Marriages, Births, and In Memoriam

Summer 2016

Marriages & Unions

(2016 unless otherwise noted)

Christopher Koelsch ’93 and Todd Bentjen, June 14, 2014

Andrew Bloom ’06 and Tyndale Brickey, February 13

Megan MacAlarney ’10 and Steven Medina, June 6, 2015


Births & Adoptions

(2016 unless otherwise noted)

To Jonah Shacknai ’78 and Lily Phillips: Margaux Phillips, January 17

To John and Whitney (Sayia) ’97 Reid: John Robert IV, Dec 2, 2015

To Matthew and Jaime (Morelli) ’99 Wrobel: Vaughn Alexander, February 16, joining Greta Sophia

To Thomas and Lesley (Roxe) ’01 McNamara: Thomas Joseph III, Dec 18, 2015

To Steve and Elizabeth Wise ’01 Brown: Adeline James, May 11, 2015, joining Isabella and Charlotte

To John Albright ’02 and Sheri: Ann Elizabeth, January 14

To Casey and Melissa Andrews ’02 Stumpf: Tessa Avery and Finley Logan, March 10, joining Daphne Harper

To Nathan and Margaret Whittaker ’05 Caulk: Gwendolyn Kathleen, May 26, 2015

To Thomas ’06 and Kelly (Egler) ’07 Fallon: Paige Catherine, February 15

To Ryan and Laura (Driscoll) ’07 Keogh: Sloan Olsen, August, joining Taylor Elizabeth

To Steven ’07 and Jennifer (White) ’05 Koehler: Vivienne Grace, March 11


In Memoriam

The Scene runs deceased notices on all alumni, current and former faculty members, honorary degree recipients, and staff members and others who the editors determine would be well known to alumni.

Arthur B Johnson ’41, February 17, 2016. Sigma Nu, ski club. He served as director of Dr Johnson’s Camps for more than 30 years. His wife, Sybil, preceded him in death. He is survived by 2 children, and other family.

Robert H Fay ’42, November 18, 2013. University Chorus, marching band, orchestra. US Armed Forces: WWII. He worked in several fields over the course of his career, including teaching, mail carrying, and multiple private industries. He was predeceased by his wife, Norma. He is survived by 3 sons, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

John B Price ’42, September 27, 2012. University Chorus, marching band. US Air Force. Saint Lawrence University: MA, 1949. He worked for many years as manager and VP of Jet Air Freight and the Berkins Van and Storage Company. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty. He is survived by 4 sons and other loved ones.

Warren L Hickman ’44, March 2, 2016. Phi Delta Theta, Konosioni, International Relations Council, soccer, baseball, boxing, student government. Columbia University: MA. L’Institut Universitaire de Hautes Études Internationales at Université de Genève, Switzerland: Docteur ès Sciences Politiques. During WWII, he served on Eisenhower’s staff at the Supreme Headquarters. He also enjoyed a long career in education, working as a professor and dean at multiple universities including Ohio Northern University, Ithaca College, Syracuse University, Eisenhower College, and Rochester Institute of Technology. He was predeceased by his wife, Jane. He is survived by a son, Warren ’73, a daughter, and 3 grandchildren.

Carl W Cristy ’45, November 25, 2015. Theta Chi. US Air Force. He served as an FBI agent and county solicitor in Ft Lauderdale, Fla. He is survived by his wife, Alvira, and 4 children.

Robert E Eckis Jr ’45, December 29, 2014. Phi Kappa Tau, swimming, golf. US Army: WWII. In 1957, he founded Payment Plans, Inc, where he was an insurance agent and mortgage broker until retiring in 1986. He was predeceased by his wife, Madalyn. He is survived by 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Charles T Locke Jr ’45, February 27, 2016. Phi Gamma Delta, basketball. US Marine Corps: WWII. He retired after a 32-year career as an executive in the telecommunications industry. He is survived by 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Barton R Clausen ’46, October 1, 1993. He worked as executive director of Abnaki Health Council of Claremont, New Hampshire.

Edward E Tainter Jr ’46, February 6, 2016. Alpha Tau Omega. US Army: WWII. He served as a manager for both Goodyear and New England Telephone before retiring from NYNX after 34 years. He was predeceased by his wife, Diane. He is survived by 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

Gilbert L Geis ’47, November 10, 2012. Maroon-News. US Navy: WWII. Brigham Young University: MS, 1949. University of Wisconsin-Madison: PhD, 1952. He was a lifelong academic in the field of criminology, specializing in the area of white collar crime, and taught at Los Angeles State College, the University of Oklahoma, and SUNY Albany before retiring as a professor emeritus at UC, Irvine. He received many awards over the course of his career, and he published 26 books and more than 500 academic articles. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Tuttle, and 2 daughters.

