Winter 2023 Deerfield Magazine

DEERFIELD

MAGAZINE

There’s a commotion in the hallway as I sit down to write this letter; the annual spring “Gotcha!” game is well underway—it officially began Tuesday evening after sit-down—and apparently someone has just been got. Shrieks, laughter, and then quiet as sixth period gets underway.

In the hierarchy of Deerfield traditions, playing Gotcha is relatively new, and I would be surprised if any classes prior to 2013 would recall participating. What is timeless, however, are the feelings it engenders —not, of course, the paranoia of expecting a tap on the shoulder and a whispered, “Gotcha!” on the path to the Dining Hall, but the feelings that come from being a part of something—a unifying moment, a little fun in the midst of schoolwork, a renewed appreciation for Deerfield’s longtime heads-up culture.

This issue of Deerfield Magazine, our Winter 2023 edition, in spite of the fact it’s clearly springtime here on campus, includes many highlights from Winter Term, such as our 100 Years of Hockey celebration both on the cover and in the “Albany Road” section. Postponed in 2022, I think everyone who attended the celebration would agree that it was worth the wait. Please be sure to scan the QR code or go to biggreen. photos for additional pictures from that event and many others, including athletic contests and arts performances.

Our features section begins on page 18 with an article about perhaps the pinnacle of Deerfield traditions: sit-down meals in the Dining Hall. As they have for decades, students from different grades and backgrounds gather for lunch and dinner seven times a week, take turns waiting on their table, and sit and eat together along with a faculty member, which, as Head of School John Austin recently said, “creates a shared sense of community and closeness as a school.” While other schools may capitulate to busy schedules and eating “on the go,” Deerfield’s commitment to this community structure remains strong.

As promised, in this issue you will also find the return of our Class Notes section. Thank you for your patience, and please remember that the most recent notes—including obituaries—may be found online at Deerfield.edu/alumni, along with information about upcoming events and “the latest” in campus and alumni news on the Pulse. The deadline for notes for our Spring/Summer ’23 issue is May 20, and you may submit them online or via email to ClassNotes@deerfield.edu or alumnirecords@deerfield.edu

I hope you enjoy this issue of Deerfield Magazine. Please feel free to write—your thoughts and suggestions for future content are welcome, and in our next issue, we hope to reinstate the “Letters to the Editor” section. Until then, enjoy this season, and hopefully nobody sneaks up behind you and whispers, “Gotcha!”

Jessica Day Director of Communications/ Editor-in-Chief

Medaled-up members of the 1991 championship ice hockey team came back to celebrate 100 years of ice hockey at Deerfield with a sunny alumni game on the outdoor rink! L to R: Katie Guay ’01, Christa Calagione Donnellan ’93, Nani Phillips Moss ’02, Zoe Baldwin Schwam ’02, Kayla O’Connor ’14, Maryanne Iodice ’14

Finally, a word about the image on this page: thanks to the incredible photography of Hussain Aga Khan ’92, who is featured on page 78, and the talented Deerfield Physical Plant team, this amazing banner was hanging above the Louis Café in the Koch Center when students returned from their break in March. This week, Mr. Aga Khan spoke at School Meeting in honor of Earth Week, and an exhibit of his work will be on display in the von Auersperg Gallery, May 7 to June 12.

ALBANY

p.10

PERFORMING ARTS

YOUR

p.30

NEHA JAMPALA ’23

COMMON ROOM

p.34

COMMON ROOM

p.44

FIRST PERSON: STEREO TYPES/ DA RADIO

FEATURES

p.18 FOR FOOD, FOR FRIENDSHIP: The Enduring Value of Sit-Down Meals

p.94 IN MEMORIAM WORK

p.78 HUSSAIN AGA KHAN ’92 (The man behind these ocean photos!)

p.24 TÊTE-À-TÊTE WITH JOHN McPHEE ’49

On January 27 and 28, more than 250 alumni, parents, and friends came together to celebrate 100 Years of Hockey at Deerfield. The much-anticipated event, which was originally scheduled for January of 2022, started with two alumni games: “veterans” played on the outdoor rink, while “aces” faced off on the ice in the Class of 1993 indoor rink. Alumni enjoyed a meet-andgreet with the current boys and girls varsity teams, followed by an alumni panel featuring Katie Guay ’01, Jim Lindsay ’70 P ’96, Ben Lovejoy ’03, Jamie Hagerman Phinney ’99, Marty Reasoner ’96, and Molly Schaus ’06. The day wrapped up with both girls and boys varsity games.

CHAMPIONS

1951-52 *

1959-60 *

>> 1930-50’s uniform

>>> INTRAMURAL HOCKEY LEAGUE “Stanley Cans”

>> The first girls varsity hockey goal was scored with this puck, December 8, 1990, by Sarah Drake ’93.

>> Current students enjoyed seeing their math teacher, Sean Keller ’86, as a life-size cardboard “standup.”

Scan to discover more of Deerfield’s rich history in the Academy Archives!

fro M t H e B arn to t H e B ig le ague: deerfield ’ s B ig green P ro s !

Paul Hurley ’64

l ou r eycrof t ’68 c raig Janney ’85

Marty r e asoner ’95

t y Hennes ’98

Ja M ie Ha ger M an ’99

Katie g uay ’01

cH ad K olari K ’02

Ben l ove J oy ’03

Molly s c H aus ’06

a lex Killorn ’08

Kevin r oy ’11 s a M l afferty ’14

<<< SCAN FOR MORE WEEKEND PICS!

Picture-perfect Art Opening

Rachel Portesi

Artist Rachel Portesi’s new exhibition, Looking Glass, was shown in the von Auersperg Gallery from January 15 through March 1. Drawn to early photography and its particularly Victorian interest in loss and death, and the peculiar fixation of the era with hair as mementos, Ms. Portesi discovered a fertile new direction to explore in her artwork. Her photographs are part of an ongoing series of “hair portraits,” and she used wet plate collodion tintype, Polaroids, film, and 3D imagery to explore the nuanced transitions in female identity related to motherhood, aging, and choice, as well as the intersection of identity and femininity with the physical world. //

Huffard Lecture

Daniela Holt Voith

VOITH & MACTAVISH ARCHITECTS )

On Wednesday, February 8, at School Meeting, Deerfield welcomed Ms. Daniela Holt Voith as the 2023 Huffard Architect. Ms. Voith is a founding partner of Voith & Mactavish Architects, where she also serves as the director of design. Holding degrees from Yale University School of Architecture and Bryn Mawr College, Ms. Voith has dedicated her career to promoting the advancement of design for educational environments. Thanks to the generosity of the Huffard family, each year a Huffard Architect is named, and they visit Deerfield to share their work with students, faculty, and staff. The program was established in 2005 in memory of Wick Huffard ’03, who had hoped to pursue a career in architecture after college.

More photos from the gallery opening at: biggreen.photos

left: Todd Verlander; circle: Brent Hale; artwork: Rachel Portesi

Poetry Tracy K. Smith

PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING POET & U.S. POET LAUREATE (2017 – 2019) )

Poet Tracy K. Smith spoke at an Academy Event on Sunday, January

22. Ms. Smith received a Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 2012 for her third book, Life on Mars, she was named US Poet Laureate in 2017, and she is currently a member of the faculty at Harvard University. In addition to signing commemorative broadsides for students, Ms. Smith hosted workshops with English classes across all grade levels. //

The first track still almost swings. High hat and snare, even A few bars of sax the stratosphere will singe-out soon enough.

Synthesized strings. Then something like cellophane Breaking in as if snagged to a shoe. Crinkle and drag. White noise, Black noise. What must be voices bob up, then drop, like metal shavings In molasses. So much for us. So much for the flags we bored

Into planets dry as chalk, for the tin cans we filled with fire And rode like cowboys into all we tried to tame. Listen:

The dark we’ve only ever imagined now audible, thrumming, Marbled with static like gristly meat. A chorus of engines churns.

Silence taunts: a dare. Everything that disappears Disappears as if returning somewhere.

THE UNIVERSE: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK FROM LIFE ON MARS Pro Tony Hoffman

Students, faculty, and staff welcomed speaker Tony Hoffman to campus in January as part of the Student Life Office’s Attention and Connection speaker series. On December 13, 2008, Mr. Hoffman was paroled by the California Department of Corrections after serving a two-year sentence for a drug-related robbery. While incarcerated, he set four goals: Race BMX professionally, go to the Olympics, start a non-profit called the Freewheel Project, and become a professional mental health and substance abuse speaker. Mr. Hoffman spoke about his experiences with mental health, substance abuse, and how he was able to overcome addiction and achieve his goals. The Attention and Connection speaker series aims to prioritize the emotional well-being of students with an emphasis on resilience, health, and flourishing. //

BMX RACER + MOTIVATOR )

Courtesy of Tracy K. Smith and Tony Hoffman

Stephanie Shumway

HOLIDAY CONCERT

Featuring the Deerfield Orchestra, bands, and vocal ensembles / Wachsman Concert Hall / December 9

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE

Large Auditorium / January 26 + 27

Todd Verlander

Todd Verlander

MLK DAY 2023:

On January 19, the Academy officially observed MLK Day with a series of events. This year’s theme focused on dignity, a powerful element in good interpersonal dynamics. Using the work of Dr. Donna Hicks, a well-known speaker on the topic who is an associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, Director of the Office of Inclusion and Community Life Steven Lee worked with a team of OICL student-ambassadors to develop nearly thirty student- and faculty-led workshops on topics such as “Human Rights: Experiences from Around the Globe” to “Representation in Science” to “Dignity and Black Athletes” and “The Power of Erasure Poetry.”

Every Deerfield student participated by either attending or presenting a workshop. Additionally, three guest speakers were welcomed to campus: Elizabeth Byrne, teacher and advisor at The Literacy Project in Greenfield, MA; Carl Wilkens, the only American who chose to stay in Kigali, Rwanda, throughout the 1994 genocide; and National Book Award-winning poet Terrance Hayes (pictured below), who spoke at School Meeting and later offered an inspiring workshop for student poets.

National Book Award-winning poet Terrance Hayes was welcomed to campus the week of January 16. Hayes’ collection, To Float In The Space Between, was the winner of the Poetry Foundation’s 2019 Pegasus Award for Poetry Criticism and a finalist for the 2018 National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. “American Sonnets for My Past And Future Assassin” won the Hurston/Wright 2019 Award for Poetry and was a finalist the 2018 National Book Critics Circle Award in Poetry, the 2018 National Book Award in Poetry, the 2018 TS Eliot Prize for Poetry, and the 2018 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award.

Meghan Hoagland

BEHIND THE BENCH

Julie

Schloat VARSITY BASKETBALL

Coach Julie Schloat was overjoyed when two alumnae who had graduated just last year came back over their holiday break to watch the girls’ basketball tournament and join the team dinner. “This is always a place where they can return,” she says warmly. Coach Schloat is intentional about building a team culture that is imbued with positivity. At the end of each game, the team ends their huddles with the “Hustle and Heart Award,” which recognizes that member of the team who played their heart out, win or lose. The recipient holds the trophy and passes it along to another teammate at the next game, keeping the focus on the team’s strengths and ending their huddles with a positive tone. Recent recipient of the Hustle and Heart Award, Georgia Sackrey ’23, feels empowered by the constructive culture Coach Schloat has cultivated. “[Coach Schloat] not only strives to create a successful basketball program but works just as hard to facilitate an inclusive and extremely positive space for all her players,” she notes.

Julie is careful not to diminish her players’ love for the sport. Her own lifelong love of basketball began in her biddy ball days in the small, upstate town of Westport, NY. Basketball was a family affair, and her father— a local basketball legend from his high school days—encouraged Julie and her older brother in the family sport, erecting a giant hoop that he built out of two by fours in their backyard. Julie remembers playing basketball with her brother before the school bus arrived in the mornings, hours practicing at the gym court next door to her home, gathering with the family to watch their favorite college teams play, and making it to two state championships (as the smallest school in the state) before leaving home to play for Middlebury College.

/// by Daniella Vollinger /// portrait by Meghan Hoagland ///

It was her love for the sport that led her to her first role as the assistant girls varsity basketball coach fourteen years ago when she arrived at Deerfield with her husband who had accepted a teaching position. Having taught and coached basketball prior to that at Blair Academy and The Browning School, Coach Schloat knew that she had to jump at the opportunity to coach when it presented itself—even though the timing could not have been worse with a newborn at home. She recalls how her husband would drive their two-month-old son to her away games just so that she could nurse. “One of the things I like most about Coach Schloat is her passion for basketball,” says Director of Athletics Bob Howe. “She loves the game, and she loves the players she coaches. Coaching and teaching at a place like Deerfield can be challenging; both require a ton of time. To do both well, a person needs to be organized and committed to excellence. We have this in Coach Schloat.”

Julie’s infectious positivity and passion have attracted a great support network of people who want to be involved with the team. “She leads with the utmost integrity. Her care for our players and the sport of basketball are always clear in each and everything she does,” says Assistant Coach Ashani Petrizzi, who coached alongside Julie in the most memorable game in recent history: The first win against rival NMH in a decade!

For Coach Schloat, team sports are an essential preparation for life. She hopes that her players realize that they can accomplish so much more by working alongside people than they could alone. “Being on a team will mimic so much of what life is going to be like. You’re going to have to compromise and lean on other people and step up for other people,” she says, reflecting on the life lessons she hopes her players take with them. “Of course, winning is the goal, but it’s not the only thing,” she says with a glimmer in her eye, as she goes on to recount how the team turned a losing game around. It was the last game of the day at the Eight-Schools tournament against Exeter, down by three and needing a three to tie the game to get to overtime. The previous week, they had just put in a special play for their best outside shooter to get a three-point shot but had barely practiced it. “I called a timeout and said, ‘Girls this is when we need to run this play and we need to run it perfectly,’” which they did, she says, as she relives that moment when the player hit the shot that took them to an overtime win. “It was a great moment for the girls to believe in themselves and to believe they can make things happen.”

Coach Schloat hopes that all her players will always want to come back to visit and that their team experiences were positive and memorable in all the right ways. “I went to the state championships twice. We lost both times. Does that ruin my memory of my basketball team? Absolutely not. What I end up remembering are all the times in the locker room, the bus rides, screaming at the top of our lungs to our favorite songs. You only get your high school team once, so enjoy it.” //

BEING ON A TEAM WILL MIMIC SO MUCH OF WHAT LIFE IS GOING TO BE LIKE. YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO COMPROMISE AND LEAN ON OTHER PEOPLE AND STEP UP FOR OTHER PEOPLE

GREEN COACH TEAM // l to r: Ashani Petrizzi, Leah Moore, Julie Schloat, Kylie Laurenitis

ALBANY ROAD

As the saying goes, “timing is everything,” and this holds true for basketball. A bit cliché perhaps, but not for Coach Connor Merrill who truly believes that if you work to your fullest potential, if you put effort into your relationships, if you’re unselfish, then opportunities will open up for you at the right time—both on and off the court. From the outside, looking in, opportunities do seem to arrive at just the right time, opening doors for Coach Merrill. Fresh out of Skidmore College, a contact asked him if he’d want to return to Vermont Academy—where he’d spent a post-graduate year—as their assistant boys varsity basketball coach. With nothing else on the immediate horizon, save for a youngster’s dream of playing basketball in Europe, he thought, why not? He’d always wanted to end up a coach if not a player. From there, personal connections brought Coach Merrill’s next two coaching opportunities: assistant mens’ varsity basketball coach at Springfield College and then subsequently at Middlebury College where he spent four years.

While at Middlebury, Coach Merrill approached Deerfield’s then head coach Conrad Pitcher (whose son Coach Merrill had recruited to play basketball at Middlebury) to express his interest in perhaps one day taking over the Deerfield program as he had learned that Coach Pitcher was looking to step back in the near future. The introduction to Deerfield Director of Athletics Bob Howe was made in the summer of ’21, and from there, Coach Merrill kept in close touch, consistently expressing

his vision for the future of the program. “I was very persistent. I probably annoyed Bob a little bit at times,” he chuckles. “But I had to share my vision and my belief in what this basketball program could become. I said, ‘look, I could be your guy. I’ll take the program in the direction it needs to go in.’ I look at what all our peer schools have done in basketball, then I look at Deerfield, which has everything, if not more, to offer across the board.”

In the spring of ’22, Deerfield formally moved forward with a search for a boys’ varsity basketball coach. “When we conducted a national search for our basketball coach, our biggest priority, in my mind, was to find a person who could understand our boarding school culture, motivate student-athletes, and be a terrific team player with all those other assignments that go along with being a committed community member,” says Bob Howe. “Connor checked all those boxes, and the work we are seeing him do today in all areas of Deerfield life is further proof that we hit our mark with the search!” Coach Merrill’s former colleague and current mens’ varsity basketball head coach at Middlebury College, Jeff Brown, believes that Deerfield has found an “excellent role model” for students in Coach Merrill. “[Connor] is committed to coaching athletes in a positive manner. His energy and passion for the game are so evident. He cares deeply about his student-athletes, and builds trust through thoughtful communication and accountability,” says Coach Brown.

/// by Daniella Vollinger /// portrait by Meghan Hoagland

BEHIND THE BENCH

Connor Merrill VARSITY BASKETBALL

For Coach Merrill, sometimes the best moments happen off the court: Getting a text from another coach saying how well the team is playing together, hearing what others have to say about how well his players conduct themselves within the Deerfield community, or seeing the team rally together in the locker room to overcome a painful loss without a defeated spirit but with a plan for improvement. As a coach, Connor aims to instill a culture of personal responsibility among the players. “My hope is that I empower them. I think I’m demanding without being demeaning in any way. I demand maximum effort and unselfishness and just a commitment to winning. I think when I see kids constantly striving for their own personal ceilings and trying to be the best versions of themselves, and they’re doing those things that they can control, I’ll give them a long leash and let them learn on their own.” The players know that Coach Merrill is completely invested. “[Coach Merrill] would do anything for the betterment of our team. This is seen through [his] countless hours spent creating scouting reports, staying before and after practice to walk out new plays, or keeping us accountable,” says Thomas Lu ’23. As a high school student, Coach Merrill found his post-graduate year to be transformative. His coach was “a confrontational motivator” and the two did not see eye to eye. Connor had two choices: He could be robbed of any valuable lessons by taking issue with the coach’s style and becoming unreceptive to any instruction, or he could set that aside

and focus on the message, gleaning what he needed in order to improve. That year was pivotal for Connor, and that coach became one of the most impactful people in his life. “This probably sounds like a cliché, but I think a lot of people who get into coaching get into it to work with kids and for the love of the sport, but I also think that a coach at some point had a vast impact on them, and they would like to replicate that as best as they can. That, at least, is true for me. Knowing the impact that coach had on me, and how much he helped me change and get to where I was trying to go—that’s what this is all about. I want to do that for other kids.” //

for food, for friendship . . .

The Enduring Value of Sit-Down Meals

by Lori Ferguson

Director of Food Services Mike McCarthy distinctly remembers his first sit-down meal at Deerfield. The year was 1998, and he had recently been hired. “My boss said, ‘You need to come in and watch a meal being served,’” he remembers. “As it turns out, that meal was Thanksgiving dinner, and anyone familiar with Deerfield sit-downs knows that we go all out for the holiday—turkey, stuffing, all the sides, apple pie—the whole deal. After seeing the enormity of that undertaking, I went home and told my wife, ‘I think I made a mistake,’” he recalls with a chuckle, “but 25 years later, I’m still here, and still impressed by all we accomplish at the table.” McCarthy’s experience could be a metaphor for Deerfield’s distinctive sit-down meal tradition itself—after all these years, it’s still here and it’s still vital to the fabric of the school.

The practice began with legendary Headmaster Frank Boyden, who led the Academy from 1902 to 1968. Mr. Boyden instituted formal sit-down meals in 1921 in Hitchcock House—currently the Academy bookstore. Prior to that, John Williams House—home of the Deerfield Door—in addition to serving as the Academy’s first dormitory, also housed a small “dining hall.” As the Academy grew, so too did the need for space, and Mr. Boyden recognized another opportunity to gather his students together. “He saw the campus community as an extended family,” explains Academy Archivist Anne Lozier, “and viewed shared meals as a vital part of the family experience.”

Mr. Boyden was, in many ways, a visionary. Current conventional wisdom—as well as decades of research—support the idea that regularly gathering around a “family table” offers children and teens a wide variety of benefits, such as higher self-esteem and self-confidence, a lower risk for depression, and better academic performance.

In his famed book on Mr. Boyden, The Headmaster, author John McPhee ’49 recounts the longtime leader’s view on the matter. “I’m not running this school for the faculty,” Boyden noted. “I’m running it for the boys.” That meant that faculty were expected to interact with students at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, notes McPhee, as well as in the classroom, in clubs, and in athletics. “While other prep schools like Andover and Exeter emphasized schoolwork, Deerfield accentuated residential life,” observes Brian P. Cooke in his book Frank Boyden of Deerfield: The Vision and Politics of an Educational Idealist. “All Deerfield meals, including breakfast, were served by a faculty member ‘family style.’”

...after all these years, it’s still here and it’s still vital to the fabric of the school.

The practice began with legendary Headmaster Frank Boyden, who led the Academy from 1902 to 1968.

Mr. Boyden instituted formal sit-down meals in 1921 in Hitchcock House—currently the Academy bookstore.

John Williams House—home of the Deerfield Door—in addition to serving as the Academy’s first dormitory, also housed a small “dining hall.”

THE DISH ON THE DH

In the intervening years, some expectations for sit-down meals have been adjusted, a reflection of a growing student body and increased societal pace, but Deerfield’s commitment to a shared experience remains firm. “Sit-downs used to be a standard part of the American boarding school experience,” notes Head of School John Austin. “But over time, many schools have reduced or eliminated their sit-down meal requirements—logistically, they’re challenging for the dining hall staff to manage and they require faculty members’ presence at odd times of the day.” Nevertheless, says Austin, Deerfield has held onto the tradition because of its unique ability to strengthen the bonds of community. “Bringing adults and children together for meals regularly encourages connections between individuals who otherwise might not meet,” he maintains. “In a school as diverse as Deerfield, sit-downs provide us with a great way to encourage connections outside of one’s social group.”

These days, Deerfield students come together for sit-down lunches on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and sit-down dinners on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. (During the Winter Term, Tuesday and Thursday sit-down dinners are eliminated to accommodate athletic schedules and, in the spring, the normal schedule resumes.) Typically, nine students and a faculty member sit at each table; table assignments last for one month and are changed seven to eight times per year, allowing each student to dine with 70 to 80 different individuals over the course of the year.

Student Life Associate Kevin Kelly acts as the majordomo for all meals and is a strong believer in their power. “I’ve worked at boarding schools where there were no sit-down meals at all, and social circles remain consistent. It’s human nature—you tend to gravitate toward those you know from classes, dorms, or teams.” Deerfield’s formalized sit-down process encourages much more intermingling, he says.

Using a software program called ‘The Perfect Table,’ Kelly creates randomized seating assignments for the Academy’s 655 students, filling each of the dining hall’s 70 tables with a mix of individuals from different grade levels. He begins by placing first waiters—students responsible for setting

the table—and second waiters—those responsible for clearing the meal—at each table, then taps the software to seat the remaining students at random. “It’s a process —it typically takes me four to five days to produce a seating chart for the month— but the software makes it much easier.” Prior to computers, seating plans were organized using index cards, notes Kelly incredulously. Today, software makes it much easier to keep track of each student’s assignments as well as their fulfillment of required waitstaff duties— each must act as a table server twice during the year.

In addition to organizing the monthly seating chart, Kelly also oversees each gathering. He offers the standard Deerfield grace at the beginning of the meal (For food, for friendship, for the blessings of the day, we give thanks.), then students and faculty are free to eat and converse.

r: many countries worth of traditions, religions, politics, family, and more to converse about.

“I love being with the kids,” says John Austin. “As head of school, it’s an opportunity for me to ask questions, get a read on their concerns, and gauge how they’re feeling.”

Assistant Head of School for Student Life Amie Creagh is similarly enthusiastic. “I like that I get to spend time with kids that I wouldn’t otherwise meet. These encounters are where little seeds are planted that grow into a greater sense of community.” And the food is excellent, she adds. “Building relationships while eating good food— it doesn’t get any better.”

