31 minute read
In Memoriam
1940
Jean Marshall Meyersahm, aged 96, passed away on December 15, 2019. Jean Marshall was loved and cherished by many people including her parents, James Fredrick Stewart Marshall and Knap May.
Samuel E. Parr, aged 98, died on November 6, 2019 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Sam was born on September 2, 1921 in Ottawa to Dr. Samuel and Alice (Strawn) Parr. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII serving the 2nd Armored Division. Sam received his bachelor’s in economics from University of the South, and was a real estate and insurance broker for 35 years. He married Ann Bishop on September 8, 1948 at the Christ Episcopal Church in Ottawa. Sam was a member of Congregational Church, Ottawa Kiwanis, Occidental Lodge #40 A.F. & A.M., Ottawa Elks Lodge #588, American Legion Post #33, Big Bend Duck Club and the Ottawa Boat Club. He also served on the YMCA board for many years. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ann; two children, Mary Jane (Theodore) and Samuel; three grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lester Parr, and sister, Josephine Gedney.
1941
Anne “Nancy” Broeksmit Howe, aged 95, passed away with family at her side on November 27, 2019. She was born on April 25, 1924 in Chicago to Mary Stillman Broeksmit and John Shaw Broeksmit; she attended the Francis W. Parker School and Ferry Hall, graduating from Vassar College with a degree in mathematics. After college, Nancy taught in a one-room schoolhouse in West Virginia and learned to fly an airplane. After eleven years in Lake Forest and Winnetka, with connections to Lake Forest Academy and North Shore Country Day School, Nancy and her husband David Leavitt Howe moved in 1955 to North Carolina, raising nine children in a log home that is remembered by countless travelers, artists, friends and family. Nancy was predeceased by her sons, David and Fisher; her husband, David; her daughter-in-law, Dorothy Williams; and siblings, Laura ’45 and John. She is survived by her sister, Mary Weeks (Sinclair) ’44; her sister-in-law, Jane Broeksmit; children, John (Karen), Ben (Tricia), Tom (Mary Head), Steve (Meg Ryan), Sarah (Randy Best), Maria (David Lyons), Clarissa (Steinar Simonsen), and Jenn Browning; 21 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
1945
Anne Augustus Jones Johnson, aged 93, passed away on February 9, 2020 in Paris, Ill. She was born on October 16, 1926, in Paris, as the daughter of the late Henry A. and Laura (Skinner) Jones, Sr. She attended the Northampton School for Girls in Northampton, Mass. She was a graduate of Ferry Hall, Bennett Junior College, and also attended Parson’s School of Design in New York City. Anne was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she was a member of the Altar Society. She was previously a member of the former St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, serving as a past president of the Episcopal Women of the Diocese of Springfield. She was a devoted supporter and past chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Link Art of Paris. She was a talented artist working in oil painting and needlework and was a member of the Embroiderers Guild of America. She retired after many years as the owner and operator of the former Carriage House Gift Shop of Paris. She married Frederick Johnson, Jr., on August 31, 1951, in Paris. He preceded her in death March 15, 1995. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Henry A. “Hank” Jones, Jr. Survivors include four children, Henry M. (Angela), Laura, Mark, and Peter; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
1946
Susanne “Susie” Day, aged 91, died peacefully on October 27, 2019. She was born on September 5, 1928 as the daughter of the late Eugene G. and Esther (Whipple) Day. She entered Springfield High School in Springfield, Ill., and graduated from Ferry Hall. Susanne attended Pembroke College/Brown University and graduated with the class of 1950. She served as a junior counselor, president of the senior class, and was named the Top
Woman Athlete of the college at graduation. Susie had a long and distinguished career working as a sales executive for Trans World Airlines in New York City. In 1960, she started vacationing in Rhode Island and retired to her beloved home there in the 1980s. Her greatest joy was working in her yard. She will be sadly missed by her sister, Kitsie Day Denby. She also leaves her sister-in-law Jacquelyn Day and her dearest and best friend Lillian Shuff Knight and several nieces and nephews.
