In Memoriam
The section was updated January 11, 2020. Please note that deaths are reported as we receive notice of them. Therefore, alumni dates of death are not always reported chronologically.
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1940 Frederick Baily Dent
Former U.S. secretary of commerce, respected textile executive, and lifelong advocate for quality education, died on December 10, 2019, in Spartanburg, S.C. He was 97. Mr. Dent was born in Cape May, N.J., on August 17, 1922, to Magruder and Edith Baily Dent and grew up in Greenwich, Conn., where he attended Greenwich Country Day School. He entered St. Paul’s as a Third Former in the fall of 1936. Mr. Dent was a member of the Library Association, the Acolyte’s Guild, and the Missionary Society. He ran track and played baseball, football, and hockey for Isthmian and rowed with Shattuck.
Mr. Dent went on to Yale. When the U.S. entered World War II, he joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and accelerated his studies so he could graduate a year early. He earned a B.A. in liberal arts with an emphasis on political institutions and accepted a Navy commission with orders that took him to the Pacific theater, where he was involved in a number of campaigns, including the capture of Okinawa. During a shore leave in 1944, he married Mildred Harrison, a young woman he’d met several years before while her family was summering near his childhood home in Connecticut. Together the couple raised five children. He began his long career in the family industry in 1946, when he joined Joshua L. Baily, a New York-based textile sales firm founded by his maternal great-grandfather. A year later, he moved to Spartanburg to work at Mayfair Mills. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming president in 1958. Under his leadership, Mayfair expanded from two mills to six and eventually employed 2,800 people.
Mr. Dent was a leader in his industry, and served for a time as president of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, a post that cemented him as a force in the national business community. It also helped him earn an appointment as U.S. secretary of commerce, a position he held from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Nixon and Ford. Ford then appointed him as a special trade representative, a cabinet-level position that carries an ambassadorial rank. A New York Times obituary described Mr. Dent as a “spirited advocate of free trade.” The Washington Post, meanwhile, noted how his “soft-spoken management style” and reputation for thoroughness helped him promote U.S. manufacturing overseas and navigate the 1973 oil crisis. He served on the boards of multiple corporations, leading the Mayfair Mills board as chairman and holding directorships with the International Paper Company, COMSAT Corporation, General Electric, Mutual Life Insurance of New York, Scott Paper Company, Armco Steel, S. C. Johnson & Company, and SCN Corporation. He was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame in 1994. Mr. Dent and his wife were well known in their community in large part because of efforts to found the Spartanburg Day School, which opened in 1957 and still operates today. He was active in local business groups, serving as chairman of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and Spartanburg Planning and Development Commission. He also was a trustee of Yale University, the Institute of Textile Technology in Virginia, the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, and the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg.
Mr. Dent was predeceased in 1997 by his wife, Mildred. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Magruder Dent, Jr. ’36, Edith Dent Moore, and Diana Gwynn Dent. Survivors include his children, Frederick B. Dent, Jr. and his wife, Susan, Mildred Dent Stuart, Pauline Dent Ketchum and her husband, Thomas, Diana Dent McGraw, and Magruder Harrison Dent and his wife, Sara; 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
1942 Eugene Shaw Taylor
died peacefully in his sleep on August 15, 2019. He was 94. Mr. Taylor was born in New York City on December 10, 1924, to Fenton and Margaret S. Taylor. After attending St. Bernard’s School in New York City, Mr. Taylor enrolled at St. Paul’s School as a Third Former in the fall of 1938. He was a member of the Cadmean Literary Society and competed with Isthmian and Halcyon. He went on to attend Princeton, graduating in 1948 with a B.A. in physics and in 1949 with his M.S. in electrical engineering. Mr. Taylor also served as a Communications Officer for the U.S. Army in World War II, stationed in both the Philippines and Japan.
For most of his career, Mr. Taylor worked as a chemical engineer for the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Del., where he was known as a dedicated employee. Mr. Taylor spent as much time as possible with his family, including his wife and four children. Those who knew him best will remember him for his kindness and loyalty to those he loved. He also enjoyed seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra perform, fine dining, tennis, jogging, gardening, building model ships, and travel. “He served his life selflessly as a dedicated provider for his immediate family and his brother’s family,” said his daughter, Margot, who added, “he grew one heck of a beefy red tomato.”
Mr. Taylor is survived by his daughter, Margot Taylor; his son, Eugene Shaw Taylor, Jr., and his wife, Carol S. Taylor; and his son, Blaise Taylor. He was predeceased by his wife, Paula J. Taylor, and his daughter, Thayne J. Taylor.
1946 Michael D. Coe
A retired Yale professor, prolific writer, and one of the leading figures in Mesoamerican archaeology, died September 25, 2019, following a stroke. He was 90. Asked once what wisdom he’d share with a St. Paul’s student, Mr. Coe replied, “Think for yourself. Don’t be afraid to question received wisdom (including this).” Mr. Coe was born in New York City on May 14, 1929, to William R. Coe of the Form of 1919 and Clover Coe. He entered St. Paul’s School as a Second Former in the fall of 1941 from The Fay School in Massachusetts. He sang with the Choir, played golf, hockey, and squash, rowed, and wrote for Horae Scholasticae.
Mr. Coe earned a B.A. in anthropology from Harvard in 1950 and a doctorate in 1959. He met his wife, Sophie Dobzhansky, in their physical anthropology class. They married in 1955, and together contributed to the effort that finally broke the code of Mayan hieroglyphic writing. He served two years with the Central Intelligence Agency in Taiwan before entering his archaeological career, most of which he spent in Yale’s Department of Anthropology as a professor and chairman of the department. He retired in 1994. Mr. Coe was a curator of the Peabody Museum of Natural History and was especially proud of an exhibition he curated on the history of fly-fishing. He shared a passion for the sport with his sons, and they traveled the world together, fly rods in hand.
