this commitment, the welcome/reception area at the new Bard Alumni/ae Center will be named in his honor. Fine was a witty raconteur, charming and exasperating people in equal measure. In 2006 he roamed Italy for a year with his beloved wife, Nina Skaya. He was a news junkie and vocal Democrat, with several letters to the editor published in the New York Times. Contributions in his memory may be sent to the Jim Fine Fund, c/o Bard College Alumni/ae Office, PO Box 5000, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000.
’69 Ramon R. Pena, of Wakefield, Rhode Island, died on January 1, 2012, in Amherst, New York. He was born in Niagara Falls, graduated from Bard with a B.A. in economics, and attended graduate school at the University of Rhode Island. He was employed with the State of Rhode Island for 35 years. He enjoyed fishing, boating, and traveling, and had the gift of making friends wherever he went. In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Sharon.
’75 Paul Cyrus Bray, 60, died on November 18, 2011, at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Born in Washington, D.C., Bray graduated from Bard with a B.A. in literature, and had a Ph.D. from City University of New York. He is the author of Things Past and Things to Come. A lively presence on the New York art scene of the 1970s and ’80s, Bray collaborated on the film Unmade Beds and was the lyricist and lead vocalist for the band Brains in Heaven. In 2008, he published his collected poems as Terrible Woods: Poems 1965–2000 (Dos Madres Press). He will be missed for his wit, charm, and artistry. Suzanne Nahalka died on September 1, 2011. She owned her own business and graduated with a B.A. from Bard in literature.
’76 Mark Kramer, 58, died on July 18, 2011. He was an uncompromising writer and a refusenik. He did only what was meaningful to him. He enjoyed collaborating with his partner, lighting designer Leni Schwendinger, on light projects, such as their Vacant Lots of Love, which will be part of an upcoming book on New York community spaces. Survivors include his mother, Margery, and Leni, his domestic partner and creative collaborator of 17 years.
’80 Leslie Kyle (Doerfler) Shepler died on December 15, 2011. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Robert B. Shepler, who said, “She often
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spoke fondly of her years at Bard and the difference her Bard education made in her life.” She graduated with a B.A. in drama/dance.
program needed a “How to Get a Teaching Job” workshop. He conducted it for two summers, loved it and enjoyed giving back. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Suzanne McBride Newton.
’88 Christopher M. Devine, 46, died on August 18, 2011. Born and raised in New York City, he had lived in Brielle, New Jersey, since 2006. Devine graduated from Bard with a B.A. in anthropology, and was a former real estate appraiser for Mitchell, Maxwell & Jackson, New York. He loved the Jersey Shore, and was a certified scuba diver and avid race car enthusiast. His lively personality at Bard was lovingly remembered by many friends during a memorial service on campus in October 2011. His friends also dedicated a tree in his name in the field behind Ward Manor. He is survived by his parents, Franklin E. and Lisa Devine Knobel; and his cherished girlfriend, Wendy Pierson.
’92 Laura Wilder Greene, 42, died on November 4, 2011. She graduated from Bard with a B.A. in Russian studies and earned her master’s degree in Russian studies at the University of London. Her love for Russia continued to her death. A fluent Russian speaker, she lived and worked in St. Petersburg, administrating a joint program with Bard College and St. Petersburg State University (Smolny College). Her family, friends, and associates will miss her very much. She is survived by her daughter, Emma Kisselev. She also leaves her companion for the last seven years, Maxim Gudkov.
’96 Sebastian Quezada died on December 15, 2011, in his home. He leaves a beautiful daughter, Isabella, a loving family, and hundreds of friends. Quezada was a charismatic, entertaining, and witty character who conquered life and work through building special relationships with people. He always looked for a common spark or bond between people. He was a partner at Max Mobile, New York. He was also an incredible chef, posting his latest recipes on Facebook and attracting the envious comments of many friends. He received his B.A. from Bard in economics.
’05 Maria Camilla Pignatti Morano died on January 30, 2012, in Rome, Italy. From 2005 to 2008, she was assistant curator at the Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea in Turin, for the exhibitions The Pantagruel Syndrome, for the first Turin Triennial, and Concept, Body and Dream. She was the cofounder of SOLO, a nonprofit space in the center of Rome. “Camilla was my classmate and we all remember her sparkling energy, contagious enthusiasm, and positive attitude toward life,” said Cecilia Alemani CCS ’05. “I will always remember her at Bard, in the secret garden behind CCS by the river. We would spend hours chatting and laughing with friends, sharing the formative experience that made us all friends.” Her survivors include her husband, Giovanni Francesco, and two children, Matilde and Giulio.
’11 Steven Edward Gregory, 22, of Churchville, Pennsylvania, died on December 21, 2011. He received his associate’s degree from Deep Springs College in California and his B.A. in philosophy from Bard. Last fall, Gregory planned to enroll in graduate school to get his secondary school teaching certificate and master’s degree in English. Like everything he pursued, he passionately began formulating his own methods of teaching grammar, literature, and writing. He loved learning and was a visionary thinker beyond his years. He was a gentle young man with a caring heart, whose insights were remarkable. His faith in God was the foundation of his character, and his integrity and honesty were keynotes of his life. He displayed a strong work ethic, whether playing football, learning to play the guitar, investigating entomology, or writing poetry. He will be sorely missed by family and friends. Survivors include his parents, W. Jay and Christine Lanier Gregory.
Friends ’97 Daniel Christopher Newton, also known as David, died on April 14, 2011. After graduating from Bard with an M.F.A. in sculpture, he achieved tenure and was associate professor of art at Guilford College, North Carolina, where he was awarded the 2007 Bruce B. Stewart Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the 2010 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award for the State of North Carolina. A few years ago, he suggested that the Bard MFA
Dr. David S. Forkosh, 74, respected physician, hospital executive and longtime president of the FMH (Fairfield Memorial Hospital) Foundation, Illinois, died on February 11, 2012. Forkosh was a good friend of the Fisher Center and supported the annual Opera Talks program. He is survived by his wife and life companion, Linda Hirshman.