Obituaries

Anne K. Pecht, ’54 writes: “You probably know by now that Dorothy Russell died in July, 2000. Dot was a professor at Antioch in the 1950’s. I visited her at a nursing facility in Newcastle, ME in the fall of 1999 and had a good visit with her. She was nearly blind but full of good cheer and happy to have the visit. She meant a lot to those of us who received degrees in Child Development in the 50’s. She was way ahead of her time in that field.”

Gary S. Freeman, 51, a Washington lawyer who specialized in personal injury and malpractice cases, died April 11, 2001 at George Washington University after a heart attack. He collapsed while working out at a health club. Since 1986, Mr. Freeman had practiced with the firm of Jack H. Olender & Associates. He was a former president of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan D.C. and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Freeman, a resident of Washington, was born in Houston and graduated from the University of Houston. He came to Washington after college and graduated from Antioch School of Law. He worked with the D.C. corporation counsel’s office before joining Olender. He had served on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy at Georgetown University Law School. He was a volunteer mediator with D.C. Superior Court and U.S. District Court. Survivors include his wife Cynthia Freeman, and a son, Joshua Freeman, both of Washington; his father, Joseph Freeman of Texas, and two sisters.

Anne Titchener Goodrich, 76, the former director of Green Acres School in Rockville, died of cancer March 25, 2001 at the Rockville home of a daughter. Mrs. Goodrich was associated with Green Acres School for 35 years, and she was director from 1978 to 1993. She was influential in bringing about the construction of a new gymnasium and school center and the addition of grades seven and eight to the school. For four years after she stepped down as director, she served on the school’s board of directors. She was an assistant and an associate director at Green Acres before her appointment as director. She was a past president of the Montgomery County Mental Health Association and of the Woman’s National Democratic Club, where in 1998, she presided over a 75th gala celebration at which then first lady Hilary Rodham Clinton was presented with the Eleanor Award in memory of Eleanor Roosevelt. Mrs. Goodrich also had been a volunteer for Suburban Hospital. Her avocations included tennis and swimming. A longtime resident of Rockville, she was born in Binghamton, NY, and graduated from Wellesley College. She received a Master’s Degree in early childhood education from Antioch College. Before moving to the Washington area in 1952, she was an educator in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and St. Louis. Survivors include three children; a sister, a brother; and two grandchildren.

Jean Roantree Modes, 92, of Whiting, NJ, died Friday, May 9, 2001. Before retiring she owned “Modes for Men,” in Wayne. She was a graduate of Antioch University in Ohio. She was a charter member of Packanack Community Church and had been a member of the Packanack Lake Civic Club and Discussion Club, all in Wayne. She also had been a volunteer at Chilton Memorial Hospital, Pompton Plains.

Xarifa Sallume Bean ’31, one of the founding group of Morris Bean & Company of Yellow Springs, died at her home, Tuesday, September 25th. She was 91 years of age. Xarifa came to Yellow Springs in 1926 to attend Antioch College. The day after receiving her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Antioch, Xarifa married Morris Bean, thus beginning her lifelong commitment to her work and family. Morris had graduated from the college the year before and was managing what was then the Antioch Art Foundry, one of Antioch’s student industries established by Arthur Morgan in the mid-1920s. A pioneer in the foundry industry, first as a woman, and then in research, design and corporate leadership, Xarifa spent 39 years as head of the company’s technical research and development team. She held six patents for foundry processes, including a process for resin-bonded sands that is still used in aluminum and other metal casting that requires extreme precision of parts. Upon the sudden death of her husband in 1970, Xarifa was elected president and CEO of the company. In 1977, she retired from that position to become chairman of the board, a position she held until 1985. She continued as a board member, consultant and problem solver until shortly before her death. She served on several other boards, including the Miami Deposit Bank, Antioch University (1980–1987), and the Advisory Board of Dartmouth Institute, a Dartmouth College program that offered business leaders refresher courses in the humanities. She was twice recognized by Antioch College – with an honorary doctor of science degree in 1952 and the Arthur Morgan Award from the Alumni Association in 1988. She was preceded in death by her husband, her brother, David Sallume, her oldest daughter, Anita Bean Newman, a grandson, Leonard Bean, and a sister-in-law, Blanche Bean. She is survived by her four children, Doris Bean, Leslie Kern, Rodney Bean ’69 and Hadley Bean, and their families, which include eight grandchildren, and her sister-in-law, Ruth Bean.