Mr. Coe’s research interests were wide. He excavated sites in Guatemala and Veracruz, Mexico, unearthing Olmec colossal stone heads and other monuments that illuminated the earliest cultures of Mesoamerica. His efforts helped date the Olmec civilization back nearly 3,000 years, much earlier than believed at the time. His work led to the authentication of the Grolier Codex, a bark- paper document considered one of only four surviving Maya manuscripts and the oldest document in the Americas. After he and his wife bought a farm in Massachusetts, Mr. Coe turned his excavating interests to a nearby French and Indian War fort. Mr. Coe wrote 18 books, covering topics such as Mexico and the Maya, ancient Khmer civilization, and his own life and career. After his wife, a food historian, was diagnosed with cancer, Mr. Coe completed the book she had started, The True History of Chocolate. He was writing and communicating with colleagues up to the day he entered the hospital.
Mr. Coe was predeceased by his wife, Sophie Coe. He is survived by three sons, Nicholas Coe, Andrew Coe, and Peter Coe ’82; two daughters, Sarah Coe and Natalie Coe; and six grandchildren. His brother, William Robertson Coe II ’45, and uncles, Robert Douglas Coe (Form of 1919) and Henry Huttleston Rogers Coe (Form of 1927), were also SPS alumni.
1947 John Kaul Greene
A generous benefactor with a kind heart, gentle sense of humor, and distinct wisdom, who had a keen interest in making the world a better place, died peacefully in his sleep on September 4, 2019. He was 89. Mr. Greene was born in Birmingham, Ala., on October 10, 1929, the son of Samuel and Virginia Greene. He attended Birmingham University School prior to enrolling at St. Paul’s as an energetic 13-year-old Third Former in the fall of 1943. He made an immediate mark on the School. While his mother was meeting with Rector Norman Nash, the young Mr. Greene wandered the meadow, where he found a snake, picked it up, and brought it into the Rectory, much to the dismay of his mother. In his time at SPS, Mr. Greene played football for Old Hundred and rowed with Shattuck. He served as president of the Library Association, as an acolyte and chapel warden, as an officer of the Scientific Association, and as a member of the Radio Club. He was also a supervisor in Flanders.
Mr. Greene attended Yale, graduating in 1951 with a B.S. in industrial administration. After Yale, he joined the U.S. Marines, where he served as a Second Lieutenant, and was eventually recruited by the U.S. Clandestine Irregular Warfare Operation. He was stationed in Alaska for two years in that role. On March 2, 1957, Mr. Greene married Jean McBride. The couple began life together in San Francisco, where Mr. Greene worked at IBM. In 1958, IBM appointed him to manage its European division in Paris, where the couple lived for four years. William McCormick Blair then recruited Mr. Greene to lead his company’s European business, thus beginning Mr. Greene’s 42-year career with William Blair & Company. In 1962, the family settled in Lake Forest, Ill., and it was there that John and Jean raised three children, Paul, Valerie, and John ’85.
Over the years, Mr. Greene more than made up for the overly energetic moment that launched his SPS affiliation through generous service and giving to the School. He twice served on the SPS Board of Trustees (1974-78 and 2001-05), was a longtime regional representative (1973-2012), and donated to many SPS funds, including those for the Astronomy Center, the Hockey Center, the Athletic and Fitness Center, and a laboratory addition to Payson Science Center, among others. He also gave back on an annual basis to the place that became a second home for him during World War II and was a member of the John Hargate Society at SPS, having accounted for the School in his estate planning. In 2006, Mr. Greene established what would eventually become his most enduring legacy of support for St. Paul’s School, the John Kaul Greene Scholarship Program for qualified students from Alabama. Since its first scholar arrived in the fall of 2007, the Greene Scholarship has awarded full three- or four-year tuition and fees to its scholars. Mr. Greene endowed the scholarship to honor his experience at the School and to provide other Alabama natives with similar academic opportunities. The scholarship is designed to ensure a complete student experience and thus provides additional financial assistance toward travel to and from St. Paul’s, the purchase of a computer, and fees related to the college application process.
His initial plan was to endow a scholarship to take effect after his death, but Mr. Greene soon became interested in participating in the implementation of the program, with the idea of meeting some of the young people he would be sponsoring at St. Paul’s. “I went ahead and contributed the funds to cover the first two students,” Mr. Greene said in a 2007 interview. “I figured let’s get this going while I’m here and have an opportunity to be part of choosing a group of Alabama trustees and to get to know some of the students.” Through the Greene Scholarship, Mr. Greene became a beloved mentor and friend to those who served with him on the scholarship board and to the students who benefited from his generosity. In addition to St. Paul’s, Mr. Greene served on numerous boards throughout his career. They include the Chicago Botanic Garden (54 years), Vulcan Materials Company (26 years), Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center (20 years), Kaul Land Company (20 years), The Hugh Kaul Foundation (20 years), and the Illinois Children’s Home & Aid Society (15 years). To honor his enduring and enthusiastic support as one of the longest-serving members of the Chicago Horticultural Society board of directors, Mr. Greene was awarded the 2018 Chicago Horticultural Society Medal. He also served for a time as president of the board at Lake Forest Country Day School in Illinois.
Mr. Greene maintained a long list of personal interests and hobbies outside of his work, including skiing, hunting, fishing, beekeeping, golf, and tennis. He will be remembered for his wide-ranging intellect, gentle sense of humor, and a unique wisdom that changed many lives for the better.
John Greene is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jean; his son, Paul; daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Mark Flynn; son and daughter-in-law, John ’85 and Katey Greene; three granddaughters, Casey, Heather, and Alex Flynn; and two grandsons, John Greene, Jr. and Kyle Greene.
1949 Henry Hilliard Armstrong
A contemplative, kind, smart, independent thinker – and a true gentleman, died, surrounded by his family, on August 14, 2019, in Muskoka Lake, Ontario. He was 88 years old. Mr. Armstrong was born on November 23, 1930, the son of Charles and Mary Armstrong. He grew up in Lancaster, Pa., and attended North Country School and The Fessenden School, before enrolling at St. Paul’s School as a Third Former in the fall of 1945. His brother, Thomas Armstrong ’45, was a student at SPS at the time. Several cousins also attended the School.