Students embrace the conviviality of the experience, too. “One of my most memorable sit-down meals occurred on my revisit day in the spring of 2016,” recalls Liv Mikesell ’20. “I had been nervous all day, and then I sat down at Ms. (Dana) Emerson’s table and received the warmest of welcomes. The meal that day was broccoli fettuccine alfredo with raspberry thumbprint cookies. The combination of the comfortable conversation and the warm meal cemented the idea of Deerfield being the right place for me.”

For McCarthy and his team, the gatherings are simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating. “We feed over 650 people a family-style meal, and we’re a scratch kitchen—we peel potatoes, cook vegetables, bake pies, the whole gamut—so it’s a lot,” he concedes. “But I love to watch a full dining room. You see kids take the initiative and develop a sense of teamwork and responsibility. Whether it’s the waiters setting or clearing the table or the ten or so students who help us in the dish room during the cleaning rush, everyone pitches in.”

And the din of dining room conversations is equally enlivening, McCarthy continues. “The chatter that goes on in the room is terrific. I love seeing the diversity of the tables, the engagement between students and faculty, all of it.”

At meal’s end, Kelly opens the floor for community announcements. “Ten to fifteen students come to the podium at the end of each meal, providing news of plays, concerts, sporting events, and the like,” he explains. “Some announcements are funny, some are heartfelt. It’s a brief but valuable part of our tradition.”

Asked what aspect of sit-down dinners he most enjoys, Kelly doesn’t hesitate. “The connections that the students make,” he enthuses. “When we had to mask up during COVID, we all felt disconnected. Normally, as you move around campus, you recognize faces from sit-down meals, which is the human piece of it, the magic of the tradition—if you recognize a face, it may stir a conversation. Sit-down meals are all about enhancing community and fostering human connections, an objective we’re very proud of here at Deerfield. It’s a brilliant part of our fabric.” Austin agrees.

Current conventional wisdom—as well as decades of research— support the idea that regularly gathering around a “family table” offers children and teens a wide variety of benefits, such as higher self-esteem and self-confidence, a lower risk for depression, and better academic performance.

Students may not always appreciate the lessons in the moment, but alumni tend to light up when asked about the enduring value of sit-down meals. “Assigned seating at dinner was not my favorite experience 50 years ago, but its value dawned on me years later,” observes David Hulick ’73. “That simple measure forced me to break bread, get to know, and be at ease with everyone, not just my closest friends. At college, I ate meals with the same people all the time. I wonder how many opportunities I missed to expand my horizons and circle of friends.”

Interactions with faculty often have lasting impressions on students, too. Recent graduate Chijioke Achebe ’21 remembers a grammar tip imparted by his table head. “For whatever reason, I usually found myself at the same two sit-down tables, 1 or 2,” he explains. “Mr. Taylor was one of the table heads for these tables, and I remember him telling us that the word ‘interesting’ was banned from conversation. When we asked why, he told us that the word was vague and really didn’t say much at all. He was right, and to this day, I find myself consulting a thesaurus whenever I’m writing a paper just so I can find a different word to use.”

“Sitting down with a random group of people can be hard, but it’s a practice that helps students develop social confidence and poise. We believe that our young people should be able to engage with anyone, so in a sense, sit-down meals serve as a classroom of sorts; they help students develop the social and emotional skills we believe are so important to their success.”

For his part, retired US Air Force Colonel Bob Keirstead ’83 fondly remembers sit-downs for their ability to foster community. “My favorite table was with Coach (Jim) Smith, the head football coach at the time. I always felt like I was eating at a family table with Coach Smith, and sometimes one or two of his sons were actually at the table with us. It was like being at home with my family in many ways. He used to make sure everyone was involved in the conversation and there were no harsh criticisms, just reasonable corrections as needed. I try to do the same with my family today; I try to make sure everyone is involved, participating, and part of the event.”

And former Head of School Eric Widmer ’57 fondly recalls a faculty member—who also happens to be his wife—cleverly leveraging a senior class prank to expand students’ cultural perspectives. “The senior class secretly settled on a prank, on the agreed-upon day, of taking all the dining hall flatware shortly before lunch and stashing it away so that when we all sat down for lunch, which happened to be shepherd’s pie, there were no implements with which to convey food from plate to mouth,” he explains. “We were flummoxed, all except for Ms. Vis (Meera Viswanathan), who was ever one to rise to a challenge. She stood up with a handful of shepherd’s pie and announced to everyone that the seniors had given us a chance to eat the way so many people in the world do, which is with their hands. Then with her right hand, she glomped onto a handful of pie and deftly put it into her mouth. The result was not just that everyone had the chance to have their lunch in a new way and experience a mannerism common to so many in the world, but also to signify to the seniors something of that dauntless Deerfield spirit in all of us.”

Cultivating a sense of community is a shared goal across Deerfield, reiterates John Austin. “We have a heads-up culture on our campus—we want students to engage with one another, and sit-down meals are a vital component of that experience,” he says. “It’s part of our tradition here at Deerfield: to nourish both body and mind.” //

Heard Around the T able:

The Dining Hall was community for us! In 1989 I was part of the first year girls. I was living in the UAE and came to Deerfield as a sophomore. I had never been to Massachusetts, never seen snow and had no idea what a “grinder” was. AT my table were Luis Gibb ’92 and Tad White ’92, the meal was lobster and I had no idea what this was or how to eat it. Luis and Tad knew right away I was clueless, they showed me what to do and we are friends to this day, over 30 years later! Nothing beats the apple crisp from the dining hall and those lunches and dinners that we will never forget.

Mr. Kelly giving his farewell speech to the class of ’22 at the last sit-down had me in tears.

I think I made the final decision to attend Deerfield after a sit down lunch on my accepted student visit. I had been admitted to Hotchkiss as well and was leaning towards that school after my visit there. The year was 1987 and after food had been served and we ate for a bit, Mr. Smith grabbed the podium and made the announcement that Graham Harden ’87 had won the New England football player of the year award while playing linebacker. The dining hall absolutely erupted in table pounding synchronous applause and the hair on the back of my neck stood up, I had never seen or heard something so cool in my life. I wondered if that could ever be me getting recognition in front of an entire school body. The smile on Mr. Smith’s face was unmistakably that of a proud coach, I went on to be good friends with his youngest son Pat ’91, what an incredible family they are. Graham Harden ’87 became the most accomplished lacrosse player the school ever had- ACC player of the year, NCAA National Champion and 1st team all American at UNC after a dominant New England prep career. That one exciting day at lunch swung my decision to DA over Hotchkiss and I am very glad to this day I made that choice. Go Big Green!

Moderating a debate at Mr. Dancer’s table if Apple Crisp is considered a cobbler or a pie!

Life lessons learned at the dinner table. Sat at Philip Charron’s table a few times. Mr. Charron was legally blind and I quickly learned that if we wanted to eat with everyone else, I needed to offer to serve the main course and dessert. Mr, Charron and my table mates were most appreciative and I learned how to carve a turkey. Being empathetic was the real life lesson.

On September 11, 2001, I was a senior and my brother a freshman. Students learned of the attacks on the WTC and Pentagon independently and together (though without the widespread use of smartphones there was a lag in people fully understanding what was happening.) There were classes canceled or delayed and I remember friends crying trying to reach parents in NY. We didn’t know what would happen next and I remember walking around trying to figure out where I should be; who I should be with. When it came to sit-down lunch, however, we all showed up, in our places. It was like this gathering (such a daily thing it was like muscle memory carrying some of us along) was holding a lot of us together. The Dining Hall was our lifeboat as a community at that time. We had a place to be, and in that dark moment of uncertainty it didn’t seem strange that everyone was there, in their places. Mr. Widmer got up and said that as far as they had been able to establish, everyone’s “mom and dad were ok.” We clapped then, let out breaths we were holding. But, Mr. Widmer also said, our fellow schools could not say the same. I remember looking around at everyone and as much as we were grateful to be safe, there was this sense that everything had changed and we would need to hold each other closer than ever in the days and weeks to come. Sit-down meals are meant to help the community become a family, to come together once or twice a day and not just eat, but get a feeling of belonging to a greater whole. On 9/11, the purpose was absolutely achieved.

tête-à-tête:

John McPhee ’49

Publicity photo, 1976 by Thomas Victor

This winter Head of School John Austin and Deerfield Magazine contributing writer Julia Elliott had an opportunity to interview Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Deerfield alumnus John McPhee. Mr. McPhee, who as of this year has written 32 books as well as numerous articles and essays, pioneered and became a master of the creative nonfiction genre. His career began at Time magazine, and he has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1965. Mr. McPhee also continues as a professor at his college alma mater, Princeton University. In addition to receiving the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1999 (for Annals of the Former World), Mr. McPhee has received numerous other literary awards and holds honorary doctorates from Yale University and Amherst College. He spoke with Dr. Austin and Ms. Elliott from his home in Princeton, NJ, where he was reviewing the printer’s proofs for his forthcoming book, Tabula Rasa, Volume 1, to be released on July 11, 2023.

AUSTIN: It’s a pleasure and an honor to meet you over the phone. I’ve been a huge fan of yours since I first read The Headmaster when I was a first-year teacher in 1987, so I’m so glad to have the opportunity to talk to you.

McPHEE: Thank you. I’m delighted by that, to say the least.

AUSTIN: I understand that your mom sent you to Deerfield for a post-graduate year after you graduated from Princeton High School but before you started Princeton University. I was wondering if you could just describe your year at Deerfield for us.

McPHEE: Well, there was a family that lived here in Princeton whose son went to Deerfield, and my mother wanted me to go to Deerfield from the time I was 14 years old. I wanted to stay at the high school because I was a basketball player, and so I resisted this, but she insisted, saying, “Okay, you go for a post-graduate year; you’re immature.” I was 16 for most of my senior year at Princeton High School. I’m so glad that she persisted. It was a wonderful year for me in my life: what happened, what I learned, and the people there. I continued to relate to Deerfield teachers in the years that came—The Headmaster was 17 years later, and it very much resulted from conversations with those teachers, especially Frank Conklin, who taught the first geology course I ever took.

ELLIOTT: I didn’t know that you had taken geology at Deerfield. Could you talk a little bit about how that course influenced the 20-year period when you ended up studying and writing about geology? [McPhee’s 1998 book on geology, Annals of the Former World, won the Pulitzer Prize.]

McPHEE: When I got to Deerfield, I was interested in taking more science classes. I didn’t know much about geology, but I thought it would be interesting. I got in the course and I really loved it all the way. Mr. Conklin used a text that was used in freshman geology courses in universities. When I got into geology professionally in 1978, it was the Deerfield course that I was acting upon. If I hadn’t gone to Deerfield and studied geology, Annals of the Former World would not exist. I attribute so many things to that year at Deerfield. It’s hard to sum them up.

AUSTIN: At the end of The Headmaster, you quote Mr. Boyden talking about the intimate relationships between pupils and teachers. You just mentioned your geology teacher, but were there other memorable teachers that you had while you were at Deerfield?

McPHEE: Quite a few. Most of all, Bob McGlynn, to whom The Headmaster is dedicated. Bob was an English teacher, but I didn’t take his course. My English teacher was Richard Hatch. McGlynn just—he was just interested in students. All year long, he got into conversations with me, he gave me books to read, and I wasn’t even in his class. Then after Deerfield and for the rest of his life, we were very close friends. He traveled with me and my daughters and so on.

Bobby Merriam was fresh out of Dartmouth at that point, and he was an All-American lacrosse player. He was the assistant coach, so we’re in there playing all the time with Bob Merriam.

I could keep going: Emmett Cook and John Suitor. Russ Miller was my history teacher. I mean, these were people I felt I really got to know well. I went to Deerfield a lot on visits after, while I was in college and so on. I would sit around in the evening with McGlynn and other teachers and talk.

AUSTIN: I’m curious how your experience at Deerfield compared with your experience at Princeton?

McPHEE: I had been admitted to Princeton out of Princeton High School. It was my hometown, and I was sort of surprised to be looked upon as a townie. I roomed my first two years with two Deerfield graduates. Now that I’m thinking about it, Deerfield graduates at Princeton were both roommates and friends, and had a lot to do with organizations I got into and so forth.

AUSTIN: You’ve written about playing basketball and lacrosse at Deerfield, and I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit more about the experience of playing on those teams and the role of sports in your life.

McPHEE: The role of sports was big all the way because, to start with, my father was the physician of Princeton athletic teams: football, basketball, baseball; so I grew up in a kind of sports context. Then at Deerfield, sports meant everything. I mean, I was all wrapped up in the basketball team. And then Ben Haviland, who coached lacrosse, came to me after a basketball game in the gym and said he wanted me to go out for lacrosse in the spring. I said, “I never played lacrosse,” and he said, “you’ve just been playing it.” And, in fact, I didn’t know then, but learned later from my research and writing, that basketball was invented by a lacrosse player. He was a Canadian in Springfield (MA).

AUSTIN: Amazing. I didn’t know that.

McPHEE: I didn’t know anything about lacrosse when I got in there, but this was a really good team. We were undefeated. At the time, there was almost nobody to play in the secondary-school level. We played Manhasset High School, Andover, and Exeter, but we also played college freshman teams: Yale, Williams, the plebes at West Point, and so on. We beat everybody! And it was a wonderful experience. I have a good, very close friend from childhood who went to Exeter and, every once in a while, I say to him, “Deerfield seven, Exeter six.” I have a son-in-law who went to Andover, and last night, in a note to him, out of nowhere, I slipped in: “Deerfield nine, Andover six.”

“If I hadn’t gone to Deerfield and studied geology, Annals of the Former World would not exist. I attribute so many things to that year at Deerfield. It’s hard to sum them up.”

tête-à-tête:

Frank Conklin, the geology teacher.

AUSTIN: That’s outstanding. What other activities did you do at Deerfield?

McPHEE: I wrote a little bit for the Scroll, very little, and I was in lightweight football. I think the sports filled it all up.

AUSTIN: Over the years, we’ve spoken with alumni who were students of Frank Boyden and, of all of those alums, you may have known him, or at least studied him, most closely because you wrote The Headmaster What exactly was it that made you want to write a book about Mr. Boyden?

McPHEE: Actually, it started with a suggestion from Frank Conklin, the geology teacher. In those years, in the sixties, I was brand new at The New Yorker, and I was looking for things to write about. When he made that suggestion, I thought, “Yeah, I would like to do that.” And I don’t know if you are familiar with a thing I wrote, it was in Deerfield Magazine, called “Warming the Jump Seat?” [In “Warming the Jump Seat,” McPhee explains that, in the elongated Cadillac that drove the basketball team to away games, he and Mr. Boyden sat together on the jump seats because they were the two shortest men in the car.]

AUSTIN: Yes, I am.

McPHEE: Well, “Warming the Jump Seat” is the answer to the question you just gave me. Sitting there on that jump seat, riding all over New England with this man beside me, and he’s talking about his school— or he was asleep.

ELLIOTT: After writing that book, what did you feel was most interesting or memorable about Frank Boyden as a headmaster?

McPHEE: The experiences I had with him right after it was written. The article was in The New Yorker, [The Headmaster was first published as two consecutive articles] and John Boyden [Frank Boyden’s son] told me that Mr. Boyden was in Los Angeles and he gets this magazine sent to him out there. He read it for a while, and then he flung it into a wall, and it fell down behind a couch.

Time passed, and then he goes over and gets down behind the couch and picks up The New Yorker and reads some more, and then he throws it at another wall.

Well, now it was going to become a Farrar, Straus book. And a note comes [from Mr. Boyden]: Would I come up to Deerfield and have a little talk about it? And what was I going to do? I went to Deerfield to talk to him about it. He had The New Yorker all cut out so that no ads were present; the columns were all mounted in a kind of scrapbook-like form, just the writing, in this book. And we sat down together, and he started in, and I was nervous as can be, but as we went along, I got less nervous. He told me all his reactions, and his things that he was concerned about were 100 percent to do with other people, not one thing about himself. And this just said everything to me.

AUSTIN: Interesting.

ELLIOTT: It really speaks to his lack of ego and focus on others and their feelings. But in such a gentle way.

McPHEE: Another thing that reminds me to comment on is his wife [Helen Boyden]. I fortunately had her as a teacher, too, in my year at Deerfield. She was extremely influential on the book. I remember her once saying, “All reviewers are contemptible.” She was so remarkable; I mean, her influence can’t be underestimated.

AUSTIN: So, as the author of The Headmaster, which I’ve read probably 10 or 15 times now, do you have any advice for me as Deerfield’s current head of school?

McPHEE: Oh my goodness.

AUSTIN: The world has changed, of course, but I’m still curious.

John McPhee

McPHEE: Things have changed. Well, I have, uh, I have—no. That’s the answer: No. I haven’t got anything to say about that.

AUSTIN: That’s a good answer! When did you first decide to become a writer?

McPHEE: Way back, as long as I can remember, when I was little—one digit old—I had two ideas: to be a teacher or a writer. And I ended up doing both. It happened several years before Deerfield that my ambition was to be a professional writer, but I had no idea how to go about it.

AUSTIN: You’ve been teaching at Princeton for a long time. I’m wondering, how do you see the relationship between your writing on the one hand and your teaching on the other? How do they inform one another?

McPHEE: That’s a great question. A lot of people assume that because you’re teaching it’s getting in the way of your writing. While I have no way to measure this, I think that I have written more in the past four decades as a teacher than I would without being a teacher. [As a writer], you just go from one piece to the next; you get a little jaded. But from the get-go, from 1975, when I taught my first class at Princeton, I have taught a spring semester course, and during those three months, I have never written one line of my New Yorker work or whatever. It’s a period when you’re fallow. Teaching the students, looking at their work, going over it with them a semicolon at a time, it is highly related to what I do, but it isn’t me doing it. When I come off the teaching in June, I’m really refreshed as a writer, and off I go. So there’s a symbiosis there that’s considerable —or has been for me anyway.

AUSTIN: What is it that you enjoy most about teaching?

McPHEE: What I never imagined when I started teaching was that I would be in touch for the rest of my life with a large portion of my students. And it’s just been wonderful with endless stories that I could tell you about different alumni and my relationship with them. Many of them are writers; a whole lot of them are doctors.

AUSTIN: Amazing. What writers have influenced you throughout your life?

McPHEE: Almost every writer I’ve read; because—and I’m thinking back to college years and Deerfield years and everything else—when you read a book or a story, you react to it. And if you react positively, it’s going to influence you in a positive way. If you react negatively, it’s going to move you away from certain things. So, I think almost everything is influential in that way.

AUSTIN: How did you get your first article published at The New Yorker, and what was the topic?

McPHEE: I spent a year at the University of Cambridge after Princeton because a close friend from Deerfield was there, and we had arranged at Deerfield that I would do this. And when I was at Cambridge, I played on the university basketball team and traveled all over Great Britain playing basketball. On Christmas vacation, I was in the Tower of London listening to a guide, and I noticed that in the central courtyard there were the outlines of a basketball court. I asked, “Who plays here?” And the guide said, “The Royal Fusiliers play here.”

Deerfield All-stars: l to r: McPhee, McGlynn, Engelland, O’Brien

tête-à-tête: The best teacher of writing is writing itself. Writers grow slowly.

They don’t spring like something out of the ear of Zeus. They do it one sentence after another, through time.

So, I went back to Cambridge, and I got the secretary of the basketball team to write the Royal Fusiliers and get a game in the Tower of London. And we did; we got one. So that was the subject of my first New Yorker piece, which they bought in 1963. I actually became a staff writer two years later, after writing a profile of [Princeton graduate, professional basketball player, and New Jersey Senator] Bill Bradley. But this first piece was just a nice thing. I was no spring chicken. I was 32, so it was a long time after college when I sold my first piece to The New Yorker

AUSTIN: You’ve now written 32 books on an amazingly diverse array of subjects: college basketball, Alaska, Swiss Army, oranges— I could keep going—geology and geologists, nuclear technology, the Merchant Marine, shad. I’m wondering, how do you choose your subject?

McPHEE: Various things happen. The timing has to be right. For example, if I’m in the middle of something, I’m not going to be very responsive to a new idea. But there’s always a little story about why this book and why that one. Basically, my goal was to write miscellaneously, tabula rasa. I didn’t want to be just writing about one subject over and over again. I wanted to write about new subjects and learn about them, and then pass on what I learned to readers. That was my goal, and that’s why it’s so miscellaneous. One time, I’d finished a piece, I had to find something new to do, and I got into a tennis match in Rhode Island with my Deerfield roommate and I playing against two other people, whom I didn’t know at all. After we finished playing, one of these people starts talking about a project he’s working on for the Ford Foundation, about weapons-grade nuclear material in the hands of private industry. The next week I was at the University of Virginia, interviewing him about that subject, and that’s where The Curve of Binding Energy began. Every piece has a story like that with it.

AUSTIN: Amazing. Of all your books and all the subjects, is it possible for you to name a favorite or two?

McPHEE: My answer to that question has always been the thing I’m working on now. Or, I have four daughters. You want me to choose among them?

AUSTIN: That’s a good answer. Tell me a little bit about your research and writing process. How does it work, and how do you move to a finished manuscript?

McPHEE: The research is just whatever the thing requires. I mean, traveling on a merchant ship down the west coast of South America, or to Wyoming for whatever it is, and then making a huge number of notes and recordings. When I get back to Princeton, I type up all the notes that are scribbled in little four-by-six notebooks. So, I have one matrix of material, and then I study that material until it’s broken down into a structure. That takes much longer than the traveling did, and then it takes, of course, a lot longer to do the writing. It takes the longest to do the first draft and a little less long to do the second; the third and the fourth are diminished in time. And when I get to the far end of it, I go play tennis in Rhode Island with my Deerfield roommate and start on another one.

AUSTIN: What does your day-to-day writing life look like? Do you have a routine?

McPHEE: Well, yes and no. I have a terrible time getting anything done on each day. In my view, it’s a form of writer’s block that is like a membrane, and you’ve got to get through it to get anything done. I just can’t tell you how much time I have spent doing nothing, sharpening pencils, walking around, going out for a run. I show up at nine o’clock in the morning, I’m there until six, and I don’t get anything done until about five when I panic and somehow squeeze out a few words, say 300, and that’s the day. I walk out on the campus, and people say, “you’re so prolific,” and I’m dumbstruck. But the thing is, if you take 300 [words] times 300 days, that’s a lot of words. You get a little drip of stuff each day. I learned long ago that if I got going in some kind of zone until midnight or something, then I don’t do anything for the next week. So I quit at about six, no matter what, even in the middle of a sentence.

ELLIOTT: I can’t tell you how comforting I find that, because it takes me four or five hours to get going, and I always thought it was just some flaw of mine. So, I’m very comforted by knowing that you have the same kind of process.

McPHEE: You are not the first writer who’s ever said that to me. I’m so glad that that confession of mine, whatever it was, helped other people; so thanks for telling me that.

AUSTIN: I’m wondering: You must leave out a lot of research from your books, am I correct in that?

McPHEE: Absolutely. I mean, most of what you experience, you leave out. One of the pieces I wrote about the writing process is called “Omission,” and it is the last chapter in Draft Number Four. That’s the subject of it, that what you leave out is, in many ways, more important than what you put in.

AUSTIN: I just have one more question for you, Mr. McPhee, I was wondering what advice you might have for Deerfield students who are interested in pursuing a career in writing?

McPHEE: The best teacher of writing is writing itself. Writers grow slowly. They don’t spring like something out of the ear of Zeus. They do it one sentence after another, through time. What develops a writer is writing—not a course at some college or anything like that. [As a teacher] I look upon myself as a coach. I used to teach swimming at a summer camp to people who knew how to swim. What I was trying to do for them was to help their efficiency in the water so that they could get along more smoothly and rapidly. And I always thought of my work as a teacher of writing as being like that— teaching swimming. I was teaching people who knew what they were doing, and I was trying to help them get better at it.

AUSTIN: Mr. McPhee, thank you so much.

