4 minute read
In Memoriam
David Strachan ’51
MEMORIAL – NOVEMBER 9, 2021
Mathematics at Nichols School forever changed in the fall of 1957 when David Strachan ’51 began teaching after being offered the job by long time headmaster Philip Boocock a few months earlier. Strachan, an eight-year student at Nichols, went on to teach mathematics at his alma mater for 45 years. During his time at Nichols, Strachan touched the lives of thousands of colleagues, parents, and students as a teacher, coach, and mentor.
On a sunny spring afternoon in April 2022, alumni, former and current faculty and staff, and Strachan’s family and friends gathered in the Student Commons. At the memorial people were able to pay their respects, share their stories, and reflect on the lasting impact Strachan made on Nichols School, the community, and those who had the pleasure of knowing him. The memorial featured remarks from former Nichols’ faculty members George Kloepfer, II ’68, Amanda Simmons, and Strachan’s five children.
Those in attendance were reminded of Strachan’s accomplishments. From playing hockey at Middlebury College to earning his master’s degrees from both Bowdoin College and Harvard University, Strachan had a trait shared by all great teachers–a passion for education. In fact, Strachan didn’t end his education with his stop at Harvard. He continued to learn and improve himself by attending classes on education every summer at Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, inviting fellow Nichols faculty members to join him throughout the years.
Working at Nichols allowed Strachan to touch the lives of students and colleagues outside of the classroom as well. Strachan coached the junior varsity hockey team, started the School’s first lacrosse team, and even created a seventh and eighth grade softball league with the help of another Nichols faculty member. Strachan also established the first fund at Nichols to provide summer stipends to faculty members who are attending conferences, revising curriculum, or pursuing graduate programs with the help of his older brother, Malcom. Strachan was truly a remarkable man and member of the Nichols community. In 2000, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007. His impact on the Nichols School is still felt around campus today. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan, their five children; Alice, Charles ’76, James ’79, Edward ’81, and David Jr. ’85; and nine grandchildren.
ALUMNI
Michelle (Isenberg) Agostinelli ’88 – May 19, 2022 Dr. Sidney Anthone ’42 – April 30, 2021 Edward M. Barrett ’70 – November 23, 2021 Aungela Brown ’75 – May 7, 2021 John W. Brown ’42 – April 23, 2022 Clayton C. Butzer ’48 – January 12, 2022 Eulis M. Cathey ’71 – April 27, 2021 Bradford A. Congdon ’56 – March 14, 2021 Fredrick B. Cooley ’57 – April 6, 2021 Fredrick W. Danforth, Jr. ’46 – June 13, 2021 Cynthia Lee Baird Dawdy ’81 – June 14, 2021 Philip R. Diefenbach ’51 – December 26, 2021 Kevin Doyle ’73 – October 12, 2021 Jonathan R. Ehret ’84 – August 21, 2021 John Arthur Ennis ’15 – March 27, 2022 Andrew Fleischman ’61 – January 6, 2022 Alec J. Friedlander ’13 – January 7, 2022 Roger D. Georgi ’53 – August 3, 2021 Robert P. Hazelet ’56 – September 20, 2021 J. Gilbert ‘Gil’ Hudson ’52 – February 24, 2022 Donald S. Hurwitz, Jr. ’47 – May 2, 2021 Edwin M. Johnson, Jr. ’51 – January 30, 2022 James B. Kimberly ’58 – June 4, 2021 Dr. William R. Kinkel ’46 – March 15, 2022 Richard “Dick’ Knowles ’48 – December 5, 2021 Richard ‘Dick’ J. Kraetz, Sr. ’47 – April 2, 2021 Douglas R. Lewis ’44 – April 2, 2021 Bruce Lytle ’60 – August 9, 2021 James L. Magavern ’51 – March 7, 2022 Rev. Philip E. McNairy ’55 – May 29, 2021 Philip More ’72 – February 1, 2022 Dr. James P. Nolan ’47 – June 30, 2021 Jonathan B. Quint ’90 – April 11, 2022 Nicholas P. Rumsey ’65 – June 11, 2021 James Sanderson ’50 – January 14, 2022 Roger D. Severance ’51 – July 29, 2021 Ronald F. Schmitt ’54 – July 11, 2021 Richard ‘Sky’ Smith, Jr. ’48 – March 2, 2022 Malcolm “Toby” Strachan, II ’48 – March 1, 2021 Hugh K. Tirrell ’62 – January 23, 2022 Edward F. Walsh ’43 – September 25, 2021 Charles M. Ward ’56 – November 22, 2021 Shawn Wnek ’97 – December 20, 2021 James R. Williams ’04 – April 28, 2021
FORMER FACULTY
David Barber – October 13, 2021 Nancy Clucas – January 24, 2022 Darragh Karr – October 10, 2021 David G. Strachan ’51 – November 9, 2021
FRIENDS
Betty Cox Fierle P’78,’82,’85 – October 16, 2020. Mother of Jane Cox Hettrick ’78, Susan Cox and Jonathan Cox ’85 and grandmother of Emily Hettrick ’07, Laura Hettrick ’09, John Hettrick III ’13, Robert Hettrick ’16 and Ivan Cox ’20.
Florentina Gutierrez P’80,’86 – July 23, 2021. Mother of Leslie ’80 and Cynthia ’86.
Carmen Llugany P’86,’88,’92 – February 28, 2022. Mother of Alexandra Llugany Montanta ’86, Beatriz Llugany ’88 and Carmen Llugany Fors ’92.
Georgia Pooley P’80 – June 26, 2021. Mother of Montgomery ’80.
