In Memoriam

Geoffrey Wilbraham

Longtime Westminster faculty member Geoffrey Wilbraham died Nov. 18 in Canton, Conn., at the age of 92. Born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, he graduated as head prefect from Longton High School where he was captain of both the cricket and rugby teams, two sports he continued playing as a college student at the University of Manchester. Following graduation from the university with a B.A. in French, he served two years in the British Army, attaining the rank of captain before being discharged in 1951.

After coming to the United States in 1952, Geoffrey worked, as had his father, for Josiah Wedgwood and Sons. When he visited Westminster as a representative of the company, he so impressed Louise and Pete Keyes that Headmaster Keyes appointed him to the faculty in 1958.

During his 36-year tenure at Westminster, Geoffrey, who Geoffrey Wilbraham earned an M.A. at Trinity College, served as director of studies, as a French teacher, as an advisor to the Chapel Program and as a coach, becoming renowned in New England as a soccer coach. best embodies the qualities of Geoffrey Wilbraham, who gave

He began with a fledgling boys’ soccer program in the distinguished and loyal service to Westminster from 1958 to early 1960s and eventually led his teams to championships. He 1994: high personal standards, consistent respect for others, served on the Executive Board of the Western New England unswerving commitment to the common good, steady insistence Preparatory School Soccer Association for which he was elected on fair play and abiding human decency.” president in 1969. In 1981, he was chosen Coach of the Year by In his professional and private life, Geoffrey always stood the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association, and in 1991 and for high academic standards, sensitivity, diplomacy and patience. 1992, when his teams won a pair of back-to-back New England He led a life of love and loyalty and had no regrets. He was a Championships, he was elected New England Coach of the Year. wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. His son,

Geoffrey enjoyed playing tennis and was interested in Charlie ’76, cherished the countless times they played tennis gardening and music, having sung with The Simsbury Light together. Opera Company. Geoffrey was predeceased in 2012 by Betsy, his wife of

At the time of his retirement in 1994, former Headmaster 46 years; his brother, Arnold; and his sisters, Margaret and Donald Werner wrote in the spring 1994 Bulletin: “Westminster Kathleen. He leaves behind his son, Charlie; daughter-in-law, will miss Geoffrey, not only as a teacher, coach and advisor. He Yvette; and granddaughter, Katherine. has gently touched a lot of lives. The school will miss his example, especially when times become shrill and cantankerous. In both his personal and professional dealings, Geoffrey Wilbraham has always treated everyone the same way — with an intuitive, completely natural and unaffected kindness.”

Geoffrey and his wife, Betsy, who had been involved in all aspects of school life at Westminster while Geoffrey served on the faculty, moved to Williamsburg, Va., when he retired from Westminster. They returned to Connecticut in 2006 in order to spend time with their granddaughter, Katherine.

“Always, Betsy and Geoffrey Wilbraham were a wonderfully gracious presence on Williams Hill,” wrote Head of School Bill Philip in announcing Geoffrey’s death to the Westminster community. “The Wilbraham Bowl honors the family’s name. The award is given to a member of the Fifth Form who Geoffrey coaching in 1991.

TRIBUTES

Stuyvie Wainwright ’60

He was a man to be proud of while inspiring generations.

Charles Fineman ’65

It is next to impossible to express adequately my deep sorrow upon learning of Geoff Wilbraham’s passing, even at the age of 92, and eight years after the passing of his wife, Betsy.

He was almost literally the “light” of my Sixth Form year at Westminster in 1964-1965, and I tried to keep in touch with him, albeit intermittently, after graduation. I last saw him at Betsy’s funeral.

In the French 5 class of that year, populated only by myself and Dan Hitchcock ’65, Geoff introduced me to what would become my second career, as a translator, initially of French to English and adding Danish, Norwegian and Swedish later, as my education and language training progressed. Each week, the class had to translate 250 words of English into French, which, as I later found out, is not the way a professional translator works, unless he or she is totally bilingual in both languages. But the technique was traditionally French, called in French “theme et version.” At commencement in 1965, I won the prize for excellence in French.

It gave me a taste for the work, the precision and the discipline; and — a surprise even to myself, the librarian from birth — some years ago I discovered that I had held on to each and every one of those weekly assignments, neatly marked up in red by Geoff, whose French, though not native, was superb and flawless and yet, in its crispness and intonation, still spoke of his Englishness.

Even for the mid-’60s, Geoff’s approach to our class entailed little if any technology, even the technology of the moment. There was a blackboard and chalk in our basement classroom and not much else. We read, we read, we read.