1947
Thorwald “Tom” Nils Trolle, aged 91, passed away on February 10, 2020. Tom was born on December 17, 1928 in Evanston, Ill., to Thorwald and Greta Trolle. He was a graduate of Lake Forest Academy. He received an international degree from the University of Stockholm, Sweden, in 1950; a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1951; and his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 1955. On January 11, 1952, he married the love of his life, Lorette “Lori” Keeler, in Vero Beach, Fla. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 as a private. He served in the non-commissioned ranks until promoted to Officer Candidate School where he became a class officer. After graduation, he was selected to serve on the OCS faculty until the end of the war in Korea. Tom worked for General Motors Overseas Operations from 1955-1968, where he served as CFO for GM Nordiska in Stockholm, Sweden, and then as Assistant Controller for the parent company in New York. He worked for Xerox Corporation from 1969- 1987, eventually becoming corporate vice president with responsibilities for several corporate staff functions, including manufacturing, distribution, administration, service, real estate and systems. He retired from Xerox in 1986 and then practiced as a consultant in corporate real estate for a number of years. Tom served as chair of the Stamford Economic Development Corporation from 1983- 1986; he also served as chair of the Housing Task Force for Fairfield 2000. He was the founder of the Distinguished Lecture Series for Seniors at Indian River State College in Vero Beach and was a founding board member in the early 90s at Sea Oaks Development in Vero Beach. Tom enjoyed tennis, golf, snow and water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. Tom is survived by his wife Lorette, as well as his children, Mike (Stephanie), Peter (Jayme), Chris (Diann), and Kathy (Toby) Thomas; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
1948
Dr. Henry “Duke” B. Ryan, aged 88, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2019. Duke Ryan served with distinction as a U.S. diplomat in Brazil, Norway and Australia. He earned his doctorate at Trinity College, Cambridge and was a Life Member of Clare Hall. The author of several books, he also wrote many plays that were performed in the United States and United Kingdom. He is survived by his wife, Patricia B. Ryan, son, William W. Ryan, daughter-in-law, Carla I. Ryan and his three granddaughters.
Senior U.S. District Judge John F. Grady, aged 90, died on December 2, 2019 in his Wilmette home. John was born in Chicago in 1929 to John F. Grady and Lucille F. Grady. His early education was in Chicago and Springfield; he spent his final two years of high school at Lake Forest Academy, graduating in 1948. In 1952 he received his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1954 and was associate editor of the Northwestern Law Review.
John served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago from 1956 to 1961 and was chief of the criminal division from 1960-1961. He then practiced law in Waukegan, Ill., for 15 years, 13 of them as a sole practitioner specializing in civil trial and appellate practice and also handled occasional criminal cases.
In 1975, President Gerald Ford appointed John to the federal bench. He served for 39 years, including four as chief judge from 1986 to 1990, before moving to senior status in 2015. He earned a reputation for fairness and innovation while overseeing landmark corruption and antitrust cases. He was appointed by the chief justice of the United States to serve as chairman of the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. He was also appointed to the Judicial
In Memoriam
Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, a group of seven federal judges who meet periodically and coordinate the pretrial handling of similar cases filed in federal courts throughout the country.
He was the first member of his court to permit jurors to take notes during trials and one of the first in the nation to allow jurors to orally question witnesses in civil trials.
He is survived by wife Patsy; son John and his wife Jennifer; grandchildren Patrick and Lily; and brother Frank.
John P. Ferbend passed away on February 7, 2019. John was born on August 8, 1929 in Chicago. He served in the Army and married his beloved wife June in 1953. They raised their family in the Chicago area, while John spent his career at Allstate Insurance Company. John and June retired to Arizona in 1989. John was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years and his daughters, Jeanette and Jill. He is survived by his daughter, Joy (Don) and son, John; three grandchildren; and brother Bob Ferbend, Jr.