McPHEE: You’re more than welcome. Thank you. Thank you. I love Deerfield, and I’m just delighted to be doing this today. //

Please enjoy the “object lesson” in the closing spread of this issue: Mr. McPhee’s actual writing notes for The Headmaster! >>>>

SHOW YOUR WORK

THE CLASS

English 406

Creative Nonfiction Workshop

THE STUDENTS

Tyler Ettelson ’23

Neha Jampala ’23

THE TEACHER

Justin Romick

THE ASSIGNMENT:

Literature has an historical precedent of transmuting the realities of human existence into compelling narratives, thus accommodating an impulse articulated by Nietzsche when he wrote, “we have art in order not to die of truth.” This course will allow students to engage in the practice of writing creative nonfiction with a variety of forms and approaches. We will read and follow the models of Ta-Nahisi Coates, Hanif Abdurraqib, John McPhee, Rebecca Solnit, Adam Gopnik, David Foster Wallace, Zadie Smith, Jia Tolentino, Rebekah Taussig and several others as we familiarize ourselves with the genre and create artistically compelling pieces of narrative truth.

—Deerfield Academy Course Catalog

After assigning The Headmaster by John McPhee ’49, English teacher

Justin Romick asked the students in his workshop to write profiles of one another in McPhee’s style, using the techniques they had observed in The Headmaster. They researched, interviewed, and considered the “internal contradictions” of their subjects. The result was a series of compelling essays, including the following two by seniors

Tyler Ettelson and Neha Jampala.

NEHA JAMPALA ’23

by Tyler Ettelson ’23

Neha Jampala loves to write. Medium is no object: her fingers fly across the keyboard as gracefully as her pen dances across the page. Her writing has weaved its way throughout her life. This past year, Neha wrote the eye-opening nonfiction work, Reflections From the Covid-19 Pandemic: Pursuits of Panaceas, culminating her years of journaling and writing as a whole.

She writes in her introduction that the book’s central message is about finding solidarity, solutions, and hope in the community. She eloquently writes, “when we read, our natural inclination is to try and decipher what will happen next, which activates our brains to see situations from different perspectives” (xi, Jampala). Using the first person plural, we, she includes herself, alluding to how she functions.

Neha takes this approach outside of literature, into how she reads the world. For example, when sitting in the Dining Hall, Neha walked me through her thought process when I asked her if she would like to get up to grab coffee with me: “No,” she says. But in her head, she thinks: “I don’t want coffee. So no. Wait. How will Tyler feel? . . .” These ponderings were brought to a close with me finishing my question: “so that we can continue chatting?” But in that instant, she thought of not only what she wanted but also what I would think, what I would feel. She read the situation. Neha ended up walking with me.

Neha’s writing is spontaneous, much like herself. After toiling away at work on a Saturday afternoon, Neha decides to go to a local sheep festival in Western Massachusetts. A local sheep festival. This sheer-pun intended-level of spontaneity is not uncommon. Whether it be pausing work to go on impromptu gas station runs, or writing down ideas, or saying whatever comes to mind at the moment, a chaotic spontaneity resides within Neha’s placid composure.

Writing is how Neha thinks. Even for quantitative subjects like math, her notes are extensive, words proliferate the sparse mathematical equation.

Like her writing, which shifts from Scroll editorials to research papers, she transforms herself. But this transformation doesn’t occur to appease others, rather to appease her own desires. At home, she oscillates between locking herself in her room to work—shouting a vicious teenage “What” at any semblance of a disturbance at her door—to barging into her mother’s office demanding to cook some obscure recipe and watch an Indian movie. Although this sounds like your usual teenager, when you couple Neha’s actions with insight from her friend Ashley, Neha is conscious of time. She never procrastinates. She’s honest and always says what is on her mind. As a friend of hers once said, “Neha does everything she can to get as far as she can,” aligning with her parents’ anecdote of Neha at home.

So, where did this passion for writing originate? Neha claims it’s from being an only child and, more specifically, from attending school in Arizona.

BASIS School. Per its nomenclature, it sounds like an institution that develops a strong base from which students can continue to excel in secondary school and beyond. For Neha, BASIS School embodied the lonely years of her childhood. BASIS did not follow the basic school structure. There were two sessions of schooling: Early Bird and Late Bird. This rupture caused a staunch divide between the solidification of Neha’s intellectual and academic basis and her formative childhood experiences. When her classmates left for the day promptly at 2 pm, Neha stayed late, doing her homework as her parents had to pick her up late. The one sparse break from this childhood world stuffed full of academia was Thursdays. On Thursdays, Neha got to leave school early with everyone else.

But why did Neha love Thursdays? Because of writing. Well, more specifically, because she attended Kumon, an after-school math and reading program, on Thursday afternoons. Her Kumon packets were riddled with vocabulary and grammar: the tools to write. Thus writing and Kumon are inexplicably tied to her joy of fitting in, of conformity with the other students at BASIS.

It’s no contest that Neha cares about her writing, always putting her best foot forward, but more importantly, Neha cares. A prime example of Neha’s receptivity to those around her comes in the form of a rowdy freshman’s questions over a nice waffle on a calm Sunday morning. While I was interviewing Neha, a freshman injected himself at our table and hijacked my job as the interviewer, with a complete disregard for manners as he brimmed with freshman ignorance. This child asked a bunch of extraneous questions such as “How do your glasses affect the political and economic state of the world?” To which Neha quipped, “I’m helping the supply chain run by being a consumer.” Neha’s deadpan response elicited laughter all around the table. She didn’t brush off the freshman’s inquiries; instead, without missing a beat, she answered.

Over Long Winter Weekend, Neha and her friend Chelsea decided to hike Mount Sugarloaf. Chelsea kept stumbling on the uneven, slippery, and eroded path up to the summit. With a smile on her face, Neha would always help her up despite constantly falling victim to the ice herself. Following their excursion, Neha wrote a thoughtful handwritten letter which her friend was able to repeat to me verbatim. No matter how busy she is, Neha will always outstretch a hand to friends or proctees with a smile beaming from her face, with her left cheek arching slightly as if attempting a wink.

This kind, caring center of Neha is hard to see; it’s sheltered. When asking those not well-acquainted with Neha about her temperament, the response was uniform: Neha is a quiet, hardworking intellectual. Over the course of this profile, I have pushed aside Neha’s façade of a quiet intellectual and have begun to unravel the mess behind this neatly pressed curtain. Her humor does not shine through the curtain to those unaware that it’s a curtain, not a wall. To them, her humor and personality falls flat as high-brow intellectual-speak. In reality, the humor is so flat it’s hilarious. They are looking at a curtain and just have not waited long enough for the show to start. It took two weeks, but the orchestra is tuning. Through different perspectives Neha’s curtain is being drawn, revealing her intellectual, kind, and caring nature.

In some respects, Neha’s mind assumes the following structure when at an impasse: How may I achieve my goals? What is the person across from me thinking? Do their ideas align with what I desire? Do I care about them (in almost every case yes)? How can I achieve a relative balance between what I want and what they want? Egh, whatever, let’s just do what they want.

She insightfully perceives the totality of her surroundings, like a writer crafting a setting of a densely wooded forest with vivid imagery. Yet sometimes, she blurts out whatever is on her mind. To her, this is her largest point of fallibility. She’s constantly telling me: I’m working on it, I promise. What exactly is she referring to? She believes her honesty can come off as rude, and that she needs a better filter.

Neha doesn’t like to bother others, her friends always say that they need to text her, that Neha never texts first—especially Zoe. Yet she takes on excessive loads of work, and another friend stated that she always knows when she needs help and always reaches out when that moment arises. The dissonance here lies in the fact that if she never reaches out, does she never need help? Is Neha infallible? No.

Neha writes the context of her friendships, always with kindness and thought. But that context is flexible based on the desires of her friends. Neha might not be the infallible author of her own life, but she is certainly writing her desires into existence. Similar to her book’s central message, Neha Jampala has found her own solidarity, her own solutions, and her own hope. //

TYLER ETTELSON ’23

by Neha Jampala ’23

If you were ever to meet Tyler, your first encounter would probably be at Table 17 in the Dining Hall, and you would definitely be sitting at an awkward 90-degree angle from him if you plan on joining him for breakfast. Tyler is always sitting in his usual back-facing-the-wall seat, and you will find his friend Gabe sitting 180 degrees across from him. Both of them want arm space so you cannot exactly sit right next to them either. Of course, you cannot sit in their seats because it will thoroughly disturb both. For context, Tyler told me once that he and Gabe were very perturbed by the fact that I sit at a different breakfast table every other week. Tyler finds comfort in being in the exact same seat every morning because not only does his seat give him a vantage point of the entire dining hall, but also has a perfectly straight route to his left for coffee. He calls 6:25 am (his average arrival time) a prime-time for work, which is both a necessity and routine that grounds him.

Although many attest that Tyler is naturally melancholy, if you greet him on a morning when he got more than four hours of sleep, you will likely get a cheery fist bump from him and a “How’s life?” As he pushes back his hair and fiddles with the bracelets on his left wrist, you will start to notice what he predicts people will notice first: that he’s “Wasian,” coming from mixed descent. If you continue prodding him on what it’s like being mixed, he’ll tell you that he’s mixed in so many other ways (which he obviously doesn’t specify) and that he’s become sort of a chameleon as he embodies the type of person that other people see him most saliently as. His chameleon analogy was an evasive response to a question about feelings, and you’ll start to notice that Tyler is A) incredibly intelligent and analytical in many ways but also B) extremely guarded.

(continued on the next page)

TYLER ETTELSON ’23 (CONTINUED)

by Neha Jampala ’23

Although Tyler always keeps a guard up, he is highly attuned to the emotions of people around him, even if he doesn’t necessarily confront his own directly. As I’ve got to know him better, his innate compartmentalization is an extension of his mantra: “First with the head, then with the heart.” He shares that his mom, an extrovert at heart, was one the biggest influences in his life, as she helped him come out of his bubble, shaping Tyler into someone who leads with a mix of head-first and heart-first thinking. From his childhood days at Buckley, where Tyler was undeniably a quiet, serious, and introverted student, he has since allowed himself to open up to the vastness of Deerfield. He now exists in his most genuine self around his friends who only recount the best in their friend who has shaped their growth just as much as they had shaped his.

From doing endless Kumon packets or Wordly Wise on the glass counter table in his living room, to playing at state chess championships as only a pre-teen, Tyler has a natural inclination for analytical thinking and problem-solving. He prefers the compartmentalized and quantitative nature of life. Yet Tyler subconsciously guards himself by putting up walls, but they are only made of paper, according to friend and co-proctor, Gabe. Gabe is a very qualitative, expressive person, Tyler complements him as a reserved and quiet thinker. Perhaps this is why they work well together, and more so because their relationship is built from common ground even if it faces opposite directions.

As I talk to Gabe, I can see precisely why they are friends. To me, they were an unusual pairing at first, but I could tell that they both brought out the better sides in each other. After spending fifteen minutes talking to Gabe about Tyler, I felt as though I could write a paper on Gabe, right then and there. I still had no idea where to start with Tyler. Not only does Tyler exist very differently in my own mind than he does in reality, but he also carries his personality in a rather evasive way, making it hard to define or articulate. Most of his responses to my questions are: “Well, Neha, it really depends…” So I realized one thing: I would not be able to write this essay depending upon what Tyler tells me. Instead, I would need to glean from observing him, since his actions speak the words he most often keeps guarded, and his friends who know him best see a larger and more complete picture.

Tyler is organized. He writes his to-do lists on his mirror, and color codes his weekly calendar. Although he sometimes dresses in monochrome since he gets dressed in the dark, he never stands out as conspicuously unusual but rather tidy and put-together. Sometimes his multi-colored polka dot socks tell a different story, but perhaps this quirk connects to the way he thinks of himself as somewhat chaotic, as he believes his brain doesn’t necessarily coordinate with the way he wants to function physically.

The spinning Apple pencil between Tyler’s fingers that sometimes distracts his interlocutor from what he is saying, anchors him closer to his own thoughts. While his pencil serves as a constant force of exerted pressure, Tyler himself is extremely level-headed under pressure of all kinds. One rarely knows how much is happening inside Tyler’s mind; we are met instead with a polite, sometimes tired, smile. As Thomas tells me repeatedly, “He’s unconditionally supportive.” Despite his own qualms, Tyler will instead ask you first: “how’s life?” There were many moments when I didn’t know how to address Tyler’s classic “how’s life?” question —whether to answer generally, or whether to answer truthfully In the face of questions like these, I only want to reflect the question back at him, but I always refrain since I wonder if it will only burden him more by forcing him to confront emotions he usually does not want to say aloud.

While Tyler does reveal his entire emotional spectrum, behind his paper walls is his empathetic, caring heart. One of Tyler’s closest friends, Jackson, tells me: “It doesn’t matter what he’s doing. If you need him, he will stop everything and make time for you.”

Tyler is the friend you are unexpectedly drawn to, the type of kid who does not shy away from questioning you, yet does so with quiet restraint. When I was out of class with strep one day he sent a text: “R u alive?” Although someone with strep would rather see a “how are you feeling?”, I appreciated the thought. In the process of writing this paper, I myself unexpectedly began to feel an affinity for Tyler, and more often than not, returning to Table 17 to ask for Spanish or math help. His natural ease with conversation is something that came with time. Although Tyler was relatively introverted growing up, his now wide circle of friends, easy rapport with many faculty members and classmates, and attentiveness as a proctor reflect his growth more than anything. Tyler’s dad, a Deerfield alum, says “Tyler’s definitely not your DA cheerleader. But he’s a quiet leader, and that did come with a lot of growth.”

Tyler’s quiet traits of care and compassion are often kept to himself, much like the way he handles relationships with his family. When I asked him about who his strongest influences in his life were, he weaved through an answer, ever-evasive, and gave me an unexpected response: “my end goal in life is to make sure my sister is taken care of.” Those who are only acquaintances with Tyler may not assume that he was an older brother, let alone one that would sporadically send random selfies and exchange emoji spams. In most of his classmates’ minds, Tyler exists one-dimensionally: the hardworking, respectful kid who holds decent conversations, is good at chess, and is happy to help if you ask. As Gabe confirms Tyler’s “Type A” personality, he mentions that when Tyler’s excited or happy, he talks incessantly. But he proceeds to say: “I’ve never seen Tyler truly happy.” They’re an interesting duo.

While I may have never seen Tyler truly happy as well, I can affirm Tyler’s talkative nature when he warms up to a person. Perhaps it was just because of the heat on the swelteringly humid day we walked down Albany Road, but it was that moment I knew that I had maybe, just maybe, poked a hole in one of Tyler’s walls. He tells me about dealing with migraines during a tough junior year and trails off into several postulations about how his fish, Flash, died by the time he came back from a trip, and he mainly suspects the doorman and his other fish, Rose, who became twice as big.

If LM were having a Monopoly night, Gabe would be more focused on distracting everyone with tangential conversations while Tyler would be the banker and scrutinize his assets as if it were real life. In short, Tyler is more action-oriented than conversational. Yet, once you get to know Tyler, you will find him surprisingly talkative, dropping hints of himself along the way while still holding his guard up. While he can hold a good conversation, sometimes he puts an end to ours by asking me rebuttal questions on my writing process or if I dislike hypocrites and liars. With Tyler, you never know where the conversation will go, but you will likely have a good one before ending on a curious note that makes you contemplate your childhood or entire existence.

In more metaphoric terms, when you hear Tyler talking about things he loves the most, you hear the thoughts that slip through the walls he has constructed. As we sit at Table 17, having a casual conversation about the superiority of the waffle versus omelet bar at brunch, Tyler—a multi-tasker at heart but a linear thinker—pulls up a design he was working on throughout the conversation and asks what I think of it. Of course, me knowing almost nothing about architectural design, could only offer a casual “looks pretty cool” but Tyler takes the words with enthusiasm and appreciation. He’s a person with simple appreciation for affirmation and buttresses my “sorry, I don’t really know anything about architecture” with an “awesome, thanks! That’s all I needed . . . for it to look cool.”

Despite doing well in almost everything he chooses to pursue, Tyler undermines the compliments and claims that he just “wings stuff”, sees how it goes, hopes it’s fun, and covers up his reasoning for doing it with analytical logic. In this sense, I’ve been able to reconcile Tyler’s dynamic mentality and easygoing nature as it juxtaposes his compartmentalization and serious commitment to the things he cares most about.

More than anything, understanding and “figuring out” Tyler has shown me what growth looks like. From descriptions from friends and family members to the way Tyler perceives himself, I notice how every day, Tyler tries to be a better person for the people around him. Whether it’s through proctoring or his experiences with art, he tells me that “I’m not trying to be the best, I just want to be better. Nothing about me is really done, and I think I’m just trying to improve every day.” When I asked him what he believed was life’s purpose, he cursed, sat quietly, “ummed” for 10 seconds, and said: “can you clarify the question please?” I didn’t clarify the question, I just repeated it. But this time, he responded quickly: “I want to leave behind a legacy.” I, unsatisfied with Tyler’s brief answers as always, asked him to expand. In short, he explained that leaving a legacy does not have to be tangible, but having the satisfaction that “you have a net-cost positive impact on the world.” Again, this was a classic Tyler response, one that was analytical, hints at his creative and emotional side, and leaves you questioning your own values and wondering about your impact on the world. This essay means to capture the existence of Tyler, the accomplished and highly analytical friend, classmate, brother, and son, who often keeps much to himself in a charmingly respectful manner. But Tyler is also talkative, easygoing, effervescent, and affectionately observant. Although I had never spoken a single word to Tyler our first two years at Deerfield,

a junior year biology class was our official introduction, and I’ve since grown to appreciate his constant, thoughtful, and melancholy presence. Whether it’s across the table in the classroom or across the dining hall from Table 17, there’s something about the familiarity in the traits I see in common between myself and Tyler and the differences between us that make his words and actions compelling. By the end of this paper, I’ve officially been granted an “always welcome to join” invite to Table 17, albeit it came from his friend, not Tyler himself, since Tyler would never say those words out loud. It might take me another year of having to get to know Tyler to hear him tell me that I am welcome at his breakfast table, but only on the conditions that I didn’t sit in his or Gabe’s seat and only if I ensure my presence doesn’t interfere with the 270-degree elbow space they both require. //

the Common Room

1947

“My father, Thomas Sweitzer, son of Harry F. Sweitzer and Ruth E (Waterman) Sweitzer, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 in Scottsdale, AZ. He had a very full and happy life and an especially wonderful retirement in Sedona, AZ, with his wife, Jan Sweitzer, who passed away in 2018. Dad’s life was remarkable for his dedication to his family, community, and volunteerism. He spent much of his childhood in Madison, CT, racing sailboats with his brother Skip and enjoying their experiences as they became Eagle Scouts. After Deerfield, he went on to Amherst College. Soon after he graduated, Dad joined N. W. Ayer, a renowned advertising firm in New York, where he spent his entire professional career, ultimately helping to make the firm a global agency. Dad’s proudest professional achievements were in his work in China in the 1980s, engaged to conduct an extensive survey of China’s cultural, industrial, and manufacturing assets to identify, develop and promote to western/international markets: The China Exposition, which Ayer designed and produced, was China’s re-introduction to the world. This virtuoso exhibition premiered in San Francisco and traveled across the US and Europe, setting the stage for the economic powerhouse we know today. Throughout his life, Dad shared his passions with the communities he lived in through teaching, mentoring, and volunteering. As a father, he shared his pleasures of boating, gardening, woodshop, art, music, and travel with my brother, Steve, and me. He also shared our mother’s life-long love for dogs and passionate support of animal rescue. As Dad neared retirement, after years of exhilarating travel and adventures that enlivened his marriage, his mind turned towards gratitude for the woman he adored. He accompanied Jan on her travels to the southwest as she searched for gems and minerals for her passion for jewelry making. As he traveled, he recalled her stories of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where her family escaped the heat of the summers in Knoxville, TN. He heard her longing for distant views that he rekindled with flying lessons that brought back the thrills of her first job as a stewardess on Delta Airlines DC-3s. Traveling to destinations throughout the southwest, he asked himself repeatedly, ‘Could I live here?’ When they discovered Sedona, the answer was an emphatic ‘Yes!’ For my brother Steve and I, this was a sudden and unexpected decision which, much to our consternation, they acted upon with great alacrity. In Sedona, they found a breathtaking place to live and an incredible community of locals and snowbirds to live out their retirement years. With Dad’s passing, Steve and I have learned what impactful people our parents were with the many unsolicited stories offered to us by Sedona locals and snowbirds and the dear friends from their 40+ years in Westport, CT. Often these accounts moved me to tears and, more often than not, brought revelations we had never imagined. Our admiration for them has grown, as has our understanding of them as citizens and individuals, well beyond their parenting of us. These often-moving accounts of their ongoing sharing of their lives’ passions and the support of those who shared them have painted a clear picture of who our parents were and how dedicated they were to ‘paying it forward.’ Our extended conversations and interviews with their surviving friends and family members have enabled us to recognize their legacies in those whose lives they touched and within ourselves. Theirs were lives well lived, fully and in the moment. They were good people.”—Tucker

Sweitzer

1948

“My wife Anne and I celebrated our 65th wedding anniversary on July 2, 2022. In 2011, we moved to Fox Hill Village, a retirement community in Westwood, MA. Living is easy and agreeable in all respects. We have three daughters (two Smith and one Amherst), two of whom are close by and the other in Pelham, NY; there are five grandchildren. All are well, active, and productively engaged. Anne gardens and plays bridge. After nine hip operations, I wobble around exercising and also write short stories. An Amherst classmate and I coined the acronym SEEES: Sleep, Eat, Exercise, Engage (socially), Stretch. It’s an excellent guide for elder fitness.”

—Jack Vernon

“My wife and I live in a retirement community—Kendal at Hanover—in Hanover, NH. Deerfield classmate and good friend Peter Bien, is also here, as is Sam Franz ’49 Peter spent his career teaching at Dartmouth. My granddaughter, Grace Hall Wilson, is engaged Brendon Hindle Donoghue, grandson of classmate Win Hindle.”