Geoff also understood my indifference to sports and named me manager of the varsity soccer team in the fall and as the totally unnecessary manager to the fourth tennis team in the spring.

Geoff had a distinguished career at Westminster, and I’m certain others who knew him for longer than I did will have deeper recollections of him and his work. Yet for me, he was the teacher who inspired me and, almost literally, if unwittingly, gave me one of my two professions.

Above and on opposite page, Geoffrey with students

Stephen D’Ambrosio ’70

Saddened to read that Geoffrey Wilbraham passed away. The notice from the school hit the nail on the head when it stated that he and Betsy were “gracious.” Their understated and dignified approach to whatever was before them always impressed me. On a more personal note, the highlight of my soccer career at Westminster was being on Coach Wilbraham’s very first team that had a winning season in 1969. The second highest point in my soccer career was the look on his face the day I nutmegged him during a scrimmage! Priceless!

Art Dague ’79

Geoff Wilbraham truly embodied the best of the best as described in the Wilbraham Bowl award established in his

honor: “... high personal standards, consistent respect for others, unswerving commitment to the common good, steady insistence on fair play and abiding human decency.” I was fortunate to have played on his soccer team for three years (captain my final year) and was lucky to have had him as my academic advisor. On the field, he was a talented and passionate coach, and off the field, he was the perfect advisor for me, always constructive in his advice and always supportive, positive and genuine.

Ben Williams ’81 Steven Bristol ’82

Geoff Wilbraham was an important person in my life. We spent two years studying French together, and he was my soccer coach. He was a thoughtful and gentle man who at every moment helped me be better at whatever I was doing.

My two French classes with him had no more than five students in them so that was a personal journey. And I remember envying his effortless fluency and pronunciation. Everything sounded good when he said it!

In my senior year, we played Avon Old Farms in soccer on Family Weekend. They were really good but so were we, and we took it to them from the start. We won 4-0 on a gray overcast day. I played sweeper, and though I did not know it, the Avon coach said some unkind things about me during the game. Coach Wilbraham heard every word, though, and he took the matter up with the opposing coach immediately after the game. A few days later, I got a note of apology from the Avon coach, all because Coach Wilbraham wasn’t going to allow anyone to conduct themselves in an unprincipled and unfriendly manner. Though I was oblivious to the abuse coming my way from the Avon coach, I was deeply affirmed and touched by Coach Wilbraham’s support. So much of our path through life is determined by our confidence in the various situations we find ourselves. And much of that confidence comes from the understanding that we have people in our corner. Geoff has always been one of those people for me, though we are 40 years downstream now of that fateful game. I hope my words are a reminder that lives endure well beyond lifespans. What Geoff taught me, I have tried to teach to others. Who better than Geoff Wilbraham to teach us to pay it forward?

I along with Colin Flinn ’82 were the captains of the soccer team the year Geoffrey Wilbraham was named Coach of the Year in Connecticut. None of us started the year with the lofty ambition of making it to the New England finals. As far as we knew, Westminster had never done such a thing, and it never crossed our minds. Then the success came. We started winning games and kept winning them.

Even now, I remember the moment after our last game when Coach Wilbraham told me we had been invited to the New England Tournament. He looked so proud. We lost to Northfield Mount Hermon 1-0, and I felt so badly for him that we had let him down. We all understood he was one of the “good guys.” He exuded honor, dignity and character, and he reminded us every day of those virtues, not so much in what he said but just by who he was. In the end, I think we just wanted the good guy to win for once. He deserved that because he was steadfast in his character, and we all respected him for that.

He was an important person to me, even though I didn’t appreciate it at the time. After graduating from Westminster, I went on to Hamilton College, where I continued to play soccer and lacrosse, and then I went on to become a teacher, coach and administrator in several different boarding schools. I even spent 10 years as director of athletics at a New England boarding school. As I think about it, much of what I tried to teach in those roles, I learned from him. Successful teams are built on character not talent. Who you were was always more important than how skilled you were. I knew my talent was limited, but I understood from him that if I kept working hard, I could be successful. In fact, that was who we were as a team. We were the gritty underdogs, who accepted our coach’s direction that we play the right way. Seeing firsthand how that ideal could actually lead to competitive success was a powerful experience for me and one that has guided me professionally up until today.

1941

John B. Ahrens, who died April 10, 2020, grew up in Suffield, Conn., and attended Suffield Academy, followed by Westminster. Jack signed up for the Navy ROTC right after Pearl Harbor and went on to complete an undergraduate degree in engineering from Yale University in two years and five months. He joined the Navy as an officer early in 1944.