At SPS, Mr. Armstrong played hockey, baseball, and football for Isthmian, served as president of Isthmian and of the Athletic Association, and co-captained the SPS football team. He also served as a supervisor in a Lower School dormitory. He was described as conscientious and friendly, a young man whose “honesty and integrity are irreproachable.” He earned his B.A from Yale in 1953 and an LL.D. from the University of Pittsburgh Law School in 1958. Mr. Armstrong also was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve. On February 6, 1954, Mr. Armstrong married Frances “Nancy” McKay. They settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., the same year. Together the couple raised four children, James, Mimi ’75, Betsy ’77, and Megan. Mr. Armstrong enjoyed a long and successful career as an investment advisor. After college, he joined the Armstrong Cork Company (now Armstrong World Industries), a company founded by his great-grandfather, Thomas Morton Armstrong. He then joined Union National Bank of Pittsburgh, where he began the foundation of his career as an investment advisor. From there, he went to Chaplin McGuinness and Co. in 1967, where he stayed until 1973 as a vice president and director. In 1973, he founded Knowles & Armstrong, a registered investment advisor, with the late Albert Knowles. A decade later, in 1983, he founded Henry Armstrong Associates, a firm now run by his son.
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong traveled extensively, and he tried to incorporate fishing when possible. A gifted and passionate angler, Mr. Armstrong traveled the globe in search of the best fishing spots, not so much for the biggest fish, but for the solitude and beauty he found in those places. For 50 years, he fished all over the world with a tight-knit band of Yale friends. They fished the Whale river in Northern Quebec, the Mirimichi and Grand Cascapedia in New Brunswick, the Ponoy in Russia, the Laxá and Langa in Iceland, and the Dee in Scotland. But his home stream was the Rolling Rock trout stream in the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania, where Mr. Armstrong knew every inch and every pool. He stopped bringing trout home for dinner 40 years ago, explaining, “These fish are my friends.” An enthusiastic and expert botanist and gardener, Mr. Armstrong transformed outdoor spaces into lush oases. He was an environmentalist long before that label existed. His children remember him in his after-work landscaping “uniform” of work boots, gardening pants, and flannel shirts, and he was never without his wide-brimmed hat. It was a wonderful place to spend time with him as he described the various plants and animals. He was unpretentious, humble, and funny, and that humor was intact until the end. He embodied the philosophy that a person is defined not by a name or a family history, but by the love you give and the passions you pursue.
Henry Armstrong is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy; his son, James M. Armstrong; his daughters Mary Armstrong “Mimi” deGruy ’75, Elizabeth “Betsy” Armstrong ’77, and Megan Armstrong and their families; four grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.
1949 Charles Sprague Boit
A man known for his humor, generosity, and trusted opinion, died on August 28, 2019, after a brief illness. The Jamaica Plain, Mass., resident was 88 years old. Mr. Boit was born on April 4, 1931, in Brookline, Mass., to John E. and Marion S. Boit. He attended Runkle School in Brookline before enrolling at St. Paul’s School as a Second Former in the fall of 1944. While at SPS, he was a member of the Library Association and sang in the Choir. Mr. Boit’s time at SPS left a lasting impression on him. He recounted in his 50th Anniversary alumni profile that both the School’s location and coursework helped shape him into the man he would become. “It gave me a kind of worthwhile road map for ethics, work habit, independence and personal discipline,” he wrote, “on top of what my parents gave me.”
Mr. Boit enrolled at Harvard and graduated in 1953 with a B.A. in international relations. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after college, serving in Korea as a Sergeant First Class until he was honorably discharged. After returning home, he attended Harvard Business School, where he graduated in 1957 with a master’s in finance. Mr. Boit began his career in finance at Worcester County National Bank before joining Scudder, Stevens & Clark, an investment firm where he spent the rest of his career in the private investment counsel group. He was well respected among his peers, who remembered him for his candor and solid judgment. In his free time, Mr. Boit enjoyed being outdoors. He and his wife, Nancy, were active boaters, spending time at her home in Marion, Mass. An avid fly-fisherman, he traveled to Iceland once a year for two decades for an annual salmon fishing trip. He maintained his independence for most of his life, spending the weekends outdoors, tending to his yard. Mr. Boit remained engaged with the communities of which he was a part throughout the course of his life. He served as a trustee and treasurer of the New England Aquarium. He also served on the Simmons College board of trustees for three decades. He remained involved with Harvard as well, organizing class reunions over the years.
Mr. Boit is survived his three sons and their spouses, Christopher and Kate, Peter and Jenny, and David and Aria; two step- daughters, Cynthia and Wendy; his sister, Eleanor; his identical twin brother, Robert Boit ’49, and his wife, Bundy; and eight grandchildren.
1949 Ethelbert Holland “Holly” Low
A magician so talented Orson Welles once tried to hire him, died September 3, 2019, in Longmeadow, Mass. He was 89. Mr. Low was born in New York City on January 18, 1930, to Ethelbert Herrick Low and Mary (Holland Ford) Low of the Form of 1925. He enrolled at St. Paul’s School as a Second Former in 1943 from Allen Stevenson School in New York City. His grandfather, Ethelbert I. Low, was a member of the Form of 1898. His family said academics did not come easily to Mr. Low and attributed his success to his perseverance. It was a trait Mr. Low noted in his application to St. Paul’s when asked to name his most significant experience. He chose the year he was awarded the Silver Cup at Allen Stevenson for showing the greatest improvement in academic work.
While at St. Paul’s, Mr. Low played Delphian football and basketball, rowed with Shattuck, was a member of the Missionary Society and the Acolyte’s Guild, and wrote for The Pelican. Mr. Low earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1953, where he was a four-year letter-winner in swimming. He urged St. Paul’s to begin a competitive swim team throughout his life. Mr. Low served in the National Guard until 1957, when he was honorably discharged.