Charlotte Donaldson ’32, died on April 22, 2001. She had been able to live in her own home until October 2000, and then moved to adult foster care. She was 91 at the time of her death. She retired in 1974 from her career as a social worker.

Edith Kayser Sandman ’33, passed away on September 18, 2001 after turning 95 years old on September 13, 2001.

Persis Barruch Fuller ’36 passed away on February 15, 2001, in Flagstaff, AZ.

Barbara A. Felch writes: “It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the death of my father-in-law, Robert W. Felch ’36…He was very proud of his Antioch education.”

Donald S. Bussey ’38, died on January 28, 2001.

Jean M. Hood, ’40, a longtime civil rights and community activist, died February 23, 2001 after an eight-month battle with cancer. She was 84 and lived in Germantown, PA. She taught for many years at the Green Tree School in Philadelphia and was the first special education teacher to go to Harrisburg as one of 10 finalists for Pennsylvania “Teacher of the Year.” She had championed social causes since her youth. During World War II, she worked as a press operator at the Budd Company on Hunting Park Avenue. After being fired for being a union supporter, she was employed as an organizer by the United Autoworkers Union. When the union won an election and negotiated its first contract, Hood was reinstated at Budd and elected secretary-treasurer at the union office. In 1954, her family moved to Abbottsford Homes. The previous year it had been changed from a federal project for whites only to a low-income Philadelphia Housing Authority development. The first African American facility was faced with mob violence. The following year Hood and several other tenants organized an interracial community council. “Much of Jean’s life was devoted to her beliefs in peace and social concerns,” said William Hood, her husband of 54 years. He described her as a woman with a lot of friends and someone who kept up on current events throughout her life. “She made friends very readily,” said her husband. “She was a friendly, outgoing person. I miss her very much.” In 1964, the Hood family moved to Germantown and she became a Westside Neighborhood Council member and was active for 27 years, holding several offices, including president. She served on the Wissahickon Boys and Girls Club board for a number of years and for several years was active on the housing committee of the Philadelphia Council of Neighborhood Organizations. Hood was active in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, including participation in the Washington, DC demonstrations in which Dr. Martin Luther King gave his famed “I Have A Dream” speech. She later participated in the Poor People’s Campaign. In 1989, she joined a 13-bus caravan from Philadelphia to Philadelphia, MS for a 25th reunion memorial service for the three people murdered trying to register African Americas for the vote. Since 1954, Hood was active in promoting registration and voting. She was a member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom for many years. Hood was a lifelong member of the Society of Friends and in recent years was a member of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Green Street Meeting. Survivors include a daughter, Joan Hood; three sons, James, Thomas and Richard; six grandchildren, and a brother, Lincoln C. Magill. A memorial service was held on March 17 at Green Street Meeting.

Robert J. Pekoc ’40, passed away on May 3, 2001, in Shaker Heights, Ohio. He was 83 years of age. Survivors include his wife of 59 years Irene; sons Christopher, Robert and Mark, all of Cleveland, Tom of Shaker Heights, and Frank III of New York City; daughters Lucy Preston of Miami and Joan Pagano of New York; and 11 grandchildren.