Jack fought on both fronts in World War II. He and his fellow sailors participated in D-Day for the invasions of Normandy and Southern France and then joined the naval assault forces for the invasion of Iwo Jima and, finally, the battle of Okinawa.

Jack was a lifelong pacifist and struggled with the dilemma of participating in violent combat, ultimately putting his “beliefs on the shelf” in the name of fighting a greater evil. He rarely spoke of his experience in World War II until writing his three-part memoir, “One Man’s Journey,” several decades later.

Jack married Lois Welch Ahrens in 1950, and they moved frequently for Jack’s graduate degrees: first a master’s degree in engineering and then a doctorate in psychology from Columbia University. He said, “In engineering, it’s how things work, and in psychology, it’s how people work.”

The couple eventually settled in Suffield with their four children, and Jack ran his own practice focused on industrial and vocational psychology. Jack and Lois retired to Cape Cod in 1987, where they built their dream home on the town cove in Orleans, which was a summer gathering place for their family. Lois died in 2017.

Jack is survived by his children, Kimberly Mayer, Beth Yourgrau, Tracy Ahrens and John Ahrens, along with their spouses; his grandchildren and great-grandchild; nephew Leavitt Ahrens ’61; and grandnephew Leavitt Ahrens III ’87. He was predeceased by his brothers Leavitt Ahrens ’37 and Gilbert Ahrens ’56, his uncle Arthur Bissell 1912 and cousin Arthur Bissell Jr. ’36.

1947

John Millard Rigby, of Salem, S.C., died Sept. 25, 2020. He graduated early from John Adams High School and matriculated to Westminster School, where he excelled as a multisport athlete. John followed his older brother to Yale University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in history, after which he completed his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

In the summer of 1954, John met the love of his life, Jacqueline “Lynn” DeHaas. In a letter to his Yale buddies, he wrote, “Boys, I’ve found the one.” After a whirlwind courtship, they were married Oct. 30, 1954. John and Lynn settled in Niles, Mich., where John practiced law and served as the city attorney. It was there where they raised their four daughters.

Upon retirement, John and Lynn moved to South Carolina, fulfilling a dream of living quietly on a small lake and owning a bass boat where they could enjoy their shared love of fishing. They spent more than 25 years admiring their lake view and hosting family gatherings.

John was a devoted and proud 51year member of Alcoholics Anonymous, where he met many of his closest and dearest friends and spent years as a mentor to others. John’s greatest joy was his family, and he loved nothing more than spending time with his daughters and their families and his nephews and their families. He will be remembered for his strength of character, his wonderful dry sense of humor and his devotion to family.

Sadly, less than three weeks after his death, Lynn, his wife of nearly 66 years, died. He is survived by a large family including his daughters.

1949

Edward Parsons Corning Jr. died June 24, 2020, in Greenville, R.I. Born in New York City, he grew up in Stamford, Conn., on Shippan Point, sailing at Stamford Yacht Club and later at Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, where he raced in the Ensign and then the Sonar fleets. Bud attended King School in Stamford, Westminster School and Bard College, before entering the family business, the Edward Corning Company, a construction management firm founded by his grandfather in New York in 1898, and where his father was then president. Bud became secretary-treasurer at the company. He then entered the insurance and estate planning business, first at Home Life Insurance Company of New York, where he earned membership in the Million Dollar Round Table, and later as an independent agent.

Bud enlisted in the Organized Reserve Corps (ORC) and served in the Army Reserve, being promoted to Sergeant E-5 in 1952. He married Joan Halloran in 1956 in Darien, where they raised their children and lived for the next 58 years. Bud was active in town affairs. He served as treasurer and president of the Darien Young Republican Club, as chairperson of the planning and zoning committee in the Republican Town Meeting, and as chairperson of the building committee, director, vice president and president of the Darien Historical Society. He was a member of Darien’s 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee.

A talented artist, Bud painted watercolors and showed his works at the Rowayton Arts Center. He loved sailing, tennis and skiing. He joined Silvermine Golf Club and enjoyed playing golf in his retirement years. Known for being a great storyteller, he regaled both children and adults with tales both imaginative and true, including sound effects and character impressions.

W. Brewster Taylor died Jan. 13, leaving behind his son, Timothy; daughter-in-law, Amy; and two granddaughters, Cori and Ashlynn.