He began his long career in network news as a page at NBC in New York. His roles within NBC would eventually lead him to become a national sales manager at the network’s Springfield, Mass., affiliate. When he retired, he was the vice president of national sales. In his application to St. Paul’s, Mr. Low named fishing and magic as two of his hobbies. They remained so throughout his life. He was a professional magician and an avid fly-fisherman. He never passed up an opportunity to do a magic trick and loved traveling to Canada to fly-fish at The Tabisentac Salmon Club. But he did pass on an offer from Orson Welles to take his magic skills on the road for world tour. Mr. Low loved the idea, but his grandmother did not. He did perform on television once, on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour, when the scheduled performer called in sick. Mr. Low was a member of the National Brotherhood of Magicians, Holland Lodge, The Union Club of NYC, and Ducks Unlimited, which his father helped found. He also was the chairman of the Railroad Passenger Committee in Springfield, Mass., and served as chairman and vice chairman of the Republican Town Committee in Belchertown, Mass.
Mr. Low is survived by his wife, Marilyn Crane Low; his son, Charles Low; his daughters, Elizabeth Low Cash and Lollie Low Mathews; and three grandchildren. The family arranged to have the St. Paul’s School Hymn, “Love Divine,” played at Mr. Low’s memorial service.
1955 Philip Milledoler Brett III
died on October 3, 2019, in Manchester, Vt. He was 82. Mr. Brett was born on August 7, 1937, to Elizabeth W. Haskell and Philip M. Brett, Jr. of the Form of 1928. He grew up in Manhattan. He entered St. Paul’s as a Third Former in the fall of 1951 from The Buckley School in New York, where his painting talents were already recognized. He was president of the Art Club at St. Paul’s, and one teacher saw more than only artistic potential in Mr. Brett. “Because of his artistic talents and sensitivity to life, [Phil] will make a contribution to the life of any college he attends.”
Mr. Brett maintained a passion for painting all his life. Other interests included fly- fishing and golf. At SPS, Mr. Brett was a member of Librarian Association, the Cadmean Literary Society, the Missionary Society, and Le Cercle Français. He played football, baseball, and golf with Isthmian. He earned a B.A. in architecture from Yale in 1959. Upon graduation, Mr. Brett served in Germany with Army Intelligence from 1959 to 1961. He then moved to Paris and studied at Ecole de Beaux Arts. Mr. Brett worked in decorative upholstery fabric and wallpaper at Stoheim & Roman and Greeff Fabrics Inc. in New York, where he was vice president of design.
Mr. Brett is survived by his wife, Anne Alexandre Brett; two sons, Peter Milledoler Brett and James Lenox Brett; and two grandsons.
1955 Horace Hills “Hod” Irvine II
A man remembered as a successful electronics industry leader and lover of the arts and outdoors, died peacefully at his home in White Bear Lake, Minn., on October 14, 2019. He was 82. Born on June 1, 1937, Mr. Irvine was the son of Thomas and Sally Irvine. He grew up in St. Paul, Minn. He attended St. Paul Academy in his hometown, before enrolling at St. Paul’s School as a Third Former in the fall of 1951. After the sudden passing of his beloved father, Mr. Irvine withdrew from SPS in 1953 to be with his family. Though his time at SPS was short, the experience was formative, and he remained an avid supporter of the School over the years. Mr. Irvine went on to attend Princeton, earning his B.A. in 1959. Six years later, he moved to Boston to attend a master’s program at Harvard. His career took off in 1966, when he started the Hadco Corporation. Through his insight and leadership, the company became the largest printed circuit board company in the U.S. and became a pioneer in the electronics industry.
A longtime supporter of the arts, Mr. Irvine served on various boards throughout his life in both Boston and Minnesota, including the Boston Lyric Opera, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, the National Opera Institute, The Minnesota Opera, The American Repertory Theatre, and Opera America. In his free time, Mr. Irvine was an avid sailor, skier, golfer, and tennis player. He loved his family immensely and will be remembered for his spontaneous and infectious laughter. Mr. Irvine was married three times, to Sandra, Andrea, and Cassandra. Those who knew him best will remember Mr. Irvine for his optimism, drive, intelligence, and zest for life, even when dealing with significant health challenges. His assistant and caregiver of nearly 12 years, Hood Kanaabi, is credited as an empowering force for Mr. Irvine during their time together.
Mr. Irvine is survived by his sister, Jill Crow; his brother, Bill Irvine; his children, Hod Irvine III and his wife, Cynthia, Julia Madore, Kathryn Playa, Kevin Irvine, John Irvine, Cate Irvine, Andrew Irvine and his wife, Linda, and Molly Irvine; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his lifelong friend, Anne Wooliever, with whom he spent his later years. He was predeceased by two brothers, Tom Irvine and Jock Irvine.
1956 Russell Burrage Clark
A man who refused to accept that one day held only 24 hours, who always wanted to squeeze one last activity or chore into a day, died peacefully, at 81, at his home in Hamilton, Mass., on November 2, 2019. After several months of battling with kidney and heart conditions, he achieved his goal of returning to his family home on Bridge Street, where he was surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Mr. Clark was born in Boston on Decem- ber 3, 1937, one of nine children of Forrester Andrew Clark and Katharine Burrage Clark. He was raised along with five sisters and three brothers. In his early formative years, the family moved frequently, following the elder Mr. Clark as he was transferred between bases in the U.S. Army. This resulted in Mr. Clark and his siblings experiencing a strong appreciation for scarce resources, which played an important part in his later efforts of land conservation and preservation.
Prior to enrolling at St. Paul’s School in the fall of 1951, Mr. Clark attended Shore Country Day School in Beverly, Mass. At SPS, he was a member of the Acolyte’s Guild, the Missionary Society, La Junta, and the Outing Club. He played football and hockey for Isthmian, was an alpine skier, and rowed with Halcyon. He was appreciated for his strong work ethic and easygoing demeanor and was well-liked by his teachers and peers. Mr. Clark finished his formal education at Harvard in 1961. According to his family, his favorite learning occurred outside the classroom, where he spent a lifetime in pursuit of his passions. In his early twenties, Mr. Clark survived a polo accident, after which the doctors told him he would never walk again. He recovered from that incident – and multiple others along the way – and liked to claim he had broken every bone in his body. On November 16, 1963, Mr. Clark married Romalda Berkeley Whiton, a decision he maintained to be the best of his life. Together the couple raised three children. In more recent years, Mr. Clark’s favorite activity was spending time with the next generation, his six grandchildren. He delighted in family gatherings and loved to share his passions with them.
