Among Friends Extras

Obituaries

Spring 2011

1934

Thomas H. Roberts of Corvallis, OR died on April 7 at the age of 94. He is survived by his daughter, Marybeth Roberts and his brother, Alfred S. Roberts ’39.

1935

Mildred Klauder Robbins died on November 20 at the age of 93, a resident of Westmont. At the time Mildred attended MFS, the school was using two campuses - the former Friends’ Academy and Friends’ High School. In 1940, Mildred married Roscius Downs. After Downs’ death in WWII, she married Lewis Robbins who donated to MFS the clock which stands outside the Dining Hall. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Robbins Wetherill, her sisters, Elizabeth Klauder ’28 and Dorothy Klauder ’38, and her nephew, John Klauder ’66.

1940

David Bushnell died in Gainesville, FL on September 3 at the age of 88. David was a Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Florida, and a leading historian of Colombia and Latin America.  He received his B.A. from Harvard in 1943, and then worked in the Latin American Division of the Office of Strategic Studies and the State Department.  He received his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1951. He taught Latin American history at the University of Delaware, 1949-1956, and then worked in the Office of the Historian of the U.S. Air Force in New Mexico and Washington, DC, 1956-1963. He subsequently served on the NASA Historical Advisory Program and oversaw an official history of NASA.  As an Air Force historian he co-authored Space Biology, an account of the high altitude and other experiments the Air Force conducted prior to launching men into space. At the University of Delaware and the University of Florida, where he taught from 1963 until he retired in 1991, he published seven books on Colombian, Argentine and Latin American history; most were also published in Spanish-language editions. He was the editor of many other books, and published many articles.  His last article, completed just before his death, “Philatelic Feminism: The Portrayal of Women on Stamps of Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, and the United States,” combined his historical interests and his stamp collecting avocation. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Hispanic American Historical Review, the leading U.S. journal of Latin American history, 1986-1991. He received many honors, among them invitations to be Visiting Professor at the National War College and a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University.  He received medals from the Northern Department of Santander, Colombia (Francisco Santander Medal, 1984 ), for his study of Francisco de Paulo Santander, the first Vice-President and second President of Gran Colombia, and for other works on Colombian history; and from the government of Colombia (Order of San Carlos, 1995) for his many contributions to Colombian history.  At the time of his death he was scheduled to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the National University of Colombia (it will be awarded posthumously). The National University was also preparing a television program on his career as a historian of Colombia.  David was predeceased by his wife Virginia and is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Bushnell Black ’37, his sons, John and Peter, his daughter, Catherine, two granddaughters, a great-grandson, and a great-granddaughter. 

Alice Hilton Gassaway died at the age of 88 on December 15 in West Palm Beach, FL. After graduating from MFS, Alice went to business school and met her husband, Owen, of 63 years. Together they raised a son and two daughters in West Palm Beach. The Gassaways, as a team, cultivated general aviation for over 60 years and built Florida Airmotive, Inc. at the Lantana Airport in Florida, known as the Owen H. Gassaway, Jr. Airfield. Alice also spent 12 years as an official ambassador at the Palm Beach International Airport. She was predeceased by husband in 2007. She is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, her brother Armydis Hilton ’39 and her sister, Mary Hilton Stow ’45. In 1990, Alice wrote to MFS alumni, “…My thirteen years at MFS were most gratifying and helped me to have a better perspective on the world around me, influenced my outlook on life and contributed to my understanding of human nature. I am everlastingly appreciative of the ability to  attend MFS for thirteen years.”  

1942

Albert H. Forsythe, Jr. of Augusta, ME died on August 1 at the age of 86. After graduating from MFS, Bert received a B.S. from the University of Chicago in 1950. He then worked as an actuary for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company for 28 years until his retirement in 1980. Bert enjoyed vacations at the Jersey Shore, house projects, travel and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed reading, history, weather and watching sports. He was a fellow in the Society of Actuaries. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth, three children and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, two brothers and his brother, Thomas Forsythe ’46.

1944

David Greenwood of Walpole, MA died on February 6 at the age of 84. He was survived by his wife, Emily, his children, Kaye Tunney, Nancy Albertson, David, Jr., John, and Suzanne Spence, 11 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers, Wilson Greenwood ’41 and Sydney Greenwood ’47. He was predeceased by his brothers, Horace Greenwood ’37 and Thomas Greenwood ’39.

1946

George C. Benedict, a resident of Onondaga Hill, NY, died on August 4 at the age of 83. George served in the Navy during WWII and after pursuing a career in professional baseball, devoted his life to art and art education. In 1957, he earned a degree in art education from Syracuse and became a well-known artist and art teacher in the Central New York area. George taught art at Roosevelt High School, Valley High School, Westhill High School and Jamesville-DeWitt High School until he retired in 1987. In 2004, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Central New York Scholastic Art Show. In his retirement he continued to draw and paint, show his work and sell his paintings and drawings. He held many workshops, gave many critiques, juried many shows, taught private classes and taught art to senior citizens. He is survived by his wife, Ruthann, two sons, two stepchildren, eleven grandchildren, a great-grandchild, his sister, Patricia Benedict Buckland ’43, and several nieces and nephews.