1950

Whitmarsh Jackson Letts died May 18, 2020. Jack was born in St. Louis and grew up in Short Hills, N.J., where he excelled in sports, including ice hockey, baseball and football. Following Westminster, he earned a B.S. in engineering at Yale. As a member of the Yale Army ROTC program, he was sent to Korea after graduation, where he served honorably as a second lieutenant in the 24th Infantry Division. For his service in the U.S. Army’s Inspector General’s Office, he was awarded a commendation ribbon.

Jack began his long career in the pump industry at Worthington Corporation, which took him to numerous locations and eventually landed him in New Jersey where he was the marketing manager at Worthington’s Standard Pump Division. In 1973, he accepted a position at Fairbanks Morse Pump in Kansas City, Kan., as general manager and was soon promoted to vice president. In 1979, he was named president of the Fairbanks Morse Pump Division of Colt Industries, and in 1985, he put together a group of investors and bought Fairbanks Morse Pump from Colt Industries. After successfully guiding the corporation as a standalone company for nine years, he retired in 1994.

Jack devoted much of his time to community service and philanthropic efforts. His greatest commitment was to the United Way where he held a number of leadership positions. He also served on the board and as chairperson for Kansas City Public Television, Bethany Medical Center, the Wyandotte County Red Cross and Baker University. In 1998, he received the Kansas City, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce Corporate Citizen of the Year Award. His volunteerism also extended to the pump industry and the Kansas City business community, where he served on a number of boards.

Jack was a world traveler, an avid skier, and enjoyed golf and sailing. Retirement finally gave him the time to take up flying. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce, two sons, grandchildren, his sister, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother The Honorable J. S. Letts ’52.

Clinton Lawrence Rossiter Jr. died Dec. 13, 2020. A U.S. Air Force pilot in the Korean War, Clint flew the iconic F-86 Sabre Jets with the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing. His military service also included several years in the Air Training Command. In later life, he was a safety engineer and then worked for the U.S. Postal Service.

Following Westminster, Clint attended Cornell University, where he was a member of Sigma Phi. He was an honors graduate of the University of Connecticut, Storrs, where he studied geology. He was devoted to scientific ideas, relishing scientific writings and documentaries. He also loved Dutch late 17th-century and American 19th-century landscape paintings, visiting museums in America, England and Europe.

Clint is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara; his son, Clinton, and daughter-in-law, Lana; his daughter, Virginia; and his granddaughter.

Henry Lamberton Sweatt died Oct. 21, 2020. Harry passionately loved his family, friends, church, community, and the wild places of the Minnesota Northwoods, especially his cabin at Redpine Island on Rainy Lake. His loyalties were strong and never in doubt as he followed his father, Charles B. Sweatt Sr., in his generous commitment to the community in and around Minneapolis.

Following Westminster, Harry graduated from Princeton University in 1954 with a degree in history and from Harvard Business School in 1956. He married Virginia Ecklund in 1955, and they spent two years in the Army Finance Corps in Ulm, Germany.

Starting his career at MinneapolisHoneywell upon his return to the U.S., Harry sold computers out of the New York office and rose to branch manager in Cincinnati. In 1967, he joined Honeywell Information Systems in Boston where he built joint ventures and strategic partnerships around the world.

In 1978, Harry and his family returned to Minneapolis to reestablish their deep roots in Minnesota. Grandson of William R. Sweatt, co-founder of Minneapolis-Honeywell, Harry’s devotion to his work reflected his commitment to Honeywell as an essential part of his family and legacy. Harry left his mark through his sense of responsibility for the company’s financial strength and ethical integrity.

Harry enjoyed young people and enthusiastically supported their wellbeing. Happiest while working with children, he was a self-taught naturalist and camper. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; his daughter, Margaret; his son, William; son-in-law, Phillip; eight grandchildren; and his sister.

1951

Peter Gage died March 30, 2020. He was born in Bournemouth, Dorset, England, and was educated at Kings College, Taunton, Somerset. After completing his Higher School Certificate in 1950, he was awarded an English Speaking Union scholarship to Westminster as an exchange student for one year. That year proved a most rewarding experience for him, enjoying particularly his participation in the choral groups, American field sports and, above all, the wonderful friendship and hospitality he found among his class and roommates.

He returned to the U.K. in 1951 and took up his place at Wadham College, Oxford, where he read English literature for the next three years. It was at the end of his second year that he met his future wife, Sheila. At Oxford, he again enjoyed his association with the choral society, and he had good reviews of parts he played in the Drama Society performances. His rowing attempts were the source of many amusing stories. Wadham College has dedicated a book in the college library in his memory.

