and was a member of several choirs and barbershop quartets. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Carol. Per Dick’s final wishes, no service will be held but it was his desire that all those who loved him and mourn his loss enjoy an afternoon of listening to their favorite music with a friend. John McDonald N’48, ’52 (Company B) died November 25, 2017 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Born to an American mother and a Scottish father, he returned to the United States at age 6 with his mother and siblings to escape the escalating World War II tensions spreading across Europe. Though the family was reunited after the war, Chattanooga became their official home. Jack attended the McCallie School and Culver before going on to earn a degree at Emory University and further study at the London School of Economics. An ensuing successful career in business as a financial advisor and entrepreneur as the founder of Green Acres of America, allowed Jack to pursue a lifetime commitment to philanthropy and contributions to his community. He became heavily involved in politics as the chair of the Young Republicans in the 1970s and was also a Congressional candidate. Throughout his life Jack continued to support and campaign for candidates on the local and national levels. He also invested his time and resources to revitalize the Tennessee River waterfront and transform Chattanooga into a scenic city. He served on several boards, including Friends of the Festival, Moccasin Bend Task
Force, River Gorge Trust and Mark Making. Jack is survived by his wife, Alex, three sons, and one daughter. A brother, John Hutcheson McDonald, preceded him in death in 1951. Charles Brittsan Kirkdoffer W’47, N’49,’53 (Band) died May 26, 2017 in Bonney Lake, Washington. He graduated from DePauw University with a B.A. in English literature and was drafted into the U.S. Army, doing basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, followed by 21 months in counter intelligence in Seattle, Washington. After the Army and a three month tour of Europe on a motor scooter, he relocated to Seattle to work for Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, where he had a 25-year career in marketing and sales until his retirement in 1991. Chuck provided faithful service for many years as the Class of ’53 secretary. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, one son, one daughter and two grandsons. David March Walrod W’49, N’53 died December 9, 2017 in Oxford, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Navy and then worked as a radio engineer for 50 years. He retired from Miami University. David is survived by his wife, Marjorie, two daughters, four sons, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Benjamin “Ben” Terry Smith Jr., ’53 (Troop A) of Thomaston, Georgia, died January 15, 2018, at the Upson Regional Medical Center. He attended The Lovett School and Culver, where he was a member of the polo team and Black
and history of the South. As a young boy, he enjoyed spending time with his great-grandfather, who had served as a Confederate soldier. He spent much time researching his family’s genealogy and constructing the family tree with stories, pictures and other artifacts from the past. He is survived by his wife, Kay, two daughters, one son and five grandchildren.
Horse Troop. He then earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia, followed by Law School at Emory University and admittance to the Georgia Bar in 1960. Ben practiced law in Atlanta and Thomaston and was past president of the Griffin Judicial Circuit Bar Association. He served in the Georgia Air National Guard as staff sergeant and was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal during basic training at Sheppard Air Base. He was also president of the MidGeorgia Cattlemen’s Association. Ben also managed the family’s Windsweep Farm, raising registered Champion Polled Hereford Cattle and homing pigeons. He was a member of the Thomaston First Methodist Church, Sunday school teacher and member of the Golden Age Men’s Club. He was a former member of the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, founding member of the Atlanta Polo Club, and member of the Piedmont Driving Club. He is survived by his wife, Katharine, one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren.
John “Jack” Cline NB ’53 died March 2, 2018 in Novi, Michigan. He attended Culver Summer School for three summers and was the lead of the trombone section in 1952 when the band had the largest number of members – 84. He was also a member of the Summer Dance Band. Jack earned a degree from Albion College and worked for the U.S. Customs Service from 1956-1971 and then as a Customs broker for John V. Carr and Son until his retirement in 1996. Jack was preceded in death by one son. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, one son, one daughter, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Barney Hines Hilburn ’53 (Battery A) died February 5, 2018 in Hallsville, Texas. He graduated from Culver, followed by earning a degree in geology planning at the University of Texas. He then joined his father and grandfather in the oil field business, where he spent the majority of his career. In 1978 he moved to Avinger, Texas to supervise building homes and eight years later, he served as fire and safety inspector until his retirement. Barney’s two great loves were his family
Thomas Lee Dettelbach ’54 (Battery B) died September 11, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. Tom was born in Cleveland and grew up in Lima, Ohio. After graduating from Culver, he graduated from The Ohio State University and served as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He started in advertising and worked as a real estate appraiser. Later he graduated from Cleveland Marshall College of Law, joining the fledgling firm of Kahn, Kleinman,Yanowitz and Arnson,
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