—Tom Wilson

“I was a math major at Oberlin. After Navy OCS and three years on minesweepers, I enrolled in economics grad school at Yale (PhD in1962). Joined the economics department at Wesleyan in 1960, retiring in 2006. I taught a selection of courses: introductory, the micro and macro courses required of majors, industrial organization, antitrust economics, accounting, business ethics, and corporate finance. Being at Wesleyan allowed me to wander among subfields in both teaching and research (as my interests evolved; not possible at graduate programs) and also to take up visiting and moonlighting positions at other institutions: MIT, Cal Berkeley, UCONN, New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, University of Adelaide, and (six times) Yale. I have tried to stay intellectually occupied by continuing the trickle of articles. I married in 1956; Joan (married for 57 years; she is now deceased), and I have three children and eight grandchildren spread around (Portland, OR, Albuquerque, NM, Boston, MA, Minturn, CO, Portland, ME). Family summers in Maine, inland on a lake (hiking, swimming, sailing). I gave up squash 20 years ago (at my doctor’s suggestion). Health? Two replaced hips, cataract surgery, arthritis; I am very fortunate.” —Dick

Miller

“After graduating from Brown in 1952 and going on to do two years in the Navy during the Korean war, I got my MBA from Wharton Graduate at Penn. After sojourns with IBM and Chase Bank, I went into advertising with McCann Erickson, then to Brand Management with Bristol Myers, Johnson & Johnson, Ocean Spray (Director of New Products), Richardson Vicks (Americas Far East), and finally Proctor and Gamble, retiring early at 57. Since then, my Norwegian wife (right) two children, and I moved through years of marketing consulting to an active retirement in Naples, FL, in 1994. We’re still here. I’ve been active in my community, serving as president of master and village associates while founding a winning swim team, summer camp, tennis program, a social committee, and as editor of our newsletter. Twelve doubles trophies later, I retired as captain of the tennis team. I remember Gordy and me on the D’Field lightweight football team. My latest book is the second edition of The Ivy Fest Song Book: Ivy Fight Songs.” —Ty Day Dear Classmates, Gordy Hall and Jack Vernon (right) here, writing you as your New Class Agent Team! In 2020, I (Gordy) wrote the Office of Advancement to inquire about several classmates; they told me that personal information was available only to the class agent and then asked if I would like to fill that now-vacant role. Jack and I went to Amherst together and have been close ever since. I asked him if he would like to take on the job as a team, a job that would hopefully invoke a sentimental journey (corny but accurate) for all of us. We’re all 90+/- years old, and there are 50 of us still standing (or sitting or supine). We want to ask you for

communications on any subject: offspring, occupations, health, travel, politics, observations, or whatever comes to mind. Bragging is definitely encouraged, as well as curmudgeonly comments. Here’s my two cents worth: After Amherst, I went to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies but wound up in commercial real estate and ownership of properties that two of my three sons now expand and manage. I’m involved in four non-profit environmental/conservation organizations, which I enjoy immensely; the world is in big trouble, and help is needed. I self-published a book, Satan in the Pulpit, about the founding of Phillips Andover and Exeter Academies, where my great, great grandfather went to Divinity School, and I have sold 175 copies. I have two replaced hips and one replaced knee (Deerfield lightweight football) and have had a bypass and an arrhythmia correction—I’m fortunate that all of them have worked, and I can be active. I live in Marblehead, MA, and for 25 years, I raced a succession of sailboats named Katabatic. We were the boat to beat, and I loved it. In summer, my wife and I now cruise on the coast of Maine and go to our way-off-the-grid Northern Maine camp and watch wildlife. At home, I play tennis if I don’t have to run far. That’s it for me. Here’s Jack: To Amherst with Gordy and Win Hindle, MIT for a master’s, then Navy Civil Engineering Corps. I began my career as a consultant with Arthur D. Little, then to Instron Corp. for nine years, then left as EVP/COO to become president of a start-up developing a modern steam engine—limited future. Became an executive search consultant and retired after 25 years as managing director of Russell Reynolds Association. Along the way was Chair of the Weston, MA, School Committee, WGBH Board of Overseers, and finally, Board Chair of the New England Conservatory of Music. We now live in a retirement community in Westwood, MA. I’ve published a book, Very Short Stories, that includes a piece on Dick Hatch. Survived one prostate, one double bypass with a pacemaker, and six hip operations (two and four). Golf handicap 12, now 22. Married for 65 years to Anne Bennett. We have three daughters and five grandchildren, all well above average. As Garrison Keillor said: ‘Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.’ We’re in high hopes that all this will encourage you to write whatever is on your mind or about your life—anything, including complaints. We all have a pretty short runway ahead, and that’s a good reason to hear from each other. Please write to: gordonhall3@comcast.net and/or jvernon30@gmail.com. Thanks! —Gordon Hall/Jack Vernon

1950

Edgar Parker (left) shared this story from the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails about being named Volunteer of the Month in July 2021: When Arnold resident and Navy veteran Edgar Parker looks back on his life, he is proud of many things but especially his volunteer efforts. In 1985, Parker began representing his community at the Eastern District Community Relations Council. When asked to volunteer as the recording secretary, he took meeting minutes. “Some people had a problem, some community members, and this was a good chance for them to come and talk to the district captain,” Parker said. “Then we kind of straightened it out or told them what they could and couldn’t do.” He continued to volunteer for 15 years but remains a member, representing Woodfield Village off of College Parkway. After retiring in 1997, Parker continued his work with the county police by giving his time to the Volunteers in Police Service. For 20 years, Parker assisted in non-enforcement roles with the police department. After being inspired by a neighbor who ran frequently, Parker joined the Annapolis Striders. “I eventually got to where I could run 10 miles fairly comfortably,” Parker said. “I really do have

a bureau full of t-shirts.” When he could no longer run, he volunteered to assist with parking and manage the finish line at longer races. From 2009 to 2018, Parker belonged to the Anne Arundel County Public Library Foundation. A selfproclaimed “reader,” Parker served a nine-year term where he attended meetings and library events, donated money, and helped with fundraising. Parker was nominated for Volunteer of the Month by the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails (FOAACT.) His involvement with the trail began when he lobbied Councilman Cliff Roop and Wayne Gilchrist for a trail along College Parkway by Anne Arundel Community College. “I thought you shouldn’t have to have a car to go to the community college,” Parker said. “You should be able to walk or ride a bicycle.” His successful efforts launched a study to assess the area by College Parkway. When Parker learned that the Friends of the B&A Trail had changed its name and established the FOAACT, he contacted them to get involved and continue working on the Broadneck Trail. He joined the board of directors and administered a boating safety course for 16 years. He stayed involved as a representative of the Broadneck Trail even after discontinuing the boating course. As a Trailblazer, a group of volunteers who monitor the trails and help people along the way, he continues to make monetary donations. He is currently working to install a special water fountain along the trail. After the first section of the Broadneck Trail was completed in 2012, Parker donated money to build a rest area by the Broadneck Library in memory of Allan and Edie Segree. His generosity helped build a large rest area in memory of his wife, Jean, and himself. After Parker lost his wife to Alzheimer’s, he was inspired to help run a monthly Alzheimer’s caregivers support group on top of his other volunteer efforts. There is no question that Parker has made a substantial difference in this community. He said that he wants people to remember him for the good that he did. “I like to help people, but I feel you are obligated to help people.”

1952

Matt Harrington ’85 shared the news of his father’s passing: Robert John Harrington died August 23, 2021, at Martin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Stuart, FL, where he lived since May 2020, when he fractured his hip at home. Born on January 19, 1935, in Holyoke, MA, Robert was the second child of Mary Harrington and Elmer Joseph Harrington, MD. Called Bobby by his elder sister and only sibling, Nancy, Robert spent a happy childhood with his extended family in Holyoke. Robert graduated from Deerfield in 1952, attended Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA, and Regis College, a Catholic Jesuit institution in Denver, CO. He entered the Army in 1956. He worked as a cryptographer in Arlington, VA, during his service. Robert’s business career started in journalism at the Boston Herald Traveler and included reporting and editorial work with United Press International and the National Review in New York. He later entered the field of public relations and advertising, working in several roles, including co-founder of The Communicators advertising agency in Harrisburg, PA. He combined early experience as an announcer and disc jockey to become a writer, producer, and voice talent for numerous radio and television advertisements. These included ones featuring his children and their friends for clients Foxx Pools and Harrisburg Radio Lab. He returned to radio announcer and DJ roles later in life. After moving from Boston to New York, Robert met Lucy Hayes Rodgers of Reedsville, PA, in 1962. They were married at New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1963 and later moved to central Pennsylvania to be closer to Lucy’s family and raise one of their own.

“My Constitutional Essentials: On the Constitutional Theory of Political Liberalism—taking up some core questions for the theory and practice of democratic constitutionalism —was published in September of 2022 by Oxford University Press. This book covers work I’ve had in progress for quite a while, and largely written after my 2012 retirement from active teaching at Harvard.”

—Frank Michelman

l to r: Grant Harrington, Matt Harrington ’85, Robert John Harrington ’52 in 2009; and Robert John Harrington from the 1952 Pocumtuck

“My new book, Voices from the Past, was published in the United States in December 2020 (having already been published in Great Britain, where I live, early that year). The book is dedicated to the idea that history is a feast to be enjoyed every day and that memorable quotations are like glasses of fine wine that bring out the flavor of a three-star meal. The book offers a historical piece for every date in the year, each headlined with a quotation related to the event. (The text contains hundred more quotes—in all, there are about 1200.) The stories range from ancient times to the 21st century.”

—Bill Marsh

1955

“We extend our special thanks and grateful recognition to Mike Grant and Terry Blanchard for their contributions: Mike’s Class of ’55 letters, and Terry’s Pocumtuck Revisited 50th Reunion update. Mike’s letters are eagerly anticipated, and Terry’s brochure reunited us with the current goings-on of our classmates. It’s mind boggling that we graduated from Deerfield 67 years ago. May we all make it back to our 70th Reunion in June 2025!”—Tom L’Esperance

John Frymoyer’s daughters reported: “Surrounded by his loving family, John Frymoyer spent the afternoon outside under a beautiful, sunny New England blue sky before quietly passing away that evening—August 2, 2021—at the age of 83.”

In August of 2021, Tom L’Esperance reported that Lou Greer’s wife, Dee, passed away three years ago. “Nowadays, it’s pretty much me, the dog, and the cat,” Lou said. “Growing older is mandatory but growing up is optional.” Tom also reported that Lou gave up riding a bicycle, but he continues to swim a lot and go to the YMCA, which is just down the street. He lives in Greer, SC. “Wow! That’s impressive,” Tom commented, “although he grew up in New York and claimed that the town is not named after his family.”

“We are doing well—at least as well as expected in our advancing years and coming out of this horrible year plus Covid. I suspect it will color and etch itself into all our beings for some time. The isolation, the fears, the desperation to get vaccinated, the relief when that second needle came out—these occurrences we all will share. Wanda and I are happily ensconced in a 55+ Condo community in Byfield, MA, not far from where we lived for the previous 20 years. I can still play golf locally with a group of guys who like to be out in the open air, and for whom nine holes are plenty. One of our children lives in Salem, only half an hour away, but the other lives in St. Paul, MN. We go out there a couple of times a year, and they come here to rent a house near the beach for a week in August. We love it when we can all be together. We are still trying to travel, hopefully to Switzerland this September and Florida for about six weeks in the winter to get out of the worst of it here. Increasingly the memories of youth come back to call—generally with a great deal of joy. I certainly hope that we will be able to revisit Western Massachusetts when the magic 70th takes place.”—Terry Blanchard

As of June 2020, Tom L’Esperance was able to report on behalf of John Herdeg: “All’s well in Mendenhall, PA. John and Judy continue to ‘summer in West Chop on Martha’s Vineyard’—we can’t make these names up! They have three children, a son who’s an architect in San Antonio, TX, another son in the aerospace industry, and a daughter, Leli, who, after maintaining 4.0 grades in college, became a hay farmer, boards horses, and raises sheep. Leli and her family live next door.”

Peter was one of my close buds at Deerfield. I used to spend time with his family in Amherst. He also lived in Fairfield for a while. An always upbeat guy who came to be a competent educator and leader of secondary schools (including our own Deerfield Academy). And on a personal note a la It’s a Small World: in Peter’s early years, he lived in my Uncle Tom’s former ‘cabin’ at The Notch in Mount Holyoke Range State Park.” from Tom L’Esperance

Mike Grant ’55 and Terry Blanchard ’55

On October 28, 2020, ’55ers Jerry Rood ’55, Tom L’Esperance’55, Tim Day ’55 and spouses celebrated their 10th annual get-together in La Jolla, CA. l to r: Jerry Rood ’55, Tom L’Esperance ’55, Tim Day ’55, Sandy Day, Merry L’Esperance, and Joyce Rood

1956

“Our family was pleasantly surprised to see the tribute to Bayard DeMallie from his induction into Worcester Academy’s Hall of Fame in the 2019 Spring/Summer issue of Deerfield Magazine. Unfortunately, because Worcester Academy prepared it for its audience, it overlooked his strong loyalty to Deerfield throughout his life and his family’s Deerfield legacy spanning four generations. His father, Gardener ’29, father-in-law James Cowan ’30, uncle John Carley ’32, brother-in-law James Cowan III ’61, and his brothers Gardener Jr ’54 and Glenn ’63, all attended Deerfield. Three children and grandchildren have graduated from Deerfield in the last four decades, including Bayard DeMallie III ’80, Mary Rockett ’11, and Bayard DeMallie IV ’19. Three other grandchildren, Sam Rockett ’20, Garret DeMallie ’21, and Cooper DeMallie ’22, are recent alumni. All told, 14 members of the family have attended Deerfield, and one was a faculty member in the 1960s. Watching his five grandchildren complete on football and lacrosse fields, sharing the bonds that connect all Deerfield graduates, would have filled ‘B’ with pride.”—Bayard DeMallie III ’80 In the spring of 2020, Joe Twichell reported that Bob O’Hara had been increasingly interested in supporting the Fund for Global Understanding, established as a gift to the school at their 50th Reunion. Bob gave up his office at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley, and McCloy at the end of 2018 (he had been there since 1965, following his graduation as a Captain from the US Army). He now enjoys life as a retired partner of the firm (now named Milbank LLP) and is free of prior entanglements with clients, businesses, and not-for-profit boards. Bob and his wife, Bonnie, continue from their home base on Park Avenue in NYC. Their five girls, ages 47 to 57, and grandchildren are spread out from NYC to Walpole, NH, to Boulder, CO, to San Francisco, to Homer, AK, to various grand dogs, so there is lots of real estate to cover. Bob and Bonnie entertain them at their beach houses at Point O’Woods, Long Island, and Boca Grande, FL. Bob says life has been very good to him. He traveled for work extensively as an international corporate and securities lawyer, and he and Bonnie traveled globally for enlightenment and friendships (and golf) over the four-plus decades of their marriage. When Bob began thinking of what he might do for Deerfield, he inquired about our class’s 50th Reunion gift and decided it could benefit from renewed interest. He firmly believes that the world can be a better place through increased knowledge and understanding of people in other lands, and the class’ Fund for Global Understanding can help.

Terry Blanchard ’55 and his wife Wanda in Switzerland.

HOUSE WHERE PEOPLE DANCE

ROBERT CUMMING ’53

Horse & Buggy Press / 2022

Relationships are at the heart of Robert Cumming’s book of poetry: childhood friendships and foes; the awe a father possesses when regarding his son; an older couple contemplating a long moment of awkwardness at the breakfast table. Cumming uses nostalgia, the strange, and even the divine, to tell remarkable stories.

1957

Arthur Gregg regrets to report that his wife of 53 years, Sally Cook Gregg, of Brooklin, ME, died on November 16, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Her brother was Stephen P. Cook, and her father was long-time Deerfield French teacher, Roland H. Cook, both previously deceased.

John Thayer Talbott (left) died peacefully at his home on November 30, 2021. He was born in New York City in 1939, the son of Harold E. Talbott Jr. and Margaret Thayer Talbott. John attended the Buckley School and Deerfield Academy and received his Masters in Divinity from Vanderbilt University. As a young man, he served in the 101st Airborne, before meeting the love of his life, Anne, on Fishers Island, NY. They spent 42 wonderful and adventurous years living in Texas, California, Tennessee, Washington, DC, Connecticut, and Fishers Island. Filled with intellectual curiosity, John explored a variety of professions, including finance, farming, and retail, before finding his vocation as a minister. After his studies at Sewanee University, he was ordained in the Episcopal Church. He served as rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Shelbyville, TN, and St. Augustine’s Church in Washington, DC, before retiring to Connecticut, where he continued his pastoral care and service as Curate at St. Ann’s Church, Old Lyme, and as an interim and supply priest throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut. While in Washington, DC, John was honored to participate in the memorial service for Justice Thurgood Marshall; the prayer John wrote in honor of Justice Marshall’s life is shared annually throughout the Anglican Communion as part of the Episcopal Church Liturgical Calendar. John possessed a deep and abiding love of community and a commitment to supporting those in need. He provided pastoral care and bereavement support to those in Middlesex County and served on the Zoning Commission in Old Saybrook. His great joys were reading, studying, and spending time with family. John was devoted to his family and friends, whether close or far, new or old. He will be remembered for his dry wit and the twinkle in his eye. We will all miss his birthday messages. Predeceased by his life-long love, Anne Kinsolving Talbott, John is survived by his three daughters, Thayer, Kemp, and Polly, and two granddaughters, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and loved ones.

1958

Jonathan Hutchison Kress born October 21, 1940 to Rush Harrison Kress and Virginia Watkins Kress, passed away in his childhood home in Tucson, AZ, on August 6, 2022. He attended Sam Hughes Elementary, Mansfeld Middle School, Thatcher School, Deerfield, and National Taiwan University, graduating from Harvard in 1964. His fluency in Mandarin led him to graduate school at Yale University specializing in Southeast Asian archaeology and he subsequently taught at Case Western Reserve University and Duke University. He completed several digs on Palawan Island, Philippines, continuing to mentor students onsite there until recent years at Ille Cave. He was vocal about his progressive views and active in Democratic Party politics serving as chairman for one term. Jonathan was owner of affordable apartments in Tucson and formed San Felices Construction, building homes in Tucson and Green Valley. He is survived by Andrea Elena Ibáñez, his beloved wife of 45 years, who admired his adventurous, kind and patient spirit.

1959

Edward Hines reported that Peter Dunhill Simpson died unexpectedly at home in Ballston Lake, NY, on March 23, 2021. He is survived by daughters Kristen and Leigh, a sister Margaret, and brother, William ’64. In addition to graduating from Deerfield, Pete attended Colgate University and graduated from the University of Connecticut. His professional career was in accounting. He spent many summers at Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks where he was a water ski and sailing instructor. He loved UConn basketball (women’s and men’s), and classical music.

Roberta Lowry, widow of Peter B. Lowry, reported the sad news that Peter passed away on June 29, 2022. Peter and his family had been living for 25 years in Australia. Peter devoted his life to the preservation of African American music. He left behind a collection of field recordings, the commercial releases held in the Blues collection at the Library of Congress, and the entire body of work archived at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Peter is also survived by his son Julian. Peter has a Wikipedia page, if anyone is interested: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Peter_B._Lowry.

In June 2021, John Behlke shared: “It is unlikely for two bullets fired at one another will ever meet, but it can happen! Such was the case with Jerry Shively’46, living next door to me in the rural Dordogne valley in France. A further coincidence is that Jerry’s brother, Bob Shively ’50, was teaching at Deerfield during my time there! The two “J’s” met at a cocktail party and discovered our joint educational past. Since then, many more dinners and drinks have happened, seldom without discussion about the “Old School” and what it has meant to us–particularly the impact that Headmaster Extraordinaire Frank Boyden had upon us. The similarities are interesting: John was a four-year student, and Jerry came for only his senior year. Herewith is Jerry’s brief history and impressions, now over seventy years later: ‘It is, in my opinion, impossible to have met Mr. Boyden without being fascinated and impressed. After a half-hour discussion with Mr. Boyden and my mother, the ‘Head’ thought there would be room for me in the class of ’46 as a ‘new boy.’ We were delighted, but my schoolteacher mother had no idea that the yearly fee for Deerfield would be her yearly salary. I’m sure Mr. Boyden asked my mother what she thought it cost to feed me, and, upon hearing this, he asked her if she could provide that! A few months later, I hitchhiked to Deerfield and began one of my life’s most interesting and formative periods. Dr. Boyden, as he was sometimes called, was diminutive physically but a towering presence. To be called before him for some misdemeanor, however large or small, terrified all, though his admonishments were seldom severe and always delivered to respectful recipients. Spending my last year of school in the presence of interesting and challenging teachers and staff and a remarkable collection of bright young men made an enormous impression on me and I’m sure moved me toward a better, and frankly, more ambitious, direction in life. I will ever be grateful to Dr. Boyden for my Deerfield Experience.’ Enjoying my close association with fellow alumni, Jerry Shively, here in the Dordogne part of France, where we are both retired. Good company with numerous discussions and memories of Deerfield, so long ago for us both.”

Earlier this year my latest novel came out from Beck & Branch: The World Against Her Skin. It’s my mother’s story, but I invented much of it, including a gay older son. Both boys go to a prep school I call Darwin, which will look familiar. Indeed, members of the class of ’60 are sure to recognize the school’s art teacher, who plays a significant role in the book. I’ve written memoirs about my son and my father, and now this novel about my mother. Family life intrigues me, both past and present. For Christmas I’ll head out to Steamboat Springs to visit with my son Janir and his family. Grandkids! I’m predictably crazy about them. I look back at a class note I made in 2014 about the deaths of Barry Campbell and Sandy Weymouth. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about both of them. I’m still re-listening to the 1100 tapes Sandy and I made to each other, and to dozens that Barry and I exchanged. I’m often that pato lógico, that odd duck that flies through life looking backward.

—John Thorndike ’60

by Bob Dutton ’70 & Charlie Trautmann ’70

STEREO TYPES

Selected Tracks from the History of Broadcasting at Deerfield

Photo caption: Steve Esthimer ’69, Charlie Trautmann ’70, and Bill Morine ’69 at Deerfield Radio Broadcasting in 1968.

Photo by Bob Dutton ‘70.

SPRING DAY, 1967 / DEERFIELD RADIO BROADCASTING (DRB) WAS BORN

*

This is an excerpt from the ongoing tale of radio broadcasting at Deerfield Academy—a project originally created in December 2021 by Bob Dutton ’70 and Charlie Trautmann ’70 after their 50th Reunion. Bob and Charlie discovered that while there had been several iterations of “radio” at Deerfield, there was no unified record of that evolution, nor was there a repository for the rich body of stories from those who had been involved along the way. They set out to create such a record based on three distinct “chapters:” Deerfield Radio Broadcasting (DRB) 1620 AM: 1967-1970s; WGAJ 91.7 FM: 1981-2009; and 2018 to today: streaming programs on mixlr.com. It is their hope that this will be a “living history” and that others who have been involved in the past, present, and future of Deerfield radio will add their contributions to update the document and accompanying materials in the Academy Archives. Send your radio tales to Archivist Anne Lozier (alozier@deerfield.edu)and visit deerfield.edu/about/archives/galleries for more great content!

Deerfield Radio Broadcasting was born on Spring Day 1967 on a table in the Radio and Electronics Club, in a space that is now a lounge in the northeast corner of the basement of the Arms Building (see photo above, left). The station consisted of a 100-mW transistor device built from plans in Popular Electronics magazine, along with a desk, an ancient turntable, and a microphone. It was a one-man show, with the disc jockey struggling to change records as he talked. The broadcasting range was several hundred feet at best, and the frequency

was 1620 kHz (more or less) at the top of the AM band. Reception was great if one was standing directly under the antenna (which led to the creation of an antenna somewhat longer than called for by the design specifications . . . ) This project was mostly a one-day pilot event by the club members to gauge interest in the concept of Deerfield having a broadcast station. It was a success, however, and work began over the next year or so to create a “real” radio station. The people involved included then freshmen Bob Dutton ’70 and Charlie Trautmann ’70, and several other members of the club.

In January 1968 DRB (also known as “Deerfield Academy Radio” or DAR) came back on the air, broadcasting on a regular basis at 1620 am. Broadcast hours were limited to morning and evening, and the disc jockeys were inexperienced and undependable.

The technical side of the operation was handled by Charlie and Bob, who had been instrumental in the founding of the station the year before. In the weeks before DRB opened, these two were to be found in any spare moment in the Radio Club room in the science building. There, they did the meticulous and intricate work of wiring and testing (and sometimes rewiring and retesting) complex radio frequency (RF), audio, and power systems. As the year wore on, DRB found it challenging to build up a sufficient collection of current records, and consequently, student interest lagged somewhat, but it did not stop.

The station consisted of a 100-mW transistor device built from plans in PopularElectronics magazine, along with a desk, an ancient turntable, and a microphone.

Accordingly, in the fall of 1968, the decision was made to separate the station from the Radio Club room in the basement of the Arms Building. Several locations were considered, and the group finally obtained permission to create a facility in a remote section of attic in the west end of the Memorial Building. Plans were drawn up by members of the club, and costs were calculated. The administration generously agreed to fund the materials and labor for the studio, and in mid-February 1969, construction by the DA facilities department commenced. The new studio consisted of three small rooms and was completed a week later. The rooms included a DJ studio with double-glazed, soundproof window, a control room, and a record library.

With the physical studio completed, the leaders of the station went into action. A committee of five: Steve Esthimer ’69, Bill Morine ’69, Dan McKay ’70, Bob Dutton ’70, and Charlie Trautmann ’ 70, divided the responsibilities for operating the station.

Dan McKay recalls: “It brought back memories of those early rogue days. The first that came to mind was of a couple of us slipping away one night from a school dance with a couple of Miss Hall’s girls in tow in order to ‘show them the studio’ . . . but I digress.

“My involvement was on the programming side rather than the technical side. Those were the days of records and turntables. As I recall, we had two turntables in the studio. While one record was playing, the DJ would cue up the next record and then hold the turntable still with his thumb until it was time for the next record to play and then release his thumb so that the turntable would turn and the music would start on cue. I think that at some point Bob may have devised a modification that allowed us to keep the turntable from spinning without manually holding it. This made life easier for the DJ but resulted in wear and tear to the turntables.

“I also recall that one of the issues we faced was to secure a source of current records. Several of us made a trip into Greenfield to a record store where we succeeded in convincing the store to loan us 45’s of the current top 30 records. We made weekly trips to the store for a period thereafter to return those records that had dropped from the list and pick up those that had come onto it.”

The grand opening was on March 31, 1969. DRB continued to improve and grew steadily. The listening audience expanded, including townspeople and the Bement School, as well as Deerfield students and faculty. New additions to the record library were made weekly, largely through the generosity of Richard L. Swig ’69, whose father was in the record industry. The station managers also trained underclassmen in various phases of the operation.