After graduating in 1954, it was then necessary to do his compulsory two-year National Service. He was called up in October 1954 and sent to an officer cadet training course where he eventually was

commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry April 23, 1955, the day he and Sheila were married. Following a brief honeymoon, he joined the 1st Battalion of the Somerset L. I. in Malaya, which was involved in jungle warfare against communist terrorists during the Malayan Emergency at that time. He wrote an account of his platoon’s experiences.

Military service finished in October 1956, and he then joined John Holt and Co. in Northern Nigeria as a venture agent trading in hides and skins, cotton and groundnuts, as well as overseeing the bush village canteens that sold everything from bicycles and sewing machines to cooking pots and dress fabrics. Sheila joined him in May 1957, having stayed in the U.K. for the birth of their first son.

Peter’s first tour of duty finished in March 1958, and the family returned to the U.K. for a three-month leave. However, with Nigeria receiving its independence within two years and the obvious problems that would ensue there, plus the very unhealthy climate, Peter decided to stay in the U.K. and joined BB Chemical Co. (Bostik in U.K.), an associate company of the Boston Blacking Company in Boston. He worked his way up to sales director of one of its associate companies over the next 10 years during which time two more sons were born. He then had the opportunity to set up the English company of the Gustav Kaser Management and Sales Training organization, a Zurich-based company looking to expand into Europe and, subsequently into the rest of the world. Peter enjoyed this challenge enormously, particularly as he was able to use his language skills of French, German and Spanish, and spent the rest of his working life enjoying his success as managing director of the U.K. company. He retired in 1992.

For 38 years, Peter and Sheila enjoyed their second home in Mallorca and their many associations walking with groups in the mountains and the numerous organizations to which they belonged and the many friends they made.

Peter always maintained his involvement with Westminster, and Sheila and he enjoyed several alumni reunions at the school, the last being in 2011. Sheila says he owed a huge debt of gratitude to Westminster for the wonderful experience and opportunity the school gave him. Peter leaves behind Sheila, three sons and eight grandchildren.

Fred Martin Hector, a resident of North Dakota, died June 1, 2019. He attended the schools Hawthorne, Agassiz and South High School in Fargo before graduating from Westminster. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, Colo., from 1957 to 1959.

Robert M. Whitaker Jr. died May 30, 2020. Born in New York City, he was raised in Westport, Conn. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia. He is survived by his wife, Tinker, his children, grandchildren, sisters, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.

1956

Michael Gardner Brenner died April 12, 2020, in Knoxville, Tenn. He was born in Quincy, Ill., and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Heidi.

1957

Joseph Beveridge Palmer died April 30, 2020. While at Westminster, Joel was a hockey, football and track athlete. He served in the U.S. Navy, living on a submarine for four years and attended Colby College and Western New England College, where he obtained a business degree.

He sold microfiche for Bell and Howell and later owned a Goodyear Tire store in Guilford, Conn., where he raised two daughters, Christa and Leah, with his former wife, Ingrid.

Joel flew airplanes, collected antique cars, and sailed and built boats — including the first Dickerson 50, a staysail ketch presented at the Newport International Sailboat Show in 1982. He was a world traveler, having visited faraway places like Russia and Vietnam, befriending and mentoring many along the way.

An active Westminster alumnus, he served on the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association.

He later turned his trade to bookkeeping and maintained a base of clients working from his home office in Center Sandwich, N.H., where he moved in 1994.

In his later years, he enjoyed visits on Bear Camp Pond, boating on Squam Lake and rides in his antique cars with his three granddaughters, and daughters and sonsin-law. He also enjoyed in the last few months of his life a visit with his extended family in Vietnam, a destination he grew to love and longed to call his permanent home. He is also survived by his brother Geoffrey Palmer ’59 and was predeceased by Anthony Palmer ’52.

Perhaps his greatest passion in life was mentoring young people, especially those who experienced a tough start in life or needed extra support to achieve great things and to lead a more positive way of life. He fulfilled the role as father to many and in some cases gained custody.

In a manifesto he penned in 2001 titled “Philanthropy My Way,” he wrote about his work “rescuing and mentoring” others: “When I began my work with young people 35 years ago, I had the strength to take on this task, but not the wisdom. Now, I have the wisdom, but I no longer have the strength. But no matter, I shall never give up nor shall I ever let them down so long as I live.”

Bob Wing writes: “I was saddened to learn of the death of Joel, my Sixth Form roommate. Joel was a class leader all four years at Westminster, and he ended up as the school’s junior prefect.

“Joel was a man of many talents, as I learned from living with him. His stereo system had a unique variable-speed turntable, so we could play along with our records by simply turning the stereo instead of having to tune our instruments. And his telescope was far superior to mine, having a larger aperture and an equatorial clock drive.

