vermont Veterans’ Home in Bennington, under the care and compassion of the VVH staff and the Bennington VNA Hospice. Jim was born in North Adams, MA on October 1,1927, the second of seven children born to William L. Curran, M.D. and Bernice Curran.

The family moved to Stamford, VT in 1935. There Jim learned to swim in the icy waters of the North Branch of the Hoosic River, went tobogganing and sledding on the country roads and gentle hills and skated on the small frozen natural ponds in town. He was given a basic introduction to farming as his physician father had a working farm with milking cows and other livestock.

He attended Stamford Elementary School and Drury High School. He was a graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army serving with the 25th Infantry, 35th Regiment. He was assigned as a military policeman in the city of Otsu during the occupation of Japan. He was honorably discharged following his service. He attended Champlain College in Plattsburgh, NY and later Denver University in Colorado. His favorite authors were Robert Service and Rudyard Kipling.

Jim was always interested in sports; he followed closely the teams of Northern and Southern Berkshire high schools.

As an employee of Petricca Industries in Pittsfield, MA for 37 years (retiring in 1992), he found many of his coworkers resided in the small towns surrounding Pittsfield so he became familiar with their families and kept track of those youngsters as well as the North Berkshire athletes.

Jim was an excellent skier. He was on the former Dutch Hill ski patrol and later directed the Dutch Hill Ski School on weekends. He also enjoyed golf, living three minutes from the Stamford Valley Golf Course. He always held an annual membership and enjoyed early morning tee times with his golf buddies. He golfed until age 87.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rosemarie, and nine of their ten children; Maureen, Jim, Kathryn, Patricia, John and his wife Cindy, Susan and her husband Jonathan, Jennifer, Robert and his wife Erin, and Neil. Their daughter Andrea died in 1983. He leaves 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters, Sally Smith and Sandy Johnson. His brothers, William L. Curran, Jr. M.D. and Edward A. Curran and his sisters, Marijane Green and Catherine (Nan) Sanford are deceased. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There are no visiting hours. A memorial service will take place at the convenience of the family.

Stephen J. Britt ’55

Stephen J. Britt passed away on December 31, 2021, in Stuarts Draft, VA at the age of 86. Mr. Britt was born on July 13, 1935, in Hartford, Connecticut to Paul E. and Emma Britt. He is survived by his sisters, Jean Derby and Sheelah Britt. Steve grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut and it was there that he met his wife, Ann Margaret Papineau. Married on December 28, 1958, the couple had three children, James E., Catherine Marie, and Karen Anne. Steve and Ann were married for 58 years and had 4 grandchildren, Sean & Catherine Britt and Sarah & Peter Favinger. Ann passed away on June 19, 2016.
After serving in the Marine Corps, Steve began a long and successful business career. He worked for Mobil Oil, Dewalt, Black and Decker, Arcata Graphics, Intersource Technologies, and Anchor Continental. During his 23 years at Black and Decker, Steve achieved national recognition as the “Father of the Dustbuster” from numerous publications, including Time Magazine and New York Magazine. After retiring, Steve was a member of the First State Antique Tractor Club for several years and was a member of the scholarship committee.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 1210 S. Washington Street, Easton, MD. The family will receive visitors at the church from 10:30-11:00 a.m. and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Masks will be required in the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, Md 21741-5014 or online at michaeljfox.org/donate.

Richard W. Hoppenstedt ’63

Richard W. Hoppenstedt, 78, of Geddes, NY, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Upstate University Hospital. Born in Poughkeepsie, he was raised in Gardiner before moving to Syracuse in 1963. A graduate of The Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts, he received a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University where he was a proud member and past president of Phi Delta Theta. Richard was a United States Army veteran. He was employed as an accountant for the Diocese of Syracuse, and later worked as a dealer at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Oneida for 20 years, retiring in 2012. Richard enjoyed fishing and vacationing in Cape Cod, but above all, loved spending time with his family. Richard was predeceased by his parents, Clifford and Eleanor. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, the former Margaret Holihan of Syracuse; sons, Richard “Ted” of Syracuse, and John (Marisa) of Camillus; brother, Robert (Peg) of Hamden, CT; nephew, Matthew; and niece, Isaura Bozu. There will be no calling hours. Services will be private. Richard will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners.

Paul J. Carroll ’62

Paul “Buck” Joseph Carroll, Jr., aged 78, died on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 in Boston of respiratory failure following a long illness. Paul was born in Springfield, January 13, 1944, the son of the late Paul and Teresa Carroll. He is survived by his wife Pamela Leary of Pinehurst, NC; daughter Cailly Anne Carroll (Daniel Serna) of Concord, MA; son Matthew L. Carroll (Jennifer McGowan) of Middleton, Delaware and children Finnegan, Teagan and Jack; his sister, Debra Carroll Packard of Lexington, MA; nephews, John Packard of North Andover, MA, Matthew Packard of Hingham, MA, Erich Carroll of Fairhaven, MA and Sydney Carroll Millette of Deerfield, MA. Paul/Buck was predeceased by his brother, Richard Carroll of South Yarmouth, MA.

A Celebration of Life at Annunciation Chapel, 85 Beacon St., Florence, MA will be held Friday, June 17 at 10 am, followed by Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Northampton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Buck’s memory may be made to Pine Street Inn, Attn: Development Office, 444 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118 (www.pinestreetinn.org).