(((((((((((((“The Gap” ))))))))))))

This chapter of the story ends in 1970 for the moment, with the graduation of Bob Dutton, Charlie Trautmann, and others in the Class of ’70. There are indications that the station continued to operate at least into 1973 based on a photo from the 1973 Pocumtuck (can anyone identify this “air personality”?) but little post-1970 documentation has been discovered to date. We’re looking for alumni who graduated in the mid-1970s to help fill in this gap. Thanks in advance!

To function more efficiently and effectively as a “real” radio station, the club decided that a studio would be needed, with proper soundproofing and space.

1. Bill Bond, head carpenter in the Facilities Department, frames the new studio in the west attic of the Memorial Building. Brickwork and HVAC in the background.

2. Dan McKay ’70, left, and Steve Esthimer ’69, right, inspect construction of the new DRB studio in the third floor attic of the Memorial Building in Spring 1968. / The following weekend Bob Dutton ’70 and Dan McKay ’70 brought rollers, brushes, and several gallons of paint and painted and carpeted the studios.

Several of us made a trip into Greenfield to a record store where we succeeded in convincing the store to loan us 45’s of the current top 30 records.

((((((((((((( More Power! ))))))))))))

The DRB signal was more powerful and traveling greater distances than anyone realized at the time. As told by former Academy faculty member (and erstwhile ham radio operator) Jim Hemingway:

“When I first tuned in to your impressively strong signal just below the 160 meter band, you were playing Jimi Hendrix—‘Are You Experienced’—(or maybe ‘Foxy Lady’) from the first Hendrix Experience album.

I was living in an apartment next to the Mt. Toby apartments on Route 47 in Sunderland and was on the air at the time when I heard these complaints from hams coming from all over the northeast. They unfortunately didn’t appreciate Jimi Hendrix and his music. Some of them knew that the signal was coming from somewhere around Deerfield, and it didn’t take me but a moment to figure out that it was coming from the Academy. And so I told them to put down their phones and let me investigate. I hopped into my old Willys Jeep station wagon—I was a grad student at UMass at the time—and drove over to Old Deerfield and tracked the signal to the DRB studio in the attic of the Memorial Building.

WGAJ 91.7 FM takes to the airwaves! ))))))))

Broadcasting at Deerfield remained dormant from the early 1970s for about a decade, probably for the lack of technical capacity to keep the electronics functional. Although the AM station (DRB) went dark, the physical facility remained intact in the attic of what was then known as the Memorial Building.

In the early 1980s, several students became interested in creating a FCC licensed, non-commercial FM radio broadcasting station on campus. Mark Beaubien ’83, Bill Kaufmann ’83 (son of then Headmaster Robert Kaufmann), and Jeff Silverman ’83 got the ball rolling.

Technical details (DRB):

A group of students stayed at Deerfield over spring break in 1969 to finalize and install the equipment. Charlie Trautmann provided the radio frequency gear, which consisted of a 1940svintage Meissner Signal Shifter, a tube-type variable frequency oscillator (VFO) running about 15 watts and having interchangeable coils that allowed it to transmit on various amateur radio bands. He modified the equipment to broadcast at the top of the AM band (1620 KHz, with 1800 KHz being the bottom end of the 160-meter ham band) and built a modulator to integrate with the audio signal from the studio.

To go with this more powerful transmitter, a larger and higher antenna was also installed, consisting of a half-wave dipole antenna (approximately 90 m long) strung high above the ground between a chimney of the Memorial (now Hess) Building and a nearby tree. This transmitter and antenna alleviated the signal strength problems of the station’s prior iteration. In fact, the combination was so effective that DAR’s signal was subsequently picked up by ham radio operators hundreds of miles away. Not all of them appreciated this “rogue transmission” or “pirate radio,” as it was called at that time...

They submitted an application for an FM broadcast license to the Federal Communications Commission in spring of 1981, which was initially rejected on a technicality; they had mistakenly provided GPS coordinates in Greenfield rather than Deerfield. They updated the application, and apparently it was approved within hours. WGAJ had passed the first of many subsequent hurdles. The first broadcast, at 91.7 MHz on the FM dial, hit the airwaves in early 1982.

The next problem was to find a better location for the station’s studio. The logical place was the attic of the Memorial Building, starting with the remnants of the DRB facilities from the late 1960s. Unfortunately, there was insufficient heat and air conditioning in that attic studio, and the heat generated by the equipment proved problematic. On top of that, the fans cooling the auditorium below shook the room, and the mics and record players picked up the vibrations.

To add to the problems, the transmitter, as initially installed, was located in a small closet next to the audio console, which proceeded to pick up all sorts of RF interference. The real problem, however, was that the 100-Watt FM transmitter was feeding an antenna on the roof directly above the studio, which caused a lot of radio frequency interference to the studio audio console below.

In addition to managing the technical aspects, students were needed to run the business side of the operation. Mark Beaubien and Bill Kaufmann served as station co-managers; Jeff Silverman was technical manager; and Eric Suher ’83 was business manager.

Then, as recounted by Mark Beaubian, came a fortuitous phone call from someone who had worked with the Deerfield students who had built the AM radio station some years before. As it turned out, it was none other than Jim Hemingway, local ham radio operator, who had been helpful in the early days of “Deerfield radio” and was living nearby in Greenfield at the time. Jim offered to help with the new FM station, and this was probably the best thing that ever happened to radio broadcasting at Deerfield.

Mark continues: “Jim Hemingway was, and still is, an amazing radio engineer. When he came to visit WGAJ for the first time, Jim was chief engineer of WPOE in Greenfield, a 10-kW directional AM station on 1520 kHz. After taking a look at our setup, he initially helped us by cleaning up the FM transmitter interference to our Broadcast Electronics audio console. Later on, he helped to lay out a plan to move our 91.7 MHZ transmitter and antenna up to a new location high atop Pocumtuck Ridge, and to relay our programming up to this new transmitter site by microwave.”

“To The Rock!” (Mark Beaubien) )))))))

“Now, in the spring of 1983, the real fun began. We needed more money, as there was no tower up there at the Rock to put the antenna on or a building to house the transmitter and the STL (Studio-Transmitter Link). With great hope and enthusiasm, we reapplied to the FCC to relocate the transmitter. While at first it appeared it would be simple to use the same power level and frequency, in reality, locating the transmitter 750 feet higher at the Rock meant that WGAJ’s signal could be heard all over Franklin and Hampshire counties. We were finally going to really put WGAJ on the map.

Next, the station managers and Jim approached the Town of Deerfield at a selectmen’s meeting with a win-win proposal: We’d put a tower up on town land at the top of Pocumtuck Ridge and share it with the town’s fire/police radios if the town let us use the land near the Rock to erect it. They took the bait and we started raising the money for a tower, a transmitter building, and the associated utilities. The tough part was the cost of the STL microwave link, which was $10,000.

The spring of 1983 was an ultra-blur as the work progressed, and the station remained on the air during this transition.

Jim’s imagination and energy brought many new innovations during 1983, such as building an ingenious battery-powered console that allowed us to broadcast sports events remotely, on the road from other schools. This little box interfaced with a telephone line and sent the sports announcer’s voice back to the station so people at DA could listen to broadcasts of live games, just like the pros. Several future college sports announcers were inspired by this part of their Deerfield experience. The catch for remote broadcasting was locating a ‘convenient’ phone line that we could tap into. On one occasion—at Choate, I think—WGAJ had to run the zip cord telephone line nearly a mile, and had to cross a river (wider than the Deerfield River). During the broadcast of the game, a power boat came up the river and its prop cut our phone line.

As the ‘founding fathers’ of WGAJ approached graduation, there was growing concern for the future of the station.

In June 1983, Headmaster Bob Kaufmann offered Jim a position in the English Department, along with residency in Plunkett Hall. He lived and taught at Deerfield from the fall of 1983 to June of 1992, after which Wesley Brown, then the Academy’s comptroller, took over the responsibility for oversight of WGAJ. Even so, Jim continued to support the station with whatever technical or electronic issues came up.

WGAJ moved to a new, spacious location and studio space in the fall of 1988, just below its original location on the third floor, during the late 1980s renovation of the Memorial Building. Jim spent much time during the summer of ’87 building state-ofthe-art audio mixing consoles and equipment rack panels in both WGAJ’s broadcast studio and the new recording studio Altogether there were three new studios: the main studio and a news studio for WGAJ, as well as one for recording and mixing program material, plus two other spaces: a separate recording booth and an entrance/ lobby that connected all of the separate studios. This complex also included teacher Bob Moorehead’s architectural studio, which was next door to the recording studio. Jim ran a number of microphone lines into the architectural studio for recording string quartets, rock bands or other ensembles. Many Deerfield musicians, including Matt Scannell ’88 of Vertical Horizon, began their careers in the music industry in WGAJ’recording studio. The new digs were nothing short of what was probably the best high school radio facility in the country. //

Interested in what’s on “Deerfield Radio” today? Tune in! deerfieldacademyradio.mixlr.com/

locating the transmitter up 750’ higher at The Rock meant that WGAJ’s signal could be heard all over Franklin and Hampshire county.

(((((((

WGAJ continued to operate until its final broadcast on May 19, 2009.

“I’ve recently moved from the desert south of Tucson to the White Mountains of east central AZ. In September I enjoyed a tiring hike from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon down the North Kaibab Trail to Roaring Springs and back: 4.4 miles down 3300ft elev., and then back up!

Three hours down but 5+ hours back up.

Beautiful day and experience.” —Brad

Rutledge

’60

1961

Shortly after Labor Day 2022, Doug Gortner started a trip with a visit to the Academy. “I was granted a five-minute audience, with His Nibs in the Quidster’s old office. Dr. A. is an impressive man—fur shure. Then drove up to Vermont and spent two weeks with my son and daughter. JB and I drove up for three days at our Maine Camp on Lake Kezar (ten miles due east of Mt. Washington). They filmed the loons for the movie On Golden Pond there, so loons are more common than ducks and geese. Well, one morning, I heard a loon making a major kerfuffle, which is rare indeed. I figured out that something was going on, so stepped out the door to see what was transpiring. Well, begorrah begolly, there were two bald eagles standing on a rock at the tip of our property about 150 yards away. You know, eagles eat baby loons, so the alpha loon sought to scare the eagles away. They stood their ground until he came 30 feet away. They fled the scene but buzzed the loon on their way out. How exciting. My news: still playing a lot of parties and retirement homes; just agreed to a one-man show for my photographs; Yamaha released a Y-T video “I Have You” in which I have a small piano role. Recently signed up to be the GOP Precinct Captain for the Vanderbilt area. My best drives now travel but 200 yards, However, I am still the best putter I have ever played against, so my index remains in the teens (up from ten). Just to keep me from stripping my gears, the good Lord send me for robotic coronary bypass in March. Since I am too busy to write the Great Class of 1961 Newsletter it would be exciting if more of you would post a class note. Talk about being a trendsetter, the Alumni Office now dubs all classes as “The Great Class of . . .” You lawyers out there, do you think I have a case to sue for copyright violation? Ha!”

Curtis Mills shared the news that he was “recently awarded the Ralph O. Claypoole Sr. Memorial Award for Devotion of a Career in Internal Medicine to the Care of Patients by the American College of Physicians, which I am sharing with Deerfield. I am sure my path to becoming a physician started at Deerfield in Mrs. Helen Boyden’s chemistry class, which turned me on to learning and science, and I went on to major in chemistry in college.

“Our family is widespread: wife Jessie and Morgan ’95 in Boston, Catherine ’97 in Minneapolis, Samantha ’15 in Mumbai, Madeleine ’17 in New York, and me in West Palm Beach. It makes it difficult to convene in one place at the same time, but we do our best on various holidays and vacations. I moved to Florida for good in June of 2021, and Jessie commutes while continuing her work at Brigham/Mass General.” Early in 2022 Tom also shared that he had lower back surgery in mid-January to add to a list of previous surgeries: “all presumably stemming from life on squash courts in the US and foreign countries. My back is healing well, and all other joints are artificial so, with a little oil, I’ll be ready to go again. Doctors refused to give me a brain transplant, saying they didn’t want to waste a good one.”

—Thomas Poor (bottom, p. 50)

In February 2020, Martin Kruming “traveled to Baku (right), the capital of Azerbaijan, as one of several hundred observers of the country’s Parliamentary elections. Located in Central Asia, in a neighborhood that includes Iran, Russia, Turkey, and the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is a country of great tolerance and diversity, with 30,000 Jews among a population that is 98% Muslim. Azerbaijan enjoys strong ties with Israel and has a rich cultural heritage of art and music, including jazz; it has two of the top five chess Grandmasters in the world and is a strong ally of the United States. With oil and natural gas reserves and solar and wind exploration, Baku is also a key transportation hub connecting China, Europe, and the Middle East along the Silk Road. Our Switzer Highland neighborhood (population 900) in San Diego has enjoyed a cultural and educational partnership with the Nasimi District (population 215,000) in Baku since 2011.

clockwise

from top left: Geoffrey Butler ’62; Peter Dunham ’62 and Ben Dunham ’62; l to r: David Sweet ’81, Grove Mower ’76, Andy Trees ’86, and Jay Trees ’62; Dave Hosmer and Bob Bruce ’64; Mike Tooke ’62 and Peter Atkinson ’62

1962

In July 2021, Geoffrey Butler shared this photo from the 4Saints Episcopal Food Bank distribution in Fort Worth, TX.

Ben Dunham published an article on an American effort in 1914 to head off WWI in the Spring 2021 issue of WWI Illustrated. His new book, Etched in Memory: The Elevated Art of J. Alphege Brewer, (left) was published in September 2021. “It is based on my website, jalphegebrewer.info, which collects information on the early 20th-century British artist who made his fame with large color etchings of European cathedrals and other historical buildings damaged or threatened during WWI. For more information and links to some outlets where the book may be ordered, visit jalphegebrewer.info/etched-in-memory—you can place an order through an independent bookshop in your area through the IndieBound link.”

In August of 2020, David Sweet ’81, Grove Mower ’76, Andy Trees ’86, and Jay Trees ’62 gathered at the Merit Club outside of Chicago for a golf foursome on a beautiful summer day.

Back in March of 2020, Dave Hosmer and Bob Bruce ’64 connected twice by chance. Dave says, “The first time was at the cross-country ski races at the Harvard Winter Carnival in January 2020 and then in March on the trails at Mt. Sainte Anne in Quebec. There we skied together for two days and reminisced about Deerfield and our time on the ski team, which we estimated to be 60 winters ago.”

1964

In September of 2020, Jonathan Cerf was “trying to do my bit during the pandemic” when he posted some free printable, at-home arithmetic lessons for young children at AdventuresinArithmetic.com. “I aim to teach what it really means to add, subtract, multiply, and divide by exploring the concepts that underlie those computational operations. In writing the lessons, I had an especially good time creating the illustrations and drawing herds of elephants and piles of bowling balls to make the material as inviting and unintimidating as possible. Learning at home is a special challenge. I’ve tried with just words and pictures to offer a learning experience comparable to what children might, in normal times, receive from the in-person guidance of a good classroom teacher.”

“Ellen and I have made our last move. We moved to La Quinta, CA, in 2021 and are now enjoying golf, friends, and a beautiful home. If anyone is in the area, please stop buy for a libation and talk. Hope to see all in 2024 for our 60th Reunion.”

—Chuck Krogh

In August of 2020, David Moyer wrote with some sad news: “I would like to make a note of the passing last year at the age of 96 of my mother Virginia Moyer, wife of David and mother of three Deerfield sons, Peter ’65, Tim ’68, and me. We are all grateful for our outstanding education; her husband and three sons collectively hold degrees from Harvard (two), Yale, Princeton, Stanford (three), Amherst, MIT, and the University of Virginia. A tribute to a remarkable lady and mother.”

LOUIE

DAVID J. MATHER ’64

Peace Corps Worldwide / 2022

Return to the dangers of Florida’s Gulf Coast with the fifth book in Mather’s Crescent Beach series. A former drug smuggler finds himself marked for death by the mob. The book offers many colorful descriptions of an old fishing village coping with violence.

“We attended a hockey game and watched a football game from the comfort of his home which has been mistaken for a country club. We spent lots of time reminiscing about Deerfield and particularly our final game in 1965 upsetting Mount Hermon’s hopes for another undefeated season.”

1965

Thacher Brown and Randy Hack (left middle) were able to attend the memorial service of Jim Gaffney in Pennington, NJ. They are sitting on a bench dedicated to Jim by the environmental organization where he worked from 1980-85.

Dean Goossen shared exciting news in January 2020: “I got married to Jeanne Kelly Sheppard on March 7, 2019! It was a second marriage for both of us. My daughter Elisabeth recently graduated from Booth, as did her mother, and my son Nicholas is now matriculating there. Nicholas previously received an MS in engineering from Georgia Tech.”

“We were very sad to learn of “Captain Jack” Rand’s passing in September (2022). Brooks Scholl, Jack Davis, and Thorn Hart were able to attend his memorial service in NYC on October 20. All three kids, who had followed Jack to DA and UNC, spoke eloquently about him. Here is a follow-up to the service from Brooks: Jack’s funeral was a wonderful tribute by his family. We all knew that Jack beat to his own drum through all his adventures, and to listen to his family express how thankful they were for his love and guidance was heartwarming. Jack’s three children, twins Kate and Emily and son Dave, all gave us the opportunity to witness how prepared they were to continue to honor their father. Jack taught them to be confident when handling the challenges that life brings and always have a positive attitude. Attitude was everything to Jack, and he wanted them to get up each day and go after life. The other lesson they each expressed was that their dad wanted them to always “Show Up “when challenging themselves or feeling they could offer a helping hand. Jack’s funeral at the Union Club was a perfect place to represent the class in which Jack walked through life. Spending time with my Deerfield classmates, Thorn and Jack, was great. We were very thankful that we witnessed this beautiful celebration of Jack’s life. Jack came all the way from New Orleans. Thorn and his wife Mary came from Washington, DC, and I came from CT. When able, all our classmates should continue to “Show Up” with Jack’s spirit. We were lucky to have known him.”—Andy

Steele

1966

Ron Battocchi visited Don Abbey (left top) at Penn State in State College, PA, where “he is a celebrity.” Don was a star Penn State football player on consecutive undefeated seasons in 1968 and 69 and successful Orange Bowl appearances. He has amassed a fortune running the prestigious Abbey Company real estate empire in California. “We attended a hockey game and watched a football game from the comfort of his home, which has been mistaken for a country club. We spent lots of time reminiscing about Deerfield and particularly our final game in 1965, upsetting Mount Hermon’s hopes for another undefeated season.”

Last spring Jed Horne (left) wrote, “The boys kept Jane and me busy this winter, hopping here and there to see new additions to the family. In January, the third generation numbered three. By the month’s end, a half dozen small Hornes scattered over two continents. New Yorkers Eli and Liz and their daughter, Daisy, were joined by Nico on January 14. Nine days later, Jedidiah and Ana, residents of Bogota, brought forth twins Mariana and Ignacio to go with the two they already had, Arturo and Rafaela. Daisy decided that a grandfather needs a beard, so, to Jane’s dismay, I complied. If we miss the Reunion, it’s because duty called us back early to Patzcuaro to crank up the summer camp for Mexican kids we started down there a few years ago.”

1967

Rick Barton shared some great photos from a Class of 1967 gathering held in October 2021. “Here are some of the photos from the ’67 mini-reunion at our home in Boothbay Harbor, ME. Some of us gathered for a few days of tennis, hiking, boating, and eating and then were joined by classmates who live in Maine on October 1. Great relaxed fun.”

Trying to stay dry! Dave Doubleday ’67, Judy Marshall, Jeff Marshall ’67, Kim Higgins and Rick Barton ’67 / Bill Post ’67, Judy Bendheim, Jeff Marshall ’67, Judy Marshall, Bill Porter ’67, Ted Higgins ’67, Kim Higgins and Dave Doubleday ’67. Photo by Paul Bendheim ’67 / From left: Dave Doubleday ’67, Doug Payne ’67, Kit Lunney, Jeff Marshall ’67, Dick Davis ’67, Judy Marshall, Bill Porter ’67, Rob Walbridge ’67, Paul Bendheim ’67, Judy Bendheim, Bruce Brown ’67, Rick Barton ’67, S ue Percy, Ted Higgins ’67, Kim Higgins, Lorna Carter, Peter Carter ’67, Bill Post ’67 and Carol Davis.

Photo by Michael Percy ’67.

67 67

67 67

“Our daughter Brooke Christian ’00 was married on March 19, 2022 to David Watson at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. The picture above shows myself, with my wife Debby, Brooke, and her husband David, as well as our son Seth ’96 and his family at the Colony. A great time was had by all, and there may be future Deerfield students coming along.”—Edward Christian

“Now on my fourth deanship. Can’t seem to break through to VP or president but am content to go on as an inveterate academic—the more I know, the more I know nothing. But the memory still works—I know that. Shooting for 60th in 2027, assuming I remember.”—Bill Howe (left)

In November of 2019, Brendan O’Shea shared, “It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of Christopher O’Shea. He owned and edited the Country Courier newspaper in Enosburg, VT.”

“My wife Angelika and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in March of 2021!

We met on a train.”

1968

In August of 2022, Oystein Gronning and Lennie Jernigan (above) met up in Oslo, Norway. Oystein set up the selection process to choose the architect for the new Munch Museum (think “The Scream”).

1969

In December of 2022, Andrew Cohn reported that he is: “Happily retired in Long Beach, CA, and proudly reporting our first grandchild! Isaak Andrew Salleh born 12/19/22.”

“I moved back to Vermont in the fall of 2020. I missed my family and the climate of Vermont, although I have many friends in Maine also. My new home is in Barre. Feel free to contact me.”—Herschel Collins

“Granddaughter Ella Jane Boghosian (to my elder daughter Morgan) 03/26/2020.”– John F. Lacey

—Jim Burns

This January, Choedchai Khannabha ’68 shared this photo and New Year greetings!

Eric Rucker ’68, Fletcher Bennett ’68, and John Walbridge ’68 met to plan their 55th Reunion in February of 2021.

I credit my decision to attend Deerfield to my older brother Michael (Class of 2019). With his dreams of playing hockey in college, Michael began looking into the prospect of attending a New England boarding school. Growing up in Charlotte, NC, we didn’t live in a real hockey market; we had a minor league team whose players we adored, but the truth was that football, basketball, and baseball dominated the athletic atmosphere, as they do in most southern states. Michael decided to attend Deerfield over Avon and Williston, among others. A year later, I decided to look at boarding schools, too. When I visited Deerfield the winter of his sophomore year, it happened to be 80s night in the old Barn, which, as most recent alums can attest to, was one of the loudest and most anticipated games of the year aside from playoff games. As a bonus, I could see my brother do what he did best at Deerfield: score. As the crowd roared, I knew I wanted to be a part of the school, the community, and the hockey program.

Michael tried to express how special it was to suit up in the green and white, but it wasn’t until my first varsity hockey game that I truly understood him. As I sat in the packed locker room waiting to hit the ice for warmups, Coach Philie emphasized the importance of not only playing for those in the locker room but also for every athlete who wore the coveted D before us. Every game was an opportunity for us to build on the legacy of past students.

a promising route to the best hockey league in the world. To boost his academic credentials and ensure his acceptance to Harvard, Gene applied to and attended Deerfield as a member of the Class of 1960. Gene would post an incredible 91 points in 16 games for the hockey team and letter in baseball and soccer before spending his next four years at Harvard. Although Gene only spent a year in the Valley before moving to Cambridge, he strongly suggested that his younger brother look at the Academy and take advantage of Deerfield’s athletic and academic opportunities.

Still chasing my goal of playing college hockey after graduating from Deerfield, I decided to play junior hockey. These days, this is the most common, almost necessary, route to college hockey. This was especially true in my case, given that my senior season started nearly three months late due to the pandemic and was limited to a mere five games; due to policies at the time, my parents could not come to see me play any of the final games of my time at Deerfield. At the start of my junior hockey experience, I moved to a small town outside of Edmonton, AB, on a tryout offer from a team. I was beyond nervous, but I was chasing a dream, so I put my head down and pushed through any adversity holding me back. I made the team, and shortly after signing with the Spruce Grove Saints, Deerfield unexpectedly followed me on my journey.

It quickly became difficult to ignore the absence of my family and friends in Northern Alberta. But having poured my heart into Deerfield while there, I believe it returned something to me when I needed a “light.” One evening, I was talking to my dad (over Facetime, of course), and he suggested I meet a former Deerfield hockey captain who happened to live in the Edmonton area. Excited, I urged him to send me the contact information.