Whether searching for a new species of orchid, building up a well-rounded pack of hounds, or trying to figure out modern technology, he was always eagerly looking forward and engaging the world. While chainsaws and brush fires kept him fit, planting trees is where he made his greatest contribu- tions. His foresight and dedication resulted in numerous vistas that present and future generations will continue to enjoy. What truly defined Mr. Clark was his huge heart and kindness. A day spent with a friend, making a new friend, or helping a friend was a day worth living. He went out of his way to welcome anyone into his fold and challenged them to try to keep up with him; many tried, few succeeded. He made friends wherever he went and was often found spreading good cheer and an ample serving of his world renowned “Lighthouse” cocktail. Professionally, Mr. Clark worked for the family research investment advisory firm of H.C. Wainwright, becoming a managing director and executive committee member. For the first dozen years, Mr. Clark had the pleasure of opening trade with Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand, before taking charge of European ventures for the next 20 years.
He was particularly focused on horses, hounds, and horticulture. One of his proudest accomplishments was being awarded the Hunnewell Medal for a perfectly realized landscape, which he and his wife created at their home. He served as president of The Mass. Horticulture Society and was on the board of The American Horticulture Society and the American Orchid Society. He was the Master of Foxhounds as N.E. district representative, board member and president of the Foxhound Club of America, honorary life trustee of the U.S. Equestrian Team, American ambassador to the European Council of Hunting with Hounds, and chairman of the U.S. chapter of the British Field Sport Society and their Countryside Alliance. He hunted with more than 100 packs around the world, was Master of Foxhounds and Amateur Huntsman of The Myopia Hunt for 20 years, and was made lifetime Honorary M.F.H. for the sport. Mr. Clark also was deeply involved with multiple charities, including board seats at Beverly Hospital, Pingree School, Mass. Audubon Society, Essex County Greenbelt, Essex County Trail Association, Hamilton Conservation Commission, Boys Club of Boston, and Boys Camps, Inc.
Mr. Clark leaves his wife of 56 years, Romalda Whiton Clark; his children, Russell B. Clark, Jr., Romalda Clark Blanchard, and Laura Clark Heard ’89 and their spouses; his grandchildren, Paxton and Grayson Blanchard, Raphael, Angus, and Luka Clark, and Cameron Heard; his brothers, Forrester A. “Tim” Clark ’53, Christopher T. Clark ’58, and Robert L. Clark ’61; his sisters, Nina Jennings, Katharine Sachs, Elizabeth Clark, and Leslie Greer; and many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Lysa Rowe.
1957 John Butler Prizer, Jr.
A man of great intellect, who spent his career in film production, died on November 25, 2019. He was 80. Mr. Prizer was born in Philadelphia on October 24, 1939, the son of Charlotte Upton Darling Prizer and John Butler Prizer. He attended Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, before enrolling at St. Paul’s School as a Third Former in the fall of 1953. At SPS, Mr. Prizer was a member of the Library Association, the Acolyte’s Guild, the Cadmean/Concordian Society, Le Cercle Français, and the Cum Laude Society. He served as business manager for The Pelican, sang in the Choir and Glee Club, ran cross country, and played squash and tennis for Isthmian. He graduated magna cum laude and earned the French Consulate Prize.
He went on to earn his A.B. in fine arts from Harvard, graduating with the Class of 1963. At Harvard, Mr. Prizer was a member of the Signet Society and Ivy Films. He moved to Los Angeles in 1965, where he enjoyed a long career in publishing and TV and film production. In the 1970s, Mr. Prizer earned producer credits on a number of projects, including Deadhead Miles (1972), Les Loubardes (1975), and Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980). He worked in production and development in feature films and television for Paramount, MGM, United Artists, and CBS, among others, including projects starring Elvis Presley, Jack Lemmon, and Natalie Wood. From 1986 to 1992, he served as an editorial and production manager and content writer for Trine Productions. Mr. Prizer was the associate publisher and operations manager for Twin Circle Publishing from 1992 to 1995, where he managed three religious print publications. He returned to Trine from 1996 to 2002, where he focused on TV documentary film production, op-ed writ- ing, and media analysis. From 2002 to 2014, Mr. Prizer lived in Washington, D.C., where he was the vice president for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. He became managing partner of Vivre Sa Vie Productions in 2014.
Mr. Prizer was known as serious and studious, but also developed an early interest in theater. His younger sister, Charlotte, recalls her brother directing her and their cousin in sketches created by Mr. Prizer. He developed many interests throughout his life, including sports, music, reading, history, art, and film. He enjoyed a good discussion about politics or film production. In October 2018, Mr. Prizer moved to Evanston, Ill., after four years in Cape May County, N.J. He will be remembered as a fine role model with a great intellect.
He is survived by his sister, Charlotte Prizer Nacher, and brother-in-law, Jean Pierre Nacher; six nephews; and many cousins and friends.
1961 Marshall P. Bartlett
A man known for kindness, who was highly respected by all who knew him, died at his home in New Vernon, N.J., on September 11, 2019. He was 76 years old. Mr. Bartlett was born on June 6, 1943, in New York City to Edmund and Margaret Bartlett. Growing up in Oyster Bay, N.Y., he attended East Woods School before enrolling at St. Paul’s School as a Third Former in the fall of 1957. While at SPS, he was a member of the Cadmean/Concordian Literary Society, the Classics Society, the Cum Laude Society and the Shavian Society. He also was a member of the Student Council, serving as president of his class. He rowed with Halcyon and played hockey and soccer.