“But I think Joel will be best remembered for his exploits on the track team. His huge stride was a thing of beauty. He held school records for the 220-meter and 440-yard event, and I don’t think he ever lost a race. Once, on the day of a track meet, our coach, Mr. Clough, asked Joel if he would consider running the 880, since our distance-runner was out with an injury. ‘Sure,’ said Joel, ‘I’ll just do the 440 twice.’ We all watched nervously as Joel set out on a race he had never ran, even in practice. After one lap around the track, he had built a large lead, but on the second lap, he was clearly struggling. He held on just enough to win the race, but promptly lost his lunch. He never did the 880 again. ‘I almost died,’ he told me later. But he had preserved his personal win streak and secured a win for Westminster’s track team.

“I regret that I saw so little of Joel after graduation, but we did catch up at recent reunions. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, caring person.”

1959

Dr. John L. Atlee III died Dec. 18, 2020. He earned a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College in 1963, his Doctor of Medicine in 1967 from Temple University, and a Master of Science in pharmacology as a postdoctoral research fellow in 1970 from Temple University Graduate School of Medicine. He was a staff anesthesiologist at the United States Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., from 1970-1973.

John and his wife then moved to Wisconsin, where he was a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later a professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He frequently lectured abroad and was a prolific writer of textbooks and peerreviewed journal articles. In retirement, he pursued his entrepreneurial interests by working to develop medical devices.

His many accomplishments testify to the Atlee family’s long history of serving as physicians in America, dating back to Colonial times. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara, a son and daughter, grandchildren and other relatives.

Charles F. Gummey Jr. died Dec. 23, 2020. Following graduation from Westminster, Charlie attended Washington and Lee University (W&L), where he received Honorable Mention All-American recognition in both football and lacrosse and was inducted into the W&L Athletics Hall of Fame.

Charlie worked at the Wilmington Trust Company for 43 years, retiring in 2006 as a vice president and managing director in the Trust Department. In retirement, Charlie served as secretary of the Marmot Foundation, as well as a consultant for Wilmington Trust. At various times he served on the board as both president and trustee for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, the Wilmington Club, the Delaware Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Tower Hill School and Delaware Wildlands.

His dedication to service was recognized through a series of awards including the Brandywine Association of Fundraising Professionals Award, the Bank of America Local Hero Award and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy Day Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, he received an honorary degree from Tower Hill School along with the Founders’ Achievement Award.

An avid outdoorsman and gifted athlete, Charlie enjoyed hunting, fishing, maintaining his Pennsylvania property, and coaching his children and grandchildren in all sports. He also spent several summers on the coaching staff of the Grand Slam Diamonds, a local baseball team for college- and professional-bound players. Charlie was a constant fixture at University of Delaware football and baseball games and spent countless hours on the Tower Hill athletic fields watching his children and grandchildren compete for the Hillers.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Winkie, his two children, four grandchildren and a sister.

1960

Paul LeGrand Johnstone Jr. died in February. Following his graduation from the University of Delaware, he entered the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. He served two tours in Vietnam, where he was promoted to the rank of captain and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal.

Returning from the service, Leigh began a long career in commercial real estate in Delaware, working with Patterson Schwartz, CB Richard Ellis, and Grubb and Ellis. At the time of his death, he was chairperson and CEO of his own firm, Johnstone and Associates.

Leigh was the founder and first chair of the Commercial Industrial Realty Council of Delaware and was appointed chair of the Wilmington Economic Development Committee. He served on the state’s Economic Advisory Council.

Leigh also served on the board of directors of the Addiction Coalition, Easter Seals, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Delaware Academy of Medicine. He volunteered as a tutor and mentor to young students and was recognized by the State of Delaware and Business Mentoring Council for his personal mentoring of boys at the Ferris School.

Leigh was a member of the Wilmington Country Club and the Wilmington Rotary Club. As a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 40 years, he provided counseling and support to help hundreds of people maintain sobriety.

He loved to play golf and won three Super Senior Championships. Playing what was to be his last round, Leigh teed it up with a friend Jan. 30, the last day before the course was covered with snow and shot a 77 — two shots below his age. Leigh was also renowned for his exceptional skill at backgammon and won many tournaments.