Paul H. Rohmann ’40, who lived in Yellow Springs from 1936 to 1969, died Monday, August 27th, at his home in Putney, Vermont. He was 83 years of age. Born on February 15th, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Henry and Elsa (Zaiser) Rohmann. He was an editor and publisher by profession, and a writer and man of the theater by avocation. He married Christabel Grover, a fellow Antiochian, in 1941. After graduating from Antioch, he joined the staff of the Antioch Press, a printing and publishing house operated by the college. During World War II, he worked as a civilian technical writer for the Air Force at what was then Wright Field. After the war he returned to Antioch Press, becoming its managing director in the 1950s, as well as editor of the Antioch Review. When the Press was closed by the college in 1969, he went to the Kent State University Press, and was its director until he retired in 1985. During his college years and through the 1940s, Rohmann was an active participant in the Antioch Area Theatre as an actor and director, and was an avid and perceptive theatergoer throughout his life. He was also an accomplished comic author who published short humorous pieces in The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly and other periodicals in the ’40s and ’50s. Upon his retirement, the Rohmanns moved to Vermont, taking up residence in a 150-year-old farmhouse in the hills above Putney. He is survived by his four children, Chris Rohmann of Northampton, Massachusetts, Eric Rohmann of Princeton, New Jersey, Kim Rohmann of Boulder, Colorado, and Meg Rohmann of Louisville, Kentucky, four grandchildren, and his beloved dogs, Andy and Dozie.

Jeanne N. Schonberg, ’40, died March 30, 2001, at age 82, in Newtown, PA. She began her career as a social worker in Philadelphia and was a buyer for Macy’s in New York City. Her career continued with secretarial, office management and editorial positions in various fields, culminating in a decade at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Warton & Garrison. She researched and wrote travel articles for the New York Times (including a very early one on Puerto Vallarta – before its discovery by Burton and Taylor); art articles for American Home magazine; and a booklet on framing original prints for Tamarind Lithography Institute (a Ford Foundation project). Most of Jeanne’s life was spent in New York City where she volunteered for the neighborhood soup kitchen; helped maintain “Gandhi Garden” in Union Square Park; was president of her block association; and tutored foreign –born students in the public high schools. She was the moving force behind the metamorphosis of her apartment building’s courtyard weed-infested lot into a glorious inner courtyard garden, and oasis of life and color amidst New York City’s concrete exterior. Among her many interests were travel (Europe, the Far East, Russia, Australia, and Central America), theater, and politics. She was an active alumna of Antioch College. Jeanne leaves three nieces (Ann and Judy Bardacke and Jean Marchildon), three great-nephews, a great-niece, a great-great nephew, and a great-great niece.

Aleine Austin Cohen ’45, age 78, died June 2, 2001, in La Jolla, CA. Historian and educator. Formerly resided in Baltimore and in Palm Beach. Born in Woodmere, L.I. Attended Hunter College High School, Barnard College, graduated from Antioch College, Ph.D. Columbia University. Predeceased by husbands, Dr. Abraham Mufson of New York, Dr. Jonas Cohen of Baltimore. Survived by daughter Laurie Mufson of Mercersburg, PA, son Michael Mufson of Vista, CA, sister Jean Kaufer of Los Angeles, grandsons Beckett and Jonas Orion. Graveside services Salem Fields, Brooklyn.

Marion Tyson Stern ’45 died July 19, 2001 of complications arising from pemphigus, a rare autoimmune disease. Originally from Hamburg, Germany, Marion entered Antioch as a scholarship student via Bolivia. After obtaining her Master’s degree in Psychiatric Social Work from the University of Chicago in 1946, Marion had careers with the Mental Health Boards of Chicago and Westchester County, NY. She was active in helping the needy and the homeless for many years after her formal retirement, and will be missed by many of her patients. Her husband of 59 years, Walter Stern, her son, John Peter Stern of Tokyo, Japan, and her daughter, Nina Anne Lofstrom of Lake City, FL, survives her.

Olga Corey ’46, died September 10, 2001 at her home in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington D.C. Olga was originally born in Mexico but had lived in Washington DC since 1965. Her father was an economics professor at Antioch College. She graduated from Queens College and went on to Chicago where she worked at Roosevelt University, the urban league and the Illinois State Board of Economic Development. Olga had done volunteer work for causes related to civil rights, organized labor and the environment, and was a well recognized figure in her Foggy Bottom community. She leaves no immediate survivors.

Anne Reynolds Harvey ’46, passed away on July 29 2000 in Charleston West Virginia. She was dedicated to social and environmental issues. Anne played a large role in preventing the establishment of a landfill in the Clarksburg area, and was dedicated to helping the poor and disadvantaged. “She was very reserved normally, except when coming to the aid of the disadvantaged.”

