Deaths

[A listing of deaths of which word has been receivedwithin the past month. Full notices may appear in thisissue or may appear in a later number.]

Coombs, Harry E. '92, Mar. 13 Holland, Bert E. '92, Mar. 31 Clough, William P. '05, Apr. 9 Conley, Walter A. '05, Mar. 28 Root, Raymond R. '05, Apr. 3 Williams, Howard C. '06, Mar. 4 Rowell, Frank F. '07, Aug. 28, 1957 Bourlet, Fred A. '11, Apr. 9 Cabot, Charles R. '12, Apr. 1 McEwan, George '18, Mar. 26 Stewart, Albert R. '19, Apr. 1 Tew, Arnold G. '19, Feb. 28 Eisaman, John H. '21, Feb. 28 Conrad, Edgar K. '24, Nov. 6, 1957 Shnayerson, Edward F. '24, Apr. 11 Salinger, Roger B. '27, Apr. 12 Isham, Willard '28, Mar. 22 Bowler, James F. '29, Jan. 1 Kelsey, John V. '41, Mar. 9 Miller, James S. '54, Apr. 6

1892

HARRY EUGENE COOMBS died on March 13 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. F. Spencer Tebbutt, 12 Fairview Road, Scarsdale, N.Y.

Born in Thetford, Vt., February 16, 1870, he attended Thetford Academy and graduated from Dartmouth in 1892. After teaching school for five years he entered Hartford Theological Seminary from which he graduated in 1903. For the next 32 years he served as Presbyterian pastor in New York state, in the towns of Peru, Brunswick, Albany, West Milton and Garfield. He retired in 1935, to make his home in Jonesville, N.Y.

On July 14, 1903 Mr. Coombs was married to Annie Leslie Vaughan of Thetford who survives him. Besides his daughter he is also survived by two sons, Frederick of Delmar, N.Y., and Earl H. of Warrensburg, N.Y. Frederick L. Coombs '83 was a brother.

BERT ELLSWORTH HOLLAND died at his home, 45 Aldworth St., Jamaica Plain, Mass., on March 31.

He was born in Wilmot, N.H., August 18, 1866, and graduated from Proctor Academy in 1888. He entered Dartmouth that fall, but left at the end of the winter term, to teach school to earn money to continue his college education. He did not return to Dartmouth, however, but continued teaching in schools in Bradford, Wilmot and Penacook, N.H., Springfield, Vt., and South Dennis, Mass., where he was principal of the high school for four years.

In 1896 Bert entered Boston University Law School where he received his LL.B. 1899, an LL.M. in 1913, and an honorary LL.D. in 1945. Admitted to the bar in 1899 he began practice in Boston. Since 1930 had been a partner with Whitefield W. Johnson in the firm of Holland and Johnson. In 1921 he was appointed special justice of West Roxbury Municipal court by Governor Cox and served until his retirement in 1956.

He was a trustee of Proctor Academy for twenty years- In '957 the new academy auditorium was named for Judge Holland. A rd degree Mason, he was a past president f the Boston University Law School Alumni Association, and a member of the New England Historical Genealogical Society and the Sons of the American Revolution. A former director of the Pioneer-Trimount Cooperative Bank and Jamaica Plain Cooperative Bank he was a trustee of the Boston Penny Savings Bank and director of James Sugden Co.

On July 27, 1907 Bert was married to Helen F. Chapman, who died some years ago. He is survived by a brother, W. Scott Holland of Penacook, N.H.

Although at Dartmouth only a short time, Bert was always very loyal to the College and to his class, which he served as secretary from 1952 to 1956.

1899

EDWARD GROUT BALDWIN died in Washington, D.C., on February 11 of a heart attack. He was buried in the Congressional Cemetery. Two children survive: Frederick George Baldwin of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and Marion (Mrs. Raymond H.) Tryon of Seattle, Wash.

Ned was born in Barton, Vt., July 9, 1876. His father was Frederick W. Baldwin, lawyer and state senator from Orleans County; his mother was Susan Grout Baldwin.

