their light lives on

Al, a minister who continued to serve after retirement, died Dec. 11, 2023.

A veteran of World War II, he attended Swarthmore before moving to Canada and earning his bachelor’s and master’s in history and his licentiate of theology at Bishop’s University as well as a Ph.D. in divinity at Notre Dame University. Al served at various churches, including in Millington, N.J., before retiring in 1993, although he continued to serve churches, including at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Bonita Springs, Fla.

Lucy, an editor and collector of political memorabilia, died Jan. 8, 2024.

She earned a bachelor’s in political science at Swarthmore and had a long career as an editor of children’s books, meeting such authors as Eleanor Estes, Elizabeth Enright, and Lucy Boston. Recollections of Lucy’s early life are archived at the Jewish Kentucky Oral History Project at the University of Kentucky Libraries. She attended political demonstrations into her 100s and immersed herself in reading fiction, history, and The New York Times (which she copyedited as she read).

Gretchen, a storyteller, died Sept. 30, 2023.

She earned her bachelor’s in psychology at Swarthmore where she received the Oak Leaf Award, was in the Hamburg Show, and served later on the Alumni Council and her class’s Reunion Committee. Gretchen, who also attended the University of California–Berkeley, was a retired independent storyteller.

Ginny, a librarian and volunteer, died Feb. 4, 2024.

She attended Swarthmore, leaving in 1944 to marry John M. Ogden ’43 who died shortly after D-Day, and remarried in 1947. Ginny, who also studied at West Chester University, served as head librarian at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, Vt., and after retirement, volunteered at the visitors’ booth on the Woodstock Green and at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church North Chapel and its church fair and other committees.

Keith, a businessman and Senior Class officer, died Dec. 27, 2023.

He attended the College where he was part of WSRN and a Senior Class officer. Keith retired as chairman of The Nut Kettle Inc.

Ann, a farmer and volunteer, died Feb. 19, 2024.

She earned her bachelor’s in economics at Swarthmore, and after her graduation, was an assistant to a Swarthmore economics professor and adviser on the Marshall Plan. She met husband Tom, with whom she had a family and settled in Vermont, where they raised cattle and sheep. She served as a director of the Vermont Beef Producers Association as well as holding other community volunteer positions. Ann received an honorary degree from the Vermont Law School in 2005 and was a trustee emerita of its board.

Dolly, a leading anthropologist of ancient Peru, died Feb. 5, 2024.

She earned her bachelor’s in literature with High Honors at Swarthmore and a Ph.D. in anthropology at University of California (UC)–Berkeley with a specialty in the ceramics of ancient Peru. Dorothy taught and did research at UC–Berkeley, before returning to New York to care for her parents. She worked more than 30 years for the environmental engineering firm Malcolm Pirnie (now Arcadis) in White Plains, N.Y.

Marshall, former Board of Managers member and former Class Secretary, died Dec. 29, 2023.

He earned his bachelor’s in economics at Swarthmore and worked in the financial sector with companies such as Schmidt, Roberts & Parke; W.H. Newbold’s; and Janney Montgomery Scott, retiring in 2000. Marshall served as chair of the College’s Alumni Association and on its Board of Managers; was an emeritus trustee of Agawam Council, which operates Camp Agawam for boys; and helped ensure the financial stability of Children’s Country Week Association. He and wife Cornelia “Kinnie” Clarke Schmidt ’46 were members of the Yardley Friends Meeting.

Barbara, a varsity athlete and mother, died March 6, 2023.

She earned a bachelor’s in English literature at Swarthmore, where she was a member of the varsity basketball, tennis, and swimming teams as well as playing junior varsity lacrosse. Divorced from the late Joseph S. Gary ’48, she had two children.

Paula, a homemaker who studied Latin, died Aug. 31, 2023.

She earned her bachelor’s in Latin with Honors at Swarthmore where she was a member of the orchestra. In addition to being a wife and mother of four, Paula studied education at Chicago State University and the University of Chicago.

Daniel, a professor who specialized in metallurgy, died Jan. 4, 2024.

He earned a bachelor’s in mathematics with Honors at Swarthmore, a master’s and Ph.D. in physics at the University of Illinois, and worked at Columbia University in applied physics and mathematics in the Henry Krumb School of Mines, specializing in metallurgy. In 2008, Daniel was awarded the Zener Medal by the International Conference on Internal Friction and Mechanical Spectroscopy. He was a member of the Unitarian Church of All Souls, played bridge, worked acrostic puzzles, and made horrible puns.

