/ In Memoriam /
/ In Memoriam /
Jacob F. Schoellkopf V ’56, Trustee The Schoellkopf family is deeply steeped in Berkshire history. A trustee from 1965-1981, Jacob Schoellkopf was the parent of alumni Jacob Schoellkopf VI ’84 and Kristin Borowiak ’86. In 1957, his father, J. Fred Schoellkopf ’29, created The Jacob F. Schoellkopf IV Scholarship fund for financial aid. The below is printed with permission from The Buffalo News.
Jacob Frederick Schoellkopf V, Marine Corps veteran, civic activist and businessman, died Friday, August 23, in his Hamburg [New York] home after a battle with cancer. He was 75. Born in Buffalo, Mr. Schoellkopf was a member of the Buffalo industrial family that pioneered hydropower at Niagara Falls. He graduated from Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass., and studied at Cornell University in Ithaca. Mr. Schoellkopf was a sergeant in the 3rd Marine Division from 1957 to 1960 and completed his tour in Okinawa. He served in the Marine Corps Reserves until 1963. In the mid-1960s, Mr. Schoellkopf was appointed by Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller as the youngest commissioner on the board of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. He also was president of Buffalo Columbus Hospital during its period of revitalization, and he worked as a teller at Marine Midland Bank and as a salesman for the family-owned Crescent Tool Co. From 1967 to 1992, he was a director of Niagara Share Corp. In the 1970s, Mr. Schoellkopf founded Innovative Building Systems, which developed some of the first “green” and solar-powered homes in Western New York. Innovative Building developed several subdivisions in the Southtowns. He retired in 2008 after working as vice president of construction with Sovran Self Storage Inc. for 10 years. Mr. Schoellkopf loved the Buffalo community and was active in fundraising and sports. He also was a key player in Republican politics and was partially responsible for the ascendancy of Jack Kemp as a congressman. Mr. Schoellkopf was proud of his five grandchildren, who all live in Buffalo and who knew him as “Papa Jake.” He and his wife of 39 years, the former Nancy Luczak, enjoyed travel and riding motorcycles.
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Berkshire Bulletin
Bradford S. Tripp ’52 April 7, 2013 Bradford Tripp served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1957-1959. Over 32 years with State Street Bank, he rose to Executive Vice President of Global Operations. He had spent many happy years in his youth racing sailboats and later enjoyed spending summers in Padanaram and downhill skiing with his family. Rodman B. Montgomery III ’73 August 12, 2013
Rodman Montgomery, originally from New York, was a good, fun-loving man deeply loyal to his family. He is loved and will be missed unconditionally.
Turner M. Armstrong ’81 May 12, 2013 Turner Massey Armstrong, of Columbia, South America, is survived by a son, Conner, his sister, Taralyn Kohlman and his mother, Paula. He will live on forever in our hearts. Karen Sherman Pyne ’81 March 12, 2013
Karen Pyne was active in the Greenwich, Conn. athletic community and well-known at the Greenwich YMCA and Equinox. Karen always remembered fondly her time at Berkshire School; it was one of the happiest times of her life.
David M. Jones ’84 September 23, 2013
David Jones was co-owner and CEO of Crystal Lake Resort in Pine, Colorado. He loved fly-fishing, skiing, mountain climbing, ice hockey and biking.
Elliott M. Ogden IV ’07 January 10, 2013 A 2007 graduate of the Soundview Prep School in Yorktown Heights, NY, Elliott Ogden attended Berkshire in 2004. Most recently, he worked for Hollister Company in White Plains, NY. Elliott will be remembered as a loving son and brother, and a kind and loyal friend. Rupert Norris von Bockbrader ’10 March 30, 2013 A student of life in the wilds of Berkshire County, Rupert labored with friends in fields and forests and became known for his work ethic, humor, happiness and a special brand of kindness and warmth of soul. He leaves behind a vision for a better world.
Hugh J. Weidinger ’60, Trustee
Hugh John Weidinger, III, 72, of Wakefield, Rhode Island and Oyster Bay, New York, died on Sunday, September 29, 2013 in Wakefield, RI. Born in New York City on April 3, 1941, the son of Hugh Weidinger and Helen Rountree Weidinger, “Hughie,” or “Jake,” as his many friends and colleagues called him, lived a full life as a successful businessman, loving husband and devoted father and grandfather. Hugh is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Nancy Wallis Weidinger; his son, Hugh J. Weidinger IV and wife Julia Tiernan Weidinger of Locust Valley, NY; daughter Jessie A. Weidinger of New York, NY; and daughter Catherine W. Gruhler ’96 and husband Thom of Seattle, Washington. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Hugh (V), William and Eliza Weidinger and George and Finn Gruhler, as well as his sister, Helen Angela Weidinger of Wakefield, RI. Hugh was a proud graduate of Berkshire School ’60 in Sheffield, Mass. He felt very strongly that his high school experience at Berkshire gave him the tools he needed to do well in life, for which he was always grateful. Hugh was a trustee of Berkshire for nine years and an active alumnus, serving on the Class of 1960 Reunion Committee for his 50th reunion in 2010. Hugh received his BA from the College of William and Mary ’64, after which he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, training at Parris Island and serving in the Reserves for six years. Hugh began his career in 1965 at Hempstead Auto Company, founded by his father in 1938. From the start, Hugh’s sincerity, work ethic and passion for people grew the small Jaguar business into what would become the country’s leading Jaguar dealership. The dealership celebrated its 75th year in 2013, making it the oldest Jaguar dealership in the United States. The company has expanded to include Cadillac, GMC and Buick brands, with over 110 employees. Hugh was a member of the Willow Dell Beach Club, The Dunes Club and was a founding member of the Matunuck Ponds Gentlemen’s Fishing Club, all in Rhode Island. Hugh was also a 40-year member of the Long Island Wyandanch Club in Eastport, NY.
The Matunuck hills and ponds of Wakefield, RI, held a special place in Hugh’s heart since early childhood, and he spent the majority of his retirement there on his family homestead, Long Pond Farm. The magic of the Rhode Island woods is perhaps the greatest gift he gave to his family and the many friends who gathered there. Hugh’s charisma, vigor and fun-loving character impacted every aspect of his life and family. Pilot, hunter, fisherman and avid collector of antique cars, Hugh was always on the go, effortlessly involving his family and many friends in his interests. Even his most mundane activities were transformed into memorable adventures for Hugh and his companions. On more than one occasion he would lure an unsuspecting sidekick into working on the yard, clearing brush, or driving around taking care of quirky errands. A pilot for over 30 years, Hugh enjoyed flying his twinengine Cessna Conquest to destinations around the country with his wife, son, friends and beloved Brittany spaniel, Rusty, to hunt pheasant and quail. In recent years, Brays Island Plantation in Sheldon, SC, became a new home for Hugh and Nancy, where he was involved in hunting and sporting clays. He charmed, and was charmed by, the warm Brays community. For those he leaves behind, Hugh’s far-reaching generosity and sharp wit will remain in cherished stories and intimate, loving memories. Hugh’s colleagues will remember a persuasive twinkle in his eye and firm leadership. His family will remember a man who kept them close and gave of himself endlessly. He gained respect from people in all walks of life, inspiring all with his steadfast work ethic and the joy of simple pleasures.
Summer/Fall 2013
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