Mr. Bartlett attended Princeton, where he earned his B.A. in 1965. He went on to earn a law degree from Harvard in 1969 and began his law career in the tax group at Sullivan and Cromwell. In 1977, Mr. Bartlett joined Satterlee & Stevens, becoming a partner in 1978. He later worked for the Exxon Corporation, where he served as the general tax counsel of Exxon Company International for more than two decades. Retirement inspired new civic, educational, and philanthropic interests for Mr. Bartlett. He served on various boards in Harding Township, N.J., including two terms as mayor. He was also a member of various community boards, including the Great Swamp Watershed Association and the Washington Association. He taught corporate tax courses and classes on U.S. taxation of foreign income as an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. A loyal alumnus of SPS, he established the Marshall P. Bartlett Fund for Faculty Development, donating thousands of dollars over the years to support faculty development at the School. Those who knew him best remember him as a devoted family man who loved his children and grandchildren immensely. He had a deep respect for all he knew, and earned others’ admiration quickly through his kindness and enormous smile.
Mr. Bartlett is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Margaret; his sons, John ’89 and Stephen ’93, and their spouses, Leigh and Mackenzie; his brother, Edmund Bartlett ’65, and his wife, Mary; and five grandchildren.
1961 Francis Wetherill “Mark” Mercer
A man who will be remembered for his intellect and quiet demeanor, died on September 16, 2019, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 75. Mr. Mercer was born on December 4, 1943, in Omaha, Neb., to Samuel Mercer and Agnes Clark. After attending local schools, he enrolled at St. Paul’s School as a Third Former in the fall of 1957. He was an active member of the Art Association. He went on to graduate from Harvard in 1965.
Art proved to be a driving force throughout much of Mr. Mercer’s life. After moving back to his hometown, Mr. Mercer became a beloved artist and icon in Omaha. Carrying on work begun by his father, one of his major successes was the development and preservation of the Old Market as a cultural destination and neighborhood. In 2010, Mr. Mercer and his father were inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame for their efforts to preserve the former wholesale produce center and repurposing its warehouse as shops, galleries, restaurants, apartments, and condos. Mr. Mercer served on the board of directors for the Omaha Downtown Improvement Board. He also was an avid supporter of his wife Vera’s artistic endeavors, notably her career as a photographer. The couple also undertook many culinary endeavors, including ownership of four restaurants in Omaha: La Buvette, V. Mertz, Boiler Room, and Le Bouillon.
Mr. Mercer is survived by his wife of 50 years, Vera; his cousin, Nicholas Bonham Carter; and numerous other friends and loved ones.
1962 Richard Erich “Tip” Schade
A professor of German studies, longtime faculty member of the Advanced Studies Program, and frequent contributor to Alumni Horae, who grew up on the campus of St. Paul’s School, died on December 6, 2019, at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was 75. Dr. Schade was born on March 12, 1944, to Gerhard and Louise (Grass) Schade. He grew up at SPS, where his father was a member of the faculty from 1936 to 1971. He enrolled as a Second Former in the fall of 1957. At SPS, Mr. Schade was an avid ice skater. He was a member of the Acolyte’s Guild and the Missionary Society, sang in the Choir and Glee Club, and competed in track, cross country, and hockey for Isthmian. He received a Dickey Prize in German.
He earned his undergraduate degree in German and philosophy from the University of New Hampshire in 1966 and his M.A. in German studies from UNH in 1968. Dr. Schade served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, working in counter-intelligence in Germany and South Vietnam. He received a Bronze Star and an Air Medal with V device. He earned his Ph.D. in German literature from Yale in 1976. From 1975 to 2015, Dr. Schade was a professor of German studies at the University of Cincinnati. He published books and articles on the interplay between graphic arts and literature, with a primary expertise in the literary culture of the early modern period and an additional expertise on Nobel Prize-winning author Günter Grass. He was the recipient of the University’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 1994, and influenced and mentored generations of students. He led the National Work-Study Program in Hamburg, helped found the International Co-op program and the UC Berlin program, and served on the Modern Language Association’s Executive Committee. He became a professor emeritus upon his retirement and continued to teach one course each semester at the University and at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Dr. Schade served as honorary consul of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1996 to 2012 and was a member of the Lessing Society (and editor of its scholarly journal on 18th century German culture) from 1975 to 2010. As honorary consul, he worked closely with the Jewish community and Holocaust survivors, helping them communicate with German authorities to obtain survivor compensation payments. In 2007, he was awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany – an honor his father had received in 1971. He was active in the German-American community of Cincinnati and often appeared with his harmonica at German-American events, ready to play Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and sing a version he’d written specific to the occasion. During the Cold War and after, he built a relationship with the Lessing Museum in Kamenz, then East Germany. Dr. Schade also was a member of the Cincinnati Council on World Affairs and past president of the Cincinnati Yale Club. He was an avid reader of Alumni Horae, and a frequent contributor to the book review section. Dr. Schade served as both form director and form agent for the Form of 1962 for many years. He was a 2007 recipient of the SPS Alumni Association Award, the School’s most distinguished honor for its graduates. He was a committed public servant, a practitioner of public diplomacy, and a man of honor. He had a physical, emotional, and intellectual energy that will be greatly missed.
Though he spent much of his time in Cincinnati, Dr. Schade enjoyed returning to New Hampshire in the summers, residing at his home on Sugar Hill in Hopkinton, N.H., where he celebrated his 75th birthday with friends and family last summer. For 31 years, from 1982 to 2013, Dr. Schade was a master teacher at the St. Paul’s School Advanced Studies Program, sharing his knowledge with rising N.H. high school seniors. He taught German for the first 16 years and The Quest for the final 16. He and his late wife, Heike, were fixtures on campus every June and July. The Schades met in Germany, while Dr. Schade was on an exchange program through UNH in the late 1960s. They married in 1972 and settled in Cincinnati, where they raised their two daughters. The family often traveled to Germany for extended stays. Richard and Heike also explored Sweden, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic. Together they loved to hike, kayak, swim, and walk in the woods. Ever the scholar, Dr. Schade was involved in many events over the years to create awareness of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In his final months, he was busy organizing a city-wide commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the wall’s demise, one that included an exhibit of photos he took in Germany in 1989. In November of that year, he rented a hammer and cold chisel from a vendor to participate in the dismantling of the wall. In 2009, Dr. Schade procured a segment of the fallen wall for installation at Cincinnati’s Underground Railroad Freedom Center. In 2014, he wrote in Alumni Horae of his ex- perience bringing college students to visit the wall through the University of Cincinnati’s Berlin study experience, guiding them into East Berlin and waiting for them to return through Checkpoint Charlie.