1949
Dean Clark Countryman died peacefully on October 4, 2019. Dean spent his four years of military service at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, in the psychological research and development department. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, and his MBA from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He spent his entire career as an investment banker and assisted public and private corporations in raising funds in the capital markets. He was employed by Northern Trust Bank, Muskegon Bank and Trust, and by First National Bank in 1968. The last ten years of his career were in Rockford, Ill., at Amcore Bank and Trust. Upon retirement, he and Judy divided their time between Springfield and San Antonio. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his five children, Craig (Beth), Rebecca (Allen), Dick, Bruce (Stephanie), and Paul (Marni); eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Dean is also survived by his sister, Denise (Robert) and brother, David (Diane) Countryman.
1950
Lloyd Falk, aged 87, beloved husband for 57 years of Judy Falk, died peacefully. Lloyd was a founder of ECM Motor Co. with his father, Sidney Falk and brother-in-law, Richard Abrahams, and for 22 years was the owner and president of Fort Lock Corporation. Lloyd is survived by his daughters, Karen, Julie (Tom), and Nicki (Jim) Woldenberg; and nine grandchildren.
Ronald I. Meyers passed away on September 29, 2019. Ron was born on March 28, 1931, in Chicago to Irving Meyers and Mollie (Levinson) Meyers. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and Northwestern University . Ron served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, where he had the opportunity to play baseball for the Army throughout Germany. On July 5, 1963, Ron married Lois Robin. They had one daughter, Carla. Ron spent most of his career as vice president of the Weiman Company, working in furniture manufacturing. Later, he ran their photographic division, Standard Photo Supply. Ron spent the last few years before retiring, working in commercial real estate, with Jamison Realty. In 1997, Ron and Lois retired to Scottsdale, Ariz. They spent many years enjoying the arts, new friends and warm weather. Ron enjoyed reading, movies and travel. He had a quick dry wit and was a loyal friend. Most of all, Ron fiercely loved his family. Ron was preceded in death by his father, mother and his loving wife, Lois. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carla and David DeHetre; sister and brother-in-law, Elayne and Herbert Laufman; niece, Andrea Laufman; and nephew, James.
1951
Barbara “Bunny” Carney Heuer died on December 1, 2019. She was born in Chicago, Ill., on May 19, 1933 as the daughter of Bud and Louse Carney. She lived in the city of Chicago and later attended the North Shore Country Day School and Lake Forest Academy. She then moved to New York where she attended Bennett Junior College and Parsons School of Design. She loved living in Manhattan where she worked as an assistant editor at
Seventeen Magazine and met her future husband, Thomas Lawrence. Together they lived in NYC after the birth of their first daughter, later moving to Stamford, Conn., and then to Radnor, Penn., where their second daughter was born. After that they moved to Darien, Conn., where she made her permanent home for the next 45 years before retiring to Madison, Conn. Bunny was active in many community organizations and projects during her 45 years living in Darien. She attended the New York School of Design and worked as an interior designer and also managed a number of fashion boutiques. She continued studying at the Silvermine School of Art where she could practice her love of abstract painting and design. Her idea of a perfect day was to spend time at the beach with her friends followed by a quiet afternoon of reading. She loved to sail with her second husband David and to gather with friends for cocktails and dinner. She had a wicked sense of humor, and did not suffer fools gladly. Art, design, books, and jazz were just a few of her great loves, and she travelled extensively across the world; making her way to as many museums, cathedrals, and fabulous restaurants as possible along the way. She was an only child but counted her many dear friends throughout her life as members of her extended family. Bunny is survived by her daughters, Dana (James), Pamela, and Megan (Mark), as well as two granddaughters. She was predeceased by husbands Thomas Morgan Lawrence and David Alan Heuer.
