Yale University

Class News

Eulogies from our 55th Reunion Memorial Service

July 29, 2019

Many of our classmates who attended the Memorial Service at our 55th Reunion on May 31, 2019 asked for copies of the brief remembrances that were read. And those who could not attend expressed interest too. Below are the brief remembrances. Full eulogies and other remembrances may be found on our In Memoriam page.

The service was conducted at Saint Thomas More Chapel, just across the street from our Reunion Headquarters in Pierson College. The full memorial service program may be found here.

The memorial service was organized by Steve Klingelhofer, who phrased a fitting eulogy by researching the obituaries and remembrances of all 58 classmates who died since our previous reunion in 2014. Steve was joined by three other readers: Bob Buchanan, Waldo Johnston, and Pete Putzel.  We again thank Jan Truebner for her leadership in inviting surviving spouses to the reunion and the service.

Steve Klingelhofer Jan Truebner Joe Lieberman

The organists prelude, the Adagio with Strings, by Samuel Barber (used in the film Platoon), was a period reminder of those classmates whom we lost in Vietnam and for those who served, as well.  The service was also uplifted by the reading and explanation of the Hebrew Kaddish, by Joe Lieberman.  Our 1964 Whiffenpoofs sang "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" as a choral interlude.



Bob Buchanan

Readings by Bob Buchanan:

  • Alvin Philip Adams, Jr. – Three-time U.S. ambassador; peace-maker; human rights advocate; life-learner.
  • Gerald Pitman Allen – Architect, writer, teacher; passion for revitalization of Central Park and church restoration.
  • Michael Ellsworth Batton – Civic and business leader; world traveler; close relationships with family, friends, and employees.
  • Stephen John Becroft – Ph.D. in classics; prep school and college teacher; programmer; potter; singer; missioner to rural Africa.
  • Edouard Ernest Benjamin - Courageous international statesman; soccer star; joyful; loving to friends and family.
  • Geoffrey Donald Charles Best - International lawyer; creative writer and actor; Skull and Bones; dedicated husband, father, and friend.
  • Charles A. Bosworth III – Investigative journalist; finance; actor and singer; Peace Corps; civic activist.
  • Ross E. Canterbury – Labor lawyer; public official; adventure traveler; mentor; lecturer.
  • Willard “Ward” Cates – Physician; public health researcher; international leader in women’s’ reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, hunger prevention; sportsman.
  • Carroll John Cavanagh, Jr. – Attorney; Secretary and General Counsel to National Gallery of Art; civic organizations; wit and friendship.
  • Lawrence Y. Chapman, Jr. – Phi Beta Kappa; architect and creator of significant venues; favorite phrase: “Art is long; life is short.”
  • Harold Norman Clark – Architect and technical designer; environmental activist; slapstick comedy; Delta Blues guitar; civic activist; warm friend.
  • Bertrand M. Cooper, Jr. – Honors English; Peace Corps; Lawyer; Equestrian; Sierra Club; loyal friend.
  • Guild Copeland – Athlete; investment manager; traveler; humor.
  • Richard L.J. Cussler – “Farmer Doc,” Physician; Idaho mountains; skiing; “walked through many doors without regret.”
  • Robert J. Dayton – Devoted Minnesotan; businessman; youth mentor; civic servant; local philanthropist; fiercely loyal to family and friends.
  • William N. Duesing – Artist; educator; civic activist; ecologist; environmental broadcaster, lecturer, and writer; organic farmer.
  • James Wilson Eighme, Jr. – Diplomat; keen intelligence, broad interests, modesty, generosity, and uncommon decency.
  • Foster M. Fargo, Jr. – Innovative computer scientist; accomplished cook; puzzle wizard; unassuming brilliance and empathy.
  • Umberto Jose Fontana – International marketing and finance; culinary aficionado; enthusiastic; curious about history; treasured friends and family.

Waldo Johnston

Readings by Waldo Johnston:

  • Timothy Richard Garton – “The Fox;” All-American and World Master Swimmer; engineer, contributed to lunar module; self-discipline and determination.
  • Franklin David Grabill – Public interest lawyer; community change agent; advocate for the homeless, Indian rights and rural legal assistance.
  • Daniel Howard Gross – Journalist; Alaska realtor; outdoorsman; lover of singing, cooking, digging artifacts.
  • William Lee Hanley, Jr. – Business visionary; philanthropist; individual liberty, classic values. Chair of Corporation of Public Broadcasting and other Boards.
  • Eric R. Hansen, Jr. – Architect; devoted to a positive “built environment,” rehab of old buildings; active in New Haven community.
  • Lowell B. Hawkinson - Pioneer in information technology and academic adviser at M.I.T. Devoted to educating children.
  • Hoke F. Henderson, Jr. – Pathologist, Professor; enjoyed higher math and reading in three languages. Former Boy Scout and paperboy.
  • James Kirkman Jackson – Proud Marine, husband, and father of four; investment adviser; historian; genealogist, artist.
  • Lloyd Marshall Kahn – Physician; educator and education advocate; union activist; founder of school for nursing.
  • Stephen David Kahn – Intellectual property lawyer; marathon runner; advocate for environment; Save the Children.
  • Frank Michael Laurence – Primary school teacher, college professor; musician; critic; author; playwright and screen-writer.
  • Joel Alan Levitch – Radio and media leader; WYBC Chair and broadcaster; life-long news reporter; freedom of speech advocate.
  • Clarkson Lindley – Naval Officer; lawyer; horse aficionado; athletic coach; environment advocate; the prairie; fox hunting.
  • Angus Christian Macbeth – Environmental and human rights lawyer; (Japanese Internment reparations legislation); landmark EPA laws and regulation; gentleman and scholar.
  • David Duncan MacBryde – Philosopher; author; activist; advocate; promoter of “participatory democracy” in US and Germany; proud feminist.
  • Paul Thomas McDonald – Ph.D.; research scientist; woodworker.
  • Miguel A. Marin (Bosch) – Mexican and U.N. diplomat; disarmament expert and advocate; wise, generous, and kind.
  • Martin Steven Munn – Lawyer; Brooklyn Assistant D.A., later criminal lawyer, and Council to NY Assembly; active in politics.
  • Oluwole Adetunji Odundun – Physics scholar, Nigerian university professor; embodied enthusiasm, love, compassion, and kindness.
  • Francis Ferdinand Paul – Neurosurgeon, Vietnam War veteran, licensed pilot, pioneer in application of high-tech to medicine.

Pete Putzel

Readings by Pete Putzel:

  • David Lewis Plimpton – Writer; wood craftsman; therapist; world traveler; scholar; athlete; mariner and fly fisherman; unassuming and modest.
  • W. Robert Reum – Michigan LL.B.; Harvard MBA; basketball star; business leader and turnaround CEO; empathy, character, judgment; philanthropist.
  • William David Roth – Ph.D.; professor; author; inventive; funny; sincere; courageous; vulnerable; inspiring, respected, and beloved.
  • Henry B. Satterthwaite – Eclectic, involved, eager to help others; technology innovator in US and overseas; antique cars; public service in church, schools.
  • Joseph Duff Shuman – Lifelong Pittsburg resident; Harvard Law; corporate attorney.
  • David Carlson Smith – Attorney; poet; musician; lithograph publisher; author; translator; sportsman; humanitarian.
  • Ralph Lynwood Straw, Jr. – Magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, All-American swimmer, Skull and Bones; lawyer and banker; marathon enthusiast.
  • Robert Buckley Tanner – Phi Beta Kappa; lawyer/businessman; historian; community leader.
  • Peter Louis Truebner – Lawyer, Assistant DA in Southern District of NY; private practice as litigator; sportsman (Yale football, tennis, golf); community leader; wit; intelligence; raconteur.
  • William Albert Turnage – Outspoken environmental activist and leader; invigorated Wilderness Society; represented Ansell Adams and Trustee of Ansel Adams Trust iconoclast.
  • Dennis Upper, Ph.D. – Clinical psychologist; treatment of PTSD, substance abuse, and range of therapeutic services; author; poet; musician.
  • Edward P. Vollertsen III – Vietnam War veteran; banking and financial services; leading credit analyst; mentor; avid fisherman;
  • Brice Toland Voran – Lawyer; community leader; mentor to young lawyers; photographer; philosopher.
  • Charles B. Westover, Jr. – Free spirit; entrepreneur; high school teacher and mentor; lover of learning; songwriter; poet; activist.
  • Per Henrik Wickstrom – Compassionate heart and lung surgeon; outdoorsman; athlete; painter; caregiver to homeless families, and mentor to children.
  • Alling Woodruff, Jr. – Phi Beta Kappa; Dramat; writer; advertising; entrepreneur; animal adoption; building and wildflowers.
  • William H.J. Yerkes – Scholar, writer; literary; kind, elegant; newspaper reporter; media relations.

If you wish, you can memorialize a classmate by donating a memorial brick in his name.  You can find instructions here.