George A Wetherell ’48, March 7, 2015. Lambda Chi Alpha, soccer, marching band. US Navy: WWII. He had a long career in teaching before retiring from the Skaneateles Central School District as assistant district principal. He was predeceased by his son, Tim. He is survived by his wife, Penny, 3 daughters, 2 stepsons, 12 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Daniel L Cheney ’50, February 19, 2016. Commons Club. US Army. He was a publisher and philanthropist who founded the Springhouse Corporation publishing company in 1970. He is survived by his wife, Ellie, 3 children, 9 grandchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews including Leigh Fisch ’11 and Alex Fisch ’14, and 25 great-grandchildren.

James F. McMahon ’50, May 26, 2016. Theta Chi, International Relations Council, football. Following his active Coast Guard service, he joined Univac Remington Rand, where he worked for most of his career as a computer sales executive. He was predeceased by his 2 brothers including Edward ’46. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; a daughter and her husband; his son, James ’84; and 2 grandsons including Thomas McMahon Cramer ’09.

John E Filler ’51, April 21, 2016. Phi Kappa Tau, football, hockey, baseball. US Army: Korean War. Boston University. He worked for many years as a minister of the United Church of Christ and was responsible for instituting some of the country’s first special education programs in the Harwich and Chatham, Mass., public schools. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lenor, 3 sons including Michael ’78, and 4 grandchildren including Victoria Jones ’08.

Peter N Perretti Jr ’53, February 27, 2016. Beta Theta Pi, WRCU-FM, International Relations Council, student government. Cornell University Law School: JD, 1956. He had a long career as a lawyer, first as an assistant prosecutor for Essex County and then at the firm Riker Danzig, where he later became a name partner. He also served a term as attorney general for the State of New Jersey. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, 3 children, and other loved ones.

Ivar Berg ’54, January 1, 2016. Phi Delta Theta, Phi Beta Kappa, Konosioni, International Relations Council, ice hockey. US Marine Corps. Harvard University: PhD, 1959. He was an emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania who made important contributions to the study of higher education, labor markets, and industrial sociology. His book, Education and Jobs: The Great Training Robbery, played a major role in the US Supreme Court civil rights decision Griggs v Duke Power Company and was credited with providing the basis of the theory of market signaling, which received the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, a son, and 2 stepsons.

John H Thumser ’54, December 1, 2015. Lambda Chi Alpha, Konosioni, Maroon-News, Salmagundi, Outing Club, indoor track. For more than 50 years, he worked in the financial industry as an investment adviser. He was predeceased by his son Robert and his brother, Thomas ’50. He is survived by his wife, Helen, 3 children including Carolyn ’83 and Elaine Hankins ’87, and 4 grandchildren.

Louis A Ireton ’55, February 12, 2015. Theta Chi. US Armed Forces: Korean War. Northern Kentucky Law School: JD. He was a lawyer at the firm Ireton, Ireton, and Elder. He is survived by his wife, Joan, a daughter, a granddaughter, 2 stepchildren, and 2 stepgrandchildren.

John T McKenzie III ’56, March 7, 2016. Phi Delta Theta, Outing Club, sailing club. US Army. He worked as a manager and supervisor for various manufacturing firms before acting as president of the Micrex Corporation until his retirement in 1995. He was predeceased by his wife, Irene. He is survived by 3 sons, 8 grandchildren, and 7 nieces and nephews.

Thomas R Vivona ’56, March 14, 2016. Kappa Delta Rho, baseball. US Army. He had a 40-year career in insurance, working for 33 years as VP of claims for Boston Mutual Life Insurance. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Margaret, and son Tom. He is survived by his wife, Priscilla, 5 children, and 8 grandchildren.

Ronald A Stroth ’58, February 9, 2016. Delta Upsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, University Chorus, basketball, tennis. US Navy. Cornell University Medical School. He was a longtime anesthesiologist in the Scottsdale, Ariz, area. He was predeceased by his wife, Myna. He is survived by 2 children and a grandson.