James Robertson Driscoll passed away peacefully on November 9, 2019. Jim was born on January 14, 1933 and was raised in Winnetka, Ill., as the adoptive son of Robert and Jean Driscoll. After graduating from Lake Forest Academy in 1951, Jim attended Northwestern University as a journalism major. He began a long and successful career in the advertising business in Chicago before joining Warwick & Legler, Inc. in 1959. While at Warwick, Jim was promoted to Executive Vice President and led the development of international advertising campaigns to market the full portfolio of Seagram’s beverages. Following his retirement, Jim and his wife Cookie relocated to the greater Columbus, Ohio area in 1992. During their years in Ohio, Jim devoted himself to serving the Lord through several outreach ministries which included a long-term international mission in Porto, Portugal. He was happiest with his wife Cookie by his side. He loved spending time with his six children and his seven grandchildren. Among his many passions were jazz music, photography, golf, skiing, bird watching, nature and the great outdoors. Jim knew how to make friends with people throughout his life. His joy for living and his infectious enthusiasm drew many people close to him. He would greet everyone with his bright smile and his imaginative sense of humor, and he often went out of his way to make others smile and laugh. Jim is predeceased by his elder sister Janet. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Amata (Cookie), his six children, Debbie, James (Elizabeth), Robert (Tracey), and Debbi (Scott); seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
1953
John Crocker, aged 85, died on November 12, 2019. John graduated from the University of Virginia and retired from the US Army Reserve with a rank of Major. He operated the Crocker Insurance Agency for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter C. Crocker and Lucille Hanson Crocker, brothers Walter Crocker III and David M. Crocker. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janet, and his five children, Victoria (Donald), John, Peter, Jason, and Douglas; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Ward Just, aged 84, passed away in December 2019 in Plymouth, Mass. He leaves behind a journalistic legacy that began in his early 20s when he was a reporter for his family’s newspaper, the Waukegan News-Sun, from 1957 to 1959. He was briefly a student at Lake Forest Academy before transferring to Cranbrook Boarding School in Michigan He then went on to start his reporting career in Waukegan.
In an interview with NPR’s Scott Simon, Ward said his novel “An Unfinished Season” was somewhat autobiographical. It tells the story of a young copy boy working for a tabloid newspaper in 1950s suburban Chicago.
In Memoriam
A native of Michigan City, Ind., he had covered overseas conflicts for Newsweek before becoming one of the first hires by the Washington Post’s managing editor Ben Bradlee, who started his job in 1965.
He wrote hundreds of stories on the Vietnam War and survived wounds sustained from a grenade thrown during an attack by the North Vietnamese. He returned to the United States in 1967, and covered the presidential election won by Richard Nixon. He later published a book that openly questioned the war, “To What End? Report from Vietnam.”
Over the next 50 years, he was a prolific author of politically and socially conscious fiction. “Echo House” was a National Book Award finalist in 1997, and “An Unfinished Season” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2005. His other novels included “The American Ambassador,” “A Dangerous Friend” and “Exiles in the Garden.”
He was married three times, most recently to Catchpole. He had three children and six grandchildren.
1954
Harriet Durand Arpee Sherman passed away on April 6, 2020. Harriet was born on June 15, 1936 to Edward Arpee, Lake Forest historian and author and beloved Lake Forest Academy teacher and coach, and Katherine Van Wagenen Trowbridge Arpee. As the granddaughter of Calvin Durand, Harriet was a fourth generation Durand of Lake Forest.
Harriet was a life-long resident of Lake Forest, having grown up with trees, ravines, four seasons, Lake Michigan, her favorite library, and the fountain of Market Square. She retold the family stories and enjoyed the trees of prior generations. Harriet went to Lake Forest Country Day School and then Ferry Hall as a member of the Class of 1954; she then attended two years of Smith College in Northampton, Mass., as part of the Class of 1958, eventually graduating from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She later received her master’s degree in human relations from Webster College in 1975. She enjoyed working 10 years in the Labor and Delivery departments at Lake Forest Hospital and Evanston Hospital. Her favorite job was with the Chicago Maternity Center, the Stork Teams for home births throughout Chicago. She then worked night shift at Downey VA North Chicago Medical Center for 34 years in the PTSD Psychiatric Wards. She visited the commune, the Farm, in Summerton, Tenn., to continue her interest in obstetrics and mother-baby care after reading the works of Ina Mae Gaskin.