Richard Schade was predeceased on January 8, 2016, by his first wife, Heike, whom he cared for with great dedication through her six-year illness. To his great joy in the last years of his life, he met and married Julia Malkin. They enjoyed hiking, going to the symphony and art museums, and exploring new horizons together. She survives him, as do his daughters, Silke Schade and Kristin Annen; step-daughters Emily and Elizabeth Malkin; four grandchildren and one step- granddaughter; his sisters, Inge Eddy and Lucy Jackson; his brother, Gerhard Schade ’52; and many other family members and friends.
1963 John Edward Groman
Whose pioneer marketing work created the first frequent flyer programs, died August 24, 2019, following multiple illnesses. He was 74. Mr. Groman was born in New Britain, Conn., on May 24, 1945, to Walter Edward and Mary Kathleen (Zelek) Groman. He entered St. Paul’s as a Second Former in the fall of 1958, where his brother, Walter J. Groman ’57, had also attended. Mr. Groman sang with the Choir and played football, squash, and baseball. He was a member of the Missionary Society, Scientific Association, Winant Society, and the Food Committee. His family said he was rumored to have held the School’s record for highest number of demerits for his antics.
Mr. Groman graduated from Yale in 1967 and from Harvard Business School in 1969 as a Baker Scholar. That same year, Mr. Groman and three of his Harvard classmates co-founded Fraternal Systems, Inc., later renamed Epsilon Data Management, which developed and managed sophisticated database communication systems for fraternities, academic institutions, nonprofits, membership groups, religious and political organizations, and for-profit corporations. In addition to creating frequent flyer programs, Epsilon helped a number of televangelists, including Jerry Falwell, Oral Roberts, and Jim Bakker, use direct marketing to increase their fundraising by millions of dollars. Mr. Groman went on to co-found a number of businesses, including Bella Santé, a collection of highly successful luxury day and medical spas in the Boston area. He was a highly sought-after speaker for his cut-to-the-chase intuitive understanding of direct marketing. He instinctively knew how to motivate donors and supporters by aiming for the soul. Mr. Groman always credited his successful career to the excellent education he had received. Mr. Groman said the St. Paul’s impact on his life had been “dramatic.” He once wrote, “I was full scholarship, poor white affirmative action of the late 50s with my brother, Walt. Changed my life.” He served the School for many years as a form agent and form director. Mr. Groman’s family said he had two drives; to make money to improve his family’s life and then to give money away to improve the lives of others.
After his passing, Mr. Groman’s friends and colleagues described him as a study in contrasts – a genius, provocative, inspirational, irascible, ambitious, loyal, driven, loving, generous, opinionated, supportive, brusque, intense, and somewhat frightening. One friend said if Mr. Groman were an animal, he’d be an armadillo, hard outer crust and soft on the inside. A former Epsilon executive said of Mr. Groman, “When I first met him in my 20s, it was hard not to be intimidated by him. He was so freaking smart – among the handful of smartest people I have ever met – and totally fearless in his opinions. Just sitting in a meeting with him felt like a creative master class.”
Mr. Groman is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cara Finnegan; his daughter, Madeline Groman Richard, and her husband, Shawn; his son, Andrew Groman, and his wife, Hadley; three grandchildren, Henry, Amelia, and Charlie; and two brothers Walter J. Groman ’57 and David Groman. In addition to his parents, Mr. Groman was predeceased by his sister, Janice.
1963 Alan M. M. Irving
A man who will be remembered for his kind and loving personality, died on January 28, 2019, at Maine Medical Center. He was 73. Born on May 20, 1945 to Malcolm D. W. and Roberta R. C. Irving, Mr. Irving spent the first years of his life in London. After World War II, the Irving family moved to Connecticut to be closer to family. After attending local schools, Mr. Irving enrolled at St. Paul’s School as a Third Former in the fall of 1959. He was a member of the Acolyte’s Guild, the John Winant Society, and Missionary Society, sang in the Glee Club, and wrote for The Pelican. Mr. Irving competed with Old Hundred in hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. Mr. Irving went on to attend Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., graduating in 1967 with a B.A. in international politics. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a First Lieutenant in transportation during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged.
Mr. Irving spent his career working in financial services in the coal mining industry. His job took him to five of the seven continents, and he spent most of his time in Kazakhstan, Russia, and the Far East. One of the projects he was most proud of was The Coal Project at one of the world’s largest open pit coal mines in Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan. Outside of his work excursions, Mr. Irving enjoyed traveling for pleasure. He particularly loved Bermuda and was an avid sailor. He enjoyed connecting with new people, especially through political discussions. Those who knew him best will also remember the copious amounts of English Plum Pudding he enjoyed during the holidays.
Mr. Irving is survived by his wife, Natalia Irving, with whom he lived happily for 20 years; his daughter, Elizabeth Meyer, and her husband, Stephen; his sons, Preston Irving, and his wife, Gretel, and Maxim Irving; his brother, Anthony Irving, and his wife, Debra; four grandchildren; and many cousins.
1963 Gordon Bernard Stull
A man known for his big heart and exceptional contributions to veterinary medicine, died on September 8, 2019, in his Egg Harbor City, N.J., home. He was 74. Dr. Stull was born on April 22, 1945, in Beverly, Mass., to Ashworth N. and Ann A. Stull. After preparing at Shore County Day School in his hometown, Dr. Stull enrolled at SPS in 1959. He was a member of La Junta and the Missionary Society, competed with Delphian in football and boxing, and rowed with Halcyon. Dr. Stull studied at Middlebury College, graduating in 1967 with a B.A. in social anthro- pology. He went on to attend veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania, earning his degree in 1971.