1951

Paul M. Dare, Jr. of Audubon, died on July 26 at the age of 77. After graduating from MFS, Paul received his master’s degree in education from Rutgers and went on to teach business courses for 35 years in both the Cherry Hill High School District and at Triton High School. He was an active member of the Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church as well as the secretary and treasurer for the Mullica Hill Rifle and Pistol Club. He also belonged to the NJ Federation of Sportsmen and the Salem County Federation of Sportsmen Club. Paul enjoyed spending his free time fishing and woodworking. He is survived by his wife, Mary, a niece, nephew, great-nephews and several cousins.

1953

Richard “Dick” Griscom died on January 12 at the age of 75 in Galisteo, NM. He attended MFS through the eighth grade. Later, he graduated from Wesleyan University and Harvard Law School. Subsequently, Richard did development work in Central and South America and joined the U.S. Peace Corps., serving in Jamaica, Bolivia, Venezuela, Paraguay and El Salvador as Deputy Country Director and Director. He coordinated Peace Corps training programs and worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Bolivia and Panama. In addition, he worked with the School of International Training, the World Bank and the U.N. Development Program. After he stopped working overseas, he served two stints as General Counsel to the New Mexico Human Services Department. Richard enjoyed singing and enjoyed many years singing with the Santa Fe Men’s Camerata. He is survived by his wife, Janice, his children, David, Britt, Karin, Megan and Hannah, five grandchildren and his brothers, Samuel Griscom ’47 and Thorne Griscom ’48.

1956

Garrett Richman of Oakland, ME died on February 21 at the age of 72. He is survived by his wife Shannon, three children and numerous grandchildren.

1960

Deanne Cutler Dorn of Cambridge, MA died on September 29. She is survived by her husband, Barry, her daughters, Nicole Rolnick and Lauren Dorn-Jones, three grandchildren and her brother, Mark.

1961

Dan Moreland “Spike” Davis, formerly of Moorestown, died at the age of 70 in New Bedford, MA. He was survived by his wife, Beverly, his daughter, Renae Davis Barton, and his son, Todd R. Davis ’88, three grandchildren and his cousin, Michael Probert. He was predeceased by his parents, Earl and Katherine Davis of Woodbury.

2001

Crystal Jade Baltimore of Willingboro died on January 18 at the age of 28. An original at MFS, Crystal graduated from Loyola University MD in 2005. She was an associate member of the New Jersey Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club and was employed by Amerisource Bergen. She is survived by her parents, aunts, uncles and several cousins.

MFS Community

Kathleen M. Grossi, of Bryn Mawr died on December 30 at the age of 67. She is survived by her husband Robert, two children, six grandchildren, her mother, Dorothy, two brothers, her sisters, MFS Science Department Chair Barbara Kreider and Christina LeGros, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father and her son, James.

Joan Linton died on January 1 at the age of 93 in Newtown Square. An educator, Joan taught physical education at the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT and at Friends Academy in Locust Valley, NY. For many years she was president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Children’s Heart Hospital in Philadelphia. Joan loved skiing and mountain hiking in Vermont and Switzerland with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her three children and two grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, M. Albert Linton, Jr. ’33.

Mary Lou Didamo Marcucci of Haddon Heights passed away on February 9 at the age of 62. She was the wife of MFS Art Teacher and former Arts Department Chair Richard Marcucci. Mary Lou was a teacher for 31 years at the William Allen Middle School in Moorestown. In addition to her husband, Mary Lou is survived by her son, Justin, her grandson, Declan, her sisters, Anita Drusdow and Pauline Koch, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her step-mother and two brothers.

Louis McAfoos, Jr. of Dowingtown died on December 6 at the age of 92. Raised in Merchantville, Dr. McAfoos received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1940. After medical school at Hahnemann Medical College, Dr. McAfoos enlisted in the Army Air Force where he served in WWII. Dr. McAfoos operated a private medical practice in South Jersey and served in various positions at West Jersey Hospital, including chief of the medical staff. In 1979, Dr. McAfoos was ordained through the NJ Diocese of the Episcopal Church and he worked as an associate at Grace Church for more than 20 years.  Dr. McAfoos was an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution and an avid reader of history. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his son, Louis G. McAfoos, III ’66, his daughter, Diane McAfoos Hydrean ’78, and four grandchildren.