Harriet enjoyed international culture. She was a lover of spiritual exploration, foods, colors, fabrics, art, music, and plants. She filled her home with international variety and stories. She was a happy, lively spirit who loved reading, movies, art and music. She had a youthful, playful energy and was beloved by young growing learning creatures and humans. She enjoyed her dogs and cats, and the wildlife in her ravine including real deer and her deer statues.
Harriet was a proponent of natural landscapings. Ever receptive to the language behind words, Harriet had a talent for perceiving a situation beyond its appearances and identifying the agenda and habitual patterns of intention. As a new RN, her thinking was greatly influenced by a Dr. Albert Ellis Seminar.
Harriet read voraciously from the Essenes to International War Strategies. Her hand-made bumper sticker on her car once said “my other car is a black hawk helicopter.” Ever generous, her kindness and encouragement was not lost on those in need. Harriet was not one to be contained by social ignorance. Her old family lineage and civil war history greatly influenced her. Her father taught her the importance of a woman being self-supporting. Her mother taught her the importance of education. Her other great childhood influences included family friend Lilace Reid Barnes of Glen Rowan; she was fairy Godmother to young Harriet. After nursing school, Harriet traveled to Israel to see Kibbutz because she believed people could live in communal harmony. She traveled to Iran, then to Kashmir, met the father of her children, married in Calcutta, returned to Lake Forest and eventually divorced. In her later years she traveled to Switzerland, the Amazon and Alaska.
“Harriet will never be gone in my mind. She will always be a good friend, someone I had known for 70 years. We had so much fun together. We played field hockey at Ferry Hall, sat together in classes and I often went home with her as we were both day students. She was always humorous but a source of consolation when I experienced sadness. We had written each other for years and fortunately, I still have some of those letters.” – Nancy Wells Ypma ’54
“Harriet was an incredibly loyal and involved member of the LFA-FH alumni/ae community. She was most recently on campus for her 65th reunion in September 2019, at which time she and other members of the Ferry Hall Task Force were honored as Women of Distinction. Harriet was a longtime member of the Alumni Council, Ferry Hall Task Force, Ferry Hall Advisory Board and the Alumni Advisory Board (AAB). I will never forget her kindness and optimism and how she treated everyone as a friend. She will be sorely missed.” – Ruth Keyso
Harriet was the essence of hoping that the best of people would win the day. She loved exploration, creativity and growing things. Harriet loved to sew by hand and has made many ponchos and comforters with great delight and color. She was content, and loved by family and many friends. She was one of a kind.
Harriet is survived by her older brother Stephen Trowbridge Arpee ’52 (Janet) and his family, sons John and David, and three grandsons, and by her three children, Daniel, Julie, and Molly (Chris Abramian) and dear friend Matthew Mitola.
1958
Marilyn Ann Hauser Curry, aged 66, died on November 6, 2007. Marilyn was born on November 10, 1940 at the old St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield as the daughter of Linna Hauser and the late Martin Hauser. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Litchfield and attended Litchfield elementary schools. She graduated from Ferry Hall High School at Lake Forest and entered Washington University in St. Louis in 1959. She married David G. Curry on June 17, 1960 at Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Louis. They divorced in 1976. She is survived by her mother; one son, Todd; one daughter, Gillian (Richard Andrew); seven grandchildren; one sister, Cynthia (Jim); and one brother, the Rev. Martin.