Ned prepared for college at Barton and St. Johnsbury Academies. In his first year at Dartmouth he was on both the class and varsity track teams. In order to earn money he spent weeks and months outside Hanover, coaching, teaching, cutting wood, farming, surveying.

For fifteen years after graduation Baldwin taught in high schools in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He took an active interest in school athletics. One especially successful position was as principal of Bradford Academy. A former pupil, Dr. Sanford B. Hooker '09, remembers him with admiration and affection. Besides teaching there was always much supplementary administrative work, and he was for a time deputy sheriff of Orleans County.

In 1903 Ned married Daisy A. Chase, who herself became a leading Vermont teacher. Regrettably, this marriage ended in divorce. The years after teaching, Baldwin spent outside Vermont. Once he was superintendent of grounds at the Aviation Supply Base in Little Rock, Ark. Later he was night secretary at the B. & M., Y.M.C.A. in Boston. Eventually he became a contractor in Washington. For some years he drifted out of sight of classmates and friends, but in recent years he has been in touch.

Ned was a genial soul, with considerable versatility. Perhaps his very versatility hindered him from focusing more successfully on some one major field of effort.

1905

WALTER ABBOTT CONLEY died of a heart ailment at the Morristown, N.J., Memorial Hospital on March 28. Funeral services were held at the Chapel of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown on March 31.

Walt was born in Portland, Me., October 10, 1882, the son of John Sanford and Adelaide (Taylor) Conley. His father was an oil merchant in Portland.

At Dartmouth, Walt was well known and well liked for his friendly cordiality, and was held in high esteem for his sterling character. He was a regular football fullback on a team that made history for Dartmouth. He was a member of Palaeopitus, Kappa Kappa Kappa and C. & G.

After graduation Walt received his C.E. degree from Thayer School in 1906. His career as an outstanding engineer included eighteen years with the American Bridge Company; then with J.B. French, consulting engineers, first as associate, later as partner; with Robinson and Steinnan; finally with McKiernan-Terry of Harrison, N.J.

In 1946 Walt retired. From then on, he spent most of his time on his beautiful 21acre estate in Washington Valley, near Morristown, N.J., where he took much pleasure in raising fine fruit, vegetables and flowers. He served for a time on the Board of Tax Assessors there. He was fond of travel and enjoyed spending many summers at Sebago Lake, Me.

In 1910 Walt married Ethel Blake of his native city. He is survived by Ethel and a son, W. Abbott Jr. '36 of Chatham, N.J., and a daughter, Mrs. Alexander P. Spence Jr., of Wilton, Conn., and four grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Arthur J. Conley '16.

Keenly loyal to Dartmouth, Walt was most regular in his attendance at class reunions and other Dartmouth affairs. His kindly presence will be greatly missed.

1906

HOWARD CHANDLER WILLIAMS was born in Elgin, Ill., on January 27, 1885 and died in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 4, 1958. His home was at 3071 Warrington Road.

Howard entered Dartmouth with our class but left in December because of illness. In September 1904 he entered the University of Illinois and graduated in 1908.

His first venture was in journalistic work in Omaha, then Columbus and finally New York City. Returning to Cleveland in 1910, he organized the Howard C. Williams Co., surety bonds and general insurance, and until his death was its president and treasurer.

He was a member of the Cleveland Athletic Club, Rotary, University Club, Canterbury Golf Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Howard was national secretary of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, 1914-1921; vice-president, 1924-1926; president, 1926-1928; and a trustee of the endowment fund.

In 1914 he married Anne G. Hackmann. Besides his wife he leaves three children, Robert H., Amherst '37; John H., Syracuse '40 and Anne L., Wellesley '46.

1913

FRED DAVIS HOVEY died on February 27 at "Whitman, Mass., after an illness of four weeks following a heart attack. He was born on October 20, 1890 in Whitman, son of Elizabeth B. (Grant) and Harry H. Hovey.

Fred prepared for Dartmouth at the Whitman High School. He was a member of Kappa Sigma and a charter member of the Outing Club. He left college at the end of his junior year.

He was associated with the Commonwealth Shoe and Leather Co. from 1912 to 1915 and then the R.H. Long Co., Framingham, Mass.

