in memoriam
1940s Paul Campbell Jr. ’37, of Chattanooga, Tenn., who served with the U.S. Navy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation during World War II, and practiced law with the Finlay & Campbell firm (later Campbell & Campbell), Oct. 5, 2012. Paul, who was also active in many legal and community organizations, was 96. Robert H. Simmons ’39, formerly of Radnor, Pa., July 18, 2011. He was 93. Melvin D. Lavender ’39, of Niskayuna, N.Y., who ran Lavender’s Book Store in Troy for over 30 years and was a United Methodist pastor who served in Valley Falls, Rotterdam Junction and Cohoes, Sept. 25, 2012. Melvin, who also taught junior high school English in Schenectady, was 95. Robert S. Herman ’41, of Slingerlands, N.Y., who served in the U.S. Army in World War II and had a career with the New York State budget division, Aug. 24, 2012. He was 92. Snippets of his philosophy of life, known as “Bobisms,” were immensely popular among Chinese teens, and he published a collection of columns titled Adventures of the Mind: With and Wisdom with Bob. John J. Kalin ’41, of Amsterdam, N.Y., who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and worked for the New York State Department of Labor, managing the unemployment insurance benefits offices in Amsterdam and Gloversville, Sept. 1, 2012. John, who was also a member of the John J. Wyszomirski American Legion Post 701, was 94.
52 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2013
AARON FEINSOT ’45
A
aron Feinsot ’45, of New York City and East Hampton, N.Y., a former Union dean who fought in World War II, landing on Omaha beach June 9, 1944 and serving in the U.S. Army as a French interpreter, died Aug. 2, 2012. He was 88. After the war, he served in the U.S. military governments in France and Germany, and was awarded the Purple Heart. Honorably discharged in 1946, Aaron earned a B.A. at Union and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He created the Office of Special Services to Business and Industry at New York University in the mid-1950s, serving as its director from 1956 to 1965. He earned a master’s and Ph.D. in sociology from NYU in 1965, and served as NYU’s director of the Brazilian Institute. He also served as
Paul V. Mara ’41, of Willow Street, Pa., who served as a Civil Engineer Corps officer in the Navy Seabees in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and who worked in the aluminum industry, retiring as senior vice president for technology at Aluminum Association Inc., Aug. 21, 2012. Paul, who was 95, was also an active Union College supporter, having served as Annual Fund agent for his class and as class president.
chairman of the board of Grace Church School in New York City, and as dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Union between 1975 and 1985. He helped start the College’s Graduate Management Institute. He was also a dean at Polytechnic University before returning to NYU, where he was divisional dean in the School of Continuing Education, in
Edward P. Fliegel ’42, of Gloversville, N.Y., who taught French at Mayfield High School and Broadalbin-Perth, worked at General Electric, was comptroller at Fowler’s in St. Johnsville and was a partner in KennEd’s Antiques, July 7, 2012. Edward, who also donated much to the Salvation Army and was a member of several historical societies, was 93. Lyall Dean ’43, of North Branford, Conn., who served with the First Marine Corps Division in Guadalcanal and
charge of professional and industry programs. Known as an innovator in education, Aaron was passionate about lifelong learning. The unique program he developed at Union enabled students to continue their studies in the graduate school, starting with two free courses. He also believed in developing partnership programs. Beginning with his experience at the Brazilian Institute, Aaron pursued international relationships in education throughout his career, which grew to include programs in England, Spain, China and Japan. In retirement, he was an active consultant to business and education. A talented writer with a consummate wit, Aaron is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Louise, and children Paul ’80, John ’82 and Lauren.
the taking of Henderson Field before teaching mathematics at University School in Cleveland, Ohio; St. George’s School in Newport, R.I. and at the Horace Mann School in New York City for 36 years. A recipient of a Fulbright International Exchange Fellowship, he was 92. George F. Hanson ’43, of Acworth, N.H., an officer with the Merchant Marines during World War II who served as a bursar and medic, taught geology at Union between 1946 and 1950, and greatly