1960
Allan L. Swartzberg, aged 77, died on January 15, 2020. Allan was born and raised in Chicago but fell in love with Santa Fe in 1965 while attending St. John’s College and decided to call Santa Fe home for the balance of his life. He quickly immersed himself in the Santa Fe community and gave generously of his time and resources to support local activities and causes over the years. Allan also remained active and supportive of his native Chicago community throughout his life. He had a deep passion for the arts, particularly photography, and curated an impressive and extensive collection of unique pieces over several decades. Allan, and his late wife Mary, who passed away in 2011, were instrumental in helping to found the Marion Art Center complex at the College of Santa Fe which later became the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Allan was dedicated to supporting the Santa Fe chapter of Cocaine Anonymous. His generosity of spirit helped many and he was very proud of this work. Allan is survived by his son, Josh (Regina) and grandson Rafael. He is also survived by his sister, Lois (James); nephews, Danny (Amy) and Michael (Marcy). Allan’s first wife and Josh’s mother, Susan, still resides in Santa Fe. Allan was loved and supported by many friends.
1961
Gregory “Greg” Zehner, aged 76, passed away in September 2019. Greg graduated from the University of Chicago in 1965 and spent his career as an advertising executive in both Chicago and Indianapolis. He earned his MBA from Loyola University Chicago in 1967. Greg was an artist who also had a love of books, music and humor. He was the beloved husband for 45 years of Linda Zehner nee Bach; loving father of Terry (Janet), Keith (Veronica),
In Memoriam
and Gretchen (Adam); proud grandfather of seven grandchildren; dear brother of Charles (Kathy); brotherin-law of Daniel (Judy) and Paul (Laura); and uncle to his nieces and nephews.
1963
Michael M. Sargent, aged 74, passed away on April 8, 2020. Michael was pre-deceased by his parents, Minier ’24 and Henrietta Sargent and brother, Doug Sargent ’61 . He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Sargent; children, Michael A. “Andy” Sargent, Tammy P. Clement and Deanna P. Eatmon; grandchildren, James Brandon Holding, Taylor D. Farrell, Samuel Cody Eatmon and Sierra K. Clement; great-grandchildren, Chandler James Farrell and Papa’s lil buddy, James Liam Holding; sister, Mary (Sargent) Coles ’58 and many nieces and nephews. Michael was a loving husband, father, grandfather and papa. He worked at Variety Wholesalers for 25 years after serving his country in the Air Force for four years.
1965
William “Bill” Thomas Murphy, Jr., aged 72, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2020. Bill was born to the late William Thomas and Martha Otto Murphy. Bill attended Lake Forest Academy where he developed his love for springboard diving and graduated from Williston Academy in 1965. He was a graduate of Harvard College as a member of the Class of 1969. While at Harvard, he was considered by his coach to be one of the best divers the team had ever had. He received an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1972. Bill enjoyed a long and varied career in advertising, sales, and marketing, ending his career selling real estate in New Canaan. Bill was an all-around athlete who both loved and excelled at any sport he tried, whether it was in the pool, on the courts with a racquet in hand for paddle, tennis, or squash he was known for his enthusiasm and sportsmanship. His true passion was the game of golf. He was a formidable opponent, a supportive partner, and an astute coach. He loved everything about the game, the architecture, the history, the lore and the crazy colorful clothes! He was a loyal friend to many and devoted husband of Nancy E. Edmonds. He possessed an enthusiasm for life, a gentleness of spirit, and a deep love of family. In addition to his wife Nancy, he is survived by his children Alison, Lindsay (Justin), and William (Catharine); and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife Cynthia Wilkinson. He was predeceased by his brother Peter Otto Murphy.
