IN MEMORY Two corrections from our fall winter/issue, with apologies to the families: William P. Harris ’44 was misidentified as a cousin of Frank Martin Taylor ’68; this was an error in the school’s database. Based on School Directory listings of faculty/staff, the correct years of Charles Toler’s tenure as a teacher at Friends were 1967-1989. Mary Clark Keyser ’36 passed away peacefully on November 20, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Norristown, PA, Mary was the daughter of Frank and Viola Clark; Mary’s great-grandmother, Sarah Harman, was a graduate of the Friends Class of 1855. Mary earned her bachelors degree from the University of Delaware Women’s College. She then went on to earn her VMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1944. Mary and her husband, Dr. Morton Keyser, shared the unique distinction for many years of being the only veterinarian-doctor married combination in the United States. Mary was a woman of many talents and a pioneer. She fought against the odds to become the first female licensed veterinarian in Delaware in 1944, having been the only woman student in a class of 50, followed by a private practice of 20 years. She was also an awardwinning painter, winning best in show in the National League of American Pen Women Biennial Art Exhibit, out of 6,000 entries from 45 states; and she was an accomplished pianist, playing her Steinway concert grand in her Kennett Square home. Mary grew up with and owned Irish Setters, showing them for many years. She received her amateur radio license in 1960, eventually graduating to the expert level. Her husband had his pilot’s license and wanted Mary to be able to fly the plane in case anything ever happened to him, so after several years of combining flying lessons with taking care of children, she got her own pilot’s license in 1964. Her older daughter used to accompany Mary on flying lessons. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years and by her son, Steven Jay Keyser. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Keyser Smiley of Sarasota, FL, and Jennifer Keyser Skolfield and her boyfriend Michael Mongelli of Wilmington, DE, as well as her grandchildren, Jessica Farenski (Jason), Steven Skolfield (Alyssa) and Kinsey Skolfield and her boyfriend Tyler Dey, her extended family Linda Watjen, Kate and Gregory Mongelli, Shelby and Garrett Schwing. William G. Simons ’39 passed away on December 3, 2013. Bill is survived by three children, Allen Simons of Bass Harbor, ME, Brian Simons of Merrimack, NH, and Cathy MacIntyre of Newark, DE; two stepdaughters, Anne Brunelle of Waterbury Center, VT, and Ellen Cipri of Essex Junction, VT; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Caroline Simons
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Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
Kent ’45, and brother, John Simons ’41, and was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Buzby ’43. Bill graduated from Amherst College in 1943, and entered the plastics industry working on defense projects. A holder of two patents, Bill’s post-war developments in plastics were used in the creation of the Minuteman missile, the Mercury space capsule, the Corvette, and fiberglass printed circuit boards. In 1950, Bill married Louise Eichhorn of Greensboro, NC. They remained married until Louise’s death in 1978, and together, raised three children. They enjoyed sailing and traveling, and were active with American Field Service, hosting several exchange students. An avid sailor and skilled navigator, Bill was a longtime member of the United States Power Squadrons, for many years managing the Advanced Piloting course, the most popular course offered by the Squadrons. He also taught the most advanced course, Celestial Navigation, for many years. He was recognized for 58 continuous years of service to the organization. He was also a life member of the Troupers Light Opera Company; he served on the organization’s board and coordinated set construction for many productions. Robert W. (Bob) Johnson ’44 passed away on December 31, 2013. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary, and five children, all of whom attended Wilmington Friends School, and their families: Steven Johnson ’79, Richard Johnson ’74, Nancy Rash Sutherland ’73, Barbara Newcombe ’71, and Robert W. Johnson Jr. ’70. He is also survived by his sister, Bette Good ’42, 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. All benefited from the love, values, compassion, work ethic and kindness he instilled in his family. Bob was born to John B. and Shirrell Johnson in 1926 in Emporium, PA. After childhood years in PA and Hercules, CA, his family moved to Wilmington, DE where he lived until a 2007 move to Maris Grove in Glen Mills. A 1944 graduate of Wilmington Friends School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned as an ambulance driver in the Pacific Theater during World War II and in Japan following the war. Upon his discharge and return to Wilmington, he completed his business degree at the University of Delaware and went to work with his father, brother, and brotherin-law at Hercules. During that time, he met Mary, the love of his life, and together they raised their five children. After a long career in the Purchasing Department, Bob retired in 1990, and he and Mary traveled extensively across the U.S. and abroad, both on their own and visiting their children. The whole family was active at Grace United Methodist Church for many years. Bob was an avid collector of toy trains and a long time member of the Train Collectors Association (TCA). The family very generously suggested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s memory be made to Wilmington Friends School.
Cornelius V. (Neal) Robbins ’49, 82, President Emeritus of SUNY Cobleskill College (19861991), passed away on December 1, 2013 at home in Delmar, NY after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet (Porter) Robbins; his four daughters; his sister, Evelyn Robbins Lang ’55 and her husband Edward Lang ’55; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several nephews and nieces; and many close friends, all of whom he loved and cherished as they equally loved him. Neal had a lifelong affection for his home state of Delaware and his large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived there. In his early years, Neal worked in his father’s hardware business, Robbins and Clark, in Wilmington. After graduating from Wilmington Friends School in 1949, he attended the University of Delaware where he earned his undergraduate degree in political science and graduate degree in economics and political science. At the University of Delaware, he met his future wife, Janet Porter of Camden, DE. They married upon graduation in 1953. He later earned his doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Neal loved his country and served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, and then in the U.S. Army Reserves for 20 years until his retirement as a major. In 1958, Neal began his long and dedicated career in education starting as a history teacher in Wilmington, followed by positions in college administration including: Dean of Instruction at Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ; Dean at the Community College of Delaware County in Media, PA; President of Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY; Associate Chancellor for Community Colleges in SUNY Central Administration in Albany, NY; Acting President of SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, NY; President of SUNY Cobleskill in Cobleskill, NY, from which he retired in 1991. He came out of retirement in 1992 to join the Department of Educational Administration at SUNY Albany to teach graduate courses in educational administration. After 16 years of teaching, Neal retired again in 2008. No matter on which campus Neal was working, he was always a proud supporter of the students and could be seen at their athletic, musical, theatrical, academic, and other organizational programs. Neal loved to spend time with his family and friends. Prior to his illness, he was actively involved in tennis, golf, reading, and his church, Faith United Methodist Church in Schenectady, NY. He especially enjoyed spending time on his pontoon boat in Delaware with his wife, Janet, and family, as well as friends, whom he encouraged to come visit anytime and take a ride.