Edwin, a former member of the Board of Managers, died Nov. 13, 2023.

He earned a bachelor’s in economics at Swarthmore and joined Towers, Perrins, Forster & Crosby, working over his career as a consultant on employee benefits and executive compensation, vice president of the Midwest offices, and a director of the firm. After retiring, Edwin worked with New York City and Chicago and for the United Nations development committees. He served as president of the Winnetka (Ill.) PTA and on the Swarthmore Board of Managers for more than a decade.

Dick, a retired actuary, died Nov. 19, 2023.

He earned a bachelor’s in mathematics at Swarthmore where he was on the varsity baseball, football, and tennis teams as well as the Phoenix. Dick was a retired actuary from H.I.P. of N.Y.

John, a professor, singer, and whitewater canoeist, died Jan. 4, 2024.

He earned a bachelor’s in chemistry with Honors at Swarthmore and a master’s and Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard; was commissioned into the Army; joined the Boston University faculty; and spent three years with the National Science Foundation. In 1969, John was founding faculty of Hampshire College, retiring in 1994 as a full professor. He was a member of the Valley Light Opera and sang with the Berkshire Choral Festival.

Pel, an engineer and father, died Aug. 11, 2022.

He earned a bachelor’s in engineering at Swarthmore and a master’s in physics at Drexel University, and with his late wife, Elaine Kite Lynah ’48, had two children. Pel was an engineer and retired director with P. Hoffman Co.

Peter, a businessman and Greek Orthodox archon, died March 8, 2024.

He attended Swarthmore and the Stevens Institute of Technology and had a career at Nabisco, including as president of its European Research and Development Center in Château-Thierry, France. Peter served on the board of Atlantic Bank and was president of the Board of Trustees of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church as well as chair of its school board. He also was an archon of the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Nancy, who became a Swiss citizen in 2015 and raised Bernese mountain dogs, died Jan. 28, 2024.

She earned her bachelor’s in English literature at Swarthmore and received her teaching credentials from Vassar College, operating the Hobby Horse Nursery School from 1961 to 2006. Nancy and husband Bill were instrumental in Urban Promise, a Christian-based charter school in Camden, N.J., and were honored with the Bill and Nancy Hall Scholarship Fund. She was a lifetime member of Riverton Yacht Club and fourth-generation member of The Porch Club nonprofit, among other organizations.

Bob, a railroad marketer with a lifelong love of trains, died Jan. 22, 2024.

He earned his bachelor’s in economics with Distinction at Swarthmore and an MBA at Harvard University, beginning his career in Baltimore with the old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad where he held positions in industrial engineering, marketing, and corporate planning. Bob was hired in 1972 as director of market research for the Southern Railway, which merged with the Norfolk & Western Railway, retiring in 1987. He worked with numerous Quaker committees, including the Hi-Qs at Stony Run Friends Meeting.

Cynthia, a fiber artist and textile museum advocate, died Jan. 5, 2024.

She attended the College and earned her bachelor’s in art at Sarah Lawrence College. Cynthia maintained a studio at the Torpedo Factory and was honored for her longtime advocacy of The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, where she served as a member of the Board of Trustees. Cynthia also sailed and photographed sailboat races for a local newspaper in Maine.

Mary Jean, an insightful reader and writer, died Feb. 13, 2024.

She earned her bachelor’s in English literature at Swarthmore, where she met husband Bob ’54, settling in Wayne, Ill., where they raised their family. Mary Jean volunteered with the Little Home Church By the Wayside as moderator, Sunday School teacher, and choir member; Girl Scout troop leader; PTA president; and Court Appointed Special Advocate. Her passion was her garden with multiple varieties of daylilies named for family members.

Diana, a volunteer and lover of the outdoors, died Jan. 24, 2024.

She earned her bachelor’s in political science at Swarthmore and studied education at Furman University and the University of Louisville. With husband Harry ’56, she raised four children and moved to seven cities over 20 years. Diana was a Girl Scout leader, a softball coach, and a member of several charitable and activist organizations. She also enjoyed hiking, gardening, tennis, sewing, and knitting. She made clothing for herself, her daughters, and her granddaughters.

Pete, a developer and father, died Sept. 16, 2022.

He earned his bachelor’s with High Honors in history at Swarthmore, where he was on the Phoenix; attended the University of Paris; and received a law degree from Harvard University. Pete, who was married with two children, was a builder and developer.