Judith J. Jamison ’46, a judge with the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court for more than 15 years, died of breast cancer on August 11, 2001, at the age of 76. Prior to her death she was informed of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s decision to grant her the Sandra Day O’Connor Award, its highest distinction for a woman. The award selection was announced by Association Chancellor Carl S. Primavera, who said: “We will always be inspired by the memory of Judge Jamison’s consummate professionalism, her trailblazing journey as a woman lawyer, her attentiveness to everyone whom she encountered along the way, and the help that she gave to so many others. This award stands as a shining reminder of her contributions to all of us.” The Sandra Day O’Connor Award is given annually to a woman attorney who has demonstrated superior legal talent, achieved significant legal accomplishments and furthered the advancement of women in both the profession and the community. According to Women in the Profession co-chairs Rochelle M. Fedullo and Carol Nelson Shepherd, Judge Jamison was told she would be receiving this year’s award before she passed away. “This year, like every year, there were many outstanding candidates for this award. But Judge Jamison was clearly the most worthy recipient of the honor this time,” Fedullo said. “We are just so sorry she won’t be able to be with us on what would have surely been a very important and happy day in her life. We know her family and many friends will nonetheless share in what will be a very proud moment. We are proud to have selected her for this honor.” Judge Jamison is survived by her daughter Sara; a sister, Bernice Goldich; and three grandchildren.

In correspondence from John D. Stoeckel, MD ’49, The Antiochian has learned of the passing in 1999 of Dominique F. Dreyfus ’47.

Stephanie Craib ’48, a former teacher principal and administrator in the South Brunswick, NJ, school system, died on September 23, 2001, following surgery. She was born in 1927 to the literary critic and writer Granville Hicks and Dorothy Dyer Hicks. Ms. Craib received a Master’s Degree in teaching from Rutgers University. She had been a resident of Kendall Park, NJ, Since 1957 and was active in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton and the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office since her retirement in 1992. An avid birdwatcher, gardener and traveler, she visited Greece, Alaska, France, Egypt, Costa Rica, Italy, England and Africa and had just returned from a much-anticipated trip to the Rockies and Grand Tetons at the time of her death. Ms. Craib was the Widow of Roderick H. Craib. Three sons survive her: Roderick H. Craib Jr., Calvin G. Craib, William G. Craib, and two grandchildren.

Robert H. L. Wheeler ’48 died on April 30, 1999 in Dallas, TX at the age of 76. During World War II he trained in Special Services, studying Russian at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. After graduating from Antioch he earned his Ph.D. in American Studies at Yale University in 1952. He then joined the faculty of Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He retired from Emory in 1989 as Associate Professor in the Graduate Institute of Liberal Arts. His cousin, Judith Calver Malott ’49, received word of his death. Two children survive him, Robert A. Wheeler of Suwanee, GA, and Melissa M. Miloro of Marietta, GA.

“Sadly, Monty (Monroe R. Abrams ’50) has left us. He died November 2, 2000 of end stage renal failure and its many complications. He was a leader in the St. Thomas synagogue for almost 20 years. He also served as the first president of his Homeowner’s Association in Florida, which was his last place of residence; had a long, active and successful career in the manufacture and sales of educational equipment, record production, and classroom planetariums. He left a wife, Penny; sons Ron, and wife Marilyn, Doug and wife Joyce; daughter Jayne, and husband Jim and four grandchildren.”

Dr. Thomas E. Atkins ’51, passed away peacefully at home in Cornelius, on Saturday, August 4, 2001. Dr. Atkins was born in 1925, he served proudly in the US Army Air Corps in WWII, and received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. Dr, Atkins served more than 20 years as a child psychologist with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and retired in 1989. Dr. Atkins enjoyed spending time with his family, cooking, exercising, painting and gardening. He is survived by his wife Jean; sons Thomas and Karl; daughters-in-law Carole and Terrie; grandchildren Ian, Peter, Leigh, Claire and Jesse; brother James R. Atkins and sister C. Elizabeth Burns.