His love for nature, in particular his fascination with songbirds, led him to establish the Bluebird Committee at Wilmington Country Club. With his leadership, the club installed 40 bluebird houses and five purple martin houses

and earned the prestigious designation of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Leigh never retired. He was passionately engaged in his business, his volunteer pursuits, and his academic interests in political science and contemporary issues through the Academy of Lifelong Learning. He is survived by his wife, Kitty, children, sisters, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Edward Kubler was born during an air raid drill in 1942, in New Haven, Conn., and died 78 years later on a night in July 2020 when the Comet NEOWISE was visible in the sky. These events mark the breadth and depth of Edward’s interests across many fields. He was an architect, teacher, scholar and collector, who enjoyed discussing history, art and the way all things are made.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Edward earned a B.A. and a graduate degree in architecture. He then taught at Penn and at the Rhode Island School of Design. He maintained an interest in helping young underserved members of his community develop skills in art and woodworking. As a handson architect, who could build as well as design, he once developed a contract for clients who wished to help build their own houses. He had a lifelong interest in his great-grandfather, Cornelius Scranton Bushnell, who participated in the financing of the Union Pacific Railroad and the building of the first submarine, the Monitor, during the Civil War. Edward’s family and friends remember his sense of humor, generosity, artistry, rugged individualism, social consciousness and loyalty.

He is survived by his wife, Allie, his daughter and son-in-law, and grandchildren.

1961

Patrick C. Ellis, who hosted 96.3 WHURFM’s very popular Sunday morning radio gospel program in Washington, D.C., for more than four decades, died July 16, 2020. Before becoming a Westminster student, he attended public schools in Washington, D.C. Following graduation from Westminster, he studied communications at Howard University, where WHUR soon began broadcasting. He became a full-time staff producer at the station in 1975, and after taking some time off from school, he completed his bachelor’s degree in 1977. Two years later, the program director encouraged him to become the station’s new gospel DJ, and in 1986, he became the station’s production director.

Patrick played a wide range of gospel artists on his hit show, “Gospel Spirit,” and the program also provided community announcements from churches and nonprofit organizations. The show drew a devoted, large audience, and he was a prominent figure in Washington’s gospel scene.

Patrick is survived by his wife, Angela, two daughters, three grandchildren, a nephew and greatnephew, a sister-in-law, and a host of other relatives, friends, colleagues and a vast radio-listening audience.

Scott Kent died in November 2020.

1969

Peter Husted Duxbury died July 13, 2020, in Los Gatos, Calif. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Kathy, and his daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Noe. Peter rallied a month before his death to give a memorable wedding toast to Elizabeth and Noe that not only honored the newlyweds but also included a reference to every single person who attended the wedding. As a father, Peter always made it a priority to be present and be supportive of Elizabeth’s education, career and aspirations.

Peter was born in New York City and grew up in Riverside, Conn., with his older brother and sister. Following Westminster, he graduated from Syracuse University with an architectural degree in 1974. Peter launched his residentialoriented practice, Duxbury Architects, in 1985 in Los Altos. He designed and built over 200 custom homes in affluent hillside communities throughout the San Francisco Peninsula with an emphasis on Los Altos Hills. He was especially proud of his design and construction of the Los Altos Hills Town Hall. Peter was passionate about architecture and design, and was a master of melding each project to the topography and orientation of the site.

Peter’s third passion, after family and architecture, was golf with his buddies at the Saratoga Country Club, where he rarely missed a Saturday morning golf game with his many friends. Peter was interested in the people with whom he played as much as the game of golf itself.

Others in his family who attended Westminster included his father, the late John H. Duxbury ’34; his brother, David C. Duxbury ’65; and his nieces, Katherine Duxbury Hills ’99 and Alison C. Duxbury-

Shadwick ’91.

Richard Porth writes: “We all miss Peter terribly as he was a bright light in our class. I remember him most for his quick wit, great smile, wonderful sense of humor and infallible balance on the diving board. Peter was humble, modest, yet gregarious and welcoming of all. His famous saying was, ‘I’ll give you five pennies for a nickel.’”

1983

David Strause died Oct. 13, 2020. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, he was a student of history and dedicated to preserving it. While attending Ohio State University, he settled in the Short North, recognizing that the neighborhood was on the verge of a rebirth. Hoping to aid in its preservation, he served on the Victorian Village Planning Commission for 12 years, as well as the Short North Special Improvement District. He was an avid collector of art, books and assorted ephemera.

David excelled at every sport he played, but especially tennis, which he played at Westminster and as a freshman at Ohio State, where he was a member of the men’s varsity squad. He also had great success playing squash at Westminster, and in 1994 became the Ohio champion for men over 30.