1967
Lloyd Geoffrey “Geoff” Young, aged 69, passed away on January 31, 2019. Geoff was born May 2, 1949 in Manhattan Beach, Calif., to Stanley Young and Bernice Shupe Young. After growing up in Japan, Kenya, Thailand and the Philippines, Geoff returned to the United States to attend college at Claremont McKenna College in California and then law school at Levin College of Law at the University of Florida. Geoff practiced law in St. Petersburg and Tampa for over 40 years, building a successful real estate and bank oriented practice. Geoff had a wide range of interests in life, all of which he pursued enthusiastically. Those included a lifelong love of the water, boating, and scuba diving. Geoff’s love of scuba diving in Mexico led him to cenote diving in the cave systems of the Yucatan peninsula. There, he befriended Guillermo “Memo” de Anda, a professor of underwater archeology. This friendship led Geoff to participate in and underwrite, with funds and equipment, explorative expeditions that led to valuable discoveries and preservation of ancient Mayan civilization. Friends will remember Geoff for his intense loyalty, his exuberance for life, his wit (often expressed through incisive cartoon drawings), his love of fine wine, and his appreciation of beauty, exemplified in his wife, Melisa, his constant partner in the water, on the tennis court, and at the drawing table, where together they designed their dream home on St. Pete Beach. With his passing, the world lost a vastly unique, generous, kind, and caring person. He will be missed beyond words. Geoff is survived by his loving wife, Melisa Ann French; daughter, Alisa (David) and stepson, David; his brother, Jordan (Bettie); and their three children; and his halfbrother, Wayne.
1968
Sydney Dee Martin, aged 69, died on September 30, 2019. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
1970
Kimberlee May Coon passed away on December 26, 2019. She was born on November 7, 1951 to Murphy and Marian May. Kimberlee attended school in Brownfield and later graduated from Ferry Hall. She finished her education at Texas Tech where she received her associate’s degree. Kimberlee married Paul Coon on March 9, 1974. She lived in Dallas for seven years before moving back to Brownfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, Murphy and Marian May. Kimberlee is survived by her husband, Paul; her sons, Monroe and Murphy (Dr. Amber); and two grandchildren.
1974
Jay Elliott Bell, aged 64, passed away on May 17, 2020. Elliot was born on July 28, 1955, the son of Mary Jane and James Marshall Bell. Elliott graduated from Lake Forest Academy, and the University of Illinois in Springfield with a bachelor’s degree in economics, which formed his love of investments. He married Velma McLaurin on July 4, 2018. Elliott was an avid sports fan, especially baseball and basketball. He enjoyed living in Chicago for a long time and had a seat on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He was also a benefactor of the Mayo Clinic, donated the Bell Baseball Field in Rochester, owned several farms in the area, and was president of the Rochester State bank and made several contributions to the Rochester Community. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by wife Velma McLaurin-Bell and extended family.
1975
Mark James Bonin, aged 63, died on January 16, 2020. His parents were the late Robert and Patricia Bonin. Mark was born on December 28, 1956. He attended Lake Forest Academy and graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1980, majoring in wildlife biology and management. He joined the U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer program that year and was assigned to Samoa, where he went on to continue his studies and undertook numerous professional placements and assignments in Samoa and the Pacific Region for the next 40 years. Mark was a climate change warrior and promoted environmental protection right up to the end. He loved this place, its culture and especially his family and particularly his children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. He was a devoted friend and followed the NFL and NBA all his life and championed the Chicago Bears all the way.
Jonathan P. Harding died on April 11, 2019. Born on February 15, 1957, and raised in Long Grove, Ill., Jon was a graduate of Kenyon College and studied art history at the City University of New York. He previously worked at the Boston Athenaeum, publishing a book on its pre-20th Century collection of paintings and sculptures. He served as full-time curator at the Century Association from 1995, organizing and managing scores of exhibitions. He was also a member of the Board of Directors and Historian of the Artists’ Fellowship. Tactful, kind and considerate, with a strong desire to help others, his death leaves an aching hole in the lives of his siblings, Ford, Diana and Judy. He is also survived by four nieces, a nephew and many friends and colleagues.
1980
Stephen Muckerman Swift, aged 59, fondly known as Big Yea, passed away unexpectedly on December 5, 2019. Big Yea was born on November 29, 1960 in Chicago, Ill., to Hampden and Margaret (Muckerman) Swift. Stephen graduated from Lake Forest Country Day School, Lake Forest Academy and received his bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla., in 1985.