Born the youngest of 14 to Ukrainian immigrants, Bob Kinasewich ‘63 grew up on the north side of Edmonton in a neighborhood considered to be the troubled part of town. Before he reached his teenage years, his parents had passed away, orphaning him and his other underage

Will Holland ’21 COVETE D

siblings. Such challenges did not deter Bob or his older brothers from a life full of accomplishments. They used their athletic talents and academic abilities as an escape: a ticket to a more fruitful and adventurous life.

One of Bob’s brothers, Orie, started in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings and then went on to play hockey and golf at Colorado College on an athletic scholarship. Another brother, Ray, started with the Oil Kings and played 13 years of professional hockey, winning an AHL Calder Cup with the Cleveland Barons in 1964. Following his playing career, he entered into coaching and was named the very first coach of the Edmonton Oilers (known as the Alberta Oilers at the time). But there was one brother whose path influenced Bob more than the others: Gene.

Gene was four years older than Bob, but they became very close because they were the youngest siblings. By far the most skilled hockey player in the family, Gene showcased his talents playing with the Edmonton Oil Kings, dominating as an under-aged player, which drew attention from NHL teams. When the Oil Kings went down to scrimmage Denver University and Colorado College, a high society Boston man and Harvard graduate discovered Gene’s talents. The opportunity of a Harvard education combined with high-level hockey was one that Gene could not pass up, even though it meant potentially sacrificing

Bob and I met for the first time in Spruce Grove, AB, at one of the town’s Tim Hortons. While waiting for coffee, he turned to me and said, “Oh, I have to show you this.” In my head, I was expecting a picture of him during his time at Deerfield or a text from an old Deerfield friend, but instead, he pointed to the side of his belt, revealing a white Deerfield Seal on the forest green strap. “I didn’t wear this just for today; I wear this belt all the time.” Here he was, two and a half thousand miles from the school he attended 58 years prior, still representing his alma mater daily. During my four years, I realized that the more I put myself into Deerfield socially, academically, and athletically, the more I received from the wonderful place I learned to call home. As soon as I saw the belt, I knew the same was true for him, and it showed no signs of fading.

Bob explained how Gene’s journey to Harvard required a year at Deerfield, which led him to apply to the school. The boys understood that more opportunities would come from a prestigious education than from hockey but did not want to sacrifice one for the other, leading them to seek a balance between the two. My brother and I also understood how success at the highest levels of education could open doors for one’s future. We didn’t have plans to play in the NHL, but like the Kinasewiches, we still wanted to advance our athletic careers alongside our education, which led us to Deerfield 50-plus years after brothers from Alberta did the same.

Bob bought me a coffee, and we went to a table next to the windows. We began sharing stories, or as he put it, “exchanging lies.” He and I continued to trade stories for over two and a half hours. Some of which I found quite amusing, like how he and some other guys on the hockey team would sneak out after check-in to have more time on the ice. Better yet, in his second year, the school made sure

I WAS EXPECTING A PICTURE OF HIM DURING HIS TIME AT DEERFIELD OR A TEXT FROM AN OLD DEERFIELD FRIEND, BUT INSTEAD, HE POINTED TO THE SIDE OF HIS BELT, REVEALING A WHITE DEERFIELD SEAL ON THE FOREST GREEN STRAP. “I DIDN’T WEAR THIS JUST FOR TODAY; I WEAR THIS BELT ALL THE TIME.” HERE HE WAS, TWO AND A HALF THOUSAND MILES FROM THE SCHOOL HE ATTENDED 58 YEARS PRIOR, STILL REPRESENTING HIS ALMA MATER DAILY.

his room neighbored the apartment of the dorm resident so that, as Bob put it, “the teachers could have a close eye on me at all times.” As you might guess, these two stories were connected.

As fascinated as I was with learning about Frank Boyden and the rest of Bob’s experience in the Valley, he seemed even more interested in learning about my experience. He asked about hockey and daily schedules and when we sang the “Evensong.” I showed him pictures of my friends and cool adventures we went on, like our hockey trip to the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

More importantly, I explained to him how I learned how to think at Deerfield. Instead of learning to score well on a paper or a test, my classes pushed me to advance my thought processes. It felt, and still feels, difficult to explain to someone how five ninth-grade courses can change the way you think. But as I struggled through my story about how my first physics class challenged how I approached problems, Bob’s smile grew as he sat back in his chair. In that, I realized something remarkable. He had the legendary Boyden. I had the beloved Curtis and insightful Austin. His time was all boys, while mine was co-ed. He played in the original Barn, whereas I got three years with the new Athletics Complex. But we both had the Academy and the Valley. His experiences were definitely different from mine 58 years later, yet Deerfield’s ability to shape its students’ personal development has remained strong.

Deerfield students of any graduating class share a spirit of genuine pride for their school. Bob and I graduated 58 years apart, but we could meet once and talk like old friends. Our shared pride came from wearing the “D” on our hockey jerseys while pursuing an incredible education. I learned that no matter where you might end up on your journey to success, there will always be some semblance of Deerfield: a magical place that teaches and allows young adults to chase their dreams of changing the world in their own unique ways. Thankfully, Bob helped me realize this. Many alumni around the world have stories to tell of their version of the Academy that may be different from the one that exists today; however, one thing will always be the same: Deerfield fosters a community, a family, that extends far beyond the bounds of campus. //

Gene Kinasewich ‘60

Will Holland ’21

pre-pandemic get-together. l to r: Hal Findlay ’76 P’03,’05,’06, Nick Findlay ’05, and Ian Devine ’71, convened in Charleston, SC, last year to sample some local craft beverages and reminisce about time spent by the river.

Ian Devine

1970

In April 2022, Daniel Read wrote: “Some of us go on to do great and historical things. Most of us don’t. That’s part of growing older, accepting that your life is the one God gave you, and enjoying it the way it is. But sometimes, things we don’t think matter so much start to acquire value. This happened to me about three years ago. I met my friend Oskar Lang when I joined a German youth group about two months after I had moved off my Army base in the summer of 1975. I returned to the United States at the end of 1976, and we started corresponding by postcard. Neither of us had much money in those early years, and there weren’t too many cards. As the years have gone by, we have been sending each other many cards, in recent years usually three to five a week, all in German. (Oskar’s English is pretty good, but my German is better than his English, I think). I saved all my incoming postcards in a box in the basement. We were cleaning up the basement, and I saw this big box of postcards, and I thought I needed to do something with these. Maria suggested that I should give them to a museum. Great idea! I contacted the local history museums in the towns where I was stationed, and they would not take them. I thought: Oskar lives in Berlin—I’ll see if there’s a museum there that would be interested. I got in touch with the Alliierten-Museum (Museum of the Allies), dedicated to memorializing the occupying armies in Germany and Berlin from 1945 on. They expressed interest, but only if they had the other half of the correspondence, the cards I had sent to Oskar. So, I called Oskar up and told him what was going on; I asked him, ‘Do you still have the postcards I have sent you?’ He said, ‘I’m looking at the big box of them right now.’ He agreed to donate his as well. The project began, sorting all the cards. It culminated earlier this spring when we both turned our collections to the museum. In the picture, you see Florian Weiss, our main contact at the museum, carrying my shipment of cards (25 pounds). He was thrilled that they came in an apple box! The cards will be put into the collection and available to historians and researchers as documents of ‘historical value.’ The mundane postcards I’ve been sending about music, politics, work, kids, etc., have turned into something historic. I would never have thought that when I started sending them 45 years ago!”

1971

Social Venture Partners Charleston, a program and fund of Coastal Community Foundation, has announced Ian Devine as chair of the Advisory Board. Ian has been active in the partnership since joining more than four years ago. He has served as an advisor to nonprofit investee partners and as a member of the Investment Committee and the Advisory Board. “SVP Charleston is a forward-looking leader in ‘engaged philanthropy,’ which combines money with hands-on business experience to help local nonprofits,” Ian said. “It’s exciting to work with talented partners who roll up their sleeves to help mission-driven organizations fight entrenched economic and educational challenges.” Ian is a long-time leader in nonprofit and foundation management, with a background in consulting to private banks and asset managers. He is founder and president of the Huguette Clark Foundation, a national organization that fights elder financial exploitation. He also serves on the boards of a land conservation trust and an arts foundation.

In 2021 Todd Gieg wrote, “Still working on a diorama of The Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn RR in the year 1895 to be installed in The Lynn Historical Museum. Amy, my wife, continues to do cancer research at Mass General, and Max is a sophomore at Boston College where he is pitching for their baseball team. He will play this summer for Cotuit, my old hometown, in the Cape League.”

In November of 2020 J. Walker Johnson shared some news: “Moving this year from Annapolis and from Steptoe equity to senior partner; moving to Chagrin, OH, to be near to younger son and granddaughters. Joan, a nationally known oil painter, continues to paint. I am pursuing golf. Sold our boat, which was trucked to San Diego, CA. So, a new adventure.”

1972

In October of 2021, Dave Perry (left) wrote, “OK . . . I’ll just put it out there: I can’t believe it’s our 50th high school reunion! Isn’t that for really old people?? It seems like just a few years ago I was playing frisbee football with Bobby Wynn or rec skiing on Shack Hill with Chuck Hostnik or getting suspended for attending All Quiet on the Western Front in a less than ‘quiet’ state of mind or putting on Fiddler on the Roof with Steve Glovsky and the rest of our class. I must confess, I am very excited about seeing everyone at our 50th and reminiscing about our time together 50 years ago and seeing what everyone has been up to since then. Thanks Lodi and all for putting together a great reunion for us! In a nutshell, I came close to going to the Olympic Games in sailing in 1984, then was an athletic director for 21 years at a small private K-12 school in Westport, CT, while my wife Betsy and I raised two great kids (now 34 and 30 . . . yikes), and now I’m self-employed coaching sailors of all levels, including several America’s Cup and US Olympic Teams. Betsy and I still live in Southport, CT, where I grew up.”—Dave Perry

In May of 2020, David Sanderson wrote, “David and his Union College (NY) Soccer Team of 1975 were elected into the Union College Athletics Hall of Fame in December of 2019. His team had a 13-2 record season and won the New York State ECAC Title. Rob Magee’s father was the coach. David played four years of varsity soccer there.”

“This is a recreated shot of the Class of 1972 Hitchcock gang that was originally in the yearbook. Sadly, Jerry Daly is not in the picture because of his recent death.” Geoff Griffin shared

this photo from June 2020.

Michael Bartlett ’70 ON THE (ALBANY) ROAD AGAIN /

By Daniella Vollinger

The only place that old English racer hadn’t been with Michael was throughout his four years at Deerfield. And so, naturally, he would ride it to his return.

(26 Days...of Glory!)

The culverts along the road had iced over by sunrise. It was a clear, 28-degree November morning as Michael Bartlett ‘70 departed from the Berkshires, headed for Academy Lane by bicycle on this final leg of a 26-day bicycle trip that began in Davie, FL. Riding his bike to his 50th reunion felt like the natural thing to do for Michael, who rides almost daily, logging his routes with the Strava app. “I enjoy bicycle riding and love going to destinations, so when I was thinking about the 50th, it sort of became the reason to do it,” he says, speaking by phone, the line constantly breaking up due to interference from a large storm that has derailed his latest (motorcycle) riding trip through Maine and Nova Scotia.

“I remember sitting in Memorial Building at Deerfield as James Coburn’s character in the 1963 film The Great Escape gets on a bike and rides off into the sunset,” reminisces Michael. “I remember thinking at the time: ‘Now, that’s how you get away from it all.’” Biking meant freedom to a young Micheal who had received the bicycle of his dreams for Christmas in 1961: a Robin Hood three-speed “English racer.” As a nine-year-old boy, he could ride to his friends’ homes and to and from school. He rode that bike all over his hometown of Buffalo, NY, and throughout college in Boston. He still rides that bike almost daily while commuting to work on it and has taken it to numerous destinations. The only place that old English racer hadn’t been with Michael was throughout his four years at Deerfield. And so, naturally, he would ride it to his return. “Part of this trip was getting that bike to Deerfield, an unnecessary and questionable yet strangely powerful promise to myself.”

Just before 8:00 am on a beautiful October morning in South Florida, Michael set off with minimal gear: his laptop, a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and a t-shirt. He clocked about 70 miles on that first day, with over 1,500 miles left to go. Twenty-one days later, he was zipping through Manhattan traffic. With the cold moving in, Michael had to add tactical bike clothing to his pack. His classmates eagerly followed his rides as he posted daily updates to Strava. Their support gave Michael the needed encouragement. “They kept me going,” he says, humbled by their interest in his ride. A classmate, Charlie Trautmann ’70, even wrote a poem, Michael Bartlett’s Ride—a play on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Paul Revere’s Ride—that was read aloud to a merry group of alums during reunion weekend.

Michael made a terrible wrong turn and unnecessarily climbed a mountain on that last icy day of the journey from Pittsfield to Deerfield. He lost all phone signal and, with it, access to his map. Luckily, a UPS driver pointed him in the right direction, and by 1:15 in the afternoon, it was a downhill ride to Deerfield. The cold of the morning and the bad luck had dissipated, giving way to a beautiful fall day that was perfect for a ride. As he came across interstate 91, Michael noticed the radio tower known by Deerfield students as “the rock.” I thought, “Holy cow, I made it!”

His arrival on campus was rather anticlimactic, he says. Students were coming and going, and the campus was buzzing—it was Choate week. No one took note of the pilgrim with the 60-year-old bike and saddlebags as he wandered along Albany Road. Michael called a Deerfield employee to snap a photograph of him in front of the Deerfield Door, where he recalls only sports captains had the honor of getting their pictures taken. The journey had come to a quiet and unceremonious end.

Later that weekend, as everyone cheered while listening to the poem in his honor, Michael surveyed the room and noted all his classmates, some of whom were accomplished, even famous in their own right. “I was so humbled. I’m in a room with generational guys who have changed the world. I just rode a bike, and they were all applauding me.” It was a memorable weekend—Deerfield beat Choate— and as it drew to a close, the classmates hoped to all gather again for a future reunion. “At our age, you get used to transitioning to the next step, the reunion was over, and it was time to move on. There was some sadness because, after 50 years, we’re losing friends and classmates, and you wonder if this is the last time you’ll see them. Is this group going to stick together?” he says, reflecting on how the reunion weekend had gone and how much they all wanted to gather again. “What does Deerfield still have in store for us?”//

Just before 8:00 am on a beautiful October morning in South Florida, Michael set off with minimal gear: his laptop, a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and a t-shirt.

The Annual Fund team recently hosted two special events: Deerfield’s sixth annual Day of Giving and first-ever Grati-Tuesday, which highlighted the value and importance of giving back and saying “thanks!”

The Day of Giving was incredibly successful thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of the entire Deerfield community. More than 1100 alumni, parents, grandparents, friends, employees, and students participated, raising over $500,000 for the Annual Fund, academic programs, student organizations, teams, and more! The fun started on March 1 at 6 am ET and wrapped up at noon on March 2. Whether you made a gift, offered a challenge or a dollar-for-dollar match, or spread the word, we appreciate your suppor t, and couldn’t have done it without you!

Illustration by Zoe Pappenheimer

G R AT I- T U E S D AY

In November, our community showed appreciation for Deerfield donors during the inaugural “Grati-Tuesday” event by writing thank you notes, recording videos, and decorating posters. These activities allowed our community to practice an “attitude of gratitude” and reflect upon the unique ways that donors make a difference in our lives. Thank you to the students, faculty, and staff who participated in the event, and, of course, thank you to our donors for helping to make Deerfield a wonderful place!

In February of 2020, Bob Vuyosevich, Manning Curtis, Margarita Curtis, and Bruce Goodwin (left) met up for a drink at Cure Bar on Freret in New Orleans, LA. Bob is semi-retired from his architectural practice in NYC, now writing/ recording music. Bruce teaches architecture at Tulane University, and at the time, the Curtises were settling in to their new home in New Orleans.

“The Robert Wynn NAIC/BetterInvesting Club Leadership Award was recently established at the National Association of Investment Club/BetterInvesting meeting in Dallas, TX. The award will be given annually to an individual who has shown exemplary leadership in starting and/or supporting the establishment of investment clubs. I have been instrumental in assisting over 30 investment clubs throughout the country in their startup and implementation.”—Robert Wynn (left bottom) shared news of this award in July of 2022.

1973

“I am proudly inviting everyone to watch the Netflix original family comedy: THE BIG SHOW SHOW, in which my daughter, Juliet, stars as JJ.”—Roger Donenfeld

1975

Hugh Franklin Bennett passed away in Naples, Florida, on September 27, 2021, from ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease. Hugh was born on March 7, 1957, in Washington, DC, to parents Jack Franklin Bennett and Shirley Goodwin Bennett. He had an active childhood with eye-opening tours of the world on his parents’ many business trips. He lived in DC, CT, TX, and England and visited many other countries. Hugh loved sports, particularly soccer, basketball, tennis, and baseball. He went on to ultimately play collegiate D1 soccer at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and participated in many levels of competitive soccer. He also enjoyed youth and high school soccer coaching and refereeing for many years, particularly in Winchester, MA. Hugh was also lucky to attend a great New Hampshire summer camp (Pemigewassett) for many years. After college, Hugh had a 25 year career in investment banking and corporate finance with First Boston, Advest, McKinley Allsop, and his own business, Gagan, Bennett & Co. He was active in capital raising, mergers/acquisitions, and served on several corporate boards. Subsequently, he joined MIT in its development and fundraising department, where he worked for 13 years before retiring. Hugh lived in Boston and then Winchester, MA for over 35 years. At the end of 2018, he retired to Naples, FL. Hugh had many happy experiences and memories with his many friends. He was a class agent for his beloved Deerfield Academy class for many years. He served on soccer club, business association, and school boards. He was also a member of The Winchester Country Club (MA) and the Quail Creek Country Club (FL). “On January 8, 2021, Colin Buerger ’05 and Alexandra Campbell welcomed Jack Lesley Buerger.”—Geoff Buerger 2021.

“Jenny Peck and I got married on Lambert’s Cove Beach on Martha’s Vineyard on September 25. We eloped! The best part is she surprised me with the whole plan which she presented to me in a “box” on my 60th birthday!!

—Jon Raymond shared his exciting news in late 2020.

In February

Webster shared this great

“Allen Damon ’78 with a beautiful 18 lb Atlantic Salmon caught on a dry fly in June 2019 on the St. Jean River in Quebec along with his trusted guide Reed Webster ’79. Garry Shumway ’78 was within casting distance hooking up on one of his numerous fish as well.

“Samantha Hilson ’09 was married ini September of 2019 to Jack Sandler, and a Deerfield reunion broke out!

Front row:

Allie Guggenheimer ’09, Rebecca Umbach ’09, Anne Jamison ’09, Samantha Hilson Sandler ’09, Rebecca Blumenkopf ’01, Erica Belanger ’09;

Tad Van Dusen ’75, Bill Hilson ’73, Walter Clark ’75, Rob Meyer ’75, and, father-of-the-bride, Dwight Hilson ’75!

Back row:

of 2020 D. Reed

photo:

1976

Graeme and Mary Howard stopped off to see Bob and Jackie Deblois in Rhode Island this fall and spent a wonderful afternoon boating in Point Judith Pond. (left)

In June of 2020 Ken Klaus wrote to share this note: “Having enjoyed a sales and marketing career in small and large scale I/T companies, I now enjoy an active voiceover career as well as my life’s passion as a musician and band leader of Blow The House Down, a Chicago-style blues band with more than five decades of experience on stage and in the studio. In 2008, I founded the Paoli Blues Fest with 2020 marking our 12th annual event.”

1977

In April of 2021, Andy Ling passed along some news from the Class of 1977: “Since March of 2020 my classmates and I started getting together for Friday cocktail hour. What started as three to four guys quickly grew too close to 20 today. Here’s a recent pic of some of our participants, starting upper left corner top row, Dave Martin, me with my shemagh which Matt King sent to a group of us for our Zoom calls, Tucker Smith,Wayne Wall, second row, l to r: Townley Paton, Rob Manning, Tom Mallory, Stewart Day, bottom row, l to r: James Gilbane, Jamie MacPherson, Dave Coombs, and Bob Dewey. Other regular participants are Matt King, Randy Farr, Hamilton Davison, with recent additions, James Beit and Thom Page We also regularly group chat. And, we’ve even had a virtual wine tasting that I’ve hosted. We have really been enjoying our calls together. Some have lasted over five hours! We welcome more of our classmates!”

“Since March, 2020 my classmates and I started getting together for Friday cocktail hour. What started as three to four guys quickly grew too close to 20 today . . .” Andy Ling

Proud dad Bill Berry shared the following happy news about his daughter, Dana Barry ’15: “Dear Dana, I’m writing to congratulate you, and let you know that you have been selected as the winner of the Donald & Joyce Marchand Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, which we give each year at Convocation to the student who best demonstrates overall academic achievement. You’re especially deserving of this award. Your academic work throughout your time at the iSchool has been noteworthy and has earned you this recognition. Thank you for your exemplary contribution to the iSchool and the field throughout your time here. I’m sure that the academic excellence that you’ve demonstrated during your time here will take you far, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you. Rest assured that we will find a way to honor your achievements even though our Convocation plans are still being finalized. Congratulations again, and I look forward to seeing where your iSchool degree leads you next! Raj Dewan, Professor and Dean, School of Information Studies (iSchool).

1979

Art Dwight shared that he and Adam Reeves connected at TEDx Berkeley in February of 2020. Top, l to r: Art Dwight ’79 & Raquel Bono, Taylor Bono, Maggie & Adam Reeves ’79 at reception following Raquel’s Tedx talk at Berkeley. Scott Fauver ’79, Lily Fauver ’17, George Fauver ’22, Trey Souder ’22, Granger Souder P’22, and Jeff Louis ’81

Jon Raymond and Mark McIntyre enjoyed some biking in California last summer. Not bad for a couple of 60-year-old dudes. Best buddies since Deerfield days!

(below & right) competed in the American Birkebeiner 55k cross country ski race in Wisconsin in February of 2022.

1980

In January 2020, Jim Butz shared that he and Cynthia, Jack Strain, and John Mattes celebrated new King’s Academy headmaster (and former Deerfield faculty member) Peter Nilsson. Past Deerfield heads of school Eric Widmer ’57 (founding head of school at King’s) and Margarita Curtis were both in attendance as well. (top left)

Some members of the undefeated 1979 varsity football team returned to campus in October of 2022. Coach Jim Smith was also in attendance at the game. Members of the Class of 1980 in attendance included Brian Milewski, Jack Daly, Frank Polsinello P’15, Tom Quinn, Ben Greenblott, Mike Smith P’13, Bill Raymond, Peter Sobel, Coach Jim Smith

P’80,’82,’85,’86,’91 G’13, ’25 Chris Grennon P’17. Photos from the weekend can be found online at BigGreen.photos

Chris Grennon had a busy summer in 2021, sharing pictures from a scuba diving vacation with a few of his classmates, including Chip Smith, Chuck Irving, Abdullah, Perry Vella, Chris, and Bob Starbuck (left, middle)

In July 2021, Chris Grennon shared this fun photo (bottom left) from a surprise 60th birthday event: Left to right back row: Bill Grennon ’78, Josh Reed ’12, Bill Raymond ’80, Bob Starbuck ’80, Josh Binswanger ’80, Mike Smith ’80, Chuck Irving ’80, Perry Vella ’80, Peter Krawchuck ’80

Front row: Chris Grennon ’80, Kathryn Grennon ’17

In March 2020, Tom Potter was elected District Court Judge for the 8th Judicial District-South of Arkansas.

John Knight ’83 shared that McKay Jenkins ’81 received the Outstanding Scholarship Award from the University of Delaware.