He married Mabel Rose Euber of Flushing, N.Y., on September 22, 1914. During World War I Fred was a civilian inspector of ordnance in several plants in New England. In 1919 he went with Curtis & Jones Co., Richland, Pa., manufacturers of children's shoes.

He returned to Whitman in the H.H. Hovey, Inc. retail drug store, associated with his father and brother. After retiring from business he moved to Etna, N.H., in 1948 and then bought a roadside stand in Walpole, N.H. in 1953, which he called Gramp's Place. Following the death of his wife in 1954 he continued to run the stand in the summer with the help of his granddaughters.

He is survived by a son, Thomas C., of Manchester, Conn.; a daughter, Mrs. Fred White of Whitman; a brother, Jack G. Hovey of Whitman; a sister, Mrs. Howard F. Wright of Wollaston, Mass., and ten grandchildren.

Fred's wit and good fellowship will be missed in Hanover and by all his friends.

1921

JOHN HODGE EISAMAN, formerly of Narberth, Pa., died on February 28 at his home, 13201 Magnolia Blvd., Van Nuys, Calif., at the age of 60. Hodge was born in Greensburg, Pa.

Upon completion of Army service in World War X, he entered Dartmouth with the Class of 1921. He later became active in the field of banking and finance, which he followed for many years. He became associated with the brokerage firm of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Beane in Philadelphia, where he remained until ill health forced his retirement.

For the past several years Hodge has his home in San Fernando Valley. He was a member of the North Hollywood Presbyterian Church. The funeral service in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, was attended by the members of the immediate family.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Allen Eisaman; a daughter, Mary (Mrs. Edwin Wullner), a son, John Hodge Eisaman Jr.; a brother, Dr. Josiah R. Eisaman '19 of Pittsburgh; and two grandchildren.

1923

HOWARD EARL CROOK died at his home, 238 Hyde Park Ave., Forest Hills, Mass., on March 5.

Born in Pawtucket, R.I., November 29, 1901, he prepared for college at Boston Latin School. Red was with the class only until February 1921, when he left to become connected with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. At the time of his death he was communications engineer with the company. He was a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of Masons and of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

On June 23, 1926, Red was married to Anna Johanson, who survives him with a son, Ralph H., and a daughter, Mrs. Carol Villiard.

1924

The Class of 1934 was notified of the death of GEORGE JOHN GERCKF,, a victim of cancer, by a press notice in Variety. At the time, he was 53 years of age, a producer and director of films for the U. S. Information Agency This connection goes back as far as when he is listed as producing films for the government at a time when he was also a reporter, traveler, and public relations counsel He also served with March of Time, and then with the O.S.S. doing film work in London during the war. He was sent to Japan in 1946 as motion picture chief of the Civil Information and Education Branch for the Allied Powers. In 1952 he was transferred to USIA as a film specialist. He returned in 1954 and made his home at 617 Poplar Drive Falls Church, Va.

George was born on Staten Island, N.Y. and entered college from Curtis High School He left Dartmouth at mid-term, 1923, because of his father's illness. He became city hall reporter for the New York World and remained with them until the demise of the paper. He was then connected with the Paris edition of the New York Herald Tribune. He went to Washington in 1935 as regional information director for the Farm Security Administration. He became a staff member of the U. S. Film Service which started his new career in movie production.

George was married in 1931 to Ruth Oliver, and his daughter Charlotte was born in 1932. In 1946 he was married to Sarah A. Givens, who survives him with their three sons, George J. Jr., James W. and Carl G. His daughter, whose professional name is Susan Oliver, is an actress in Hollywood.

1925

BRUD GOODMAN (formerly Augustus David Goodman) died of a heart attack on February 19 in Youngstown, Ohio, where he made his home at 2275 Goleta Ave. He suffered a stroke November 25 and apparently had made a good recovery until he became ill the night of his death. He had had a heart condition for many years.

Brud was born in East Orange, N.J., May 28, 1902, and entered Dartmouth from Bordentown Military Institute. He was a member of Pi Lambda Phi. He did post-graduate work at Columbia University.

