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Boyden Society Captain Richardson McKinney Paul Didisheim, “Frenchie” in student days, returned to his Paris birthplace in October accompanied by his daughter and grandson. They spent a week living on the Ile St. Louis near Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoying the Louvre, Tour Eiffel, Arc de Triomphe, and other famous sights, and also visiting a number of Paul’s cousins. Paul and his wife Ricky have been living in Washington, DC, since 1986 when they moved there from Rochester, MN, where Paul was a staff physician at Mayo Clinic. At NIH until retiring in 1997, Paul participated in and developed research programs in tissue engineering, biomaterials, artificial heart, and other implanted cardiovascular devices. During that time Ricky was on the staff of a mental health clinic, where she cared for chronically mentally ill patients. Their three children and six grandchildren live in New England and New Jersey. In their retirement Paul and Ricky are enjoying the stimulating cultural activities of DC. In his 2011 Christmas letter Jack Fogarty wrote, “It’s always nice to think about hearing from each of you each year, even though we have a hard time scaring up new news to tell you. One thing, though, is Peggy quitting the Sandy Spring Museum after 28 and a half years. It sounds like a
wrench, but the truth is that fewer accessions and more computers have ‘broken up that old job of mine,’ and she’s relieved to have it whimper to a close. Another milestone toppled when our state prison changed the rules, ending our 25-year stint with prison visitation. Now our Meeting’s Prison Committee’s only activity is their Pen-Pal project, and that’s ok with us. By the way, we did get to Yearly Meeting this year, but we stayed in a motel rather than the university dorms.”
1947 John Davis, prolific chronicler of prominent American families including the Kennedys, the Guggenheims, the Gambinos, and the family he shared with his cousin, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis —the Bouviers of New York and East Hampton—died on January 29 at his home in Manhattan. After nine years at The Browning School, John came to Deerfield, and later went on to Princeton. Following his Princeton graduation, he was commissioned to the rank of ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. While on duty, John applied for and received a Fulbright Scholarship for study in Italy, where, after completing his service, he studied at the Italian Institute for Historical Studies in Naples. He became fluent in Italian and remained in Italy for 13 years, as founding director of the
American Studies Center in Naples, then as director of Tufts University’s Intercollegiate Center of Italian Studies. Books authored by John include: The Bouviers: Portrait of an American Family, The Kennedys: Dynasty and Disaster, Mafia Kingfish: Carlos Marcello and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, Mafia Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the Gambino Crime Family, The Guggenheims: An American Epic, and Jacqueline Bouvier: An Intimate Memoir. He spent his last years at home under the care of his friend Sohodra Nathu, who worked on many of his books. He is survived by his sister, Maude S. Davis.
1948 “I am retired and am living in the Denver, CO, area,” says Mal Cleland. “My wife Martha and I have been married for 54 years. We have four sons, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. We are relatively healthy and are enjoying our lives and our family.” Alec Robertson reports: “News from Essex Meadows: Unfortunately, I lost my wife of 54 years, Mary Lee, last September 1. I miss her a lot. She was a talented artist and wonderful wife. I’m here in Essex Meadows, a CCRC, and there are a number of Deerfield men here. Had dinner last night with Harris Parsons ’44 and Chick Williams ’37. Malcolm MacGruer ’38’s sister is here at Essex Meadows, and he stops by often. I see Tip
Atkeson ’53 and Mike Ryland ’53 frequently, and had lunch with Dick Miller not so long ago. Also run into Dave Preston ’51 from time to time. Classmate Steve Percy recently stepped down as chairman of the Southeastern Connecticut Committee on Foreign Relations, having served six years with distinction, a committee on which I serve as a director. Son Robbie ’77 is coming from Denver for a weekend, and we plan to visit Peter Hindle ’52.” “Last April we again enjoyed heli-skiing in the Bugaboos, BC, Canada,” writes Dieter von Hennig. “In early September we visited Ashland, OR, for the Shakespeare Festival. The acting, staging, and three theaters are excellent and state of the art. Skiing, tennis, and hiking continue to provide healthy leisure time activities.”
1949
Boyden Society Captain Gilbert M. Grosvenor A.P. Cook noted: “We have lost our dear classmate George Gallup Jr. George was present at our 60th Reunion two years ago in good spirits! He played on the undefeated varsity soccer team and was a favorite of Mrs. Boyden.” When we last heard from Dick Kaiser he wrote, “Winter comes early to the high country. While mountain biking is a bit sketchy, early snow has afforded some nice trips to the back country. We don’t exactly look to the hills, but the peaks are fine.”
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