James D Dougherty ’61, January 26, 2016. Delta Kappa Epsilon, Outing Club, sailing club, ice hockey, indoor track, cross country. University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. He worked in sales and marketing before starting a long career as a securities analyst in New York City. He is survived by his wife, Julia, 2 children, and 2 grandchildren.

Robin Williams ’61, June 25, 2013. Phi Kappa Tau, Masque and Triangle, Outing Club, Salmagundi. University of Arizona: MA, 1972. He is survived by 3 children.

Stephen J Patterson III ’66, February 15, 2016. Phi Delta Theta, International Relations Council, WRCU-FM, sailing club. US Army: Vietnam War. After receiving numerous commendations for his service, he went on to become chairman of the board of the Patterson Energy Group, a Long Island oil company, as well as president of the Metropolitan Energy Council, president of the New York Oil and Heating Association, and a member of many local boards in the Riverhead community. He is survived by his wife, Sherry, 3 children, and 4 grandchildren.

Robert A Mink ’67, April 18, 2008. Phi Kappa Psi, student government, lacrosse, football, baseball. He worked at Westinghouse Electric Company in Philadelphia from 1974–1991. He is survived by his wife, Eileen, 2 children, and 3 grandchildren.

Norman A Rice ’73, February 27, 2016. Lambda Chi Alpha, Outing Club, golf. US Air Force. He was a retired pilot for Northwest Airlines. He is survived by 2 brothers, 3 nephews, and a niece.

Paula D Everett ’76, April 2, 2016. Swinging Gates, ice hockey, peer counseling. Andover Newtown Theological Seminary: MD. West Chester State University: MA. Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She served as associate minister of the Hingham Congregational Church in Massachusetts and guidance counselor at Great Valley High School in Paoli, PA, before becoming a professional artist for the last 10 years. She is survived by her husband, Daniel, and 3 children.

Dale H Lundquist ’76, February 8, 2016. Rutgers School of Law. He was a lawyer by profession, but also a political contributor to several local newspapers, a member of the Woodbury Heights Board of Education, and a coach and umpire through the Woodbury Heights Athletic Association. He is survived by his wife, Robin, 4 children including Caitlin ’06, and a grandchild.

Alex Lagowitz ’15, May 22, 2016. Phi Eta Sigma, golf team. At Colgate, he was a standout on the golf team and graduated summa cum laude with an economics degree. After graduation, he worked in the banking industry, most recently at the credit trading desk of Bank of America in New York City. He is survived by his parents, a sister, and his maternal grandparents.

Jack Dodd, April 23, 2016. US Navy: WWII. He was Colgate’s Charles A Dana Professor of Physics Emeritus, teaching from 1971–1988. During his tenure, he served as both director and chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. He also taught at Arkansas Tech University and the University of Tennessee, consulted for McCrone Research Associates and Honeywell, and founded Spectrum Square Associates. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ann, who served as Colgate’s organist and music instructor. He is survived by 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

Carol Kinne, March 18, 2016. She taught art and art history at Colgate from 1980–2005 and was instrumental in establishing the university’s first digital art lab. In 2002 she curated Colgate’s first computer art exhibition, Meta-forms, in the Clifford Gallery. Her artwork was installed at the Munson Williams Proctor Institute (Utica, NY), AIR Gallery (New York City), ARC Gallery (Chicago), and the Galerie Arnaud Fefebvre (Paris). From 1996–1998, she served as a New York State Council on the Arts Media Alliance panelist, and from 1988–1990 as a Visual Arts Program panelist. She is survived by her husband, Robert Huot.

Heidi A Ross, February 28, 2016. At Colgate, she served as an educational studies professor and Robert Ho Fellow in Chinese Studies from 1987–2003. During her tenure, she was chair of the Department of Education, director of the Asian Studies program, and president of the Comparative and International Educational Studies association. She published extensively on Chinese education, gender, and schooling, and also taught at the University of Indiana. She is survived by her husband, Bill Monaghan.


Lasting impressions

Noel Rubinton ’43
Feb. 10, 1923–March 14, 2016

Noel Rubinton '43Besides his wife and two children, Colgate was the love of Noel Rubinton ’43’s life. He died at age 93.

He loved just about everything involving Colgate, but sports, especially football, were the longest-running draw. He followed 77 years of Colgate football, more than half the school’s history with the game, and it was rare for a season to go by without him seeing at least one game, often with his son, Noel Jr.

