Hotchkiss in m em o ri a m
Charles F. (Chuck) Gulden ’79, P’12 President of The Hotchkiss Fund and Enthusiastic Volunteer for the School
Left, Chuck with his mother at Hotchkiss; right, with daughter, Whitney
T
he Hotchkiss community lost one of its most dedicated alumni volunteers with the unexpected passing of Charles F. “Chuck” Gulden ’79 on June 21, 2017 at age 55. He was, at the time of his death, serving as a partner at Boomerang Capital, a hedge fund marketing and advisory firm. He was president of The Hotchkiss Fund and as such, served his alma mater as a member of the Board of Trustees. Chuck loved Hotchkiss and had been passionately engaged with the School since graduation. He always answered the call to work on behalf of the School he loved, serving in numerous capacities. A dedicated Reunion volunteer, Chuck also participated in many Volunteer Leadership Weekends. He was a class agent and lead agent for the Class of 1979 since his graduation from Hotchkiss, and more recently was a parent volunteer. His daughter, Whitney ’12, follows in his footsteps as a class agent and he was immensely proud of her attending Hotchkiss after being inspired by him. Born on Nov. 22, 1961, in New York, NY, to Charlie and Katherine Ann (K.A.) Gulden, then of Rye, NY, Chuck came to the School as a prep. He played JV hockey,
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lacrosse, and was a proctor in Van Santvoord. After graduating in 1979, he then went on to Denison University, where he was president of the Interfraternity Council as a member of Phi Delta Theta, graduating in 1983 with a B.A. in economics and political science. Chuck started what was to be a distinguished career in finance in 1983 at the Bankers Trust Company. He was an early employee at Templeton (now Franklin Templeton Investments), where he rose rapidly, based on his intelligence, insight, work ethic, gregarious nature, and generous and joyful spirit. Following Templeton, he served as a founder and held leadership roles at Hansberger Global Investors, TIG Advisors, and Boomerang Capital. Chuck held a chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation and was well known as a leader in his field. Chuck is remembered at Hotchkiss as a stalwart, loyal, influential, and effective volunteer. Head of School Craig Bradley remembered him in this way: “Chuck was devoted to Hotchkiss and to the extended Hotchkiss community. Personally, Chuck was very supportive and encouraging to me during my first year, and I learned a great deal from him and from his example of extraordinary
service to Hotchkiss. We miss Chuck and are grateful for all he gave to the Hotchkiss community.” Sonia Bonsu, director of The Hotchkiss Fund, spoke on behalf of the Fund team, which worked closely with him: “Chuck was a very special man who could light up a room with his smile, his booming voice, and his warm personality. His fondness for Hotchkiss was infectious, and he had an amazing ability to engage his fellow alumni and keep them involved with the School. We are truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him and to know him.” In recognition of his extraordinary service, Chuck was posthumously named this year’s recipient of the Thomas W. Armitage ’25 Award, given annually to a member(s) of the Hotchkiss alumni body for distinguished service to The Hotchkiss Fund. Chuck’s late father, Charles “Charlie” Gulden ’53, P’79, GP’12, who was president of the Alumni Association and an ex-officio trustee, also received the Armitage Award in 1997. Charlie’s friend, classmate, trustee emeritus, and former headmaster Rusty Chandler ’53, P’82, ’85, ’87, GP’10, ’14, ’16, wrote the following to Chuck shortly before the end of his term as president
of The Hotchkiss Fund: “As you prepare to step down from your responsibilities as president of The Hotchkiss Fund, I want to congratulate you on a job well done. When in my time a goal of $1 million dollars seemed almost unobtainable, it boggles my mind to consider a goal of $5 million dollars today. I know your dad looking down on us appreciates and salutes you. You have given meritorious service to Hotchkiss, and the School is indeed grateful for your dedication...” Chuck was most proud of his 30-year marriage to the love of his life, Jennifer Wentzel Gulden, and their cherished daughters, Whitney Gaynor ’12 (23), and Abigail Perry (22). Jen, Whitney, and Perry were the light of his life. Whitney, who will be accepting the Armitage Award on her father’s behalf this November, writes fondly: “My dad was a life-long advocate and lover of Hotchkiss, he always said we would have that in common. He truly believed