In Memoriam
Merrill Pratt SMA ’66 died October 13, 2019. He earned degrees from Auburn University and the University of Tennessee. A voracious reader and lifelong learner, he loved to play the guitar and was learning to play the ukulele. He was known for his quiet dedication, his quick laugh, and his generous spirit. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; seven children; two grandchildren; and extended family. William C. Moser, III StA ’67 died August 18, 2019. Mr. Moser attended Furman University and the University of South Carolina Law School. After a career in law with the South Carolina Water Resources Commission and private practice, and working for Interstate Nuclear Services Corp. and Imagemax Corp., he retired to pursue his passions for woodworking, gardening, and taking care of his family. He is survived by his wife, Carole; his son; and extended family. Henry E. “Chip” Palmer SMA ’68 died January 13, 2019. He had a life-long passion for aviation, fishing, and reading. Over his lifetime, he earned degrees in economics and finance from Florida State University, a MS in Health Physics from University of Florida, and an MBA from West Texas A&M University. Mr. Palmer’s long career in the field of health physics began as part of the accident response team at Three Mile Island. This led him to Amarillo, Texas and the Pantex Plant where he worked for nearly 20 years. As senior health physicist, he was instrumental in the process to dismantle nuclear weapons. Mr. Palmer is survived by his son, four siblings, and extended family. Roberta “Bobbie” F. Fuller SA ’73 died December 4, 2019. Before her retirement, Mrs. Fuller was employed as a receptionist at Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems. She was involved with the Ladies Group of the National Sheriffs’ Association and several other law enforcement support associations. She is survived by her husband, Tim; two children; two grandchildren; her brother, Richard “Barney” O’Keefe SMA ’70; her sister; and extended family. Robert S. Ruleman SA ’77 died December 8, 2019. He attended Centre
College and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, worked as a building contractor for Ruleman Homes, and as a salesman for Aaron Rents. A musician, Mr. Ruleman played bass guitar for various Memphis bands. He was a selfless friend to many, including animals and children. He is survived by his son, his parents, and his siblings. James R. Perkins SA ’81 died January 17, 2020. He attended Christian University where he received a degree in criminal justice. Mr. Perkins served as a special agent with the Department of Defense and the Department of Treasury. He is survived by two sons, his mother, and extended family. Donald “Brent” LeTellier ’82 died July 14, 2020. He earned degrees from UT Knoxville and Duquesne University before returning to Knoxville where he worked in various jobs including social work at Helen Ross McNabb Center and two stints of being a stay-at-home dad/trophy husband. His degrees and experience led him to Lonsdale Elementary School where he spent the last 13 years as a teacher/behavior specialist. He is survived by his wife, Maria; five children; a grandchild; his mother; stepmothers; siblings; and extended family. Augustus “Gus” B. Croom ’22 died August 16, 2020. Gus was a high honors student at SAS and served as an SAS ambassador and acolyte. He was an avid mountain biker and loved riding the trails of the SAS campus and the University of the South with the SAS mountain biking team. He played soccer and tennis, ran track, and enjoyed making pottery and swimming at the Res. In May, Gus became a Life Scout. While undergoing treatment at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, he completed the required service hours for achieving that rank by helping to train Squid, a Labrador Retriever who is the first staff companion dog at the hospital. Gus spent many a summer enjoying the wonderful sports camps at Sewanee and the beach in South Carolina. He adored good food, travel, and “chilling” with his buddies. Gus will be remembered as a happy and laughing young man, trusted friend, and loving son and brother, who faced a difficult and extended illness with
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tremendous courage, strength, and positivity. In addition to his parents, Gus is survived by his devoted twin brother Alexander “Mac” Croom ’22; sister Elizabeth Bonner Croom ’83; brother Frederick Croom, Jr. ’85; and extended family. The family requested that memorials be made to St. Andrew’s–Sewanee School.
Notices of Death Billy I. Gass StA ’50 died Jan. 17, 2016. Cary L. Page, Jr. SMA ’51 died September 7, 2018. Fielding Combs, Jr. SMA ’52 died June 21, 2015. Edwin D. Foster StA ’52 died Friday, March 20, 2020. Fulton L. Liming StA ’52 died July 10, 2011. William Barton SMA ’55 died March 20, 2019. William “Bill” T. Johnson SMA ’62 and former faculty, died June 30, 2020. Michael B. Wallace StA ’62 died January 27, 2020. Jon A. Bryant SMA ’65 died February 18, 2018 John C. Nunnally SMA ’65 died January 7, 2020. Michael D. Abercrombie StA ’69 died December 18, 2017. Sandra A. Turner StA ’76 died April 15, 2018. Chris Johnson ’90 died March 4, 2020.
Future Hopes
F
uture hopes are the foundation of life and learning at SAS. No matter where their paths may lead, our students leave the Mountain eager and wellequipped to pursue their dreams. Over the years, thousands of alumni, families, and friends have joined together to invest in those hopes through their personal philanthropy. We are grateful for your commitment to SAS and your confidence in us. Over the summer, former SAS parents, Bruce (SMA ’69) and Sandy Baird, shared their plans to invest in students’ future hopes through an estate gift benefitting the school’s endowment. Current trustee and former Board president, Bruce is pictured here with Bella Sun ’19 who is now studying at Rhode Island School of Design.