in memoriam ALUMNI
William McHenry Keyser ’68 December 15, 2020
After struggling with aggressive pneumonia and complications from lifelong diabetes, William McHenry Keyser died peacefully Dec. 15, 2020, with his wife, Virginia, by his side near their new home in Lake Wales, Florida. Mac was born Aug. 2, 1952, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a treasured place where he spent time every summer with his family. The son of R. Brent Keyser and Helen Angier Keyser, Mac spent his youngest years in his father’s native Baltimore. He attended the Gilman School and The Harvey School and later graduated from Middlesex School, where he was known as a hardworking student and a steady competitor in sports, including soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse. He graduated from New England College in New Hampshire, majoring in business. While attending NEC, his love of music and skiing led to his moonlighting as a disc jockey at the local radio station and working on the ski patrol at nearby Pat’s Peak Mountain. After graduating, he moved to Vermont, where he resided for more than 40 years. At an early age, he contracted juvenile diabetes, to which he responded with discipline and fortitude for the rest of his life. He did not allow this disease to slow him down and responded by living his life by his famous motto: “Go fast, take chances.” He became an accomplished sailboat racer with a natural hand on the helm and a knack for the preparation and maintenance of his Tempest class boat. Mac loved to tinker, take things apart, and make them whole again, usually while helping a friend in need. If something needed to be fixed, Mac knew how. He was able to repair his favorite Porsche and his many Saabs, as well as help friends with their vehicles. He was best known for his ability to work on bikes. Whether you called him “Uncle Mac,” “Mac-a-tack,” “Mackie,” or “the Macker,” you knew a bike dropped off for a simple tuneup would be returned spanking clean and perhaps with one or more parts completely rebuilt. The Shelburne Bike Club, established by Mac in the 1980s, continues to this day as the Wednesday Night Riders. For many years, his house was the starting and finishing point for these after-work evening rides, and as friends brought friends, they too became part of the fabric of his life. Biking was also a path for exploration for Mac. He led many trips throughout New England; Québec, Canada; and in the U.S., and Mac helped form the Vermont Iowa Pedalist (VIP) group, which participated in the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), riding across Iowa on a dozen different Julys. A bachelor for much of his early life, Mac finally gave his heart to Virginia Keyser. Their courtship included Virginia’s indoctrination to biking, and they married in August 1996. Mac will be remembered for his love of puzzles and his competitiveness playing backgammon. He looked equally at ease wearing bow ties, cycling spandex, or suspenders with his Carhartts. His nieces and nephews fondly recall visits from Uncle Mac, never knowing if he would show up in a sports car or a pickup truck. He was always willing to help another in need. His humor and good nature kindled many loyal friends. His strength and ability to
meet his many health challenges stoically and without complaint never wavered and amazed us all. Over time, however, the wear and tear from his medical conditions presented greater and greater hardships. Virginia was his partner in facing the daily challenges, and they strived to live life to the fullest, doing the things they loved together. Mac always lived his life on his terms, and when his body finally ebbed, he was ready with courage to say good-bye, and he slipped away from us into a calm sleep, perhaps sharing a hint of his smile. He was a remarkable soul and will be remembered and profoundly missed by so many who were fortunate enough to know him. Mac is survived by his wife, Virginia Bartholomew Keyser; his mother, Helen A. Trumbull, and stepfather, Walter H. Trumbull; his sister, Leigh Keyser Phillips (Peter); his brothers, Donald A. Keyser (Anne) and Peter S. Adamson (Mary); and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was predeceased by his father, R. Brent, and his sister, Elizabeth H. Keyser Evans. Given current COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be held in the future. (Published in The Burlington Free Press, Dec. 26–27, 2020.)
FORMER TRUSTEES
Suzanne (Susie) Ewing
(One of Harvey’s first female trustees) March 28, 2021 Suzanne Ewing died March 28, 2021, peacefully at home after a long illness. Born Muriel Suzanne Howard May 7, 1928, in New York, she was the only daughter of Zina McCarthy Howard and Ernest Ford Howard. She was predeceased by her only brother, Ernest Ford Howard (Peter) in October 2020. In 1947, Susie married Otis Allan Glazebrook, and in 1952 they bought and renovated an old farm in Bedford, New York. Their three sons all attended The Harvey School, where Susie took an active role, becoming one of the first female trustees in the 1970s, along with Louise Moore (1973–1982). “Susie was a great lady, a wonderful friend, and we were both devoted to Harvey,” said Louise Moore. “I remember the excitement we had being on the Board when the first discussions of Harvey becoming coed started. I’m sure you can imagine all the pros, cons, and development issues that went on in making the school ready to accept girls. A wonderful and momentous decision,” she said. Susie’s husband Otis died in 1966, and her son, Otis Allan Glazebook ’63 passed in 2014. In 1969, Suzanne married J. G. Blaine Ewing Jr. and continued to live in Bedford. She is survived by her three other children, daughter Zina Glazebrook, and sons Michael Truxton Glazebrook ’69 and Larkin Drummond Glazebrook ’73, as well as two grandsons, Larkin Jr. and Otis V. Louise fondly recalled her time with Susie at Harvey. “Susie’s son, Larkin, and my sons, Alden Mauck ’72, Parker Mauck ’74, and Andrew Mauck ’76 all played hockey at Harvey,” Louise said. “As a result, Susie and I happily spent a great deal of time at Evarts Rink watching their games and cheering Harvey on. She was a special friend, and I treasure many happy memories of our times together.” Susie loved to travel, read, garden, and rescue lilac bushes, and she was seldom seen without the company of a dog or two. Her warm laugh and pleasant smile will be forever missed and remembered. harveyschool.org 63