After graduation he worked in a supervisory capacity in four leading department stores in New York City before becoming associated with the Strouss-Hirshberg Co. at Youngstown in 1946. In that same year he married Betty August, who later became associated with him in a retail women's clothing and specialty shop. Brud was widely known not only in Youngstown but in New York markets, which he visited frequently.

He was a member of the Gripers, a civic group, the Rotary Club, and Rodef Sholom Temple. He maintained a devout interest in Dartmouth, having made a practice of returning to Hanover annually and attending alumni meetings frequently at Cleveland.

Besides his wife he leaves a stepdaughter, Mrs. John Verheydt of Saranac Lake, N.Y.; a stepson, Louis Cahn of Coral Gables, Fla.; a sister, Mrs. Carroll Kaufman of New York: and a grandchild.

1930

The class will regret to learn of the sudden death on February 26 of JOHN LLOYD BISHOI' in Wolcott, Conn. He had been a dentist for some nineteen years in nearby Plainville-John

came to Dartmouth after preparation at Nashua High School and lived for four years in North Fayerweather. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. Following graduation he attended Harvard School of Dentistry. Many of the class will remember John as a relatively quiet fellow in college and some of us have had little occasion to see him since, since he did not actively participate in many class functions. However, one classmate writes, "Whenever we got together he was always most interested in being brought up to date on any class news or affairs not seen in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE."

Tohn had resided for the last six years in Wolcott Center, Conn., and was a member of both the State Dental Association and the American Dental Society.

In addition to his wife, the former Helen Kowalske, whom he married in 1941, he leaves his mother, Mrs. Mary R. Bishop of Farmington, and a sister, Mrs. W.H. Allyn of Hartford.

1938

It was a great shock to read of the sudden death of GEORGE ALEXANDER LITCHFIELD in Chatham, Mass., on February 25.

Litch was born in Southbridge, Mass., June 26, 1916 and came to Dartmouth from the Brighton, Mass., High School. He was with our class only freshman year, transferring to Philadelphia Textile School, where he graduated in 1938.

He then became associated with George Mabbett and Sons Co., Plymouth, Mass., where he was assistant to the head designer. On November 15, 1940 Litch enlisted in the Quartermaster Corps and served until February 15, 1946, when he was discharged as a major.

He then became weaving mill manager for the Forstmann Woolen Co. in Garfield, N.J. In 1955 he bought the Laughing Gull Gift Shop in Chatham, which he operated until his death. He was a member of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, the Central Cape Kiwanis Club, and the American Legion.

On August 30, 1941 Litch was married to Madelyn E. Baker, who survives him with their daughter Betsy and son William. The class shares their grief. Litch will be missed by the Boston group and other classmates all over the country.

1941

JOHN VICTOR KELSEY died on March 9, at the Hammersmith Hospital in London, England, after a three-month illness. He was stricken with hepatitis in December 1957, in Naples, Italy, while in command of the Marine Corps Barracks there under NATO. A memorial service was held at the Anglo-American Church in Naples and Colonel Kelsey was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Jack was born in Johnson City, Tenn., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor V. Kelsey, who survive him and now reside at Winton Farm, Clifford, Va.

At college Jack attended Thayer School, was manager of the freshman baseball team, and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Dragon, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The day following graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps at Hanover. After receiving a commission as second lieutenant, Jack served with the Fleet Marine Force in the Pacific during World War 11. After the war he was sent to northern China to repatriate the Japanese military personnel, their women and children, and Japanese non-military nationals. From China Jack went to the U.S. Naval Academy as an instructor. Because of his outstanding service in this caPacity he was asked by the Superinendent of the Academy to stay another year, During the Korean hostilities he served in numerous combat areas. Following his second return to the United States, Jack served as Marine Corps aide to the Secretary of the Navy for 33 months. Upon completion of this tour of duty and upon completion of a one-year course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, began the command he held at the time of his death.

Colonel Kelsey's distinguished military career won him numerous decorations and awards, some of which were the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and the Navy Commendation Ribbon with Combat "V". He served his country well and with distinction.