In Memoriam
Stephen had a passion to serve and protect others. He joined the Kiwanis Club in April 2004, which became his second family. Stephen embraced bimonthly Kiwanis meetings where his genuine desire and willingness to serve and protect others was a natural fit with their mission of serving youth. At their seasonal fundraisers, he was always wearing his characteristic, beaming and infectious smile, wholeheartedly sharing his contagious goodwill. Always patient and inclusive, willing to listen and offer his help, he was a hit with children, friends, new and old, and the elderly.
Stephen began his day with his fitness routine at the Lake Forest Rec Center, often followed by morning services at St. Mary’s Church before going to work at the family owned business, John S. Swift Print Co. Stephen enjoyed dog walking, playing golf, biking, beach swims, movies, travelling and trips to Lake Forest Library. He was a lifelong Cubbies and Bears fan. As a voracious reader, he studied U.S. History and enjoyed mystery and geography. His library card was worn thin! Stephen’s loyalty to his family, friends and community was shown through so many helpful and sincere kindnesses.
Stephen was preceded in death by his father, Hampden, his mother, Margaret, and his brother, Hampden, Jr. He is survived by family members Jessica, John S. Swift ’70 (Mary), Nina, Christy ’76 (Peter), Laura, Shepard ’80 (Patricia), Martha ’82, Bryan ’84 (Lindsey), Stewart ’85 (Dodie), Sheila ’87, Constance ’90 (Quinn Miklos); 23 nieces and nephews; and the family dogs, Star and Molly.
Former Faculty Member
Former LFA football coach James G. “Coach” Fraser, aged 83, who worked at LFA in the early to mid 70’s, died Saturday, April 18, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Martha (Rinker) Fraser.
Born May 29, 1936 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Thomas and Margaret (Gahalar) Fraser. Jim was a standout athlete at Germantown Academy where he received varsity letters in seven sports. A member of the GA Class of 1955, he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2001. He continued to excel as a student athlete with the University of Wisconsin football team.
After serving his country honorably with the US Army, Jim was drafted into the NFL and had a successful career with a number of NFL teams. Upon retirement, he continued to serve as a teacher and coach at a number of prep schools across the United States. Jim was also very active with Camp Tecumseh (New Hampshire) for many years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, John T. Fraser (Tammi) and Jeffrey P. Fraser; his stepchildren, James “Jimmy” Beck, Stephen W. Beck (Lisa), Douglas S. Beck (Jodi), and Jeffrey F. Beck (Anita); three grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; one step-greatgranddaughter; and a sister, Margaret Lomax.
He was preceded in death by a brother, John Fraser; and sister, Agnes Bantley.
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Because we care.
Join us with a gift today to the Hoesel Fund for Student Support. The Fund, established by LFA alumni in honor of the late Head of School Walter Hoesel, helps low-income students participate fully in the life of LFA.
Here are just a few ways that Asst. Head of School and Dean of Students and Academic Affairs Chris Tennyson has tapped the Hoesel Fund to help students in need:
Bridging the Digital Divide: WiFi
When the Academy shifted to e-learning due to COVID-19, students’ homes became their classrooms. Some homes are not equipped with the necessary bandwidth for multiple students online. The Hoesel Fund helped buy high-speed WiFi access so no student fell behind in coursework.
Winter Clothes
Sometimes low-income students arrive at the Academy with improper winter clothes to navigate the harsh Chicago winters. The Hoesel Fund provided boots, jackets, gloves and hats for the long winter months.
E-books
Today’s learning is interactive and relies on digital resources. There are no low-priced used books when it comes to the digital world. The Hoesel Fund provided low-income students with access to required e-book subscriptions for their classes.
Help us help fellow Caxys today
With lost jobs due to COVID-19 and the increased economic uncertainty we all experience, we anticipate the demand for Hoesel Funds to be greater than ever in the coming school year.
Review
Lake Forest Academy 1500 West Kennedy Road • Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1047
in this issue
Trustee Retirements - pg. 5
COVID-19 Alumni Experts Weigh In - pg. 11
Congratulations, Class of 2020! - pg. 17
Ferry Tales - pg. 23
Alumni Class Notes - pg. 30
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