Warren J. Ingalls, M.D. ’52 died October 9, 1999 in Charleston, SC. His wife, Olga Livingston, and four children survive him.

John Merva ’51 of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, died March 23, 2000. His wife Theresa and son, David, survive him.

Polly Nankivell ’46, writes, “I send a memorial to fellow Antiochian Ruth Dembo O’Dell ’52, who died early September 2001. Ruth taught Math at the Morris County Community College. Her Husband E. Wayne O’Dell ’50 was an allied signal physicist. We and the O’Dells are members of the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship.”

Frederick S. Schaub, ’52 of Mount Vernon, OH, died April 22, 2001. Wife Marthalee Schaub ’51 survives him.

Paul J. Landauer ’53 of St. Louis, MO, passed away on May 9, 2000.

Margaret “Maggie” Nichols ’54 died July 1, 2001. Graduated Antioch College, Master’s at University of New Mexico. First woman editor for Field and Stream magazine. Inspired photographer. Author of Wild,Wild Woman: A Complete Woman’s Guide to Enjoying the Great Outdoors. Longtime member of the Society of Women Geographers. Graduate professor at Pace. Invaluable consultant and mentor to colleagues and literary friends. Maggie and her late husband Mike traveled extensively but loved NYC, especially Greenwich Village, their home since 1964. They actively supported the arts, especially live jazz and theater. A gathering of the Nichols tribe will be held in Maggie’s honor in mid September. Friend Sara Epstein Dobberteen ’53 writes: “Maggie and I were roommates for three of our four years at the College and remained close friends ever since. She was a woman of remarkable intellect, wonderful humor, and incomparable expertise with words. As the first managing editor of Field and Stream magazine, she waged and won a legal battle to have her full name (obviously feminine) on the masthead of this male-dominated hunting and fishing publication instead of simply “M. G. Nichols.” She held that post until her retirement a few years ago and still served as a contributing editor at the time of her death. Her book, Wild, Wild Women: A Complete Woman’s Guide to Enjoying the Great Outdoors! (1978) reflected her wry humor and love for travel and the outdoors. Maggie returned several times to Antioch to teach during summer writing seminars and greatly enjoyed being back on campus. Since the death of her husband Mike in 1993, she and I traveled extensively (often with Anne Poindexter Fischer ’54 until she too unexpectedly died last summer). It was just this year, when Maggie and I joined friends for a long winter stay in Mexico, that she said to me, “Know what I’m good at? I’m good at making other people’s writing look great!”

Robert Heifetz ’55, died of cancer on April 7, 2001 at the age of 68. An urban planning educator and peace activist, he was the son of the late silent screen starlet Florence Arto Vidor and violinist Jascha Heifetz. Born in Los Angeles, Heifetz taught urban studies at the Hampton Institute, the University of Illinois, and UC San Diego before joining the San Francisco State faculty. An avid sailor as well as activist, Heifetz taught sailing and worked with the Bay Area Peace Navy to protest militarization of the San Francisco Bay and, most recently, advertising on boat sails. In 1985, he was among 29 U.S. peace activists held captive on the Nicaraguan border by anti-Sandinista rebels. Heifetz was representing the Peace Navy in a trip along the San Juan River to protest U.S. military intervention in Central America. Heifetz was also active in the International Jewish Peace Union and the Jewish Issues Discussion Group.

Lisa Kobalkin Hofberg ’55 writes: “It breaks my heart to report a double tragedy. At Christmas 1999, my former roommate Marian (Mickey) Weil Over ’56 lost the power of speech. She was diagnosed with brain cancer and scheduled for surgery, although not much hope was held out. While arranging to fly from her home near Steamboat Springs, CO, to her mother’s bedside in Rochester, NY, Mickey’s daughter Nancy Over ’82 was killed in a head-on crash. Nancy and her husband Barry Castagnasso raised Clydesdales in Hayden, CO. News of Nancy’s death was withheld for a while until Mickey’s sons were sure she would survive the massive January 2000 surgery. After learning of Nancy’s death, Mickey underwent daily radiation. She fought bravely for nearly a year, eventually returning to her home in Meadville, PA. She was even able to drive again. But the cancer struck a second time, and Mickey died in September 2000. Dr. D. Jeffrey Over, a professor of geology at SUNY-Geneseo and his wife Jeni, who live in Hemlock, NY are the parents of Mickey’s only grandchild, Jin-Si Rose Joplin Over. Mickey’s younger son, Kurt Over, is a resident of Verona, Pa, near Pittsburgh.