On August 5, 1944, Jack married Martha Ann Courtney of Washington, D.C., who survives him with three children, John V. Jr., Brian and Suzanne.

1953

LAWRENCE CONOVER met a tragic and untimely death sometime during the first week of January 1958. He was aboard his father's yacht, the Revonoc, accompanied by his mother, father, wife Lori, and a friend when the boat disappeared off the coast of Key West, Florida. There has been no trace of the passengers or the boat. The loss is still a mystery to professional and amateur seamen and no plausible explanation for the disappearance can be advanced. It can only be surmised that the Revonoc encountered a storm or possibly hit a heavy tanker which plunged it into the sea. This tragedy is further complicated by the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Conover, Larry, Lori, and their friend were all experienced in the art of sailing and were operating practically a brand new boat. Mr. Conover was former Commodore of the Cruising Club of America, and Larry was a cracker-jack sailor even in his collegiate days. He was 1948 National Champion in 110 class boats and later just missed, by one point, a trip to Sweden in the Olympic trials.

Larry was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., in 1930. He spent one year in Mamaroneck High School and three years at Phillips Academy at Andover. At Andover he was president of the Sailing Club, sang in the Glee Club, and was on the junior varsity football, soccer, and wrestling teams. At Dartmouth, Larry was a government major, member of Theta Delta Chi, Commodore of the Corinthian Yacht Club, on the WDBS staff, and the Sailing Team. He also held the honor of being the president of the New England Sailing Association.

After graduation, he served in the Coast Guard from June 1953 to October 1955 as an Ensign, and was married to Mary Lorine Ponsant in Fresno, Calif., in 1954.

One of Larry's close classmates has said, "Larry had two distinct facets. On the one hand, he was the outgoing, holler-type of guy - a life of the party type who could fit in very easily with almost any group. He loved to sang, and was quite good in informal, barbershop groups. On the other hand, he was a thinker, a man with very high ideals, who tried to fit his actions to these standards. When you combine a driving enthusiast with a set of strong ideals, you come up with an unusual man. Larry was extremely loyal - to his friends, his fraternity and his college."

Larry and Lori had two daughters, who have been adopted by Larry's sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gagney of 61 Maple Hill Drive, Larchmont, N.Y. The Class Secretary has extended a life-long invitation to Mary Aileen, age three, and Sarah Leslie, two, to be honorary guests of the Class of 1953 whenever and wherever the class assembles. Dartmouth and the class will greatly miss Larry and Lori Conover.

1954

WILLIAM EDWIN OBER was killed on February 27 when his plane crashed at the Naval Air Station in Miramar, Calif., where he had been stationed while serving as a Lt. (j.g.) in the Navy.

Doc was born in Corning, N.Y., on November 17, 1932, the son of Dr. Edwin H. Ober '25 and Edith Lowe. After graduation from high school in his home town of Painted Post, N.Y., he came to Dartmouth, where he was active in the College Band and the Handel Society.

His valuable musical contribution to the College community brought him many friends, and he continued his musical activities after graduation as a member of the highly respected and much-travelled Naval Aviation Cadet Band. Doc entered the NAVCAD Program after leaving Hanover. He enjoyed flying and completed his gunnery and carrier qualifications toward obtaining his wings on the USS Saipan. Later he was stationed at Correy Field.

On April 21, 1956 Doc married Jocelyn Lalonde, and the following year, when they were stationed with the Navy in California, they had a daughter, Vicki Lynne.

Indicative of Doc's outstanding ability as a pilot was his assignment to fly the F11 F-1 Grumman Tiger, one of the Navy's newest and most exacting aircraft. On February 27 he was bringing his plane down when he found that a stuck throttle linkage prevented him from retarding power below ninety-five per cent RPM. Courageously, he elected to attempt a landing, but he was killed when the plane crashed. That Bill brought the plane in will enable investigating officials to locate the cause of the aircraft difficulty all will prevent the occurrence of similar casualties.

The sympathy of the Class is extended to his wife, Jocelyn, his daughter, Vicki Lynne and his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Edwin H. Ober of Painted Post, N.Y.