Dr. Stull’s passion for the welfare of animals shaped both his career and his personal life. He worked for more than 40 years in Southern New Jersey communities, providing low-cost veterinary care through his private practice, Vetco. He also volunteered countless hours at local animal shelters, wildlife centers, and with feral animal initiatives. He was a staunch advocate for animal welfare and rights. He served on the board of directors for the Association for Veterinarians for Animal Rights and was the founder of the Burlington County Cat Initiative. The latter organization played a vital role in shaping the model of trapping, neutering, and releasing feral cats. He also served as president of the Millennium Wildlife Sciences and as the project oversight advisor for the Black Bear Neutersol Project, which worked to develop an injectable sterilant for black bear population control. He also played a key role in animal-related legislation, helping to pass laws, including banning cat declaws in New Jersey and banning pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania. Dr. Stull was recognized in 2018 by the Tabernacle, N.J., Township for his 25 years of veterinary service. Those who knew him best will remember him for his contributions to animal welfare and veterinary science and for his adventurous, free-spirited nature.
Dr. Stull is survived by his longtime partner, Dr. Lori Nordt; his children, Dr. Jason Stull and Rachel Stull; four grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Blue. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Dr. Eric Stull ’66.
1964 Michael T. Johnson
A man who enabled everyone around him to enjoy shared experiences through his combination of grace and boisterous enthusiasm, died on September 8, 2019. He was 72 years old and a resident of Sagaponack, N.Y. Mr. Johnson was born in Dayton, Ohio, on October 7, 1946, to Albert T. and Barbara D. Johnson. He grew up in Roslyn, N.Y., on Long Island, attending The Greenvale School, before enrolling at St. Paul’s School as a Third Former in the fall of 1960. While at SPS, he was a three-season varsity athlete, playing soccer, hockey, and baseball. He was a member of the Library Association, the Athletic Association, and the Missionary Society. He served as a Prefect in his Sixth Form year. His time at the School left a lasting impact on Mr. Johnson. He often talked with his family fondly about his years at SPS.
As an undergraduate, Mr. Johnson attended Syracuse University, where he earned a B.A. in 1968. He went on to serve with the U.S. Navy at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Vietnam War, before pursuing a banking career with JP Morgan in New York City. He later went to work at the Bank of New York in East Hampton, N.Y., where he stayed until his retirement in 1995. Retirement brought extensive overseas travel, summers on the tennis courts at the Bridgehampton Club, searching for black ice in the winter, and lots of time with family and friends by the ocean.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his brother, Tracy Johnson ’59; his sister, Diane Wade; his sister-in-law, Jane Johnson; two nieces and their husbands, Jennifer and Michael Lannan and Leslie and Denis Kelly; two nephews, Timothy and Duncan Johnson; and two great-nieces, Lucy Lannan and Hope Kelly.
1968 Charles Jackson III
A man known for his love of farming, loyalty to others, and intelligence, died unexpectedly on August 27, 2019. He was 69. Mr. Jackson was born in Boston on August 16, 1950, to Charles and Mary Jackson. Growing up in Dover, Mass., Mr. Jackson attended the Dexter School in neighboring Brookline before enrolling in St. Paul’s School as a Second Former in the fall of 1963. He sang in the Choir and Glee Club and played in the Band. Mr. Jackson showcased his interests in politics and civil discourse as a member of the John Winant Society. He also was a member of the Rifle Club, played football and hockey with Isthmian, and rowed with Halcyon. Mr. Jackson went on to graduate from New York University and the Wentworth Institute of Technology. From there, he worked as a carpenter in Massachusetts and Maine for a number of years before moving to Woodstock, Vt., where he worked for F.W. Frizzell and Co.
In 1980, Mr. Jackson bought Echo Farm in North Pomfret, Vt., where he lived with his then-partner Alicia Jenks. Utilizing his carpentry skills, he was able to refurbish many buildings on the farm. He developed new skills for farming and raising cattle, while also sugaring with his neighbors during the spring. He was dedicated to his local community, serving as on the town’s volunteer fire department and selectman’s board. After 26 years at Echo Farm, Mr. Jackson moved to a new farm in West Haven, Vt., where the additional space allowed him to focus on humanely raising Red Angus cows. He continued sugaring with his new neighbors as well.
Mr. Jackson is remembered for his curiosity and love of learning. He was able to absorb and apply whatever information he read. Those who knew him applauded his carpentry skills and loved his dry wit. He is survived by his wife, Luenn Walker; five sisters, Rebecca Jackson, Sarah Jackson, Laura Jackson, Mary Jackson, and Deborah Jackson Weiss; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
1969 Selwyn L. “Chuck” Dallyn
A respected lawyer and professor, died suddenly in October. He was 67 years old. Mr. Dallyn was born on November 18, 1951, in Baton Rouge, La., the son of Margaret H. and Stewart L. Dallyn. After attending local schools, he enrolled at St. Paul’s School as a Second Former in the fall of 1964. At SPS, he played in the band and was a member of the Athletic Association and the Missionary Society. He competed for Delphian in football, lacrosse, and wrestling and rowed with Shattuck.
Mr. Dallyn went on to attend Graceland College, graduating in 1975. He then went on to attend the University of Iowa College of Law, earning his J.D. in 1978. Mr. Dallyn enjoyed a successful career in law, working first as an assistant attorney general in Iowa, where he prosecuted a spectrum of cases, from white collar crimes to violent felonies. He went on to serve as a special assistant U.S. attorney as a member of a joint federal/state task force that prosecuted violent felonies and hate crimes. He also worked as a managing attorney, helping to provide legal aid to lower-income residents in Iowa. In 1983, Mr. Dallyn joined the Arizona State University faculty as a professor for the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. He relished that opportunity to share his legal knowledge and expertise with students. During his time there, he supervised student attorneys working with low-income clients in state and federal courts. He also taught courses in lawyering and professional responsibility as well as evidence and trial advocacy.
Mr. Dallyn is survived by his two sons, John and Max Dallyn, and his former wife, Jennifer Might. He was predeceased by his parents.