Arthur Paul Meisler ’65 died on March 23, 2001 in Connecticut. While at Antioch, Arthur was active in the Maples fire squad, WYSO radio station, and civil rights efforts. After graduation from the Boston College School of Law, Arthur made his home in Willimantic and Storrs, where he was highly regarded as a prominent defense attorney. He served as Assistant Public Defender in the 11th Circuit Court and as Assistant State’s Attorney, and was a partner in the law firm of Flaherty, Meisler and Courtney in Vernon, CT. Arthur dedicated his professional life to the cause of justice. As a criminal defense lawyer he fought for the legal rights guaranteed to every defendant. He also cared deeply about the civil law rights of indigent individuals and families. To honor Arthur, his family has established the Arthur Meisler Fund for Social Justice, which will provide for the urgent needs of low-income people for legal aid. Gifts can be directed to Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. 62 Washington Street, Middletown, CT 06457. His wife of 30 years, Susan, and their son Saul survive Arthur. He is also survived by his mother and his brother Richard Meisler ’60.

Nancy Henning Vigil ’69 writes: “Susan (Schweber) Shaini ’68 died unexpectedly on May 7, 2000 at home in San Francisco, CA. Her husband Chris, and two daughters, Nonnie and Fiona, as well as her mother and brother survive her. After Antioch, Susan received her M.Ed. at San Francisco State University. She worked for nearly 30 years for the San Francisco School District as a kindergarten and pre-kindergarten teacher. Each year, she enthusiastically met the challenge of teaching a classroom of children from diverse cultures, many of which came from non-English-speaking homes. Susan’s dedication to teaching, as well as her love of learning, books, travel and the outdoors, was remembered by co-workers, former students, student’s parents, neighbors, family, and friends in a memorial service in Sigmund Stern Grove in San Francisco.”

Kurt Litter ’72, of west Simsbury, passed away September 27, 2001, after a long illness. He lived in the West Hartford area most of his life Renbrook School, Kingswood-Oxford School as well as Antioch College, where he majored in Environmental Studies. Kurt was an avid environmentalist and wild life enthusiast. He was an artist who specialized in sculpting and fine arts. He generously supported women’s softball in West Hartford for many years. He is survived by his mother, Faye Litter: a brother and sister in law, Nancy and Robert Litter from California: and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Veronica Jean Wessling ’76 died of cancer in December of 1999.

Bea Gaddy ’77, died on October 3, 2001 from complications of breast cancer at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Mrs. Gaddy was a mother of five who had known dire poverty before embarking on her own recovery and a one women crusade to help Baltimore’s needy- soliciting grocery stores, philanthropies and civic groups for food money and clothing. “Bea gave her life for others,” said fellow 2nd district City Councilman Bernard C. “Jack” Young. “She was a legend and a great lady.” “In the event that I can no longer continue, my children, who’ve worked by my side, will take over the operation,” she wrote. The week of her death, her survivors announced plans to continue her life’s work. She is survived by two sons, Michael Brooks and John Fowler; three daughters, Pamela Thomas, Saundra Briggs and Cynthia Campbell: three brothers, Mottie Fowler, Pete Young, and Tony Fowler: a sister, Mabel Beasly: nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Her Husband Lacy Gaddy, whom she married in 1967, died in 1995.

Elizabeth L. (Powers) Wilderson ’81, died of ovarian cancer on March 12, 2001.

Samuel Trice ’96, died on October 20, 2001. Trice, who attended Open High School, Boston University and Antioch College, had been living and working in New Orleans.