Robert A. Sweet ’52

Robert Alvin Sweet of Ripon, California, passed away on May 7, 2022.
Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on September 14, 1934, to Mary Grace (nee) Pierce and James Howard Sweet, Bob lived and embraced his childhood to the fullest. During this rich period, he was nurtured and taught the principles of hard work, diligence, honesty, fairness, and mercy that wove themselves into the fabric of his life.
Bob completed his studies in Engineering from Yale University, served two years in the National Guard and achieved an MBA from Xavier University.
Shortly after his discharge he married Dorothy Thomas (nee) Sheller, and nine months later welcomed the apple of his eye, Mark Thomas. Eleven months later came his “favorite daughter”, Lorelei Jane and bringing up the rear, eleven months later, Benjamin Pierce. Bob was an “all in” Dad. His sacrificial teaching, leading, inspiring, disciplining, and loving model left a legacy of three born again Christian children.
As his father before him, Bob had an incredible work ethic. His career as a computer engineer began at B&O Railroad in Baltimore and continued through many adventures – NCR in Dayton, Polaroid in Boston, Bechtel in San Francisco, Safeway in Walnut Creek, and for the last 30 years at Sweet Properties in Modesto.
He was preceded in death by his love and best friend, Tommie. He leaves behind his children, Mark (Ann), Lorelei (John), Ben (Jill), his beloved grandchildren Ryan (Jaci), Josiah (Reanne), Megan (Ben), Jahred, Joel, Aaron, Marcella (Jon) and his great grandchildren Colton, Savannah, Charlotte, Deilianna, Ciercina, and Ellie. Also, his sister Barbara (Allen) and dear nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Friday, May 27th, at Calvary Chapel, 4300 American Ave. Modesto CA 95356. Family and friends are welcome to a gathering with refreshments immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in honor.

Mark W. Clemens ’71

Mark Clemens passed quietly on May 2, 2022, after a brief battle with lung cancer; he was 69 years old. At his side as he slipped away was his loving and devoted wife of fourteen years, Kimberly.
Born at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on November 5, 1952, he was the oldest child and only son of Walter Henry Clemens ’47 and Margaret (Peggy) Dwyer Clemens. Mark lived his formative years on Long Island, New York, first in Wantagh and then in Garden City, where he attended Garden City High School, transferring to Williston Academy in Massachusetts for a year, and then graduating from Acalanes High School ’71 in Lafayette, California. After high school Mark attended Claremont Men’s College where he studied Psychology, earning his degree in 1975. After college, Mark spent his career working for two large national insurance companies, specializing in the Surplus Lines area of the business. He eventually went out on his own, using his great knowledge to form his own company.
He was a humble and unassuming man, known for his integrity, his wicked sense of humor, and his love of family. He especially enjoyed going to The Alisal Guest Ranch every year with his entire family to play golf, ride horses, spend time with his nieces and nephews, cowboy up to the bar for a drink or two, play dominos, and most of all, make lasting memories. His love of family extended to the fury kind as well, doting on his dogs, Bailey and Bella, every chance he could. He is now joyfully reunited with his all-time favorite dog, Hermie, an Olde English Bulldogge. Mark also enjoyed all types of sports from college to professional. He had a love of NASCAR and Formula 1 racing, attending races, and rooting for his favorites on TV.
Mark married Kimberly Rae Henderson on April 5, 2008. In their time together, they enjoyed many things, especially traveling in their RV around this great country, visiting friends and family, and seeing new sites. They were two peas in a pod, and totally devoted to one another.
Mark leaves behind the love of his life, his wife, Kimberly, his son Terrance (Stephanie), his brother-in-law Terry (Maureen) and his sister-in-law, Jennifer; his sisters Marybeth (Greg), and Susan; stepdaughter Ashlee, grandchildren Makayla, Kyler, Easton, Hadley, Adalynn, Rachel, and Joshua; great grandchildren Dominic and Stephen; nieces, Katie and Laura, nephew, Michael; great nieces Dakoda, Emma, and Stella and great nephew Max.
Visitation is on Thursday, May 5, 2022, from 5-7 pm at Tetrick Funeral Home Bluff City Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 11:30 am in the Chapel of the Bluff City Funeral Home 245 Main St, Bluff City, Tennessee. Followed by internment at 2:00 pm in the Mountain Home National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tennessee.
Donations in Mark’s name may be made to The Washington County Animal Shelter 3411 North Roan Street, Johnson City, TN 37601 and The Washington County Humane Society 2101 West Walnut Street, Johnson City, TN 37604.

Thomas W. Murphy III ’62

Thomas William Murphy III passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 21, 2022, at the age of 78 years. Thomas was born in Washington, DC, the son of the late Dr. Thomas and Rosemarie Murphy.

A native of Washington, DC, Thomas graduated from St. John’s College High School. He later attended Williston Academy and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was a competitive and nationally ranked swimmer when he was younger. For a brief time, he worked at Green Spring Dairy, which at the time was owned by his grandfather. Soon after that he moved to California to begin his career in sales, starting with NCR in San Francisco. As he got older he was an avid tennis player at Congressional Country Club where he also had served on the finance committee. He lived the last 15 years in Bethesda, Maryland near many family and friends.

Thomas was preceded by his late loving wife Heide. Thomas is survived by his son, Thomas (Kelly), and his daughter, Jennifer (Allan); and four beloved grandchildren, Patrick, Hope, William, and John. He was preceded by his late sister Michele. He will also be forever remembered by his surviving siblings, Martha, Mel, and Mark along with his beloved relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, 917 Montrose Road, Rockville, Maryland on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 12:15 p.m., followed by a 12:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at Gates of Heaven cemetery at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Thomas may be made to Catholic Charities of DC.