David loved Columbus and seldom saw a reason to venture too far away. Most recently, he was hoping to provide the Columbus jazz scene with a safe harbor at the Blue Velvet Room, the club he created at the Snowden Gray Mansion. He is survived by his mother, Nancy Strause, as well as his brother, Brian Strause ’86 and sister-in-law, Amy Decker.

1986

John Clinton Hayworth of Nashville, Tenn., died Sept. 8, 2020. Born in Memphis, John spent his formative years on Penrose Farm in Knoxville. He worked every aspect of the farm, including caring for the numerous horses, driving the tractor and the farm truck, and breaking the first ice off the troughs. John developed his lifelong love of the great outdoors on the farm, especially hunting and fishing. Following Westminster, he graduated from Colby College in 1990 and then moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University Law School, earning his degree in 1993. He was also a member of the Order of the Coif.

After completing a year as a U.S. District Court clerk, John entered private practice in Nashville. He engaged in a long successful litigation practice at Bass, Berry and Sims; Walker, Tipps and Malone; and Butler Snow. A wellrespected litigator, he brought a quiet and determined approach to each case, and his thoughtful judgment was widely appreciated.

A community leader, John served on the boards of Harding Academy, the Economics Club of Nashville and Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. He was also a communicant of St. George’s Episcopal Church and a member of Belle Meade Country Club. Most recently, he taught undergraduate business law at Belmont University.

John’s sense of humor and laugh were contagious. He was well-read, had a keen intellect and could tell a story like no other. His famous dance splits at parties were the highlight of any gathering. His gentle spirit, quick wit and devotion to his family and friends will be missed and remembered. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Martha; daughter, Margaret; and son, John. He is also survived by his mother and sisters. His uncle is Orton Jackson ’70. John participated in Westminster Today in 2003, was a class agent and a reunion committee member, and attended a Nashville reception, Williams Hill Dinner, and his 10th and 15th reunions.

Mark St. Amant writes: “I was a ‘new kid’ in ’85. Came to Westy as a junior day student. Didn’t really know anyone. But John was one of those kids who, even though we didn’t really know each other aside from having a few classes together, always said hi or gave a head nod in the hallways or athletic fields, and invited me to join him and his friends at lunch or just hang in his dorm room and listen to music, etc.

“I admittedly didn’t know him as well as so many others in our class — to whom I also send heartfelt condolences along with Martha, his kids and family — but he was always someone who, regardless of how long it’d been, took about a second to reconnect with at reunions (and I remember a recent class Zoom call where he didn’t say much but sat there in his little Brady Bunch video frame, smiling, clearly enjoying himself, which is how he made me and probably all of us feel in the moment: smiling, content, happy to reconnect with so many truly special people).

“Bottom line, John was a decent, friendly, sharp- and dry-witted, empathetic soul. He’ll be missed.”

2000

Gretchen Wendell Finley died Feb. 21 in Manchester, N.H., where she had lived for many years. She was born in Pekin, Ill., and two weeks later, her parents brought her and her twin brother to New Jersey.

She attended the University of Southern Maine and enjoyed competing in team sports, especially field hockey, ice hockey and soccer, with some golf and sailing thrown in. But mostly, she was a team player.

Gretchen was a loving, caring and thoughtful soul, and funny. At age 6, she announced: “I’m going to write a cat story about cats; it’s called ‘Vic’s Diner.’”

She is survived by her parents, James and Anne; her brother, James, and his wife, Brighid; and her life partner, Amy, and sons, Joshua and Jonathan.

Former Faculty

William Thompson Prewitt, a Westminster faculty member from 1980 to 1985 who taught English and was the Dramat director, died Nov. 11, 2020, in Alexandria, Va. A longtime area theater director, he dedicated his life to championing the performing arts and empowering those who shared his passion for the stage.

Tom lived in Falls Church City with his wife and son from 1995 to 2015, volunteering as a coach for many youth basketball and Little League Baseball teams. He was an avid amateur chef, filmgoer and stargazer whose unquenchable thirst for reading was reflected in the numerous late fees he accumulated at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library.

Born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., Tom was class president at White Station High School before attending Harvard University, where he graduated with honors in 1979. An educator at heart, he went on to teach English and theater at schools in Memphis, as well as at Westminster, and later at NYU, Manhattanville College, University of Maryland and George Mason University. He also engaged with numerous community nonprofits to connect younger generations with the arts.

For 25 years Tom was a fixture in the Washington, D.C., theater scene. Since 2013, he served as executive and artistic director at Avant Bard Theatre in Arlington, where his bold creative vision brought to life both classical texts and new projects. He is survived by his wife, Eun-Joo Chang; son, Alex; father, James; siblings; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.