that education was one of life’s great gifts, and that we as alumni owed an immeasurable debt to the incredible education Hotchkiss gave us. He taught me that giving of our time was one of many ways to give back, and that giving time to Hotchkiss would always come with its own rewards of friendship and connection. Thank you to everyone at Hotchkiss who was a friend to my father, from his prep friends to the Hotchkiss Fund team — he loved you all.” In addition to his wife and daughters, Chuck is survived by his mother, K.A. of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., his motherin-law, his two brothers-in-law, and his sister-in-law. He was a favorite uncle to his six nieces and nephews. His Hotchkiss relatives include his great-uncle, Donald Streett ’53, and cousins Eliza Webb ’78, Angela Webb Kensinger ’82, and Electra Tortorella (former director of The Hotchkiss Fund). He was predeceased by his father and his father-in-law. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Hotchkiss Fund and/or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
Ralph Vogel ’52, Dedicated Alumni Volunteer and Former Trustee Former Hotchkiss Trustee Ralph B. Vogel ’52 of Hobe Sound, FL, and formerly of Beverly Farms, MA, died peacefully with his family around him on July 17, 2017. He was 84. Born in Boston, MA, on April 1, 1933, he grew up in Milwaukee, WI, and attended the University School there. He came to Hotchkiss in September 1949. In his three years at the School, he served on the Dance Committee and on the stage crew of the Hotchkiss Dramatic Association. He worked on the Mischianza staff all three years and was assistant editor as a senior. He played on the basketball, golf, and soccer teams, and won the Probasco Cup Award. After graduating in 1952, he earned a B.A. degree from Harvard College in 1956, where he was a member of The Hasty Pudding and the Delphic Club. He later earned an M.B.A. degree from New York University. He served in the U.S. Air Force and returned to Boston for the last six months of his tour, where he met and married Mabel H. Harris in 1961. He began his business career working for P&V Atlas in Milwaukee but soon thereafter joined the investment bank Smith Barney in New York. He was transferred to Smith Barney’s Boston office in 1964 and worked there as office head until 1980. An enthusiastic and dedicated alumnus, he was a trustee from 1976-1986. He served as class agent for 1952 from 1991-1994 and as a member of the Reunion Social Committee from 2001-2002. He also served on several Harvard-related committees and on the boards of numerous organizations, including The Trustees of Reservations, The New England Aquarium, Boston Children’s Service, the Vincent Memorial Hospital, and Pine Manor College. The Vogels lived on the north shore of Boston for many years. When they moved to their second home in Florida, he became deeply involved in the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County, The Hobe Sound Nature Center, and Christ Memorial Chapel in Hobe Sound. In addition to his wife, Mabel, he is survived by his daughter, Virginia V. Yonce; sons, William D. Vogel II and Ralph B. Vogel Jr.; nine grandchildren; his sister, Virginia V. Mattern; and his brother, Frederick Vogel III ’53. He was predeceased by his sister, Grace V. Aldworth.
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COLLISTER “CODDY” JOHNSON
died peacefully on July 8, 2017, at his home in Far Hills, NJ, surrounded by family. He was 99. “Coddy,” as he was known, was born in Orange, NJ, in 1917. In 1939, he graduated from Yale, where he was the captain of the polo team. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living member of Yale’s Whiffenpoofs. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-46 in the Persian Gulf. After the war, he worked for the M.W. Kellogg Company as senior vice president. He retired as a senior vice president of the petroleum division of the Engelhard
Corporation, a chemicals manufacturer in Iselin, NJ. He and his family were lifelong summer residents of Martha’s Vineyard, where they swam, fished, hunted, collected crabs and steamers, sailed, and gave legendary beach picnics, always with singing around the bonfire. Over the years, Mr. Johnson, a strong swimmer who respected the ocean, rescued several people from drowning off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. He was accomplished at golf and tennis, accumulating many trophies over his long sporting career. A lifelong lover of music and sports, he was part of both a successful polo team and a singing quartet with his
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