Priscilla, an emerita professor and psychiatrist, died March 5, 2024.

She earned her bachelor’s in biology at Swarthmore, where she was a member of the varsity archery and synchronized swimming teams and on her class’s Reunion Committee, and earned a medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. Priscilla was emerita associate professor of psychiatry at the Medical College of Georgia.

Barbara, a chartered life underwriter with a passion for justice, died Dec. 20, 2023.

She earned her bachelor’s in political science with Honors at Swarthmore and worked in East Africa, San Francisco, and India before settling in Austin, Texas, with her husband. Barbara later worked as a life insurance agent with Prudential Insurance Co., earning Chartered Life Underwriter designation. The couple moved to Blacksburg, Va., in 1998, near to her sister and brother-in-law with whom they often traveled to Europe.

Jane, a lover of museums, died Jan. 27, 2024.

She earned her bachelor’s in English literature at Swarthmore, a master’s in English at Harvard University, and a master’s in museum education at the Bank Street Graduate School of Education. Jane oversaw volunteer programs at institutions that included the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the American Museum of Natural History, among others. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Association of Volunteer Administrators, the national board of The Transition Network, and the Swarthmore Alumni Council.

Stephen, a labor lawyer, died Nov. 26, 2023.

He earned a bachelor’s in economics with High Honors at Swarthmore and a J.D. at Harvard University, spending his long career in labor law in Chicago, working for the National Labor Relations Board and the law firm Asher, Gittler & D’Alba, from which he retired. In retirement, Stephen was an arbitrator in a variety of legal cases. He was a lifelong fan of Chicago sports teams, loved helping people in need, was proud of his Judaism, and believed in and fought for justice.

Vera, a program director and former Class Secretary, died Nov. 27, 2023.

She earned her bachelor’s in history at Swarthmore, serving as Class Secretary for many years, and a master’s in history from Rutgers University, and was a retired program director at the Educational Testing Service. Vera was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Bay Head, N.J., the Bay Head Yacht Club, and the Seaweeders Garden Club of Bay Head and Mantoloking, and served on the Board of Directors of the Bay Head Historical Society.

Bill, who was born in Latvia and worked as a trust officer, died Dec. 16, 2023.

He and his family left Latvia during World War II and lived in Germany for several years before coming to the U.S. in 1948. Bill earned his bachelor’s in economics at Swarthmore and a law degree at Vanderbilt University. He worked as a trust officer and retired from Wells Fargo in 2003.

Marc, a physician-researcher and art collector, died March 11, 2024.

He earned a bachelor’s in biology with Honors at Swarthmore and a medical degree at Columbia University. After additional training at the National Institutes of Health and in London, Marc joined the faculty at Cornell University Medical College, serving 34 years as Irving S. Wright Professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology, studying how the immune system changes in aging. He and wife Babette ’58 enjoyed multiple sabbatical leaves in Paris, and he also lectured internationally until his 2014 retirement. He was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians.

Ted, an artist and acupuncturist, died Nov. 14, 2023.

He attended the College and earned his MFA from Yale University; inherited the Seal Company, which he eventually sold; and then traveled to explore topics such as predigital self-reliance, problem-solving, and strategic relocation. Ted followed and invested in macro and micro financial market trends, and studied herbal medicine and healing, becoming a licensed acupuncturist in Santa Fe, N.M., in 2005. His written observations became three books.

Carolyn, a writer who worked in diverse fields, died Feb. 1, 2024.

She earned a bachelor’s in English literature with Honors at Swarthmore and a master’s in education from Hunter College. Carolyn worked for Planned Parenthood, taught high school English, served in administration at City College of New York, and was a freelancer. She settled in North Adams, Mass., working at Edith Wharton’s home and writing for the Berkshire Eagle. In 2016, she joined the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and created its first cookbook in 2019.

Kate, a radiologist, died Dec. 4, 2023.

She earned her bachelor’s in art history with Distinction and Phi Beta Kappa at Swarthmore, an MFA in art history at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, and a medical degree at Columbia University. She was a retired radiologist, having been self-employed and a physician with Atlanta Radiology Consultants. At the College, she was a member of the Studio Art Group and received the Wilson Fellowship.

Alice, an economist who worked to end homelessness and racism, died March 10, 2024.