1981

“It’s been a while since I shared a note,” wrote Jay Caldwell back in March of 2020. “I hope my fellow ’81’s are doing well. Finally checked off one of my ski bucket list items with a small group trip to Japan’s island of Hokkaido this past January. Skied with a Sugarbush group led by extreme skiing legend John Egan (60 going on 25), and ex-Powder Magazine photo editor Hank De Vre joined us for the side/backcountry touring. After eleven sweet and surreal days skiing steeps, bamboo forests, and a sacred volcano, I spent eight days in Tokyo for art and cultural explorations. I got a glimpse into why classmates Christopher Keener and Dave River went to Japan and never left. Back in the States our gallery in Hudson, NY, is in its sixth year, and we’re restoring a nifty historic house we bought in this ‘quirky scruffy chic’ ghost-filled, 300-year-old river town. Missing dad Joe ’47, and the 35 years we fished side-by-side for great artwork and any fish that took a fly. The art world has been an interesting place as mega galleries and auction houses elbow out mid-sized and small firms, but our little mom-and-pop shop is enjoying its 46th year selling American (mostly) art, 1850-2000 (CaldwellGalleryHudson.com). If you’re going to be anywhere near the Catskills on your travels, please let me know, and I’ll gladly babble away about things to see and do. Saying hello in person would be even better!”

1982

Sam Bayne sent this update in the fall of 2021: “Had a great mini-reunion this past August out at the Silver Tip Ranch in Montana. Five days of fishing, horseback riding, and lots of laughs with the boys. Great to get that many days together. We had Craig Markcrow ’82 (Kegger), Sam Bayne ’82 (Jibber), Joe Lotuff ’82 (Mojo), Jay Winthrop ’82 (Jaybone), and Ian Murray ’82 (Onion) in attendance. The biggest fish went to Jay that week.” In September of 2022, Sam added: “The Classes of 1981 and 1982 got together for a few days in Osterville on the Cape (before Reunion weekend this past summer) to see who was the better class at golf. It was a great turnout, eight from each side. Hosted by Joe Lotuff, Peter Fair ’81, and Chris Delorey ’81, it will be the start of many more get-togethers. So many laughs from the old days! This picture (bottom) was taken on the second day of the competition.

Bottom left, l to r: Joe Lotuff ’82, Peter Fair ’81, Eric Tarrgart ’82, Ted Ashford ’82, Lee Madden ’81, Andy Swank ’81, Chris Knisely ’81, Sam Bayne ’82, Chris Delorey ’81, Somers Cooper ’81, Rob Engel ’82, Mark McInerney ’81, and Ian Murray ’82

“It is with a heavy heart that I share that my father, Robert Bridges, passed away unexpectedly on November 17, 2022,” wrote Austin Bridges ’12. “While at Deerfield, he was a diver on four New England championship teams, head of the Glee Club and Mellow-D’s, and a proctor in Pocumtuck. He was an active supporter of Deerfield as an alumnus, and was thrilled when I followed in his footsteps as a member of the Class of ’12. He especially loved watching my swim meets and water polo games. One year he even volunteered as a diving coach and commuted to and from Greenwich, CT, every Sunday to spend all day at the pool, helping my teammates to improve their dives. We attended our 10th and 40th Deerfield Reunions together this past June, something we had always talked about doing. While this was sadly one of the last times I would see my dad, I’m grateful for the quality time that we enjoyed together that weekend.”

1983

In April 2022, John Knight and Kris Kollevoll ’73 (right) randomly met for the first time at a NCAA Men’s hockey championship game in Boston. They learned through conversation that they are both Deerfield Cup winners, Princetonians, and lifelong hockey fans!

Last fall John Knight wrote, “Kudos to Steve Lombardi ’91 for hosting David Ilsley ’76 and me for golf at the former dairy farm-turned-golf course run by his family, Easton Country Club!” (p.72, bottom right)

1984

In October 2021, Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced the appointment of Chris Herrick (middle right) as commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Chris will lead the department responsible for managing and conserving fish, wildlife, and their habitats. For the last five years, Chris has served as deputy commissioner at the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Prior to that, he served two and a half years as director of Vermont Emergency Management within DPS.

82

l to r: Alex Navarro ’82, Rob Engel ’82, Scott Kirkpatrick ’82 in Snow Bird, UT, in February 2020 / b: Rob Engel ’82 and Alex Navarro ’82 Park City, UT in February of 2021.

82

82 84 83

1985

In September 2022, Bruce Timberlake wrote, “My wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary with a trip to Yellowstone, and I’m entering my 15th year working for University of Michigan’s Information and Technology Services—all those long nights on the PDP-11 in the Science Building paid off!”

1986

Ed Scagel was proud to tell us: “I am happy to announce that my niece and nephew, Cori and Jonathan Scagel (left) are following in their uncle’s footsteps by attending Deerfield (Class of 2025)! I couldn’t be happier and look forward to spending time on campus attending various events!”

1987

In September 2021, Jeremy Starr (left), son of Andrew Star ’87 and Amy Starr, showed off his Deerfield pride.

“In 2017, my classmate Peter O’Brien ’87 P’17,’20 submitted a photo (left) to commemorate our daughters’ (Hannah ’17 and Alina ’17) time together at DA as they graduated. We were able to recreate that photo five years later at Reunion 2022. We look forward to updating the photo in 2027.”—Geoff

Swinerton

In May 2022, Jennifer Welborn shared the news of her newest book: “Recently, I have been promoting Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals, illustrated by Rozillia MH. This picture book is about a young Black girl who (literally) dreams of becoming a veterinarian like her mother. You can learn more about the book (below), author, and illustrator at jenniferwelbornauthor.com.”

In November 2021, the Deerfield Club of the Rockies celebrated Choate Day together, rising to the Choate Day Challenge!

l to r: Wallace Ellis ’87, Andrew Paredes ’88, Marcus Yoder ’88, Chris Miller ’84, Meegan Moszynski ’97

1988

“That’s right, after the pandemic and lockdowns, the 2022-23 literary convention circuit is heating up, and I’ve been hitting it! So far, I’ve been in Colorado Springs, Kansas City, Denver, and Phoenix. October brought me to Atlanta (Multiverse), Denver again (MileHiCon), Tucson (Tuscon 49), and January in Virginia Beach (MarsCon). My Artemis War Omnibus edition is out, collecting four of my novels in one place, and an anthology I’m co-editing came out in November.”—Adam Gaffen

John Knight ’83 reported that Rick Hough was elected as Chairman of the National Civic Art Society.

Burke Koonce was interviewed by Tucker Carlson in the spring of 2022 to discuss his latest documentary airing on HBO Max: Gaming Wall Street

After 30 years of working at other educational institutions, mostly in the alumni/ae relations and fundraising arena, I have come home! I started at Deerfield on November 7, 2022 as the Academy’s chief advancement officer. I am thrilled to be back here, working alongside John Austin and his leadership team, as well as a super talented group of individuals in the Advancement Office, to help the school achieve some ambitious goals. And, I am finally a boarder! I am living in an apartment in Hitchcock (the ground floor is now the bookstore), at least until a more suitable house becomes available. My family will remain in NH until this summer, and then the big move will happen. It’s surreal (in a good way!) to walk out my door each morning onto this campus. The place is as stunning as ever!

I look forward to welcoming you all back for the 35th in June!”

Chuck Ramsay

In January of 2022, Gus Lipman ’89 informed us of the sad news of Rex Rust’s passing.

Last March Michael Scherotter shared: “Initially started as a way to share my own artwork from 30 years of journaling (starting at Deerfield), I launched Galeryst.com in December 2021 to enable any artists to create a beautiful gallery to share their artwork with the world. Launched as a subscription service aimed at artists and anyone who wants to share their artwork or art collection in the metaverse, Galeryst generates 3D virtual galleries from Adobe Photoshop Lightroom albums. Artists can create interactive experiences viewable on phones, tablets, computers, and VR headsets. Kickstarted with a grant from Adobe’s Fund for Design, I built Galeryst with a small group of volunteers during a sabbatical from my work at Microsoft. I’ve had artists from across the globe create and share galleries of their artwork to their global audiences when the global pandemic limited many real-world gallery exhibits.”

Initially started as a way to share my own artwork from 30 years of journaling (starting at Deerfield), I launched Galeryst.com in December 2021 to enable any artists to create a beautiful gallery to share their artwork with the world.

—Michael Scherotter

I’ve just finished my first novel, The Cassidy Chronicles! Surprising nobody, it’s science fiction.

In late October, over 30 members of the Class of 1988 met in Lexington, KY, for a combined 50th birthday celebration. Classmates traveled from as a far away as Colorado, Florida, Vermont, and California to be there, and Rob and Kelly Brewer kindly hosted the group for a wonderful dinner at their home. The next day was spent at Keeneland watching the last meet of the fall season. Lively and spirited, a good time was had by all. So much so that there was a movement to do it all again next year! In attendance were Oscar Anderson P’21, Robert Brewer ’88, Eric Baurmeister ’88, Seth Brennan P’23, Henry Boucher, John Bradbury, Luke Fichthorn, Doug Grout, Greg Hanson, Whet Hutton, Peter Hyde, Chris Jaynes, Sean Kelly, Burke Koonce, Rocky Kroeger, Chris Ladley, Tim Love, Tim Martin, Chris Nelson, Courtlandt Pennell, Gene Pride, Chris Reese, Porter Schutt, Gordie Spater P’21,’23, Biria St. John, Keith Stocker, Tim Waite, Tom Walker, Dave Willis, and Marcus Yoder.

1989

In April 2020, Chris Hogan (right) was on the frontlines of fighting the Coronavirus in Virginia. Gus Lipman shared that: “On March 31, 2020, eleven members of the Class of 1989 thanked Dr. Hogan during a Zoom meeting and celebrated their friendship: Jacques Cattier, Todd Conklin, Brian Higgins, Todd Hirsch, Andrew Hough, Jon Knisley, Gus Lipman, John McCaffery, Trevor Nagle, and Ed Williams.”

This past fall Trevor Nagle (right) wrote, “Now empty nesters, my wife and I relocated a year ago to the beautiful town of Exeter, NH. We have been enjoying being back in New England, hiking the White Mountains whenever possible, enjoying the culinary delights of the seacoast and Boston, and simply spending quiet evenings here in the woods. Ran into fellow alum, Tim Molinero ’89 recently, and I hope to reconnect with any and all Deerfield folks in the area.”

In August 2020, Stephen Root (below) shared an exciting accomplishment: “Recently completed the ‘Length of Tahoe’ swim—a 21.3-mile swim from the south shore (Camp Richardson) to the north shore (Incline Village) of Lake Tahoe—in nine hours, 35 min. Grueling swim but loved the preparation and happy with the result. One of my kayakers was Geoff Butler ’74, who, like me, was a past member of the Deerfield swim team— we often speak of our respect for Larry Boyle. Geoff also completed this swim in 2016.”

Recently completed the ‘Length of Tahoe’ swim—a 21.3-mile swim from the south shore (Camp Richardson) to the north shore (Incline Village) of Lake Tahoe—in 9 hours, 35 min. Grueling swim but loved the preparation and happy with the result.—Stephen Root

(Glory Days! )

Hussain Aga Khan ’92

PHOTOGRAPHER & ACTIVIST / by Kate Godin /// portrait by Arlindo Camacho/Visão ///

This is a love story. It is about one man’s dedication to the natural world and his desire to inspire that love in more of us so that, together, we might preserve and protect the fragile, hidden spaces of the earth’s oceans and the beings for whom they are home. It is about Hussain Aga Khan ’92 and his intimate, emotional photography of marine life.

When The Living Sea exhibition comes to the von Auersperg Gallery in May, the Deerfield community will be invited to consider deepening its connection to the world that Hussain is so enamored with through an immersive experience with his large-format underwater images. “There are so many incredible and charismatic species out there, fascinating habitats, and exotic locations,” says Hussain. “But nearly all are under threat, from human encroachment—shrinking habitats— to climate change, overfishing, poaching, plastic pollution and more.”

As a conservation photographer, he is on a mission to help people fall in love with nature, showing them things they may not otherwise have the chance to see, so that their investment in the responsible stewardship of our planet might grow.

The Living Sea Exhibition

at Deerfield Academy

May 7 through June 12

Hussain’s deep affection for the ocean began early. He asked his mother for a fish tank at age four. During summers on the Mediterranean Sea, he would catch octopus and cuttlefish with a net, put them in a bucket of water on the beach, and observe them for hours before releasing them again. He began diving at 14. “I was drawn to these animals very early by their beauty, color, and shapes,” Hussain says. “I was crazy about National Geographic magazine. I think that Cousteau and Attenborough documentaries had a profound effect on me. So did the author and naturalist Gerald Durrell.”

Hussain’s childhood passion has grown into adult responsibilities and concerns. He is a member of the Environment and Climate Committee of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN); Chairman of the Board of the

PART OF MY JOB REALLY IS TO BE A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS— TO DEFEND CREATURES AND PLACES THAT CAN’T DEFEND THEMSELVES A G AINST HUMAN CARELESSNESS, DESTRUCTIVE PRACTICES, AND NEGLECT. IT’S A REAL PRIVILEGE TO SEE WHAT I SEE AND DO WHAT I DO.

Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, which works with communities around the globe to create safe, sustainable, and resilient habitats; and a permanent invitee to Aga Khan Foundation meetings. Working together, these are the agencies that will best ensure that AKDN meets its pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its operations and institutions by 2030.

Perhaps closest to his heart is Focused on Nature, an association that makes grants directly to groups leading impactful projects in wildlife conservation, protection, preservation, and education. Hussain founded this organization more than a decade ago to be the philanthropic arm of his work, complementing his photography. “It felt as if raising awareness and showing beautiful images wasn’t necessarily going to be enough,” he says. “The problems out there are too big and need to be tackled immediately.” What is unchanged over time is Hussain’s love of exploring ocean wildlife and documenting its beauty, diversity, and intelligence. His favorite part of the work is spotting a creature he has never seen before and capturing its unique character, which occasionally leads to what he calls “the joy of the magical encounter.” This might be a companionable fish discovered in an undersea cave who followed him into the daylight and stayed by his side like a friend for the entirety of his dive. Or locking eyes with a reef manta during a half-hour swim together. Or getting caught in the middle of a game between boisterous humpback whales, diving, swirling and curling all around him.

For Hussain, the delight of such encounters is matched by grave concern for the survival of many of these animals. The World Wide Fund for Nature’s Living Planet Report 2022 found a 69 percent average decline in wildlife populations since 1970. The situation is even more dire in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the average decline is 94 percent. “I now see dead or dying coral nearly everywhere I go. I see plastic pollution I never saw before,” he says. “When my first book came out in 2004, many of the animals in my photographs weren’t officially endangered—that’s no longer true. We have a climate crisis, a biodiversity crisis. I’m photographing a fading world.”

Despite the sobering reality, Hussain sees a great deal of inspiration as well. “I have personal heroes and heroines—Sylvia Earle and Jane Goodall top the list,” he says. “But I’m also encouraged by thousands of people across all the continents that we’ll never hear about. Park guards, scientists, people planting trees, saving sharks, growing coral, fighting poachers, being activists, and protecting endangered species that can only be found where they live. Local heroes and teachers. There are people putting their lives on the line every day.”

Hussain’s biggest cause for hope is young people, which is why it feels important for him to return to Deerfield with this collection of photographs. “If there is anything that can save wildlife and wild places, it will be our youth,” he says, “aided by scientific discovery and new or improved technologies.” Hussain’s wish is that his images make people feel fascination, admiration, and love. He adds, “Unless you care about something, you’re unlikely to work hard to preserve or protect it.”

He wants his work to raise awareness about the urgent need to care for the planet we share with so many other living things while inspiring people to change their behavior and focus on what they can do to help. What can we do?

Hussain has a lot of ideas: “Plant a tree. Stop using plastic. Educate yourself as you can, and with all that you know, educate everyone else. Limit your fossil fuel use. Be a demanding consumer and a nagging citizen. Volunteer if you want. Give if you can.”

For Hussain, in the end, it comes back to devotion. “Part of my job really is to be a voice for the voiceless—to defend creatures and places that can’t defend themselves against human carelessness, destructive practices, and neglect. It’s a real privilege to see what I see and do what I do.” //

This page: Hussain Aga Khan ’92 / Focused on Nature

1990

In December of 2021 Alexander Lehnen wrote, “Happy Holidays to all from Germany—I finally reunited with my mother after two years of Covid-forced separation. After such a long travel ban, it is wonderful to be home with family and friends. Three years ago, I purchased a large parcel of land in Kingston, NY, as an investment and a plan to develop it into a prime artisanal product-producing farm along with cabin rentals on site. Little did I know that when I resigned from my last hospitality engagement in Miami, I would become a farmer on the fast track through YouTube and Google during Covid, only weeks after moving onto my property in early February of 2020 when we went into total lockdown. Luckily, I found myself secluded on 45 acres with my dog and an extensive to-do list of projects. With the shutdown of domestic cigar retailers, my launch of a cigar line from the Dominican Republic became delayed. What better time to start my long list of improvements on my land? By vigorously studying online, watching how-to videos, and reading many books on the topics I had to conquer, I became a goat father, a coop daddy, and a beekeeper all within six months; I managed to get a micro-farm winery license from the state, and started making wine from apples (a German specialty); and found myself completely engulfed in a new chapter of life by tending to my animals daily, learning by doing. I am now a proud new farmer and winemaker in the Hudson Valley. I turned the main farmhouse into a vacation rental (booked since day one), and I continue to host mostly families or groups from NYC who come for an overall farm experience. This summer, I will be producing my own goat cheese—I was blessed with five goat kids on Mother’s Day, and the herd is growing strong. The first wine season was unexpectedly busy, and I sold every bottle of wine I made. Plans for expanding the production for 2022 are in place, and with some luck, my wine will make it onto some shelves in the greater NY area next year. As things now have somewhat “normalized,” I was able to streamline the process of running the farm to focus on my new business endeavors. Just recently, I joined AdaptivBioMed as a partner. We are now one of the largest factory-direct Covid test distributors and the #1 preferred provider for mandate-compliant testing, reporting, and tracking software for employers, schools, and organizations. 100 percent OSHA and HIPPA compliant with patient management and telehealth. We are working with several Fortune 500 companies and are setting up their mandate-compliant testing programs by providing a full-service solution. Naturally, if any Deerfield Alumni are around Kingston, NY, you are always welcome to stop and say hi at the farm. We re-open this spring. Stop by and try some German apple wine! I wish everybody a happy and healthy holiday season! Looking forward to hearing from any and everyone.”

“Just sending a big “hello” to the extended DA family. I keep in close contact with George Davis ’90, Rob Gowen ’90, and JP Gallagher ’90 (left) regularly, and I have now discovered how to pester all my classmates through social media! (Ha, ha.) I have been at Pitt since 2010, and I enjoy working as a pediatric hand/plastic surgeon at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. I recently accepted a position as an Advisory Dean with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. We have become real “Yinzers,” and we look forward to the day when we can see everyone safely again in person,”Alex Davit wrote in August 2021.

1991

In July of 2022, Elena Pullen-Venema ’91 and Chip Norris ’66 (left) met on Friday Harbor for Elena’s parent’s 50th wedding anniversary!

On May 19, 2022, a small group of ’91 friends met up for some prereunion fun in NYC—(p.80 pictured) John Fichthorn, Will Calender, Paul Lyle, John Petrillo , Chris Wahl, Andy Lodge, Greg Guido, Steve Lombardi, Pete Ginsberg, Frazer Rice, Todd Ryan, and Rod Mathey.

1992

Last November, Samuel de Castro let us know of his successful command tour at Military Sealift Command Far East, and that he was headed to Washington, DC.

Ashley Prout McAvey (top left) had several updates to share with us these last few years. In 2021: “After an eight-year fight, I am delighted to announce that Vermont became the 12th state in the nation (plus DC) to ban the trade in imperiled wildlife parts. My all-volunteer organization, Vermont For Wildlife, led the charge. Here’s a story that summarizes the win for wildlife: Contrary to popular belief, federal law does not reach into intrastate trade, thus the critical importance of these incredible grassroots state efforts such as ours. If there is no state law on the books (as is the case in now 38 remaining states), the trade in these animal parts is free and clear, and that very trade perpetuates the demand and the slaughter with devastating ramifications. It’s also interesting to note that Covid-19 is a zoonotic disease, and the more we exploit wildlife, the graver the consequences for humans. I was honored to deliver testimony to this end to the Vermont State Legislature and hope that Vermont’s win will inspire other states to act.” Later that spring Ashley wrote: “I saw that McLean Hospital had done a Deconstructing Stigma exhibit addressing mental health and suicide prevention at Logan Airport a few months after the loss of my beautiful brother Ian back in 2016. I reached out to them and then to my friend Gene Richards who runs the Burlington International Airport. He said an immediate and enthusiastic yes to bringing the exhibit to Vermont, and the installation has finally begun. This is a healthy and life-saving message for everyone flying into and out of our state. It is beautiful, powerful, and uplifting because it turns sadness, pain, and loss into hope and light. The stories are all extraordinary—you can read my story of Ian—as is the ongoing, life-saving work at McLean. Knowing that millions coming and going from Vermont will see this conversation fills me with more hope than you can imagine, taking the impossible loss of my beautiful brother and, in partnership with BTV and McLean, the top mental health hospital in the world, to seek the light. Please reach out to McLean to get an installation in your state! Let’s put this conversation on the table. In crisis? Please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800273-8255 or text “HOME” to 741741.” Ashley also shared news of her visit with former Deerfield Coach Bill Tyler: “Happiness is seeing your favorite coach ever after 28 years and realizing that love and friendship have no expiration. I love you, Mr. Tyler. You made my day! Such a thrill getting to see him just before Covid hit in March 2020, and I hope to see him again soon.”

“I launched my new cookbook, The Art of Salad (my fifth cookbook in Portuguese, my first cookbook in English!). It’s available on Amazon.”

Timo Weymouth shared this update from the summer

1993

Last summer Katie Marvin wrote: “I am a Deerfield grad and the current president of the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians. My friend Becca Bell ’98 is the current president of the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont chapter. We worked with one another throughout Covid, among other things, and just learned this fun fact. We also both serve on the board of the Vermont Medical Society.”

1996

In February of 2022, Evan Wolf (bottom left) shared the news of his hit podcast: “The Wolf Who Cried Women” launched in 2021, and recounts, among other things, the harrowing days of trying to have a social life at Deerfield in the 90s. Recently picked up by Spotify. “Whitney Wolfe and John Connorton III welcomed their daughter Margaret “Daisy” Wolfe (bottom right) Connorton on January 6, 2021.”

of 2021: “My son and I picked up trash at a local park. As trained, battle-hardened ‘trail stewards,’ our family does this kind of thing every month or so. It was good to get out and Big Green up the environment.”

1997

Griffin Hale James passed away suddenly on July 30, 2022 at the age of 43, from an undiagnosed heart condition. Griffin was born to parents Peter and Katherine (Kitty) McNiff James, of South Deerfield, MA, on March 28, 1979. He attended South Deerfield Elementary and the Bement School before Deerfield, where he was an Eagle Scout, involved community member, avid outdoorsman, and accomplished trombone player. Griffin attended Brown University, where he was a captain of the downhill ski racing team and member of the jazz and wind symphony bands, before graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering. He then moved to Boston and began a career at Gilbane Building Company before attending Harvard Business School. After graduating with his MBA, he worked as a business consultant, first at Trammell Crow and then at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, for the past thirteen years. His work took him worldwide and earned him lifelong friends and colleagues. He was humbled to earn a partner-level promotion at Deloitte (sadly, only days before his untimely death). Griffin married the love of his life and perfect match, Dr. Sara Elizabeth Royston, on February 12, 2022, and was incredibly excited to become a father to a baby boy due in January 2023. He could not wait to become a dad. Griffin, Sara, and their loyal dog, Clementine, moved from Boston to Champaign, IL, in July 2022, and looked forward to devoting more time to their growing family. Griffin loved skiing, aviation, excellent wine, and exploring unmarked hiking trails. More than anything, he loved his family, friends, wife, and unborn son. We will always remember Griffin for his quick wit, loyalty, work ethic, and eternal commitment to those he loved. He is survived by his wife, Sara Royston James, (then) unborn son, Peter William Griffin James, and small brown dog, Clementine; parents, Peter and Katherine James, of South Deerfield, MA; brother, Garrett (Olga Kisseleva) James, and nephew, Kieran James, of Scarsdale, NY; brother in law, Josh (Tracy) Royston, and niece and nephew, Maya and Kyle Royston, of Pittsburgh, PA; and numerous treasured friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, and colleagues throughout the world. We will never understand how something so horrible can happen to someone so loving, kind, and generous. Still, we are forever grateful for the memories of Griffin and the stories of all of those he impacted.—Shared by the James Family

In March 2022, Shalanda Miller shared that she was running for Superior Court Judge: “After serving as a Fulton County Juvenile Court Judge, I have decided to take the next step in my legal career and run for Fulton County Superior Court,” she said. Unfortunately, Shalanda was defeated by the incumbent.