When Rubinton arrived in Hamilton in 1939 from his native Brooklyn, he was only 16 and one of a handful of Jewish students. He hadn’t been distinguished academically in high school, and Colgate testing suggested he’d be a C student. With his trademark determination, he graduated sixth in his class, magna cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa.

A highlight of his Colgate education was the Washington Study Group. He was at the State Department when Japan’s ambassador was summoned the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, and on a happier occasion met Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House. His class graduated early, in December 1942, to speed entrance into the war effort; their graduation was known as the school’s “White Commencement” due to snow.

Rubinton served as an Army Air Forces weather observer in southern Italy. After the war, he graduated from Harvard Law School. His legal career lasted through 1991, including 25 years as Bloomingdale’s general counsel.

His connection to Colgate grew closer in the 1970s when his daughter, Sarah Rubinton Laditka ’74, entered with the first class including women. For many years, Rubinton and his wife, Phyllis (who died in 1985), had a vacation house in Hamilton, where Sarah and her husband, James ’73, also lived.

Fiercely devoted to Colgate and his class, Rubinton was legal counsel for Colgate’s Alumni Corporation for more than a decade. He received Maroon and Distinguished Service citations, and football’s Jack Mitchell Loyalty Award.

Rubinton was class reunion gift chair and in recent years also class president. He organized many gift projects, including for rooms in Persson Hall and Little Hall, and the Class of 1943 Memorial Scholarship Endowment. He led development of a 2007 book where classmates wrote memoirs about their World War II experiences. For their 70th Reunion in 2013, he planned a Reunion College program — fittingly, on successful aging.

Although he faced anti-Semitism on campus in the late 1930s and early ’40s, he persevered and later was a leader in developing the Saperstein Center (where money can be donated to a fund established in his name) and raising funds for a Jewish studies chair.

When he attended his last Colgate football game in 2013 at Lafayette (he was 90), his exuberance arriving at the stadium led him to a fall. He made it clear to the EMTs that he would not leave the game. Bandaged and ever-devoted, he sat in the cold as Colgate won a thriller.

In addition to Sarah and James Laditka, Rubinton is survived by Noel Jr. and his wife, Amy, and granddaughter Bella.


Waldron M. Sennott ’32
March 31, 1909–March 3, 2016

Colgate’s oldest living alumnus, Waldron “Wally” M. Sennott ’32 died at the age of 106 on March 3. He would have celebrated his 107th birthday on March 31.

Sennott and his wife, Linda Adelaide “Addie,” were featured in both Fortune and the Daily Gazette (Schenectady, N.Y.) with other centenarians for being part of this growing age group, in 2016 and 2014, respectively.

The retired radiologist had known he wanted to be a doctor ever since high school. Through part-time jobs, scholarships, and loans, Sennott was able to attend Colgate and Harvard Medical School. During the summer of his sophomore year, he worked at Camp Mohawk, where he met Addie. “[She] was the prettiest. She had very pretty auburn hair,” he told the Gazette.

Graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, the chemistry major was a member of the Commons Club and the swim team. He declined full scholarships to Duke, Yale, and Johns Hopkins medical schools, choosing Harvard because it was closest to Addie. “I didn’t want to leave my girl,” he told the Towson Times in 2013.

In his last year of medical school, Sennott became interested in public health. After graduating from Harvard, he interned with the U.S. Public Health Service’s (USPHS) hospital on Staten Island, N.Y. He married Addie in 1938, the same year he joined the Coast Guard, was stationed in New York and Boston, and then served as the ship doctor on the cutter Cuyahoga.

After his discharge in 1941, Sennott returned to the USPHS hospital to start radiology training. In 1942, he was called to Washington, D.C., for the tuberculosis screening of 120,000 federal employees. Named head of radiology at the USPHS in Staten Island, his department became known as a training center for radiologists. In 1958, he was transferred to the service’s Wyman Park Hospital (Baltimore, Md.). Then, in 1965, he joined the radiology staff at what is now called Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. He was also an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He retired in 1972.

The couple lived in their home until he was 102 and she was 101 years old. They moved to an independent living apartment, and Wally golfed until he turned 104. As for their secret for living a long life, Wally told the press that longevity ran in both families. He was also active, easygoing, and drank very little besides his scotch or beer before dinner, his son James reported. And as for their secret for a long marriage, Wally told the Gazette simply: “We like one another.”

In addition to his wife and son, Sennott is survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His son Roger died in 2002.