Takashi Moriuchi, an emeritus MFS School Committee member, who provided volunteer service and support to MFS for over 50 years, died on November 13 at the age of 91. Born in California, Mr. Moriuchi received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of California at Berkeley in 1941.An internee during World War II (from June 1942 to March 1943, in camps in California and Colorado), he went to Washington when President Reagan signed a bill in 1988, providing restitution to and apologizing to Americans of Japanese descent who had been put in camps at that time. After World War II, the American Friends Service Committee helped put Takashi Moriuchi in touch with Cherry Hill Quaker farmer Lewis Barton, who employed him and helped him obtain financing for his first farm in New Jersey, 100 acres in Mount Laurel, planted in vegetables. He made his reputation in South Jersey when, soon thereafter, he began raising strawberries. Takashi Moriuchi was one of the founders and a past president of the Medford Leas retirement community. Additionally, he was a former member of the Friends Fiduciary board, and played many roles in the leadership of the Friends Monthly and Quarterly meetings. At one time, he was partner (with the late Harold Wright) in Cherry Valley Ford Tractor Co. in Marlton. He also helped to found Moorestown National Bank and was a past president of the Moorestown Rotary. Along with his son-in-law MFS School Committee Clerk Bill Guthe, his son Fred Moriuchi ’65 also served as Clerk of the Moorestown Friends School Committee. Daughter Nancy (Chiyo) Moriuchi ’73 is a member of the MFS Head’s Council. Grandson Naoji Moriuchi ’94 is a member of the School Committee and Clerk of the Alumni Association. His daughter Carol (Kiyo) Moriuchi ‘71, and daughter-in-law, Caroline Brunt Moriuchi ’66, who served on the School Committee for 12 years, have been key volunteers at the school. In 2006, Takashi Moriuchi received the MFS Alumni Association’s Service Award. In 2008, Medford Leas honored him as the lone surviving founder of the thriving retirement community. He has also received prominent recognition from the Japanese government, including, in 1990, the Emperor’s prestigious Kunsho award, and from Japanese American organizations for his lifelong commitment to the Nissei community. Takashi Moriuchi married his wife Yuri in 1946. They were fixtures at MFS events for decades. He is survived by his wife and four children, all of whom are MFS graduates, Fred, Agnes (Miyo) ’67, Carol (Kiyo) and Nancy (Chiyo); eleven grandchildren, including seven MFS alums; and four great-grandchildren.

Reginald J. Raban of Cherry Hill died on October 9 at the age of 91. Dr. Raban was a well-known ophthalmologist in South Jersey. He attended Ursinus College and Jefferson Medical College where he graduated in 1946. He served as a flight surgeon for the Air Force between 1953 and 1955. While in the Air Force, Dr. Raban decided he wanted to be an ophthalmologist and surgeon. He maintained a practice in Camden and performed surgeries at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Outside of work, Dr. Raban was a voracious reader of history and enjoyed golfing. He is survived by his children, Lynn Raban Palmer ’62, Reginald Raban III ’63, Gale Raban and Jane McAvoy, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2004.

Harriette Reeves-Forsythe of Putney, VT died on November 15 at the age of 85. Raised in Reading, MA, Harriette attended Oberlin College where she became a Quaker. She subsequently joined Medford Monthly Meeting. She married David Forsythe in 1946 and was a first grade teacher. She was active in many organizations such as YWCA, 4-H, Fortnightly, Putney Family Services, Putney Cares, the Putney Co-op Board and the Reparative Justice Board. After her husband’s death, Harriette remarried John Reeves in 1979 and moved to Vermont to be closer to family. She joined Putney Friends Meeting and was involved in Friends General, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Woolman Hill, New England Yearly Meeting and Many Paths. She is survived by her daughters, Julie Forsythe ’66, Carol Forsythe ’70, Ellen Forsythe ’70 and Molly Forsythe ’74, eight grandchildren and her brother, Charles Camp.  There will be a memorial service in Hattie’s memory on Saturday, May 7 at 2 p.m. at Medford Meeting. Gifts in tribute may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Loren Riggins, father of former MFS School Committee member Paul Riggins, died on December 6 at the age of 84. A graduate of Vineland High School, Loren enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Silverstein the Pacific Theatre during WWII. At the end of the war, he re-entered Bucknell University and received a business degree in 1949. After graduating, Loren took on the leadership role in the family business, Riggins Oil, and diversified the business by venturing into gasoline service stations and wholesale petroleum marketing. In 1991, he passed the business down to the third generation of the family. Loren’s real passion, however, was the Boy Scouts which he joined at the age of 12. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 10, introducing the boys to camping, national jamborees, Philmont expeditions to New Mexico and world jamborees as far as Japan. He served as council president of the Southern NJ Council of Boy Scouts. His crowning achievement was the donation of materials and labor to the Boy Scout regional headquarters which was named in his honor. After 60 years of dedication to the Boy Scouts, Loren was awarded its highest honor, the Silver Buffalo. He is survived his three children, Patricia Cummines, Paul and Steven, his longtime companion Marge Catto, eight grandchildren, including Matthew Riggins ’99, Emily Riggins ’06 and Nathan Riggins ’13, and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Joan, his sister Betty and his son Robert.

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