1999

In November of 2021, Amory and Eli Barnes shared: “We are a bit belated in our update, but Eli and I welcomed Zachary “Zach” Forbes Barnes on July 3, 2020. At 16 months, he brings us laughter, love, and joy. Haddie (nine), Parker (seven), and Morgan (four) are the best big siblings!” (p.82, middle)

2000

“We wrapped up a multi-year sculpture project at the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge over the Hudson River,” wrote Hugh Karol in January of 2021. “Sponsored by the Governor’s Office and Arts Westchester, the sculpture incorporates steel from the new bridge and its predecessor, the Tappan Zee Bridge. The piece evokes a sense of uplift, progress, and momentum while visually anchoring the beginning of the bridge path on the Rockland County landing.”

In October 2020, Teasel Muir-Harmony passed along some news: “Basic Books will publish my book Operation Moonglow: A Political History of Project Apollo.”

2001

“My husband Robert and I are excited to share the good news: we welcomed our daughter, Clara Eleanor Coombs, on January 3, 2021. She is the niece of Hillery Williams ’04 and granddaughter of Charlie Williams ’70. We are eager to bring her to see her family alma mater very soon!”—Christy Coombs

In September 2020, Sara Ofosu-Amaah wrote: “Dear Family and Friends: We are thrilled to introduce William (left) Jacob Paatii Ofosu-Amaah (born August 20, 2020), who now shares a name with Nii Amaah’s dad, Paatii. We officially welcomed him into our family yesterday and gave him his name during the traditional Ghanaian ‘outdooring’ ceremony. We will call him Jack, in honor of his maternal great-grandfather, Jack O’Donnell. His big sisters are thrilled, and we can’t wait for you to meet him!”

In July 2020, Grier Potter shared her good news: “I’m happy to report that my husband and I welcomed a new family member last year, Jack Alden Lederman. After residing in far Northern Maine, we are about to move back to the Boston area at the end of summer. It was nice to see Donielle Sliwa ’00, along with her husband and little girl, almost exactly Jack’s age, who recently visited Maine. Maybe our children will both be Class of 2037?”

Here is a photograph of Madeline, daughter of Nick Falker ’01, celebrating her second birthday in March 2020. (left top, DA tee!)

2002

James Canner reported on a Deerfield golf outing in the summer of 2021: “While the course record remains intact, we had an incredible day at the Country Club of New Canaan with James Dunning ’01 and John Sales ’03. I could not have asked for a better day, and, as DA lacrosse legend Curtis Chin ’01 would say, ‘I took their money!’”

Last April Lizzie Reifenheiser Decarlo shared: “My husband Tom and I welcomed our first child, Thomas Lewis Decarlo, on August 3, 2021. We are now settled in New Canaan, CT.” (left) “Laura and I were happy to welcome our son, “Wills” (left) into the world on November 10, 2022.”—Malcolm Dorson

Clara

Wills

William

Thomas

Callie Brooks Picardo and husband Rosario recently coauthored Money Talks: A Biblical Take on Earning, Saving, Spending, and Giving. She added that “The book was published in June 2021 and has become a sermon series, small group study, and seminary course. Callie has worked for the past 13 years in charitable giving and serves on the preaching team at her church. Callie and Roz now have three little girls Lily (four), Gabriella (three), and Hannah (one).”

In March of 2022 Jamie Tang wrote: “I was recently commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy (Reserve) and will be serving in the Supply Corps. I remain at my civilian day job in healthcare investment banking at Alliance Global Partners.” He also shared that he has had several Deerfield visitors to his family’s New York restaurant, and commented, “Impromptu reunion dinner at my family’s NYC Chinatown restaurant, Hwa Yuan Szechuan. Attendees, l to r: Sarah Alvares ’04, Katie Forer ’04, Luke Patterson ’04, James Tang ’02, Katie Righi, Daniel Phan ’04, and Lauren Phan. April 2021 chance encounter with several Deerfield alums celebrating a friend’s birthday at Hwa Yuan Szechuan. Left to right: Julian Lee ’16, James Chung ’15, Rachel Yao ’16, Owner/Chef Chen Lieh Tang P’02, and Jamie Tang ’02

“After a career as a professor and journalist in New York, I graduated from Georgetown Law in 2021 and joined the finance group of a big law firm in Boston. I left the firm this summer to work on my longheld dream of self-publishing my short stories and poem series (two books are currently part of Boyden Library). I also founded a publishing company, Nitelite Publications, to hold the copyrights to the books. Lately, I have been shopping one of the short story books around to different female and POC-owned production studios in Hollywood. It would make a great television series! I’m back on the job market in DC, looking to do more value-aligned legal and policy work for the federal government.”—

Elena Wang ’02

2003

Last February, Ben Shattuck shared some publishing news (right): “My book, Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau, will be available this April! I follow the journeys taken by Thoreau— discovering the changed New England landscape—and his legacy along the way. You can find more info at tinhouse.com/book/six-walks/.

Katie Kelleher and Andrew Cherna (below) were married in a small celebration in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, on September 4, 2021. The ceremony was held at the Carmel Mission Basilica, with a reception at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. They were fortunate to celebrate with several Deerfield classmates, including Matt Buckey, Alexis Espanet Levin, Franco Nilo, and Blake Tyler

KELLEHER 08

LEIBOLT 06

2005

Graeme Harcourt married Emma Gulley at St. Ignatius Church in New York City on September 18, 2021. The couple has been together for six years and will relocated to St. Louis for the groom to attend law school.

Jules Hulburd Koechling and her husband Mark welcomed their second son, Clifton Philip (right), on February 18, 2020. Russell loves his new role as the big brother! They are settling in as a family of four and love their new addition very much!

“Lila di Bonaventura MacKenzie! (right) Born Friday, April 3, 2020 and bringing with her the gift of so much life, light, and joy.”

Julia di Bonaventura MacKenzie

2006

On September 5, 2021, Christina Liebolt (p.86 top left) married fellow NEBS grad Lincoln Foran at St. Paul’s Memorial Church in Charlottesville, VA, with a reception following at Farmington Country Club. Also in attendance were maid of honor Elinor Flynn, bridesmaids Jordan Turban, Leslie Hotchkiss, Lucy Stonehill, and Rosie Filler Shifke (and new baby Charlotte!), guest Megan Murley Olson, and Cristina’s uncles Williams Phelps Carter ’64 and Peter Carter ’67. Cristina and Lincoln originally met at the University of Virginia, from which they graduated in 2010, and reconnected in New York City after running into one other at the William and Wall Street subway station. They now live in Washington, DC, (Tenleytown) with their black lab Rugby.”

“My husband Tyson and I welcomed our daughter, Wren Lea Williams (right), on July 12, 2022. We have loved watching her grow and develop more personality each day. We cannot wait to expose her to the many outdoor activities we love around our Durango, CO, home!” —Ellen Williams ’06

2007

Matt Rhone and Nathalie Rhone ’08 were thrilled to welcome their new baby girl, Riley (right), into the world on August 24, 2022. “Stevie has already become the best big brother and Riley’s #1 fan!”

2008

“We welcomed baby boy Scott “Scotty” McCarrick Hawkins to our family this past March. Johnny (three) is loving his new role as big brother, and we love our home full of boys!”—Hunter and Allegra Pitt Hawkins

2009

A.J. Currelley shared: “In October 2020, I started a new position at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. As program director for the African Diaspora Initiative (housed under the Multicultural Student Services office in the Student Affairs department), I can create scholarship, mentoring, and programming opportunities for underrepresented students.”

Legacy Baby Award!

Julien Nicholas Griffin

> Son of John Joseph Griffin ’04

>> Grandson of Geoffrey Taylor Griffin ’72

>> Great Nephew of Peter Read Griffin ’74

>>> Great Grandson of John Thomas Griffin ’46

Clifton

Lila Riley

Scotty & Johnny

Wren

Julien

wedding day in October 2022.”—

Mackenzie (Tsang-Lee) Wong ’08 and Gary Wong ’08 shared that Alex Bertles ’08 officiated the wedding while Christopher Razook ’08, Kenny Sheresky ’08, Margaret Eldred ’08, Anne Ford ’08, Katherine Moriarty ’08, Molly Goodman ’08, Talpey Matt ’08, Ben Dennis ’08, Sam Hill ’08, Max Getz ’08, Ben Weinberg ’08, Sarah Procida ’08, Peter Procida ’08, Kate Canty ’08 attended, as well as Glenn Wong ’05, and Albert Ford ’10

Davis Wittig ’07 and Rose Cornelson ’09 celebrated a beautiful wedding in October 2020 with family and close friends! Deerfield friends in attendance included Emily Woodward, Christina Proctor, Annabel Prouty, Hillary Hoyt, and Cyrus Wittig ’10.

“We will forever love DA and cherish our years there, the long-standing friendships we made, and where we first met.”

Our

Mackenzie (Tsang-Lee) Wong ’08 and Gary Wong ’08

WITTIG 07

WONG 08

“After a bonus year of engagement, Kurt Walter and I were married in July of 2021! We celebrated on Vashon Island, a short ferry ride from our home in Seattle. (photo on page 89)

Meg Tomlinson, Elisa Manrique, Andy Storch ’75, me, Kurt Walter, Maureen Storch, Caroline Seabolt, and Emmie Murphy Sally Storch

In 2019 Brian Cox and Emma Duncanson were married on a beautiful summer day at St. Andrews, Scotland. A number of DA friends made the long journey to celebrate with them in the home of golf! Pictured, l to r: David Fleishman ’09, William Roth, Emmie Murphy, Lilly Havens, Ashik Desai, Sarah Cox ’12, Jaime Castello, Brian Cox, Emma Duncanson, Peter Roth, Jack Cone, Charlie von Arentschildt, Mike Mazur ’09, and Will Scott

In early 2021, Emmie Murphy shared happy news: “CJ Smith and I were married in September at my parents’ home in Connecticut. It was a small family gathering, but we still had a number of DA alumni present! Pictured here: Molly Murphy ’15, Jennie Murphy, Devin Murphy ’78, myself, CJ Smith, Paddy Chang, Eliza Murphy Chang ’06, and Jake Chang. Not pictured but also in attendance were my uncle, Gavin Murphy ’81, and Lilly Havens , who introduced CJ and me in the first place! Thanks, Lil!”

MURPHY 10

COX 10

2013

In July 2021, Vanessa Avalone shared: “Volunteered at a rock-climbing event (left) for youth members of Worcester Refugee Assistance Project (WRAP), a nonprofit that works with refugees from Burma. We are trying to raise money to get a physical space we lost during Covid. If anyone is interested in donating or checking out this awesome organization; venmo: @Worcester-Refugee. worcesterrefugees.org”

Ross Cochran Gordon (left), 26, son of Clare and Robert C. Gordon III, passed away (from a pre-existing medical condition) on June 4, 2021, in Glenbrook, NV. Ross was born in San Francisco on November 26, 1994. He attended St. Luke’s School and Town School for Boys, graduating in 2009. In second grade, Ross attended La Rochefoucauld in Paris. After Town, he entered Deerfield Academy and graduated in 2013, thereafter spending a gap year with his parents in Rome and attending Luiss University. Ross attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with honors in Economics in 2018. At 22, he commenced work as an analyst for Eastdil Secured in San Francisco. He joined Sixth Street Partners as an Associate in San Francisco. Ross is survived by his parents and numerous friends in San Francisco and on the East Coast. He was a proud San Franciscan and a member of the Olympic Club and the Battery. He will be loved and remembered by all who knew him as a kind-hearted, curious, striving, generous, and very happy young man who lived with zest, gratitude, and a sense of adventure, and optimism for all that life might offer. Ross will be greatly missed by all.”—Bob

Gordon P’13

Catherine Fleming ’15 married Carter Gray ’02 on November 12, 2022. There were over 40 Deerfield Alums at the wedding!

2014

In spring of 2020, Tara Murty shared that she was featured in a Stanford Medicine piece on “Walk With Me: A Patient-Engaged Exploration of Health and the Health Care System program.

2015

Joe Fernando signed as a shortstop with the San Diego Padres on February 10, 2020. Joe graduated from Bethune-Cookman University in 2019, where he was MEAC All-Conference 1st Team and AllConference Academic team last year, led the conference in hits during the season with 68, and won the BCU MVP as well as the “Iron Cat” award at Cookman for the best athlete on campus. Padres Area Scout John Martin signed him after a workout in front of the Padres GM and Scouting Director in Orlando, FL. He is currently a free agent. Kevin Stadtler, Jr. joined the Houston corporate office of King Ranch as a financial analyst reporting to the CEO.

2016

In March of 2020 Julian Lee wrote: “At the 2020 College Squash Men’s Team Championships (top right) I won the Sereus Cup in the F Division for Boston University, and Chait Shah ’19 won the Hoehn Cup in the B Division for Columbia University.”

Kyra Kocis shared an accomplishment from January 2020: “I was selected as a 2020 Marshall Scholar and will use the scholarship to pursue two master’s degrees, studying Science, Technology and International Affairs and School of Foreign Service in the UK. I am researching the social ramifications of technological modernization within the industrial textile cluster of hand block printers in Jaipur, India, and made four trips to India in the past two years for my research.”

2018

2019

Last spring Anna Harvey and Melia Summers reunited on the Santa Cruz coast for a fun day of beach picnics and swimming. (right)

Brian Shin volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity build site back in July 2021. (right)

Devinne Cullinane ’14

THE MECHANICAL ENGINEER / By Lynn Horowitch

In July 2021, Devinne joined Apple Inc. as a Product Design Engineer at its facility in Sunnyvale, CA. With an educational and professional background in mechanical engineering, Devinne is working full-time on the design of one of Apple’s unreleased projects. She explains, “I’m working on a new release—it’s not a next-generation iPhone or Apple Watch.” Her role is to integrate individual modules into a final working product. Using an iPhone as an example, Devinne explains, “A team says, ‘Here’s this camera that we’ve designed.’ I would take the camera— the design product piece—and integrate it into the phone.” She describes the work as very meticulous.

“You need to flush out every single detail. You also need to be good at working with cross-functional teams to ensure that adjacent modules work together.”

Devinne joined Apple after working in a much broader role as a Mechanical Engineer at Digital Alloys, Inc., in Burlington, MA. It was a start-up, so she wore many hats, saying, “I did everything under the sun!” Her main task was to design over 300 components for an industrial patented 3-D printer that was eight feet tall, six feet wide, and three feet deep.

Devinne’s work for Digital Alloys followed her experience as a Graduate Student Researcher with Incodema3D, LLC in Freeville, NY, not far from Ithaca, where she had done her graduate and undergraduate coursework at Cornell University. At Incodema3D, LLC, she researched 3-D-printed metal alloys. During summers before and after her senior year of college, Devinne worked at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI. She began as a Diesel On-Board Diagnostic Calibration Engineer, primarily for Ford F-250s, then became a Hybrid Vehicle Systems Engineer, working with Ford’s hybrid cars, including Mustangs. Part of her focus was identifying different features to remove to lower vehicle costs. She found that experience rewarding:” It’s hands-on stuff and a lot of fun.” Despite receiving an offer from the company, Devinne ultimately decided Ford was too big and not a good fit for her.

Family history influenced Devinne’s path to engineering; her mother is, and her grandfather was a mechanical engineer, so she says, “it’s in my blood.” Growing up in Hampton, NH, she contemplated a career in biomedical engineering. She took a class in that at Deerfield that led to her first piece of research: a paper on medial tibial stress fracture.

During her first year at Cornell, Devinne took a course in physics and realized that she wanted to study engineering more broadly beyond a biomedical focus. She says, “It was really exciting. I realized that I could still do biomedical engineering if I switched to Mechanical Engineering.”

Devinne earned her bachelor’s and master’s in Mechanical Engineering with a Systems Engineering concentration from Cornell in four and half years.

While at Deerfield and Cornell, Devinne was a standout athlete. She served as captain for all three of her sports: cross country, ice hockey, and track and field. She earned the prestigious Deerfield Cup at her 2014 graduation. At Cornell, Devinne was able to continue hockey at the club level while participating for four years in varsity cross country and track and field. She excelled in cross country and track middle distances, achieving successes in the 800, 1,000 and the 4x800 relay, and the 1500. In her final track and field season, she competed at the Ivy League Track and Field Championships in the 880m, placing 14th

When it came time to move to the West Coast, Devinne admits that she had reservations. She has found a great community of people in San Francisco. She joined a triathlon training club and is slowly learning the ins and outs of this new challenge. She jokes, “Triathlons are all about technique, and I have none!” Despite that, Devinne will participate in two Olympic-distance triathlons this summer and plans to do a Half Ironman in September in Santa Cruz, CA.

As for her work at Apple Inc., Devinne looks forward to the launch of her product and being able to talk about her work. In the meantime, she is doing well with her new job, new city, and a new sport. She concludes, “There is definitely a ‘wow factor.’ It’s pretty fun.”//

At some point in the future, Apple Inc. plans to introduce a new product, and when it does, Devinne Cullinane will finally be able to share what she does for a living.

For now, she can only provide high-level examples of the kind of work she is doing.

IN MEMORIAM

1931

James N. Killgore Jr.

1985

1937

Royal C. Van Etten Jr.

April 3, 1972

1939

Charles Keith Park

November 12, 2016

1940

Robert B. Zimmerli

September 22, 2021

1941

Guilford W. Forbes *

December 13, 2022

Warren H. Willard

March 10, 2022

1942

John L. Cleveland Jr.

March 13, 2000

Newcomb Green

January 1, 2013

Curtis R. Hatheway Jr.

April 1, 2022

Richard L. Morse

September 1979

1943

Peter C. Andrews

August 24, 2022

Howard W. Keegan

March 15, 2022

Harriet H. McKenney

Zimmerli

August 22, 2021

1944

George H. Bingham Jr.

November 28, 2021

1945

Kendrick Paige Lance *

December 30, 2022

In Memoriam records from June 29, 2022 - March 31, 2023. Please go to deerfield.edu/alumni/class-notes for the most up-to-date information on classmates, including obituaries. NB: This issue of Deerfield Magazine includes some lengthier obituaries for alumni who passed away between January 1, 2021 and March 31, 2023; in most cases, they have been edited for length. We are always happy to post obituaries of any length online that are sent to us by the deceased’s family and friends, and these may be submitted through Class Notes or sent to alumnirecords@deerfield.edu.

Robert L. Love

November 10, 2022

Oliver A. Murphy

August 3, 2021

William B. Rowan

January 15, 2013

1946

Frank G. Binswanger Jr.

July 6, 2022

Donald F. Bozarth *

January 12, 2022

John W. Clark*

September 27, 2022

Philip L. Evans

May 4, 2022

Richardson Fowle

September 21, 2022

Eric Heiberg

April 19, 2019

Stanley A. Knapp

March 18, 2023

David H. McAlpin Jr. *

August 5, 2022

John Winston McDonnell

August 23, 2021

Roderick Potter Jr.

No date found

Gordon T. Ray

December 29, 2022

1947

Kenyon Gillespie

March 23, 2015

James M. Kobacker

September 10, 2016

James E. Monahan No date Found

John Michael White

September 24, 2015

1948

Gordon Hall III

October 9, 2022

1949

Garner A. Beckett Jr. *

May 25, 2022

John V. Davis

September 25, 2021

Peter E. French

May 23, 2022

Alan P. Johnson

April 28, 2022

Peter W. Leighton

August 11, 2022

Christopher S. Maniatty

December 14, 2022

1950

Richard S. Chafee

June 23, 2022

Thomas Tucker Creamer

May 11, 2022

Richard C. Gates

February 14, 2023

Robert D. Haws

February 7, 2023

J. G. Frederick Hiss Jr.

May 7, 2022

Stephen A. Mahoney

January 16, 2023

Gerald A. O’Neil

March 20, 2023

1951

C. Redington Barrett Jr.

September 9, 2022

Jeffrey A. Fillman *

November 3, 2022

John C. Marsh

July 14, 2021

William Flanders Procter Sr.

March 24, 2020

1952

Thomas E. Blackburn

August 2, 2022

Stephen Bonsal

July 14, 2022

James G. Ewing

January 30, 2023

Edwin H. Hurley Jr.

November 26, 2021

Ivan E. Phillips *

November 22, 2022

1953

Benjamin F. Few Jr. *

August 11, 2022

Anthony R. Wysocki

March 18, 2023

1954

Donald de Blasiis Beaver *

February 6, 2022

Robert E. Cushman Jr. *

December 30, 2022

H. Scott Greer Jr.

July 11, 2022

Richard W. Maider

October 20, 2022

William B. Marsh Sr.

February 9, 2023

Charles B. Van Dusen II

January 1, 2023

1955

Kurt M. Anderson *

February 18, 2023

Frederick Thomas Bedford III

January 3, 2021

John A. Dietze Jr.

August 13, 2022

Ward E. Y. Elliott *

December 6, 2022

John D. Glasheen II

January 2, 2023

Mark P. Norman

June 6, 2021

Rolf Harvy Towe

October 3, 2022

1956

David R. Carlson

August 17, 2022

Jonathan E. Emerson *

March 10, 2023

Albert Pettirossi Jr.

April 29, 2022

1957

Edward Michael Bradley

August 19, 2022

Richard H. Tatlow IV

October 1, 2022

1958

Jonathan Hutchinson

Kress

August 6, 2022

Keyes B. Linsley

July 11, 2022

James L. Morse

January 13, 2023

Joseph J. Notopoulos

January 10, 2023

Harold J. Ousby III

February 3, 2020

Thomas W. Packard

December 23, 2021

Palmer Kress Schreiber

December 6, 2022

Frederick W. Twichell *

February 24, 2023

1959

Beaumont B. Bianchi

June 12, 2019

Anthony A. Buford Jr.

February 1, 2023

Frederick C. Copeland Jr.*

June 18, 2022

R. Thompson Crane III

January 9, 2023

Jeremy Jones *

March 12, 2023

Morgan W. Jopling

July 10, 2022

Peter B. Lowry

June 29, 2022

Trenwith R. Ward II

November 11, 2022

1960

Timothy F. Crowley

December 31, 2022

John Colby Dill *

October 10, 2022

George Marshall Poirier Jr.

May 13, 1997

Michael Reid Rapuano

November 15, 2022

Richard T. Schotte

June 28, 2020

1962

William H. Fort

November 26, 2016

Kermit L. Stofer *

December 4, 2022

1963

Timothy J. Balch *

December 4, 2022

Christopher L. Keefe

December 12, 2021

1964

Peter J. Gabel

October 25, 2022

Jeffrey F. Kriendler *

September 3, 2022

Robert S. Lyle II *

January 16, 2023

Peter T. Mitchell

November 20, 2022

Bayard W. Russell USN (Ret.)

November 1, 2022

1965

Frederick A. Putnam

January 19, 2023

John F. Rand

October 4, 2022

1966

Peter A. Kline

December 27, 2022

1967

Steven P. Perlmutter

May 24, 2021

1968

Peter Roderick Douglas *

February 9, 2023

Lawrence H. Phippen

December 9, 2021

S. Cranford Stoudemire

March 21, 2023

1969

Russell G. Ashbaugh III

June 17, 2022

Jere A. Urban

March 15, 2021

1973

Robert G. Davis

October 13, 2018

Marc A. Madia

July 18, 2021

1974

Timothy N. Gardner

February 13, 2023

1976

Frederick W. Homans

June 16, 2022

1979

William T. Brewster

March 16, 2023

1981

John C. Stewart

October 2, 2022

1982

Robert Shaw Bridges Jr. *

November 17, 2022

1983

Kevin G. Patrick

February 7, 2016

1995

William S. Clark Jr.

December 1, 2022

1997

Griffin H. James

July 30, 2022

1999

Tyler Cushing Mortimer

May 20, 2021

* Boyden Society Member

object lesson

Notes for The Headmaster the unequivocal biography of Frank L. Boyden—authored by John McPhee ’49.

Mr. McPhee generously donated his notes for The Headmaster to the Academy Archives.

Did you read the “tête-à-tête” with Mr. McPhee on page 22!?

Deerfield Academy | PO Box 87 | Deerfield, MA | 01342

Change Service Requested

Jamie Malcom-Brown

The first organized Deerfield Ice Hockey Team / 1922