She earned a bachelor’s in political science with Honors at Swarthmore and a Ph.D. in economics at MIT. She taught at the college level, including at Syracuse University, where she helped establish a Transportation Institute, and Babson University, where she organized a national conference on famine in Africa. In 1987, Alice became executive director of WHEAT Community Services in Clinton, Mass. Also, she was part of the group that created a First Church Reparations Fund at First Church in Cambridge, UCC.

Joseph, a physician and inventor of a medical records program, died Dec. 19, 2023.

He earned his bachelor’s in biology at Swarthmore and a medical degree at Temple University, followed by a master’s in engineering at Drexel University. Joseph had a family practice in Mt. Airy, Md., for 52 years and invented the Alpha medical records program. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Germantown and was a medical missionary in a community near Port au-Prince, Haiti, in the late 1990s.

Eva, an economist and teacher, died Dec. 13, 2023.

She earned her bachelor’s in economics at Swarthmore where she met husband Martin ’66 and earned a master’s in economics from MIT, worked at the Rand Corp., and later became a math teacher and tutor. After the family moved to Guilford, Conn., Eva led the Urban-Suburban Exchange Program, retiring to Branford, Conn., where she volunteered with the Long Wharf Theater and delivered Meals on Wheels, along with playing clarinet in the town band.

Liz, who included historical relevance in her science teaching, died Jan. 17, 2024.

She earned a bachelor’s in chemistry at Swarthmore and taught science and math at Friends Select School in Philadelphia, Pa.; the Bishop’s School in La Jolla, Calif.; Milton Academy in Milton, Mass.; Stuart Hall School in Staunton, Mass.; and St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Va. Liz loved hiking, river rafting, sailing, and camping, which she continued even after a severe case of Guillain-Barre syndrome in 1983 partially paralyzed her legs and hands. She also was a member of the Charlottesville Friends Meeting.

John, a research technician and consultant, died March 3, 2024.

He attended the College and earned a bachelor’s at the University of California–Los Angeles. John was president of John Marshall Consulting and previously had been chief technical officer of Marshall Laboratories and vice president of research and development at Surface Solutions. While at the College, he was a member of the varsity soccer team and was a part of the Hamburg Show.

Ben, a librarian and union advocate, died Feb. 11, 2024.

He earned his bachelor’s in medieval studies at Swarthmore, a bachelor’s and master’s in English from the University of Oxford, and a master’s in library science at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. Before his 2023 retirement, Ben held several positions at the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library, including as assistant to the chief librarian for special projects. He was an advocate for the PSC and DC37 unions and was a member of Veterans for Peace, among other activities.

John, an attorney and mediator, died Dec. 14, 2023.

He attended the College, earned a bachelor’s at Stanford University and a law degree from Yale University, worked for 10 years representing children and parents in child welfare cases, and then had a divorce mediation law practice. John founded the divorce mediation program of Jewish Family Services in Baltimore and served terms as president of the Montgomery County Divorce Roundtable and the Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution. He was a lifelong proponent of LGBT equality.

Michelle, a retired physician, died Dec. 17, 2023.

She earned a bachelor’s in psychology at Swarthmore and her medical degree at the University of Southern California medical school; completed her residency for obstetrics and gynecology at Adventist Health Glendale; and worked for several years as a doctor, primarily at clinics serving lower-income women. After retiring from medicine, Michelle moved to Mammoth Lakes, Calif., where she enjoyed snowboarding and hiking, and had recently moved with partner Ray Gaffney to Portland, Ore.

Claire, a teacher and mentor, died Jan. 21, 2024.

She earned her bachelor’s in French at Swarthmore and a master’s at Columbia University, worked at Marymount and York Prep schools, and was associate head of school and head of the middle school at Nightingale-Bramford School. Married to Eric Pakurar ’97, Claire volunteered as a crisis counselor for the Crisis Text Line, ran two marathons, and loved Broadway musicals.

Louisa, a policy analyst and dancer, died Jan. 1, 2024.

She earned a bachelor’s in political science with High Honors and Phi Beta Kappa at Swarthmore, studying abroad in Mexico, and receiving the Holly Jo Stein Award for achievement in the Dance Program. Louisa, daughter of Glen Carman ’85 and partner of Vitor Leopoldo de Aguiar Dos Anjos ’21, joined the New Jersey Governor’s Office as an intern, soon becoming a full-time policy analyst. She continued dancing and exploring choreography and had submitted applications to law school, which she planned to begin in September.